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Friday, February 9, 2018
Vol. 78, No. 6
Town to crack down on signage
Revitalization plan forces shop owner to relocate BY GARY SIMEONE
Supervisor Joseph Saladino (center), Councilman Tom Hand (left) and Councilman Louis Imbroto (second from right) today joined with civic leaders and the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce in announcing that Code Enforcement officials will begin a town-wide crackdown on the proliferation of illegal business signs. Town of Oyster Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman Thomas Hand, and Councilman Louis Imbroto, joined with civic leaders and the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce in announcing that Code Enforcement officials will begin a town-wide crackdown on the proliferation of illegal business signs, including some with flashing and/or neon lights. Supervisor Saladino stated, “The Town of Oyster Bay is working in unison with the Chamber of Commerce and residents to beautify the community and remove illegal signs from polluting our neighborhoods. Through enforcement of our Town Code, we will foster a more attractive suburban community.” The Department of Planning and
Development will mail notices to thousands of business owners this month reminding them of the Town sign permitting requirements (Chapter 246, Section 11.10) and restriction against the use of neon and other such lighting outlining a building or other architectural feature (Chapter 246, Section 7.3). Additionally, sandwich signs (A-frame signs) on sidewalks, scrolling/animated signs, rooftop signs and banners are not permitted by Town Code. Councilman Hand stated, “We seek to preserve our suburban quality of life and ask all businesses respect our Town Code and communities. While we begin here in Hicksville due to the recent resident concerns, we will address this See page 8
William Rich, owner of the former Sears autobody shop in Hicksville, has been a part of the community since 1995. Last month he received a call informing him that he’d have to close up his shop for good. The call came from the Sears main headquarters in Illinois, saying that the Sears property, along with his auto shop, would be closing down as part of the new downtown revitalization effort. “I was told that January 27th would be my last day of work at the shop,” said Rich, who is a Bethpage resident. “I was overwhelmed with sadness at the news because I went through a marriage and raised three kids while working at that shop.” The 62 year old autobody worker said that in one day, all of the signs were taken off the shop and there was nothing but empty store space left in its place. “When I went down to see it, I actually
started crying,” said Rich. “That’s how much it bothered me, because I spent twenty three years of my life in that location.” There is some good news to come out of it however, because Rich was able to open up a new autobody shop in his hometown of Bethpage. The new shop, at 414 North Wantagh Avenue, is similar in size to the Hicksville shop but will provide Rich and his staff with more room to operate. “It’s actually a more conducive arrangement because here, we can take care of anything autobody related, like painting, dents and windshield issues, whereas the Sears location was more of an estimating center.” Rich said he expects to keep much of his old customer base, which has been faithful to him over the years, and hopefully gain some new ones. “I started in 1995 so I’ve had generations of family members coming to see See page 8
Guilty plea in motel murder Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a man from Ridge has pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree for the November 2016 death of an East Meadow man inside a Hicksville motel room. Vincent Dalton, 52, pleaded guilty today before Acting Supreme Court Justice Teresa Corrigan to Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony). The defendant is due back in court March 20 and is expected to be sentenced to 23 years to life in prison. “This defendant tied up and brutally murdered his 39-year-old victim in a
Hicksville motel room, stole his credit cards, and tried to use one at McDonald’s,” DA Singas said. “Thanks to surveillance video and good police work by the Nassau Police Department, we have brought him to justice.” DA Singas said on November 19, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., the victim, 39-year-old Erik O’Connell, was found hog tied on the floor of a room inside the Econo Lodge in Hicksville by motel staff. When police arrived at the scene it was determined he died from blunt force trauma to the head. A weapon was never recovered. See page 8
Support group helps with struggles PAGE 10 Levittown seniors recognized PAGE 18