Wisdom Lane Robotics rise to top
Town plans to save historic mural at Sears store BY GARY SIMEONE
Dave Loveland (left) and members of the Wisdom Lane Robotics Team won three awards at the “In the Zone” VEX Robotics Tournament at Carle Place, qualifying them for the VEX Robotics Southern New York State Championship on March 3.
Photo courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools
The Wisdom Lane Middle School robotics team recently showcased their skills as the only middle school team out of 18 high schools to participate in the In the Zone VEX Robotics Tournament at
BY GARY SIMEONE
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Friday, February 23, 2018
Vol. 78, No. 8
Carle Place. The team took home the Tournament Champion award, qualifying them for the VEX Robotics Southern New York State Championship at The See page 8
An historic mural inside the soon-tobe defunct Sears property in Hicksville was the main focus at a Town press meeting last Wednesday. The 20 by 15 ft. oil painted mural, which depicts a historic map of Long Island and portraits of its famous residents, has been featured on the wall of Sears since the 1960’s. Sears announced last year that it would be closing its doors for good. Town Supervisor Joe Saladino, along with Town Councilman Lou Imbroto, Councilwoman Michele Johnson, and County Legislator Rose Walker, all attended the meeting. “It is extremely important that we protect and preserve parts of our history and this beautiful mural is a historic piece in the Town of Oyster Bay,” said Town Supervisor Joe Saladino. He said that he did not want the mural, which was painted by the artist G. Hunter Jones in the 1960’s, to have an uncertain future and to make sure it was properly cared for outside of the Sears property. “A feasibility funding study will be done, at no cost to the taxpayers on
how to best save this signature piece of artwork,” said Saladino. “The Town has identified several locations to house the mural, and we will make sure that it is moved in an appropriate way and displayed so that all of our residents and the public can enjoy.” Some of the locations that the mural might be relocated to include the Hicksville Athletic Center, the Town ice skating rink in Bethpage, and the Life Enrichment Center in Oyster Bay. Larry Rose of Seritage Growth Properties, who is charge of the feasibility study, said that his company has engaged an art restoration firm to ensure that the mural is well taken care of in the removal process. “The feasibility study will determine how it is attached to the wall and how to remove it without causing any type of damage,” said Rose. “Too much of our heritage is lost to time and indifference, and it is important to save this piece of history.” Legislator Walker, who is a long time Hicksville resident, said that she’s spent See page 8
New law will alter look of ‘zombie homes’
Last week, the Town of Oyster Bay enacted a new law that is meant to reduce the ever growing number of so-called, ‘zombie homes’ across Long Island. The law bans the use of plywood to cover the windows of doors of abandoned homes in favor of a polycarbonate (plexiglass) covering. “I believe we are the first on Long Island to mandate the use of polycarbonate instead of plywood on the windows
and doors of zombie homes,” said Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “The plexiglass covering will give a somewhat more attractive appearance to these dwellings instead of just slapping plywood over it.” Town officials said that there are currently 110 of these zombie homes within its borders. The Town recently created a quality of life task force to help with this ongoing issue. Changes to the Town code will include the banning of plywood on homes, the
mandatory use of plexiglass on windows and doors, and a clause that banks have to place $25,000 in an escrow account that the Town of Oyster Bay has access to. “The money in escrow will give us the ability to determine if we should maintain or demolish the property and not have the taxpayers foot the bill,” said Saladino. He added that changes to the Town code will also help to streamline the process of getting quicker results in the
court to move on these properties. “These zombie homes are a big problem for numerous reasons including reducing property values in the area, creating eyesores for the public and also abandoned houses can be used for squatters and people looking to get in trouble.” Last year, two homes in Locust Valley were demolished after standing in a state of disrepair for decades. One of the home’s basements was found to be completely filled with water upon inspection by Town officials.
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