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Friday, March 2, 2018
Vol. 78, No. 9
NEW SCHOOL TRUSTEE
During the Bethpage Board of Education business meeting on Feb. 13, Bethpage School District’s attorney Laura Granelli (left) swore in resident Christina Scelta as the board’s newest trustee. Photo courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District The Bethpage Union Free School District Board of Education unanimously appointed district resident Christina Scelta as the board’s newest trustee during its Feb. 13 business meeting. Christina was sworn in by Bethpage School District’s attorney Laura
BY GARY SIMEONE The trains were whizzing down the tracks and stopping at the station at the Hicksville VFW on Saturday, and it was all for a good cause. It was the third year the model train show was held at the VFW post and all of the proceeds from the event went towards veteran assistance services including housing, employment and healthcare.
Granelli amid board members, Superintendent of Schools Terrence Clark, central administrators, residents, and proud family members. Christina was appointed to the seat previously held by Kurt Spears, who chose to step down in January.
Town to hold lectures on “situational awareness”
With the recent tragedy in Parkland, FL still touching our hearts and in our minds, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino today announced that the Town Department of Public Safety – in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department – will host two Situational Awareness lectures for residents to recognize potential warning signs and learn proactive survival strategies during active shooter incidents. Lectures will take place on Thursday, March 8th at 7pm at Town Hall North in Oyster Bay, and on Thursday, March 22nd at 7pm in the community center at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa. Residents are welcome to attend either seminar. Supervisor Saladino stated, “Terrible tragedies throughout our nation have left residents feeling very uneasy. While we all hope to never face such an active shooter situation, residents can take this opportunity to learn survival strategies and recognize potential warning signs of violent individuals. The safety of our children and residents is of utmost concern and working with the Nassau County Police Department we will continue to advance education and preparedness measures.” By focusing on situational awareness,
Model train show benefits veterans Former President of the Hicksville Civic Association Joel Berse put the event together through his company, Trainville Hobby Depot. “It is our third event at the VFW, and the most successful one we’ve had in terms of people who attended and the number of trains on display,” said Berse. Berse said that there was a 99% operating rate for train layouts and that every scale was represented.
“We had every scale on display from Z scale, N scale, HO scale to multiples. We even had an On30 narrow gauge prototype.” Bill Walden, Commander of the VFW post, said that he believed the amount raised at the train show would go a long way towards helping veterans. “I don’t want to put an exact number on it but I can say we raised over $1,000, which is very good,” said Walden.
the 90 minute lecture encourages participants to be vigilant for suspicious behavior which could be indicators of a future attack. The curriculum discusses pre-operational surveillance, acquisition of bomb making materials, the importance of reporting suspicious persons, packages, and vehicles, and other indicators of terrorism. Instructors will also present information on the “See Something Say Something” campaign and stress the importance of suspicious activity reporting through contact with local law enforcement agencies. Ultimately the lecture builds toward providing participants with actions to take when confronted with an active shooter situation. During training, instructors will provide a historical review of national active shooter incidents and identify best practices learned from the after action reports. An active shooter is defined as an armed person who has used deadly physical force on other persons and continues to do so while having unrestricted access to additional victims. To attend a Situational Awareness lecture, residents must RSVP by registering online at www.oysterbaytown. com, or by calling (516) 624-6380.
Walden said that proceeds would help with the voice of the VFW’s democracy and help with its programs. “Some of the money would go into our Relief Fund, which could help a vet out with some fast cash or something along those lines.” The train show was so popular that the VFW has already agreed to bring back Trainville model Hobby next year for another show.
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