Friday, March 4, 2022
Vol. 82, No. 8
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SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
INSPECTOR WELCOMED
NCPD Inspector Gus Kalin with Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker
Photo courtesy Plainview-Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce
Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview) recently welcomed new Inspector Gus Kalin to the helm of the Nassau County Police Department’s Second Precinct. Pictured with Legislator Drucker at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce’s Wednesday, Feb. 16 meeting, Inspector Kalin will lead policing initiatives that will impact large portions of the 16th Legislative District. The boundaries of the Second Precinct encompass the communities of Bayville, Brookville, Centre Island, Cove Neck, East Norwich, Glen Cove, Hicksville, Jericho, Lattingtown, Laurel Hollow,
Matinecock, Mill Neck, Muttontown, Old Brookville, Oyster Bay, Plainview (north of Old Country Road), Syosset, Upper Brookville and Woodbury. “Throughout a distinguished career in law enforcement, Inspector Kalin has displayed a steadfast commitment to community-driven policing, and he has always been willing to go the extra mile to make a positive impact,” Legislator Drucker said. “I look forward to continuing my collaborative work with Inspector Kalin and all of our partners in law enforcement to advance initiatives that will keep Nassau County one of the safest places in America.”
The Bethpage Newsgram is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68. Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Bethpage Newsgram, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris Publisher
Endangered peregrine falcons nest atop Bethpage water tower During a routine maintenance call to update communication equipment mounted to the Bethpage Water District’s (BWD) elevated water tower on Grumman Road, workers discovered that a pair of peregrine falcons had already claimed the tower as their home. The once nearly extinct bird of prey, which is still considered an endangered species in New York State, has found the water tower to be the perfect spot to nest. Maintenance on the tower has been put on hold until the eggs hatch and the baby falcons, known as eyases, take flight. “We have certainly experienced our share of different challenges over the years, but this is a particularly unique one,” said BWD Chairman John Coumatos. “The maintenance planned for the tank was not critical for day-to-day operations so there is no need for concern by our residents. For now, we are accommodating our guests by giving them space and the planned work will continue again once our newest Bethpage residents take flight.” Peregrine falcons are considered the world’s fastest animals, reaching speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour (mph) during their dives. They are known to mate for life, and often nest on top of cliffs, hilltops, and ledges of buildings and other high-up places. Peregrine falcons are primarily predators, who feed on other birds like pigeons and shorebirds. While these falcons are slowly becoming a more common sighting in New York State, seeing them in Nassau County is relatively rare. Like many other birds
of prey, peregrine falcons have suffered from the use of the pesticide DDT and other chemical contaminants that caused significant population declines since the 1940’s. DDT was found to cause eggshell thinning which drastically lowered the successful birth rate and nearly drove them to extinction. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, there were approximately 350 breeding pairs in the eastern U. S., including 40-50 historic nest sites in New York. By 1965, all were gone and populations in other parts of the country showed similar declines. Release programs initiated by the Peregrine Fund in the mid-1970s have resulted in peregrine falcons breeding in New York once again. In 1998, 38 pairs were present in New York, 36 bred, 31 were successful and 69 young fledged. New urban nests have been reported upstate for the first time in Albany. Gradual increases in the breeding population have been recorded throughout the east.
Peregrine falcon near the Bethpage Water District's tower
Race to support suicide prevention PAGE 18 Legislator delivers masks, test kits PAGE 4