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Friday, August 14, 2020
Vol. 80, No. 33
SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
State senators call for ouster of PSEG executives
RESEEDING THE BAY
BY RIKKI MASSAND
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino announces the introduction of over 20,000 oyster seedlings into Oyster Bay Harbor in honor of National Oyster Day on August 5. Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman Lou Imbroto, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, Town Clerk Richard LaMarca and Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato celebrated National Oyster Day in Oyster Bay Harbor by transferring over 20,000 oyster seedlings from the Town’s shellfish hatchery into the FLUPSY (Floating UPwelling SYstem) located at Theodore Roosevelt Park Marina. The Town’s hatchery, opened last fall, was launched with the
goal of populating Oyster Bay Harbor with 2 million additional clams and oysters. These efforts generate both economic benefits for the shellfish industry and environmental benefits that include improved water quality as each shellfish filters gallons of water per day. “Oyster Bay Harbor has long been considered one of the crown jewels of Oyster Bay, and we’ve done more than ever before to improve its water quality,” said Supervisor Saladino. “From our
rigorous seeding program to the great work being done at our new shellfish hatchery, we are continuing to improve the water quality in our bay while delivering economic benefits to the shellfish industry.” The Town and local baymens association currently maintain a FLUPSY (Floating UPwelling SYstem) in the harbor to grow clams and established “grow-out” areas to allow the clams to mature See page 6
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
For the third time in five days immediately following Tropical Storm Isaias’s damage to the region, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of Long Island residents, facilities and businesses, New York State Sen. James Gaughran (D-5th district) said he was disgusted by PSEG-Long Island and LIPA’s “total failure that endangered our most vulnerable residents.” In a statement released Sunday, August 9, the State Senator who has a Syosset office at 485 Underhill Boulevard, suite 102 in proximity to the Syosset LIRR and downtown Jackson Avenue, commented that Public Service Electric & Gas (PSEG) Long Island and LIPA’s failed leadership “is unforgivable.” He demands prompt change at the utilities, starting at the top of their organizations. “Mr. Eichhorn, President of PSEG-LI, and Mr. Falcone, CEO of LIPA, must be terminated immediately. The events of the past week have made clear: PSEG-LI has failed Long Islanders. Half a million Long Islanders were left in the dark without communication from PSEG, including seniors and medically vulnerable persons. Many still remain without power and without answers. LIPA, the oversight authority to PSEG-LI, has been asleep at the wheel and failed in its oversight of PSEG-LI, leaving Long Islanders to suffer for their inaction,” Sen. Gaughran said. On Friday, August 7 Sen. Gaughran stood on the lawn of Woodbury Gardens, a 214-unit senior living center at 1900 Fox Hill Drive Woodbury, to meet with senior residents in the community “who have been left in the dark since Tuesday’s storm, unable to even reach PSEG by phone.” Staff members explained concerns from residents and their families as some seniors at the facility rely on power for their oxygen and CPAP breathing devices. Two days later Sen. Gaughran sent out letters to Public Service Enterprise Group, parent company of PSEG-LI, and to Ralph Suozzi, former mayor of Glen Cove and current village administrator for Garden City who is the chairman of the Long Island Power Authority. Ralph Suozzi is also the cousin of U. S. Congressman Tom Suozzi (former Nassau County Executive) who represents Syosset and New York’s 3rd Congressional District. In his letter to Suozzi and the LIPA Board this week, Gaughran See page 6
NC Legislator hosts virtual internships PAGE 8 A bittersweet goodbye for Class of 2020 PAGES 10-11