Friday, September 20, 2019
Vol. 79, No. 38
SOCCER OPENING DAY
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Rodent problem plaguing local communities
BY GARY SIMEONE
Hempstead Town Councilman Dennis Dunne (rear, center) and Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin (rear, right) attended the Island Trees Soccer Opening Day Ceremony on September 8, at Stokes School in Levittown. Councilman Dunne and Receiver of Taxes Clavin were joined by members of the I.T. Storm, including Coach Kelly and players Taryn, Sophia, Haddie, Ryla, McKayla, Adriana and Quincey. Also attending were Deputy County Clerk Kate Murray and community leader Jeanine Driscoll.
“One Last Summer Blast”
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that the Lords of 52nd Street will play ‘one last summer blast’ concert at Ellsworth Allen Park in Farmingdale on Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. This free concert will offer Town residents one last chance to soak up summertime fun before the fall season arrives. The Lords of 52nd Street features the legends of The Billy Joel Band, including Richie Can-
nata, Liberty DeVitto, and Russell Javors. “The Town’s Music Under the Stars summertime concert series is far and away one of the most popular programs in our Town, and I am delighted that my administration can offer residents the chance to enjoy one additional date, and one last chance to enjoy the summer season before as we transition into fall,” Town of Oyster Bay Super-
visor Joseph Saladino said. The Lords of 52nd Street will perform at Ellsworth Allen Park on Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. No seating will be allowed prior to 4:00 p.m. for the concert. For your comfort, please bring blankets or chairs. The event will be held outdoors, weather permitting. For further information, please call t (516) 797-7900 or visit www.oysterbaytown. com.
Hicksville is one of the many communities in Nassau County that seems to be having an issue with increased rodent activity near our homes and businesses. As a result of the increased activity of these unwanted pests, the Nassau County Department of Health and local legislators have sent out mailers to residents, informing them of how to prevent and control the rodent population. “We’ve been getting more calls about rodent complaints from people throughout the County,” said Mary Ellen Laurain, spokeswoman for the county’s Department of Health. “It is not just specific to the community of Hicksville. There is not one area that is more affected than another.” Laurain said that her agency has been sending out fliers to residents throughout the County, with preventative measures on how to deal with the increased rodent activity. “They are just common sense measures that people should be taking to prevent rodents on their properties or from entering their homes,” said Laurain. “Measures include making sure no food sources are available and cleaning up after your dogs and cats.” Other preventative measures include clearing rotten vegetables from ones property, not letting birdseed fall to the ground and trimming shrubs and bushes so that the lowest branches are at least a foot off the
ground. Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker, who is a Hicksville resident, said that her office has received two phone calls from Hicksville residents about the problem and that they’re addressing every single case that comes in. “I am finishing up my sixteenth year in office here in Nassau County, and this is the first year I’ve received an inordinate number of phone calls about this problem,” said Walker. “We are trying to stay on top of the problem as best as we can and address each case on an individual basis. Unfortunately it looks like this is a county-wide issue.” She said that one of the complaints her office received was from a resident down the block from her house, who was being inundated with rodents from a neighboring yard. “The neighboring yard was not in such good condition and she was getting rodents on her property as a result of this. We were able to send inspectors to the site and rectify the situation.” She added that one of the biggest areas affected seems to be in the North Massapequa residential area. “I don’t know why the rodent problem is more prevalent in that particular area,” said Walker. “It could be the demolition of homes in order to build larger houses. Maybe that’s uprooting these nests and causing rodents to spread out over the area. See page 19
Hicksville schools welcome parents PAGE 18 “Hopes and Love” to start new year PAGE 4