$1
Friday, June 23, 2017
Vol. 77, No. 25
Town will launch lawsuit against firms responsible for parking garage
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2017
BY GARY SIMEONE Officials from the Town of Oyster Bay had considered for some time launching a lawsuit against those responsible for the disrepair of the Hicksville LIRR parking garage and now that day is here. The lawsuit which was filed last Wednesday in State Supreme Court in Mineola, alleges that Freeport based, Peter Scalamandre & Sons and Mineola based, Sidney B. Bowne & Son LLP failed to correct substandard work at the garage which was opened in 2011 near the Hicksville train station. Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor, Joe Saladino, said that the Town is seeking unspecified damages from both firms from what he says is breach of contract and also malpractice from Bowne. “This (lawsuit) had been in the works for some time and it shows that we’re taking an aggressive position to protect our taxpayers,” said Saladino. “It will push the parties involved responsible for footing the bill for these repairs and not the Town.”
MacArthur High School graduated 332 seniors at its 56th annual commencement ceremony on Friday, June 2nd. See page 8
See page 17
Hicksville student advocates for DREAM Act BY GARY SIMEONE
Hicksville High School senior, Steven Vasquez is quite an inspiration to both his teachers and peers. He is the true portrait of a struggling, hard working immigrant who arrived in the United States from his native El Salvador three years ago. “Ever since coming here in 2014 it has been hard for me and my family to overcome all the hardships immigrants go through,” said Vasquez, who will be the first in his family to graduate High School later this week. “I am working hard in my class-
es and in my after school job to help pay the rent and support my mom and brothers.” Since coming to the High School in 2014, Vasquez has been a beacon of hope for all people like him, receiving several awards and notorieties for his many accomplishments. He completed the ESL (English Second Language) Program within one year of schooling, was nominated for the Puerto Rican/ Hispanic Leadership Institute in eleventh grade and was the designated student chosen to escort Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, during her recent
visit to the school. Perhaps what makes Steven Vasquez stand out the most is his stance on helping undocumented immigrants live in the US through the (DREAM) Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act. “Some of these kids come to this country against their will, entering Middle School and High School as undocumented immigrants,” said Vasquez. “I feel that it is important to get relief for these people and that there is a humanitarian way to do it so they can attain a higher educaSee page 17
Three key areas focused on at Board meeting BY GARY SIMEONE
Hicksville School Superintendent, Dr. Carl Bonuso focused on three important areas in his monthly report at the school board meeting last Wednesday. Those areas included district plant, programs and people which he said are all interconnected to make up the framework of a successful school district. “These three areas guide us always,” said Dr. Bonuso. Plant includes everything from energy savings alternatives, performance contracts and short and long-term fiscal planning. “We are working with the Bond Committee on this and we will present a bond presentation to the public hopefully in the fall,” said Dr. Bonuso. Marcy Tannenbaum, Assistant Superintendent for BusiSee page 17
Division Avenue HS graduation ceremony PAGE 10 Levittown holds “Bright Ideas” convention PAGE 19