Friday, May 19, 2017
Vol. 77, No. 20
$1
Former town supervisor will run for legislator
HONORED BY WEATHER SERVICE
BY GARY SIMEONE
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino (third from left), Town Councilman Joseph D. Muscarella (third from right), the Director of the National Hurricane Center Dr. Rick Knabb (fourth from left) and Town of Oyster Bay Public Safety Officials joined in congratulating Deputy Commissioner for the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Public Safety and former Town Councilman Leonard Symons (fourth from right), on being the recipient of a prestigious Distinguished Service Award from the National Weather Service of New York. The award, which was presented at MacArthur Airport in front of a C-130 Hurricane Aircraft used for weather reconnaissance missions by the United States Air Force, commended Deputy Commissioner Symons for outstanding accomplishments in preparing the Town of Oyster Bay for hurricane and weather safety and the past 30 years. Also on hand from the Town of Oyster Bay were the Director of Emergency Management Michael Gange (left), Department of Public Safety Commissioner Justin McCaffrey (second from left) and Department of Public Safety Deputy Commissioner Barry Bree (second from right).
Town authorizes lawsuit over parking garage BY GARY SIMEONE The Town of Oyster Bay voted by a count of 6 to 1 to authorize a lawsuit against ‘all parties deemed responsible for damages’ to the Hicksville parking garage at last Tuesday’s Town meeting. Town councilman, Anthony Macagnone was the only person to vote no to the resolution. The garage, which was built six years ago, has been plagued
with problems as of late including cracks in the foundation, water leaks and small pieces of debris falling onto vehicles. “We are going to take all the appropriate steps to determine who the responsible parties are for the repair of this garage,” said Town Supervisor, Joe Saladino. “The Town is ready to prepare a legal case and we want to make sure all of our T’s are crossed and I’s dotted before pro-
ceeding with the proper data and documents.” Saladino said that the Town board hired the Bohemia based law firm, Kushnick Palaci PLLC, which specializes in construction law, as special counsel to the Town in case of a potential lawsuit. The Town also hired Mineola based, Lizardos Engineering Associates, to study the infiltration of water into the garages See page 2
Old Bethpage resident, Lewis Yevoli, a former Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor, said he is disgusted by the ongoing corruption he has witnessed over the last several years in the Town. All of the political mudslinging has prompted the former 78 year old Supervisor to come out of retirement and run for a seat on the Nassau County Legislature. Yevoli will run in a primary against current Democratic Legislator, Arnold Drucker in the November election. “One of the main reasons I entered is because I am disgusted about what has been going on in Nassau County and the Town of Oyster Bay for all of these years,” said Yevoli. “These are some of the darkest days we’ve experienced with the different scandals going on and the jury is still out on who’s guilty and not guilty.” He said that when he left his post as Supervisor the Town was in great shape financially and now it’s barely above a junk bond rating. “I was part of a great staff who helped get three budgets restored in the Town and helped to alleviate property taxes for area residents. The fact that the Town is in a $900 million debt is absolutely unbelievable to me.” Yevoli said that the overwhelming debt problem can’t be solved overnight or even in a years time and that it’s about See page 12
School budget results Hicksville
The School Budget of $134,781,267 passed with a vote of 1176 yes to 372 no. The budget contains an increase of 1.85% Michael Beneventano was elected to the School Board in an unopposed race. Kevin J. Carroll was reelected, beating challenger Kyle Singh. Christopher Amato beat Kevin Amato for the third open seat on the board.
Bethpage
The Bethpage Schools budget passed with 1044 yes votes to 181 no votes. The budget of $83,569,427 is an increase of 1.73%. Bethpage voters also approved a measure to allow partial tax exemptions to firemen and ambulance workers. Also approved was a measure to allow partial tax exemptions for veterans. See page 12
Special Olympics at Bethpage HS PAGE 4 Levittown schools District Music Night PAGE 22