Friday, February 2, 2018
Vol. 78, No. 5
GEN. MACARTHUR RETURNS
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Councilwoman addresses regional issues in program BY GARY SIMEONE
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (second from left) recently joined with Congressman Peter T. King (right) at the Annual Museum of American Armor Gala held at the Museum of American Armor, honoring our veterans and those on active military duty. Supervisor Saladino is pictured with “General Douglas MacArthur” and his aide during the ceremonies. The Museum of American armor, located inside the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, creates a military armored column that replicates the sights and sounds of American forces during World War II. The museum offers one of the most compelling educational tools our region has in telling the seminal story of American courage, valor and sacrifice.
Oyster Bay Town councilwoman Rebecca Alesia was recently selected as a member of the Energeia Partnership, which is a leadership academy at Molloy College in Rockville Centre. Also known as the Academy for Regional Stewardship, the think tank style program, is focused on improving the quality of life for all of Long Island’s residents. “This is the first time I’ve participated in a program like this and I’m thrilled and honored to have been included,” said councilwoman Alesia. “I consider the Energeia Partnership a catalyst for positive change and look forward to joining with my colleagues in developing solutions to some of the most serious multidimensional challenges facing Long Island.” She said that the goals of the program, which take place in full day classes every other month, are searching for ways to create an innovative economy, developing sustainable solutions to environ-
mental issues and to foster social justice within the Long Island community. “The curriculum will focus on a variety of topics, including energy and sustainability, governance and taxation, land use, poverty and health care issues, and the topics of racism, transportation, and social and justice issues,” said Alesia. She said that she was nominated to take part in the Energeia Partnership by her fellow Town councilman Anthony Macagnone, who is an alumnus of the program. Each year the program puts together a class of no more than fifty people, who have proven to be ethical leaders in their individual positions. People are invited from Long Island’s public, private, and non-profit sectors to help address the region’s most complex issues. Every other month, the one full day program focuses on a particular issue and local leaders look for solutions to the problem. The Energeia Partnership takes place over a span if two years.
A day of fun and competition at Bethpage rink
BY GARY SIMEONE
Three teams from the tri-state area came together to play a fun, competitive round robin hockey tournament at the Bethpage ice skating rink this past Saturday. The 8th annual Long Island Blues Winter Classic, featuring kids with special needs, was put together by the Town of Oyster Bay and the LI Blues hockey program. Mike Russo, head of the LI Blues program, said that his organization is fifteen years old and that this was the eighth year that the Town hosted the event at the Bethpage rink.
“Every year the Town allows us to hold this tourney here, and this year the event featured three hockey teams competing hard and having fun,” said Russo. “We had a round robin style of play going on and there were fundraisers, raffles and prizes available to all attendees.” The three teams featured were Long Island’s very own LI Blues team, the New Jersey Dare Devils, and the Connecticut Storm. Russo said his inspiring program offers children and young adults with developmental disabilities a chance to play ice hockey in an accommodating setting.
“These are kids with special needs who are enjoying and playing a game they love and getting a chance to do it in front of their parents and spectators,” Russo explained. The games kicked off at 3:30 in the afternoon and ended at 8:30 p.m. with each team getting a chance to play the other. At a special ceremony that took place during the event, Town Supervisor Joe Saladino awarded each of the participants with a medal and trophy.
Culinary students serve up talents PAGE 4 Gilbert & Sullivan at Bethpage Library PAGE 8