Friday, March 1, 2019
Vol. 79, No. 9
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SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVITTOWN Ex-NYS comptroller appointed to Town of Oyster Bay board
100 DAYS OF FUN
BY GARY SIMEONE
Students at Abbey Lane Elementary School celebrated the 100th day of school by dressing as 100 year olds. See page 8. Photos courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools
Former super takes over in Locust Valley BY GARY SIMEONE
After officially retiring from his position last year as Hicksville school Superintendent Dr. Carl Bonuso had no plans to work in a school district again. But the call came earlier this year from the Locust Valley School district that they had let go of their current superintendent, Dr. Anna Hunderfund, and were in desperate need of someone to fill the position. “They had contacted me and told
me they needed coverage while they were sorting the situation out here,” said Dr. Bonuso. “It is my intention to help them out during this transitional phase, but I am not planning on this being a long term contract.” Dr. Hunderfund, who has been the superintendent for the Locust Valley School District since 2008, was placed on paid administrative leave in late January. The unanimous decision was made by the district’s Board of Education, who called the matter a “confiden-
tial personnel action and that no further information was available at this time.” The Board unanimously appointed Dr. Bonuso to serve as the acting superintendent to the more than 2,000 student district. “I can’t speak to the ongoing situation with Dr. Hunderfund, but I would like to help the district out in this difficult time,” said Dr. Bonuso. “In my mind, Hicksville was my See page 19
After the sudden resignation of former Town councilwoman, Rebecca Alesia, in February, the Oyster Bay Town Board was looking for a replacement to her role. Last week the Board voted former State Comptroller, Steve Labriola, to fulfill the remainder of her ten month term. “It is state law to immediately fill a vacancy on a Town Board, and I was happy to assume the role after being out of the mix for the last six years,” said Labriola, who last served as the County’s Chief Deputy Comptroller In 2013. Labriola has extensive experience in both government and the public service arena. Besides serving as the County Comptroller, he also served as a State assemblyman, Chief Compliance Officer, Deputy County Clerk and Oyster Bay Town Clerk. “I bring a great deal of experience and interest to government and politics. I understand local government and I am thrilled to return to public service in a Town I love so much,” said Labriola. “I’m very interested in bringing my experience to benefit the taxpayers in the Town of Oyster Bay and to restore public trust. I want to see this Town gain a AAA rating once again.” In his time as Town Clerk and Assemblyman, Labriola gained extensive experience in the financial realm. As Clerk, he instituted financial controls and segregated financial duties to protect the taxpayers. As an assemblyman, he helped to enact the STAR Property Tax Relief Program to help deliver assistance to homeowners. In a statement, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor, Joseph Saladino, said that he welcomes Labriola to the Board, and the “expertise and leadership he brings.” “Steve Labriola is a dedicated public servant with unmatched experience in government compliance , internal controls and financial oversight,” said Saladino. “Together, with his help, we will continue to move Oyster Bay forward with conservative budgeting principles that freeze taxes, reduce debt and restrict new spending.”
Hicksville HS authors pen success PAGE 2 Full of spirit at JFK Middle School PAGE 4