Friday, June 30, 2017
Vol. 77, No. 26
$1
Report states Northrop Grumman used radioactive materials
BUDDY BENCH
BY GARY SIMEONE
Charles Campagne Elementary School in the Bethpage Union Free School District recently completed the installation of a Buddy Bench. Located in the playground area, the bench is meant to encourage friendships and to make sure all students have someone to play with at recess. Donated by the school’s PTA, school psychologist Dr. Louis Ricci met with all of the students and explained the meaning of the Buddy Bench prior to its installation.
Residents comment on Plainview Condominiums BY GARY SIMEONE A group of Plainview residents voiced their opinions on the new Housing Development project, Country Pointe at Plainview at last Tuesday’s Town of Oyster Bay meeting. Some of the residents were in favor of the project and others thought that it might cause traffic congestion problems in the area. Currently there are 175 individuals under contract who are scheduled to move into Country Pointe.
Marsha Elowsky, of Richfield Ct. in Plainview said she and her husband were planning to move to the development and is very excited about the move. “For the record we are adamantly in favor of Country Pointe and I’m anxious to move in,” said Elowsky. She said that she and her husband have bought new rugs that are already fading and ready to be put down in their new home. A Plainview resident, who currently resides at Briarwood
Lane said she is very much in favor of the condominium project and also in favor of the new Shoprite grocery store extended hours for shoppers. George Rosenbaum, a Plainview resident for more than 40 years said he was anxiously awaiting the opening of County Pointe. “I’ve waited a long time for the project and requested the Board to do what it can to move the project along,” said Rosenbaum. See page 15
In a press conference last Friday, Town of Oyster Bay and DEC officials addressed a report that came to light regarding the now defunct Grumman Aerospace Corp. Using radioactive materials in their manufacturing of military and civilian aircraft. According to the Town and DEC, the report contradicts earlier assertions by Grumman and the Navy that no radioactive isotopes were used in the building processes. “We’re dealing with a very serious situation due to contaminants left behind at the Grumman Navy facility,” said Town Supervisor, Joe Saladino, who was first to speak at the presser. “This report contradicts previous statements made to the Town and DEC and now we are demanding that Grumman and the Navy pay for the damaged they have caused.” The report includes a nine page document that was issued by Northrop Grumman to the State DEC listing several radioactive isotopes that were used in the decades that the manufacturing facility operated on Long Island. Those isotopes included radium, tritium, polonium and uranium which are all carcinogenic in large amounts. Saladino said that little progress had been made in seeking reparations from Grumman and the Navy due to their, “foot dragging and stalling tactics.” “They have let this problem grow and continue to worsen and now they need to bring forth the money for cleaning this up and stop wasting time.” Carrie Meek Gallagher, Regional Director of the DEC on Long Island, said that her administration has long been concerned about the pace of the cleanup operations and is actively pushing Grumman and the Navy for monetary compensation. “We’re at the stage where we’re conducting our own sampling and looking at additional options,” said Gallagher. She said that the DEC is starting a NRDA (Natural Resource Damage Assessment) and Restoration Process which will determine appropriate compensation for loss of natural resources. She also wanted to make it clear that nobody is drinking contaminated water who lives in the towns surrounding the now defunct facility. Nassau County Legislator, Rose Walker, said that she See page 15
Hicksville Schools celebrate Flag Day PAGE 8 Summer Fun at Hix Boys & Girls Club PAGE 4