Friday, January 27, 2017
Vol. 77, No. 4
ALL-COUNTY MUSICIANS
Nine Bethpage High School students were selected to participate in the Nassau Music Educators Association All-County Music Festivals that were held in January. The district congratulates the following students on this outstanding musical accomplishment: Andrei Aziz, Madison Buttice, Dana Chan, Keana Lee, Emily Liang, Michelle Luo, Adina Rahman, Carly Sesti and AJ Vita. Photo courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District
Homeless man charged with four burglaries
Nassau County Police arrested a homeless man on January 18th in connection with four burglaries. According to detectives, the Burglary Pattern Team and Second Squad detectives arrested Indalecio Suniga, 44, in connection with four burglaries. Police say that on March 26, Suniga entered The Great Wok located at 35 Woodbury Road, Hicksville through a ventilation fan. They say he did not remove any property from the business but did leave behind a hat which led to his connection to this incident. On December 31, 2016, Suniga allegedly
entered Madina Market and Grocery located at 607 Hicksville Road, Bethpage, and removed an undisclosed amount of cash. On January 5, 2017, and January 15, 2017 Suniga allegedly entered The Orient Restaurant located at 23 Hicksville Road, Bethpage and removed an undisclosed amount of cash. Suniga was located at E. Barclay Street and Broadway in Hicksville and placed under arrest without incident. He is charged with four counts of Burglary 3rd degree.
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Town credit rating improved by Moody’s
The Town of Oyster Bay’s credit rating for bonds was increased by Moody’s Investor’s Service, the Town announced on Tuesday. This was welcome news to Town officials because the Town’s low ratings meant that it had to spend more on interest when it borrowed money. Moody’s had pulled the Town’s bond rating in January 2016 after the town failed to file financial papers with the rating service. In April 2016, the other major bond rating service, Standard & Poors, downgraded the Town to “junk” status due to poor fiscal management and unrealistic budgeting. According to the town, the new better rating, “Baa3 with a stable outlook” was due to “significant improvements to actual finances for 2016, budgeted figures for 2017 and a stated commitment to work to eliminate fund deficits and build reserves.” Moody’s noted that the town had reduced payroll and consultant costs, and the Town Board has increased its role in day to day operations and budgeting. “While the Town has admittedly experienced some financial setbacks
in recent years, we have been working diligently to address the problems and make changes that will continue to have a positive effect on our financial future,” said Councilman Joseph G. Pinto, who has worked with all Town departments to help cut costs and streamline spending. “The Town’s fiscal recovery has been steady with remediation efforts beginning in 2012 and continuing yearly to the present.” The Councilmen noted that over the last five years, the Town Board has been able to stabilize the Town’s financial position through agreed upon concessions from the Town’s workforce, retirement incentives, reducing operating expenditures and other measures. These determined efforts will continue in 2017. “I am pleased that we have been able to offer a structurally balanced budget again this year with no oneshot revenues,” said Councilman Pinto, who works closely with the Town’s Office of the Comptroller and the Director of Finance. “Our stable outlook from Moody’s is reflective of our commitment to eliminating fund deficits and generating surplus on a recurring basis.”
Hicksville kindergarten registration If you are a parent or know of someone who has a child residing in the Hicksville Public School District, reaching the age of 5 years on or before Dec. 1, 2017, who will be eligible for admission to kindergarten for the 2017-18 school year, please contact the registrar at 516-733-2168 to set-up an appointment to submit your application.
Registration will begin the week of Feb. 27 and the requirements and applications are available online on the district’s website, www. hicksvillepublicschools.org under the Registration Quicklinks to the left, or can be picked up at the Hicksville Administration Building, located at 200 Division Ave.
Hat wholesaler tries to boost business PAGE 2 Teacher unites school for a cause PAGE 7