_________________ FREEPORT _________________
HERALD Curran questions housing plans
Celebrating MLK’s life
Self Storage turns 25
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VOL. 88 NO. 5
JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 1, 2023
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L.I. Cares sees surge in those needing help By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com
Courtesy Long Island Cares
LONG ISLAND CARES’ Freeport location struggles to keep up with increasing demand for food assistance amid rising inflation and fluctuating employment.
In the wake of rising inflation and fluctuating employment, Long Island Cares, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency food and supplies, has seen a dramatic increase in the number of local residents seeking assistance over the past year. Long Island Cares’ Freeport location, the first satellite facility opened by the organization in 2010, is struggling to keep up with the dramatic increase in demand for food assistance. The Freeport location is the busiest of the organization’s pantries, having distributed 462,000 meals to the community in 2022, more than double the number distributed by the second-busiest location, Lindenhurst. This increased demand for food assistance in the Freeport area highlights the significant need for support among local residents, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Freeport Electric upgrades control room at Power Plant 2 By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com
Freeport Electric recently completed a major upgrade to its control room at Power Plant No. 2 making it ready to keep the village energized into the future. Located on Buffalo Avenue in the industrial section of South Freeport, Power Plant No. 2 has upgraded its control room and now ties all aspects of the Freeport micro grid project together making the control room the nerve center of the Freeport Electric grid. The $530,000 of grant funding from the Governor’s Office
of Stor m Recovery allowed Freeport Electric to invest in the latest technology and equipment to improve the efficiency, reliability, and dependability of the power distribution system. The state’s storm recovery office is a state-level agency that coordinates and manages the distribution of funds for the recovery and rebuilding of communities affected by natural disasters. It was established in 2013 following the destruction caused by Hur ricane Sandy. The new control room at Freeport Electric’s Power Plant No. 2 features a state-of-the-art matrix system in conjunction
W
e’re the ones providing that electricity to the grid. We have our own power. ROBERT KENNEDY mayor
with a new video wall. This allows power plant operators to better manage Freeport’s power grid. The system allows the operators to control the LM6000 turbine and additional generating units, monitor the loading on upgraded underground and
overhead cables, and have faster connectivity to automated systems. The new video wall processing system allows the operators to have a visual representation of the power grid, improving the efficiency and accuracy of monitoring and controlling the power distribution. The video wall also provides
real-time data and information about the power grid, which enables operators to make informed decisions and respond quickly to any issues. The control room has faster connectivity to automated syst e m s, a l l ow i n g fo r f a s t e r response times in the event of an emergency. This is particuCONTINUED ON PAGE 5