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your HEALTH body / mind / fitness
and JULY 27, 2023
with a focus on:
living
HERALD
Vol. 88 No. 31
Moving up at New Visions
Celebrating change-makers
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Page 12
JUlY 27 - AUGUST 2, 2023
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Housing office welcomes new commissioner am not authorized to proceed with any actions, such as entering into contracts, initiating new T h e F r e e p o r t H o u s i n g development deals, or funding Authority has welcomed a new roof replacements, without face to its Board of Commission- obtaining a resolution from the Board of Commisers in addition to the return of an old sioners,” Housing one. Valeria JackAuthority Executive son and Anita Scott Director John Hrvahave been elected by tin said. “These tenants to serve as actions are govcommissioners for erned by the polithe FHA. cies set by the housJackson will ing authority. Neede n t e r h e r t h i rd less to say, all housterm, and Scott, her ing authorities are first. The commisobligated to adhere sioners are appointto HUD policies and ed by the mayor and p ro c e d u re s, ” h e elected by tenants, added referring to making it a crucial the U.S. Department process for ensuring of Housing and representation and Urban Development. accountability. “A d d i t i o n a l l y, The board plays a each housing vital role in shaping authority may policies, procedures, VAlERIA JACkSoN establish its own and new develop- FHA commissioner specific policies and ments for the housprocedures. T he ing authority. They decisions and direcare responsible for overseeing tives resulting from these discuscapital funds and entering into sions are then implemented by contracts. Any significant deci- the Board of Commissioners.” sion related to contracts or new With a seven-member board, developments requires a resolu- five commissioners are appointtion from the commissioners. ed by the mayor, while the “As the executive director, I Continued on page 6
By MoHAMED FARGHAlY
mfarghaly@liherald.com
Mohamed Farghaly/Herald
National Night out returns to Freeport State Sen. Kevin Thomas will host a National Night Out event, in collaboration with the Freeport Police Department, on Aug. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Bishop White Memorial Park, featuring activities, food and information from local and state officials to enhance police-public relations. Above, Mayor Robert Kennedy, center, with participants at last year’s Night Out.
Wild Ones leads effort to save trees across Town of Hempstead By JESSICA REN Intern
The Long Island chapter of Wild Ones held its first “Walkie Talkie” event last month, in collaboration with the Stearns Park Civic Association of Freeport. While out on a walk with arborists in the Stearns Park neighborhood of Freeport, 25 participants learned about tree identification and tree care. Last September, Wild Ones, a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote environmentally sound landscaping practices and preserve biodiversity, held its first meeting at the Merrick Golf Course. Noting an increase in the number of trees being cut down, the group is hopeful that it can work with municipalities like the Town of Hemp-
stead to create strict tree-removal guidelines. “We’ve had a rash of tree cutting,” Frederick Nass, the chapter’s president, said at the mid-June group walk. “We understand people want to have a swimming pool, but if you’re cutting a tree down, you need to replace it. It’s not just what you’re doing to your own property; it affects people around you and affects the community, so that’s what we’re trying to encourage people to understand. “It’s something we all have to focus on for our neighbors and the health of the community,” Nass added. The group’s ultimate goal is to collaborate with the town to revise its tree-removal guidelines and promote tree awareness and conservation among Continued on page 4
W
hat motivated me to get started was a concern for people, and my main focus has always been on helping others in any way I can.