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Local mayors rally, call for more state aid directly impact local governments’ ability to respond to growing demands for public The New York Conference of safety and other essential serMayors and Municipal Officials vices. “It’s significant because if joined more than 20 government officials from across Long you think about the rate of Island, including Malver ne inflation, the cost of goods — in particular machinmayor Tim Sulliery and equipment van, on the steps of and vehicles — has Rockville Centre gone up significantVillage Hall last ly,” Sullivan said. week for the launch “The increase in of a statewide cameverything has paign to urge Gov. been systemic, and Kathy Hochul and the federal aid has state lawmakers to dissipated. increase unrestrict“Now we’re looked aid to cities and ing for another avevillages for the first nue to help us functime in 15 years. tion better from a At a news con- KAtHy SHEEHAN financial perspecference on Feb. 22, Albany mayor and tive, so we can keep Mayor Francis X. NYCOM president our taxes affordMurray, the immeable for residents.” diate past president Albany mayor Kathy Sheeof NYCOM, said that the fight to deliver more state funding han, the president of NYCOM, via the Aid and Incentives for said that the hard-ear ned Municipalities pro g ram is income tax dollars the state col“unfor tunately, a constant lects are supposed to help ensure that local governments theme” for local governments. Funding for AIM in the 2025 have the necessary funding to fiscal year is currently budget- address the challenges they ed at $715 million — the same face, including aging sewage as it has been for the past and water infrastructure and decade and a half. Municipal needed improvements in police officials said that the funds Continued on page 9
By DANIEl oFFNER
doffner@liherald.com
W
Sue Grieco/Herald
Collette picocchi, ava Lang and allison Biggane, of team ‘daisy troop 2499,’ were among the kids who helped raise nearly five tons of food donations for our Lady of Lourdes.
Our Lady of Lourdes food drive was a ‘super’ success By NIColE FoRMISANo nformisano@liherald.com
The basement of Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church in Malverne was filled wall-towall with donations as neighbors unloaded food from wagons while others sorted the donations into categories marking another successful annual ‘Souper Food Drive’ at the church. “We had an incredible turnout, incredible generosity,” said Linda Baldacchino, coordinator of youth ministry for the church. “It’s so inspiring, especially the little ones. It’s just a real feel-good day.” The March 16 event saw Little League teams, religious education classes and just
groups of friends come together to help collect donations for the pantry. The children range from high school students to 5-yearold Daisy Scouts. “It’s really great for (the kids) to see that there’s a place right here in town that helps people who need basic things,” said Alison Sheridan, whose daughter Lucy raised food with her CYO basketball team. They’re “able to provide that, to be actually out on the streets collecting things for people that need them.” Our Lady of Lourdes splits the village into 15 different sections, and a volunteer group of children is assigned to collect food in each section. After weeks of posting flyers Continued on page 5
e’re doing more with less because that state aid has not grown.