Serving The Willistons, Albertson, Herricks, Mineola, Roslyn Heights, and Searingtown
Blank Slate Media Newspapers,
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Friday, April 20, 2018
Vol. 67, No. 16
Friday, April 20, 2018
35
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COLLEGE & EDUCATION
50 FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO W.P. FIRE
PBA SLAMS CURRAN ON LAWSUIT
PAGES 35-46
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18 ion • april 20, 20 tions special sect ia / litmor publica a blank slate med
No tax hike in Mineola Third year in a row for the village BY R E B ECC A K L A R The Mineola Board of Trustees is not raising village taxes for the third year in a row, Mayor Scott Strauss said last Wednesday during a meeting when the board approved a $22.7 million budget for 2018-19. The budget is about $600,000 more than the 201718 budget. The board kept the tax levy flat without any gimmicks or bells and whistles, Deputy Mayor Paul Pereira said. He added that the village isn’t “nickel and diming” people to keep the tax levy from rising. A larger tax base, strict spending controls and savings from debt service helped fund the budget increase, according to village Clerk Joe Scalero. The budget includes $20 million for the general fund, $2.47 million for the water fund, $774,953 for the swimming pool fund and $2.15 million for the library fund. Continued on Page 64
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHAMINADE HIGH SCHOOL
Chaminade’s Tarmac reigns supreme
The Chaminade High School student-produced newspaper, Tarmac, was named the top high-school newspaper in the state by the New York Press Association at the Better Newspaper Contest on Saturday. The newspaper staff includes, from left Jaden Ombres, Christopher Mercadante, Nicholas Plante, Colin Capece, Owen Barthel and Aiden Fitzgerald. See story on page 2.
Ex E.W. resident named LIRR prez Phillip Eng visits Mineola station after taking over embattled transit agency BY LU K E TORRANCE
politan Transportation Authority last week. On Tuesday, he greeted commuters at the train Phillip Eng, a 35-year veter- station in Mineola and promised an of New York transit and for- to improve service. “I live their concerns bemer East Williston resident, was named as president of the Long cause I’m a regular commuter,” Island Rail Road by the Metro- he said. “But it’s important for them that their concerns are heard, and we’re going to take those comments and feedback that we’re getting and really take it to heart and make improvements to
their daily commute.” Along with East Williston, Eng also lived in Mineola at one point. He currently resides in Smithtown. “Phil is a true professional in the field of transportation who has impressed all of us at the MTA since he came aboard,” MTA Managing Director Veronique! Hakim! said! in a statement. “He has the ability to quickly assess any challenging situation and find a workable
solution. We look forward to working with him in his new role.” Eng joined the MTA over a year ago and concurrently served as acting president for New York City Transit. During his time with the MTA, Eng focused on modernizing transit in the city, including the development of a new fare payment system, mobile ticketing, and new rolling stock and buses. Continued on Page 65
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