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Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

By Doug Finlay   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

LOCAL FILMMAKERS SMILE BIG AFTER WINNING AWARDS: From left, John Lazzaro, of Wantagh won for Best Humanitarian Film “Hindsight”; North Bellmore's Jill Schissel won for Best Short Student Film “Mildred Richards,” Kat Wisener won for Best Actress in Ms. Schissel's “Mildred Richards”; and Brian Biegel was  director for Bellmore producer Sal Del Guidice’s Best Documentary film “Miracle Ball.”

Jill Schissel of North Bellmore garnered two awards for her short film “Mildred Richards,” Sal Del Guidice of Bellmore’s film “Miracle Ball” won an award and John Lazzaro of Wantagh won an award for “Hindsight” during the 13th annual Long Island International Film Expo’s awards ceremony at the Bellmore Movies last Sunday.

The newest winners mingled with a star-studded guest list that included Cathy Moriarty (“Raging Bull,” “Analyze That” and “Cop Land”), Lou Martini Jr. (“Sopranos,” off-Broadway’s “On The Waterfront”), Robert Clohessy (Broadway’s “Pal Joey”), Lenny Venito (“Knights of Prosperity,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Anthony Mangano (“NYPD Blue”), Peter Greene (“The Mask,” “Under the Influence” and “War of the Worlds”), Brandon Hannan (“Sopranos”) and Brian O’Halloran (“Clerks”). 

Ms. Schissel, who graduated from Calhoun High School, told Bellmore Life after her short film “Mildred Richards” won the Triple Play Tech Award and Best Student Short Film and actress Kat Wisener won for Best Actress in a short film, that the film expo “was a great opportunity to get my film seen, and I feel very fortunate to be here.” Said Ms. Wisener of her win: “This is the best film I have ever had the privilege to be associated with.”

$5,000 winner

In addition to winning the Gold academy-style trophy, Ms. Schissel was also awarded the top prize – a $5,000 Post Production Service Voucher from Redlab Digital. 

Jim Cook, chairman of the Nassau County Film Commission,  presented the prize to Ms. Schissel, saying, “The quality of Jill’s work along with the proposal for her next film made this prize the best fit for her.”

Ms. Schissel will use the prize to help offset post-production costs for her next film, “Fall Girl.”  

“Mildred Richards” was a challenge for the actors because the story is an actual remake of an old radio program, and the actors had to lip-synch their words the entire time – a radio recording over a modern film.

Bellmore resident Sal Del Guidice’s production company Tangerine Films also garnered an award for Best Documentary Film for “Miracle Ball.” “This is a fantastic festival, it is run very well,” said the film’s director, Mr. Beigel, who accepted the award.

Mr. Del Guidice told Bellmore Life “I’m thrilled and honored to win this award against such great international competition. This film expo offers a fantastic showcase of all manner of film from all over the world. “To win it in my own backyard of Bellmore, there is nothing better.”

“Miracle Ball,” or “The Hunt for the Shot Heard Around the World,” traces the filmmaker’s steps as he searches for the “Maltese Falcon” of sports memorabilia: who caught the famous home-run ball that New York Giant Bobby Thomson hit against the Brooklyn Dodgers on October 8, 1951, in the Polo Grounds, to put the Giants into the World Series against the New York Yankees.

John Lazzaro, of Wantagh, won for Best Humanitarian Award for his documentary “Hindsight.” “It’s my first award and it feels good to be up here and recognized.”

“Hindsight” looks at the heroin epidemic plaguing Long Island, which took the life  of Seaford’s 17-year-old  Natalie Ciappa, and offers hope through those  fighting against the epidemic.

Who’s who of actors

The first three rows of the theater were filled with a who’s who of actors and actresses, including Cathy Moriarty, Anthony Mangano, Peter Greene, Lenny Venito, Robert Clohessy, Brandon Hannan, Brian O’Halloran, Sharon Angela and Lou Martini Jr. 

After opening songs from the music group Gathering Time, featuring former Bellmore Life assistant editor Stu Markus, got the crowd calling for more, Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling got the crowd laughing with bawdy jokes that livened spirits before the presentations of awards began.

During presentations, Ms. Moriarty, playing opposite such actors as Robert DeNiro in “Raging Bull” and “Analyze That,” Sylvester Stallone in “Cop Land,” Robert Downey Jr. in “Soap Dish,” Harvey Keitel in “Prince of Central Park” Armand Assante and Antonio Balderas in “The Mambo Kings” and  Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Kindergarten Cop,” received the prestigious Long Island Creative Achievement Award for her life’s work. 

Introduced with great reverence as a truly beautiful woman and wonderful friend by Mr. Greene, Ms. Moriarty  said: “Yes, I call myself a Long Islander.”

She talked of raising her children, and also threw praise to Mr. Mangano for the great respect he shows his father (who was at the awards ceremony as well). 

She told Bellmore Life after the ceremony that the award she received  “was a wonderful thing. This film expo is a wonderful thing, and this award left me completely impressed and amazed. I didn’t expect it. I feel like I’m in my own backyard at a barbeque.”

Mr. Mangano said later that Ms. Moriarty paying tribute to his father “made my father feel very good tonight.  That is better than any trophy or statue I could think of getting or giving,” he said. “Thank you, Cathy.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Mangano has just finished shooting “Old Made Men” with Vinny Pastore of “Sopranos” fame, and is waiting for a distributor to pick up the film. “It’s a funny film,” he said.

Mr. Martini Jr. was also involved in the “Old Made Men” pilot with Mr. Mangano. He said of the film expo: “This is my first time here, and I couldn’t have had a better time. It was a loose, casual and lively event.” 

Mr. Clohessy recently finished filming 13 episodes of “The Boardwalk Empire,” directed by Martin Scorcese, that will be released on cable TV in the fall.

Mr. Venito, who is in post-production of director James Brooks’s “Everything You’ve Got” starring Reese Witherspoon, Jack Nicholson and Owen Wilson – and is also wrapping up work for Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” – told Bellmore Life of the film festival:

“It all starts right here. These people showing their films are our future. We need film festivals like these to rely on the talent for tomorrow. Thank God for this place.” 

Armand Assante, on location in the Far East, was awarded a Creative Achievement Award by Debra Markowitz, director of the Nassau County Film Office, which sponsors the international film expo. On film to receive the award, Mr. Assante, who has starred in “Gotti,” “Unfaithfully Yours,” “Hoffa,” “Mambo Kings,” “Private Benjamin,” “American Gangster,” “Judge Dredd” and “Two for the Money,” said it is important for actors to “obey the writer and what comes will come organically.”  He described John Gotti as a great romantic figure fighting a war that was already lost. 

“This [achievement] award is a great honor, for it validates the many people who have supported me and stood behind me, and sometimes had to evoke in me” the passion necessary for the work I do,” he concluded.

Photos online at 

By Laraine Milazzo   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

State Senator Charles Fuschillo Jr. and state Assemblymen Dave McDonough and Tom McKevitt were guest speakers at the July meeting of the North Bellmore Civic Association.

With long overdue budget proceedings, the legislators said that partisanship is not playing a part in the crisis. Instead, it seems to be regionalism that is creating a stalemate in the functions of the state.

Mr. McKevitt said the state Assembly had completed its work, but the Senate left Albany on Thursday morning. Senator Fuschillo reported that it is the entire revenue piece that remains unfinished.

The senator said that the proposals for the state university system disturb him greatly. The entire SUNY system is based on the principles of affordability and accessibility. Any proposals to the contrary would not be acceptable, he added.

Mr. Fuschillo commented on the recent adoption of a property tax cap in New Jersey and said he had long been in support of a cap for New York.

Mr. McKevitt said that this is his fifth year in office and the “state is out of whack – it’s out of balance.” Mr. McDonough agreed that changes need to be made. Many businesses are leaving the state due to the Metropilitan Transportation Authority (MTA) payroll tax. People are leaving, too, said Mr. McDonough. 

“I’d rather have a good budget,” said Mr. Fuschillo, than just putting a budget in place. State aid to education has been drastically cut, he said.

Civic association members had many questions for the legislators. Knowing that Senator Fuschillo had sponsored a bill to allow tax breaks for businesses employing someone who had been out of work for three months or more, he was asked if the bill had passed. Senator Fuschillo said it had passed in the Senate but still awaited an Assembly vote.

Civic association member Ed Raboy said he had heard that if a casino were approved for the Nassau Coliseum property, the Town of Hempstead would lose zoning rights. Mr. McKevitt said that if a casino were approved, the land would be considered tribal land.

The legislators spoke about some of the bills they were able to get passed during this year. Senator Fuschillo said that a drunk driving law was passed, making it a felony to transport children under the age of 16 while driving under the influence. “We closed some loopholes,” said Mr. Fuschillo, regarding the taking of blood when a victim is involved in a drunk driving accident. Previously, a physician needed to be present before blood could be drawn. With the new law, anyone with training, such as a nurse or emergency medical technician (EMT), qualifies. Laws were passed restricting where sexual predators can reside after being released from jail, said the senator.

POP report

Police Officers Rob Segretto and Ed Knox of the Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) squad reported on criminal activity in the area over the last month. There were three DWI arrests and two drug arrests for marijuana and cocaine. At the train station, two residents reported the theft of catalytic converters from their cars. A robbery occurred on William Street in North Merrick.

In another incident, two perpetrators with a BB gun robbed some teens. One of the suspects was arrested in Uniondale the same day. The other suspect was arrested a few days later.

Civic association members asked if the car show would be permitted at the train station. The officers responded that the police are working with the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores while permits are obtained  to enable the chamber to run the show. In the meantime, officers will allow attendance until the parking lot nears capacity. Then, no matter what the hour, cars will be turned away for safety reasons. Neighborhood Watch Program Program Director John Lufrano, from the North Merrick neighborhood watch, spoke to civic association members, inviting them to join the program.  The bad guys don’t know town boundaries and often cross from North Merrick to North Bellmore, said Mr. Lufrano. The group comprises “people who watch what is going on,” said the director. It was noted that information gleaned from residents has enabled police to make arrests. Using an e-mail system, the watch program is able to disseminate information regarding crime to all members, usually in the same day. Anyone interested in joining can call Mr. Lufrano at 652-7576, or they may visit the website at www.northmerrickcivic.org.  “I think it is a great program,” said Board President Reinaldo Nunez, as he encouraged people to join before something happens on their blocks.

Other business

Mr. Podolski said that board members had agreed to set up a booth at the street fair this year. Members were encouraged to volunteer their time at the booth. Mr. Nunez reported that a representative from Belair Care Center had been invited to attend a meeting of the association to discuss the renovations at the facility. Board elections are scheduled for September, and Mr. Robay suggested that the nominating committee be disbanded. Instead, he called for elections in June with people declaring candidacy in May. Mr. Robay is running for treasurer against incumbent Chris Szatmary. Stu Weinstein is running against incumbent Bob Podolski for first vice-president. Dan Checkla will be seeking to fill the second vice-president slot.

An opening remains for corresponding secretary. Speaking of his credentials as first vice-president, incumbent Bob Podolski said that during Mr. Nunez’ recent illness he had run meetings and conducted business for the group. Mr. Weinstein said that he worked hard for the organization and believed it was time for a change. All members were encouraged to attend the September meeting and cast their votes.

By Doug Finlay   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

Grand Avenue and Merrick Avenue Middle School football fields will remain open through October 31 to allow outside community sports teams to play out their fall seasons, Saul Lerner, director of physical education, athletics, health services and driver education for the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, told Bellmore Life. The fields were slated to be closed to outside teams before the school season began.

At a school board meeting last week, newly sworn-in Central High School District Board President Nina Lanci got an earful from soccer and lacrosse members who contended that closing five school fields to outside groups would deprive hundreds of community kids from participating in sports teams, leaving many of them vulnerable to seeking other activities such as drugs.

In March, the school district’s special Field Committee to study the feasibility of new synthetic turf concluded that the Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham High School fields should instead be closed to outside usage from traveling community teams, and only be used for school football, soccer and lacrosse teams during their seasons.

Because of budget constraints due primarily to reductions in state aid, the district said it is unable to purchase new synthetic fields without the spectre of raising taxes.  

The order to close Merrick and Grand Avenue Middle School fields, part of the Field Committee report, has now been rescinded until October 31. 

The initial plan to close all fields drew the ire of both community sports team officials and parents. Susan Mandeltort spoke first to the newly reconfigured board – which also included the election of Trustee Matthew Kutchner as new vice-president – to remind them that if it wasn’t for the community traveling teams such as PAL, many kids would not have a chance to play sports because they would never get onto school teams. 

She implored the board not to close the fields for the benefit of the kids, or at least delay their closings.

“It’s hard when a child does not make it onto a high school team,” she told Bellmore Life afterward, “so without the PAL teams and some structure in their lives they could get involved in drugs such as heroin.”

Matt Kurzweil, president of Merrick  Travel soccer – which includes scores of Bellmore students – then addressed the board, saying that 1,500 kids play soccer in the travel teams, and that the teams are being challenged to find fields to play on at the times they need to play.

The teams used Merrick Avenue and Brookside on a regular basis on Sundays. 

“By closing Merrick Avenue, several hundred kids may not be able to play soccer this year,” if some accommodations can’t be found, said Mr. Kurzweil. 

With a two-season schedule – one in spring and the other in fall –  that needs to met, he offered to partner with the board to finds solutions to the scheduling conflicts facing his travel teams. 

“What can we do to partner with you, fund raise or maintain the fields?” he asked the board.

Bellmore teams not affected

John Ferarra, president of the Bellmore-Merrick Youth Association which sponsors the Bellmore Braves football teams, said he will have no problem getting field time for his 300-400 kids to play football. The team serves both Bellmore and Merrick youth.

He uses the Jerusalem Avenue BOCES field for practice during August, and says he has the permits to do so. He said the teams usually practice from 6-8 p.m.

He noted that the teams play their 13 seasonal league games at the Newbridge Road Park fields on Friday nights and Sundays and is permitted by the Town of Hempstead. He said the association is attempting to get a division going for 12- and 13-year-old kids John Pinto, former district board member, member of the district’s Field Committee and former North Merrick board member, then declared, by referring to the Field Committee report, that the district is “not doing what we said we’d do in the field report. “There is no mention of closing five fields in that report.

“If we had put in synthetic turf there would be no need to cancel any programs now,” he continued.

He mentioned that state Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper had a bill close to being presented in the state Legislature that would enable school districts to free up to 60% of their accrued liability funds to use for such items as purchasing synthetic turf. “$3 million would take care of it,” he said.

He complimented the district for its aggressive work in maintaining the Merrick Avenue field during spring, but then noted that with lack of watering, “The grass became burnt, and it’s no good right now.”

John Scalisi, director of facilities for the district, bristled at the comment, saying that it was a “wiring problem in the well” that had prevented workers from watering the fields. 

He said there was general agreement at a recent facilities conference that hotter-than-usual weather had stressed many fields around the area, and not much could be done to alleviate the stress. He told the board that the district had begun an organic fertilizer program, and had spread 3,000 pounds of grass seed around the fields so far.

Still, parent Jim Santana expressed dismay over the field situation. “This has been going on with these fields for years,” he exclaimed. “My son broke his toe playing on these fields, it’s a safety issue and the community is spending money on something that doesn’t work!” 

Expressing sympathies

Trustee Susan Schwartz expressed sympathies on behalf of the board to the teams for the potential loss of sporting activities for children. “We are just as frustrated at finding solutions to help the kids, too. We don’t want to have to take the fields away from the teams.”  

Diane Seaman, immediate past-president of the board, then reached out to both Mr. Scalisi and Saul Lerner, director of physical education, athletics, health and driver education for the district, to instruct them to sit down with members of soccer and lacrosse teams to see how they can accommodate the teams.

Mr. Scalisi said that accommodations could certainly be made, but stressed  that sacrifices would have to be made all across the board.

Mr. Lerner told Bellmore Life  27 fields are still available for use, but many of them are in use with permitted teams at present. He added that he sat down with the parties and negotiated  closing the fields at the end of the teams’ seasons.

Skip Haile, vice-president of Merrick travel soccer, told Bellmore Life after the meeting that he was pleased that the board considered its pleas for working out schedules. “I didn’t think at the beginning of the meeting they would be open,” he said.  “We want to maintain an open dialog  with the district,” he concluded, so the difficulties can be shared.

Mission accomplished – for now.     

By Doug Finlay   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

White Castle Systems will appeal the Town of Hempstead’s zoning Board of Appeals decision that denied it variances to build a White Castle restaurant at the corner of St. Marks Avenue and Sunrise Highway.

Tom Pantelis, attorney for White Castle, told Bellmore Life he will file papers within the next several days, and  declined further comment. 

Matt Walden, president of the Bellmore Preservation Group, which successfully opposed the restaurant, is “confident the case we put together is rock solid,” adding that several variances would have to be overturned.

He said the appeal will go before the town, and the preservation group will incur no further costs. “That’s why our approach was extensive, to cover all legal issues.”

Chris Benes from Gold, Stewart, Kravatz and Benes LLP, told Bellmore Life that the rights to the land will determine which way the case goes in the Supreme Court. “If White Castle has been leasing the property, or owns it outright, the case can go forward. But if it’s determined by the court that White Castle has no ownership stake or right or interest to the property through leasing, then they have no case.”

Several weeks ago he offered Mr. Pantelis a different parcel of land for White Castle, but  Mr. Pantelis did not respond to the proposal. When asked whether Mr. Pantelis is keeping  options open for the other parcel of land should the court decide against the appeal, Mr. Benes did not respond.

Mr. Benes said filing an appeal under Article 78 is the most likely avenue, as it offers businesses a way to appeal what they consider unfair and capricious governmental agency rulings.

Bellmore Life’s June 9 front-page story quoted Mr. Pantelis as saying the “decision was a wholesale adoption of the neighbors’ objections that are completely contrary to state law.” Bill Sette, who owns the land White Castle wants to build on, said, “It’s great that they are appealing. White Castle can still do good things for Bellmore.”

He insisted there are no contractual obligations between him and White Castle, and said he wouldn’t consider breaking up the property to sell in parcels, because “strip malls, for instance, would only add more parking to the area, something the neighbors seem to be complaining about.” And there would be driveways out and into the local streets, he concluded.                      

By   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

Best Student Film – “Mildred Richards”

Best Short 35 mm – “Clemency”

Best Short Film – “Cemetery Club”

Best Long Island Short – “Bedfellows”

Best Long Island Feature – “Purgatory Comics”

Alan Fortunoff Humanitarian Film Award – “Hindsight”

Best Foreign Short Film – “Predilection”

Best Foreign Feature Film – “Polygamy”

Best First Short Film – “Poetry Man”

Best First Feature – “Drawing with Chalk”

Best Feature 35 mm – “The 5th Quarter”

Best Feature Film – “Bereavement”

Best Documentary – “Miracle Ball”

Best Director of a Short Film – “Clemency” – Joseph Albanese

Best Director of a Feature Film – “Bereavement”

Best Story – “The Last Day of Summer”

Best Animation – “Skylight”

Jury Prize Best Feature – “A Little Help”

Audience Award – “Maggie Marvel”

Gold Pass Award – “Jackie Robinson:  My Life”

By Laura Schofer   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

The Town of Hempstead’s zoning Board of Appeals has postponed its hearing on two applications by T-Mobile to install wireless equipment in North Bellmore and Wantagh, to enable the town to finish drafting a new telecommunications ordinance that could keep the equipment away from schools and residents when possible. 

The North Bellmore application was rescheduled for September 15. The Wantagh application was rescheduled  for October 6. Both hearings will begin at 2 p.m. at Hempstead’s Town Hall in Hempstead. 

On July 14, the town of board of zoning appeals voted to hold off on reviewing the applications until the Town has finished drafting a new telecommunications ordinance that could keep the equipment away from schools and residents when possible. 

T-Mobile had placed an application to install six wireless communication antennas concealed inside a proposed 100-foot high monopole and equipment cabinets on the ground of 847 Newbridge Road, land owned by the North Bellmore Fire Department, Engine Company 2, at Columbus Avenue, across from East Meadow Avenue. 

Searching for better places?

A meeting was held on June 30, at the North Bellmore Fire Department, so that residents could learn more about the project. 

T-Mobile representatives did not show up but “Senior Deputy Town attorney Charles Kovit told residents that their consultant would look over the application to see if T-Mobile did everything it could to find a better location for its equipment,” wrote North Merrick Civic Association President Claudia Borecky in an e-mail. 

Ms. Borecky is a member of the Telecommunications Taskforce which represents residents in Bellmore and Merrick, who are trying to curtail the placement of wireless equipment near schools and residences. Although some residents have voiced concern over the proposed project in North Bellmore, Renaldo Nunez, president of the North Bellmore Civic Association has no objection to the project. 

“We already have [wireless equipment] on Newbridge Road. It is better than a tower somewhere else, closer to a school,” said Mr. Nunez. “It’s either there or another place that’s more visible.”

T-Mobile’s Wantagh application has drawn considerable community ire in Wantagh many neighbors are opposed to the proposal to build six antennae on the roof of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center on Woodbine Avenue in Wantagh, in the center of a residential community.   At a meeting on July 7, over 100 residents made it clear they didn’t want the cell antennae in their neighborhood. On July 18, residents turned out again for a demonstration outside the temple.

T-Mobile has also approached the North Merrick Library about erecting a 50-foot flagpole cell tower to replace the flagpole that stands in front of the library. 

The North Merrick Civic Association has asked if T-Mobile is willing to install the tower on  the Meadowbrook Parkway instead of the library.

By   Fri, Jul 23, 2010

Fans pay their respects to Yankee PA announcer Bob Sheppard at St. Christopher’s Church in Baldwin on Thursday, July 15. Photos by Mark Kasner

By   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport announces the 2010 Sunset Concert Series.

Free concerts will be held on Thursday evenings in August on the Nautical Mile Esplanade on Woodcleft Avenue in Freeport, New York.  

The first concert will be held on Thursday, August 12, with a performance by Mambo Loco, performing classic Cuban and Puerto Rican Latin Music.  

On Thursday, August 19, the Freeport Community Band, led by director Raoul Camus, will be performing music from “Phantom of The Opera,” “The Hobbit,” and others.  

On Thursday, August 26, the East End Trio will be performing music from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s.  

This performance is sponsored by the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club.   Performance time is 7:30 p.m. Please bring chairs. Limited seating is available and free parking is available.  The rain location is the Freeport Recreation Center. Additional concerts will be added as sponsorships are secured.  For information call 223-2522 or you can visit liacfreeport.org. 

By   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

Wantagh firefighters responded to a car fire at the intersection of Sunrise Highway and Seaford Avenue during the morning rush–hour traffic.  Attempts to extinguish the fire were made before the fire department arrived but to no avail. The fire had rush hour traffic on Sunrise Highway tied up for about 20 minutes.  The driver of the car was the sole occupant and was not injured. Additional Information can be obtained from the Wantagh Fire Department at 785-0180.

By   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

For the first time in their 59-year history, a woman has been unanimously elected President of the Seaford Lions. Christine Paulson immediately assumes leadership of a Lions Club whose annual agenda embraces a wide range of cultural and charitable fundraising programs and civic volunteerism. 

A Seaford resident for 25 years, Ms. Paulson is a graduate of Queensborough Community College. With husband Don Paulson (immediate past Lions president) she is the mother of two children, Beth, 30, and DJ, 22. Prior to joining the Lions almost six years ago, Ms. Paulson has been involved in many local activities, including the Seaford PTA, while for many years assuming the role of “class mother.”

She was a member of Seaford Manor’s Shared Decision Making team, a Girl Scout leader and committee member for Seaford’s Boy Scout Troop 239. She is also a member of the Seaford Historical Society.  As in years past, the Seaford Lions have raised funds  in 2010 for sending local diabetic children to a specialized summer camp; scholarships for five Seaford High School seniors, and sponsorship of Seaford Boy Scout Troop 239. 

These Lions will again co-chair the Seaford Community Annual Blood Drive; help underwrite the Seaford Library Children’s Halloween Party; and raise funds for an outreach program providing necessities for needy local families.  But their primary mission is the ongoing battle to conquer blindness. In fact, it was the Seaford Lions Club that provided the initial impetus for the establishment of the Eye Bank of Long Island.  

With the motto “We serve,” the Lions of Seaford will continue their most ambitious program of pro bono activities, now with a woman’s touch.

By Laura Schofer   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

A demonstration protesting the erection of a cell site on the roof of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center drew 60 people on Sunday July 18.

 “It was a peaceful demonstration,” said Scott Boiko of Wantagh.  “Someone had called the police claiming that we were blocking the driveway [of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center] but that wasn’t the case.”  

Mr. Boiko said the neighbors have put up signs in their front yards protesting T-Mobile’s plan to put up cell equipment on the roof of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center.  “Some of the neighborhood children carried a mock-up of a cell tower,” said Mr. Boiko. 

In earlier reports The Citizen wrote that T-Mobile would erect six towers. T-Mobile has informed us that this is incorrect. The plan is to place six antenna, not towers on the roof. The Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center had no comment on the proposal.

Residents were also present at the July 14 zoning Board of  Appeals hearing on this project at  Hempstead Town Hall. The hearing was postponed to October 6. 

“We need to get residents to attend the October 6 hearing. We must keep the pressure on so that we can resolve this issue,” said Jeanine Boiko of Wantagh.

In nearby Merrick residents are also unhappy about the proliferation of cell equipment. Groups including MOMS [Moms of Merrick and Bellmore Speak Out], local civic organizations and attorney Andrew Campanelli are working with the Town of Hempstead and county Legislator David Denenberg to curtail the placement of cell equipment in residential areas and near schools.

For information you can contact www.wantaghconcernedcitizens.com or join the Facebook page – Wantagh residents against T-Mobile celltower. Residents may also call Pam Dempsey at 221-6567.

Statement from T-Mobile

At T-Mobile, we know the importance of keeping families connected. Nearly 90% of all Americans use cell phones. And with that mobility comes peace of mind. 

Nowadays, 50% of children, ages 6-18, say they’ve used their cell phones in an emergency. It’s no surprise really – half of all 911 calls are made from a wireless phone.  Of course, families also rely on cell phones every day to send emails, photos, and text messages when they’re at home and on the go. It takes a robust network to successfully make all of those wireless connections. 

To meet this growing demand for reliable residential coverage, we’re expanding our network across Long Island. We focus on bringing new wireless sites on air that blend into the communities they serve and deliver the biggest service improvement for local families. 

We’ve evaluated potential locations throughout Wantagh where families demand enhanced wireless coverage. We believe that our application for one concealed wireless broadband site on the roof of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center strikes the optimal balance between the needs of local wireless users and the interests of residents, many of whom rely on cell phones today to stay connected to family, work, friends and emergency services. 

We’re eager to bring superior wireless coverage to Wantagh.We know that reliable cell coverage means improved safety and quality of life for everyone. 

The FCC provides strong regulation of the wireless industry by setting conservative, science-based guidelines to protect public health. T-Mobile sites operate well within the federal safety standards established and enforced by the Federal Communications Commission.

- Jane Builder, Northeast Senior Manager  of External Affairs, T-Mobile USA

By Lauren Urban   Fri, Jul 16, 2010

A “New York State Military Service Recognition Awards Ceremony” honoring 16 local veterans was hosted by state Assemblyman David McDonough at the Merrick Library today. 

The 16 veterans served in various wars, including World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War and the war in Iraq. 
“It is my privilege and honor to be here to present you with your medals commemorating your valor and service to preserve our freedom as Americans,” declared Assemblyman McDonough. 

“I never was in combat until I joined the New York State assembly,” he added jokingly. 

One honoree was Alfred F. Garbarino of North Merrick, who served 13 months in Iraq. He described Iraq as “very hot” and “dangerous,” but the biggest challenge was being away from his family. 

When asked how it felt to be back in Merrick, he responded “great” with a big smile. 

Mr. Garbarino was joined at the ceremony by his wife and two young daughters. He was presented with the Service Cross Medal.  

William C. Starke, of Bellmore, was another honoree. The Korean War veteran was born in Manhattan and moved to Bellmore in 1962. 

When asked what the hardest part of serving in the war was, Mr. Starke responded without hesitation. “The plane crash,” he said. “We were being shipped to an emergency air field and four plane engines quit, and the plane went into the Japanese Sea. Twenty-three people died. 23 got out. I was one of the lucky 23.” 

At the ceremony, Mr. Starke, accompanied by his wife Isabelle, received the Medal for Merit. 

“It’s very gratifying to be recognized,” he concluded. 

Harold Heitner of Wantagh was another Korean War veteran honored with the Medal of Merit. He was born in New York City and moved to Wantagh in the ’60s. 

Mr. Heitner was in the armed services for 18 months during the war and served for three-and-a-half years altogether. 
“[Being awarded the Medal of Merit] was very nice. They appreciate what we did,” Mr. Heitner said. His  wife of 55 years, daughter, son-in-law and son accompanied him at the ceremony. 

While Mr. McDonough handed out most of the awards, legislative aide Eillen Fineo presented the  Medal for Merit to her uncle John James Clarke, of Seaford. 

The Medal for Merit is awarded to a person “whose entire service was honorable and who were recipients of a valor, achievement, commendation, or meritorious service decoration, of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Conspicious Service Cross, or whose service was in direct support of combat operations while serving in the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard,” according to the Division of Military and Naval Affairs website at     http://dmna.state.ny.us/awards/mfm.html 

Other recipients of the Medal for Merit are George Sorkin, of Bellmore; Franke J. Priebe, of Merrick; Peter J. Galante, of Seaford; Richard Henry Buseck, of Levittown; Roy Bronnekant, of Levittown; and Kenneth Anderson, of Baldwin. 
Recipients of the Conspicuous Service Star Medal are Henry E. Sendlein, of Wantagh; and Peter P. Plaia, of Levittown. 
Recipients of both the Medal for Merit and the Conspicuous Service Star Medal are Peter M. Kuchar, of Bellmore; Richard DeLucia, of Levittown; John J. Waluk, of Levittown; and Lionel T. Bauman, of Baldwin. 

Receiving his high school diploma was veteran George Brooks, of Bellmore. Roy Bronnekant also received his diploma. 
The ceremony closed with the veterans, and their friends and families standing and singing along to a recording of “God Bless America,” 

“Thank you for your bravery and service to this great country, the United States of America,” concluded Assemblyman McDonough. 

By Doug Finlay   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

Merrick Avenue and Grand Avenue Middle School football fields will remain open through October 31 to allow outside community sports teams to play out their fall seasons, said Saul Lerner, director of physical education, athletics, health services and driver eduation for the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. 

The fields were set to close to outside teams before the school season began. At a school board meeting last week newly sworn-in Central High School District Board President Nina Lanci got an earful from soccer and lacrosse members who contended that closing the three high school and two middle school fields to outside groups would deprive hundreds of community kids from participating in sports teams, leaving many of them vulnerable to seeking other activities such as drugs.  T

he three high school fields will still be closed to outside groups in September.

By   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

Father Charles Mangano of Curé of Ars Roman Catholic Church and his sister Laurie sang at the Jones Beach boardwalk bandshell Monday evening, in spite of the rain. North Merrick Christian recording artist Peter Stanganelli and his band Rapture also performed. Photos by Paul DeMaria

By Laura Schofer   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

The Town of Hempstead’s zoning Board of Appeals has postponed its hearing on two applications by T-Mobile to install wireless equipment in North Bellmore and Wantagh. Meanwhile here in Merrick, local activists, spearheaded by Moms of Merrick/Bellmore Speak Out (MOMS) with attorney Andrew Campanelli and civic leaders in the Telecommunications Taskforce, are moving forward in their efforts to curtail the ever increasing number of wireless equipment popping up in residential neighborhoods, near schools and playgrounds. There is an ongoing debate over the health risks from electromagnetic fields. Industry experts say there is no danger. The 1996 Telecommunications Act takes the same position. However, residents remain skeptical.

Meeting dates 

The North Bellmore application was rescheduled to Wednesday, September 15. The Wantagh application was rescheduled  for October 6. Both hearings will begin at 2 p.m. at the Town of Hempstead’s Town Hall in Hempstead.  On Tuesday, August 16, a tentative meeting is scheduled by MOMS and the Telecommunications Taskforce to review their plan of action. Wantagh residents have been invited to that meeting as well. No further details were available at press time.

Board of Appeals hearing

On July 14, the Board of Appeals voted to hold off reviewing the applications until the town has finished drafting a new telecommunications ordinance that could keep the equipment away from schools and residents when possible. The town has hired Richard Cumi of Telecom Sol to help draft the municipal code. Town spokesperson Susie Pokasky said that once the code is drafted, a public hearing will be held at a town hall meeting. No date has been set at this time. “I am very pleased to see that the Town of Hempstead recognized its responsibility to protect its citizens and is now writing new code to address these concerns and Senator [Charles] Fuschillo for looking into better locations on state property,” Claudia Borecky, a member of the Telecommunications Taskforce and president of the North Merrick  Community Association, wrote in an e-mail. “I am happy to see our state, county and town government working together in a bipartisan manner to address this problem.” Ms. Borecky also thanked county Legislator David Denenberg for his hard work and advocacy on behalf of residents.

T-Mobile in North Bellmore

T-Mobile had placed an application to install six wireless communication antennas concealed inside a proposed 100-foot high monopole and equipment cabinets on the ground of 847 Newbridge Road, land owned by the North Bellmore Fire Department, Engine Company 2 at Columbus Avenue, across from East Meadow Avenue.  A meeting was held on June 30, at the North Bellmore Fire Department to encourage residents to learn more about the project. T-Mobile representatives did not show up, but “Senior Deputy Town attorney Charles Kovit told residents that a  consultant would look over the application to see if T-Mobile did everything it could to find a better location for its equipment,” wrote Claudia Borecky in an e-mail.  The Telecommunications Taskforce, which represents residents in Bellmore and Merrick, is trying to curtail the placement of wireless equipment near schools and residences. Although some residents have voiced concern over the proposed project in North Bellmore, Reinaldo Nunez, president of the North Bellmore Civic Association, has no objection to the project. “We already have [wireless equipment] on Newbridge Road. It is better than a tower closer to a school,” said Mr. Nunez. “It’s either there or another place that’s more visible.”

T-Mobile’s application in Wantagh

T-Mobile’s application has drawn considerable community ire in Wantagh, where neighbors are opposed to the proposal to build six antennae on the roof of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center on Woodbine Avenue in Wantagh, in the center of a residential community. At a meeting on July 7, over 100 residents made it clear they didn’t want the cell antennae in their neighborhood. On July 18 the community turned out again for a demonstration outside the temple. Wantagh resident Pam Dempsey told our sister paper The Citizen that there are already 194 antennae and 14 towers in the Wantagh-Seaford vicinity, including one right by the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway at Sunrise Highway. Wantagh Woods residents are now ready to join forces with their neighbors in the Bellmores and Merricks.

MOMS and the Telecommunications  

Taskforce MOMS was formed earlier this year to address the growing number of cell antennae near homes and schools. Its  mission is to create a cell antenna free zone around school and homes by more strictly regulating the place of future cell antennae, not only in Merrick and Bellmore or even Long Island but nationwide.  They are joining forces with the Telecommunications Taskforce that includes Claudia Borecky of the North Merrick Community Association, Joe Baker of the South Merrick Civic Association, Derek Donnelly of the Merrick Gables and Ira Harris of the East Bay Civic Association. This group has been working for close to a year on cell antennae placement just after the first DAS systems appeared in Merrick. Attorney Andrew Campanelli, of Merrick,  is lending his expertise as a federal  commercial civil rights attorney.  He is in litigation with the cell companies that placed almost 50 towers a few feet from the Bayville elementary school, where it is alleged that 30 percent of the staff have serious health issues including cancer. These organizations have reached out to the residents in Wantagh and will hold a UNITE meeting to tackle the issue, hoping that there is strength in numbers.

T-Mobile looks at another site

T-Mobile has also approached the North Merrick Library about erecting a 50-foot flagpole cell tower to replace the flagpole that stands in front of the library.  The North Merrick Civic Association has asked if T-Mobile is willing to install the tower on the Meadowbrook Parkway instead of the library. They are also conducting a survey to find out how the community feels about the proposed project.  “We want to project a true representation of the concerns of not only the nearby residents who are directly affected by this proposal but also North Merrick residents who patronize the library. The survey also offers the opportunity to voice your concerns regarding alternative sites and solutions for some of the cell antennae on our utility poles,” Ms. Borecky wrote in an e-mail.  If you’d like to participate in the survey, you can visit www.northmerrickcivic.org/cell-flag-pole-at-north-merrick-library.html.

By Lauren Urban   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Bill F. Horacek, 50, died April 8^th at University of WA Medical Center, after a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.  His treatment after diagnosis in 2005 was endlessly frustrating and often very painful.  Throughout it all, the bravery with which he faced every challenge was an inspiration to medical staff, fellow cancer victims, and those who knew him.  Respiratory complications claimed his life shortly before he was to begin a Phase I Clinical Trial of a promising new cancer drug. 

Bill was born in Hempstead, NY, and attended Birch Elementary, Grand Ave. Jr. High and Sanford H. Calhoun High Schools.

He will be missed by friends across the country.  Because of his job with American Airlines, he lived in many parts of the U. S., including Palm Springs, CA, Buffalo, NY and Wichita, KS.  No matter how far he wandered from Long Island, however, he always considered Merrick “Home.”

Bill’s passion in life was music.  He played alto sax, and taught himself guitar, drums and keyboard.  He found great enjoyment in composing, singing and recording the songs he wrote. 

He is survived by his parents, Barbara Horacek of Port Angeles, WA and Harry Horacek, of Manchester, NJ; his brothers, Peter of Hemet, CA, and Stephen of League City, TX; and his aunt, Carol Horacek, of N. Merrick. 

Services will be held at Cure of Ars Church in Merrick at Noon on July 24^th.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Food For The Hungry.       

By   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

The National Newspaper Association, to which this newspaper belongs, has joined the fight to halt the Postal Service’s “exigent” price increase filed July 6 with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The price increases includes a two-cent hike on the first-class stamp, but a much more serious increase for the mailing of newspapers and magazines.  

The increase will also affect churches, community organizations and labor groups that use nonprofit mail. It will affect businesses that use the mail for communications and advertising. It will affect catalog companies that send packages in the mail. It will affect everyone. 

The new rates will be effective January 2, 2011, unless the PRC stops them. 

Our fight is in the best interest of consumers and anyone that mails. 

In 2006, a price cap that held postage rates within inflation levels went into effect as a result of the work of NNA and other groups representing users of the mail.  That cap allows increases only within the Consumer Price Index as tracked by the PRC, which is currently under 1%. The United States Postal Service wants an average 5% increase in postage. The proposed rates would weaken the cap and maybe destroy it forever. 

To its credit, USPS did not try to increase rates in 2010 following the severe recession starting in 2008.  But it blames its problems on the recession, in large part, even though its mail volumes began to fall in 2007, before the recession. It also notes competition from the Internet as a reason for its current financial woes.  Yet it wants to solve its problems by charging more. It is a solution that could lead, as U.S. Senator Susan Collins (Maine) said, to a death spiral by our important national universal mail system. 

Postal losses have been caused in part by Congressional mandates requiring $5.5 billion a year for 10 years prepaid into a retiree health benefit fund, something no other federal agency is forced to do. They also stem from USPS’s unwillingness to address high labor costs, which drive up expenses in spite of other cost-cutting moves.

To be sure, the Postal Service is allowed to increase rates beyond inflation when an “exigency” occurs.  It argues to the Regulatory Commission that recession plus Internet competition equals exigency. But when the law was written, USPS had just suffered an attack of anthrax in the mail, which could have shut down the entire system. That is the sort of “exigency” that Congress had in mind, not an inability to control the cost of service. 

Newspapers and many other employers in our communities have had to cut wages, benefits and hours of employees during this recession. These are painful and harsh. But the Postal Service has done no layoffs. It has passed along wage increases during the recession. It must get serious about controlling its costs.  

Cheryl Kaechele, NNA president and publisher of the Allegan County (Michigan) News, said, “NNA continues the fight for newspapers and their subscribers, as we have always done, to keep newspapers affordable. We want our subscribers and advertisers to know that we fight to hold down costs for the benefit of both.”

These postage rates are a bad idea at a bad time. Our newspaper has joined the Affordable Mail Alliance (see www.affordablemailalliance.org), a broad-based coalition of mailing industries representing over seven million jobs, in this fight. 

While Congress has no immediate role in the rate case, our Congressional delegation should be aware of your opposition, as citizens and voters, to both this price increase and five-day delivery, where they are the decision-makers. If the price cap is broken for this reason, then it will cease to exist as proscribed by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. If you agree, you may contact  Representatives Peter King and Carolyn McCarthy at www.house.org, and Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand at www.senate.org. Also, the PRC wants to hear from you. Find it at www.prc.gov. 

By   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

• A 13-year-old was stopped by six robbers while riding a bicycle on Camp Avenue on July 13. The victim was told to get off the bike and was punched and kicked. The male robbers rode off with the victim’s bike.
• Picnic tables in the back of Chatteron School were broken on July 12.
• A store on Merrick Avenue was burglarized on July 10. Cigarettes and lottery  tickets were reported stolen.
• A victim reports that someone keyed (scratched) the driver side door of a 2006 Subaru parked on Merrick Avenue on July 15.