L&M Publications
Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

By Erin Donohue   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

CAMPAIGN TO CAP PROPERTY TAXES: “It’s not about the politics, it’s about the people,” said state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, with daughter Michaela, at a standing-room-only rally at the Jewel Quinn Senior Center in Brookside School on Tuesday, where he introduced his 2% (or rate of inflation) cap plan on property taxes.

Mr. Cuomo was joined by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano,

and Bellmore resident Yvette Gutierrez,

in his campaign against excessive property taxes. Mr. Cuomo, who is running for governor this year, has launced a website, www.capnypropertytaxes.com, that lays out his plan. “Government must stand up for the people,” he said. Nassau County has the third highest property tax rate in the country, he said, following Westchester County. Passaic County, New Jersey, is number one, Forbes magazine says. 

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

County Legislator David Denenberg, Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick, Village of Freeport Trustees and the Nassau County and Freeport Police Departments will host National Night Out at Cow Meadow Park, at the end of South Main Street, Freeport, on Tuesday, August 3, from 6 to 10 p.m. 

More than 11,000 communities across the country observe the annual National Night Out.  The event includes food, entertainment, vendors and information booths to provide an enjoyable evening while raising awareness of crime, gang activity and violence and forming community partnerships with law enforcement agencies. 

By   Fri, Mar 09, 2012

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By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

Getting Their kicks: Goshinkan Dojo kids and their friends have a blast displaying their martial arts prowess during Buddy Day.

Goshinkan Dojo at Merrick’s Family Self Defense Center recently celebrated Buddy Day. Each student in the school’s Kids Program brought a friend to class to have fun the Goshinkan Dojo way. 

Goshinkan students and their partners participated in a class involving some basic self-defense techniques, safety reminders and lots of friendly games and contests. The buddies blocked, punched and kicked their way through a variety of entertaining activities designed by Sensei Jeff and his staff. 

“Basically, we wanted to give our buddies a sense of how we learn to defend ourselves in a structured, but enjoyable and kid-centered environment,” said Sensei Jeff Lovering, the school’s director.  

Mr. Lovering added, “Our Kids Program is designed to be healthy for the mind and the body.  We talk about all kinds of issues that are important for kids today; safety, stranger danger, bullying and self-defense. Our kids learn to ‘walk and talk’ first, but also how to defend themselves if someone is really trying to hurt them.” 

After class, the students and their buddies were treated to Italian ices, a cool ending to a very “cool” class.

Goshinkan Dojo is at 1754 Merrick Avenue, Merrick. For information about programs or to register for classes, call Goshinkan Dojo at 223-7233 (2BE-SAFE). 

By Doug Finlay   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

P.C. Richard will not be turning soil over to start new construction on its current Sunrise Highway store until further notice, Tom Palmer, chief financial officer, told Bellmore Life. 

While the company has plans to expand its Bellmore store because it is the company’s most successful one, and tear down the old car dealership it owns across the street from its current store on Sunrise Highway, there is no formal commitment as to when it might begin construction, he said.

“With the economy the way it is and other stores such as Circuit City closing,” the company is watching the situation closely, Mr. Palmer continued. 

According to Chris Benes, attorney for neighbors who opposed variances P.C. Richard sought in November, 2008, the company had plans to tear down the old car dealership building and construct a makeshift building until it could build a new P.C. Richard building at the present site.

Mr. Palmer said that plan is one of many still being considered, but would not elaborate.

A source close to  the initial variance proceeding in 2008 said that Mr. Palmer recently indicated that plans to tear down the old car dealership could begin as early as late August.

Mr. Palmer denied saying that.   

P.C. Richard purchased the Shore Buick property in anticipation of increasing the size of its present Bellmore store in November 2008. The company requested variances from the town to enable it to increase its parking spaces, for example, by using the car dealership property. Its plans for increasing the size of its present store included greatly reducing the parking spaces in both the front and back of its current store.

But neighbors directly behind the car dealership balked at the new increases in parking spaces, because some of the property was still considered residential. Nor did they want egresses and ingresses (in-and-out driveways) into residential streets, part of P.C. Richard’s plan.

Mr. Benes, of Gold, Stewart, Kravatz and Benes LLP, said that P.C. Richard’s plans for the original building changed over the course of the variance hearings. He said P.C. Richard devised a plan for a second story for storage purposes, and then changed it to include a basement instead for storage purposes. 

Numbers floated during the proceedings showed possible expansion from 24,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet at the time.

One thing that didn’t change was to build the store closer to Sunrise Highway, thus eliminating parking spaces in the front of the store.

“P.C. Richard’s Bellmore store is its flagship  store,” Mr. Benes said.

P.C. Richard got its variances in November 2008 – after negotiating with the neighbors to purchase a home and keep it residential, agree to no egresses/ingresses into neighboring streets and to provide certain types of fencing – according to Hempstead Town zoning Board of Appeals Secretary Joseph Pelligrini. He said town law required the company to apply for a building permit within four months after grant of the variances.

He added that any applicant then has one year to begin construction, or must re-apply for another permit. “There are no restrictions on how many times it can re-apply,” he said, “but if the board sees these repeat extensions it could scrutinize the request” and determine that the applicant again re-apply for the variations it originally asked for. 

“The property management department has all the necessary paperwork to file an extension, and could very well do so again,” said Mr. Palmer. But he was unaware of the board’s scrutiny at repeat applications for building permits.

If P.C. Richards does not begin construction by the winter of 2011, it would be have to re-apply for its third building permit under a 2008 grant of variances.

Harley-Davidson to expand

Meanwhile, Harley-Davidson of Nassau County on Sunrise Highway plans to expand its current second building, adding up to an additional 8,000 square feet to enlarge its service department, co-owner Richard Cristani said.

Its second building – an old privately owned service station garage, is considerably smaller than its main store, which sells bikes and other motorcycle gear, and is currently used for storage purposes only. 

“We need more space” because a building the company has on Old Country Road just doesn’t offer enough space anymore, he continued.

The plan is to add a second floor by building out the existing frame to accommodate the second floor. Currently, some 10 or more cars are stored in the space at the back of the building.

“We started this plan three years ago,” Mr. Cristani said. When Harley-Davidson of Nassau County first came to Bellmore, its plans for using the back of the store to repair motorcycles met with strong resistance because of noise concerns.

“The idea that there is a driveway out into Newbridge Road has always been a sore spot,” Mr. Cristani continued. “So, when we planned for the expansion we thought to build the entranceway into the service department, and the exit from the service department, all from Sunrise Highway.”

He insisted that  neighbors had nothing to do with the expansion and the shift away from repairing motorbikes behind the current store. “We needed more space,” he reiterated. There have been no complaints from neighbors, he added.

But he ended with a twist: “If we do get the town permits to build, we still don’t know if we’ll do it. The economy is not that great, and we could be doing better,” he concluded.

Auto body shop

Bellmore Life also learned from construction workers at the site of the old Max Dobler, Tinsmith, building that an auto body shop was being built.

Persons close to the owner with knowledge of future plans for the building would neither confirm nor deny this information. 

By Laura Schofer   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

The West Bay shimmered in the late morning sun; its many shades of green were set against undulating patches of sea grasses and a blue horizon. 

It was a perfect summer day. People had gathered on Magnolia Pier in Long Beach to gaze at the water; others had come to fish, hoping to catch summer fluke.

“No good,” said one man named Rocco. “I’ve caught a few but they’re under 10 inches. Too small. I have to throw them back.”

His companion nodded. “Can’t catch much anymore. The West Bay, she’s just not right.”

That seems to be the popular consensus: the Western Bays, which include Hempstead Bay’s West, Middle and East Bays, and South Oyster Bay are in trouble. Some go so far as to say that parts of the bays are dying. 

Once a productive fishing and shellfishing ground, the Western Bays have been listed for over a decade on the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) list of impaired water bodies for excessive nutrients such nitrogen and phosphorus, and for bacteria such as e coli.

Nutrients are now known to cause explosive growth of vegetation, such as seagrasses and algae, in the bays, which robs the waters of oxygen (hypoxia), reducing fish spawning grounds and the growth of clams.  

Last month local environmentalists and county legislators gathered to call upon New York State to release more than $500,000 in funding allocated in 2008 for a scientific study of the water quality in the Western Bays. They are still waiting, as budget woes in Albany have kept the money from being released. Meanwhile the bays remain in trouble.

The study, called Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), will help to determine what natural and man-made impacts have caused the degrading water quality. 

This is an important first step, said Rob Weltner, executive director of Stop Polluting, Littering and Save Harbors (SPLASH), in determining how to fix the problem.

“The water is not as healthy as it should be,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “We need to find out how to bring the marine life back here and we need to do it now.”

  Here are the facts: 64.5 million gallons of treated effluent (treated wastewater once solids are removed) are dumped into the Western Bays each day, from four sewage treatment plants  – Lawrence, Long Beach, and Bay Park in East Rockaway, and Jones Beach. There is excessive seaweed growth and an increase in shellfish harvesting closures. 

Environmentalists, including members of SPLASH and the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, believe the degrading water quality is due to the amount of treated effluent in the bay, thus causing a rise in bacteria. Excessive seaweed growth may be due to the storm water runoff, including the fertilizers from our lawns that dump excessive nitrogen and phosophorus into the bays. 

If nitrogen levels are too high, hypoxia can occur. Hypoxia causes oxygen depletion, and can decrease fish spawning grounds.

A similar study was done in the Long Island Sound. That TMDL study  helped to limit nitrogen discharge. The Long Island Sound’s TMDL has targets for nitrogen removal that range from 58.5% to 10%. No such standards are in place for the Western Bays.

“This will help to provide more stringent effluent requirements and help design the needed upgrades to the sewage treatment plants, including Bay Park,” said county Legislator David Denenberg.

“We need to base our restoration plans on science, not conjecture,” said Ms. Esposito.

During these tough economic times, can the state afford this study?

“This is environmental money that can only be used for this purpose,” said Legislator Denenberg, Democrat of Merrick.

“The money is there. It has been allocated and is sitting up in Albany. For three years the state has been telling us the money is coming. While the state stumbles, the bays are dying,” said Ms. Esposito.

“The South Shore waterways have been infiltrated with so much effluent that our residents are no longer able to use the waters for recreational bathing, and local fishing businesses are no longer able to harvest shellfish,” said Legislator Denise Ford, Republican of Long Beach.

The funds could still be released this summer, if Albany passes its budget. The fund would allow an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  to go forward, allowing Stony Brook University to begin research in conjunction with the TMDL study. The MOU is stalled in the state Division of the Budget.

Ms. Esposito said she and other environmentalists have met with Michael Harrison, a representative of Governor David Paterson, as well as Assemblyman Bob Sweeney and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer’s office. 

The next step is a forum on Thursday, August 5 with the consultants who plan to do work on the TMDL study, including Stony Brook University, the United States Geological Survey and Battelle, an outside consultant hired with federal funds to assess damage in the Western Bays. 

The meeting will take place at the Nassau County Legislative building in Mineola at 2 p.m. Ms. Esposito said  they have invited Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, Democrat of Long Beach, as well as all the assemblymen and senate members who represent the south shore,” said Ms. Esposito, as well as members of the county Legislature. 

“This has been an uphill battle,” said Mr. Weltner,  who has been calling for this study since 2004. “We are hoping that anyone who cares about the bays shows up. We need to make our voices heard. Our once beautiful and bountiful bay needs our help. The study will do that. It’s a good first step. Let’s fix it and get people back to work,” he concluded. 

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

Freeport firefighters fought this house fire on Bedell Street on Monday. Photo by John Scalesi

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray (fourth left) joins town officials and community leaders in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the newly renovated basketball courts at Coes Neck Park in Baldwin. Tennis and handball/paddleball courts were also refurbished in a parks improvement project that included the installation of new energy efficient lights to illuminate the court areas, new sod, plantings and a sprinkler system. Joining Supervisor Murray to officially open the new court areas are Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin, Jacqueline Bell, president of the Baldwin Oaks Civic Association, Dr. Terri Magnum, president of the Uniondale Board of Education, Claude Mangum of the Baldwin Oaks Civic Association, Meta J. Mereday of Baldwin, Emma Mereday of Baldwin, Joan and Joe Keegan of Baldwin and Russell Scout and Joseph Epifania of Nelson and Pope Engineering.                    

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

The Freeport Historical Society will have its annual graden party on Sunday, August 15, 2 to 5 p.m. Come and enjoy an afternoon of free refreshments and entertainment on the beautiful grounds the the Freeport Historical Museum. Free tours of the museum will also be available. All are welcome. The Freeport Historical Society Museum is at 350 South Main Street. For more information, please call 623-9632. The museum is open on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. and by appointment.

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

At the Wounded Warrior Event car crushing events went on all day Sunday! The kids had a blast crushing the cars.

Freeport Rescue Company 1 did their jaws of life drills on the cars before the kids crushed them.

S.P.L.A.S.H. was was there in support of the cause, participants learned a lot from them, especially the kids!

By J. L. Toscano   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

I fixed the sink

I fixed the door

I ripped out the window

I tiled the floor

The bathroom is new

I painted the wallI stained the deck

I touched up the hall

Granite counter

Now in place

The kitchen is new

This feels like a race

I’m tired now

But there’s more to do

Know why I’m blue?

It’s worth less than it was in 2002...

A silly little rhyme, I know. When you think about it, however, there is a lot to be angry about regarding our poor fortune.

Does it do any good to just sit around feeling angry that the bubble burst? Probably not. I wonder what could be done to turn things around?

 Do we need lower taxes? Do we need to spend public money more wisely? Do we need to improve manufacturing sectors? How, if so? Are green jobs the solution?

 When people are working in steady jobs, the housing market and other sectors should improve. How do we create those jobs?

 Often politicians, economists, and many others claim to have the answer. Then they argue, each championing their own version of the truth. They seem so confident that their way is the right way to “grow” jobs.

 I must admit that I don't know what the best path forward is, but I hope that someone figures it out soon.

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

Pastor Jodey Willams, who guided the Bellmore United Methodist Church congregation since July 1, 2008, died on Saturday, July 24.

A memorial service is planned for Thursday, July 30, at 11 a.m. at the church, 2657 Clarendon Avenue, Bellmore. A light luncheon will follow. 

Pastor Williams held a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pfeiffer College and a Master of Divinity from the New York Theological Society. 

She held her first worship service in the church sanctuary on July 6, 2008, and a special luncheon was held to welcome her to the church that September. 

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

On Saturday, July 24, family and friends of Lance Corporal Justin J. Wilson United States Marine Corporal gathered in the Hamptons for the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride.

Lance Corporal Wilson was a 2004 graduate of Commack High School. His mother, Fran Wilson, grew up in North Bellmore. His father, Lance Wilson, grew up in East Meadow. In 2004, the family moved to Palm City, Florida.

Lance Corporal Wilson joined the Marines in 2009. He was killed after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) on March 22, in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. He was cremated in Florida. His remains were laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, on Monday, July 12. 

Family and friends raised over $7,000 for the Wounded Warriors’ Soldier Ride. Their team, “Wilson’s Warriors,” rode in honor of Lance Corporal Justin J. Wilson, born March 17, 1986, died March 22, 2010.

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

Howard Klos of Bellmore, a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died on Monday, July 12,  with his family by his side. He was 84.

He was the husband of Eleanor (Clines) Klos, whom he married on November 3, 1951.

His greatest pleasure in life was seeing his family members smile. He was a hardworking, family-centered man who always made sure he could provide for his family. He enjoyed walks on the beach with his wife, and family vacations to places such as Disney World. He loved seeing his grandchildren laugh and play, and in his later years he devoted most of his free time to them.

Born in Brooklyn, the son of Nicholas and Anna (Vetter) Klos, he grew up there.

In his youth he enjoyed playing sports, and throughout his  life he enjoyed watching all forms of professional sports, and singing.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. He earned a Victory Medal, an American Theater Medal, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star, and an Asiatic Pacific Medal with four stars.

He worked for the Town of Hempstead at Greenfield Cemetery.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Eileen Shaw and her husband James of Islip; Geneen Kudler and her husband Evan of Phoenix, Arizona; Dean Klos of Virginia; and Larane Klos of Bellmore.

He is survived by 10 grandchildren: Darren Shaw, Kendra Gould, Jesse Shaw, Bradley Kudler, Jarrett Kudler, Lindsay Klos, Serena Klos, Rachael Scimeca, Marisa Scimeca and Nicholas Scimeca. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Hailey Gould, James Gould, and Cole Sweezy; one niece, Gail Ament; and two nephews, Richard Ament and Christopher Clines.

He was predeceased by his brother, Nicholas Klos, and his sister, Marion (Klos) Ament.

A Funeral Mass was held at St. Barnabas Catholic Church. Interment with military honors was at Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

Frances “Tootsie” Townson of Bellmore died on July 22.  She was the wife of Richard Townson, mother to Barbara and Michael Riccuiti, Connie and Thomas Pfister, and Pamela Townson and Fidel Afi. 

She was  nana to Michael Thomas and Sienna Grace.

A memorial service will be held tomorrow, Thursday, July 29, from  6-9 p.m. at  William E. Law, 1 Jerusalem Avenue, Massapequa.

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

Michael Leyden of Merrick died after a long illness on Tuesday, July 27. He was 56 years old. He is survived by his mother Jeannette (Wirsum) Leyden, his brother James and his four sisters, Elizabeth, Margaret, Patricia and AnnaMay.

Viewing will take place on Thursday, July 29,  from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at N.F. Walker, 2039 Merrick Avenue in Merrick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 30 at Cure of Ars Roman Catholic Church, 2323 Merrick Avenue, Merrick. Burial is at Pinelawn Memorial Park on Friday at 11:45 a.m.

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

Former Merokian Richard I. Gellis, a founder of the Merrick-North Merrick Little League and Temple Beth Am, died July 9 in Boynton Beach, Florida, at the age of 101. A Merrick resident for 63 years before moving to Florida in 2004, he was born in Brooklyn on March 27, 1909 to the late Samuel L. and Anna B. Gellis.  

Dick was preceded in death by his wife Ethyle, as well as his brothers Art Green, Morty, Sydney and Paul Gellis and his sister Sylvia G. Kaplan.  

Survivors include sons Carl (Charlotte) of Blacksburg, Virginia, and Sandy (Louise) of Woodcliff, New Jersey. Also surviving are grandchildren Michael Gellis, Long Beach, California, Gregory Gellis, Marietta, Georgia, Catherine Gellis, Blacksburg, Virginia, and step-grandchildren Natalie Gros and Jared Cantor. 

He is also survived by three great grandchildren, Nicholas and Lachlan Gellis, Charlie Gros.  Many loving nieces and nephews and two sisters–in-law, Eunice Gellis and Mildred Silverman of Boynton Beach, Florida, also, a special cousin, Bobbie Schneider of Boynton Beach.  

Dick worked for more than 50 years as a furman for the New York Auction Co. He was honored in 1954 as the International Furman of the Year.  In his later years, he taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. 

He received many honors and awards through the years but most special was the Honorary Mayor of Fox Boulevard, Merrick,  where he and Ethyle moved in 1941. 

Together they were among the  founding  members of the Merrick Little League and also Temple Beth Am of Merrick. Dick truly had a life filled with loving friends and relatives and many hearty laughs together with a true enjoyment of his journey through this world. To quote more than one of his friends, “Dick was a great guy.”

Contributions may be made to the Ethyle Gellis Memorial Fund at Temple Beth Am in Merrick,  378-3477.

Graveside services were on Wednesday, July 14, at Mt. Neboh Cemetery, Glendale.

Arrangements were made by I.J. Morris Funeral Directors, West Palm Beach, Florida.

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

Damage has been reported to a Merrick School District truck. Unknown vandels smashed the windshield and spotlight on the roof at Lakeside  School, Babylon Road, on July 19.

A Hynes Place, Bellmore, resident  reports unknown thieves removed the tires and rims from his 2007 Scion while parked in his driveway on July 17. 

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

Members of the North Merrick Fire Department hosted a drill on private dwelling fires at a house on Remson Avenue, Sunday morning. A fire engine used in training closed off part of Horatio Avenue, inset. Members are critiquing the drill, above. The North Merrick Fire Department hosts department and company drills on a monthly basis to keep them up to date. The Emergency Medical Squad also does training too on a monthly basis to keep up with both Nassau County and New York State Protocols. If you are interested in becoming a firefighter or medical technician you can stop by the firehouse on Camp Avenue Sunday mornings between 10 a.m. and noon for an application for membership.

by Mark Barone

North Merrick Fire Department, Publicity Committee

There is no shortage of tragic drowning accidents in recent years – whether occurring at beaches or in backyard pools – and preventive action must be taken. 

Last month, a 12-year-old girl drowned in Long Beach after getting caught in a rip current while on a school field trip. More swimming-related fatalities occurred on July 18 when two teenagers drowned in the Bronx river in the Tremont section of the Bronx.

In 1998, 4,406 Americans (averaging 12 people a day) drowned. Alcohol is a major contributing factor in about 25% to 50% of adolescent and adult water recreation accidents. According to the United States Coast Guard, 734 people died in recreational boating accidents in 1999.

Statistics don’t lie – something needs to be done. 

Community residents must teach their children the importance of water safety. 

At the beach, parents should make sure their children swim only in designated areas supervised by lifeguards. 

If you have a backyard pool, you should always supervise your children when they are swimming. Also, it is now required by law that pool alarms be installed on your gates if you have a pool and young children. These devices are available at your local home center or pool supply store.

If you have a boat, make sure you have personal floatation devices that are U.S. Coast Guard approved.

With the community’s combined efforts, water-related accidents and fatalities may be prevented. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to stop by North Merrick Fire Department Headquarters on Sunday mornings, 10 a.m.-noon. We will be more than happy to assist you with any questions you may have. 

By Patricia McKay   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

A “WONDEROUS” Time: Merrick musician Kenny Forgione of Wonderous Stories (wonderous-stories.com) performed with the band at Merrick Road Park on Tuesday evening. The concert was part of a summer-long series sponsored by the Town of Hempstead.

By   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

84-year-old Jules Wallock, at left, hardly ever misses a Sunday of skating. He skates at Cedar Creek Park in Seaford at the same time as members of the Long Island Road and Track Skating Association, a group of "inline skaters." They have adopted him as a friend on quad skates. Jules delights them with his fancy dance steps. Guess what, ladies...He's single!

By Laura Schofer   Thu, Jul 29, 2010

The Town of Hempstead’s zoning Board of Appeals’s July 14 decision to postpone hearings on two applications by T-Mobile to install wireless equipment in Wantagh and North Bellmore has spurred residents to take further action. 

In a meeting held at county Legislator David Denenberg’s office on Monday, July 26, residents from Wantagh, North Bellmore and Merrick decided they will attend the Town of Hempstead’s August 3 board meeting to urge the Town Board to place a moratorium on all wireless installations until a new town ordinance   is completed. They urged residents to attend.

The town has hired Richard Cumi of Telecom Sol to help draft the municipal code that could keep wireless equipment away from schools and residences when possible. Town spokesperson Susie Pokalsky said that once the code is drafted, a public hearing will be held at a Town Hall meeting. But no date has been set at this time.

The Wantagh application was rescheduled for Wednesday, October 6. The North Bellmore application was rescheduled for Wednesday, September 15. Both hearings will being at 2 p.m. at the Hempstead Town Hall in Hempstead.

In Wantagh

T-Mobile has proposed 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.

Jeanine Boiko of Wantagh said that despite the town’s decision to hold off on hearing T-Mobile’s application until October, “This morning [Monday, July 26] there were workers up on the roof of the temple. We learned that the roof needs to be reinforced before the equipment can go up there. They act as if it’s already a done deal.”

The Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center has no comment. 

T-Mobile spokesperson Jane Builder, Northeast senior manager of external affairs, has stated that “our application for one concealed wireless broadband site on the roof of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center strike the optimal balance between the needs of local wireless users and the interest of residents, many of whom rely on cell phones today to stay connected to family, work, friends and emergency services.”

In North Bellmore

In North Bellmore T-Mobile 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.

In Merrick

T-Mobile is also exploring the possibility of erecting a 50-foot flagpole cell tower to replace the flagpole that stands in front of the North Merrick library. This project is still in the discussion stages. Library Director Tom Witt told our sister paper Merrick Life that a T-Mobile representative may attend a library board meeting on August 17 to present a safety study on wireless equipment.

Another meeting is also scheduled for August 16 by the Moms of Merrick/Bellmore Speak Out (MOMS), and the Telecommunications Taskforce made up of civic leaders in Merrick and Bellmore as well as all interested Wantagh residents. The meeting will review a plan of action. For more information you can call Jeanine Boiko at 712-0833. 

By Laura Schofer   Thu, Jul 22, 2010

Nassau County recently announced that a water trail for kayaks and canoes will be created on Long Island’s south shore, said a recent press release from Nassau County.

The trail will stretch from Bay Park on the west to Massapequa on the east, including  Shell Creek in the Rockaways to Baldwin Park, Cow Meadow Park in Freeport, Levy Preserve in Merrick and to Wantagh Park. Nassau County will provide $50,000 in funding for maps, the website, signs and docking.

Additionally, $70,000 from the Environmental Bond Act will allow the Village of Freeport to acquire two boats to manage debris collection along this water trail. Meanwhile on land, plans are underway to rehabilitate the Brookside Preserve adjacent to the former Brooklyn Water Works on the Baldwin/Freeport border. Improvements will be made to enhance the preserve’s natural habitat, including the removal of invasive species, new plantings, fencing and signage. At the nearby Massapequa Preserve,  a popular hiking and biking site that includes a series of lakes and streams, a  trail renovation and storm water management project has just been completed.  Massapequa Preserve is part of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail. It extends from  Merrick Road in Massapequa  north to Bethpage State Park. 

The  storm water management component focused on increasing stream flow, thus allowing the stream to flow more consistently during dry weather and provide colder water to the stream in an effort to provide habitat for cool-water fish species, in particular trout. The project cost $8 million and included improvements to the hiking trails, new benches, lighting and better access points.  While operating funds for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation have been cut 25 percent in the past two years, County Executive Ed Mangano said he will continue to move forward with plans to renovate and restore Nassau County’s parks and preserves. Nassau County has 70 parks, preserve, museums, historic properties and athletic facilities.

“Our parks and preserves are intended to offer relief, relaxation and fun to residents who are facing increased stress from a poor economy and high taxes,” said County Executive Mangano. “I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy them.”

By Ilana Mele   Wed, Feb 09, 2011

South Shore Sounds entertainment blog features local music, comedy and more happening on our side of the island. Click here to see what's happening.

By   Tue, Jul 19, 2011

Combo rate card for all four papers - download .pdf

Bellmore Life rate card

Freeport-Baldwin Leader rate card

Merrick Life rate card

Wantagh-Seaford Citizen rate card

By   Tue, Jul 19, 2011

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• Jill Bromberg
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can be reached at 516-378-5320 or via fax 516-378-0287. You can also reach the central email for the sales staff at lmads@optimum.net, include your contact information for a prompt return call.

By   Mon, Jul 19, 2010

Editorial and Legal Advertising Deadlines
Merrick Life, Bellmore Life and the Freeport Baldwin Leader - Monday noon
The Wantagh- Seaford Citizen - Friday noon

Advertising Deadlines
All four papers - Friday 9 a.m.

Classifed Advertising Deadline
All four papers - Friday at noon

Life happens in your community…

.. so why not take advantage of it! Advertise your business, trade or special need in one or all of Life Publications’ four newspapers. The average weekly community paper remains in the reader’s home 4.3 days. 41% of all readers will keep the weekly issue in their home until the next edition arrives.

Advertisers aren’t our only customers. When deciding where to spend precious advertising dollars, you  should look for a publication that has proven loyal readership. Life Publications has developed such a loyalty among its subscribers by providing decades of journalistic  excellence. Each weekly issue features local news, sports, school news, letters to the editor, community events, religious calendars and much more.

Market penetration is more than just a numbers game. Numbers don’t lie, but they can be misleading. Some free circulation publications claim high market penetration and home delivery. They deliver mostly to front lawns, driveways, bushes, just about everywhere but into a mailbox. Life Publications’ four 

community newspapers are delivered to the home of our subscribers by the US Postal Service. This ensures your advertising won’t be left out in the rain.

In community newspapers, you get what you pay for. Our readers value our newspapers. That’s why they are paid subscribers.

When you advertise in Life Publication’s community newspapers your message reaches people who choose to receive it. That means your advertising dollar is stretched by not having to pay for wasted circulation. 

The rate card will explain all you need to know about advertising in Life Publications and how to get the most out of your advertising dollar.

All around the towns.

Life Publications’ The Freeport-Baldwin Leader, Merrick Life, The Wantagh-Seaford Citizen, and  Bellmore Life  have been an important part of the communities they serve since 1935, 1938, 1953 and 1964 respectively. 

They are locally owned and staffed by community residents, who also play an active role in civic associations such as the chambers of commerce.

Their achievements have been recognized by professional associations’ awards on the national and state levels, but even more meaningful are the many awards presented by the local organizations over the years, awards that prove the newspapers are truly valued in the communities they serve. 

Seaford, Wantagh, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport and Baldwin are all suburban communities located on the south shore of Long Island – with beautiful waterfront homes and parks, excellent schools and many thriving establishments. It’s a nice area to visit and an even better place to live, with the added advantage of proximity to New York City. Each community has its own flavor, and the news in its newspaper is tailored just for it.

Contract and copy regulations

• Forwarding of an order is considered as an acceptance of all rates and conditions of the rate card.

• The publisher of Life Publications (L&M) reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisements at any time.

• Advertiser and advertising agency will indemnify and hold harmless L&M, its officers, agents, employees and contractors, for all contents supplied to publisher, including text, representations and illustrations of advertisements printed, and defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement and plagiarism.

• We make every effort to avoid error, but neither L&M nor our advertisers are responsible for typographical errors. If at fault, L&M will publish a correction of that portion of the ad where the error appears if the error substantially affects the advertising message. Claims for an error must be made within 7 days of publication.

• The publisher reserves the right to insert the words “Paid Advertisement” above or below any advertisement.

• The advertiser agrees to pay any expense which the publisher may incur in collecting any balance due, including a reasonable attorney’s fee and other costs and charges for the collection there of. Venue for litigation would be Nassau County, State of New York.

Pre-printed inserts get noticed.

Life Publications will insert and deliver your pre-printed inserts. We are a mailed publication so you are guaranteed home delivery to our paid subscribers. Most of our competitors deliver mainly by throwing their publication on a lawn, or in a bush, or a driveway. Our way your insert gets to people who want to read our newspaper and see what our advertisers offer. 

Make a splash with a dash of color.

Life Publications offers as a service to our advertisers select pages and sections that can be printed in color. A recent Newspaper Advertising Bureau study shows color sold 75% more merchandise than a black & white ad in the first week of the sale. See your advertising representative for more information on color rates.

Mechanical size requirements.

The following is a list of the standard advertising sizes used by Life Publications

Full Page (4 x 14”) 9.75” x 14”

3/4 V. (3 x 14”) 7.25” x 14”

3/4 H. (4 x 10 1/2”) 9.75” x 10.5”

2/3 H. (4 x 9”) 9.75” x9”

2/3 V. (3 x 12”) 7.25” x 12”

1/2 V. (3 x 9 1/8”) 7.25” x 9.125”

1/2 V. (2 x 14”) 4.75” x 14”

1/2 H. (4 x 6 7/8”) 9.75” x 6.875”

1/3 V. (2 x 9”) 4.75” x 9”

1/3 H. (3 x 6”) 7.25” x 6”

1/3 H. (4 x 4 1/2”) 9.75” x 4.5”

1/4 V. (2 x 6 7/8”) 4.75” x 6.875”

1/4 V. (1 x 14”) 2.25” x 14”

1/4 H. (3 x 4 5/8”) 7.25” x 4.625”

1/5 V. (2 x 5”) 4.75” x 5”

1/6 H. (2 x 4 3/8”) 4.75” x 4.375”

1/8 V. (1 x 6 7/8”) 2.25” x 6.875”

1/8 H. (2 x 3 3/8”) 4.75” x 3.375”

1/12 H. (2 x 2 1 /4”) 4.75” x 2.25”

1/16 V. (1 x 3 3/8”) 2.25” x 3.375”

1/16 H. (2 x 1 5/8”) 4.75” x 1.625”

Mechanical requirements

Width of typed page: 9 3/4” 

Depth of page: 14”

Single Column Width: 2 1/4” 

Width of each addit. column: same

4 columns to a page 

Column depth in lines: 196

Number of lines to a page: 784 

Printed by offset. JPEG and PDF files email to LMads@optimum.net.

Tear sheets, complete copy of publication, and media package available upon request.

Special issues throughout the year.

January - Martin Luther King

February - Brides/VALENTINES

March/APRIL

Spring - Home fashions, gardening, and of course, new wardrobes.

Home Improvements

May

Mother’s DAY - The second biggest retail season of the year.

Summer FUN - Promoting waterfront activities

June

Grads - Gifts and plans for the future.

Father’s DAY

August

Back to school - From preschool to grad school and careers.

October

Home Fashions - Making homes beautiful for the holidays

November

Holiday gift guide - The biggest retail season of the year. 

Agency Advertising rate information

Bellmore Life  - 1.21 Cents a line $16.94 Column inch $16.77 SAU

Merrick Life - 1.29 Cents a line $18.06 Column inch $17.88 SAU

The Citizen - 1.13 Cents a line   $15.82 Column inch       $15.66 SAU 

The Leader -  .70 Cents a line $9.80 Column inch $9.70 SAU

Rates above include 15% Agency commission. An additional 5% discount will be given if the same ad runs in three or more papers in the same week.

Position requests

Request for special positions will be given consideration. However we cannot guarantee position.

Classified ad rates

Line ads: $27 Box ads - 8 lines/25 words: $35

4x rate: $30/week 6x rate $27.50/Week

13x rate: $26/week 26x Rate: $23.50/week.

Display Classified

Merrick Life only: $38.12

Bellmore Life only: $35.80

The Citizen only: $31.50

The Leader only: $18.10

LEGAL NOTICES

Our newspapers fulfill the requirements of “newspapers in general circulation”. Your legal notice can run in Merrick Life, Bellmore Life, The Citizen or  The Leader. The cost is considerably less than the daily newspapers charge. Call your advertising representative for more information.

By   Fri, Mar 23, 2012

Professional Directory and Service Guide Prices.

By   Wed, Jul 13, 2011

Bellmore Life Newspaper

• Rite-Stop, 1445 Newbridge Rd.
• 7-11, Newbridge Rd.
• 7-11, Jerusalem Ave.
• 7-11, North Jerusalem Road
• Stop & Shop, Jerusalem Ave.
• Blossom Farm Deli, 100 Bedford Ave.
• Bedford Ave. Deli, 105 Bedford Ave.
• Fresh Break, 2736 Merrick Rd.
• Cool Stop, 2825 Merrick Rd.
• Village Deli, 2655 Bellmore Ave
• Park Deli, 1420 Park Avenue, Merrick
• Cards Unlimited, 39 Merrick Avenue, Merrick

Freeport-Baldwin Leader

• Compare Foods - Merrick Rd. & Ocean Ave.
• Teamo - 223 Merrick Rd.
• Curiosity - 191 Atlantic Ave.
• 7-11 - 964 Merrick Rd., Baldwin
• Convenience Store - 363 Atlantic Ave.
• 7-11 - 145 Sunrise Hwy., Freeport
• Rite Stop - 376 Bayview Ave.
• 7-11 - 200 E. Merrick Rd., Freeport
• Bridge Side Deli - 1156 Atlantic Ave.

Merrick Life Newspaper

• Park Deli, 1420 Park Avenue
• 7-11, 1800 Merrick Avenue
• Cards & Smokes, 20 Merrick Avenue
• Brother’s Deli, 1341 Jerusalem Avenue
• Teamo, 1701 Merrick Road
• Stop & Shop, 1016 Park Avenue & Jerusalem Avenue
• Cards Unlimited, 39 Merrick Avenue
• 7-11, 203 Babylon Tpke & Sunrise Hwy
• From Me To You Cards & Candles , 1670 Merrick Road
• Iannuzzi, 1363 Jerusalem Avenue
• Caputo’s Cards, 383 Merrick Avenue
• Cards & Gifts, 1970 Merrick Road
• Akel’s Deli, 1874 Meadowbrook Road
• Bagel Man, 84 Merrick Avenue
• Gourmet Express, 2 Merrick Avenue
• Boswell’s, 1828 Merrick Avenue
• Ward’s Deli, 34 S. Babylon Turnpike
• Angelo & Joe’s, 373 Merrick Avenue
• Teamo Card & Gifts, 704 Merrick Avenue
• Smith Street Deli, 241 Smith Street

Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

• Beck’s Delicatessen, 1939 Wantagh Avenue
• Doc Brown’s Books, 2089 Wantagh Avenue
• The Buff Shop, 2095 Wantagh Avenue
• Friendly Card & Gift, 1906 Wantagh Avenue
• Kwik Stop, 2264 Wantagh Avenue
• The Lucky Lotto Store, 1247 Wantagh Avenue
• Mid Island Medical Supply, 2093 Wantagh Avenue
• Otto’s Delicatessen, 3580 Park Avenue
• Seven-Eleven, 3382 Park Avenue
• Rashi Cardstand Convenience, 3381 Merrick Road
• Tobacco Junction, 3300 Sunrise Hwy.
• Quick Picks, 2264 Wantagh Avenue
• Seaford Harbor Delicatessen, 3623 Bayview Street
• Seaford Chemists, 1696 Washington Avenue

By   Wed, Mar 02, 2011

L&M Publications is committed to safeguarding the personal information entrusted to us by our customers. This policy outlines the principles and practices  we follow in protecting your personal information.

This policy applies to L&M Publications and to any person providing services on our behalf. A copy of this policy is provided to any customer on request.

What is personal information?
Personal information means information about an identifiable individual. This includes an individual's name, home address and phone number, age, sex, marital or family status, an identifying number, financial information, educational history, etc.

What personal information do we collect?

We collect only the personal information that we need for the purposes of providing services to our clients, including personal information needed to prepare mailings and bill subscriptions and advertisements.

We normally collect client personal information directly from our clients. We may collect your information from other persons with your consent or as authorized by law.

We inform our clients, before or at the time of collecting personal information, of the purposes for which we are collecting the information. The only time we don't provide this notification is when a client volunteers information for an obvious purpose (for example, producing a credit card to pay when the information will be used only to process the payment).

Consent   

We ask for consent to collect, use or disclose client personal information, except in specific circumstances where collection, use or disclosure without consent is authorized or required by law. We may assume your consent in cases where you volunteer information for an obvious purpose.

We assume your consent to continue to use and, where applicable, disclose personal information that we have already collected, for the purpose for which the information was collected.

We ask for your express consent for some purposes and may not be able to provide certain services if you are unwilling to provide consent to the collection, use or disclosure of certain personal information. Where express consent is needed, we will normally ask clients to provide their consent orally (in person, by telephone), or in writing.

A client may withdraw consent to the use and disclosure of personal information at any time, unless the personal information is necessary for us to fulfill our legal obligations. We will respect your decision, but we may not be able to provide you with certain products and services if we do not have the necessary personal information.

We may collect, use or disclose client personal information without consent only as authorized by law.
   
How do we use and disclose personal information?

We use and disclose client personal information only for the purpose for which the information was collected, except as authorized by law. If we wish to use or disclose your personal information for any new business purpose, we will ask for your consent. We may not seek consent if the law allows this (e.g. the law allows organizations to use personal information without consent for the purpose of collecting a debt).           

What is personal employee information?

Personal employee information is personal information about an employee or volunteer which is collected, used or disclosed solely for the purposes of establishing, managing or terminating an employment relationship or a volunteer work relationship. Personal employee information may, in some circumstances, include a Social Security Number, a performance review, etc.       

We can collect, use and disclose your personal employee information without your consent only for the purposes of establishing, managing or ending the employment or volunteer relationship. We will provide current employees and volunteers with prior notice about what information we collect, use or disclose and our purpose for doing so.

What personal employee information do we collect, use and disclose?

We collect, use and disclose personal employee information to meet the following purposes:
• Determining eligibility for employment or volunteer work, including verifying qualifications and references

• Establishing development and training requirements

• Assessing performance and managing performance issues as they arise

• Administering pay and benefits (paid employees only)

• Processing employee work-related claims (e.g. benefits, workers’ compensation, insurance claims – paid employees only) 

• Complying with applicable laws

We only collect, use and disclose the amount and type of personal employee information that is reasonable to meet the above purposes.

The following is a list of personal employee information that we may collect, use and disclose to meet those purposes:

• Contact information such as your name, home address, telephone number

• Criminal background checks

• Employment or volunteer information such as your resume (including education background, work history and references), reference information and interview notes, letter of offer and acceptance of employment, policy acknowledgement forms, background verification information, workplace performance evaluations, emergency contacts, etc.

• Benefit information such as forms relating to applications or changes to health and insurance benefits including medical and dental care, life insurance, short and long term disability, etc. (paid employees only)

• Financial information, such as pay check deposit information and tax-related information, including Social Security Numbers (paid employees only)

• Other personal information required for the purposes of our employment or volunteer relationship

We will inform our employees and volunteers of any new purpose for which we will collect, use, or disclose personal employee information, or we will obtain your consent, before or at the time the information is collected.  

We will obtain your consent to collect, use and disclose your personal information for purposes unrelated to the employment or volunteer relationship.

What information do we provide for employment/volunteer references?
In some cases, after your employment or volunteer relationship with us ends, we will be contacted by other organizations and asked to provide a reference for you. It is our policy not to disclose personal information about our employees and volunteers to other organizations who request references without consent. The personal information we normally provide in a reference includes:

• Confirmation that an individual was an employee or volunteer, including the position, and date range of the employment or volunteering

• General information about an individual's job duties and information about the employee or volunteer's ability to perform job duties and success in the employment or volunteer relationship

How do we safeguard personal information?
We make every reasonable effort to ensure that personal information is accurate and complete. We rely on individuals to notify us if there is a change to their personal information that may affect their relationship with our organization. If you are aware of an error in our information about you, please let us know and we will correct it on request wherever possible. In some cases we may ask for a written request for correction.

We protect personal information in a manner appropriate for the sensitivity of the information. We make every reasonable effort to prevent any loss, misuse, disclosure or modification of personal information, as well as any unauthorized access to personal information. 

We use appropriate security measures when destroying personal information, including shredding paper records and permanently deleting electronic records.

We retain personal information only as long as is reasonable to fulfill the purposes for which the information was collected or for legal or business purposes.

Access to records containing personal information
Individuals have a right to access their own personal information in a record that is to the custody or under the control of L&M Publications, subject to some exceptions, such as information that would reveal personal information about another individual.

If we refuse a request in whole or in part, we will provide the reasons for the refusal. In some cases where exceptions to access apply, we may withhold that information and provide you with the remainder of the record. 

You may make a request for access to your personal information by writing to the publisher. You must provide sufficient information in your request to allow us to identify the information you are seeking.

You may also request information about our use of your personal information and any disclosure of that information to persons outside our organization. In addition, you may request a correction of an error or omission in your personal information.

We will respond to your request within 45 calendar days, unless an extension is granted. We may charge a reasonable fee to provide information, but not to make a correction. We do not charge fees when the request is for personal employee information. We will advise you of any fees that may apply before beginning to process your request.

Questions and complaints
If you have a question or concern about any collection, use or disclosure of personal information by L&M Publications, or about a request for access to your own personal information, please contact the publisher.