RSS 2.0 FeedAugust 19, 2010, Weekly editorial
$25 on 25th helps schools too
As parents start Back-To-School shopping, it’s a good time to remind ourselves that money spent locally helps local merchants pay their share of school taxes, and helps keep our own share down. Shopping locally also saves time, gas and money, as the local chambers of commerce point out.
Neighborhood businesses also give to the PTA and sports groups. The New York Press Association, and the state Conference of Mayors and Economic Development Council, have teamed up on a campaign urging New Yorkers to “spend $25 on the 25th” this September with a “Main Street business.” But now is a good time to remember to shop locally, too. Our local towns have several main streets, and sometimes we can even walk to shops just around the corner and get a more “green” shopping experience. Don’t forget to bring that reusable shopping bag!
Be prepared for distaster
Nobody wants to be reminded that a hurricane like Katrina could hit Long Island. But the best way to keep from being stressed about that fact is to have a disaster plan ready. It’s comforting to know the American Red Cross has our backs, but they know from experience things go much more smoothly when we each do our part.
Richard Schneider is a Merrick resident who serves on the Red Cross Disaster Team, which helped families burned out from 70 fires in Nassau County this past year. He has also served in shelters all over the country, including those for Katrina families. He has some practical advice to add to the Long Island Hurricane Preparedness Guide available at LIPrepares.org
For example, when you replace last year’s school backpack with a new one this year, keep the old one for your child’s “go bag.” It will have glasses, personal care items, boots and protective gloves and clothing for all kinds of weather. Old clothes will do. There will be games and books to keep your child occupied, medications, water and nonperishable food your child can eat. There will be written instructions on where to go and who to call outside the area who can tell everybody what is going on if local phones don’t work. E-mail addresses should be listed too.
The Red Cross has a “Safe and Well” website to post messages on at redcross.org. Parents’ bags will include the same items plus cash (since ATMs might not work), a flash drive or waterproof container with important family documents (such as proof of residence, a photo of the family and pets and their proof of shots), and written instructions on how to turn off gas, electricity and water if needed. All kits should be kept by the door. It’s important to have a plan and know where shelters, such as Nassau Community College, are located.
The Red Cross has contacted the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District regarding possible use of one of its high school buildings. Current policy, according to district spokesperson Michelle Gagnon, is for the schools superintendent to “make school facilities available to Nassau County, The Town of Hempstead or their respective emergency preparedness agencies for use as mass care shelters under certain terms and conditions.” Otherwise, the American Red Cross can ask the board to change its policy to directly contract with it.
Meanwhile, she said, “The community should be reassured that when the terms and conditions outlined in the policy are met, the Bellmore-Merrick CHSD does make school facilities available for mass care shelters for emergency services.”
