RSS 2.0 FeedDecember 30, 2010, Bellmore Life
2010: A year of challenges
The year that was in the Bellmores.
Rallying against Aqua New York to reduce costs; saying no to White Castle because it wouldn’t close at a reasonable hour, while also saying no to synthetic fields because taxpayers can’t afford them; winning it all at the local film festival; passing an $8 million bond for necessary upgrades; working to help the grief-stricken people of Haiti; nabbing a federal fugitive right in Bellmore’s backyard; and paying tribute to our loved ones lost were but some of the stories that made headlines during this sobering 2010.
With exorbitant water costs in some South Shore communities – as surrounding communities enjoyed far-less expensive water rates – residents railed against proposed increases of 20% or more coming our way from Aqua water company, getting the Town of Hempstead’s attention and demanding the resurgence of the Southeast Nassau Water Authority (SENWA) to study the feasibility of a public takeover of the facility.
SENWA recently held its first meeting, to the delight – and relief – of many residents. What kind of cost relief residents get after their vocal outings only the future holds.
The Bellmore Preservation Group won perhaps its most satisfying challenge of its existence when it questioned the 24/7/365-day operation of the popular fast-food restaurant White Castle and its value to the Bellmore community.
In a much-anticipated showdown at the Town of Hempstead zoning Board of Appeals, the group and its 150-plus supporters displayed their moxie, persuading the board that White Castle needed to modify its operations more succinctly before the group would agree to seeing the first fast-food establishment in Bellmore in decades.
The result? White Castle was denied entry into Bellmore. The company is appealing.
It was a bittersweet victory, however, as longtime Bellmore businessman Bill Sette had offered White Castle his land, saying he felt it would have been a great deal for Bellmore, his lifelong home.
The zoning board wasn’t the only agency in a mood to say no, as the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Board of Education finally said no to installing synthetic fields due to financial constraints. The district instead restricted use of high school fields in order to give them rest and to help rebuild the grassroots.
Such actions put youth organizations on an offensive, requesting the district consider the clubs’ roles in developing community sports leaders, and give them more time on the restricted fields.
The school board acknowledged these organizations’ concerns, working out new schedules to play on existing fields.
The district in now covering over the vulnerable fields to trap moisture to help in deep-root growth.
A town full of talent
North Bellmore’s Jill Schlissel, who went to Calhoun High School, won first prize at the growing and ever-more popular Bellmore Independent International Film Expo, for her Best Short Student Film “Mildred Richards.”
Bellmore’s Sal Del Guidice won for his documentary “Miracle Ball.” Not to be outdone, John Lazzaro of Wantagh, an employee at the Bellmore Movies, where the festival takes place, won for best humanitarian film, “Hindsight.”
Bellmore’s chiropractic doctor Michael Schonfeld told Bellmore Life readers of his compassionate, at moments harrowing, and always gratifying work in Haiti after the earthquake hit, saying he knew that he had to be there to help those with no medical help otherwise.
North Bellmore School District passed a less-expensive $8 million bond to help with building refurbishment and health concerns. Meanwhile, the school districts presented acceptable tax levy increases to their residents, and all passed.
A sudden weekend storm ravaged Bellmore in March with up to 75 m.p.h. gusts, knocking 100s of trees down over electrical wires, and leaving many Bellmore residents without power for up to a week. Bellmore Life’s own artist-photographer Pat McKay had a close brush with a falling tree as she recorded the carnage.
A bomb scare stopped Bellmore in its tracks on a mild, sunny, late June afternoon as Sunrise Highway was closed, parking lots evacuated and county Bomb Squad personnel called in to evaluate a suspicious suitcase with wiring protruding in the middle of King Kullen parking lot, and neutralize it. After dramatic investigation, the squad would determine at the scene it was a hoax.
But Nassau County police did find their “woman” at the Bellmore Post Office getting supplies while on the run from the law, as a federal fugitive was apprehended quickly and quietly in the post office lobby. Police then found a substance they believed to be cyanide on her person, which closed Merrick Road at Centre Avenue for several hours for investigation. It wasn’t cyanide.
People who excelled
Susan Cirigliano and husband Rob were instrumental in getting a state law passed banning drop-side curbs; Brian Sheehan, Miguel Nunez and Travis Robert Kalberer became Eagle Scouts.
Kathyrn Rand, Danielle Gold, Jeffrey Anderson and Will Cohen were Kennedy PTA Reflections winners; Mepham students Giana D’Avanso, Allison Boyle and Kayla Walsh reached the L.I. Summit.
Calhoun social studies teacher Kate Caporusso earned Teacher of the Year distinction; Elena Bonilla won the Knights of Columbus Long Island/InnerCity Free Throw Basketball Championship for 10-Year-Olds.
Daniel Borenstein, Barri Bruno and Stephanie Weiner were Kennedy Intel Semifinalists; Elayne and Bill Horowitz of the Bellmore Jewish Center won the Solomon Schechter Award for program excellence.
Piccolo Ristorante owner Tom Valenti opened another restaurant; Tom Stroeger became the Bellmore Fire Department chief.
Debra-Lin Skinner became the new mother at St. Mark the Evangelist Episcopal Church; Father Dooley left the St. Barnabas parish.
North Bellmore residents Dave and Pat Hines’ home was on the National Solar Tour; Gus Halouvas survived a plane crash.
Debra Izzo was named the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce Small Businessperson of the Year; Jason Mayo wrote the children’s book “Do Witches Eat Fishes?”
The Sinigacci family raised $1,500 for autism; Bellmore-Merrick chapter of Hadassah honored Laura Wolman for membership development.
The Bellmore Memorial Library named Maureen Garvey its new library director; Condy Lauren and Sarah Gochez won Girl Scout Gold Awards.
First Lieutenant Cody Hardenburgh was recognized at Kennedy’s Homecoming game for his service to his country in fighting in Afghanistan; Bellmore art teacher – and owner of South Shore Arts Studio – Jay Lupetin was named Educator of the Month by Dowling College and News 12.
Matt O’Connor and Nicholas White became new fire commissioners for the Bellmore Fire District and North Bellmore Fire District, respectively; Dan Robinson was feted for his 35 years of service to the Fraternal Order of Police.
Mepham student Austin Kowalsky and Calhoun student Gabbie Toback of the CHSD Sharks swim team competed in the Junior Nationals; Linda Nanos won the Nassau County Bar Association’s Presidents Award.
Dorothy Brochon won the New York State United Teacher Community Service Award; and Chris Lucas was named Allstate Insurance Company’s Premier Service Agent.
News not overlooked
Max Doebler, Tinsmith, closed shop in Bellmore after 55 years serving the community; The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores took ownership of the Friday Night car show; the Smith Pond dredging plan was finalized, with work to begin next year.
East Bay Suburban Temple merged with Temple Beth-Am of Merrick; PC Richards remained uncertain about how it would extend its store.
Walk in Love for Jesus Church was granted church status; FEMA came under fire for raising flood insurance several hundred percent; The North Bellmore Fire Department got the ok to turn its 100-foot antenna into a cell-tower antenna.
Kennedy High School launched a sports mentoring program for football and cheerleading; Mepham advanced to the football semifinals for the first time in five years.
A Wellness Council seminar reported that girls are more prone to concussions than boys; and a purse snatcher attacked a Bellmore woman.
While 2010 was a year of mixed challenges for many, may you prosper in 2011.
Happy New Year!
Bellmore Life 2010 winners
Samuel Knee was Bellmore’s First Baby of the Year, an 8.5-pound bundle of joy who surprised mom and dad by appearing on New Year’s Day, weeks before the doctor forecast.
Samuel is also the first grandson of Saul Lerner, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s director of physical education, athletics, health and driver education.
Mr. Lerner is particularly gratified his grandson can play close to him at his office at Brookside School, as part of the district’s daycare policy.
Bellmore’s Mother of the Year, Diane Kaempf of North Bellmore, was chosen for her courage in presiding over her family with tender, affectionate love, enduring especially the health-issue aftermath of her daughter being struck by a vehicle.
There was also the moment when her son contracted food poisoning by food given by...her other daughter!
The children are now fairly enveloped in adulthood through jobs, or pending marriages and relationships to where she and her husband can...take a vacation?
Bellmore’s Father of the Year, Richard Czarnecki, is a Bellmore Presbyterian Church Scout leader – and a member of the St. Barnabas congregation – who has instilled in his children a sense of wonder in the art of responsibility.
He has shown his son and daughter how to build things such as wooden decorations, how to garden and landscape, how to bake the “best” Christmas cookies, and so much more.
And they, in turn, understand his need and hope for them, as he lives with the challenge of multiple sclerosis.
Whom we loved and lost
• Former Green Beret Jack Diamondstein of Dr. Jack’s.
• Kerryann Dudley.
• Kennedy teacher Rick Hamilton.
• June Irvin, former Bellmore Life associate publisher.
• U.S. Marine Libardo Anthony Jimenez Jr.
• Howard Klos.
• Jonathan Liez.
• Fred Sabia of “Sabia’s Corner.”
• Francis “Tootsie” Townson.
• Elinor Jane Pope Wechsler-Klueppenberg.
• Rev. Jody Williams of United Methodist Church.
