RSS 2.0 FeedDecember 30, 2010, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
The Leader's Year in Review
The Leader covered it all in 2010.
Before the sounding of the midnight bell, let us pause to take one last look at the people, places and events in Freeport and Baldwin during 2010.
Raucous public hearings were a common occurence at Freeport Village Hall this year. In January Freeporters came out in droves to voice their concerns over a 5.5% tax hike and Mayor Hardwick’s plan to cut 11 positions in village government. Although the layoffs were averted, residents still had to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for village services. Later in the year, the village took other measures to cut expenses, including reducing the two-day Nautical Mile festival to one day.
A hot debate raged over the leaking roof at the Freeport Memorial Library. Mayor Hardwick and Trustee Robert Kennedy stood firm in their belief that the roof needed to be repaired and not replaced. Again, residents turned up at Village Hall in support of the library’s position. In the end an agreement was made that accomodated both the village and the library.
When state legislation was proposed that would give the mayor power to hire police brass, residents protested. The mayor withdrew his proposal but there were still big changes in the police department. Deputy Police Chief Debbie Zagaza sued the village after being removed from her position. Police Chief Michael Woodward retired and Miguel Bermudez became Freeport’s police chief.
Village Hall drew attention from our neighbors in Merrick (and in Freeport) who protested the proposal to build an incinerator in south Freeport. Although initially in favor of the project, Mayor Hardwick decided to look for other projects that would bring revenue to the village.
In May residents returned to Village Hall when the mayor urged residents to vote down the proposed school budget which raised the tax levy by 5.4%. Despite the financial hardship of two tax increases (one from the village and one from the schools) in one year, Freeporters passed the school budget.
The weather was big news this year. In February, a snowstorm dropped 18 inches of snow in our area and in March a fierce nor’easter with winds blowing up to 75 miles per hour brought down the ice skating bubble at the Freeport Recreation Center, knocked out electric lines, caused severe flooding in south Freeport and downed hundreds of trees in Freeport and Baldwin. Freeport Electric worked around the clock to bring power back to homes and businesses but Baldwin did not fare as well. It was days before power was returned to all of Baldwin.
But the biggest storm of all was the Blizzard of 2010 on December 26, one of the largest on record. The storm dumped close to two feet of snow and disrupted holiday plans.
This summer there was little relief, with a record number of hot days with temperatures near 100 degrees.
Where there is heat, there is fire. In Baldwin, a suspicous fire on Grand Avenue burned down four stores, just across the street from the Baldwin Public Library. There were 12 calls for mutal aid to fight this vicious fire. Then in September, propane tanks exploded in a Baldwin garage on Central Avenue.
Baldwin also saw plans for the proposed new Nassau police First Precinct stationhouse on Grand Avenue scrapped when Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano took office. However, this month County Executive Mangano outlined a new plan for rebuilding the First Precinct.
Plans to rebuild Freeport are also in the works. A farsighted Master Plan will reinvent North Main Street, the railroad station and South Main Street, as well as the Sunrise Highway area west of the railroad station.
This part of town is about 86 acres of undeveloped, or underdeveloped land and parking that will be transformed into attractive spaces. The plan could take as long as 10 to 15 years to implement, including addressing zoning issues.
Freeport won a grant for a solar photo-voltaic system at fire headquarters and brightened up the Sunrise Highway corridor with flags that promoted businesses in Freeport. Village trustees voted in favor of permitting Kohl’s to build a store at the Meadowbrook Commons in an effort to help the local economy.
The village also voted in favor of stiffer fines for those businesses and residents in violation of the noise ordinance in town. This hotly debated topic that has, in the past, pitted some residents against local businesses on the Nautical Mile, was passed in time for Memorial Day and the summer restaurant season.
A long and arduous battle to preseve the landmarked Brooklyn Waterworks was lost when the buildings were demolished this fall. The property is owned by Gary Mileus, who purchased it from Nassau County in 1989 to build condominiums. The buildings had to come down after it was determined the structures were no longer safe. The future of the property remains unknown.
Economic woes in Albany effected taxpayers in Freeport. The state proposed more closures at Jones Beach but last-minute scrambling helped keep the West Bath House open.
Thanks to Operation SPLASH the state did finally release money for the TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) Study that will examine nitrogen levels in the Western Bays off of Freeport.
But in November residents learned that thousands of gallons of sludge was being dumped into the waters in Reynolds Bay, the very same area that is being studied.
Speaking of Freeport’s waterways, the state announced this summer that part of a planned water trail along the South Shore of Long Island will include a stop along Freeport’s waterfront at Cow Meadow Park.
MTA woes meant cuts to Long Island Bus routes including the N88 – Freeport Jones Beach shuttle as well as reducing service to the N62, which runs through Freeport.
Despite cutbacks to school aid, Baldwin and Freeport schools passed their school budgets and continue to raise educational standards for students. In Baldwin the Alternative Learning Program was established at the high school.
In Freeport there has been a steady rise in graduation rates from 63% to 73% (June graduation). Now school districts must contend with the news this fall that Nassau County plans to shift tax assessments to individual school districts.
Congratulations to the Freeport High School varisty cheerleading team, who won the Long Island Cheerleading Championship, and the Red Devils football team, who won the coveted Rutgers Cup as the outstanding football team in Nassau County.
Births, deaths and seasonal events marked the passing of the year in Freeport and Baldwin. Our First Baby of the Year was Alexandra Dillworth of Freeport. Catherine Pomerico was Mother of the Year and Philip Michael Flood was Father of the Year.
Other individuals of distinction who made the news this year were former Freeporter Harold Varmus, who was chosen to be director the National Cancer Institute, as well as Dr. Kishore Kuncam, superintendent of Freeport Schools, who was honored by the Long Island Arts Council this fall for his dedication to education and the arts.
We say a sad goodbye to Library Director Dave Opatow, who is retiring this year and was honored by friends and colleagues this month. Congratulations to Father Steven Camp of St. Christopher’s Church who was recently been named Monsignor. Also congratulations to Long Island Cares which opened a food pantry here in Freeport.
Sadly, longtime Freeporter Marion Knoeller died on Feburary 7. The famous “Flying Flapper” Elinor Smith, who flew her plane under three New York City bridges at age 15, was 98 years old when she died.
Other village luminaries who died included Long Island Arts Council founder Lila Diringer and Bill Bryck of Barasch’s Kidstore.
This summer the voice of the Yankees, Bob Sheppard of Baldwin, died at age 99. His funeral, held at St. Christopher’s Church, drew thousands of mourners.
The Leader lost its longtime associate publisher June Irvin in the spring.
Important anniversaries this year included the 75th birthday of The Leader as well as the 20th birthday of Operation SPLASH. Freeport’s Fire Deparment celebrated 100 years with the publication of its book about its long and outsanding service to the community, along with a special library exhibit.
Tradiations continued in Freeport and Baldwin. The year began with the annual Winter Train show at the Freeport Recreaiton Center. “A Taste of Freeport” benefitted Freeport Pride in April and a peace march by members of the school community in May.
There was the Memorial Day Parade and in June residents enjoyed the Nautical festival, followed by the Great Canoe Race.
There were fishing tournaments and a long hot summer down at the Nautical Mile. In August there was National Night Out to help fight gang violence and the U.S. Naval Academy’s sailing squad made its visit to our harbor.
This fall saw the annual Halloween parade sponsored by the Freeport Chamber of Commerce and the Fire Expo. There was a tree-lighting ceremony and the holiday boat parade to end the year.
In Baldwin there was the Memorial Day Parade, the Rotary track meet, the annual marigold planting, the Lions Club and Kiwanis continued their meetings and fund-raising which supports so many community groups, including the high school’s Key Club.
And now the old year is with the past. Freeporters and Baldwinites turn their eyes to 2011.
May the new year bring peace and hope to all in our little part of the world. Happy New Year Freeport and Baldwin!
