Friday, 06 November 2009 00:00

Consolidation, Dissolution Discussed

On Oct. 28, before a crowded room at the William P. Bennett Community Center in Hicksville, the Long Island Special Districts Association (LISDA) hosted a public forum on the facts on consolidation and dissolution of special districts. Karl M. Schweitzer, president of LISDA and chairman of the Hicksville Water District, spoke residents, public officials and local political candidates about the recently passed New York Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act.

This discussion included the communities of Bethpage, Plainview, Jericho, Westbury and Garden City and the presentation and discussion covered the facts on consolidation and dissolution as it pertains to the local fire and water districts in the communities represented at the meeting.

“During the debate in the state Senate most representatives who spoke supported the bill, but openly admitted that it had flaws and that they would be open to and encouraged amendments before the actual legislation takes effect in March 2010,” said Schweitzer. “LISDA and those I represent have always supported the need of our residents and if it is a streamlined and uniformed consolidation process, then we stand behind that. However, it should not be driven by political debate on what some special interest group thinks would be best, but input from those affected residents.”

Friday, 06 November 2009 00:00

ResidentsOpposed Due to Quality of Life, Not Creed

The Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI) was incorporated as a nonprofit entity in April 1982. At that time, a small brick home on the Brush Hollow Road property was altered but seven years later more space was needed and, by 1992, construction of a 10,000-square-foot structure featuring a mosque, library, classrooms and offices was completed. Now, 20 years later, ICLI is again seeking to expand.

At an Oct. 19 meeting, ICLI presented the Westbury Zoning Board of Appeals with their application seeking to build a three-story, 19,000 square foot addition somewhat connected to the existing structure via a courtyard. In planning for the expansion, ICLI purchased four homes – three on Jaymie Drive and one on Talbot Drive – over the course of the past 18 years. The plan, currently, is to use the land the homes once sat on for parking and to construct the addition on the current parking area.

While the proposal would significantly increase on-site parking from 35 to 87 spots, current village code requires 308 on-site parking spaces – 1 per 100 square feet. Since ICLI is short 221 spots, and the shape of the parcel cannot accommodate a tiered garage, the center is required to obtain a parking variance from the zoning board.

Friday, 06 November 2009 00:00

Westbury has long awaited a little league football team with the drive, energy and determination of the Westbury Wolverines! And this team doesn’t stop at football! The cheerleading and dance squads, often referred to as the Westbury Wolverettes, compete alongside their football player counterparts.

The Westbury Wolverines team is spearheaded by owner Andrew Stewart, who was determined to bring more community spirit back to Westbury through his love of the game – a contact sport comprised of players, cheerleaders and dancers from New Cassel, Westbury, Old Westbury and East Meadow.

Friday, 06 November 2009 00:00

Eight-Year-Olds Shutout Inwood

The Chiefs 8-year-olds had this game against Inwood circled on their schedule, as it was their only loss of the 2008 campaign. But 2009 was to be different as they shut out the Inwood Buccaneers 18-0 at home with a great defensive performance, brining their undefeated record to 6-0.

The name of this game was defense. The Chiefs defense made team gang tackles all over the field. The defensive line of Michael Sinisi, Aidan Hornberger, Jeremy Samuel, Andrew Cho, Chris Marshiano and Joe Martello kept the pressure on Inwood’s offense the whole day. Linebackers and cornerbacks attacked the ball and finished off the Buccaneers; they were led by Michael O’Connell, Matt Sluka, Andrew Casoria, Matt Grimm and Ryan Calderone. O’Connell made a big defensive stop with an interception of a pass intended for a Buccaneer.