On Meleny Road, a residential road located in a Locust Valley community known as the Birches, Nassau County in agreement with the Town of Oyster Bay, is working on a plan to build a sewer treatment plant a mere 15 feet away from someone’s house. The sewer treatment plant is considered the solution to the excess effluent discharge that has caused the pollution of the Mill Neck Creek and resulted in the county being fined by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ( NYSDEC).
Some homes within the Birches, particularly those on Allen Drive and Michael F Street, have problems with their cesspools and flooding. Nassau County Legislator Diane Yatauro (18th District) Points out that the problem is so bad that, “ there are people that have not only replaced their cesspools, but have had to ass additional cesspools. One home in particular has four cesspools.” She further explained, “Many homeowners do not use their dishwashers or their washing machines because their cesspool fills up so fast.”
The cost of filling up the cesspools and connecting a house’s pluming to the facility’s pipes will be at the expense of the homeowner, which will on average cost about 12,000. Each homeowner will be required to switch over to the sewer system by a specific deadline or they will be subjected to a fine.
However, not every home has problems with their cesspool. Under the proposed plan, about 60 homes will be obligated to fill up their existing cesspools, at their own expense, and hook up to the sewer system. Those homeowners who are not having problems are outraged. Resident Kathy Carney Protests that, “I have not had any problems with my cesspool and yet I will be forced to pay to have my cesspool filled up and join a system I didn’t need to begin with. That’s not right.” Town Councilwoman Elizabeth Faughnan explained, “Once a sewer district created, it will be mandatory for all of the residents to hook up to it.” However, the town would waive the hook up fees. In addition, Yatauro and the country understands the financial strain that the cost will inflict on the resident, it is a big concerns for us right now.” She said. “The county is looking into what can be doe to defer some of the costs. Since the project will be done under one umbrella, we are looking to see who we can work with to help us defray the expense.”
The $6 million inter-municipal project, which split the cost of the construction of the plant between Nassau County and the Town of Oyster Bay, Will all include the re-pavement of the roads within the Birches community. The NYDEC has also agreed to contribute a grant of 522,500 towards the proposal.
The plot of land being looked at on Meleny Road already contains underground chlorination tank that was built in 1983. In 1999, the NYSDEC found that the discharge form the disinfectant tank continually exceeded the limitations fort the pollutants that the State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit place on the discharge. The original tank continues to operate and still pours pollutants beyond that of the limitations into the Creek.
Yatauro, who is running for re-election on November 6th, admits there are a few homes that do not have a cesspool problem. She claims that their excess discharge is also running into Mill Neck Creek. “There is a pollution issue and that’s what the NYSDEC is fining the town and the county for. The Village of Bayville does a water test annually because of the growing concern of the pollution problem, so everyone needs to be part of the infiltration system other wise we are not going to change the health of the Creek at all.” Yatauro suggest a different perception.” Os we just forgot about all the constituents needs and look at it form an environmental aspect, in this day and age there should not be the level of coliform and other things that are in the pond,” she said.
As a joint project, Nassau County and the Town of Oyster Bay introduced the idea of building a membrane bioreactor (MBT) sewage treatment plant to the residence of the Birches at the meeting held on August 27th. At the meeting, it was explained that MBR technology was chosen for its small footprint, its effectiveness at removing pathogens and nitrogen, and the small amount of residual sludge produced. It was also explained to the residents that the site between 22 and 24 Meleny Road was considered the optimal site for the MBR facility because of its proximity to the wetlands, the slope of the land and its existing outfall pipe. Yatauro admits that the Meleny Road plot is that only location that “will work for $6 million without having to escalate further.”
With the notion of the sewer treatment plant being built a few feet away from their homes, the homeowners on Meleny Road were filled with questions and concerns. First was the question of location. The home of Dr. Alan Nelson, who lives at 22 Meleny Road, is just 15 feet away from proposed building. Nick Cavagnaro’s house, 24 Meleny Road, is 22 feet a way from the proposed building they questioned if is was safe to build any type of sewer treatment plan so close to a residential community. To appease the residents the county supplied those interested with a list of MBR facilities and the contact information to arrange site visits. Cavagnaro spoke of how they went to view some of the sites and that none of the locations listed where remotely close to the proximity of houses. In fact, that closest plant was a full commercial size parking lot away from a house for seniors. It did not compare to the 5 yard away from Dr. Nelsons dining room window.
“We want to be sure that the people who are going to live closest to the facility will be comfortable with what is going on. We want them to help us design the building. They can pick whether it is a brick building of a house with shingles. They can tell us what type of trees they want in the lot.” Assured Yatauro.
“The issue is more than esthetic,” expressed Susanne Seperson, who lives across the street from the proposed lot. “It is not about the esthetics. I am sure they will make it look as pleasing as possible. It is really about the health and safety. Would you want your children to play around a sewage plant?” continuing about the health and safety issues she said, “everything I have read says that there is a long-term health risk. You know that if people can blame breast cancer on the quality of water. Nevertheless, there is a correlation. The health concerns are genuine concerns, not fantasy, and nobody wants to address it because it is not immediate.”
In response to the heath and safety concerns, Yatauro said, “This is similar to what a cell tower is. If you believe or you read that there is a health risk associated with cell towers then there is no way that anyone can convince you that there isn’t. We have done our homework and we have identified that there is not a health risk issue for this plant in any way. It is going to smell better there. There will not be waste in the area. It’s going to change their lives considerably”
However when the same concern was shared with faughman, who is running against Yatauro for the seat in the country legislature, she said, “I understand their concern. But federal lay does not allow for local governments to look at health risks so I don’t really know.” Faughnan went on to say,” No matter what, having a treatment plant is much better than the raw sewage that is out in the Creek now.”
Would you want to live next door to a sewer treatment plant? “No, I wouldn’t, “Confined Faughman. The Meleny Road residents suggested other locations for the plant, one on the elbow of Michael F Street, the other on Bayville Road by the Tides Motel. However, they were told that no other location was a feasible option.
The property close to the Tides Motel has already been accepted as State Protected Wetlands. In order to overturn that categorization it would require two consecutive state legislatures to pass a bill that would declassify the land.
As for that land suggested ton Michael F Street that county answered that, “there is no guarantee from that NYSDEC as to whether that County would receive permits to proceed.” Also that, “Our preliminary layouts indicate that the treatment building will be between 30 and 40 feet from adjacent property lines. This clearance assumes that a variance is received from that NYSDEC on the offset from a regulated wetland. If offsets are not approved building on this lot would not be feasible.”
The Meleny Road plot is 15 feet away from a property line, yet the town, the county and the NYDEC seem determined to build the sewer treatment plan there. Town consultants Hal Mayer and John Elswork explained that, “because of the pre-existing chlorination tank, the treatment plant is being looked at as an upgrade process as compared to starting a project from zero.” Many of the regulations and permits can bypassed as a result.
To the residents living on Meleny Road the implementation of the sewer treatment plant seems more like major construction than the mere expansion of the existing chlorination tank. The initial plan for the existing chlorination tank was to handle the excess water of 23 homes. The MBR- facility will take care of the solid waste, effluent discharge and wastewater of up to 60 homes. In addition, the residents will have to deal with a truck interrupting their quiet community once a mother to remove sludge builds up from the plant.
Property value is another major concern for those involved. That homeowners worry that the value of their homes will plummet if a sewer treatment plant is built too close. Yatauro blames those residents that brought the issue of the facility to the media for any recent property value decline. She has spoke with several real estate agents and it is their opinion that, “No one wants to touch those houses. No one wants to have a problem with the septic system. “ Yatauro claims that by “identifying that there is a way for you to live normally it will actually help that property values.” She acknowledges that the five homeowners who adamantly object to the plant would disagree vehemently. “The market is soft, these people have beautiful homes and they will have new roads, they will have the curb cuts the way they want them. I think that living on the water and not having a it smell will be very advantageous to those who live there now.” There is not denial that there is an issue with the pollution of Mill Neck Creek as well as some homes’ cesspool systems. Nevertheless, for the residents of Meleny Road who are subject to living in close proximity to the sewer treatment plant their main concern is that the County and Town of Oyster Bay remember to consider that homeowners’ health and safety first
-Faith RAckoff
reprinted from the 11/2/07 issue of the Oyster Bay Guardian
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Marty's Party Opens Second Store in Bayville
After 21 years in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich area Marty’s Party, a party goods/cards store, has opened its second location in Bayville. The new store, located at 70 Bayville Avenue in Bayville, is next door to the IGA Food Basket in the Northwood Shopping Center. The shop was formerly known as Special Moments.
Delighted to be in Bayville, Marty Green and his wife of 32 years Peggy have partnered up with their son Michael and his fiancée Melinda Rodriguez to open this location. Having considered for many years to expand beyond Oyster Bay, it wasn’t until the opportunity arose that Green knew the time was right. The former owner of Special Moments is a personal friend of Green. His friend said he wanted to get out of the business and he offered Green the opportunity to buy the store. Green recalls that, “Knowing the store, knowing him, and knowing the community it was a no brainer.” He believes that the store will be very successful in Bayville because he said, “We have already been embraced by the community. It was a natural extension to come to Bayville.”
Green attests that the key to success in a small town is personal service. “You can’t go into the mall and develop a relationship. However, you can do it in a small town. People get to like you and you become part of the family.” Green feels it’s important to have a staff that is “friendly, clean-cut and would represent you.” Green added, “We provide customers with the service they will not get in big stores. They do not have the ability to give that kind of attention.” At Marty’s Party he says the difference is, “Whether it is the biggest balloon job you want or the smallest balloon job you can think of, you’ll get the owners doing it.”
Green is proud of what her calls his “product availability,” which goes back to customer service. “If I don’t have something, I’ll get it,” he said. “You can come in with any kind of request on any day except Friday and I can have it for you the next day. And that’s what has made us successful in the Oyster Bay store (265 Pine Hollow road). We have the ability and equipment to handle any size job.” AS an example, Green described the current state if his business in the midst of a worldwide helium shortage. “Right now there is a worldwide helium shortage, it is a very big problem in the industry and we seem to be the only ones around that can get the helium. The reason is that we have made a lot of friends over the past 20 years and we have made connections that allow us to get things that no one else can get, and I’m willing to pay the price. The price right now is very high and has unfortunately increased the price of balloons but its like gasoline with supply and demand. We buy a better grade helium at a very high price. Unfortunately we had to increase the price of balloons by 14% but our customers understand.”
If you are dependable and reliable, which we are, the customer will trust you’, Green confided. “Reputation is something that is very important and we pride ourselves on our reputation.”
For more info, about Marty’s Party in Bayville, call (516) 628-3205.
-Faith Rackoff
reprinted from the 11/9/07 issue of the Oyster Bay Guardian
Delighted to be in Bayville, Marty Green and his wife of 32 years Peggy have partnered up with their son Michael and his fiancée Melinda Rodriguez to open this location. Having considered for many years to expand beyond Oyster Bay, it wasn’t until the opportunity arose that Green knew the time was right. The former owner of Special Moments is a personal friend of Green. His friend said he wanted to get out of the business and he offered Green the opportunity to buy the store. Green recalls that, “Knowing the store, knowing him, and knowing the community it was a no brainer.” He believes that the store will be very successful in Bayville because he said, “We have already been embraced by the community. It was a natural extension to come to Bayville.”
Green attests that the key to success in a small town is personal service. “You can’t go into the mall and develop a relationship. However, you can do it in a small town. People get to like you and you become part of the family.” Green feels it’s important to have a staff that is “friendly, clean-cut and would represent you.” Green added, “We provide customers with the service they will not get in big stores. They do not have the ability to give that kind of attention.” At Marty’s Party he says the difference is, “Whether it is the biggest balloon job you want or the smallest balloon job you can think of, you’ll get the owners doing it.”
Green is proud of what her calls his “product availability,” which goes back to customer service. “If I don’t have something, I’ll get it,” he said. “You can come in with any kind of request on any day except Friday and I can have it for you the next day. And that’s what has made us successful in the Oyster Bay store (265 Pine Hollow road). We have the ability and equipment to handle any size job.” AS an example, Green described the current state if his business in the midst of a worldwide helium shortage. “Right now there is a worldwide helium shortage, it is a very big problem in the industry and we seem to be the only ones around that can get the helium. The reason is that we have made a lot of friends over the past 20 years and we have made connections that allow us to get things that no one else can get, and I’m willing to pay the price. The price right now is very high and has unfortunately increased the price of balloons but its like gasoline with supply and demand. We buy a better grade helium at a very high price. Unfortunately we had to increase the price of balloons by 14% but our customers understand.”
If you are dependable and reliable, which we are, the customer will trust you’, Green confided. “Reputation is something that is very important and we pride ourselves on our reputation.”
For more info, about Marty’s Party in Bayville, call (516) 628-3205.
-Faith Rackoff
reprinted from the 11/9/07 issue of the Oyster Bay Guardian
Dr. Watson Suspended from CSH Laboratories
Dr. James D. Watson, the Nobel Laureate, who helped establish Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories as a leading genetic research facility., was suspended from his administrative responsibilities as chancellor of the Watson School of Biological Sciences and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. This suspension ws a direct reaction to racist comments Dr. Watson made which were then published in the October 14th edition of The Sunday Times Magazine out of London.
In an interview with his former Protégée, Charlotte Hunt-Grubbe, to promote his new book Avoid Boring People: Lessons from a Life in Science, Dr. Watson, 79, expressed that he was “inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa” because “ all of our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours- whereas all the testing says not really.” He went on to say that while he wished that everyone were equal “people who have to deal with black employees find this not true.”
Dr. Watson , who won the Noble Prize, with Francis Crick, for the discovery of the DNA structure, has a history of making outrageous comments. In 1968, while promoting his book, The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure if DNA, he made a bold statement about the importance of a woman’s looks. Ten years ago, the Sunday Telegraph quoted Dr. Watson in reference to abortion as saying, “if you could find the gene which determines sexuality and a women decides that she doesn’t want a homosexual child , well , let her(abort the fetus).” When speaking before an audience at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2000, he spoke of a link between skin color and sex drive. Despite his continual political incorrectness no action was even taken against Dr. Watson and his legacy. Known for being outspoken, Dr. Watson admits in the October 14th article that , “ If I believe something then I’ll say it. I figure , generally , at least half the time I am reflecting common sense, which is not a lie.” Dr. Watson also claimed, “ The time is surely not far off when academia would have no choice but to hand Political correctness back to the politicians.” For friends that know and have worked with Dr. Watson his remarks were typical. In a follow up article released on October 21st on Times Online Hunt Grubbe states, “ Colleagues expect Watsons conversations to be peppered with ‘ un-PC’ comments. It is part of his character.”
As a result of his latest comments, Cold Spring Laboratory’s Board of Trustees has taken action against Dr. Watson for the first time. In an emergency trustee teleconference the board made a decision to suspend Dr .Watson. in a press release Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory issued the following statement. “ The Comments attributed to Dr. James Watson that first appeared in the October 14,2007 edition of the Sunday Times U.K. are his own personal statements and in no way reflect the mission, goals, or principles of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Board, administration on faculty. Dr. Watson is not the President of Cold Spring Laboratory and was not speaking on behalf of the institution.”
The release also wanted to reassure the public that, “ Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory does not engage in any research that could form the basis of statements attributed to Dr. Watson.”
Dr. Watson Apologizes
However after the negative spin associated with the article, Dr. Watson released a statement to the Associated press that claims “I cannot understand how I could have said what I am quoted as having said.” He went on to clarify that “To all those who have drawn the inference form my words that Africa, as a continent, is somehow genetically inferior, I can only apologize unreservedly. That is not what I meant. More importantly from my point of view there is no scientific basis for such a belief.” The Times Online reported on Friday, October 19th that the Sunday Times Magazine interview was recorded and that the publication stands behind its story.
Hunt- Grubbe released a follow up article on October 21st on Times Online that defended not only her work but also that of Dr. Watson. She wrote , “ I can’t support those few, perhaps unguarded , comments he said to me but I can say that he works tirelessly to encourage scientist from all backgrounds and countries … I am not trying to destroy a brilliant scientist and I am genuinely horrified by the response.” Her intention of the October 14th article was to show the complexity of the scientist. “ I sought a balance, one that reflected his eccentricities but also brought home the magnitude of his contribution to science and continuing devotion to disease research.”
Since the article Dr. Watson’s Britain book tour has been cancelled. Dr. Watson’s publicist Kate Farquhar Thomson states that he left England on Friday, October 19th. “ His decision to leave the country, I believe, was due to things going on at Cold Spring Harbor.”
In an interview with his former Protégée, Charlotte Hunt-Grubbe, to promote his new book Avoid Boring People: Lessons from a Life in Science, Dr. Watson, 79, expressed that he was “inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa” because “ all of our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours- whereas all the testing says not really.” He went on to say that while he wished that everyone were equal “people who have to deal with black employees find this not true.”
Dr. Watson , who won the Noble Prize, with Francis Crick, for the discovery of the DNA structure, has a history of making outrageous comments. In 1968, while promoting his book, The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure if DNA, he made a bold statement about the importance of a woman’s looks. Ten years ago, the Sunday Telegraph quoted Dr. Watson in reference to abortion as saying, “if you could find the gene which determines sexuality and a women decides that she doesn’t want a homosexual child , well , let her(abort the fetus).” When speaking before an audience at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2000, he spoke of a link between skin color and sex drive. Despite his continual political incorrectness no action was even taken against Dr. Watson and his legacy. Known for being outspoken, Dr. Watson admits in the October 14th article that , “ If I believe something then I’ll say it. I figure , generally , at least half the time I am reflecting common sense, which is not a lie.” Dr. Watson also claimed, “ The time is surely not far off when academia would have no choice but to hand Political correctness back to the politicians.” For friends that know and have worked with Dr. Watson his remarks were typical. In a follow up article released on October 21st on Times Online Hunt Grubbe states, “ Colleagues expect Watsons conversations to be peppered with ‘ un-PC’ comments. It is part of his character.”
As a result of his latest comments, Cold Spring Laboratory’s Board of Trustees has taken action against Dr. Watson for the first time. In an emergency trustee teleconference the board made a decision to suspend Dr .Watson. in a press release Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory issued the following statement. “ The Comments attributed to Dr. James Watson that first appeared in the October 14,2007 edition of the Sunday Times U.K. are his own personal statements and in no way reflect the mission, goals, or principles of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Board, administration on faculty. Dr. Watson is not the President of Cold Spring Laboratory and was not speaking on behalf of the institution.”
The release also wanted to reassure the public that, “ Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory does not engage in any research that could form the basis of statements attributed to Dr. Watson.”
Dr. Watson Apologizes
However after the negative spin associated with the article, Dr. Watson released a statement to the Associated press that claims “I cannot understand how I could have said what I am quoted as having said.” He went on to clarify that “To all those who have drawn the inference form my words that Africa, as a continent, is somehow genetically inferior, I can only apologize unreservedly. That is not what I meant. More importantly from my point of view there is no scientific basis for such a belief.” The Times Online reported on Friday, October 19th that the Sunday Times Magazine interview was recorded and that the publication stands behind its story.
Hunt- Grubbe released a follow up article on October 21st on Times Online that defended not only her work but also that of Dr. Watson. She wrote , “ I can’t support those few, perhaps unguarded , comments he said to me but I can say that he works tirelessly to encourage scientist from all backgrounds and countries … I am not trying to destroy a brilliant scientist and I am genuinely horrified by the response.” Her intention of the October 14th article was to show the complexity of the scientist. “ I sought a balance, one that reflected his eccentricities but also brought home the magnitude of his contribution to science and continuing devotion to disease research.”
Since the article Dr. Watson’s Britain book tour has been cancelled. Dr. Watson’s publicist Kate Farquhar Thomson states that he left England on Friday, October 19th. “ His decision to leave the country, I believe, was due to things going on at Cold Spring Harbor.”
-Faith Rackoff
reprinted from the 10/26/07 issue of the Oyster Bay Guardian
OB Resident Volunteers in Texas to Remember 9/11
While many attended vigils in remembrance to 9/11/2001, some who were directly affected from the devastating event took the time to give back and help those in need. Oyster Bay resident Liz Bice, who is the Director of Family Services for Tuesday’s Children, a 9/11 organization which provides events and programs to support friends and family members of those who died on 9/11, was one of the 35 people from New York who volunteered to travel to Texas to help rebuild a house that was destroyed by a tornado in December 2006.
The trip was a brainstorm of Jeff Parness who is the founder and board member of New York says Thank You Foundation (NYSTYF) is to send volunteers from New York City each year on the 9/11 Anniversary to help rebuild communities around the country affected by disasters. It is their way of commemorating the extraordinary love and generosity extended to New Yorkers by Americans from all across the United States in days, weeks and months following September 11th.
When Bice was asked to start an initiative at Tuesday’s Children called Tuesday’s Champions, which geared toward the support of rescue and recovery workers from Ground Zero, she found out about Jeff Parness and NYSTYF. Tuesday’s Children program Helping Heals that Bice explained, “People feel they heal the best by helping others.” She felt that having the Tuesday organizations participate with NYSTYF would be a great match. As she recalls, “It made perfect sense for TC to join the cause. We brought a few family members from Tuesday’s Children as well as a few rescue and recovery workers from Tuesday’s Champions as a pilot program this year. It was a remarkable transformation for every one of us who attended.”
The group traveled down to Groesback, Texas to help rebuild the home of James and Eva Vincent, which was ruined by a F3 tornado on December 29, 2006.
The Vincent’s are an extraordinary American family. Three generations of the Vincent family have run assisted living centers for disabled veterans out of their homes. They created a unique and loving environment where these men who served our nation could eat at the family’s dining room table, play with the children in the extended Vincent family, and enjoy the 100+ animals in a beautiful country setting. In addition to serving the disabled veterans, the Vincent’s also served their community as they comprise nearly one quarter of the 40 member volunteer fire department of Groesback, a town of just 4,000 people halfway between Dallas and Austin and just east of Waco.
The disaster destroyed one of the veterans’ homes and smashed the home where James and Eva lived with their 14 month son Hunter and 5 of the veterans. With just 30 seconds warning before the tornado struck, Eva woke Hunter from his crib and gathered the 5 veterans in her home and huddled them in a small inner hallway of the house. Sadly one of the men died in the tornado but Eva’s quick actions literally saved the lives of her young son and other men in her care.
As Bice recalled, “the crew arrived at 8am on September 7th to see a huge slab of concrete. We started putting up the frame of the house. Then before I knew it there were so many volunteers from around the county helping.” In addition to New York City firefighters and the volunteers for Tuesday’s Children and Champions, volunteers from around the country including survivors or Hurricane Katrina from Slidell, Louisiana and survivors of the 2003 San Diego wildfires, the 2004 Utica, Illinois and 2005 Evansville, Indiana tornadoes came to help.
The crew was there for four days. Within that Bice was amazed at how quickly the house went up. “We did the framing, then the trusses, and then started on the inside and it was all because of the volunteers. There were workers who were team leaders and the volunteers followed the team leaders,” she said. Habitat for Humanity was there and the inexperienced volunteers found themselves drawn to an organization because they are experienced in helping people who know nothing about construction.
This wasn’t “Extreme Home Makeover” though. Although the team had accomplished a lot in four days the house will not be livable until November. Hundreds of local volunteers from across East Central Texas and from Dallas, Waco and Austin will continue efforts of building the house for the Vincent family.
When building the house was the project at hand, those who participated got a lot more out of the experience. “It was amazing to see construction workers talking with family member, sharing stories that they have from 9/11. It was interesting to see the many points of view.” Bice pointed out, “America was being reintroduced to 9/11 through the voices of 9/11 construction workers and family members. A woman from Indiana who had lost her church was holding on to a woman who lost her husband during 9/11. It was the most heartfelt conversation for me to be privy to.”
The effects of 9/11 were prevalent, but it was not all bad. “The essence of America is generally the same. People are good. Most people want to help. Most of us were really affected by 9/11. It may be geographically different, but in our hearts the same, which was comforting for our family members and construction workers” added Bice.
Bice also stated that every person who represented Tuesday’s Children and Tuesday’s Champions have committed themselves to help again next year. Next year though Bice plans to expand the program out to more people. “We need to be aware that the needs of 9/11 families has not diminished, their needs have evolved. And we need to continue our programs for the families and rescue workers,” said Bice.
For more information, call (516) 562-9000 or visit: www.tuesdayschildren.org.
The trip was a brainstorm of Jeff Parness who is the founder and board member of New York says Thank You Foundation (NYSTYF) is to send volunteers from New York City each year on the 9/11 Anniversary to help rebuild communities around the country affected by disasters. It is their way of commemorating the extraordinary love and generosity extended to New Yorkers by Americans from all across the United States in days, weeks and months following September 11th.
When Bice was asked to start an initiative at Tuesday’s Children called Tuesday’s Champions, which geared toward the support of rescue and recovery workers from Ground Zero, she found out about Jeff Parness and NYSTYF. Tuesday’s Children program Helping Heals that Bice explained, “People feel they heal the best by helping others.” She felt that having the Tuesday organizations participate with NYSTYF would be a great match. As she recalls, “It made perfect sense for TC to join the cause. We brought a few family members from Tuesday’s Children as well as a few rescue and recovery workers from Tuesday’s Champions as a pilot program this year. It was a remarkable transformation for every one of us who attended.”
The group traveled down to Groesback, Texas to help rebuild the home of James and Eva Vincent, which was ruined by a F3 tornado on December 29, 2006.
The Vincent’s are an extraordinary American family. Three generations of the Vincent family have run assisted living centers for disabled veterans out of their homes. They created a unique and loving environment where these men who served our nation could eat at the family’s dining room table, play with the children in the extended Vincent family, and enjoy the 100+ animals in a beautiful country setting. In addition to serving the disabled veterans, the Vincent’s also served their community as they comprise nearly one quarter of the 40 member volunteer fire department of Groesback, a town of just 4,000 people halfway between Dallas and Austin and just east of Waco.
The disaster destroyed one of the veterans’ homes and smashed the home where James and Eva lived with their 14 month son Hunter and 5 of the veterans. With just 30 seconds warning before the tornado struck, Eva woke Hunter from his crib and gathered the 5 veterans in her home and huddled them in a small inner hallway of the house. Sadly one of the men died in the tornado but Eva’s quick actions literally saved the lives of her young son and other men in her care.
As Bice recalled, “the crew arrived at 8am on September 7th to see a huge slab of concrete. We started putting up the frame of the house. Then before I knew it there were so many volunteers from around the county helping.” In addition to New York City firefighters and the volunteers for Tuesday’s Children and Champions, volunteers from around the country including survivors or Hurricane Katrina from Slidell, Louisiana and survivors of the 2003 San Diego wildfires, the 2004 Utica, Illinois and 2005 Evansville, Indiana tornadoes came to help.
The crew was there for four days. Within that Bice was amazed at how quickly the house went up. “We did the framing, then the trusses, and then started on the inside and it was all because of the volunteers. There were workers who were team leaders and the volunteers followed the team leaders,” she said. Habitat for Humanity was there and the inexperienced volunteers found themselves drawn to an organization because they are experienced in helping people who know nothing about construction.
This wasn’t “Extreme Home Makeover” though. Although the team had accomplished a lot in four days the house will not be livable until November. Hundreds of local volunteers from across East Central Texas and from Dallas, Waco and Austin will continue efforts of building the house for the Vincent family.
When building the house was the project at hand, those who participated got a lot more out of the experience. “It was amazing to see construction workers talking with family member, sharing stories that they have from 9/11. It was interesting to see the many points of view.” Bice pointed out, “America was being reintroduced to 9/11 through the voices of 9/11 construction workers and family members. A woman from Indiana who had lost her church was holding on to a woman who lost her husband during 9/11. It was the most heartfelt conversation for me to be privy to.”
The effects of 9/11 were prevalent, but it was not all bad. “The essence of America is generally the same. People are good. Most people want to help. Most of us were really affected by 9/11. It may be geographically different, but in our hearts the same, which was comforting for our family members and construction workers” added Bice.
Bice also stated that every person who represented Tuesday’s Children and Tuesday’s Champions have committed themselves to help again next year. Next year though Bice plans to expand the program out to more people. “We need to be aware that the needs of 9/11 families has not diminished, their needs have evolved. And we need to continue our programs for the families and rescue workers,” said Bice.
For more information, call (516) 562-9000 or visit: www.tuesdayschildren.org.
-Faith Rackoff
reprinted from the 9/28/07 issue of the Oyster Bay Guardian
Brownfields Hearing held in CSH
Four years after their implementation, the Brownfields Cleanup (BCP) and the Opportunity Area (Boa) Programs are considered disappointments to Long Island communities. State senator Carl L. Marcellino (R- Syosset), Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, held a joint legislative hearing on Monday, August 27th, at the Cold Spring Harbor Library, to review the efficiency of these programs with the State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck).
In 2003, New York took an innovative step in incorporating the BCP and BOA programs into the already existing Superfund bill. Yet four years later, while $75 million dollars have been appropriated toward the bill, only $7.6 million has been allocated toward it. Even more discouraging is that Long Island has awarded a mere $623,970 in Brownfield Opportunity Area grants toward the development of 5 areas, including that of Hicksville-Oyster Bay. Worse yet, to date no funds have been released from the state.
Brownfields are blighted areas on our community where redevelopment or reuse is hindered because of real or perceived contamination. There are 6,800 sites considered brownfields on Long Island. The contaminated areas range from abandoned gas stations to old industrial sites. The goal of the Brownfields Cleanup Program is to bring these parcels back to life, improve public health and turn an economic drain into a public gain.
The original intention of the bill was to use generous tax credits as well as the existing infrastructure to entice developers to invest in the redevelopment of brownfields rather than erode the number of greenfields that exist.
“Unfortunately,” admits Marcellino who wrote the bill, “The program has not lived up to my hopes.”
To date no projects have been completed on Long Island. Marcellino blames, “high administrative hurtles in the program” as the problem.
Critics suggest that the cost of the program is not worth the benefits of the program. State Senator contemplates that “The problem with the brownfields program is not that the credits program being too generous; it may just be that the incentives still are not sufficient to overcome all of the hurdles that the brownfields present. There are serious delays and uncertainties in the program, irrational restrictions on eligibility in terms of what constitutes sufficient contamination and limitations on polluters’ ability to enter the Brownfields Cleanup Program.”
It is these hinderances that have forced developers to withdraw from the projects before completion and accumulate massive legal and regulatory costs.
The state senate looks to revamp the bill to make it more efficient.
“By working together in a bipartisan way, we will make sure that we strengthen the law to reverse lost years that have doomed localities to unremediated contamination and the public to exposure to toxic pollutants. It is important that we work that we work to put urban eyesores back on the tax rolls and make them community assets rather than letting them eat away at the heart of our cities, towns and villages”, said Marcellino.
“Passage of the landmark Brownfields Cleanup Program law in 2003 was an important first step toward the elimination of contaminated sites across the state. Now four years later, we must take the time to review the implementation of the programs and the allocation of resources to ensure the smooth and efficient cleanup and reuse of brownfield sites,” said Assemblyman Sweeney, co-chair of the hearing.
Hearings are being held to listen to the recommendations and suggestions of experts in the fields. Specifically at Cold Spring Harbor hearing the tax credit structure and the regulations that are now in place for the program were reviewed.
Testifying at Long Island brownfields hearings were Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Peter Grannis and Director of Environmental Remediation for the New York State Department of Environment Conservation Dale Desnoyers. Others who contributed statements to the hearing included: Ann Marie Jones, Director of Downtown Revitalization from the Town of Babylon; Michael Posillico, President of Posillico Environmental; Sarah Lansdale, Executive Director of Sustainable Long Island; Michael Deering, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Long Island Association; Marcia Bystryn, Executive Director of the New York League of Conservation Voters and Michael White, Executive Director of the Long Island Regional Planning Board.
A second hearing will be held in Albany on Tuesday, September 25th.
-Faith RackoffIn 2003, New York took an innovative step in incorporating the BCP and BOA programs into the already existing Superfund bill. Yet four years later, while $75 million dollars have been appropriated toward the bill, only $7.6 million has been allocated toward it. Even more discouraging is that Long Island has awarded a mere $623,970 in Brownfield Opportunity Area grants toward the development of 5 areas, including that of Hicksville-Oyster Bay. Worse yet, to date no funds have been released from the state.
Brownfields are blighted areas on our community where redevelopment or reuse is hindered because of real or perceived contamination. There are 6,800 sites considered brownfields on Long Island. The contaminated areas range from abandoned gas stations to old industrial sites. The goal of the Brownfields Cleanup Program is to bring these parcels back to life, improve public health and turn an economic drain into a public gain.
The original intention of the bill was to use generous tax credits as well as the existing infrastructure to entice developers to invest in the redevelopment of brownfields rather than erode the number of greenfields that exist.
“Unfortunately,” admits Marcellino who wrote the bill, “The program has not lived up to my hopes.”
To date no projects have been completed on Long Island. Marcellino blames, “high administrative hurtles in the program” as the problem.
Critics suggest that the cost of the program is not worth the benefits of the program. State Senator contemplates that “The problem with the brownfields program is not that the credits program being too generous; it may just be that the incentives still are not sufficient to overcome all of the hurdles that the brownfields present. There are serious delays and uncertainties in the program, irrational restrictions on eligibility in terms of what constitutes sufficient contamination and limitations on polluters’ ability to enter the Brownfields Cleanup Program.”
It is these hinderances that have forced developers to withdraw from the projects before completion and accumulate massive legal and regulatory costs.
The state senate looks to revamp the bill to make it more efficient.
“By working together in a bipartisan way, we will make sure that we strengthen the law to reverse lost years that have doomed localities to unremediated contamination and the public to exposure to toxic pollutants. It is important that we work that we work to put urban eyesores back on the tax rolls and make them community assets rather than letting them eat away at the heart of our cities, towns and villages”, said Marcellino.
“Passage of the landmark Brownfields Cleanup Program law in 2003 was an important first step toward the elimination of contaminated sites across the state. Now four years later, we must take the time to review the implementation of the programs and the allocation of resources to ensure the smooth and efficient cleanup and reuse of brownfield sites,” said Assemblyman Sweeney, co-chair of the hearing.
Hearings are being held to listen to the recommendations and suggestions of experts in the fields. Specifically at Cold Spring Harbor hearing the tax credit structure and the regulations that are now in place for the program were reviewed.
Testifying at Long Island brownfields hearings were Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Peter Grannis and Director of Environmental Remediation for the New York State Department of Environment Conservation Dale Desnoyers. Others who contributed statements to the hearing included: Ann Marie Jones, Director of Downtown Revitalization from the Town of Babylon; Michael Posillico, President of Posillico Environmental; Sarah Lansdale, Executive Director of Sustainable Long Island; Michael Deering, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Long Island Association; Marcia Bystryn, Executive Director of the New York League of Conservation Voters and Michael White, Executive Director of the Long Island Regional Planning Board.
A second hearing will be held in Albany on Tuesday, September 25th.
reprinted from the 9/1/07 issue of the Oyster Bay Guardian
Monday, May 19, 2008
Bayville Woman Charged with Animal Abuse
Kelly Pfeifer of Bayville was charged with the animal cruelty for abusing her two horses in Glen Cove City Court.
Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals worked with the Nassau County District Attorney’s office to compile the necessary information and documentation that was presented to the court at the arraignment were the defendant had to answer for violating New York State Agricultural Market Law 353.
According to Stan Feinman, a volunteer from the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA), “The Nassau County SPCA received complaint that horses were not being treated properly at 93 Crescent Beach Rd in Glen Cove. An investigator found that a horse and pony were being kept in conditions that were unsatisfactory in regards to food, water and housing.” He continued, “A notice to reply was left with the owner. The next day there was a call from the owner stating that the conditions would be corrected immediately.” However when an investigator followed up a few days later and found that the conditions were still unacceptable.
Arrangements were made to have Dr. Pam Corey, an equine veterinarian from Muttontown, accompany NCSPCA officers to the location. Using the Henneke Body Condition Scoring Chart, the vet determined that the pony had a body scale rating of one and a half and the horse rated a body scale of two and a half. The doctor confirmed the condition of the animals, which were then seized immediately.
The Chart rates the horses on a scale of 1 to 9. A score of 1 is considered poor or emaciated with no body fat. A 9 is extremely fat or obese. Horse veterinarians consider a body score of between 4 and 7 as acceptable. A 5 is considered ideal.
Feinman stated, “The pony’s teeth were so bad that it could not eat hay and was very underweight.”
The conditions the horses were being kept in were unacceptable. They were housed in a two-car garage that was converted into a stable.
Feinman went on to explain, “The animals were seized and placed in a stable where they have been receiving medical care. The pony has had to have its teeth worked on and some teeth could not be saved. Since being seized the pony has gained 40 pounds. The animals have been treated for worms, for other conditions as well as given the required vaccinations also being treated for parasites and other problems.”
Further investigation found that the horses were not being fed or given water adequately and receiving the proper maintenance and were not kept in the proper environment for horses.
Pfeifer was released on $5000 bail. Animal cruelty is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $1000 and/or up to one year in jail.
Since Jan.1 of 2008 the NCSPCA has responded to over 1000 calls regarding animal abuse, neglect and abandonment. Over 350 cases have resulted in investigations some resulting in prosecution. Feinman admitted that the number for incidents have gone up but credits the notion that, “More people are aware of us and are aware that the calls are followed up, investigated and when necessary prosecuted. The public is more aware of animal abuse and are letting us know.”
NCSPCA, which covers the jurisdiction of the entire county of Nassau, is made up of all volunteers and is funded solely by donations.
Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals worked with the Nassau County District Attorney’s office to compile the necessary information and documentation that was presented to the court at the arraignment were the defendant had to answer for violating New York State Agricultural Market Law 353.
According to Stan Feinman, a volunteer from the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA), “The Nassau County SPCA received complaint that horses were not being treated properly at 93 Crescent Beach Rd in Glen Cove. An investigator found that a horse and pony were being kept in conditions that were unsatisfactory in regards to food, water and housing.” He continued, “A notice to reply was left with the owner. The next day there was a call from the owner stating that the conditions would be corrected immediately.” However when an investigator followed up a few days later and found that the conditions were still unacceptable.
Arrangements were made to have Dr. Pam Corey, an equine veterinarian from Muttontown, accompany NCSPCA officers to the location. Using the Henneke Body Condition Scoring Chart, the vet determined that the pony had a body scale rating of one and a half and the horse rated a body scale of two and a half. The doctor confirmed the condition of the animals, which were then seized immediately.
The Chart rates the horses on a scale of 1 to 9. A score of 1 is considered poor or emaciated with no body fat. A 9 is extremely fat or obese. Horse veterinarians consider a body score of between 4 and 7 as acceptable. A 5 is considered ideal.
Feinman stated, “The pony’s teeth were so bad that it could not eat hay and was very underweight.”
The conditions the horses were being kept in were unacceptable. They were housed in a two-car garage that was converted into a stable.
Feinman went on to explain, “The animals were seized and placed in a stable where they have been receiving medical care. The pony has had to have its teeth worked on and some teeth could not be saved. Since being seized the pony has gained 40 pounds. The animals have been treated for worms, for other conditions as well as given the required vaccinations also being treated for parasites and other problems.”
Further investigation found that the horses were not being fed or given water adequately and receiving the proper maintenance and were not kept in the proper environment for horses.
Pfeifer was released on $5000 bail. Animal cruelty is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $1000 and/or up to one year in jail.
Since Jan.1 of 2008 the NCSPCA has responded to over 1000 calls regarding animal abuse, neglect and abandonment. Over 350 cases have resulted in investigations some resulting in prosecution. Feinman admitted that the number for incidents have gone up but credits the notion that, “More people are aware of us and are aware that the calls are followed up, investigated and when necessary prosecuted. The public is more aware of animal abuse and are letting us know.”
NCSPCA, which covers the jurisdiction of the entire county of Nassau, is made up of all volunteers and is funded solely by donations.
-Faith Rackoff reprinted from 5/16 issue of Oyster Bay Guardian
Stevenson Academy Closes Its Doors
Eight months after the death of its founder Attila Hejja, the Stevenson Academy of Fine Arts, housed at 20 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay, has closed its doors after being served with eviction papers on Friday, May 9th.
According to Aggie Geoghegan, famed artist Attila Hejja’s sister who had been running the school since her brother passed, “Everything happened rather quickly and all at once.” She compared the situation to the “perfect storm” and noted overhead, competition and decreased enrollment as major factors for the Academy's demise.
The Stevenson Academy opened in 2004 as Hejja’s tribute to his mentor Harold Stevenson.
Geoghegan explained that Hejja, who was an official artist for NASA, was not only the director of the school, he also taught a significant amount of the classes. Geoghegan stated, “When Attila died at the end of August 2007 not only was it a devastating blow to students, teachers and to the school on a personal and professional level but also on a financial level. He taught 45% of the classes in addition to running the school.” Although Hejja did all of that work he did not take a salary, in fact he put the money back into the school.
After Hejja’s untimely death, teachers needed to be hired to cover the course load, which increased the income expenses by 45%. In an attempt to adjust with the expenses Geoghegan said, “We instituted a number of things operationally to help adjust to the financial loss. The rent is the largest single expense we have so we had discussion with a representative of the landlord who is Charles Wang.” The school sought concessions for the short term while it worked to get back on its feet. However she claims, “he was unable to give any significant concessions. They offered a token that would not have helped us at all. That was devastating. Without some concessions, we just could not go on.”
Michael Picker, CEO of Renaissance Property Associates, the managing company that Wang owns to oversee his buildings, did not return our calls for this article.
In addition to the increase in overhead the academy had to operate against a rival art instructing school, Long Island Academy of Fine Arts, which was started by former Stevenson Academy instructors in Riverhead. Recently LIAFA started a satellite location at Planting Fields Arboretum and Geoghegan declared that it, “was not only a direct competitor, but also solicited our students.”
Enrollment was the third issue the school struggled with. Describing the problem Geoghegan described how, “Enrollment had been great up until the spring semester.” She admitted that, “usually we have an influx of enrollment during the third week of classes, this time it didn’t happen.” She believes the economy and the competing art academy had an effect on enrollment.
“All these things happened together at the same time. Any one of these things we could have likely overcome, but not all three together,” Geoghegan confessed. “The school was a great school. We loved being in Oyster Bay. Our students loved it here and I think we brought a significant amount of traffic. It was an art school and a cultural center for the area.” Above all she expressed, “I feel very sorry for the community.”
According to Aggie Geoghegan, famed artist Attila Hejja’s sister who had been running the school since her brother passed, “Everything happened rather quickly and all at once.” She compared the situation to the “perfect storm” and noted overhead, competition and decreased enrollment as major factors for the Academy's demise.
The Stevenson Academy opened in 2004 as Hejja’s tribute to his mentor Harold Stevenson.
Geoghegan explained that Hejja, who was an official artist for NASA, was not only the director of the school, he also taught a significant amount of the classes. Geoghegan stated, “When Attila died at the end of August 2007 not only was it a devastating blow to students, teachers and to the school on a personal and professional level but also on a financial level. He taught 45% of the classes in addition to running the school.” Although Hejja did all of that work he did not take a salary, in fact he put the money back into the school.
After Hejja’s untimely death, teachers needed to be hired to cover the course load, which increased the income expenses by 45%. In an attempt to adjust with the expenses Geoghegan said, “We instituted a number of things operationally to help adjust to the financial loss. The rent is the largest single expense we have so we had discussion with a representative of the landlord who is Charles Wang.” The school sought concessions for the short term while it worked to get back on its feet. However she claims, “he was unable to give any significant concessions. They offered a token that would not have helped us at all. That was devastating. Without some concessions, we just could not go on.”
Michael Picker, CEO of Renaissance Property Associates, the managing company that Wang owns to oversee his buildings, did not return our calls for this article.
In addition to the increase in overhead the academy had to operate against a rival art instructing school, Long Island Academy of Fine Arts, which was started by former Stevenson Academy instructors in Riverhead. Recently LIAFA started a satellite location at Planting Fields Arboretum and Geoghegan declared that it, “was not only a direct competitor, but also solicited our students.”
Enrollment was the third issue the school struggled with. Describing the problem Geoghegan described how, “Enrollment had been great up until the spring semester.” She admitted that, “usually we have an influx of enrollment during the third week of classes, this time it didn’t happen.” She believes the economy and the competing art academy had an effect on enrollment.
“All these things happened together at the same time. Any one of these things we could have likely overcome, but not all three together,” Geoghegan confessed. “The school was a great school. We loved being in Oyster Bay. Our students loved it here and I think we brought a significant amount of traffic. It was an art school and a cultural center for the area.” Above all she expressed, “I feel very sorry for the community.”
Stevenson Academy at ALLI
As for as the school on Audrey Avenue, it is no more. However Hejja’s vision will carry on. Geoghegan has worked out an agreement with the Art League of Long Island located in Dix Hills to carry on the Stevenson Academy program within its school.
Geoghegan said, “We were looking for alternatives. Instead of closing the school initially we suspended classes, then we realized we were in an impossible situation. We explored many avenues so we could continue our students, continue the program and continue the school my brother had set up.” Then she contacted ALLI. “We were able to make agreement that our teachers will continue to teach the Stevenson Academy program that Attila set up and we continue it there at the Art League for the rest of the semester so that is an excellent option for our students to finish this semester,” she stated with a sense of relief. Stevenson classes resumed Monday, May 12th at ALLI.
ALLI will continue the program with the Stevenson instructors. They will offer the fundamental programs as well as intermediate and advanced programs drawing and painting. Geoghegan is still exploring options for the pottery and the sculptor classes.
Having the Stevenson Academy act as a school within ALLI, Geoghegan believes “is just a very wonderful and positive marriage for the two institutions.” She went on to explain. “ It gives ALLI the opportunity to offer traditional drawing and painting, which is something over the past 30 years, has fallen to the way-side.”
ALLI is located at 107 East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills. For more information, call (631) 462-5400 or visit www.artleagueli.org
Geoghegan said, “We were looking for alternatives. Instead of closing the school initially we suspended classes, then we realized we were in an impossible situation. We explored many avenues so we could continue our students, continue the program and continue the school my brother had set up.” Then she contacted ALLI. “We were able to make agreement that our teachers will continue to teach the Stevenson Academy program that Attila set up and we continue it there at the Art League for the rest of the semester so that is an excellent option for our students to finish this semester,” she stated with a sense of relief. Stevenson classes resumed Monday, May 12th at ALLI.
ALLI will continue the program with the Stevenson instructors. They will offer the fundamental programs as well as intermediate and advanced programs drawing and painting. Geoghegan is still exploring options for the pottery and the sculptor classes.
Having the Stevenson Academy act as a school within ALLI, Geoghegan believes “is just a very wonderful and positive marriage for the two institutions.” She went on to explain. “ It gives ALLI the opportunity to offer traditional drawing and painting, which is something over the past 30 years, has fallen to the way-side.”
ALLI is located at 107 East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills. For more information, call (631) 462-5400 or visit www.artleagueli.org
-by Faith Rackoff reprinted from 5/16 issue of Oyster Bay Guardian
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