Valley Stream Herald

In recognition of her selfless service to the community — she never asks for anything in return — D’Angelo has been named the Herald’s 2011 Person of the Year. Those who know the 80-year-old D’Angelo, a Valley Stream resi-dent since 1960, praise her commitment to not one, but many organiza-tions. She currently serves as president of both the Friends of Bridge Board of Directors and the Waldinger Library’s Board of Trustees. These two volunteer positions require many hours of commitment each month. With Friends of Bridge, D’Angelo has really made her mark. She has been involved with the organization since its inception, and has been a member of the board for about 15 years. Friends of Bridge was founded in May 1970, following the death of

a young man in the community from a hero-in overdose. For 40 years, it has helped those who need treatment for substance abuse. It offers day and evening programs, education-al opportunities for teenagers, counseling for families and community outreach programs. Victor D’Angelo, one of Ida’s 51-year-old twin sons, recalls his mother getting involved with Friends of Bridge when the group start-ed. He remembers the “rap sessions” she hosted in the basement of their Keller Street home — discussion groups for at-risk teens and their parents. During her tenure on the Board of Directors, D’Angelo has led the charge to bring substance-abuse awareness programs to schools in Valley Stream and surrounding communities. Barbara DeGrace, past presi-dent of Friends of Bridge, said that D’Angelo was instrumental in bringing speakers to Holy Name of Mary School for the first time this year. DeGrace said that D’Angelo is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of local youth. “She’s always been about the kids,” DeGrace said. “That seems to be where her heart is.” Linda Pizzolo, vice president of the Friends of Bridge board, noted D’Angelo’s support for the center’s school program. Teenagers with substance abuse problems can continue their education through Friends of Bridge while they fight their addictions. D’Angelo was also instrumental in arranging a series of author visits for those teens. Taking advantage of her dual roles at Friends of Bridge and the library, she arranged for “book talks” in which teenage clients read books and then met their authors. The programs were held at the Friends of Bridge facility, and, Pizzolo said, the teens enjoyed the author visits. Richard Schmit, executive director of the facility, said that he and D’Angelo speak at least once a week, and that she is very sup-portive of the center and its mission. Recently, Friends of Bridge was awarded money to rehabilitate the outside of its Pflug Place headquarters, which is badly in need of a facelift. D’Angelo, Schmit said, made calls to the state’s Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, the main funding source for Friends of Bridge to advocate for the additional funds. Schmit praised D’Angelo for the time and effort she devotes to her role as board presi-dent. She is dedicated to her job, which includes working to ensure that Friends of Bridge meets all state regulations. D’Angelo worked her way up through the executive board, serving as secretary, then vice president under DeGrace before becoming president three years ago. This past year she arranged for the facility to have a table at Green Acres Mall on Veterans Day

to hand out “Say No to Drugs” coloring books as well as information on Friends of Bridge and its services. Pizzolo, who staffed the table with D’Angelo, said that a lot of peo-

Valley Stream

HERALDDecember 29, 2011 - January 4, 2012 $1.00

In the March village election, seven-year trustee and lifelong Valley Stream resident

Ed Fare became the new mayor. Page 2

Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund was named the superintendent of District 13 schools after

a months-long search. Page 6

The Chamber of Commerce dedicated a new monument to late mayor Ed Cahill

outside Village Hall. Page 14

YEARIN REVIEW

Ida D'Angelo

Ida D’Angelo has served Valley Stream in many capacities over the past five decades. When her children were grow-ing up, she was active in the PTA. In recent years, her ser-vice has centered on Friends of Bridge, a local substance-

abuse treatment facility, and the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library.

Making her mark throughout the community

PERSONOF THE YEAR 2011

By ANDREW [email protected]

See IDA, page 13

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March 15 was a big day in Valley Stream, when village residents elected a new mayor. It was a landslide victory for Ed Fare, who has served on the village board for seven years as a trustee. Fare, running on the United Community Party ticket, received 1,984 votes. He defeated Joseph Margolin, of the Citizens Independence Party, who picked up 668 votes. “It feels fantastic,” Fare said on Election Night. “The new United Community Party, the team we’ve put together, is the team for the future. We’re not going to forget where we came from.” Voters returned trustee Vincent Grasso to office, as he received 2,032 votes. Fare later named Grasso as his deputy mayor. The second trustee position was won by Dermond Thomas, with 1,856 votes. United Community Party candidates Grasso and Thomas defeated Citizens Independence Party can-didates Carol Crupi and Michael LoCascio for the two board seats, each carrying a four-year term. Village Justice Robert Bogle, running unop-posed and rounding out the United Community Party ticket, received 2,368 votes. The United Community Party ran on a plat-form of freezing taxes, improving the village’s infra-structure and creating new recreational opportuni-ties for residents. Citizens Independence Party candidates said they would work to reverse the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps in Valley Stream, with Margolin saying that would be his first order of business everyday. He, Crupi and LoCascio also said they would look to deal with quality of life issues, and try to unify the different areas of Valley Stream. Fare and his running mates were sworn into office on April 4 before the reorganization meeting at Village Hall.

YEAR IN REVIEW

A new mayor for Valley StreamTOP STORIES OF 2011

Above, new Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare, right, was sworn in at Village Hall by Nassau County Legislator John Ciotti. Fare was joined by the Rev. Brenda Overfi eld of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, and his wife, Ronni. At left, it was a sweep on Election night for the United Community Party. The winners, from left, were Village Justice Robert Bogle, Trustee Vincent Grasso, Mayor Fare and Trustee Dermond Thomas. They celebrated their victory at the American Legion Hall.

Officials from the Diocese of Rockville Centre announced in January that Blessed Sacrament School in Valley Stream would be clos-ing at the end of the year due to declining enroll-ment. According to officials, there were 157 stu-dents in kindergarten through eighth-grade, a decline of 110 students since 2005. The Rev. Peter Dugandzic, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church, said that the student population was expected to fall even further. He said the school wasn’t gener-ating enough tuition money to keep operating the school. Many parents and graduates of the school initially expressed outrage over the decision, say-ing parish leadership should have given the com-munity one last push to try and save the school. “I’m extremely upset about it,” said Valley Stream Village Justice Robert Bogle, a 1971 grad-

uate. “I don’t think parishioners were made suffi-ciently aware of the severity of the crisis at the school, nor do I feel that my fellow alumni were, either.” On Jan. 20, parents were given the opportu-nity to hear from principals of other area Catholic schools, to help decide where to send their chil-dren for the following school year.

Catholic school closing announced

Photos by Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Students, staff and alumni said goodbye to Blessed Sacrament School in June, which closed its doors after 53 years.

Photos by Andrew Hackmack/Herald

3

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — Decem

ber 29, 2011

The popular IHOP restaurant on Sunrise Highway was heavily damaged in an early morn-ing fire on Jan. 8. At around 6:30 a.m., a worker preparing the restaurant for opening noticed smoke coming from the grill and immediately called the fire department. Valley Stream Fire Department chief Joseph Fernandez arrived on the scene to find smoke and flames billowing from the trademark blue roof. It was quickly determined that it would take more

than Valley Stream’s brigade to control the blaze. Seven fire departments and more than 100 fire-fighters were called to contain the fire, which wasn’t put out until after daybreak. With the fire burning from the roof, the blaze had to be fought from the outside. The restaurant suffered massive damage to the roof and the building was deemed to unsafe. Repair work began the afternoon of the blaze with the tearing down of the chimney.

YEAR IN REVIEW

IHOP destroyed in early morning fi re

January

Joseph Sperber/Herald

Valley Stream fi refi ghters battled an early morning blaze at the Valley Stream IHOP restaurant on Jan. 8.

Sen. Charles Schumer came to Valley Stream in February to criticize the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps, which went into effect in 2009 and put sections of the com-munity into the high-risk flood zone. Speaking at the American Legion hall on Feb. 14, Schumer said that FEMA actually used a Suffolk County study to create Nassau County’s flood maps. He said that this may have led to inaccuracies in Nassau’s maps that are costing homeowners thousands of dollars per year. Schumer called on the inspectors general of the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to investigate the process used to create the new flood maps. “The data that FEMA used to draft these new maps is high-ly suspect,” he said. “The evidence continues to mount.” The senator also criticized FEMA for holding back information from municipalities at a time when the maps could have been challenged. He

said that FEMA would not release the Fire Island-to-Montauk Point study to local governments during the flood map appeal period because it was considered preliminary information.

Schumer calls for new fl ood mapsFebruary

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Much of the trademark blue roof of IHOP was gone after the fi re was put out.

Members of the public spoke out at two consecutive District 30 Board of Education meetings in support of Shaw Avenue School Principal Angela Hudson, after it was learned she would not be receiving tenure at the end of the 2010-11 school year. At the Jan. 31 board meeting, several parents said they sup-ported Hudson, and were happy with the job she was doing as principal of the district’s largest elementary school, adding that she knew every child by name. They cited an increase in student test scores since Hudson took over the school in July 2008.

Things got even more heated at the Feb. 28 Board of Education, which had to be moved from the library to the auditori-um because of the large crowd. Before the meeting, PTA leaders Eleanor Hurdle, Yvette Thompson and Margo McKenzie held a press conference in the school, calling on Superintendent Dr. Elaine Kanas to change her mind. At the meeting, Kanas announced her decision that she would not recommend Hudson for tenure, but said she could not cite her reasons because personnel matters are confidential. However, she

did note a seven-page letter written to Hudson, outlining the rea-sons why she would not be tenured. Again, parents said they were happy with Hudson’s job perfor-mance and said that the wishes of Shaw Avenue School families should be respected. “We think she’s doing a wonderful job,” par-ent Kenneth Fuller said. Hudson left the district at the end of the year, and Johane Ligonde became the new principal of the school on July 1. Assistant Principal Amy Pernick did receive tenure.

Outcry over Shaw Avenue School principal


Rally in South’s shadowAbout 200 South High School students rallied on Jedwood Place on Jan. 20 for a Gay Straight Alliance chapter there, which they said was being denied by school administration. Led by Joseph Kofl er and Kelly Egan, the students were joined by offi cials from Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth and the Nas-sau Civil Liberties Union to call for the creation of the group. School offi cials responded that the club had been approved and was set to meet for the fi rst time that afternoon.


Sen. Chuck Schumer came to Valley Stream in February to blast FEMA’s new fl ood maps.

Valley Stream

HERALDDECEMBER 29, 2011 - JANUARY 4, 2012 - Vol. 22 No. 52

HOW TO REACH US■ THE HERALD OFFICES are located at 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 and are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000■ EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: Ext. 265

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The Valley Stream Herald USPS 005868, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Valley Stream Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Subscription rates: $36 for 1 year within Nassau County. Out of Nassau County: $58 for 1 year. Copyright © 2011 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Another year comes to a close, one that saw a bit of change in Valley Stream, much of it for the good. In 2011, several key leadership positions changed hands. There was a new mayor, a new village clerk and two new school superintendents. This year marked the first mayor’s elec-tion in the village since beloved leader Ed Cahill died last year. After being elected in 1999 and re-elected in 2003 and 2007, the United Community Party turned to seven-year trustee Ed Fare to lead their ticket. Fare, a lifelong resident of Valley Stream and South High School teacher, was joined on the ballot by trustee candidates Vincent Grasso and Dermond Thomas, and longtime Village Justice Rob-ert Bogle. On the opposing side was a trio of Gibson residents. Joseph Margolin announced early on in the year that he would run for mayor. Joining his Citizens Independence Party ticket were trustee candidates Carol Crupi and Michael LoCascio. The three said they were going to work to have the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps reversed. In addition, the candidates said they wanted to work to improve overall quality of life in Valley Stream. Fare and his team easily won election and almost immediately began their plans to expand recreation opportunities. Work began on the new dog park, expected to open next year near Village Hall (I have a cat, so I won’t be using it myself). The new skate park opened in September and plans have started to develop to overhaul the 50-year-old pool complex. Bob Barra, who represented Valley Stream for 10 years in the New York state Assembly, was appointed the new Village Clerk. In the schools, both District 13 and the

Central High School District got new lead-ers. Dr. Bill Heidenreich, an assistant superintendent for seven years, was pro-moted to the top post of the high school district. District 13 found its new leader from the outside, tapping veteran educator Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund to serve as its new superintendent. There was some sad news for Blessed

Sacrament School’s students and alumni, as it was announced in January that the school would be closing in June due to declining enroll-ment (a trend continuing this year in other communities on Long Island). But the school, which had been open for 53 years, went out in style with a farewell mass and celebration. Less emotional was Dis-trict 30’s decision to close the Washington Avenue Kinder-garten Center and move its

three classes to the Shaw Avenue School. Kids go there for just one year, anyway. There were a few major fires, including IHOP on Sunrise Highway just a week into the new year. And who can forget the very wet August. A middle-of-the-month storm dropped so much rain so fast it seri-ously damaged the Hendrickson Park administration building. And then there was that hurricane. Irene sound familiar? Oh yeah, and the year started off with just a bit of snow. Anyone with a sidewalk and a driveway couldn’t wait for spring. These are just some of the many sto-ries we’ve brought you over the past year, and we look forward to continuing to cover Valley Stream in 2012, bringing you all the local news that affects your lives. If there’s any news you would like to see in the paper, please feel free to contact me with any story ideas. I can be reached by phone at (516) 569-4000 ext. 265 or email at [email protected].

2011 — A year marked by a lot of change

ANDREW HACKMACK

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Transcending Praise, Valley Stream Central High School’s gos-pel choir, may have just began only last year, but quickly made a name for itself, performing in several prestigious concerts. The group won a $2,000 grand prize at the Pathmark gospel competi-tion in February at the Apollo Theater. Other performances were at the Central High School District’s American Education Week celebration, Central High’s Black History month celebration and the gospel choir’s own “Set the Atmosphere” concert. The group has performed with gospel greats such as Kirk Franklin. Several members agree the group has grown and changed tre-mendously, under the guidance of directors and teachers Amy Neuner and Patrick Tirino, and the mentoring of Broadway Inspirational Voices. “Our standards have gotten higher,” said choir president and senior Stephanie Courtney.

YEAR IN REVIEWCentral’s singing sensations taking offFebruary

Brian Alevis/Herald

Valley Stream Central High School’s gospel choir, Transcending Praise, made its mark in its fi rst year with several inspiring performances.

Valley Stream Fire Department officials believed it was the first time a baby was ever born in one of their ambulances, and it happened on March 12. The Fire Department was called that afternoon to a home in Gibson, where a woman was in labor. But soon, the woman was driven to the Fire Department’s headquarters on Rockaway Parkway, where EMTs Michael Field and Tracey Calhoun met the soon-to-be mother. They put her in the ambulance and with First Assistant Chief John Beck driving, began their journey to Mercy Hospital. They baby didn’t wait to get the emergency room, and was born in the ambulance as it pulled up to the hospital. Calhoun and Field put their training and experience to good use. Both have delivered babies before in their jobs as New York City first responders. The ambulance also has a obstetrics kit on board, featuring equipment such as a scalpel, clamps, scissors, gloves and a blanket. The pair delivered a healthy baby boy.

Baby delivered in ambulance

March


Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund, right, was selected to replace Dr. Elizabeth Lison as the new superintendent of school District 13.


Milestone birthdayMarietta Capizzi, who lived for 30 years in Valley Stream, celebrated her 110th birthday on Jan. 29 surrounded by dozens of family members and friends. A party was held at the Sunrise Senior Living facility in Glen Cove, where she has lived for fi ve years.

Grace United Methodist Nursery School celebrated its 40th anniversary with a big party in the school gymnasium on March 4. More than 100 people attended including past and present staff members, alumni and local officials. Harriet Cassidy, who served as director of the school for 25 years, joined current Director Diane Panzarino to accept numerous citations from elected officials, as well as kudos and well wishes from the community. Many guests enjoyed looking at the wall of photos, filled with class pictures dating back to the 1970s. Teachers at the school sang a special tribute song to Panzarino, their leader, using their own words to the tune of “On Top of Old Smokey.” The school has about a dozen classes and about 200 students enrolled in a variety of nursery and pre-K programs.

Nursery school turns 40March


Suraya Deonarine shows Jennifer Grande her daughter in a 2005 class photo at the 40th anniversary celebration

The District 13 Board of Education, after a months-long search, named its new superintendent on April 27. The board selected Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund, the assistant superintendent for elementary education in Commack, to replace Dr. Elizabeth Lison who retired on July 1 after eight years with the district. Robb-Fund brought 38 years of experience in the educa-tion field with her to Valley Stream. In addition to being an assistant superintendent, she has experience as a special educa-tion teacher, reading specialist, kindergarten director and an assistant principal. A graduate of Farmingdale High School, she actually began her teaching career in Massachusetts before moving back to New York. She now lives in Massapequa with her hus-band and has two children. Robb-Fund was chosen from four candidates who inter-viewed for the position, and from more than 60 who applied. Robb-Fund received a three-year contract. One of her first goals was to meet at least 100 families during her first 100 days on the job, a feat she has since accomplished.

Superintendent search yields veteran administrator

April

January

7


ber 29, 2011

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Valley Stream Boulevard was closed for a significant part of the year, from early April through late October, to replace an aging and dilapidated culvert. The culvert, which carried a stream under the road and into the Village Green, dated back to the 1920s. Village officials approved the replacement because they said the road was becoming dangerous. The repair cost about $2 million. Valley Stream Boulevard was closed between Hicks Street and Ballard Avenue while

construction was completed. Detour signs were posted throughout the area because the street serves as a major route for commuter traffic, as well as for people going to Village Hall and the Henry Waldinger Library. The closure also affected the Memorial Day parade, which usu-ally heads down that road. The road re-opened on Oct. 28. Mayor Ed Fare drove the first vehicle over — a Valley Stream Fire Department ladder truck — in the Friday afternoon ceremony. The project was completed on time and within budget.

YEAR IN REVIEW

Road closed for six months

April


Valley Stream Boulevard was shut down in early April to replace a culvert, which carries a stream under the road. Construction lasted nearly seven months.

Christina Daly/Herald

An egg-citing timeChildren were in search of goodies and treats at the village’s annual Easter egg hunt on April 16 at Hendrickson Park.

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Valley Stream Central boys’ tennis coach Brian Gallagher has no regrets of making a friendly wager with his players. Prior to the season, he told the Eagles they could transform his head to resemble a tennis ball if they captured the Conference IV-A championship, and they made him pay up. “I’m quite alright with it,” Gallagher said after Central completed a perfect 14-0 season and won its first conference title in 22 years. “I don’t have much hair, so I wanted to offer something besides shaving my head,” he added. Had the Eagles fallen short of their ulti-mate goal, Gallagher said, everyone on the

roster would have donated $5 to the coach’s favorite charity. “I had a good feeling we could win it after we got through the first half of the schedule,” he said. “We had a couple of really close matches, but everyone stepped up.” Central, which won nine matches in each of Gallagher’s two previous seasons at the helm, swept all seven courts from Bethpage to claim the title May 24. No. 2 singles player Stanley Liang, a junior, lived up to his nickname of “donuts” by winning 6-0, 6-0, to highlight the victory. Four-year starter William Tronsor, a senior, led the Eagles at first singles and compiled a 10-4 record.

YEAR IN REVIEW SPORTSCentral nets tennis titleMay

Victoria Lodi/Herald

Valley Stream Central senior Daniel Chien was 9-4 at third singles.

After four consecutive first-round exits in the Nassau Class A boys’ soccer playoffs, Valley Stream North finally got the monkey off its back Oct. 28 when it upset third-seeded Hewlett, 2-0, thanks to a pair of sec-ond-half goals from senior Marvin Eveillard and a defense led by senior Dondre Irving. Sophomore goalkeeper Alec D’Aulisa made five saves for the 14th-seeded Spartans, who after finishing third in the seven-team Conference A-VII with a 5-4-3 record, advanced to the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs, co-champions of Conference A-V with a mark of 8-2-2, had a goal disallowed because of an offside call four minutes into the second half and couldn’t answer

Eveillard’s penalty kick that came with 25:41 remaining. “After losing in the first round four years in a row by a goal, this is a great feel-ing and a huge weight off our shoulders,” North coach Dave Aguado said. “We’ve had an up-and-down year. We started the season slow and we weren’t playing great coming into this game. Hewlett’s very good, but we were strong today. We did a great job on 50-50 balls.” Opportunity knocked when Eveillard was taken down in the box and the team’s leading goal scorer didn’t disappoint, strik-ing a low shot dead-center of the cage as Hewlett keeper Josh Alovis dove right.

Playoff success for NorthOctober

Kathy Leistner/Herald

Valley Stream North’s Richie Vergara, right, prepared to work the ball out of the zone with Hewlett’s Cesear Florez in pursuit during the Class A playoff opener.

Making its first playoff appearance since 2007, Valley Stream North sent shockwaves throughout Nassau County Nov. 5 with its 21-16 upset of four-time defending Nassau Conference IV champion Seaford. The fifth-seeded Spartans, minus star senior running back Evan Henry, held on when senior Ed Dietrich and junior Bill Patsos tackled Nick Fischetti less than a yard short of the end zone with 1:20 remaining. “What a thrill,” North head coach Tom Schiavo said. “The only ones who believed we can do it were our kids and coaches and the fans behind us. Seaford’s an awesome program and our guys stepped up time after

time to make this happen.” Patsos and senior Jesse Oppenheimer caught touchdown passes from junior quar-terback Anthony Martelli, and Patsos added 52 yards and a score on the ground as the Spartans (7-2) advanced to the semifinals at Hofstra. Senior Kendel Levy (15) and junior Joe White combined for 26 tackles, and juniors James Capoziello and Stephen Giuliante had interceptions. North featured one of the highest-scor-ing offenses on Long Island. But the linch-pin, Henry, who had 1,473 yards rushing and 27 total touchdowns in eight regular-season games, broke his leg in a Week 8 win at Oyster Bay.

Spartans dethrone SeafordNovember

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

Junior quarterback Anthony Martelli passed for 156 yards and two scores in Valley Stream North’s Conference IV playoff win at Seaford.

The Valley Stream Central High School District rifle team won its fifth consecutive state championship in March. Leading the way were North High School senior Jumell Wilson, Central High juniors Dean Rossano and Nick Rishkel, and Central sophomore Danielle Cuomo. The team took first place in both the .22 small bore and air rifle competitions. All four of Valley Stream’s shooters placed in the top 10 in both events. Along the way, the team twice broke its

own record for overall team score at the county level. Rossano was the county champion in .22 smallbore competition, while Rishkel posted the best average score for the season. In air rifle, Wilson led all Nassau County shooters in over-all average. The team, which also featured alternates Sean Wraith and Saffraz Bacchus, was led by coach Blake McCauley. “I’m proud of their hard work and dedication,” he said, “and their commitment to good sportsmanship.”

Rifl e team makes it fi ve in a rowMarch

Provided photo

The Valley Stream Central High School District’s varsity rifl e team won its fi fth straight New York State championship in March.

The Valley Stream Little League Senior Boys team captured its second straight Division 29 championship in a blowout game against Malverne on July 20. Led by the strong pitching of 16-year-old Ricky Grosso, the boys won 9-1 on familiar turf, Firemen’s Field. Grosso pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing just a first inning run and striking out nine batters.

Jason Cooper came in from first base for the final two outs. The offense was led by third-basemen Brandon Wilder, who had three hits including a two-run single. Coaching the team was Ray Russo. After the game, each player received a medal and the team accepted its District 29 champion-ship banner at home plate.

Little League team repeats

July


The Little League Senior Boys team won its second consecutive District 29 championship.

YEAR IN REVIEW SPORTS9


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South High School base-ball coach Ken Ward won his 300th career game in a 22-4 defeat over Great Neck North on May 11. Ward became the 25th coach in Nassau County history to reach that mile-stone. Ward has been coaching South’s baseball team for 24 years. He is a 1971 graduate of Calhoun High School and was drafted as a shortstop by the Montreal Expos, but never played professional ball.

Instead, he went to Adelphi University on scholarship to play college ball. Before South, Ward coached the North High base-ball team and was also junior

varsity coach for Levittown Memorial High School. On July 8, a surprise cele-bration was held for Ward at Charlie Meaney’s in North Valley Stream. He was joined by friends, family, high school district staff and several of his players. Ward attributed his suc-cess to his players. “I don’t know if a coach can take cred-it for winning 300 games,” he said. “I’ve been blessed with so many real good players.”

YEAR IN REVIEW

Milestone victory for baseball coach

KEN WARD

There were contested races in all three Valley Stream elementary school districts for the first time in several years, and most incumbents were re-elected. However, six-year board mem-ber Ian Wraith was voted out in District 24. In the at-large election which featured four candidates for three seats, Carole Meaney and Paul DePace were returned to the board. However, Lisa Pellicane, a PTA president at the Robert W. Carbonaro School, unseated Wraith for the third seat. She defeated him by nearly 200 votes. Wraith, who at the time was the Board of Education president, came under fire for his views on consolidation, which would explore the merger of all four Valley Stream school dis-tricts into a single kindergarten through 12th grade school system. Despite public opposition and strong opinions against consolidation from fellow board members, Wraith stood his ground and said he simply wanted to see how much a study would cost. Both Wraith and Pellicane agreed that Wraith’s views on consolidation played a role in the Board of Education results. In District 30, incumbent Ken Cummings held off a challenge from Shaw Avenue School PTA President Margo McKenzie and won his second full five-year term. Sean Douglas, District 13’s newest board member, won re-election for a full three-year term against Bernadin Fleurima. Frank Chiachiere and Debra Evans were unopposed in their bids to return to the District 13 board.

Pellicane in, Wraith out in District 24May

LISA PELLICANE

April

Hundreds of students, teachers, administra-tors, parents and community members saw the work of students in the community’s 14 public schools during the Valley Stream Council of PTA’s Lights on For Education showcase at Memorial Junior High School on April 14. This year’s theme, “The Energy that Lights the Way,” was creatively interpreted by district superintendents and students. “It is the highlight of the hard work all stu-dents do all year,” said John Squadrito, the event’s coordinator and an assistant principal at Memorial, about Lights on for Education. Each district emphasized student work with different themes — future and imagination in

District 13, multiculturalism in District 24, an artistic spin on academics in District 30, and unique, technical talents in the high schools.

Shining a light on education


Matthew Lataille, Nicholas Tineo and Matthew Tineo, all 7, check out a project made by the Howell Road Construction Club.

Data was released in April from the 2010 census which showed a rise in population in Valley Stream. According to the new figures, there were 37,511 residents living in the village in 2010, an increase of about 1,100 people over the past decade. North Valley Stream’s population grew

by about 850 people over the same time span, while South Valley Stream gained 300 new resi-dents. Former Village Clerk Vinny Ang attributed the growth to an influx of new families in Valley Stream, including larger extended families. He also said the community is a desirable place to

live because of its suburban character, good schools, access to public transportation and prox-imity to New York City. Valley Stream also continued to become more diverse. The population of the village was 57 percent white in 2010, a drop from 79 percent in 2000. The black population increased from 7

percent to 19 percent, and the Hispanic popula-tion from 12 to 22 percent. The new data showed that 29 percent of North Valley Stream residents were white, down from 44 percent a decade earlier. The black popu-lation rose from 37 to nearly 50 percent.

Population rises, community diversifi es


It’s their dayVeterans march down Rockaway Avenue in the annual Memorial Day parade.

Voters in Valley Stream’s four school dis-tricts passed their budgets on May 17. In District 13, nearly 60 percent of voters said “yes” to the proposed $42.5 million spending plan. District 24’s budget got the nod from voters by a 2-to-1 margin, who responded favorably to the $10 to $15 annual tax increase that was expected as part of the $27.2 million budget.

In District 30, voters came out and support-ed the spending plan despite one of the largest tax levy increases in the county. The proposed $32.4 million budget carried a 6.11 percent tax hike. The Valley Stream Central High School District’s proposed $101.98 million spending plan also passed with about 60 percent of voters in favor.

School budgets pass all around

May

IAN WRAITH

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On June 14, then-assistant superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich was named the new superin-tendent of the Valley Stream Central High School District, putting an end to a months-long search to replace Dr. Marc Bernstein, who left last December. Dr. Richard Marsh had served in the interim. “I look forward to working with the com-munity in the future to bring the schools to higher success,” Heidenreich said. The married father of two grew up in Brentwood, and holds numerous degrees and various New York state certifications

in school administration and education. He worked as a social studies teacher in the Bethpage School District, and the Bellmore-Merrick Central district as a director of instruction and technology services before coming to Valley Stream. Board of Education members hired search firm School Leadership LLC to find a new super-intendent. Representatives met with the board, district staff, students and community members for help to find a replacement. There were initial-ly 40 finalists, and the board conducted about 10 interviews in April and May.

YEAR IN REVIEW

High school district names new superintendent

June

Susan Grieco/Herald

The high school district stayed within, promoting Dr. Bill Heidenreich to superintendent.

District 30 closed its Washington Avenue Kindergarten Center in June, in an effort to save money during difficult financial times. The small, three-classroom building now sits empty but offi-cials are hoping to rent it out to a day care center. The building housed the three kindergarten classes from the Clear Stream Avenue School. Those classes were moved to Shaw Avenue School for the new school year, where extra space was available. Closing Washington Avenue allowed the dis-trict to save money by eliminating a nurse, securi-ty guard and one kindergarten teacher, as well as

cutting costs on utilities. The building was used for kindergarten for the past eight years. Before that, it was the district’s administrative offices.

Kindergarten center shuts down

Valley Stream’s teachers ratified a new four-year contract in June, nearly a year after the previous deal expired. The contract runs from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2014. Teachers got a 1.25 percent raise for the 2010-11 school year, which was paid retroac-tively. They also received a 1.25 percent for the current school year, but their Step increase, a longevity-based raise, is being delayed by six months. Next year, when the state’s 2 percent tax cap goes into effect, there will be a hard freeze on teacher salaries. There will be no raises, and no Step increases. In the final year of the contract, 2013-14, teachers again will

have their Step increment delayed by six months, but receive a 1.25 percent raise at the beginning of the year. Richard Hermann, president of the Valley Stream Teachers Association, said this contract had the lowest raises he has ever seen for teachers in the four districts. However, he said the contract was on par with other recent deals for teachers in Nassau County. The contract also included a retirement incentive for teachers, providing them a one-time payout of $1,000 for each year they have worked, up to 30 years. By the Oct. 15 deadline, 18 teachers opted to take it.

Teachers get new contract

Valley Stream Target store employees, com-plaining of low pay and a lack of hours, turned to the United Food and Commercials Workers Local 1500 union for help against what they called “unfair treatment.” As a result, employ-ees voted whether or not to unionize during a June 17 federal election. The union was voted down 137-85. Employees claimed they were being harassed by Target leaders, who were “poison-ing the vote” with aggressive anti-union cam-paigning and threatening a store closure. The union helped employees file unfair labor prac-

tices charges with the National Labor Relations Board on May 27, to which Molly Synder, a Target spokeswoman, denied any wrongdoing. Local 1500 filed more objections against Target, and requested a new election. The labor board issued a complaint, finding Target guilty in September. “The company had four different policies that violated the National Labor Relations Act,” said Al Bryer, NLRB’s regional director in Brooklyn. Target officials maintained that they have a working environment which promotes listening and responding to any employee concerns.

Target employees reject union

Susan Grieco/Herald

In the top post John Faust, left, took over as the new commander of American Legion Post 854 in June, replacing Ron Feltington who led the unit for the previous two year.

The Nassau County District Attorney’s Animal Cruelty unit was called in after a two-and-a-half-foot-long alligator was removed from Mill Pond in Edward W. Cahill Park in Valley Stream on June 4. A local couple discovered the alligator, bring-ing it to Central Veterinary Associates in Valley Stream, where it was cared for by Dr. John

Charos, director of avian and exotics medicine. The gator was in good shape, Charos said, though it was mostly likely abandoned and posed a threat to the public. It was later transported to a Massachusetts facility on June 8. Valley Stream village park maintenance declared the pond safe after a checking it and the surrounding area.

Gator found in Mill Pond

Several Valley Stream Boy Scouts earned their Eagle ranks this past year, the highest honor in scouting. At a Court of Honor ceremony at Grace United Methodist School on May 21, a trio of Troop 109 Boy Scouts became Eagle Scouts. Joe Cerulli, Keith Donovan and Evan Mladinov were joined by family, friends and fellow scouts to cel-ebrate their accomplishment. At the time, Cerulli was a senior at Holy Trinity High School, Donovan a sophomore at Valley Stream North High School and Mladinov a sophomore at Chaminade High School. Troop 369 had five scouts earn their Eagle rank this year. Four of them crossed over on July 17 in a ceremony at Blessed Sacrament Church. Clayton Ambers, Salvatore Buttafucco, Richard Capo and William Hunter had been together since Cub Scouts and became Eagle Scouts on the same day. They all graduated in June from Valley Stream North High School. On Dec. 4, fellow troop member Sam Catalano earned his Eagle rank. The North High School senior also had his Court of Honor cere-mony at Blessed Sacrament Church. Shawn Green, a North Woodmere resident and Lawrence High School senior, became an Eagle Scout on Sept. 24. He belongs to a troop in Flushing, Queens.

YEAR IN REVIEW

Xxxxx Herald

Four Troop 369 Eagle Scouts earned their Eagle rank in July Taking the oath from Michael Trager, center, are Clayton Ambers, Salvatore Buttaucco, William Hunter and Richard Capo.

Jon Premosch/Herald

Shawn Green became an Eagle Scout in September.

Jina Papadoniou/Herald

Troop 109 Boy Scouts, from left, Keith Donovan, Joe Cerulli and Evan Mladinov earned their Eagle rank in May. They took the other from Scoutmaster Joe Trimboli.

New Eagle Scouts

Susan Grieco/Herald

Sam Catalano, was the fi fth scout from Troop 369 to earn his Eagle ran this year.

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ple stopped by during their six-hour stay. And, Pizzolo said, D’Angelo led the effort to have infor-mation about Friends of Bridge placed in a glass display case on the mall’s second floor. “She’s a very caring person, a very hard worker,” Pizzolo said. “She’s very well liked by everyone.” Pizzolo also mentioned the role D’Angelo plays in organizing the annual spring awards brunch, the facility’s main fundraising event each year. “She runs everything,” Pizzolo said, noting that D’Angelo helps select the award recipients and makes sure each committee is doing its job so the event comes together without a hitch. Earlier this year, D’Angelo took over as presi-dent of the library’s Board of Trustees. The board, appointed by the village, sets policies and fines, and recommends library services. Library Director Mamie Eng said that D’Angelo has been to several conferences to learn more about best library practices, trends and new resources. She also regularly attends forums and budget meetings hosted by the Nassau Library System. “She takes it very seriously,” Eng said. “I’m very happy because I have steadfast support.” Eng said that D’Angelo is also an advocate for the library in the community, always talking to people about its services. Ask her a question about the library, and she has the answer — or, Eng said, she will find it. “She’s always a positive voice for the library,” Eng said. During the day, D’Angelo works in the tax

department at Village Hall. DeGrace said that she always provides friendly, knowledgeable help to the public. She is also a Eucharistic minister at Blessed Sacrament Church, and used to volunteer at the thrift shop there. She belongs to the local Historical Society and is past president of the Valley Stream Republican Club. When her children — daughter Lisa, now 56, and twins Victor and Carmine — were younger, D’Angelo was an active member of the Wheeler Avenue school PTA, and served as its president. When her children were in high school in the 1970s, she became involved with the local chapter of American Field Service, which coordinates stu-dent exchange programs. The D’Angelo family would often host students from other states or countries for a week at a time. Carmine D’Angelo noted that even after the death of his father, Pat, in 2001, which was diffi-cult for his mother — they were married 46 years — she carried on with her involvement in the community. “She loves it. It’s in her blood,” he said. “If she had more time, she’d probably be involved in more activities. She gives more than she’ll ever ask for.” Mayor Ed Fare said that D’Angelo is some-one who never seeks the limelight, and does what she does because she cares about the community and its residents. “There’s a person who’s a dedi-cated Valley Streamer,” he said. “She’s somebody who just loves Valley Stream. She’s definitely one of those service-above-self people, a phenomenal asset to the village.”

Ida D’Angelo is Person of the YearContinued from front page

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On the one-year anniversary of former Mayor Ed Cahill’s death, the Chamber of Commerce unveiled a new monument outside of Village Hall, where Cahill had his office for 11 years. The July 30 ceremony was attended by more than 100 people. The Chamber of Commerce raised money for the monument, reaching out to local resi-dents and businesses. Chamber President Debbi Gyulay and Cahill’s widow, Mary Ann, pulled off the blue cloth to unveil the memorial stone. Speakers included Hempstead Town Councilman James Darcy, former mayor and trustee Joanne Antun, Rabbi Yitzchak Goldshmid, former Holy Name of Mary Church pastor Monsignor Thomas Harold and chamber Vice President Jules Rabin. Cahill was elected three times as mayor of

Valley Stream, and died on July 30, 2010 from complications from a brain tumor.

YEAR IN REVIEWMonument for Cahill

July


Debbi Gyulay and Mary Ann Cahill unveiled the new memorial to former Mayor Ed Cahill on July 30.

A vacant building in Gibson was vandalized in the early morning hours of July 16, causing local residents to renew their cries for redevelop-ment of the site. Windows of a corner storefront on Gibson Boulevard, at a former podiatry officer, were smashed and glass covered the sidewalk. Village Clerk Bob Barra said the damage was done between 2 and 8:30 a.m. A pair of buildings on Gibson Boulevard have been vacant for several years. The buildings, owned by Dr. Leonard Bleicher of Hewlett

Harbor, were to be demolished to make way for a new apartment complex. However, Bleicher never began his approved housing project. After the July 16 incident, Bleicher was cited by the village because the windows remained bro-ken for several days. Village officials also vowed that they would have more patrols by Auxiliary Police, Public Safety and Code Enforcement around the two buildings. The village was unsuccessful in seeking a grant to jump-start the housing complex and replace the vacant buildings.

Vacant buildings draw ire


All about artDale Hoffman fi nishes up a temporary tattoo on Frankie Caracciolo, 14, of Valley Stream, at Envision Valley Stream’s second annual Art in the Park event on July 16 at the Village Green.

Engine Company No. 1 of the Valley Stream Fire Department celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011. Valley Stream hosted the 3rd Battalion Parade on Aug. 6, featuring about two dozen fire departments and more than 1,000 firefighters from across Long Island and New York state. The parade began in the north end of the village, traveled down Rockaway Parkway, past the Fire Department’s headquarters and through the downtown business district before ending at the Village Green for a giant block party. The grand marshal was Ed Facompre, a member of Engine Company No. 1 for 58 years. Valley Stream placed first in Best Appearing Fire Department, as well as in the Ladies Auxiliary and Juniors categories.

A century of fi refi ghting


The Valley Stream Fire Department marches down Rockaway Avenue in the 3rd Battalion Parade.

facebook.com/vsherald

August

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The region’s first hurricane in more than two decades made its impact on Valley Stream. Hurricane Irene, which made landfall on Aug. 27, took down numerous trees and power lines, but caused minimal flooding in the community. The storm, which was at its most intense overnight, came as a hurricane but weakened to a tropical storm by the time it left. Dozens of trees came down alone in Hendrickson Park. At Hendrickson Avenue and Mary Street, a tree fell and blocked the intersection. On Elmwood Street, two trees fell together taking down tele-phone polls and knocking out power to the

neighborhood. A Sunday afternoon wind gust took down several large branches — and with it power lines — on Rockaway Parkway just north of Melrose Street, leaving several homes in the dark for five days. In Mill Brook, residents of Elderberry Lane got together to carve up and remove three trees that fell and blocked off access to their dead-end street. The village pool was closed for a few days with power knocked out and numerous branches and leaves to be cleaned out of the water.

YEAR IN REVIEW

Hurricane Irene hits Valley Stream

August


Residents of Elmwood Street looked over the damage left by Hurricane Irene, which took down trees and power lines across the community.

Courtesy Ken Heino

Water, water everywhereMore than three feet of water surrounded and fi lled the Hendrickson Park administration building fol-lowing a mid-August rainstorm, damaging the building and rendering it unusable.

An Associated supermarket opened in August at 500 W. Merrick Road, a vacant building that had previously housed Waldbaums. The Great Atlantic & Pacific Company, which owns Waldbaums, filed chapter 11 bankruptcy last December. The move prompted the closure of the Valley Stream store as part of the company’s “turnaround strategy” and restructuring plan in April. In July, bomb threats had been written on the then-vacant building, and the Nassau County police started an investigation and began monitoring the site.

By the following month, Associated pur-chased the store’s existing lease from A&P in a third party agreement and began moving in shortly after, putting a supermarket back in the west end of the village.

New supermarket in west end

Thanks to Strong Side Studios and Star Potential, child and teenage stars shined bright in a series of five concerts at the John Smith Bandshell on the Village Green, to the delight of organizers Joanne Cuomo and Darryl Granum. The first annual Battle of the Bands brought about 200 people to watch the groups — village favorites Lost in Forever and Dawn of a Daydream, Queens-based band Nilo, and winners This Time Tuesday, of Valley Stream.

Two hip hop groups, True Nation and Team Shutdown, also performed. The event celebrat-ed the summer launch of Star Potential, a local non-profit organization providing training and talent opportunities for children. Another talent night on Aug. 13 brought out diverse talents, including Jessica Fare, daughter of Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare, dubbed J-Bird. “All the fans really helped me to perform my best,” she said.

Teen talent shines bright

Dozen of residents gathered at the village’s Sept. 11 memorial garden at A.J. Hendrickson Park, where Mayor Ed Fare and village officials presented a piece of the World Trade Center — a steel beam salvaged from the terrorist attacks. A crew transported it from John F. Kennedy International Airport, escorted by members of the Valley Stream Fire Department, on Aug. 23. Shortly before 10:30 a.m., officials loaded the 15-foot-long, 3,350-pound beam onto a vil-lage truck at JFK’s Hanger 17. The five-car pro-cession, including the truck, made its way down South Conduit Avenue in Queens to Sunrise Highway, passing underneath two arches outside Sunrise Multiplex Cinemas and the village Fire Department headquarters. Onlookers raised flags, bowed their heads and saluted. Later, Fare and villages officials, including members of the village’s Fire and Public Safety departments, presented three wreaths in honor of the victims to their families at Hendrickson Park. Village officials had sent two letters to the

Port Authority, explaining why they wanted the steel and detailing the village’s losses on Sept. 11, to get the donated steel beam from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It will be fashioned into a permanent memorial.

World Trade Center relic

Photos by Xx/Herald

A steel beam from the World Trade Center arrived at Valley Stream’s Hendrickson Park on Aug. 23. It will be fashioned into a permanent monument at the village park.

Valley Stream fi refi ghters covered the beam with an American fl ag before its trip to Valley Stream.

Herald fi le photo

Associated Supermarket took over the Waldbaums store.

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Valley Stream officials began plans to purchase a building on Rockaway Avenue to serve as a Village Hall annex. At a public hearing in September, board members announced their intent to purchase 195 Rockaway Ave., at the corner of Jamaica Avenue. The village is looking to take the property, which is for sale, through eminent domain. At the hour-long public hearing, residents had mixed reviews. Some said that buying the building would be a boost for the downtown business district, while others said the vil-lage should be focusing its efforts on blighted properties on Gibson Boulevard. The building once housed Village Hall, until the present facility opened in 1955. Mayor Ed Fare said he wants to move Public Safety, Code Enforcement, Auxiliary Police and the courtroom to the Rockaway Avenue building. He said that buying the building shows the village’s commitment to the downtown revitalization process. Fare said he is hoping to take title to the 7,770-square foot building sometime after the new year. The village is looking to spend about $800,000.

YEAR IN REVIEWVillage looks for more space

September


The village is looking to buy a building at 195 Rockaway Ave. to serve as an annex to Village Hall, and house the court room and law enforcement departments.

The long-awaited, highly anticipated skate park that young community members had been pushing for finally opened on Sept. 17 to mixed reviews. “I woke up early because I was excited to be here,” said Anthony Savillo, a Valley Stream South High School senior, about the park at the Sunrise Highway hockey rink beside the Long Island Rail Road station. “My fantasy when this opened was to come out of school and do something here.” Mayor Ed Fare had been working on plans since taking office in April. The village board approved the plan to install temporary skateboarding equipment there on July 18. If the park was a success among community members, Fare said he would build a larger facility. Officials developed park rules, though a few were later changed after some unfavorable feedback from patrons. They added ledges and grind rails, changed the park’s protective equip-ment rules for each age group and opened it up to roller bladders. Also, officials enlisted the help of the Mass Transit skate shop on Rockaway Avenue.

Skate park debuts, then changes

Jon Premosch/Herald

Anthony Savillo was the fi rst teen to test out the new skate park, which opened on Sept. 17.

The Valley Stream Board of Zoning Appeals approved plans on Sept. 20 for Precious Spirit Child Care to move into the vacant Blessed Sacrament School on Rose Avenue. Since the Diocese of Rockville Centre-owned building was a former school, which closed in June due to low enrollment, its use as a day care center would be similar enough that a variance was not needed, said Ken Bond, the zoning board’s chairman.

Moving in requires the replacement of two classroom windows with doors and the addition of several sinks, said Precious Spirit co-owners Robin Cohen and Debbie Nicosia, who said they were happy about the board’s decision. Rev. Peter Dugandzic, pastor at Blessed Sacrament, said the day care center would be a separate entity. The center will use four first-floor classrooms for children from 1 to 12 years old on weekdays, and is expected to open by January.

Day care Center approved at Blessed Sacrament

Debbi Gyulay was sworn in for her third term as president of the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce at the annual gala on Sept. 22. Earlier in the year, Chamber members repealed a rule limiting the president to two terms. Gyulay began her third term after taking over the business association in 2007. She is the office manager of AAMCO Transmissions on

East Merrick Road. Also sworn in to new terms were Executive Vice President Elliott Rosenbaum, Vice President Jules Rabin, Secretary Lisa Norwich and Treasuer Diahann Ryan. The Chamber honored Bethlehem Assembly of God and Valley Stream Lincoln at its gala celebration.

Another term for Chamber president


Remembering those lostWheeler Avenue School sixth-graders Amber Shaukat and Madison Kelly placed fl owers on a memorial bench in front of the building to honor Sept. 11 victims. The school held a ceremony on Sept. 9 to mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. “I feel bad for all the people who died and all the people who sacrifi ced their lives,” said Amber, who was only a year old when the attacks occurred.

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With a vacancy on the board for six months, Valley Stream trustees welcomed a new member on Oct. 17. Virginia Clavin-Higgins, a mother of three, was appointed to fill the spot left open when Ed Fare became mayor in April. Clavin-Higgins, a lifelong resident of Valley Stream, is the daughter of Rosanna Clavin,

who was the village’s first ever female trustee. She is also the sister of Donald Clavin, the Town of Hempstead’s receiver of taxes. Employed as a principal law clerk, she said her goal as trustee is to keep Valley Stream an affordable place to live for families and senior citizens. Clavin-Higgins will have to run for a full four-year term in March.

YEAR IN REVIEW

New village trustee

October


Virginia Clavin-Higgins joined the village Board of Trustees in October.

Two sixth-grade students got to shadow Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare for a morning. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Marken Suaza and Kayla Gonsalves arrived at Village Hall and learned about the responsibilities of a village mayor. The trio, along with Board of Trustees assistant Barbara DeGrace, visited the sanita-tion department where Marken and Kayla got to operate the controls of a garbage truck. They then took a trip to Hendrickson Park to see a village tree removal crew in action. Back at Village Hall, the group heard from Village Clerk Bob Barra about several village projects, and from Deputy Treasurer Michael Fox on some financial issues. Marken attends the James A. Dever School

and Kayla goes to the Robert W. Carbonaro School. They were the winners of the first Mayor for a Day essay contest, open to all sixth-graders in Valley Stream. Their essays were chosen from more than 100 entries.

Mayors for a day

The Hempstead Town Council said “yes” to a plan for a 102-space employee and visitors parking lot at Franklin Hospital at an Oct. 4 meeting. Hospital officials filed an application with the town in May 2010, and later appeared before the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals to request a parking variance. The decision was made to com-bat parking issues and reduce the number of car accidents near the hospital, said Joe Manopella, Franklin’s executive director.

To make way for a new lot, five hospital-owned homes were to be demolished at the end of Midvale Lane, a dead-end street off North Corona Avenue. Though some tenants protested the move, the current and former North Shore-LIJ health system employees who were living in the homes left earlier this year, after receiving legal notice from officials. Officials hoped to finish the parking lot proj-ect, expected to cost a little more than $1 million, by February.

Town approves hospital parking lot


Here’s where the water comes outMatt Roth, of the Valley Stream Fire Department, talks to students at the William L. Buck School as part of the department’s Fire Prevention Month program.

Long-time Nassau County Legislator John Ciotti, who has represented the 3rd District since the inception of the legislative body 16 years ago, was defeated on Election night. The North Valley Stream Republican lost by about 400 votes to Carrié Solages, a Democrat from Elmont. Ciotti became embroiled in controversy when a campaign worker, identified as Vinny Prisco of North Valley Stream, made racially charged comments that were caught on video. Prisco was hanging Ciotti campaign signs out-

side of Solages’s Elmont campaign headquarters when he made the remarks after being ques-tioned about his actions. In response to the video, which went viral on You Tube, Ciotti immediately dismissed Prisco from his campaign and called for Prisco to be fired from his job as a supervisor with Sanitary District No. 6. But the damage had been done and on Nov. 8, Solages was declared the winner of the legislative seat, and will become only the second person to represent the district.

Legislative incumbent defeatedNovember

The Valley Stream Community Association held its first meeting on Nov. 29, becoming the first active civic organization in the village in sev-eral years. Leaders of the group include Gibson residents Carol Crupi, Joseph Margolin and Dena Biondo. The focus of the meeting was on property taxes and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps. The two dozen residents in attendance heard from a pair of property tax

experts, who encouraged homeowners to chal-lenge their assessment. Margolin and Crupi also gave an update on the fight against FEMA, to get Valley Stream out of the high-risk flood zone. They told residents to continue to write, call and email their elected offi-cials. The Valley Stream Community Association is open to all residents with a Valley Stream address, whether or not they live in the village.

A new civic association

Incumbent Republicans Fran Becker and Ed Ambrosino won the 6th county Legislative District and 2nd Town of Hempstead Councilmatic District, respectively, on Nov. 8, in addition to several other local Republicans. Becker defeated Valley Stream resident Anthony Gonzalez, and Ambrosino received 64 percent of the total vote against Democratic challenger Patricia Locurcio. James Darcy of Valley Stream, who took 68 percent of the vote to defeat Owen Rumelt in the

3rd Council District, praised residents at the Nassau County Republican Committee’s gather-ing on the evening of Election Day in Westbury. Additionally, three Republicans, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Clerk Mark Bonilla and Receiver of Taxes Donald Clavin, won re-election by wide margins. Murray gar-nered 67 percent of the vote against her challeng-er, Gary Port; Bonilla earned 64 percent against Steve Anchin; and Clavin took 67 percent over challenger Wilton Robinson.

Incumbents take town, county elections


“Mayors” Kayla Gonsalves and Marken Suaza during a trip to the Waldinger Library.

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Nicholas Lakharam, a 12-year-old from North Valley Stream, lost his year-and-a-half-long battle with bone cancer on Dec. 16. He died that afternoon at home, surrounded by his family Nicholas graduated from Howell Road School in June. Though he was unable attend sixth-grade classes because of his illness, he

received home tutoring so he was able to finish elementary school with fellow classmates. In February, the school held a fundraiser dance and carnival to help offset Nicholas’s medi-cal costs. The event was organized by Howell Road teachers and attended by more than 400 people. In March, New York Jets football player

D’Brickashaw Ferguson visited Nicholas at his home, and in July the Nassau Symphony Pops Orchestra held a benefit concert for the boy. Funeral services for Nicholas were held on Dec. 19. Teachers remembered him for his cour-age and kind spirit.

YEAR IN REVIEWBoy loses battle with cancerDecember


Nicholas Lakharam, a North Valley Stream resident and Howell Road School graduate, lost his battle with bone cancer on Dec. 16. He was 12 years old.

LEGAL NOTICENOTICE OF SALESUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTYDEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUST-EE UNDER POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF JUNE 1, 2007 SECURITIZED ASSET BACKED RECEIVABLES LLC TRUST 2007-BR5 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-BR5; Plaintiff(s)vs. SHAUN PIZZONIA; et al; Defendant(s)Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s): ROSICKI, ROSICKI & ASSOCI-ATES, P.C., 2 Summit Court, Suite 301, Fishkill, New York, 12524, 845.897.1600Pursuant to judgment of fore-closure and sale granted herein on or about August 3, 2011, I will sell at Public Auc-tion to the highest bidder at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501.On January 17, 2012 at 11:30 AMPremises known as 1045 C L AY TO N R D, VA L L E Y STREAM, NY 11580

Section: 37 Block: 613 Lot: 21 All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being In the Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.A s m o r e p a r t i c u l a r l y described in the judgment of foreclosure and sale.Sold subject to all of the terms and conditions con-tained in said judgment and terms of sale.Approximate amount of judg-ment $335,904.67 plus inter-est and costs.INDEX NO. 12646/09Michael Wolkow, Esq., REF-EREE#23088E

LEGAL NOTICESUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NASSAUCITIMORTGAGE, INC.,Plaintiff against PAUL J. LUZZI, et al Defendant(s).Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated October 7, 2010, I, the undersigned Ref-eree will sell at public auc-tion in the Calendar Control Part Courtroom (CCP) of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme

Court Dr., Mineola, NY on 24th day of January, 2012 at 11:30 AM premises situate, lying and being in the Incor-porated Village of Valley Stream, in the Town of Hemp-stead, County of Nassau and State of New York, shown on a certain Map filed in Nassau County Clerk’s Office under File No. 567, as Lot 42 in Book B, bounded and described as follows: BEGIN-NING at a point in the north-erly line of Pershing Avenue distant 619.60 feet westerly measured along the northerly line of Pershing Avenue from the corner formed by the intersection of the northerly line of Pershing Avenue with the westerly line Cochran Place; RUNNING THENCE North East 99.97 feet ; THENCE South West 42.10 feet, THENCE South West 101.08 feet, THENCE along the northerly line of Pershing Avenue the following two courses: 1. North East 14.40 feet; 2. North East 28.88.Said premises known as 62 PERSHING AVENUE, VALLEY STREAM, NY Approximate amount of lien $387,700.99 plus interest &

costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index Number 021791/08.CRAIG B. MARSHALL, ESQ., Referee.Sweeney, Gallo, Reich & Bolz, LLPAttorney(s) for the Plaintiff95-25 Queens Blvd., Suite 626, Rego Park, NY 11374#23110

LEGAL NOTICENotice is hereby given that an Order granted by the Supreme Court , Nassau County, on the 30 day of November, 2011, bearing Index Number 11-016482, a copy of which may be exam-ined at the Office of the Nas-sau County Clerk, located at 240 Old Country Road, Room 108, Mineola, New York grants me the r ight to assume the name of Jeffrey Chike Cole. My present address is 861 Downing Road, Valley Stream, NY, 11580; I was born on Sep-tember 18, 1993 in Flushing, Queens, New York; My pres-ent name is Chike Jeffery Cole.#23128

The Valley Stream Herald is on Facebook

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FINDS UNDER $100

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24" SHARP COLOR tube TV- great con-dition- $99 516-425-4513

AB-ROCKET EXERCISER: NEW, Never Used. $75. 516-860-7979

BABY WALKER - model Combi Red Must see Excellent Condition. $50. 516-887-1054

BEDSPREAD SET W/BOLSTERS for High riser one green pattern and one fl oral pattern $50 a Set 516-485-1832

BICYCLE: SCHWIN, CHILDRENS, Mint Condition. $35. 516-672-4161

CAT LITTER BOX with cover $15. Lift and Sift Litter Box $15. 516-804-5028

COMMODE, FOLDING BRAND NEW- Never Used, In Original Carton. $25.00 Or Best Offer. 516-791-1821

FULL SIZE BED canopy Beige used good condition Pickup Cash $75 516-659-7339

LIONEL OPERATING NEWS Stand From 1950"s Excellent Condition $99 516-792-1749

LITTLE TYKES TODDLER car bed Blue with board $75 516-546-0725

LIVING ROOM TABLES brass & glass (3) excellent condition $75 each.. 516-872-8398

METAL FOLDING TABLE legs fold under for easy storage 37" x 25" $20. 516-825-2112

POLINEX ELECTRIC AIR Purifi er $75. 516-825-2112

ROCK N ROLL Memorabilia Peter Max Tee Shirt From Eoodstock Never Worn, X-Large $65 516-782-1749

ROLLERBLADE LIGHTNING TRS Size 13-14 Get Into Shape. $60 516-320-4829

Announcements

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SEARS GARBAGE COMPACTOR- good condition- $60 516- 425-4513

SKATEBOARD Mint Condition. $5. 516-672-4161

SKIS & POLES: Rossignol (VAS-4S) 74" Kevlar, Marken M-46, Twin Cam Bindings, Deluxe Padded Travel Bag, $85. 516-432-0056

SNOW BLOWER: HONDA, 3.5 Engine, Clean Condition. $99. 516-996-1383, Leave Message

SOFA AND LOVE seat, charcoal & grey squares with colorful diagonal stripes. Both $99 516-792-3083

TIRES (4) 185/65-15 studded radials used one season $99 total. 516-872-8398

TIRES COOPER TIRES (4) P 265 from F-150 Ford pick-up. Good condition. $99. 516-761-0385

TOY TRAINS MAXX Excellent Contition From 1960's Perfect for Under the Tree $99 516-782-1749

TOY TRAINS N SCALE REVELL Origi-nal Box From 1978 Like New $99 516-782-1749

TWIN BEDS ONE with 3 drawers, one without + clean mattress's $99.00. 516-316-2685

VAN TIRES SAVERO H+ LT225-75RT $95 ea 516-593-6585

WALL UNIT, OAK with glass off white , 9' x 4' holds a 54" fl at screen TV $99 516-205-0090.

WHITE CHANGING TABLE with all in-cluded and extras. MINT BARELY USED $50 516-375-7014

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Classified AdvertisingHoliday Deadlines

WE WILL BE CLOSED Monday, Dec. 26, 2011Monday, Jan. 2, 2012

HERALD EARLY DEADLINES:12/29 Issue - Closes Fri. 12/23, 11:00AM

1/5 Issue - Closes Fri. 12/30, 11:00AM

To Place a Classified ADCall 516 569-4000

Press 5, Then 2

N112/29

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20 Finds $100-$350

DESK WITH HUTCH: Dark Pine, $250. Dresser With Mirror, Dark Pine, $200. 516-872-3637

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HELP WANTED- EDUCATION. Tech-nology Teacher, Full time tenure track sec-ondary grades technology teacher, starting January 2012. Letter of interest, resume, copy of certifi cation and reference letters due by noon, January 4th to: A. Paul Scott, Interim Superintendent of Schools, Peru Central School District, District Offi ce, PO Box 68, Peru, New York 12972 EOE

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REPORTER/ ASSISTANT EDITORThe Star reaches more than 10,000 Or-thodox Jewish households in the Five Towns, Great neck, and Brooklyn with breaking news, featured stories and more. Check out the website at www.TheJewishStar.com. You will seek out story ideas, write pieces, edit others' work, oversee the website. Must be fa-miliar with the Five Towns and neighbor-ing Jewish communities, have an under-standing of Torah Judaism, issues and current events within the larger Orthodox world. Richner Communications offers a friendly informal environment in our state of the art offi ces in Garden City, salary, paid time off, excellent health plan and 401(K). Please send resume, cover let-ter and salary requirements to: [email protected]

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Q. It’s getting more expensive to build, and I’m really having problems finding a contractor to do a job. I don’t want to have to get a permit but plan to build to code, and I don’t need a licensed contractor who has expensive insur-ance. I have plenty of family and friends who can do this job, but I want to know if I’ll get “stuck” later for having done this. I have to save the money and will take my chances, but what should I know so I don’t have a problem I can’t get out of later?

A. That’s like asking a criminal attorney for the best method to beat the system because you’re plan-ning to rob a bank. Maybe the attorney can even drive the getaway driver. What you can be “stuck” with is myriad problems I can only guess at, based on the fact that building to code these days is like playing Monopoly with a 4-year-old. The rules keep changing, and you can’t win against a 4-year-old or the codes. For example, many municipalities are changing, and chang-ing again, their local zoning requirements, so what’s passable today may not be in a year or two. Window sizes and flood requirements have changed, energy requirements and fire protection are next up to be instituted, and plumbing systems may be right behind. I work with many people who are “stuck” when trying to sell their homes but have construc-tion that wasn’t permitted. Some come unraveled when told that the home they’ve lived in for years needs costly changes to meet current codes because of updates. The codes do have provisions for exist-ing buildings, but still have issues that can’t be “grandfathered.” Just because you lived there and used something the way it was for a long time is meaningless to an official whose job is to enforce regulations or face their own consequences if they don’t. It’s ironic that codes were put in place for our protection, but can have the opposite effect because more people these days are opting to do what you’re planning to, leading to less-safe structures that, skirting the authorities, may cause injury, even death, and/or legal problems, and lead insurance companies to not settle. You need to save money. We all do. The best advice I can give is the same advice I give to those who tell me, up front, that they’re not going to file plans for permits and will be doing the job them-selves. It’s my job, as a professional, to advise you to follow the law and to prepare documents that meet the legal requirements of your state and local juris-diction. Fortunately, using computers, we can revise plans without a lot of messy eraser dust when the time comes, but you have the burden of reconstruc-tion to make things right when the time comes. That’s the chance you take.

My best advice: follow the rules

Ask The Architect

MONTE LEEPER

© 2011 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to [email protected], with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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Source: The Multiple Listing Service of Long Island Inc,, a computerized network of real estate offices serving Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Brooklyn.

Home SalesA sampling of recent sales in the area

Average New York Mortgage Interest Rates

CONVENTIONAL mortgages are fixed rate, long-term, fully amortizing loans.COMPOSITE averages include all loans of the specified type; these continue the statistical averages previously complied.

Source: HSH Associates, 1200 Route 23, Butler, NJ 07405

Conventional15-Year New York Metro New York Co-OpWeek Ending Dec. 16 4.34% 4.24%Previous Week 4.39% 4.29%

30-YearWeek Ending Dec. 16 3.68% 3.44%Previous Week 3.74% 3.54%

CompositeWeek Ending Dec. 16 4.02% 3.91%

1 Year Adjustable Week Ending Dec. 16 3.68% 3.63%Previous Week 3.67% 3.63% CompositeWeek Ending Dec. 16 3.48% 3.02%

Baldwin $352,000

Carl. Colonial. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Screened front porch. Formal dining room.Taxes: $11,300

Cedarhurst $590,000

Roselle. Tudor. 4 bed-rooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Finished attic. Central air conditioning.Taxes: $8,900

East Rockaway $360,000

Second. 2 Story. 3 bed-rooms, 2, bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen. Living room with fireplace.Taxes: $7,100

Elmont $470,000

Cameron. Colonial. 4 bed-rooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen.Taxes: $9,950

Lynbrook $370,000

Lakeview. Tudor. 3 bed-rooms, 1.5 bathrooms.

Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with breakfast nook. Living room with fire-place. Patio.Taxes: $7,968.63

Merrick $445,000

Parkwood. Ranch. 3 bed-rooms , 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Updated eat-in kitchen with granite and stainless steel countertops and slid-ers to deck. Living room with fireplace. Formal din-ing room. Central air con-ditioning.Taxes: $10,119

Rockville Centre $610,000

Harvard. Colonial. 3 bed-rooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen.Taxes: $14,726.03,

Valley Stream $540,000

Van Dam. Split. 5 bed-rooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Den with stone floor and fireplace. North Woodmere area. 2 car garage. Central air condi-tioning.Taxes: $8,633.78

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Baldwin

HERALDEditor: Chris Connolly

Editorial page

Bellmore

HERALDEditor: Scott Brinton

East Meadow

HERALDEditor: Shannon Koehle

Franklin Square/ Elmont

HERALDEditor: Jackie Nash

Long Beach

HERALDEditor: Anthony Rifilato

Editorial comment Editorials offer the opinion of the Herald. The editorials are written by the editors, but do not necessarily represent their personal views. That is why they are unsigned: editorial comment is the newspaper’s institutional voice. The editors and publishers meet weekly to discuss positions the paper may take and how those positions will be expressed. Most editorials respond to developments in the news, but they may also be based on independent reporting or discussions with reporters to gain information that goes beyond what has already appeared in print. Editors and the publishers may also talk with advocates for causes or experts in a field to help formulate opinions or policies. Before elections, they meet with candidates for office. Most editorials concern local issues, but the newspaper may speak out as well on national or international questions that are part of the lives of our readers. Usually those editorials will try to address those concerns from a local perspective, since that is what we know best and what makes us different from daily newspapers and weekly news magazines. We hope our editorials are forceful without being strident and that they may persuade our readers to think and act in the best interests of the community.

Editorial cartoon The editorial cartoons are supplied by a syndicate, which represents major cartoonists across the country and the spectrum of political opinion. They are chosen to provide thoughtful or humorous viewpoints on topics of general interest. They do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its editors.

For your information . . .The masthead The box at the far left side of the page is called the “masthead.” It contains the newspaper’s “flag” or nameplate, and the lion logo of the parent company of the Herald Community Newspapers, Richner Communications, Inc. The masthead offers basic information about the paper and how it functions. Brothers Stuart and Clifford Richner joint-ly guide the business and news operations for the 15 weekly newspapers in the Herald Community Newspaper group, including: the Nassau Herald, serving the Five Towns, and Heralds for Baldwin, Bellmore, East Meadow, Franklin Square/Elmont, Long Beach, Lynbrook/East Rockaway, Malverne/West Hempstead, Merrick, Oceanside/Island Park, Rockville Centre and Valley Stream. The editor of each paper is responsible for the assignment, selection and placement of stories, most of which the editors and reporters write. The executive editor oversees the editorial department staff and the editorial content of all 15 newspapers in the chain. The production department is respon-sible for the paper’s design. The advertising and art departments produce the large, often illustrated, “display” advertisements that appear throughout the paper. They help clients decide what the ads will say and how they will look. The classified department produces the small ads at the back of each week’s paper that are arranged by headings. The masthead also lists the paper’s age, the names of its founders, its address, tele-phone and fax numbers and notice that the contents are copyrighted.

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Opinion pages

Special features Other items will also appear on our editorial and op-ed pages, including the “Framework” feature that showcases creative work by the Herald’s photo staff, which, we hope, brightens the page and your week. We also make mistakes, despite our best efforts. We strive to correct them as soon as possible with a correction or clarification notice on these pages, the most prominent in the paper after page 1.

Merrick

HERALDEditor: Scott Brinton

Nassau

HERALDEditor: Jeff Bessen

Oceanside/Island Park

HERALDEditor: Alex Costello

Rockville Centre

HERALDEditor: Judy Rattner

Valley Stream

HERALDEditor: Andrew Hackmack

Lynbrook/East Rockaway

HERALDEditor: Mary Malloy

Malverne/West Hempstead

HERALDEditor: Lee Landor

Opinion columns Each week, we publish two pages of opinion in addition to the editorial page. Most of these pages are devoted to the columns of our three weekly or bi-weekly contributors: Randi Kreiss, the former editor of the Nassau Herald; Scott Brinton, the senior editor of the Bellmore and Merrick Heralds; former Senator Alfonse D’Amato; and our newest addition, former State Assemblyman Jerry Kremer. Our writers come from diverse backgrounds and from different points of the political spectrum. Their columns reflect their own opinions on topical issues. The newspaper does not select the topics on which columnists opine, and their publication is not an endorsement of the positions they espouse.

Letters to the editor Because community opinions are so impor-tant to us, we publish virtually all letters we receive. This policy, of course, can bring problems with it. Some letters may seem silly, dull or poorly written, but we believe you should have the chance to read them anyway; they are voices from our shared community. Letters may also be tasteless, racist or sexist, but we believe they should be published too. We cannot pre-tend that such attitudes do not exist; if we are to fight them, we must meet them head-on. We believe deeply that the remedy to “bad” speech is more speech, not censorship. Vituperative attacks on local people or institutions pose a more complicated prob-lem. The laws governing libel apply to letters to the editor with the same force as anything else we publish. Both the letter writer and this newspaper can be held accountable for heed-lessly damaging a reputation. Public figures like politicians have less protection from outraged opinion than do private citizens. Robust public debate must take precedence over our feelings and the sensitivities of those who have entered the public arena. We do not publish anonymous letters. Letters must be signed and include a daytime phone number and an address, so we can verify that a letter is genuine. Phone numbers and full addresses will not be published. We are reluctant to publish letters from people who are unwilling to stand openly behind what they have written. We are willing to withhold the name of a letter writer on request only when the letter states a valid reason for doing so. Within those limits, we will publish as much as we can each week, though letters will some-times have to wait until there is enough room. We usually refrain from commenting on let-ters, but in certain cases an “editor’s note” may attempt to correct misinformation or misunder-standing.

What are the editorial pages all about? Who writes editorials? How do letters and guest columns get published? This week’s pages offer some answers to our readers. We thank The Riverdale Press for the idea.

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Documents

Valley Stream Herald