From the e-mail in box.
"Hicksville needs what Mineola has…an intermodal transportation center. Instead of rebuilding the Hicksville parking garage where it presently stands, the Town of Oyster Bay and John Venditto should partner with the LIRR to build a large parking garage that includes areas for taxis, busses and small shops that is much closer to the train station. The private lots to the south of the Hicksville train station are a drain on the community both aesthetically and commercially. A red brick building that consolidates all of the transportation modes and improves the aesthetic of the community would do wonders for redefining the downtown Hicksville area.
Studies have been conducted since the late 60's and community input has been gathered for nearly 50 years in an effort to make Hicksville a thriving community again. John Venditto owes it to the residents of Hicksville to move the current Town parking garage closer to the train station and spark the redevelopment of the Hicksville area. Rebuilding the current Town garage is both intellectually lazy and perpetuates the problems that exist with the current zoning of the Hicksville downtown triangle. This is a unique opportunity to improve the lives of those living in Hicksville and those who regularly use the LIRR train station."
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Democrat Roy Simon, Skelos' Challenger
Skelos faces another challenge in November from Democrat Roy Simon a professor at Hofstra Law School. His range of expertise fits perfectly into what is missing in the State Senate - Ethics.
Here is his bio from the Hofstra website:
" Roy Simon is the Howard Lichtenstein Distinguished Professor of legal ethics at Hofstra University School of Law and is the director of Hofstra's Institute for the Study of Legal Ethics. He graduated from Williams College (B.A., 1973) and N.Y.U. School of Law (J.D., 1977), where he was editor-in-chief of the N.Y.U. Law Review. He clerked for United States District Judge Robert Merhige (pronounced "marriage") in Richmond, Virginia, then practiced law at Jenner & Block in Chicago. He began his teaching career at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in 1983, and has taught legal ethics since 1985. He joined the Hofstra faculty in 1992.
Professor Simon annually writes Simon's New York Code of Professional Responsibility Annotated, annually co-authors Regulation of Lawyers: Statutes and Standards (with Professor Stephen Gillers of N.Y.U.), and co-authors Lawyers and the Legal Profession. He also writes a monthly article for the New York Professional Responsibility Report, a monthly newsletter covering professional responsibility items of interest to New York lawyers.
Professor Simon is a member of the professional ethics committees of the New York State Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and the Bar Association of Nassau County, and is vice chair and reporter for the New York State Bar Association's Committee on Standards of Attorney Conduct ("COSAC"), which is comprehensively reviewing the New York Code of Professional Responsibility. In March of 2005, he was appointed to the New York City Bar's Task Force on the Role of the Lawyer in a Corporate Governance."
Here is his bio from the Hofstra website:
" Roy Simon is the Howard Lichtenstein Distinguished Professor of legal ethics at Hofstra University School of Law and is the director of Hofstra's Institute for the Study of Legal Ethics. He graduated from Williams College (B.A., 1973) and N.Y.U. School of Law (J.D., 1977), where he was editor-in-chief of the N.Y.U. Law Review. He clerked for United States District Judge Robert Merhige (pronounced "marriage") in Richmond, Virginia, then practiced law at Jenner & Block in Chicago. He began his teaching career at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in 1983, and has taught legal ethics since 1985. He joined the Hofstra faculty in 1992.
Professor Simon annually writes Simon's New York Code of Professional Responsibility Annotated, annually co-authors Regulation of Lawyers: Statutes and Standards (with Professor Stephen Gillers of N.Y.U.), and co-authors Lawyers and the Legal Profession. He also writes a monthly article for the New York Professional Responsibility Report, a monthly newsletter covering professional responsibility items of interest to New York lawyers.
Professor Simon is a member of the professional ethics committees of the New York State Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and the Bar Association of Nassau County, and is vice chair and reporter for the New York State Bar Association's Committee on Standards of Attorney Conduct ("COSAC"), which is comprehensively reviewing the New York Code of Professional Responsibility. In March of 2005, he was appointed to the New York City Bar's Task Force on the Role of the Lawyer in a Corporate Governance."
Skelos Ascending and Descending
State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno is stepping down from his post and not seeking re-election in November. Skelos who is the Deputy Majority Leader is going to be replacing Bruno. That is of course until the elections when Dean will most likely be the Minority Leader.
Bruno is smart to get out now before the coming storm in November. Skelos will be the leader of the Senate Republicans as they most likely lose their majority.
After a loss of the majority, expect the long knives to come out and Skelos gets replaced by Sen. Thomas Libous, of Binghamton who really wanted the top spot.
Skelos was crowing earlier this year that he will defeat Sen Craig Johnson. That ain't happening and now Bruno's seat is an open election where the Democrat Brian Premo is working hard to win.
Skelos is left in a bad place for someone who helped engineer the ouster of fellow Long Island republican Senate majority Leader Ralph Marino 14 years ago.
Bruno is smart to get out now before the coming storm in November. Skelos will be the leader of the Senate Republicans as they most likely lose their majority.
After a loss of the majority, expect the long knives to come out and Skelos gets replaced by Sen. Thomas Libous, of Binghamton who really wanted the top spot.
Skelos was crowing earlier this year that he will defeat Sen Craig Johnson. That ain't happening and now Bruno's seat is an open election where the Democrat Brian Premo is working hard to win.
Skelos is left in a bad place for someone who helped engineer the ouster of fellow Long Island republican Senate majority Leader Ralph Marino 14 years ago.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Nassau Finances Mean so Much to Schmitt, He Skips a NIFA Meeting
For a guy who always has a complaint ready about Suozzi and Nassau County finances, Schmitt didn't even bother to show up. It was a "public" meeting and according to Newsday "Schmitt's office said he attends only the leaders' meetings."
Well la-de-da.
Isn't Schmitt special
If NIFA has a meeting, Schmitt should show up or shut up.
He can't complain about anything if he doesn't attend the meetings.
Well la-de-da.
Isn't Schmitt special
If NIFA has a meeting, Schmitt should show up or shut up.
He can't complain about anything if he doesn't attend the meetings.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
No Confidence in Town of Oyster Bay Governent
A letter in Newsday about the Hicksville Garage....
"When cars fly in Hicksville
I read with interest your story how the Town of Oyster Bay plans to tear down the aged parking garage near the Hicksville Long Island Rail Road station where 1,400 cars parked daily ["Rail garage can't be fixed," News, June 13].
This is the same group who, for years, could not find a contractor to repair the structure.
They are also the same group that issued resident parking stickers this year that go in your back car window but can't be seen in most cars due to the dark window tinting.
They say we can now park in Sears and take a cab.
I hope the new garage has a landing pad for flying cars because it will be completed in about 30 years.
I will let my grandchildren know.
Gene Towba
Plainview"
"When cars fly in Hicksville
I read with interest your story how the Town of Oyster Bay plans to tear down the aged parking garage near the Hicksville Long Island Rail Road station where 1,400 cars parked daily ["Rail garage can't be fixed," News, June 13].
This is the same group who, for years, could not find a contractor to repair the structure.
They are also the same group that issued resident parking stickers this year that go in your back car window but can't be seen in most cars due to the dark window tinting.
They say we can now park in Sears and take a cab.
I hope the new garage has a landing pad for flying cars because it will be completed in about 30 years.
I will let my grandchildren know.
Gene Towba
Plainview"
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
WFP, WTF???
The Working Families Party has suprised me a second time by once again endorsing republican Joe Saladino over a qualified Democrat. First it was Craig Heller that didn't get the nod 2 years ago.. and there was internal WFP wrangling over that.
Now Keith Scalia, a union member and teacher gets passed over for Saladino this year.
Saladino is not a friend of workers. Heck, he hasn't worked in the private sector at a real job in a couple of decades.
There are board members who did not want to give Saladino the endorsement but they were over-ruled.
Now the question is "Why?"
Now Keith Scalia, a union member and teacher gets passed over for Saladino this year.
Saladino is not a friend of workers. Heck, he hasn't worked in the private sector at a real job in a couple of decades.
There are board members who did not want to give Saladino the endorsement but they were over-ruled.
Now the question is "Why?"
Skelos Should be Embarrassed
Newsday reports on the hearing about the double-dipping that is draining our school budgets "Two state senators who fight for Long Island school funding, Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) and Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson), indicated at the hearing that double-dipping stories had embarrassed them. They've been answering pointed questions from constituents and upstate colleagues, too, who wonder why Long Island needs so much state aid."
Where were you while this was happening for YEARS, Dean?
Skelos has been on the State Senate since 1984 - that's 24 YEARS.
If Skelos showed half the concern over the years about education on Long Island as he has since budgets started failing a few short years ago maybe something could have been done sooner.
Why does it take a Newsday article to inform Skelos on what is going on in his own backyard?
Heck, his own former aide and now Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello was caught with his hand in the Pension cookie jar.
Where were you while this was happening for YEARS, Dean?
Skelos has been on the State Senate since 1984 - that's 24 YEARS.
If Skelos showed half the concern over the years about education on Long Island as he has since budgets started failing a few short years ago maybe something could have been done sooner.
Why does it take a Newsday article to inform Skelos on what is going on in his own backyard?
Heck, his own former aide and now Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello was caught with his hand in the Pension cookie jar.
The Albany Project Ranks Nassau Senate Campaigns Week Two
Robert Harding from The Albany Project calls the Skelos re-election race against Democrat Roy Simon one to watch. "SD-9: Dean Skelos (R) versus Roy Simon (D)
Simon brings a lot to the table. I will have more on him in the very near future. This could be a surprise race. Stay tuned."
Harding also place the Craig Johnson re-election as "Safe Democratic":
"Craig Johnson (D) versus Barbara Donno (R) (SD-7): Johnson received the Independence Party endorsement, beating out the Republican Donno. Donno has money on her side, but hardly anything else. Johnson also was backed by the WFP, which is an added boost in Johnson's first general election effort."
Simon brings a lot to the table. I will have more on him in the very near future. This could be a surprise race. Stay tuned."
Harding also place the Craig Johnson re-election as "Safe Democratic":
"Craig Johnson (D) versus Barbara Donno (R) (SD-7): Johnson received the Independence Party endorsement, beating out the Republican Donno. Donno has money on her side, but hardly anything else. Johnson also was backed by the WFP, which is an added boost in Johnson's first general election effort."
Friday, June 13, 2008
Hicksville Garage to be Torn Down; Where was Venditto and the Town Board?
According to today's Newsday the Hicksville garage that was closed two weeks ago will now be torn down.
Back then Oyster Bay Supervisior Venditto said "No one has indicated any danger of an immediate collapse."
One commuter said "I'm not surprised. This garage has been falling apart for years, but I'm shocked that it's an emergency situation now."
The a day later we find out that the garage was scheduled for repairs. "In the past three years, the Town of Oyster Bay had received complaints about falling chunks of concrete and cars damaged by water, said Deputy Supervisor Leonard Genova.
"The complaints are consistent with an aging facility," Genova said yesterday. "It's not something that would indicate that there were serious issues."
Actually, those complaints are consistent with a crumbling infrastructure ignored by the Town of Oyster Bay. There are many other facilities the same age or older that are kept up with repairs over the years. What was the maintanance schedule for the Hicksville LIRR Garage??
Apparently it has take two years of doing nothing pro-active to get a contractor to do the needed work. "Since 2006, the town has been working to award a contract for repairs of the known problems.
The town initially awarded the contract in July 2006, but the contractor withdrew its bid the next month because it did not have an apprenticeship program as town law requires, Genova said.
In October 2006, the job was awarded to another contractor, with work slated for the summer of 2007. But in April of this year, the town withdrew after it found the contractor was not qualified, Genova said.
On May 28, the town once again began soliciting bids, which are due Wednesday. Genova said that the town had asked the contractors to evaluate the condition of the garage and specify necessary repairs. He said that their reports never indicated the existence of serious problems."
Where are the Town of Oyster Bay Building Department engineers????
To regular commuters, the problems were indeed serious "You hear the whole garage rumble when people are driving above and chunks of cement are missing." and "It's impossible not to notice the conditions. When it rains, the cement cracks and you see gushes of water."
Venditto says "All structures, including the parking garage, need general maintenance"
Ya think?
Does this mean there is a Twon-wide problem with infrastructure?
If the Hicksville Garage is any indication, there are serious problems with Town of Oyster Bay facilities. An independent review by a New York State agency is needed since Venditto can't be trusted with the safety of residents who use Town facilities.
Venditto says of the demolition "The parking garage is in the twilight of its useful life. We've made many repairs over the years, but simple repairs don't make sense anymore."
Exactly when were the last serious structural repairs to the garage? By all indications it has been many. many years. And what about general maintanance? What about inspections? How long has it been?
"Since the structure closed, engineers have found more beams that needed replacement, Venditto said. Also, he said, when they exerted pressure on the beams, the surrounding concrete crumbled."
This is a FAR CRY from what was said by Deputy Supervisor Genova after the initial closure that "It's not something that would indicate that there were serious issues."
Why did Genova try to downplay the seriousness of the problems that have been reported to the Town for YEARS?
Demolition is planned for September and Venditto figures 18 months until the new garage is built. This will be a two or more year project. But Venditto says "I'm going to do everything I can to shorten that time"
I hope that doesn't include cutting corners so a sub-standard garage can be built. The users of the garage deserve a safe structure and the taxpayers deserve a quality construction that will not cost more in repairs in a short time.
Venditto hasn't spoken about cost which will certainly impact the Town budget.
I wonder if regular maintanance would have prevented the problems or given the Town more time to plan for a new structure to be built. In any case, Venditto and the JV Squad has failed the taxpayers again.
Back then Oyster Bay Supervisior Venditto said "No one has indicated any danger of an immediate collapse."
One commuter said "I'm not surprised. This garage has been falling apart for years, but I'm shocked that it's an emergency situation now."
The a day later we find out that the garage was scheduled for repairs. "In the past three years, the Town of Oyster Bay had received complaints about falling chunks of concrete and cars damaged by water, said Deputy Supervisor Leonard Genova.
"The complaints are consistent with an aging facility," Genova said yesterday. "It's not something that would indicate that there were serious issues."
Actually, those complaints are consistent with a crumbling infrastructure ignored by the Town of Oyster Bay. There are many other facilities the same age or older that are kept up with repairs over the years. What was the maintanance schedule for the Hicksville LIRR Garage??
Apparently it has take two years of doing nothing pro-active to get a contractor to do the needed work. "Since 2006, the town has been working to award a contract for repairs of the known problems.
The town initially awarded the contract in July 2006, but the contractor withdrew its bid the next month because it did not have an apprenticeship program as town law requires, Genova said.
In October 2006, the job was awarded to another contractor, with work slated for the summer of 2007. But in April of this year, the town withdrew after it found the contractor was not qualified, Genova said.
On May 28, the town once again began soliciting bids, which are due Wednesday. Genova said that the town had asked the contractors to evaluate the condition of the garage and specify necessary repairs. He said that their reports never indicated the existence of serious problems."
Where are the Town of Oyster Bay Building Department engineers????
To regular commuters, the problems were indeed serious "You hear the whole garage rumble when people are driving above and chunks of cement are missing." and "It's impossible not to notice the conditions. When it rains, the cement cracks and you see gushes of water."
Venditto says "All structures, including the parking garage, need general maintenance"
Ya think?
Does this mean there is a Twon-wide problem with infrastructure?
If the Hicksville Garage is any indication, there are serious problems with Town of Oyster Bay facilities. An independent review by a New York State agency is needed since Venditto can't be trusted with the safety of residents who use Town facilities.
Venditto says of the demolition "The parking garage is in the twilight of its useful life. We've made many repairs over the years, but simple repairs don't make sense anymore."
Exactly when were the last serious structural repairs to the garage? By all indications it has been many. many years. And what about general maintanance? What about inspections? How long has it been?
"Since the structure closed, engineers have found more beams that needed replacement, Venditto said. Also, he said, when they exerted pressure on the beams, the surrounding concrete crumbled."
This is a FAR CRY from what was said by Deputy Supervisor Genova after the initial closure that "It's not something that would indicate that there were serious issues."
Why did Genova try to downplay the seriousness of the problems that have been reported to the Town for YEARS?
Demolition is planned for September and Venditto figures 18 months until the new garage is built. This will be a two or more year project. But Venditto says "I'm going to do everything I can to shorten that time"
I hope that doesn't include cutting corners so a sub-standard garage can be built. The users of the garage deserve a safe structure and the taxpayers deserve a quality construction that will not cost more in repairs in a short time.
Venditto hasn't spoken about cost which will certainly impact the Town budget.
I wonder if regular maintanance would have prevented the problems or given the Town more time to plan for a new structure to be built. In any case, Venditto and the JV Squad has failed the taxpayers again.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The State of Long Island State Senate Races
Robert Harding from The Albany Project has a brutely honest breakdown of the races for State Senate on Long Island. I am a bit more optimistic than he is on a few of those races.
Monday, June 09, 2008
That Was No Boating Accident - Ludwigs Departure from South Farmingdale Water District
Kurt Ludwig has a had a rough time. Sure he won re-election as Water Commissioner for the South Farmingdale Water Dsitrict but getting there wasn't easy. Opponent Craig Heller put up a heck of a fight and then Ludwig and the other two commissioners got busted for using taxpayers money for a campiagn mailing. Ludwig and his buddies had to pay back the District by court order.
On top of that, Ludwig got caught up in the Newsday series on Special District perks that raises more questions about Ludwigs integrity.
So last month Ludwig silently resigns. I called and there was no real reason given.
Newsday picks up on the story and gets this "Len Constantinopoli, business manager for the water district, said yesterday Ludwig wanted to spend more time with his family and resigned about three weeks ago."
Ludwig of course would not return phone calls.
I asked a few questions in my last post about this that will be answered in the near future "Ludwig is an executive board member of the North Massapequa Republican Club and works for Supervisor John Venditto. The position with the Water District for a young up and comer was a natural. When a Town Board seat opens up, Ludwig can slide right in claiming the Water District as experience.
He was clearly being set up for bigger things.
Did the newsletter issue taint his prospects? It's tough to run with a court ruling against you.
If he was 86'd so Venditto can appoint someone else with better prospects, what does Ludwig get?
Will Ludwig get a higher position and more money from the Town of Oyster Bay?"
More to come I'm sure....
On top of that, Ludwig got caught up in the Newsday series on Special District perks that raises more questions about Ludwigs integrity.
So last month Ludwig silently resigns. I called and there was no real reason given.
Newsday picks up on the story and gets this "Len Constantinopoli, business manager for the water district, said yesterday Ludwig wanted to spend more time with his family and resigned about three weeks ago."
Ludwig of course would not return phone calls.
I asked a few questions in my last post about this that will be answered in the near future "Ludwig is an executive board member of the North Massapequa Republican Club and works for Supervisor John Venditto. The position with the Water District for a young up and comer was a natural. When a Town Board seat opens up, Ludwig can slide right in claiming the Water District as experience.
He was clearly being set up for bigger things.
Did the newsletter issue taint his prospects? It's tough to run with a court ruling against you.
If he was 86'd so Venditto can appoint someone else with better prospects, what does Ludwig get?
Will Ludwig get a higher position and more money from the Town of Oyster Bay?"
More to come I'm sure....
Johnson Gets Indy Line; Donno Doesn't
When Democratic Senator Craig Johnson ran the first time, he didn't get the Independence Party line. He won anyway. This time around Johnson picks up the line leaving Babs Donno with the reluctant Conservative line and her Republican line.
Skelos was increasingly becoming a prick about winning back the Senate seat from Johnson. Now with a 5th Tier candidate with more baggage than Lovey Howell, Skelos is gonna have a hard time taking that seat back.
From Newsday's Spincycle "Last year Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington) faced Nassau Clerk Maureen O'Connell, a Republican opponent with both Conservative and Independence Party endorsements, for what was then an open seat.
His GOP foe this time, Barbara Donno, snared the Conservative line after some push-and-pull.
But Johnson is about to get the Independence endorsement, said Bobby Kumar, the party’s county chair — who added Donno “did well” in screening interviews “but he (Johnson) did better.”
Skelos was increasingly becoming a prick about winning back the Senate seat from Johnson. Now with a 5th Tier candidate with more baggage than Lovey Howell, Skelos is gonna have a hard time taking that seat back.
From Newsday's Spincycle "Last year Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington) faced Nassau Clerk Maureen O'Connell, a Republican opponent with both Conservative and Independence Party endorsements, for what was then an open seat.
His GOP foe this time, Barbara Donno, snared the Conservative line after some push-and-pull.
But Johnson is about to get the Independence endorsement, said Bobby Kumar, the party’s county chair — who added Donno “did well” in screening interviews “but he (Johnson) did better.”
Sunday, June 08, 2008
TOBAY Officials Feet Dragging and Garage Closure
The Hicksville LIRR parking garage owned and operated by the Town of Oyster Bay was closed last week because of what appears to be a weakened infrastructure.
Turns out, the complaints of cracks and falling concrete are a few years old and the Town did not feel the need to speed up the repair project.
"In the past three years, the Town of Oyster Bay had received complaints about falling chunks of concrete and cars damaged by water, said Deputy Supervisor Leonard Genova.
"The complaints are consistent with an aging facility," Genova said yesterday. "It's not something that would indicate that there were serious issues."
Falling concrete - the very thing the parking garage is made of - is not serious?
"The town initially awarded the contract in July 2006, but the contractor withdrew its bid the next month because it did not have an apprenticeship program as town law requires, Genova said.
In October 2006, the job was awarded to another contractor, with work slated for the summer of 2007. But in April of this year, the town withdrew after it found the contractor was not qualified, Genova said.
On May 28, the town once again began soliciting bids, which are due Wednesday. Genova said that the town had asked the contractors to evaluate the condition of the garage and specify necessary repairs. He said that their reports never indicated the existence of serious problems."
Well apparantly since the Town felt th eneed to CLOSE the garage, problems were indeed serious enough.
"Shuttle riders yesterday wondered why town officials waited until now to close the facility. They talked of having found "white gunk" on their cars over time, and seeing gaping cracks in the cement and "10-foot waterfalls" cascading down walls.
Steve Goodkin, 39, said he wasn't surprised the garage was closed. He said in the past few months he had seen signs alerting drivers to the impending closure - but that later signs announced construction had been delayed.
"You hear the whole garage rumble when people are driving above and chunks of cement are missing," said Goodkin, a computer programmer.
Ari Jasper, 29, of Plainview, who returned to the parking lot at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday after attending a Yankees game with his wife, said the problems were obvious. "It's impossible not to notice the conditions," Jasper said. "When it rains, the cement cracks and you see gushes of water."
But by all means, Supervisor John Venditto and the JV Squad should not miss any photo-ops at community events.
Here's a letter in today's Newsday that accuratly reflects the outrage of the 1400+ commuters who use the lot.....
"Town garage fix should be swift
Two years have passed since the Town of Oyster Bay realized that the Hicksville train station parking garage needed repairs ["Garage already due for repairs," News, June 5]. During the two years the town made inspections, identified the need to make repairs - but failed to hire a contractor to perform the work necessary to keep the garage open.
The 1,400 drivers who use the garage daily were fortunate that a catastrophic event did not occur while our town officials responsible for maintaining this facility were asleep at their desks.
Ridership on the LIRR has increased significantly during that period, and demand for parking at Hicksville has also increased. As commuters are turning to mass transportation as an alternative to high gasoline prices, a significant number of parking spots are lost.
We can only hope that the town officials will act more responsibly and reopen the garage in a timely manner.
Edward Petrou
Plainview"
Turns out, the complaints of cracks and falling concrete are a few years old and the Town did not feel the need to speed up the repair project.
"In the past three years, the Town of Oyster Bay had received complaints about falling chunks of concrete and cars damaged by water, said Deputy Supervisor Leonard Genova.
"The complaints are consistent with an aging facility," Genova said yesterday. "It's not something that would indicate that there were serious issues."
Falling concrete - the very thing the parking garage is made of - is not serious?
"The town initially awarded the contract in July 2006, but the contractor withdrew its bid the next month because it did not have an apprenticeship program as town law requires, Genova said.
In October 2006, the job was awarded to another contractor, with work slated for the summer of 2007. But in April of this year, the town withdrew after it found the contractor was not qualified, Genova said.
On May 28, the town once again began soliciting bids, which are due Wednesday. Genova said that the town had asked the contractors to evaluate the condition of the garage and specify necessary repairs. He said that their reports never indicated the existence of serious problems."
Well apparantly since the Town felt th eneed to CLOSE the garage, problems were indeed serious enough.
"Shuttle riders yesterday wondered why town officials waited until now to close the facility. They talked of having found "white gunk" on their cars over time, and seeing gaping cracks in the cement and "10-foot waterfalls" cascading down walls.
Steve Goodkin, 39, said he wasn't surprised the garage was closed. He said in the past few months he had seen signs alerting drivers to the impending closure - but that later signs announced construction had been delayed.
"You hear the whole garage rumble when people are driving above and chunks of cement are missing," said Goodkin, a computer programmer.
Ari Jasper, 29, of Plainview, who returned to the parking lot at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday after attending a Yankees game with his wife, said the problems were obvious. "It's impossible not to notice the conditions," Jasper said. "When it rains, the cement cracks and you see gushes of water."
But by all means, Supervisor John Venditto and the JV Squad should not miss any photo-ops at community events.
Here's a letter in today's Newsday that accuratly reflects the outrage of the 1400+ commuters who use the lot.....
"Town garage fix should be swift
Two years have passed since the Town of Oyster Bay realized that the Hicksville train station parking garage needed repairs ["Garage already due for repairs," News, June 5]. During the two years the town made inspections, identified the need to make repairs - but failed to hire a contractor to perform the work necessary to keep the garage open.
The 1,400 drivers who use the garage daily were fortunate that a catastrophic event did not occur while our town officials responsible for maintaining this facility were asleep at their desks.
Ridership on the LIRR has increased significantly during that period, and demand for parking at Hicksville has also increased. As commuters are turning to mass transportation as an alternative to high gasoline prices, a significant number of parking spots are lost.
We can only hope that the town officials will act more responsibly and reopen the garage in a timely manner.
Edward Petrou
Plainview"
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Bloomberg and Pataki Looking to Oust Mondello from State Chair
The New York Sun reports that NYC Mayor Bloomberg and former Governor Pataki want to replace State boss Joe Mondello with soon-to-be-former Rep. Tom Reynolds.
"Along with Governor Pataki, Mr. Bloomberg is attempting to oust the current chairman, Joseph Mondello, 70, who has led the weakened state party for a year and a half from his perch in Nassau County. They want to replace him with Mr. Reynolds, 57, who is retiring from the Buffalo-area seat that he has held since 1999, according to sources. The congressman is said to be weighing his options."
"A spokesman for Mr. Mondello said the chairman has been assured by Mr. Reynolds that he's not eyeing Mr. Mondello's job. "As far as we understand, Congressman Reynolds has indicated he is not interested in the position, and we take him at his word," the spokesman, Anthony Santino, said."
"Republicans have lost two Senate seats under Mr. Mondello's watch, losing a special election last year in a Nassau district and another special election this year in a district with overwhelmingly Republican enrollment.
Messrs. Pataki and Mondello have had a strained relationship for years, dating back to when the former governor ousted him from a long-held post as a National Republican Committeeman."
"Critics of Mr. Mondello say the party apparatus has atrophied under his leadership. They fault him for spending most of his time in Nassau and for not beating the drums on issues that could energize Republican voters."
"Along with Governor Pataki, Mr. Bloomberg is attempting to oust the current chairman, Joseph Mondello, 70, who has led the weakened state party for a year and a half from his perch in Nassau County. They want to replace him with Mr. Reynolds, 57, who is retiring from the Buffalo-area seat that he has held since 1999, according to sources. The congressman is said to be weighing his options."
"A spokesman for Mr. Mondello said the chairman has been assured by Mr. Reynolds that he's not eyeing Mr. Mondello's job. "As far as we understand, Congressman Reynolds has indicated he is not interested in the position, and we take him at his word," the spokesman, Anthony Santino, said."
"Republicans have lost two Senate seats under Mr. Mondello's watch, losing a special election last year in a Nassau district and another special election this year in a district with overwhelmingly Republican enrollment.
Messrs. Pataki and Mondello have had a strained relationship for years, dating back to when the former governor ousted him from a long-held post as a National Republican Committeeman."
"Critics of Mr. Mondello say the party apparatus has atrophied under his leadership. They fault him for spending most of his time in Nassau and for not beating the drums on issues that could energize Republican voters."
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Another One Bites the Dust - Nassau Young Reps Get New President
The turn-over rate for the Nassau County Young Republican presidency is just like the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher or a drummer with Spinal Tap. President Andrew Stream resigned May 29th. He lasted 5 more months than I predicted. Congrats on that.
And boy was I wrong about his successor. I would have put money on Kathleen Hunker but Stephen Canzoneri finally gets his due at the top of the pile. Hunker is now Executive Vice President which puts her in line of succession.
Former presidents Alex Vassalo is a Finance Co-Chair and Chris Bastardi is Special Advisor to the President.
And boy was I wrong about his successor. I would have put money on Kathleen Hunker but Stephen Canzoneri finally gets his due at the top of the pile. Hunker is now Executive Vice President which puts her in line of succession.
Former presidents Alex Vassalo is a Finance Co-Chair and Chris Bastardi is Special Advisor to the President.
Cheney Takes Wind Out of Fuschillo Gas Tax Holiday Proposal
Chuck Fuschillo co-sponsered legislation in the State Senate for a "Gas Tax Holiday." Smart people know its a bad idea that really won't help in the long run. Fuschillo tries to play off the "Gas Tax Holiday" as good for consumers because "Lowering the cost of doing business in New York State will lead to lower prices across the state.” Prices won't go down just because of a NYS gas tax cut. Goods are shipped from around the country which means costs will still be shifted to the consumer.
The simple fact is that economists are saying the same thing. The "Gas tax Holiday" idea is a bad one.
VP Cheney doesn't believe it's a good idea either "I think it's a false notion, in the sense that you're not going to have much of an impact, given the size of the gasoline tax on the total cost of the gallon of gas," Cheney said when asked about the matter during a luncheon appearance. "You might buy a little bit of relief there, but it's minimal."
Fuschillo and to a lesser extent Nassau Legislator Peter Schmitt are pushing a "feel good" piece of legislation that tries to fool voters into believing that these ill-informed politicians actually care.
The simple fact is that economists are saying the same thing. The "Gas tax Holiday" idea is a bad one.
VP Cheney doesn't believe it's a good idea either "I think it's a false notion, in the sense that you're not going to have much of an impact, given the size of the gasoline tax on the total cost of the gallon of gas," Cheney said when asked about the matter during a luncheon appearance. "You might buy a little bit of relief there, but it's minimal."
Fuschillo and to a lesser extent Nassau Legislator Peter Schmitt are pushing a "feel good" piece of legislation that tries to fool voters into believing that these ill-informed politicians actually care.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
