9/11 Memorial - September 11, 2009

9/11 Memorial
~ September 11, 2009 ~

Starting at 7:30 PM in Hall's Pond Park by the Gazebo the West
Hempstead Kiwanis will hold a candle light ceremony for the
West Hempstead victims who died in the World Trade Center attacks.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS 9/23/2009

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Click here to view the schedule for:

September 23rd, 2009

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS 9/30/2009

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS


Click here to view the schedule for:

September 30th 2009

Nassau County Anonymous Drug Disposal Program September 12, 2009 10am-2pm

Sept. 12, 2009
Nassau County Anonymous Drug Disposal Program
from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
at locations listed below

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey are happy to announce an upcoming Anonymous Drug Disposal Program that will be held on Saturday, September 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the following locations:

NCPD First Precinct: 900 Merrick Road, Baldwin NY 11510
NCPD Second Precinct: 7700 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, NY 11797
NCPD Third Precinct: 214 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY 11596
NCPD Fourth Precinct: 1699 Broadway, Hewlett, NY 11557
NCPD Fifth Precinct: 1655 Dutch Broadway, Elmont, NY 11003
NCPD Sixth Precinct:100 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030
NCPD Seventh Precinct: 3636 Merrick Road, Seaford, NY 11783
NCPD Eighth Precinct: 286 Wantagh Avenue, Levittown, NY
Town of North Hempstead Residents: Senator Michael J. Tully, Jr. Park,
1801 Evergreen Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

As many of you already know, our youth begin their unfortunate journey to heroin addiction by first sharing pharmaceuticals stolen from the medicine cabinets of their home or the home of others.

"Although we have been lucky enough to live in one of the safest counties in the nation we have seen a large increase in the number of people using and overdosing from heroin especially amongst our young people here in Nassau County," said Commissioner Mulvey. "To that end, we are urging all residents to go through their home medicine cabinets and take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of their unwanted, unused, expired and/or illicit drugs at any of our drop off locations."

Studies by the Partnership for a Drug Free America indicated that "1 in 5 teenagers abused a prescription pain medication; 1 in 10 report abusing prescription stimulants, and 1 in 10 abused cough medicines.

In addition to being a public safety concern, the improper disposal of unused, unwanted and expired pharmaceuticals has emerged as one of the most complex and troubling environmental issues of the day. In the past, flushing expired and leftover prescription and over the counter medications down the toilet or washing them down sinks was considered the norm for disposing of these drugs. Routinely, they were also dumped in the trash that goes to the landfill. Now, studies have indicated that those means of disposal pose troublesome potential harm to the environment.

Accepted medications include pain killers, tranquilizers, anti-depressants, antibiotics, over-the-counter medications, pet medications, vitamins, supplements, inhalers and more. Drugs should be in their original containers if possible, and if not placed in zip loc bags that are labeled. ALL DROP OFFS WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS. Items/Drugs that will not be accepted include: sharps (e.g. needles and syringes), IV bags, infectious waste, pharmaceutical waste not generated by households (e.g., clinics, pharmacies, hospitals, doctors, etc.), radioactive pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

West Hempstead Chamber of Commerce Meeting September 8, 2009 @ 6:30pm

West Hempstead Chamber of Commerce

is having a dinner meeting on Sept. 8, 2009 at 6:30 PM

@ the Venus Restaurant on Hempstead Ave.

If you are a business owner and would like to find out more about the West Hempstead Chamber of Commerce, please attend this meeting. The cost for dinner is $20. Please call 733-0879 to let me know if you plan to attend.

Door-to-Door Census- St. Thomas the Apostle Parish June 22-August 7

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

To

Conduct Door-to-Door Census

From June 22 through August 7, five (5) census-takers (all from Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington, NY) will be conducting a door to door census of St. Thomas the Apostle parish visiting neighborhoods to identify households where Catholics live, and to make contact with Catholics who may not be registered in the parish. The visits will take place Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. and from 5:30 PM to 8 PM Tuesday and Thursday.

The census takers are: Kevin Thompson, John Ryan, Frank Zero, Michael Duffy and Brandon O’Brien, all will carry identity cards. For further information, please contact Parish Growth Director Cindy Sobiesiak at (516) 489-8585

WH COMMUNITY SUPPORT ASSOCIATION FREE MUSIC IN THE PARK July 16, 26, August 9 2009

WH COMMUNITY SUPPORT ASSOCIATION

FREE MUSIC IN THE PARK

July 16, 2009 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Featuring the band “the Switch”

July 26 – 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

The “North Shore Pops Concert Band”

August 9, 2009 – 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Featuring the band “The New York Connection”

All performances will be at Hall’s Pond Park

Nassau Blvd. & Hempstead Ave.

West Hempstead

Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating

Please – no alcohol and we ask that you please leave pets at home

For further information and in case of inclement weather call (516) 733-0879

WEST HEMPSTEAD CIVIC ATTEND, January 21 2009

WEST HEMPSTEAD CIVIC ATTEND

MTA HEARING VOICE OPPOSITION TO

REDUCING SERVICE ON WH BRANCH OF LIRRR

Scores of West Hempstead residents attended the MTA’s Public Hearing on January 21, 2009 at the Garden City Hotel. Many of them registered to speak and voice their opposition to the proposal made by the MTA to eliminate weekend service on the West Hempstead Branch of the LIRR.

West Hempstead Community Support and West Hempstead Civic Association president Rosalie Norton addressed the MTA and LIRR Boards on behalf of thousands of community residents and business owners.

A summary of the statement made by Mrs. Norton, which became part of the record, is printed below.

*******************************************************************

January 21, 2009

Thank you for the opportunity to be able to come before you tonight. As president of the West Hempstead Civic and the West Hempstead Community Support Associations, I am here on behalf of thousands of resident to ask that you do not eliminate weekend service on the West Hempstead Branch of the LIRR.

Eliminating weekend service will negatively impact our residents and severely effect businesses situated near the train stations. In these difficult economic times, eliminating weekend services will create hardships for both workers and customers. Entirely eliminating all trains on the weekend is unrealistic and ignores the needs of the public.

You should be exploring ways to increase ridership, improve service, and make every effort to keep fares reasonable. Every time there is a deficit, the same type of recommendations are made…increase fares and eliminate service. Perhaps a different approach or ideas should be considered.

You applaud “Transit Oriented Development”. The best example of a TOD will soon be built at the first station on the West Hempstead Branch of the LIRR. Our community has worked for many years to have the property adjacent to this station redeveloped. Now a highly regarded builder, Trammell Crow Residential is in contract to purchase the property and plan to build, on the site, an apartment complex which will be called the “Alexan at West Hempstead Station.” Eliminating weekend service at this time sends the wrong signal to the builder, to the community and to the Town of Hempstead. Continuing weekend service is crucial to the success of this development.

The MTA has to show that it is serious in its desire to encourage TOD’s. If you want to increase ridership and reverse declining revenues, a different approach should be considered. The one you are proposing pulls the proverbial rug out from under the concept of “Transit Oriented Developments.”

I urge you to recognize that weekend service on the WH Branch is necessary and vital to the riding public and to a TOD.

The MTA should do all it can to encourage increased ridership, to maintain services, and to keep fares reasonable. Resorting to past practices of providing less services and asking for more money seems to result in a perpetual loop of failure and deficits. You have to ask how residership can be increased. Transit Oriented Developments is one method and must be encouraged, where possible, and every effort made to make them succeed.

Recently an official commented that housing for young people was sorely needed on Long Island. That official further noted that the location of the Trammell Crow apartment project couldn’t be better and that sometimes in government you get unique opportunities where you see that something can really work. I hope that you will also recognize the value of what is being proposed adjacent to the first station on the West Hempstead Branch and make a decision to do all you can to work towards helping this project succeed.

In conclusion, I again ask that you make a commitment to provide weekend service on the H Branch of the LIRR. It is the right thing to do for the communities, the riders and the MTA.

Respectfully,

Rosalie Norton

President

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ALFANO: GOVERNOR PATERSON’S 137 TAX AND FEE INCREASES WILL COST THE AVERAGE NEW YORK FAMILY $3,875.48, COULD LEAD TO THE LOSS OF 1-IN-10 JOBS Says the 137 tax and fee increases in Governor Paterson’s budget are like “declaring war” on New York’s middle class families

Characterizing it as a “gut punch” to Long Island’s middle class already hurting from a terrible economy, home foreclosures and loss of real wages, Assemblyman Tom Alfano today warned that the 137 tax and fee increases within Governor Paterson’s 2009-10 Executive Budget will cost the average New York family an extra $3,875.48 annually.


Click here to read more about the tax and fee increases.

Click here to see Spreadsheet with proposed taxes and fees

Alfano, Skelos, Walker and McKevitt Announce Child Health Plus Expansion! ~September 1, 2008~

Alfano, Skelos, Walker and McKevitt Announce Child Health Plus Expansion!

Assemblyman Tom Alfano, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assemblymembers Tom McKevitt and Rob Walker today reminded New York families that effective Monday, September 1, 2008, all of New York’s uninsured children will be eligible for moderate or no-cost health care coverage, thanks to a recent expansion of Child Health Plus – New York State’s health insurance program for children.

Click here to read more about Child Health Plus Expansion

Assemblyman Tom Alfano has sent us information on two bills recently signed into law: August 2008

Assemblyman Tom Alfano has sent us information on two bills recently signed into law:

The College Text Book Bill and The Nurses Bill

Click the appropriate links above to view each bill.

West Hempstead Representatives Skelos and Alfano Demand Courtesy Hotel to be Closed ~August 20, 2008

West Hempstead Representatives Skelos and Alfano Demand Courtesy Hotel to be Closed

New York State Senate Majority Leader Skelos and Assembly Tom Alfano, who represent West Hempstead in Albany, sent a letter to Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray demanding that the sale of the Courtesy Hotel to Trammell Crow Residential be allowed to proceed. You can download a copy of the full letter to Ms. Murray by clicking on the link below. We thank our elected officials in Albany for their support on this issue and hope that their influence can make a difference in finally bringing this long standing issue to resolution.

Letter to Supervisor Murray from Assemblyman Alfano and Senator Skelos

WHCA President Sends Letter to Supervisor Murray Regarding Criminal Activity at Courtesy and Capri July 2008

WHCA President Sends Letter to Supervisor Murray Regarding Criminal Activity at Courtesy and Capri

July 2008 letter to sent to Supervisor Murray from Civic president:

Dear Supervisor Murray,

This is another letter detailing the police activities at the Courtesy Hotel. Hopefully, if everyone is working to get rid of the Courtesy Hotel, this should be my last letter. All of us know the problems associated with the Hotel, but sadly none of us ever expected that the sale of the Courtesy to Trammell Crow would meet with such resistance from the Town.

Crime has not taken a vacation and the figures for July are appalling. As mentioned in prior letters and it bears repeating, when will this end? Below are the figures for the number of times, during 2008, that the police had to respond to calls to the Courtesy Hotel and the results of those calls:

Jan. 08: 17 calls 8 arrests 18 case reports 2 field investigations
Feb. 08 21 " 4 " 4 " " 2 " "
Mar. 08 8 " 2 " 6 " " 0
Apr. 08 18 " 3 " 5 " " 6 disturbances
May 08 20 " 3 " 6 " " 3 field investigations
June 08 13 " 2 " 4 " " 5 disturbances
July 08 22 calls 6 arrests 5 case reports
08'Total: 119 calls 28 arrests 44 case reports 7 field invest.
11 disturbances

On January 2, 2006 the Town completed its Blight Study for the 72 room Courtesy Hotel.

In 2006, the police responded to 200 calls to the Courtesy resulting in 62 arrests.

In 2007, there were over 200 calls which resulted in 77 arrests and 108 case reports.

As of July 31, 2008, there has been 119 calls, 28 arrests and 44 case reports.

The total number of calls, arrests and case reports in the 943 days since Jan. 2006 to July 2008 is staggering:
519 calls 167 arrests over 200 case reports

Arrests have been made for drugs, prostitution, rape, statutory rape, kidnapping, weapons possession, assault, etc.

Once again, I must ask on behalf of our residents, when will the decision be made which will result in the private sale of the Courtesy and the permanent removal of this business from West Hempstead? How much longer must we wait to benefit from the private sale and redevelopment of this property?

Rosalie Norton

WHCA President Presented the 2008 Smart Growth Awards for Community Leadership ~June 12 2008~

WHCA President Presented the 2008 Smart Growth Awards for Community Leadership

The West Hempstead Civic Association, led by President Rosalie Norton, received Vision Long Island's Award for Smart Growth for educating and galvanizing the community in supporting Smart Growth principles. The Award was presented at a luncheon held on June 12, 2008 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Walter Ejnes, a member of the Civic Executive Board attended the luncheon along with Rosalie Norton. Mr. Ejnes serves as Education Chairman on the Civic Board and has helped in preparing informational material regarding the blighted Courtesy Hotel area.

Click here to read more on the Smart Growth Award

New York Daily News - Hempstead Feeling Heat for Stalling Hotel Plan - December 12, 2007

New York Daily News - Hempstead Feeling Heat for Stalling Hotel Plan -

Dec. 12, 2007 by Nicholas Hirshon



A parade of angry residents scolded the Hempstead Town Board yesterday for its glacial pace in closing a trashy, crime-ridden West Hempstead hotel. The board debated plans to redevelop the area around the Courtesy Hotel, which residents have long branded a hangout for drug addicts and prostitutes. Despite emotional pleas to shutter the Hempstead Ave. hotel during an all-day hearing, the board reserved judgment on the issue. The board is not expected to vote again until next month.



Click here to read more of the Dec. 12, 2007 article

Assemblyman Alfano Sends Letter to Town Supervisor Regarding the Courtesy Hotel ~December 10 2007

Assemblyman Alfano Sends Letter to Town Supervisor Regarding the Courtesy Hotel

On December 10, 2007,West Hempstead's representative in the New York State Assembly, Tom Alfano, sent a letter to Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray urging her to listen more closely to the residents and consider their opinions more carefully regarding the Courtesy Hotel and the Town's proposed Urban Renewal Plan. You can read the entire letter by clicking on the link below.

Assemblyman Tom Alfano's Letter to Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray

West Hempstead Civic Association Attends 6th Annual Smart Growth Summit ~November 16, 2007~

West Hempstead Civic Association Attends 6th Annual Smart Growth Summit

The 6th Annual Smart Growth Summit, a comprehensive land-use conference bringing Long Island's leaders and experts together to address issues of Smart Growth and Livability was held at the Melville Marriott on November 16, 2007. The all day conference, attended by more than 700 business, elected and community leaders, focused on the challenges facing Long Island and how they are being addressed. The West Hempstead Civic Association (WHCA) president, Rosalie Norton, was asked to attend and participate in an invitation only civic leaders "Civic Summit." Mrs. Norton was also interviewed for and appeared on a video presentation “New Voices for Smart Growth." See more....

WHCA President Writes Letter to Three Village Times Editor November 16 2007

WHCA President Writes Letter to Three Village Times Editor

Rosalie Norton, President of the WHCA, sent a letter to Joe Rizza, Editor of the Three Village Times, which was published in the November 16 issue. Rosalie took exception to comments made by Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray regarding the development of the Courtesy Hotel. Click on the link below to view the entire letter.

Three Village Times - The Needs of the Many....

New York Daily News - Town Stalls Owner's Try to Unload Seedy Hotel - November 16, 2007

New York Daily News - Town Stalls Owner's Try to Unload Seedy Hotel - November 16, 2007

A seedy West Hempstead hotel seems to have more lives than a cat - even though everyone, including its owners, wants it closed. A crucial town hearing that many hoped would nail the coffin shut on the Courtesy Hotel on Hempstead Ave. has been postponed until Dec. 11, dragging out an already protracted saga.

Click here to read more of the Nov. 16, 2007 article

West Hempstead Featured in the New York Times Real Estate Section October 28 2007

West Hempstead Featured in the New York Times Real Estate Section

On Sunday, October 28, the New York Times ran an article featuring West Hempstead in its Real Estate section. Overall, the article painted a very positive picture of our community as well as pointed out some issues facing West Hempstead like the Courtesy Hotel. Read the full article.

Nassau County Police - Secuity/Police Information Network (SPIN) - Alert ~August-September 2007

Nassau County Police - Secuity/Police Information Network (SPIN) - Alert

The Nassau County Police are urging vehicle owners to remove GPS/Naviagtion devices from their vehicles when not in use. There has been a rash of thefts throughout Nassau County as criminals see the suction cup marks on the dashboards of vehicles. Protect your investment and take your device with you when you exit the vehicle. Download flyer.