Many candidates vying for votes in upcoming local elections reached out to residents at an Oct. 14 Meet the Candidates Night hosted by the South Merrick Community Civic Association and the North Merrick Community Association at the Merrick Golf Course clubhouse. Hopefuls seeking terms in county, town and District Court positions were given 10 minutes to address the crowd. Above all else, candidates used the time to speak out on the controversial Lighthouse project that, if approved, would redesign Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and much of the surrounding Garden City area. Most candidates also took time to introduce themselves and explain what they hope to do for residents should they be voted into office on Nov. 3. Candidates running for county offices who spoke at the event were Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, and his Republican challenger, Edward Mangano; Republican candidate for District Attorney, Joy Watson; Republican incumbent running for county clerk, Maureen O'Connell; Nassau County Legislator Norma Gonsalves, the Republican incumbent representing the 13th L.D., and her Democratic challenger, Patricia Maher; and Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg, the Democratic incumbent representing the 19th L.D., and his Republican challenger, Dr. Fred Jones. Candidates for Town of Hempstead offices who attended were Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, a Republican, and her Democratic challenger, Kristen McElroy; Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, a Republican, and his Democratic challenger, Anthony Rattoballi; and Town Council challenger in the 6th District, Democrat Matt Hynes. District Judge candidates Donald Birnbaum, the Democratic incumbent, and his Republican challenger, Terrence Murphy, also spoke. more

Bullying is one of the most enduring problems in schools today across the country. It occurs when someone purposely and repeatedly says or does mean, nasty or hurtful things to another person who has trouble defending himself or herself. Bullying is a reality in the lives of many children--whether they are bullies, victims or witnesses. more

Although the Herald Community Newspapers have had an online presence since 1999, an expanded, more comprehensive Web site has recently been launched to help readers keep in closer touch with their communities. The new LIHerald.com has more news, sports, local business and arts coverage and event listings than ever before. more

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, has been a part of our social and political system for more than 30 years. Over the past 10 years, however, many of you have come to know ACORN not as a community organization, but as a political arm of the Working Families Party. more