Next year’s budget for Baldwin schools makes the best of a bad situation. The choices district officials had to make on spending were grim, but they were realistic, and based on many hours of careful consideration. While there may be regret about the plan’s cost-cutting measures, there should not be anger, and voting “no” on the budget as an expression of vitriol would be a mistake. Voters who do so would actually be disadvantaging the students they hope to protect. The outcome would not be a restoration of programs, schools or jobs, but rather an even more savage slashing of funds that would gut district activities and significantly reduce the quality of life for students and non-students alike. more

The Rockville Centre Public Library is proposing a budget of $3.2 million, with a 2.2 percent tax levy increase that stays within the state-mandated tax-levy cap. Director Maureen Chiofalo said that the library has reduced its general-operations budget, in part by “going green,” with plans to offer its newsletter to patrons online, and also by working to find less-expensive sources for its computer reference subscriptions. more

On Tuesday, residents of the Rockville Centre school district will vote on its proposed $97.3 million 2012-13 budget, which is 1.7 percent larger than the current spending plan and keeps the tax levy within the state-mandated cap. We urge voters to approve the plan, which we believe puts students first, makes headway in dealing with expenses and ensures the high-quality education the community expects and deserves more

Voting has often been described as a cherished right and a solemn duty. And it is both. more

Island Park residents will be able to vote for two trustees next week. Incumbents Steve D’Esposito and Irene Naudus, who are seeking their fifth and second full terms, respectively, are being … more

In a 73-page PowerPoint presentation, Malverne school district administrators explained to the Board of Education and residents the intricacies, difficulties and realities of next year’s … more

“We have the highest taxes here, and Nassau can’t even pay their bills,” said Carol Ann Sustad-Renz, a Lynbrook native, reacting to county voters’ rejection on Aug. 1 of a proposal to borrow $400 million to build a new arena and minor league baseball stadium at the site of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. “… [T]he county is broke, but yet they would have found the money somewhere or somehow — yes, on the backs of us taxpayers.” more

Business and labor organizations, development groups and politicians have all expressed their opinions on the plan to borrow $400 million to fund the construction of a new arena and minor-league baseball park at Nassau County’s Hub in Uniondale. Now it’s your turn, as taxpayers who want to be able to afford to keep living and working on Long Island, to cast your votes in the bond referendum on Monday. more

On Monday, Nassau County residents will vote on a $400 million bond referendum to build a new Coliseum and a minor league ballpark. more

On Aug. 1, Nassau County will hold a public referendum on a $400 million bond to finance the redevelopment of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. There are sharply differing opinions on the proposal, and this week we have asked Eric Alexander, executive director of Vision Long Island, and Jay Jacobs, chairman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee, to detail their viewpoints. The Herald will offer its take on the proposal in next week’s issue. more