By Liz McBreen
Mezapelle began the EQL at the beginning of the year and has so far met with a positive and overwhelming response. He explained that many of the civic associations in Elmont have been revitalized and are starting to make a difference. He made a presentation which highlighted the changes that have taken place in the town.
"About five or six hundred new street signs that had faded considerably have been replaced, including those that had been marked by area gangs," said Mezapelle, who went on to say that the first EQL meeting also resulted in hundreds of reports of illegal apartments, one of the town's biggest problems. The reports were then brought to the attention of the Town of Hempstead by the committee, and according to Mezapelle, the TOH has been extremely helpful as far as investigating landlords who rent illegally.
"If an Elmont resident knows of someone who lives in an illegal dwelling, he or she can tell the committee about it anonymously," said Mezapelle. "The EQL will then ask the town to send someone to investigate. Individuals do not have to be directly involved or named at any time."
West Hempstead Civic Association President, Bob Rabey, encouraged the same kind of 'heads up' system among WH residents. "If you let us know, the Civic Association will go about having the problem taken care of," said Rabey.
Mezapelle also suggested that the Civic Association set up small committees of people who look out for problems and violations in the community. "Something can be done only if they are reported."
"As I drive through Elmont, I try to take on the role of someone who is looking to buy a home and settle in Nassau County," said Mezapelle. "A newcomer would see abandoned houses and vehicles, graffiti and no family-oriented venues. The goal of the Quality of Life Committee is to combat these problems so that more people are attracted to the area and will want to settle there."
Mezapelle broke down the amount of money that goes toward educating students whose parents or guardians are not paying school taxes, stating that approximately $20 million are spent in this way in the Sewanhaka and Elmont districts combined.
Under New York State law, schools are obligated to educate students that are between the ages of five and twenty-one, do not have a high school diploma and who reside within the district. Elmont has the problem of students not only living illegally in Elmont, but also students coming in from Queens and going to Elmont schools because of its close proximity to the city.
The district is allowed to weed the latter out of their schools, as well as seek compensation for what they spent while these students were in district schools. The Sewanhaka District did this last year after finding that some students were city residents.
Mezapelle also spoke about expanding the Tri-Community Alliance which would include West Hempstead, Elmont and Franklin Square. "We have several representatives in common, we have similar problems, and all of the towns are unincorporated."
West Hempstead residents had the opportunity to ask Mezapelle about some of these problems that they have in common with Elmont residents such as illegal rentals.
Both County Legislator Vincent Muscarella and Rabey also assured residents that a plan is in the works to re-pave Hempstead Avenue. "The road will be paved, and new curbs and shoulders will be made. It is the next major project for West Hempstead," said Muscarella.
"We are making efforts in the private sector as well, in addition to the work our representatives are doing, and I think we should see results within a year," said Rabey.
