Village rifle range shot down
Levels of lead discovered in the Recreation Center have prompted the Rockville Centre Board of Trustees to close the village's 35-year-old rifle range. Although Mayor Eugene Murray said tests indicate no threat to the community, the board is having the range's sand floor removed at the cost of $33,000. High levels of lead found at a Lynbrook elementary school prompted the village to check its own levels.
$9.8 M county cuts implemented
The approximately $9.8 million cut from Nassau County social service departments by County Executive Thomas Gulotta, an attempt to close the budget gap caused by the repeal of the real estate transfer tax, went into effect on January 1. Mr. Gulotta's Dec.7 directive that departments cut overall spending in discretionary contracts by 50 percent became official as agencies were notified on, or immediately before Christmas Eve. The cuts are yet another installment in the ongoing saga of bailing the county out of a now close to $200 million deficit. Senior citizen services and day care were exempted from this round of cuts.
RVC Housing Authority needs change
A three-month financial and management review of the RVC Housing Authority by the Village of Rockville Centre has produced several recommendations for change, but is generally less critical than many had feared. Unlike the most recent independent auditor's report that found substantial doubt that the authority could "continue as a going concern," the village report calls the authority's circumstances "a significant, yet achievable challenge."
Village gets heart smart
In a move to update the capabilities of the Rockville Centre police and fire departments to respond to emergency calls, all primary patrol cars and fire chiefs will be equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The first of six patrol cars was outfitted in late January. The rest were installed in the Spring.Police are able to save the lives of cardiac arrest victims almost as quickly and efficiently as professional emergency medical personnel, according to a spokesperson from the American Heart Association.
February
The house that RVC built
When the Hispanic Brotherhood purchased a home of their own last year, many businesses and individuals in the village made donations to help pay for extensive renovations to bring the new site up to code. Modernization included new windows and bathrooms, changes to meet the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act and the general refurbishing on the entire building.Although renovations were near complete, the brotherhood was still seeking volunteers to help paint the interior of the residence in February.
Overall crime stats at all-time low
Crime statistics are down for the second consecutive year in the village with a five percent decrease in overall numbers from last year. While automobile accidents and traffic ticketing claimed the largest increase in percentages, violent crime - including robberies, domestic altercations and assaults - have declined drastically.Assaults in 1999 have been reported at 36 percent lower than in 1998, with a decrease from 66 to 42 incidents. The significant increase in arrests for domestic incidents have lead to fewer assaults by repeat offenders, according to RVC Police Commissioner Jack McKeon.
Treatment plant okayed
The Rockville Centre Board of Trustees agreed to spend nearly $300,000 to build a treatment plant that will filter iron from the water of 2,200 residents in the north-east portion of the village. It also approved an agreement with St. Agnes Cathedral for the use 177 parking spaces on Front Street. In addressing the problem of water discoloration caused by high levels of iron, the board hired the H2M Group to build and maintain a plant that will filter iron from the water supply. The level of iron currently in the water supply is not a health concern so much as an aesthetic concern, according to Dennis Kelleher, vice president of H2M.
South Side principals to retirement
Two Rockville Centre principals, Robin Calitri of South Side High School and Lawrence Vande Water of South Side Middle School, announced their intentions to retire at the end of the 1999-2000 school year during a February board of education meeting. Carol Burris and Tom Ricupero, respectively were named as replacements. Mr. Calitri said goodbye after 16 years of distinguished service to the high school, the last 14 as principal. Under Mr. Calitri's leadership, South Side High School was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education and has served as a model for state schools trying to comply with the Regents course requirements by the state. Mr. Vande Water also took over as principal of his school in 1996. Before his move to the South Side Middle School, Mr. Vande Water previously served as principal at Brookside Junior High School and assistant principal at John F. Kennedy High School in the Merrick-Bellmore School District.
March
Police nab 40
The Nassau County Police made 40 arrests at the Rockville Centre Housing Authority during the past 18 months, according to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, bringing to a close an ongoing undercover investigation into criminal activity at public housing sites across the county. RVC Police Det. Sgt. Kevin O'Toole, the local representative to the county-wide task force, said, "As a result of our participation in the multi-jurisdictional task force with the DA's office, there have been numerous arrests for the sale of crack cocaine and heroine and also for the purchase of firearms."
South Side ranks 23 in nation
South Side High School placed 23 among the nation's 25,000-plus high schools in terms of the quality of education offered, according to a recent poll conducted by Newsweek. While the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses offered by South Side were cited as the prevailing reasons for the school's success, teachers and administrators agreed that the quality of education in all schools within the district were responsible."[The results] are praise for the whole school system," said David Weiss, IB program coordinator. His feelings were echoed by Superintendent Dr. William Johnson and Principal Robin Calitri.
RVC tower causes problems for Baldwinites
Elena Johnson and other residents of Baldwin have been disturbed by a flurry of activity in the Rockville Centre well field that borders their north Baldwin homes. Since the summer of 1998 projects in the field have lead to noise, debris and lead abatement. First came a Sprint power station, which emits a high frequency hum. Then the village hired a contractor to repaint the water tower, which stands in the field, and a leak in equipment allowed lead dust to cover several area homes. The contractor finally abandoned the project leaving large equipment and debris in the field. The field has since been cleaned and shelter built around the plant but Ms. Johnson and others still hear the hum and are waiting for answers.
RVC students score high on Regents
The New York State school district report cards for the 1998/99 school year were released in early March, and Rockville Centre passed with flying colors.The report cards are prepared by the State Education Department annually and are meant to help administrators measure the performance of their students against others throughout the state. Public schools within the village far outpaced the state averages of students meeting or exceeding Regents standards for learning in every category.
April
Dr. Drew Bogner
New president for Molloy
Molloy College has announced the hiring of Dr. Drew Bogner of Newman University in Wichita, Kansas as its new president. Dr. Bogner is only the second male and the second layman ever named to the post. Dr. Bogner began his tenure on July 1. Newman, like Molloy, is a Catholic college, a factor in his selection. While at Newman, Dr. Bogner served as vice president for academic affairs.
Village budget passes
The Rockville Centre Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a $23 million operating budget for the 2000-2001 fiscal year at the April 10 meeting. Village spending is scheduled to increase a little less than six percent over last year, a raise in taxes of almost four percent - or about $62 per household - has been approved. The increase in real estate taxes would bring total real estate tax revenues for the village to $14 million, or 60.3 percent of all revenue. The village's assessed valuation of property declined approximately 1.3 percent this year to about $67 million, but the village is carrying a surplus of $900,000 in unreserved fund balance from the current budget; $500,000 of which has been appropriated to next year's budget.
Women battle domestic violence
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was the keynote speaker at the spring luncheon held by the South Shore section of the National Council of Jewish Women in Rockville Centre last April. The New York hopeful, whom was victorious in her campaign, was among a panel of eloquent and inspirational speakers from womens' organizations that have joined together in a nation-wide effort to end domestic violence. Survivors, victim's advocates and members of the Nassau Coalition Against Domestic Violence were also among the presenters.
May
Schools get unexpected state funds
The Rockville Centre School District will receive nearly $6 million in state aid for the 2000/01 school year, an increase of about $500,000, after fearing that the aid would be reduced in the New York State Budget. The school district would have been hit hard had the proposed cuts been accepted into the budget; the district was slated to receive about $4.5 million, almost $1 million less than was received for the current year.
New playground for sports leagues
With the recent acquisition by the village of an athletic facility located in Hempstead Lake Park, through a land swap with New York State, Rockville Centre has added a much-needed playground for youth sports leagues. In the process, it has also eased the strain on overused school fields within the district. The constant use of the school and village fields has led to concerns with the playability of the fields, and steps to address those concerns became necessary. In 1996, a bond was passed to help renovate the fields, and the next year, a project to convert the playground at Wilson School from blacktop to grass went awry, leading to drainage problems. The new fields should help.
RVC shows charities the money
The fundraising committee for the St. Patrick's Day Parade 2000 doled out more than $24,000 to charitable organizations this year bringing the grand total of funds distributed to $110,000. Representatives from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America, the RVC Save A Life Program and the Jeanie Johnston Restoration Project accepted donations from committee members at an awards and gift giving ceremony at Lily Flanagan's on Thursday, May 4.
Brady, Burke and Bucaria make boards
Incumbent School Board member Lorrie Brady was elected to a fifth term and Bill Burke outlasted Guy Lawrence for the remaining open school board seat on Election Day, May 16. Villagers also elected Eileen Bucaria for the Library Board over Cathy Fagan, and passed both the $54 million school and $2.3 million library budgets after waiting in lines at South Side High School for as long as 40 minutes in order to cast their votes.
Parking reform in Rockville Centre
The more things change, the more they are the same, at least when considering commuter parking problems in Rockville Centre. The headline for the Nassau Daily Review-Star on May 18, 1950 read: "Yes, we want meters." Everyone from the then-mayor W. Harry Lister to the Chamber of Commerce to civic associations throughout the village advocated the installation of parking meters.Fifty years later, the meters are on their way out, as part of a plan to reform commuter parking in Rockville Centre. The plan would remove parking meters along Front Street and areas immediately east and west of the Long Island Rail Road station, allowing resident commuters who buy parking stickers at a one-time cost of $65 to park in those areas without having to put money into a meter.
Probationary firefighters of the RVC Fire Department examine extensive damage caused by a fire on Jefferson Avenue on Thursday, May 4.
Fire ravages Jefferson Ave. apartments
Rockville Centre firefighters battled a blaze in a Jefferson Avenue apartment building for nearly an hour on Thursday, May 4. According to a fire department spokesperson, an alarm sounded at 2:12 P.M., announcing that a fire had broken out at one of the ten apartment buildings in the complex at One Jefferson Avenue. The fire began in a top-floor apartment in Building F and spread to a neighboring apartment through the cocklift - the space between the apartment's ceiling and the building's roof. No injuries were reported but all residents of the 12 apartments were evacuated as Building F was declared uninhabitable by the RVC Fire Department.
June
Kluewer new village spokesperson
The Rockville Centre Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Jeff Kluewer as the village's new public relations spokesperson. Mr. Kluewer, a former editor of the Rockville Centre Herald, succeeded long-time village spokesperson Jim Heaney, who died suddenly last December. Mr. Kluewer, a 22-year resident of Rockville Centre, is responsible for all village publications and press releases. He will oversee the operation of the village website and television station and becomes the public information officer for the Rockville Centre Police Department.
4th graders ace English exams
The Rockville Centre School District did it again. Barely two years into the state's new English Language Art's (ELA) testing program, and more than 90 percent of Rockville Centre students placed in the test's top categories. The ELA test is used to indicate students' future success at the high school level in Regents testing. The results of the ELA, released on June 1, show that the district's mean score (684) tied for fifth place among Nassau County's 53 districts tested. The statewide average was 652.
SSY/JCC celebrates grand opening
Thousands of Long Islanders came to view the newly completed Barry and Florence Friedberg South Shore Y JCC building's grand opening celebration on Sunday, June 25. Workers and special supporters celebrated a private-ribbon-cutting earlier in the week. After more than two years of planning, praying and preparation, administrators opened the doors to the new facilities at 15 Neil Court in Oceanside. More than $6.5 million dollars was raised through community efforts.
Adult stores need not apply
Two ordinances concerning zoning code issues presented at the June 19 meeting of the Rockville Centre Board of Trustees were aided by recent rulings in the United States Supreme Court. The first such issue concerns the establishment of adult-use facilities; the second refers to the placement of wireless telecommunications towers and facilities.Village Attorney Martha Krisel and Village Trustee Wayne Lipton said that the ordinances were written to ensure a high quality of life in Rockville Centre. "Federal law says that we cannot prohibit these types of businesses, but we can regulate land use; we can regulate where they're allowed to be placed," Ms. Krisel said of the Supreme Court rulings.
July
Village to remain Tree City
The Village of Rockville Centre will fight to retain the hard-won title of Tree City, said Village Administrator, Anthony Cancellieri, who confirmed that all trees recently removed for current revitalization projects would be replaced after reconstruction work is completed. The residents of North Forest Avenue raised concerns when close to a dozen trees were removed two weeks ago without pre-notification to homeowners. According to village spokesperson Jeff Kluewer, the trees were identified as "interfering with the resurfacing project" being conducted on Forest Avenue. He said the village was very apologetic for its failure to notify the residents in advance, which has always been their policy, and promised that advance notification would be provided for any future projects.
AA credit rating awarded to village
A recent financial analysis performed by an independent institution indicated that Rockville Centre is in sound financial shape and as a result, the village gained its first bond rating jump in eight years. Standard & Poor's, a financial institution based in New York City, assigned its double-A rating to Rockville Centre's $4.4 million general obligation public improvement bond issue, resulting in the village receiving a lower-than-anticipated interest rate - 5.2 percent - from Roosevelt and Cross, which purchased the bonds. Standard & Poors' also raised its rating on the village $1.76 million and $3.39 million public improvement bonds to double A from double A minus. Esther McKenna/Herald
Mayor Eugene Murray, center, congratulates police officers James Lauth, left, and Paul Pope for their life-saving efforts.
Life-saving rescue at Sportset
Helen Brill couldn't agree more with Rockville Centre Police Commissioner Jack McKeon when he said the newly-purchased automated external defibrillators (AEDs) would be worth the extra money and training if they saved even one life. On Saturday, June 24, the life that the new equipment, and village police officers James Lauth and Paul Pope, saved was her husband's.Stanley Brill, a 79-year-old Valley Stream resident, collapsed at the Sportset facility and was revived by the defibrillator equipment.
Maple Avenue residents form task force
Preliminary discussions regarding the recodification of the village, and the feeling that theirs has become 'the forgotten street of Rockville Centre,' have spurred homeowners along Maple Avenue to express concerns about the street's appearance and its future. Trusting that there is strength in numbers, they've formed the Maple Avenue Task Force to address village officials with questions and recommendations regarding zoning, traffic, environmental and beautification issues. "Several of us have tried for years to voice our concerns separately," said resident Joseph Kelly, "and nothing came of it. So we decided to come together and try to get some results."
Court could get more power
If pending legislation is passed during the next session of the New York State Assembly, the power of the Rockville Centre Village courts will be dramatically altered. The bill would allow them to issue preliminary injunctions and temporary restraining orders when local laws are violated. The bill was introduced by the Nassau County Magistrates Association and would give any village judge the power, in appropriate situations, to stop an offense even though the matter is still pending in court.
Beautification efforts thwarted
Residents of a Rockville Centre co-op expressed anger that recent work done to beautify the front of their apartment building, located at 120 Morris Avenue, was destroyed five days after it was completed when Bell Atlantic began a project to lay new cable beneath the street. The work necessitated construction to the area, and much of the new lawn and sidewalk near the curb was disturbed but village officials assure that the mess will be cleaned up.Less than a week after the co-op paid an undisclosed amount of money to renovate the front of the building with new sod, new concrete for the sidewalks, flowers and other amenities, residents claim to have been horrified to find Bell Atlantic undoing all of the work.Paul Jennings of the Rockville Centre Department of Buildings has assured that Bell Atlantic will fix any damage once their project is completed.
Jerry Glass
New postmaster appointed
Jerry Glass, former postmaster of the U.S. Post Office in Westbury, has been assigned interim postmaster at the posts in Rockville Centre and Oceanside, where his goal is to improve overall efficiency. Mr. Glass, who has been employed by the Post Office for 28 years, was transferred from his Westbury post in May, where he served as postmaster for over three years. Quicker delivery time and 8-hour work days for mail carriers are his top priorities. Mr. Glass feels present carriers are overworked but is confident that the situation can be remedied without a large hiring increase.
LIRR agrees to clean-up
The Long Island Rail Road has agreed to an aggressive program of tree planting along the 350-foot border of the Rockville Centre Recreation Center and the LIRR tracks east of Oceanside Road. During a meeting held last week between officials of the village and the LIRR, the railroad also agreed to a clean-up and plantings at its Maple Avenue substation, long an eyesore and target of complaints from residents. The meeting and the agreement came after village officials and State Senator Dean Skelos expressed outrage that the railroad workers had, for a second time, clear-cut trees and bushes along the LIRR tracks south of the Rec Center. Kristen Sendlein/Herald
Mayor Eugene Murray gives Meta Drive birthday wishes.
Resident turns 100
According to 150 or so of her closest friends and family, Meta Goldberg turned 100 years young on July 27. The Sandel Senior Center was adorned with bows and streamers and tablecloths of pink and white for the occasion of Ms. Goldberg's birthday celebration. Still vibrant was Ms. Goldberg's smile, as she warmly greeted guest after guest.
August
Courtesy of St. Agnes Cathedral
The newly proposed St. Agnes Center, as shown in the artist's rendering above, is part of the $7 million "Faith in Action - Building Our Future" reclamation project.
St. Agnes to be revitalized
Members of the administration of St. Agnes Cathedral have officially submitted building plans to construct a new parish center where the old high school is currently situated on North Village Avenue. Parish authorities feel that the new location will both encourage more active participation of practitioners and provide the space needed to host upcoming events.
Nursing home cited for violations
A study released by the minority staff of the House Committee on Government Reform concluded that the Rockville Nursing Center was among several Long Island nursing homes to have been in violation of at least two federal regulations in the past 15 months, but officials from the nursing home said the study was outdated and unfair. The report, which was requested by Representative Michael Forbes (D-Quogue), said that almost half of the nursing homes in Nassau and Suffolk counties failed to "fully or substantially meet federal standards for care," and that one out of every six was in serious violation that led to patient harm.
Rape in village soccer field
A 29-year-old Lynbrook woman reported to police that she was attacked and raped while riding her bicycle alone in Hempstead Lake State Park on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at approximately 7:15 P.M. The victim described her attacker as a Hispanic male, about 20 years old, 5'6", of medium build, with clear skin and medium complexion, straight black hair and brown eyes. According to police, the suspect was wearing a black T-shirt, baggy blue jeans, and a gold-colored rope chain with a crucifix around his neck. He was carrying a light-colored knapsack and was riding a 10-speed bike. The man spoke with a slight Spanish accent, the Nassau County Police Department Special Victims Unit are investigating the crime.This incident, and a July 17 assault in the park, have fueled disturbing broadcast reports recently, but local police said the rumors of a multiple rapist loose in Hempstead Lake Park are false and that the public should not be worried.
Treatment center names new director
Art Rosenthal has moved in, rolled up his sleeves and is ready to tackle alcohol and drug abuse problems within the community. The 55-year-old East Rockaway resident was named executive director of Confide, a not-for-profit alcohol and drug abuse agency based in Rockville Centre, on July 24.During his first two weeks, Mr. Rosenthal set up meetings with the directors of village community groups like the Hispanic Brotherhood, Equal Opportunity Council and Dr. Martin Luther King Center. Although most of their referrals come from community organizations, Mr. Rosenthal said local parole and probation officers and hospital advocates will recommend a client on occasion. "I want all of the local groups to know that I'm here, that Confide has a renewed sense of commitment, and we are ready to make a difference."Restoring a working relationship with the Rockville Centre School District is also a top priority for Confide's new director.
Leaking old tanks cost residents millions
Residents of Nassau County are singing their own version of Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" as they grapple with the largest environmental issue to hit suburbia - buried oil tanks. These tanks, many of which are leaking, are increasingly raising environmental, economic, safety and legal concerns, not only for homeowners, but for prospective homebuyers as well.The total cost of one Merrick resident's clean-up was $10,000 and that's just a drop in the bucket, according to some experts in the field. "The clean-up can cost $20,000 or much more," according to a Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) pamphlet.
Construction to begin on warehouse
Premier Storage Solutions has acquired three vacant buildings at 36-48 Merrick Road and will construct a new four-story facility on the 1.46 acre site, replacing several smaller and older structures. Construction on the new facility -located near Ocean Avenue - is scheduled to begin in September. The leading self-storage developer bought the properties from Milone Realty for $1.9 million and plans were approved by the village Building Department for a 132,000-square-foot facility in June. Members of the Architectural Review Board were pleased with the final plans for the new structure, which will include an office building-type facade, according to board member Monte Leeper.
September
William Constant
Hostages held at gunpoint
An armed burglar terrorized two Rockville Centre families on Thursday, Sept. 14. The gun-and-dagger-wielding burglar pushed his way into a home of South Lewis Place, where he tied up and assaulted a male resident. The suspect later burglarized a second home, this time on Ormond Street, with four young children present, where he again threatened residents with harm.A suspect, William F. Constant, 30, of West Hempstead was later apprehended by police, just two and a half hours after the burglaries began.
Deputy mayor resigns
Rockville Centre Deputy Mayor and Trustee Chris Amato tendered her resignation to the village board in September. Planning board and Home Rule member Jack Matthews was named to replace Ms. Amato as village trustee. The decision to appoint an interim trustee falls within the powers of Mayor Eugene Murray. Mr. Matthews was sworn in at the Sept. 11 meeting.Wayne Lipton was appointed to the position of deputy mayor.
Seniors score high on SATs
The Rockville Centre School District earned another notch in its belt when South Side High School seniors topped both state and national averages on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for the Class of 2000. The SAT is the admissions exam most often taken by college-bound students on the East Coast. Verbal and math portions are scored on a scale of 200 to 800. This fall, a record 1.3 million students throughout the country took the SAT exam. South Side's Class of 2000 averaged a score of 524 in verbal and 552 in math. The average scores for New York State are 494 for verbal and 506 for math.
Huber named Business
Person of the Year
With the healthcare industry coming under fire for errors made by overworked and overstressed employees, one Rockville Centre business owner is doing her best to turn the tides on public opinion. In recognition of her efforts in the healthcare industry, and for her endeavors on behalf of the community, Pat Huber, owner/operator of the Better Home Health Care Agency, has been chosen as this year's Business Person of the Year by the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce.
Survey says drug use high
According to the results of a Pride Questionnaire taken by village students in grades four through 12, an alarming number of them are experimenting with cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs. The study, arranged by the Rockville Centre Drug and Alcohol Task Force, was based on the responses of 574 fourth and fifth graders and 1,314 students in grades six through 12 to questions regarding the availability, use and effects of illicit substances. Rockville Centre youths consistently claimed to have come into contact with drugs at a percentage higher than the national average. The reliability of the study has been questioned because some residents feel students may not have taken the test seriously, and because of the vagueness of the questions.
October
Burglars strike again
The rash of home burglaries that plagued the village throughout the summer flared again recently, according to Rockville Centre Police.Lt. James E. Kraemer reported that two burglaries took place in the wee hours of the morning on Friday, Oct. 6, while most of Rockville Centre slept, and that seven other attempts were unsuccessful.By Oct. 13 police had arrested the man they believed was responsible for at least some of the home burglaries. Anthony Rodriguez, 40, of Valley Stream was apprehended by plainclothes Rockville Centre police after he was observed walking out a the rear year of a house on Dorchester Road at about 2:45 A.M. of Friday, Oct. 13.
State English, math test
results mixed
Not even Rockville Centre schools could avoid completely the downward trend that scores took statewide on the second round of math and English assessment tests given to New York students in the fourth and eighth grades. While the majority of fourth-graders exceeded state standards in math, one elementary school in the village showed a distinct decrease. In what school administration called an instructional issue that they say is being corrected, students at Riverside fell from 95 percent scoring in the passing categories last year in math to 40 percent this year. Rockville Centre's other school's results all showed at least 90 percent of students placing in the passing categories.
Recodification talks to resume
Village officials are determined to revisit the process of rewriting the village zoning code this fall, but have advised that there will not be any wholesale changes in the way Rockville Centre is laid out. While no meeting dates have been set, the village board announced at a November briefing that the long dormant recodification committee is being called back into action soon.The village board will discuss ideas in work session before introducing them in public hearings. A committee of citizens has been commissioned to join in the discussions. Talks originally began last summer, but died off because of changes on the board, including the retirement of Deputy Mayor Chris Amato.
The building of the perfect robot
Martin Kanner stood at the chalkboard and made what would have been a bold proclamation with almost any group except the one in front of him. "I'm not leaving until everyone in this room understands what a logarithm is," he said.Mr. Kanner is an electrical engineer with KEMCO Power Controls, and he was speaking to a group of about 20 South Side High School students who make up the robotics club. He is one of several professional engineers who has volunteered to help the students as they aspire to create the school's first entry into the robotics competition called U.S. FIRST, which takes place in Orlando, Florida. The first regional competition will be held at Suffolk Community College in March. The competition encompasses the designing, engineering, and construction of a robot that will be able to perform a specific task, which will be announced at a later date.
November
Choir is back on Broadway
For the fourth year in a row, the chorus from South Side Middle School has been selected to grace the stage in Madison Square Garden's production of "A Christmas Carol." Making the cut this year was a struggle that had everyone, including music director Michael Abresch, holding their breath. Prior to the chorus's audition, he was told by his Garden contacts that "competition was fiercer than ever." This year, approximately 100 choruses tried out for the four open positions. After the field was narrowed to six, the Rockville Centre 30 needed to give a flawless performance. The tiniest mistake could take them out of the running. Then the music started and their voices soared. Relief. They had made the cut.
Full-day favored over extended 'K'
The Rockville Centre Board of Education measured the two options available to it for broadening the district's kindergarten program and concluded during the Nov. 14 public hearing that an extended-day format falls short of a full-day plan.Having visited other school districts to study both programs, Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Johnson and Assistant Superintendent Delia Garrity said they found significantly greater growth and development of children where full-day instruction existed, and a trend away from the sometimes unwieldy extended-day programs.Twenty-six of Nassau County's 53 school districts will offer full-day programs next fall, up from 18 in 1994. Seven districts will offer extended-day kindergarten, down from 13 six years ago.
Regents scores nearly perfect
The consistent reply of Rockville Centre School District administrators and school board members to questions about the state-issued Regents examination results have always been that they would not be satisfied until "100 percent of Rockville Centre students meet expectations." They came very close to achieving that goal last June, as indicated by recently-released scores. All 211 12th-graders met state requirements on the English test and 98 percent made the grade in math. Passing the math Regents exam is not presently required for graduation.The figures show an improvement over the June '99 results, when 96 percent of Rockville Centre's students passed the English exam and 92 percent passed in math.But there is still work to be done, because the requirements are becoming more strict: the minimum passing score now is 55 percent, but in June 2003 students will need to score at least 65 percent to graduate.
Gooden attends Little League banquet
Dwight Gooden, whose surprising comeback in midseason aided the Yankees' run to a fourth World Series championship in five years, provided another boost this year as he helped the Rockville Centre Little League celebrate the conclusion of its 50th season. And though the man once commonly referred to as "Dr. K" doesn't have the magic touch he once did, league president Bob Klein said he was pleased by the house call. "I'm very excited that Doc is able to be here," Mr. Klein said of the heralded pitcher at the league's annual awards banquet Nov. 2. "He's a guy who had enormous success in the 1980's, went through some difficult times in the 90's and then fought back. He taught us all never to give up."
Housing Authority remains public
Despite mounting debts and a meeting with state officials in November to discuss privatization, the Rockville Centre Housing Authority board says it is not planning to take on any partners. Housing Authority board members met with three officials from the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and the Village Board on Friday, Nov. 17 to discuss the potential impact of privatizing the housing project. However, housing board members maintained that the meeting was strictly informational and that they have "no intention" of allowing a private entity to take even partial control of its 164-unit apartment complex at Old Mill Court on North Centre Avenue. Residents of the apartments have long feared that the board would hand the complex over to a company that would raise rents out of their earnings range.
Yellow Book cuts 100 jobs from RVC
Yellow Book USA, an independent publisher of telephone directories and one of Rockville Centre's largest employers, delivered some bad news to employees this November, just before the start of the holiday season: 100 jobs will be eliminated here by next September, reducing the company's local work force by more than one quarter.In an effort to unify production for the many directories Yellow Book has acquired in recent years, jobs in order processing, listings management, directory manufacturing and distribution will be relocated to the company's facility in King of Prussia, Pa., according to spokesman Darren Brandt.
December
Villages to share in sales
tax revenue
The Nassau County Village Officials Association (NCVOA) is claiming a "milestone victory" in the Nassau County Executive's recently adopted 2001 budget because for the first time it includes sharing tax revenues with the county's 64 villages.Rockville Centre Mayor Eugene Murray, a past president of the NCVOA, said this week, "This gesture on the county's behalf recognizes there has been a gross inequity and takes the first step toward correcting it."The county budget includes $250,000 in sales tax revenues for the villages, according to Nassau County Legislator Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin), whose campaign platform included sharing the revenues.
Roberti earns national honors
Even though her illustrious high-school soccer career ended Nov. 18 with a third state championship in four years, Liz Roberti reached another goal in December. The senior forward who netted 30 goals in leading South Side to an undefeated season was named to the All-American team for the first time.Although the honor was anticipated by others, including coach Bob Bigelow, Roberti said it surprised her. "My dad said he knew a few weeks back, but I had no idea," she said. "I wasn't really expecting it at all. It's a great honor."
Credit cards to be tried at Rec
In a narrow, 3-2 vote, the RVC Board of Trustees approved a trial run for accepting credit-card payments for village services. Prior to the Dec. 18 board meeting, Village Administrator Anthony Cancellieri had briefed the trustees about the plan, which is aimed at making life more convenient for residents as well as increasing the village's revenue.Residents will be able to try out the new form of payment for the next six months at the village's recreation center. If the trial works they will be accepted in other village departments.
New human rights law hailed
A law passed 19-0 by the County Legislature in December now prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, religion, ethnicity and source of household income. Before the law, Nassau only restricted discrimination based on race, creed, color and national origin.The new measure, called the Human Rights Commission and Open Housing Law, was introduced by the Legislature's Democratic majority. It was modeled after similar legislation passed in New York City and Suffolk County and will allow residents to sue in civil court if they face housing or job discrimination, said Legislator David Denenberg (D-Merrick).
More tests, stress for students
Already burdened with state-mandated tests in mathematics and English Language Arts, Rockville Centre eighth graders will find the road still tougher beginning next spring. The New York State Education Department has added to the mix exams in science (performance and written), foreign language (oral and written), social studies and technology. In all, eight tests will be administered over eight days in May and June 2001. The tests are used to indicate students' future success at the high school-level Regents exams, and to measure school districts against one another. Testing will begin with the ELA on May 8 and 9. The math, science performance and a foreign language (oral) test will also be given in May. Students will take science (written), social studies, foreign language (written) and technology exams June 14 through June 18. In addition to six extra days of testing, teachers will miss time from the classroom to grade the tests. Summer recess begins on June 21.
Final rest for local bishop
Less than a year into his spiritual leadership of Long Island Catholics, Bishop James. T. McHugh lost his battle with cancer this week. Surrounded by friends and family, the Bishop died in his Rockville Centre home on Sunday. He was 68.While it was widely known that the Bishop was fighting liver and gall-bladder cancer, news of his death came as a surprise to many parishioners, according to diocese spokesperson Joanne Navarro. Bishop McHugh had undergone surgery related to his condition several weeks ago and was said to be in good spirits during his recovery.
Cops get 12 % over four years
The Village Board of Trustees has approved a new contract with the Rockville Centre Police Benevolent Association (PBA) that includes a 12 percent salary increase over the next four years. The new contract renegotiates the fifth year of the current contract and adds three more years to the agreement. PBA officers had been scheduled to receive a 5.5 percent pay increase on Jan. 1, 2001; instead they will receive a 1.5 percent increase. In exchange, the village will contribute a retirement enhancement worth $2.5 million to the state system for PBA members. The village calculates that the $2.5 million is the value of the four percent difference in the salary increase over the next 10 years.
