Dr. Mary Ellen Freeley and Diane Scricca took over as superintendent of schools and deputy superintendent, respectively. Former middle school principal Joseph Donaghue moved into the central office, where he was put in charge of buildings, grounds and support staff. Former middle school assistant principal David Zimbler replaced Donaghue as principal and Steven Gilhuley took over for Zimbler as assistant principal. Stephanie Benfante stepped in as high school assistant principal.
In the Hempstead School District, James Grossane, who served as the middle school principal in the Locust Valley School District, took over as assistant superintendent. Thomas Lee became the new principal at West Hempstead High School. Lee was formerly the assistant principal at Garden City High School and served as chairman of numerous high school evaluation committees for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Two West Hempstead residents charged in fraud sweep
The Nassau County district attorneys office undertook a massive sweep of people allegedly participating in fraudulent unemployment claims, which resulted in more than 20 charges and arrests.
Twenty-five people were charged with fraud by the countys Criminal Frauds Bureau, including two West Hempstead residents, Wanda Stuart, 45, and William Richardson, Jr., 32, who, the bureau charges, collected $3,536 and $3,519, respectively.
Unemployment fraud affects countless businesses throughout the county and state, and, according to the New York State Department of Labor, costs business owners millions of dollars in unemployment taxes every year. Unemployment fraud is not a victimless crime, said District Attorney Denis Dillon. Business owners have been paying higher unemployment tax rates because of individuals collecting benefits that they were not entitled to receive. Ultimately, this type of criminal activity results in higher costs for all consumers.
Dillon said that defendants stole a total of $160,663.50 in state funds designed to assist people who are out of work.
All of the suspects were charged with third-degree grand larceny, a class D felony punishable by up to seven years in prison, and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, a class E felony punishable by up to four years in prison.
Editor of Malverne HS paper wrongfully arrested
Malverne High School senior Benjamin Traslavina was arrested at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, Sept. 1 while reporting on the floor of the Republican National Convention.
The honors student was covering the convention for the schools newspaper, the Malverne Mule, which he edits. He was in attendance with the Junior Statesmen Foundation, a student leadership organization, and had all necessary press credentials. He was awaiting an 11:30 a.m. speech by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Richard Myers when members of the AIDS activist group ACT UP tore off their ties and blazers to unveil anti-Bush T-shirts. They then began shouting anti-Bush slogans. Traslavina, just 50 yards away, starting walking over to the mob with other members of the press to snap photos.
Then whistles blew and the Secret Service charged in, said Traslavina, a senior.
Secret Service began rounding up the ACT UP protesters and Traslavina, 16 at the time, was grabbed and handcuffed. He immediately professed his innocence, which was supported by ACT UP members, and showed his press passes. Despite confirmation from ACT UP that he was not one of them, his camera was taken away and his film destroyed. He was brought with the protesters deep inside Madison Square Garden.
Traslavina and the protesters were loaded into a police wagon at about midnight and taken to Chelsea Piers for fingerprinting and mug shots. They were later transferred to a precinct on Center Street, where he was stripped of his belt and shoe laces like a real criminal for fear of suicide. But he was kept out of population and moved from cell to cell with the other protesters. He thought he was only being charged with disorderly conduct but learned he was being charged with a felony for inciting a riot, misdemeanor assault and a violation for misconduct.
It was well past midnight and he still had not spoken to his parents. Luckily, a police officer offered his cell phone. Traslavina called home and found his parents had been notified about what happened by the Young Statesmen but did not know where he was. A judge eventually released him Sept. 2 without bail. Traslavinas parents next move was hiring civil rights attorney Ron Kuby.
In October 2004, Traslavina was cleared of the felony and misdemeanor charges. Two months later, the violation charge was dropped.
Ive learned how incredibly important it is to protect civil liberties, Traslavina said. This was a wake-up call on how fragile they are.
Tragedy to triumph
A dangerous situation turned into a tale of triumph, thanks to the courage and quick thinking of one Malverne resident.
Michael Delahanty was working at his desk in his Hempstead Ave. home on Sept. 27 when his concentration was broken by the sound of a car screeching to a halt. Then he heard screaming.
Abdul-Kaygan Jamilali, a 31-year-old salesman, was driving through the neighborood on business. Jamilalis trip was cut short when he smelled smoke coming from the back of his car, prompting him to quickly stop his car in front of Delahantys home, police said.
The smoke emanated from an extra car battery Jamilali was carrying in his trunk, which somehow caught fire. Jamilali attempted to put out the fire with his bare hands, and then tried to remove his belongings from the car.
The result was near catastrophie. Battery acid caused third-degree burns to his left hand. Luckily for Jamilali, Delahanty heard his screams of pain and approached the vehicle. After seeing Jamilalis acid-singed hand, he told him to come inside for help.
Jamilali, obviously in shock, refused assistance.
He told me that he would just go and drive home. He was beyond a state of shock, Delahanty said.
Delahanty took the burn victim inside and immersed his hand in water. He then called police and within seconds, help arrived. Jamilali was airlifted to Nassau University Medical Center, where he was treated and released.
OCTOBER
Math test scores add up
According to figures released by the New York State Education Department, both the Malverne and West Hempstead school districts showed dramatic improvement in their performance on state-wide math exams.
The figures reflect performance on the tests by fourth- and eighth-graders. Students were graded on four levels, with level one being the lowest and level four the highest. Level four reflected a superior knowledge and consistent understanding of the subject; level three showed general understanding; level two indicated partial understanding; and level one reflected minimal understanding. Students scoring at levels three or four are considered to be meeting or exceeding state standards.
In West Hempstead, 80 percent of 173 eighth-graders in the district scored at levels three or four. That figure was above the 77 percent county-wide average, and also represented a seven percent increase over the number of students in the district who met the standards last year.
In Malverne, the results were also impressive. According to the report, 85 percent of the 141 eighth-graders in the district scored at levels three or four. That is a significant increase over last years performance, when only 72.5 percent of the students in the district scored at those levels.
The fourth-graders in West Hempstead performed as ably as their eighth-grade counterparts. Of the 169 fourth-graders in the district, 94.1 percent scored at levels three or four. That represents a 5.4 percent improvement over last year, and is above the county average of 93.9 percent.
The 90.9 percent of Malverne fourth-graders who met state standards are below the county average. However, the number represents an increase of 11.1 percent over the number of students who passed last year, the biggest improvement in the county.
The figures reflected scores of district students who took the state tests last May. The eighth-grade scores also include advanced-placement seventh graders who took the exam.
A church divided
The members of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Malverne were polarized over the future of their church building. At the heart of the debate was the issue of expansion.
More than 750 families favored expansion, according to the parishs pastor, the Rev. Donald M. Baier. Opponents gathered 186 signatures on a petition asking the church to cease its expansion plans.
What both sides agreed on is that in 2000, Baier began discussions on making the church accessible to the disabled by building a ramp near the entrance of the church, at 65 Wright Ave. However, if the ramp were built, a handicapped-accessible rest room would also have to be added. The addition of the bathroom would take away available seating in the church, and cost a significant amount of money.
While these discussions were taking place, the church was facing the possibility of a priest shortage. The church held seven weekend Masses with three priests, two of whom are retired. However, Baier said that if the priests decided to fully retire, the church would consolidate the Mass schedule and hold fewer, larger sessions.
Baier proposed three different expansion plans. The most widely accepted one called for a bigger gymnasium for the children in the churchs day school, and large-scale expansion to accommodate more crowded masses. The renovations would also make the church handicapped-accessible. Although the plan won widespread support, parishioners were unable to raise enough money to expand both the church and the gym.
With not enough funds available to satisfy both initiatives, the plan had to be changed. And thats where the problems arose. Michael Bailey, a parishioner who became the spokesman for the opposition, said that after it became clear that the original plan had to be scrapped, Baier decided on a course of action without consulting church members. He decided to go forward with large-scale expansion of the church, minus the larger gym.
The group opposing the more extensive expansion plans presented a petition with 186 signatures to Baier at a Malverne Zoning Board meeting on Sept. 30. By then, an architect had already drawn up the expansion plans.
NOVEMBER
Election Day
President George W. Bush defeated Massachusetts Senator John Kerry to earn a second term in the White House.
West Hempstead residents voted for the president 4,312 to 3,748. Malverne also favored Bush 3,237 to 2,796.
Area races for the U.S. Congress, State Assembly and State Senate held to form. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy retained her 4th Congressional District seat by winning over Republican challenger Hempstead Village Mayor James Garner.
In the 21st Assembly District, the Republican incumbent, Tom Alfano, won re-election over Democratic challenger George Bassias.
In the 18th A.D., incumbent Earlene Hooper retained her seat by beating her Republican challenger, Max Rodriguez. In the 17th A.D., incumbent Maureen OConnell was victorious over her Democratic challenger, Anthony Pellegrino.
In the 9th State Senate district, longtime Republican incumbent Dean Skelos was re-elected, besting Democrat Joshua Ketover.
Get back on track
Nassau and Suffolk commuters took the opportunity to voice their displeasure with the Long Island Rail Roads proposed fare hikes, service cuts, and elimination of the West Hempstead and Oyster Bay lines at the Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Huntington Hilton.
Fewer than 100 people attended the hearing, a mere fraction of the thousands of riders who will be negatively affected, both in their wallets and in their daily commutes.
Lynbrook Mayor Gene Scarpato said that even though Lynbrook is on the Long Beach line, many who reside in the western part of the village use the Westwood station, which is on the West Hempstead line.
People walk to that station from five or six blocks away, he said. Its a very important line. [If the line closed], then all of those people would then have to go to Valley Stream by car, or the main line in Lynbrook by car, and all the Malverne people would also have to go to Valley Stream or Lynbrook by car.
If the West Hempstead branch were to close, Scarpato said, Lynbrook station doesnt have enough available parking to serve additional commuters.
As it is, we dont have enough parking right now to accommodate the people who use the line now, he said. It would be devastating. I dont know where they would go.
Malverne Village trustee Patti McDonald and her husband Steven urged the MTA panel to consider the impact of closing down the West Hempstead branch.
I feel very strongly that if you stop the Long Island Rail Road service to the West Hempstead line, it will have a devastating effect, not only to the residents who use the line, but to the business owners as well, she said.
I cant understand why the MTA cant find the means to do more with less, to do whats necessary to keep lines like the West Hempstead line open, Steven said.
The MTA faces a substantial deficit in 2005. Originally estimated to be $436 million for fiscal 2005, the deficit is now pegged at $236 million, due to increased revenue from real estate tax subsidies. However, the agencys budget, by law, must be balanced. Thus, the MTA initially proposed fare hikes of 20 percent, but is now proposing hikes in the five to eight percent range.
The fare increases are necessary to offset rising costs from employee pension funds, health and welfare costs, and debt service, said MTA and LIRR spokesperson Brian Dolan.
The elimination of branches, like the West Hempstead line, wouldnt happen before 2006. It is too early to know for certain what stations or lines will be closed, said Dolan. Were not in the business of shutting things down, he said.
Presbyterian churches threatened
Local Presbyterian leaders condemned threats of violence against their institutions.
An anonymous letter, postmarked in Queens, was sent to the national headquarters of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky last month. It threatened arson attacks against Presbyterian churches throughout the country in retaliation for anti-Israel and anti-Jewish attitudes.
The Rev. Fritz Nelson, pastor of the Malverne Community Presbyterian Church, said his institution is taking the threat seriously, and is working with local agencies to ensure the safety of parishioners. Because the letter was sent from Queens, we were encouraged to take it more seriously, and we have taken all the measures youd expect, Nelson said. Were taking it seriously, but were also taking it in perspective. The vast majority of these threats are never acted out.
The Rev. James Barnum, of the Bellmore Presbyterian Church, said his church is also stepping up security. I think all of our churches are trying to be a little more cautious, he said. But at the same time, we never want to hesitate to make sure people feel welcomed.
The letter was sent in response to a decision in June by the Presbyterian Churchs National General Assembly (NGA) to look into divesting itself of ownership in stocks issued by companies doing business with Israel. The decision prompted protests and vitriol from outside the church, but the letter was the first threat of violence. It gave the NGA a Nov. 15 deadline to rethink its position or else, according to the Presbyterian Churchs official American Web site. The deadline passed without any reported incidents.
I promise violence against Presbyterian Churches, said the handwritten letter, according to the Web site. They will go up in flames ... thats a terrorist threat.
The Rev. Mark Greiner, of the First Presbyterian Church of Baldwin, said that the position of the church has been misrepresented. The media has erroneously reported that the church has already made a decision to divest. But that simply isnt true, he said. This summer, the Presbyterian Church voted to study phased selective divestment. We are only in a study phase. We do not have another NGA until June of 2006. We could only divest if our study leads us to do so, and then only after June 2006.
Malverne HS seniors hurt in scuffle
Three Malverne High School seniors were jumped at a Wyandanch house party Friday, Nov. 19, and one student was stabbed in the back and another sustained a severe eye injury, sources told the Herald. A third student was slashed on the arm.
According to sources, nine Malverne High School students were invited by a fellow classmate to a party in Wyandanch. While most of the students stayed outside the house when they arrived shortly before 11 p.m., a few went inside. A crowd of partygoers inside jumped one Malverne student, beating him in the face. Another Malverne student standing nearby rushed to help his friend and was stabbed in the back. During the scuffle, a third student was slashed on the arm. None of the other students were injured.
Police were called to the house, and rescue units took the three teens to the hospital, police said. The victims were treated and released. The Herald is withholding the identities of the victims, who declined comment last week.
The two students who sustained knife wounds returned to school before the Thanksgiving holiday, but the third students eye injury reportedly kept him home.
The source said the victims believed they were targeted by a gang whose prospective members had to start a fight as part of initiation. No arrests were made.
Condos coming to Lakeview?
A development group contracted to purchase more than 10 acres of light manufacturing-zoned land on Orlando Avenue in Lakeview is seeking a zone change to allow construction of a gated community with 100 condominium units.
The proposal, brought before the Hempstead Town Board on Tuesday, Nov. 30, calls for 100 duette (attached) 1,800-square-foot homes with one-car garages. A clubhouse with a pool - which requires a special-exception permit - and a keypad- or remote control-operated gate would complete The Meadows at West Hempstead, as it is being called.
A 150,000-square-foot manufacturing plant, the temporary quarters of Richner Communications Inc., publishers of Herald Community Newspapers and PrimeTime Guide, presently occupies the site. The Meadows plan is in sharp contrast to the 289-unit retirement community that was proposed last year by the same developers, the Lynbrook-based Engel-Burman Group. Engel-Burman is in contract with Butterfly Realty to take over the property.
That plan and the current proposal were blasted by Lakeview residents and the Lakeview Citizens Committee. Nearly 100 Lakeview residents attended the town board meeting with a message: The condominium development is not wanted. Reasons ranged from disdain for attached housing, to the $450,000-per-home asking price, but centered on concern about the Malverne School Districts and the Lakeview Fire Departments ability to handle so many new residents.
Fire and police responses increase. Two children in each home means 200 extra children in our presently crowded school district, 40-year resident Marilyn Alias said at the town board meeting. If one-half of the children attend elementary school, this means two extra school buses, four extra classrooms of students, four extra teachers with salaries, and benefits in excess of $30,000. Our present school facilities cannot accommodate 200 additional students.
Real estate expert Barry Nelson, speaking on behalf of Engel-Burman, said he estimates that 45 children would be added to the Malverne School District, a figure considered conservative by Lakeview residents in attendance. By Nelsons estimates, the development would generate $769,000 in school taxes. Nelson also said that owners of the new homes would pay about $12,526 each in total taxes. According to the Nassau County assessors office, however, each new homeowner would pay more than $14,000 in taxes.
The issue was before the town board instead of the Board of Zoning Appeals because a change in zoning is being sought, as opposed to a variance based on current zoning, according to town spokeswoman Susan Trenkle.
DECEMBER
New plan for
Our Lady of Lourdes
The architect for Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Malverne unveiled a scaled-down version of expansion plans at a Dec. 9 Malverne Zoning Board meeting.
The addition has been reduced from the original plan of 2,734 square feet to 1,700. In addition, the total number of seats in the church has been reduced from 617 to 543, with 498 seats in the pews and the rest in the nave and for the music ministry.
With fewer available seats, fewer parking spaces are required by the zoning board. Under the new plan, 71 spaces are available, which means that a smaller percentage of the property will be used for parking. At the previous zoning board meeting, officials suggested that the lot coverage be reduced to 30 percent. With a smaller expanded church and fewer parking spaces, total lot coverage comes to 29.9 percent.
The new design, according to the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Rev. Donald Baier, and the architect, Ira Haspel, will be less expensive than the original project, the cost of which was estimated at $2.3 million. The church has raised $1.8 million for the project. Baier said the difference will be made up by the churchs savings.
The issue of expansion was first discussed more than four years ago. At that time, the church began discussing the ramifications of a priest shortage. With fewer priests, the church would have to host fewer weekend Masses, meaning that more people would attend any given Mass. Baier suggested expansion as a means of eliminating the problem of an overcrowded, understaffed institution.
At the same time, parishioners and Baier recognized a need for handicapped access to the church. Expansion would help satisfy this need as well.
Originally, church members agreed to expand the facility and build a gymnasium. However, initial fund-raising campaigns fell short, and plans for the gym had to be scrapped.
Even without the gym in the plans, 758 parishioners pledged money for the expansion project. Nearly 200 parishioners, however, oppose the plans. Those in opposition said they have not had enough input and would prefer to have the church made handicapped-accessible without drastically altering the layout of the building.
Members of the zoning board elected not to make a final decision last week in order to further review the new designs. Officials said that the final decision should be made at the next meeting, the fourth on the issue. No date was set for the meeting because of the holiday season.
Reality star returns
The Apprentice contestant and 1991 West Hempstead High School graduate Chris Russo gave students at his alma mater tips on becoming captains of industry on Dec. 10.
Shot before Christmas
The hamlet of Lakeview was shaken Sunday afternoon, Dec. 19 when a 21-year-old man was shot in the chest on Woodfield Road.
Ronald Nevilles, of 33 Carol St. in Lakeview, was charged with attempted murder.
Fifth Precinct police officers responded to a call reporting the shooting at 1160 Woodfield Rd. at about 4:26 p.m. When they arrived, they discovered a male victim with a gunshot wound to the chest. While at the scene, police said, they received information allegedly tying the crime to Nevilles. Based on the tip, officers Richard Grogan and Robert Conklin drove to the Carol Street address. At 4:50 p.m., they arrested Nevilles as he allegedly attempted to flee.
Police recovered a loaded .32 caliber semi-automatic handgun near the scene. Nevilles was charged with second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault.
The victim, whom police did not identify, was taken to Winthrop University Hospital.
