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Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

By Doug Finlay   Mon, Jul 19, 2010

Local talent won big during the 13th Annual Long Island International Film Expo at the Bellmore Movies when Jill Schissel of North Bellmore, Bellmore resident Sal Del Guidice's film and John Lazzaro of Wantagh all won awards in their respective categories. See Wednesday's Bellmore Life for complete details...

By Doug Finlay   Fri, Jul 16, 2010

Brushing aside concerns of liability that plagued the Friday Night Cruisers during its three-year tenure at the Long Island Rail Road parking lot several years ago, the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores will take over the car show as quickly as it can get a permit from the town to do so.

“Members of the board discussed the possibility of liability” in taking over the car show, remarked chamber President Ron Mare to Bellmore Life, “but we also discussed the fact that we believe we run one of the most successful street fairs in the county.” Armed with that history, the chamber  is moving full-speed ahead to get a permit from the town to use a parking field on Friday nights, and to get insurance, portable sanitary toilets and cleanup crews to clean up the lot after the show. 

Joe Verdi, Greg Conneely and Gene Judd of the chamber have been designated to oversee and coordinate the car show on a day-to-day basis. Mr. Conneely said the job would entail watching closely the logistics of the show, such as maintenance of the portable sanitary toilets and seeing that the parking lot is cleaned up after the show.

The liability issue ran strong with the Friday Night Cruisers during their time at the lot at the beginning of the decade because local opposition was high, particularly from the then-Bellmore Homeowners Association, which has since disbanded. Jeff Lovering, president of the now-defunct Bellmore Village Merchants Association, also came out against the car show, saying that the throngs of people who came to the show – including families – took parking spaces away from legitimate patrons of businesses on Bedford Avenue, depriving those businesses of their patrons.

One source, who asked to remain anonymous, said that several years ago a serious incident in Merrick concerning  a pedestrian was attributed to a car that had come from the Friday Night Cruisers, but that information was never confirmed. Pat Capetti, then president of the FNC, told Bellmore Life during his show’s tenure that he would disband the legal name Friday Night Cruisers and not request a new permit because opposition was running high. He inferred he was concerned with liability issues. But Mr. Mare said that when he walked down Bedford Avenue after the board had made its decision, “everyone I talked to was thrilled to death” about new ownership of the car show.

Over the last several weeks the car show has been closed to more cars coming in because commuters have been unable to get out of the parking lot. Police closed the lot to assist commuters exiting of the parking lot. Mr. Mare told Bellmore Life the prevailing thought is to run the car show from 6-10 p.m. to give commuters time to exit the parking lot before the show starts. He wished to thank members of several car clubs that frequent the show, including the South Side Boys, Back-In-Time, and the Long Island Roadsters for their offer of assistance to help any commuters who come in during the car show to get their cars out. 

During a meeting among board members and other groups recently at the Mediterranean Grill, Mr. Mare was confronted with questions of cost, especially from those who believed that charging a fee to get in would be in bad faith. “This is a tough economy, and we don’t want to have to come to a car show if we have to pay,” was the sentiment of one attendee. Mr. Mare said the cost of insurance, of the permit and for cleanup could run upwards of $500-600 for each day of the car show.

He also dismissed a source’s figure in last week’s Bellmore Life suggesting that between $3,000-6,000 per month could be generated by the car show.   “Our aim at present would be to break even on this car show.” He said there is preliminary discussion to consider creating a new association next year that would charge car owners a yearly fee for joining the association – under the chamber umbrella – to help defray costs. “Families coming for a night out to see the cars wouldn’t be charged,” he said. Joey Congema, one of six charter members who run the South Side Boys Car Club, a 600-650-member car club, told Bellmore Life he was not against charging a fee if it would help defray costs. 

“I can see charging cars who want to come into the parking lot $10 to display their car, and I would pay $100 for the privilege of being a member of any association that would run the car club in Bellmore,” Mr. Congema said. Mr. Congema is an original car enthusiast from the Friday Night Cruisers going back 15 years at the parking lot. Reaction from retailers on Bedford Avenue was, as Mr. Mare contended,  favorable. “The food establishments will be appreciative,” said Kevin MacKinnon, owner of Days Gone Bye candy store.  Roy and Myrna Weinman of Weinman’s Hardware agreed it was “a positive step for the whole community.”

By Laraine Milazzo   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Re-elected Trustees Rosemarie Corless and Joann Delauter were also sworn in for another term. The appointment of officers included: assistant superintendent for business Toni Cincotta as district clerk; Jaspan Schlesinger LLP as board attorney; Jeanne Canavan as board secretary  and deputy treasurer; Barbara Fillios as treasurer. 

Among the many items approved for the upcoming school year were the calendar of board meetings, the external auditor, committees on special education and pre-school special education, a claims auditor, bond advisors and financial advisors. Board of Education committees approved were building and grounds, budget and finance, curriculum, community relations and legislation. Trustees voted Ms. Delauter as their delegate to the New York State School Boards Association, and board members Nina Lanci and Joe Perrone were named representatives to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District (CHSD).

Regular meeting

After the annual reorganization meeting, board members held the monthly board meeting. During the regular meeting, Ms. Lanci reported that at the last CHSD meeting a $1,500 donation was gratefully accepted from the Merrick Avenue Middle School PTA. Trustees voted to dispose of some obsolete equipment. High school graduations took place throughout the three schools in the district: Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham. Ms. Lanci attended the Mepham graduation where the 299 graduates were celebrated. “It was a great day,” said Ms. Lanci.

Superintendent report

Arnold Goldstein thanked Ms. Delauter for her service as president during the last year, saying she was “committed and hardworking.” He welcomed working with Ms. Corless during this school year.  The district’s five elementary schools enjoyed sixth-grade graduations. Mr. Goldstein said the year ended well, with North Bellmore students performing superbly in statewide testing.

The preliminary results “were really excellent,” he said. It was cautioned, however, that the state will be raising the cutoff on assessments, making it harder for children to achieve the highest third and fourth levels. The state raising the bar could result in more costs to the district, said the superintendent. He explained that more students will fall into the category of needing additional instruction. Mr. Goldstein said the summer special-education program had begun at Saw Mill Road School, where the students worked in classrooms without air conditioning during the latest heat wave. Fans were installed in the classrooms and plenty of water was distributed to the students. The North Bellmore Educational Foundation enrichment program began Monday. Mr. Goldstein encouraged parents “to find time for books.” It was hoped that parents will continue to read with their children.  “Have a wonderful summer,” said Mr. Goldstein.

Buildings and grounds

Director of Facilities Frank Russo said that all the buildings were being cleaned in anticipation of September's re-opening.  Among the capital projects scheduled for this summer are the refurbishing of the girls’ bathrooms at Newbridge Road School; flooring repairs at Dinkelmeyer, Park Avenue and Jacob Gunther schools; and chimney work at the Martin Avenue School. Work on the chimneys at Gunther and Park Avenue will begin shortly.

Curriculum and instruction

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Marilyn Johnson said that an English as a second language  (ESL) program  is happening at Saw Mill Road School with funding made possible by a grant. There are two curriculum projects underway to extend the reading program, Foundations, into the fifth grade. Work is being done on a library curriculum for fifth- and sixth- graders, said Dr. Johnson. Deputy Superintendent Carol Eskew extended thanks to staff members working on the special education summer program. “It’s a well orchestrated symphony of activity,” said Ms. Eskew. Thanks to Saw Mill Principal Frances Bennett and the custodial staff at the school, Ms. Eskew said that opening day “went off without a hitch.” An informative meeting was held with bus drivers and matrons on the buses, said the deputy superintendent. The meeting was deemed beneficial by all. Ms. Eskew also thanked Gary Pardo, director of technology, for setting up the equipment for the summer program.

Donations

A number of donations were gratefully accepted and approved, including $93.51 from Stop & Shop Bonus Bucks Program for Martin Avenue School; a six-foot Kenmore freezer from  Marion Knigin; $165 from the Diabetes Foundation to be used for physical education supplies at Martin Avenue; $383.43 from the Stop & Shop Bonus Bucks Program for the Dinkelmeyer School; $820 from Saw Mill's sixth-grade parents to be used toward payment of the canoe trip; and a donation from the Park Avenue PTA of $9,967 for the school. 

The next meeting of the Board of Education will be held at the Martin Avenue School on Thursday, August 12, at 8 p.m.

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Fran Licausi, director of the Wellness Council of the Belllmores and Merricks, told Bellmore Life that the agency has lost $35,000 to state budget cuts for next year’s budget. “$30,000 came from state Senator Charles Fuschillo and $5,000 from state Assemblyman Dave McDonough,” she said. Of the $35,000 total, $15,000 went for the post-prom party, and $15,000 to other programs, such as the drug program and walk-in programs. To make up for the losses, “we will do more aggressive fundraising for next year, and look for other grants,” she said. She also hopes for help from county Legislator Dave Denenberg. 

By Lauren Urban   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

The 13th annual Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE), boasting 156 short- and feature-length films, kicked off with an opening night party last week flooded with filmmakers, and followed with an 117-minute opening night film block that featured measurable doses of laughter, tears, tension and suspense, offering  something for everybody. 

Steve Strangio of Oceanside, writer/producer of “Just a Kiss,” the romantic drama about a couple who reunites 10 years after one perfect kiss, was there.   The woman in the film, married with three children, and the man, single and still searching, run into each other at a bachelorette party.  “I wanted to write a film where it’s really just people talking simply, but [still] holds [the audience’s] interest. It’s a simple story [about] people with real emotions...Basically, it’s all about closure,” said Mr. Strangio. 

The 11-minute, low-budget film was shot in one day in Oceanside. It had its world premiere on Tuesday, July 13, during the 7 p.m. film block.  In addition to filmmaking, Mr. Strangio has dabbled in playwriting, stand up comedy and even invented his own sport. “Only by attempting the insane can you achieve the impossible,” he concluded. 

Daniel Bulger, director of “14 Days,” also mingled among the independent celebrants during opening night.  The 13-minute drama, inspired from the Terri Schiavo case, revolves around the dreams of a comatose man, dying since his wife pulled his feeding tube.  It had its world premiere on Tuesday, July 13, during the 9:30 p.m. film block. The New York Film Academy student film took six days, 14 people (including actors), and $1,200 to make. “We filmed at my parents’ house in Levittown,” said Mr. Bulger. While he usually likes light-hearted films, Mr. Bulger is in pre-production on a horror comedy because it was “too good to pass up.” 

Also present were writer/director Gregory Behrens and producer Mark Donne of “The Windmill & The Watershed.” The 20-minute movie, which took six crew members and $2,000 to make, is about a New York writer who goes to visit his aging father, a drip painter who has begun to lose grip of reality.  The father and son struggle to see eye- to-eye in their last brief interlude before the father’s final masterpiece ends it all.  While the film appears at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 17, it premiered at Fairfield University’s Film Festival, where Mr. Behrens and Mr. Donne attend college. Mr. Behrens won the award for best screenwriting.

Judge Jim on giving films the ‘green light’ 

Jim Cook is one of the judges for the festival. Mr. Cook interned for Debra Markowitz, director of the Nassau County Film Office, which sponsors LIIFE, when he was in college. The two stayed in touch, while Mr. Cook freelanced in the film industry and made some of his own films.  “I now volunteer my time at the Nassau County Film Office,” said Mr. Cook. “I showed Debra some sample critiques I had of current films, and from there, I eventually became a judge.”

When judging a film, Mr. Cook goes in with “an open mind” and “little to  no expectations of the film.” He eventually asks himself what the filmmaker is trying to achieve. “I am a firm believer that in any form of art, especially film, you can do whatever you want, as long as it works,” he said. “If the filmmaker achieved his/her goals then I will continue to break the film down in other ways.” Mr. Cook especially focuses on the acting, direction, editing and cinematography throughout the film. He also looks to  be enlightened or entertained, and  if the film resonated on some personal level.  “It was a rewarding experience to give some very special films the green light and have them shown to the world,” he concluded.

Hell hath no rage...

During the opening night film block, “Kiss Me A’ready” offered the audience  an eight-minute roller coaster ride of emotion. The scene opens with romantic tension, as a woman awaits a goodnight kiss from a man after their first date.  The woman’s anticipation increases   as the couple stares at each other and  she then hints at what a great time she had. But the man does not make a move!

Comic relief finally comes, among much laughter from the audience, when the man explains he forgot to wear deodorant and does not want to get close. Sigh... Tension increases yet again as the woman leads the man inside. He sits in silence as she gives him a sponge bath while he sits in a chair. The anticipation in the audience continues to build as she then leads him back outside to the scene of the failed first kiss. As the man goes in for the kiss, the woman blocks him with her hand, turns around and goes inside, causing the audience to cheer and laugh.  As the film’s synopsis tells us, “Hell hath no rage like a love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned!”

Video killed the radio star...or did it?

“Mildred Richards,” produced/directed by 1995 Calhoun High School graduate Jill Schissel, was the second movie of the evening. The 19-minute film concerns Mildred Richards, an egomaniacal, nearly bankrupt actress who enlists the assistance of her reluctant brother Gerald to wrest away their dying aunt’s fortune. Mildred puts on the performance of her life, pretending to be a sweet, young woman in order to gain her aunt’s inheritance.

However, upon learning that her aunt  knew about her three divorces and anything-but-sweet lifestyle through the help of a private investigator, Mildred kills her.  When the aunt’s lawyer comes to the house to draw up the will, Mildred hides the dead body and uses her acting skills to pose as her aunt.

She keeps her face hidden in her dark bedroom and requests that her assets be fully divided between Mildred and Gerald.  Mildred’s scheme may have worked, had it not been for her ego. While posing as her aunt, she reads newspaper critiques to the lawyer praising her “niece’s” Broadway performances. Upon hearing this, the doctor, one of the few people who knew the aunt was blind and could not have read from the paper, suspects Mildred. 

Mildred pulls out a gun, but when a struggle for the weapon breaks out, she is the one who gets shot. “Mildred Richards” was produced by Radio Film Pictures, LLC, which Ms. Schissel started in order to combine her passion for filmmaking with the Golden Age of Radio. 

The audience was shocked when Ms. Schissel announced during the question-and-answer session after the film block that much of the audio was pre-recorded from radio, and the actors were mostly lip syncing.  Kat Wisener, who played Mildred, was also on hand. She said the film was a challenge as an actress because “so much has already been decided” for her. Ms. Schissel added that it was a challenge to format the story, originally made for radio, to a film. She said that in film school you learn to “show,  not tell” what is happening, but in radio, the characters’ actions had to be narrated since the audience can’t see them.  She said it was also a challenge to connect the segments of the story because on radio they were separated by commercials. Despite the challenges, Ms. Schissel clearly proved that video did not kill the radio star; the two can live simultaneously. 

Living for two

“The 5th Quarter,” starring Andie McDowell and Aiden Quinn, had enough emotion to fill a football field. Jon Abbate, played by Ryan Merriman, actually does fill a football field with his feelings.  After the tragic and fatal car crash that takes the life of his 15-year-old brother Luke, Jon doesn’t know how to go on. Overcome with grief, he gives up playing college football and drinks almost every day. But Jon has a transformation, and decides he has to “live for two.” He begins training hard to start playing football again since his brother loved the sport, as he played for the high school team in his beloved number 5 jersey. Jon’s strength and perserverence inspires his entire team.

Wearing his brother’s number 5 jersey, Jon also inspires thousands of fans in the stadium, who held out five fingers in honor of Luke, ultimately implementing an honorary “5th quarter.” The Deacons, originally ranked to finish last in their conference, go on to win the championship game and have the most successful season in school history. As the film’s tagline says, “From the ashes of great tragedy can come great achievement.”

At moments there was not a dry eye in the theater. Particularly heart-wrenching scenes included Luke’s mom, played by Andie McDowell, explaining to her family that Luke wanted to be an organ donor, and when Luke’s dad, played by Aiden Quinn, rolled his son’s casket out of the wake in hysterics.  The many football scenes, however, gave the audience something to cheer about, especially when Jon blocks a field goal attempt  to win the game.  Bittersweet feelings stir when a woman who received Luke’s heart, and her young daughter, visit the Abbates’ house at the end.  Andy Medelson, who composed the score and co-wrote three songs for “The 5th Quarter,” was present at the question-and-answer session. He explained that director/writer Rick Bieber held a national talent search among songwriters/musicians in order to select the songs featured in the movie.  One audience member asked Mr. Medelson if the film had ever been accused of “being done before,” in movies such as “Remember the Titans,” although saying that he himself did not feel that way.

Mr. Medelson responded that the film is “based on a true story, which gives it a certain resonance and makes it different from other movies.” The Long Island International Film Expo continues through July 18 at the Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore. You can visit www.Longislandfilm.com or call 783-3199 for more information.

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Thursday, July 15
4:30 p.m. (116 minutes)“Breadwinner”  – 10 minutes.“No Pity” – 19 minutes.“Drawing with Chalk” – 87 minutes.
7 p.m. (115 minutes)“Mafia Sons” – 10 minutes. “Break” – 20 minutes. “Poligamy” – 85 minutes.
9:30 p.m. (112 minutes)“Post Nup” – 4 minutes. “Ext. Life” – 28 minutes. “Tenderloin” – 80 minutes.

Friday, July 16
1 p.m. (105 minutes)“Penguins” – 3 minutes. “Eye to Eye” – 25 minutes. “South Pole” – 27 minutes. “Quantum Quest” –  50 minutes. 3:15 p.m. (120 minutes)“Attention to Detail” – 1 minute. “In Dreams” – 4 minutes. “Did You…” – 10 minutes. “Intermission” – 12 minutes. “Here’s Herbie” – 12 minutes. “Everyone Has Their Miracles” – 25 minutes. “Taught to Hate” – 27 minutes. “Too Good To Be True” – 29 minutes.
5:30-6:45 p.m. Friday Filmmakers Fiesta – Filmmakers Lounge – Free to 2010 LIIFE Filmmakers, Gold Pass holders and Filmmakers Connection members. Treats by Piccolo’s and Starbucks.7 p.m. (119 minutes)“Clemency” – 19 minutes. “My Name is Jerry” – 100 minutes.
9:30 p.m. (136 minutes)“This Mortal Coil” – 18 minutes.“Bereavement” – 118 minutes.

Saturday, July 17
10:30 a.m.-noon Panel and Filmmakers Breakfast –  in the Filmmakers Lounge. “The Good, The Bad and the Horror Stories: The Perils of Independent Filmmaking” moderated by Mitchell Bard of Snapper Films.  General public – $10; LIIFE 2010 participating filmmakers – $5.
Noon-12:45 p.m.“Write Stuff” – Panel on Scriptwriting – Filmmakers Lounge. Free.
2 p.m. (119 minutes)“In Memoriam” – 8 minutes. “Ripe Strawberries” – 8 minutes. “Flowers for Annabelle” – 10 minutes. “Earthwork” – 93 minutes.
4:30 p.m. (117 minutes)“Envirometer” – 5 minutes. “Excerpts from Suki’s Diary” – 8 minutes.“Dorothy Parker’s The Sexes” – 8 minutes.“Lunch Money” – 8 minutes. “War (UERRA)” – 16 minutes. “The Windmill & The Watershed” – 20 minutes. “Wild About Harry” – 52 minutes.
7 p.m. (118 minutes)“Superstitious” – 4 minutes. “Underestimated” – 12 minutes. “Predilection (Predilecao)” –  17 minutes. “The Last Day of Summer” – 85 minutes.
9:30 p.m. (123 minutes)“Sebastian’s Voodoo” – 5 minutes. “The Kiddush Man” – 11 minutes. “My Sweet Misery” – 107 minutes.

Sunday, July 18
Noon-12:45 p.m.Film Distribution Panel – Filmmakers Lounge. Free. Hear industry professionals discuss the current state of independent film distribution.
Closing Festivities
2:30-4:30 p.m. Filmmakers Lounge – buffet.
4:30-6 p.m. Musical act, comedian and awards ceremony in the Bellmore Movies.
6-10 p.m. AfterLIIFE Party in the Filmmakers Lounge.
General admission $50 all for all these activities; $40 for participating 2010 LIIFE Filmmakers, Gold Pass holders and Filmmakers Connection members.

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore invites nominations for candidates for induction into their “Hall of Fame”!

Criteria and nomination forms can be accessed on the school website: www.cougar-online.org

The Hall of Fame seeks to recognize alumni who have achieved extraordinary success in their chosen field or have provided exemplary service to the school or community. Any alumnus, community resident or staff member may sponsor a candidate by completing a nomination form.

Nomination deadline: August 13, 2010

Inductees announced: September 17, 2010

Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner: Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in the John F. Kennedy High School Gymnasium

By Laura Schofer   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) confirmed a spill of 25,000 gallons of waste water or digested sludge from the Cedar Creek Water Treatment Plant’s S building on Friday, July 2. The spill was caused by a “failure of a sensor from the overflow tank,” said DEC spokesperson Aphrodite Montalvo. 

The Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control Plant, in Seaford, is behind Cedar Creek Park. It is one of the two Nassau County-run sewage treatment plants on the South Shore of Long Island and processes more than 60,000 gallons of sewage a day, including the homes in the Bellmores. S building is where water is removed from the sludge. The spill, which looks like black water, occurred shortly after 1 a.m.  Contractors had already been called to the facility on Monday, June 28, and Wednesday, June 30, when spills inside S building occurred, said Legislator Dennis Dunne.

Although the contractors were able to correct the problems in the conduit lines, a third spill took place on July 2. An operator had to physically stop the pump when the meter didn’t register that the level of the sludge was too high.  Cedar Creek employees told Bellmore Life the system is very complicated and the spill may have occurred because of a problem with some of the fuses having corrosion, for example. Ms. Montalvo said a “vac truck  was placed over the storm drains to keep the spill from going into the creek.

There is currently an investigation into the spill but no violations have yet been issued.” Meanwhile the county has still not hired any new employees in the maintenance department of the Cedar Creek plant.  Legislator Dunne said that “16 potential employees were being interviewed but a few didn’t cut the mustard.”  Mr. Dunne remains hopeful that the county will hire new employees.  At the nearby Jones Beach sewage treatment plant, there have been no new violations to its permit, even with the record breaking number of people visiting Jones Beach these past few weeks. 

The Jones Beach sewage plant is a state-run facility that dumps approximately 120,000 gallons of treated effluent or treated waste water in the waters off of Zach’s Bay. With the assistance of SPLASH and other environmental organizations, the state agreed to a plan that would allow the Jones Beach plant to hook up to Cedar Creek sewage plant’s outflow pipe. The Cedar Creek outflow pipe dumps effluent two miles out in the ocean. The DEC issued a permit for the hook-up late last year. 

By Laura Schofer   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Robert Leo Sheppard, also known as Bob Sheppard of Baldwin, died on Sunday, July 11 at his home. He was 99 years old.

Mr. Sheppard, known to millions of Yankees  fans as the “voice of God,” was the longtime announcer of the Bronx Bombers. But to his neighbors in Baldwin he was simply a gracious man, devoted to his family, his church, his community  and to his profession as a speech teacher.

The Leader’s former Baldwin editor, Joan Delaney, first met Bob Sheppard and his wife Mary years ago when they would ride their bicycles over to Lakeside Place where the Delaneys and Mary’s parents, Estelle and Bob Hoffman, lived. “He never viewed himself as a celebrity,” said Joan, who then recounted the time when “he and Mary came to visit the Hoffmans.

It had snowed. He playfully threw a snowball at my daughter, who felt comfortable enough to throw a snowball back at him.” Bob Sheppard was a familiar face in the community. Each morning he and his wife attended mass at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church. They also served as lectors, assigned to read scriptural passages during mass. 

“He loved when the children from St. Christopher’s school would serve as lectors. I would watch his face. It would light up with delight when a child was particularly articulate,” said Mrs. Delaney.

“After mass he would go over and talk with the child, who didn’t know who he was. He was such a gracious man.” He also freely gave of his time to the community. He lent his voice as announcer for the BCADA Baseball fundraiser a few years ago, and Mrs. Delaney recalls how when the high school performed “Damn Yankees” it was Bob Sheppard’s voice that opened the evening.

“Welcome to Baldwin Senior High School,” he said in that very elegant and sonorous voice of his. “He didn’t receive any credit for it,” explained Mrs. Delaney. “I remember sitting there and people would say ‘Who is that? The voice is so familiar.’”

Bob Sheppard also read the Declaration of Independence at a Fourth of July celebration that used to take place on Central Avenue and he was a featured speaker at the Baldwin Historical Society.

If there was any important event in Baldwin, Bob Sheppard was there. “He was such an elegant man, very proper and old school. He was the quintessential gentleman,” said Mrs. Delaney. Mr. Sheppard’s “day job” was as a speech teacher who also loved literature, especially poetry. He graduated from St. John’s University in 1932 and received a Master’s degree from Columbia University in 1933, according to Legacy.com.

“His pacing was so unique, his enunciation correct and distinctive,” said Mrs Delaney. “For example, he would say God BLESS America.” “Bob Sheppard was a great member of the Yankees family and his death leaves a lasting silence,” said George Steinbrenner, Yankee owner, in a prepared statement made shortly before his own death on Tuesday, July 13.

Mr. Sheppard began announcing for the Yankees in April of 1951. According to the Boston Globe, the line-up that first day included Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Mize and Phil Rizzuto of the Yankees along with Bobby Doerr, Lou Boudreau and Ted Williams of the Red Sox.

Mr. Sheppard is survived by his wife Mary, sons Paul and Christopher, daughters Barbara and Mary, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

THE LIGHTS CLUB BASEBALL TEAM photo courtesy of Freeport Historical Society

Walter “Jumbo” Brown was born in Rhode Island on April 30, 1907, and began his major league career in 1925 as a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. He played for the Yankees for four seasons, including the World Series winning teams of 1932 and 1936. He ended his career with the New York Giants in 1941. 

He lived in Freeport and ran a sporting goods store at 15 West Sunrise Highway. He died on October 20, 1966.

Lou Gehrig married Eleanor Grace Twitchell on September 29, 1933, at his home at 5 Circuit Road, New Rochelle. Witnesses included Frederick M. Linder of Mount Vernon and Blanche C. Austin of Freeport, the bride's aunt. The day after the wedding, Gene and Blanche Austin hosted a reception for the couple in their Freeport home. Research continues to locate the exact address of the Austins’ house. Photographs of the reception in Freeport can be viewed at www.corbisimages.com

Branch Rickey Jr., known as “Twig,” was the son of Branch Rickey, the baseball executive who broke the color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson.  Branch Rickey Jr. worked as the vice-president of the Pittsburgh Pirates and director of the team’s farm system.  He lived in Freeport and was active in the Freeport Methodist Church.

Babe Ruth visited Freeport in 1920.  He attended the L.I.G.H.T.S Club Circus and had dinner at the Lexington Avenue home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bulger.

Bob Sheppard, the “Voice of Yankee Stadium,” was discovered while serving as PA announcer for a football game at Freeport’s Municipal Stadium. 

Al Von Tilzer, composer of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” lived on Southside Avenue in Freeport.

Jean Yawkey, owner of the Boston Red Sox, lived at 16 Rosedale Avenue, Freeport, in the 1920s and ’30s. She married Thomas Yawkey in 1944 and became an avid Red Sox fan.  Mrs. Yawkey meticulously kept score in a custom-bound set of cards. 

In 1984, she became director of the National Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame – the first woman elected to the Hall of Fame’s board. She was also a major benefactor to the museum, donating two wings and commissioning a basswood statue of Ted Williams.  In 1992, Jean Yawkey died at the age of 83 after suffering a severe stroke.

Roy Campanella played baseball at the Freeport Municipal Stadium in 1937 with the Washington Elite Giants.

- Regina Feeney 

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

MARIAN KNOELLER WAY: From left are Jerri Quibell, Charles Hirschberg, John Nuzzi, Legislator David Denenberg, Krysten Knoeller, Robert Chapman, Lillian Knoeller, Mayor Andrew Hardwick, James Knoeller, James J. Knoeller, Councilwoman Angie Cullin and Anna Knoeller.

Mayor Andrew Hardwick, joined by friends and family of the late Marian Knoeller, proclaimed July 8 as Marian Knoeller Day.

For over 50 years, Mrs. Knoeller devoted her life to caring for the needs of others.  She contributed her time and efforts to countless organizations, groups and individuals and will always be remembered as a woman of compassion and generosity.  

In addition to proclaiming July 8 Marian Knoeller Day, West Second Street has been renamed in her honor. Mayor Andrew Hardwick found it a privilege to remember a longtime Freeport resident whose life was dedicated to serving the community. 

By proclaiming July 8 Marian Knoeller Day, friends and family will always have a dedicated day to honor and cherish her memory, he added.

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Soropomist International of Nassau County (SINC) presented the organization’s President’s Award to Fran Karliner at its fundraising gala at the Westbury Manor. 

According to current president Mary Howard-Longmuir, "The President’s Award is presented each year to a person who exemplifies Soroptimist's mission to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Each year, the president of SINC selects a special member to receive the club’s President’s Award. The individual selected is recognized and honored for the standard she sets for volunteer service; a sustained commitment to the club and the Soroptimist mission; and the inspiration she provides to others." 

Fran Karliner served as president of Soropomist International of Nassau County (SINC) for three years, bringing her creativity, intelligence, passion and innate drive to the organization. Under her leadership, SINC’s mission of “women at their best working to help other women to be their best,” both locally and internationally, achieved greater relevancy. As immediate past president, Fran’s dedication to SINC has not wavered; she serves as this year’s gala chair. 

Fran has been the director of development and community relations for Hi-Hello Child Care, Inc. in Freeport since 2001. She also provides a range of consulting services to child care providers and high school seniors in the college application process. 

From 1996 until 2001, Fran held the position of public relations/marketing and grants director at the Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc. In addition, she was a senior account executive in a New York City public relations firm and a fundraiser for the National Committee of Labor Israel.   Taking time out from the traditional workforce to raise her two daughters, she was a public relations consultant and was a partner in a company that provided on-site corporate training in business writing, customer service and time management. 

With not-for-profit and philanthropic endeavors too numerous to list, Fran is  president-elect of the Association for Fundraising Professionals, Long Island Chapter, and a member of the board of trustees of the National Association of Mothers’ Centers. Her influence on organizations has included the Long Island Fund for Women and Girls, the Long Island Women’s Agenda, ORT America, and the Plainview-Old Bethpage PTA and School District. 

Her most significant accomplishments are shared with her husband, Gideon: raising two talented and loving adult daughters, Danielle and Ilana. A generous humanitarian with highly held principles and boundless energy, Fran Karliner exemplifies the essence of what it means to be a Soroptimist.  Founded in 1921, Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who provide volunteer service to their communities. Almost 100,000 Soroptimists in nearly 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based and international projects benefiting women and girls. 

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

About 100 angry residents crowded into the Wantagh Knights of Columbus hall last week to oppose six T-Mobile cell phone towers proposed to be built atop the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center, located in a completely residential area on Woodbine Avenue.

Many wearing T-shirts stating “Don’t ‘cell’ out on Wantagh,” their emotions were as heated as the 90-plus-degree July air

“A synagogue is supposed to be used for religious purposes. No property taxes are assessed on it because it improves the community. How the hell is this supposed to improve the community?” shouted Pam Dempsey, the leader of the neighborhood organization opposing the structures, whose home on Wagner Street sits directly behind the Jewish Center.

The Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center reportedly will make $18,000 – $3,000 for each of the six wireless antennae – per month from the lease. Each antenna is 37 feet, 8 inches high from the ground up and will be disguised in boxes around the building’s existing chimney. No representatives of the Jewish Center were present at the meeting. 

The original purpose of the public forum was for T-Mobile’s attorneys to present descriptions and illustrations of the proposed site, and to supplement the legal notice sent on June 23 to residents within 100 feet of the site. The letter also notified residents of a July 14 public hearing before the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals, which has been postponed.

Bill Bonesso, representing Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo, Cohn &Terrana, LLP, told the crowd that his goal was to put aside misinformation and explain T-Mobile’s request for a special exception from the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, but his presentation never got beyond “We don’t think it will be unsightly.”

“Do you have a cell phone tower in  your backyard?” shouted an angry resident.

“We don’t want your slick presentation!” yelled another.

T-Mobile’s point of view

In a statement prepared for the media, T-Mobile’s senior manager for external affairs, Jane Builder, described the peace of mind that cell phone use brings. “Nowadays, 50% of children ages 6-18 say they’ve used their cell phones in an emergency. It’s no surprise really – half of all 911 calls are made from a wireless phone,” the statement reads, explaining that “it takes a robust network to successfully make all of those wireless connections.”

The statement continues, “We believe that our application for the Wantagh Jewish Center strikes the optimal balance between the needs of local wireless users and the interests of residents, many of whom rely on cell phones today to stay connected to friends, family and emergency services....We know that reliable cell coverage means improved safety and quality of life for everyone.”

According to Pam Dempsey, however, there are 194 antennae and 14 towers already in the vicinity, including one right by the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway at Sunrise Highway. 

Fear of health risks

Though the T-Mobile legal counsel said that the link between wireless technology and adverse health effects such as cancer are inconclusive, residents pointed out that links between smoking and cancer were also inconclusive 40 years ago. One audience member pointed to a lawsuit in Bayville linking cell phone towers with leukemia cases. Under the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1997, health effects do not constitute reasonable denial of a project such as this one. The World Health Organization  states that the levels of radiofrequency (RF) cause a slight increase in body temperature from exposure at very high field intensity, but levels of exposure from wireless networks are “so low that the temperature increases are insignificant and do not affect human health.”

Mrs. Dempsey countered that all wireless antenna installers are required to wear radiation monitors. “What do I tell my child when she comes home from school?” she asked. “Hi, honey, how was your day...here's your radiation monitor!” Saying that T-Mobile chose the least obtrusive spot possible for the project, Mr. Bonesso told Wantagh residents that the cell phone towers would cover a seven-block radius and provide 100% coverage. Angry residents pressed him to tell them how many actual customers were in that radius, but he could not answer. One T-Mobile user present said that she had no problem with her current service.  “I belong to another synagogue that has turned down cell phone towers time after time after time,” said one woman. “I understand that all religious institutions are hurting, but [Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center] is being greedy.”

Not just in Wantagh This is not the first time the South Shore faced this issue. Merrick has been waging its own battle with MetroPCS and NextG for over a year.  County Legislator David Denenberg, who represents Merrick, knew well the feelings of residents threatened by cell phone companies encroaching on their property. “Whatever you go through, I will be with you every step of the way,” he said.  County Legislator Dennis Dunne, who represents the Wantagh area in question, was not present at the meeting and did not return phone calls residents made to him regarding this issue, they said. Mr. Denenberg said that the Town of Hempstead needed to come up with uniform zoning. Citing the Merrick example of boxes containing radio frequency antennas being placed on telephone poles right outside residents’ front doors, he called for “zoning that makes sense to all of us.”

Decreased property values In addition to health concerns, residents listed declining property value as another significant reason for opposition to the cell phone towers.  “When it comes time to sell our homes, we might as well tell people we're on a uranium field,” said one man.

Equally, if not more important, was the fact that the Jewish Center houses a nursery school with an outdoor playground. “We need a moratorium to keep parasites like these out of town. We don't want towers anywhere!” shouted one individual. Another suggested that the county issue a law that religious institutions lose their tax-exempt status in exchange for continuing capital revenue.

One woman, who had raised her hand all evening but never had a chance to speak, finally walked to the front of the room. “We are being dumped on,” she said, audibly holding back tears. “They lie to us and lie to us and lie to us. We’re not taking it anymore.”

By Sharon G. Jonas   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Under a sparkling summer’s sky, Wantagh’s traditional Fourth of July parade and crowning of Miss Wantagh provided an enjoyable afternoon for community members of all ages. The festivities, held a day early this year on Saturday, July 3, were scheduled to avoid interference with Sunday religious services. 

Veterans, marching bands, fire trucks, floats and a host of local and state elected officials seamlessly made their way up Wantagh Avenue past enthusiastic onlookers. 

The parade ended at the Wantagh Elementary School on Beech Street where prizes were awarded to the following groups: Best Marching Band: American Legion Pipe Band; Most Colorful: Paumanacke Garden Club; Most Creative: A.M.T. Children of Hope; Most Patriotic: Long Island Sweet Potato Queens; Freedom Award: Daughters of the Revolution (DAR) Jerusalem Chapter; Special Judges Award: Wantagh High School Band and the Murphy/Rosenberg Civic Award: Boy Scout Troop 656

Lorraine Rhoads, the parade’s coordinator for the past 11 years, said, “This is a great community event and we feel it was very successful.” She said they were pleased to welcome a new participant, The Long Island Road and Track Skating Association, whose members eased along the route on roller skates. 

Miss Wantagh crowned

Over 100 spectators gathered on the lawn for the announcement of the finalists and winner of the Miss Wantagh Pageant. Sixteen-year-old Kelley Garland was selected among a total of seven contestants and was awarded the title. The first runner-up was Jasmina Ehab and the second runner-up was Briana Camarrata, all pictured below.

Ella Stevens, the coordinator of the pageant, said that, “The contestants are judged on enthusiasm, community involvement, and how they present themselves.”  Unlike a beauty pageant, she said, “It’s about beauty within.”  

The pageant itself was held on June 30 and marked the 54th year of the event. Miss. Wantagh is awarded $500 as well as an array of gift certificates from local merchants. As Miss Wantagh 2010, Kelley will be called upon to appear at various local community events.  Some of Kelley’s activities to date include being president of Model Congress at Wantagh High School, treasurer of the French Club and a Girl Scout since kindergarten. She is a music honor student, plays flute in the marching band and will serve as the hospitality chair, coordinating fundraising efforts for the band in her upcoming junior year.

Upon being crowned, Kelley remarked, “This has been a really good experience. I am honored to be a representative of this amazing town. Someday I hope to raise my own children in Wantagh.”

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Jean Quinn was unanimously re-elected president of the Wantagh Board of Education at its July 6 reorganization meeting. Trustee William Russack was unanimously elected vice-president. District Clerk Elaine McGuigan administered the oath of office. At the reorganization meeting each year, it is necessary for the school board to make certain appointments and authorizations. Motions were made and approved for the 2010-11 school year for district clerk, treasurer and other appointments.

Student athletes recognized In the regular board meeting that followed, Wantagh Schools Superintendant Dr. Lydia Begley recognized students who “had represented our district admirably” in athletics. Members of the high school baseball team, which is the Long Island Class A champion and the New York State Class A runner-up – or as Dr. Begley put it, “One class act” – were presented with certificates of merit from the board of education.

Three members of the boys' baseball team are All-Long Island recipients. Dr. Begley also awarded certificates to “All-American” and “All-Long Island” recipients who played on the boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams. A noteworthy personnel action that was approved was the change in title for Patricia Krizan, who was formerly the assistant to the superintendent for instruction, and is now assistant superintendent for instruction.  Other new faculty are officially joining the district: Susan Burdick, speech teacher; Marianne Healy, English teacher; Craig Klasson, special education teacher; Jamie Stanulis, business teacher; and Elizabeth Wojcicki, speech teacher. Dr. Begley warmly welcomed them to the Wantagh family.

2010-2011 real property tax levy

The motion was approved that a total of $53,353,793 ($51,234,193 for school purposes and $2,119,600 for library purposes) be raised by taxation (net amount) for the district for the 2010-2011 school year. The board also approved several generous donations: $1,000 from the Nassau County Chapter of the New York State Superintendents of School Building and Grounds Association, to be used for the high school video graphics room; $14,000 from a fundraiser for Wantagh Varsity Golf, to be used to reinstate the golf team for the coming school year (the golf team had been previously cut from the budget): $500 from Laura Memisha to purchase books for the middle school library; and $600 from a Long Island School Media Association grant received by Catherine Mottola, to be applied to the book budget at Forest Lake Elementary School.

“Baby on board”

The meeting ended with the announcement of the birth that day of board trustee Michael Cucci's first granddaughter, Avery Savage. Baby Avery will be a future student at Forest Lake Elementary School. The next Wantagh Board of Education meeting will take place on Thursday, August 20, at 8 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Transcripts of this and previous board meetings are available at the district's website,  wantaghschools.org.

- Debbie Kupperberg

By Laura Schofer   Thu, Jul 08, 2010

Legislators and environmentalists demand state release funds for study of south shore bays.

The bay shimmered in the late morning sun; its many shades of green were set against undulating patches of sea grasses and a blue horizon. 

It was a perfect first day of summer. People had gathered on Magnolia Pier in Long Beach to gaze at the water; others had come to fish, hoping to catch summer fluke.

“No good,” said one man named Rocco. “I’ve caught a few but they’re under 10 inches. Too small. I have to throw them back.”

His companion nodded. “Can’t catch much anymore. The bay, she’s just not right.”

That seems to be the popular consensus – the Western Bays, including Hempstead Bay and South Oyster Bay  are in trouble, deep trouble. Some go so far as to say that parts of the bay are dying.  Once a productive fishing and shellfishing ground, the Western Bays have been listed for over a decade on the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) list of impaired water bodies for pathogens and for excessive nutrients.

Last month local environmentalists and county legislators gathered to call upon New York state to release more than $500,000 in funding allocated in 2008 for a scientific study of the water quality in the Western Bays. The study, called Total Maximum Daily Load or TMDL, will help to determine what natural and man made impacts have caused the degrading water quality. 

“The water is not as healthy as it should be,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “We need to find out how to bring the marine life back here and we need to do it now.” 

Here are the facts: 64.5 million gallons of effluent are dumped into the Western Bays each day, from five sewage treatment plants including Bay Park in East Rockaway. There is excessive seaweed growth and an increase in shellfish harvesting closures. 

Environmentalists, including members of SPLASH (Stop Polluting Littering and Save our Harbors) and the Citizens Campaign for the Environment believe the degrading water quality is due to the amount of treated effluent in the bay thus causing a rise in pathogens. Excessive seaweed growth may be due to the stormwater runoff, including the fertilizers from our lawns that dumps excessive nutrients and nitrogen into the Bay. If nitrogen levels are too high, hypoxia can occur. Hypoxia causes oxygen depletion, killing off fish who cannot swim through the water.

A similar study was done in the Long Island Sound. That TMDL study  helped to limit nitrogen discharge. The Long Island Sound’s TMDL has targets for nitrogen removal that range from 58.5% to 10%. No such standards are in place for the Western Bays.

“We need this blueprint to restore the bays,” said Legislator David Dennenberg. “This will help to provide more stringent effluent requirements and help design the needed upgrades to the sewage treatment plants, including Bay Park.”

“We need to base our restoration plans on science, not conjecture,” said Ms. Esposito. In these tough economic times, can the state afford this study?

“This is environmental money that can only be used for this purpose,” said Legislator Denenberg.

“The money is there. It has been allocated and is sitting up in Albany. For three years the state has been telling us the money is coming. While the state stumbles, the bay is dying,” said Ms. Esposito. “The South Shore waterways have been infiltrated with so much effluent that our residents are no longer able to use the waters for recreational bathing and local fishing businesses are no longer able to harvest shellfish,” said Legislator Denise Ford.

The funds could be released this summer, if Albany is able to pass its budget. The fund would allow a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to go forward allowing Stony Brook University to begin research in conjunction with the TMDL study. The MOU is stalled in the state Division of the Budget.

For environmentalists like Rob Weltner, executive director of SPLASH, this has been a uphill battle. He has been calling for this study for years, spearheading an effort back to 2004. “Our once beautiful and bountiful bay needs our help. The study will do that. It’s a good first step. Let’s fix it and get people back to work,” he said. 

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Every four years, the globe that is our world is mesmerized by a ball game we call soccer. We wish the U.S. team had stayed in the game longer for the sake of the millions of children and young people here who play it. But we are glad to have gotten an education by watching the other teams.   Who would have expected that the goalie of the team that beat us would be a prince in his own country of Ghana!  And wasn’t it something to see the Queen of  Spain jump to her feet when her team scored the winning goal in the World Cup?  That final game was fierce, with several injuries, even a hard kick to the chest of a leading Spanish player, that could have been a mortal injury. The teams were so evenly matched that the only goal, a beautiful play, was scored in overtime.   When we can put ourselves inside the skin of another and feel our common humanity – now that is a sport worth watching!   What a shame to have the glory marred by a bombing in Uganda.

Broken arm by J.L Toscano 

At the very beginning of the summer a little boy broke his arm. He was playing lacrosse and fell with his arm extended straight. He needed surgery and a pin is holding his bones in place.  He was brave about the operation and asked questions that were beyond his years.  He is enduring the doctor’s requirement that he not get his cast wet, even though his little sister is splashing in the lake and running around having fun. An infection could travel through the pin into his bone, so he must be extra careful.  No water fights, no water-slides, no swimming, no boating, no sandy beaches, no running, no rough housing...no fun.  His relatives have bought him nice gifts and he has been pampered.  However, he could use some advice on fun things to do during the summer that don’t involve water or too much physical activity.  If you have any suggestions, please send them to this newspaper, and we will pass them along and perhaps publish a few of the better suggestions.  There might be some other children in town who have a cast on during the summer and could also use a few suggestions of fun things to do.

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Bob Sheppard, “The Voice of Yankee Stadium,” died on Sunday morning at his home in Baldwin at the age of 99.   Mr. Sheppard’s announcing career  began in the late 1940s when he was discovered while announcing a charity football game at Freeport Municipal Stadium. An executive for the Brooklyn Dodgers football team heard Mr. Sheppard’s voice in Freeport and hired him to announce football games at Ebbets Field.  He was later hired by the New York Yankees football team.   In 1950, the New York Yankees baseball team offered him an announcing job at Yankee Stadium. Mr. Sheppard announced approximately 4,500 games for the Yankees. In 2000, Mr. Sheppard received a plaque which was placed in Yankee  Stadium’s Monument Park.   He retired from the Yankees in 2007. Mr. Sheppard’s funeral will take place at St. Christopher’s Church in Baldwin on Thursday, July 15, at 10:45 a.m.

By   Fri, Jul 16, 2010

Three college-age camp counselors were killed and two others injured  when a 2010 Honda Civic heading south on Meadowbrook State Parkway left the road south of Southern State Parkway on Thursday at 8:50 a.m.  The car entered the right (west) shoulder south of the Washington Avenue overpass and hit a tree, killing the three, said a release from the New York State Police Office of Public Information.
Pronounced dead at the scene were front-seat passenger Michael Mulhall, 22, and rear-seat passengers Paige Malone, 19, and Jaime Malone, 22, of Floral Park.

The vehicle operator, Justine Mulhall,  20, of Floral Park, and rear-seat passenger Kelly Murphy, 20, also of Floral Park, were the only survivors of the crash. They were treated for minor injuries at Nassau University Medical Center. 

“The cause of the accident is still under investigation. All five young people worked as counselors at a camp for kids with special needs called Anchor Summer Program in Lido Beach,” said Major Walter Heesch, Troop “L” Commander.

“Alcohol involvement has been ruled out by State Police investigators. Our prayers go out to the families in this tragedy, and also to the community of Floral Park, where all three of these young people were from. These were three young adults doing something positive for the community,” said Major Heesch.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano said in a prepared statement:  “Nassau County mourns the loss of these three young adults who helped serve our community. My thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends of the victims.”

The Nassau County Police Benevolent Association was to  hold its annual carnival at the camp todayt, July 16. The carnival is just one of the many events at this day camp experience for children with disabilities within the Town of Hempstead. Due to the tragedy the event was cancelled.

The Town of Hempstead, which runs Camp Anchor where the young adults worked released the following statement from Town Supervisor Kate Murray:

“Members of the Town of Hempstead family are devastated by the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of three young, vibrant and caring counselors from Camp Anchor. Our hearts go out to the families of these young people. At the same time, we pray for the recovery of the two surviving counselors and the families and friends of all of the victims of this tragedy.

“The three counselors who were taken from us, along with the two young people who are now battling physical and emotional scars in the wake of the accident, were and continue to be the essence of Camp Anchor,” she added.

“The camp serves hundreds of young people with special needs at a seaside setting in Lido Beach. The heart and soul of the camp are the young men and women who work directly with our campers. Children in the summer camp and the counselors enjoy a profound and special bond that offers life-enhancing experiences,” Supervisor Murray said.

“Grief counselors retained by the town are working alongside Nassau County Police Department counselors to assist campers and workers.”

Update: According to the Town of Hempstead website: "A scholarship fund has been set up in memory of Michael Mulhall, Jamie Malone, and Paige Malone. Checks can be made payable to ANCHOR Scholarship Fund. The Malone and Mulhall Families have requested donations to the ANCHOR Building Fund. Checks can be made payable to the ANCHOR Building Fund. Send all donations to: ANCHOR 630 Lido Blvd Lido Beach, NY 11561 Camp ANCHOR will be closed Monday July 19 and Tuesday July 20 to allow staff and volunteers to attend the funerals of our beloved deceased staff."

By Lauren Urban   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

QUARTERS FOR CHANGE: Birch School social worker Robyn Fruchter presents a check for $12,000 to Cynthia Sucich, right, director of communications for the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN), which serves Long Island’s hungry and homeless. Merrick Life photo by Lauren Urban 

Birch School conducted a “Quarters for Change” fundraiser to raise money for the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN), which serves Long Island’s hungry and homeless.

The school aimed to collect 40,000 quarters, representing the number of homeless and hungry people on Long Island, for a total of $10,000, to donate to the INN. After 14 months of fundraising, the school surpassed its goal by collecting over 44,000 quarters (over $11,000). Fundraisers included selling recyclable bags, a pretzel sale, class auctions, bake sales and a school talent show, which raised $2,000 on its own. 

To celebrate this impressive feat, the school had a grand celebration on June 22, when students layed out the thousands of collected quarters on the floor of the mini gym.

This allowed the students to see the impact of what they had accomplished. “Each one of these quarters represents someone who doesn’t have a place to sleep tonight,” Cynthia Sucich, director of communications for the INN, told the students gathered around the quarters.

According to Ms. Sucich, Birch School donated more money to the INN than any other school.  “On behalf of the Quarters for Change Committee, I want to thank  everyone who helped us to reach, and surpass our goal! We will truly make a difference in the lives of others and have given our students a wonderful message of working together for the benefit of others,” wrote Birch School’s Assistant Principal Kerri Schlissel in an e-mail to Merrick Life. 

Lauren Urban is a summer intern at Merrick Life. She is a journalism/English student entering her junior year at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York.

By Bill Fonda   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

On July 6 the North Merrick school board conducted its annual reorganization meeting, devoting it mainly to bookkeeping operations and the official designation of individuals and firms that will perform duties and provide services to the school district in the upcoming academic year. 

Among the official designations made:

• Trustee Alyse Middendorf will continue as board President and Trustee Neil    Brown will serve  as Vice-President. Ms. Middendorf said some of her priorities this year will be to move forward with board policies, and keep a keen eye on district finances as well as the “State of the State [New York]” and how that may impact the district.  Ms. Middendorf said she also wants to continue to move forward on district building projects. At past meetings during the 2009-2010 school year, board trustees noted that in the future the district might have to consider bond proposals in order to maintain the district’s infrastructure. No mention of any bond proposals was made at the reorganization meeting. 

• Newly elected trustees George “Skip” Haile and Wendy Gargiulo were sworn in. 

• Trustees Matthew Kuschner and Jonathan Butler will serve as North Merrick’s representatives on the high school board. 

• Terri McCurry was named district treasurer.

• The law firm of Minerva and D’Agostino, P.C. was named district general and labor counsel.

• The accounting firm of R.S. Abrams will provide external auditing services to the district. 

• Sanford Schulson, CPA was named the district’s internal auditor.

• Superintendent of Schools David Feller was named the district’s residency official. In this role Mr. Feller may make determinations on which students are eligible to attend North Merrick schools. 

• John A. Grillo P.C. was named district architect on a month to month basis.

• Lewis Jassey was named school physician and medical director of the public access defibrillator program.  • Barbara Wortman was named the district’s homeless student liaison.

• Merrick Life, the Merrick Herald and Newsday were named the district’s official publications for legal notices. 

• Bank of America and Citibank were named the district’s official banks for the deposit of school funds. 

In other news: 

Enrollment at district schools will dip slightly from 2009-2010’s final enrollment figures on June 29. According to district officials, Camp Avenue will see a decrease in 13 students bringing its total to 522 students; Fayette will see its student enrollment figures dip to 291 students, a four-student decrease; and Old Mill Road is projected to be down one student to 482 total students. Enrollment figures may still change before the official start of the school year as families leave and move into the district. 

By Doug Finlay   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Newly sworn-in Central High School District board President Nina Lanci got an earful at Tuesday night’s board meeting from Merrick soccer and lacrosse officials who contended that closing five school fields to community groups would deprive hundreds of community kids from participating in sports teams, leaving many of them vulnerable to seeking other activities such as drugs.

In March, the school district’s special Field Committee to study the feasibility of new synthetic turf concluded that the Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham High School fields should instead be closed to outside useage from traveling community teams for example, and be used only for school football, soccer and lacrosse teams during their seasons. Closing them for use only during the seasons would allow better and stronger grass to grow. Because of budget constraints due to reductions in state aid, the district asserts it is unable to purchase new synthetic fields without the spectre of raising taxes. 

The report further concluded that Merrick Avenue and Grand Avenue Middle School fields should be closed as well to community traveling teams and all other sports teams indefinitely.  Kids need a chance Those actions have drawn the ire of both community sports team officials and parents. Susan Mandeltort spoke first to the newly reconfigured board – which also included the election of Trustee Dr. Matthew Kuschner as the new Vice-President – to remind them that if it wasn’t for the community traveling teams such as PAL, many kids would not have a chance to play sports because they would never get onto school teams.  She implored the board not to close the fields, for the benefit of the kids, or at least delay their closings.

“It’s hard when a child does not make it onto a high school team,” she told Merrick Life afterward, “so without the PAL teams and some structure in their lives they could get involved in drugs such as heroin.” Matt Kurzweil, president of Merrick Travel soccer, then addressed the board, saying that 1,500 kids play soccer in Merrick’s travel teams, and that the teams are being challenged to find fields to play on at the times they need to play.

The teams used Merrick Avenue and Brookside on a regular basis on Sundays.  “By closing Merrick Avenue, several hundred kids may not be able to play soccer this year,” if some accommodations can’t be found, said Mr. Matt Kurzweil.  With a two-season schedule – one in spring and the other in fall –  that needs to be met, he then offered to partner with the board to finds solutions to the scheduling conflicts facing his travel teams.  “What can we do to partner with you, fundraise or maintain the fields?” he posed to the board.

Steve Siegal, of the Merrick Travel soccer team, also asked the district to consider delaying the field closings.  “We may have to cut from 30-40% of the program and may lose kids to other programs” if the closings went through now, he said.

Not doing their job

John Pinto, former district board member, member of the district’s Field Committee and former North Merrick school board member, then added his lacrosse teams into the mix, saying lacrosse teams play only in spring and that his teams can’t share a field with any other teams because it would be dangerous. Two soccer games can often be played on one field. “We have 200 boys and girls who need a home field come spring,” he said.

He then declared, by referring to the Field Committee report, that the district is “not doing what we said we’d do in the field report. There is no mention of closing five fields in that report. “If we had put in synthetic turf, there would be no need to cancel any programs now,” he continued. He then mentioned that state Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper had a bill close to being presented in the state Legislature that would enable school districts to free up to 60% of their accrued liability funds to use for such items as purchasing synthetic turf. “$3 million would take care of it,” he said.

He complimented the district for its aggressive work in maintaining the Merrick Avenue field during spring, but then noted that with lack of watering, “The grass became burnt and it’s no good right now.” John Scalisi, director of facilities for the district, bristled at the comment, saying that it was a “wiring problem in the well” that had prevented workers from watering the fields.  He said there was general agreement at a recent facilities conference that hotter-than-usual weather had stressed many fields around the area, and not much could be done to alleviate that stress. He told the board that the district had begun an organic fertilizer program, and had spread 3,000 pounds of grass seed around the fields so far.

Still, parent Jim Santana expressed dismay over the field situation. “This has been going on with these fields for years,” he exclaimed. “My son broke his toe playing on these fields. It’s a safety issue, and the community is spending money on something that doesn’t work!” 

Expressing sympathies

Trustee Susan Schwartz expressed sympathies to the teams on behalf of the board for the potential loss of sporting activities for children. “We are just as frustrated at finding solutions to help the kids, too. We don’t want to have to take the fields away from the teams.”   Diane Seaman, immediate past-president of the board, then reached out to both Mr. Scalisi and Saul Lerner, director of physical education, athletics, health and driver education for the district, to instruct them to sit down with members of soccer and lacrosse teams to see how they can accommodate the teams. Mr. Scalisi said that accommodations could certainly be made, but stressed  that sacrifices would have to be made across the board.

Mr. Lerner told Merrick Life that there are still 27 fields available for use, but many of them are occupied by permitted teams. He said he would sit down with the soccer and lacrosse team presidents to see when fields are available at which times, but that the teams would have to work their schedules around which fields are available.

Skip Haile, vice-president of Merrick Travel soccer, told Merrick Life after the meeting that he was pleased that the board considered their pleas for working out schedules. “I didn’t think at the beginning of the meeting they would be open,” he said.  He maintained that the travel groups were in a position to raise funds to provide for grass seed, or to rake the fields if necessary. “We want to maintain an open dialog with the district,” he concluded, so the difficulties can be shared.     

By   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

As the dog days of summer continue at the Simpson house, Munchkin, Stewie and Diesel find relief in the family pool.

By Erin Donohue   Thu, Jul 15, 2010

The Merrick Fire Department’s Empire Hose Co. 3 hosted the 2010 Nassau County Fire Department Parade and Drill on Saturday. 

A carnival on the grounds of the Four Towns Firemen’s Training Center began last Wednesday and ran through Saturday night’s parade and awards ceremony. Prior to the evening parades various fire departments competed in drill team competitions such as hose, ladder and bucket brigade.

Merrick Fire Department Chief Christopher Simmons and Assistant Chief Frank Vandolofske led personnel and apparatus along Merrick Road on the way to Four Towns Training Center.

The overall winner of the parade was North Merrick.

Paul DeMaria/MFD provided the information for this story.

By Ilana Mele   Wed, Feb 09, 2011

South Shore Sounds entertainment blog features local music, comedy and more happening on our side of the island. Click here to see what's happening.

By   Tue, Jul 19, 2011

Combo rate card for all four papers - download .pdf

Bellmore Life rate card

Freeport-Baldwin Leader rate card

Merrick Life rate card

Wantagh-Seaford Citizen rate card

By   Tue, Jul 19, 2011

L&M Publications sales staff members

• Jill Bromberg
• Elaine Spiro
• Paul Roberts
• Sharon Johnson
• Christopher McBride

can be reached at 516-378-5320 or via fax 516-378-0287. You can also reach the central email for the sales staff at lmads@optimum.net, include your contact information for a prompt return call.

By   Tue, Jul 20, 2010

Editorial and Legal Advertising Deadlines
Merrick Life, Bellmore Life and the Freeport Baldwin Leader - Monday noon
The Wantagh- Seaford Citizen - Friday noon

Advertising Deadlines
All four papers - Friday 9 a.m.

Classifed Advertising Deadline
All four papers - Friday at noon

Life happens in your community…

.. so why not take advantage of it! Advertise your business, trade or special need in one or all of Life Publications’ four newspapers. The average weekly community paper remains in the reader’s home 4.3 days. 41% of all readers will keep the weekly issue in their home until the next edition arrives.

Advertisers aren’t our only customers. When deciding where to spend precious advertising dollars, you  should look for a publication that has proven loyal readership. Life Publications has developed such a loyalty among its subscribers by providing decades of journalistic  excellence. Each weekly issue features local news, sports, school news, letters to the editor, community events, religious calendars and much more.

Market penetration is more than just a numbers game. Numbers don’t lie, but they can be misleading. Some free circulation publications claim high market penetration and home delivery. They deliver mostly to front lawns, driveways, bushes, just about everywhere but into a mailbox. Life Publications’ four 

community newspapers are delivered to the home of our subscribers by the US Postal Service. This ensures your advertising won’t be left out in the rain.

In community newspapers, you get what you pay for. Our readers value our newspapers. That’s why they are paid subscribers.

When you advertise in Life Publication’s community newspapers your message reaches people who choose to receive it. That means your advertising dollar is stretched by not having to pay for wasted circulation. 

The rate card will explain all you need to know about advertising in Life Publications and how to get the most out of your advertising dollar.

All around the towns.

Life Publications’ The Freeport-Baldwin Leader, Merrick Life, The Wantagh-Seaford Citizen, and  Bellmore Life  have been an important part of the communities they serve since 1935, 1938, 1953 and 1964 respectively. 

They are locally owned and staffed by community residents, who also play an active role in civic associations such as the chambers of commerce.

Their achievements have been recognized by professional associations’ awards on the national and state levels, but even more meaningful are the many awards presented by the local organizations over the years, awards that prove the newspapers are truly valued in the communities they serve. 

Seaford, Wantagh, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport and Baldwin are all suburban communities located on the south shore of Long Island – with beautiful waterfront homes and parks, excellent schools and many thriving establishments. It’s a nice area to visit and an even better place to live, with the added advantage of proximity to New York City. Each community has its own flavor, and the news in its newspaper is tailored just for it.

Contract and copy regulations

• Forwarding of an order is considered as an acceptance of all rates and conditions of the rate card.

• The publisher of Life Publications (L&M) reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisements at any time.

• Advertiser and advertising agency will indemnify and hold harmless L&M, its officers, agents, employees and contractors, for all contents supplied to publisher, including text, representations and illustrations of advertisements printed, and defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement and plagiarism.

• We make every effort to avoid error, but neither L&M nor our advertisers are responsible for typographical errors. If at fault, L&M will publish a correction of that portion of the ad where the error appears if the error substantially affects the advertising message. Claims for an error must be made within 7 days of publication.

• The publisher reserves the right to insert the words “Paid Advertisement” above or below any advertisement.

• The advertiser agrees to pay any expense which the publisher may incur in collecting any balance due, including a reasonable attorney’s fee and other costs and charges for the collection there of. Venue for litigation would be Nassau County, State of New York.

Pre-printed inserts  get noticed.

Life Publications will insert and deliver your pre-printed inserts. We are a mailed publication so you are guaranteed home delivery to our paid subscribers. Most of our competitors deliver mainly by throwing their publication on a lawn, or in a bush, or a driveway. Our way your insert gets to people who want to read our newspaper and see what our advertisers offer. 

Make a splash with a dash of color.

Life Publications offers as a service to our advertisers select pages and sections that can be printed in color. A recent Newspaper Advertising Bureau study shows color sold 75% more merchandise than a black & white ad in the first week of the sale. See your advertising representative for more information on color rates.

Mechanical size requirements.

The following is a list of the standard advertising sizes used by Life Publications

Full Page (4 x 14”) 9.75” x 14”

3/4 V. (3 x 14”) 7.25” x 14”

3/4 H. (4 x 10 1/2”) 9.75” x 10.5”

2/3 H. (4 x 9”) 9.75” x9”

2/3 V. (3 x 12”) 7.25” x 12”

1/2 V. (3 x 9 1/8”) 7.25” x 9.125”

1/2 V. (2 x 14”) 4.75” x 14”

1/2 H. (4 x 6 7/8”) 9.75” x 6.875”

1/3 V. (2 x 9”) 4.75” x 9”

1/3 H. (3 x 6”) 7.25” x 6”

1/3 H. (4 x 4 1/2”) 9.75” x 4.5”

1/4 V. (2 x 6 7/8”) 4.75” x 6.875”

1/4 V. (1 x 14”) 2.25” x 14”

1/4 H. (3 x 4 5/8”) 7.25” x 4.625”

1/5 V. (2 x 5”) 4.75” x 5”

1/6 H. (2 x 4 3/8”) 4.75” x 4.375”

1/8 V. (1 x 6 7/8”) 2.25” x 6.875”

1/8 H. (2 x 3 3/8”) 4.75” x 3.375”

1/12 H. (2 x 2 1 /4”) 4.75” x 2.25”

1/16 V. (1 x 3 3/8”) 2.25” x 3.375”

1/16 H. (2 x 1 5/8”) 4.75” x 1.625”

Mechanical requirements

Width of typed page: 9 3/4” 

Depth of page: 14”

Single Column Width: 2 1/4” 

Width of each addit. column: same

4 columns to a page 

Column depth in lines: 196

Number of lines to a page: 784 

Printed by offset. JPEG and PDF files email to LMads@optimum.net.

Tear sheets, complete copy of publication, and media package available upon request.

Special issues throughout the year.

January - Martin Luther King

February - Brides/VALENTINES

March/APRIL

Spring - Home fashions, gardening, and of course, new wardrobes.

Home Improvements

May

Mother’s DAY - The second biggest retail season of the year.

Summer FUN - Promoting waterfront activities

June

Grads - Gifts and plans for the future.

Father’s DAY

August

Back to school - From preschool to grad school and careers.

October

Home Fashions - Making homes beautiful for the holidays

November

Holiday gift guide - The biggest retail season of the year. 

Agency Advertising rate information

Bellmore Life  - 1.21 Cents a line $16.94 Column inch $16.77 SAU

Merrick Life - 1.29 Cents a line $18.06 Column inch $17.88 SAU

The Citizen - 1.13 Cents a line   $15.82 Column inch       $15.66 SAU 

The Leader -  .70 Cents a line $9.80 Column inch $9.70 SAU

Rates above include 15% Agency commission. An additional 5% discount will be given if the same ad runs in three or more papers in the same week.

Position requests

Request for special positions will be given consideration. However we cannot guarantee position.

Classified ad rates

Line ads: $27 Box ads - 8 lines/25 words: $35

4x rate: $30/week 6x rate $27.50/Week

13x rate: $26/week 26x Rate: $23.50/week.

Display Classified

Merrick Life only: $38.12

Bellmore Life only: $35.80

The Citizen only: $31.50

The Leader only: $18.10

LEGAL NOTICES

Our newspapers fulfill the requirements of “newspapers in general circulation”. Your legal notice can run in Merrick Life, Bellmore Life, The Citizen or  The Leader. The cost is considerably less than the daily newspapers charge. Call your advertising representative for more information.

By   Wed, Jul 13, 2011

Bellmore Life Newspaper

• Rite-Stop, 1445 Newbridge Rd.
• 7-11, Newbridge Rd.
• 7-11, Jerusalem Ave.
• 7-11, North Jerusalem Road
• Stop & Shop, Jerusalem Ave.
• Blossom Farm Deli, 100 Bedford Ave.
• Bedford Ave. Deli, 105 Bedford Ave.
• Fresh Break, 2736 Merrick Rd.
• Cool Stop, 2825 Merrick Rd.
• Village Deli, 2655 Bellmore Ave
• Park Deli, 1420 Park Avenue, Merrick
• Cards Unlimited, 39 Merrick Avenue, Merrick

Freeport-Baldwin Leader

• Compare Foods - Merrick Rd. & Ocean Ave.
• Teamo - 223 Merrick Rd.
• Curiosity - 191 Atlantic Ave.
• 7-11 - 964 Merrick Rd., Baldwin
• Convenience Store - 363 Atlantic Ave.
• 7-11 - 145 Sunrise Hwy., Freeport
• Rite Stop - 376 Bayview Ave.
• 7-11 - 200 E. Merrick Rd., Freeport
• Bridge Side Deli - 1156 Atlantic Ave.

Merrick Life Newspaper

• Park Deli, 1420 Park Avenue
• 7-11, 1800 Merrick Avenue
• Cards & Smokes, 20 Merrick Avenue
• Brother’s Deli, 1341 Jerusalem Avenue
• Teamo, 1701 Merrick Road
• Stop & Shop, 1016 Park Avenue & Jerusalem Avenue
• Cards Unlimited, 39 Merrick Avenue
• 7-11, 203 Babylon Tpke & Sunrise Hwy
• From Me To You Cards & Candles , 1670 Merrick Road
• Iannuzzi, 1363 Jerusalem Avenue
• Caputo’s Cards, 383 Merrick Avenue
• Cards & Gifts, 1970 Merrick Road
• Akel’s Deli, 1874 Meadowbrook Road
• Bagel Man, 84 Merrick Avenue
• Gourmet Express, 2 Merrick Avenue
• Boswell’s, 1828 Merrick Avenue
• Ward’s Deli, 34 S. Babylon Turnpike
• Angelo & Joe’s, 373 Merrick Avenue
• Teamo Card & Gifts, 704 Merrick Avenue
• Smith Street Deli, 241 Smith Street

Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

• Beck’s Delicatessen, 1939 Wantagh Avenue
• Doc Brown’s Books, 2089 Wantagh Avenue
• The Buff Shop, 2095 Wantagh Avenue
• Friendly Card & Gift, 1906 Wantagh Avenue
• Kwik Stop, 2264 Wantagh Avenue
• The Lucky Lotto Store, 1247 Wantagh Avenue
• Mid Island Medical Supply, 2093 Wantagh Avenue
• Otto’s Delicatessen, 3580 Park Avenue
• Seven-Eleven, 3382 Park Avenue
• Rashi Cardstand Convenience, 3381 Merrick Road
• Tobacco Junction, 3300 Sunrise Hwy.
• Quick Picks, 2264 Wantagh Avenue
• Seaford Harbor Delicatessen, 3623 Bayview Street
• Seaford Chemists, 1696 Washington Avenue

By   Wed, Mar 02, 2011

L&M Publications is committed to safeguarding the personal information entrusted to us by our customers. This policy outlines the principles and practices  we follow in protecting your personal information.

This policy applies to L&M Publications and to any person providing services on our behalf. A copy of this policy is provided to any customer on request.

What is personal information?
Personal information means information about an identifiable individual. This includes an individual's name, home address and phone number, age, sex, marital or family status, an identifying number, financial information, educational history, etc.

What personal information do we collect?

We collect only the personal information that we need for the purposes of providing services to our clients, including personal information needed to prepare mailings and bill subscriptions and advertisements.

We normally collect client personal information directly from our clients. We may collect your information from other persons with your consent or as authorized by law.

We inform our clients, before or at the time of collecting personal information, of the purposes for which we are collecting the information. The only time we don't provide this notification is when a client volunteers information for an obvious purpose (for example, producing a credit card to pay when the information will be used only to process the payment).

Consent   

We ask for consent to collect, use or disclose client personal information, except in specific circumstances where collection, use or disclosure without consent is authorized or required by law. We may assume your consent in cases where you volunteer information for an obvious purpose.

We assume your consent to continue to use and, where applicable, disclose personal information that we have already collected, for the purpose for which the information was collected.

We ask for your express consent for some purposes and may not be able to provide certain services if you are unwilling to provide consent to the collection, use or disclosure of certain personal information. Where express consent is needed, we will normally ask clients to provide their consent orally (in person, by telephone), or in writing.

A client may withdraw consent to the use and disclosure of personal information at any time, unless the personal information is necessary for us to fulfill our legal obligations. We will respect your decision, but we may not be able to provide you with certain products and services if we do not have the necessary personal information.

We may collect, use or disclose client personal information without consent only as authorized by law.
   
How do we use and disclose personal information?

We use and disclose client personal information only for the purpose for which the information was collected, except as authorized by law. If we wish to use or disclose your personal information for any new business purpose, we will ask for your consent. We may not seek consent if the law allows this (e.g. the law allows organizations to use personal information without consent for the purpose of collecting a debt).           

What is personal employee information?

Personal employee information is personal information about an employee or volunteer which is collected, used or disclosed solely for the purposes of establishing, managing or terminating an employment relationship or a volunteer work relationship. Personal employee information may, in some circumstances, include a Social Security Number, a performance review, etc.       

We can collect, use and disclose your personal employee information without your consent only for the purposes of establishing, managing or ending the employment or volunteer relationship. We will provide current employees and volunteers with prior notice about what information we collect, use or disclose and our purpose for doing so.

What personal employee information do we collect, use and disclose?

We collect, use and disclose personal employee information to meet the following purposes:
• Determining eligibility for employment or volunteer work, including verifying qualifications and references

• Establishing development and training requirements

• Assessing performance and managing performance issues as they arise

• Administering pay and benefits (paid employees only)

• Processing employee work-related claims (e.g. benefits, workers’ compensation, insurance claims – paid employees only) 

• Complying with applicable laws

We only collect, use and disclose the amount and type of personal employee information that is reasonable to meet the above purposes.

The following is a list of personal employee information that we may collect, use and disclose to meet those purposes:

• Contact information such as your name, home address, telephone number

• Criminal background checks

• Employment or volunteer information such as your resume (including education background, work history and references), reference information and interview notes, letter of offer and acceptance of employment, policy acknowledgement forms, background verification information, workplace performance evaluations, emergency contacts, etc.

• Benefit information such as forms relating to applications or changes to health and insurance benefits including medical and dental care, life insurance, short and long term disability, etc. (paid employees only)

• Financial information, such as pay check deposit information and tax-related information, including Social Security Numbers (paid employees only)

• Other personal information required for the purposes of our employment or volunteer relationship

We will inform our employees and volunteers of any new purpose for which we will collect, use, or disclose personal employee information, or we will obtain your consent, before or at the time the information is collected.  

We will obtain your consent to collect, use and disclose your personal information for purposes unrelated to the employment or volunteer relationship.

What information do we provide for employment/volunteer references?
In some cases, after your employment or volunteer relationship with us ends, we will be contacted by other organizations and asked to provide a reference for you. It is our policy not to disclose personal information about our employees and volunteers to other organizations who request references without consent. The personal information we normally provide in a reference includes:

• Confirmation that an individual was an employee or volunteer, including the position, and date range of the employment or volunteering

• General information about an individual's job duties and information about the employee or volunteer's ability to perform job duties and success in the employment or volunteer relationship

How do we safeguard personal information?
We make every reasonable effort to ensure that personal information is accurate and complete. We rely on individuals to notify us if there is a change to their personal information that may affect their relationship with our organization. If you are aware of an error in our information about you, please let us know and we will correct it on request wherever possible. In some cases we may ask for a written request for correction.

We protect personal information in a manner appropriate for the sensitivity of the information. We make every reasonable effort to prevent any loss, misuse, disclosure or modification of personal information, as well as any unauthorized access to personal information. 

We use appropriate security measures when destroying personal information, including shredding paper records and permanently deleting electronic records.

We retain personal information only as long as is reasonable to fulfill the purposes for which the information was collected or for legal or business purposes.

Access to records containing personal information
Individuals have a right to access their own personal information in a record that is to the custody or under the control of L&M Publications, subject to some exceptions, such as information that would reveal personal information about another individual.

If we refuse a request in whole or in part, we will provide the reasons for the refusal. In some cases where exceptions to access apply, we may withhold that information and provide you with the remainder of the record. 

You may make a request for access to your personal information by writing to the publisher. You must provide sufficient information in your request to allow us to identify the information you are seeking.

You may also request information about our use of your personal information and any disclosure of that information to persons outside our organization. In addition, you may request a correction of an error or omission in your personal information.

We will respond to your request within 45 calendar days, unless an extension is granted. We may charge a reasonable fee to provide information, but not to make a correction. We do not charge fees when the request is for personal employee information. We will advise you of any fees that may apply before beginning to process your request.

Questions and complaints
If you have a question or concern about any collection, use or disclosure of personal information by L&M Publications, or about a request for access to your own personal information, please contact the publisher.