"This budget spends $8.3 billion more than last year’s budget, with New York City schools and programs receiving the lion’s share of increases. The Long Island Republican delegation fought to get our fair share. I hope in the future that the governor will provide our region with a more equitable portion of the resources. Taxpayers are already overburdened and deserve what is fair," said Assemblyman Saladino.

"By bringing home more for Long Island schools we are helping to minimize property tax burdens," stated Assemblyman Saladino. "This has been a tough fight, but I am optimistic that these efforts will result in lower school taxes and a furthering of education for our children, homeowners, and schools. And, it is an on-time budget that is icing on the cake."

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Recent Media Coverage of Harbour Green Association, Inc.

(06/25/2004) SUNSET PARK

I want to follow up with you regarding the meeting I attended last night at the Massapequa Public Library with you and your neighbors of the Harbor Green Civic Association

At that meeting among other things, my assistance was requested with regards to the Town of Oyster Bay park known as Sunset Park.

Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.  I wish to render whatever assistance necessary in resolving this problem for the betterment of your community, therefore, as of this morning, I have sent the attached letter to Supervisor John Venditto, who I am sure will be more than willing to assist you in resolving this matter.

You live in a great community and I sincerely enjoyed meeting with you and your neighbors to learn more about the issues that are important to you.  I am very pleased that, as we rebuild Nassau County government by eliminating fraud, waste and abuse, we now can also address issues that impact on our suburban quality of life.

Should you have any further thoughts and ideas, feel free to contact me.  Please let me know if I can ever be of help to you, or your family and give my office a call at 571-6000.

Once again, thank you for bringing Sunset Park to my attention.  Enjoy your summer!

Sincerely,
Thomas R. Suozzi
County Executive

                                                                                    June 25, 2004

The Honorable John Venditto

Supervisor

Town of Oyster Bay

Town Hall – 65 Audrey Avenue

Oyster Bay, New York  11771 

            Re:      Sunset Park

Dear Supervisor Venditto: 

Last night, at the Massapequa Public Library, I met with the Harbor Green Civic Association of Massapequa, our mutual constituents, who requested my assistance with the Town of Oyster Bay park known as Sunset Park.

 In their words, they feel that the condition of the park is an “utter disgrace” and is “a mess and in dire need of an overhaul” and would like to see the ground leveled, a sprinkler system installed, the park lit properly (making it usable), a PVC fence installed around the perimeter, instead of the existing “prison black fence”.  

Moreover, they would like the street curb to the fence to be interlocking brick with quaint lamppost lighting installed (poles with globe balls at the top). They feel this will prevent the grass from growing to 4 feet before it is cut. 

            As Sunset Park is under the jurisdiction of the Town of Oyster Bay, and since I know of your commitment to the safety and well being of the residents of the Town, I am asking you to review this matter so that a resolution can be effectuated. 

Venditto, John

Sunset Park

Page 2 

            Please know that these residents strongly support any initiative to improve Sunset Park and would welcome and appreciate the opportunity to work together with the Town to make this happen.  You can contact Ralph Schwartz for more information via email at ralph.schwartz@metmuseum.org or by phone on his cell phone (516) 551-3678 or at home at (516) 541-6692. 

            As always, thank you for your anticipated cooperation on this matter.  If I can assist you in any way, please let me know. 

                                                                                    Sincerely, 

                                                                                    Thomas R. Suozzi

                                                                                    County Executive 

TRS:irs

CC:     Harbor Green Civic Association Members

(02/09/04) MASSAPEQUA - Thousand of property owners in Nassau County may get refunds because of a billing error. Some residents were upset were when they saw their newest tax bills. For instance, civic association members in Massapequa split the cost of the taxes for a vacant lot of land. The taxes totaled just over $900 last year, but this year's bill totaled more than $8,600. That is about a 1,000 percent increase.

But, the tax bill is wrong. The error stems from Nassau County's complicated reassessment of properties -- an enormous project that faced numerous court challenges. It turns out vacant lands were subject to a maximum six percent increase in assessed value, but that determination was not finalized until the tax bills went out. So, a couple thousand residents who own vacant properties in Nassau County got bills stating they had to pay more than they actually owe.

County assessor Harvey Levinson blames his predecessor for the confusion. He says now county officials will have to give refunds not only to homeowners, but will also have to make up the difference to school districts and other municipalities who were expecting the higher amount. That is bad news in terms of county finances but good news for residents.

Members from the county assessor's office say out of 12,000 vacant lots that were reassessed countywide, about 2,300 were subject to the cap limit. For more information about Nassau County's property tax assessment, click here.

Video : http://ondemand1.cv.net/news12/BLMSPPOT.asx

These are the press releases we've issued over the last year. You may want to search for topics by keyword.

Aggressive Driving

The U.S. Department of Transportation outlines the profile of aggressive drivers as follows:

Aggressive drivers run stop signs and red lights, speed, tailgate, weave, make unsafe lane changes and honk their horns unnecessarily. They drive at speeds in excess of the norm, which causes them to follow too closely.

According to the National Traffic Safety Facts, published by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, speeding contributed to 32% of all fatal crashes in calendar year 2002. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, and increases the distance necessary to stop a vehicle.  It decreases the reaction time necessary to react to a dangerous situation.

Please practice safe driving through the streets of Old Harbour Green.  Obey the speed limit and come to a full stop at all stop signs.  Non-aggressive driving will help ensure the safety of our families and our community.

 Michael Browne

Extraordinary Accomplishments

Kelly Pettersen, daughter of Kevin and Mary, has been a member of the New York State ODP Soccer Team ( Olympic Developmental Program) for the past 3 years. She also plays on a Regional Premier Team that is ranked 35th in the nation. This year, Kelly also played for another ODP team in the Super Y-League and played up 1 year in the older age group. Last month her team, ISA, went to the National Championships in Illinois and won the National Championship.

Because of her outstanding play during the Championship games, the coaches of all the teams voted on the most outstanding players, and Kelly was named as one of those players. She was selected to the 2003 UMBRO National Team of the Year.

Congratulations Kelly!