Bethpage-Tribune_2008-02-01

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For Over 40 Years
Volume 46 Number 5 329 Broadway., Bethpage, NY 11714 February 1-7 (516)681-0440 ext. 21 FAX (516)681-9354 Email: Nuz2u@aol.com 50 Cents
BHS Student Civic Association
Support Soldier's Wish with Toy Drive
One of the goals of the BHS Student Civic Association (SCA) is to help
foster understanding, unity and make a difference in our lives. A recent proj­ect
led SCA Advisor Jacci Jill-Rito to AnySoldier.com. Upon searching, she
came up with a very special request of Marine Gunnery Sgt. Clark Hovland,
as follows:
"But what would be really nice would be things that we can give out to
the kids on our patrols. We are helping to knock out terrorists one child at a
time. Every friend we make now is one less enemy in the future. And if you
could only see these kids smiling faces when I give them a chocolate bar or
a FOOTBALL or SOCCER ball... it just makes your heart melt"
The statement of this Marine in the midst of the war proved to Ms. Rito
what many who work with youth believe to be true.
"You can and must help create a positive atmosphere through giving, nur­turing
and understanding, even in conditions that may be considered negative
and destructive," noted Ms. Rito.
Bethpage High School Principal John DeTommaso has approved the stu­dent
group's request to conduct a toy drive at the school. The SCA is asking
for small stuffed animals, readily available in dollar stores for $1, to send to
Sgt. Hovland for distribution to the Iraqi children.
"Our goal is to have a contest within the four classes and have as many in
each class contribute one stuffed animal to the drive," shared Ms. Rito. "We
have an enrollment of a little over 900 students. Thus far, a local toy compa­ny,
Snuggie Toy in Plainview, NY has donated over 50 stuffed animals to
kickoff the drive." In addition ,120 toys were donated by Newton and Sons
Amusements, who are the midway provider that each year provide rides and
games for the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce Summer Festival. The SCA
also received an anonymous donation of 150 toys from a local merchant who
sent a note along with the stuffed toys that simply said"Great job...keep up
the great work."
The members of the SCA believe that the gesture of each student's contri­bution
will collectively demonstrate Bethpage's care and good will to the chil­dren
and people of Iraq.
There will be a large box in the library for the collection. Faculty, staff,
students, and parents, are welcome to actively participate in this drive of hope
and good will. If you are interested in becoming more involved, please con­tact
JRito at BHS.
President of the Snuggie Toy Company Alex Kessler, and Sales Manager
Stacy Grieco, make a generous donation to the Bethpage Student Civic
Association 's Sgt. Hovland Toy Drive.
Robbery at Commerce Bank on
Stewart Avenue in Bethpage
Robbery Squad detectives report the details of two bank robberies
occurring on Tuesday, January 22, 2008.
According to detectives, a white male, 6'foot tall, in his 30's, wearing
a navy/white/gray sweatshirt and dark glasses entered the Commerce
Bank located at 145 Stewart Avenue in Bethpage at 9:00am and presented
a note demanding cash from the teller. After obtaining an undisclosed
amount of US currency, the subject fled on foot in an unknown direction.
The same described individual entered the Bank of America located at
905 N. Broadway in North Massapequa at 9:20am and obtained an undis­closed
amount of cash in the same manner using a demand note. Again
the subject fled on foot in an unknown direction. The description of the
subject matched two previous robberies in Nassau County and others in
Suffolk County. Robbery Squad detectives dispersed intelligence
obtained recently from the Suffolk County Major Case Squad regarding a
possible vehicle involved in the robberies. That vehicle was a 2001
Nissan Maxima, maroon in color. Bureau of Special Operation Officers
Clifford Pendl and Michael Mullin located the vehicle at the Bethpage
Motel and arrested the 28 year old Wantagh man outside his room with­out
incident. All proceeds from the robberies were recovered. The
Wantagh man was charged with the two Jan. 22 robberies as well as two
additional robberies, one in Massapequa on Jan. 7 and the other in
Wantagh on Dec. 20 He was arraigned in First District Court on January
23 on four counts of Robbery Third Degree. There were no injuries in
any of the robberies