Bethpage-Tribune_1969-06-05

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Serving Bethpage - Plainview - Island Trees - Plainedge - Seaford
Vol. 3 No. 32 Thursday, June 5, 1969 10< per copy'
Heavy Turnout Expected
For June 11 Vote
On Budget And Board
A HAPPY SMILE is reflected by (L-R) Island Trees
Board President Donald Ferris, Town of Hempstead
Councilman Anthony Imbarrato, School Board Trustee
Lois O'Donnell (member of the IslandTrees Taxpayers
Association Memorial Committee) Island Trees
Superintendent Leo Miller and Major John Kilbride,
Community leader a&" they join in accepting the
memorial gifts for Island Trees.
Early last fall the Island Trees Taxpayers'
Association wrote to the Board of Education requesting
permission to place a Memorial in front of the Junior
High School. Prior to this request, it was decided the
Island Trees Taxpayers' Association would co-ordinate
a community-sponsored Memorial in an effort to unite
the. community in a spirit of cooperation for the bet­terment
of the community. The Island Trees Tax­payers'
Association had contacted Congressman John
Wydler and he had an American Flag flown over he
Capitol of the United States on December 7,1968 for the
Taxpayers' Association. This flag was presented by
Mr.Sidney Rosenthal, Congressman ^ ^ ^
representative at the January 9, 1969 Taxpayers
meeting and was to be the flag flown over the
Memorial when it was dedicated. The flag presentation
launched the Memorial Drive. For such a young
organization this Memorial was a tremendous un­dertaking
involving the time and effort of many people^
The actuaf solicitation of the families in Island Trees
began January 19th. The volunteers had met and been
organized into areas so the entire neighborhood could
be covered The cold winter weather did not stop the
volunteers, neither did the February blizzard.
However, a combination of continued winter weather
and the flu, resulted in the fact that volunteers were
unable to reach every street. Appeals went out for help
in completing specific areas and time was marching
0IThe dedication had.been set for May 30th, 1969. One
must realize, however, a 3700 pound granite memoria
has to be ordered early so it will be ready for Memorial
Day a bronze Honor Roll had to be cast, and the names
of the individuals prepared and submitted so the Honor
Roll could also be completed. The Memorial and Honor
Roll were ordered, during the solicitation drive to
assure delivery in time. The Memorial Committee had
received-several suggestions, during the campaign,
from individuals regarding any monies.remaining, it is
fair to say the Committee had "anxious moments
regarding the total payment of the Memorial and
Honor Roll that had already been ordered and the
thought of monies remaining seemed remote, at that
time The solicitation drive did end and at that point,
(Continued on Page 10)
By Merrie Chase, Special Correspondent
Registration figures soared in Plainedge, Bethpage
and Island Trees School Districts as voters rushed to
qualify for Wednesday, June 11 voting.
The areas of controversy surrounding the issues deal
with increased taxation, sex education, liberal versus
conservative philosophy in school ideology, political
WSMuVering and out-of-district busing. The recent
Plainedge "Task Force" report is a very controversial
issue in the Plainedge District and has prompted
Henry Cardella of the Plainedge Taxpayers
Association to challenge School Board President
James Ackley. Although Ackley was not a supporter of
the ''Task Force" report and its recommendations
regarding bringing outside children into the District
for an "experimental summer pilot program," he has
been criticized by the taxpayers group.
The issue in Bethpage is high taxes, conservative vs.
liberal spending policies and outside union control of
teachers.
The controversy in the Island Trees District revolves
around "ideology"-"Liberals versus Oonservatives--
"Sex Education" and control of the Board by the P-1A
Council-backed slate of Evans, Raeihle, Zeis and
Rosa.They are opposed by taxpayer-supported can­didates
Webb, O'Donnell and Lancellotti. School Board
Vice-President Florence Cullem, running on a record
of 20 years community service, 9 years on the Boardlot
Education, lends a balance to the race The! P-1A
Council has been accused by Board President Donald
Ferris as having "a typical P-TA-stacked audience
for the "Meet The Candidates" P-TA'Council Forum on
June 3. Candidates Webb, O'Donnell, Lancelldtti arid
Cullem could not appear due to prior commitments.
Ferris was attacked physically when he held onto the
microphone as he tried to question the P-TA-backed
candidates. The microphone was pulled from his hand
by a man in the audience.,He desperately tried to
defend the present bo-rd's accomplishments ar; said
the pamphlet'"The Very Facts" distributed by the
opposition is filled with "distortions," half- ruths, lies
and innuendos to smear the present Board A woman
later stated "It was a sorry sight to see the President ot
the Board of Education abused in this manner, par­ticularly
" she said, "since the Board has done such a
wonderful job this year." This same old P-TA Council
clique is trying to control the district ~ they aren t
fooling anyone with their pious mouthings. Ferns
agreed with this.
Things will get hot and heavy as June 11 approaches.
Hearings on the budget are scheduled for Tuesday
evening at 8:00 p.m. at all districts. Voting takes place
at 12 noon, Wednesday, June 11.
(Continued on Page 5)
CASO'S
CORNER
Each year at this time, dozens
of inquiries are made to my office
concerning the eligibility of
residents and non-residents of the
town to use our network o£ parks
poola and other r e c r e n U o m ii
facilities.
Let's set the record straight.
Non-residents of the Town of
Hempstead cannot use any of our
facilities. This ruling has been of
fundamental concern to me
during my tenure as presiding
supervisor. Each year New York
City legislators attempt to force
bills through the State Senate and
Assembly which would open the
parks of our town and county to
city residents. »
With each bill's introduction, I
have immediately called on our
Long Island respresentatives in
Albany to prevent passage. So
far we've been successful. These
bills would rob our residents of
the fruit of their labors. One of
the many reasons you moved to
the suburbs was to find lush,
green parks which were not
overcrowded and run down.
Now, let us focus on those
people who are eligible to use our
parks and pools and golf course.
All Hempstead Town residents
may use facilities. However,
those who are not within the
town's Park District must pay a
slightly higher fee for the use of
pools and the golf course.
The Hempstead Town Park
District includes all the areas of
the town except the incorporated
villages and Franklin Square and
Levittown. The villages have
their own parks which are paid
for by their residents, while
Franklin Square and Levittown
have their own special park
districts which they also support
by special assessment.
Even though these people live
outside the town Park District,
they can use the pools and parks.
The slightly higher charge is
levied because they don't pay
taxes to the Park District.
I hope that clears up any
confusion and I trust all will take
full advantage of everything the
Town of Hempstead has to offer
this summer.