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ISLAND TREES PLAINEDGE SEAFORD
VOL. 16 NO. 18 The Week of August 6 - August 12,1981 20 cents per copy
Citizens Alliance
Forms In Bethpage
The first meeting of the newly formed Bethpage Citizens
Alliance was called to order Tuesday night in the cafeteria of
St. Martin of Tours School. The meeting was conducted by
Mr. Bill Steinmetz of Bethpage.
The New York Public Interest Research Group, Inc.
(NYPIRG) is New York's largest citizen action organization.
NYPIRG Citizens Alliance offers New Yorkers the opportun­ity
to work on important issues of community concern, such
as energy conservation, toxic chemical control, neighbor­hood
preservation, and fair taxes.
Barbara Shanta, a guest speaker from the Hicksvilte
Chapter of Citizens Alliance, opened the meeting by
explaining how C.A. is used. "It is primarily a self-help
program," said Mrs. Shanta. "It's what you can do for
yourselves and your community by pulling together." The
Hicksville Chapter is now dealing with the Hooker Chemical
Company and its water polution problem.
The next speaker was Bob Cramer, a lifelong resident of
Bethpage, who commented on why we need a Citizens
Alliance. "It can be a public forum for ideas," he said, "a
way to deal with problems and changes in our community."
He referred to local water pollution problems concerning
commercial wastes being dumped in our area1 or the' rhore
recent issue of the Stewart Ave. shopping center urtder new
ownership. By joining together, Bethpage can ask questions
and get answers.
Sal Miceli, of Bethpage, a member of the organizing
committee fielded questions from the floor. First asked was,
"Why do we need a Citizens Alliance when we already have a
Civic Association?" The answer given was: A Citizens
Alliance deals on a local, regional, and statewide level,
giving the organization more power. Also, professional
organizers are available for help and direction.
Bill Steinmetz made it clear that the Citizens Alliance is not
being formed to compete with the Civic Association, and
suggested that the two organizations could work together on
all upcoming issues.
Topics under discussion at this meeting were:
1. Traffic lights and 'no right turn' signs at busy
intersections, along with better "traffic control.
2. What can we use for water filtering while we wait tor
cleanup measures? (Barbara Shanta suggested a chemical
called GAC, now widely used in Hicksville.)
3. New ownership of the shopping center on Stewart
Avenue. Although Bethpage is in need of a supermarket and
good shopping facilities, it has come to light that the new
owners are raising rents by 2Vfe times the present rate, thus
forcing store owners out of business. It is felt that an empty
shopping center will not benefit the community. To discuss
this problem, the C.A. has arranged a meeting with
Mr. Barry Feldman, the new owner, on Thursday, August 13
at 8 P.M. in Bethpage. (Location to be announced.) The
Merchants Association has been invited to have representa­tion
at this meeting.
To close the agenda, elections were held for 3 month
temporary officers. Chairperson: Bill Steinmetz, Co-
Chairperson: Bob Garretson, Membership Coordinator:
Karen-Jones, Secretary: Margie Ringwold.
These officers have a large task ahead of them and they
will need community support and involvement in order to
make this organization productive. As one member of the
Civic Association stated, "When I go to a meeting and there
are only eight people in attendance, little is accomplished."
The next meeting will August 13. Attendance is important.
PICNLC PLANNED: Oyster Bay Town Councilman Salva-tore
R. Mosca goes over plans for Bide-A-Wee Home
Association's first picnic with volunteers Janice Lipp (left)
and Jean Vanturim>both of Bethpage. Two young kittens,
anticipating the Saturday, August 15 event, seem ready to
make tracks for Bethpage State Park, the picnic site. The
bring-your-own picnic is being sponsored to help publicize
Bide-A-Wee's pet adoption program and promote community
support for the organization. For information, contact Jean
Vanturini at 433-0120.
MAN OF MANY HATS: Hempstead Town Presiding
Supervisor Thomas S. Gulotta (right) proudly displays the
baseball hat presented to him in commemoration of his
attending the Levittown Central Little League Awards
binner held at the Seaford Knights of Columbus Hall. Shown
here are (back, L-R) Helen Hagan, president of the women's
auxiliary; Don Hagan, league president; Jack Nevader,
league vice president and little leaguers (L-R) Richie
Bianco; Susan Woll; Jenifer Hagan; Diane Martin; Bruce
Dorfman and Wally Brown. Other members of the
Supervisor's team attending the event are Councilman Peter
King (kneeling, left) and Councilman Joseph Mondello
(kneeling, right).
A TOSS UP: Oyster Bay Town Councilman John Venditto
[front right] and Ricky Bosch [front left] get a few pointers
on Frisbee throwing from Robert Callari [center front] of
Bethpage. The Councilman joined Ricky, Robert and other
participants in the Town's Group Activities Program [GAP]
for the handicapped for a demonstration by Long Island
"Disc From Above" Frisbee Demo Team members [left to
right rear] Tim Eng, Tim Mickol and Jeff Eng, all of
Farmingdale.
Profile Pg. 3 Bethpage Sports...Pg. 3 Kids Stuff Pg.5