Bethpage-Tribune_1988-10-13

              BETHPAGE K?:£i» ilit 1^.
Island Trees Plainedge
also serving
Seaford Old Bethpage Plainview
VOL. 21 NO. 50 OCTOBER 13-19,1988 20 CENTS
RED RIBBON WEEK
PROCUIMEO
Nassau County Executive Thomas
S. Gulotta. (pictured left), and Nassau
County Commissioner Harold E.
Adams, ol the Department ol' Drug
and Alcohol Addiction, (pictured
right), today announced that the week
ol October 23rd through October 30th
has been proclaimed "National Red
Ribbon Week."
Drug and Alcohol abuse is a grow­ing
concern in our County, as well as
our entire Nation. Each year the
number ol substance abusers and
addicts increases. As these individuals
sell-destruct, their tamilies and
friends also experience a great deal ol
sulTering. Victims are representative
ol all socioeconomic and ethnic
groups ol our society, trom early
school year children to adults.
"Substance abuse is a serious
dilemma. I he best method ot attack is
through public awareness, as well as
prevention and treatment programs,"
stated Gulotta.
National Red Ribbon Week is co-sponsored
by the National Federation
ol Parents lor D ug Eree Youth and
the Drug Erec Youth ot America, as
an elTort to educate the public on the
dangers ol drug and alcohol abuse. In
addition, the campaign is held to raise
public awareness ot this epidemic
lhroughout*our Country. This otters
individuals and opportunity to ban
together to tight back against drug
and substance problem.
Throughout National Red Ribbon
Week, individuals are asked to wear a
red ribbon, symbolizing their com­mitment
to a drug free America.
Gulotta Announces
Environment Program
Nassau County Executive Thomas
S. Gulotta today announced that he
has directed the Department of Public
Works to implement a new policy on
the maintenance of the County's
Stormwater Basins, commonly
referred to as "sumps". Under the
Gulotta program, every effort will be
made to retain the natural growth
inside the sumps and the trees, flora
and fauna will be removed only as a
last resort in response to overriding
community concerns.
'The network of sumps which criss­cross
the County, generally north of
the Southern State Parkway, were
constructed in the 1930's for two basic
reasons: to handle stormwater drain-off
during periods of heavy rain,
thereby preventing the Hooding of
streets and adjacent properties and to
recharge the Island's ground water
supply," Gulotta said. "In many
instances, these sumps border on
residential homes and our residents
have come to enjoy the privacy
provided by the sumps with the
associated growth of natural trees-and
brush. While there may be specillc
instances where the County must
perform some maintenance work on
these sumps, our thrust will be to keep
the sumps operating efficiently, while
preserving as much natural growth as
possible."
Gulotta indicated that the new
sump maintenance was consistent
with his five year tree planting/
beautification program which has
already been implemented. Under this
program, over 3,000 trees have already
been planted at or along various
County facilities and roadways so far
this year.
Gulotta noted that there may be
isolated instances where rodent infes­tation
or uncontrolled growth are
preventing the sumps from operating
properly and are causing undue
hardship on neighbors. "In these
instances, we will remove the under­lying
brush bett.nc removing any trees,
to determine il thai will rejolvc the
problem. Otherwise, the County will
not remove or disrupt the llora and
fauna to be found in these sumps
unless an overriding concern is
expressed by the local community."
In instances where growth must be
removed, a letter will be sent to
neighboring homeowners, explaining
the process which the County is
implementing, (hiloita also noted that
the directive to preserve natural
growth would not inhibit the County
from cleaning the sumps of sebris
which often collects in these basins.
The County maintains 610 sumps
ranging in size from approximately 1/
10th acre to the largest, which is 31.6
acres. The average sump is 2-1 / 4 acres.
Byrne Athletic Field Dedicated
Nassau County Exeeutive Thomas S. Gulotta, (right), addressed educators at
the Dedication Ceremony for the Edward R. Byrne Athletic Field which is
located at Plainedge High School.