Bethpage-Tribune_1988-12-01

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BETHPAGE
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Island Trees Plainedge
also serving
Seaford Old Bethpage Plainview
VOL. 22 NO. 5 DECEMBER 1-6, 1988 20 Cents
Gulotta's Citizen Service
Van to Visit Bethpage
Nassau County Executive Thomas
S. Gulotta's Citizen Service Van will
be located at the Bethpage Public
Library, 47 Powell Avenue, on Wed­nesday,
December 14, from 10:00 AM
to 3:00 PM. The Citizen's Service Van
was created by the County Executive
to provide residents with information
about county government and expand
the county's outreach program.
**A primary function of local
government is to reach out and to
make government available and
responsive to our residents in all
corners of the county," Gulotta said.
"One means by which this can be
achieved is to make available direct
lines of communication with c^r
citizenry. Our Citizen's Service Van
will allow our residents to receive
information about the county and
seek redress for their concerns in a
location convenient to their homes.
This is particularly helpful for the
disabled or the elderly who may find
transportation difficult," Gulotta said.
Gulotta said the Citizen's Service
Van would also serve as an excellent
management tool. It will permit
residents and county employees alike,
to forward inquiries and/or offer their
thoughts with regard to the operation
of various county departments, facil­ities,
services and programs. This will
result in the implementation of greater
efficiency procedures and cost cutting
measures as well as a greater respon­siveness
to the needs of local residents.
Many residents may find it incon­venient
to travel to Mineola in order
to obtain information or to make their
views known to the appropriate
county officials or agencies. The
Citizen's Service Van will insure that
every resident has an opportunity to
make their views known.
Safety Precautions for
Holiday Siioppers
Senator Norman J. Levy (R,C-Merrick)
is reminding the public that
with the holiday season underway
shoppers, by observing a few extra
safety precautions, can help ensure that
the holidays are safe and even more
enjoyable.
nrhe holiday season in addition to
being a busy time for shoppers is also
a busy time for criminals," Levy said,
offering the following tips, based on
recommendations by police officials,
aimed at protecting shoppers from
becoming holiday crime victims:
* Dont draw attention to yourself by
wearing flashy or expensive jewelry or
clothing;
* When you look over merchandise
iii the stores, don't put your pocketbook
or packages on the floor; * Keep
your pocketbook tightly under your
arm. Don't let it dangle from vour
shoulder because it can be easily
grabbed by a passerby;
* Credit card slips should be checked
carefully before you sign them. Make
sure the clerk returns your card before
you leave his or her station, and for
added protection, destroy the carbons
on credit card sales slips after signing;
* Put your wallet back in a safe place
after youVe used it to take out cash or
credit card at the checkout counter;
* Don't buy more at one time than
you can carry securely. If you carry too
many packages, a thief can easily grab
one from you;
* Shop during the day, if possible.
If you shop at night, take company
along;
* If you do shop at night and are
using your car, park in an area that is
well lit and is as close to the stores as
possible;
* When returning to your car, be alert.
Have your car keys ready and check
front and back seats before entering the
car. Look around to see if anybody is
lurking nearby;
* Lock your gift purchases in the
trunk. Do not leave them in plain view
on the seat of your car;
* When you drive off, keep your car
doors locked and windows rolled up so
that nobody can jump into the vehicle
when you stop for a light;
* Don't give a stranger a lift even if
he lives nearby and asks you to drop
him off.
"Following these safety tips and using
good common sense should help ensure
that the holiday season is safe and
enjoyable for shoppers and their fam­ilies,*'
Levy concluded.
P..-
Santa Claus has promised to come
with Mrs. Claus by helicopter to five
Nassau County parks and talk to all
the youngsters who stop by. The date
is Saturday, December 10. The rain
date is December 11.
County Executive Thomas S.
Gulotta said there will be entertain­ment
one hour before Santa's arrival
that will feature clowns, cookies and
hot chocolate. Santa and Mrs. Claus
will give out candy canes to all the
youngsters.
Santa's schedule follows:
Bay Park, First Ave., East Rocka-way,
10 A.M.
Roosevelt Park, Washington Ave.,
near Lakeside Dr., Roosevelt, 11:30
A.M.
Christopher Morley Park, Searing-town
Rd., Roslyn-N. Hills, 1:30 P.M.
Wantagh Park, South of Merrick
Rd., Wantagh, 3 P.M.
Eisenhower Park, Parking Field #7,
East Meadow, 4:15 P.M.
A special "Holiday Extravaganza"
will get under way at Eisenhower Park
at 2:45 P.M. followed by a Christmas
Tree Lighting ceremony with Santa
at 4:15 P.M.
The festive atmosphere will include
Rosie and Herbert who will perform
stunts such as stilt walking, unicycling,
acrobatics and juggling. Walk-around
clowns will also entertain the children
with magic, face painting and balloon {
sculpting. I
Santa's visits are sponsored by the I
Empire of America Savings Bank and '
arranged by the Nassau County
Department of Recreation and Parks.
For further information, call 542-
4443.