Bethpage-Tribune_1990-09-06

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YOUR OFFICIAL HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
Serving Bethpage, Island Trees, Plainedge, Seaford, Old Bethpage and Plainview
September 6-12,1990 Celebratifig Our 23M Year VOL. 23 NO. 43 Colcbtcitinci Our P3r(i Year 25 CENTS
Gulotta Proposes Measures to Aid
National Guard and IVIilitary Reservists
In an attempt to ease the burden
of Military Reservists and National
Guard who may be called to active
duty during the Middle East chsis,
Nassau County Executive Thomas S.
Gulotta and Nassau Comptroller
Peter King have announced several
measures, including a local law to
financially assist Reservists who are
County employees; a central office to
answer Reservists' inquiries and will
call upon the business community to
support the Reservists.
"If the Middle East crisis should
explode into an armed conflict,
military Reservists could be playing
a key role," stated Gulotta. "We must
make every effort to protect their
families from financial hardship
during the duration."
These Reservists are putting their
lives on the line to protect us and our
families," asserted King. "We can do
no less by helping them to return to
families that are economically stable.
Under state military reservists and
National Guard who are government
employees are paid 30 days military
leave each year. Under the Gulotta/
King plan, a local law would be
presented to the Nassau County
Board of Supervisors that would
permit County employees to receive
a lump sum payment equivalent to
their termination, if they exceed the
30 day limit. This measure will provide
some financial assistance to the
Reservists if the call to active duty goes
beyond 30 days. The termination pay
is a total of all accrued vacation and
sick days which are usually paid upon
retirement, or when otherwise leaving
county employment.
Secondly, Gulotta and King have
designated the County Office of
Veterans Affairs as an information
point for all County military reservists
and National Guard to contact and
obtain information on their rights
under federal and state law. The Office
of Veterans Affairs number is 535-
3220.
Finally, Gulotta and King have
called upon the business community
to take whatever reasonable steps they
can to ease the financial burden on
reservists who are called to active duty
during this crisis.
"Our unified show of support for
these individuals is important," stated
Gulotta. "We should help protect here
on Long Island what they may be
fighting for in the Middle East."
"While military service is certainly
a vital duty for the Reservists and the
Guard, stated King, "it should not
become an economic disaster for the
families." '
Board Contioyes
Traffic Safety Program
Hempstead Presiding Supervisor
Joseph N. Mondello and Hempstead
Supervisor Gregory P. Peterson,
announced today that the Nassau
County Board of Supervisors has
approved funding for the continuation
of the Accident Locations - Intensive
Vehicle and Traffic Law Enforcement
Program - (ALIVE).
According to Presiding Supervisor
Mondello, Vice Chairman of the
Board of Supervisors, "This program
is designed to improve the quality oi"
the County roadways in an effort to
reduce the number of accidents that
occur at specific sites."
"Ihe continuation of this program
should further reduce the number of
accidents at locations determined by
the Nassau County Police Depart-ment
as most in need of reconstruc­tion,"
added Mondello.
The Board approved funding of
$70,813, there will also be a $95,262
in-kind contribution making the total
program funding $166,262. Expenses
are 100% reimbursable from the New
York State Governor's Traffic Safety
Committee.
According to Supervisor Peterson,
"Under this program, the Police
Department will conduct surveys to
determine specific accident locations
throughout the County. Once the area
is designated, all appropriate actions
will be taken to reduce the number
of accidents occurring at thai site."
"By taking precautionary actions
now, we hope to prevent serious
injuries of those traveling our road­ways
and provide the safest roads
throughout the county," Supervisor
Peterson concluded. "The protection
of our motorists is of the utmost
importance."
THE CRACKLE OF GUNFIRE FROM FLINTLOCK MUSKETS will be
heard at the Militia Muster at Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Saturday
and Sunday, September 22 and 23.
Farmers and shopkeepers will don their uniforms and oil their muskets
for the re-creation of a 1840s "Militia Muster" at Old Bethpage Village
Restoration on Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23 from 11
AM to 3:30 PM each day.
Company drills will be held on Saturday by the common militia to the
music of life and drum, announced County Executive Thomas S. Gulotta.
Sunday's activities will include casting muskei balls, drills with flintlock
muskets, a target shoot and company elections. Sunday culminates with a
"regimental review" at 3PM, complete with the village brass band and the
village's volunteer militia unit, the Hempsteatj Light Guards.
In the Mid-nineteenth century, the muster was more holiday than military
drill, with men thrughout town excused from work to gather for a day of
socializing and good-nature fun. Visitors to Old l^hpage's muster should
keep this in mind if the troops are perhaps not as mihtary as they might
expect. After ail, they drilled only once a year.
Old Bethpage Village Restoration is operated by the Museum Services
Division of the Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks and
is located on Rouitd Swamp Road in Old Bethpage, one mile south of Long
Island expressway. Exit 48. It is open eveiy day except Mondays from lOAM
to 5 PM. Admission to the historical village ends one hour prior to closing.
The Village ciifeteria, museum shop and picnic area are open daily. Admission
is $5,00 ($4.00 for Nassau residents) and $2.00 for children, ages 5-17, Senior
Citi/jens, persons with disabilities and volunteer firefighters. Parking is free.
For further iniormation, call 420-5280