LIGHTING EMERGENCY? HERE'S PHONE NUMBER TO CALL
Many Freeporters wishing to report power trouble in their homes
or a street light out have been calling the Police Department at night
and on week-ends when the Municipal Building is closed. This places
an added burden on the already-busy men in blue at the switchboard
and sometimes, delays the request for help. There is a 24-hour emer-gency
number at the Municipal Power Plant which you should call in-stead
-- sometimes you may have to let itring a little while, but there
is always someone there to answer and take care of your emergency
at once. The number is FR 8-0146. Try it next time.
*****
ANYONE FOR ICE-SKATING?
There's ice-skating -- weather permitting --at North east, North-west
and Randall Parks, all of which are open till 10 P. M. At Ran-dall
there is supervision onSaturdays, Sundays, holidays, and every
day after school until closing time. Come join the fun.
;*****
LET US APPLAUD i"
* Mrs. George M. Maynes, whose outstanding "service for safety in
working for many years with our Bicycle Safety Committee has been
topped by her originating and helping to carry out the new driver re-education
course for experienced motorists, for which she^has re-ceived
the Certificate of Recognition of the New York State Citizens
Council on Traffic Safety. A new driver-re-education course will
start March 7 at FreeportHighSchool and the idea is being copied in
many other communities.
* Public-spirited citizens who help beautify our community by dona-tions
of trees and shrubbery to the Park Commission. Recently these
have included Mr. William H. Schneider whose gift of nine pines,
three birches, four sugar maples and many shrubs may be enjoyed
in Grove East Park. Individuals and organizations interested in this
worthwhile project may contact the Park Commission; cash donations
are also much appreciated and can be used toward specific purchases
if desired.
* The Community Ambassador Program of the Freeport Community
Council, which has sent three fine young Freeporters to live for a
Summer in a family overseas in the very best kind of exchange of
international understanding. Harlee Gritmon went to Holland, Step-hen
Meringoff to France and Lauren Young, who is still a Freeport
High School student and is available to give her interesting slide lec-ture
to all interested organizations, spent last Summer in Austria.
This year the council hopes to raise enough money to send two Free-port
Community Ambassadors, abroad under the aegis of the Experi-ment
in International Living. Your help will be appreciated.
*****
VILLAGE NEWS
A PUBLIC INFORMATION BULLETIN OF THE VILLAGE OF FREEPORT
MAYOR
ROBERT J. SWEENEY
TRUSTEES
HENRY M. ALTENGARTEN
FRANK W. SOMERS
ARTHUR R. MULUER
GEORGE H. FAIRS ERG
JOHN J. MAC DONALD
VILLAGE CLERK
LEONARD D. B. SMITH
TREASURER
JOHN O. TESSIER
VlLLAOK COUNSEL
DEE KRATOVIL
PUBLICITY DIRECTOR
-TELEPHONE FR 8-4OOO
"Tlio Boating and Fishing Caoital of the East"
January 1963
A SUGGESTION FOR A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
Happy New Year to everyone. And, although most Freeporters
have probably already made as many New Year's resolutions as they
plan -- and perhaps have already broken some of them -- VILLAGE
NEWS has a suggestion for a resolution to consider.
Why not resolve to take an active part in your Village's affairs
during the coming year?
Only recently we've been celebrating the 70th anniversary of the
incorporation of the Village of Freeport. What does incorporation
really mean, except that it provides us with self-government? We
have our own locally-elected officials and elected and appointed bodies
to carry out the myriad executive and administrative duties of the
municipality. We personally elect local people, acquainted with local
conditions, and we can go to the Municipal Building at any time —or
meet them on the street, or reach them by telephone -- and have in-valuable
personal contact and cooperation in "running things". In a
very real sense, we eliminate the "middle-man".
Yet, as Mayor Sweeney once remarked, "I see the same few peo-ple
everywhere I go". In a Village which is expected to reach 40, 000
population, only a relative handful of residents seems to take a really
active part or a constructive interest in their Village. We have Open
Meetings of the;Village Board every first and third Monday night at
9 P. M. in the Conference Room of the Municipal Building, but very
often only a dozen people attend. Public hearings, which are adver-tised
and publicized widely, bring out a few more, but often only those
with a particular axe to grind. Many who attend Board meetings come
only to complain and have no constructive ideas to offer.
Let's make 1963 the year when everyone stops just residing in
Freeport and starts really living here. To paraphrase an old idea,
ask not constantly what Freeport can do for you, but what you can do
for Freeport. We already have a fine community -- let's pitch in and
make it a truly great one.
*****
CHRISTMAS IN FREEPORT A REAL COMMUNITY ENDEAVOR
It seemed to many Freeporters that the recent Christmas season
was an especially "Chirstmassy" one in the Village, and we have
many people and groups responsible for this happy situation.
The official Village "family" helped, with the Village Board's
originating and- passing an amendment to an old ordinance which had
prohibited music by loud-speaker for many years. Now "religious
and seasonal" music may be played in the business areas over loud-speakers
from Dec. 16 to Jan. 1. and many establishments contribu-ted
tastefully-chosen "music in the air" this year. Another gift of the
Board was free parking at 924 parking meters, which were covered
with bags printed "Merry Christmas". Many Village departments
take part in assisting special endeavors throughout Freeport, includ-ing
Parks, Recreation. Police, Highway, Parking Meters, Lighting
(which also is co-host at one of the best parties in the Village) and
the Beautification Committee.
The Chamber of Commerce and many business men are credited
with gay decorations and lights in the shopping areas as well as the
big Toyland Parade and the large Christmas Tree which shone a wel-come
to all at Cannon Square. The Holy Name Society put up the
lovely Nativity Scene located in front of the Meadow Brook Bank Bldg.
Another interesting Nativity Scene, using live animals, was at the
L. I* Human and Dog Protective Association Shelter. Even the spec-ial
events, parties, church celebrations and home decorations seem-ed
more note-worthy than usual.
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Mucaria donated the beautiful big Christmas
tree which was so admired in the lobby of Village Hall. Many thanks
to everyone concerned, including those we might have missed men-tioning.
*****
TEEN-AGE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE HAS WORKERS, NEEDS JOBS
Need a baby-sitter, a snow-shoveler, somebody to run errands,
make deliveries, or just be generally useful around your house or
business for a few hours or days? Maybe^you are not aware that the
Teen-Age Employment Service, sponsored by the Recreation Depart-ment
and the Chamber of Commerce, is in business all year round,
not just in the Summer. At present there are dozens of eager young
beavers looking for after-school and week-end jobs. The desk is
open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 to 4:30 for young-sters
to register, but if you have a job available, you may call FR 8-
4000 any time during Municipal Building off ice hours to list your needs.
There is no charge to either employer or teen-ager for this service.
*****
SOME DO'S AND DON'T'S FOR WINTERTIME
The following list of hints for motorists and property owners is
presented to assist everyone in facing Winter with less discomfort
and inconvenience. If everyone cooperates, the Village can do its
job faster and it won't cost so much, either in dollars or in annoy -
ance.
*Leave your car at home whenever possible when it's snowing
or snow is expected.
*Equip your car with snow tires or chains, a shovel, and a box
of cinders or sand.
*Remove your car from streets and parking lots as soon as pos-sible
when snow starts, and don't park your car on the street
during a snow storm -- if it has to be towed away, it will cost
you money to get it back. .
*After a street has been plowed, be careful to park properly so
as not to delay or obstruct traffic.
*Never park on the street overnight during snowtime.
*Don't abandon your vehicle soas to obstruct traffic or snow plow*
during storms; if an emergency situation arises, call for help
notify Police, and stay with your car until it canbe removed to
a safe spot.
*Remove snow and ice promptly from your sidewalks, but don't
push or shovel snow and ice from any private property onto the
street.
*Don't place garbage or refuse at the curb overnight during snow
8torms- *****
BE A FRIENDLY FREEPORTER IN PARKING FIELDS
We don't know how often it happens, but Mayor Sweeney recently
received a letter from a Freeport lady who had the misfortune to hav
he» car banged up rather severely while it was parked in the Munic
ipal Plaza parking field near the railroad station by someone who die
riot bother'tb leave his name, although, under State compulsory in-surance
laws the damage would have been largely if not completely
covered. It cost the lady almost $200 and, what's worse, has made
her wonder if Freeport is really the "Friendly Village" we've alwayi
been so proud to claim.
The parking fields are provided by the Village as a convenience
and service to everyone, and it is a shame that some of our resident!
abuse their privileges. The Village could notpossibly hire attendant;
for all these fields, nor assume the liability for any damages sufferc
there -- so it's up to every Freeporter to observe courtesies, goo<
manners and friendly spirits. You mayneed the samefavor someda-j
By the way, don't forget to get your new 1963 parking permit at Vil
lage Hall if you wish to use the permit parking spaces --a real bar
gain at $1.
*****
