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December 2009 Edition

Next Sunset City Civic Association Meeting
DEC 14th 2009 - 7PM- 9PM
at the Woods Rd School Cafeteria, North Babylon. ALL WELCOME!

OUR THANKS to Ralph of Sunset Plaza Bagels for
donating bagels at our Civic Meetings.
TO Vinny of Sunset Liquors for donating a case of wine which is raffled off.
Show your membership card and get a discount at these local businesses.
Shop locally at all of our Civic sponsors.
We appreciate their continued support

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Vincent Sciacca 631-242-2443
Email: VSCIACCA1@OPTONLINE.NET
Website: scca.homestead.com

My family and I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year. Happy Holidays to all. I'm sure we all wish our Servicemen and Women and their families a very Merry Christmas and hope our military return home soon. We certainly support and appreciate the job they have volunteered to do.

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GARAGE SALE: We will be having a Community Garage Sale Saturday, June 5, 2010 10:00AM to 4PM, with a rain date of Sunday, June 6th, 2010. This year, as last year, the number of Newsletters will be limited so get your names and addresses to me as soon as possible, if you wish to participate in the Garage Sale.

SUNSET CITY MEMBERSHIP DUES: Remember to support the many advertisers that offer us discounts. Check out some of the new advertisers in the back of the newsletter.  Send $5.00 for your new membership, if you haven't already, to Sunset City Civic Association 630 Interlaken Lane, North Babylon NY 11703 and make check payable to Sunset City Civic Association.

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SOUTHWEST SEWER DISTRICT:
By William M. Groh President-elect Cell # 631-921-0422
You are invited to the inaugural meeting of the concerned citizens for sewers, a not-for profit corporation.
Why? Tanger was allowed to hook up to the Southwest Sewer district, Wyandanch is about to be hooked up and now the Heartland Town square project (9,130 units of residential apartments, 4,150,000 square feet of office space and 1,085,000 square feet of retail space, including hotels, restaurants and a cinema), has received "Conceptual Certification" from the Suffolk County Sewer Agency to hook up to the Southwest Sewer District discharge One-Million Six-Hundred thousand gallons of sewage per day through the Bergen Point sewage treatment plant?
Are you included in that plan? No!
If you don't want to be bypassed again, then please attend the first meeting of the newly organized concerned citizens for sewers, inc. not for profit.
Date: Thursday Dec 17th 2009 - Time: 7pm Location: Deer Park Library.
Deer Park Public Library
44 Lake Avenue
Deer Park, NY 11729
(631) 586-3000  Map
 

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LONG ISLAND PROJECTS: Vinny

Projects such as Heartland Square in Brentwood, the Cerro Wire project in Syosset, The Glen Island water front development project in Glen Cove, The Legacy Village in Yaphank and The Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn all have experienced inordinate delays in construction due to bureaucratic red tape. Some projects have been delayed for as long as four to five years. These delays seem to be unreasonable given our present day economic climate. These projects would bring millions of much needed dollars to Long Island's economy and create thousands of jobs. I might add that the Heartland project mentioned above should also include the remainder of N. Babylon and Deer Park as part of the hook-up to the Southwest sewer district.

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ONLINE GUIDE TO REFORM: Newsday

A web site providing a tool kit for citizens seeking to dissolve or merge local governments can be found on the Web page of the state attorney general at www.oag.state.ny.us or at www.reformnygov.com Among the items on each Web site are the following: A comparison of the new law to existing laws - sample petitions - a video tutorial on how to get started - an interactive map called "Connecting New Yorkers" that lists community groups by county ? an email address, reformnygov@oag.ny.state  is, for contacting the attorney general's office with questions.

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TAX CREDIT EXTENDED:

The Senate has agreed to extend the popular tax credit for first time homebuyers and to offer a reduced to some repeat buyers. The tax credit provides up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers and up to $6500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least 5 years. These tax credits would apply to homebuyers who sign sales agreements by the end of April 2010 and they would have until the end of June to close on their new homes.
 

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SMITHTOWN SCHOOLS SAYS ATTEND A DRUG MEETING OR NO PROM:

The Smithtown School District has a program worth copying by other districts on Long Island. In essence, the program mandates that parents of seniors attend a meeting where they hear about everything from what heroin does to adolescent brains to what's being done in the community to combat the drug problem. After this 90-minute program parents leave better informed about heroin and its effect on parenting across the region. In return for parents' attendance, seniors are cleared to go to the Prom and other senior-class activities.

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OVERPAID SCHOOL CHIEFS:

I?m sure many of you have read the Newsday article regarding the outrageous pension benefits given to some Long Island school chiefs. These abuses need to stop. Is it any wonder our school taxes are the highest in the country. The most recent case that comes to mind is that of Brookhaven-Comsewoque superintendent Richard Brande who was able to receive a pension benefit of $290,700.00 annually, which exceeded his base salary of $191,140. How is this possible? It seems that Mr. Brande was allowed to use $495,000 in unused sick days and vacation pay in calculating his pension. This is outrageous! Where is Mr. Di Napoli when you need him. Keep in mind fellow tax payers, that these abuses are sanctioned by the school boards of their respective districts; aren't they supposed to be representing the people?

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AN UNFORTUNATE BY-PRODUCT: By Laurie Seiden 669-5964

The recession has forced many people into various lifestyle changes. A lot of us are hurting now both professionally and financially. One unfortunate by-product of our recent situation is that burglaries are on the rise.

Perhaps it is time to get back to some old fashioned values. We live in a world where we all talk electronically not to one's face, but through a keyboard. Too often out here in suburbia, many of us have no idea who our neighbors are. We tend to stay in our little worlds without any interaction between each other. And when we do venture beyond our own four walls and behind the wheel, we either experience, or cause road rage.

We used to live in a society that functioned quite well before we had Twitter, Nintendo's, iPhones and such. We used to pick up the phone and actually have a conversation with our family and friends. Special times meant spending time with family and/or friends and not pulling out a single electronic device to distract us.

Now with times being a bit tougher, perhaps it is a good idea to go a bit backwards and invest in your neighbors and your neighborhood. If you see something out of the ordinary, say something. Know who lives next door, down the block or around the corner. Always try and keep yourself safe and your loved ones educated, and as safe as possible. Be aware of your surroundings and ask questions. Never put yourself into a dangerous situation, but if one arises, don't be afraid to call for help from professionals when you need it.

We live on a beautiful island with much to offer. Take a moment to glance around, know who and what is out there, keep alert and aware and reap the rewards of this special neighborhood we all call home. Bad things can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. But if we pull together as a community and let the bad guys know we are watching them, we all benefit.

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"GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS"

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Thank You!
GREAT THINGS ARE ALWAYS HAPPENING IN THE NORTH BABYLON SCHOOLS:
By Laurie Seiden, Public Relation Chairperson North Babylon Council of PTAs 669-5964

The Academic Team:

At the October high school PTSA meeting the Academic Team came to visit. It was so uplifting hearing about all their accomplishments. These amazing students keep proving over and over again that we have got the brightest and the best right here in North Babylon. Our team has not only kept up, bat has time and time again surpassed even the most formidable of opponents. It was impossible not to feel immense pride as team member Tausif Noor spoke about what the team has already accomplished and what the future has to hold. We wish them all the best and look forward to another winning season. A big thank you too must go out to the team's advisors. It takes a lot of time, hard work, practice and dedication to achieve so much. Have a great year, and no matter what, you make us proud!

The High School Newspaper:

At that same PTSA meeting we were told that the high school newspaper, 'The Vignette' has been revived. Copies of the first issue were handed out. Members of the paper's staff gave the group some insight about what they are doing. This is truly a paper created by our students, for our students. It again is a wonderful venue to showcase so many talents that our students possess. We look forward to reading each and every issue.

NB SCHOOLS ENROLLMENT AS OF OCT 09 - Click here

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TIME OUT FOR A LAUGH ? Looking to buy a frog?
A man walks into a bar and asks the bartender, 'If I show you a really good trick, will you give me a free drink?' The bartender considers it, then agrees. The man reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny rat. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny piano. The rat stretches, cracks his knuckles, and proceeds to play the blues.

After the man finished his drink, he asked the bartender, 'If I show you an even better trick, will you give me free drinks for the rest of the evening?' The bartender agrees, thinking that no trick could possibly be better than the first. The man reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny rat. He reaches into his other pocket and pulls out a tiny piano. The rat stretches, cracks his knuckles, and proceeds to play the blues. The man reaches into another pocket and pulls out a small bullfrog, who begins to sing along with the rat's music.

While the man is enjoying his beverages, a stranger confronts him and offers him $100,000.00 for the bullfrog. 'Sorry,' the man replies, 'he's not for sale.' The stranger increases the offer to $250,000.00 cash up front. 'No', he insists, 'he's not for sale.' The stranger again increases the offer, this time to $500,000.00 cash. The man finally agrees, and turns the frog over to the stranger in exchange for the money.

'Are you insane?' the bartender demanded. That frog could have been worth millions to you, and you let him go free for a mere $500,000.00!'Don't worry about it.' The man answered. 'The frog was really nothing special. You see, the rat's a ventriloquist.'

VIDEO GAMES: NEW ADDICTION?

The telltale signs are ominous: teens holing up in their rooms, ignoring friends, family, even food and a shower, while grades drop and belligerence soars. The culprit isn?t alcohol or drugs: It's video games, which for certain kids can be as addictive as heroin, some doctors contend. A leading council of the nation?s largest doctor's group wants to have this behavior officially classified as a psychiatric disorder, AP reported. In a report for the American Medical Association's annual policy meeting, which started Saturday, the council asks the AMA to lobby for the disorder to be included in a widely used mental illness manual published by the American Psychiatric Association. Video game makers scoff at the notion that their products can cause a psychiatric disorder.

THE LIBERTY BELL, SYMBOL OF AMERICA'S FREEDOM

The original Bell, cast a Foundry in London and delivered in 1752 to the Pennsylvania Colonial State House (now Independence Hall) was used to call their Assembly to meetings. It was 12 feet in circumference around the lip with a 44-pound clapper. Inscribed at the top was part of a Biblical verse from Leviticus, "Proclaim the Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof." The Bell was hung from temporary scaffolding in the square outside the State House in June 1753, the Bell had been melted and recast two times by John Pass and John Stow of Philadelphia, whose surnames are inscribed on it.

This recast Bell was rung to announce the opening of the First Continental Congress in 1774 and rung again after the Colonists defeated the British in the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775. But the American Revolutionary War would continue until 1781 and by 1777, British forces were headed for Philadelphia. The city's Council ordered that the State House Bell, and those of various Churches, be taken down and moved to prevent the British from melting them to make weapons. With the bells hidden in manure and hay, a wagon train tool them to Zion's Reformed Church in Allentown where they were buried under the floorboards. British forces marched into Philadelphia, unopposed, and occupied the city. The State House Bell was restored to Philadelphia in June of 1778, after the end of the British occupation.

While it remains unknown what exactly caused the first crack in the Liberty Bell, presumably, every subsequent use caused further damage. In February 1846, in a ringing in remembrance of Washington's Birthday, the upper end of the crack grew and officials resolved to never ring the bell again!

Beginning in 1885, the Liberty bell traveled to numerous Untied States cities and displayed at Expositions and World's Fairs. In the 1930s, it was decided that moving the bell was too risky, and the practice was ended.

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MORE VIEWS ON THE 9/11 TRIAL BY: KRIS BARTLEY

Regarding "Does New York need these trials?" (Opinion, Nov. 19): How could President Barack Obama think that angry, upset New Yorkers would allow these five suspected terrorists to be paraded down our streets without an outright riot? Does he really believe that, of the millions of people here, not a single one would attempt to take justice into his own hands? An attempted assault on the defendants seems almost certain, despite the intense security. And what if such an attack injured a 9/11 victim waiting outside the courthouse? What if one of our police officers or firefighters was injured by an angry citizen attempting to reach Khalid Sheikh Mohammed?

Whoever is unlucky enough to have to defend these five may also become a target. Does this administration think that the same people who fled, terrified, across the Brooklyn Bridge on that awful September day will stand idly by, as an American citizen stands up when the judge calls for the defense's opening statement?

We cannot ignore the risks that come with a civilian trial when it comes to the five most despicable figures in American history.

 

It must be wonderful to live in a dream world where quoting fictional characters from movies takes the place of reality.

Whatever Rick Blaine said in "Casablanca" is irrelevant to any real-life situation that is going to occur in Manhattan during the criminal trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed ("We have the strength for this," Opinion, Nov.19).

Assemb. Charles Lavine's (D-Glen Cove) experience representing an accused seditionist, who, by the way, was found guilty of conspiracy to bomb tunnels, bridges and landmarks in the New York City, does not give him any superior intellectual insight into the mindset of Islamic terrorists.

To Lavine's suggestion that a civilian trial would let Americans look into the "mindset of the enemy," let me reply: "We have seen their mindset," and - I speak for many who won't say their thoughts aloud - "we don't like it".

I learned all I needed to know about this enemy on September 11th, 2001.

Those who attack the United States are not entitled to be tried in civilian courts. Attack the United States and be tried as a war criminal. We are a free country. Those who attack our way of life, our freedom, our being, our existence, do not deserve - nor are they entitled to - a civilian trial. They are entitled to a military trial, where the rules are different and the penalties more suitable to the crime.
By Christopher Rotorno
 

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