Bethpage-Tribune_1987-12-10

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Island Trees Plainedge
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VOL. 32 NO. 32 December 10,1987 to December 16,1987 20 cents per copy
Handicapped School Bus System
Much Improved
Nassau County Executive
Thomas S, Gulotta today
released three month com­parison
statistics which
indicate that the new handi­capped
school bus transpor­tation
program in Nassau is
a dramatic improvement
compared to the 1986 pro­gram,
based upon the large
drop in the number of com­plaints
and breakdowns dur­ing
a comparable period. In
addition, Gulotta also
revealed that the stability of
the new bus company has
enabled the County to begin
more intensive on-site train­ing
for the drivers.
"In September of this
year, Nassau implemented a
new multi-year transporta­tion
contract with Valley
Transit to provide bus
transportation for some 850
handicapped students resid­ing
in Nassau," Gulotta said.
"The genesis of the contract
was the high number of
complaints and problems
experienced in past years
with different bus compan­ies.
However, our new oper­ator
has, thus far, developed
a commendale record of
safety, on time performance
What's In That Brew?
Senator Norman J. Levy (R,C-Merrick), citing studies
which show that certain ingredients contained in alcoholic
beverages can cause adverse reactions in some people,
announced that he wil seek enactment of his legislation
requiring that the ingredients contained in beer, wine and
liquor be conspicuously listed on the label of container.
Levy explained that, unlike most other foods and bever­ages
sold in this country, beer, wine and liquor products are
not subject to ingredient labeling disclosure laws. "Thus,"
said Levy, "ingredients that are known allergens such as
yeast, sulphur dioxide and corn, and such additives as foam
enhancers, coloring agents and other preservatives can be
found in many alcoholic beverages without the drinker's
knowing of their presence."
"Unless the consuming public is made aware of the spe­cific
ingredients of the alcoholic beverages t hey ingest,
illness and/or disability may result to persons who, if
informed, could avoid these adverse reactions," Levy added.
According to the New York State Department of Taxa­tion
and Finance, between April 1, 1986 and March 31,
1987, New Yorkers consumed over 374 million gallons of
beer, 56 million gallons of wine, and 124 million gallons of
liquor (estimated on the basis of tax receipts).
"With such large volumes of alcohol being consumed, it is
important that the public have readily accessible informa­tion
as to the type and quantity of ingredients found in these
beverages. If products such as cheese, frozen dinners, ravi­oli,
ice cream and soda require the listing of ingredients, why
not alcoholic beverages?" Levy stated.
"New York State has a responsibility to its residents to
ensure that their health and well-being are protected," Levy
emphasized. "The enactment of my proposal would—by
making consumers aware of the ingredients in alcoholic
beverages—enable them to take precautionary measures, if
necessary," concluded Levy.
Postal Ser¥b9 EMpands
HalidafSamm
The Postal Service is offering extended window service
for the holidays," Officer in Charge, Tom Carney, Bethpage
announced today.
All post offices in the 115,117, 118 and 119 Zip Codes
(most of Nassau and Western Suffolk counties) will have
window service available until 3:00 p.m. on the two Satur­days
before Christmas, December 12th and 19th.
In addition, there will be Sunday stamp sales only from
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on December 13th and 20th at the
following post offices:
- HicksviUc, 185 West John Street
Stamps are also available any time at 24-hour stamp
vendinip; machines located at the following offices:
HicksviUe, Farmingdale, Old Bethpage, and Plainview.
and courtesy. I am pleased
that our new program is
apparently working well."
According to statistics
provided by the Hudson
General Transportation
Management Division of
HicksviUe and the Nassau
County Department of
Mental Health, which over­see
the County bus program,
complaints for the Sept.-
/Nov. period of 1987
totalled 62, down from 180
in 1986. Specifically, on a
month by month basis,
complaints in September
1987 totalled 40, vs. 126 in
1986, October 1987 totalled
14 vs. 32 last October; and
November 1987, 8 com­plaints
vs. 22 filed in
November 1986. At the
same time, breakdowns
have decreased even more
dramatically, down from 21
to just 3 so far this year!
Gulotta indicated that the
stability of the new company
also enables the County to
enhance its driver training.
"Last year, drivers were
changed from route to route
on a constant basis, thereby
preventing the drivers from
becoming familiar with a
specific school and a child's
needs. This year, the stabil­ity
of Valley Transit and its
assigned drivers enables the
County to implement
enhanced driver training at
each of the specific schools
in ordr to improve the
knowledge of drivers to a
particular school's student
body and the needs asso­ciated
with them."
In addition to the new
contract service, Gulotta
instituted and the Board of
Supervisors ratified earlier
this year, a new County Law
which requires the licensing
of school bus operators on a
County basis.
Jayme Delano of Beth­page
was honored as
Employee of the Year for the
Queens Treatment Alterna­tives
to Street Crime
(TASC) program, where she
is a Case Manager. The
award was presented by
iformer head of the NYS
Parole Commission and
now Queens attorney
Edward Hammock, Esq.
Mr. Hammock also serves
on the Board of £AC, the
non-profit organization
which administers Queens
TASC.
TASC hnks the criminal
(Continued on Page 7)
Bethpage Girls Have
Successful Season
Picture - left to right:
Bottom row - Stefanie Christian, Nicole Tobin (capt) Kathy Eastwood, Laura Feola.
Top row - Michele DiGuiseppi (capt), Kim Mondelli, Erica Sylvester, Jennifer Parry, Sue
Trotter (capt).
Missing from picture: Dian Herbert, Carmen James.
BOCES
Students Earn
State Awards
Faith Young, a student at
Bethpage High School and
BOCES Nassau Tech and
Harris Poulis, a student at
Plainedge High School and
BOCES Nassau Tech, have
both earned a Statesman
Award at the leadership
conference conducted by the
New York State VICA in
Albany.
VICA (Vocational Indus­trial
Clubs of America) is a
student organization that
fosters student interaction
and leadership skills and
holds competitions to moti­vate
students to excel in
their chosen occupational
areas. The Statesman
Award is presented to those
members who have demon­strated
leadership skills and
have mastered certain
requirements of leadership
training, such as an under­standing
of parliamentary
prodedure.
Faith Young, a junior at
Bethpage High School, is in
the first year of the Practical
Nursing program at Nassau
Tech, Westbury.
Harris Poulis, a senior at
Plainedge High School, is
taking Aviation Operations
at Nassau Tech, Bethpage.
The Bethpage Volleyball Team enjoyed another success­ful
season (16-5). The team entered the Nassau County
playoffs seeded 9th in the county, and they beat three higher
seeded teams.
In the first round, Bethpage defeated Hericks 13-15,15-7,
15-6,15-10. In pool play, they beat Farmingdale and elimi­nated
Plainview Kennedy. The quarter finals match was
against West Hempstead (4th seed). The scores were 15-12,
11-15,1-15,15-13,15-12. Bethpage was downlgames to one;
and behind in the fourth game 4-11, but they rallied back
behind the strong serves of Kathy Eastwood and Nicole
Tobin. After losing to Southside in the semi-finals, Bethpage^
was determined to win the consulation match against
Elmont to place 3rd in Nassau County. The match took five
games and Bethpage was behind 6-12, but showing determi­nation
and experience, the ladies worked hard for a unified
goal - to win> Nicole Tobin scored 28 service points and Sue
Trotter had 16 kills.
The season was successful because of strong serves and
defensive play by Michele DiGuiseppi, numerous kills and
crucial blocks by Stefanie Christian; key serves and consist?
ent play by Erica Sylvester; important blocks and passing
by Kim Mondelli; excellent defense by Laura Feola; strong
net play by Jenifer Parry; enthusiastic play by Carmen
James; and consistent skill and leadership by Diane Herbert.
Stefani Christian was critical in our blocking defense and
she was he second highest in kills. Sue Trotter led the team in
aggressive offensive kills. The offense was controlled by our
talented settlers Nicole Tobin and Kathy Eastwood. Their
consistent skill and serves were a key to play-offs. Nicole
Tobin led the team in serve percentage and points scored.
The Nassau County Coaches Assoication gave a wards to
the following; Michele DiGuiseppi - All Division, Stefanie
Christian - All Conference, Nicole Tobin - All League, and
Sue Trotter - All County. Three players were nominated to
the Nassau County All Tournament team; they were Kathy
Eastwood, Nicole Tobin and Sue Trotter.
This was a seasosn to be proud of. Congratulations - 3rd'
in Nassau County. Coach Anne DiPrima stated; "I'm proud
of your effort, courage, determination and skill." Bethpage
volleyball • a team to be proud of.