The-Leader_2009-06-18

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74th Year, No. 25 Freoport, N.Y. 11520
The Community Newspaper
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Stemming the foreclosHre tides
SPEAKING IN FRONT OF ONE OF THE FORECLOSED HOMES that qualifies for the program are Eileen Anderson of theCDC of LI, Mayor Andrew Hardwick V of Freeport, and Marianne Garvin, president and CEO of the CDC of LI
Freeport Schools honor Eversley, Pagano
By Ira J. Schildkraut
„ The main focus of the June 10 Freeport Board of Education ^ meeting was honoring employees, who •are retiring this year. <•
Superintendent • of Schools f Dr. Eric L. Eversley, who him­self retires this month, noted that the meeting "gives us the opportunity to express our appreciation • for their efforts^ We are indebted to these-indi­viduals for their years of great, dedicated service, and for inaking a difference in the lives of Freeport's children.".
Assistant Superintendent of Schools foi: Personnel Mairy Bediako, in introducing admin­istrators who would acknowl­edge the retirees, also congrat­ulated them, and stated, "I would like all of you to add
your names to my list of substi­tutes," WhiCh generated laugh­ter, throughout the audience. "
Bayview Avenue School Priiicipal Odette Wills introduced Linda Martin, a reading specialist with 23 years of serv­ice to the district. Ms. Wills thanked Ms. Martin for "giving her students a love of literacy." •
Principal Wills then introduced Denise Loesel, who is retiring after 32 years in the district as a special education teacher and library-media 'specialist, as "a lifelong learner who has imparted her love of learning to her students." , " "'
Ms. Wills also called up Michelle: Dikash, "a very creative second, .third, and-fourth grade teacher," who devoted' 35 years to the Freeport Schools.
Dr. Eric L. Eversley
Stephen Pagano
Next, Caroline -G. ' Atkinson Intermediate-. School Principal Linda .Garter introduced Mr. Mark Giuliano, who taught fifth and sixth grades in the Atkinson School for 32 years.". Mrs. Carter referred to Mr Giulianb 'as"Va-' "p'ow^rful influence inside and outside the academic environment," npting that students who grad-, uated years ago return to Atkinson to thank hiin for what he did for them. .' Principal Carter stated that he "is-.still creating excitement - in, the classroom because his teaching involved students' minds, hearts, and souls."
Mrs>. Carter also took the opportunity to congratulate Cathy Caldwell, whO: is the recipient of the '2009 State University o.f New'York at Stony Brook Phi Delta Kappa' award.
Principal Carter cited Ms. Caldwell's "passion.and caring-
for Students" over 31 years. '' She stated that as Atkinson's math spe­cialist, Ms. Caldwell shows "exemplary flexibility, working vvith students, teach­ers, and the community."' The priiicipal noted that she continues to,demonstrate "multitudes of professional training, techniques" for the school's teachers to improve math instruction at the interme­diate school. '
Responding, Ms! • Caldwell thanked' the Atkinson administration and her col­leagues for being so supportive. She noted, "It takes a whole school to pro-duce.a good teacher." ^
continued on page 2 .
I
Dad's deadline extended
page 4
Baldwin Schools' Scannell resigns
page 5
Village of Freeport photo
Heclaimtng foreclosed homes in Freeport
It has been called the worst,economic-downturn in more than 30 years that has bought an epidemic of foreclosed .homes throughout the United States. Locally -Freeport, Maiverne and the 'Village of Hempstead have been hit particularly hard.
In 2008, New York State had a foreclo­sure rate of 0.63 percent or one filing for every 158 homes, but in Freeport the fore-
closiire rate (those' houses up for auction) was 1.77 percent; says a study created by ACORN (The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now). , But there is good news. In an effort to
- help stabilize distressed neighborhoods in. the .Village of Freeport the. Community Development Corporation
. (CDC) in partnership with. Nassau' County and the Village of Freeport, will purchase 15 foreclosed .vacant proper­ties in a program called "Reclaim Long. Islaiid Homes." This announcement was niade on' Thursday, June 11 at a news conference in front of one of the foreclosed homes at 13 Queen Street in Freeport. •
"Foreclosed homes on Long Island have the potential to destroy neighbor­hoods and create blight in otherwise • stable-' communities," said Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick in annoiinc-. ing this rescue program. ',
.ACORN released a study in March
linking high foreclosure rate in Freeport to an increase in neighborhoo'd crime.
"The. resulting impact is a growing
crime disparity between high and, low-foreclosure neighborhoods," reads the report. Specifically, it found that a one percent point increase, in the foreclosure Tate led-to a-2.23 percent increase in violent crime. ^ ' .
As the foreclosure rate increased, the crimerate increased by 14.56 percent in Freeport between 2006 through 2007, said the study. Meanwhile, crime rates dropped in low-foreclosure areas such as Garden City and Rockville Centre, .creating "a disparity between neighbor­hoods.of over 20 percent.". ,
' continued on page 18
Freeport Rotary to honor Kuncham
page 7
Freeporter throws
hat in the ring
page 14