The-Leader_2010-06-24

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75th Year, No. 25 Freeport, N.Y. 11520
The Community Newspaper
Thursday, June 24, 2010
De La Salle's fifth graduation class
POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE: Members of the Fifth Graduation Class of The De La Salle School in Freeport gather out­side Our Holy Redeemer Church prior to the commencement ceremony on June 11. Thirteen young men received their diplomas and join the 49 other alumni of The De La Salle School! The general Excellence Award was won by Brandon Holden and Cristian Mena recieved The De La Salle Gentleman Award. The De La Salle School in Freeport, New York is.a scholarship Catholic school in the Diocese of Rockville Centre that shares in the Lasallian heritage and exists to provide a quality education for young men in fifth through eighth-grade from economically disadvantaged back­grounds. Its curriculum meets and sur­passes the guidelines established by the Board of Regents of the State of New York.
Mayor Hardwick: Garbage plant 'off the table'
by Jim Gelding
Mayor Andrew Hardwick, hoping to finally put to rest any rumors and speculation about a proposed garbage incineration plant for Freeport, stated unequivocally at Monday's village board meeting that "We're not doing it, it's off the table."
For several months the Mayor and other village officials had been studying the feasibility of such a plant as a means of bringing in more revenue, including going on trade mission trips to China and Germany to learn about advanced technologies on waste incineration.
But the idea was greeted by strong public opposition, including demonstrations.
"If the people don't want it, we're not doing a waste incineration plant," Mayor Hardwick stated.
"Let's let it go. If you care about Freeport, help. Don't tear it down, build it up."
However, one audience member needed additional reassurance dur­ing the pubUc comments segment of the meeting: conmiunity activist Pat Rowen, who was among the organ­izers of protests held in April against the prpposed incinerator.
In what could be a takeoff on a 19th Century sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "How do I con­vince thee, let me count the ways," Mayor Hardwick had to reassure Ms. Rowen several times that the issue of a proposed incinerator was dead.
"I never made a proposal to the. board," said the mayor, who added that, in addition to the trustees, approval would be needed from the Town of Hempstead, the state and other government agencies.
"It's over. We need to let it go. I thought it was something good for this village, but the people don't want it."
Trustee Carmen Pineyro rein­forced the major's comments, stat­ing that the board did not receive a proposal for approval. Mayor Hardvvick added, "Perhaps I made a mistake by going to China."
Ms. Rowen also questioned the amount spent for the trips to China and Germany and whether any of the funds spent would be reim­bursed by the state. "You owe the village about $72,000," she said.
In regular agenda actions, trustees tabled a list of proposed rules for public comment after several mem­bers of the public spoke against the recommendations in their present form.
The rules would cover three cate­gories of public comment - agenda
items, public hearings and general public comment and would limit individuals to three minutes. Speakers would not be permitted to yield time to other speakers. Only one follow-up question could be asked, with a two-minute time Umit.
The time limits would not apply to village officials speaking on items in any of the above cate­gories. .
Alan Jay called the proposed lim­itation "worse than the school board if enacted. The school board gives four minutes. It's impossible to transmit important information in three minutes." He said he personal­ly preferred 10 minutes and asked the board to table the item.
Stephen Malone, a former deputy village attorney, also urged trustees to table the item and the board voted unanimously to table action until the next meeting in July.
continued on page 3
Father of the year Runner-up
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Support SPUSH editorial
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Assault in Baldwin
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