Bellmore-Merrick business owner still waiting to rebuild a year after Sandy

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Salcedo and her team spent months after Sandy helping South Shore residents whose homes were destroyed to rebuild. So, Satnick said, they understand the pain storm victims are feeling. She said she remembers her own fear and frustration in the dark days after Sandy. “It was so hazy,” she recalled.

Now, Satnick said, she feels only sorrow that the design center remains in shambles. “Since the Dakota Design Center building sits at the entrance and exit to Merrick, many of us pass it daily,” she said. “It’s a sad reminder of the devastation Sandy caused. The fact that it’s still in disrepair, despite Patricia’s best efforts, is an unfortunate commentary on the system that is in place to supposedly help those who need to rebuild.”

But there are bright spots. Salcedo gave Hernandez her first job after she recently graduated from the New York Institute of Technology, where she studied interior design. Hernandez said she immediately felt welcome at P.S. Micaza, despite the fact that it’s now in a corner space at Republic Lighting.

“This is like a second home for me,” she said.

Fuschillo sent a letter last Wednesday to the state’s deputy secretary for financial services, George Haggerty, on behalf of Salcedo, telling him about her situation.

Vfc Partners could not be reached for comment.

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