Legislator urges LIPA to get the lights back on

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg is urging the Long Island Power Authority to “turn up the heat” and restore power to his Bellmore and Merrick constituents. At a news conference held outside his Bellmore office on Tuesday afternoon, Denenberg and several local residents voiced their disappointment with LIPA’s response to the hurricane, particularly in areas south of Merrick Road.

"All of us need to turn up the heat on LIPA so they turn the lights back on,” said Denenberg.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Denenberg, a Democrat from Merrick, estimated that about 15,000 of his constituents, along with hundreds of businesses, were without power. He also expressed concern about the number of fallen trees around Merrick and Bellmore that were yet to be cleaned up. According to Denenberg, the Town of Hempstead and the Nassau County Department of Public Works are not allowed to pick up trees that have fallen onto power lines without LIPA’s permission.

"We need LIPA to give focused attention here on the South Shore,” said Denenberg. “Trees falling into power lines is an unacceptable situation, and that needs to get first priority."

Denenberg said he spoke with representatives from the offices of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Michael Hervey, LIPA’s chief operating officer, and both agreed that south Bellmore and south Merrick deserved the highest priority.

Denenberg specifically identified Helen Court, George Court, Lowell Lane, Lonni Lane, Leonard Lane and Florence Street, all in south Merrick, as roads that still remain without power.

Denenberg also expressed his disappointment with LIPA’s customer service. "No one can get through,” he said. “I'm urging LIPA to get the information out there and pick up the phones. Let people know what's going on."

Jeffrey Hollander, of Florence Street in south Merrick, said he reported fallen trees at noon on Sunday to LIPA, and had not received a response, nor had he seen LIPA trucks in his neighborhood as of Tuesday afternoon.