Keyword: 'politics' | Herald Community Newspapers

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano recently announced his intent to pursue a public-private partnership to operate and maintain the county’s three sewage treatment plants.

Facing a $3 billion debt, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano recently announced his intent to pursue a public-private partnership to operate and maintain the county’s three sewage treatment plants. At a news conference in Mineola on Thursday, Mangano, a Republican from Bethpage, said the transaction would earn the county $750 million, alleviating 25 percent of Nassau’s debt –– the highest of any county in New York. more

By David Weingrad | 5/5/12

Ava Stamm, 8, joined with fellow protesters on Sunday to show her concern about a feral cat community at Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore.

Town of Hempstead to postpone feral cats move

Protesters’ signs jeered at the Town of Hempstead on Sunday, calling a decision to trap and move feral cats in a colony at Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore “cruel” and “corrupt.” The town had planed to move dozens of feral cats from their makeshift protected shelter behind the baseball field at the park. The move was set to begin on May 1, but following the weekend’s protest, the town has postponed the relocation. more

By Deirdre Krasula | 5/3/12

Herald file photo County Attorney John Ciampoli is accusing the Democratic caucus, led by Kevan Abrahams, above, of criminal misconduct. Democrats say the charge is a “desperate attempt” to deflect attention from County Executive Ed Mangano’s borrowing practices.

County attorney charges misconduct by lawmakers

Nassau County Attorney John Ciampoli is alleging criminal misconduct by the nine members of the County Legislature’s Democratic caucus, and has asked District Attorney Kathleen Rice to look into the matter. Democrats, meanwhile, say Ciampoli is playing a dangerous game of partisan politics to cover up county borrowing to fill multi-million-dollar budget gaps. more

By David Weingrad | 5/3/12

Nassau weighs total ban on ‘synthetic pot’

It’s marketed as herbal incense at gas stations and convenience stores across the country, but what’s sold under brand names like Spice and K2 is really a combination of herbs and chemicals that mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, according to the New York State Department of Health. While smoking the compound, users might suffer heart attacks, respiratory distress or kidney failure. more

By Deirdre Krasula | 5/3/12

$Sam Bernhardt, the Long Island organizer for Food and Water Watch, spoke about the potential risks of permitting hydraulic fracturing in New York on April 23, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church of Shelter Rock in Manhasset.$

Local residents attend hydro-fracking forum

National organization Food and Water Watch, along with Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Reach Out America and Grassroots Environmental Education, held a public forum on April 23, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Shelter Rock in Manhasset, to rally support for a ban on hydraulic fracturing — a process that involves the injection of millions of gallons of water, chemicals and sand into shale rock formations at high pressure to break apart the rock and release trapped natural gas. more

By Jackie Nash | 5/1/12

Morris Kramer, pictured above at the Starbucks in Long Beach, a civic and environmental activist from Atlantic Beach, scored a historic Supreme Court victory in June 1969 that overturned restrictive voting practices across the U.S.

Voice of the people –– Morris Kramer

First of two parts. In 1965, Morris Kramer, a 30-year-old bachelor who lived in Atlantic Beach with his mother, claimed that the Lawrence Public School District and the State of New York were discriminating against him. Kramer owned no property and had no children in the schools, so, by state law at the time, he couldn’t vote in a school district election. That, he said, violated his constitutional rights. more

By Scott Brinton, sbrinton@liherald.com | 4/18/12

Nassau County Legislators, from left, David Denenberg, Carrié Solages and Delia DeRiggi-Whitton held a forum at the Valley Stream American Legion Hall on April 12 to discuss County Executive Ed Mangano’s plan to privatize the sewer system.

‘Can we afford to flush?’

A trio of Democratic legislators expressed their concerns about Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano’s plan to privatize the county’s sewer system at a meeting at the Valley Stream American Legion hall on April 12. more

By Andrew Hackmack | 4/18/12

Fuschillo to be honored for ‘Complete Streets’ law

New York State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., a Republican of Merrick, will be honored at Vision Long Island’s 11th annual Smart Growth Awards at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury in June for his role in authoring the state’s “Complete Streets” law. more

4/13/12

U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy and U.S. Rep. Peter King

Bellmore-Merrick shifts to 4th Congressional District

Bellmore-Merrick Democrats are rejoicing and Republicans are reorganizing after a court-appointed magistrate recently redrew New York’s congressional district lines, moving the 3rd C.D., long represented by Republican Peter King of Seaford, further east, taking Bellmore-Merrick out of the district. more

By Scott Brinton, sbrinton@liherald.com | 4/3/12

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, left, Sen. Hugh Farley, Sen. Kemp Hannon and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos watched as Gov. Cuomo signed the 2012-13 New York State budget.

Belmont's future: A roll of the dice?

Last week, state leaders approved a $132.6 billion budget for 2012-13 that includes funding and a study for the redevelopment of Belmont Park. For many local residents, who've been urging development there for years, the announcement was considered a bout of luck. more

By Jackie Nash | 4/2/12