Island Park residents call for motel’s closure

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Anne Egan
on June 9, 2010
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Civic association rallies against sex offenders, crime at motor inn

Island Park resident Michelle Baratta held up a blue and red sign that read, “Close the Long Beach Motor Inn,” while others toted placards reading, “Sex Offenders & Criminals Out.” For Baratta and the other protesters gathered outside the Motor Inn on May 22, the effort to attract attention to their cause was working.

On a busy Saturday morning on Austin Boulevard, cars whizzed by the crowded sidewalk, some honking in support, others slowing down to see what the fuss was about. Tenants of the motel milled about near the lobby, not sure what to make of the demonstration — suburban mothers with baby carriages and strollers, and fathers in T-shirts and jeans, protesting what has become a sore spot in the community.

“I’m concerned for my children,” said Baratta, who had her two young kids with her. “This motel is in walking distance of the middle school, of a nursery school and of local parks. I worry about my kids all the time, mainly because of this place.”

Baratta was one of 60 or so residents who turned out for the rally, organized by the Island Park Civic Association. The motel, at 3915 Austin Blvd., is home, they claim, to sex offenders and other criminals — not far from the Lincoln Orens Middle School and a children’s park, and 650 feet from the Little Village Nursery School on Broadway. For two years the civic association has been trying to move lawmakers to action and spur the motel’s owner to address the issue.

“I think this protest is bringing a lot of attention to the issue and will get more people involved,” said association Vice President Laura Hassett. “I feel, for our first protest, that the turnout was great, and we intend to do it throughout the summer months. Our goal is to bring awareness and to get people to come out.”

The issue of sex offenders at the motel took on added urgency in January with the arrest of Alphonso Barnes, who was charged with raping and violently beating a woman in Long Beach. Barnes had been staying at the motel, and although he was not a registered sex offender, he had previously been arrested for manslaughter, rape, burglary and robbery.

Full story at this link.

Island Park Clean Up

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Anne Egan
on May 17, 2010
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Island Park residents came out to do their part to keep the village clean during the first annual Community Cleanup Day, held on Saturday, May 15. The event was organized by the Island Park Civic Association in an effort to help keep the community trash and litter-free.

Residents toted shovels and brooms and worked at various locations around the village, sweeping sidewalks and working to clean areas in town. Members of the group said the initiative promotes a cleaner village and staves off littering in the community.

Rally to Close the Long Beach Motor Inn

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Anne Egan
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Over the past two years, the Long Beach Motor Inn has been housing sex offenders.  The Island Park Civic Association has worked with community and local officials to stop this practice, however the problem persists. 
A rally is planned for Saturday, May 22, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.  Legislator Denise Ford has pledged her support, and the Island Park Civic Association is working to get presence from other elected officials and the media at this event.  All residents are urged to attend.
Below is a letter that you can print or copy/paste and send to County Executive Mangano, to encourage him to support our efforts.        

Click here to print the letter 

Click here for County Executive Mangano’s email (webmangano@nassaucountyny.gov)

 

Mailing addresses for Nassau County Executive Mangano:

 

Nassau County Executive Mangano

240 Old Country Road

Mineola, New York 11501-4248

 

Dear Executive Mangano,

 

 

I live in Island Park, a small south shore community in Nassau County.  I am appealing to you for help.  The Long Beach Motor Inn at 3915 Austin Blvd, Island Park has been a source of illegal activities and housing people with extensive criminal backgrounds.  The Island Park Civic Association has been working with various departments and elected officials regarding this matter for the last few years.  In October of 2009 the civic association held a community meeting with Dr. Imhoff of Nassau County Social Services, Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford, Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and Nassau County Sex Crimes Unit.  At this meeting the community expressed their concerns for the safety of our neighbors and children.  At one point there were three registered sex offenders placed there at the same time. On December 5, 2009 a man that was residing at the Long Beach Motor Inn raped and beat a young girl until she was unrecognizable in Long Beach. This motel directly abuts a neighborhood.  There are school bus stops in this neighborhood, a church, nursery school and middle school within walking distance.   

 

We have asked that the Long Beach Motor Inn be taken off the social services and housing departments list of suggested motels.  Nassau County Social Services told the community that the other suggested motels on the county list are in industrial/commercial areas not residential. The county is keeping this motel in business.  My community is in the process of organizing a rally at the Long Beach Motor Inn on May 22, in an effort to close the doors indefinitely.  Legislator Denise Ford has pledged her support in our endeavor and has stated that she will participate in the rally.  We hope you can join us.

 

Safety is a basic, human fundamental need.  When we no longer feel safe in our communities it is our elected officials that we turn to for help.   We ask that you support us in our endeavor and help provide us with a safe environment in which to raise our children. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shell Creek Park - Paddleball and Basketball Court Entry

Published
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Anne Egan
on September 10, 2009
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The Island Park Civic Association has recently been made aware of illicit activity in Shell Creek Park.  Activities such as drug dealing, pot smoking, theft of fishing poles and fishing gear have been observed and reported to the police.  We contacted Angie Cullen’s office to request security improvements at the park.  The response from Angie Cullen’s office was to install a booth where entry to the paddleball and basketball courts will be monitored.  Admittance to the courts is permitted for Town of Hempstead residents, children will need to show their bus pass and adults a drivers license.

 

We hope that the booth will improve the quality of life for those visiting Shell Creek Park.  As a reminder, if you see illicit activity please call the police.

 

911 Tips

If asked for an address, provide a street and cross street to help them identify the area.

Unless you want an officer to come to your home inform them that you do not want an officer to come to the home.

Many police know the Barnum Isle neighborhood as North Long Beach.

 

 

Upcoming Meeting Dates

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Anne Egan
on September 8, 2009
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The Island Park Civic Association meets at the Island Park Library 7:00 PM.  Babysitting is available.  Come join us and help to make Island Park a better place to live!

 

July 13th, 2010

August 10th, 2010

September 14th, 2010

October 12th, 2010

November 9th, 2010

December 14th, 2010

January 11th, 2011

 

 

                   All meetings are held at the Island Park Library at 7:00 PM

 

 

The Island Park Civic Association is a not-for-profit organization formed in May of 2008.  The purpose of the organization is to bring all of the Island Park areas including Harbor Isle, the Incorporated Village of Island Park and Barnum Island , together as a community.  Membership is open to all residents of the three areas and we provide the opportunity to discuss, organize and take action on issues within the community.

Megan’s Law - Free Sex Offender Information

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Parents For Megan’s Law, Inc. (PFML) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 community and victim’s rights organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of sexual abuse through the provision of education, advocacy, counseling, victim services, policy and legislative support services. We staff the Local and National Megan’s Law Help lines.  We are a New York State Certified Rape Crisis Center and provide a 24 Hour Local Hotline. PFML has recently expanded its mission to include the new Crime Victims Center, a program designed to link all victims of violent crime with crime victim compensation and multi-agency referrals for support and assistance.  Their website is located at this link.  Signup for email notification of offenders in your area is free.

July 13th Meeting - Island Park Library 7:00 PM

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Anne Egan
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Tuesday July 13 - Island Park Library at 7:00 PM

 

Agenda:

Member nominations and vote on three Board of Directors positions

2010-2011 Membership drive Dues are due!

Update on Abbey Manor purchase by PSCH corp.

 

5K Jimi Gubelli Walk/Run - Saturday June 27

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on May 7, 2009
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Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!

The Island Park Civic Association is hosting the 1st Annual Jimi Gubelli - 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, June 27th, 2009 to benefit the Jimi Gubelli College Scholarship Award

Description: 5K Walk/Run through scenic Island Park, rain or shine 

When: Saturday, June 27th, 2009 at 10:00am (check-in from 7:30 am- 9:00 am). 

Where: Masone Beach, Island Park - entrance is on Waterford Road off Long Beach Road 

Entry Fee: Pre-registration: $25.00 - Post-registration: $30.00 (Postmarked after June 17th)

      Make checks payable to: Island Park Civic Association

      Mail to: I.P.C.A., PO Box 241, Island Park, NY 11558

Register Online: www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1737857

Register Via Mail:  Print the form at this link.

Registered Runners/Walkers can collect donations:  Print the form at this link.

Sponsors:  Individual, Corporate and/or Business Sponsors are needed!  Print the forms at the below links for more information and sponsor forms.

      Individual Sponsor Form

      Corporate/Business Sponsor Form

Contact: Anthony D’Esposito: 516.695.3646 or Rich Colon: 516.315.0636

E-mail: jimigubellifndn@aol.com

Amenities: All pre-entered runners will receive t-shirts and a goody bag. Water and restrooms available at check in. Multiple aid stations available on the course. Computer scoring and results sent out after the race. Post Race Party with food and drink will be available after the race.

Awards: First three overall male and female, first three male and female 14 & under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 & over.

Packet P/U: June 26th, from 5pm - 8pm, Island Park Beach under the Gazebo or Race Day, June 27th, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. under the Gazebo.

PLEASE NO STROLLERS, NO DOGS, NO ROLLER BLADERS, NO SCOOTERS AND NO BICYCLES.

The long-awaited and highly-anticipated Austin Boulevard traffic study could begin as early as mid to late 2009, Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford told the Island Park Civic Association at its meeting April 21.

Published
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Anne Egan
on May 7, 2009
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“I’d love to say, ‘Let’s do this tomorrow,’ but we aren’t a private industry,” said Ford. “I’m pushing for September, at the latest, for the study to start.”
The county has yet to post a request for proposal, which companies would have about four weeks to respond to with bids for the project, which was earmarked for $500,000. The study is needed to survey the traffic on the road so officials from the Nassau County Department of Public Works can determine the traffic flow patterns and how to improve the roadway.
Senior deputy commissioner for the county’s Department of Public Works, Raymond Stefanowicz, said the county would likely post the job before the end of May. Once a bid is chosen, it could take two or three months for the legislature to vote to approve a contract for hire.
The $500,000 reserved for the study also includes some preliminary design concepts, said Stefanowicz, who estimated the project - which could include medians on the nearly two mile long and seven lane wide county road - could cost about $4.5 million.
“Construction is at least a year or two away,” said Stefanowicz, who indicated the traffic study would take at least a year to complete because the road would need to be studied during all seasons - especially the summertime with heavy beach-going traffic and during the school year. “There is a lot of data to collect.”
As the study progresses, Ford and Stefanowicz said residents of Island Park will be asked to attend public hearings to discuss any proposed design concepts.
Ford said some of the businesses on Austin Boulevard may be concerned about the impact some proposed changes, like medians, could have on their customers.
“We had meetings for Lido with 200 to 300 people that wanted [medians] and once the work started, I got complaints,” said Ford. “So we have to have more public meetings for people to raise their concerns.”
Vice President of the Island Park Civic Association, Laura Hasset, also raised concerns the group had about the absence of Austin Boulevard from a preliminary county list, released in 2007, of possible sites for red-light cameras, which snap photos of a motorist’s license plate if they run a red light. The state recently gave the county authorization to install 50 cameras at high-risk intersections. Two intersections crossing Long Beach Road in Oceanside were named: Mott Street and Daly Boulevard.
“People all over die on Austin Boulevard,” said Hasset, “It doesn’t discriminate.” She said that Austin Boulevard has an accident every two and a half days and it should be taken into consideration by the county as a high-risk area.
Stefanowicz said that state criteria determine which roads are eligible for the cameras and that Austin Boulevard may be ineligible because a portion of the road falls under the jurisdiction of the Village of Island Park.
“We have to adhere to state criteria,” said Ford, who added that the list the county issued in 2007 is preliminary and subject to change. She said that she will review the criteria to determine if Austin Boulevard is eligible, however some people in the community are opposed. “I’m already getting calls from people who don’t want them,” said Ford.

Comments about this story? AHoffmann@
liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 269.

FREE AMBER ALERT CHILD IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

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Anne Egan
on March 29, 2009
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This Saturday May 9, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM the Masons of the State of New York will be hosting a FREE Child Identification Program.  The program will be held at the Island Park Library.  The free program consists of supplying the parent or guardian with a mini-CD which contains vital information to locate and identify a missing child in a timely manner.  The program is also open to Senior Citizens.

Further information regarding the program is available at www.nychip.org.