Budget Results

     Kings Point's Merchant Marine Academy hosted its Annual Battle Standard Ball memorializing those merchant seamen who gave their lives in war. This year's guest speaker was General Peter Pace, US Marine Corps, Vice Chairman Joint Chief of Staff. He has been nominated to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Captain Thomas Ostebo and his wife Reneé were among many of those in General Peter Pace's party. Captain Ostebo is presently a Senior Fellow, with the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group at the Naval War College.

   
    A few weeks ago the Class of '60 held their 45th Reunion. It was noted, Orlando, Florida will never be the same! To help celebrate the occasion was one Leo P. Ostebo, rumor has it ..... (you can use your imagination to complete the rest of that story).

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    The Town of Smithtown is finally asserting their stance on the KPPC property. With only a few weeks to go before title is expected to transfer to the Arker Companies, the Smithtown Town Board unanimously voted to to authorize Yyonne Lieffrig, Town Attorney to serve the State of New York a "Notice of Violation Endangerment/Intent  to Sue." This notice is a prerequisite to filing a "citizens suit".
     In their notice, the Town indicates they have reason to believe, the State of New York created hazardous health and environmental conditions on the site during their tenor as owners and operators of the KPPC property. The Town is seeking "among other things, injunctive relief in the nature of investigation, removal and remediation" of the KPPC site. The hazards include "semi-volatile organic compounds, (primarily polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) metals (lead, mercury, chromium, copper, arsenic, zinc) PCB’s, sulfates, coal ash, biohazards, lead-based paints, construction and demolition debris and asbestos." Not only are these hazards present on the KPPC site, but it has been noted, they have spread to adjacent properties including the groundwater.
    Under the U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA"), injured parties are able to seek restitution by filing a "citizen suit". The purpose of the suit is to have the polluters remove and remediate the problem. Prior to filing a  "citizen suit" the RCRA code requires a copy of the Notice of Endangerment/Intent to Sue be submitted to the following three groups 60 days prior, the Administration of the US Environmental Protection Agency, the state in which the occurrence took place, and to the any of the alleged violators. Further the RCRA code requires the notice be file 90 days prior with the environmental agency in the state where the alleged violation occurred, in this case the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Consequently the soonest the town would be able to file suit would be the second week of August 2005.

     On a crisp and sunny May morning members of the Kings Park Volunteer Fire Department accompanied by representatives from the American Legion Post #944 gathered at Kings Park Veterans' Plaza to make an exchange. The flag posted high above the monument honoring our veterans has served our community well. After a blistery winter of waving in tribute and faithfully demonstrating this small town's allegiance, the time has come for this truly "old" glory to be retired. With the specter of the Memorial Day holiday quickly approaching the Kings Park Fire Department, as they always do, came to the rescue.
  Pictured above with the department’s contribution is one proud group of individuals.

Stars and Stripes Forever...

    What happens when call on the people of Kings Park? ...You GET the people of Kings Park. In a show of solidarity and for a good cause, local area residents gathered to support the American Cancer Society's nationwide fund raiser "Relay for Life". It was estimated twenty-five hundred or so determined individuals walked the Kings Park High School track during the twelve hour walk-a-thon which started at 6 p.m. on Friday, the 13th and ended 6 a.m. on Saturday morning. 
   Entertainment for the evening included a special guest appearance by Long Island's American Idol, Joe Murena and captivating music of Kings Park's own talented "Kindergarten Idol", Erin Chicosky. Of course, on site were Kevin Barattini and his DJ cohorts along with some of our local dance groups who heated up the cool audience.
     The evening played like a looping roller coaster. Emotions hit intoxicating highs, sans drugs or alcohol as the survivors marched in glory to the sounds of a bitter-sweet bag piper. In an instant, one's mood would quickly down shift and reverse to a somber heart wrenching low as they witnessed a passerby passionately speak about a loved one they missed, a soul who was prematurely taken by this sinister disease.
      As the shades of evening slowly drew upon the field, volunteers knelt in honor, giving light to the hundreds luminary bags which lined the glowing red terra cotta track. Some folks paraded in intimate groups bonding and sharing stories of their nearest and dearest who passed, while others chose to walk alone in their own solace. Regardless of how they demonstrated,  they assiduously marched throughout the night, into the dew of the early morning to meet their common goal. The group should take pride in their effort as they raised over $100,000 for this good cause.. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES

                             Job... EXTREMELY Well Done!       

    What happens when call on the people of Kings Park? ...You GET the people of Kings Park. In a show of solidarity and for a good cause, local area residents gathered to support the American Cancer Society's nationwide fund raiser "Relay for Life". It was estimated twenty-five hundred or so determined individuals walked the Kings Park High School track during the twelve hour walk-a-thon which started at 6 p.m. on Friday, the 13th and ended 6 a.m. on Saturday morning. 
   Entertainment for the evening included a special guest appearance by Long Island's American Idol, Joe Murena and captivating music of Kings Park's own talented "Kindergarten Idol", Erin Chicosky. Of course, on site were Kevin Barattini and his DJ cohorts along with some of our local dance groups who heated up the cool audience.
     The evening played like a looping roller coaster. Emotions hit intoxicating highs, sans drugs or alcohol as the survivors marched in glory to the sounds of a bitter-sweet bag piper. In an instant, one's mood would quickly down shift and reverse to a somber heart wrenching low as they witnessed a passerby passionately speak about a loved one they missed, a soul who was prematurely taken by this sinister disease.
      As the shades of evening slowly drew upon the field, volunteers knelt in honor, giving light to the hundreds luminary bags which lined the glowing red terra cotta track. Some folks paraded in intimate groups bonding and sharing stories of their nearest and dearest who passed, while others chose to walk alone in their own solace. Regardless of how they demonstrated,  they assiduously marched throughout the night, into the dew of the early morning to meet their common goal. The group should take pride in their effort as they raised over $100,000 for this good cause.. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES

                             Job... EXTREMELY Well Done!       

     On a crisp and sunny May morning members of the Kings Park Volunteer Fire Department accompanied by representatives from the American Legion Post #944 gathered at Kings Park Veterans' Plaza to make an exchange. The flag posted high above the monument honoring our veterans has served our community well. After a blistery winter of waving in tribute and faithfully demonstrating this small town's allegiance, the time has come for this truly "old" glory to be retired. With the specter of the Memorial Day holiday quickly approaching the Kings Park Fire Department, as they always do, came to the rescue.
  Pictured above with the department’s contribution is one proud group of individuals.

Stars and Stripes Forever...

     This past month, the U.S. Naval Academy hosted an academy female lacrosse team round robin. Cadet Emily Harris playing for Air Force and Colleen Symansky representing the US Coast Guard Academy both teammates in high school, now playing against each other in college. What a day! In the crowd as a spectator was Mr. Kevin Johnston, teacher and Dermott Cole, himself a Kings Park and Air Force Academy graduate, and now attached to the Academy's Athletic Department. Congratulations to Emily & Colleen, both graduate this year.

    Kings Park never ceases to amaze! This year's Memorial Day march drew a large crowd and an eclectic array of local politicians. The who's who included State Senator John Flanagan, Suffolk County Supervisor Steve Levy,  State Legislator Lynne Nowick, Supervisor Pat Vecchio, and Town Council Members Jane Conway and Joanne Gray. But, more impressive, the remembrance brought together the community. Flag waving politicians aside, what really capped the day was seeing everyday people from our community, marching proudly with their heads held high. A Grandpa was marching with the vets, a Grandma with the Auxiliary, a Dad with the youth group, a Mom with her scouts and the kids sprinkled throughout and in between. From the "Daughter of" to the the "Sons of" virtually every organized group in Kings Park was represented.  
   Most important, the community did not forget the reason why they were marching and remembered to honor and thank those who have gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
 

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To Our Fallen Heroes....A Sincere Thank You!       

  Each year the Kings Park Central School District recognizes individuals for their contributions. Three types of awards are presented: The Ralph J Osgood Award is presented to teachers, the Llyod Sphar Award is granted to non-teaching staff and the Dr. Robert Cody Award is bestowed upon local residents, all who have helped to enriched the quality of education in our community.
    This year several awards were presented to those who individuals who exemplify this criteria:

Alicia Violente & Ken Ferrazzi
The Ralph J Osgood Award

Patricia Holmes & Joan Tracy
The Llyod Sphar Award

Kevin & Ginny Byrne
The Dr. Robert Cody Award

 

     In addition to the school district's awards, the Kings Park Heritage Museum also presents their "Helping Hands Award"  to those individuals who have helped the Museum with various projects during the year. This year the Museum presented awards to:

David Flynn
Roxanne Kiefer Mollo

Renee Ostebo
John Tanzi
Michael Tortorice
Stanley Warzick