“How do we bounce back from last month?” President Mel Harris asked. “Every election is about the constituents. It is time for the schoolchildren in the district to be heard.“ The evening’s main topic was the upcoming school district budget and annual elections, and this one had a different twist. In addition to hearing the candidates, students from Uniondale High School were brought in to debate each other, one group was for the school budget, and one was against it. As it stands on meeting night, the Uniondale School District is proposing a budget which be .37% lower than last year, but the tax levy will be 2.7%.

Dr. Terri Mangrum, who’s already on the Board of the Uniondale School District, is running for re-election. She noted the proposed 2.7% tax levy is as low as they can go without cutting programs. She noted, “the board is willing to listen to the students. When students present themselves to the board, the board goes over the input.“ On test scores, Dr. Mangrum explained, “if the scores are lower, that is addressed with the teachers. “

Deanna Myers-Turner is opposing Dr. Mangrum. She said, “if the (tax) levy rises, the tax rises. We need to freeze salaries to keep teachers jobs. If a community is stable, it will allow our children to grow. (she) isn’t happy with the way things are going. Our children deserve the best.”

For the seat on the board which Debra Mabry will be leaving when her term expires, Bruno Cubas is running. “You can’t blame teachers for the economy,” Cubas said, “Uniondale children deserve the best. Our students deserve to go Ivy league.”

Cubas’ opponent, Andre Berry, has lived in Uniondale for 28 years, said, “Uniondale has always been focused on education. (he’s) concerned with transparency and accountability. (Uniondale taxpayers) spend $24,000 on each student, and we’re only passing 50% of Regents students. People who work hard deserved to get compensated. “

On getting parents more involved in the schools:

Berry: “people shy from the unknown. If we build truth in this district, the parents will come.”

Cubas: “we’re diverse. (we) have to work with the community. Explain to them how the school district works. Educate the community first, then we can get them to come to meetings.”

Myers-Turner: “we have to get actively involved. The school reaches out to us. When they do, we need to reach back.”

Dr. Mangrum: “the schools make the effort to reach out to parents. All are invited to come to meetings.”

In other issues, there was a concern about a proposed women’s shelter, and a petition was passed to get people’s thoughts.

Nostrand Gardens also has a beautification project. New green receptacles are being placed among main streets in Uniondale. Planters will also be going up in the next few weeks, and volunteers will be needed to help.

There was also a speaker from Liberty Mutual who offered discounts to Nostrand Gardens members. Barbara Richardson gave advice on how to avoid foreclosures. As of the May 3rd meeting, there were 53 foreclosures in Uniondale. She suggested to talk to your banker or agent. Ask about loan modification. If you’re over 30 days late on your payment, you’ll get letters. Over 90 days late, and pre-foreclosure starts. Try to sell the property. Do a short sale, but get the bank’s okay on this. Consult with a licensed realtor.

The Nostrand Gardens Civic Association celebrated their 55th anniversary, "The Spring of Change" on Monday, April 5th, and what a celebration it was! It was held at 6:30pm at Uniondale High School’s Little Theatre with over 200 people in attendance.

"We’re the oldest civic group in Uniondale” President Melvin Harris, Jr. noted as he welcomed the huge crowd, ”and since 1955 we’ve made leaps and bounds in this community.” Mr. Harris then introduced the guest speaker, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, who, “congratulated Nostrand Gardens on 55 years of great service."

Top officials from the Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs, Nassau County Department of Social Services, Nassau County Tax Assessor's Office and the Nassau County Police Department attended.

County Executive Mangano took questions from local leaders and concerned residents.

On the Lighthouse project: “the Town has their own study, and will report by the end of the summer. Everyone wants to see that property improve.”

On potholes: “we’re aggressively repairing them, and the town is doing the same.”

On how the job outlook is for our kids: “The County has a new recreation program for children ages 5-12. Staffing will come from people in the community 16 and up.

County Executive Mangano then called upon Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby to report on the Lighthouse studies: She advised “we’ve had many meetings on this. We asked questions. When it is built it must meet environmental issues so that people who live there can work there. We asked questions, and the builders didn’t answer them. We want jobs, economic development. We are working on it. We are in favor of developing the Coliseum.”

On the new location of the First Precinct: “we cancelled the lease in a shopping center (where a proposed precinct would have been built.) It will remain in Baldwin. We’re working out the location.”

On the drug activity: “We’re going for stricter enforcement, and giving police more resources.” He then called up Bill Flanagan, Second Deputy Commissioner of the Nassau County Police, who answered, “continue to call Police. The POP unit will write it down. The local officers know who the gang members are. In every squad car there are interactive screens. The keys to handling gangs are jobs and education. We have a GunStoppers program. We run regular gun buybacks. We’ve removed 1400 handguns off the street. Crime in Nassau has gone down tremendously. You are the eyes and ears of the Police Department. ”

On the tax relief: “there’s a significant waste of your tax dollars. $250 million per year to pay back errors and interest on errors. We’re $1.1 billion in debt, 45% of the tax dollars are errors on assessment. The rest creates jobs and builds buildings. I am going to change this.”

Legislator Kevan Abrahams will look into the status of the sites of the former ShopRite and the Holly Patterson Home.

A good time was had by all.