Procacci was discussing the recent lawsuit settlement between the town and three banned, volunteer animal rescue workers formerly of the Hempstead Town Animal Shelter.
After a warning to stop speaking from Senior Councilman Anthony Santino, Procacci ignored the request and continued speaking. It was at this point that Procacci's mic was turned off and the meeting was ended.
Click here to watch the video of what happened at the board meeting.
Hempstead Town Board Approves Gas Station Generator Law
Supervisor Kate Murray, Senior Councilman Anthony Santino and members of the Town Board passed a new Gas Station Generator Law on Tuesday in an effort to prevent the long fuel lines during major power outages.
The legislation was promoted by the seemingly endless gas lines endured by residents in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. While a major part of the problem was getting fuel shipments into local ports and to area gas stations, several fueling stations had gasoline in underground tanks, but had no way to fill up cars because stations lacked the electricity needed to pump fuel into the vehicles.
The new legislation requires gas stations in the township to have back-up generator power capable of operating fuel pumps in the event of a power outage. The officials said the legislation will help mitigate the impact of the type of fuel shortage that occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Gasoline stations that pump more than 100,000 gallons a month would be required to comply with the town’s new generator law.
Existing gasoline retailers would have until Jan. 1, 2015, to come into compliance with the new legislation. Newly constructed facilities would immediately be required to build gas stations to the new standard. Similar legislation has gone into effect in Florida and Louisiana.
Deadline Approaching to Nominate Women for Town's 2013 Pathfinder Award
During the month of March, nationally recognized as Women’s History Month, the town’s Pathfinder Award is presented to local women who have excelled in their careers, the arts, education and volunteer activities, among other areas. The town is reminding residents to send in their nominations for women who are deserving of this recognition by the Feb. 5 deadline.
Each nominee will be carefully considered in the category specified by the person or organization making the recommendation. Award winners will be honored at a special ceremony on March 5 before their friends and family.
Nomination forms with an explanation of the various award categories can be obtained by downloading the form at http://www.toh.li//files/pdfs/th_pathfinder-nomination-form.pdf.
TOH Announces New Children's Art Programs in East Meadow
The Town of Hempstead recently announced new and free children's art programs that will take place in East Meadow during the winter season.
Recreation instructors will guide the children in an array of artistic projects. Parents may only enroll their children by calling the individual park. Age requirements vary by location and proof of age is required at the first class.
Parents will have to register for the winter programs by phone or in person at each park beginning on Jan. 28 at 9 a.m.
The classes will meet at the following locations on Saturdays from Feb. 2 to March 23.
- Salisbury Park Drive Ball Fields: Classes will take place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. for children ages 5 to 10, (516) 997-4534.
- Veterans Memorial Park: Classes will take place at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for children ages 5 to 10, (516) 296-7791.
We saw with his focus on the possible consolidation of Sanitation District #2 what he thinks are best for others does not agree with what he thinks is best for where he lives. If Felix wants results he should find real issues that people care about not just minutea and incessant details that the vast majority of people are not worried about.
What happens to the rest of us? Would you tell your Child to turn a blind eye to something th t just isnt right becaseu "Thats the way it is done"? would you condone any of these shannigans of misuse of power if it was anywhere else? One day all this game playing / back slapping etc will come back to bite US the taxpayer in the pocket. IMHO ETHICs and INTEGRITY are questionable in the TOH on all levels. When you chose to ignor questions from the people who you represent. when you chose to disregard concerns , then that leaves me questioning your transparency , integrity /ethics leaving me to beleive you have something to hide. The elephant in the "closet" isnt the republican symbol
1. Viable candidates who can win election and do the job, and, 2. A majority of actual voters who will come out and mark their ballots for the challengers you put up to unseat the incumbents. I'd be dipped if I had to accept Gary Port as the Presiding Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead because of some arbitrary and capricious "term limit" set on Kate Murray. In the last election, Murray outpolled Port by more than two-to one! (71,000 to 35,000 total votes, respectively). See http://www.lipolitics.com/blog/2011/11/11/hempstead-results-2011/ Let's get real about this. The Democrats had nothing and thus got nothing in the last Town election: no viable candidate and no voter support. And you people want to get in through term limits?
Ok since you mentioned it - how much is the minutae costing us? Let us know the number.
The charge against the defendents is the violation of the Constitutional Rights of three residents. The plaintiffs could have gotten the same money two years ago if that is all they wanted. They wanted justice, and that is what they got. Newsday did not report the story accurately or completely (this is typical of Newsday stories from Town Hall). Two years ago a lawyer for the Town told everyone at a TB meeting that the Animal Shelter had only killed 15 dogs in 6 months. Antonnews wrote the story, Newsday DID NOT (a Newsday reporter was at the meeting). See : http://www.antonnews.com/threevillagetimes/news/14339-residents-and-activists-lambaste-toh-board-on-animal-shelter.html if everyone sticks to the facts, and demands the truth from their government we can disagree on issues of opinion, but make better decisions by knowing the facts.
It was also to show how the Town Board was unfair to the Town Clerk. I know you may not believe me, but I am NOT disgruntled nor do I resent anyone. You are RIGHT, I do not go to Town Hall to facilitate discussion with the Town Board. That used to be the reason, but the Town Board would not discuss things like reducing mailings (use email instead), sending SALT TRUCKS out on WARM SUNNY days in April to pick up leaves, explain the $3.5 million dollar Animal Shelter Admin Charge, and a whole lot more. They did not want to discuss or even explain the reasons why they support these programs that to me (and many other taxpayers), appear to be a waste of TAXPAYER MONEY. If they would answer questions, I would welcome the opportunity for the discussion. One other thing you should know about the Open Meetings Law, it DOES NOT require government officials to answer questions (AND THEY KNOW THAT). Trying to facilitate a conversation with the Town Board about the Judgment, or any wasteful program is just a waste of time (I would NOT learn anything nor would anyone else in the audience, I have tried it, it doesn't work). Like I said in a previous comment, let us focus on the facts, discuss the facts, NOT OPINIONS (that has shown to be a waste of time).
But you bring up another interesting topic which I doubt you will dread when I ask you the natural follow-up question. Please point out the positions where TOH has gone around the civil service process.
The woman took the test and was not called. Civil service ALLOWS a process where you dont call someone. You are allowed passes on the list you dont have to explain. Maybe you dont like the reason she was passed up but in all honesty civil service allows it. So strike one, As for the mailings - we have talked about it ad nauseum and all know the budget for the mailings is approx $2m so its not a minuteau item. As for the hiring someones daughter. Happens all the time by every politician on every side of the spectrum. Show me she is unqualified or overpaid and thats another issue.
The elected officials should be responsive to constituent criticism. It is another way to get more votes but in the case here in the People's Republic of Hempstead re-election is already paid for by way of patronage jobs and backroom political deals. Do you think the founding fathers of this country had an idealistic sense of what Government should be? It is commentary that feeds a revolution. That is why we have free association, a free press and yes government shall not restrain the right of free speech. It's supposed to be idealistic... (sorry for my late reply, busy working, less time for commentary)
You do realize that the Town of Hempstead, New York is the largest township in the United States of America, right? So, TOH leading the rest of Long Island in anything would be some big surprise, why?
I challenge your use of the word "reluctantly". She had obviously come to understand how the patronage system works (in Hempstead Township, in Nassau County, in New York State, in the United States, and around the planet, Earth), got on board the gravy train, and got herself that job. If you are shocked by this, if this is some big revelation to you, then I question why you are posting comments here at all? Are you really that much of a neophyte, or some rigid idealist? Nah, of course you aren't, because your example went all the way back to Al D'Amato's tenure in the ToH, decades ago. Only the names have changed, Mr. Demarco. Only the names.
I am glad your friend was hired but your argument really has nothing to do with the point you were trying to make. Your point was about circumventing civil service when in reality they did not. Why they did not call her or why they hired her is really irrelevent to your point.
The official position title is Goatherd. The amount of overtime depends upon the activity of the wolves, which, unfortunately are nocturnal pack hunters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSjB-3xPVM