Legislator Peter Schmitt Proudly Announces
No Out - Of - Pocket Cost Breast Cancer Screenings• Tuesday, October 21, 2008 • 8:30 AM to 2:15 PM •
Massapequa Park Village Hall, 151 Front St., Massapequa Park, NY 11762Legislator Schmitt is pleased to announce that the Nassau University Medical Center Mammography Van will be coming to Massapequa Park to provide no out - of - pocket cost breast cancer screenings to women forty years or older. The screening will include a breast examination by a nurse, a mammography and instructions for breast self-examination. “The best tool in the fight against cancer is education and early detection.” says Legislator Schmitt. If you are coming to receive an exam, you will need a prescription for the exam from your doctor (if you have insurance) and also must provide any past exam films, if available.
For additional information or to make an appointment, please call
Legislator Schmitt’s office at (516) 571-6212• Appointments are required and are scheduled on a First Come, First Served Basis •
Don't Let Democrats Take Away Your Right to Elect Assessor
Last year, I reached out to you regarding the outrageous rise in property taxes and my concerns regarding the perils of annual reassessment. I have also proposed multiple laws to curtail the increases in assessed valuation. Today I would like to share with you an important matter that affects each and every resident of Nassau County.
In recent legislation, the County Executive and the Democratic Majority on the Legislature have sought to change the law to have the position of the Nassau County Tax Assessor appointed instead of elected. The new legislation would allow the County Executive to select and appoint the Assessor, subject only to confirmation by the County Legislature. You will lose your right to vote for the County Tax Assessor.
I believe the proposal robs Nassau County residents of their constitutional right of representation and their right to vote for a policy-making government official. The proposal would effectively eliminate the people’s choice and hand it over to the County Executive. This law quashes the voices of all 1.3 million Nassau County residents. It is un-American and we should not stand for it.
I believe that the tax-paying residents of this county should retain their right to select and elect the County Tax Assessor, and as your Legislator, I will do all that I can to oppose this legislation. However, this proposal is scheduled to appear on the ballot this November 4th. I ask you to consider this proposal carefully, and I strongly urge you to let your voice be heard by voting against changing the position of Assessor from elected to appointed.
Legislator Peter J. Schmitt Announces The Massapequa Preserve Streamflow Preservation Project has begun!
The restoration of the Preserve is a complex and comprehensive 2-year construction project which is intended to restore the Preserve to its original natural state and improve our precious groundwater system. The work may occasionally incur temporary bike path closures and minor traffic disruptions. Signage indicating the safest detours will be posted whenever there is a foreseeable closure. Additionally, if there will be a traffic disruption in your area, we will notify you ahead of time whenever possible.
Phase 1:Installation of Catch Basin Inserts Inserts will trap contaminants, oil and other debris and prevent the rubbish from entering the underground water system.
Timing: September through November 2008.
Impacted Areas: Throughout the 423 acre preserve. No impact on car or pedestrian traffic is expected.Phase 2:
Stormwater Treatment System Installation The system will prevent floatable trash and debris from entering the stream.
Timing: October 2008 through January 2009.
Impacted Areas: Mild obstructions may occur at the following parkside locations: On Ocean Ave. at Prospect Pl., on Clark Ave. within the preserve, and along Parkside Blvd. at Pittsburgh Ave., Massachusetts Ave. and Jerusalem Ave.
Phase 3:Creek Construction Erosion control mechanisms and dam improvements will be conducted in the Northern portion of the Preserve.
Timing: Late October through December 2008.
Impacted Areas: Path closures will occur between Walker St. and Linden St. Signs indicating detours will be posted.
Please visit the Nassau County Parks Department website at:
www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Parks/WhereToGo/preserves/south_shore_preserve/Massapequa_Pres.html
to view a map of the preserve and detailed descriptions of the construction phases.I will continue to update you on all phases of the project. I, along with the Nassau County Department of Public Works, thank you
for your cooperation during the construction, and I look forward to the complete restoration of Massapequa’s own beautiful Preserve.
As always, please call me at 571-6212 for further information on this or any other topic.
Environmental Bond Act Improvements Begin
Nassau County Legislator Peter J. Schmitt has announced the start of a new project in our area under the county’s $100 million Environmental Bond Act Program. The $100 million Environmental Bond Act Program was created in September 2006 to enable the county to purchase and protect open space, improve parks, improve storm water quality and clean up brown field properties throughout Nassau County. The Bond Act was voted upon by referendum and overwhelmingly approved by 77% of Nassau County voters.
The Program is geared towards protecting and preserving our environment for our use and for generations to come. Under the Bond Act Program, properties were nominated for preservation and selected by an advisory committee of environmentalists and conservationists. The first project in our area will be implemented in the Village of Massapequa Park. Legislator Schmitt and the Nassau County Legislature voted unanimously to approve a contract for the installation of 300 catch basin inserts throughout Massapequa Park. The catch basins will improve our water quality as they collect storm water runoff from the streets. The basins trap contaminants, oil and other debris and prevent the rubbish from entering the underground water system.
“It is very gratifying to fund a joint program with the Village of Massapequa Park. Our drinking water is a precious natural resource, and many people do not realize how easily it can be contaminated. The Environmental Bond Act Program is being put to great use to help keep our water fresh and pure,” said Legislator Schmitt.
Legislator Schmitt Opposes Outrageous New Fees
Tnce again, Nassau County Legislator Peter J. Schmitt voted against the imposition of new fees on county residents. In a fractured vote, the Nassau County Legislature voted to approve new fees to be imposed on Nassau County drivers who have certain traffic tickets dismissed. “As if the cost of gasoline is not enough, the County Executive and the Democrats have found another way to squeeze money out of drivers’ pockets,” said Legislator Schmitt.
The new legislation imposes a $15 fee for dismissed “production of proof” traffic infractions. Such infractions include failure to produce a drivers license, proof of inspection, registration card, insurance card or handicapped parking permit, as well as certain equipment violations. Normally, if a person receives a ticket for such an infraction, the ticket is dismissed if he or she can provide proof of the documentation or repair. Now, if you receive a ticket for not carrying your license or for having a tail light out, but you produce the license or proof of repair to the court, the ticket will be dismissed, but you will still be charged a $15 dismissal fee.
The new law will also assess a $15 fee upon a person who elects to pay his or her fine in installments. “This is particularly troubling because often a person requests an installment plan because he or she cannot pay the full amount at once. To impose an additional fee on them is beyond excessive,” said Legislator Schmitt. This new fee is expected to generate $1.4 million dollars for the county.
“This is outrageous. The county is facing tremendous deficits exceeding $500 million over the next three years. The County Executive should be working to find ways to cut spending and trim expenses throughout the county instead of creating new fees to pull more money out of residents’ pockets to fill the deficit,” said Legislator Schmitt. Since the County Executive took office in 2002, more than 25 fees have been created or increased countywide.
Nassau County, with a population of 1.3 million people, is larger than 7 states, but the county’s budget is larger than 16 states. “There is plenty of room for cutting spending,” Schmitt pointed out. “Since my vote against the ordinance was not enough to prevent its passing, I urge all residents to send a message to the County Executive and the Democrat Legislators letting them know that we are not willing to pay for this deficit. So, please drive carefully, be mindful to carry all necessary documentation with you at all times, and please check your equipment for broken tail lights, etc. Together we can prevent this fee from being imposed,” said Legislator Schmitt.
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