Four Village Studio – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Four Village Studio won four Nor’easter Awards at this year’s Alliance for Community Media, Northeast Regional Video Festival. 4VS host-producers were presented with two 1st Place awards, one 2nd Place award, and one 3rd Place award at the recently held annual ceremony.
Our studio garnered a 1st Place finish for “The Antique Road Test,” produced by Walter Gosden and John Salemmo, showcasing a massive annual car show and swap meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Another 1st Place award was given to producer Larry Davidson for “Davidson and Co.” and the episode “The Long Island/New York Film Festival.”
A 2nd Place award went to host/producers Larry King, Bob Wisniewski and Leigh Tyrrel for “FPFD: Red Alert” and “The Evolution of the Fire Truck,” the story of how and why fire apparatus has changed during the past century.
A 3rd Place award was given to host/producer Wes Houston for “Wes Houston Presents…” singer-songwriter-guitarist Dave Christian.
The award-winning producers were acknowledged during a virtual ceremony on Thursday, November 11th. This is the 21st year that Four Village Studio has submitted entries to the festival and has collected an impressive 64 awards in all.
All of this year’s award-winning programs will be re-broadcasted in January. Four Village Studio can be seen on Optimum Channel 18 and Fios Channel 28, or at www.4vs.org.
And, while you’re checking out the 4VS website, take a look at the On-Air schedule for the week of January 3rd: Community Spotlight, “Meet Village Trustee Jennifer Stewart” for her informative, interesting, and very enjoyable conversation with Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald. We know them well, they’re always fun. Great job Kevin and Jen, along with 4VS Director Jim Greene and his talented staff of interns!
Recreation Department – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
With the early darkness and cold weather comes revised park hours for the late fall/winter season. The hours are now 8am to 4:30pm daily. The only night lighting will be at our all-purpose rink for Screaming Eagles Roller Hockey and, for those games, you may enter at the gates on the left side of the pool building. Come to cheer on our awesome hockey teams, and enjoy the festive Rec Center tree lighting on Friday evening, December 10th at 6:30pm, gates open at 6pm.
Planning is now under way for our Winter Recreation programs. If you have exciting ideas for new program offerings, now is the time to send them and your suggestions to kmeyfohrt@fpvillage.org, gking@fpvillage.org, or call 516-326-6336.
Department of Public Works – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
DPW preparations for the winter are already under way as the walls for the new salt shed at DPW are now in place, and we look forward to completion within the month.
Crews are out in force removing leaves from our roadways while the Sanitation Department is collecting residents’ and businesses’ leaves on yard waste days. Please check the sanitation schedule for your yard waste pick-up day, usually the collection day opposite your recycling day.
Trenching has begun in preparation for the LED lighting installation on the Floral Parkway side of Centennial Gardens. Once the wiring is installed, the trenches will be refilled with soil and the poles will be installed, followed by the lights. With supply chain efficiencies, we’re looking toward completed installations around the Gardens within the month.
Enjoy a new Village curbside tree for the holidays. With the warm October temperatures, new tree plantings were delayed until now. DPW will be delivering and planting them shortly. You’re invited to call DPW at 516-326-6320 for a new tree in front of your house.
Conservation Society (FPCS) – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
The countdown is on until our Gardens close for the upcoming winter season – Sunday, November 28th at 4pm. What a beautiful, popular season it was, even with Storm Ida’s visit that left six foot floods in the basins on September 1st to 2nd. Thanks to all in our Village who made Centennial Gardens a place to visit and savor, and the Village staff members and dedicated volunteers who made the flora and fauna, that’s plants and animals, especially the many fascinating bird species, come alive, thrive and flourish. So many, from inside and outside the Village, have given of their gardening skills, hard work, time and love. Floral Park thanks you!
And coming soon will be our FPCS 2022 colorful calendars with magnificent photos of our Gardens – the trees and bushes, flowers, wildlife and birds, and nature at its finest in Floral Park. Appreciation goes to our extraordinary local photographer, Christine Kozak, for the exquisite photography. Calendars will be available soon, the perfect Christmas and holiday gift, proceeds to go to FPCS for Centennial Gardens maintenance and enhancements.
Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Building Superintendent Renee Marcus continues her ongoing efforts with the owners of the fire damaged properties. As we have stated, our current goals include the demolition of the wall remnants inside the fencing and covering the hole left by the empty basement at the former Park Place Restaurant. The Village Court is involved in legally determining parameters for the demolition schedule.
And, as the holidays approach, save the dates for:
• Small Business Saturday, November 27th, two days after Thanksgiving. Begin your holiday shopping locally. The Villages of Floral Park and Stewart Manor have suspended parking meter fees for your convenience.
• Floral Park Chamber of Commerce and Floral Park Junior Women’s Club tree lighting and festival on Friday evening, December 3rd.
• Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce and Stewart Manor tree lighting celebration on Saturday afternoon, December 11th.
Come and celebrate the holidays locally, right here in Floral Park.
Special Congratulations and Best Wishes – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to former Fire Chiefs Richard Maickel and Michael Ostipwko for their fifty years of service to our Floral Park Fire Department and Village of Floral Park.
Congratulations to our Floral Park Knights Varsity Football Team who battled Plainedge High School in the Nassau Conference III semi-final game at Hofstra University. Despite a loss, our Knights and their fans displayed boundless teamwork, energy and spirit. Go Knights!
Thanks to our Wednesday Mothers’ Club for raising several thousand dollars for some of our Floral Park and Bellerose families at Christmas and also lending support to Island Harvest and the OLV Food Pantry. The Super Heroes fall festival was a fun-filled success.
Wishing all in Floral Park a joyous Thanksgiving! We in Floral Park are blessed.
Third Track Project – Trustee Archie Cheng
We have our monthly meeting with 3TC on Thursday. At that meeting, we hope to have an update on 3TC planned activities.
Fire Department – Trustee Archie Cheng
As we start the cold weather season, the Fire Department has some reminders and suggestion for our residents:
1. This is a common time for chimney fires and home heating emergencies including oil burner puff backs. It is recommended that all chimneys be inspected and cleaned once a year. This is especially true if you are burning coal or wood in your fireplace.
2. All gas or oil heating systems should be inspected yearly. This includes inspecting all vents and flue pipes.
3. Finally, as stated last month, please make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Thank you.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
CREW Committee – Trustee Frank Chiara
The Floral Park Coalition of Resources for Education and Wellness (CREW) is sponsoring a Holiday Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, December 18th from 10am to 3pm at the Recreation Center in the Pool building.
Vendors or residents who wish to sell items can do so by checking the Village website under events or the village Facebook page for the flyer with details on how to rent a table for the sale.
All residents are welcome to come, browse and do some last-minute shopping for the holidays.
Floral Park Police Department – Trustee Frank Chiara
With daylight saving time upon us, the Police Department would like to remind our residents to please be vigilant for our children riding their bicycles around the Village. Also, our children should be reminded about bicycle safety and to observe the traffic rules when riding their bicycles and skateboarding throughout the Village.
The UBS Arena is opening up this week and our Police Department will be monitoring the possible uptick in traffic and overall activity in our community. Please expect continual enforcement of traffic regulations for speeding, blocking the box, excessive horn honking and parking regulations. The Mayor, myself and fellow Board members will be out and about for the first couple of events to monitor the effect these events will have on our community. Residents who may experience any issues regarding the events at the arena are to please contact Village Hall or the Mayor’s hotline number 516-326-6300. If a resident is in need of immediate attention, non-emergency, please contact our Village Police Dept. at 516-326-6400 as they will address any concerns. As always for any Police emergencies please call 911.
I would like to wish everyone a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving! Enjoy.
Floral Park Library – Trustee Jennifer Stewart
Recently at the FPPL, the Teen ukulele crash course on 11/2 was very well attended. We expect to have ukulele bands popping up all over the village! Another well received event was the “Stella” evening with Artist/Maker Danielle Barbaro, pictures of the beautiful work done by our residents can be seen on the library’s facebook page.
Food for Fines continues through the end of November; bring a can of non-perishable food along with your long-lost book and all fines are forgiven! All foods are donated to the pantry at Our Lady of Victory Church.
Coming soon – 11/18 another chapter of Urban Explorers begins. Explorers will meet at the FP LIRR Station at 9:10 AM and spend the day exploring the NYC Library and Grand Central Terminal – there will be lots of walking so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Defensive driving class begins 12/6 and registration has already begun. And with much excitement and pride, I am happy to announce the FPPL will be hosting a book launch party for our very own Miss Kelly Fernandez!
There are so many interesting and fun programs at the Floral Park Public Library; I encourage all of you to follow the library on FB so you don’t miss a thing!
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
This Saturday the UBS Arena will be opening and as such I would like to point out a few logistical issues and steps the Village is taking to mitigate the impacts:
Our Police Department will be strictly enforcing all traffic laws with special attention to the following
* Do Not Block the Box
* Stop Signs
* DWI/DUI
* Excessive horn honking within the Village boundaries
Our neighborhood aides (and Police if necessary) will be enforcing various parking restrictions including:
*Meters in commercial district
*Meters in various lots especially near LIRR
*Two and Four Hour limits throughout the Village
Unfortunately, there are still pressing issues with regards to the North Lot (now called the Emerald Parking Lot) including as of this evening:
*An incomplete fence along the properties of our residents on Crocus/Hazel/Mayfair. The fence we believe per the FEIS is not in the correct spot (should be closer to the lot as opposed to residents homes)
*Various openings in the fence especially at Mayfair that cause the fence to offer minimal if any mitigation.
Village Administrator Gerry Bambrick and I are working with Empire State Development and Senator Kaplan’s office to try to get these rectified.
On a positive note it appears that the South Lot will be open for parking which hopefully reduces the number of cars in the North Lot, and it appears that they will not at this time be using the East Lot.
For those residents that will be attending events please remember that the Mayfair and Plainfield gates will be closed. If you care to not drive please review the LIRR plans for transport to and from. It seems like a reasonable and quick means of getting to the arena.
With all that said I wish the developers the best of luck and that the impacts are minimal to our quality of life. If you have any issues that need attention or impactful changes please call Village Hall or send an email to comments@fpvillage.org. I and my fellow Trustees will be “out and about” this weekend and for the coming weeks assessing the situation in person.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
Thank you to Blank Slate Media for being here this evening.
