Nassau Emergency Spending Plan Passed, Vacation Refunds

The Nassau County Legislature passed emergency amendments to the 2012 Capital Budget earlier this week in order to repair damage to Nassau County’s infrastructure caused by Hurricane Sandy. The emergency spending plan, totaling $146,223,767, was passed unanimously.

Approved emergency capital projects include the replacement of more than 30 police vehicles that were rendered inoperable by the storm, fixing or replacing broken and downed traffic signals, infrastructure repairs at the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant, various improvements and repairs to roads and parks, and many other fixes.

The passage comes on the heels of the legislature's approval of County Executive Ed Mangano's $2.8 billion 2013 budget.

NICE Bus Accident Results in Death of Child

A 6-year-old was killed Tuesday night after a Nassau Inter County Express (NICE) bus struck a home in Hempstead.

According to Nassau County detectives, around 9:34 p.m., a 2009 Orion NICE bus was traveling westbound in the right lane of Fulton Avenue in the vicinity of Tennessee Avenue being driven by a 50-year-old male. The bus operator observed a 35-year-old male crossing the roadway from south to north in an area where there is no marked crosswalk, police said.

The bus horn was sounded several times in an attempt to warn the pedestrian. In an evasive maneuver, the bus veered right but the pedestrian was struck, police said. The vehicle mounted the curb on the north side of Fulton Avenue leaving the roadway and struck the residence at 505 Fulton Ave., causing structural damage.

According to police, David Granados, 6, of the same address, was in the front room and struck by building debris. Hempstead Police, Hempstead Fire Department, Nassau County Advanced Medical Technicians and Nassau County Emergency Services Unit extricated Granados. Granados was removed to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased by hospital personnel at 10:32 p.m.

A 7-year-old child was also present in the room and sustained minor injuries to his arms, police said. He was transported to an area hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The pedestrian that was struck was also transported to a local hospital, police said. His condition is unknown.

A total of 11 passengers were aboard the bus at the time of the accident, eight of who sustained non-life-threatening  injuries and were removed to various hospitals, police said. The bus was impounded for brake and safety checks. Detectives report that no apparent criminality at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

Mangano Establishes Committee to Administer Hurricane Sandy Victims Fund

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano announced Monday the establishment of a committee to administer a Nassau Hurricane Recovery Fund to secure donations from the public for the victims of super storm Sandy. The committee, comprised of six Nassau County Police Department and Volunteer Fire Service Chaplin’s, will establish an account, create an application process and raise funds to assist victims of Hurricane Sandy.

The committee is chaired by Father Kevin Smith, Chaplain for Nassau County’s Volunteer Fire Departments, also includes all Nassau County Police Department Chaplin’s: Father Gerard Gordon; Reverend Joseph D’Angelo; Rabbi Barry Dov Schwartz; Rabbi Abraham Lefkowitz; and Bishop Robert Harris.

"The formation of the Hurricane Recovery Committee will provide an opportunity for neighbors to continue to help neighbors by establishing a fund to assist those in need," Mangano said. To contribute to the Nassau Hurricane Recovery Fund, donations can be mailed to:

• Nassau Hurricane Recovery Fund
• c/o Nassau County Police Department – Commissioner’s Office
• 1490 Franklin Avenue
• Mineola, NY 11501

• Now – Dec. 20: Toys for Tots Holiday Gift Drive
• Now – Dec. 17: Mail Your Letters to Santa
• Dec. 1 at 1 p.m.: Santa in the Park at Wantagh Park Community Clubhouse
• Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.: Holiday Spectacular at the Butler Building at Mitchel Athletic Complex
• Dec. 2at 12 p.m.: Gingerbread University at Old Bethpage Village Restoration
• Dec. 8-9, 15-16 at 5 p.m.: Candlelight Evenings at Old Bethpage Village Restoration
• Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.: Menorah Lighting in Eisenhower Park with Rabbi Perl of Chabad of Mineola
• Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.: Tree Lighting in Eisenhower Park
• Dec. 27 at 12 p.m.: Kwanzaa Celebration at Roosevelt Field Mall (Macy’s; southeast side of mall)

• Homeowner, flood, property damage and automobile insurance claims
• FEMA assistance and grants
• Debt deferral
• Bankruptcy
• Consumer Protection issues (contractors, etc.)
• Landlord-Tenant issues
• Assistance in dealing with lenders to avoid foreclosure
• Legal assistance for health/disability/personal injury/post-traumatic stress issues
• Pro bono Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation and arbitration) for neighbor disputes arising from the storm.