Friday, February 24, 2023
Vol. 83, No. 8
$1
SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
Town dedicates street to honor fallen NYPD officer
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (seventh from right) and his colleagues in Town government, including Councilman Tom Hand (right), Councilwoman Vicki Walsh (third from right), Councilwoman Laura Maier (fifth from right), joined by New York State Senator Steve Rhoads (second from right), Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker (sixth from left) and officials from the New York Police Department (NYPD) in a ceremonious street dedication to honor fallen NYPD Officer Terence P. Connelly.
The Town of Oyster Bay, along with the New York City Police Department and other local officials recently dedicated a Hicksville Street in honor of fallen NYPD officer Thomas P. Connelly, who died in the line of duty as a result of cancer he developed after being exposed to toxins while working at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks. A “Terence P. Connelly Way” street sign was unveiled by Officer Connelly’s family at the corner of Blueberry Lane and Elmira Street in Hicksville, which is situated on the block where he grew up and his parents, Mary and Henry Connelly, still reside. Officer Connelly, a rookie cop with the 112th Precinct at the time, responded when the Twin Towers fell and worked at Ground Zero with others searching for survivors in the days and weeks following the 9/11 attacks. Terence was just 47 when he passed away on February 8, 2021. “Terence responded into danger when his fellow Americans needed help,” said Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Officer Connelly is a true American Hero, but also as a kind and warm-hearted person who was a loving husband and a fantastic father.” Supervisor Saladino noted that when people pass by this block, they will remember NYPD Police Officer Terence P. Connelly as an exemplary first responder who did not hesitate to act, even if the situation was perilous, and as someone who always put the safety of residents, ahead of his own. “This street, in the community where he lived for many years, will forever serve as a reminder of his sacrifice and his extraordinary life,” added Supervisor Saladino.
Town installs solar lighting at Burns Park
The Town of Oyster Bay has installed solar lighting backup energy panels throughout John Burns Park in Massapequa. Funded entirely through a New York State grant through the New York State Office of Storm Recovery, lighting along the walking path and throughout parking lots at the facility have been retrofitted to LED with solar power and battery backup. The project was selected as part of the New York Rising Com-
munity Construction Program, through which the community identified areas of the community heavily impacted by severe weather events such as Superstorm Sandy. “Through the New York State Office of Storm Recovery, the Massapequa community was identified as being eligible for reconstruction funding, to help rebuild and improve resiliency. Residents came together to gather public
The Bethpage Newsgram is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68. Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Bethpage Newsgram, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris Publisher
input, strategize and implement an effective plan to establish a stronger and better future,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “This project not only improves our resiliency in the event of a future storm, it helps the environment while assisting the Town in its emergency readiness.” John Burns Park is often heavily utilized as a command center during weather events, whether it be for gathering of equipment, drop off and pickup of supplies, or temporary location of storm debris. These newly retrofitted lighting
fixtures, which will also be installed in other areas of the community, collect and store power from sunlight, going into effect in the event of a power outage. “This lighting, which is also being installed along local roadways in the southern area of Massapequa, will help the community maintain functionality during power outages,” said Supervisor Saladino. “In the event of a power outage, this project will help make it safe for residents to traverse the area and evacuate when necessary.”
Levittown schools celebrate love PAGE 19 Student business earns gold award PAGE 3