______________
AMITYvIlle _____________
HERALD ReCORD
Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa
Amityville educator honored _______________ Page 3 VOL. 112 NO. 9
LI’s American Idol Time to check smoke alarm batteries _______________ contestant BABYlOn
HERALD
Page 10
Page 5
MARCH 11 - 17, 2026
$1.00
Amityville unveils BeACOn new village logos ____________ ___________ MAssApequAafter public input
Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
HERALD By CAROLYN JAMES
cjames@liherald.com
After months of discussion with village officials and residents, Amityville has selected Also serving Farmingdale, Massapequa, Massapequa Park and logos Plainedge two new to represent the community — one highlighting its waterfront identity and another marking its historic downtown district. Mayor Michael O’Neill unveiled the designs during the Mayor’s Social on March 1, noting that some final “tweaks” are still under review. Courtesy Ronald Tolkin The primary village logo features a sailboat and the year Amityville was established, reflecting what officials describe Spring whispers over Belmont Lake State Park as the lake awakens from the grip from February’s as the community’s identity as the “Friendly Bay Village.” blizzard and water spills softly over the bridge into a new season. The logo will appear at village entrances and on village-owned properties, including parks, the beach and municipal parking areas. A second design — known as the Triangle icon — features the pergola atop the Triangle Building and will identify the village’s historic district and Talbert was hired by the district in July 2023, By CAROLYN JAMES downtown center. replacing former superintendent Edward Fale. cjames@liherald.com The historic district includes She previously served in the Wyandanch School homes and businesses in and The Amityville Board of Education voted 4-2 District, which at the time faced scrutiny over stu- around Broadway, from Avon March 4 to extend the contract of Superintendent dent performance and testing practices. Place and Park Avenue south to She said at the time that her vision for Amiof Schools Dr. Gina Talbert for two years, approvMerrick Road. ing salary increases that will bring her pay to tyville schools is to “bring the past, present and Village officials said the icon $251,125 in the first year and $257,430 in the second. future together, and use the successes of today to is intended to highlight the traThe decision came through a walk-on motion empower us for the challenges of tomorrow.” The decision last week to extend her contract — meaning it was added to the agenda during the drew both criticism and support from speakers at meeting — and amounts to a raise of about $11,000 the meeting. over the life of the contract. Board President Lisa Johnson said Talbert was Trustees Lisa Johnson, Leslie Kretz, Chris Nethe right person for the job. hring and Carol Seehof voted in favor of the exten“Dr. Talbert is the right choice to lead Amision, while trustees Juan Leon and Megan MessCONTINUED ON PAGE 2 mann voted against it.
pOsT
Gentle current harkens spring
Amityville extends superintendent’s contract Two-year deal approved by board in 4-2 vote, amid criticism
ditional downtown as a central gathering place for the community. “We believe that together, these logos capture the spirit and welcoming character of our Friendly Bay Village,” O’Neill said. “The feedback we received was extremely valuable in guiding the final design process.” O’Neill said residents consistently asked for a design that reflects Amityville’s identity as a historic bayfront community while also honoring the character of its downtown. The village worked with Manhattan-based empha!¡S Design on the project. Over several months, the firm presented multiple proposals while gathering feedback from village officials and residents. Many of the earlier concepts were ultimately rejected. Amityville resident Hal Schad, who attended the public meeting at which the initial designs were presented, said he believes the new logos “capture the flavor of Amityville. “I think they do what needs to be done,” he said. Officials said the final sailboat and pergola designs best reflected the themes residents identified — Amityville’s waterfront identity and its history. “Our goal was to create a new CONTINUED ON PAGE 6