READER OF THE WEEK IS NICHOLAS SARNO OF MASSAPEQUA
Antoine Hilton awarded paid internship Page 2
Vol. 73, No. 33
WEDNESDAY, August 14, 2024
National cemetery remembers deadly fire 75 years ago, Page 3
www.massapequapost.com
Pets, Pets, Pets Page 8
50 CENTS
Oyster Bay Town officials honor TOBAY beach lifeguards Among those honored are a father, son and grandson who have made saving lives a family tradition By Christie Leigh Babirad What makes TOBAY Beach in Massapequa last year’s winner in the Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s Best of Long Island contest? Lieutenant John McGovern, a lifeguard in his 57th year at TOBAY, said “it’s the people.” And John would know because he’s been working as a lifeguard at TOBAY since 1967. John, several members of his family, and other lifeguards serving the Town of Oyster Bay, were recently recognized by the town for their commitment and service. Originally from Massapequa and now living in West Islip, John was recently honored at Lifeguard Appreciation Day at TOBAY Beach alongside his fellow lifeguards, son Captain Kim McGovern of West Islip, and grandson Jack McGovern of West Islip and Nosara, Costa Rica. John served the Massapequa School District for 33 years as a Physical Education teacher and chairman, but every summer would return to TOBAY to lifeguard since that first summer when he was in college. He also shared a fact that he said most probably don’t know, “My wife Donna was actually a lifeguard before me and was one of the first women to work at TOBAY Beach,” said John. As he spoke recently about his family and TOBAY Beach, which has become an integral part of their family’s history, he said that what he enjoys most is sharing the job now with his son and grandson. “It’s nice to be able to work with Jack especially and spend quality time together since he is normally very busy,” said John, adding that it’s a joy for him to be working with both his son and grandson. John said that TOBAY Beach is a positive environment where people are happy and smiling and added that he enjoys the many people who approach him year after year saying that working at TOBAY was the best job they ever had. “I love working with the people here, both the employees and TOBAY’s patrons,” said John. “It’s all about the people to me.” His son Kim, who has been a lifeguard at TOBAY for 22 years, echoed this sentiment saying that working at TOBAY has given him the opportunity to meet many people and form lifelong relationships. “It’s one big family here,” said Kim. In addition to being a lifeguard at TOBAY, Kim runs a surf school in Costa Rica, Nosara Surf Academy. He said he has been going to TOBAY Beach since he was a child. And, while many things have changed over the years, the one thing that has not changed is the business of saving lives. “I feel very fortunate to (Continued on Page 11)
Honorees Jack, Kim and John McGovern, center, with Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Louis B. Imbroto, Councilwoman Laura L. Maier and Supervisor Joseph S. Saladino, left, and Town Clerk Rich LaMarca and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato, right.
Massapequa School Board introduces new personnel; outlines goals and objectives for coming school year by Mike Polansky Newly appointed professionals were introduced at the Massapequa School Board meeting Aug. 1 including Caitlyn Krauszer, the new Elementary School Special Education Supervisor, Sandra Rago, a new teacher at the Fairfield Elementary School, and Jared Esposito, the newly appointed Technology teacher at the Berner Middle School. Dr. Jordan McCaw, assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services, introduced Krauszer, noting that after an intensive search she “stood out as the most impressive candidate for the position.” Krauszer served as a school psychologist and CSE Chairperson in the Locust Valley School District prior to coming to Massapequa. Nine other professionals were approved by the board: Elementary School Psychologist Megan Farley, Special Education teacher Krista Caracaterra, Elementary Speech Teacher Jenna Lewis, and six teaching assistants.
In other business at the meeting the board: •discussed the school board’s goals for the2024-2025 school year. Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Brennan started off the discussion by noting that the board must establish goals “always seeking to make sure that our students are achieving the best that they can, throughout (Continued on Page 11)