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Fire company names Barbera its new chief served as chief for two terms in the past. He said that he was motivated to run particularly Members of the Atlantic because the role includes overSteamer Fire Company gath- seeing training, which will give ered on Dec. 16 to elect new him the chance to share his decades of experileadership for the ence. coming year. Fran“I think I can do cesco Barbera was a good job as the named chief, after training chief having served as because I’ve done it first assistant chief before,” Ozol said. the last year. Frank “I can back up the Ozol, a for mer chief better than chief with extensomeone who has s ive e x p e r i e n c e, never been through was elected first it.” assistant chief. Barbera highBarbera, who lighted the mutual ran unopposed, support among the said he was excited company’s memabout stepping into bers. “Frank has the role of chief, always been there which marks the FRANCESCO throughout my fireculmination of fighting career,” he years of service BARBERA said of Ozol. “Now Chief, and preparation. it’s my opportunity “I mean, it’s one Atlantic Steamer to make sure he’s thing to run a busi- Fire Company supported, too.” ness where people The role of chief are motivated by being employed,” Barbera, an in a volunteer fire company is engineer, said. “It’s a complete- multifaceted, combining adminly different thing to run a vol- istrative, operational and firefighting responsibilities. unteer organization.” “The chief is the head of Ozol, who faced competition for first assistant chief, brings a everything — the business end, wealth of experience, having CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
By WILL SHEELINE
wsheeline@liherald.com
W
Courtesy Locust Valley Central School District
Celebrating holiday traditions in Locust Valley Bayville Primary School Principal Ross Cohen read “How to Catch a Snowman” to students to kick off the annual Winter Wonderland event in the first week of December. Story, more photos, Page 10.
Historical markers unveiled throughout Oyster Bay hamlet By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
A decade-long project to install historical plaques throughout the hamlet of Oyster Bay is nearing completion, with eight of nine planned plaques now in place. The markers, part of a collaborative effort among the Town of Oyster Bay, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site and local organizations, aim to highlight the rich history of this storied community. “This collaboration between the Town and Sagamore Hill National Historic Site transforms downtown Oyster Bay into a dynamic hub of historical significance,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino wrote in a statement, “inviting families, students, and history enthusiasts to explore
the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt without leaving Long Island. The initiative initially resulted in the installation of three plaques in 2014, but logistical and administrative hurdles stalled the remaining installations. The project was revived in 2023, and since then, markers have been placed at sites including the Derby Hall Bandstand, the Moore Building (now home to Wild Honey), the historic railroad station and the Fisher Building. “We encourage all visitors to Sagamore Hill to explore Oyster Bay to better understand the places that shaped Theodore Roosevelt and the Roosevelt family,” Jonathan Parker, superintendent of the national historic site, wrote in a statement. “These historic panels, through an CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
e’re here to serve, and we’re fortunate to have a dedicated team that’s always ready to step up.