Oceanside/Island Park
HERALD An accomplished graduate
Dolphin dies after being trapped
Honoring our front-line heroes
Page 4
Page 22
Pages 6 and 7
Vol. 55 No. 34
AUGUST 20 - 26, 2020
$1.00
NYAW rate hike coming to O’side and Island Park tain amount per 100 gallons that they use: ■ The first 3,000 gallons will cost 49 cents per 100 gallons.
By Mike SMolliNS msmollins@liherald.com
Briana Bonfiglio/Herald
one for the books The Island Park Public Library is slowly starting to return to normal operations after being closed for several months amid the coronavirus pandemic. Library Trustee Joe Pontecorvo and Director Jessica Koenig said they were excited to return. Story, more photos, Page 3.
‘We want to give back’
Young students’ bracelet sales support St. Jude’s By Mike SMolliNS msmollins@liherald.com
After two of their friends were hospitalized and treated well at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Caitlyn Cuccio and Josie Xavier said they wanted to give back. The girls, both 12 and going into sixth grade at School No. 2 in Oceanside this fall, decided to craft bracelets and sell them, donating a portion of the pro-
ceeds to the hospital. “We know two kids that went to St. Jude’s,” Caitlyn said, “and we want to give back for the amazing care that they gave to the kids.” The girls said their parents were helping them on the business side, but their goal has been mostly to go it alone as a sales team. They have set up sidewalk stands and also plan to put their creations on Etsy and Instagram to help spread awareness and
raise more money for the hospital. Their goal, they added, was to donate at least $1,000 per month to St. Jude’s. The girls also use one another’s houses as pickup points for the items. Caitlyn’s mother, Ellen Cuccio, said she was proud of the girls for wanting to give back. “I just love it,” she said. “It’s great seeing Caitlyn and Josie be so creative, between both their Continued on page 21
Oceanside resident Mimi Griffo is among many residents and elected officials who have ■ The next 3,001 to 6,000, 67 expressed outra g e over a cents. planned rate hike by New York ■ The next 6,001 to 15,000 galAmerican Water. lons, 97 cents. “We are conservative, but I’m ■ And anything still paying more in above 15,001, $1.28. water monthly than in gas and Lee Mueller, the electric,” Grif fo utility’s external said. “I also use my affairs manager, sprinkler system said that much of only every other the increase is day . . . Nassau caused by state County should taxes, and there have more control, has been recent legand look for a comislation proposed pany that will not in the State Senate . . . charge more to eliminate those than double the special franchise national average.” taxes. The rate hike “The fastest was originally path toward signifischeduled to take cant rate relief is effect April 20, but MiMi Griffo reducing the unfair with Long Islandtax burden levied ers dealing with Oceanside resident on our customers,” the coronavirus Mueller said. “. . . pandemic, the We pledge to work with the increase was pushed to Sept. 1. [Long Island state legislative] With new rates, residential cus- delegation to double down on tomers in the Lynbrook service their efforts and ensure that legarea, which includes Oceanside and Island Park, will pay a cerContinued on page 5
i
t just seems so unfair that they bill you based on a tier system. So I’m penalized for using more water because I have more people in my family.