_____________ ROCKVILLE CENTRE ____________
SAV E W HE N Y OU B U NDLE A UT O & HO ME INS U R A NC E
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Vol. 35 No. 42
oCToBER 10 - 16, 2024
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ALEX ANDERSON
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looking back one year after oct. 7
Mr. B’s Inclusive Playground is officially open By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Daniel Offner/Herald
Former Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, far left, Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley, Village Trustees Gregory Shaughnessy and Emilio Grillo, Mayor Francis X. Murray and the Brunetta family celebrate the opening of Mr. B’s Inclusive Playground.
The unveiling of Mr. B’s Inclusive Playground last Sunday marked the culmination of a seven-year endeavor to create an accessible, state-of-the-art space that children of all abilities can enjoy. Located behind the John A. Anderson Recreation Centre, on North Oceanside Road, the $2.3 million project is the result of years of work to build the new playground and upgrade Centennial Park. The playground features a sensory dome and play structures with ramps, and park upgrades include new ADA-compliant restrooms, LED lighting, a new walking track, exercise stations, and pickleball/tennis and basketball courts. “The completion of this project is another milestone for our village in enhancing our community in an effort to achieve inclusion for all,” Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray said. The playground is dedicated to the late Anthony Brunetta, the former village recreation superintendent, who died in 2016. During the grand opening, members of Brunetta’s family joined electConTInuED on PAGE 9
Rockville Centre veterans honor our finest and bravest By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Firefighters, police officers and EMTs were recognized for their service to the community at the annual Law and Order Night, hosted by American Legion Post 303. “It’s one of the Post’s pinnacle events of the year, and it’s an event that we all look forward to as members of the American Legion,” Paul Casazza, the post’s vice commander, said. “Our post takes great pleasure in honoring our law enforcement and our emergency personnel for their continued dedication and service to the
Rockville Centre community.” Friends, family, colleagues, elected officials and guests were in attendance last Friday night as members of the veterans organization presented the honorees with special gifts including plaques, flags and engraved memorabilia. Police Officer Alfred Robinson was the first honoree, recognized for his accomplishments over the past three years. “In our line of work, we often talk about what it takes to be an exemplary officer,” Police Commissioner Randy Dodd said. “We think of commitment, courage, integrity and compassion. What does it look like
I
always wanted to police in a close-knit community like I grew up in, and I believe I’m fulfilling my dream by working for this community.
Al RoBINSoN Rockville Centre Police Officer wh e n t h o s e q u a l i t i e s a re embodied in one individual? It looks like Officer Robinson, who stands before us today not
only as a recipient of the Rockville Centre American Legion Law and Order award, but as an example to all law enforcement officers.” Robinson, who came to Rockville Centre as a lieutenant with the State University of New York Police Department, was assigned to the highway unit, which Dodd said is reserved for only the best and brightest on the force. Robinson’s dedication, skill and leadership led to his role as the lead training officer for the department. “In a short span of time, this officer has gone from learning how to police in Rockville Centre to teaching how to police in
Rockville Centre — from standing alongside his peers to now training them,” Dodd said. “That’s not just talent, that’s purpose, that’s passion, and that’s the kind of drive that transforms good officers into great ones.” Robinson was presented with a custom-eng raved firear m donated by Smith & Wesson, as well as proclamations from the village and the State Assembly. “Being a police officer is something I always wanted to do,” Robinson said. “I grew up in a small town upstate, and I was fortunate to get a job with the SUNY police. I moved down ConTInuED on PAGE 16