City Notebook: Lavine on 4201 Schools & Council Meeting Highlights

Assemblyman Charles Lavine voiced his at an Albany Rally at the Legislative Office Building on Thursday morning – citing that funding for facilities that educate deaf, blind and disabled children is crucial to communities across the state. 

These schools – including Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf – face losing $98 million in direct state aid if the budget passes as is. School districts within the community will have to make up the difference.

Rather than families having the option to have their children evaluated by 4201 school experts, local districts will have to provide evaluations, according to Lavine.

Lavine recently delivered a sign on letter, urging Governor Cuomo to protect the funding of 4201 schools.

“There is no doubt that our rough economy has placed an additional burden on each New Yorker, but there must surely be a path we can follow that protects our most vulnerable and needy children,” said Lavine.  “It is for that reason that we urge that the funding stream for our 4201 schools remain intact.”

Highlights from the City Council Meeting

Mayor Ralph Suozzi and the Glen Cove City Council discussed several topics with residents at Tuesday night's meeting at .

Soundview Restaurant – Resident Dave Nieri asked Suozzi what the status of the Soundview Restaraunt was, as the current owners do not plan to renew the lease at the Glen Cove Golf Course site, due to a dispute over outdoor music permits.

Suozzi explained that he was not at liberty to discuss the matter at the time.

Crescent Beach – Resident Paul Meli asked about the status of the beach, which has remained closed since the 2009 season.

Suozzi said that officials are concerned over bacteria levels at the beach. He said that though bacteria levels currently may now be at a normal level, levels rise during the warmer months. 

Suozzi also said that the city has sought assistance from the DEC, and has contacted in search of low-interest funding for the cleanup.

Transparency – Meli said that the resolutions passed on Tuesday night were night adequately described in advance.

"If I request the information tomorrow, via FOIL, we won't see what was voted on for another 25-30 days," Meli said. "In December, when the Council voted itself benefits, there was no question about it, as nobody had volunteered the information. That is not transparency."

Suozzi countered that his administration has been very transparent, and that the resolution in question has remain unchanged since 1998. 

Meli pressed: "Why not inform the public of what you're voting on? The council should explain why they should adopt such resolution, and take public comments."

Said Suozzi: "my administration treats any information requests as FOIL requests. It speeds things up and saves time, as on top of regular duties, the city clerk handles about 250 foil requests a year."

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The city has condemned the property through eminent domain for use per the Waterfront Revitalization.

"We have complied legally," Suozzi said. "The city has deposited $1.3 million, which is now being held by the Nassau County Treasurer's Office. You will receive the first $250,000 shortly."

Doxey said that he does not understand why the city has had to kick out a taxpaying business: "We don't operate behind smoke and mirrors," he said.

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