Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Girl Scouts of the USA National Agenda Meeting

Taking Action for Girls Be Part of the Conversation
Who: Girls (12 and up), parents, volunteers, community members
When: Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Where: Girl Scouts of Nassau County
110 Ring Road West, Garden City
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
RSVP: aksakc@gsnc.org
Girl Scouts of the USA has set a national agenda to address the girl issues of bullying and cyberbullying, disordered eating, and unhealthy media images. Come and be part of our work as we turn people into power, advocate for girls, and make the world a better place.
Questions? Carole Aksak, Critical Issues Coordinator, 516.282.7521.
Visit: www.gsnc.org/criticalissues/events.asp

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Envision Valley Stream

Thankfully, the wettest March on record for most of New York is now over. Due to the cancellation of the March 30th meeting, the general meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 8 at 7:30PM in the Hendrickson Park Administration Building. We need your help in our continued effort to improve our community, and look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,
David Sabatino
Founder
Envision Valley Stream

State Senator Hannon Fights Cyber-Bullying

Hannon Fights Cyber-Bullying - Introduces New Legislation
Posted on March 29, 2010
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Senator Kemp Hannon, who’s been spreading cyber-bullying awareness on Long Island and across New York State, has introduced new legislation which prohibits bullying and cyber-bullying on school property and establishes a statewide central registry for bullying, cyber-bullying and hazing complaints.

“Tragically, cyber-bullying has become a new reality, and thus, a serious focus in our communities. We must respond by increasing awareness as well as prohibiting such dangerous behavior,” said Senator Hannon. “It’s important for parents to speak to their children about cyber-bullying and to review the warning signs,” continued Hannon. “We must send a message to everyone as parents, elected officials and community leaders that this type of detrimental behavior will not be tolerated in our schools nor anywhere in our community,” said Hannon.

Signs that your child may be a victim of cyber-bullying include: Avoiding the computer, cell phone, and other devices; appearing stressed when receiving e-mails, instant messages or text messages; withdrawing from family and friends, or acting reluctant to attend school and other activities and avoiding conversations about the computer.

Signs that your child may be cyber-bullying others include: Prior involvement in bullying, or the target of bullying; avoiding conversations about computer and cell phone activities; switching screens or closing programs when you, or others, are nearby; laughing excessively while using the computer or cell phone; using multiple online accounts or an account that is not his or her own; excessive use of a computer and/or cell phone and agitation if access to a computer or cell phone is restricted or denied.

For more information regarding cyber-bullying, visit http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/ and type “cyber-bullying” in the search bar located on the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Move Over Law

Can you let everyone know this?

A GOOD THING TO KNOW:
New Law: If a patrol car is pulled over to the side of the road, you must change to the next lane (away from the stopped vehicle) or slow down by 20 mph. Every state except New York, Hawaii and Maryland and Washington D.C. has adopted this law now.

In New Jersey, the "Move-over" law became operative in 2009, fine up to $500. http://www.moveover america.com

A friend's son got a ticket for this recently. A police car (turned out it was 2 police cars) was on the side of the road giving a ticket to someone else. He slowed down to pass but did not move into the other lane. The second police car immediately pulled him over and gave him a ticket. He had never heard of the law.

It is a fairly new law in some states, if any emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, if you are able, you are to move into the far lane. The cost of the ticket was $754, with 3 points on his license and a mandatory court appearance.

Please tell everyone you know about this new law.

Thank you,
R.C.

Move Over, America
More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1999 after being struck by vehicles along America's highways, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. To lower that deadly toll, a new coalition of traffic safety and law enforcement groups is launching a nationwide public awareness campaign to protect emergency personnel along our nation's roadsides.

"Move Over, America" is a partnership originally founded in 2007 by the National Safety Commission, the National Sheriffs' Association and the National Association of Police Organizations. Most recently, the partnership has also received the full support of the American Association of State Troopers. The campaign is the first nationally coordinated effort to educate Americans about "Move Over" laws and how they help protect the law enforcement officers who risk their lives protecting the public.

According to a national poll by Mason Dixon Polling & Research, sponsored by the National Safety Commission:
·71 percent of Americans have not heard of “Move Over” laws;
·86 percent support enacting “Move Over” laws in all 50 states; and
·90 percent believe traffic stops and roadside emergencies are dangerous for law enforcement and first responders.
The poll was conducted among 625 registered voters from June 23-25. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percent.
Forty three states have passed “Move Over” laws, which require motorists to “Move Over” and change lanes to give safe clearance to law enforcement officers on roadsides.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

S.T.O.P. Program

Date: Saturday March 20, 2010
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow Parking Field 3

The S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) Program is designed to provide area residents with a safe, environmentally sound method of disposal of the many hazardous materials found in the average home. By bringing such toxins as antifreeze, drain cleaners and pesticides on any of the scheduled S.T.O.P. collection days, you and your family can make a significant contribution to the protection of our precious groundwater supply and the preservation of our bays and estuaries. Please join with us in cleaning our homes of hazardous material and ensuring their proper collection and disposal. Together we can ensure the continued integrity of our fragile ecosystem.
When bringing items, please follow these simple guidelines: Wrap leaking containers in newspaper and place in a plastic bag or larger container. Make sure all caps and lids are tight. Place items securely in a box for transportation. Use newspaper or cardboard to keep items from tipping or hitting each other. Place chemicals which may react with each other in separate areas of the vehicle. Do not leave products in a hot, unventilated vehicle for an extended period of time. Do not smoke near chemical products. Wear rubber gloves when handling containers.
Waste from commercial establishments, schools, churches, synagogues or home businesses will not be accepted. No commercial vehicles are permitted.



ITEMS ACCEPTED AT S.T.O.P.
Aerosol cans
Ammonia
Antifreeze*
Asbestos (double bagged)
Bleach
Bug & Rodent killers
Car Batteries
Cell Phones
Chemistry Sets
Degreasers
Disinfectants
Drain Cleaners
Fertilizers with Herbicides
Flammable Liquids (fire starter)
Flourescent lamps (including CFLs)
in shatterproof containers & ballasts
Household Batteries Kerosene*
Lacquer
Latex & Oil-Based Paint
Oven Cleaners
Paint Stripper
Paint Thinner & Brush Cleaner
Photography Chemicals
Polishes & Wood Preservatives
Solvents
Spot Removers
Swimming Pool Chemicals
Telephone Books
Thermostats (containing mercury)
Tires (car - off rims)
Varnish
Waste Oil*
Weed Killers
* Limit 6 in 5 gallon containers only
DO NOT BRING
Ammunition
Explosives
Fire Extinguishers
Fireworks
Electronic Recyclable Waste Infectious or Medical Waste
Propane or Oxygen tanks
Radioactive Materials
Unlabeled Materials

Thursday, March 4, 2010

New Animal Cruelty Unit

DA Rice Announces Creation of New Animal Cruelty Unit and Tip Hotline


Newly created unit will combat animal cruelty and endangerment
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today the creation of a new unit within her office to handle cases involving animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect in an effort to better protect vulnerable pets and animals.

“This newly created unit will give a voice to the victims of animal abuse, and send the message that the abuse and neglect of animals is not tolerated in Nassau County,” Rice said. “The Animal Cruelty Unit will do everything possible to ensure that those who endanger pets and other animals will face the full brunt of the criminal justice system.”

This unit will handle all felony and misdemeanor cases, including:

Animal abandonment
Severe physical abuse
Domestic violence-related abuse, such as violence exacted against a significant other’s pet or use of violence to ensure silence of child sex abuse victims
Neglect, such as food or water deprivation, lack of medical care or shelter

In addition, prosecutors within the unit will conduct training for local law enforcement agencies and give presentations to animal rights groups.

Residents are also encouraged to call in to the unit’s newly created hotline at (516) 680-8624 if they think an animal is being abused. All callers will be kept anonymous.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

“Too Good For Drugs Program”

Mangano & Mulvey Announce
Implementation of “Too Good For Drugs Program”


Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey were joined by Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence’s (LICADD) Executive Director Jeffrey Reynolds today at a press conference where they announced the implementation of the “Too Good for Drugs Program,” which was created in 1978 by the Mendez Foundation.

“Too Good For Drugs” (TGFD) is a school based prevention program for kindergarten through 12th grade. It builds on students’ resiliency by teaching them how to be socially competent and autonomous problem solvers. TGFD K-8 has a separate, developmentally appropriate curriculum for each grade level, which include emotional competency skills, social and resistance skills, goal setting and decision making skills. TGFD from 9th to 12th grade is designed to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors related to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among students. Each curriculum builds on earlier grade levels, an instructional design which enables students to learn important skills sequentially and retain them year after year.

The “Too Good For Drugs Program” is an evidenced based program that has been widely recognized for its successes and is currently in over 2,500 school districts, substance abuse treatment agencies and community organizations in 50 states. Studies conducted in elementary, middle and high schools have evidenced positive effects on risk and protective factors relating to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use/violence. The TGFD program was effective for students regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnic background. Positive effects on substance use and protective factors continued to be evidenced both short and long term.

This initiative is the County Executive’s third prong in an approach to combating the current heroin epidemic that is claiming the lives of many residents here in Nassau. The County Executive announced on February 11th the first two prongs of his approach to combating heroin here in Nassau which are: his Enforcement initiative entitled Operation H.A.L.T. (Heroin Abuse Location Targeting), which targets heroin users traveling in and out of the county to purchase heroin; and his Awareness initiative which was the creation and dissemination of an ad campaign which is aimed at getting the attention of parents about the current heroin epidemic.

“Just as you can not spend your way out of deficit, we have learned you can not arrest your way out of a heroin epidemic,” said County Executive Mangano. “Education is one of the best ways to prevent our children from heading down a very dangerous path. The implementation of this proven program in our community will help give our children the tools they need to resist this very hazardous lifestyle that often leads to tragic circumstances.”

“Today (March 1st) and tomorrow (March 2nd) the Mendez Foundation will provide training to many school officials, substance abuse professionals and law enforcement personnel at our Nassau County Police Academy,” said Commissioner Mulvey. “Attendees will be trained to implement the program, including the program components, and will cover how the lessons are set-up and the importance of delivering with fidelity. In addition, the training will provide sample lessons delivered by the trainers and by the participants. The two day training program will be paid for using Nassau County Police Asset Forfeiture funds.”

“This proactive approach to combating the current heroin epidemic will allow us to educate our children from with age appropriate material that will yield results for years to come,” said County Executive Mangano. “I would like to thank LICADD for their advice and assistance as we continue to work together towards eradicating heroin use from our communities.”

LICADD’s Executive Director Jeffrey Reynolds stated: "Nassau County clearly understands the need to both address the supply side of our current heroin crisis and the demand side simultaneously. Too Good For Drugs starts the educational process early and gives young people the knowledge and skills necessary to avoid alcohol and other drugs as they approach adolescence. We thank County Executive Mangano and the Nassau County Police Department for bringing this evidence-based intervention to Long Island. We know it will help save lives."