Board Report 11/6/24

Police Department
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day took place on a sunny Saturday in October. FPPD had a big turnout at Headquarters and collected seventy pounds of unused medications. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agents joined us to provide information, respond to questions, and take the drugs for disposal. Thanks to our FPPD for sponsoring this important event every April and October, and to Floral Park Lions Club members Donna Langone and Irene Caniano for distributing valuable health and wellness items to our Take Back Day participants.

Our FPPD Officers work hard and sometimes under dangerous conditions. Recently, two Officers were speaking with a suspected perpetrator from outside her car when the individual began driving, hitting both of them. Our Officers sustained leg injuries which required medical treatment, but not hospitalization. We are all fortunate that our Officers are well, and want to remind all to thank our FPPD for putting their lives in danger to keep us safe.

Our joyous holiday season is often the time for Porch Pirates. These are individuals who steal recently delivered packages from in front of our homes and businesses. FPPD has some valuable suggestions to avoid being a victim of the Porch Pirates: specify that package deliveries go to the side or back door; ask a neighbor or friend to watch for a package when you’re not at home or at your business; and do not schedule deliveries for weekends when you may not be present to receive them. As FPPD wishes all a happy holiday season, they want to help our residents and businesses avoid being victims of crimes.

Conservation Society (FPCS)
An annual highlight of autumn in Floral Park is the Fairie Forest Festival, celebrated at Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary. Under a spectacular October sky and brightly colored leaves, over 550 children, teens and adults, in Halloween and Fairie attire, were dazzled by an array of tiny, handcrafted Fairie Villages under the trees. There were Leprechaun, Halloween, Artist, Music, School and Bakery Villages, and many other creative miniature scenes to enjoy, all while Fairie storytellers were sharing their magical tales. 

There are so many people to thank for this BEST DAY in Floral Park. First, the FPCS Fairie leadership and Producer Ann Moynagh; Creator Marina Horan who inspired the Fairie Family House Contest, featuring all-natural tiny houses, built by our Fairie fans and now on display at the Floral Park Library; Fairie Greeters Christy Reisig and Jean Sinnott; and President Dennis McEnery. Then, there were the fifty FPCS Volunteers, families and friends; Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt and Joann Deeks, Kathy Burrous, Lisa O’Grady and Chris Indelicato of the Parks Department; The Wheatley (High) School Volunteers from East Williston who did a super pre-cleanup and weeding; Superintendent Kevin Ginnane, Supervisor Kevin Pearsall and our DPW; and, most of all, Artist and Craftsman Dominick McCartan from Ireland who made the Fairies and Villages come to life. Proceeds will go to our nonprofit FPCS for even more Gardens’ enhancements.

And, after a sunny and bright 2024 season and now, late afternoon darkness, the Gardens hours are 11 AM to 4 PM, seven days a week, through Sunday, December 1st when the Gardens will close until April 2025. Enjoy the last three weeks!

Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses
October is a special month for our Chambers of Commerce as the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce celebrates the Businesspersons of the Year in each of approximately forty local Chambers. This year, there were three Floral Park winners:

The Floral Park Chamber of Commerce proudly announces its Businessperson of the Year, Tania Lawes. Tania is the Director of External Affairs and Community Engagement for the NY Islanders hockey team. With offices in Floral Park, she has strong connections with the surrounding communities and plays an active role in our Belmont Stakes Street Fair. And, to be continued this year is Floral Park Skates, an event when our Village will be invited to skate on the outside ice rink at the UBS Arena.

The Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce selected Nassau County Legislator John Giuffre as its Businessperson of the Year. In addition, John is a local attorney with an office right on Covert Avenue. He is very active in Chamber activities and represented Floral Park in the County Legislature following the COVID pandemic. Always a friend to Floral Park, John has provided valuable support to our businesses.

The Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year is one of our own. Bill Corbett is President of Corbett Public Relations, Inc. in Floral Park. Bill’s firm has generated millions of dollars worth of media coverage for clients, and assisted them in building their brands and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. Joining the celebration for Bill was Mrs. Ann Corbett, former Floral Park Mayor, Historical Society President, and Bill’s Mom.

Congratulations to Tania, John and Bill! We salute you and thank you for all your contributions to our communities and businesses.

Now, be sure to save the dates for our Chambers’ coming attractions, the exciting details to follow:

Floral Park Chamber and Junior Woman’s Club of Floral Park Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting – Friday, December 6th, 6 PM at Memorial Park on Tulip Avenue

Covert Avenue Chamber and Village of Stewart Manor Annual Tree Lighting – Saturday, December 14th, 4:30 PM on Covert Avenue

FPM Shout-Out
Cheers for our Floral Park Memorial High School Marching Band as they traveled to Syracuse University to participate in the New York State Field Band Conference Championships. And for the second time in three years, our FPM Marching Band took home a Third Place trophy!

Greeting the Marching Band buses as they pulled onto Tulip Avenue were two of our FPPD cars, two of our FPFD Chiefs’ cars and enthusiastic fans. With flashing lights, sirens and horns, they escorted our award-winning Marching Band musicians and Director Matt Povolny back to a cheering crowd of families and friends at FPM.