In order to help the families in need, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano has partnered with the Bellmore Knights of Columbus to host a Superstorm Sandy Relief and Recovery Resource Fair for those still struggling to rebuild.

Superstorm Sandy caused significant devastation to many areas in Nassau County. Even months after the storm, many Nassau County families are still struggling to repair the damage to their homes.

The event will take place on Thursday May 23^rd from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Bellmore Knights of Columbus Hall. A free Sandy Legal Relief Clinic will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. County and state workers will also be available throughout the day to help residents apply for state financial assistance.

Volunteer groups that provide no cost “rip-outs” and minor rebuilding will also be in attendance. Island Harvest will provide free food packages and local eateries will provide free refreshments at the event.

“I commend the Bellmore Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, for their dedication and commitment to our residents and for answering the call for help,” said County Executive Mangano. “The information gleaned from the officials at these resources are vital to the post-Sandy rebuilding process for many residents. I want to thank the Knights for volunteering in the days just after Sandy and for their continuing support as the Nassau County residents effected by the storm work to recover.”

All residents impacted by Superstorm Sandy are encouraged to visit www.NYSANDYHELP.NY.gov to begin the application process for financial assistance.

In support of the Nassau County Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged, County Executive Edward P. Mangano will be hosting a fundraiser tonight at H.R. Singleton’s in Bethpage. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $40 and include a buffet and one door prize ticket.

The event features a Chinese auction with gift basket donations from local restaurants and businesses. Grand prizes include a 2012 New York Jets Team signed replica football valued at $245, New York Rangers Rich Nash autographed jersey, New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony autographed jersey, Yankee and Mets tickets and a two night stay at Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resort, including round trip airfare.

The Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged were established in 1985. Upon learning that New York State had eliminated funding for the Games, County Executive Mangano enlisted the help of private sector sponsors and the local community to save the Games in 2011. This year marks the third consecutive year that Nassau County will be hosting the Games.

“These athletes work hard all year long preparing for the games and I have seen the joy and excitement on their faces as they cross the finish line,” said County Executive Mangano. “For the past two years, we have successfully funded the games and will continue to do so, but not without your help!”

The 2013 Nassau County Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged will take place from May 30^th through April 1^st at the Mitchel Athletic Complex and Nassau Community College. Athletes will compete in track, field, slalom, archery, swimming, wheelchair basketball and table tennis. Participants ranging from 5 to 21 face disabilities including blindness, visually impaired, deaf, hearing impaired, spinal cord injured, amputees, and those who have cerebral palsy, dwarfism, and other physical challenges.

“I ask you to join me in continuing to save the games by attending out fundraiser,” said County Executive Mangano. “Help us keep the spirit of the games alive!”

Provided Free Overdose Reversal Kits to Participants

More than 500 average, non-medically trained Long Islanders, are now equipped, and ready, to save a life – thanks to a 90-minute training by Nassau County’s mental health and substance abuse officials.

This week alone, Nassau officials taught nearly 100 residents how to recognize and reverse the effects of an Opioid drug overdose, by administering an antidote called Naloxone or Narcan. All trainees were given free Narcan kits to use in an emergency, provided to the County by state health officials at no cost.

Opioids include Heroin, Oxycodone, Vicodin, Morphine and other often-abused prescription painkillers.

“Of course, we hope that nobody we’ve trained on how to use Narcan so far, ever has to use that knowledge,” Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano said. “But times and statistics have shown that the possibility is more likely than we’d like to think.”

Last year, Nassau became the first County in the state, outside of New York City, to adopt the state’s Overdose Prevention Training program. Nassau’s Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) with the County’s Police Ambulance Bureau as well as with Nassau’s volunteer fire service, have also recently been trained – as part of a 2-year state pilot program. Nassau County Police officers are currently being trained to administer Narcan as well.

On the average, nearly 1 Long Islander dies each day of a drug overdose. Although Nassau’s numbers of drug fatalities went down from 2011 to 2012, Suffolk’s numbers have increased.

The unique program that provides Narcan Training to individuals without medical training, is based on a 2006 state law that removes liability from a resident who administers Narcan in an attempt to save a person’s life. There have been no reported ill effects from the hundreds of thousands of times Narcan has been administered, and at least 10,000 overdose reversals have been reported nationwide.

Narcan training programs are successfully operating in at least 16 states across the nation.

Heroin and prescription painkillers depress the body’s respiratory system and can cause death if mixed with certain other kinds of drugs, or if ingested in too large amounts. Using the drug after a time of abstinence, increases the likelihood of a fatal overdose.

“My administration’s drug-prevention efforts focus primarily on Education, Awareness and Enforcement,” County Executive Mangano said. “Together with schools, community groups, treatment facilities and the public, we are waging a war on drugs. But, with too many young people falling victim to drug addiction, we must do all that we can to save their lives and put them on the road to recovery so that they can lead normal and productive lives.”

Legislator Gonsalves added, “Kids are dying from abuse of prescription painkillers far too often and we are stepping up our efforts to warn them of the dangers of misusing drugs, even those given to them by a doctor.”

To find out about upcoming Narcan trainings, call Felicia Schneberg at 516-227-7028 or visit www.heroinprevention.com.

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Huey Lewis & The News, Blues Traveler, Frankie Avalon, David Cassidy and Gloria Gaynor are among the stars performing  during Nassau County’s Summer Concert lineup at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced today.

Performances will be free of charge, begin at 7:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted), and include genres that range from disco to classical and oldies to musical theatre, providing entertainment to a variety of music lovers.  

The Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre is an outdoor theater located within Eisenhower Park in East Meadow.  Conveniently located near parking fields 6 and 6A, the theatre provides a venue for a full schedule of entertainment events during the summer.  In addition to the popular International Music Nights Concert Series, the summer concert schedule is as follows:

Friday, June 14^th                   Jay Black

Friday, June 21^st                    Oldies Concert Featuring: Jimmy Gallagher & The Passions, Lenny Dell & The Demensions, Tony Middleton and The Willows, The Fireflies, and Classic Sounds – Honoring Kiwanis

Saturday, June 22^nd              Blues Traveler

Saturday, June 29^th               TD Bank’s “Celebrate America” Fireworks and Show (5:30 p.m. start)

Wednesday, July 3^rd              Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot

Saturday, July 6^th                  Frankie Avalon

Saturday, July 13^th                Lorrie Morgan

Monday, July 22^nd                 Harry Chapin Tribute

Friday, July 26^th                    Dr. K’s Motown Revue and Disco Unlimited

Saturday, August 3^rd             Salute to Veterans Starring Tony Orlando and the USO Liberty Bells (6:45 p.m. start)

Friday, August 9^th                 “Ladies of Disco” Starring Maxine Nightingale and Bonnie Pointer – Honoring The Red Hats

Saturday, August 17^th           Huey Lewis and The News – Sponsored by WCBSFM 101.1

Friday, August 23^rd               “In the Still of the Night” Featuring Fred Parris & The Five Satins, Frankie Lymon’s Teenagers, and Cool Change – Honoring The Knights of Columbus

Saturday, September 7^th       David Cassidy

Saturday, September 28^th     Eddie Money (4:30 p.m. start)

Saturday, October 19^th         “We Will Survive: Strong Island” 1^st Annual Long Island Music Festival Featuring Gloria Gaynor – Sponsored by New York Music & Events Group

There is no formal seating at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre so concertgoers are urged to bring folding chairs or blankets.  Special accommodations are also available for disabled patrons, including reserved parking, easily accessible restrooms, and a convenient reserved location on the hill.  If doubtful weather conditions arise, call (516) 572-0355 after 6:30 p.m. for updated performance information.

Much of the programming at the Lakeside Theatre is made possible through the Nassau County Hotel/Motel Proceeds Grant, which are proceeds from taxes on hotel and motel rooms in Nassau County.  Since 2006, Nassau County has received more than ten million dollars from the Hotel/Motel Proceeds Grant, which also has assisted in historic building restoration and other cultural enhancements.

For additional information concerning Eisenhower Park, and the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, call the Public Information Office at (516) 572-0200 weekdays during business hours or visit the website at: www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks.

 Mineola, NY – Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Legislative Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves invite residents to a free Drug Overdose Prevention Seminar that teaches non-medically trained residents how to save a live by administering an antidote – Naloxone or Narcan – which reverses the effects of a fatal overdose of prescription drugs or heroin.

Residents, age 18+, who attend the 90 minute forum, will obtain a free life-saving Narcan kit provided by the New York State Health Department.  Narcan reverses the potentially deadly effects of Heroin and prescription painkillers, such as Oxycontin and Vicodin, on the body’s respiratory system.

Statistics indicate that the number of heroin and prescription drug-related deaths in Nassau County decreased from 2011 to 2012, while heroin deaths increased year-to-year in Suffolk County.  Medical experts praise Nassau County’s Narcan training, along with the Mangano administration’s Education, Awareness and Enforcement efforts, as a reason for the decline.  In 2012, Nassau County trained over 430 residents on how to administer Narcan and disseminated free kits.

“My administration’s drug-prevention efforts focus primarily on Education, Awareness and Enforcement.  Together with schools, community groups, treatment facilities and the public, we are waging a war on drugs,” County Executive Mangano said. “With Narcan training programs successfully operating in at least 16 states across the nation, Nassau County is the first county in New York State to teach residents who have no medical training to administer this lifesaving antidote to those suffering from a prescription drug or heroin overdose.  With too many young people falling victim to drug addiction, we must do all that we can to save their lives and put them on the road to recovery so that they can lead normal and productive lives.”

Legislator Gonsalves added, “Kids are dying from abuse of prescription painkillers far too often and we are stepping up our efforts to warn them of the dangers of misusing drugs, even those given to them by a doctor.”

The next Nassau County Drug Overdose Prevention Seminar will be held on May 15th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center, located at 510 Grumman Road West in Bethpage.  Residents must pre-register by contacting Eden Laikin at elaikin@nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 571-6105.

In 2006, the State of New York removed liability from a person who administers Narcan in an attempt to save a life.

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County Executive Mangano will have a Mobile Command Vehicle onsite at both expos to help Hurricane Sandy victims sign up for state government assistance.  Residents are encouraged to visit www.NYSANDYHELP.NY.gov to begin the application process.

The first Expo is presented by the Urban League of Long Island and will take place Saturday, May 18^th at the Long Island Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Uniondale from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The second is hosted by the Bellmore Knights of Columbus and will be held on Thursday, May 23 from 9am to 8pm, at the Knight’s hall at 2333 Bellmore Avenue. Services including volunteer groups that provide no cost “rip outs,” and minor re-building, will be present.

County Executive Mangano stated, “I commend both the Urban League of Long Island and the Bellmore Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, for their dedication and commitment to our residents and for answering the call for help.  These Superstorm Sandy Recovery Expos will provide residents with access to vital information and services from industry experts and community organizations. We’ll continue to bring whatever help is needed to our residents until each of them is back in their homes.”

For more information on the Urban League’s expo, call (516) 570-6645 or email info@sandynow.org.

For the Knights of Columbus Expo, call 516-785-9407.

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The Job Preparation Workshops are being offered Thursday, May 16^th and May 23^rd from 2:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex located at 1 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Uniondale, across from the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Professionals from reputable personnel staffing agencies will be conducting these workshops. Pre-registration is required by calling 516-227-7692 or 516-227-8656.

With more than 220 companies already registered to participate at the Private Sector Job Fair and more than 5,000 job seekers expected to attend, the competition could be great.  “We encourage everyone, including veterans, to register for one of the free job preparation workshops as this is a great opportunity to enhance your ability of becoming gainfully employed,” stated County Executive Ed Mangano.  “The better prepared the job seekers are, the more confident they come across which can lead to greater employment opportunities and success.”

Mineola, NY – Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today joined with local elected officials, environmental protection groups and residents to formally request funding from the Federal and State governments to further repair and improve the troubled Bay Park Wastewater Treatment plant.

County Executive Mangano also announced today that Nassau has, and continues to provide, professional cleanups for residents whose homes were affected by sewage when Superstorm Sandy damaged the nearby Bay Park plant.

Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage to the Plant, causing it to shut down – thereby backing up sewage into some communities.

A Federal-State-County Critical Task Force was able to have the plant operational within a couple of weeks, he said, but the facility remains “in dire need of critical and costly repairs,“ Mangano said.

The administration is seeking Federal and State assistance to help fund over $740 million in construction costs related to items such as odor control systems, the electrical power supply and distribution system, effluent screening and raw sewage pumping, and sludge thickening and dewatering facilities. Another $500 million is being sought to help construct a new Outfall Pipe that delivers treated sewage into the Ocean rather than local bays and waterways.

At a press conference outside the Bay Park plant today, Mangano discussed these and other Post-Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts and plans for improvements to the facility. He also led a tour through the plant.

“Federal and State officials have, and continue to, partner with the County to achieve improvements to the Bay Park plant, and I thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Congressman King and Governor Cuomo for that,” Mangano said.

The County Executive was joined at the plant today by state Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, Nassau County Legislators Denise Ford, Hempstead Town Councilman Tony Santino, East Rockaway Village Mayor Francis Lenahan, Island Park Trustees,  Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito, members of Operation SPLASH and Bay Park residents

“Unfortunately, the Bay Park Wastewater Treatment Plant has been a bad neighbor to this community and our environment,” Mangano told the crowd. “Prior to my administration, the plant racked up violations and fines due to poor maintenance, all of which culminated in October 2010 when partially treated sewage spilled into local channels.”

Since Mangano took office, his administration has invested over $70 million in emergency repairs to the facility. In order To improve transparency and communication, the administration also created a New Community Notification System so residents knew when a problem arose at the plant.

As a result of the County, State and Federal investments, the plants performance improved and no violations occurred in more than 18 months, Mangano said.

“Sadly, this progress was reversed when Hurricane Sandy hit our shores,” he added. “The Superstorm delivered 9 feet of seawater into the Bay Park plant and caused serious plant failures. For 49 hours, the plant remained off line.  System breaches occurred in East Rockaway and Baldwin – damaging hundreds of homes and neighborhoods. Thanks to a Federal-State-County Critical Response Team, the plant was up and fully processing sewage by mid-November. The team helped secure temporary equipment and established new procedures in the plant. By December, the plant was meeting all DEC guidelines.”

To help homeowners impacted by the sewage breaches, Mangano implemented interior and exterior home cleaning programs that have assisted over 400 homes. This week, they begin offering cleaning and lawn re-seeding to the affected residents.

The Clean and Seed Program will include an initial assessment of a property. Services include the removal, and then replacement, of top soil, lawn seeding and the cleaning of permanent structures around the home. Anyone interested in the program should email send an email to nassauclean@gmail.com or call 516-535-5730.

“Make no mistake; today we are one serious mechanical failure away from an emergency that could affect half a million people,” Mangano said. “Many problems remain, including unpleasant odors.  The plant is truly in a fragile state. The latest incident occurred last week at the plant when an electrical failure, caused by salt water corrosion in the electrical system, shut the plant down. The good news however is there MAY NOT have been a spill into Reynolds Channel last week as previously reported…however, we cannot continue to play this game of Russian roulette. Clearly this is an issue that will persist until major repairs are undertaken. To truly recover and ensure this neighborhood and its local waterways are protected, significant work must occur.”

In an era of cancelled air shows and a reduced NYC Fleet Week, a permanent tribute to the American G.I. that will also aid Nassau County’s tourism and parks revenue

Old Bethpage, NY – In the face of cancelled air shows around the country and the downgrading of NYC’s Fleet Week, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced today the permanent creation of the Museum of American Armor at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage.

County Executive Mangano was joined at the announcement by Legislative Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves, several veterans including tankers from WW II, living historians, History Channel executives and other museum sponsors, as an entire column of World War II armored vehicles advanced to the podium. The museum is made possible by a million dollar gift from Lawrence Kadish.

“In addition to honoring the American G.I. in a powerful and compelling manner, this announcement is also an unprecedented opportunity to expand the scope of Old Bethpage Village Restoration while preserving the integrity of its historic setting,” County Executive Mangano. “Doing so will recharge public awareness while bringing in additional tourism revenue that can be used to help hold the line on County property taxes.”

“This new chapter that we add today, in the life of this complex, will add depth to our understanding of American history,” Mangano said. “Given our intent today it is fitting and appropriate that we honor the souls of those individuals who have given their lives on behalf of our freedoms.”

Mangano also assured spectators at the press conference, that the Memorial Day weekend air show at Jones Beach will be held regardless of the loss of the Thunderbirds. Meanwhile, Fleet Week in New York City will be greatly reduced and across the country air shows are being cancelled weekly.

He added that an armor museum honors every American G.I. and he expects the ground breaking to be done before summer.

“It will not only pay tribute to those who have defended our nation, but will also strengthen the county’s tourism and destination industry,” Mangano said “In addition, it will provide a new source of revenue for the county’s park system.

He added: “The ability to create an armored column that replicates the sights and sounds of American forces during World War II is one of the most compelling educational tools we have to recount the story of our GIs’ courage, valor and sacrifice. Place it in this setting of vintage farmhouses and country roads so reminiscent of the WWII era Normandy countryside, and you have created a literal time machine that ensures indelible memories for families.”

The million dollar gift will fund the construction of a 25,000 square foot building. The new armor museum will work closely with the American Airpower Museum and the Cradle of Aviation and is endorsed by the History Channel.

On May 18^th and 19^th a World War II encampment will be staged at the site of the new museum, in the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Center.