County Announces Sandy Pre-Registration Assistance Program

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano announced Wednesday that Nassau County and New York State will again host a pre-registration assistance program Saturday at four Nassau County Disaster Recovery Centers for Hurricane Sandy victims.

The implementation of the three New York State programs, administered by Nassau County, has been moving forward with the understanding that funds, although approved by the United States Congress, are still not yet available and details of the programs are still being developed and may change before a final version of the programs are released. 

“Working with Governor Cuomo and his staff, we are pleased to offer pre-registration assistance to prepare residents to apply for vital recovery programs,” Mangano said.

All residents are encouraged to visit www.NYSANDYHELP.NY.gov to begin the pre-application process.  New York State and Nassau County are also manning Disaster Recovery Centers to assist applicants from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 6 and April 13 at the following locations:

• Long Beach Recreation Center and Ice arena, 700 Magnolia Blvd., Long Beach
• Island Park Village Hall, 127 Long Beach Road, Island Park
• Cedar Creek Park, Merrick Road, Seaford
• Freeport Recreation Center, 130 East Merrick Road, Freeport

In addition, the Department of Financial Services vehicle will be on site at Cedar Creek Park on Merrick Road in Seaford on April 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to assist residents in dealing with their insurance companies.

NY Cosmos Submit Bid for $400K Practice Facility at Mitchel Field

The New York Cosmos have bid on a request for proposals issued by Nassau County to refurbish a neglected soccer field at the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex and turn it into the team's practice field, Newsday [paid link] reported.

The field, which is located on the north side of the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex across from the Cradle of Aviation Museum, has been in disrepair for more than a decade and is only used in pick-up games.

Click here to read more about the proposed facility.

Mangano, Police Foundation Announce Expansion of R.E.A.C.H. Program

County Executive Mangano joined Tuesday with the Nassau County Police Department Foundation in announcing the purchase of 5,000 wristbands, lanyards and identification cards to assist officers in identifying individuals registered in the Return Every Adult & Child Home (R.E.A.C.H.) Program. The $6,000 purchase was made possible through a donation from the foundation.

The R.E.A.C.H. Program was launched in 2010 to provide law enforcement officials with information and photos of individuals suffering from a cognitive disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and Autism if they were found to be missing.

Individuals register with the R.E.A.C.H. Program and have their information stored in a secure database created by the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD). When law enforcement is notified of a missing loved one, the NCPD can disseminate a photo and pertinent information through the NCPD’s Real Time Intel system.

The NCPD will host a registration drive for the R.E.A.C.H. program from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 20 at the Police Academy, located at 200 2nd Ave. in Massapequa Park.

UTU Chair Endorsses Suozzi

Noting that under Tom Suozzi’s leadership as county executive, Nassau County enjoyed “continuous years of balanced budgets, economic security and safe living conditions,” United Transportation Union General Chairman Anthony Simon has endorsed Suozzi for county executive and is encouraging his members to do the same.

The United Transportation Union is the largest union representing the Long Island Rail Road, with members from conductors and track workers to car cleaners and repairmen.