‘Boost Nassau’ - Helping Our County Build Back Better
As the Minority Caucus representative on Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s COVID-19 Economic Advisory Council (EAC), Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton remains intently focused on the task of determining the best use of federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. The Council’s mission is to ensure that businesses, organizations and residents receive the support they need to build back stronger after the pandemic. As the Minority Caucus representative on Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s COVID-19 Economic Advisory Council (EAC), Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton remains intently focused on the task of determining the best use of federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. The Council’s mission is to ensure that businesses, organizations and residents receive the support they need to build back stronger after the pandemic.
Part of Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton’s work on the EAC includes assisting County Executive Curran with promoting the Boost Main Street Small Business Grant Program. Of the $25 million in ARP funding dedicated to businesses, $10 million has been allocated to this initiative, which offers eligible applicants with 10 or fewer employees up to $5,000 in grants, and up to $10,000 for those with 11 to 50 employees.
Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton continues to go door-to-door in business districts throughout District 11 to discuss the relief programs that are available. To ensure business owners get their fair share of aid, she encourages them to utilize the Boost Nassau Resource Center, which compiles federal, state, county and town-level COVID-19 recovery assistance resources into a centralized website and a brick-and-mortar Resource Center located in Eisenhower Park. Visit https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/boostnassau for more info.
DEC Approves Plans to Remedy Crescent Beach Contamination
After 10 years of being closed due to contamination from a nearby estuary, the New York State Department of Conservation (DEC) has approved a remediation plan for Crescent Beach.
Throughout her tenure, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton has secured County funding for studies and worked closely with the DEC, NYIT Associate Professor and overseer of the school’s Center for Water Resources Management, Sarah Meyland, H2M architects + engineers and, for the past four years, Glen Cove Mayor Tim Tenke to determine the cause of the contamination, remedy the problem (which was ultimately determined to be animal feces) and reopen the beach.
The approved solution calls for the installation of Helix systems, the clearing of pipes, and the planting of sea grass and other wetland plants - the roots of which effectively absorb harmful bacteria without harming the plants themselves. A basin slope will be created, and pipes will be installed to channel the estuary water into a bioswale (sloped retention area) where hundreds of plantings will provide natural filtration to purify the water before it flows onto Crescent Beach and into Hempstead Harbor.
Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton is optimistic that the effort will serve as an example of how nature can be harnessed to address environmental concerns.
School Bus Stop-Arm Cameras Approved
“Reckless drivers who pass stopped school buses have imperiled the safety of our children and our entire community for far too long. By bringing this important public safety tool to Nassau County, we can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing that drivers will be motivated to think twice before they break the law.”“Reckless drivers who pass stopped school buses have imperiled the safety of our children and our entire community for far too long. By bringing this important public safety tool to Nassau County, we can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing that drivers will be motivated to think twice before they break the law.”
– Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton
In July, the Legislature took the final steps toward bringing school bus stop-arm cameras to Nassau County. The effort, which was initiated in 2019 by Legislators Siela A. Bynoe and Arnold W. Drucker, will clear the way for school districts to opt in to having cameras installed on the bus stop sign arm that swings out when a bus is stopped and lights are flashing. Those cameras will capture images of vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses when the stop arm is out and lights are flashing.
School districts must opt in to participate in the program. For the first 60 days after cameras are installed, drivers will be issued warnings instead of fines with hopes of motivating drivers to follow the law and avoid penalties. After the end of the warning period, fines are $250 for a first offense; $275 for a second offense within first 18 months of first violation; and $300 for third and subsequent violations within that 18-month window.
During Suffolk County’s 60-day warning period this past March and April, over 10,000 infractions were issued so this new program is clearly an important step in increasing pedestrian safety near stopped school buses.
As the ranking member of the Legislature’s Public Safety committee, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton is particularly proud of the nearly two-year effort to bring stop arm cameras to school buses in Nassau County. While there is no cost to school districts to install cameras or manage the program, as mentioned above, it is an opt-in program. Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton urges parents to submit formal requests to their districts to opt in to this potentially life-saving program.
Improving Our Quality of Life
Manorhaven Boulevard Groundbreaking
Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton is pleased to announce that the County will break ground on the Manorhaven Boulevard streetscape and revitalization project this fall.
The project entails:
• Repaving the County-owned portion of Manorhaven Boulevard•from Shore Road to Kirkwood Road;
• Adding ADA-compliant ramps to street crossings where they are•currently not in place;
• Replacing broken or buckled curbs and sidewalks;•Installing storm drains, curbs and gutters along the road where•needed;
• Replacing storm drain piping to address areas that flood during•heavy rainfall;Installing stop signs and crosswalks as recommended by an in-•depth traffic safety study;
• Adding decorative lamp posts to enhance aesthetic appeal and•supplement existing streetlights;
• Converting eastbound turn-in lanes in front of Manorhaven Park•and the police booth into small pocket parks with benches and plantings to create new green space and make the stop signs near crosswalks more visible;
• Adding bus shelters to the eastbound bus stops in front of•Manorhaven Park and the Adult Activities Center;
• Preserving all but five of•the 90 trees that currently line the boulevard. The five that are being removed must be taken out because their roots don’t allow enough space for the four-foot wide ADA-compliant sidewalks. A total of nine new trees will be planted.
Not only will these improvements enhance quality of life for Manorhaven residents and the entire Port Washington community, this investment in our infrastructure is bound to attract more businesses and visitors to Port’s “second Main Street!”20+ Miles of Road Repaving Projects for LD 11
Recent Legislation Supports Our Heroes
Nassau County’s first responders and other employees that have or continue to serve in the military put their lives on the line to keep us safe. Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton is particularly proud to support legislation that provides greater support for Nassau County’s heroes.
Nassau County’s first responders and other employees that have or continue to serve in the military put their lives on the line to keep us safe. Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton is particularly proud to support legislation that provides greater support for Nassau County’s heroes.
Recent actions by the Legislature ensure that public officers or employees will have five working days of paid leave each calendar year to obtain medical assistance for health issues specifically related to combat duty.
The Legislature also amended an existing ordinance that had previously only provided discounts to veterans of the military for the use of all facilities and activities offered by the Nassau County Parks & Recreation Department and County museums. Now, the program extends these discounts to current members of the military, Reserves and National Guard in addition to veterans as well as to existing and retired volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance corps personnel, police auxiliary units, ambulance medical technicians and police medics.
A resolution introduced by Legislator Josh Lafazan establishes a “Blue Alert” system, which is designed to engage the public in helping to potentially identify, locate, and apprehend a person or persons suspected of killing or seriously wounding a law enforcement officer. When the “Blue Alert” is issued, every possible communications outlet (TV, radio, cell phone service providers, etc.) will be notified to share details about an attack on a law enforcement officer with the public. Residents will be advised to call 911 if they think they have any information that might be helpful in locating the suspect(s).
The Legislature is honored to approve legislation that helps our brave military personnel and first responders in any way possible. Please join Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton in thanking them for their service at every possible opportunity.
