Politics & Government

Mineola Mayor's Message: 2013, Sandy Aid Bill and Snow Emergencies

Mayor Scott Strauss weighs in on failure of U.S. House to pass relief aid package.

The following are the opening remarks of Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss made during the public meeting of the Mineola Village Board on Jan. 2, 2013:

The Mineola Fire Department’s Operation: Santa was a success. It was coordinated by ex-Chief Gary Mazur and run by the entire fire department family. Together they helped get Santa to approximately 200 houses, visiting countless children, bringing Christmas cheer to each and every one of them. Trustee (Paul) Cusato and I took pleasure in attending many of those nights and it’s just a great, great program.

Snow season’s here. We had a false alarm, thankfully the other night. With that comes snow emergencies and the clearing of roads. I’ve mentioned many times before, please whenever two or more inches of snow is predicted, you need to move your cars off the streets until the roads are clear. This will help us in our snow removal operations. I have to warn you we will be out issuing summonses whenever we get two or more inches of snow. I’ve said this many, many times before it’s not about getting additional revenue for the village, it’s about getting the roads cleared and people to comply with that.

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Please also hit the village’s website, sign up for village e-mails so you can get notifications at the snow emergencies and any other topics that we might be pushing out to as many people as we possibly can. I’d like to remind all residents and business owners of their responsibility to clear snow around any fire hydrant adjacent to your property. Doing so can literally mean the difference between life and death, not only to the occupants of the home, but also anybody who lives on that block. If a hydrant’s in front of a neighbor’s house who can’t clear the snow from it, please take a few minutes and do it for him. It helps you as much as anybody else.

Unbelievably, the United States House of Representatives has failed to pass the Hurricane Sandy Relief package, which was backed by the President and approved by the U.S. Senate. New York has always supported assistance of states across the nation who have been devastated by national disasters. The House of Representatives has decided not to help us, not to help our friends and families who have had their homes and businesses destroyed and in some cases, have even lost their lives due to the storm.

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In my opinion and making matters worse, is that we send supplies and funds to other countries without batting an eye, yet the House has turned down a request to help here at home: us. I implore you to contact our senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand as well as Carolyn McCarthy, our representative in the House as well as Speaker of the House John Boehner and voice your displeasure and ask them to revisit this relief package and get it passed. It could be you that are harmed some day.

2013 has just begun. I hope this new year beings you and your families good health and a safe, happy 2013.


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