Last Monday evening I attended a Half Hollow Hills Board of Education Meeting where the Board of Education voted unanimously to oppose the proposition to create council districts in the Town of Huntington.  The Half Hollow Hills PTA Council had passed a resolution against council districts earlier.

During the public comments portion several people spoke in support of the board’s position.  The PTA Council President, CorrieAnn Young, gave a stirring speech about keeping the district united for the benefit of all the residents of the area.  Alissa Taff, President of the Civic Association of Sweet Hollow (former President of the School Board) and Sheila Saks of the House Beautiful at Dix Hills Civic Association spoke against council districts.  Former Town Councilman, Ken Christiansen also spoke and expressed his opposition to the proposal.  They all expressed their desire to keep Huntington whole and not divide it.  The opponents to the proposed council districts have listed their concerns at www.KeepHuntingtonWhole.com.

The special election for Huntington residents to vote for or against council (ward) districts is scheduled for December 22.  Below are the cut-off dates for the election:

On Arbor Day Atlantic Nurseries of Dix Hills is donating and planting 5 trees at the Half Hollow Hills Library on Vanderbilt Parkway.  The service project is part of the nationwide Day of Service organized by the members of PLANET, a national lawn and landscape association.  So mark your calendars for April 22, 2009, Arbor Day at 10 AM.   Contact Gisela Schaefer at 631-586-6237 with any questions about this event.  The Schaefer family and Atlantic Nurseries have always been involved with beautifying our community and their efforts are appreciated by all.

Congratulations to three Half Hollow Hills high school seniors who were named 2009 National Merit Scholarship finalists – based on the high marks they received on their Preliminary SAT tests.  Lauren Feldman and Mathew Klein from High School West and Julia Goldberg from High School East are the recipients of this prestigious award.

Pam Schwartz, Melville, recently was presented with a Proclamation naming her the 2009 Woman of Distinction from Legislator Lou D’Amaro for her efforts in raising more than $450,000 for the American Cancer Society.  She was instrumental in bringing ”Relay for Life” to the Half Hollow Hills School District in 2007.  During her two years as co-chair, the event was recognized as one of the top 10 Relay for Life events in the country.  This very popular event has broad-based community support, and we say, “Thank You!” for her work and dedication to this very worthy cause.