Durso: Redistricting Process Should Be Fair

A letter to the editor from the President of the Long Island Federation of Labor.

The following is from John R. Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor: It is the bedrock of American democracy that every citizen's vote carries equal importance. Whether or not one's vote truly finds expression in the final count is largely impacted by redistricting, a process we go through every 10 years. While the subject typically fails to garner much public attention, insiders know there's a lot at stake. The way that voters are segregated into districts has an enormous influence on who our representatives are, and can ultimately shape public policies for the next decade. Historically, the task of redrawing district lines has been left to the hands of the very politicians whose political futures will be impacted. Too …

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Poll: What Constitutes a Passing Grade?

Holy Trinity has decided to make it "70." What do you think?

Holy Trinity Diocesan High School in Hicksville just announced that a passing grade for their students in all courses will be 70, effective in the next school year. The decision, Trinity officials said, comes after careful consideration and discussions involving the faculty and administration.  What if 65 didn't cut it anymore in public schools? Is it time to increase the standards that constitute a passing grade? What do you consider a passing grade at home or work? Is it 80. Or 95? Take our poll and weigh in with your comments.

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POLL: What To Do With Allen Park?

The Town is acquiring land to expand the Farmingdale park built next to a Superfund site. What should be built there?

The Town of Oyster Bay wants to buy two Heisser Lane properties for the proposed expansion of Allen Park, the controversial Farmingdale recreation area that is partially located on a Superfund site. All sorts of ideas have been floated for the expansion after decades of environmental cleanup, first by the EPA then by the Town. Town officials claim the Farmingdale area of Oyster Bay is underserved by recreational centers. Take our poll: What would you like to see put there? Are you willing to pay for it?

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Weigh in on Who Will Win the GOP Presidential Nomination

The Republican race took another surprising turn on Tuesday. What will be the final result?

The Republican race for president has taken a number of twists and turns over the last year. There have been several candidates who've been frontrunners only to drop back or even drop out. Things have become even wilder since the first contest in Iowa last month. The latest twist occurred Tuesday when former Senator Rick Santorum, whose campaign seemed to be losing steam, won three contests including a shocking win in Colorado. The wins were seen setbacks for Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. We want to know how you think this will end. We're not asking you who you want to see win the nomination. We want you to tell us who you think will be the eventual nominee.  Take our poll below and weigh in with your comments.

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Why You're the World's Biggest Giants Fan

Did you name your son Eli, get a helmet tattoo on your neck or paint your RV Big Blue? Tell us your stories of ultimate New York Giants fandom.

Sports is about much more than games. It’s about how we celebrate our teams, obsess over athletes, recite statistics and even party. It can dictate what we wear, where we vacation and even who we marry.  The New York Giants face the San Francisco 49ers Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EST (Fox-TV) for the right to play in the Super Bowl. So as we count the days to the NFC Championship Game and recount the improbable, plucky run by the Giants, it’s also time to celebrate our fandom. Everyone has that fan-tastic story: Did you name your son Eli (or Tiki), get a helmet tattoo on your neck or paint your RV Big Blue? Maybe you’re a fourth-generation season ticket holder or proposed to your girlfriend at halftime.  Tell us your stories of ultimate New York …

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Hey Massapequa: What's Your Cat's Name?

The dog days are over. Now It's time for the cats.

Last week, we found out the top dog names in the country and Massapequa voted on their top names for dogs. Now it's time to vote on the top cat names. Bella, Max, Chloe, Oliver and Lucy were the top five cat names of 2011, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance Co (VPI), which sorted its database of more than 485,000 insured pets to determine last year's most popular pet names. Rounding out the top 10 names for felines were Shadow, Smokey, Tiger, Charlie and Tigger. There must be a correlation between animal lovers and Twilight fans because  Bella was also a top 2011 dog name. There are also the felines with slightly stranger names, like those that topped Veterinary Pet Insurance's top 10 most unusual dog and cat names of 2011. What is your…

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Hey Massapequa: What's Your Dog's Name?

Most popular dog names of 2011: Post a photo of your pooch and share with us your best friend's name.

Everyone knows Massapequa is a doggone fun town. Chances are your best friend is named Bella, Bailey, Max, Lucy or Molly. That's according to Veterinary Pet Insurance Co (VPI) and Petfinder.com, which released the most popular dog names in 2011. Bella, Bailey, Max, Lucy and Molly were the five most popular dog names. Rounding out the top 10 are: Buddy, Daisy, Maggie, Charlie and Sophie. What's your dog's name? Take our Patch poll, and if it's not on there, add it in the comments. And while you are here -- upload a photo of your pet. No pooch? Don't feel left out. If you are in the market for a dog in the new year, try adopting from the Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter. (Cat lovers, don't fret! We'll run a similar poll soon on your four-…

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On Plainview

COLUMN: Broadway Joe Blowing Smoke

The LIRR has banned smoking on its open-air platforms. No open-containers tonight, either. Are party hats OK?

If you're among the brave souls headed tonight for that rollicking alcohol-free, boxed-in and patted-down police state that was once home to a real New Year's Eve party, be advised: The Long Island Rail Road is watching out for your best interests. That should really give you pause. The latest MTA edict is that all open containers will be banned in their stations and platforms from noon on Saturday through sometime New Year's Day, presumably when the hangovers are in full swing. This unenforceable measure of homeland insecurity comes on the heels of the MTA's Nov. 13 declaration when, without offering a reason, the LIRR banned smoking on its open-air platforms. The LIRR never needs a reason, does it? _Only excuses_. They even enlisted …

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Pearson: 'Honored to Have Had the Opportunity'

Letter from candidate for Nassau County Legislature thanks voters.

The race for the 14th Legislative District has officially come to a close. This was an extraordinary experience, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to represent you.  Although we fell short of winning by about 100 votes, I’m exceptionally proud of the race we ran, and that it was so close! I extend my deepest gratitude to my entire team, the many who supported me, and of course, to the voters who supported me at the polls.  I wish Legislator Belesi and the people of the 14th Legislative District the best of luck as we move forward during these troubling times in Nassau County. I look forward to remaining active as both a political and community advocate, and hope that you will do the same. Thank you all for your help, and I will …

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The Doctor is in

A Silent Killer

Take steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Those lazy days of summer are sadly behind us and more of our activities move indoors as winter approaches. But you may have a hidden danger in your home. It sneaks up on you when you least expect it, silent, invisible and deadly and can kill you without leaving a trace in a matter of minutes. It’s carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is a leading cause each year of unintentional death from poison. Carbon monoxide is produced by combustible fumes that burn gas, petroleum products, wood, or other fuels. The danger occurs when too much carbon monoxide accumulates in a space that is poorly ventilated. If appliances that burn fuel like gas ovens are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of …

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