Hempstead Town Notebook: Taxpayer Forums, Theater Files for Liquor License
A weekly look-in at news from around the Town of Hempstead.
Clavin to Hold Taxpayer Forums
Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin has announced his winter series of taxpayer forums at local libraries. As part of his job to make government work effectively for the residents of the township, Clavin will discuss important issues such as assessment challenges, tax exemptions, tax discounts, property tax payment dates and convenient tax payment options.
Tax Forums are scheduled as follows:
- Jan. 12, 2 p.m. - Lynbrook Library, 56 Eldert St.
- Jan. 17, 1 p.m. - Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road
- Jan. 19, 1 p.m. - Hewlett-Woodmere Library, 1125 Broadway
- Jan. 25, 2 p.m. - Oceanside Public Library, 30 Davison Ave.
- Jan. 26, 2 p.m. - Levittown Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane
- Feb. 2, 2 p.m. - Hempstead Library, 115 Nichols Court
- Feb. 8, 1 p.m. - Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike
- Feb. 9, 2 p.m. - Baldwin Library, 2385 Grand Ave.
- Feb. 21, 2 p.m. - Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave.
Forums are free, and all are welcome to attend. For further information about taxpayer forums, please call the Office of the Receiver of Taxes at (516) 538-1500.
Town Rallies Against Movie Theater Liquor License
A national movie theatre company, American Multi-Cinema, Inc., has announced its intention to file an application for a license to sell beer, wine and liquor at the theater.
The Town of Hempstead rallied in front of the AMC Loews Nassau Metroplex 10 in Levittown on Saturday to oppose the movie theater's decision to file for a liquor license.
Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Gary Hudes -- both Levittown residents themselves -- expressed their opposition to the theater's application in a letter dated Dec. 9.
“The safety of our children is at stake," Murray said. "The sale of alcoholic beverages in a wholesome neighborhood cinema is an outrageous idea.”
Town Unveils Wind Turbine
On Monday, the town unveiled a state-of-the-art wind turbine that will provide the energy necessary to create hydrogen gas, which is being used to power the town’s fuel cell cars. This “closed loop” energy system is completely green in producing fuel for vehicles that emit no pollutants.
The wind turbine, which is located the township’s Conservation and Waterways Department in Point Lookout, stands 121 feet tall. The “windmill” is capable of generating up to 180 megawatts of power per year.
Powered by winds off the Atlantic coast, the turbine will provide an almost continuous source of energy that will facilitate a water-to-hydrogen process. The resulting hydrogen fuel is dispensed from Long Island’s only hydrogen fueling station, located adjacent to the turbine. Ultimately, the hydrogen fuel is utilized to power Toyota fuel-cell vehicles operated by the town, as well as a hydrogen/natural gas bus.
The town is negotiating with another major fuel-cell vehicle manufacturer to secure additional cars.
Funding for the wind turbine was drawn from a $4.6-million United States Department of Energy grant secured by the Town of Hempstead. The wind-powered device had a total cost of almost $615,000. Additionally, electrical and marine bulkheading work associated with the project was performed “in-house” by town personnel, and had an estimated private sector value of over $150,000.
donald davidson
9:45 am on Sunday, December 18, 2011
The hysteria behind the sale of alcohol at a movie theater is insanity. For elected officials to stage a rally against a local business that wants to sell a product that is perfectly legal AND SOLD AT EVERY WHOLESOME AMERICAN SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENT is a waste of my taxpayer dollars . Why is it okay to sell liquor at Applebees, The radio City Christmas show, Muppets on ice and not a movie theater? What madness overtakes these people. At The Beacon , the Nassau Coliseum and The Garden you can buy beer at a concert but at the Jones Beach Theater you cannot, and yet you can right outside the gate at the beach concession stand. Kate Murray and Gary Hudes are the lowest form of politician, pandering to the crowd and bombing my mailbox with inane and extraordinarily expensive mailings that I pay for , for issues that do not concern me. It's re-election by press release. I'm surprised that Peter King wasn't there to decry hidden muslim influence in the movies. You should all be ashamed.
donald davidson
9:49 am on Sunday, December 18, 2011
And by the way, I have never been a consumer of alcohol. This is just an issue about hysterical personal intrusion in the business world. I eagerly await an intelligent explanation of why a movie theater is different from every other public gathering spot.
Resident
12:11 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
The point is that yes these establishments do sell alcohol. But because they do does it mean that this "family theater" should. On any given night the majority of patrons are kids. We have Fridays right across the way if anyone is looking for a bar. If this was in a different location I would be all for it as it is a unique idea. I would even attend.
Bojames
1:54 pm on Friday, December 23, 2011
Because just like bars kids should not be there with alcohol in a"public " place. The potential for drunken, stupid behavior is real. Been to a football, baseball game lately? Do you like the cursing, etc of young drunks ruining a family outing? Well that IS what will happen at theaters. Why do people need to drink in a theater ? We ahve not had liquor in movies all my life and it seems to be working well. Do we have to give into every money making idea a company comes up with?jJust go to a bar.
Joemodeler
2:09 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
So I guess the resident(s) and politicians have decided for this privately owned profit oriented business establishment that they can only operate in their defined words a “family theatre” ? As a resident of Levittown I would like Fridays to be void of kids and loud obnoxious families because I want Levittown Friday's to have the atmosphere of a high end Italian restaurant. Their you go. Let’s get placards and stand outside and protest Friday’s. Disclaimer: I do not consume much alcohol.
Joemodeler
4:11 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
To add to donald davidson's comment. My wife and I went to the Town of Babylon's Tanner Park for an outdoor concert wherein the concert goers had to bring there own chairs and other comforts. We were allowed to sit anywhere in a very large field. We were surprised to learn that the Town had a contract with a vendor to sell alcohol. We thought it was a great idea. By the way we sat in the dark and there were plenty of kids around and no nanny state guards walking among our chairs. Further, if you were playing tennis or sitting in your car you could take that alcohol there as well.
Rosaleen Reisert
4:31 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
not a good idea. So everybody comes out of the movie theatre blasted and get in your car and drive. no not a good idea!
Joemodeler
5:45 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
Not a good idea. So everybody comes out of the bar, restaurant and bowling alley and get in your car and drive. no not a good idea ! We should have no drinking anywhere. Unbelievable. I have a hunch that MADD is somewhere behind this ant-this. The nanny state continues.
Diane Stephan
9:31 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
People still go to the movies?
John Rennhack
10:45 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
Apparantly unsupervised toddlers and raging alcoholics if you believe the opponents.
Diane Stephan
9:19 am on Monday, December 19, 2011
Maybe the solution would be to limit a person to two beers (wine) during the showing. This way you won't have anyone p i s s drunk and still satisfy the drinkers pallet. Also, not serving booze until after 5:00pm. Just a thought.
donald davidson
9:26 am on Monday, December 19, 2011
very reasonable approach Diane. However, It will never fly with the hysterical mommies and the pandering politicians. If it was up to some of these posters, we'd go back to prohibition.
and John, very funny post.
John Rennhack
9:48 am on Monday, December 19, 2011
I concur with Diane. A limit would be fine. I mean I would need more than 2 beers (alot more) to get through Twilight but it would be better if I didn't see it. A social drinker doesn't need more than 2 drinks in the span of a movie.
ANd thank you Donald.
Diane Stephan
9:56 am on Monday, December 19, 2011
A washable hand stamp would be the way to keep track for the server. Each time you get a drink, you get stamped and have to show the server. Two stamps, you're out.
Thomas
9:58 am on Monday, December 19, 2011
Skip all this nonsense. Just sneak in a pint of your favorite liquor and buy a soda.
Katy
1:01 pm on Monday, December 19, 2011
I am a Long Island "Mommy" and I cannot believe that Kate Murray has nothing better to do. Surely there are other issues that she could be addressing. What about all the graffetti in Westbury? What about the holiday break-ins in Salisbury? FYI - I think it's a great idea to have alcohol at the theater. More sales = better business = lower taxes.
donald davidson
1:16 pm on Monday, December 19, 2011
Long Island has become the land of NO!!!! Every time you read that someone plans to build something, every single time, you can respond, "no they won't" because 20 people will come out and scream like hell. You can't build anything on sunrise hway because people live backed to the businesses (thats why their house was cheap) and now they oppose any business of any kind. You can't build housing because kids will move in and mess up the schools, and you certainly cannot build anything big like the Coliseum or Pilgrim state or Kings park. It's just never going to happen again. and yet somehow that ridiculous mall in Westbury got built. Right next to closed fortunoffs and Borders and a half empty source mall... yeah... part time seasonal minimum wage jobs for everyone...
Mac
3:16 pm on Friday, December 23, 2011
Nassau County and the TOH is the land of NO and has been for many years. until these politicians start working together for the people it will continue this way. Let LOEWS sell its alcohol responsibly then if there are problems address it then. There are far more drinkers at the bowling alley on any given sunday afternoon where unsupervised children walk in and out. If I choose to have a drink at a movie that allows it so be it. Who knows if I would though if a soda is 8.00 how much would a drink be? That alone may limit people to one.
Lloyd
7:25 pm on Monday, December 19, 2011
Serving booze in the theaters might get people to start going back there, especially if they start showing some decent movies. But after a few Stoli's on the Rocks, even the crappy movies might be more tolerable.
Local taxi companies could have a field day at the theatres driving home those who indulged in a few too many. But with a lousy bag of popcorn and a small Coke at 5 bucks apiece, I cant imagine what they would charge for the hard stuff.
Lloyd
8:29 am on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
How about selling liquor at L .B. City Council meetings.
That might liven up the debates.
awesome
10:24 am on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
From what I hear there's plenty of booze at the Council meetings and Sofield's the one drinking it all.
Lloyd
9:09 pm on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Any councilman ever get picked up for DWI?
Bojames
2:04 pm on Friday, December 23, 2011
Tax forums?? Ask Clavin why some people get huge exemptions under Real Property Law 460 Minister/Clergy exemption on ministers PRIVATE owned property . Law says it should be $1500, but there are exemptions as high as $13,000 in Hewlett Woodmere UFSD 14The exemptions can be this high in YOUR district due to the 0.25% equalization rate. A windfall to these property owners.