Friday, January 29, 2010

Town of Hempstead Free Income Tax Preparation for Seniors

Hempstead Town's VITA Program Offers Seniors Free Income Tax Return Preparation Service
January 26, 2010

Entering its 35th year, the Town of Hempstead's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is poised to provide free income tax preparation services for senior residents. Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has announced the upcoming schedule of dates and locations for the VITA Program. VITA volunteers have received training, sponsored by Hempstead Town's Department of Senior Enrichment under the auspices of the Internal Revenue Service, and will be assigned to locations throughout Hempstead Town during the tax season.

"Our outstanding group of VITA volunteers is prepared to provide invaluable aid to seniors throughout the tax season at various town senior centers and local libraries," said Supervisor Murray. "For the past 34 years, this free service has helped senior residents prepare their federal and state income tax returns and secure every penny of the refunds to which they are entitled."

"Through innovative programs such as VITA, Hempstead Town continues to offer senior residents excellent services," stated Councilman Edward Ambrosino. "I encourage all senior residents interested in having their federal and state tax returns prepared by a VITA volunteer to contact our Department of Senior Enrichment for VITA site information."

Participants must bring last year's tax return (2008), all wage and earning statements (W2 and 1099), all interest dividend and pension statements, 2009 property tax receipts, STAR exemption records, New York State IT 214 booklet (if applicable), social security cards and photo identification of all those filing tax returns. Most VITA sites require that an appointment be made in advance.

"Our outstanding VITA volunteers are ready to help you obtain the maximum allowable refund, so please make an appointment and take advantage of this free service," concluded Supervisor Murray.

To obtain a VITA Program schedule, senior residents may visit the town's website at www.TOH.LI or call the Department of Senior Enrichment at (516) 485-8100.

Elmont Fire Department Haiti Relief

The Elmont Fire Department is hosting a “Haiti Relief” comedy show on Saturday Night February 27th 2010. The show will be hosted by the comedian Chris Monty. The show will be at Elmont Fire Dept. Headquarters located at 95 Lehrer Ave. Elmont. $40 dollars a person for dinner, show, and beer, wine, and soda. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 8:00 P.M.
Chris Gioia 1st Assistant Chief F.S.M.F.D.

For Tickets and Info Call
Chief Pedro Vera 1 347 234 6229
Chief Jimmy Prince 1 347- 234 6227

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Town of Hempstead Go Direct Month

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has proclaimed February "Go Direct Month" and is encouraging seniors who receive federal benefits, such as social security income, to use direct deposit.

"Hempstead Town is very proud to join dozens of other municipalities throughout the country in declaring February 'Go Direct Month,'" said Supervisor Kate Murray.

Go Direct is a national campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank, designed to motivate more seniors to direct deposit their social security checks and other federal benefits. Direct deposit eliminates the risk of stolen checks and forgeries and helps protect people from identity theft. Go Direct works in conjunction with local municipalities such as the Town of Hempstead, so seniors are informed about the program by an entity that they already know and trust.

"Identity theft is a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your finances, ruin your credit and impact your daily life," stated Supervisor Murray. "Not only is it extremely convenient to have monthly social security income checks directly deposited into bank accounts, it eliminates the risk of stolen checks and forgeries."

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, electronic payments are more secure, reliable and cost effective than paper checks because they help to protect against check theft and fraud, they provide easier access to funds during emergencies and natural disasters and provide citizens with more control over their money.

"I encourage all seniors to consider having their federally-issued checks directly deposited so that their money and identity do not end up in the wrong hands," concluded Murray.

To sign up for direct deposit, please call the toll-free helpline at (800) 333-1795, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or visit GoDirect.org.

The Go Direct campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve Banks. The Go Direct and Direct Express logos, Go Direct and Direct Express are service marks of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service (used with permission). The Direct Express Debit MasterCard card is issued by Comerica Bank, pursuant to a license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Hate Crimes

In the late summer and early fall of 2009, 39 teens from all over Nassau County volunteered to participate in a plain, straight, uninhibited video about hate crime. Teens talking to teens about what a hate crime is and the real world ramifications of committing a hate crime. This video visually demonstrates that turning hateful thoughts about a group into action is Crossing the Line

http://www.pjads.com/ncpd-hatevideo.htm

This video was produced for the Nassau County Police Department, under the auspices of Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Nassau County Commissioner of Police Lawrence W. Mulvey, which is only part of a greater educational project created by bias crime experts and Nassau County educators.
For more information about this program please email: communityaffairs@pdcn.org

Friday, January 22, 2010

Town of Hempstead Haiti Relief Efforts

Hempstead Town To Collect Non-Monetary Items For Haiti Relief Efforts
January 21, 2010

Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby and Councilman Edward Ambrosino, along with the entire town board, have assembled collection sites throughout Hempstead Town, encouraging residents to support the ongoing relief efforts in the wake of the recent earthquake disaster that has ravaged Haiti.

"Residents want to help in any way they can, and for some that means donating items," said Supervisor Murray. "We want to assist residents in their efforts to provide meaningful support to our brothers and sisters in Haiti."

The Town of Hempstead will be setting up 11 locations throughout the town as collection sites. Those locations are:
1. Hempstead Town Hall, One Washington Street, Hempstead (ground floor and first floor)
2. The lobby of 200 North Franklin Street, Hempstead
3. Town of Hempstead Sanitation Administration Building, Merrick Road, Merrick
4. Elmont Road Park, Elmont
5. Averill Boulevard Park, Elmont
6. Hendrickson Avenue Park, Elmont
7. Dutch Broadway Park, Elmont
8. Uniondale Avenue Park, Uniondale
9. Smith Street Park, Uniondale
10. Cedar Street Park, Uniondale
11. Levittown Hall, Levittown Parkway, Hicksville

Items that are being collected for donation include bottled water, non-perishable foods, bedding, tarps, collapsible water containers, summer clothing, disposable gloves, toiletries, baby supplies, flashlights, batteries and over-the-counter medical supplies. The town web site at www.toh.li will provide the listing of items to donate as well as a complete listing of relief agencies and their phone numbers to make a financial donation.

In addition, the Town of Hempstead has partnered with the Elmont, Uniondale and Levittown School Districts in relief collection efforts for non-monetary donations. "The community of Uniondale has suffered many losses," noted Councilwoman Goosby, "and Hempstead Town remains committed to helping them in this time of great need."

"The people who survived the earthquake have lost just about everything and are living in very challenging conditions," said Councilman Ambrosino.

"Anything that our residents can donate will have a positive impact on the lives of those who have lost so much," concluded Murray.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Crime Stoppers

Fifth Squad detectives are investigating a robbery that occurred on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 6:25 P.M. in Franklin Square.
According to detectives, the victim exited the CVS Store located at 640 Franklin Ave. and was walking to her vehicle when suspect 1, described as a male, white, teen, 5’3”, wearing a blue nylon hooded jacket with white stripes on the sleeves, approached her from the side and attempted to take her pocketbook. A struggle ensued at which time suspect 2, described as a female, white, teen, with dark hair in a ponytail, wearing a dark baggy hooded sweatshirt, came up from behind the victim and knocked her to the ground. As the victim continued to struggle with both suspects a third suspect, described as a male, white, teen, 5’7”, wearing a dark colored jacket, began kicking her. The victim lost her grip on the pocketbook and all three suspects fled on foot with the pocketbook through a creek bed that is located in the rear of CVS. Detectives ask anyone with information on the above robbery to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Silver Alert

SILVER ALERT

The Silver Alert Program has been established in order to disseminate immediate information to local media, hospitals and other organizations when a senior citizen or other individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other cognitive disorders goes missing.


Date and Time: 01/05/10 5:00 P.M.

Missing Person’s Name: Eric Fornaris

Missing Person’s Age: 91

Physical Description: 5’8” tall, approximately 180 lbs., medium complexion, gray short straight hair, brown eyes, tattoo of a sword on his right arm

Last Seen Wearing: Unknown

Missing Person was last seen at: 60 Horton Ave., Lynbrook

Motor Vehicle and direction of travel: 1993 Toyota Pase 2Dr Blue, NY Reg. BKS9459, possible destinations Wendy’s in Lynbrook, Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds in Valley Stream

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

SILVER ALERT

The Silver Alert Program has been established in order to disseminate immediate information to local media, hospitals and other organizations when a senior citizen or other individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other cognitive disorders goes missing.


Date and Time: 01/03/2010 2315

Missing Person’s Name: Mohammed Saleem

Missing Person’s Age: 22

Physical Description: Indian male, 5’4, 145 lbs., Down’s Syndrome, deaf, mute, tattoos on arms of former address and telephone number

Last Seen Wearing: Unknown

Missing Person was last seen at: Horton Avenue and Merrick Road, Lynbrook

Motor Vehicle and direction of travel: N/A