Freedom Riders Honored
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Committee of Nassau County, Inc. recently hosted their 27th Annual Awards Luncheon, where they recognized the efforts of the Freedom Riders, a courageous group of civil rights activists who rode buses to the American south to challenge segregation. Hundreds of individuals participated in the Freedom Rides, and many were beaten and arrested as a result of their participation. Mayor Andrew Hardwick said “the efforts of the Freedom Riders changed this country, and it is an honor and a privilege to meet these men and women of courage.”
During the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, the Freedom Riders were recognized at several events throughout Nassau County, including a dinner in Freeport hosted by Mayor Andrew Hardwick. The Mayor called it a privilege to welcome these four heroes to Freeport, and host a dinner in their honor.
Back row, from left: Legislator Kevan Abrahams, Dr. King Birthday Celebration Committee of Nassau County President and Founder Julius O. Pearse, Freedom Rider David Myers, and Mayor Andrew Hardwick. Front row, from left: Alana Smith, James Denton, Freedom Rider Jean Denton-Thompson, Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, and Freedom Rider Winonah Myers.
Keeping the Dream Alive
The winners of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. essay, poetry, and art contest stand with Mayor Andrew Hardwick and Dr. Kishore Kuncham, Superintendent of Freeport Schools, at "The Next Generation: Keeping the Dream Alive" event held at the Freeport Recreation Center. Mayor Hardwick, Dr. Kuncham, and others personally donated cash prizes totaling over $1,500.00, which was presented to the contest winners at the event. The contest winners also received citations from the Mayor, and a trip to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. From left to right are Mayor Andrew Hardwick, Rashid McCurty, Shania Hackett, Courtney Collins, Gabriella Thomas, Brea Baker, Brooke Baker, Tiara Carter (honorable mention), Lea Hamm, and Dr. Kishore Kuncham. Blair Baker, Drami Core, and Rose Star Pierre-Paul were also winners but were unable to attend.
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Community Band Holiday Concert
Sandra Vigliotti, President and Conductor of the Freeport Community Band, holds a citation she received on behalf of the band at their annual holiday party and concert. Mayor Andrew Hardwick enjoyed the evening of good music and fellowship with the 90 year old band which is composed of members of all ages from all over New York. Mayor Hardwick said his “vision is to have museums, cultural art centers and family based activities here in the Village, so that families can spend more quality time right here in our town”. The Mayor said he is constantly looking for ways to make Freeport a stronger and a more vibrant community.
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Freeport Unveils Solar Panel System
(Click photo to view more pictures)
In an effort to continue to keep Freeport clean and green, Mayor Andrew Hardwick, Superintendent of Electric Utilities Anthony Fiore, and other officials celebrated the completion of the 50 kW solar panel installation project on Fire Headquarters, the largest fire house and the first municipal building to receive solar panels in the Incorporated Village.
The 50 kW solar panel project will reduce the operating cost of Freeport's Fire Headquarters, a building that operates 24 hours a day and is a vital part of the community. The project will deliver approximately 20% of the building’s annual electric requirement, bringing the Village a total saving of over $7,000 per year. The total emissions will also be reduced.
"Freeport is in a unique position; there has been a significant upswing in economic development within the last two years, we have an A-1 credit rating by Moody's, we have paid $11 million in debt, the highest amount paid in Village history, and we have just made another step toward going green” Mayor Hardwick said. "There are many ways a municipality can go green and Freeport has instituted several steps to reduce its carbon footprint." In addition to installing solar panels the Village of Freeport has purchased several hybrid cars, one hybrid bucket truck, and replaced 340 street lights with an energy efficient alternative.
In an effort to encourage green energy alternatives for Freeport Electric customers, the utility company in conjunction with New York Power Authority (NYPA) offered a rebate program for customers that installed solar panels and as a result provided close to a quarter of a million dollars in rebates.
The 50 kW solar project could not have been completed without NYSERDA who administered the Department of Energy's investment of $355,027, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. ARRA funding is empowering cities, counties, and Indian tribes to create substantial benefits for their communities and the nation as a whole.
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Saluting Our Veterans
In the spirit of patriotism Freeport American Legion William Clinton Story Post #342 honored America’s military veterans, and paid special tribute to the Freeport Police Department’s military veterans at their annual Veterans Day celebration. The well attended event took place at the Freeport Recreation Center, where the Freeport High School Junior ROTC and Select Chorale also paid tribute to the veterans. Mayor Andrew Hardwick said he is “proud to be a veteran”, and after spending 10 years in the United States Army he wears his hat with pride. (L to R) Police Officer Richard Hassell, Past Commander Stephen Nicolino, Reverend Douglas Arcoleo, Mayor Andrew Hardwick, Police Officer John Jacobsen, Police Chief Miguel Bermudez, Sergeant Peck, Staff Sergeant Barrett, and Pastor Philip Prestamo.
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Golden Gathering Held In Freeport
Senator Charles Fuschillo, Jr. and Mayor Andrew Hardwick are joined by members of Freeport’s Chamber of Commerce at the Senator’s annual Golden Gathering held at the Freeport Recreation Center. The Golden Gathering brought hundreds of seniors to Freeport to receive resourceful information, free health screenings, flu shots and more. “The Golden Gathering is an event for seniors in Nassau and Suffolk counties to get information and services they need at no cost. This event could have been held a lot of places, but I am glad that Senator Fuschillo chose Freeport” said Mayor Hardwick. From left to right are Senator Charles Fuschillo, Jr., Freeport Chamber of Commerce Third Vice President Lois Howes, Freeport Chamber of Commerce President Ilona Jagnow, and Mayor Andrew Hardwik.
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Anti-Bullying Forum
The Incorporated Village of Freeport held its first “Day of Unity” featuring an Anti-Bullying Forum at Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ, where Mayor Andrew Hardwick presented citations to the event’s host and guest speakers. The Anti-Bullying Forum was the first portion of the two part event designed to set the tone of peace and unity amongst youth, as well as provide information and resources to parents about the effects of bullying. Statistics show bullying is a nationwide problem, and Mayor Andrew Hardwick says he will “continue to use a proactive approach to saving our nation’s most precious resource, the children”. From left to right are Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams; Jamie Isaacs, Founder of the Jamie Isaacs Foundation; Dr. Kishore Kuncham, Superintendent of Freeport Schools; Bishop Designate Frank A. White, Pastor of Zion Cathedral; and Mayor Andrew Hardwick.
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Governor Cuomo Chooses Freeport to Announce Refunds for Fisherman
New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo joins Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick, Village Trustees, other state and local officials, and members of the Freeport Boatmen’s Association at a press conference in Freeport. Governor Cuomo chose Freeport, a beautiful seaside community, and the second largest Incorporated Village in the State of New York to announce that recreational fisherman and charter boat operators will be refunded in full for their saltwater fishing license fees. The Governor’s announcement means a lot to the Freeport community, as many anglers call Freeport home. Mayor Andrew Hardwick says he is “pleased that New York State’s highest ranking official chose Freeport to make his announcement”.
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Moody's Gives Mayor Hardwick an "A+" on Village Finances
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"Freeport's Got Talent" Application |
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FREEPORT STUDENTS ADOPT-A-COP
Hundreds of students attended the annual Adopt-A-Cop held at the Freeport Recreation Center, which included a variety of demonstrations by the Freeport Police K-9 Team, Nassau County Police Highway Patrol, Nassau County’s Helicopter Patrol and more. This nationally recognized program develops ongoing relationships between the students and members of the police department. Mayor Andrew Hardwick and Chief of Police, Miguel Bermudez are joined by students at the Recreation Center.
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Mayor HARDWICK AND county EXECUTIVE Mangano visit site
Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick joined by County and Freeport officials as they tour a Community Block Grant funded site currently under construction. The site, located on North Main Street, in Freeport, will soon become a Dialysis Center. The County Executive and the Mayor are committed to this economic development which will create many jobs.
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MAYOR EXTENDS AN INVITATION TO FREEPORT BUSINESS OWNERS
Mayor Andrew Hardwick in conjunction with the Freeport Community Development Agency invites Freeport business owners to be a part of the “I Chose Freeport” campaign. The campaign involves real-life business people who made the decision to bring their business to the Village and how well it’s been working out for them and for Freeport.
Local cable subscribers have been able to view the campaign on Cablevision Channel 18 and Verizon Channel 44 respectively. With plans to expand the campaign in the coming weeks and months, Mayor Andrew Hardwick and the Freeport Community Development Agency invite all Freeport businesses to be a part of the “I Chose Freeport” campaign. If you would like your business to be included, contact the Mayor’s Office at (516) 377-2252.
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Freeport Receives $1 Million Dollar Down Payment for Road Repairs
(Pictured Left to Right: Freeport Police Chief Michael Woodward, LIRR President Helena Williams, Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick, New York State Assembly Deputy Speaker Earlene Hooper, New York State Senate President Pro Tem Malcolm A. Smith, and Freeport Village Attorney Howard E. Colton)
Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick joined Senate President Pro Tem Malcolm A. Smith, and State Senator Kevin Parker on Friday to present the Village of Freeport with a $1 million grant from the New York State Senate for much needed road repairs.
The grant is the first installment of a 3 year, $5 million capital allocation for road repairs funded through the New York State Multi-Modal Transportation program. The Department of Transportation is responsible for administering and financing the project.
“The State Senate is committed to investing in the future of Freeport and New York. On behalf of the State Senate and Senator Martin Malave Dilan, Chairman of the Transportation Committee, we are presenting a grant today that will put people to work immediately on much needed road repairs and lay the foundation for Freeport’s long-term growth,” said Senate President Malcolm A. Smith.
“Investment in, and the maintenance of our transportation system puts people to work and helps to keep goods and people moving. This investment in Freeport’s infrastructure will go to maintain the condition of, and extend the useful life of its roads,” said Senator Martin Malavé Dilan, D-Brooklyn. “In doing so we help to bolster Freeport’s work force, energize the community and ensure safer travel.”
“Public works projects provide the jobs New Yorkers need during these troubled economic times, and are a vital building block for private economic activity. By investing in Freeport’s roads and infrastructure, the State Senate will help Freeport attract and retain jobs, and remain a desirable place to live and do business in the coming decades ,”said State Senator Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn).
“I want to thank Senator Malcolm Smith, Senator Dilan, Senator Kevin Parker and the New York State Senate for making this down payment on Freeport’s future. Freeport’s infrastructure is in dire need of repair, and the Senate has made an important investment in our community. Together, we will build a better future for everyone, ”said Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick.
“Freeport is one of the most diverse communities on Long Island. It provides its residents and businesses with crucial service through its publicly-owned utilities. It is important for the State to make the crucial infrastructure investments necessary to maintain Freeport’s future growth and quality of life,” said Deputy Speaker of the NY State Assembly Deputy Speaker Earlene Hooper.
Deputy Speaker of the NY State Assembly Earlene Hooper joined Mayor Hardwick and Senators Smith and Parker and Mayor Hardwick for the ceremonial presentation of the $1 Million dollar check.
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Mayor Andrew Hardwick invites Freeport residents to voice their concerns at his weekly Quality-of-Life Meetings, held Mondays (except holidays and Board Meeting Nights) from 6-7:30pm in the Village Trustees Boardroom on the second floor of Village Hall with Deputy Mayor Carmen Pineyro. Meetings are open to the public
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