On December 10, Village of Islandia residents came out to celebrate the holidays at the village’s eleventh annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. “Joe the Singing Bus Driver” performed under the big tent as he played guitar and sang holiday songs, while residents enjoyed hot cocoa, coffee and cookies. After the tree was lit, Santa Claus came down to give out toys to the good little boys and girls of Islandia. The children also received candy canes, courtesy of Mrs. Claus.
Newsday recently reported that the Islandia Village Board introduced its budget for next year. The proposed $4.4 million budget calls for a 25% tax cut, which means the average household would save approximately $200 in village taxes. The reduction in taxes would be financed through its $47 million taxpayer relief agreement with Delaware North, which will lease space at the Marriott Hotel for the installation of 1,000 Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) at the hotel. Read Article
On November 5, the Village of Islandia held its annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Triangle. Mayor Allan M. Dorman, a Vietnam veteran, was joined by local elected officials, war veterans and representatives from the Lakeland and Central Islip Fire Departments to honor those who served and continue to serve in the armed forces.
There was a musical performance by the Central Islip High School marching band before the ceremony. Jim Altonji, Deacon, St. Joseph Parish in Ronkonkoma, and Tom Brauner, Chaplain, Col. Francis S. Midura Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #12144, delivered the invocation.
During the ceremony, Mayor Dorman asked those in attendance to remember those local residents who served in the military and have since passed on. He also recognized all the local veterans’ groups that were in attendance. The ceremony ended with village officials joining war veterans in placing a wreath and bouquets of roses in front of the memorial.
After the ceremony, attendees went home with a gift bag containing an American flag and a green light bulb. They were asked to replace their outdoor lights with the green light bulb on Veterans Week as part of the “Greenlight a Vet” program, which honors those who served our country.
In conjunction with National Fire Prevention Month, the Village of Islandia distributed free smoke detectors to the first 100 families during its Pancake Breakfast with the Mayor on October 29. The smoke detector giveaway kept in line with this year’s theme, “Don’t Wait — Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.”
Michael Zaleski, Fire Marshal, Village of Islandia, and members of the Central Islip Fire Department were on hand to answer questions regarding home safety and fire prevention. Robert Sutton, Fire Prevention Officer, Central Islip Fire Department — who has organized and facilitated numerous fire safety programs for the residents — hosted demonstrations in the department’s “Safety Trailer,” showing residents how to stay safe in the event of a house fire and distributed literature and other items regarding fire prevention.
National Fire Prevention Month helps raise awareness on fire safety, provides information on how people can prevent fires from happening, and how to stay safe in the event of a fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a fire occurs every 24 seconds nationwide. Due in part to the use of portable heating devices, the colder months tend to be a time of increased home fires, making October the ideal month to communicate fire safety.
During the Pancake Breakfast, Mayor Allan M. Dorman and Village volunteers served pancakes to the residents in attendance. There were also donuts and other breakfast items provided by Dunkin’ Donuts of Islandia.
In the spirit of Halloween, the Village of Islandia donated 235 pumpkins to Andrew T. Morrow Elementary School for the students to bring home. On October 27, the school children were given the opportunity to take home their own pumpkins.
More than 500 residents endured the rain as they celebrated Halloween at The Village of Islandia’s 11th annual Pumpkin Fest on the grounds of Village Hall on October 22. Throughout the event, children decorated their pumpkins, took part in a Halloween costume parade and contest and joined their families on hayrides. Islandia’s own “Joe the Singing Bus Driver” was there to tell spooky stories and sing Halloween songs to the children.
The village also provided guests with hot cocoa, cider and cookies. All the residents left with their very own pumpkins.
As part of its continuing partnership with the school, the Village of Islandia and Breslin Realty sponsored a field trip for approximately 220 students from Andrew T. Morrow Elementary School to go apple picking at Seven Ponds Orchard in Water Mill on September 28.
Some of the children in the Village attend the school and this is the Village’s way of providing an opportunity to enjoy this fall activity.
On September 23, two Islandia residents — Victor Montanez and Raul Jimenez Cintron — were honored at the Hispanic Heritage Awards Ceremony at Sachem Public Library in Holbrook. The event was presented by the Office of New York State Senator Thomas D. Croci.
Mr. Montanez and Mr. Cintron, who are also members of Col. Francis S. Midura Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #12144 in Islandia, were two of seven honorees who were recognized for their dedication to improving their local communities and serving as role models in the Hispanic community. The pair was nominated by Islandia Mayor Allan M. Dorman for the honor.
A 43-year Village resident, Mr. Montanez was born in the Bronx. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy where he reached the rank of E-4 Airman. His service included involvement in the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War from 1959 to 1965. In 1974, he graduated from Fordham University, where he made the Dean’s List (Phi Alpha Sigma). In 1981, he formed Vista Horizon Realty in Central Islip, which he operated until 1996. He then joined M&T Bank as a Senior Loan Officer, focusing on mortgage lending, until his retirement in 2011.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Mr. Cintron joined the U.S. Army after graduating high school. He was stationed in Germany as a Combat Medic during the Vietnam War. After returning from active duty in 1965, he moved to the Bronx and took a position as a maintenance worker at John Jay Criminal Justice College. He later took and passed the civil exam for a New York City police officer. He was assigned to the 43rd Precinct in the Bronx, where he served as an undercover police officer for 22½ years. By 1983, he was promoted twice, to Detective and Detective Sergeant.
While serving with the NYPD, he joined the Army Reserves in 1974, serving in the Military Intelligence Unit as Chief Prisoner Interrogator. In 1989, he was an Interrogator and Military Advisor in the invasion of Panama. During Operation Desert Storm, he was stationed in Kuwait, where he was given special authority by the Secretary of Defense to be in charge of a detachment of interrogators. He was later promoted to Master Sergeant and quickly became Unit First Sergeant. He retired from the Army Reserves in 1994 and is the recipient of over 18 honors and medals.
In addition, Mr. Cintron serves as First Vice Commander for the American Legion Post 155 in Ronkonkoma and as a member of numerous committees, including the U.S. Congressional and New York State Veterans Advisory Committees, Disabled American Veterans Advisory Committee and the Sergeant Benevolent Association of the NYPD, among others. He also organizes many events, including the Christmas party at the Stony Brook Veterans Home.
The event coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month, a national observance celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15 to reflect on the significant contributions made by members of the Hispanic community as well as the diverse culture and traditions that have come together in our country. The start of Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to coincide with the anniversary of the independence of the following countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Newsday featured the Village of Islandia in its Real Estate section. The article featured what the Village has to offer prospective homebuyers who are looking to move here and which houses are currently for sale. Mayor Allan M. Dorman told Newsday: “The Village has worked to build a greater sense of community through its recognition of our veterans and our annual community events.” Read Article
On September 7, the Village of Islandia held a special ceremony on the grounds of Village Hall to recognize two of its residents, Victor Montanez and Raul Jimenez Cintron, for their ongoing volunteer work in the village and in helping our nation’s veterans.
Mr. Montanez and Mr. Cintron, both war veterans and members of the Col. Francis S. Midura Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #12144, take part in the village’s annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies and volunteer their time at the village’s special events. In addition, they give their time and talents helping patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Northport.
At the ceremony, Mayor Allan M. Dorman thanked Mr. Montanez and Mr. Cintron for their service to the community. He also announced that, on September 23, Mr. Montanez and Mr. Cintron will be honored at a special ceremony at the Sachem Public Library in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The event is being presented by the Office of New York State Senator Tom Croci.
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