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Dear Neighbor:
I hope this letter finds you well and that your loved ones are safe and healthy.
The advent of COVID-19 has made it necessary for my office to adapt to the changing needs of my constituents. Since March, we've offered numerous antibody testing opportunities in partnership with Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics, partnered with Long Island Cares and Island Harvest to address a tripling of food insecurity; and helped dozens of senior citizens and immunocompromised residents obtain groceries through our Neighbors Helping Neighbors program in partnership with the Mid Island Y JCC. We also launched a remote high school internship program focused on crisis management, and I commend the many students who participated.
To strengthen our communication with residents, my office has updated our email list, created new social media accounts, and established a second phone line for constituents. We have hosted a series of Zoom webinars, including virtual programs on mental health in partnership with the Nassau County Department of Human Services and the Family and Children's Association; health updates in conjunction with Northwell Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics; domestic violence and abuse awareness presentations in conjunction with The Safe Center LI; an all-hazard preparedness program in partnership with the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management; business and economic updates; and story times for families. It has been a truly busy, challenging year, and now more than ever, I am grateful to serve as your Legislator.
However, our battle with COVID-19 is not over. In recent weeks, we have witnessed a troubling increase in cases, and the actions we all take collectively will determine what happens in the weeks ahead. I implore you to wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and wash your hands to prevent the spread of COVID-19. During this critical time for public health, getting a flu vaccine is another important step you can take to protect yourself.
During a year that has been marked by a series of unprecedented challenges, knowing that there are so many people that are ready to rush toward danger at a moment’s notice to proect the health and safety of others has been a source of comfort. This summer, our community enshrined a lasting tribute to the bravery and selflessness shown each day by our frontline responders by renaming a portion of Old Country Road in Plainview “Heroes Way.” I have continuously drawn inspiration from these brave men and women during the pandemic, and I will always be grateful for their courage and the sacrifices they continue to make on a daily basis.
In parting, I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season filled with optimism and hope for better days ahead in the New Year. Working together, I know we will get through this. Until we meet again, please stay safe and healthy.
How to Report Illegal Housing Discrimination
Our rich diversity forms the beautiful cultural tapestry that makes Nassau County such a wonderful place to work, play and raise a family. Now more than ever, it is important to work together to build a brighter, more inclusive future. As part of Nassau County’s response to the publication of Newsday’s award- winning “Long Island Divided” housing discrimination exposé, Legislator Drucker proudly sponsored and secured passage of legislation that created Nassau County’s Housing Discrimination Hot- line in late 2019.
If you or your loved ones experience illegal housing discrimination in Nassau County call 1-888-412-0474 or visit https:// www.nassaucountyny. gov/2142/Housing and file a report.
Applying For Nassau County Tax Exemptions
If you are a veteran, senior citizen, volunteer firefighter or ambulance worker or have limited income due to a disability you may be among the residents who are eligible to receive a tax exemption from Nassau County.
For more information or to receive a list of necessary documentation for your tax exemption application, homeowners can contact the Nassau County Department of Assessment at 516-571-1500 or visit
https://www.tax.ny.gov/forms/orpts_cur_forms.htm
Celebrating Our Hometown Heroes
This summer, Legislator Drucker joined Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Plainview community leaders to celebrate the first responders, hospital staff and frontline healthcare workers that empowered the region to emerge from the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic by renaming a portion of Old Country Road between Kalda Lane and Central Park Road “Heroes Way.”
This lasting tribute honors the tireless efforts of healthcare and hospital workers at Plainview Hospital, the compas- sionate care provided by Central Island Healthcare’s team of healthcare professionals, and the courageous and selfless service of first responders from the Plainview Fire Department. The stretch of road that was renamed on Tuesday, July 14 abuts each of those entities.
“As community members, we always knew how important these institutions were, but I’ll be honest - we probably took them for granted. COVID-19 has forever changed that. What has emerged through this life-changing pandemic is the selfless display of unwavering courage, sacrifice and professionalism never seen before in my lifetime,” Legislator Drucker said. “Day after day, these brave men and women kissed their loved one’s goodbye and went to work, literally saving lives while putting their own at risk. This is the definition of heroism.”
Identifying and Chronicling Racially Restrictive Deed Covenants
To educate the public and policy makers regarding how structural racism shaped law, public policy, socioeconomic opportunities, and education within Nassau County, Legislator Drucker is co- sponsoring legislation that would create a searchable database of racially restrictive covenants.
Under the proposal, the Chair of the Nassau County Human Rights Commission, in consultation with the Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission, would issue a request for proposals (RFP) directed to educational institutions, nonprofit public policy advocacy organizations and nonprofit civil right organizations for the development of this database. Those applicants would also be required to provide an outline detailing how they would evaluate the impacts racist covenants had on demographic settlement patterns and the racial and ethnic composition of Nassau County neighborhoods.
This proposal is an outgrowth of Newsday’s Peabody Award - winning three-year “Long Island Divided” housing discrimination investigation, which chronicled widespread discrimination against prospective Black, Hispanic and Asian American home buyers.
“The goal is to raise the consciousness by educating our residents and inspiring them to have the important conversations with their children, their families, their friends and their col- leagues on how we got here and how we are now in a better position to confront racism here on Long Island,” Legislator Drucker said. “By doing so, we are empowering ourselves to promulgate new laws and policies that create more effective tools for dismantling and eradicating institutional and systemic racism here in Nassau County and across Long Island.”
Nassau County Moves Closer to Implementing School Bus Cameras
As the new school year began throughout our region, Nassau County underscored its commitment to the safety of students by issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for the installation of school bus cameras, which will be used to deter motorists from illegally passing stopped buses and fining those who choose to break the law.
Last fall, Legislator Drucker co-introduced and se- cured unanimous passage of legislation that allows Nassau County and school districts to enter inter- municipal agreements for the future installation of school bus cameras to record drivers who unlawfully pass stopped school buses.
“Nassau County continues to send a clear message that selfish, reckless driving decisions will not be tolerated especially when they endanger young people,” Legislator Drucker said. “We are taking an important step toward implementing a school bus camera program that will make our roads safer for everyone all year long.”
According to New York State Education Department statistics, students ages 4 to 8 are at the greatest risk of being harmed or killed when drivers fail to stop for school buses. In the interim, the Nassau County Police Department is cracking down on drivers that illegally pass school buses, and issued 21 percent more tickets in 2019 than in the previous year.
Fighting Food Insecurity During The Pandemic
Legislator Drucker recently partnered with Dr. Shetal Shah, Dr. Eve Krief, and Dr. Robert Lee and the American Academy of Pediatrics to support the organization’s Island Harvest food drive that aided 60 local families in need.
Earlier in the pandemic, Legislator Drucker hosted a food drive at the Country Pointe ShopRite, where patrons donated more than a half-ton of food and essential supplies in support of Island Harvest. Legislator Drucker hosted the successful drive in partnership with Legislator Josh Lafazan, the Plainview-Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce, the Islamic Center of Long Island, Maffucci Moving & Storage and Bekins Van Lines.
Participants in Legislator Drucker’s virtual internship program, which included approximately 20 high school students from the Plainview-Old Bethpage, Syosset, Hicksville and Herricks school districts, assisted with organizing, promoting, and operating the Plainview drive.
Bringing COVID-19 Testing to Legislative District 16
More than 300 residents have received COVID-19 antibody testing and cardiovascular screenings during a series of community pop-up clinics hosted by Legislator Drucker, Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics and community stakeholders.
On June 4, Legislator Drucker partnered with the Mid Island Y JCC and Plainview Jewish Center to bring testing to the Plainview ShopRite, and he collaborated with the Sid Jacobson JCC to host a clinic in Greenvale on June 10. On July 10, he brought testing to the Mid Island Y JCC in Plainview. Most recently, on Sept. 16, he hosted a pop-up clinic at Hicksville’s Broadway Commons.
“By getting tested for COVID-19 antibodies, you are taking a fast, easy, and painless step toward making informed decisions and protecting yourself and your family,” Legislator Drucker said. “Working with Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics and an array of outstanding community partners, we have tested more than 300 people at our community clinics. I applaud Dr. Perry Frankel, Sophia Demetri and everyone at Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics for stepping up to meet this need. We will keep you posted about up-coming antibody clinics in our community!”