Special Election, Nominees Announced for Empty Legislature Seat

The sudden death of Legis. Peter Schmitt, R-Massapequa, has left a void in many in the Nassau County Legislature.

Republicans are without a Majority Leader and the legislature will be without a presiding officer.

Finally, his constituents in the Massapequas and parts of Seaford are without a representative in the Nassau County Legislature.

The lawmaking body is now deadlocked with nine Democrats, nine Republicans and one empty seat.

Officials are moving quickly to fill that seat and County Executive Ed Mangano has called a special election in order to do just that. It will be held on election day, Nov. 6.

The Nassau GOP has tapped Michael Venditto of Massapequa to run for the open seat in an attempt to retain the legislature's majority. Meanwhile, Democrats have selected Massapequa Park Republican Joanne Maglione as their candidate in the race.

Click here to read more about the special election.

Eisenhower Dog Park Holding Grand Opening

The Eisenhower Dog Park is set to open on Saturday with a grand opening ceremony.

LI-DOG, a non-profit organization that works to create dog parks on Long Island, will host a "Day at the Park," which will feature gift baskets, free dog food samples, raffles and a chance to win a year's worth of dog food.

Click here to read all about the all-new dog park.

Tax Breaks for Small Businesses

Nassau County began a program Friday that allows small businesses -- those wilth less than 100 employees -- tax breaks "for new equipment purchases and building renovations."

According to Newsday [paid link], Local Enterprise Assistance and Development Service (LEADS) will be the backbone of the project, helping the small business comply with government regulations.

"Companies seeking a sales tax exemption on machinery or construction materials for improvements to an office, store or factory could save up to $99,000. Projects valued at $1.1 million or less would be eligible for the tax break, which would be given in exchange for commitments not to lay off workers, and if possible, to hire more."

Business owners looking to comply with regulations can contact someone at the program's phone number (516-571-1745) or email address (leads@nassauida.org).

Nassau to Host Private Sector Job Fair

Nassau County announced Wednesday that more than 160 companies will be offering positions at the Nassau County Private Sector Job Fair on Monday, Oct. 15, at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

Employers will participate from across Long Island, including: Best Buy, Cablevision, GEICO, IKEA, Microsoft, New York Life, TriCounty Nursing, Valley National Bank and Winthrop University Hospital. Companies will be seeking candidates for positions including entry and middle management level, licensed professionals, hospitality industry and banking staffing, and individuals with technical and IT experience.

Veterans' admission begins at 9 a.m., while doors open for general admission at 10 a.m. The fair will run until 2 p.m. There is no charge for admission and parking is free.

Housing Lottery for Returning Veterans Announced

Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts were invited earlier this week to enter a lottery to win a brand-new house built by Homes for Homecoming Heroes, Inc. on a site in Hicksville that was donated by Nassau County. Homes for Homecoming Heroes, a not-for-profit corporation, will select a qualified veteran who is in need of housing and construct a residence on the property to suit the specific needs of the selected veteran. The veteran will then be able to purchase the new home at the cost of construction.

With voluntary labor and the donation of materials, the estimated cost to build a 1,500 square foot home with an attached garage is approximately $150,000.

Construction is expected to begin in October. Veterans must have served in Iraq or Afghanistan within the last 12 years, earn a minimum of $47,000 annually in total family yearly income and qualify for a mortgage. A 1-percent down payment will be required, with the principal repaid over a 30-year period.  For more information or to receive an application, please contact Larry Sklar at Homes for Homecoming Heroes at (646) 641-8460 or write to Homes for Homecoming Heroes, P.O. Box 20, Jericho, NY 11753.