Mayor Koblenz announced the complete success of the first photographic exhibition ever in East Hills.

Dr. Cohen's looks at his subjects with the philosophy "that there is beauty all around us - even in the simplest things." He looks at objects and scenery; visualizes how the picture will look when he finishes making and printing it; and then tries to capture the beauty of what he sees through his camera. The result will be for all to view as Dr. Cohen displays his artistry.

East Hills Becomes One of Earliest Villages on North Shore to Approve FIOS Contract

Mayor Michael Koblenz and the Board of Trustees approved a contract with Verizon on February 7, 2008 to allow FIOS cable television services to be offered in East Hills. The Village now becomes one of the earliest villages on the North Shore to permit the FIOS cable television services to be available to residents. The contract between East Hills and Verizon now goes before the NYS Public Service Commission for approval. The service is expected to be available in late March through Verizon to an overwhelming number of East Hills residents. The Mayor thanked Verizon for their cooperation and Cablevision for their valuable input. The Mayor stressed emphatically that he wants Verizon to finish the cable installation in all of East Hills as soon as possible. He added "we believe in competition and in giving our residents the right to choose. It is then their decision to on which services best suit their needs and which products they favor. We feel that competition fosters innovation and helps to contain prices in the marketplace."

Another Smash Success for The Seniors Program in East Hills

Led by Irwin Plotkin and his effective committee members, the Senior Committee had another highly successful event. With a sold out crowd of close to eighty residents, District Attorney Kathleen Rice spoke to the seniors in East Hills about crimes senior face and her work to punish wrongdoers. The overwhelming reaction to her presentation was that it was thought provoking, informative and interesting according. It was another proud day for the award-winning Senior Activities Committee. Mayor Koblenz immediately credited the committee with "yet another spectacular program which provides the greatest service to our community." Irwin Plotkin thanked the Mayor for his all out support, and said the "feedback indicated that Katleen Rice's presentation was an outstanding and resounding success." The members of the community who lead the Senior Activities Committee include: Irwin Plotkin, Chairman, Irving Chernofsky, Treasurer, Millie Krefsky, (a chief architect of the program), Sidney Krefsky, Roz Goldenberg, Harold Shnitkin, and Jack Sosne.

MAYOR PROUDLY ACCEPTS REQUEST FOR TOUR BY GREAT NECK PARK DISTRICT

When the Superintendent, Commissioners and Committee Members of the Great Neck Park District asked to visit and tour the Park at East Hills Mayor Koblenz was only too happy to accept. "I was quite glad and flattered to receive their request and immediately extended a warm welcome on what turned out be be a rather cold day to tour all our facilities." Earlier this year, professional landscape engineers had also toured the property after the facility won First Place from the New York Parks and Recreational Society.

Officials of the Great Neck Park District requested a tour of the Park at East Hills with specific emphasis on creating a new facility for their canine residents and to also learn the methods of using a card system for security at a park. Park Director Steve Olsen and Facilities Manager Michael Kosinski answered technical questions as they viewed the facilities.

Seniors Awarded Best Program

East Hills Mayor Michel R. Koblenz has named the Senior Activities Committee the "Best Program of the Year." The first annual award will be presented at the December board meeting.

In presenting the award, Mayor Koblenz lauded Irwin Plotkin and Millie Krefsky as the leaders who formulated the program and who implemented over 13 major activities in 2007. The committee recorded unprecedented participation during its first year of operation. Over 300 seniors attended the opening brunch which was held at Village Hall. The program is limited to East Hills residents.

This past year the committee organized such original activities as a trip to the wine country in New Jersey to a trip to Foxwoods and to a dinner theatre on Long Island. Their creative programs also included a spectacular Halloween Dinner-Dance in the Village Theatre just weeks ago. The plans for the future feature Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice speaking to their members. In addition, ongoing programs also include bridge, Mah Jong, current events, a book club, a rap session for women and a discount program for seniors in the village at local restaurants. Both the response and reaction to the programs has been "overwhelming" according to Chairman Irwin Plotkin. "We even added an extra bus to the trip to Foxwoods" he emphasized.

The Mayor and Board approved the senior program unanimously. At the time, the board concluded it would "encourage an even added lifestyle for the venerable members of the community."

"We are grateful to the Mayor and the Board for their unwavering support and encouragement of our efforts" said Chairman Plokin. "We accept the honor with added enthusiasm, zest and earnestness for our commitment to the program in the future."

The members of the community who lead the Senior Activities Committee and who are principally responsible for the success include: Irwin Plotkin, Chairman, Irving Chernofsky, Treasurer, Millie Krefsky, (a chief architect of the program), Sidney Krefsky, Roz Goldenberg, Harold Shnitkin, and Jack Sosne.

MIXED DOUBLES TOURNAMENT HELD

May 2007 - Highest Honors for Park at East Hills!
The Park at East Hills was selected as Class I Outstanding Facility in New York State by the New York State Recreation & Park Society. The organization was established in 1940. In response to being notified of the prestigious award, Mayor Koblenz said he "was extremely appreciative and honored. The award reflects the hard work and commitment of my board, talented designer Dick Ward, and our fine contractor, Ed Galvin." The Mayor will be given the award at the New York State Recreation & Park Society Annual Conference held in Buffalo, New York on April 24, 2007.
East Hills Gains Highest Credit Rating in New York State
The many programs that are being offered are provided because of the generous support of our local sponsors. Without this sponsorship the Village would not be able to provide the high level of programs and materials that are available to the residents. Today East Hills maintains an Aa2 Moody's rating. Only 7 villages in New York State have a rating equal or higher than the new prestigious financial assessment and rating given to East Hills. There are a reported 554 villages in New York State according to the New York Conference of Mayor's statistics. Whether it is the concert series sponsored by Kitchen Kabaret, the Opening Day funded by Mim's Restaurant, the fireworks display by the new Brivo Restaurant soon to arrive, the Senior Program backed by Sole Dimension or the East Hills, the Newcomer's Day by Americana Manhasset, or the East Hills Calendar supported by Rallye Motors, the Village is deeply appreciative for their support which provides the funding for these programs.
2006 GAP Students Astutely Predicted A Democratic Senate a Month before the Election!
Roslyn High School students, who serve as interns in the East Hills Village Government predicted overwhelmingly that the United States Senate will turn Democratic. The Senate is now 55 to 44 in favor of Republicans. In order to gain a majority in the Senate (51 seats), Democrats need a net gain of at least six of the thirty-three seats being contested. Six of the ten students predicted that the Senate will turn Democratic by gaining control of at least six of the 33 contested seats. Based on the students' predictions, the candidates most likely to loose include: Conrad Burns (Montana), Bob Corker (Tennessee), George Allen (Virginia), Lincoln Chafee (Rhode Island), Mike Dewine (Ohio), Rick Santorum (Pennsylvania), Claire McCaskill (Missouri), and Mark Kennedy (Minnesota). The Government Apprenticeship Program (GAP) is run in association with the Roslyn High School. Students are given community service hours for their participation and credit for their involvement. The Fall 2006 program includes: Spencer Blaustein, Nicole Crystal, Rachel Golian, David Hollander, Adam Ilowite, Michael Makowsky, Mariel Milner, Alex Pascale, Alec Staszewski, and Michael Takvor. When the GAP was initiated six years ago, Mayor Koblenz received the coveted "Best Local Program in New York State" by the Conference of Mayors. The Mayor and Board of Trustees embraced the concept of the program in order to give students first-hand knowledge and insight into local government.
	July 4th weekend we opened the pool, locker rooms and grille. September 4th we plan on the Grand Opening for the Park at East Hills. The evening facilities will feature ceremonies and a concert by Taylor Dayne, recording star and former lead in Aida. The evening will be capped off by an exciting fireworks display. On Labor Day, enjoy an outdoor barbeque cooked by our caterer. Bring a blanket and buy your family dinner on the Great Lawn.   It's fun for everyone!
Moody's boosts East Hills' Rating to One of Highest in New York State
Mayor Koblenz said he was "honored and delighted" to receive news that East Hills had been given one of the highest bond ratings in New York State for villages. "The strong vote of confidence was a great 75th Anniversary present for our Village" Mayor Koblenz added. East Hills was upgraded by Moody's Investors Service from an Aa2 from an Aa3. Only 7 villages in New York State have a rating equal or higher than the new prestigious rating given to East Hills. There are a reported 554 villages in New York State according to the New York Conference of Mayor's statistics. "The upgrade to Aa2" stated Moody's reflects the village's wealthy and sizable, albeit largely built-out, tax base, sound financial operations with satisfactory reserves and below average levels of debt." The good news for East Hills was further buttressed by Moody's strong statement of confidence that they "expect the village will continue to maintain a strong financial position." In compiling the in-depth analysis of East Hills, Moody's examined the fiscal structure, budgets and infrastructure of the village. It also reported that the population in 2000 was: 6,842, the 2005 full valuation was $1.9 billion, and the 2005 full value per capita was $285,008. the median family Income was 253.5% of state average (202% of metro average). Four credit analyst and credit officers were involved in the comprehensive analysis. Mayor Koblenz credited a "joint effort our board of trustees for the success." In addition to Mayor Koblenz, the East Hills Board comprises Deputy Mayor, Linda Nathanson, and Trustees Gary Leventhal, Manny Zuckerman, and Peter Zuckerman.
East Hills Enacts State Mandates Against Security Breaches
As a result of New York State legislation passed late last year, all villages were directed to enact measures to protect against security breaches which could compromise private information furnished by residents and then encrypted. Encryption typically includes the conversion of information into a coded form that "cannot be interpreted without the use of a secret method or interpretation referred to as the Key."   In responding to the mandate, East Hills Mayor Michael R. Koblenz and the Board of Trustees, at its regularly scheduled meeting held on March 20th passed the State's model law which includes steps that must be taken in the event confidential encrypted information is ever compromised, most likely by cyber theft or other criminal activity.     The records and data that is protected includes social security numbers, driver's license numbers, account numbers, and credit or debit card numbers in combination with security codes, access codes, or passwords which would permit access to an individual's financial account.  While this information has never been encrypted by the Village, the law protects the future collection of this information in encrypted form.   East Hills reports that it does not, and has no plans to encrypt this kind of information into its computer base.  But according to Mayor Michael R. Koblenz, the added mandates imposed by the State are nevertheless welcomed. "We embrace any and all safeguards which will further protect confidential information of our residents. In the entirely unlikely possibility that our village ever encrypts this kind of information and it is compromised, we will have the necessary steps readily in place. These protections will then guard against identity theft and other criminal misuses of the information."    Specifically, the model law requires that if a breach of the security of confidential encrypted information ever occurs that the State's Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination ("CSCIC") must be notified.  After review and the implementation of possible restoration measures required by the CSCIC, the Attorney General and the Consumer Protection Board will have to be notified.             The municipality must notify the affected resident by either Written Notice; Electronic Notice, provided that the resident to whom notice is required has expressly consented to receiving notice in electronic form and a log of each  notification is kept by the municipality that notifies affected residents in such form; Telephone Notification, provided that a log of each notification is kept by the municipality that notifies affected residents; or Substitute Notice, if the municipality demonstrates to the state Attorney  General that cost of providing notice would exceed $250,000 or that the  affected class of persons to be notified exceeds $500,000, or the municipality does not have sufficient contact information.
Mayor Koblenz was just presented a certificate of appreciation from the Fairfield Civic Association for his leadership in fighting the Long Island Expressway Expansion Program. The Mayor gained valuable concessions in paying the streets, funding for school busses, added security protections and more after a successful legal battle in the Supreme Court of New York State. Now being planned for early May is the "Newcomer's Day" for new residents who are moving into East Hills. Please contact Deputy Mayor, Linda Nathanson if you would like to attend. Plans for the Park at East Hills are now being prepared for an opening as soon as construction is complete.  The Rules Committee has been meeting to review and determine the best approach for the first year. The rules will be reviewed in their entirety after the first Season. Congratulations to Judi Winters on being named to the Town of North Hempstead's Honor Role.
East Hills Says "No" to More Traffic Mayor Michael R. Koblenz and the Board of Trustees of the Village of East Hills announced its opposition to the implementation of Long Island North Shore Heritage Area’s (LNSHA) plans and objectives for the North Shore of Long Island. LINSHA was created by State legislation in 1998. It is exploring ways to further attract tourism and economic development for parts of seven towns on Long Island including Town of North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Brookhaven, Huntington, Riverhead, Smithtown and Southold -- and the City of Glen Cove in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. LINSHA’s goals, according to stated objectives include, among others "regional economic revitalization," and "economic development with public and private investment." In becoming the first Village to voice its formal opposition to LINSHA’s plans , Mayor Koblenz stated: "More tourism means greater traffic which we can little afford. Presently, our roads are overburdened and overtaxed." "Instead of attracting more people and more traffic, all efforts should be focused, as Nassau County is attempting to do, on accommodating the record high number of vehicles already traveling on our roads and creating serious gridlocks." "Bottlenecks on certain roads have already reached epidemic proportions with daily standstills and impasses. Take, for example, Glen Cove Road and Northern Boulevard, which always seems to be deadlocked. Other main arteries which are filled with traffic snarls and logjams include Roslyn Road, Community Drive and Lakeville Road." "It is also axiomatic to say that greater traffic is accompanied by more emissions. These toxic fumes have a serious detrimental impact on our environment. LINSHA’s plans call for additional development. The consequence of development on Long Island will be that out natural resources will become further taxed and drained. Along with the impurities from the traffic, a deleterious impact would also be felt on the water supply and sewage systems." "In summary, the North Shore of Nassau County is one of the most beautiful areas in the United States. We, in East Hills, want to keep it that way. We want to ensure that the beauty on Long Island and in our community is never replaced by parking lots on our streets and endless paralysis on our roads.”