The Kings Park Civic Association welcomed John Moore, Town of Smithtown Director of Traffic , Councilwoman Jane Conway and Suffolk County PD's 4th Precinct representatives Inspector Joseph Blaettler, Captain George Fasanelli and Sgt. Richard MacDougal, to discuss the hamlet's traffic woes.
    With a laundry list of items at hand the group targeted three major traffic issues which have seriously impacted our area:

      1 - The speed limit on East Main Street (25a) between   Indian Head Road/Church Street and Cosmo Place appears to be excessive and erratic. As you leave town going east the limit is 30 mph, then just before you pass the water works the limit changes to 40 mph, about Cosmo Place the limit changes again, this time to 35 mph. And, all of these changes occur within a distance of about a quarter mile. Ironically, the high limit of 40 mph is set at the most critical and dangerous portions of the road, by the entrances and exits to the water department, highway department, temple, post office and the high school. According to SCPD Inspector Blaettler the average speed past these points is approximately 51mph, 11 mph over the limit.  The excessive speed makes any attempt to enter the flow of traffic extremely difficult and dangerous. It was suggested to reduce the 40 mph limit to 30 mph and possibly place a blinking light at the post office entrance.

       2 - Synchronization of the traffic signals north and south of the train tracks on Indian Head Road. As it stands now, once the LIRR gates drop the only traffic flow is east bound and west bound on Main Street. Traffic heading south is stopped and has been seen backing up as far as Old Dock Road. The following suggestion was offered. A turn signal should be installed to allow traffic southbound on Church Street to make a left on to Main Street. Thinking about it now, a right turn signal should also be in order. Both the left and right signals would make sense and would ease the backup. Next is the Meadow Road, Blockbuster and Main Street traffic lights. The Blockbuster light never seems to be in sync with the Main Street light. While driving north on Indian Head Road quite often the light at Blockbuster is red while the other two are green. This requires the vehicles to be stop unnecessarily, then once the light changes most drivers instinctively and aggressively speed to try and beat the light at Main Street before it changes red. Synchronizing these lights would alleviate traffic and the danger.

      3 - Indian Head Road from Meadow Road south to Jericho Turnpike has been equated to the Indy 500. Offered as suggestions to slow the car was the idea to strategically place timed traffic signals along the route. Another thought was to install signals which could turn red when they sensed vehicles traveling in excess of the speed limit.

    Two Kings Park High School seniors went for a visit and to interview at the prestigious Coast Guard Academy in New London Connecticut. The Coast Guard facility selects 325 students a year from across the nation. Kings Park has had a long and very successful relationship with the Academy.

Good Luck...

     Kings Park is proud to announce high school students John Iraci and Joan Bosco have advanced to the semi-final round of the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search. 

Congratulations.....Way To GO...

      Now, this is a plaque!, Trophy Hut in Port Jefferson agreed to develop a proper display presentation for Kings Park's numerous military academy attendees. Sal Danise designed the display to highlight the number of Kings Parkers who graduated from the United States prestigious educational sites. With four alumnus graduating this year - three of them females, it was the proper occasion to modernize the Academy Board. Sal, on the left is flanked on the right by Leo Polaski, whose son is a rescue pilot for the Coast Guard. 

      What started as a small group of neighbors is beginning to blossom into a grass roots effort to unite our community. Greater Kings Park is comprised of three distinct sub-communities- Kings Park, San Remo and parts of Fort Salonga, all of which comprise the Kings Park Central School District. The school district is the common thread which melds the area together. Although there are some subtle differences in philosophy amongst them, the three sub-communities are basically cut from the same cloth. All take pride in their community and families. And, all are very protective of the area within their boundaries. 

      January 8th, marked the Kings Park Neighbors' Association's (KPNA) first anniversary. According to Ms. Linda Henninger, the association's newly installed president,  "Since most of what occurs in our hamlet usually effects the entire hamlet, it is our [KPNA] goal to band our three communities together yielding us a unified and organized voice."  Ms. Henninger went on further to say

"I want to thank everyone, it has been an interesting first year and I am really proud of how far we have gotten. I think if we keep working steady and slowly we will become a force, a good force in the community."

       The February 7 meeting agenda included-

- Vote and installation of new board of directors and officers. New Board Members Include; Cathy Moonis, Gary Wohlberg, Nancy Wohlberg & Leslie Zindulka. New Officers Include: President- Linda Henninger, V.P.- Lori Carragher, Treasurer - Marjie Ottaviano, Secretary-Irene Paget

- KPE Power Plant Update. Effective January 20, 2005 the company announced they have withdrawn their application. Issue now dead.

- National Public Energy is interested in siting a 79 mega watt power plant on Old Northport Road bordered by the new condo complex, the ice skating rink and homes on Marvin Drive. KPNA is opposed to this power plant for the same underlying concerns they had with the KPE plant on Townline Road.

- MTA/LIRR - KPNA in contact with Senator Flanagan. No news to report except the impact study which was due December 2004 has been pushed up to 2005. 

- Update on Arker Companies, the Woodmere developer who is in contract to purchase the KPPC site. Ms. Henninger said she contacted the developer and spoke with Alan Arker, a  principal of the company. Mr. Arker indicated they are in the process of performing their due diligence which should take three months to complete. When asked what they intend to do with the property, Mr. Arker claimed it was too premature to know and would not answer. Further, she asked "What do you build?" his response was residential homes and houses. His only comment was to say he was interested in historical structures and in particular Building 93, but would not elaborate. A search of "Arker Companies" on the internet yielded results pertaining to the companies deals with low-income and affordable housing. Ms. Henninger did advise the group not to jump to any conclusions and wait until a formal plan has been submitted.

- St. Johnland's Uplands Project - The nursing home is seeking to develop 50 of the 100 acres of land they own on south/east side Sunken Meadow Road. Their plans are to build a 62 year or older community consisting of 147 units. Ms. Henninger pointed out that on the face of it the plans were a positive for the community although there are two issues which need further exploration: One,  the property may be tax exempt and therefore not contribute to the local tax base. Second, re-zoning ramifications; Ms. Henninger was informed by St. Johnland that the property is currently zoned R43, one acre residential. Any change may set a precedent and impact on decisions with future zoning requests by others including the KPPC developers.

     Kathy Travis and her family are making their mark on Kings Park and the corner of Main and Henry Streets will never be the same. The restaurant formerly known as "La Traverna" was recently purchased by the Travis family and is now open as "Cucina de Nonne", or translated to English... "Grandma's Kitchen." On Wednesday, the restaurant presented members of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce, with a preview of some of their dishes. Having sampled the fried calamari, my favorite dish, I have added the establishment to my list of favorite places to dine.
      Unlike the previous operators, the new owners will be open seven days a week for both dinner and lunch. In addition, they will also offer a takeout service. The menu includes fine traditional Italian appetizers and entrées along with a nice selection of lunch specials; all moderately priced. Convenient to the LIRR station, the take out aspect should come as a welcome service to the weary city travelers who will be able to "cell call" their orders in and pick up their dinner on the way home.

 Caio & Buona Fortuna!

     William T Rogers MS hosted the District's Annual Charity Basketball Tournament. Staff from throughout the District were divided into teams. The first game pitted the high school staff against the elementary school staff. The heat was on and the elementary school team won the first round. In the second game, the elementary school  challenged the middle school staff. Again the elementary school ruled the court.
      Everyone appeared to have a GREAT time and more important it was all for a good cause. The event raised over $10,000 with the proceeds being donated to help a local family to Ronald McDonald House. CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PICTURES

AWESOME JOB!