Monday, January 20, 2014

February 2014 Newsletter

Editor: Catherine D. Kobasiuk Assistant: Marina Kobasiuk

Letter to our Membership

 
Stop blaming the MBPOA! 
There is an email circulating from Mastic Beach Village Trustees, Gail Cappiello and Bob Morrow, that once again blames the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association (MBPOA) for all of the Village's woes. This us-against-them attitude from the so-called "United Party" is childish. In a quote from their email, "...they [Gail and Bob] are also working to rebuild and replenish beaches for all the residents along our shoreline in the locations that have not been blocked by the MBPOA." 
This quote is inflammatory and makes false implications. The MBPOA does not restrict access to beaches and we have not blocked any locations along our shoreline.
We welcome any discussion about replenishing the MBPOA's beaches! Why wouldn't we? We have never been contacted for any sort of discussion about improving our properties, nor do we have any inkling of what the Village has planned for the MBPOA beaches and properties. 
What we do know is that the MBPOA has secured grants to replenish the sand along our 6.5 miles of waterfront, but this grant money must be distributed to the MBPOA by the Village. To date, the Village, including Gail and Bob, has flatly refused to distribute these grant funds to the MBPOA, in effect financially blocking any attempt by the MBPOA to replenish the beaches and rebuild the marinas. How do these types of decisions, executed by the Village, do anything to improve Mastic Beach? 
Our quality of life since becoming a village has not improved. Ever present are the potholes, the crime and the same old derelict homes. Not one sex-offender has moved out, except those who left on their own accord, and the drug dealers and prostitutes still plague our community. What we do have is an increase in fees and fines to the citizens and civics of Mastic Beach. Our Village government seems to rely on rental permit fees and peeking over fences in search of some tiny code violation to generate revenue.
This is not an opinion held by only a few residents.  Even Frank Fugarino, President of the Pattersquash Creek Civic Association, writes "I have become concerned that many quality of life issues affecting neighbors and Village residents continue without any reduction in number or severity."
Instead of doing something about the current state of our Village, Gail and Bob blame and shirk responsibility, pointing fingers at others, when they should be looking at their own behavior. For four years, we have had to put up with this unwarranted scapegoating. They have blamed the Town of Brookhaven, the MBPOA, Jan Schaefer, Bob DeBona, Paul Breschard, Carol Bissonette, and anyone else they can denigrate while neglecting their own accountability. This Village is floundering and all Gail and Bob can muster for a campaign agenda is to demonize the MBPOA, a volunteer organization that has been working for the betterment of Mastic Beach for over 85 years. 
When will these Trustees come to their senses and realize that this Village will only be successful when everyone works together. All we can say is, "Put aside your personal feelings and do the job the people elected you to do!" 
Our representatives in government---who have been elected to serve all---are supposed to make decisions for the good of Mastic Beach. The title of Trustee should not to be used to besmirch any organization. As a Trustee, one should put all differences aside and figure out creative ways to work together. It's about being the bigger person. A Trustee is supposed to represent all of us, this is something Gail and Bob seem to have lost sight of.  
In this country, everyone has the right to voice their concerns and challenge the establishment. We are not subjects, we are citizens. Mastic Beach needs to move forward. It is time for new leadership. At election time, we ask the citizens of Mastic Beach Village to consider Gail's and Bob's past behavior and vote for any of the other candidates.
Sincerely, 
President Jean SanMartin and the Board of Directors of the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association

Nite at the Races

Saturday, March 15th is Nite at the Races at the MBPOA. Tickets will be available for sale at the MBPOA office, the February General Meeting, at the MBPOA club bar on Friday nights or by calling 399-6111. Corned beef and cabbage will be served along with beer, wine, soda, coffee, tea, and dessert. Tickets are $20 per person. Members showing their membership cards can get tickets for their immediate families for $17 per person.


New Years Eve Report

New Years Eve at the MBPOA club house bar was a calm and cozy affair. Members who attended brought food to share at the buffet table and snacks and nibbles were scattered on the tables. Some people played card games. A Wii game was setup and a number of people played Wipe Out, Fruit Ninja and Decathlon. The New Year was rung in with the dropping of the Times Square Ball on TV and a champagne toast.




Boat Show Report


The MBPOA made arrangements for group discounted tickets to the New York Boat Show this year. Vice President Michael Kobasiuk and his family drove in on New Years Day to the New York Boat Show at the Jacob Javits Center. Attendees were greeted at the entrance to the boat show by jugglers wearing white navy uniforms and juggling floatation rings. There was the usual assortment of boats ranging in size from small to large and then to very large. There were a number classes being given on boat handling and boat maintenance. There were activities for children and the Swamp-master Gator Show. There was one interesting boat that came equipped with three wheels and could go from land to water and back to land. The New York State Canal Corporation was there with a canal barge to look at and explanations of trips and vacations incorporating the New York State Canal System. In addition to the usual boat supply vendors there were vacation destinations, marinas, boating schools, and companies which build dock and mooring systems. The traffic going into New York City in the morning and coming back to Mastic Beach in the evening was especially light and the trip was made in record time. 

 
Membership Reminder

Please remember to mail in your membership forms. Do not forget to purchase your Membership Drive Raffles which will be drawn at our March 15, 2014 Nite at the Races. The raffle tickets are $5 each and the prizes are $500 cash and $250 cash for 1st prize and 2nd prize respectively. Please fill out the stubs completely and mail back with payment and your membership forms to P.O. Box 212 Mastic Beach, NY 11951.

Please make sure all your information is accurate so that you can receive all our newsletters and email updates.

Volunteer of the Month

The MBPOA is organized and run by volunteer members just like you. We will be introducing one volunteer a month in our newsletter to give you a feeling of who we are and what you can do to get more involved with the MBPOA.

Director Dan Carr

Dan Carr has been a member of the MBPOA for about 20 years. He has been a director for about 10 years. Dan has lived in Mastic Beach for more than 35 years. He came for summer vacations and then moved out full time. Dan is a member of the Mastic Beach Fire Department and the James V. Kavanaugh Knights of Columbus. He is in charge of refreshments at the MBPOA General Meetings. Dan says “ I like to be involved.”





January General Meeting
The January General Meeting was rescheduled to the ninth because of the proximity of the holiday to the first Thursday of the month. There were no minutes to read because the December General Meeting was our annual holiday party. The financial reports were read for the month of November 2013. Director Kevin Collins gave his report on the membership drive and the marinas. He said when the freeze finally ends it will be time to plan and to start repairing Marina 5. Treasurer Rickie Walsh ( who also schedules our hall rentals) said that Saturdays are going fast for hall rentals. Vice President Michael Kobasiuk reminded everyone that January 21, 2014 is the last day to apply for reduction of Town of Brookhaven tax assessment for Super Storm Sandy damage. A CDC flier was available about applying for free mold remediation. A complaint about the duck hunters was brought up. A new member Adam Piazza introduced himself, he works for Hampton Jitney. Director Barbara Fitzgerald gave us a report on Nora Getchell. She came home for the holidays for good and according to Director Michelle Wilkinson her numbers were really high this week. ( GO get 'em Nora!) The plan for Nite at the races was discussed. Director Larry Tellefsen gave a report on the Country Dancing. Larry also made a complaint about the garbage recycle schedule cards being late from the village. There was a reminder of the rise in bar prices to $3 a drink for members and $4 at parties. The 50/50 was $17 and was won by Gus Mattson. The the meeting broke for coffee and cake. General Meetings are open to all members and non-members every month.



February General Meeting
The February General meeting will be on the 6th with Inspector Neubauer of the 7th Precinct as the guest speaker.


Fridays Nights at the Clubhouse


Every Friday night is a get together at the Clubhouse. The bar is open to our members and their guests and this is a good opportunity to meet new people, play darts, enjoy card games, or just enjoy conversation.

Please remember that our prices have increased. Beer wine and liquor is $3 for members and $4 at parties. Country Dancing on the 1st and third Fridays is $10 and $8 for members. Country Dance lessons on Monday nights are $8 and $6 for members.

Any changes to the schedule will be available on our Twitter and Face-book page.


Volunteer Work

If anyone has high school or middle school students in need of volunteer hours have them contact Recording Secretary Catherine Kobasiuk at 281-8430. There is usually light office work to do once or twice a month.

 
 
Hall Rentals
The MBPOA hall is available for party rentals. Please call 631-806-1109 for rates and availability.
Keep in Touch

In addition to our email list we use Twitter and Face-book to keep our membership informed of MBPOA news and local and regional happenings. Our face-book page -Mastic Beach Poa and our twitter - @MBPOA. Newsletter can be found at http://mbpoa1928.blogspot.com/

Mastic Beach Word Scramble


Just a little fun – all the words are related to Mastic Beach. Answers will be in next months newsletter.





  • brsrn owaya
  • yhaogta ut esbr
  • riigp n hiotdetbsm
  • oeaeti nnrsio ncam
  • earefitmsvici nn ao


Monthly Calendar
Feb. 3rd - Country Dance Lessons – 7:30pm
Feb. 2nd – Super Bowl Sunday
Feb. 6th - General Membership Meeting – 7:30 pm
Feb 7th - Country Dancing – 7:30 pm
Feb. 10th - Country Dance Lessons – 7:30pm
Feb. 14th – Valentines Day
Feb. 17th - Country Dance Lessons – 7:30 pm
Feb. 20th - Board of Directors Meeting – 7:00 pm
Feb 21st - Country Dancing – 7:30 pm
Feb. 24th - Country Dance Lessons – 7:30pm
Meet & Greet Friday – 7:00 pm


Future Events

March 4th – Mardi Gras
March 6th - General Meeting – 7:30 pm
March 15th – Nite at the Races
March 17th – Saint Patrick's Day
March 20th - Board of Directors Meeting – 7:00 pm
June 1st – Smith Point Triathlon
July 26th – Music By the Bay
Aug. 24th – Blue Claw Crab Fest

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