Christmas, House Decorating Contest
The Village of Patchogue Building Department, is sponsoring a Christmas, House Decorating Contest. If you would like to submit your house or a neighbor's house for consideration, please call 475 8942.

It is so refreshing to finally see a sense of community emerging from our village. It appears that everyone has been totally preoccupied with the task of making a living; this leaves very little time to "Look at the Flowers." A community can never be a real community, until each and every one of us actually get involved, and make a contribution, that bolsters a sense of community, and family! This has started! I am sure that we will also see a similar award, for the "Best Garden," this coming summer!


Please let Your Neighbors Know about This Web Site!
If you have any information that you would like to share with your neighbors, please email the details to:

davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com

This is our Neighborhood Information Portal. A community is created when people work together as a team. If you are looking at this Web Site for the first time, please E-mail the address above, and let me know what you think about our Neighborhood Gazette!


Columbiettes Choir "Carols Concert"
On Saturday, December 8, at 7PM, the Columbiettes, will sing at the location of the Nativity Scene, near the Patchogue Theatre, on Main St. On subsequent Friday and Saturday nights, there will also be singing at the Site of the "Nativity Scene," until Christmas. Different church groups will be performing, starting at 7:00pm.

Lighting of the Menorah
On Sunday, December 9, 2007, the Jewish Community will have the lighting of the Menorah, at the North Fork Bank Plaza, on Main St. Patchogue.

A Christmas Video to Jump-start the Holiday Season!

This video has a special meaning to me! Like many of you, Bing Crosby has been and still is an integral part of my Christmas experience. Taken from the movie, Little Drummer Boy, Davis Bowie, and Bing Crosby, bridge the gap between the old, and the new generations. As it turns out, we are not all that different.

Have a Merry Christmas

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE THE VIDEO!
(The video is four minutes long; slow starting, but great!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zMhSjDqvRs

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Chanukah!
Dear friends of mine from the Roth and Rosen families, has repeatedly told me that the Jewish people and the Christian community are very much alike! We seem to have the same family values, and often respond to a given situation in the same way! Iris makes Matzo Balls for me, and my wife makes Italian Cookies for Iris to enjoy.

We being members of the International Community must flaunt and participate in each other's Holidays; that's what makes life an adventure! The following video from "Youtube," is very well made and conveys the spirit of international harmony! Enjoy!

(Chick the link below to view the video.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_jInIpAqU8

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Quanza, Celebrated by the African American Community

We are the International Community, and must work together and share each other's culture. A few weeks ago students from the African Community gave a demonstration at Stony Brook University, flaunting their customs, dress, and crafts. The most awe inspiring part of the event, was when the African Men, gathered in a large circle, and sang traditional African songs. The songs, harmony, and execution was just beautiful! I went up to a group of the participants and said "thank you for sharing your culture with us!"

Twenty Eight Million, African American people celebrate Quanza. Quanza is about Family, Culture, and Community! In Quanza they nurture the same values as those celebrated in Christmas, and Chanukah! Are we different? Not at all, we are indeed one family!

(Click the link below to start the video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-MY8I_kwJY


Merry Christmas!

Happy Chanukah!

Happy Quanza!

Send your comments to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, via Email at davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com You could also click "Comments {below}," then Click "Anonymous." Type your message, and then click "Publish Your Post." Names, Addresses, and Telephone Numbers will not be published; text may be paraphrased, to facilitate anonymity.

If you would like to be informed of future Neighborhood Watch activities, meetings, and area problems, please send your name and Email address via the comment box described above. This information will remain confidential!

Alleged Vandalism to the Patchogue Theatre on You Tube:

Was the theatre vandalized as these people claim, or were these kids breaking bulbs near the Dumpster?

Click the lower link first (Original Posting) Look for "Smashing Things Patchogue"

This Link has an ID of the person who submitted this article! How stupid! The PD could find these people in five minutes!
http://youtube.com/user/WalaXOarrows

Original Posting: Explains where it happened
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=search_videos&search_query=patchogue&search_sort=relevance&search_category=0&search=Search&v=&uploaded=&page=3

If this was real vandalism, how stupid can these kids be; the girls name is published!
Send your comments to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, via Email at davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com You could also click "Comments {below}," then Click "Anonymous." Type your message, and then click "Publish Your Post." Names, Addresses, and Telephone Numbers will not be published; text may be paraphrased, to facilitate anonymity.

If you would like to be informed of future Neighborhood Watch activities, meetings, and area problems, please send your name and Email address via the comment box described above. This information will remain confidential!

Christmas Parade in Patchogue Village 11/24/2007

Click the arrow, on the bottom of the Video Frame, TWICE, to Start the Video.

This is one of the Boats that was in the Great South Bay, Power Boat Race, this summer.

This Boat could cruise somewhere around one hundred miles per hour! Patchogue to Davis Park in about Two Minutes! WOW! I would love to go for a ride on that Boat! It took my boat 35 minutes to make that trip!

(Click the bottom arrow twice, to start video)

How Cute! Children Dressed like Reindeer!!

Patchogue Village Mayor and Trustees

Nativity Scene sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Chapter 725

Great Presentation for the Christmas Holiday!

Members of the Knights of Columbus, dressed in costume, bring Christ back into Christmas!

The Grinch visits Patchogue! Bah Humbug!

The Grinch didn't say that! "Yep" Great Fun! Anyway! We are an Equal Opportunity Village; I hope the Grinch doesn't try to steal our children's toys! I know a few people that would do that! Anyway!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Philip Butler Fights the Grinch!

Philip Butler, the Producer from the Grucci Fireworks Company, had enough with the likes of "The Grinch." He then started a crusade to allow us to celebrate Christmas, the way we choose to celebrate our Holiday!

SEE NEWSDAY ARTICLE: (Click Link Below)

http://www.newsday.com/search/dispatcher.front?Query=grucci&sortby=display_time+descending&target=article

Send your comments to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, via Email at davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com You could also click "Comments {below}," then Click "Anonymous." Type your message, and then click "Publish Your Post." Names, Addresses, and Telephone Numbers will not be published; text may be paraphrased, to facilitate anonymity.

If you would like to be informed of future Neighborhood Watch activities, meetings, and area problems, please send your name and Email address via the comment box described above. This information will remain confidential!

Christmas Boat Parade in Patchogue Village

On Sunday November 18, 2007, the Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, The Grucci Fireworks Company, and Patchogue Village, sponsored the Annual Christmas Boat Parade. I have attended this event faithfully, as a spectator, for many years. This year I actually participated in the Boat Parade, by serving as a crew member on one of the boats. Pleasure Boats and even a few Ferries were elaborately decorated, and piloted down the entire length of Patchogue River, for the spectators to enjoy.




















Click the bottom arrow, twice, to start videos!

The amount of effort that went into decorating these vessels was monumental! I was amazed to see three young ladies dressed up in Christmas Attire, doing the Can Can on their boat. They actually looked very professional. The people just loved them! The winner actually constructed a float on top of his boat. His display looked like a Float that you would see in the Macy's Parade! The parade was complete with a Judges Stand, and an announcer!

No Christmas Parade would be complete without the arrival of Santa Clause! Santa arrived one week earlier then usual. He did not arrive by land, but by water. Santa was sitting on top of another Boat, waving and talking to everyone!



Before the Parade, the Boat Captains gathered in the Great South Bay, with their Decorative Display lights "off." Thank God the water was calm. The Captains were communicating with "Event Control," via Marine Radio. Then came the command to "Turn on the Lights!" My Generator, would not start! Murphy's Law. " A Generator, will not start, when it knows that you are really depending on it!" It eventually did start!



From the Boat, I was able to get a perspective on the parade that truly "Jump Started my Holiday Season!" I saw about Five Thousand people, standing along the banks of the Patchogue River, really "getting into the festivities." The spectators "Just made my day!" I saw hundreds of young Patchogue Residents, demonstrate that "there is life beyond Rap Music!" To my surprise, the young residents were screaming, singing, and waving their arms above their heads, in time with the music, that was played from every boat! The message was clear; they were really enjoying the parade, and they were well rounded enough to participate in it! I am very proud to be a member of this community!























At the end of the Parade came the grand finale, "The Grucci Fireworks!"





More Information at the following URL:
http://www.patchogue.com/boatparade/index.htm


Notice to Boat Captains:
Please send photos of your Boat to the Email Address below, and I will publish your photos, to this Blog. Please provide names and text that you would like attached to your photo.

Send your comments to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, via Email at davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com You could also click "Comments {below}," then Click "Anonymous." Type your message, and then click "Publish Your Post." Names, Addresses, and Telephone Numbers will not be published; text may be paraphrased, to facilitate anonymity.

If you would like to be informed of future Neighborhood Watch activities, meetings, and area problems, please send your name and Email address via the comment box described above. This information will remain confidential!

Beautiful Lighting on North Ocean Avenue

Don't blame Patchogue Village for putting up the lights. The Restoration Project is actually part of a Federal Grant. Our Village applied for the grant, and the entire job , from design to installation, was done by a Federal Contractor. The only problem, is that the designer, came up with a design, that was "Before It's Time." My wife says that the lights are ugly, and the people at our last NW Meeting laughed at the layout of the lights! Someone said it looked like an "Landing Strip!" I haven't seen any planes trying to land lately! Ha! Ha! I just sat back and smiled! Now why would I do a thing like that?

In the past, my main complaint about Patchogue Village has been it's inability to foster change. Year after year, new ideas were dismissed; ideas that would "allow our village to take a breath of Fresh Air!" Change, is a fact of life; if we don't move along with it, we will eventually be swept away! This is absolutely true for business, life, and even government! Will Rogers said, "Even if you are on the right track, you will still get run over, if you are not moving forward."

When I look at the lights, I do not see "ugly lights;" I see the entire project as essential motion, that is necessary for the "well being" of our village! As an engineer I realize that almost every project will have minor problems. The important thing is that we now possess hundreds of Street Lights, valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars. I could see moving every other light from North Ocean Avenue, to locations in our village that will create Pedestrian Malls, that would give our residents, public locations, in which to relax, have some Ice Cream, read the Newspaper, or just socialize with friends and neighbors.

Europeans are "light years ahead of us," in the way that they deal with their lives. In Patchogue, we have dinner, and then sit on our couches, and watch TV. Not very social! In Munich, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Salzburg, Paris, Venice, and almost every other European venue, they eat dinner, and then go to the "Pedestrian Mall Locations, to relax and socialize. That's the way life should be!

I smile because those "Ugly Lights," represent a change in attitude, and a change in vision! Our current slate of officials and volunteers, does indeed have the vision and courage, to allow change; which will help to usher our village into the Twenty First Century. Kudos to the village residents that have the courage to move forward on behalf of "Our Village."

Send comments to the Email Address below

More Information 11/21/07

I have just received some new information to bolster my case. On Halloween Night the Lighted area on North Ocean Avenue, would traditionally attract about one hundred "Trick or Treaters." It appears that because of the new lighting, Six Hundred "Trick or Treaters," showed up. It is obvious that the lighting has attracted many people. And now the Bad News! As I have been told, many of the residents of North Ocean Avenue, like the new lighting; they are not about to give them up! Ha! Ha! Poetic Justice! That's what you get for "badmouthing" those beautiful lights!

Send comments to the email address below.

Send your comments to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, via Email at davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com You could also click "Comments {below}," then Click "Anonymous." Type your message, and then click "Publish Your Post." Names, Addresses, and Telephone Numbers will not be published; text may be paraphrased, to facilitate anonymity.

If you would like to be informed of future Neighborhood Watch activities, meetings, and area problems, please send your name and Email address via the comment box described above. This information will remain confidential!

More Rock Attacks on Medford Avenue
A rock was thrown through the Plate Glass Window of the Singer Store, on Medford Avenue, and Northridge St. this makes the fourth act of vandalism, within five days. Evidence was found at the scene and is now in the hands of the Police Department. A Rock was also thrown through the Plate Glass Window of the old Flower Store that is currently closed, one thousand feet northeast of the Singer Store. There has also been complaints of Garbage Dumping at this location. We have an "out of control," individual or group of individuals.

Please go out of your way to patronize our local Merchants on Medford Avenue, in order to help buffer their losses.

Christmas time is upon us and Mr. Potter is again trying to destroy Bedford Falls; in this case, Patchogue Village.

Some local group of people, are actually trying to collect 2000 signatures so that he can force a vote, that could dissolve the Patchogue Village Incorporation. In short, our village would cease to exist, our first line of defense would be fired, and our Code Officers would be sent home! Where does this leave us, the residents of Patchogue Village? This scenario leaves us in Pottersville! We don't want that! This jargon comes from the Movie "It's a Wonderful Life; which from it's inception has given us a true and powerful message. The Mr. Potters of this world are a scourge to humanity. They can only think of themselves, and do not care if their actions turn our village into a slum!

In his publication, the person or group that originated this obscene action, justifies itself because of "Village Issued Tickets, and alleged "high taxes." Tickets? You violated a Village Ordnance, and deserve the fine! Taxes? We expect to pay slightly higher taxes by virtue of supporting our Village Government.

Our Mayor, Paul Pontieri, and the current slate of Trustees are our first line of defense in keeping our village Crime Free. It is our Village Government that works directly with the Police Department, and Neighborhood Watch Groups, to make sure that Our Village stays "the way we would like it to be. Get this same degree of support from the Town of Brookhaven? It wouldn't happen! The only municipalities that retain an acceptable Quality of Life, are those that also retain a Constabulary.

The opposition may ask, why am I so concerned about retaining Village Government? Because I am as "Greedy " as you are! Transient Crime runs through our village about every "Seven Years;" just like Locust! I would guess that this is normal for most Communities. If you read the 2001 section of this blog you will see that our House Values appreciated by $50,000., at that time. The appreciation was a direct result of our Village Government Cleaning-up our Village! Home Owners, and even "Slum Lords," take note! If crime is again allowed to take over our village, the value of your home will drop by 60 Percent, just as it did fifteen years ago. If you sign that petition, be prepared to loose about $300,000. That hurts! You could buy a Condo in North Carolina for that amount of money. If you are a Landlord, and own, five houses in our village, you will loose 1,500,000. Dollars. Damn 1.5 Mil! You won't have much of a retirement if you sign that petition.

Wow Therapeutic Writing!
Now I feel Better!


Send your comments to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, via Email at davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com You could also click "Comments {below}," then Click "Anonymous." Type your message, and then click "Publish Your Post." Names, Addresses, and Telephone Numbers will not be published; text may be paraphrased, to facilitate anonymity.

If you would like to be informed of future Neighborhood Watch activities, meetings, and area problems, please send your name and Email address via the comment box described above. This information will remain confidential!

Important Contact Information:

Mayor and Trustees:
Village Clerk 631 475 4300

Emergency 911

Patchogue Village Code (Public Safety):
noise, unkempt House, over occupancy 631 475 1225

Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch:
davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com

Patchogue Village Web Site:
http://www.patchoguevillage.org/

Need more Patchogue Information?
Although privately owned, this site has a wealth of information about Patchogue.
http://www.patchogue.com/

More Vandalism in Our Village!
At about Nine PM, on Thursday November 8, 2007, the same night as our General Meeting, someone threw a huge Rock through the back window of someones car on Wood Avenue. Reports also indicate that a rock was also thrown through the Plate Glass Window, at "Papa John's," Pizzeria, on Medford Avenue.

I can recall that this same type of vandalism happened in Patchogue Village about ten years ago. Some misguided person broke many windows in our village, and caused thousands of dollars in damages! It took a special effort, on the part of the Patchogue Village Constables to stop the needless destruction of property. The Constables were stationed at key Observation Points in our village, around the clock, observing our village with Binoculars. When they saw the criminal return, the Police were called, and the "Rock Thrower" was arrested. He never knew how he was discovered!

Could our Patchogue Village Constables, protect our Community, by once again initiating a village wide stake-out?
Honestly! I don't think so! Ten years ago , there were somewhere around Thirty Patchogue Constables; today we have a grand total of Thirteen Constables. It appears that the amount of crime in our village is inversely proportional to the number of Village Constables. It also appears that our Village Government would like to "get rid of" the existing Thirteen Constables!

Actually I could understand that. We as a community have become complacent, because we were spared the misery of crime for many years. Honestly, "Things were good!" No real problems until now. If I were an elected official I may have made the same decisions, given the same crime free time period.

We must now look at the current situation, and decide what to do about it. It is actually a "No Brainer," we must do what worked in our village the last time we had problems; hire more Constables.

In our times of trouble, the Patchogue Village Constables, as well as the Auxiliary Police, acted as the "Eyes and Ears" of the Police Department. As suspicious activity was reported, the Fifth Precinct, acted on it! Being a former Auxiliary Police Officer, I can say from first hand experience that the police effort was tireless and outstanding. Once the Fifth Precinct puts their focus on the criminal element, they don't stand a chance!

Fifteen years ago we had Thirty Constables, Twenty Five Auxiliary Police Officers, and the entire Fifth Precinct; a virtual Armada, in a village that is only 2.2 square miles. We now have Thirteen Constables, and about twelve Auxiliary Police Officers that are attached to the Fifth Precinct. It will be difficult to slow down the criminal activity, because of the reduced number of Constables and Auxiliary Police.

Our Mayor, Paul Pontiere, along with other Trustees, played a key role in stopping our Crime Rampage, fifteen years ago. He has the "know how," and I am sure that we will again see an end to excessive crime in our village!

Note to MANW Members:
I am receiving your information via the "Comments" Box. Your comments are intentionally hidden! Remember, you also have the option to publish text if you so desire. Want to write an article? Send your Name and Telephone Number, and I will tell you how!

Addendum: We now have an Email Address
davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com


Thanks to everyone who attended our Nov. 8, 2007 General Meeting of the Maple Avenue neighborhood Watch!
At our Nov. 8, 2007 Meeting, information was conveyed to Local Authorities, and the Police Department. Issues such as Assault, Theft, Burglary, Speeding, Vandalism, Soliciting, Intoxication, and Code Issues were discussed. Now that we have a clear picture of the problem, our local authorities can now deal with these issues.

Bookmark This Web Site
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Problems? Send your Name and Telephone Number, and I will call you back. Just Left Click the word "Comments" at the end of this section.

The Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch Gazette goes "Online"
Many of you may remember the old MANW Gazette when it was distributed in printed form. Each edition was neatly packaged in a Plastic Sandwich Bag, to protect it from the elements. New editions of our four page newsletter were often dropped on front lawns, or stuffed between the links of a Chain Link fence.

With our minds on the Twenty First Century, all future editions of our publication, will be online. We will try to provide, information relevant to our Neighborhood Watch Group, as well as cultural and social information that is paramount, to our development, as a community.

Our new online newsletter will allow us to realize visions of our community, that many people have been denied in the past. As I have been told, some area residents requested that the local media, publish a photo, and article of the "Garden of the Month." This was absolutely rebuked by the Mainstream Media. It was members of our Neighborhood Watch Group, that wanted to see local acknowledgements for work that members of our group, have done on their houses and property. We may be too small for the Mainstream Media to deal with, but, because of the new media, we can now Publish our own "Garden or House of the Month Acknowledgement; Complete with photos and videos! If we can re-establish a committee to address this issue, I will publish the article, in our own Gazette.

Please send your comments and ideas to the editor, by clicking the "comments" Box below, and following the instructions.


Email a comment to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch:
davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com


You could also send a comment to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, by clicking "Comments (below)," then Click "Anonymous." Type your message, and then click "Publish Your Post." Names, addresses, and Telephone Numbers will not be published; text will be paraphrased to hide your identity.

If you would like to be informed of future Neighborhood Watch activities, meetings, and area problems, please send your name and Email address via the "comments box" described above. This information will remain confidential!