Mineola

Mineola, New York
—  Village  —
Village landmarks
Mineola, New York
Coordinates: 40°44′50″N 73°38′17″W / 40.74722°N 73.63806°W / 40.74722; -73.63806Coordinates: 40°44′50″N 73°38′17″W / 40.74722°N 73.63806°W / 40.74722; -73.63806
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Nassau
Government
- Mayor	Jack M. Martins
Area
- Total	1.9 sq mi (4.8 km2)
- Land	1.9 sq mi (4.8 km2)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	108 ft (33 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	19,234
- Density	10,337.3/sq mi (3,991.3/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	11501
Area code(s)	516
FIPS code	36-47636
GNIS feature ID	0957391

Mineola is a village in Nassau County, New York, USA. The population was 19,233 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from a Native American word meaning a "pleasant place."

The majority of the Village of Mineola is located in the Town of North Hempstead, with a slim portion of its southern edge within the Town of Hempstead.^[1] Old Country Road runs along the southern border of the village. The area serviced by the Mineola Post Office extends further south into the adjacent village of Garden City, New York, where the county seat of Nassau County^[2] is located. Offices of many Nassau agencies are located in both Mineola and Garden City.

History

The central, flat, grassy part of Long Island was originally named "Hempstead Plains." In the 19th century various communities were started. One of them was called "Hempstead Branch," and finally, "Mineola."

Long Island was part of Henry Hudson's original claim in the name of the Dutch East India Company dating as far back as 1609. In the 18th century the Dutch and English settlers worked to clear farmland to start their life on the Hempstead Plains. It was in 1858 when this land was named after an Algonquin Indian Chief, Miniolagamika meaning, "Pleasant Village." The name was later shortened and altered to "Mineola."

Mineola was legally incorporated in 1906 and run by a president. The president and Trustees worked to meet the needs of the growing community and later became the judicial and legislative heart of Nassau County. The County Seat found its home in Mineola on July 13, 1900, as Governor Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of the Nassau County Court House. A celebration was held to commemorate this momentous occasion on the barren 5-acre (20,000 m²) site at the corner of Old Country Road and Franklin Avenue. Many dignitaries were present to witness this history-making event such as, Frederick Hicks, Congressman Townsend Scudder, Colonel William Youngs and Supervisors William Jones and Edwin Willits.

Winthrop-University Hospital, founded in 1896 by local physicians and residents as Nassau Hospital, was Long Island's first voluntary hospital. In 1897, it admitted 91 patients, performed 27 operations, and reported two births and eight deaths during the first year. The original hospital was constructed in 1900. Today, Winthrop is a nationally-recognized award-winning hospital and in 2004 was ranked among the Top 5 Percent of Acute-Care Hospitals in the Country.

Mineola was also a familiar place to many of the most famous pilots in history. The Aero Club of America chose the area for the level plains. Glenn Curtiss brought the area to national attention in July 1909 with his second Scientific American Award flight of over 23 minutes and 15 miles. He also made some of the first public flights in America in his "Golden Flyer", while practicing fo the Reims Aviation Meet in France. The Wright Brothers, Igor Sikorsky, Captain Rene Fonac, and the famed duo of Clarence Chamberlain and Bert Acosta, dubbed "twins of derring-do," all spent time in Mineola taking advantage of the rolling grasslands and favorable winds.

On November 1, 1915, Captain Raynal Cawthorne Bolling—a prominent New York attorney working at United States Steel—organized the Aviation Detachment, lst Battalion, Signal Corps of the New York National Guard 106 Rescue Wing. It was the Guard's first genuine aviation unit. Subsequently, the organization was redesignated the lst Aero Company. Located at Mineola on Long Island, the unit rented and then purchased its own aircraft with funds donated by the Aero Club of America and other contributors. It was "provisionally recognized" on June 22, 1916 and then called into federal service on July 13, 1916 during the Mexican border crisis. However, instead of active service in the southwest, it remained at Mineola training and was released from federal service on November 2, 1916.

On May 20, 1927, at 7:52 a.m., Charles Lindbergh started his historic flight from nearby Roosevelt Field. Thirty-three hours later he landed in Paris and became the first person to complete a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean from the United States.

Main Street was the center of village business as well as a popular meeting place for farmers and the business community alike. The general store offered an array of goods that would fulfill most everyday needs, such as hardware, toys, wool, dry goods, clothing and food. The small glass-fronted mail and delivery boxes filled the existing six-foot post office. As the Mineola population grew, the post office was relocated to the Meyer Building on Mineola Boulevard and then twice more to 3rd Street and 2nd Street. It eventually found its permanent home on 1st Street and Main Street.

Mineola's first theatre named Allen's Hall drew in many early moviegoers to see "the flickers." Motion picture success drew in other theaters to the area, the most lavish being the Century Opera House. Most theaters had a showing in the morning and in the evening, usually featuring a live pianist who kept up with the action of the movie while playing music that suited the story.

As years passed, Jericho Turnpike became the commercial "main street," farmland was sold off, and homes and offices were built. Mineola has continued to be a community of growth and development.

Mineola held its centennial celebration in 2006.

Current Elected Officials

Board of Trustees

The legislative body of the village, the board of trustees, is composed of the mayor and four trustees. Each member is elected to a two-year term. The board is charged with management of village property and finances, and may take all measures under the law for the good government of the village. The trustees may adopt a wide range of local laws to address village concerns.

They are appointed to be liaison officers to various community organizations throughout the village and report back to the board with updates at board meetings.[1]

Current Trustees

Mayor Jack Martins

Deputy Mayor Lawrence Werther

Trustee Thomas Kennedy

Trustee Paul Cusato

Trustee Paul Pereira

Mineola additional information

Mineola is mostly served by the Mineola Union Free School District. Smaller sections of Mineola are in the East Williston and Carle Place School Districts. In 2005, Assistant Superintendent John Jackson was arrested for stealing money and labor from the district totaling over $90,000. He pleaded guilty and in January 2006 was sentenced to 5 years probation and 90 days in jail. Reggie Carter, former basketball player for the New York Knicks, was Assistant Principal of Mineola High School (New York) until his death in 1999.

The Mineola Hotel burned down in 1966 as the result of arson. One man was killed.

Mineola has a central railroad station and MTA Long Island Bus hub station. Many residents take advantage of the close proximity to NYC and the 24 hr access to the LIRR to commute to work. Mineola has become a bedroom community to the Tri-State area. Many businesses are also nearby (e.g., Canon USA).

Mineola is home to very large Portuguese, and more recently Brazilian communities, and has been for years. Portuguese and Brazilian restaurants and businesses are a common feature throughout the neighborhood.

In 2005/2006, as a result of numerous recommendations from the community that Mineola increase its police protection and presence, and in order to protect and improve the residents’ quality of life, a Mineola Police Task Force was appointed by Mayor Jack M. Martins to evaluate the feasibility of withdrawing from the Nassau County Police Department and establishing a Village police force.

The Mayor indicated to the Task Force at its inception that if the feasibility study resulted in a positive report, Mineola would only have its own police department if the residents approved such through a Village-wide referendum [ The operational report of the Task Force is available at this link: [2].

The village board was split 3-2 in favor of the Police Force with Mayor Jack Martins, Deputy Mayor Werther and Trustee Davanzo supporting it while Trustees Fargrieve and Cusato opposed it. On December 5, 2006 the measure was defeated by a 2-1 margin. [3]

Near the center of the village, Mineola Memorial Park commemorates the victims of Sept 11, 2001 attack with a monument, near Mineola's own Memorial Library. Multiple private and public schools surround the park, creating a relaxing, open environment.

Education

Mineola is served by the Mineola Union Free School District which encompasses the communities of Mineola, Garden City Park, Williston Park, Albertson, and Roslyn Heights.^[1]

Mineola Union Free School District Schools

• Mineola High School (grades 9-12)
• Mineola Middle School (grades 6 to 8)
• Cross Street School (located in Williston Park)
• Hampton Street School
• Jackson Avenue School
• Meadow Drive School (located in Albertson)
• Willis Avenue School

Private schools

Mineola is also the location of two Catholic schools. Corpus Christi Elementary School [4] offers classes up to 8th grade. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association.^[3] Chaminade High School has a history as an academically rigorous and highly disciplined school that has produced such graduates as Al D'Amato, U.S. Senator.^[4]

2007

Mayor Martins and Trustees Werther and Davanzo were overwhelmingly re-elected in March 2007. Mayor Martins defeated Trustee Fargrieve by a wide margin and Hometown party candidate Peggy May was unable to garner enough votes to defeat either Werther or Davanzo. This suggests that the Hometown party was unable to capitalize on the defeat of the ill conceived village police force proposal. 1

In June 2007, the Village Board unanimously voted to pay for a complete reassessment of village property values. The reasoning is that the widening divergence between the county and village property roles is causing Tax certiorari challenges among commercial properties. By reassessing properties to bring assessments more in line with the counties, the village hopes to reduce, and hopefully eliminate certiorari challenges and freeze the current tax split between commercial and residential at 50/50. 2

Geography

Mineola is located at 40°44′50″N 73°38′17″W / 40.747188°N 73.638088°W / 40.747188; -73.638088.^[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.8 km²), all of it land.

The villages bordering Mineola are Garden City, Old Westbury, East Williston, and Williston Park. Mineola also borders New Hyde Park, Garden City Park and Carle Place, unincorporated areas of the Town of North Hempstead.

Demographics

As of the census^[6] of 2000, there were 19,234 people, 7,473 households, and 4,954 families residing in the village. The population density was 10,337.3 people per square mile (3,992.6/km²). There were 7,650 housing units at an average density of 4,111.5/sq mi (1,588.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 82.39% White, 1.03% African American, 0.29% Native American, 4.52% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.93% from other races, and 3.79% from two or more races. 13.03% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,473 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the village the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $60,706, and the median income for a family was $71,042. Males had a median income of $47,182 versus $37,057 for females. The per capita income for the village was $28,890. About 2.6% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

Sports

Mineola was the center of amateur soccer on Long Island during the 2008/2009 season, where its only represented team, the Lusitano Soccer Club of the Portuguese Heritage Society won 4/6 championships and 1 runners-up trophy. The Long Island Soccer-Futebol League presented the LSC with its Division 1 East Title, Division 1 Championship Title, and its Super "Cangero" Cup trophy to the Portuguese of Mineola in addition to the "Sportsmanship Trophy", which highlighted the teams lack of yellow and red cards. Additionally the Eastern New York State Soccer Association presented the LSC with its Manning Cup Runner's Up trophy after the amateur team lost in the finals against semi-pros NYGA in Yonkers.

Notable people

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• Mineola was the birthplace of MLB player John Valentin, controversial comedian Lenny Bruce, former Howard Stern Show writer Jackie Martling, The King of Queens star Kevin James, and teen actress Emmy Clarke (who plays the recurring character Julie Teeger on the USA Network show Monk). Rock Icon Bob Dylan was married by a justice of the peace in Mineola in 1965. Actor Brian Dennehy lived in Mineola and attended Chaminade High School, which is located in Mineola. Hugo Award-winning author James Patrick Kelly was born in Mineola in 1951.
• Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., the former Chairman of IBM and currently Chairman of the Carlyle Group, was born and raised in Mineola. He attended Corpus Christi Grammar School and Chaminade High School, both in Mineola.
• B. J. LaMura a pitcher on the LA Dodgers. Also played for Clemson and won the College World Series. Played for Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
• Carlos Mendes, defense-man for Major League Soccer side Red Bull New York
• Bill O'Reilly, political commentator, author, and host of the The O'Reilly Factor, graduated from Chaminade High School in 1967.
• Regis Philbin's parents lived in Mineola at 55 12th Avenue off Old Country Road.
• Joel Rifkin, a serial killer and native of East Meadow, Long Island was arrested in Mineola after he crashed his pickup truck into a telephone pole on the corner of Old Country Road and Washington Ave. during a police chase on June 28, 1993. The arrest eventually led to his conviction in the murders of 18 women. Although the arrest took place in the 11501 zip code, Joel Rifkin was actually arrested about 50 yards (46 m) south of Old Country Road in the Village of Garden City. Ironically, he was arrested right in front of the Nassau County Court Houses where he would have his trial for murder.
• Kim Richards was born in Mineola. She was a child actress who starred in Nanny and the Professor, Escape to Witch Mountain, No Deposit, No Return, Return from Witch Mountain, as an adult, she made a cameo role as a waitress in Race to Witch Mountain.
• Scott Strauss was born, raised, and lives in Mineola. He is an Ex-Chief of the Mineola Fire Department as well as being a retired NYPD ESU Detective. Mr. Strauss is known as the "hometown hero" following his heroic efforts on September 11, 2001. The Oliver Stone Film, "World Trade Center" portrays his character as he saved Port Authority Police Officer Will Jimeno.
• Frances Fragos Townsend, US Homeland Security Adviser under President George W. Bush
• Bill Owens, Congressman for New York's 23rd District, was raised in Mineola, and is a graduate of Chaminade High School.

References

External links

• Village of Mineola Official Website
• MIneola Volunteer Fire Department
• Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. Official Website
• Mineola Chamber of Commerce
• Mineola American Newspaper
• Portuguese Heritage Society "of Mineola" (PHS Lusitano) Official Site.

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