Feb.18: Headlines Around Long Island

Some news from around Long Island communities this week.

Redistricting Plan for Two Forks Opposed

A couple of weeks after a proposal to put the North Fork and South Fork in the same Assembly district was met with blowback from North Fork politicians, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, I-Sag Harbor, joined the call for two separate East End Assembly districts. Critics have said that, were the forks to be lumped into one district, North Fork interests would lose out to the South Fork when it comes to representation in Albany. "The South Fork has always had a mightier voice than the North Fork in Albany," Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said in January. Thiele will join North Fork Assemblyman Dan Losquadro, R-Shoreham, and both Riverhead and Southold town boards in seeking modifications to the redistricting proposal.

South Huntington School Board President Honored

 South Huntington School Board President Jim Kaden has been named Advocate of the Year by the New York State Boards Association. Kaden will be honored March 11 in Albany. Each year, the NYSBA honors one person for work which serves as an inspiration to other local school leaders about the importance of state and federal advocacy to public education, according to nomination guidelines.

Bollinger's to Close in Farmingdale

 Bollinger's Family Restaurant in Farmingdale will close Sunday after decades on Main Street. The old-fashioned ice cream parlor dates back to the 1900's, when it opened as Von Leesen's. Fred Bollinger took over and renamed it more than a decade ago before retiring in October 2010 and selling it to current owners Jim Brennan and Joe Tinisi.

"The decision to close is financial," Brennan said on Wednesday. "Last winter there were a lot of days we couldn’t even open. Plus a lot of other businesses in Farmingdale have went out, which has hurt."

Schein Exceeds $8.5 Billion in Sales

Henry Schein Inc., a medical supplies company in Melville, announced its sales reached a record-breaking $8.5 billion in 2011. Of that $8.5 billion, the company, which sells veterinary, dental and medical office supplies, reported a net income of $367.7 million. "…We are proud that net sales for the year exceeded $8.5 billion for the first time," said Stanley Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer of Henry Schein. Bergman said in a release that Henry Schein aims to reach $10 billion in sales within the next few years by restructuring the company.

Smithtown Temple Looks to Sell Building, Property

Temple Beth Sholom is considering putting its building and property up for sale with hopes to move to a smaller location.

Vice President for Ways and Means at the temple Rhonda Cooper said the space in the building is no longer needed after a caterer that also occupied the building left last year. The temple now houses a large, unused catering hall.

However the place of worship is not closing.