Owen H. Johnson's Press releases

Over 1 ½ tons of debris was removed from the Robert Moses State Park shoreline by 450 volunteers at Senator Owen H. Johnson’s 25th Anniversary Beach Cleanup on Saturday, September 17, 2011.  Volunteers from across Long Island including numerous conservation organizations, sportsmen’s groups, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops participated.“Thank you to everyone who came out for our 25th Anniversary Beach Cleanup,” Senator Johnson said.  “We had a wonderful response this year.  Our volunteers gathered over 3300 pounds of  garbage from the beach and helped raise awareness about the harmful effects of littering and dumping on our shores.”

Senator Owen H. Johnson joined the West Babylon community in celebrating the South Bay Elementary School reopening on September 6, 2011 at 160 Great East Neck Road, just one day before students began their new school year.  “I applaud the cooperation and around the clock work that took place at South Bay Elementary over the past year,” Senator Johnson said.  “The outcome is impressive and I join in welcoming our students as they begin the school year in their new classrooms.”  On February 18, 2010, two of the three wings that make up South Bay Elementary School were completely destroyed by flames so intense that they collapsed hallways and forced the fire chief to pull firefighters out of the facilities. 

Suffolk County, in conjunction with New York State and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), have joined forces to establish a Disaster Recovery Center to assist residents and businesses that have losses or damages caused by Hurricane Irene.  The centers are staffed with disaster recovery specialists who can provide information and answer questions about storm related disaster assistance and available low interest loans from the Small Business Administration. Individuals seeking assistance should register with FEMA first by calling the toll-free FEMA Hotline at 800-621-3362.  Applicants can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon) today called on President Obama and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expand federal disaster assistance available to Suffolk County so home and business owners can apply for federal assistance.

While localities in Suffolk County will be eligible to receive federal assistance to pay for road, bridge and infrastructure repairs related to the storm, home and business owners were not included on the list for disaster assistance.

Legislation sponsored by Senator Owen H. Johnson to allow the Fair Harbor Fire District to hold elections on the second Tuesday of July, rather than in December, was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on August 3, 2011.“This is exciting news for the Fire Island community because it will increase participation in the Fair Harbor Fire District elections,” Senator Johnson said.  “It is in the interest of democracy and the rights of the registered voters that elections take place in July.  This will bring Fair Harbor in line with most other Fire Island Communities where many property owners do not reside year-round and cannot easily gain access in the winter.”

Senator Owen H. Johnson assisted in the ribbon cutting at the Fresnel Lens Building Grand Opening Ceremony on July 22, 2011.  Members of the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society and the National Park Service were among those who joined in the celebration.  The Fresnel Lens Building is now the home of  the First Order Fresnel Lens; a beacon that guided mariners into New York Harbor.  For many European immigrants, the Fire Island Light was their first sight of land upon arrival to America.

Members of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 84, Chartered by Amityville Lions Club, stopped by for a tour of the State Capitol in Albany on their way to a campout at Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, New York on May 13, 2011.  The following day the Boy Scouts set off to hike the Saratoga National Historic Trail for which they received a patch or medal.Photograph:  Pictured on the Million Dollar Staircase in the State Capitol are members of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 84, from Amityville.  Left to right are Frank Smisek, Scoutmaster; Grant Meyer; George Vosper; David Spellman; Terence Gilmore; and William McLaughlin, Assistant Scoutmaster.

Family, friends and colleagues joined with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Patrick’s Division 2 at Hibernian Hall in Babylon to remember Monsignor James M. Kissane.  His family assisted with the unveiling of a memorial inscribed with the words “In Loving Memory of our Chaplain Msgr. James M. Kissane; Born June 29, 1965; Ordained May 30, 1992; Died Dec. 16, 2009; His life was a heritage of love; May his spirit live forever.”  The unveiling took place on June 29, 2011 and was followed by a blessing and celebration of Holy Mass.