A new season of optimism and opportunities

The old refrain, “Summer went too fast,” never does get old — and that’s because so many of us have been repeating it in recent days.

But even as the season’s end brings a tinge of sadness, it also brings a new autumnal momentum to our lives: a new school year for our children, the transition of our recent high school graduates to higher education in colleges and universities around the country, and people entering the job market or changing careers. Our local small businesses geared up for back-to-school sales, and families are now preparing for fall events and religious holidays, most notably the Jewish New Year and the High Holy Days.

As we have each year since 2016, my office will host a number of events coinciding with this change in seasons, to help constituents and their families prepare for the months ahead.

On Sept. 24, we will host our twice-annual Shed the Meds event at Syosset Library, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department’s 2nd Precinct. This event is crucially important, because it provides a safe and effective way for our friends and neighbors to dispose of unused, unfinished or expired medications, thereby safeguarding against having those medications end up in the wrong hands or damaging our environment through improper disposal.

On Oct. 10, we will bring the Homeowner Exemption Liaison Program, or HELP, property tax exemption workshop series to The Barn at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, in partnership with the county Department of Assessment. Homeowners and seniors will receive individualized assistance with applying for and receiving all of the tax exemptions they are entitled to. We will repeat that workshop less than two weeks later, on Oct. 22, at the Jericho Public Library. Both workshops are from 1 to 3 p.m., and anyone needing help should arrive no later than 2:30.

Last but certainly not least, on Nov. 7, we will team up with Nassau University Medical Center to bring the Mammovan back to our community. This potentially life-saving initiative gives women an opportunity to expeditiously screen for breast cancer — and those without insurance may be able to do so at no cost. Please stay tuned, and contact my office closer to the event date for more details.

As we approach the colder months and contend with the inevitable flu season and an increase in Covid cases, I encourage everyone to protect themselves and their families by taking full advantage of the vaccines that are available to keep us safe and healthy. And with school now back in session and our children, parents and families sharing and embracing this new season, I remind all drivers to exercise an abundance of caution as they traverse the streets of our communities.

My office is always available to anyone and everyone for any questions or needs. It continues to be my utmost honor and privilege to serve as a legislator, and as we support the Syosset Chamber of Commerce’s 20th anniversary Street Fair on Jackson Avenue on Sept. 29, I hope you can take a break from the fun, festivities and vendors to stop by and say hello to my staff and me.

Arnold W. Drucker represents Nassau County’s 16th Legislative District, and is the Legislature’s deputy minority leader.