In one sense, we all did: We all mattered to someone; we all contributed in some way to our community.
But some among us , making a profound difference in the lives of Plainview's residents. You will know many of the names we've chosen to be the 10 Plainview's "" this year.
If you can, take a moment to comment on this story, telling how one of these people made a difference in your life. That may inspire others to step up in 2012.
Here's is our list in alphabetical order:
REBECCA ALESIA: She may be an , a young, bright attorney involved with her community and to her seat on the . The Plainview Republican has becoming a more on the
JUDY JACOBS: The outspoken has been a strident voice for Plainview and her legislature district for nearly two decades. She is fundraisers, events, . She also was a against the Mangano administration's .
CAROL MESCHKOW: The leader of the led the charge to obtain a piece of for a to Plainview residents lost on 9/11. She organized a and, with the help of husband Lance, on all sorts of projects that impacted Plainview.
THE REV. ERIC OLSEN: Pastor to his flock at , Olsen stood in the Class A uniform of a Nassau County Fire Chaplain and spoke of a community healing its . He reached out to find with others in a vow of He led Plainview'sto renewed purpose.
CHIEF CRAIG ROBINSON: The of the has risen to the challenge of leading his and showed skill and He has also been a strong and visible advocate of
EVY ROTHMAN: The longtime member of the was honored as "" by the Plainview Jewish Center, and with good reason. She spearheaded the effort to bring to the PJC and a was instrumental in leading the that drew 153 donors in hopes of finding a match for one of the thousands suffering from blood-borne diseases.
COLLEEN MACK-SAVINO - She became involved 20 years ago in order to live. Today, Mack-Savino is the co-chair of which conducts over the course of the school year. Through her work and that of her team of volunteers, hundreds of pints of blood are collected annually.
RABBI DAVID ROSS SENTER: His was a voice in the wilderness, who inspired to reinvigorate their In turn, the gave voice and memory to a community His leadership brought Kolin's looted Torah back to life. The became the public . He taught children in his He taught us.
JOSEPH SLATTERY: You may not know his name, . This Vietnam Veteran is a for needs of veterans around Long Island, serving on and honored recently for his 46 years of continuing service to local groups.
JACOB ZIPKIN: His began with a simple idea: people who worked at Plainview Hospital should be remembered after they're gone. It grew into a , dug with his own hands, and stands as a
Editor's Note: Did we leave someone out? Let us know. We're compiling an "Honorable Mention" list during the weekend based on your comments.
Children are using drugs in every demographic- it isn't just a problem with our town. If you look at the surveys done over the past 5 years about drug use among the young people in our community you will see that drug use has actually gone down. As for teens running away from home? Fortunately in Plainview this is not a common occurrence and it is amazing that when it does happen the community comes together to let that child know that they are cared for. As for your rhetoric about the school parking lot. It is not filled with luxury vehicles and for those students who do drive them? What of it? Parents work hard and provide for their children-as they should. I suggest you look at the outgoing class for the past 10 years and you can see just how well the 'spoiled kids' are doing. Graduating top of their classes and heading to some of the top universities in the nation. It is a town filled with loving parents (not ignorant) working together to give their children good lives. Stop hating them.