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NYPost AP
The centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s plan to keep thousands of people from losing their homes amid the worst economic crisis in decades is headed for defeat next week in the Senate.
Allowing people to seek mortgage relief in bankruptcy court is opposed by Republicans and enough Democrats to block it. They remain worried that the legislation would unleash a torrent of loan defaults, ultimately driving up mortgage rates and introducing fresh uncertainty to an already ailing economy.
The number of homes under threat of foreclosure has shot up since last year, when 2.3 million households received foreclosure filings.
RealtyTrac Inc., a foreclosure-listing firm, has reported that some 650,000 homes received at least one foreclosure-related note in the first three months of 2008. This year, nearly 804,000 homes have already received foreclosure notes.
Economists also estimate that about a fourth of US mortgage holders owe more to the bank than their property is worth.
In February, Obama announced his plan to save some 9 million debt-ridden individuals from losing their homes by providing incentives to lenders to cut homeowners’ monthly payments or refinance loans for individuals whose homes’ market values have sunk below what they owe. As part of the plan, Obama said he also wanted to change bankruptcy laws so a judge can reduce a person’s mortgage payment based on its market value. The option was cast as a last resort for homeowners who were unable to otherwise modify their loans.
Nunley’s Carousel, is a little gem and beautiful memory from my childhood. I am so happy to know it is going to be unveiled and celebrated in all its glory, once again, for the public to enjoy this week end. I will never forget when Nunley’s closed. You see, I grew up in Baldwin. As a young child my parents would take me and my brother, Andrew, to what we though of as a vast wonderland of an amusement park. My memory had Nunley’s as big and fantastic as a Six Fags, Busch Gardens theme park. We would go quite often and ride the Boats or the Roller Coaster. But the true fantasy for this 5 and 7 year old was the Merry-go-Round. I would wait for my favorite pony, “Rosie” and my brother wanted any up and down outside track horse. He would reach fearlessly at the ring dispenser and would grab for that brass ring. He got it many times, and would immediately take his free ride, proudly.
I took my daughter to Nunley’s when she was barely three, plopped her in one of the motorized boats and watched her go round and round. She rode on the Roller Coaster with my mom and I saw how small the ride really was. I think the highest climb for that little coaster was 6 feet off the ground! That was 1990.
This weekend, I expect there will be a lot of people, like myself, going to the Cradle of Aviation Museum (516 572 4111) for the public opening of a brand new pavilion just to see Nunley’s Carousel the center of attention. One lion, two chariots, 41 horses, and a Wurlitzer 153-band organ, built in 1912 by Stein and Goldstein, its first home was an amusement park in Canarsie Brooklyn. Of the 17 carousels built by Stein and Goldstein, Nunley’s is one of just three that remain.
There are activities all weekend. Saturday noon – 7pm and Sunday noon – 5pm. $450,000 original estimated restoration cost, $10.00 weekend admission, and the cost of stepping back in time…priceless. (thanks Joe Scannell)
Tulip Festival set for May 3 Photo contest deadline: July 31, 2009
The Huntington Tulip Festival — a free, family-oriented festival featuring thousands of tulips, booths with activities for children and live entertainment — has been set for Sunday, May 3 from 11 am to 4 pm in Huntington’s Heckscher Park.
The 2009 Tulip Festival photo contest is open to any photographer, amateur or professional. All entries must be un-mounted, 8″ by 10″ photographic color prints. A maximum of two entries per photographer will be accepted. To be eligible, all entries must be postmarked or received by July 31, 2009.
Additional information and entry forms can be obtained by calling 351-3099 or by going to the Town of Huntington’s website at http://town.huntington.ny.us. Click “online library” and then go to “cultural affairs” and then “tulip festival photo contest entry form.” The Town Board recently honored the winners of the eighth annual Huntington Tulip Festival Photo Contest, presenting a certificate and a $350 award check to first-placeholder Julie Hibbert, of Huntington; $200 to second-placeholder Suzanne Abruzzo, of Bayside, and $100 to Bess Fuchs, of Huntington. Honorable mentions went to Eileen Haritonides, of Huntington Station, and Dr. Ralph K. Della Ratta, of Huntington. courtesy of Times Beacon Record
