FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 22, 2017
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Rebecca Cheng, Sam Marksheid, and Vicki DiStefano | (516) 869-7794
It’s official: ‘May Newburger Cove’
Town applauds official naming of cove after former supervisor who had passion for environment
North Hempstead, NY – Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board are pleased to announce the U.S. Geological Survey has officially approved the naming of a portion of Hempstead Harbor after former Town Supervisor May Newburger, five years after her death. The official name—“May Newburger Cove”--will now appear on federally published navigational charts and Google maps.
The idea to dedicate a body of water to her was first brought up by elected officials in 2012, including Senator Chuck Schumer and then-Supervisor Jon Kaiman. However, federal law requires a person be deceased at least five years before renaming a navigational channel in their honor. Newburger passed away just one month later in August 2012, and with the five year post-mortem date approaching, Schumer renewed his push.
“May Newburger’s passion was protecting and preserving the environment and I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to her than to have this serene cove overlooking Hempstead Harbor officially carry her name,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “I appreciate Senator Schumer’s urging the U.S. Board of Global Naming to approve this request.”
Newburger, a Great Neck resident, served five consecutive terms as Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead from 1994 to 2003, making her the first female town supervisor in Long Island. Before that, she was a member of the New York State Assembly for eight years and the North Hempstead Town Board for two.
In a statement, Senator Schumer said that Newburger’s contributions to the town and Long Island will “forever be immortalized in Hempstead Harbor.”
“As beachgoers swim at Bar Beach, and kids play at North Hempstead Beach Park and boats dock at the cove, I know that May Newburger will be looking down on them and smiling,” Senator Schumer said.
As Town Supervisor, Newburger built a reputation around her dedication to the environment, securing $200,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency to designate New Cassel as a Brownfields Pilot Community. She is also credited with creating The Environmental Legacy Fund, which continues to be a tool to preserve open space and create additional park land in all parts of the Town.
For more information on May Newburger Cove and how to visit it, please call (516) 869-6311.