Letter to Lou Yost, Executive Secretary of the Board of Geographic Names - Ask That the United States Board on Geographic Names in Conjunction With the United States Geological Survey Designate and Rename a Portion of Hempstead Harbor in Port Washington, "May Newburger Cove"

Letter

I am writing to ask that the United States Board on Geographic Names (USBGN) in conjunction with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) designate and rename a portion of Hempstead Harbor in Port Washington, "May Newburger Cove." It is my understanding that it is the policy of the USGS to discourage naming features for living or recently deceased persons until after a period of five years has passed. The community of North Hempstead lost May Newburger in August of 2012 and I now ask that you begin the task of processing the Town of North Hempstead's application swiftly, so the updated name can be printed on navigational charts as soon as possible. Since this process can take years to finalize, I am asking that your agencies work together to expedite the town's application in order to honor the many achievements of May Newburger.

The aforementioned portion of Hempstead Harbor will be renamed after May Newburger, a strong local leader in the Town of North Hempstead and a great public servant. May Newburger was an Assemblywoman for eight years until 1986. I'm proud to say I witnessed her strong leadership firsthand while serving alongside of her in the New York State Assembly. She was also Town Councilwoman for two years before being elected as the Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead. She led the town as supervisor for 10 years. She was also appointed as the head of the Nassau County Planning Federation. The community knows May Newburger as a trailblazer who dedicated her life to enhancing the lives of those residing in the Town of North Hempstead. She paved the way for women to become more involved in local government. May Newburger played an instrumental role in many of the town's environmental projects and has always been an outspoken supporter of environmentally sustainable and energy efficient issues. One of her most noteworthy environmental accomplishments includes turning an environmentally damaged locale in the Town of North Hempstead into a remarkable golf course, Harbor Links, which won the "Environmental Stewardship Award." She is also known for turning the Town of North Hempstead's budget deficit into a $7.7 million surplus. Mrs. Newburger's distinguished career in public service is very much deserving of this honor.

It is clear that there is no other leader in the Town of North Hempstead who merits this accomplishment as much as May Newburger. The vast achievements of May Newburger can forever be immortalized in Hempstead Harbor. I strongly urge you to officially designate this portion of Hempstead Harbor, "May Newburger Cove."

Source