Steve Dalton, 24 Vice president, board of trustees Levittown Public Library 
 Dalton reached out to us by email and we met up with him at the library on Tuesday. Currently a law student at Touro College, Dalton grew up in Levittown and left only to get his undergraduate degree at American University in Washington, D.C. 
 In addition to his position on the Levittown Public Library board of trustees, he is a member of the board for the Levittown Kiwanis Club; on the membership board for the Levittown Community Council; a member of the board for the Levittown Swimming Association; and he teaches religion and lectors at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church. 
 As a young person living and staying very active in the Levittown community, are you unique? Perhaps in the amount of things I do. But in each one of the organizations I’m involved in there are other young people involved. At St. Bern’s, at the Swimming Association, at Kiwanis. I think they understand the importance of keeping the organizations going, especially with something like the swimming association, where we all grew up being a part of it. So, if I’m unique, it’s only because of how many things I’ve taken on. But young people absolutely want to get involved. 
 What does make you want to stay so involved in your community? People are the lifeblood of their community. Otherwise, it’s just a spot on the map. I don’t want to live in a town that is just a spot on the map. I want it to be a community. I’m doing my part to make that happen and I think others are doing their part. People wouldn’t stay here if it was just a spot on the map, and people do stay here. There are people that live here that came right after it was all potato farms and have been here ever since. 
 How have you seen Levittown change since you were growing up? There has been a great influx of families. I think in a lot of places, people grow up wherever their parents live, and then they move away and start their own families. Here, people who’ve grown up here come back. They take the community and make it their own. I think it’s a testament to the community that people come back. 
 Growing up, did you understand the history of Levittown? Did it impact you at all? I think I realized it when I was in fourth grade and Levittown was in our history textbook. That was eye-opening to realize this is really a place that people know about in places outside of Levittown because of how it was formed. I think that’s part of what sparked my interest in history, and I ended up with a history minor when I went to college. I think you would be hard-pressed to find a legitimate history textbook anywhere that doesn’t have something about Levittown in it. I don’t think many communities can say that. I’m taking a zoning class right now and there is a section about Levittown. Levittown follows me wherever I go. 
 Do you plan to stay in Levittown? I’d like to stay. You can’t predict the future, but it’s a community that obviously I care a lot about. 
 What challenges does the community face? Taxes. That’s a large problem. There are vacancies, but I think the Town of Hempstead is doing a good job to bring in new businesses where others have left. Levittown is really ready to roar back and we’ve got people in and out of government that are working hard to make sure it does. 
 Define the character of Levittown. Family-centered. Small town. People know everybody. If you go into Dortoni’s Bakery on a Sunday after mass, you probably know a third of the people in there. Same goes with Bagel Town. You’ll wind up staying for 10 minutes longer than you planned because you’ll stay and talk.

Steve Dalton, 24 Vice president, board of trustees Levittown Public Library Dalton reached out to us by email and we met up with him at the library on Tuesday. Currently a law student at Touro College, Dalton grew up in Levittown and left only to get his undergraduate degree at American University in Washington, D.C. In addition to his position on the Levittown Public Library board of trustees, he is a member of the board for the Levittown Kiwanis Club; on the membership board for the Levittown Community Council; a member of the board for the Levittown Swimming Association; and he teaches religion and lectors at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church. As a young person living and staying very active in the Levittown community, are you unique? Perhaps in the amount of things I do. But in each one of the organizations I’m involved in there are other young people involved. At St. Bern’s, at the Swimming Association, at Kiwanis. I think they understand the importance of keeping the organizations going, especially with something like the swimming association, where we all grew up being a part of it. So, if I’m unique, it’s only because of how many things I’ve taken on. But young people absolutely want to get involved. What does make you want to stay so involved in your community? People are the lifeblood of their community. Otherwise, it’s just a spot on the map. I don’t want to live in a town that is just a spot on the map. I want it to be a community. I’m doing my part to make that happen and I think others are doing their part. People wouldn’t stay here if it was just a spot on the map, and people do stay here. There are people that live here that came right after it was all potato farms and have been here ever since. How have you seen Levittown change since you were growing up? There has been a great influx of families. I think in a lot of places, people grow up wherever their parents live, and then they move away and start their own families. Here, people who’ve grown up here come back. They take the community and make it their own. I think it’s a testament to the community that people come back. Growing up, did you understand the history of Levittown? Did it impact you at all? I think I realized it when I was in fourth grade and Levittown was in our history textbook. That was eye-opening to realize this is really a place that people know about in places outside of Levittown because of how it was formed. I think that’s part of what sparked my interest in history, and I ended up with a history minor when I went to college. I think you would be hard-pressed to find a legitimate history textbook anywhere that doesn’t have something about Levittown in it. I don’t think many communities can say that. I’m taking a zoning class right now and there is a section about Levittown. Levittown follows me wherever I go. Do you plan to stay in Levittown? I’d like to stay. You can’t predict the future, but it’s a community that obviously I care a lot about. What challenges does the community face? Taxes. That’s a large problem. There are vacancies, but I think the Town of Hempstead is doing a good job to bring in new businesses where others have left. Levittown is really ready to roar back and we’ve got people in and out of government that are working hard to make sure it does. Define the character of Levittown. Family-centered. Small town. People know everybody. If you go into Dortoni’s Bakery on a Sunday after mass, you probably know a third of the people in there. Same goes with Bagel Town. You’ll wind up staying for 10 minutes longer than you planned because you’ll stay and talk.

News

Levittown people: Steve Dalton

Levittown people: Library trustee Steve Dalton

Levittown

Newsday

HLLEVI13

Homepage Trending

Jones Beach Bandshell free concert lineup

Trump accounts: What LI parents need to know

Summer Fun Book

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Marie Elena Martinez got a sneak peek at the new Babylon Whiskey Down Diner location, which is currently under construction with plans to open in the fall.

Take a peek inside Whiskey Down Diner's new location

For a quick trip not far from home, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano checks out the Rockaway Hotel.

A getaway close to home for mom

A weaver from Huntington helped hide guns from the British at his home. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

America 250: The arsenal in Huntington

Joe Tosini, owner of River Center Shopping Center in Riverhead, said the businesses in the center lost power during Saturday's storms and that their electricity wasn't restored until late Tuesday afternoon. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

Riverhead shopping center back in business after 3-day power outage

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joined the volunteers of Save the Great South Bay to clean oysters. The oysters are cleaned weekly and then placed back into the bay, where they'll be able to help filter the water.

Help boost the Great South Bay oyster population

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits Palmer Vineyards, where they host 'summer late nights,' which have become very popular.

Out East: Take a sip at this winery that's ready for summer

A draft rule introduced this month by House and Senate Republicans would significantly limit compensation for service-connected tinnitus and sleep apnea for veterans. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

LI vets concerned about bill that would reduce benefits

Juan Bonilla Lagos, who was arrested by ICE in October near his Plainview home, was freed from jail after nine months.

Plainview man detained by ICE freed from jail after 9 months 

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits L'Etoile in Oyster Bay. The French restaurant is in the building that used to be Snouder's Drug Store.

Historic LI building home to new French restaurant

As boaters set out on the water this summer, they will be paying more at the pump. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Boaters feeling the pinch at the pump 

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Out East: Westhampton Beach Brew & Grille ... Billions for planned new hospital ... America 250: William Floyd ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

Out East: Westhampton Beach Brew & Grille ... Billions for planned new hospital ... America 250: William Floyd

News - megaslot

Newsday has the most up-to-date stories on Long Island & NTC. Join us & stay current with news articles on sports, business, health, technology & more.

Stay logged in.