Charlie Reed Age: 65 Vice chairman, Wyandanch Community Development Corp.; former member of the Wyandanch School District Board of Education; raised three children in the community. 
 When did you move to Wyandanch? In 1964, when I was just out of high school. I was 17. 
 What brought you here? I was looking for bright lights and a bigger city. 
 Where did you come from, and how did you find Wyandanch? I’m from Alabama, a little town called Andalusia. I had brothers and a sister that lived in Huntington and Wyandanch, so it was an easy sell. 
 What was life like here then? I came here, and I loved it here. At the time, it reminded me of where I came from. I liked the surroundings here, I liked outdoor activities, and I liked to hunt. So this brought me the amenities I loved in Alabama, and any weekend I wanted I could go into the city for a change. 
 How have you seen the community change? I have seen the community revolve 180 degrees almost. When I came here, you had more Italians and Polish people here; now the population is 90 percent black, and recently there is also an influx of Hispanics. I think this community has always had a lot of potential, because it is a small town. 
 A lot of things you initially loved about the community have changed. What do you like about it now? The same sort of things. It’s just that we are stereotyped so much that a lot of people don’t have a sense of worth in the community, but we have a lot of good things that come out of here. Our students are graduating and becoming doctors, and they are doing well. And this community is still a good place to invest. Also, it’s a transportation hub, with the train station and one of the bus stops. 
 What are some of your hopes for the community? Wyandanch Rising. I hope it continues to flourish. We need more businesses investing in the neighborhood to help offset the property taxes. For a poor district, our taxes are way beyond our means, and that’s why some people are losing their homes. I would love to see a 180-turnaround in the school system. But there’s another system at work and that’s the parents. The parents need to keep track of their child’s education or they are not going to succeed. Another thing that bothers me is the flight of the kids. As soon as they get old enough, they leave. We don’t have anything to offer them in terms of jobs. We need to get people here that want to stay here. A transient population comes with transient problems.

Charlie Reed Age: 65 Vice chairman, Wyandanch Community Development Corp.; former member of the Wyandanch School District Board of Education; raised three children in the community. When did you move to Wyandanch? In 1964, when I was just out of high school. I was 17. What brought you here? I was looking for bright lights and a bigger city. Where did you come from, and how did you find Wyandanch? I’m from Alabama, a little town called Andalusia. I had brothers and a sister that lived in Huntington and Wyandanch, so it was an easy sell. What was life like here then? I came here, and I loved it here. At the time, it reminded me of where I came from. I liked the surroundings here, I liked outdoor activities, and I liked to hunt. So this brought me the amenities I loved in Alabama, and any weekend I wanted I could go into the city for a change. How have you seen the community change? I have seen the community revolve 180 degrees almost. When I came here, you had more Italians and Polish people here; now the population is 90 percent black, and recently there is also an influx of Hispanics. I think this community has always had a lot of potential, because it is a small town. A lot of things you initially loved about the community have changed. What do you like about it now? The same sort of things. It’s just that we are stereotyped so much that a lot of people don’t have a sense of worth in the community, but we have a lot of good things that come out of here. Our students are graduating and becoming doctors, and they are doing well. And this community is still a good place to invest. Also, it’s a transportation hub, with the train station and one of the bus stops. What are some of your hopes for the community? Wyandanch Rising. I hope it continues to flourish. We need more businesses investing in the neighborhood to help offset the property taxes. For a poor district, our taxes are way beyond our means, and that’s why some people are losing their homes. I would love to see a 180-turnaround in the school system. But there’s another system at work and that’s the parents. The parents need to keep track of their child’s education or they are not going to succeed. Another thing that bothers me is the flight of the kids. As soon as they get old enough, they leave. We don’t have anything to offer them in terms of jobs. We need to get people here that want to stay here. A transient population comes with transient problems.

News

Wyandanch people: Charlie Reed

Wyandanch

Newsday

HLWYAN13

Homepage Trending

What to know about cyclospora

Wallet Watch

FeedMe Magazine

Summer Fun Book

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman bikes Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway, stopping along the way at seasonal hot spots.

Beach hop with savory stops along LI's coastal bike path

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland and Doug Geed take a look back at the case against Richard Angelo, who injected several patients with a paralyzing drug.

Picture This: That time an LI nurse killed several patients

Advocates say they are seeing signs that U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement agents are becoming more active on Long Island. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

ICE presence once again growing on LI

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa works out the wrinkles and learns the meticulous process of car wrapping at LI Wrap Pros & Mechanic in Mineola.

LI Works: That's a wrap! Ken tries his hand at wrapping cars

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed tours Splish Splash, which has been entertaining Long Islanders for 35 years.

Out East: Slide into fun at Splish Splash

Sunday's competition, the 12th annual held at Peter's Clam Bar, raised money to benefit the Lindsey Rose Parke Foundation.

Island Park restaurant holds annual clam-eating contest

John Scarola of Kings Park volunteers at the Sweetbriar Nature Center because environment and nature are things he is very passionate about.

 Volunteers of LI: Kings Park man does his part to preserve nature

Newsday food writer Melissa Azofeifa tried several dishes on from the social media menu at Island Lake Diner in Ronkonkoma.

Trying the social media menu at Island Lake Diner

The remains of Sgt. Henry "Harry" Younge, an airman from Long Island who was killed in a Japanese prison fire during World War II, were buried in Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.

WWII airman from LI laid to rest 8 decades after his death

The 50th annual 'Great Freeport Canoe Race' was held at Cow Meadow Park on Sunday. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Freeport community comes together for 50th annual canoe race

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

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Only in Newsday: Bullying in LI schools ... Coffee with international twist ... Out East: Christmas tree maze ... What's in store with weather

Only in Newsday: Bullying in LI schools ... Look inside LIRR negotiations ... Out East: Christmas tree maze

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.