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HERALD $1.00
A meet-and-greet with police
Traveling vaccines in Nassau County
Playing from his heart at Stew’s
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VOL. 21 NO. 33
AUGUST 12 - 18, 2021
Town proposes Erma Drive speed zone By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com
East Meadow residents living on Erma Drive said they have complained for years to Nassau County police and East Meadow School District officials about dangerous conditions caused by reckless drivers behind East Meadow High School, noting that the drivers often blow through a three-way stop sign at Erma and Nottingham Road, while also ignoring other stop signs on Erma. Town of Hempstead Coun-
cilman Thomas Muscarella, a Republican representing the 2nd District, has proposed a school safety zone for Erma and parts of Ava Drive. The speed limit would be set at 15 mph from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. when school is in session. If the Town Board were to pass a measure to create the speed zone, it is unclear when the zone would take effect. The town will hold a public hearing on the matter Sept. 9 (see box, Page 18). T he Herald spent two weeks, from April 15 to 29, observing traffic at the Erma-
Laura Lane/Herald
TWO JEEPS WERE among the many vehicles that blew through the stop sign at Erma Drive and Nottingham Road in April, when the Herald observed traffic there for two weeks. Nottingham intersection. A number of drivers were seen maneuvering dangerously on the surrounding residential streets, driving fast and ignoring stop signs, with a number of near-accidents. East Meadow School District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Card Jr. acknowledged
receiving residents’ complaints, and said he would contact police. In June, Sgt. Robert Johnston, of the Nassau County Police Department’s 3rd Precinct, said the issues would be addressed. Dr. Patrick Pizzo, the East Meadow district’s assistant superintendent for business
and finance, said police pulled over several vehicles behind the high school, warning drivers that stop signs must be obeyed and speeding would not be tolerated. Pizzo also said the district added two guards at the gate to the high school’s back CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
Governor Cuomo resigns amid harassment allegations By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com
G o v. A n d r e w C u o m o announced his resignation on Tuesday, catching New Yorkers off guard, particularly after he began his roughly 20-minutelong speech with a seemingly defiant tone, calling himself a fighter. The Democratic governor, 63, who has been in office since 2011, came under mounting political pressure to resign over the past week, with members of the State Assembly overwhelmingly saying they would move forward with impeachment hearings if he did not step aside.
The resignation came seven days after State Attorney General Letitia James issued a scathing report detailing alleged sexual misconduct by the governor. James’s report included testimony by 179 witnesses and 74,000 pieces of evidence. Cuomo was apologetic toward the 11 women who had accused him of sexual harassment, but he denied any wrongdoing, saying it was in his nature to touch and hug those around him, including employees under him. He engaged in friendly gestures, not sexual advances, he insisted. Cuomo’s resignation is to take effect in 14 days, after which the state’s lieutenant gover nor,
Kathy Hochul, will succeed him. Lauren Giacalone and Savannah Smith, of East Meadow, said that when they learned of the governor’s alleged behavior in March, they found it reprehensible and wanted him to resign. “I think if you’re going to be in a position of power, it’s important to know your actions have consequences,” Giacalone said. “Being professionally superior doesn’t give you the right to sexually harass and assault without repercussions.” Smith said she believed Cuomo had gotten away with sexually harassing women for too long. “He is the biggest hypocrite when it comes to him being
accused,” she said. “Sexual assault allegations . . . should have their consequences, and he should then as a result resign.” Richie Krug said once Cuomo realized he had few allies left, he would resign, and he did. “I believe there are too many credible witnesses, too many victims lining up to give their accusations,” Krug said. “Based on
that, he should be found guilty. He should step down. He cannot effectively govern now that his credibility is shot.” James’s announcement was followed by calls for the governor’s resignation by nearly every New York state elected leader, and even governors from surrounding states. A few hours CONTINUED ON PAGE 16