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CoMMuNIty uPDAtE Infections as of April 11
8.683
Infections as of April 4 8.475
$1.00
Franklin square/elmont
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When Property Taxes Go High We Go Low
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Vets’ halls try to stay open Nassau legislators propose aid other groups and companies to buy out their halls. To prevent that from happenFor years, Veterans of For- ing, the bill would reimburse eign Wars and American Legion veterans’ groups for the money halls have served as gathering they have lost in the pandemic, places for community organiza- and provide them with ongoing tions, hosting everything from relief grants until the state’s scout meetings to parties to Covid restrictions are lifted. fundraisers and blood drives. “Unless we act, we are going But when the panto lose these facilidemic struck last ties,” Richard year, and commuNicolello, presiding nity groups could officer of the Nasno longer meet in sau County Legisperson, veterans’ lature, said at a halls sat empty, news conference while their memoutside VFW Post bers struggled to 5253 in Williston pay their rent, utiliP a rk l a t e l a s t ties and taxes. month, describing Now, Republithe halls as “the cans in the Nassau lECIA roDrIquEs- heart and soul of County Legislature our communities” WhytE are proposing legisand adding, “They lation to use some Commander, are going to have to of the $400 million Elmont American close their doors.” the county received Legion Representatives in the federal govof the VFW’s and ernment’s AmeriAmerican Legion’s can Rescue Act to create a Covid- national organizations, however, 19 relief fund dedicated to sup- told the Associated Press last porting veterans’ organizations, month that the number of posts which were not eligible for Boost that have been dissolved during Nassau County or other busi- the pandemic was at or lower ness loans during the pandemic. than the number of posts that As a result, many hall command- closed in previous years. Still, ers across the county found it both organizations launched difficult to maintain their build- emergency grant programs to ings over the past year, and some have even received offers from Continued on page 3
by MElIssA KoENIG mkoenig@liherald.com
W
e’ve been robbing Peter to pay Paul just to make things work.
Melissa Koenig/Herald
NAtAshA WArburtoN PrEsENtED Elmont Memorial High School Principal Kevin Dougherty with a gift basket on behalf of Cub Scout Pack 294 for his efforts to help feed local families.
Honoring a ‘very unique’ man
Elmont principal recognized for community efforts by MElIssA KoENIG mkoenig@liherald.com
When Elmont Memorial High School Principal Kevin Dougherty stepped outside the building the morning of April 7 to address a situation he was told needed his attention, he didn’t expect to find students and Elmont residents applauding him for the work he has done for the community since he was appointed principal in 2016 — including preparing meals for as many as 150 residents each
week for the past year. “ I t ’s ove r wh e l m i n g , ” Dougherty said. “It’s nice to hear when you’re doing the work every day.” When he took the job five years ago, he said, he didn’t even know where Elmont was, and had to use a GPS to get around. But he eventually got to know the residents, and spent large chunks of his time trying to improve their lives, with the creation of the Men of Elmont mentoring club and a food distribution event every Wednesday during the corona-
virus pandemic. “As you came into Elmont, as you came into our hearts — you actually embraced the community and showed us what leadership is,” Rachelle Lewis, co-founder of the community organization Elmont Strong, told Dougherty, kicking off a surprise ceremony. “You showed us what compassion is, and we just want to thank you.” Lewis and fellow Elmont Strong co-founder Sarah Campbell org anized the Continued on page 3