________ Franklin square/elmont _______
CoMMUNItY UPDAtE Infections as of April 25
8,983
Infections as of April 15 8,785
$1.00
HERALD
Carey artist has work featured
Belmont racing returns
UBS Arena enters final stretch
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Vol. 23 No. 18
APRIl 29 - MAY 5, 2021
Outcry grows over Elmont acid attack Lawmakers, activists call for broader investigation By PEtER BElFIoRE pbelfiore@liherald.com
Peter Belfiore/Herald
ACtIVIStS FRoM loNg Island Peaceful Protest rallied last Friday in support of Nafiah Ikram, the 21-year-old Elmont resident who was the recent victim of an acid attack outside her home.
Over a month since an acid attack in Elmont left its victim severely burned and partially blind, police have not found the alleged perpetrator, and outcry has grown among local lawmakers and activists, amid accusations of unequal treatment of the victim, who is PakistaniAmerican.
On the evening of March 17, Nafiah Ikram, 21, was returning home from a local CVS, where she works two to three days a week as a pharmacy technician, when the attack occurred, her father, Sheikh Ikram, reported. Her mother had picked her up, and rushed inside the family’s Arlington Avenue home to use the bathroom, he said, while his daughter remained Continued on page 11
One contested seat in F.S. and Elmont board races By MAttHEW FERREMI mferremi@liherald.com
In the Franklin Square and Elmont school districts, there will be one contested race in Elmont in this year’s Board of Education elections. In the May 18 election, incumbent Elmont district Trustee Sheldon Meikle will be running for a second threeyear term against challenger Sharon Earley Davis. Trustee Patrick Emeagwali has chosen not to run for re-election, and Nancy Garlick will run for his seat unopposed. In Franklin Square, incumbent Trustees
Helen Hof fman and Diane Hansen will both seek re-election unopposed. The Herald conducted inquiries by email, seeking the candidates’ stances on pertinent issues. Their responses have been edited for clarity and brevity. Hoffman and Hansen did not respond to our requests for comment by press time.
Herald: The state recently announced additional funding for universal Pre-K. What are yo u r t h o u g h t s ab o u t t h e importance of such a program
the school board and district budget votes will take place on May 18. as well as working to get it implemented or expanded in your district?
S h e l d o n M e i k l e : I fir mly
believe that a universal Pre-K education is one of the best investments we can make in our children’s education. Fortunately, the EUFSD has a universal Pre-K program in place. Universal Pre-K has and continues to be a much-needed resource for the children of Elmont. Any child who will turn 4 by Dec. 1 is eligible to
enroll at any of the district’s six elementary schools. The program is 2.5 hours per day. Children have the choice of either attending morning or after noon sessions Monday through Friday. Additionally, the district has a committee on Preschool Special Education that is comContinued on page 3