________ Franklin square/elmont _______
HERALD Cleaning up the state park
Students capture national awards
D’Esposito on Holocaust board
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Vol. 25 No. 30
JUlY 20 - 26, 2023
$1.00
Pakistanis create a sense of community the government. Panelists will include Assemblywoman Gina Stilleti, U.S. Federal Judge Arsal Ijaz says he enjoys Zahid Quraishi, New York helping people. That’s why he state’s chief diversity officer, serves as the junior wing presi- Dr. Hirah Mir, and Connecticut dent of the American Pakistani State Sen. Saud Anwar, among Public Affairs Committee, and others. One of the panelists is Shey why he helped organize this Ali, an Elmont native who is Sunday’s youth conference. The conference will host running for county legislator in District 3 this three forums, a netyear. He will be wo rk i n g s e s s i o n speaking about the and a scholarship importance of votaward ceremony. Getting young peoing, how to register, ple involved in poligetting the vote out tics is its mission, and the impact votaccording to the ers can have. Ali public affairs comsaid he has been mittee. The conferwell aware of the ence is free to the SHEY AlI public affairs comconference attendee public. m i t t e e fo r s o m e “This would be time and supported the perfect opportuthe organization, nity to get the kids together, so but he became closer to the we can all socialize and learn group when he announced his from the speakers who will be candidacy. It has endorsed him, talking at the conference,” Ijaz and plans to help spread the said. word about his campaign. The three forums at the con“If I do win this county legisference will be on Islamopho- lator seat, I will be the first Pakbia, overcoming obstacles and istani legislator in Nassau the importance of voting. The County,” Ali said. theme of the conference is Ali grew up in Elmont and youth empowerment and creat- graduated from Sewanhaka ing a bridge between Pakistani- High School. He’s well known Muslim American youth and Continued on page 12
By REI WolFSoHN
Intern
I
Justine Stefanelli/Herald
Pick a pie, any pie The Our Lady of Mount Carmel feast was held over four days in Franklin Square. Joe Pirreca, far left, Vinny Lapuma and Robert Alcoser with their pizza. Story, more photos, Page 10.
Investing in Elmont schools New district board trustees look to the future By REI WolFSoHN
Intern
The parents of children in the Elmont Union Free School District have a lot of critiques about the previous, and current, Board of Education. Perhaps a change in leadership will help mitigate the criticism, with the re-election of wellknown community activist Tiffany Capers, selected to be the board’s vice president, and Nancy Garlick, chosen to be the president. July 1 marked the beginning of Capers’ second three-year term as a trustee. Both she and Garlick have a long history of community engagement.
The previous president and vice president, Michael Jaime and Tameka Battle-Burkett, respectively, remain on the board. “My highest priority is finding a permanent superintendent for the Elmont Union Free School District,” Capers said. “I will also be focused on rebuilding partnerships and relationships with the community and staff. We lost a lot of that collaboration in the past years.” Capers is a full-time information technology professional with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. She is treasurer of the Elmont Police Activity League unit, a group dedicated to providContinued on page 13
t’s a great networking opportunity for our community.