________ Franklin square/elmont _______
HERALD Splendid Inti Childcare opens
Neighbors invited to luau bingo
Democrats open election office
Page 2
Page 3
Page 15
Vol. 26 No. 31
JUlY 25 - 31, 2024
$1.00
The threat to Hempstead’s historical sites Square stemmed from worries of possible disrepair in the Franklin Theater, an Art Deco The Franklin Square Histor- theater designed in 1933 by ical Society and F ranklin architect Richard T homas Square Civic Association have Short that was designated a hisexpressed concerns about the torical landmark by the town in Town of Hempstead’s Land- 2019. The site is one of 65 historical landmarks marks Ordinance in the town. and an apparent “While the town lack of protection can, and has, spent for historic buildsignificant money i n g s t h ro u g h o u t protecting the desthe town. ignated properties, Katherine Tarasas with the Frankcio, recording seclin Theatre, (it) has retary for the Civic no ability to stop a Association, proper ty owner brought her confrom allowing, or cerns to the Town even hastening, a B o a r d i n e a rl y building’s demise June. She believes KAthERINE by neglecting it,” t h a t t h e t o w n tARASCIo Tarascio said. should include a Franklin Square Several towns provision in the Civic Association and villages across ordinance that Long Island have would prevent building owners from facilitat- provisions that include mandaing a historic site’s demise by tory “regular maintenance” of designated historical sites in neglecting it. “It has come to our attention their preservation ordinances. In the Village of Bellerose, that the Town of Hempstead preservation ordinance is inef- owners of historical sites fectual when it comes to pro- “shall not permit the property tecting a historic property,” to fall into a state of disrepair Tarascio told the board during so as to cause, in the judgement of the Historic Preservation its meeting on June 4. The concerns in Franklin Continued on page 4
By NIColE WAGNER
nwagner@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald
Community captivated by sizzling summer series Community members enjoy a dazzling show at Eisenhower Park from Robert Neary and The Mystic earlier this month. Neighbors are encouraged to check out one of the Town of Hempstead’s summer series events throughout the sunny season. Story, additional photos, Page 10.
Meet the new superintendent of Elmont’s school district By NIColE WAGNER nwagner@liherald.com
The Marlon Small era as superintendent of schools for the Elmont school district began July 1 as he replaces interim superintendent Kenneth Card. Small was hired after a lengthy selection process by the education board that involved community collaboration and the search from School Leadership LLC. “We worked diligently to vet all candidates, and Mr. Small excelled in every step of the process,” former education board President Nancy Garlick said in a news release announcing
Small’s appointment. Prior to leading the Elmont school district, Small was the superintendent of schools for the Greenport school district from 2020 through 2024. He also the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the South Country Central School District, which serves the Village of Bellport and the hamlets of North Bellport and Brookhaven, from 2017 through 2020. Small started his education career in 1999 as a fourth-grade teacher in the Huntington school district where he would later serve as dean of students from 2002 to 2003. He worked as principal of an elementary school in that district for 11 Continued on page 5
I
f demolition by neglect is allowed to happen once, it will continue to happen.