________ Franklin square/elmont _______
HERALD Kids do push-ups for Alzheimer’s
World War II vets are honored
Helping to lead not-for-profit
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Vol. 24 No. 35
AUGUST 25 - 31, 2022
$1.00
Gillen set to face off against D’Esposito By KYle CHIN kchin@liherald.com
Courtesy Bill Youngfert
THe FrANKlIN SqUAre Historical Society’s Fall Festival last year drew a huge turnout.
Franklin Square Historical Society to host Fall Festival By BrIAN PFAIl bpfail@liherald.com
The Franklin Square Historical Society is once again sponsoring its Fall Festival, on the grounds of the Franklin Square Museum in Rath Park. The event is slated for Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a rain date of Oct. 2. The annual event has been held for more than 15 years, and made its return last year after taking a year off due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We had to suspend during the Covid period of time,” said Bill Youngfert, secretary of the Historical Society. “It was really great to see people coming out of their homes, where they were quarantined and staying away from people.” The festival, originally called Apple Fest, has been broadened to give the entire Franklin Square community a chance to get together and have fun in the fall weather. “We invited everyone from
the community to come, participate and have fun,” said Youngfert. “Last year was amazing, the amount of people that came out. I just wasn’t expecting that large of a crowd. Covid was starting to wane down when people came out in droves.” Last year’s festival, he said, drew such a large crowd that it caused congestion leading into the parking lot, which required the assistance of a crossing guard to keep things Continued on page 4
Laura Gillen is a step closer to claiming the open U.S. House seat left vacant by Kathleen Rice. The former Hempstead town supervisor was projected to win the Democratic primary for the 4th Congressional District on Tuesday, with nearly 67 percent of the vote in early returns. “Tonight, voters spoke loud and clear that they want a representative who will fight tooth and nail against GOP politicians in Washington,” Gillen said in a statement following the win. She also decried Re publicans “who want to pass a national a b o r t i o n b a n lAUrA without excep- GIlleN tions to rape, WoN the incest, or even if Democratic the woman’s life primary for is in danger.” “Health care the 4th d e c i s i o n s — Congressional including basic District. birth control — are between a woman and her doctor, not by Washington politicians trying to score political points with their extremist base.” The 52-year-old Rockville Centre resident had been a favorite to win, endorsed by Rice as well as a number of major Democratic Party figures, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
and House Democratic Caucus chair Hakeem Jeffries. She now faces Hempstead town councilman Anthony D’Esposito in the Nov. 8 general election. He ran unopposed on the Republican ticket. Gillen has stated that repealing restrictions to state and local tax deductions passed in 2017 is one of her immediate priorities. She also voiced support for universal background checks on gun purchases to help curb crime and violence, while calling for expanded voting rights. Early results showed Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages in second with 16 percent of votes. Solages advocated for an aggressive foreign policy, tax incentives for small businesses, and expanding protections for women. Keith Corbett had 14 percent of the vote. The Malverne mayor called for expansions to reproductive and voting rights while touting his experience in village planning and infrastructure. Finally, physician Muzib Huq from Elmont captured a little more than 1 percent of the vote. He had campaigned on improving the American health care system, championing racial and religious tolerance, and investing in anemic local and national infrastructure. While the fourth district is forecasted to safely lean Democrat by some, other pollsters — like McLaughlin & Associates — say D’Esposito had the best chance of claiming the seat if Gillen was his opponent.