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Vol. 25 No. 50
DECEMBER 7 - 13, 2023
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Mr. Hand Wash collects toys for kids in her name in 2021 called Tricia’s Kids. “They get a lot of toys, and they donate them to kids in For the Conte family, of Massapequa, like so many oth- need,” Conte said. The Conte family owns Mr. ers, the holidays are a time to gather, share their love for one Hand Wash, a full-service car another, and reflect on all there wash on Linden Boulevard, in is to be thankful for. And, like Elmont, which opened in 2009. so many others, the Contes are They have used their public profile to give back reminded at this to the community, time of year of especially during f a m i ly m e m b e r s the holiday season. who once filled the “We care a lot room with their about Elmont,” vibrant energy but Conte said. “We’ve who are no longer been here 15 years. around. We try to give back I n Ju n e 2 0 1 8 , F r a n c i s C o n t e ’s as much as we can.” cousin, 63-year-old FRANk CoNTE JR. At the car wash, Patricia De Maria, Owner, Mr. Hand Wash t h e r e i s a b o x died suddenly after where customers accidentally falling can donate toys to d o w n s t a i r s . H e r f a m i l y kids in need through Tricia’s described her as loving, devot- Kids, which is based in Floral ed, and dedicated to her family Park. and her job as a nurse. “With everybody’s involve“She was a very nice, giving ment, it becomes very successperson,” said Frank Conte Jr., ful,” Mimi Perullo, an employFrancis Conte’s son. De Maria ee at Mr. Hand Wash, said. was one of the nurses in the There are other donation delivery room when Frank Jr. boxes for the toy drive in Floral was born in 1983. Park, Franklin Square and GarHer love of all things Christ- den City. The location in Frankmas, and her compassion for lin Square is Ivy Rehab Physichildren, inspired her family to cal Therapy, on New Hyde Park create a nonprofit organization
By NIColE WAGNER
nwagner@liherald.com
W
e try to give back as much as we can.
Nicole Wagner/ Herald
New York Association of Convenience Stores president Kent Sopris, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, County Legislator Carrié Solages and members of the Elmont community call on Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature to crack down on flavored vape products.
Calls for illegal vape crack downs By NIColE WAGNER nwagner@liherald.com
Since the introduction of flavored vape or e-cigarette products, the use of the products by minors in the United States has reached epidemic levels. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration condemned the products and issued a policy in 2020 prioritizing the enforcement against the unauthorized use of flavored nicotine products that appeal to children. In May 2020, the state’s health department announced the implementation of a law prohibiting the sale of flavored nicotine products. According to data obtained by the state’s Youth Tobacco Survey, high school
youth use of e-cigarettes increased from 10.5 percent to 27.4 percent. Last week, Elmont Parent Teacher Association representative Reva Whitehead, Gotham Avenue School Parent Teacher Association vice president Dale Davis, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, County Legislator Carrie Solages and New York Association of Convenience Stores president Kent Sopris gathered in Elmont to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature to crack down on the sale of illegal flavored vape products in the state. “We need to make sure that the bad actors are held accountable,” Michaelle Solages said. “They cannot be allowed to operate. CoNtiNuEd oN pAGE 5
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