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VOL. 29 NO. 3
JANUARY 13 - 19, 2022
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Parents split on school mask orders Requests for comment from East Rockaway and Lynbrook schoo l of f ici al s were n ot carroyo@liherald.com, sbrinton@liherald. returned at press time. com, msmollins@liherald.com Responding to a Herald inquiThe debate over masking chil- ry on Facebook, Stephanie Brizdren in schools has intensified in ard said she disagreed with the Lynbrook and East Rockaway county executive’s order. after County Executive Bruce “Blakeman is foolish,” she Blakeman held a wrote. “Don’t be surnews conference on prised if the numJan. 3, at which he bers climb once he announced that he removes the mansigned executive date. I hope the local o rd e r s d i re c t i n g school boards select local boards of edusafety and health cation to vote later over politics.” this month on Vicki Perlman whether their disquestioned Blaketrict should mandate man’s push to put mask use. the onus on school The order also of ficials to make lifted the mask mandecisions on maskdate for all county ing. agencies and the “I believe he is state’s temporary wrong to put this mask mandate in BETTY ROSA pressure on school public places. boards,” she wrote. The decision net- State education “As an ex-trustee, I ted mixed reviews commissioner would rather follow from local parents, the state guidelines some of whom said than possibly be they were uncomfortable send- responsible for causing heath ing their children to school with- problems (or worse) by making a out face coverings, while others poor decision under stress.” said they believed parents Reached by phone, Lynbrook should have the choice of masking their children. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
By CRISTINA ARROYO, SCOTT BRINTON and MIKE SMOLLINS
C
Courtesy Joe Vito
LONGTIME EAST ROCKAWAY Recreation Director Jerry Chapel died Jan. 3. Among his many community endeavors, he co-founded the East Rockaway Raiders football team in 1971.
Legendary Recreation Dept. Director Jerry Chapel dies By MIKE SMOLLINS msmollins@liherald.com
If there was anything he could do to keep youth safe and engaged in their community, longtime East Rockaway Recreation Director Jerry Chapel did it. At various times, he took on the role of coach, umpire, referee, recreation director and organizer for various sports leagues, carving a lasting legacy in his community. Chapel died in his sleep on
Jan. 3 at 74, but his impact on East Rockaway will be felt long after his death. He is perhaps best known for starting the East Rockaway Raiders football prog ram, which launched in 1971, alongside former East Rockaway Mayor Joe Carrigan, who died in February 2020. “I just remember this bigger-than-life guy,” said Joe Vito, who played linebacker and fullback on the inaugural East Rockaway Raiders football team in 1971, which cele-
brated 50 years in 2021. “Mr. Carrigan was the serious guy, and Jerry was bigger than life. He had a wisecrack and a nickname for everybody, and the kids just felt so comfortable with him.” Chapel was born in Sunnyside, Queens, the son of Justin and Helen Chapel, on July 22, 1947. When he was 9, his family moved to East Rockaway, where he spent most of his life. As an adult, Chapel became the park director for CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
ounties do not have the legal authority to require boards of education to vote on specific issues.