_______ Lynbrook/east rockaway ______
HERALD Also serving Bay Park
$1.00
Students explore Mexican culture
A national merit scholar in E.R.
Owls, Rocks get set for Homecomings
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VOL. 28 NO. 42
OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2021
Environmental center opens at state park mer’s storm season, during which hurricanes Henri and Ida lashed Long Island, are remindNassau’s new Environmental ers that the region needs to be Education and Resiliency Center prepared for more intense and opened at Hempstead Lake State potentially damaging storms. Park on Sept. 23, with the aim of “We’re not just going to wait educating visitors on around for the next the dangers and laststorm; we’re taking ing effects of climate action,” Hochul said. change. It is part of “We have a responsithe Living with the bility not just to proBay project, which tect our cur rent will also impact East homeowners and Rockaway. our businesses and The center is part our transportation of a $35 million projcenters — we also ect to make the park have to protect this more resilient to the planet for the future, ravages of climate and I hope all of you change by improvfeel that incredible ing stormwater mansense of urgency agement, en-hancing that I do on my GOV. KATHY natural ecosystems shoulders right now by improving water HOCHUL that we can wait no quality, providing longer.” connectivity among The new 8,000diverse populations, enhancing square-foot education center safety and promoting education offers visitors hands-on learning programs at the Park. experiences on storm resiliency G ov. K at hy H o ch u l a n - and environmental management, nounced the opening of the facil- provides space for community ity during Climate Week last outreach and will now serve as month, emphasizing the impor- an emergency coordination centance of protecting natural ter during disaster response. It is resources, and how dire the cli- located near new trails to the mate crisis has become. Accord- Hempstead Lake waterfront and ing to the governor, this sumCONTINUED ON PAGE 13
By ANNEMARIE DURKIN adurkin@liherald.com
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Daniel Tommassino/Herald
Remembering a community man The East Rockaway Kiwanis Club hosted a pasta dinner on Oct. 8 in memory of Richard Meagher, who was active in the community and died on June 25. The event raised $3,000 to fund a scholarship in his honor.
PETA takes aim at animal exhibitor, who plans to sue By MIKE SMOLLINS msmollins@liherald.com
Former East Rockaway resident and animal exhibitor Larry Wallach has drawn the ire of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals for his alleged mistreatment of animals. He has said, however, that PETA’s claims against him were false, and that he intended to sue
for upward of $5 million for defamation. A new USDA report criticized Wallach for keeping a sloth in his “cluttered garage with hazards in and around the animal’s enclosure that could injure the animal by burning, broken glass or electrical shock.” “Wherever Larry Wallach goes, the potential for disaster follows,” said Michelle Sinnott, PETA’s foundation associate director of captive animal law enforcement. “PETA is calling
on the public to stay away from Wallach and is urging the authorities to revoke his license before his recklessness gets someone hurt.” But Wallach said PETA has an agenda against him and has been coming after him for years, noting that the USDA renewed his license to handle wild animals over the summer, and he must renew the license every CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
e’re not just going to wait around for the next storm; we’re taking action.