_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
HERALD Vol. 31 No. 7
Malverne CoC rings in 2024
Invasive beetle bother no more
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FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2024
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Can Hempstead condemn Capri Motor Inn? the town wants to condemn the motel — but doing so will require not only a determinaThe Town of Hempstead is tion of public use for the proptaking steps to take over the erty, according to state and fedCapri Motor Inn in West Hemp- eral laws, but also fair compenstead through eminent domain sation for Capri owners. The absence of the motel — — but would such which police had to an acquisition be visit 156 times le gal? That’s the between January question debated and August last by town officials, year — is inherentthe motel owners, ly public use, and neighbors at a argued John Ellspublic hearing last wo r t h , a s e n i o r week in front of associate for the special hearing environmental o f f i c e r A n t h o ny planning firm proMarano. viding counsel to “What we have town officials. heard tonight, and “The permanent i n yo u r n o t i c e, discontinuation of respectfully, is com- ChRISTIAN the motel use, p l e t e l y i l l e g a l , ” BRowNE through the town’s Christian Browne, lawyer, for the acquisition via re presenting the Capri Motor Inn eminent domain, Capri owners, L&S owners will provide a sigRealty, said. “And nificant and lasting (it’s) the complete opposite of what the eminent c o m m u n i t y c h a r a c t e r domain proceeding law exists upgrade,” he said. Although “public use” is to do.” The motel, on Hempstead most commonly used in referTurnpike, has been at the cen- ence to infrastructure like ter of multiple legal battles parks, highways or recreation with the town since officials centers, there is legal precedent shuttered it last August, declar- for the term to be applied more ing it a public nuisance. Now Continued on page 9
By NIColE FoRMISANo
nformisano@liherald.com
T
Keith Rossein/Herald photos
Malverne Mel says spring is in the air Civic leaders from across the county gathered to witness Malverne Mel’s announcement. Mel is one of the nation’s few weatherpredicting groundhogs. Malverne Mel let Mayor Tim Sullivan in on his longawaited prediction — an early spring! For more photos, see page 10.
he government cannot take your land and then decide later what to do with it.