_________ Oceanside/island park ________
HERALD Reunion rocks the 1970s
Storm win Ripken baseball tourney
library honors David Paymer
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Vol. 57 No. 35
AUGUST 25 - 31, 2022
$1.00
It’s Gillen vs. D’Esposito for U.S. House seat Former Hempstead town supervisor wins By KYlE CHIN kchin@liherald.com
Joe Abate/Herald
AN HoNoR GUARD and pallbearers marched with Fischer’s casket to his funeral at Sacred Heart Church.
A farewell to former Fire Capt. Michael Fischer By TAYloR NICIolI & JAKE PEllEGRINo of the Oceanside/Island Park Herald
Michael Fischer, a 38-year-old veteran volunteer for the Island Park Fire Department, was often described as a guy who would do anything for anyone. He would always be there, whether it was at community events for his department or a barbecue with friends, Fischer, better known as Fish, would never miss out on the chance to share laughs and a good Michael time. Even on his last day, Fischer was taking part in a community fundraiser for an Oceanside Fire Department commissioner and his
infant son, who has a rare form of cancer. Fischer joined the Island Park F.D. in 2013, following in his grandfather’s and uncle’s footsteps. He had served as a captain from 2019 to 2020. Shortly after his death on Aug. 14, he was posthumously promoted to honorary chief, a decision made by Donny Cardineau, chief of the department. “I felt he deserved it, although he wouldn’t have wanted the attention,” Cardineau said. “He was very Fischer humble, but it was something special that I wanted to do. I know it would have meant something to him.” Continued on page 17
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.