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Page 3 Vol. 35 No. 27
JUNE 27 - JUlY 3, 2024
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HERALD
Griffin, Bynoe both advance Familiar opponent for Brian Curran By DANIEl oFFNER & KEPHERD DANIEl of the Rockville Centre Herald
Tim Baker/Herald
Youngsters showcase their art Amelia Bird, 6, of Rockville Centre proudly displays her artwork during the Matter of the HeART gallery show. Photos, story, Page 9.
Rockville Centre police officers train to be sensory inclusive By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The Village of Rockville Centre has partnered with KultureCity to train its police department to be sensory inclusive. Sean Culkin of Rockville Centre, was diagnosed with autism when he was young and with help and support, was able to cope through his formative years. He eventually went on to attend Adelphi University’s Bridges program, which is designed to help support students with autism spectrum disorder as they acclimate to a collegiate environment. “As a lifelong Rockville Centre resident and an autistic man, myself, it means the world to me to see this community come together for a cause that
has meant so much to me, my family and so many other Rockville Centre residents,” Culkin said. “When I was young, the doctors that diagnosed me on the autism spectrum told me that it was going to be a very hard life for me. That the community would not be there for me. They even recommended institutionalization for me, because at two years old, he did not see the existence of a community that was going to be passionate and so brought together to help individuals with invisible disabilities thrive in the modern world.” Culkin, now 30, is an ambassador and board member with KultureCity, the world’s leading nonprofit in sensory accessibility acceptance and inclusion. He said that through its program, KultureCity helps train others to address the one in Continued on page 22
Judy Griffin is ready to take back her old Assembly seat in November as she’s set to once again face off against Brian Curran in a battle that has volleyed the Albany s e at b a ck and forth between the two for the last several years. She did it with a decisive JudY win over PatrigRiFFin cia Maher in the Democratic primary where Griffin secured nearly 85 percent of the votes, according to early returns. “We took this race seriously,” Griffin told the Herald following her victory. “It’s important, and it’s important to get the right person in office. We had a decisive win, which is great. And now we’re gearing up for the general election.” Griffin has lived in Rockville Centre for more than 30 years, first working in the financial industry before taking on roles as a lifestyle coach and corporate wellness educator. She defeated Curran in 2018 to become the first Democrat to win this particular seat in more
than 40 years. But after two terms, she lost a very narrow race to Curran, letting him get his old job back by a 138-vote margin. Also moving forward to the November election is Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe who defeated Assemblywoman Taylor Darling by 800 vo t e s i n t h e contest to see who will succeed Kevin Thomas in the SieLa state senate. “Throughout BYnoe this campaign I have been so blessed and overwhelmed by the support I’ve received,” Bynoe said. “Today alone we’ve had more than a hundred volunteers knocking on doors and calling their neighbors to come and vote. “This victory is only a first step, and there is work to be done. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.” Bynoe has spent the past decade as a county legislator, advocating for mental health services, police reform, affordable housing and education on Long Island. She will now get ready to face off against Republican Thomas Philip Montefinise in November.