__________________ SEAFORD _________________
Infections as of Feb. 8
1,424
Infections as of Feb. 1 1,319
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Vol. 69 No. 7
Jones Beach dreamin’ Park visits rose in 2020 despite pandemic, and cold is no deterrent 6. On the sand, meanwhile, visitors spotted a harbor seal lying on its side. bstieglitz@liherald.com “I just wanted to rush over Amid the stress of 11 long and wrap a blanket around it,” months of the coronavirus pan- said Lee Pastore, 55, of Seaford, demic, and the dangers of indoor who first spotted the beached gatherings, it’s no animal and reported wonder that area resit to the New York idents have been Marine Rescue Cenescaping the conter, in Riverhead. fines of their homes A representative by the tens of thouof the NYMRC asked sands to find relief Pastore to text a outside, at state photo of the scene parks. According to and, in a reply, texted Gov. Andrew Cuoback that the seal mo’s office, state didn’t appear to be parks saw some 78 sick or in danger, but million total visits in rather looked to be 2020 — a record. “in good body condi“Although it’s the tion” and was “just winter, we’re still resting.” Pastore seeing people walk shared the exchange GEoRGE the boardwalk at with the Herald. Jones Beach,” said GoRmAN In fact, the seal George Gorman, the Regional director, was one of many regional director of that migrate south to L.I. State Parks state parks on Long the shores of Jones Island. “It’s freezing Beach through Janucold out during some days, and ary, February and March. Each you’ll still see hundreds of peo- winter since 2002, the Jones ple out. It’s extraordinary.” Beach Energy and Nature Center Despite last week’s nor’easter, has offered visitors seal walks, the park’s boardwalk was mostly giving them the opportunity to cleared by last Saturday, and a spot the marine mammals playnumber of couples were walking along it hand in hand near Field Continued on page 3
By DEREK FUttERmAN and BRIAN StIEGlItZ
Courtesy Wantagh School District
For this lesson, perfect weather First-grade students at Forest Lake Elementary School, in Wantagh, learned how to design shoes that could withstand winter conditions like snow and ice. Brielle O’Bray, center, and Eyiad Abdelkarim tested their designs. Story, more photos, Page 18.
State to study feasibility of taking N.Y. American Water public By AlYSSA SEIDmAN aseidman@liherald.com
G o v. A n d r e w C u o m o announced on Feb. 3 that the state Department of Public Service will look into the feasibility of municipalizing New York American Water, the privately owned utility whose service and water bills have long been decried by Nassau County customers. The study will assess different ways to reduce customer costs — which in some cases are nearly
five times the cost of municipally owned water — including a public takeover. The announcement comes after two independent feasibility studies, conducted by Walden Environmental Engineering, determined that local ratepayers in NYAW’s Hempstead territory and Sea Cliff district would see a reduction in their water bills with a public acquisition of the company. “For far too long, the 120,000 customers of New York American Water on Long Island have been plagued by exorbitantly
high rates for water — this simply cannot continue,” Cuomo said in a news release. “New Yorkers deserve access to clean, safe and affordable water, and we are going to pursue every avenue to make that happen.” Rory Lancman, the Department of Public Service’s special counsel for ratepayer protection, will oversee the study, which is set to be completed by April 1. It will include a series of virtual hearings at which residents and elected officials can offer public Continued on page 3
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t’s freezing cold out during some days, and you’ll still see hundreds of people out. It’s extraordinary.