______________ 8#..'; 564'#/ _____________
HERALD $1.00
District 13 principal is honored
Village enjoys movie night
Library offers hotspot loans
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VOL. 32 NO. 44
OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021
Debate over cannabis rages on The village’s decision carries immense political weight, not to mention the high financial With the impending deadline stakes at play, as the two sides to decide whether to ban canna- refuse to concede any ground bis dispensaries and consump- and buckle down on the righttion lounges, Village of Valley ness of their claims. But for Jim Stream officials have had much Myler, executive director at the to consider in recent addiction treatment weeks. In the debate clinic Friends of over the cannabis Bridge in Valley question, both pro Stream, the reason and anti-cannabis he supports the vilcamps have crusadlage opt-out boils ed for the drug’s down to the potencause by painting tial danger for distinct and opposincreased abuse and ing narratives. addiction with the Proponents, on expansion of cannaone side, point to the bis access. necessity of a safe Much of the puband regulated canlic remains in the nabis market, haildark or skeptical ing the versatile benabout the potential JIM MYLER efits and uses of canrisks and public nabis. Theirs is a Executive director, health downsides of tale of community- Friends of Bridge recreational cannaoriented, rigorously bis use. The problem screened cannabis cited by Myler is shops providing a product that when reasonable and occasional serves the emerging recreational use crosses over the thin line wants and health needs of resi- into substance abuse, for which dents. Critics, on the other hand, serious intervention, like Myldenounce cannabis as a deviant er’s addiction clinic, is desperdrug that, if allowed to be sold, is ately called for. poised to disrupt communities “So far in 2021, we have had and add fuel to the nation’s exist- clients present with their primaing drug problem. CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
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Juan Lasso/Herald
ISAIAH COOMBS WAS presented with an honorary brick by American Legion Post 854 to commemorate his contribution to the post’s memorial monument as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Scout’s Eagle project beautifies American Legion By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
Isaiah Coombs, of Boy Scout Troop 109, was honored at a ceremony hosted by the American Legion Post 854 last Saturday for his work in refurbishing the Andrew Fatscher memorial monument. The monument, honoring fallen soldiers, stands on the side of the entrance to the headquar ters of Valley Stream American Legion Post 854.
Vice Commander Joe Santana already had plans to spruce up the monument, weathered from age and benign neglect, to recover its aura of solemn dignity. His initial plans were to “clean up the area around the flagpole and perhaps plant some flowers as well as power-wash the bricks,” engraved with the names of past legion members. Upon taking up Coombs on his offer to lend his support in beautifying the monument, little did Santana antic-
ipate how far Coombs, alongside his father, Jose Coombs, a professional architect, would go beyond the call of duty. In a matter of weeks, Coombs contacted contractors and suppliers, and worked to obtain donations of stones, brick and other supplies. He enlisted the help of volunteers from his troop, as well as members from the National Junior Honor Society at Valley Stream South CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
t becomes less of a social event and more of a feeling not to feel or to get that pay off.