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HERALD GIFT and DINING GUIDE November 25, 2021
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Inside: Best of the holiday season
Vol. 32 No. 48
North girls’ volleyball wins big
Firefighters battle blaze
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NoVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 1, 2021
Cannabis opt-out vote set for Dec. 20 measure for Dec. 20. Trustee Vincent Grasso, the lone board member who supports cannabis After much debate and hours sales in the village, did not of public comment from various attend the meeting. stakeholders, business groups At that time, the village will and residents, Village of Valley hold a public hearing on whethStream officials are closing in on er to allow a permissive referena decision on the future of can- dum or a mandatory referendum nabis sales in the vilin the event that reslage. For months, idents want to overthey have considride a board decision ered whether they to prohibit dispensashould pass an optries and consumpout resolution that tion lounges. State would ban cannabis law allows residents dispensaries and onto try and override site consumption the board’s decision, lounges within the but only in a public municipality’s juris- VINCENt referendum. diction. In a permissive That question has GRasso referendum, resib e e n a n s w e r e d , Village trustee dents would need to somewhat. At a vilsubmit a petilage work session tion signed by 20 perearlier this month, most of the cent of registered voters in the trustees, five to one, decided to last village election within 30 hold a vote on the resolution. days of passage of the local law If trustees had decided to override the board’s opt-out against voting on the opt-out res- decision, according to state offiolution, a state law allowing dis- cials. There were 26,267 regispensaries and consumption tered voters as of the last village lounges would have automatical- election in 2020. That would ly taken effect in the village at mean more than 5,000 signatures the end of the year. from residents would need to be On Monday, trustees unani- collected to hold the referendum. mously approved a motion to In a mandatory referendum, schedule a vote on the opt-out Continued on page 16
By JuaN lasso jlasso@liherald.com
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Juan Lasso/Herald
JaCk shaRkEy, EsCoRtED on a John Deere truck, was a village trustee and deputy mayor from 1987 to 1990, and served as a coach and president of the Green Hornets.
Press box dedicated to village icon at Fireman’s Field By JuaN lasso jlasso@liherald.com
Amid the quiet backdrop of a bright evening last Thursday, a crowd of residents, village officials and community dignitaries gathered next to the bleachers at Fireman’s Field in Valley Stream. The prevailing mood of attendees was lively and informal, less like a ceremonial assembly and more like a reunion of old friends. People milled about, talking, excited
to see one another. Many had come on short notice, leaving work and canceling plans, brought together to celebrate the life of one man: Jack Sharkey. Sharkey, who was the announcer for the Green Hornets youth football and cheerleading organization, which he served for several decades, was there for a very special occasion. The press box at the field was named in his honor Nov. 18. Sharkey, 91, wearing a
slim-fitting red coat, sat modestly in repose, with his walking cane in one hand and a serene look on his face. He g re e t e d p e o p l e a s t h e y approached him, drawing them in with a tender smile and a gentle, tugging grasp of the arm. He seemed bent on embracing everyone who came his way. Those unfamiliar with Sharkey’s long list of contributions to the village may betContinued on page 4
here’s no too high a price on people getting a say.