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Citizen
Learning through the holidays
MacArthur’s pair of leaders chosen
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DECEMBER 24- 30, 2020
VoL. 68 no. 52
Is he fit to follow a King? Garbarino to be sworn in to 2nd District House seat Jan. 3 Talking with the Herald on Monday, the 36-year-old Garbarino spoke of his eagerness to Dressed sharply in a navy begin his work for his new conblue suit, red tie and shined stituency in the 2nd C.D., which shoes, Suffolk County Republi- includes Wantagh and Seaford. can State Assemblyman Andrew Now taking part in new-member Garbarino made his initiations, he is getway to the lectern at ting his first taste of his campaign kickwhat the next two off on Sept. 3. He years in Washington had just listened to will bring, but he fellow Long Island also laid out his Republican politihopes for what the cians, including outnext two years going 2nd District might bring resiU.S. Rep. Pete King, dents of Nassau and praise his political Suffolk counties. accomplishments. “From my experiHe prefaced state- AnDREw ence moving from ments of intent with GARBARino the state to Con“When I am congress, I’ve spent a lot U.S. Rep.-elect gressman,” as if he of time talking were offering a spoilabout constituent er for those in attendance who s e r v i c e, ” G a r b a r i n o s a i d . just didn’t know it yet. And last “Thinking in the legislative way month, Assemblyman Garbari- [about] how [legislation] will no became U.S. Rep.-Elect Garba- affect the residents in my area, rino with a convincing election even if it is a national bill.” victory over his Democratic Garbarino said that he had challenger, Jackie Gordon. Now, voted with his district’s interests beginning with his Jan. 3 swear- in mind in the State Legislature, ing-in, the Sayville native will be and would continue to do so in given the opportunity he has the House of Representatives. He eyed since announcing his can- said he had made clear to House didacy — to succeed King. Continued on page 5
BY J.D. FREDA
jfreda@liherald.com
i
Courtesy Celia Carlson
CELiA CARLson sAiD she planned to stay home this holiday season due to increasing positive Covid-19 tests.
Desperate for an end and hopeful for a new beginning
L.I. residents welcome holidays muted by Covid BY DEREK FuttERMAn Amid a coronavirus pandemic that shows no signs of slowing, Wantagh and Seaford residents were preparing to celebrate the holidays this week. But to many, this holiday season felt different. “It doesn’t feel right to celebrate right now,” said Celia Carlson, of Seaford. “. . . It’s
just a sad situation.” The Centers for Disease Control has suggested postponing travel plans and celebrating virtually instead. But some residents said they were concerned about what might happen to Covid-19 case counts after the holidays, when it seemed clear that many people were ignoring those suggestions and traveling anyway, as they did on
Thanksgiving. Ken Jacobsen, a wealth manager, part-time contact tracer and the immediate past president of the Seaford Chamber of Commerce, said, “The trend [in new cases] comes from people socializing.” He added that he and his family would continue to “only socialize within our home.” Continued on page 3
’ve spent a lot of time talking about constituent service.