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THE PULSE OF THE PENINSULA
Vol. 93, No. 10
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
SCHAFFER GUN FIGHT CONTINUES
PHILLIPS CAUGHT IN GUN CONTROL CROSSFIRE
PAGES 33-38, 43-48
PAGE 3
PAGE 8
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School safety dominates G.N. budget talks
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE
More than three hours dedicated to topic of security throughout district BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN School safety and security dominated talks at a preliminary budget meeting for the Great Neck schools on Monday night, with parents, police and school officials dedicating three and a half hours to the topic. Both students and parents called for additional security measures, including upgraded ID cards needed to swipe into school and an enhanced police presence to deter any potential gunman, as well as investing more in mental health resources. The heightened sense of alert followed the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, where a former student shot and killed 17 people, as well as online posts some interpreted as a direct threat to the schools. “This is a different time,” said Natalie Nassi, a concerned Great
Neck parent, “and this is terrorism we are dealing with on a daily basis.” School officials took time to underscore that while Nassau County police had investigated social media posts, which school officials emailed and texted groups of parents about the night before, they were ultimately deemed nonthreatening. In that email, school officials said there would nonetheless be extra security measures on Monday, including increased police presence. School officials also outlined a variety of safety measures already in place, like cooperation with local police and the state Department of Homeland Security, hundreds of cameras, a phone system that can remotely lock and unlock certain doors, and the LobbyGuard system, which checks people’s identification against databases. There are also behind-theContinued on Page 68
PHOTO BY JANELLE CLAUSEN
Emmett Mcdonough, the head chef at the recently opened Ren Wen Noodle Factory, said he aimed to create a menu that is both serious and playful. See story on page 10.
Ideas pitched for Middle Neck, East Shore in G.N. BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN Village of Great Neck residents filled Village Hall for a presentation on revitalizing Middle Neck Road and East Shore Road on Tuesday night, with most agreeing that com-
mercial vacancies are too high. The village had increased the scope of a study by VHB, an engineering consultant company, in November to analyze possible zoning law changes to encourage residential and commercial development while protecting the character
of the village. Robert Barbach, the superintendent of the village’s Building Department, said this follows a 2013 corridor study, which had resulted in the Middle Neck Road Multifamily Incentive Overlay District, the Continued on Page 79
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