Serving Great Neck, G.N. Plaza, G.N. Estates, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston
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Friday, October 5, 2018
Vol. 93, No. 40
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SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
ACTIVISTS PROTEST NRA EVENT IN NHP
TOWN UNVEILS $105.72M BUDGET
PAGES 33-48
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Car strikes man trying to cross Middle Neck Rd.
‘ENDING GUN VIOLENCE’
In countdown to pedestrian safety walk, case illustrates continued danger in G.N. BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN A 71-year-old man in Great Neck Plaza was struck by a car while trying to cross Middle Neck Road near Station Plaza on Friday night, less than 10 days before an event aiming to promote pedestrian safety in honor of a man who died crossing the same road two years ago. According to detectives, a 2007 Lincoln was heading south on Middle Neck Road when it struck the man around 7:15 p.m., leaving him with “serious head injuries.” In a statement, the police said there is “no apparent criminality” at this time and that an investigation is ongoing. Vigilant Fire Chief Joshua Charry said the company received the call at 7:30 p.m., had a paramedic and ambulance on scene at 7:32 p.m., and left the scene for North Shore University Hospital
at 7:39 p.m. The patient arrived at 7:52 p.m. “It just continues to underline how dangerous it can be for pedestrians in a heavily trafficked area,” Charry said. The pedestrian’s identity was not disclosed. A spokesman for North Shore University Hospital was not available for comment on the patient’s status. The latest accident underscores the dangers in trying to cross Middle Neck Road while echoing another incident that occurred just south of there almost exactly two years ago. A driver struck Oren Bennaiem, 43, on Sept. 30, 2016, as he was trying to cross Middle Neck Road from Barstow Road on his way to work. He died six days later. Jivanna Bennaiem, his wife, who has turned into a pedestrian safety activist in the wake of his death, said it’s such “weird timing” Continued on Page 67
PHOTO BY JANELLE CLAUSEN
Veronica Lurvey of North Shore Action opens up a discussion on gun violence at the Great Neck Library, featuring panelists like the Nassau County DA and Long Island group leaders. See story on page 2.
Royal Tea House joins list of closed G.N. restaurants BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN
down. The restaurant had temporarily closed to “readjust” in orRoyal Tea House in Great der “to better meet your needs” Neck Plaza has closed, accord- in early August and briefly reing to a sign posted on the opened, before closing again door, with the business now and being put on the market. Royal Tea House opened in “for sale” and the shades pulled
February 2017. The restaurant, an English-style tea house located at 1 Great Neck Road just off Middle Neck Road, offered a variety of teas and aimed to represent “quality, comfort, afContinued on Page 66
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