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Friday, July 15, 2022
Vol. 97, No. 28
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
SUOZZI ENDORSES LAFAZAN
MANGANO SENTENCING DELAYED
PAGES 23-26
PAGE 3
PAGE 9
Local officials bash proposed LIRR changes Draft schedule for Port Washington line sees longer travel times into NYC BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z Local officials throughout North Hempstead bashed proposed schedule changes from the Long Island Rail Road’s Port Washington line, claiming they will reduce express service into Grand Central Madison Terminal. The proposed changes, published by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in June, are part of the agency’s $11.2 billion East Side Access Project and will go into effect in December. Stops on the Port Washington Line, which also includes the Great Neck, Manhasset and Plandome stations, would increase by more than 20% during morning peak hours, according to the schedule While Long Island Rail Road officials said a majority of Port Washington line commuters would benefit from the updated schedule, saying that there will be a 70% increase in service during the morning and 43% increase during the evening, local officials and town residents said the agency should prioritize the travel time of its daily commuters. “It’s vital that our communities make their voices heard about our displeasure with the loss of peak express service,” Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said during a Tuesday press conference. “As a
Manhasset resident for 22 years whose family has relied on the Port Washington branch daily, I believe that these recently announced proposed changes are totally unacceptable.” “If there is one thing we need to remember is this: there’s always room for compromise,” Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey said. “We must work with the MTA towards a pragmatic solution that serves the residents’ best interests — this isn’t about the government agencies involved, but it’s about the residents who reside in these communities.” Port Washington resident Ian Rasmussen said adding three additional stations to the line is “adding insult to injury.” “Considering how many more people commute to the easterly stations and that before now express and local trains were roughly full to the same extent, it’s obvious that Port Washington trains will be terribly overcrowded if express service is eliminated,” Rasmussen said in a letter to state Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti (D-Port Washington). Rasmussen also said the commutes, which could add up to eight minutes on some trains could impact the Port Washington area property values. Town Councilman Peter ZuckerContinued on Page 38
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH/GETTY IMAGES
Sandra Lindsay receiving her Medal of Honor from President Joe Biden. Lindsay was the first American to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. See story on page 2.
G.N. natives purchase Hildebrandt’s in W.P. BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y
and Randy Sarf, Singer announced in an instagram post. “Established in 1927 and familyThe threat for Hildebrandt’s Restaurant in Williston Park to close has owned since 1974. I am honored to ended with the recent purchase of be part of such an iconic establishthe famed eatery by Spencer Singer ment,” Singer partly said in his post
on Thursday. “I look forward to sharing this special place with you and your families. Singer and Sarf, friends from growing up in Great Neck, told Continued on Page 39
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