Friday, March 10, 2017
THE PULSE OF THE PENINSULA
Vol. 92, No. 10
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SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
JCC GETS SUPPORT AFTER BOMB THREAT
MARAGOS DEFENDS COUNTY BUDGET
PAGES 33-38, 43-48
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No proposal to change EMS provider: Bral Mayor says ‘rumor’ of contract with Northwell unfounded BY J OE N I K I C
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH
Arthur Seidman celebrated his 100th birthday last Tuesday at North Shore University Hospital, where he has served as a volunteer for more than 20 years.
Village of Great Neck Mayor Pedram Bral denied rumors Tuesday that the village had a proposal to switch its EMS provider from the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company to Northwell Health. At Tuesday night’s Board of Trustees meeting, Bral said it was the village’s â€œďŹ duciary obligationâ€? to seek the “best possible servicesâ€? for residents. “There has been no proposal on the table for any of the villages from Northwell,â€? he said. “I don’t know whose going out there and saying there’s a proposal.â€? Last week, Vigilant Fire Company oďŹƒcials called for mayors on the peninsula to hold a public hearing to discuss potential proposals by
Northwell to provide Great Neck with ambulance services. In October, members of the ďŹ re company voted to authorize the board to consider billing residents’ insurance for ambulance services after receiving requests from the village mayors. Bral said four months ago, the village mayors met with Northwell oďŹƒcials, who gave them a presentation on the ambulance services they provide and dierent scenarios, but they have not been in contact with the health care provider since then. About 80 residents attended Tuesday’s meeting, many of which urged the board to remain contracted with Vigilant for ambulance service. Resident Judy Rosenthal said other communities
“would kill� to receive the service that residents sometimes “take for granted.� “For 80 years village residents have been receiving extraordinarily responsive, personalized ambulance services when they are at their most vulnerable,� Rosenthal said. “The Vigilant team demonstrates exemplary acts of courage going beyond the call of duty every day because this is the place they call home.� Ron Campbell, a Great Neck resident, said several years ago, a school bus accident required 15 ambulances to take 15 children to the hospital. He questioned if Northwell would be able to provide that type of service in critical situations. “Is Northwell prepared to Continued on Page 64
Volunteer work keeps Seidman strong at 100 BY J OE N I K I C Arthur Seidman, a World War II veteran and Great Neck resident, began volunteering in North Shore University Hospital’s surgical waiting room in 1995 after a nearly 50-year career as a salesman in New York City’s
garment center. Last Tuesday, Seidman celebrated his 100th birthday at the hospital with family, friends and hospital sta. “I’ve lived a very eventful life. I’ve always tried to be as good as I could be,â€? he said. “My father was my role model; I tried to behave as he did. So, for me, coming to the hospital and working with other people who are really in need is a reason for me to get up in the morning. This is a labor of love. I love being here.â€? Seidman was born on Feb. 28, 1917 and grew up in Bensonhurst, his daugh-
ter, Jane Krakauer, said. Krakauer said her father was drafted into the United States Army in 1941. In 1942, she said, Seidman received his commission to serve as an artillery forward observer in the Philippines. Krakauer, a Russell Gardens trustee, said although her father wanted to serve, he was hesitant because his father was ill and wanted to take care of him. Seidman’s mother had died when he was two years old due to the u epidemic. Continued on Page 64
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