NHP changes fair date amid controversy Woman sought in theft at Macy’s Manhasset

BY CAMERYN OAKES

A woman is at large after allegedly stealing merchandise from a Manhasset Macy’s Sunday afternoon, according to Nassau County police, and law enforcement are asking for information to aid in their investigation.

A woman placed merchandise into a black tote bag while walking around at the Macy’s located at 1100 Northern Blvd around 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, police said. The woman then tried to leave the store without paying for the merchandise when a store employee questioned her. She then pushed the employee and fled the store, according to police, leaving at an unknown direction.

The investigation is ongoing and police are asking for anyone with information to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911. All calls will be anonymous.

BY BRANDON DUFFY

New Hyde Park Mayor Christopher Devane passionately defended the village and its employees during the Thursday night Board of Trustees meeting in light of the recent controversy regarding the original date of the village’s street fair.

The 26th annual village street fair was slated for Saturday, Sept. 16, the first day of the Rosh Hashanah Jewish holiday. Devane said the previous 25 fairs had always been on the third Saturday in September except for 2020 when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Devane said he was aware of the Jewish observance when the date was set last year and it was his personal understanding that the fair, which ends at 4 p.m., would not conflict with Rosh Hashanah observance that begins on sundown Saturday.

“If you’re going to come after somebody, come after me,” Devane said. “It was my decision, you don’t go after our secretary.”

Devane said the decision to change the date to Oct. 21 stemmed from conversations he held with community members, and not due to “inflammatory” letters, emails or phone calls the village received from people opposed to the original date.

A letter to the editor was sent to both Blank Slate Media and Newsday from Donald Panetta, a trustee on the Great Neck Library

Board of Trustees since 2022, expressing his frustration with the date.

Panetta said the village is the culprit of “blatant antisemitism.”

“Holding the street fair on one of the Continued on Page 9