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Continued on
Continued from Page 4 as of Wednesday. Albertson’s 11507 ZIP code, New Hyde Park’s 11040 ZIP code, Great Neck’s 11021 ZIP code, Port Washington’s 11050 ZIP code, Roslyn’s 11576 ZIP code and Great Neck’s 11020 ZIP code all had 100 percent inoculation rates.
The 11020 ZIP code consists primarily of the Village of Lake Success and University Gardens. Some of this area is also made up of Great Neck South Middle and High School, North Shore Hebrew Academy and the Fresh Meadow Country Club.
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The 11042 ZIP code of New Hyde Park continues to have the lowest rate at 24.9 percent of people vaccinated, according to statistics. That area, however, consists primarily of businesses south of Northern State Parkway and along Marcus Avenue.
The next lowest vaccination rate on the North Shore is the 82.1 percent in the 11024 ZIP code of the Great Neck peninsula, which includes the Village of Kings Point. The next lowest one is also in Great Neck, with the 11023 ZIP code at an 88.5 percent rate, according to the fi gures. This area incorporates parts of the villages of Great Neck and Saddle Rock, along with Great Neck Gardens and Harbor Hills.
The statistics also show vaccination rates of 99.8 percent in Roslyn Heights, 97.4 percent in Williston Park, 96.2 percent in Mineola, 94.8 percent in Manhasset and 90.1 percent in Floral Park.
In total, the 14 North Shore ZIP codes average a 90.1 percent vaccination rate. Without the 24.9 percent fi gure in the 11042 ZIP code, the average for the remaining 13 ZIP codes increases to 96.1 percent.
G.N. girl, 15, dies in Woodmere car crash
Continued from Page 3
Namdar’s family held a funeral on Sunday night before fl ying with her body back to Israel for another service on Monday. A source said “a few hundred people” gathered at the American Airlines cargo terminal, with volunteer ambulance members providing some with oxygen so they would not pass out from grieving the loss. The source described the scene as “tragic.”
Namdar’s father, Efraim, refl ected on his daughter’s memory during a eulogy on Mount of Olives in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
“I am thanking ‘HaShem’ [God] for giving me ‘zekhut’ [merit] of being Liel’s father,” Efraim Namdar said with tears in his eyes.
Village of Great Neck Mayor Pedram Bral, who knows the family, said the death came as a shock to the entire community.
“I can say that the past few days for me have not been the same,” Bral said in a phone interview. “Being a parent, it makes it extremely diffi cult to cope. It’s such a huge loss. My thoughts and prayers are with her parents, siblings and grandparents. I wish them patience and I hope that they can come to an understanding and make as much peace as possible with the situation.”
Hempstead opts out of retail cannabis sales
Continued from Page 2 that have opted out of the law include East Hampton, Oyster Bay, Islip, Shelter Island and Smithtown. Babylon and Southampton are the two towns that have opted into the law.
The Town of North Hempstead was scheduled to make a decision during a virtual Thursday night public meeting. The town’s cannabis task force, led by Clerk Wayne Wink, has held three hearings that featured input from residents and experts on cannabis since September.
The rest of the panel consists of Deborah AbramsonBrooks, Sue Auriemma, Maria Elisa Cuadra, Leslie Davis, Dr. Betty Hylton, Jordan Isenstadt, Nikki Kateman, Jack Kott, Jeff rey Reynolds, Michael Sahn, Gloria Su, Marianna Wohlgemuth and Desiree Woodson.
The task force, offi cials said, was to make a presentation on Thursday and conclude with a recommendation on what the town should do.
COMMUNITY & SCHOOL NEWS Hempsteads OKs $305K grant to The INN
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin, along with the entire Hempstead Town Board, authorized a $305,040 relief grant to The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network) for the reimbursement, purchase, and distribution of food items and prepared hot healthy meals (soups, meat/protein with starch and vegetables) for individuals and families who are hungry and unemployed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clavin made the announcement along with senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Councilman Bruce Blakeman, Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, Councilman Dennis Dunne, Sr., Councilman Tom Muscarella, Councilman Chris Carini, Town Clerk Kate Murray, Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll, and The INN’s Chief Executive Offi cer Jean Kelly.
Between March 2020 and March 2021, the Mary Brennan INN soup kitchen served a total of 239,599 nutritious meals to nearly 56,431 guests and 15,898 pantry bags of groceries were given out to families.
This grant has been made possible through the federal CARES Act funding provided to the Town of Hempstead last year. Millions of dollars in CARES funding was allocated by the Town of Hempstead to provide economic aid to local organizations, nonprofi ts, and individuals impacted by the pandemic, including a previous one million dollar grant to The INN last year to cover unbudgeted expenses incurred by the pandemic such as personal protection equipment including masks, gloves, and sanitizers to the staff , volunteers, and those who seek assistance safe.
“Thank you, Senator Schumer for securing the extension of the CARES Act funding that made initiatives like this one possible as the pandemic continued into 2021,” said Supervisor Clavin. “It is our pleasure to partner once again with hundreds of guests. Staff , volunteers, LVM Events, and Diane’s Desserts work together to prepare nutritious meals in volume. With the CARES Act grant, The INN will be able to purchase additional meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Even though the organization will be closed during the holidays, they will give out holiday meals before and send each guest home with a frozen meal to heat up those days.
“We have seen a signifi cant increase in the number of guests who need our services in the community,” said Jean Kelly, chief executive offi cer of The INN. “Thank you to Supervisor Clavin and the Hempstead Town Board for their overwhelming support in providing a critical service to families and individuals aff ected by COVID-19. We have seen the extent and severity of how this pandemic has affected the guests we serve every day, but this grant is helping us combat those eff ects.”
(L-R) The INN’s Chief Executive Officer Jean Kelly, Supervisor Don Clavin, Councilman Tom Muscarella and Town of Hempstead’s Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll.
Continued from Page 6
Williams, who Burnett said could be classifi ed as the most “progressive” candidate in the current Democratic fi eld, has been a longstanding advocate and activist in a variety of roles in New York City. Despite losing to Hochul in the 2018 election for lieutenant governor, Williams was elected as public advocate of New York City, helping pass legislation to protect New York’s workforce and those searching for work, promote public safety and fi ght discrimination.
Williams, who was also diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, announced he would run for governor in mid-November, touting his ability to bring about change in the community and move forward from the coronavirus pandemic.
“Without new, courageous, progressive leadership creating change, the way things have always been will stand in the way of what they can be,” Williams said in a statement.
Burnett said he is unsure of how Williams’ candidacy will play out running on the activist platform, but his prominence in New York City could give him a fi ghting chance.
“Voters will know him to some extent and I think he’s very likely the most liberal of the candidates we’re talking about now,” Burnett said. “I don’t exactly know how his candidacy plays out in this race, though.”
With others such as Suff olk County Executive Steve Bellone and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio rumored to look into running for governor as well, the Democratic primary could get even more contentious in the coming months.
Northwell sends nurses to combat virus surge
Continued from Page 20 it sent medical help during the pandemic’s fi rst wave in 2020. Along with the help sent to western New York, Northwell has sent medical teams to Michigan, Ecuador, Barbados and Guyana to combat COVID-19.
Maureen White, Northwell’s executive vice president and chief nurse executive, said Northwell offi cials haven’t forgotten the help they received.
“New York City and Long Island were overrun with COVID cases in March 2020. It was an ordeal the frontline team at Northwell – and all New Yorkers – won’t soon forget,” she said. “Our nurses received a helping hand then from other health systems. We want to be mindful to pay it forward and provide assistance now as others face a renewed assault by the virus.”
Brenan McDermott, a critical care nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, is one of the professionals deployed to Rochester. He said it is his duty to help those in need during trying times.
“Being a nurse, I know the importance of helping those in need,” he said. “Whether it be the patient, family or staff in need of a hand, it is our responsibility to help. When NYC was at its worst, others came to help and support us. I am honored and proud to return the favor.”
Lafazan announces bid for Suozzi’s seat
Continued from Page 20
“I’m running for Congress because in these unprecedented times we need leaders in Washington that are battle-tested and ready to sit down and get to work to solve our toughest challenges,” he said in an announcement video.
At 23 years of age, Lafazan became Nassau County’s youngest-ever legislator upon his election to the Nassau County Legislature in November 2017. In previous elections, Lafazan ran as an independent who caucused with the Democrats. He has since re-enrolled as a Democrat for his congressional run.
Lafazan called himself a pragmatic Democrat who can keep the 3rd District Democratic. In November, Lafazan won reelection in a district that was won by Donald Trump in 2020.
“These are not poll-tested platitudes but priorities that come from the thousands of conversations I’ve had with residents across this district over the past decade,” Lafazan said about his platform. “But none of them can be reality if we don’t keep this seat in Democratic hands. And I’m the pragmatic Democrat who can do that.”
He said his accomplishments while serving his district include passing laws regarding mental health and substance abuse, expanding protections for the disabled and building homes for homeless veterans.
Before his political responsibilities, Lafazan was elected to the Syosset school board at 18 years old. He was elected with 82% of the vote one month before he graduated from Syosset High School and was re-elected in 2015.
Also running for the Democratic nomination in the district is health care advocate Melanie D’Arrigo of Port Washington. In 2020, D’Arrigo lost a Democratic congressional primary bid to Suozzi. According to multiple reports, Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, Jon Kaiman, Suff olk County deputy executive, and Democratic National Committee member Robert Zimmerman are considering a run as well.
George Santos, an economist, is running for the Republian nomination.
Comptrollers honor Howard Weitzman
Continued from Page 22 from 2002 to 2009 and was a member of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority board, was 75 when he died.
Jack Schnirman, the current county comptroller, held the ceremony. Also attending were Comptroller-elect Elaine Phillips, and former Comptrollers George Maragos and Peter King, who is also a former congressman. Nassau County Legislators Ellen Birnbaum (D-Great Neck) and Carrié Solages (D-Lawrence) also joined the ceremony alongside Wayne Wink, the Town of North Hempstead clerk. Members of Weitzman’s family were present for the unveiling.
Weitzman, a Roslyn resident and Democrat, was fi rst elected as comptroller in 2001 and served two four-year terms before losing a 2009 re-election bid. In 2016, Weitzman was appointed to the fi nance authority, which oversees the county’s fi nances, by then Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
Part of the plaque dedicated to Weitzman describes his public service, reading, “The fi rst certifi ed public accountant to serve as Comptroller, Weitzman was a key player in the fi nancial turnaround of Nassau County and broke new ground with countless innovations.”
Upon graduating from Queens College as an accounting major, Weitzman worked in the fi nancial industry for nearly 50 years, including serving as a partner for KPMG, a global accounting fi rm.
In 1989, Weitzman was elected mayor of the Village of Great Neck Estates after spending the previous six years as a village trustee. After six years as mayor, Weitzman was appointed by County Executive Thomas Gulotta to the county’s Board of Assessors in 1995.
Weitzman was also appointed to the state’s Commission on Government Effi ciency by Gov. Elliot Spitzer in 2007 along with serving as chairman of the state’s Association of Counties Committee on Taxation in Finance. Weitzman also served on the boards of a variety of charitable, educational and civic organizations throughout his governmental career.
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FOR YOUR LOCAL NEWS VISIT US ONLINE AT NHP-GCP tech upgraded
The New Hyde Park-Garden City Park Union Free District has been continuing to integrate technology into K-6 classrooms this school year.
District Technology Integration Specialist Jeanine Laurino supports the teaching staff at all four school buildings by off ering training on various instructional technology, such as Seesaw and Learning A-Z in grades K and 1, as well as Google applications such as Google Docs and Slides for all grade levels. The district has been hosting technology training sessions in conjunction with Model Schools through Nassau BOCES. Once the teachers participate in these trainings, Laurino enters the classrooms to model lessons alongside the teachers to support students with the technology.
“With 1:1 Chromebooks starting in kindergarten, these lessons can be as simple as logging in for the fi rst time and accessing instructional software in Clever such as Star Fall,” Laurino said.
Recently, Laurino co-taught with kindergarten teachers Ms. Guarasci at Garden City Park School and Mrs. Rendon at New Hyde Park Road School to teach students how to use the Seesaw app and the embedded tools. Students practiced using the digital pencil, drag and drop, digital drawing tools and voice recording. Some students read, recorded, wrote and sorted sight words all within Seesaw. They also learned how to use the Starfall app. For fi fth graders in Ms. Guzman’s class at Garden City Park School, Laurino helped students create and format a Virtual Ancient Civilization brochure in Google Docs. Students used Google to research and take notes on their civilization. Then, they learned how to add and edit images, as well as how to modify text and add a watermark and borders to images.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NEW HYDE PARK-GARDEN CITY PARK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
New Hyde Park Road School kindergartners recently learned how to use the Seesaw and Starfall on their Chromebooks.
Elmont students in choir
Elmont Memorial High School students Precious Ademokun and Stephanie Robinson were selected for the American Choral Directors Association Eastern Region Gospel Honor Choir.
The ACDA Eastern Region Gospel Honor Choir is comprised of 80 singers from 11 states in the northeast. The choir will be working with Dr. Raymond Wise, who currently serves on the faculty of Indiana University.
The conference is scheduled to be held in February 2022.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SEWANHAKA CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Elmont Memorial High School students Stephanie Robinson, center, and Precious Ademokun are pictured with their teacher Ben Pesenti.
Floral Park Board of Trustees Reports Dec. 7
Continued from Page 19 tremely important that residents be considerate of the peace and serenity of their neighbors who live in the West End. We recognize that living so close to the arena and adjusting to the length of time it takes to travel to and from events is a real factor. I recognize that it takes more time than jumping a fence but I would truly appreciate it if alternative means of transportation that are available such as the LIRR and Rideshare be considered as they are relatively convenient and inexpensive. I personally have travelled to the UBS Arena via the LIRR and by Rideshare and have found both to be very reasonable. It is critical that we preserve the quality of life that we so value living here in Floral Park.
It is understandable that as the UBS Arena has only recently opened there will be issues that will arise, and will need to be addressed and resolved. The Village has anticipated this and I would like to thank my fellow Trustees, the Floral Park Police Department and Village Administrator Gerry Bambrick for being out personally with me at every event since the arena opened to observe arena, parking, fencing and traffi c activity. Thank you to Empire State Development (ESD) and our elected offi cials for being responsive as we learn what impact the new establishment may have upon the residents of Floral Park related to these issues. We have identifi ed some already; an example of one issue that is being addressed is buses idling against residential properties along the parking lot fence line. ESD has already taken steps to improve that issue.
The Village Board and Police Department will continue to work with ESD on the UBS Arena issues as we move forward. I would like to thank ESD for their willingness to work with the Village and for their responsiveness to our requests so far. If any resident has a concern about Belmont and the UBS Arena you are encouraged to call Village Hall and inform me, the Board of Trustees and the Police Department so it can be addressed immediately. It is extremely important that we hear from you. We will be diligently following-up on all of the Belmont/UBS Arena matters.
On Friday night, the Annual Tree Lighting at Memorial Park was another Hallmark card moment. It was a great night. Thanks to the Floral Park Police Department and Department of Public Works, the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce, the Floral Park Jr. Woman’s Club and OLV for their coordination and hard work in making this happen. A lot of work is involved in putting an event like this together. Again, thank you to all of the volunteers and staff who made it such a special night here in Floral Park.
Last Monday, Dr. Pombonyo and I had the opportunity to serve on a Floral Park Eagle Scout Review Board and hear a presentation made by Eagle Scout candidate, Jack Catalbo. I was amazed by the details of his presentation and witnessed again tonight with the Girl Scouts’ Solar Energy presentation as to how terrifi c these young people are. The amount of time they spend on their projects, the learning, leadership and historic lessons that are part of the project’s journey are all quite substantial. The future is very bright here in Floral Park with the quality and eff orts of these young scouts. I work full-time in the city and do not spend much time with students in my job and I really enjoyed these experiences very much. Trustee Pombonyo commented that it is signifi cant that so many Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts choose to do projects here in Floral Park to the betterment of the community. We benefi t tremendously from all of these wonderful projects throughout the Village. Mayor Fitzgerald also stated that the presentation skills they develop is a great leadership skill to possess and congratulated them all.
Thank you to Felix Procaccia of ‘Just the Facts Media’ for being here this evening and to Brandon Duff y from Blank Slate Media for attending on Zoom.
Herricks junior makes Senate page program
Herricks High School junior Namit Kapoor has been selected to participate in the prestigious United States Senate’s Pages Program. Representing the state of New York, he is one of 30 students from across the country to participate.
Kapoor has always had an interest in politics. “The more I learned about the program, the more I wanted it,” he said.
He credited an internship that focused on policy research, Herricks High School, and his parents as huge contributors to his achievement for off ering opportunities.
As part of the program, each student is appointed and sponsored by a senator and assigned duties that consist primarily of delivery of correspondence and legislative material within the Congressional complex. Other duties include preparing the chamber for Senate sessions and carrying bills and amendments to the desk. Students also attend classes in the early morning at the United States Senate Page School, a program fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
“I’m ecstatic. Namit is so accomplished, humble, and kind,” said Herricks High School Principal Joan Keegan. “I can’t think of a better person to represent Herricks.”
“This amazing honor is a credit to Namit’s hard work and many accomplishments as a student at Herricks High School,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Fino Celano. “I am certain that he will learn a great deal and always remember this experience. We are all so very proud of Namit!”
Kapoor, who was selected by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, will participate in the program from Jan. 30 to June 6, 2022.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HERRICKS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NHP chamber cuts ribbon at Mr. Jay
On Friday, Dec. 10, the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce held a worldclass ribbon cutting for the completely renovated, and long time stalwart of the local business community: Mr. Jay Appliances located at 294 Hillside Avenue in Williston Park.
Company executives, local elected offi cials, and chamber board members were present.
On December 1st. the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce held a world class ribbon cutting for the offi cial Grand Opening of Avion Express, located at 2035 Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park. Avion specializes in forwarding your small packages all the way up to cargo size. Chamber Board members and local elected offi cials were present for the occasion. More information about the company’s services can be found at www.avionxpress.com.
Left to Right: Chamber Board Members Jeanette Frisina, Ed Powers, Ron Shapiro; North Hempstead Councilwoman Lee Seeman; Chamber 1st VP Donna Pagano; North Hempstead Town Clerk Elect Ragini Srivastava; Owner Jose Jacob; Nassau Legislature Presiding Officer Rich Nicolello; Board Member Mark Laytin Reny Jacob; NYS Assemblywom an Gina Sillitti; Chamber 3rd VP Larry Armstrong; Chamber President Cheryl Fajardo; Chamber 2nd VP Saveeta Barnes; Chamber Board Members Smitha Lukose-Khan, Rich DeMartino: Representing Councilman Ferrara: Kay Farrell. Avion 3 Proprietor Jose Jacob and spouse Reny
Avion Express ribbon cutting
