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A Roslyn Grist Mill restoration update ffrom the Roslyn Landmark Society

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archive.theisland360.com
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View of the Roslyn Grist Mill under construction. Image courtesy of Howard Kroplick.

The Roslyn Grist Mill is a rare surviving Dutch-framed watermill located at the head of Hempstead Harbor on Old Northern Boulevard in the Village of Roslyn.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is one of few remaining grist mills in the New York metropolitan area and possesses a unique and extraordinary history worth preserving.

Purposely built for industrial use beginning in 1715, the grist mill in Roslyn was the first commercial building established in the community and served as the economic heart of the village as it grew and expanded for over one hundred and fifty years.

President George Washington visited the site and met with its owner at the time, Hendrick Onderdonk, on April 24, 1790, during his grand tour of Long Island following the American Revolution. Washington even immortalized this visit in his diary.

As an essential commercial component in the settlement and development of the Village of Roslyn, the grist mill was owned and operated by several prominent local individuals over the many years it remained in operation. This included Benjamin D. Hicks, who owned the mill between 1887-1892.

In addition to being a member of one of Long Island’s earliest and most prominent families, Benjamin D. Hicks was also the leading advocate and force behind separating the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay from Queens County. After thirty years of effort, Hicks finally saw his goal realized with the creation of Nassau County in 1899.

It was also under Hicks family ownership that, according to Professor Kathleen G. Velsor in her book The Underground Railroad on Long Island: Friends in Freedom, the Roslyn Grist Mill location served as a site used by the area’s Underground Railroad network.

Local Quakers assisted runaway enslaved people escape to freedom by leading them under cover of darkness to boats waiting behind the mill. The boats would set sail at high tide to carry these passengers across the Long Island Sound, enabling them to continue their journeys north.

In 1916, the Hicks family sold the mill to a board of five trustees that included a grandson of William Cullen Bryant with the goal of turning the building into a museum.

Following a brief period of restoration, the grist mill then served as a tea house and tourist attraction from 1920 to 1974. In 1976, ownership was transferred to Nassau County and new restoration plans were made.

Restoration progress

After 42 years of delays and planning, the Roslyn Landmark Society stepped up and volunteered to undertake the immense challenge of restoring the Roslyn Grist Mill to its former glory.

Between 2015 and 2024, the organization raised over $6.3 million for the restoration effort, securing awards and contributions from the Gerry Charitable Trust, New York State Office of Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, Nassau County, New York State Regional Economic Council, Save America’s Treasures, professor Tim Bestor, a descendant of the family that built the original grist mill at the location in 1701, and members and sponsors of the Roslyn Landmark Society.

While the Roslyn Grist Mill is still owned by the county, the Roslyn Landmark Society now holds an inter-municipal agreement to improve, manage, maintain, and operate the mill as an education center. Since 2018, efforts have been steadily underway to restore the mill to both preserve it and make it accessible to the public.

An additional $1.95 million in funding has been allocated by Nassau County for the project, pending 2024 bonding approval. These funds will be used to complete the remainder of the restoration as well as assist in the development of the site into an education center. Active fundraising by the Roslyn Landmark Society is also underway and will continue until the end of the project.

The planned education center will contain historical exhibitions and host educational programming and events for the community. Upon total completion of the project, currently slated for 2027, the Roslyn Landmark Society will also hold a public ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the conclusion of the restoration and full opening of the site to the community.

Phases of restoration

Due to the extent and complexity of the renewal efforts involved, including the extensive funding required to complete such work, the restoration of the Roslyn Grist Mill has been divided into four phases.

Phase 1 of the project began in 2018 with stabilizing the building, creating a new concrete foundation, and removing the original timber frame for repair and conservation. As an initial step to build the new foundation, the structure was raised three and half feet above street level in 2020.

Construction on the new foundation began in August 2021 and was completed in November of that year. Although delayed due to the pandemic, the building was lowered onto its new foundation in July 2023 and is now fully supported by its timber frame.

Phase 2 of the project began in September 2023, with the removal of the south wall and installation of timber framing and is projected to continue until mid-2025. Installation of the mill’s roof framing is scheduled to be complete by the end of this year, while the roof shingles, exterior siding, windows, doors, and interior flooring should be in place by spring. Limited public access to the Roslyn Grist Mill is currently projected to begin mid- 2025.

Phase 3 is anticipated to begin immediately afterward, with site work related to the repair and installation of the mill’s husk frame, gearing mechanisms, and new water wheel. This will be followed by the design and transformation of the space into a public education center that will serve as an attraction to the historic Village of Roslyn by providing STEAM-based learning opportunities related to the area’s extraordinary historical, industrial, and technological past.

Restoration team

In addition to the Roslyn Landmark Society’s Board Trustees and staff members involved with the Roslyn Grist Mill project, and due to the specialized nature of the labor involved, the organization also works with a select group of contractors with expertise in traditional building techniques and restoration of historic structures.

Among these experts are a team of skilled timber-framers from Vermont and Massachusetts who have been dedicated to the project since 2015 and travel to Roslyn seasonally to complete the work required.

John G. Waite Associates (JGWA), the project’s historic preservation architectural firm, has been a part of the Roslyn Grist Mill’s restoration since 2004 with completion of initial feasibility and structural reports for Nassau County. This dedicated team of highly knowledgeable professionals has also completed work on numerous other notable historic buildings in the area, including Sagamore Hill National Historic Site and the historic Nassau County Courthouse.

Also dedicated to seeing the Roslyn Grist Mill project through to completion is Cole Company, the project’s construction management firm. Chris Cole and team have continually guided the Roslyn Landmark Society through the restoration to ensure all historic preservation guidelines are followed throughout the process.

Going Places: Flying Norse Atlantic Airways for Baby’s First Overseas Adventure!

By
Karen Rubin
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Setting our baby down in the bassinet as we fly on Norse Atlantic Airways from JFK to Athens © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Laini Miranda and Dave E. Leiberman, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

We decided 9 months was a perfect age to take our baby on her first overseas trip. Having always wanted to travel in Greece, we were pleasantly surprised at the inexpensive plane tickets on Norse Atlantic Airways, even in August. So after a bit of due diligence and comparison shopping, we booked a 10-day trip on the relatively new, low-cost international airline, and hoped for the best!

Taking off on our first overseas adventure with our infant from JFK to Greece on Norse Atlantic Airways © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Norse Atlantic Airways began operation in summer 2022, replacing Norwegian Air with low cost flights between major cities around the world. They regularly offer sales and, in non-peak season, you can find incredibly cheap fares, like NYC to London for $306, or Los Angeles to Paris for $418. They regularly have “Early Bird Fares” between the US and Europe from just $109 one way. The airline is able to maintain these deals by limiting the amenities on the flight, offering upgrades and other extras for additional fees. (The airline has just introduced a policy of allowing a 22 lb. carry on, in addition to the personal under-the-seat item, at no extra charge on all economy light bookings.)

On our nonstop flight from NYC (JFK) to Athens, we paid just over $800/each for a basic economy fare with taxes and fees, plus $90 for an infant ticket (holding her on our lap), and $45 for each carry-on. We did not check bags nor splurge for meals ($30 for first meal after takeoff and another $30 for a meal before landing), premium seat upgrades, or online check-in. The company was generous to offer us bulkhead seats with bassinet (there are 2 seats with bassinet compatibility on each plane). Seat selection typically starts at $45 (of course you will be assigned a seat at no charge once you check-in at the airport if you do not want to pay to pre-select). It’s worth noting that a few days before the flight, Norse sent out several emails about “bidding” for an upgrade to a seat in the premium section, which offers larger and more comfortable seats with more legroom, meals, blankets, etc.

Even though we were used to online check-ins and going straight to our gate, the check-in process at the airport was smooth, despite the long line. For our 2-week trip with the 2 of us and our 9-month old, we took 2 carry-on suitcases, 2 backpacks (diaper bag plus one smaller backpack with a mini guitar), our stroller, car seat, and small cooler bag for breast milk. We had no problem carrying all of this through security and onto the plane; we gate-checked our stroller and car seat.

Norse leaves from Terminal 7, which seemed like the smallest and most run-down of any JFK terminal we’ve seen. There were few food options and long lines at all of them, so we were happy to have packed snacks. Our flight was on time and boarding was easy. The Norse flight attendants were very helpful in assisting with getting our suitcases in the high overhead bins. The plane itself (Boeing 787 Dreamliners) felt new and similar to the JetBlue planes we’ve flown, with colored LED club-like mood lighting, fancy dimming windows, and leather seats.

Norse Atlantic Airways’ flight attendant set up the bassinet shortly after takeoff © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

On our flight to Athens, we sat in 27D and E, bassinet compatible bulkhead seats in the middle line of the economy section of the plane. They offered much more legroom, which was clutch with a lap infant. The only drawback is that with the extra room and central location between the restrooms, people tended to use this as a thruway between the bathrooms on either side of the plane. We should note, though, that the flight attendants made repeated announcements reminding people not to do this.

Norse Atlantic Airways’ flight attendant set up the bassinet shortly after takeoff © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Shortly after takeoff, a flight attendant set up the bassinet for us, which cleverly affixes to the wall. The bassinet is compact with a leather panel over top that Velcros closed for safety. The bassinets are rated for use up to 25 pounds, but it was a little too snug for our nine month old, who is on the smaller side at just 16 pounds. We did notice on our return flight another couple sitting in that same seat with a younger infant and we saw them successfully transfer their sleeping baby to the bassinet. We may have been able to use it if our little one didn’t love moving around in her sleep so much, as there really wasn’t room for her to even put her arms out. She did, however, enjoy playing in it for a little bit.

On the flight home from Athens our seats (11H with bassinet) were on the right side of the plane, so no one needed to walk into our legroom except the one person sitting in the same row in the window seat. This was an even better spot for us because our baby was able to move around on the floor in our little corner of the plane. We actually didn’t even end up using the bassinet on this leg because it had proven too small for her on the way over, and she was fine between our laps with our extra legroom seats and the space in front of us to move.

Touring the Acropolis in Athens at golden hour lets us avoid the heat and crowds and feed our baby without skipping a beat! © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Traveling with an infant ended up being so much easier than we had expected. During our trip to Greece, we took four flights and two ferries. We got preferential treatment at almost all of these, as families often have a dedicated line that gets served before others.

The airports and crews in Greece were all especially friendly to us seeing we had a baby, helping us get her through check-in and security as fast and easily as possible. There are large family bathrooms next to all regular restrooms.

Watching a perfect sunset after our visit to the Temple of Apollo in Naxos © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

On our  Aegean Air flights, the attendants even gave us a couple of little baby toys.

The crew on the ferries guided us to an area to leave our stroller, that we had loaded with some other belongings, in a safe corner. And on one with particularly rocky conditions, they led us to the front of the middle section, apparently “better for babies”. It should be noted that while the outside decks of the ferries offer a lovely view, often they are quite smoky since smoking is not allowed inside (and is still extremely prevalent in Greece). We appreciated the Business Class seats we had reserved for our 3 ½-hour ferry, where we could spread out on comfortable recliners in a more open area and have direct access to the food bar without lines. At the end of this longer ferry, a very kind crew member who did not speak much English directed us to follow him with our belongings as he led us into an elevator that let us out at the very front of the boat, making us the first ones off and onto dry land.

Baby loved watching sunsets over the water at Agios Prokopios beach in Naxos © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Greek people in general were extremely kind and welcoming to us, always stopping to talk and play with our baby wherever we went. On top of the generosity of the locals, the gear we brought was also helpful in making this a seamless and easy trip with an infant.

We loved our Aer+ stroller that is lightweight, can fold up instantly with one hand, and can fit compactly in the trunk of any taxi or tiny rental car (or even in the overhead compartment of the plane if you need to bring it on board). Our Nuna Pipa Lite car seat and base are as lightweight as they come, and easily inserted into Ubers and rental cars within seconds. We purchased a car seat bag from Amazon in which we loaded the car seat and base into along with all of our diapers and a few other nick nacks before boarding each plane. In the airports we actually ended up carrying her in our Babybjorn carrier and wheeled the stroller/car seat combo with the base and car seat bag set on top. Families are allowed to board first, but we generally opted to wait until the end of boarding so as to minimize time on the plane. We wheeled everything down the gate and loaded the car seat and base into its backpack and collapsed the stroller to gate-check them right before we boarded, and collected them at the gate upon arrival at our next location.

Exploring Old Town on the Greek island of Naxos © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com

All of our lodgings in Greece—hotels and airbnbs alike—provided free porta-cribs and linens, which saved us a huge amount of bulk and weight when traveling. We also brought along an ultra lightweight umbrella which we used everyday and was invaluable for protecting baby’s skin from the sun, and another essential: a travel white noise machine.

We landed back in New York 15 minutes early.

Being frequent travelers, we were nervous that our globetrotting lifestyle would have to significantly change once we had a baby. But what struck us most throughout our 10 days in Greece was how traveling with an infant can really enhance our time abroad. We realized we so much more deeply experienced everything from sunsets to meatballs, as if it were our first time, as it was for her.

Norse Atlantic Announces All Light Economy Fares Include 22lb Carry-On

Norse Atlantic Airways now allows a 22 lb. carry-on along with personal item at no extra charge with Economy Light fare.

Norse Atlantic Airways has introduced a new policy where all economy light bookings now also include a 22-pound carry-on bag in addition to the personal under seat item, offering customers even greater value and convenience than before. The included carry-on bag policy only applies to bookings made from September 2, 2024, and directly on the flynorse.com website, no matter whether the ticket was purchased as part of the sale. For bookings made via a third party, different rules may apply.

“We’re pleased to announce that all Economy Light tickets now come with a 22 pound cabin bag included, at no extra cost. At Norse Atlantic Airways, we’re always looking for ways to enhance your travel experience, and this sale is the perfect opportunity to plan your next adventure,” said Bård Nordhagen, Chief Commercial Officer Norse Atlantic Airways.

Norse Atlantic exclusively operates Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The cabin offers passengers relaxed and comfortable flying, with each seat including a personal, state-of-the art entertainment experience. Norse Atlantic offers two cabin choices, Economy and Premium (Premium offers an industry-leading 43” seat pitch and 12” recline).

Passengers can choose from a simple range of fares, Light, Classic and Flextra, that reflect the way that they want to travel, and which options are important. Light fares represent Norse’s value option, while Flextra fares include the maximum baggage allowance, two meal services, an enhanced airport and onboard experience and increased ticket flexibility.

For more information and to book, visit the Norse Atlantic Airways website www.flynorse.com

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Great Neck’s Richard Deem awarded Red Cross honors

By
Cameryn Oakes
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Alert Chief John Purcell (left) and Alert Company President James Neubert (right), presenting Richard Deem (center) with the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit pin (Photo courtesy of Sara Rietbroek)

Great Neck resident and Great Neck Alert firefighter Richard Deem received the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit for using Red Cross training skills to save his grandfather’s life.

The Certificate of Merit is the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

The certificate bears the signature of the President of the United States, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross, and the signature of the chairman of the American Red Cross.

Pictured from left to right Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company Ex-Chief Joshua Forst; Anne Ielpi; Richard’s mom Karyn Deem; Richard’s grandmother Theresa Phillips; Melissa Ielpi; Richard’s grandfather, Ray Phillips (seated) (Photo courtesy of Sara Rietbroek)

One day while at home with his grandparents, Deem’s grandfather, Ray Phillips, was attempting to swallow a pill when it became lodged in his throat, blocking his airway. His grandmother, Theresa, yelled for Deem, who came running down the stairs.

Deem’s quick thinking and recall of his first aid and choking training instantly kicked in and he swiftly rendered the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the pill and ultimately saving his grandfather’s life.

The award presentation took place at the Great Neck Alert Fire Company headquarters.

Deem was also the recipient of the Jonathan Ielpi 9/11 Memorial Scholarship, presented by the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company and members of the Ielpi family.

The Jonathan Ielpi Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who embody Jonathan’s passion to give back to the community.

Deem joined the Great Neck Alert Fire Company in February 2023 as a volunteer firefighter. Prior to that,Deem had been a member of the Alert Junior Firefighters program where he served as 1st Lieutenant in 2021 and then Captain in 2022.

Deem graduated from Kellenberg Memorial High School in June and is currently a freshman at the University of Alabama majoring in Aerospace Engineering.

DeSena announces North Hempstead Building Department reforms

By
Cameryn Oakes
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North Hempstead Town Hall in Manhasset. (Photo by Karina Kovac)

North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena announced a reform plan for the town’s Building Department Wednesday, seven months after the county delivered its audit report and after years of issues plaguing the department.

The announcement, made alongside North Hempstead Council Members Ed Scott and Dennis Walsh, focused on an initiative to “address longstanding problems” within the department.

The first set of departmental reforms will be part of a series to be implemented over time. DeSena announced eight reforms to the department on Wednesday.

These include overhauling the intake communication model and breaking down the wall between the department and the public; evaluating citizen serve, which is the software being used in the department; digitizing all the records; establishing a fair and efficient appeals process; restructuring assignment rotations for inspectors; assembling the supervisor’s advisory panel that will include those with first-hand experience in knowledge of a particular field such as architects, builders, contractors, retired building inspectors and judges; addressing expedited review; and establishing the Legacy Issue Resolution Committee.

“I think the most important thing is breaking down the wall between the residents and that department,” DeSena said. “People deserve an accessible and accountable Building Department.”

In 2007, five Building Department officials were indicted after a 16-month investigation by then-Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice for receiving favors and payments in exchange for granting permits without inspections.

All five were later convicted, including former Commissioner David Wasserman. He was sentenced to one year in jail in 2008 after pleading guilty to grand larceny and falsifying business records.

Scott said the Legacy Issue Resolution Committee was created because of the “corruption” that transpired between 2003 and 2007. He said many constituents in his district have fallen victim to the Building Department taking bribes and houses being built over the allowable square footage. These property owners were issued improper and nonconforming certificates of occupancy, and as a result they are not currently in compliance with state law.

The committee, which will be an outside panel of advisers, will review and advise on structuring a resolution to bring these properties into compliance and remedy their situation.

“It’s been a long time that they have not been able to get relief,” DeSena said. “So they’ll be making recommendations to what we can do so that these homeowners can move forward.”

The department has also been criticized for its approval delays, which have dragged out processes for businesses and residents over the years.

A Nassau County comptroller audit of the Town of North Hempstead’s Building Department revealed numerous inefficiencies in the department’s procedures as well.

“We found significant operational deficiencies and have provided detailed recommendations that can help the Building Department improve efficiency and increase transparency,” Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips said. “In addition, the audit revealed that an attitude shift toward prioritizing constituent service would benefit the town, its residents and business professionals.”

DeSena requested the audit in July 2022 after winning election in November 2021 after a campaign in which she focused on the need for department changes.

Findings in the audit included “significant problems” with the department’s online permit portal that underutilized software features, a lack of standardized procedures and operational oversight leading to operational inefficiencies, a lack of communication and transparency with permit applicants, and a lack of standardization for permit expedition procedures.

The audit also stated that the town’s “bifurcation” during the 18-month audit had a negative impact on the implementation of the Building Department portal.

The county said that the software available for the Building Department can modernize permitting processes for department employees and permit applicants.

They said the department is not utilizing this software “to improve process flow, facilitate communication, and enable constituents to easily track their permit applications online.”

If utilized more, the county said this software would “improve constituent and employee satisfaction, increase efficiency and transparency, and help the Building Department to standardize processes and implement quality control.”

During the audit process, the county comptroller’s office spoke with residents, members of the town’s administration, commissioners and staff, architects, engineers and contractors. They also conducted two customer satisfaction surveys.

At a Great Neck Chamber of Commerce breakfast in June, DeSena said changes to the Building Department in response to the audit would be announced by the end of summer.

“If you read this report, it’s clear that over 15 years of problems aren’t going away overnight,” DeSena said in a statement to Blank Slate Media. “You don’t implement 83 pages of recommendations carelessly. It has to be done deliberately and with great attention to permanent fixes. No one said it was going to be easy, but we’re on the right side of it and we know exactly what our residents deserve.”

DeSena has previously said that delays in addressing the Building Department are attributed to partisanship on the town board. This included criticisms from the board’s Democrats about DeSena withholding the department’s reviews from the board and blocking the supervisor’s department reforms.

DeSena is a registered Democrat, but as supervisor she belongs to the Republican Party.

Some changes were made before the audit in 2022. This included changing the department’s expedited permit review process that added criteria permitting someone to receive a decision within five days and removing the Town Board’s ability to override the department’s decisions.

In a town press release, the expedited review process is referred to as “egregious” and a method for individuals to “leapfrog” the typical process. The process was criticized for politicization and calls for a rethinking of the process.

Also implemented that year were monthly reports from the town’s Building Department. Prior reports were only given annually.

This story has been updated to provide further information on the expedited review process.

Bill O’Reilly, Geraldo Rivera to join Schneps Media as weekly columnists

By
stevenblank
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Beginning next week, conservative commentator, journalist, author, and television host Bill O’Reilly Jr. and journalist, attorney, author, and political commentator Geraldo Rivera will join Schneps Media as weekly columnists.

 

 

D’Esposito defends campaign amid allegations of ethics violations

By
Ben Fiebert
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U.S. Rep. Anthony D'Esposito is under fire following a report that he broke House ethics rules. (Photo courtesy of the Town of Hempstead)

Ethics concerns were raised about U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito following a New York Times report alleging he had an affair with an employee and put his fiancée’s daughter on the payroll.

“The latest political tabloid garbage being peddled by ‘The New York Times’ is nothing more than a slimy, partisan ‘hit piece’ designed to distract Long Islanders from Democrats’ failing record on border security, the economy and foreign policy,” D’Esposito said in a statement. “My personal life has never interfered with my ability to deliver results for New York’s Fourth District, and I have upheld the highest ethical standards of personal conduct. Voters deserve better than the Times’ gutter politics.”

The New York Times reported that D’Esposito, a Republican representing Congressional District 4, gave part-time jobs to both his fiancée’s daughter and lover.

The article said that shortly after D’Esposito took the oath of office in 2022, he hired his fiancée’s daughter as a special assistant in his Garden City district office, for which she was paid $3,800 a month.

Then in April, the article reported that D’Esposito added Devin Faas to his payroll, who D’Esposito was allegedly having an affair with.

The two women’s employment resulted in a total payment of about $29,000.

The Times article said employment for both women ended when D’Esposito’s fiancée found out about his relationship and briefly broke up with him. If the report is accurate, D’Esposito would have violated House rules against nepotism.

“Federal law, at 5 U.S.C. § 3110, generally prohibits a federal official, including a Member of Congress, from appointing, promoting, or recommending for appointment or promotion any ‘relative’ of the official to any agency or department over which the official exercises authority or control,” stated on Ethics.House.gov.

The statute defines a relative as an individual who is related to a public official as father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half-sister.

A separate provision adopted in the wake of the #MeToo movement states that lawmakers “may not engage in a sexual relationship with any employee of the House who works under the supervision of the member.”

“The experts said the circumstances could also prompt an investigation into whether either position had broken a ban on no-show or low-show jobs, potentially exposing Mr. D’Esposito, a former police detective, to additional scrutiny by the House and law enforcement officials,” the New York Times reported.

This report comes 41 days before election day, when D’Esposito will face Laura Gillen, the former Hempstead supervisor and Democratic nominee, in a highly watched race for the Congressional District 4 seat.

Laura Gillen, Democratic nominee for Congressional District 4, said ‘it’s clear that Anthony D’Esposito has abused his power in every position of trust he’s ever held.’ (Photo by Robert Pelaez)

“These are very serious allegations that demand further investigation, and it’s clear that Anthony D’Esposito has abused his power in every position of trust he’s ever held,” Gillen said in a statement.

Gillen said that when she was Hempstead town supervisor from 2018 to 2020, she fought against corruption and nepotism to help all Nassau County families. She said she would bring that same common-sense, ethical leadership to Congress.

“Together, we can clean up the deep-seated corruption that clearly surrounds Anthony D’Esposito and restore transparency and accountability to New York’s Fourth Congressional District,” Gillen said.

New York’s 4th Congressional District
shaded in black. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Matt Capp, spokesperson for D’Espostio, said in the New York Times Article that he does not comment on personnel matters. Capp said D’Esposito remains focused on fighting for real issues that impact Long Islanders, like securing our borders and ending the affordability crisis.

Great Neck, Syosset elementary schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools

By
Cameryn Oakes
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South Grove Elementary School celebrates their National Blue Ribbon designation at an assembly. (Photo courtesy of the Syosset Central School District)

Great Neck’s Lakeville Elementary School and Syosset’s South Grove Elementary School were named a National Blue Ribbon School, a designation granted by the U.S. Department of Education for academic achievements and closing educational gaps.

“Being named a National Blue Ribbon School is an honor, and one that affirms the hard work of Lakeville’s students, teachers and families,” Lakeville principal Emily Zucal said in a statement. “Lakeville’s trajectory of high performance is attributable to students’ investment in their own learning, talented teachers and staff who are committed to meeting the needs of each and every learner, and cooperative and supportive families who are eager to partner with educators to help students meet with success. Lakeville is also fortunate to have and to benefit from the expertise of district-level personnel and a supportive Board of Education who contribute to the success of our school community.”

Lakeville Elementary School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. (Photo courtesy of the Great Neck Public Schools)

The two elementary schools are the only ones awarded the designation on Long Island.

South Grove Elementary principal Mi Jung An said that the school achieved this success by focusing on each and every student’s needs.

“We didn’t work for the blue ribbon,” An said.

Teachers and staff work with students to help them grow on an individual basis, An said, providing each student with what is right for them. She said that the staff believes that each student’s passion deserves to be recognized.

“[We] help cultivate that and let it blossom,” An said.

The district has enrichment specialists that help bring everything together. An said these specialists build on students’ education to promote further enrichment and support.

Education is the foundation of student success, but this enrichment is “all the extra,” An said.

A total of 423 schools were honored nationwide. Included were 21 schools from New York, with 16 of them hailing from New York City’s boroughs.

Lakeville Elementary School was previously awarded the designation in 2009, making this their second national award.

Students gather for an assembly at South Grove Elementary to celebrate the award. (Photo courtesy of the Syosset Central School District)

“This designation is a tremendous honor for Lakeville Elementary School and our district,” Superintendent Kenneth R. Bossert said. “Our community takes great pride in our commitment to educational excellence, and I applaud Lakeville’s students, families, faculty, and administrators for their outstanding efforts to cultivate a supportive environment that encourages collaboration, learning, and discovery.”

School district officials are invited to attend a two-day award ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November.

Syosset’s South Grove Elementary School celebrated its recognition at an assembly on Monday, inviting all students, faculty and staff.

An said that the Blue Ribbon recognition is “a real boost” to school pride.

At the school’s assembly announcement on Monday, An said students were enthusiastic about the award, and the school looks forward to celebrating at a larger ceremony with family and faculty in the future.

The Great Neck School District said it is also planning to host a ceremony for the broader school community.

Great Neck Board of Trustees OKs permit for new adult daycare

By
Cameryn Oakes
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The Great Neck Board of Trustees approved a permit for an adult daycare at 801 Middle Neck Road (Photo by Ben Fiebert)

The Great Neck Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved a special-use permit for new business 120 & Beyond, an adult daycare facility that would provide physical, social and emotional wellness to an aging community.

“I would like to share the value and the necessity to have such a community service in every village and township because it has a very, very good value,” program director Liora Reyhanian said. “We tend to focus on daycares for children on the different facilities that we forget our population is aging and we do need to have some facilities for them as well.”

Reyhanian said the daycare at 801 Middle Neck Road would help seniors, ages 65 and older, remain physically active and support their emotional and social well-being.

“So this really provides them with everything,” Reyhanian said.

The facility could accommodate a maximum of 25 individuals at a time.

The business’ application representative, Edna Guilor, said it has not been determined if any senior can join regardless of residency.

Mayor Pedram Bral said he thinks the facility should prioritize Great Neck residents.

To accommodate evening events, it would be open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and provide transportation.

The board approved the site plan, a facade change, parking for the business, a change of the building’s designation for public assembly, and a shortened buffer where the building adjoins a neighboring home.

The business would provide seven parking stalls, one of which is for handicapped parking.

One resident expressed concern that the neighboring temple uses the building’s current parking lot. He asked if the business’ opening would impact parking in the village due to displacing these parked cars to other areas and evaluated the temple’s overall parking.

He also expressed concern about the number of seniors coming to the facility and the hours potentially impacting neighbors with music, traffic, and other disturbances.

Reyhanian said the facility’s transportation would help mitigate traffic, and noise would also not be at high volumes.

Guilor said the parking lot would provide spaces for three of its employees.

A 15-foot buffer is required between the building and the neighboring home, but the board approved a 12.5-foot buffer. Guilor said the shortened distance is due to the building’s placement, which can not be moved.

Because of the requests needing approval by the village, the board asked the business applicant pay a $5,000 incentive payment.

The public hearing continued from earlier this month, which is when Guilor said the board had asked for further rework on the signage. She said they have done this but have not submitted it to the building department yet.

Everything but the signage was approved at the Sept. 17 meeting.

In other news, the board of trustees directed the village to prepare a bid package for its upcoming project to construct a new village hall. The village’s former hall was destroyed in a fire in August 2022.

The bid package would be prepared with H2M Architects and Engineers. Once completed, it will be publicized so the project can be put out to bid.

Reporter Ben Fiebert contributed reporting to this story.

‘Contemptuous’ Trump witness lands new job in Nassau County

By
Ben Fiebert
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Mark Small was found guilty for murder in the 2022 shooting of his girlfriend. (Photo courtesy of the Nassau County District Attorney's Office)

The Nassau County Attorney’s Office recently hired attorney Robert Costello, a defense witness in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial.

Costello, 76, of Manhasset, was a former legal adviser to Michael Cohen, who served as an attorney for Trump from 2006 to 2018.

A Newsday article reported that Chris Boyle, a spokesperson for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, confirmed Costello’s hiring. However, Boyle did not provide details about Costello’s job title, hire date or salary.

Robert Costello was a legal adviser to Michael Cohen, former President Donald Trump’s former attorney. (Photo courtesy of YouTube)

Costello gained recent notoriety while testifying in the State Supreme Court in Manhattan on Trump’s behalf during a trial in which the former president was eventually found guilty of 34 felonies. The defense used him to attack Cohen’s credibility.

During the trial, Costello continued to speak after objections were sustained — a signal to witnesses to stop talking.

At one point, Costello remarked, “jeez,” when he was cut off by an objection. He also called the whole exercise “ridiculous.”

His behavior earned him a stern rebuke from Judge Juan Merchan.

“And then if you don’t like my ruling, you don’t give me side eye and you don’t roll your eyes,” Merchan said.

Merchan was about to bring the jury back in when he asked Costello, “Are you staring me down right now?” and then Merchan kicked out the press.

“I’m putting you on notice that your conduct is contemptuous,” Merchan said, according to the transcript of the conversation that occurred when the press was out of the room. ”If you try to stare me down one more time, I will remove you from the stand.”

Costello left his Manhattan law firm following his testimony in May, in which Merchan called his conduct “contemptuous.”

After Costello was hired at his new job in the county, Newsday reported that Boyle released a statement through Nassau County Attorney Thomas Adams, calling Costello a “very accomplished lawyer and litigator.”

The statement in the report added that Blakeman “has made it a priority to upgrade the County Attorney’s office and make it into a law firm with the most capable and competent legal minds to protect the taxpayers of Nassau County.”

Nassau County, Glen Cove police endorse Rep. Tom Suozzi

By
Cameryn Oakes
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Rep. Tom Suozzi (D–Glen Cove) (Photo courtesy of the Office of Tom Suozzi)

The Nassau County and Glen Cove Police Benevolent Associations endorsed Rep. Tom Suozzi (D–Glen Cove) in his congressional bid for re-election this November after the county association endorsed his GOP opponent in the February special election.

“Police officers are willing to work with anybody who supports us and supports safe streets,” Nassau County PBA President Tommy Shevlin said. “We are not Republicans, we are not Democrats – we are police officers – and we are not afraid to stand by those who are not afraid to stand by us.”

Suozzi is opposed in the congressional race by former Assemblyman Mike LiPetri.

LiPetri was scheduled to hold a press conference Wednesday with the Nassau County Superior Officers Association, Nassau County Detectives’ Association and Association of Former Detectives of Nassau County to announce his legislative plans to increase punishments for criminals charged with killing cops.

His ‘How Many More Act’ plan would make it possible to charge them with federal murder charges and be eligible for the death penalty.

Shevlin attributed Suozzi’s endorsement to his historical support for police officers. This included in 2020, amid a heightened Black Lives Matter movement with calls to defund the police, when Suozzi continued to award police honors.

Shevlin said Suozzi has also upheld his campaign promises to support the police, including publicly denouncing the “Defund the Police” movement.

“We need support from the top-down, and Congressman Suozzi has shown us that he is the person who will work with his party and the Republican Party to make sure that we are supported and make sure that we are protected and we have the protection we need to go out there and continue to do the brave work that my men and women do day in and day out when they risk their lives,” Shevlin said.

Shevlin denounced political “finger-pointing,” saying that Suozzi has proven to the PBA that he will work to address these issues.

Glen Cove PBA Vice President Peter Michaleas, who Suozzi honored as a hometown hero two weeks before the endorsement, said that while they don’t typically endorse Democrats, Suozzi is the exception.

“Congressman Suozzi is not your typical Democrat on Long Island,” Michaleas said. “Congressman Suozzi has always taken a common-sense approach to public safety and has never backed away from crime being a real issue in Glen Cove from the time he was mayor, to the time he was county executive and now as a member of Congress.”

Suozzi thanked the PBAs for their endorsements, continuing to denounce calls to defund the police and praising the efforts of local law enforcement.

Suozzi failed to secure the endorsement of the Nassau County PBA in his race for his seat in the February special election, which was granted to his challenger, District 10 Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip (R–Great Neck).

Shevlin said the county PBA’s endorsement choice was not easy and had been considered since the special election. He said they previously passed on the endorsement for Suozzi as Pilip was their local legislator at the time who supported the police.

“Just because we didn’t give Tom the endorsement didn’t mean that he was against us or we were against him,” Shevlin said.

Shevlin said in itsendorsements, the PBA also consider the incumbent candidate and the seat that is at stake.

The Nassau County PBA is endorsing both Republicans and Democrats in the 2024 election, from the House to the state Senate and Assembly. However, former President Donald Trump is at the top of their endorsements.

Shevlin said this decision was due to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ previous call to use some police funding on mental health personnel,  which she previously voiced support for in a 2020 radio interview.

Suozzi said that while he will vote for Harris, if Trump does win he will still work with him to support police and ensure public safety.

Thousands of people got together to ‘Shop Local’

By
Ben Fiebert
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Hundreds attend the 27th annual New Hyde Park Street Fair. (Photos by Ben Fiebert)

Sunny skies, live music, and tasty food made the 27th annual New Hyde Park Street Fair a day of fun for attendees.

The fair was on Jericho Turnpike from New Hyde Park Road to Lakeville Road on Sept. 21. Outside vendors and New Hyde Park Village hosted this annual event and encouraged local businesses to set up stands where residents could learn about their services.

The event featured vendors selling crafts, food, raffles, giveaways, games, prizes, and more. The fire department conducted demonstrations, such as vehicle extraction, hose operations, and EMS assessments.

For entertainment, there were blow-up inflatable rides for kids, and the band Hambones played live music.

The Hambones played live music at the fair.

“The turnout is a little slow right now, but it seems to be picking up so I think we’re going to have a strong finish,” Jeanette Frisina, past president of the New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, said around noon.

Frisina said at least 500 people were at the fair in the morning, along with over a 100 of vendors.

Robin Spigonardo at the fair with her business Knot Too Shabby Crafts.
The Zhang family at the fair.

“It’s a good community day. The whole community comes out, whether you’re selling stuff, whether you’re buying stuff, whether you’re having fun, whether the kids are going to go on the rides or fire engine,” Frisina said. “It’s a day for everybody at every age.”

Kids participating in Taekwondo.

Frisina said this year’s theme is “Shop Local,” which means to support local businesses in the New Hyde Park community. Dozens of local businesses set up shop on the street, selling a variety of merchandise.

Franklin Square business Sunshine Bees Apiary was selling handcrafted natural skin products made with locally sourced honey. The skin products sold at the stand included a variety of soaps with scents like coconut, jasmine, tobacco and bay leaf, lilac, rose, and more.

Robin Spigonardo was at the fair with her business Knot Too Shabby Crafts. She was selling home decor, florals and engraved items.

“We repurpose all vintage items,” Spigonardo said. “So we drill through, screw together bird feeders, bird houses and we just give everything another life.”

Local organizations in attendance included the Veterans Association, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts — who were selling water and giving away raffles — and offices of local elected officials.

The purpose of this street fair, according to Frisina, is to bring attention to small businesses.

She said this fair helps showcase all of the village’s businesses and allows neighbors to support them while also having fun.

Frisina said there will be a 28th annual street fair “and beyond.”

Great Neck Plaza mayor says village to double-down on pedestrian safety efforts after woman’s death

By
Cameryn Oakes
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A 95-year-old woman from Great Neck died after being struck by a truck while crossing the street. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Great Neck Plaza Mayor Ted Rosen said the village has and will continue to bolster pedestrian safety following the death of a 95-year-old woman on Sept. 11 after a truck struck her while she attempted to cross the street at a Great Neck Plaza intersection.

“This is a terrible, terrible tragedy,” Rosen said. “My heart, and I’m sure I speak for everybody in the village and colleagues on the board and all the village staff, our deepest sympathies go out to this woman’s family.”

Police identified the woman as Great Neck’s Joyanna Marx. They were unable to provide the driver’s name.

Marx was hit by a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck while crossing the street at the intersection of Park Place and Grace Avenue. The truck was driving on the westbound lane of Grace Avenue.

The truck’s driver was a 37-year-old man. Police said he stayed at the scene after the incident.

Police said Marx sustained “severe trauma” from the collision and was transported to a local hospital. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

No charges have been filed against the driver. Police said this suggests that the responding officers at the scene of the collision determined no arrestable offenses.

Rosen said the village has made strides in implementing pedestrian safety infrastructure and is seeking to advance it even further.

These efforts have included reducing speed limits, installing multiple radar speed detectors and leading pedestrian indicators, which give pedestrians a head start to cross the street before traffic lights permit cars to drive, he said. The leading pedestrian indicators are being implemented.

Rosen said he is asking that the village’s and the county’s traffic engineers assess the intersection of Park Place and Grace Avenue – where the woman was struck just a couple of weeks ago.

He said this will determine if there is anything more they can do to improve pedestrian safety, but is unsure what that result would be.

“We take very seriously the task of trying to improve safety for everybody – pedestrians, cars,” Rosen said. “…We just are determined to make our village as safe as possible, and that’s always a work in progress. We’re always trying to improve things.”

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