Friday, August 19, 2016
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THe PULSe oF THe PeNiNSULA
vol. 91, no. 34
BAck To ScHooL
MAG RANkS BoTH HiGH ScHooLS
Rice GAiNS BAckiNG oF GoP PoLS
PAGES 31-42
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G.N. Park District officials admit carnival blunder
FA C E PA I N T I N G F U N
Anniversary celebration scheduled on same day as Jewish holiday By J oe N i k i c About 1,500 people gathered at Steppingstone Park on Sunday for a carnival to celebrate the Great Neck Park District’s 100th anniversary. But the day didn’t come without a bit of controversy. Park district officials scheduled the celebration on the exact day of the anniversary, Aug. 14, but it conflicted with the Jewish holiday Tisha B’av. Two park district commissioners, Robert Lincoln and Daniel Nachmanoff, apologized for the scheduling conflict. “It was too late to change it,” Lincoln said. “We really regret the conflict. That certainly wasn’t intentional. We were focused so much on the fact that it was exactly 100 years to the day.” “Great Neck being the diverse community that it is, we initially were very happy that the date fell out on a Sunday,” Nachmanoff said
in a letter to the editor submitted to the Great Neck News. “Under most circumstances, we are very cognizant of dates that are important to the various ethnic and religious groups. We goofed on this one and for that we are truly sorry.” Lincoln said the park district received calls last week with complaints about the conflict with the Jewish holiday and officials attempted to explain why the decision was made. “I think most people when we explain the circumstances understood,” he said. “They were disappointed and not happy.” “I hope some people understand the significance of that day to us too,” Lincoln added. He said that officials began planning for the event last year and were not aware that Tisha B’av fell on the same day. “I think it was a feeling on a part of some that we should have Continued on Page 71
PHOTO BY MICHELE SIEGEL
Face painting was a popular activity at the Great Neck Park District’s 100th anniversary celebration on Sunday at Steppingstone Park.
One of three G.N. Library election races contested By J oe N i k i c
October’s election will bring one contested trustee race. An incumbent trustee, With the terms of two seats on the Great Neck Li- Varda Solomon, is set to face brary’s Board of Trustees and off on Oct. 31 with Doug Hwee one seat on its Nominating for Solomon’s expiring trustee Committee ending this year, seat.
Another incumbent trustee, Josie Pizer, whose term is expiring at the end of this year, will not be running for re-election. Instead, Rebecca Miller Continued on Page 71
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