Serving Manhasset, Munsey Park, North Hills, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Plandome and Flower Hill
$1
Friday, December 24, 2021
Vol. 9, No. 52
NEW YEAR’S DINING GUIDE PAGES 23-26
DESENA BACKTRACKS ON BUDGET CLAIMS
COVID CASES CLIMB
PAGE 2
PAGE 6
Town opts out of sales for retail cannabis
OH, CHRISTMAS TREES
North Hempstead joins majority of L.I. municipalities before Dec. 31 deadline BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z The Town of North Hempstead opted out of permitting retail sales of cannabis in the unincorporated areas of the town during a public meeting last Thursday night. Following the lead of other towns across Long Island, North Hempstead council members voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte not present at the virtual meeting due to COVID-19. The decision came after several meetings conducted by the town’s cannabis task force, which ultimately provided the board with recommendations but did not come to a consensus on whether to opt out. A majority of the members of the public who spoke during Thursday night’s meeting were opposed to permitting retail sales of cannabis, including Supervisorelect Jennifer DeSena. “As we try to emerge from the pandemic, the increase of over-
doses from drugs and depression and suicide and the mental health crisis we’re in, I urge you to protect the character and safety of our community and opt out,” DeSena said. Under a state law passed in March, consumption and smoking of cannabis is legal throughout the state wherever smoking tobacco is legal, though the Nassau County Legislature banned cannabis smoking and vaping on all countyowned property. Municipalities can opt out of allowing retail sale of cannabis by Dec. 31, but they will not get to share in any generated local tax revenue. Members of the public also noted that the town has the ability to opt in at a later date and expressed a desire to “wait and see” how the situation plays out in municipalities throughout the state that have permitted retail sales of cannabis. Residents also expressed concerns surrounding “unclear Continued on Page 35
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MANHASSET SCHOOL DISTRICT
Shelter Rock Elementary School staff brought out some decorations to help get into the Christmas spirit.
Leo Liebowitz, business executive, dies at 94 BY R OB E RT PELAEZ Former Getty Realty Corp. Chairman and co-founder Leo Liebowitz of Sands Point died from the coronavirus on Sun-
day at 94. Liebowitz, who also served as Getty’s chief executive officer from 1985 to 2010, was born on Sept. 28, 1927, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. With a longstanding passion for auto-
mobiles, Liebowitz rebuilt and resold vehicles before he could even drive. He graduated from New Utrecht High School before enlisting in the Air Force at EgContinued on Page 35
Support local journalism and get real news Subscribe to the Blank Slate Media newspaper of your community https://theislandnow.com/subscription/