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Friday, March 4, 2022
Vol. 10, No. 9
HOME & DESIGN
2 ARRESTED IN CITIBANK ROBBERY
GOP PICKS ZELDIN FOR GOVERNOR
PAGES 25-40
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BACK TO THE FUTURE
Masks optional in North Shore schools Officials urge students to respect others’ choices BY R OB E RT PELAEZ School districts across the North Shore made masks optional starting Wednesday. District officials sent out statements following Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement on Sunday that the mandate requiring protective face coverings to be worn inside would be lifted Wednesday. Officials from various districts discussed the extensive input they have received from the community and emphasized that students should be respectful of others’
decisions. “While some individuals will be happy to remove their face masks, others will want to continue wearing them,” Great Neck Superintendent Teresa Prendergast said in a letter to the community. “Regardless of an individual’s choice about masks, please continue to show one another the same level of compassion and respect that our school community has demonstrated since the beginning of this pandemic two years ago.” “We encourage families to discuss with their children
their expectations regarding mask wearing with the understanding that other students, teachers, staff members or administrators may choose differently,” Manhasset’s acting superintendent, Gaurav Passi, said. “Bullying, shaming, or questioning an individual’s decision to wear or not wear a mask will not be tolerated.” “This spring, we look forward to celebrating with live concerts, school events, live parent teacher conferences (a separate letter on this topic will follow later this week), Continued on Page 50
Dems vote to control town redistricting panel Defy DeSena to give themslves most picks on committee PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MANHASSET SCHOOL DISTRICT
Shelter Rock students were inspired by some classic films when dressing up for 80s day at school.
BY B R A N D ON DUFFY Over the objections of North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Democrats on the Town Board voted to empower themselves to appoint most members of a redistricting commission.
At a meeting on Feb. 17, the board voted 4-3 along party lines to establish a seven-member nonpartisan temporary redistricting commission, with each board member appointing one person. The action represented a change from a decade ago when Jon Kaiman, then the town supervisor, had two addi-
tional picks, totaling nine for the commission. Every 10 years, council districts are eligible to be redrawn in the town following the release of the latest census figures, which came out Aug. 12. According to the data, North Hempstead’s population Continued on Page 61
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