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Friday, April 29, 2022
Vol. 10, No. 17
MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS & DINING
ROSLYN DOCTOR ARRESTED ON FRAUD CHARGES
SUOZZI $1M GRANT FOR TOWN BEACH
PAGES 29-36
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THE FINER STRINGS
Butera says his behavior ‘completely professional’ Ex-superintendent defends actions in letter to Manhasset Times BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y Former Manhasset Superintendent Vincent Butera said in a letter to the community he was not aware interactions he called part of his daily responsibilities were perceived “as anything less than completely professional.” Butera wrote to Blank Slate Media an op-ed giving his perspective on the complaint involving sexual harassmentand subsequent investigation two years ago that ended in his resignation from the district. “It has always been my intent to demonstrate care and kindness in my personal and professional interactions,” Butera said. “Those
who know me know that had I been made aware, I would have responded immediately and appropriately.” In September 2020, a Shelter Rock Elementary School teacher filed a complaint alleging that Butera made her feel uncomfortable after hugging her twice in school and frequently visiting her classroom to “just stand in the back and stare,” according to NBC News. Both incidents were described as “creepy.” Following Butera’s voluntary leave, the school district appointed Gaurav Passi to serve as interim superintendent in August, a position he remains in. After that filing, the district
hired the law office of Shaw, Perelson, May & Lambert to investigate the allegations. Two months later, the firm found that since Butera’s actions were perceived as unwelcome by the teacher, they were against district policy. Blank Slate Media tried to obtain a document outlining the law firm’s findings through a public-records request in May, but Rosemary Johnson, deputy superintendent for business and operations, declined to release it, citing the district’s attorney-client privilege and saying the record’s disclosure would “result in an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.” Continued on Page 45
Herricks’ Ty Patrick Flood, who defied illness, dies at 17 W. Park resident had earned scholarship to Hofstra PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MANHASSET SCHOOL DISTRICT
Manhasset students Dylan Wu (left) and Max Rho (right) were selected to perform in the 38th annual Young Musicians Concert and will perform in Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center on May 5.
BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y In the game of baseball, there are three true outcomes. When Ty Patrick Flood was at bat in the Williston Park Little League, more often than not there were only two, a walk or strikeout. Except for one day, when he made contact down the third baseline.
Flood, who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was about 5 years old, ran to first before realizing the ball was overthrown into right field. He made it to second, before realizing again the right fielder had missed his middle infielder and the ball sailed into left field. Ty was at third. He was at home. A home run for Ty Patrick Flood.
It was probably the first time the other team was cheering for an opponent, as loudly as Flood’s teammates and family, said Ty’s Uncle Thomas on Friday at St. Aidan’s Church on Willis Avenue, where his funeral services were held. Flood, 17, died April 21. At a young age, he was diagnosed with DMD, a genetic disorder Continued on Page 45
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