Serving Port Washington, Manorhaven, Flower Hill, Baxter Estates, Port Washington North, Sands Point
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Friday, July 15, 2022
Vol. 7, No. 28
Port WashingtonTimes SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
SUOZZI ENDORSES LAFAZAN
MANGANO SENTENCING DELAYED
PAGES 23-26
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Biden honors LIJ nurse, Port resident Sandra Lindsay first U.S. citizen to get vaccinated BY ST E V E N K E E H N E R
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH/GETTY IMAGES
Sandra Lindsay receiving her Medal of Honor from President Joe Biden. Lindsay was the first American to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Sandra Lindsay, a Northwell Health nurse and Port Washington resident, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday. Lindsay was the first American to receive the FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 14, 2020, at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center. At the White House ceremony, President Joe Biden praised her efforts throughout the pandemic. “Sandra, as I told you before, if there are any angels in heaven, they are all nurses,” he said. “Sandra’s
vaccination card, hospital scrubs and badge are part of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s exhibit on COVID-19 and today she receives our nation’s highest civilian honor.” The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the greatest honor a citizen can receive. The president gives the medal to those whose accomplishments uphold the prosperity and principles of the United States. “At 18 years old, Sandra Lindsay immigrated to Queens from Jamaica to pursue her dream of becoming a Continued on Page 39
Local officials bash proposed LIRR changes BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z Local officials throughout North Hempstead bashed proposed schedule changes from the Long Island Rail Road’s Port Washington line, claiming they will reduce express service into Grand Central Madison Terminal. The proposed changes, published by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in June, are part of the agency’s $11.2 billion East Side Ac-
cess Project and will go into effect in December. Stops on the Port Washington Line, which also includes the Great Neck, Manhasset and Plandome stations, would increase by more than 20% during morning peak hours, according to the schedule While Long Island Rail Road officials said a majority of Port Washington line commuters would benefit from the updated schedule, saying
that there will be a 70% increase in service during the morning and 43% increase during the evening, local officials and town residents said the agency should prioritize the travel time of its daily commuters. “It’s vital that our communities make their voices heard about our displeasure with the loss of peak express service,” Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said during a Tuesday press conference. “As a
Manhasset resident for 22 years whose family has relied on the Port Washington branch daily, I believe that these recently announced proposed changes are totally unacceptable.” “If there is one thing we need to remember is this: there’s always room for compromise,” Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey said. “We must work with the MTA towards a pragmatic solution that serves the residents’ best inter-
ests — this isn’t about the government agencies involved, but it’s about the residents who reside in these communities.” Port Washington resident Ian Rasmussen said adding three additional stations to the line is “adding insult to injury.” “Considering how many more people commute to the easterly stations and that before now express Continued on Page 38
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