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AMITYvIlle _____________
HERALD ReCORD
Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa
APD responds to 3 dangerous calls
Copiague student is honored
Obituary: Gloria Marrazzo Fenaroli
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VOL. 130 NO. 16
APRIL 16-22, 2025
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Amityville school district to revisit mascot choice after community outcry post about the new name on the Amityville Record’s Facebook Less than a week after the page. “Since the state and nation Amityville School District dra- forced this, the district involved matically announced in a school the community and present stubroadcast that it had chosen dents for input. Are we mad for “The Hawks” as its new athletic making the change, or are we mascot, the community is push- mad they didn’t pick what we wanted?” ing back. Some residents expressed disResidents are urging the district to instead reinstate “The may at the outcome. “This is absolutely horrible,” Crimson Tide,” a historic team said Suzanne Gordon. “Should name used for dehave been the cades before the Tide.” school adopted “Changing the “The Warriors.” name is a tremenAt a meeting dous injustice,” April 9, school added Valerie board educators Miller, a 1966 Amagreed to reconsidityville graduate er before making and member of a final determina- VALERIE MILLER, 1966 the Shinnecock tion. Amityville Graduate Nation. “It will The decision to always be Amiadopt a new mastyville Warriors cot follows a 2023 policy by the New York State to me.” Others, like resident Ben Board of Regents banning Native American-themed mascots Lamberson, argued that “Warand imagery in public schools, riors” was not inherently offenunless approved by a recognized sive. “Warriors are heroes—like tribe. The move was part of a wounded warriors,” Lamberson broader national effort to elimi- said. “It offends no one.” Former school board member nate racially insensitive team names and log-omplied, others— Juan Leon acknowledged the including Massapequa, Want- work of the district’s naming agh and Wyandanch—are suing task force but criticized what he saw as limited outreach and lack the state over the mandate. In Amityville, the district of historical consideration. “I would have liked a name said it engaged the community through surveys, forums, and with more historical relevance, student input before selecting like ‘The Tide,’” Leon said. “This “Hawks.” However, many resi- was a tough decision that had to dents feel their voices were not be made, but many saw ‘Warriors’ as a tribute to our Native adequately considered. “No one in the district or American heritage. I think this community wanted a change,” should go to a public vote.” said longtime coach Reynolds CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 Hawkins, commenting on a
By CAROLYN JAMES
cjames@liherald.com
I
Christier Leigh Babirad/Herald
Amityville Library, which is undergoing major renovations.
White House Executive Order puts federal funding for libraries and museums at risk By MADISON GUSLER
mgusler@liherald.com
The White House issued an executive order March 14 to reduce several government entities, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which could put New York at risk of losing $19 million in funding. The IMLS, a federal agency created by Congress in 1996 through the Museum and Library Services Act, supports museums and libraries across the country by offering grants, policy development, and research. “IMLS provides the scaffolding that enables local libraries to be creative, innovative, and to shine in their communities,” said Caroline Ashby, director of the Nassau County Library System. “IMLS services include research and data collection from libraries across the country, which help library systems benchmark key performance indicators over time against peer libraries. There is no other source for this kind of information.” The American Library Association (ALA) strongly criticized the executive order. “By cutting off federal support from librar-
ies, the Trump administration is cutting off opportunity for the American people—economically, culturally, professionally, and socially,” ALA President Cindy Hohl wrote in a statement on the association’s social media. On March 20, the ALA sent a letter to Keith Sonderling, the new acting director of the IMLS, urging him to preserve library programs and adhere to the statutory obligations set by Congress. “The IMLS invests hundreds of millions of dollars each year to help libraries across the country develop literacy programs, provide workforce training, offer digital resources, preserve cultural heritage, and promote civic engagement,” said Kevin Verbesey, executive director of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System. “This isn’t just about trimming budgets—it’s about dismantling vital community infrastructure and services.” Local library directors also raised concerns about the potential impact of the dismantling of IMLS. West Babylon Library Director Nancy Evans noted that New York State libraries receive 85% CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
t will always be Amityville Warriors to me.