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JUNE 11 - 17, 2025
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Amityville School Board okays new logo: The Tide By CAROLYN JAMES
name to The Tide was introduced by board member Juan Leon, who was re-cently reelected. Leon said he was motivated by widespread The Amityville Board of Educa- community dissatisfaction with the tion voted 6-1 last week to reinstate “Hawks” name and logo. “The Tide” as the district’s athletic “I presented a petition with more team name, replacing “Hawks,” a than 400 signatures from alumni, name adopted after the state banned students, teachers and community the use of Native American names members who believed the name and imagery for school mascots and ‘Hawks,’ among other things, lacked logos. any community significance,” Leon Voting for the change were Trust- said. ees Wendy CanThe resolution nestro, Juan Leon, also includes a Carol Seehof, Caroclause allowing the line Fanning and district to revert he resolution Megan Messman. to the name “Warincludes a clause Board President riors” if future state Lisa Johnson cast allowing the district or federal regulathe lone dissenting tions permit it. vote. to revert to the name “Now our athletThe district used ic teams will have the name “War- ‘Warriors’ if future direction and adriors” for about state or federal equate preparation 30-plus years betime leading up to fore it switched to regulations permit it. the start of the new “Hawks” in April school year,” said fol-lowing what the AMITYVILLE Leon. district said was a In other school search that includ- SCHOOL TRUSTEE board news, the ed community and JUAN LEON board informed student input. The Dr. Gina Talbert, new name was draSuperintendent of matically presented Schools, that her to the public in an online video, but contract will not be renewed when immediately garnered strong oppo- it expires in approximately 10 sition with some pointing to the fact months. The board also approved that “hawks” had a negative female a resolution to begin restructuring sexual connotation. the district’s central administraPrior to adopting “Warriors,” tion. Amityville’s teams were known as Board President Johnson was “The Tide” or “Crimson Tide,” a not immediately available for comhistorical reference often cited dur- ment. ing the recent name debate. Superintendent Talbert did not The resolution to change the respond to a request for comment.
cjames@liherald.com
T
There was a lot to cheer about after the Amityville School Board scrapped the name Hawks as the athletic logo and adopted the Tide, a name historically significant in the community.
GOP primary set for Tues., June 24 in Suffolk County’s 14th District By CAROLYN JAMES
cjames@liherald.com A Republican primary for Suffolk County’s 14th Legislative District will be held June 24, with the winner advancing to the general election in November. The seat is currently held by Legislator Kevin McCaffrey, who is term-limited after serving 12 years on the County Legislature. The candidates seeking the GOP nomination are RJ Renna, a trustee in the Village of Lindenhurst, and Shawn Cullinane, a longtime village administrator and attorney. Both reside in Lindenhurst. Early voting will take place June
14–22 in the gymnasium at the Babylon Town Hall Annex, 281 Phelps Lane, North Babylon. More information is available at https://shorturl.at/evkkw. Renna was appointed to the Lindenhurst Village Board in 2017 and won elections in 2018 and 2020. He is credited with contributing to the village’s revitalization, including negotiating to bring Sand City Brewing Co. to the area, according to Babylon Town Republican Party Chairman Joe Barone. “RJ is young and has governmental experience,” Barone said. “He’s helped in the revival of the village and brings energy and commitment.” Barone noted that Renna has the backing of the Babylon Town Republican Committee. Continued on Page 7