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Vol. 27 No. 29
JUlY 17 - 23, 2025
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Swimmers question blue paint in pool pounds found in Ramuc A-2 Dawn Blue — the paint used by the town to coat the pool. Of the three compounds testBlue paint residue has been showing on the skin and bath- ed, a small concentration of ing suits of Rath Park pool xylene — 1.3 micrograms per users, since the pool’s opening liter — was found only in the in late June, prompting resi- kiddie pool, an amount well below the county and state dents to question the safety of health departments’ maximum the swimming pool water. contaminant threshT h e Tow n o f old of 5.0 microHempstead assured grams per liter, the that the pool water report says. is safe to swim in According to the following a July 8 Centers for Disease test conducted by Control and PrevenD&B Engineers and tion, exposure to a Architects — a xylene concentraWo o d b u r y - b a s e d tion of 40 parts per firm specializing in million — which is wastewater managemuch higher than ment and drinking JENNIFER S. the state’s threshold water quality. Rath Park pool — in water for 1-10 H oweve r, r e s i - pass holder days is still unlikely dents continue to to present a health express concer ns, emphasizing that the town’s risk to a small child. In addition, the report states, response fails to explain why the blue paint is appearing on “ t h e p o o l ’s w a l l c o a t i n g swimmers this year and not in appeared to rub off when in contact with patrons who had previous years. William Merkin, D&B’s exec- u s e d a e ro s o l - ap p l i e d s u n utive vice president, detailed screen.” Residents commented on initial findings in a July 10 report to the town’s Department social media that the blue coatof Parks and Recreation, indi- ing did not rub off when swimcating that the water was tested mers used aerosol-applied sunfor three of the seven comContinued on page 9
By RENEE DeloRENZo
rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Renee DeLorenzo/Herald
Howie’s Heart collects school supply donations Victoria Dizon, left, and Amelie Claveria proudly display cards they decorated with words of encouragement during Backpack Buddies, at the Franklin Square Public Library, on July 1. The event kicked off the month-long donation drive supporting students in need.
The Neighborhood Barber Shop leads local autism fundraiser By RENEE DeloRENZo rdelorenzo@liherald.com
The Neighborhood Barber Shop in Franklin Square is hosting a fundraiser to promote autism awareness, and support families navigating the challenges of the neurodevelopmental disorder. The event, set for Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will take place in the barbershop, as well as 2nd Avenue next to the barbershop, and will include a barbecue, food, music, a car show and other family activities. Roben Zargarov, the owner of the barbershop, will be giving haircuts throughout the day and
donating all proceeds to the cause. The barbershop has been raising funds for families of autistic children and adults for over seven years. Zargarov’s first event in 2018 raised $1,400, which he gave to a coworker of his wife, Olga Zargarov, and the coworker’s family, who live in Queens. Zargarov said he understands the difficulties families experience getting enough resources to support their loved ones with autism. That is why he does not charge clients who are on the autism spectrum for haircuts. He recalled a father of four autistic children walking in the barbershop a few years ago askContinued on page 11
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just think it can’t be safe if you’re ingesting paint and glue.