_________________ FREEPORT _________________
HERALD Also serving Roosevelt
Magic show at Sparkle on Stage
Breastfeeding awareness walk
Fatal shooting in Freeport
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Vol. 89 No. 33
AUGUST 8 - 14, 2024
$1.00
Villagers seek oversight for co-op boards Randall Ave., citing issues like cracking facades and inadequate repairs. But Bass added that when Co-op shareholders in Freeport are banding together, call- co-op shareholders face such ing for substantial changes in issues, their only recourse is the oversight of co-op boards often expensive and lengthy litiand the way they are being gov- gation. “There is a policy in place erned. These residents said they are that department of buildings does not tend to the frustrated by a lack needs of residents of transparency and living in a co-op, accountability and condo or (a homeare advocating for owners’ associanew legislation to tion),” Bass said in protect their rights an email. “If there and ensure the is a heating or strucproper maintenance tural issue, again, and management of the expectation is their buildings. for you to start a A co-op, or coopcivil lawsuit against erative housing, is a the building. type of housing “ Yo u r only arrangement where option is through r e s i d e n t s o w n STEpHANIE suing, and that shares in a corpora- loVERGINE could be enormous tion that owns the Co-op resident burden on somebu i l d i n g , r at h e r one,” Bass said than owning indiStephanie Lovergine, another vidual units directly. A co-op board is a group of elected indi- shareholder, said that while laws viduals responsible for manag- exist, no federal agency or advoing the operations of a coopera- cacy group is responsible for effectively enforcing them. tive housing building. “The only thing a shareholdJason Bass, a long-time resident of a Free por t co-op, er has as a recourse is lengthy described the severe structural and expensive litigation,” she damage in his building, at 99 Continued on page 12
By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ
mrafiq@liherald.com
Holden Leeds/Herald
Fun for all at annual canoe race at Cow Meadow The annual canoe races at Cow Meadow Park in Freeport proved to be a cherished community event, offering residents a delightful day of family and friendly fun on the water. Held on Sunday, Aug. 4, this year’s races drew a large crowd of participants and spectators, eager to engage in a tradition that dates back several decades. Story, additional photos, Page 3.
Chris Schneider appointed to town board, election on Nov. 5 By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
A special election will take place on Nov. 5 to determine who will succeed Chris Carini in the 5th Councilmanic District in the Town of Hempstead, but until then, Chris Schneider, a Republican, has been sworn in as a town councilman. “I am proud to welcome Chris Schneider as the newest member of the town board,” Supervisor Don Clavin said in a news release. “Although the Town of Hempstead suffered a great loss with the passing of Councilman Chris Carini, the town board and I truly believe that Chris Schneider is the perfect person to carry on Cari-
ni’s legacy.” Kevan Abrahams, a Democrat who is a former Nassau County legislator, will oppose Schneider. The district includes parts of Freeport, Merrick, North Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh, Seaford, Lido Beach, Point Lookout and North Bellmore. The special election comes after Carini’s unexpected death on July 14, while visiting family in Florida. He was 49. Carini was serving his second term, following a re-election bid in November of 2023. Town council terms are four years. Schneider is the vice president of the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners Association and he Continued on page 4
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he only thing a shareholder has as a recourse is lengthy and expensive litigation.