_____________
Infections as of Feb. 5
1,993
Infections as of Feb. 2 1,891
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COMMUNITY UPDATE
ROCKVILLE CENTRE
VOL. 32 NO. 7
Fighting to save an industry Hospitality and tourism have been hit hard by pandemic bly’s Tourism Committee has not met since 2019, and the State Senate’s Tourism Committee The coronavirus pandemic met only twice in 2020. Kranitz, has forced businesses of all who was laid off last May, sees kinds to adjust to a new world, this as a major issue for the but some industries have been state’s economy and workers. decimated. Rockville Centre He identified Sen. Jessica native Zachary KraRamos, of the 13th nitz, a veteran of District, in Queens, the tourism and who was once a hospitality trade in member of the New York, is trying Tourism Committo persuade the tee, as a powerful state to assist what progressive voice he calls “the forgotwho has helped get ten industry.” more essential “Once the panworkers into the demic hit, the indusvaccination process. try has been forgotBut Kranitz said he ten by so many,” was disappointed said Kranitz, the with the response ZACHARY former director of he received when he sales at the Stayoffered Ramos inforKRANITZ bridge Suites Times mation and statisSquare. “No other Rockville Centre tics about his indusindustry has had a try on Instagram. higher unemployment rate due “It’s not forgotten,” was to the pandemic.” Ramos’s Instagram response. According to the state’s web- “We’re aware but there’s no ecosite, tourism in New York gener- nomic relief currently possible ated $19.3 billion in tax revenue and we can’t reopen tourism. in 2019, with $9.1 billion accru- Hang in there.” ing to state and local govern“The pandemic has forced ments. Though there were thousands of hard-working peonumerous Assembly meetings ple out of work, and forced focusing on Covid’s effects on small businesses, the AssemCONTINUED ON PAGE 22
By THOMAS CARROZZA tcarrozza@liherald.com
O
Courtesy Bob Becchina
ROSE AND BOB Becchina on their wedding day, July 21, 1962.
Keeping their love alive
Couple to celebrate 59th Valentine’s Day By JILL NOSSA jnossa@liherald.com
Traveling, dancing, singing and getting together with friends have been staples of the life Rockville Centre residents Rose and Bob Becchina have shared for 58 years. The past year, of course, has been quite different for them due to the pandemic, yet they have maintained the optimism and commitment that has kept them strong for nearly six
decades. In early 1961, Bob and Rose met where teens across the nation’s suburbs have flocked to make acquaintances for decades: the mall. But it was employment, not love, that brought them together at Roosevelt Field in Garden City: They both worked at Ripley Clothes. “I was a salesman on the floor, and Rose walked in, looking for evening employment,” Bob, 83, recalled, add-
ing that she was hired on the spot as a credit manager. “I was very impressed with her. I’m still impressed with her — she’s been my soul mate for 58 years.” On July 21, 1962, just a year and a half after they met, they got married in Huntington. They settled in Rockville Centre in October 1965, where they raised three daughters. All these years later, they remain as active as CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
nce the pandemic hit, the industry has been forgotten by so many.