____________
Massapequa ___________
HERALD
IS IT TIME FOR A HEARING CHECK-UP? 2023-24 HERALD
pOsT
Presented by
Also serving Farmingdale, Massapequa, Massapequa Park and Plainedge
Special Series: S.S. Parkway
Page 2
Pages 13 & 14
VOL. 74 NO. 19
APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2025
3375 Park Ave, Suite 400
6, Wantagh
516-613-5837 www.midislandaudiology.com
129666 6665 129
The world remembers Pope Francis
Dr.Thomas Recher
lichoiceawards.com 2023-2024
2023 WIN NER
$1.00
Trump backs Massapequa keeping ‘Chiefs’ logo; calls NY state ban ‘ridiculous’ By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Carolyn James/Herald
Following community opposition and other concerns, the school board voted to start the selectioprocess over.
Amity School Board rescinds ‘Hawks’ as mascot name after public backlash By CAROLYN JAMES
cjames@liherald.com
Following public outcry over the decision to adopt “The Hawks” as the new Amityville School District logo, the Amityville School Board voted April 22 to rescind the name and reengage the community in a renewed effort to determine a replacement. The district is seeking a new mascot name/image in response to a state mandate requiring all school districts to eliminate Native American references and imagery from logos and mascots. “At this point, we will be using the letter ‘A’ temporarily until the task force has the opportunity to look at this issue again and determine what we will do next,” said Board President Lisa Johnson.
The board’s decision to rescind the motion to move forward with “The Hawks” followed a petition signed by 365 residents asking that the name be reconsidered. Many petitioners favored “The Tide,” a nod to the mascot used during the 1960s, and ’70s before the district adopted “The Warriors.” The petition was presented by Juan Leon, a former board member who is running for reelection in May. “At the last meeting, I presented you with a petition with 100 signatures in support of ‘The Tide’ as our new mascot name,” Leon told the board at a meeting last week. “Tonight I am again presenting you with a petition, except it does not have 100 signatures — it has over 360 signatures from students, alumni, community members and CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
President Donald Trump is supporting Massapequa High School’s continued use of “The Chiefs” for its team name and logo, despite a New York State mandate banning Native American imagery in public schools. Posting on Truth Social last week, Trump expressed full support for the community’s effort to preserve the name and called the state directive “ridiculous” and “an affront to our great Indian population.” He said he was directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to investigate the matter. “I agree with the people in Massapequa, Long Island, who are fighting furiously to keep the Massapequa Chiefs logo on their teams and school,” Trump wrote. “The school board, and virtually everyone in the area, are demanding the name be kept. It has become the school’s identity.” He added: “I don’t see the Kansas City Chiefs changing their name anytime soon! By copy of this TRUTH, I am asking my highly capable Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue. LONG LIVE THE MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS!” Massapequa Board of Education President Kerry Wachter said she appreciated the president’s support. “He recognizes that we are
on the right side in our efforts to maintain our identity and our community,” Wachter said. Mike Rizzo, a parent in the district, added: “It’s great that President Trump is backing up Massapequa and all schools and organizations that use Native American names and terms to pay homage to the people that were here before us.” The controversy began in 2022 when the state Board of Regents approved a regulation requiring school districts to retire Native American names, mascots and imagery, citing their offensive nature. Districts were warned they could lose state funding or face removal of school officials for failing to comply with the mandate by the end of the 2022–23 school year. In response, the Massapequa School District joined Wantagh, Wyandanch and Connetquot in filing a lawsuit challenging the state’s directive. However, U.S. District Court Judge Margo K. Brodie dismissed the case on March 27, citing insufficient evidence. The districts have been given 30 days to amend their complaint before the dismissal becomes final. Following the ruling, community members appealed to Trump to intervene on their behalf saying the Chiefs logo honors Native American heritage and has become an enduring symbol of pride for the school and community. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7