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NMFD battles house blaze on North Hawthorne Street By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Firefighters battled a blaze Tuesday evening, November 18 that tore through a garage and spread into a two-story home on North Hawthorne Street, North Massapequa, officials said. The North Massapequa Fire Department was dispatched around 7 p.m. to 50 North Hawthorne St., where crews arrived to find heavy fire in the garage, Chief Joseph G. Ferrante said. “Volunteers made entry into the home and were able to determine quickly that the residents were not home at the time,” Ferrante said. Fire officials were told, however, that there was a cat was inside. A Nassau County fire marshal located the animal, and firefighters administered first aid. The cat is expected to be fine, said Ferrante. “All first responders did an excellent job at the scene,” said Ferrante. “They were very professional and they handled a difficult situation, getting the job done without anyone getting hurt.” Ferrante also extended thanks on behalf of his department to the neighboring departments who provided invaluable assistance. It took about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. No injuries were reported. Firefighters from Massapequa, Seaford, South Farmingdale, Levittown, Wantagh and Plainview assisted at the scene.
Courtesy of Paul Mazza
North Massapequa vamps battle fire at home on North Hawthorne Street November 18. Fire Marshall saved family cat.
Residents clash over Massapequa schools’ gender-based facilities policy By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent
About 30 people attended the Nov. 13 Massapequa Board of Education meeting to protest a new district policy requiring students to use facilities — including restrooms and locker rooms — that correspond with their sex assigned at birth rather than their gender identity. Many attendees carried signs opposing the policy, and several spoke during the public comment period. David Ebert argued that the new rule violates the law and questioned the district’s spending on legal fees tied to
the policy. “These lawsuits are expensive and they are pointless,” he told the board. “Why does the board engage in lawsuits they know they will lose, and how does this benefit our students?” A resident who identified herself only as Mary described herself as “the proud mother of a transgender daughter” and urged the board to reverse course and foster “a world in Massapequa where every child learns that all people deserve to feel safe, seen and respected.” Erin Curley, a 2015 Massapequa graduate, accused the board of stigmatizing
students with gender identity differences. “Nothing you are doing is kind, nothing you are doing is thoughtful,” she said. “This is not what Massapequa should be.” Each speaker opposing the policy received strong applause and cheers from audience members who shared their views. Speaking in support of the policy, Ames ninth grader Lucy Bernstein said students should not have to share bathrooms or locker rooms with peers of a different biological sex. “Teenagers who are going through physical, mental and social changes should not have to
feel uncomfortable when changing for gym class,” she said. “The majority must be put before the minority.” Other Board Actions on Nov. 13 •Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Brian Trapani presented a proposed change to the district’s Code of Conduct that would ban any person, regardless of age, from
riding e-bikes, e-scooters, bicycles or skateboards on school property. The proposal will be the subject of a public hearing at the board’s Dec. 4 meeting and could be adopted on Jan. 8. •The board approved a letter from board member Danielle Ocuto to U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, urging her support for the bipartiCONTINUED ON PAGE 19