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VOL. 127 NO. 8
FEBRUARY 21 - 27, 2025
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Monteleone joins Oyster Bay town board ty in a positive way,” he said. “It was an honor to be considered, it was an honor to be picked, The Town of Oyster Bay has and it’s an honor to sit on the appointed Republican Andrew board with these people.” Monteleone’s background Monteleone, to its Board of Trustees, filling the vacancy includes serving on the town’s left by former Councilwoman Zoning Board of Appeals since M i ch e l e Jo h n s o n’s re c e n t 2021 and working as a prosecuappointment as a tor for the Village of district court judge. New Hyde Park. He Monteleone, an has also been attorney and active involved in youth community member, programs, coaching b r i n g s e x t e n s ive for Syosset Little experience in public League, and serving service, law, and on the school board civic engagement to for St. Edward the his new role. Confessor School in The 51-year-old Syosset. Syosset native said Monteleone he grew up in a famadded that he ily very interested believes his experiin politics, and that, ence on the ZBA when he had been will be invaluable as informed the town he transitions to the board was looking ANDREW town board. for candidates to fill “The biggest MONTELEONE Johnson’s vacancy, thing I’ll bring from he put his name for- Councilman, Town of that experience is ward. Upon being Oyster Bay wo rk i n g d i re c t ly told he had been with members of selected, Monteleone the community,” he said that he was “very humbled said. “On the zoning board, we to be put in that position.” often had to foster compromise “Politics is something I’ve between applicants and resialways been interested in, and dents who had concerns. And, I’ve always liked what politi- of course, my time as a ZBA cians can do for their communi-
By WILL SHEELINE
wsheeline@liherald.com
I
Courtesy Courtney Callahan
Spreading the love and food Nosh Delivers! Youth members like Stephanie help to emphasize food dignity, kindness and inclusivity. Story, more photos, Page 3.
L.V. schools sued for $50 million Upper Brookville family allege slurs and violence By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
The Locust Valley Central School District, along with Kimberly and Gianna Gotti, the wife and daughter of John Gotti Jr., faces a federal lawsuit seeking $50 million in damages after an alleged assault at a high school basketball game last year. The lawsuit, filed on Feb. 7 in U.S. District Court, stems from an altercation on Feb. 8, 2024, during a game between Locust Valley and Oyster Bay high schools. Plaintiffs Jean and Crystal Etienne, of Upper Brookville, accuse the Gottis of physically attacking them and their son, a Locust Valley High student, after an escalating
verbal confrontation. The suit also alleges that school administrators failed to prevent the attack or intervene once it began, despite witnessing the Gottis’ behavior throughout the game. According to the suit, the Gottis were allowed to remain in the gym despite allegedly shouting at players and spectators. The Etienne family claims that school officials removed some of the children the Gottis had verbally, harassed but took no action against Kimberly and Gianna. The complaint alleges that the failure to act was part of a broader pattern in the district, in which students and instructors allegedly used racial slurs without consequence. It also names CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
t was an honor to be considered, it was an honor to be picked, and it’s an honor to sit on the board with these people.
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