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Rockville Centre voices concerns over development By KElSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
Kelsie Radziski/Herald
Rockville Centre community members expressed concerns over a proposed development at the site of a Civil War-era building on South Park Avenue.
The Rockville Centre Civic Association hosted a meeting on Feb. 11, with over 50 attendees gathering at the Rockville Centre Library to discuss the proposed redevelopment of 24 South Park Ave. into a three-story mixed-use building. The proposal has garnered strong reactions from residents, many of whom are concerned about the project’s impact on parking on South Park Avenue and the character of the neighborhood. The proposal for the building has changed since it was introduced last November “based upon communications with the village,” according to William Bonesso, the zoning and land use attorney with the firm Forchelli, Deegan and Terrana Law representing the owner of the property, Joseph DiFigueroa. The original three-story building had a restaurant on the first floor, medical offices on the second and third floor and a rooftop dining area. This proposed development required 56 parking spaces to be available for use, as it was deemed a mediContinued on PAge 13
Community responds to the county’s ICE agents By KElSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced earlier this month that the county’s police force would collaborate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in a “targeted” crackdown on undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. At a news conference on Feb. 4, Blakeman said that the Nassau County Police Department was “enthusiastically” prepared to assist ICE. “If you are a criminal and you are here illegally, then of course the pro-
gram will take effect and we will take action,” he said, adding that 10 county detectives would be deputized to work with ICE agents. Those detectives will have the same authority as ICE officers, he said, so they can assist in investigations and potential arrests of undocumented immig rants involved in criminal activity. Marguerite Keller, co-director of the Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre, said two weeks after the conference that she noticed Blakeman’s actions had created fear in the community. “What has happened because of this press conference is that
the community is very fearful,” Keller said. “They don’t know what’s going to happen if they walk out the door.” Standing alongside Blakeman at the news conference, County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder confirmed the 10 detectives’ authority, and said they could question people during investigations. If those being questioned were found to be undocumented, he said, they could be arrested and detained. Blakeman’s announcement was met with backlash and confusion over the program’s limitations. Two days later, he attempted to clarify the initiative, posting a bilingual public
service announcement on his of ficial Facebook page. He emphasized that the initiative would focus on deporting criminals with illegal immigration status, not undocumented people who have not committed other crimes. Blakeman’s stance was supported by U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, who said she backed the
targeted enforcement of noncitizen criminals. “Violent criminals with no legal right to be here should be deported in accordance with the law,” Gillen said in a statement on Feb. 6. “Our local officials know our communities best, and we need them working with federal immigration authorities to Continued on PAge 20