Serving Great Neck, G.N. Plaza, G.N. Estates, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston
$1
Friday, July 26, 2019
Vol. 94, No. 30
HEALTH & WELLNESS
EX-VGN MAYOR VARLOTTA DIES
SCHNIRMAN WARNS OF CENSUS UNDERCOUNT
PAGES 27-30, 35-38
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PAGE 7
Developers backed Bral in mayoral race
W OO D STO C K O N T H E G O L D C O A ST
Real estate groups, affiliates donate thousands in VGN re-election bid BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN Real estate development groups and affiliates supported the Village of Great Neck mayor’s successful re-election bid, state election and Department of State records show. Mayor Pedram Bral easily beat back a challenge from James Wu, a real estate specialist running on the Village for All slate, by a more than two-to-one margin in June to secure his third term. His campaign raised $9,000 vs. Wu’s $7,327.60. Bral had 10 donors, according to the July report filed with the New York State Board of Elections, with two donations of $500 and eight donations worth $1,000 each for a total of $9,000. Bral said he did not know who gave the donations during a telephone interview Tuesday, saying
other people handled the financial aspect of his re-election bid and he did not ask for donations from anyone. Asked why he believed the donors chose to support his campaign, Bral said he couldn’t be sure. “In the past four years, no development has really occurred in the village,” Bral said. “Is it possible that they agree with the vision of revitalizing Middle Neck Road? Maybe.” Under Bral, the village has tried to draw development to Middle Neck Road, which has struggled with vacant storefronts in recent years. The village hired VHB as its consultant on revitalization and the firm created a report outlining suggested changes to the zoning code. Public pushback and concern ultimately killed the legislation. Continued on Page 50
PHOTO BY KAREN RUBIN
Snapper Head, headed by vocalist Briana Delach, performed some of Woodstock’s greatest hits at a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Woodstock at the Gold Coast Arts Center. The day also featured the Long Island premiere of the PBS documentary “Woodstock: Three Days that Defined a Generation” and a Q&A with music journalist and Woodstock PR representative Rona Elliot.
One dead, one injured in Thomaston car crash BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN
a U-turn and was struck by a 29-year-old male motorist, according to police. Police said that while facA 58-year-old male driver was killed in a car crash in ing eastbound on the shoulThomaston Monday after it ap- der area of Grace Avenue near peared he attempted to make Weigt Court, the 58-year-old
operator of a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic tried entering the travel portion of the road. The driver of a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan then hit him at 3:08 p.m., they said. Continued on Page 51
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