Serving Great Neck, G.N. Plaza, G.N. Estates, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston
$1.50
Friday, August 19, 2022
Vol. 97, No. 33
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
COUNTY POLICE KAPLAN, JOSEPH SEEK RELEASE BAIL STATS SENATE NOMINATION
PAGES 21-24, 29-32
PAGE 3
N. Hempstead building dept. to be audited
PAGE 6, 8
SISTER CITIES
Review will look at performance monitoring, regulatory compliance BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y The Town of North Hempstead’s Building Department will be undergoing an audit, courtesy of the Nassau County Comptroller’s Office. The review will include, but not be limited to, an examination of the department’s operations and procedures, the internal control environment, performance monitoring and regulatory compliance. Audit Supervisor Blaine Griffin will be conducting the review that will encompass personnel interviews, documenting workflow, data analysis and compliance testing, among other things. The period of review will be from Jan. 1, 2020 to the present time. Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said in a statement she has made repairing the Building Department her top priority. “I am pleased that the Nassau County Comptroller’s Office has completed their independent review of my request to audit the Town’s Building Department and will be commencing the audit process beginning this week,” DeSena said. “Since my first day in office, I have made rehabilitating the Building Department my No. 1 priority and this independent and impartial assessment will undoubtedly cut to the core of the
problems that have been plaguing the Building Department for years.” She added, “When this process is complete, the results of this audit will help protect our residents and business owners and guide the transformation of our Building Department from deeply flawed and problematic into the most efficient and well-run Building Department on Long Island.” The Building Department has long been a focus of DeSena and town government. On July 11, DeSena announced that she sent a letter to Nassau Comptroller Elaine Philips requesting an audit following a review of town operations since she took office earlier this year. DeSena spoke alongside Democratic Councilmembers Marianna Dalimonte and Veronica Lurvey, who both supported the call for an audit, at a news conference. “I welcome the county comptroller’s fiscal audit team and look forward to their financial findings,” Lurvey said. “I look forward to seeing the results of this audit as there is always room for improvement, be it financial with the help of the comptroller, or operationally based on the decisions we make as Town Board members.” This year the Town Board has Continued on Page 42
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE
Village of Great Neck Mayor Pedram Bral (front row, right), Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman (front row, left), Northern Jerusalem Governor Israel Ganz (front row, center) signed a sister city and friendship agreement between the two parties last week.
Five Democrats vie for votes in CD3 primary BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z Five Democratic candidates are running in New York’s 3rd Congressional District primary election on Aug. 23. The crowded field of Democrats
includes activism Melanie D’Arrigo, former Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan, Reema Rasool and Great Neck businessman Robert Zimmerman. The winner of the primary election will
face Republican George Santos in the district’s November general election. The candidates are all running for the seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) who ran Continued on Page 43
Visit thegreatnecknews.com or theisland360.com for the latest in breaking news.