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Friday, August 26, 2022
Vol. 97, No. 34
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
G.N. STARBUCKS UNION RALLY
KAPLAN WINS STATE SENATE PRIMARY
PAGES 25-32
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Zimmerman victorious in CD3 Great Neck buisnessman calls race after receiving 36% of votes with 95% of ballots reported BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z
PHOTO BY STEVEN KEEHNER
Great Neck’s Robert Zimmerman declared himself victorious in the 3rd Congressional District’s Democratic primary last night.
Great Neck businessman Robert Zimmerman declared himself victorious in the 3rd Congressional District’s Democratic Primary on Tuesday. Zimmerman, as of Wednesday morning had received 9,482, or 36%, of the votes, with 95% of the ballots reported. Former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman was in second place as of Wednesday morning, with 6,884 votes for 26%. Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan was in third place with 5,296 votes, Melanie D’Arrigo received 4,197 votes and Reema Rasool received 661 votes. The candidates ran for the seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) who ran in the state’s gubernatorial primary race in June, only to lose to Gov. Kathy Hochul. Zimmerman will face Republican George Santos in the district’s November general election. Zimmerman, 67, is co-president of ZE Creative Communications on Bond Street in Great Neck, a public relations firm he started 33 years ago with Ron Edelson and a Democratic national committeeman. “This campaign is defined by our commitment to stand up for our democracy, to stand up for affordability for the middle class
of America,” Zimmerman said. “What holds us and brings us together are the ideals and commitment that gives us the strength, that gives us the fight, that gives us the purpose and the mission, that strength that brought us to this victory, it’s going to bring us to victory in November.” If elected, Zimmerman would become the first openly gay member of Congress from Long Island and Queens as would Santos. Zimmerman previously worked as a congressional aide on Capitol Hill for Congressmen Lester Wolff, James Scheuer and Gary Ackerman. His advocacy has also led to his being nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve on the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Presidential Commission on the Arts and by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Council on the Humanities. Zimmerman said it will be his job to find issues where common ground can be shared and bipartisanship can thrive, despite what he calls dangerous rhetoric from the other side. The businessman referred to numerous pieces of legislation in state governments aimed at compromising voting, abortion Continued on Page 46
Gold Coast reports water main fix BY ST E V E N K E E H N E R The chairman of the Gold Coast Arts Center said Friday that a broken water main that forced the closing of the organization’s offices at 113 Middle Neck Road in Great Neck and the temporary move of summer arts camp
programs to other locations had been fixed. “We have been informed that the break in the pipe has been fixed,” Michael Glickman said. “And restoration to the lower level of the building, two floors below art center occupied space, will soon begin.”
Glickman said he is very grateful for the support and offers of help from the community since the water main break on Aug. 11. He said the arts center has maintained constant contact with representatives from the various government departments. He said they are
working to make sure that the facility is fully functional as soon as possible. He also thanked Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Deputy Town Supervisor Joseph Scalero, Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey and Councilman David Adhami for their “continued concern and thoughtful attention to this
unfortunate event.” The arts center, Glickman continued, values the efforts of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Ted Rosen and Building Commissioner Richard Belziti in ensuring a speedy resolution. Executive Director Regina Gil also Continued on Page 47
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