Friday, May 12, 2017
THE PULSE OF THE PENINSULA
Vol. 92, No. 19
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Voters ready for historic ed elections
BRINGING GOOD FORTUNE
Board expects high turnout May 16 the fate of two vacant school board seats, which trustees noted almost Marlene Sotelo-Dynega said she never happens, a $223.3 million never voted for anything aside from budget and a $68.3 million bond, presidential elections. But as a par- which is the successor to a $85.9 ent of a toddler, who moved to the million bond rejected by voters in district because of the schools, the February because it was too large. The new bond, about $17.5 milGreat Neck bond, budget and trustee lion less than the previous bond that elections might change that. “I’m originally from the city and was defeated in February, aims to pay for critical projects have had no interest in small politics until now, SCHOOL ELECTION and building enhancePHOTO BY JANELLE CLAUSEN ments across the Great because of this topic,â€? COVERAGE Neck public schools. Sotelo-Dynega said. “I Spencer Chan, left, prepares costumed volunteers to do a lion dance that will bring good forRenovations will cost personally wish I had PAGES 28-30 tune to Saaho Village. The restaurant just opened in Great Neck Plaza. See story on page 3. $77.8 million, with more facts‌ Reasons to $9.5 million drawn vote yes and reasons to vote no from a respectable source.â€? from the district’s reserves. The majority of the bond – Sotelo-Dynega is one of many people energized in wake of the $51.7 million – goes towards critical rejected bond referendum – but projects like roof replacements, maalso seeking answers in what many sonry reconstruction, and window people have described as a conten- and door replacements. The other tious campaign. Both anti-tax and $26.1 million goes towards educaanti-bond advocates and pro-public tional and building enhancements school and pro-bond activists are like science labs, auditorium renovacommunity and express faith in his opponent to BY JA N E LL E C L AUS E N mobilizing on social media, making tions and other upgrades. do what’s right. School oďŹƒcials said that the curcalls, and sometimes even knocking “We are neighbors, we are friends, we are The last public forum with the Great Neck rent bond is the most prudent option Board of Education candidates ended with a stir- Great Neck. No change on the board is worth the on doors. Continued on Page 30 ring push for unity and healing amidst what many ill will and vitriol being slung,â€? Aronovich said. On May 16, voters will decide “A united community with a faulty board is prefperceived as a divisive campaign. Perhaps the strongest push came from Ilya erable to a fractured community with a perfect Aronovich, who had been competing against Re- board.â€? “Consistent with this objective, and with the becca Sassouni for retiring Trustee Susan Healy’s seat, when he used his opening statement to call objective of healing our community, I am hearby for people to come together for the good of the Continued on Page 30
BY JA N E LL E C L AUS E N
Aronovich drops from BOE race, calls for unity
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