Friday, August 11, 2017
THE PULSE OF THE PENINSULA
Vol. 92, No. 32
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BACK TO SCHOOL
PLAZA DETAILS ROADWAY FIXES
WORK TO CONTINUE ON GOV CONSOLIDATION
PAGES 35-38
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Plaza officials consider ban on car signs
WEIGHING THE ISSUES
Cite congestion, safety concerns BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN Great Neck Plaza oďŹƒcials have set a public hearing for a new law regulating vehicle-mounted signs on Aug. 16, citing the signs as potential distractions and hazards in the congested village. OďŹƒcials described the law as focusing on mobile signs and trailer signs. They said their presence, concentrated near or on main roads, contributes to traďŹƒc issues and must be addressed. “This village has had a lot of congestion issues and traďŹƒc safety issues, and I think this is one more thing that adds to driver distraction,â€? Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender said at a public hearing. The current draft of the law deďŹ nes a vehicle-mounted sign as a sign, billboard, printing or other displayed aďŹƒxed or mounted to a parked vehicle or trailer used primarily for advertisement purposes,
to attract public attention and or direct people to a business or activity. Currently, the proposed law says these vehicles could not be parked, stationed or located on South Middle Neck Road, Middle Neck Road, Grace Avenue, Cutter Mill Road or Great Neck Road. It would also bar them from the Business B Zoning District, coming within 25 feet of pedestrian crosswalks, and any property where they could be seen from a public street. The law, however, would come with exemptions. It would allow signs on licensed public vehicles like buses, signs advertising a vehicle for sale, signs required by government and printing on a commercial vehicle advertising the business it is associated with, so long as it falls “within the normal unaltered lines of the vehicle.â€? “There are various other laws in dierent localities, but nothing very admirable,â€? village Attorney Richard Gabriele said at the hearContinued on Page 59
PHOTO BY JANELLE CLAUSEN
Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender listens to Paul Bloom as he presents a case to adjust a conditional use permit. Also on the table were car sign regulations, a zoning report and contract approvals. See stories on pages 2 and 4.
G.N. alum turns principal BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN Hints of Principal Christopher Gitz’ inuences exist all over his oďŹƒce at Great Neck South High School. The clock of math equations hanging overhead was a gift from his time supervising a math department. Framed
posters calling for honor, leadership and courage hang above a bookcase. About the room, one can ďŹ nd photos of his family and his times as a student at the school, as well as a signed basketball from when he and his team became division champions in 1990. “It seems like many of the
similarities [to then] are the importance of education and high standard of excellence,� Gitz said in an interview. “For me, it’s a unique opportunity to lead the school you went to and I take that very seriously in terms of continuing that tradition of excellence.� Gitz began his job as South Continued on Page 58
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