Serving New Hyde Park, North New Hyde Park, Herricks, Garden City Park, Manhasset Hills, North Hills, Floral Park
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Friday, December 1, 2017
Vol. 66, No. 48
N E W H Y D E PA R K
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HOLIDAY GIFT, PARTY GUIDE
NHP SOCCER PRODIGY BARCELONA BOUND
NIFA EYES IMPOSING BUDGET CUTS
PAGES 33-40
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Gillen forms bipartisan team at start Hempstead town supervisor-elect says she wants to focus on solutions BY R E B ECC A K L A R Laura Gillen said last week the Town of Hempstead has been a one-party aair for too long and wants to demonstrate her commitment to a bipartisan approach. “I ran against that and I meant what I said,â€? the Town of Hempstead supervisor-elect said of one-party rule. “The best people will be hired regardless of the party they belong to.â€? Gillen, the ďŹ rst Democrat to win the position in more than 100 years, recently rolled out her transition team — a group composed of members from both parties. Gillen said she and her team sought out the best talent regardless of political aďŹƒliation. Among Republicans on the team are town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney and former Floral Park Mayor Thomas Tweedy. Sweeney and Tweedy both openly supported Gillen’s campaign against incumbent Republican Anthony Santino.
Tweedy said the team isn’t so much a bipartisan eort as it is independent of party aďŹƒliation, which he said is in line with the way Gillen operates. “Gillen is an inquisitive and intelligent woman that seeks out the best tools she can ďŹ nd,â€? Tweedy said. “This is reective in the transition team she assembled.â€? Gillen wants to do the best job she can for the town by promoting an independent dialogue, Tweedy said. Her ideas don’t speak to a party aďŹƒliation, but rather to the future of the Town of Hempstead, Tweedy said. The team is a “cross section of the Town of Hempstead,â€? according to Tweedy. Lead by Gillen’s former colleague John Westerman, managing partner of the law ďŹ rm Westerman, Ball, Ederer, Miller, Zucker and Sharfstein, the team includes members not only from dierent parties but also from a wide range of professional and social backgrounds. Continued on Page 59
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSEMARIE CAVALLARO
Richie Cavallaro died Nov. 17 at age 28. His family has created a scholarship for Herricks students in his name.
Herricks student to live on through scholarship BY A M E L I A C A M U R AT I When Richie Cavallaro was born, his mother Rosemarie called him “our little miracle guy.â€? Born four months premature and weighing just one pound, Rosemarie said Richie fought to stay alive. Though born blind, Richie lived a life full of music, faith and family and was aectionately known as “our piano man,â€? his mother said. Richie died on Nov. 17 at age 28 from a virus that attacked his lungs and heart.
Richie is survived by his parents, Rosemarie of Roslyn Heights and Richard Cavallaro of Huntington, and his two sisters, Adriana Manning, 29, and Dena Cavallaro, 21. Rosemarie said Richie died on World Prematurity Day and was buried on the Feast of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians. “Richie’s zest for life was so inspiring and he truly saw the world and all those around him with pure love,� Rosemarie said. “Richie will be missed dearly and there are no words that can take away our pain, but what has provided some Continued on Page 59
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