Serving Manhasset, Munsey Park, North Hills, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Plandome and Flower Hill
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Friday, November 29, 2019
Vol. 7, No. 48
HOLIDAY GUIDE
POLICE COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES CLASH
CALL FOR HOUSING DISCRIMINATION PROBE
PAGES 29-36
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O’Brien takes on Flynn for commissioner
OH MY GOURD
Manhasset-Lakeville Water, Fire Districts to see election in December BY R O S E W E L D ON Donald O’Brien, who is challenging incumbent Chairman Steven Flynn to serve as a commissioner of the Manhasset-Lakeville Water and Fire Districts in the coming special district elections, says his past experience and knowledge make him a good fit for the job. The commission oversees both the fire and water districts, which cover the same geographic area, but the two are technically independent of each other. They serve approximately 45,000 people, who use 7.4 million gallons of water a day, according to the water district’s website. The commission ensures that residents receive clean, reliable water as well as prompt fire safety services. O’Brien, a Manhasset resident who is a two-term trustee on the board of the Manhasset Public Library, was elected to two terms on the districts’ Board of Commis-
sioners in 2010 and 2013. He also described his thoughts on the proposed development by Brookfield at the Macy’s property in Manhasset. Concerning Flynn’s actions as chairman, O’Brien wrote in response to questions from Blank Slate Media that he thought Flynn did not take initiative at board meetings. “I have attended board meetings for both the Water and Fire Districts over the past three years,” O’Brien wrote. “Mr. Flynn did not articulate in any detail his position on management and operating issues effecting the district at any meeting I attended. I never observed any new significant input or proposals regarding the challenges effecting both districts.” O’Brien also found fault with Flynn’s budget presentation, which he says was composed of reading PowerPoint slides. “[Flynn] did not provide any Continued on Page 51
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MOTHER’S GUILD OF MANHASSET
Young residents play at the Mother’s Guild of Manhasset’s celebration of fall. See story on page 20.
Developer, philanthropist Donald Rechler, 85, dies BY R O S E W E L D ON Donald Rechler, a prolific real estate developer and philanthropist who founded the Association for a Better Long Island, died last Thursday. He
was 85. Rechler was the second generation in a family of real estate developers. His father, William, after being one of three inventors of aluminum furniture, built New York City’s
first planned industrial park in 1950 and also created the Vanderbilt Industrial Park, now the Hauppauge Industrial Park. After running a retail store in the Americana in ManhasContinued on Page 61
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