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Friday, June 16, 2023
Vol. 11, No. 24
SANTOS LAWYER AT JAN. 6 ATTACK
RALPH’S COFFEE FILM FESTIVAL AT OPENS AT AMERICANA STONY BROOK
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Manhasset Civic bids farewell to prez Bentley Honored for contributions during 15 years heading organization BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y The Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations said goodbye to longtime President Richard Bentley Wednesday night as Rob Donno provided an update on the ongoing Plandome Road sewer project. Donno, of the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce, said the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District has requested a road opening permit from the town to install piping at the intersection of Northern Boulevard and Plandome. “We are moving forward,” Donno said during his report. “We’ve got the team put together and it’s going to happen.” The council, comprised of 12 civic and homeowners associations throughout the Manhasset area, held elections during their May 10 meeting, electing First Vice President Andrew Schwenk of the South Strathmore Civic Association to replace Bentley. Replacing Schwenk is Rosemary Mascali of the Plandome Heights Civic Association. Susan Auriemma and Donald O’Brien are keeping their current roles as second vice president and treasurer, respectively. “We have brought in a lot of good and you have definitely impacted the community,” said Schwenk. “On behalf
of the greater council, thank you very much.” Bentley, who was president for over 15 years and is part of the Bayview Civic Association, was in charge in 2018 when cannabis company MedMen was seeking to open a medical marijuana dispensary on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset. Daniel Yi, MedMen’s senior vice president at the time, said fierce pushback was a big factor in their decision to look elsewhere. “The opposition was obviously very vocal and they made it very clear they don’t want us there, so we’re moving on,” Yi told Blank Slate Media. Bentley also spoke against a 2020 proposal to put a 7-Eleven in a longabandoned location on Plandome, an issue that received over 1,200 signatures in an online petition. The application was withdrawn in January of the following year. North Hempstead Council Member Veronica Lurvey, who represents the unincorporated areas of Manhasset in the town’s fourth district, gave Bentley a special declaration on behalf of the town board recognizing Wednesday night as his official retirement as president. Lurvey was joined by Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Council Member Continued on Page 36
PHOTO COURTESY OF MYLES TINTLE
Manhasset won its second straight Class C state championship on Sunday, June 11. See story on page 40.
Community opposes Leeds Pond application BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y An online petition opposing an application to place 500 cubic yards of site fill at 1362 Plandome Road that its opponents say threatens
Leeds Pond has received more than 250 signatures. “An environmental assault is taking place that could destroy Leeds Pond and the surrounding environment. The destruction threatens the
water, the diverse wildlife and their habitat, and the entire Leeds Pond ecosystem,” says the petition says, which began in May. “Recent development includes excavation, filling, Continued on Page 36
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