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Friday, June 23, 2017
Vol. 5, No. 25
RICE JOINS TRUMP SUIT, SUOZZI DOESN’T PAGE 6
Gerard Terry’s power in town a source of debate
LIRR TO OFFER POLICE TAKE DOWN FARE REDUCTIONS ALLEGED GANG MEMBERS PAGE 8
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‘ O N LY R A I N I N T H E D R A I N ’
Ex Dem leader had influence over jobs and used clout as a club: sources BY N O A H M A N S K A R The Town of North Hempstead usually cuts paychecks for its employees and contractors on Fridays, but sometimes Gerard Terry couldn’t wait. Terry, who worked as the attorney for the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals and a special counsel in the town attorney’s office until last year, occasionally came to ask for his check on a Wednesday or Thursday, said Angelo J. Ferrara, a former deputy finance commissioner. “He would come into my office and say, ‘I guess they don’t know who I am,’” said Ferrara, who was fired from his post in 2013. He is not related to Angelo P. Ferrara, the Republican town councilman. That line from Terry reflects the influence he wielded, or attempted to wield, in North Hempstead’s government as an unelected figure who was never a full-time town employee, according to interviews with four current
and former town officials. In addition to his legal work with the town, Terry, 63, was the chairman of the town Democratic committee in North Hempstead, one of the party’s few strongholds in Republican-dominated Nassau County. He resigned in early 2016 following revelations of having more than $1 million state and federal tax debt, and has since been charged with state and federal tax crimes. Terry, an East Hills resident, appeared in federal court Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in state court on Friday. His attorneys have said they hope to resolve both cases. Terry’s role in the town gave him considerable influence over who was given town jobs that are not subject to civil service requirements, positions often called patronage jobs, the four sources told Blank Slate Media. Terry also used his clout, Continued on Page 48
PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth reveals the new rain-activated art message on the sidewalk, urging “Only Rain in the Drain,” to help people connect that what goes into the storm drains also goes into our waterways. See story on page 20.
Arnold, Lentini keep seats in North Hills Trustees Elliott Arnold and Phyllis Lentini, both running unopposed, were re-elected to Two longtime Village of their seats with 136 votes and North Hills trustees won their 133 votes, respectively. “We were very happy fourth four-year terms Tuesday that everyone made the effort night.
BY N O A H MANSKAR
to support us,” Lentini said Wednesday morning. Arnold said he was happy with the “wonderful turnout” in an uncontested election. Both have been on the Continued on Page 69
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