Serving Manhasset, Munsey Park, North Hills, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Plandome and Flower Hill
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Friday, March 31, 2023
Vol. 11, No. 13
2023
BEST OF
NASSAU
COUNTY SPECIAL SECTION LOOK INSIDE FOR THE NOMINEES IN THESE CATEGORIES...
BEST OF NASSAU COUNTY NOMINEES
TUESDAY’S CHILDREN HOST BENEFIT FOR VET
NORTHWELL RELAXES COVID MASK MANDATE
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Arts/Entertainment Automotive Bars/Nightlife Food/Restaurants y Health/Wellness/Beaut Home and Design Kids Pets Retail/Shopping Services Sports and Recreations Wedding
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| THEISLA ND360.C | MARCH 31, 2023
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Manhasset official targeted by activists Email signed by ‘parents’ calls for examination of Daniel Gately BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z An email to Manhasset School District officials called for an investigation into the assistant superintendent for curriculum after he made statements to a journalist associated with the farright Project Veritas site about diversity, equity and inclusion. The email, signed by “Manhasset Parents.” was sent from the email address “ManhassetParents@proton.me.” Efforts to reach the sender’s to verify their identity were unavailing. Donald Gately, who was hired by the district in 2022 to also oversee instruction and personnel, is the cofounder of EdCamp Long Island, described on its website as “a grassroots, teacher-led event that brings together educators from across the region to share their ideas and expertise.” In a Project Veritas video released March 13, Gately said teachers now have kids with some parents that are “extremely conservative and rightwing.” “Now you’re gonna have people make — they’re gonna connect politics to DEI work,” Gately continued. Project Veritas is a right-wing group that has gained notoriety for recording undercover videos and releasing deceptively edited versions of them. The organization’s founder, James O’Keefe,
known for targeting left-wing officials and groups, left his post in February. The email called for the school district to launch an investigation into Gately and for him to be placed on leave until the probe is finished. “We request that the Board of Trustees promptly place Dr. Gately on leave until the investigation is complete,” according to the email. “As you know, the board has a legal and fiduciary obligation to investigate this matter and we therefore respectfully request your immediate attention.” Superintendent Gaurav Passi, in a March 17 letter to the Manhasset community, said parental input about curriculum is welcomed by the school district and that classroom instruction is outlined in Board of Education meetings archived on the district’s YouTube page. “The district’s commitment has been and always will be on partnering with parents to cultivate a safe learning environment where students become independent thinkers who employ critical reasoning skills, work collaboratively, respect each other’s individuality, and embody integrity, honesty, empathy and compassion,” Passi said. Passi said a majority of conversations surrounding students’ education and instruction are resolved at the Continued on Page 34
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM PAGONIS
Louie’s of Manhasset celebrates 60 years of business on Plandome Road this week.
Louie’s celebrates 60 years of family service BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z
iconic Boston bar with Ted Danson pouring out drinks with a side of Louie’s is a place where every- sage advice, Louie’s co-owner Tom Pagonis said everyone in the restaubody knows your name. Though the longstanding rant knows when a new face walks Manhasset eatery isn’t quite the through the door. From there, he
said, he knows it will be the first of many trips back to the restaurant celebrating 60 years in business. “Because we have the same help and the same customers, right away Continued on Page 35
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