Serving Manhasset, Munsey Park, North Hills, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Plandome and Flower Hill
$1.50
Friday, June 7, 2024
Vol. 12, No. 23 BLANK SLATE MEDIA June 7, 2024
AINMENT AND DINING YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, ENTERT 360.COM WWW.THEISLAND
N SUMMtoER CELEBRATIO Cedamarmere host day of the arts CelebraThe 3rd annual Summer the fortion of the Arts at Cedarmere, Bryant mer estate of William Cullen be held on in Roslyn on Saturday, will pm (rain June 8 from 4:30 to 7:00 date, Sunday, June 9th). The event will feature contempomusic, art rary dance, live world beat word, installations, paintings, spoken in the jam and an interactive dance by the sunken garden, all inspired theme “Water”. come Pack a picnic supper and grounds enjoy the beautiful historic and landscape of Cedarmere. and Explore the pond, gardens, over sunset trails, and take in the year’s event Hempstead Harbor. This nature-inspired new will premiere Nancy Brier, works choreographed by by set to a new musical composition Mills Edgar “Bass Monk” Patterson written by poetry original new and senior residents of Sea Cliff. by New site-specific sculptures art John Cino and a water-inspired of Northexhibit by Firefly Studios port will also be on display. Carl Safina, an author, eco-activthe event. ist, and drummer, will host repreTecumseh Ceasar, a cultural will sentative of the Montauketts,wamsing a water song and display pum carvings. and reBring a picnic supper trash as no member to carry out all be available. garbage facilities will Some chairs will be provided. is This family-friendly event from funds made possible with the New York State Council on the Arts and additional support from the Chris Crosby Foundation.
CEDARMORE TO HOST ARTS CELEBRATION PAGE 21
Town commish linked to booze skimming
MANHASSET GIRLS SUOZZI PRESSES LACROSSE FALLS SHORT BORDER DEAL PAGE 42
PAGE 6
ENGINEERING CHAMPS
New public safety commissioner allegedly tied to Queens scandal BY C A M E RY N O A K ES The Town of North Hempstead’s newly hired commissioner of public safety was allegedly involved in an alcohol skimming scheme while a New York City sheriff, according to The City publication. One resident questioned the town board’s hiring of Derek Skuzenski as the town’s commissioner of public safety in May with an annual salary of $140,000. North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jenniffer DeSena declined to comment on the public safety commissioner because it is a personnel issue. but his hiring. “I can say that Mr. Skuzenski was vetted and cleared by New York City,” DeSena said. “And he is a Town of North Hempstead resident.” According to The City, Skuzenski was one of the dozen Department of Finance sheriffs allegedly involved in a scheme where they drank liquor confiscated during pandemic bar raids. The bottles were stored in a storage container in Long Island City, with boxes blocking surveillance cameras. The Department of Investigation said the alcohol was then used for “personal use or gain,” The City reported.
The City obtained the investigative file on the incident via a Freedom of Information Law request. Skuzenski was one of the 12 sheriffs suspended for 30 days without pay due to their involvement, according to The City. The Department of Investigations substantiated the evidence, but the Queens District Attorney declined to prosecute the case, The City reported. The District Attorney spokesperson said they did not have “legally sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges” after an investigation, The City reported. The City reported that Skuzenski resigned before his internal disciplinary case was presented to an administrative law judge. North Hempstead spokesperson Umberto Mignardi said the town conducted its “customary due diligence” in hiring Skuzenski. This included checking employment records, calling references and interviewing Skuzenski multiple times. Mignardi said his letters of recommendation were impressive and that the town felt comfortable hiring him at the time of his employment. “At no time did we note any cause for concern,” Mignardi said, also menContinued on Page 35
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MANHASSET SCHOOL DISTRICT
Manhasset Junior Emily Zhao was honored as a special award winner for her project in the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, California. She presented alongside two other Manhasset students, senior Dylan Yoon and junior Alena Tsai, who also won awards.
Panelists blast colleges on antisemitism BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Great Neck Mayor Pedram Bral said he is concerned about his children going to college and that he is “done” with the universities amid campus protests against the war B L A N K S L AT E M E D I A P R E S E N T S
TOP BUSINESS
LEADERS OF NASSAU COUNTY NETWORKING AWARDS EVENT
in Gaza, but that he still believes they should be able to attend these schools. “But they should never stop our children or discourage our children from striving higher and going to Harvard,” Bral said. “Not only that,
I think we should really encourage them.” Bral shared these comments in a forum Thursday night which promoted a flier that asked “Should Jewish students pursue higher eduContinued on Page 34
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024 LEONARD’S PALAZZO OF GREAT NECK - 6:00PM