Serving New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Garden City Park, North Hills, Manhasset Hills and North New Hyde Park
$1
Friday, June 4, 2021
Vol. 70, No. 23
N E W H Y D E PA R K
HOME, DESIGN RALLYING AGAINST AND GARDEN MASKS IN SCHOOLS
COUNTY POLICE GET BODY CAMERAS, MONEY
PAGES 25-32
PAGE 9
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Street fair to come back in September NHP officials cite new state policy in bringing back annual event BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z The Village of New Hyde Park will once again host its annual street fair after the coronavirus pandemic forced the village to cancel the event last year. Mayor Christopher Devane, in a phone interview, said that the village is planning to hold the street fair on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m. He said the decision to hold the event came after Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement lifting restrictions statewide in mid-May. Cuomo’s announcement and the continuous decrease of new coronavirus cases, Devane said, were contributing factors as village officials decided to hold the event later this year. “Everything’s pointing in a very positive direction and the street fair is an integral part of the village in terms of what we have traditionally done every year,” Devane said. “So we want our residents to know that we want to
come back full force.” Cuomo announced that limits on outdoor social gatherings increased from 200 to 500 people and the limits on indoor social gatherings increased from 100 to 250 people in May. Devane said that the decision to hold the event, which will be held on Jericho Turnpike between New Hyde Park Road and Covert Avenue, was made with the health and safety of the New Hyde Park community as a top priority. Devane said the decision was not to act in defiance of any higher government, but rather to return to “some sense of normalcy” at a time when vaccinations are being put in the arms of residents throughout the county. He said the village will continue to monitor the number of cases on a local and statewide level to ensure it will be appropriate to hold an event. “If things change in society or things start getting shut down again, then obviously we’ll act acContinued on Page 42
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE OF NEW HYDE PARK
The Village of New Hyde Park held a Memorial Day ceremony at Memorial Park. See story on page 6.
Floral Park bans sale of cannabis in village BY S A M U E L E PETRUCCELLI
dispensaries to operate within village boundaries at a board meeting Tuesday evening. The board approved Local After hearing concerns from residents, the police com- Law 1, under which the village missioner and members of the opts out of licensing and estabBoard of Trustees, Floral Park lishing retail cannabis dispenopted out of allowing cannabis saries. While considering what financial benefits could arise
from cannabis sales for the local government, Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald said: “I personally don’t think the potential revenue would outweigh any of the social costs. Therefore, I vote aye.” Deputy Mayor Lynn PomContinued on Page 41
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