Serving New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Garden City Park, North Hills, Manhasset Hills and North New Hyde Park
$1.50
Friday, November 25, 2022
Vol. 71, No. 47
N E W H Y D E PA R K
GUIDE TO SMALL BELMONT PRESSING COMEDY FOR BIZ SATURDAY A CAUSE FOR PARKING FIX PAGES 25-32
PAGE 2
PAGE 21
Dems, GOP deadlock on redistricting Litigation predicted as decision on maps moves to Nassau Legislature BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z A N D STEVEN KEEHNER The Nassau County Temporary Districting Advisory Commission voted along party lines for a pair of resolutions to submit maps to the county’s Republican-controlled legislature Monday night, prompting Democratic officials to say they anticipate litigation to be filed. The 11-member committee made up of five Democrats, five Republicans and one nonvoting chairman, voted along party lines, 5-5, for each of their submissions. The Republicans, who presented a revised map that moved Stewart Manor into the 8th Legislative District right before the meeting started, all voted in favor of their submission, while all the Democrats opposed it. The Democrats, who had a pair of maps they wanted to present to the Legislature, all voted in favor of their motion to do so, while all Republicans opposed it. The county Legislature, comprised of 12 Republican officials and seven Democrats, will now be in charge of reviewing all of the maps, public input and materials obtained by the commission and drawing their own district lines. “The only thing that happened here is that the Republicans of Nassau
County have guaranteed litigation over an illegal map,” Democratic committee member David Mejias said following the vote. “If and when they lose, it’s going to cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.” Chairman Frank X. Moroney said Mejias’ prediction of litigation was something he had heard from the start of the redistricting process. Moroney said Republican officials asked the Democratic commission to work across the aisle, saying the Democrats “did not want to do that.” “If we litigate it, we litigate it,” Moroney said about the maps. “It’s unfortunate.” The map was last redrawn in 2013. Democratic officials have chastised Republicans for their lack of transparency in developing the 2023 map. They contend that the Republican proposal allows officials to select their representatives rather than the public. “Our proposal eliminates partisan gerrymandering, complies fully with state and federal laws and enhances equity by ensuring there are five minoritymajority districts where Black and Latino residents have the ability to elect the candidates of their choice,” Mejias said. Republicans have defended their proposed map. They argue it is too late Continued on Page 46
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NEW HYDE PARK-GARDEN CITY PARK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Manor Oaks School fifth grader Zachary Cardoz cuts the ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of Manor Oaks School’s new inclusive playground on Nov. 9. See story on page 12.
Gillen bashes bail laws as Dems lose 2 L.I. seats BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z
due to the state’s cashless bail laws and called for the repeal of the legFormer Town of Hempstead Su- islation following her loss in the 4th pervisor and Democrat Laura Gillen Congressional District election. Gillen said on Twitter that the said the Republican Party’s messaging on crime worked in New York Republican’s focus on crime failed
throughout most of the United States, but New York’s exception is because of the “wildly unpopular cashless bail laws.” Repealing the laws, she said, Continued on Page 47
Visit thenewhydeparkheraldcourier.com or theisland360.com for the latest in breaking news.