Serving New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Garden City Park, North Hills, Manhasset Hills and North New Hyde Park
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Friday, March 17, 2023
Vol. 72, No. 11
N E W H Y D E PA R K
SCHOOLS, EDUCATION, CAMPS PAGES 25-32
GOUNARIS, ZANETTI TO RUN AGAIN
BLAKEMAN’S WIFE CROSSENDORSED FOR JUDGE
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F. Park, NHP head to polls Six uncontested races for villages BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y Voters in New Hyde Park have two unchallenged elections and Floral Park residents will cast their ballots in four uncontested races when both villages open their polls Tuesday March 21. The ballot in New Hyde Park has incumbent Trustee Rainer Burger and newcomer Iram “Eve” Sheikh running for two-year terms. Sheikh is running for the seat currently held by Donna Squicciarino, a trustee since 2013, who is not seeking re-election. Both candidates are running on the New Hyde Park Unity Party line. Burger, who was originally from Floral Park but has lived in the village for more than 30 years, works for AECOM Tishman, a construction and design firm. Before getting involved with construction consulting, Burger served in the U.S. Air Force and retired in 2020 with the rank of colonel. He has also been involved in the community as a scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 298. The trustee first joined the board in 2018 after being appointed following the death of Trustee Donald Barbieri. Sheikh has been a resident of the village since 1996 and is a pharmacy manager at Vitality. Her previous village experience includes serving on Continued on Page 46
PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER SOLOMON
David Beckham takes a selfie with Nassau’s soccer stars. See story on page 13.
Probation for role in Jan. 6 riots NHP’s Eric Gerwatowski sentenced for leading rioters into Capitol Building BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y A New Hyde Park man was sentenced Thursday to two years of probation for leading a group of rioters inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Eric Gerwatowski, 32, was at the front of a crowd outside the Upper
House doors when he pulled one of them open after Capitol Police had closed them to prevent rioters from entering, according to federal prosecutors. After opening the doors, Gerwatowski turned to the crowd behind him and shouted “Let’s go!” as he began to direct rioters inside the building.
Gerwatowski was sentenced to 24 months’ probation, 30 days home detention, $2,000 restitution to the Architect of the Capitol and 60 hours of community service. He pleaded guilty to interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder in November after being arrested in February last year. While inside the Capitol, Gerwa-
towski was live-streamed by another rioter that showed him saying “they’re raping kids and they’re shooting kids” before leaving after being inside for about three minutes, officials said. Gerwatowski was also interviewed outside the Capitol on camera saying “the commies are trying to steal the country” and that he beContinued on Page 47
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