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Friday, August 26, 2022
Vol. 10, No. 34
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
STATE RELAXES KAPLAN WINS STATE STUDENT COVID POLICY SENATE PRIMARY
PAGES 25-32
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Zimmerman victorious in CD3 Great Neck businessman calls race after receiving 36% of votes with 95% of ballots reported BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z
PHOTO BY STEVEN KEEHNER
Great Neck’s Robert Zimmerman declared himself victorious in the 3rd Congressional District’s Democratic primary last night.
Great Neck businessman Robert Zimmerman declared himself victorious in the 3rd Congressional District’s Democratic Primary on Tuesday. Zimmerman, as of Wednesday morning had received 9,482, or 36%, of the votes, with 95% of the ballots reported. Former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman was in second place as of Wednesday morning, with 6,884 votes for 26%. Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan was in third place with 5,296 votes, Melanie D’Arrigo received 4,197 votes and Reema Rasool received 661 votes. The candidates ran for the seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) who ran in the state’s gubernatorial primary race in June, only to lose to Gov. Kathy Hochul. Zimmerman will face Republican George Santos in the district’s November general election. Zimmerman, 67, is co-president of ZE Creative Communications on Bond Street in Great Neck, a public relations firm he started 33 years ago with Ron Edelson and a Democratic national committeeman. “This campaign is defined by our com-
mitment to stand up for our democracy, to stand up for affordability for the middle class of America,” Zimmerman said. “What holds us and brings us together are the ideals and commitment that gives us the strength, that gives us the fight, that gives us the purpose and the mission, that strength that brought us to this victory, it’s going to bring us to victory in November.” If elected, Zimmerman would become the first openly gay member of Congress from Long Island and Queens as would Santos. Zimmerman previously worked as a congressional aide on Capitol Hill for Congressmen Lester Wolff, James Scheuer and Gary Ackerman. His advocacy has also led to his being nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve on the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Presidential Commission on the Arts and by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Council on the Humanities. Zimmerman said it will be his job to find issues where common ground can be shared and bipartisanship can thrive, despite what he calls dangerous rhetoric from Continued on Page 46
O’Hara named new N. Shore principal BY ST E V E N K E E H N E R Ryan O’Hara is returning to the North Shore Middle School as the new principal after spending a decade teaching in the district before moving on to the Oyster Bay system. In his first assignments for North Shore Schools, O’Hara taught English at the middle school and high school. Later, he joined North Shore’s admin-
istration as the middle school’s humanities teaching leader. He said he “cut his teeth” as an educator at North Shore. He added that the district’s commitment to a well-rounded, student-centered education helped to distill his core values. “My appointment feels like a homecoming,” said O’Hara. “I can’t wait to join my colleagues and to get to the important work of helping our
children discover their dreams.” Following North Shore, O’Hara joined the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District, where he oversaw English, reading and library media for students in grades K–12. Most recently, he worked as an assistant administrator at Oyster Bay High School, which serves students in grades 7–12. O’Hara said he was most proud of
his relationships with the community during his time in Oyster Bay. “I was able to support the students and the teachers because I trusted them and earned their trust,” he said. “And I couldn’t be more humbled by all they did to face challenges, support one another and grow, even, during a pandemic.” Superintendent Christopher Zublionis said O’Hara is an inspirational
leader. He said he will infuse North Shore Middle School with energy, wisdom and experience. “He spent many years in the district as a teacher and administrator and he understands and appreciates our community and its values,” he said. “We are excited to welcome Ryan home!” O’Hara said he wants students to Continued on Page 47
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