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Friday, September 15, 2023
Vol. 11, No. 37
Guide to the
WILLISTON DAY STREET FAIR 17 Sunday, September 11am - 5pm On Hillside Avenue from
A BLANK SLATE MEDIA
WILLISTON DAY STREET FAIR GUIDE
FUNDRAISING FOR TEACHER WITH ALS
AIDE URGED SANTOS TO QUIT
PAGES 25-44
PAGE 2
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Willis Ave. East to LIRR
N • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023
SPECIAL SECTIO
Museum of Art parts ways with director Board does not renew contract, citing differences with Riley BY C A M E RY N O A K ES The Nassau County Museum of Art appointed an interim director after not renewing the contract of its former director due to a difference in priorities for the museum. Fernanda Bennett, who has been working at the museum for 38 years and is the collections manager and deputy director, was appointed as the museum’s interim director. “I’m more of the person who you don’t see on the surface but makes sure that everything is running,” Bennett said. In the interim position, Bennet said she will maintain the overall operational aspects of the museum and liaise with guest curators until a permanent director is implemented. “I’m going to do what I can to keep the museum operating and moving in a positive direction,” Bennett said. “I’ve been here for many decades, I know all about all the departments, all the trustees. I have worked on hundreds upon hundreds of exhibitions and I’ve developed a reputation for being able to get projects done in a timely manner and on budget.” Bennett said that former director Charles A. Riley II’s contract was renewed periodically and was facing re-
newal in August. She said Riley and the museum’s board of trustees did not “see eye to eye” on the museum’s future goals and activities, thus the board decided not to renew his contract last month. Riley served as the museum’s director for six years. Bennett said the decision was made by the board but is uncertain whether the decision was made mutually with Riley. Efforts to contact Riley were unavailing. The museum’s chief development officer, Michael Gurtowski, also said there was a difference in opinion about the museum’s priorities between Riley and the board. Gurtowski said that while Riley excelled as an art historian and had a depth of knowledge about arts to impart to the museum, the board was looking to take a more holistic approach to directing the museum. This included focusing on other aspects of what the museum officers, such as its venue services and the cultural landscape of the museum’s land. He said the board is looking to implement a new director that will focus on all of the museum’s programs. Fernanda said she will be working Continued on Page 54
PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES
Nassau County Police Officers salute during the presentation of the colors at North Hempstead’s 9/11 memorial service.
N. Hempstead honors 9/11 victims as ‘family’ BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Sixty-six bell rings rang out Monday morning over Manhasset Valley Park, signifying the 66 individuals who were once part of the community of North Hempstead before their lives were cut short in the 9/11 attacks 22 years ago. “The ring of the bell feels deep in our heart,” North Hempstead Clerk Ragini Srivastava said. The memorial service included the presentation of the colors, rifle salute and Playing of Taps by Albertson VFW Post 5253, the poem “When Great Trees Fall” by Maya
Angelou read by Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips and wreath presentations by local law enforcement officials. The National Anthem was performed by the St. Mary’s chamber choir, which also performed “America the Beautiful” during the memorial service. “Our commemorations is a solemn occasion that calls upon us to remember, to reflect and to honor the memory of those ripped from us on that fateful day,” North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said. Two moments of silence were
held at 8:46 a.m. and 9:03 a.m., the times when Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower and when Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower. DeSena said the ceremony served as a way for everyone to come together as “one town family” to honor the community’s loved ones who died in the attacks. In the Town of North Hempstead, DeSena said 56 community members were “torn from us” on Sept. 11, 2001, “leaving an unimaginable void that can never be filled.” An additional eight individuals who grew up in North Hempstead Continued on Page 55