Roslyn times 05 19 17

Serving Roslyn, Roslyn Heights and Old Westbury

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Friday, May 19, 2017

Vol. 5, No. 20

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GUIDE TO SUMMER FUN

RESIDENTS PROTEST HGTS. MASONRY BIZ

MARTINS PROPOSES ETHICS REFORMS

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BOE president, VP re-elected Ben-Levy, Saffron win new terms; $107 million budget for 2017-18 passes BY ST E P H E N ROMANO Voters in Roslyn re-elected school board President Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy and Vice President Cliord Saron and passed the 2017-18 school budget on Tuesday. Ben-Levy and Saron, who both ran unopposed, received 564 and 526 votes, respectively. The $107 million budget, which calls for a 0.43 percent property tax increase to help fund an increase in spending of 1.98 percent, passed 577-135. Eorts to reach Ben-Levy and Saron were unavailing. Both have served on the board for 12 years and both candidates initially sought their seats after a multimillion-dollar ďŹ nancial scandal rocked the Roslyn school district in 2004. “On one of my early campaigns I met Meryl,â€? Saron said last week, noting that Ben-Levy joined the board only months after he did. “Almost since day one we shared a singular view of what had

transpired and what needed to be done to get Roslyn back on track,â€? he said. “We have unďŹ nished work and I made a promise to the community and a pledge to myself that I would do all I could as a volunteer to put Roslyn in a healthy educational and physical posture,â€? Ben-Levy said last week. “I made that promise many years ago and I want to see it through.â€? Ben-Levy said the district has made strides in technology, infrastructure and curriculum oerings, including advanced placement courses in the high school as well as science, technology, engineering and math (or STEM) oerings throughout the district. Other achievements listed by Saron include the adding of student clubs, the eort to give students iPads and the equipping of teachers with technology to support instruction. Looking ahead, Saron said, “We’ll continue to challenge the administration to come up with ways to challenge our students to make sure our curriculum ďŹ ts Continued on Page 22

PHOTO BY NOAH MANSKAR

Steve Shenfeld, who owns the Gold Coast mansion built by the Mackay family, rebutted opponents of his plan to knock down the home.

Owner of historic home rebuts development critics his family should not be stuck with a property no one wants. Steve Shenfeld, who owns The owner of a historic the Gold Coast mansion built East Hills home last Wednes- by the Mackay family at 2A day rebutted opponents of his Melby Lane with his wife, plan to knock it down, saying Wendy, said he resents other

BY N O A H MANSKAR

residents’ claims that the couple does not care about their neighborhood. “We love the home more than anyone in this room, and I’m insulted by the notion Continued on Page 81

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