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Serving Roslyn, Roslyn Heights and Old Westbury

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Friday, December 22, 2017

Vol. 5, No. 51

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NEW YEAR’S DINING GUIDE

HABER HELPS SYRIANS COUNTY LEGISLATURE FIND REFUGE IN CANADA OKs INDEPENDENT I.G.

PAGES 29-36, 45-52

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N.Y. Islanders score big with Belmont arena

MERRY AND BRIGHT

Cuomo announces return of Long Island’s hockey team from Brooklyn BY R E B ECC A K L A R When the New York Islanders left Nassau County, they left a hole in the heart of Long Island, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday. Cuomo then announced that the hole in the heart of Long Island was being ďŹ xed — the hockey team would be coming home by building a new arena at Belmont Park. “When they left and went to Brooklyn, Long Island lost something,â€? Cuomo said at a press conference Wednesday. “Because it was so much part of the identity and the culture of Long Island.â€? The Islanders, partnered with Sterling Development and Oak View Group, plan to create a 18,000-seat arena, a multipurpose event center, a retail center and a hotel. The Islanders beat out the New York City Football Club, partnered with The Related Companies, to build on the Belmont land. The proposals were in response to an Empire State Development

Corp. request for proposal to build on 43-acres of state owned land currently used for parking spaces at Belmont Park. Cuomo said “today is a win win win.� It’s a win for the fans, because Belmont is easier to get to than Barclays center, he said. It was also announced that the LIRR will have service to Belmont all year round when the arena opens. It’s a win for the team, he said, because it will increase attendance and passion. And, he said, it’s a win for the community because the “big economic development initiative is going to utilize this great asset that has been underutilized for years now.� But not all residents agree. While many Islanders fans are happy to see the team return to Nassau, other residents are not pleased with the chosen project. During the Tuesday night Floral Park board meeting, when it Continued on Page 59

PHOTO BY AMELIA CAMURATI

MME Entertainment’s Emcee Mike entertained more than 80 children from the Roslyn school district on Dec. 14 during Rallye Motors’ annual holiday party for area children. See more on page 2.

Lubavitch synagogue proposed in O. Westbury grade oors on a 5.27-acre plot along Glen Cove Road in Old Westbury that will include An Orthodox Jewish con- a ritual bathing facility, three gregation has ďŹ led an appli- swimming pools and a gym. The Lubavitch of Old cation to build a one-story synagogue with two below- Westbury presented their

BY A M E L I A C A M U R AT I

plans to the Village of Old Westbury Board of Trustees at a public hearing on Monday. The application would require nine variances from the village to build the facility Continued on Page 68

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