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Friday, April 12, 2024
Vol. 12, No. 15
JUDGE DENIES REQUEST FOR TRO ON JAMES PAGE 6
RALLY FOR GAZA HOSTAGES
SUOZZI MEETS WITH UKRAINE’S ZELENSKY
PAGE 3
PAGE 12
Officials blast faith-based housing bill Republican town supervisors say act is attack on suburban lifestyle Nassau County’s three town supervisors rallied against the state government’s proposed bill that would override local zoning laws for religious institutions constructing affordable housing, calling it an attack on their suburban lifestyles. “We’re here to say to Albany: Stop overriding our local government. Stop overriding our local zoning,” North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said. New York State lawmakers have proposed a bill – referred to as the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act – that would permit religious institutions like churches, synagogues and mosques to override local zoning laws if they build affordable housing on their properties. The bill has been backed by a coalition of Black ministers, including those in Hempstead, who are advocating to remove the roadblocks against local zoning laws to allow for housing initiatives. The rally at Herricks Park in front of the community center was held with a slew of local officials in support – including mayors, school board presidents, town supervisors, county legislators and state senators.
Leading the rally were the county’s three town supervisors – DeSena of North Hempstead, Donald Clavin of Hempstead and Joseph Saladino of Oyster Bay – advocating for the preservation of the suburbs they represent. Concerns expressed by the speakers were about the impact of the faithbased housing initiative, citing population increases potentially affecting Long Island’s schools, environment, resources and property taxes. School enrollment at North Shore school districts has been mixed in its rises and falls, with a little over half reporting drops in their student population from 2012 to 2023. However, the total enrollment of the 13 North Shore school districts has dropped overall with a 0.05% decline, amounting to nearly 25 fewer students over the decade. DeSena called the bill another “one-size-fits-all” housing proposal from the state government, comparing it to the governor’s housing proposal last year. “This time it’s hidden behind religion,” DeSena said. Last year Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a housing plan in the state budget that called for a 3% increase in housing units over three years, with Continued on Page 45
PHOTO BY TAYLOR HERZLICH
Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove) speaks at a rally in Mineola Monday morning. See story on page 12.
Dems, residents slam Blakeman sheriff plan BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman called for the resignation of County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton on Thursday after she said his program to recruit residents and business owners with gun licenses to become
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officer and a public servant in this county,” Blakeman said at a press conference. “She should go away. PAGE 12 She should resign.” DeRiggi-Whitton called Blake“provisional” special deputy sheriffs man’s attacks a deflection from the had brought back memories of Nazi issue, saying residents had contacted her with concerns and she would Brownshirts. Continued on Page 44 “She has no right to be a public
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