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Friday, November 17, 2017
Vol. 66, No. 46
LIVING 50 PLUS
GROCERY STORE OPENS IN MINEOLA
LAFAZAN WINS WITH TECH, VOLUNTEERS
PAGES 33-36 and 45-48
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Curran seen riding wave of frustration Unhappiness with GOP in Nassau, D.C. drives county exec win: analysts BY LU K E TOR R A N C E Laura Curran became the third Democrat elected as Nassau County executive by rallying the support of voters who are frustrated with Republicans in Nassau and Washington, political analysts said. “I think it’s probably a mix,” said Craig Burnett, an assistant professor of political science at Hofstra University. “You’re going to get an increased turnout from Democrats who are unhappy with what has happened in Washington, and independent voters. There is also the corruption issues in county. People here are paying high taxes, so they’ll be sensitive to cases of corruption.” He added that turnout among Democrats was boosted by the ballot measure on whether to hold a state constitutional convention, which Democrats (and many Republicans) voted against. Around the country, last week’s
election was framed as a referendum on President Donald Trump. Burnett said the results in Virginia, where a Democrat was elected governor and the party gained seats in the legislature, could say something about Nassau County. “If you look at Virginia, you’re finding that a lot of wealthier and above average income residents who are college educated [and] live in suburbia voted Democrat, and those people usually vote Republican,” he said. “That describes a lot of voters in Nassau: pretty well educated and above average incomes. That switch this year also contributed to Curran’s victory.” There are more registered Democrats than Republicans in Nassau County, but Republicans have traditionally dominated offyear elections. Six of the county’s eight previous executives have been Republican.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HERRICKS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Sweet science Herricks Middle School sixth-graders took on a candy candy tower challenge as one of the Halloween STEAM activities. See story on page 79.
E. Williston invests in tech to inspire learning
Continued on Page 66
B Y R E B E C C A K L A R information, announced at last feature Spheros, green screens, Wednesday’s Board of EducaEast Williston school dis- tion meeting. “When technology makes trict’s innovation lab will open at Willets Road School in De- instruction better we invest in cember, Ed Kemnitzer, director technology,” Kemnitzer said. The innovation lab will of technology, innovation and
snap circuits, 3D printers, video game design platforms and other products designed to inspire children to tinker, create and try, he said. Continued on Page 67
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