Serving Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola, Albertson and Searingtown
$1
Friday, April 19, 2019
Vol. 68, No. 16
EARTH DAY GUIDE
STORES LEAVING CVS SHOPPING CENTER
GOP LEGISLATORS OPPOSE CONGESTION PRICING
PAGES 37-44
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PAGE 6
2nd St. work hurting biz: eatery owner
CONQUERING CODING
Says construction of apartment building threatens local merchants BY S H E L BY TA L C O T T “It’s been total hell for us. It’s a nightmare.” Sam, who declined to give his last name, is the owner of The St James, a bar and restaurant in Mineola. He said businesses like his on 2nd Street in Mineola are struggling to stay afloat as a result of the construction of a 266-unit apartment building by Lalezarian Properties that aims to be completed in 18 months to 2 years. A major concern is a lack of parking, he said, and no one is doing anything to help. “The landlord isn’t helping at all,” he said. “The village is trying to do the right thing, but there’s not much that they can do. The company doing the construction couldn’t give a damn.” Sam said that lunch business at The St James is down at least 50 percent, and he has had issues keeping staff because he can no
longer keep a regular staff during the week. Weekends tend to get busier, but because he isn’t able to provide full-time jobs for his workers, it has been a struggle to retain staff. Other businesses are feeling the heat as well. “It’s affecting everyone. A restaurant just closed on the corner,” he said. The lack of parking is largely due to construction. The little parking that is available is being taken up by construction workers, Sam said. Fellow local business owner Michael B., who declined to give his full name, has complained about this issue and congestion as well. He runs The Locksmith, which is also located on 2nd Street. ”It’s very congested on the block because of the suppliers and trucks,” he said. “It’s a nuisance. It’s very inconvenient to business owner and customers.” Continued on Page 63
PHOTO COURTESY OF MINEOLA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Mineola Middle School team of sixth- and seventh-graders worked hard to code and conquer during the recent middle school Hackathon. See story on page 79.
Williston Park trustees approve $6.35M budget BY S H E L BY TA L C O T T The Williston Park Board of Trustees approved a $6.35 million budget for 2019-20 on Monday night, an increase
from the current budget of $6.23 million. The approved tax levy for the 2019-20 year is $5.2 million. This is an increase of $103,076 from the current budget.
The 2019-20 budget remains below the state 2 percent tax cap. According to village Clerk Julie Kain, the exact tax rates for residents are still being completed. Continued on Page 64
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