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A BLANK SLATE MEDIA SPECIAL
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Friday, September 9, 2022
Vol. 71, No. 36
40 UNDER 40 SPECIAL SECTION
3RD TRACK OPENS MANGANOS IN MINEOLA REMAINS FREE
PAGES S1-S44
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R 9, 20222 SECTION | SEPTEMBE
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Town repeals law limiting abortion sites
GRIDIRON GANG
Unanimous vote follows decision to delay in DeSena’s absence in Aug. BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y After two hours of heated debate, the North Hempstead Town Board voted unanimously Thursday to repeal a 50-year-old section of the town code that limited where pregnancies could be terminated to hospitals, facilities administered by a hospital or facilities affiliated with a hospital. The public hearing, which drew 25 comments, was a continuation of a two-hour hearing in which Town Board Democrats voted 4-2 along party lines to push the vote to Thursday night. Republican Supervisor Jennifer DeSena did not attend the August meeting, saying she had a “long-standing prior family commitment”, leaving Deputy Supervisor Joe Scalero to lead the meeting, but without any voting power. On Thursday, DeSena revised her explanation, saying she was in Delaware with her family on vacation. State Sen. Anna Kaplan (D-North Hills), who spoke in favor of repealing the law, criticized DeSena for her absence in August and the change in the reason she gave. “Supervisor, I was disappointed that you weren’t able to be here last time because I know that so many of our residents are eager to hear whether or not you support a woman’s right to access an abortion in the Town of North Hemp-
stead,” Kaplan said at the meeting. Kaplan, who is running for re-election to the state Senate and previously served on the Town Board, later questioned DeSena’s claim that she missed the August meeting because she was on vacation. “It’s worth noting that the Town of North Hempstead sets board meeting dates at the beginning of the year to avoid such personal scheduling conflicts, and Supervisor DeSena did not mention she had a conflict when the critically important item was added to the agenda for the August meeting,” Kaplan said. Town Attorney Frank Chiara said the board’s vote was not necessary at the outset of the meeting in response to a request by DeSena to describethe local law, Chapter 41A, its history and how applicable it is today. “There is no actual effectiveness, it is unenforceable,” Chiara said. “It is a law in the books that is contrary to state law.” The local law was adopted on Aug. 10, 1971, one year after the state Senate legalized abortion up to the 24th week of pregnancy and two years before the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade, which permitted abortions during the first two trimesters of pregnancy in the United States. Continued on Page 42
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MINEOLA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Mineola High School varsity football team practices with Valley Stream Central High School during summer camp.
Sold out Williston Day set for next Sunday BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y
The fair, named Williston Day, is being hosted by the Chamber of ComThe Willistons will host their merce of the Willistons and will begin street fair Sunday, Sept. 18, on Hill- at 11 a.m. and run to 5 p.m. The naside Avenue east of Willis Avenue to tional anthem will kick things off and be performed by Julie O’Donnell. Williston Park’s LIRR station.
Performances will include Hillside Avenue’s Hidden Talent Dance at noon, Charles Water Karate & Fitness at 12:30 p.m., Albertson’s TaeCole Tae Kwon Do & Fitness at 1:30 p.m. Continued on Page 43
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