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Friday, March 3, 2023
Vol. 72, No. 9
HOME & DESIGN
ANTI-SANTOS CARAVAN TRAVELS DISTRICT
PBA OKAYS CONTRACT
PAGES 21-32
PAGE 2
PAGE 8
P L AY - D O H P R A C T I C E
Legislature OKs maps Democrats call illegal Party-line vote expected to result in litigation BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z The Republican-controlled Nassau County Legislature voted Monday along party lines to adopt a map with newly drawn electoraldistricts which Democrats claim is illegal and favors their GOP counterparts. The Legislature voted 11-7 to adopt maps that were presented by the majority caucus Feb. 21. Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (DFreeport) criticized the Republican legislators for working in “secrecy” so they can keep their advantage over the next decade. Republican Presiding Officer
Rich Nicolello said the new maps featured Democratic officials having an enrollment edge in 15 of the 19 legislative districts, but Abrahams disagreed. “It is not surprising that such a deeply flawed, self-serving process would produce an extreme partisan gerrymander that disenfranchises Nassau’s minority communities and violates numerous federal, state, and local laws,” Abrahams said in a statement. “By passing this illegal map, the Republican Majority has recklessly placed Nassau County on a collision course towards numerous lawsuits that will ultimately cost taxpayers millions of dollars.”
“Is this map perfect?” Nicolello asked during Monday’s session. “No. But perfection is impossible in redistricting. This map is a fair map, it provides equal representation for all our residents and protects community interests as much as possible.” Abrahams, under the new map, is put into a district inhabited by more Republicans than the current 1st District. Democratic county Legislator Arnold Drucker, in a statement, expressed his displeasure with the proposal that splits Plainview and redraws the lines in his district. Continued on Page 42
Grab-and-go options at Mineola train station The Chef’s Corner opens take-out shop next door BY A N N A B E L HOFMANN
PHOTO COURTESY OF MINEOLA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Learners in Mineola learning about the letter ‘P’ using Play-Doh.
“Everything is homemade and with love, with care,” said Maryellen Villalta, co-owner of The Chef’s CorA local favorite is now also grab- ner. “We care about our customers, and-go. The Chef’s Corner Cafe, a and they needed something so they Mineola staple for the past 11 years, could get out really fast. So I’m trying recently opened a takeout shop right to make something so they can get out really fast.” next to the original location.
Located next to the Mineola train station and NYU Langone Hospital, the Chef’s Corner is surrounded by busy people who don’t have time to sit down for a meal. Villalta hopes to provide nutritious and delicious food in a way that fits into packed schedules. Continued on Page 43
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