Serving The Willistons, Albertson, Herricks, Mineola, Roslyn Heights, and Searingtown
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Friday, June 2, 2017
Vol. 66, No. 22
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GUIDE TO HARBORFEST
HERRICKS HIGH NAMED ‘REWARD SCHOOL’
PAGES 33-66
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LAVINE DROPS COUNTY EXEC BID PAGE 6
3rd track gets MTA funding Project added to capital plan BY N O A H M A N S K A R The Long Island Rail Road’s third track project was added to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s long-term capital plan last Wednesday, oďŹƒcially giving the plan a funding source. The MTA Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 2015-2019 Capital Program allocating $1.95 billion for the plan to build a third track on the LIRR’s Main Line between Floral Park and Hicksville. The amendment also includes funding for other work, such as $700 million for the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway, and increases the total value of the Capital Program to $32.457 billion. The state’s Capital Program Review Board must unanimously approve the majority of the changes. The amendment adds to the MTA’s debt burden, which some board members said could ultimately increase fares and make
PHOTO BY NOAH MANSKAR
Heads bowed for vets East Williston firefighters bow their heads during a prayer at the village’s Memorial Day ceremony in the firehouse on Monday. See more photos on page 21.
Honoring the ultimate sacrifice Albertson VFW pays tribute to Americans who died serving their country B Y N O A H M A N S K A R Americans celebrate two holidays of Foreign Wars Post 5253 in Alb- country should go unrecognized in
for veterans, Memorial Day and For the past several weeks, Veterans Day? The answer is simple — VetJack Hirsch has had to repeatedly Continued on Page 78 answer the same question: why do erans Day celebrates the military service of all veterans, while Memorial Day, celebrated across the U.S. on Monday, honors those who died for the country at war, said Hirsch, the commander of Veterans
ertson. To Hirsch and many others at the VFW Post’s annual ceremony on Monday, it’s important to pay special tribute this week to all who gave their lives to protect the nation’s freedoms — and to teach future generations about the day’s signiďŹ cance. “No veteran who serves his
life, illness or in death,â€? Tony Catalano, who fought in World War II with the U.S. Army, told the crowd of about 50 at Monday’s ceremony. Memorial Day was ďŹ rst conceived as Decoration Day in 1866, following the end of the Civil War. It was recognized as a federal holiday in 1971. Continued on Page 78
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