Mayor J. Leonard Samansky Dies at 74

Great Neck Community Mourns a Great Loss

Long-time Saddle Rock Mayor J. Leonard Samansky died last Thursday night, July 14. He was 74 years old. The Samansky family reported that the mayor died of heart failure. Mayor Samansky had served as mayor of the Village of Saddle Rock for over 20 years and was currently serving his eleventh term. Each of his elections was uncontested.

Mayor Samansky also currently served as president of the Great Neck Village Officials Association, a director of the Water Authority of Great Neck North (and chair of the Authority’s Environmental, Conservation and Audit Committees), a member of the Great Neck Cable Commission, a member of the Town of North Hempstead Sewer Authority Board, a member of the Nassau County Solid Waste Committee, and a member of the board of directors of the Great Neck Arts Center. Mayor Samansky was also a past president of the Nassau County Village Officials Association and was a long serving member of the executive committee.

NIFA: Nassau County Needs a Real Financial Plan Now

Rejects County Financial Plan, Comments on Coliseum

This winter, the state fiscal watchdog NIFA took over Nassau County’s finances. Now, six months into the “control period” this summer, the authority’s attitude has apparently been heating up to match the seasons.

Meeting July 14 at The Long Island Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Uniondale, NIFA’s board of directors employed an impatient and chiding tone, delivering a clear message: Nassau County’s efforts to rectify what NIFA considers to be a financial disaster in the making are not good enough.

Mayor Kreitzman Named President Nassau County VOA

The Executive Committee of the Nassau County Village Officials Association (NCVOA) has appointed Ralph J. Kreitzman, mayor of the Village of Great Neck, president. The NCVOA represents 64 incorporated villages with more than 430,000 residents.

Mayor Kreitzman, who had been serving as NCVOA second vice president, was elevated to president to complete the 10-month unexpired term of Mary Bossart, former mayor of the Village of Rockville Centre who was not re-elected in the June election.

Kings Point Election Challenged

Write-in candidates Mojgan Sasson and David Schifter, M.D. have filed a lawsuit with the New York Attorney General’s office in regard to the recent election of trustees in the Village of Kings Point.

Marriage Equality Act Signed Into New York State Law

Same-Sex Marriages To Become a Legal Reality on July 24

Landmark legislation to make same-sex marriage legal in New York State was signed into law on June 24, making New York the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage.

On June 15, the New York State Assembly voted in favor of the Marriage Equality Act, 80 to 63, and on June 24, the New York State Senate voted in favor of this bill, 33 to 29. Governor Cuomo signed the Marriage Equality Act into law on Friday evening, June 24 and this legislation will go into effect on Sunday, July 24.

From the NYS Attorney General’s Office: Lawsuit Seeks to Shut Down Coalition Against Breast Cancer

The office of New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman last week filed a lawsuit to shut down what they termed “a sham charity that fraudulently raised millions of dollars under the guise of fighting breast cancer, only to funnel the money to organization insiders and fundraisers.”

Write-In Campaign In Kings Point Jolts Village

Uncontested village elections are usually sleepy affairs with low voter turnouts, but last Tuesday’s election for two trustee positions in the Village of Kings Point was fraught with confusion and anger after a write-in campaign was unsuccessful at unseating the two incumbents, Peter Aron and Ron Horowitz.

Mr. Aron received 222 votes and Mr. Horowitz received 226 votes.

Write-in candidate Mojgan, also known as Margie, Sasson received 58 votes and Dr. David Schifter received 29 votes.

The voting machines have been impounded and the paper ballot roll has been secured at village hall.

GN Library’s Summer Starts With No Air-Conditioning

Circulation Matters at the Main Library, Not Just Books

The need to renovate the Main library was underscored at last week’s board meeting. Upon walking into the building, it was apparent that the air-conditioning system was on the fritz. Library Director Jane Marino gave the bad news at the beginning of the meeting.

The shaft and the wheel for the air-conditioning tower on top of the roof, dating back to 1969 are fractured and the part needed to repair it is not made anymore. There was no question on the part of the board members that somehow the system must be repaired, and quickly, but to retool a shaft or to install a whole new system at this juncture would be a major expense and inconvenience. Marietta DiCamillo suggested that perhaps new equipment could be purchased that would be compatible with the planned system for a renovated building.

‘They Slept in Great Neck’ Film Festival

The Great Neck Library, Great Neck Historical Society, and the Great Neck Park District are co-sponsoring a unique film festival this summer to commemorate the artistic contributions of film stars, writers and directors who once lived in Great Neck. It will take place at the Great Neck Library, 7 p.m. on selected Monday and Wednesday evenings in July and August. The films being presented have a common thread; one or more former Great Neck residents are credited as the writer, actor or director of the film. Each will have an introduction connecting them to the community.  This is a rare opportunity to enjoy the work of these talented residents who helped make Great Neck a hub of artistic creativity and entertainment.

Reaching Another Milestone: Lawsuit Over Kings Point Park Tips to Plaintiffs

The lawsuit, to bar the Village of Kings Point from erecting a public works facility on a disputed corner of Kings Point Park, received a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs, Daniel Capruso, Alan Berkower and Elizabeth Allen, from the Supreme Court of Nassau County last week.

Village attorney Steven Limmer said, “We think the court is in error and we will appeal to the Appellate Division.”

While the Supreme Court ordered that the defendants remove “materials, equipment, and physical alternations, including buildings and other structures” within 90 days, that order will be stayed due to the fact that the village is appealing the decision. The court further ordered that the plaintiffs be reimbursed for reasonable attorney fees and other expenses from the defendants.