High Tide
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The Stacey Amato vs. Tom Sullivan clash remains unsettled but on Tuesday, the NY Supreme Court of Queens County, ruled in favor of counting 94 absentee ballots that were under dispute. With just three votes separating the two candidates, these 94 will determine who wins the NYS Assembly race. The Court said, “Due to the extremely narrow margin between the two candidates, the Board is required to commence a full manual recount of all ballots.” While reaching its decision, the Court had to consider things like whether a ballot was returned in a proper envelope or if it was properly sealed. Some of the ballots in question were mailed in early and the Court ruled that the Board of Election had time to contact voters about issues with their ballots (so they could be “cured.”) but failed to do so. The Court said it “must strike a balance between protecting the integrity of the electoral process, safeguarding the right to vote, and ensuring that the Board complies with its own obligations in furtherance of these goals.” The final count could happen today (Thursday). We’ll post something online once we get word.
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Don’t shoot the messenger (besides that’d be expensive, like everything else). We’re letting you know the inflation hits keep on coming. It’ll soon cost you $8 for a round trip ride to Long Beach. The Atlantic Beach bridge toll is going to $4 for a one-way trip for vehicles not registered in Nassau County. The toll hike takes place January 1, 2023.
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The Rockaway Beach Autism Families (RBAF) is having its 4th Annual Holiday party and is hoping you can help. The Rockaway Times, Robin Shapiro, and The Knights of Columbus are accepting unwrapped toys through December 14. The RT has a box inside the double doors at 114-04 Beach Channel Drive. Some items on the wish list include: noise-cancelling headphones; Lego sets, train sets, Thomas The Train toys/ books, coloring books, sketch pads, crayons, markers. See more on Page 14. Kami-Leigh Agard does an amazing job running RBAF.
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Here’s a reminder to check our Things to Do page and our Rockaway Good Times pages. A lot of things are going on from holiday lightings to boutique / holiday markets (not to mention all the fun being offered at local establishments). Check out those pages for the good stuff you don’t want to miss.
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Spotted! Folks taking way too many copies of The Rockaway Times. We know it’s a hot commodity, but please don’t take piles of papers from our news racks, especially on Thursdays or Fridays! We’re talking to those who scoop them up from the racks on Beach 116th and outside of Stop and Shop. Someone was even spotted with as many as 50 copies in Bryant Park on Tuesday, showing off the Local Color section! We know the photos are great, but please save some copies for others!
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Everybody loves ferries, more or less. Some critics gripe about the city subsidies and/or about the vessels polluting the water and air. Maybe there will be less to complain about. The Maritime Executive, a media outlet, reported that New York Water Taxi has announced that it’ll launch a foil-assisted catamaran developed by Sweden’s Green City Ferries in spring of 2024. New York Water Taxi is a separate business than Hornblower NYC Ferry which runs the Rockaway ferry. In any case, it’s good to see competition and innovation.
