Nassau Pols Urging Cuomo To Give Guidance On Memorial Day Parades

MINEOLA, NY — A group of Nassau County lawmakers have petitioned state Gov. Andrew Cuomo to guide municipalities on parades, which are currently not permitted in person, precluding the Nassau County Police Department from approving permits.

The county’s Republican majority cited factors such as more than 70% of eligible residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as decreases in positive tests in Nassau, and across the state, according to a news release. Another deciding factor is that on May 19, capacity restrictions for businesses and institutions will be eased.

Legis. Bill Gaylor, a retired Army lieutenant colonel from Lynbrook, said that as the county continues down the road to normalcy, he believes it is important its “communities are able to gather to honor those have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.”

“Not being able to gather together last year to honor those who have fallen certainly took a toll on our veterans, and families,” he said. “The governor should immediately issue guidance and make sure we can safely gather and honor these American Heroes.”

Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello, of New Hyde Park, said that the brave men and women who lost their lives in service to the nation “deserve to be recognized for their sacrifice.”

“If we can safely attend a baseball game, or visit a museum or beach, we should be able to gather to honor those who have laid down their lives for our country,” he said.

A spokesman for Cuomo’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Parades are currently in the works in Levittown and Great Neck, according to posts on the web.