''Freedom of speech is not guaranteed to be pleasant,'' stated U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman, as he greeted the overflow crowd of supporters and local officials at his annual holiday party recently. Against the dramatic waterfront backdrop at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's Officers' Club, Rep. Ackerman spoke of a nation working together, supporting the administration, yet reserving the right to criticize constructively. FULL STORY

Uncontested elections, particularly those without budget votes, are frequently won by the contestant with a handful of voters, mostly good friends and relatives, turning out, so we were interested in Robert Lincoln's take on his recent landslide of 600 plus votes in the park district election. An unassuming man, outgoing chairman Lincoln did not take the outpouring of votes too personally, but rather as an indication of the public's support of the direction being taken by the park district leadership and staff. He also believes that the vote was supportive of the park district's desire to pursue acquiring space on East Shore Road for an intergeneration center and public access to the waterfront. He says, "I think we have had enough support shown to justify spending a few dollars to go further." FULL STORY

For the Great Neck South Rebels mens basketball team, success is not only a goal for the 2003-2004 season, it's an expectation, according to head coach Steve Liebertz. "We want to win the division. At the very least, we want to be one of the teams who make the Nassau County playoffs out of our division," Liebertz said in an interview. FULL STORY

Seasonal court time at the Great Neck Park District's indoor tennis facility at the Parkwood Sports Complex on Arrandale Avenue is still available for half of the season (16 weeks) through May 16, 2004. However, space is very limited. FULL STORY