2 finalists for Hempstead shelter director

The search for a new Hempstead Town animal shelter director is down to two finalists from a field of more than 80 applicants, town officials said.

Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray made the announcement at Tuesday night's town board meeting. The town recently conducted a nationwide search to fill the vacant post.

Her remarks followed a recent claim by animal activists that a dog called "Aubrey" had been euthanized unnecessarily. But Murray said the dog is indeed alive and waiting to be assessed by the shelter's animal behaviorist. But another dog, a German shepherd, was euthanized because the behaviorist determined the dog shouldn't be near people, she added.

The rumor that Aubrey had been put down may be behind a recent Facebook post on the Hope for Hempstead Shelter page that called for the tires of shelter workers to be slashed, their car windows broken and their legs broken with a bat, Murray said. Town officials reported the threats to Nassau County police Monday, said town spokesman Michael Deery.

Until the search for a new director is completed, deputy town attorney Sue Jacobs will continue as acting shelter director.

Animal activists expressed their discontent with the town’s decision to allow an attorney to run the shelter.

Jacobs assumed the position when Patricia Horan, former acting shelter director, was reassigned after a controversial 17-year-old video with a kitten surfaced on the Internet.

Also at the meeting, town board officials heard testimony from four residents who spoke against a request from a Quickmart on Wantagh Avenue and Hunt Road in Wantagh to become a 24-hour operation. The residents said if the hours were extended, it would attract more traffic and crime to the area.

"My driveway becomes a U-turn," said William Dugan, 44, who lives three houses from the store and gas station."It is unacceptable that I have to tell my children they can't play in the driveway because of the traffic."

Property manager IBO Corp. wants a variance to allow an extension of the convenience store. It also wants to sell beer.

Councilman Gary Hudes (R-Levittown) was troubled that Nassau police records show there were several recent drug arrests nearby during the store's operating hours. Hudes said workers at the store were accused of selling beer, cigarettes and chewing tobacco to minors. The store closes at midnight.

"We can't change what has happened in the past," said Richard S. Prisco, lawyer for lessee Alex Akkay, who submitted a petition from 72 people supporting expanded hours. "We can only change what will happen in the future."