At the April 4th meeting of the Elmont Chamber of Commerce, Hempstead Town Councilman Edward Ambrosino (R-North Valley Stream) accused a local business on Meacham Avenue of selling drugs. The business owner, coincidentally, had been opposing a proposed Walgreens in Elmont recently approved by the Town of Hempstead. For those of us that have been around Elmont long enough, this is an all too familiar scene where anyone who questions the actions of local or state government is found to be the target of wild accusations by the soldiers of the Republican political machine. In the past, this has worked to silence opponents of local government and perpetuate the control of Elmont by an out of touch pack of Republican officials.
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But this time is different than the past. This time it wasn't a soldier of the machine laying these accusations, but Councilman Edward Ambrosino himself. This time the comments weren't made in private conversations to be gossiped amongst Elmont's civic leaders, but were made in public in front of a packed house at the Elmont Public Library with the Councilman's full knowledge the meeting was being videotaped. And this time, the comments were spread for the world to view via a contemporaneous "tweet" from a local journalist.
If Councilman Ambrosino has some credible evidence that this business owner is selling illegal drugs, then why weren't the police contacted and the business owner arrested. Otherwise, one must ask themselves why would Councilman Ambrosino, an elected official of the highest authority, potentially slander and defame a local Elmont small business?
Was it because this business owner voiced his opposition to a proposed Walgreens? Is the cost of voicing opposition in Elmont indiscriminate destruction one's name and reputation. Can Elmont tolerate this behavior from Councilman Ambrosino? We think not.
Editor's NOTE: Elmont Online does not condone the use or sale of ilicit drugs.
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