Businesswoman wants a fair shot in Lynbrook

Ahead of the May 2 public hearing about a controversial gun range and spa proposed for a commercial space on Sunrise Highway in Lynbrook, business owner Pamela Newman claimed she hoped both residents and board members would come willing to civilly discuss her plans for the property.

“I would hope that the village could have an open mind,” said Newman, who is chief executive officer of ISS Action Inc. “I feel like I’m being denied my basic rights and my due process.”

The Sport Spa is a proposed replacement for Cutler’s Lighting, located at 817 Sunrise Highway. The facility would have a gun and archery range, a retail sporting goods and gun store, a live-action shooting simulator, training classrooms and a hair and nail salon. Newman held an informational panel on March 21 at Sportime on Merrick Road in Lynbrook, which was attended by residents coming to and from a village board meeting at Village Hall, held at the same time. Valley Stream District 24 educators and parents attended.

Newman said the same panel of experts will be on hand to address the public’s concerns at the upcoming May 2 hearing. The goal of the business, she said, is to provide a modern training facility to address a wide array of community needs. Included in the business proposal sent to the village, one of those needs is described as being “instruction and training in firearms for women.”

In response to the backlash of some neighboring residents who have already voiced their concerns about parking and safety, Newman said her extensive qualifications should put people at ease. “Yes, I’m a businesswoman, that’s true, but I work for U.S. federal agencies,” she said, adding that her armed guard security company has contracts with the U.S. Department of Transportation, NASA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “Sunrise Highway is the busiest commercial highway in all of Long Island,” she said. “I feel like there’s a very verbal minority screaming at the top of their lungs.”

In addition to the location of the business, several area residents have also questioned the involvement of 6th District Legislator and Lynbrook resident William Gaylor III, who was previously the attorney of record for the proposed gun range.