Tasting the chili
The Irish Pub in Baldwin hosted its annual Chili Cook-Off this past Sunday, raising over $1,000 towards Christmas decorations throughout the hamlet. Story, additional photos, Page 3.
Smartphone ban in school?
Governor announces proposal to ban smartphones in school
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
Gov. Kathy Hochul recently unveiled a proposal as part of her fiscal year 2026 executive budget aimed at virtually eliminating smartphone use in New York’s public schools, emphasizing the need for “distraction-free learning statewide.” The initiative would ban the use of smartphones and other internet-enabled devices throughout the entire school day, including during classroom time, lunch periods and study halls, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
The plan also provides schools with flexibility in how they manage phone storage, with $13.5
recognizes Baldwin athlete
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Baldwin High School senior Payton Dulin was among 805 girls’ and boys’ basketball players nominated to play in this year’s McDonald’s All American Games at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 1.
Dulin, a member of the Lady Bruins’ varsity basketball team for six years and its team captain for three, has earned numerous accolades, including three AllCounty selections and an All-State honor. She also has earned two Nassau County Player of the Year awards, and has helped lift her team to county and Long Island championships, as well as helped the Lady Bruins reach state finals.
honored to be recognized. PAYToN DUlIN Baldwin
million in state funding allocated to help purchase storage solutions such as pouches or cubbies.
“The Baldwin (Union Free School District) prohibits phones in all areas of our schools K-8 and in all classrooms at the high school,” Superintendent Shari Camhi wrote in an email. “Banning cell phones in schools at the state level does not enhance what exists already. It allows us to tell students that ‘it is against the law.’ The real issue is 24/7 access to cell phones, particularly outside of school. The temptation to continually check messages or scroll is ever-present.”
The proposal comes after what Hochul described as a months-long statewide listening
“I felt honored to be recognized,” she recalled. “This is a little kid’s dream, so to be able to have the opportunity — hopefully — that’s exciting.”
Dulin joined a distinguished group of high school athletes nominated over the years for the chance to perform on the nation’s premier stage. Many notable NBA players, including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant, have played in these games, solidifying its reputation as a key showcase for rising basketball talent.
First joining the girls’ basketball program in the seventh grade, Dulin has been coached by Tom Catapano, the newest member of the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame. She credited his coaching leadership for the development of her game.
“He dedicates so much of his life — entire life — towards us, and he has so much knowledge towards the game,” she said. “He has so much knowledge towards the game, and he was able to do so much for this school. He believes in me so much, and I really appreciate
The McDonald’s All American Games is an annual high school basketball showcase that highlights the best boys’ and girls’ players in the country. First held in 1977, the event brings together top senior athletes who have demonstrated talent throughout their high school careers.
Continued on page 4
Maureen Lennon/Herald
What to expect in February at Baldwin Public Library
Special author visit Getting creative Music, game night
The month kicks off with Jacqueline Jones LaMon, the acclaimed author of What Water Knows, Last Seen (a Felix Pollak Poetry Prize selection), and Gravity, U.S.A. LaMon, who has earned numerous honors throughout her career, including the Quercus Review Press Poetry Series Book Award, will visit the library on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
A certified healing-centered life and creativity coach, LaMon recently retired as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Adelphi University, where she held the title of Professor Emerita in the Department of English. During the event, LaMon will discuss her work as a poet and explore how poetry can amplify love in challenging times.
Teens can get creative on Feb. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by decorating their own Mardi Gras masks, which have origins in the early days of carnival celebrations in Venice.
On Thursday, Feb. 20 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., teens in grades 6–12 can join a Painting Party in the Children’s Arts & Crafts Room. Presented by Painting With a Twist, attendees will paint a whimsical winter penguin. Registration begins on Saturday, Feb. 1.
The excitement continues with Totally Taylor: A Taylor Swift Tribute Show on Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. This event will feature a live performance from Royal Princess Prep with crafts and photo opportunities for patrons to enjoy.
Finally, come unwind and enjoy a fun-filled evening at Tabletop Game Night on Feb. 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This is the perfect opportunity to relax, socialize, and connect with fellow game enthusiasts in a laid-back, friendly environment. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to tabletop games, this event is for everyone. Attendees are welcome to bring their own favorite games to share or explore the library’s wide variety of board games, card games, and strategy games available for everyone to enjoy.
Irish Pub raises $1,200 for Christmas decorations
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
The chilly winds of February couldn’t stop Baldwin from turning out in full force for the highly anticipated Chili Cook-Off hosted at The Irish Pub this past Sunday.
This year’s event was dedicated to funding holiday lights for Baldwin’s streets. The idea was sparked when local residents took to a Baldwin Facebook group, voicing frustration over the lack of Christmas decorations in their hamlet. Inspired by their con -
cerns, Sabel decided to channel the energy into a solution.
The chili cook-off, a staple event in Baldwin since 2019, was revived and reimagined by local mother-daughter duo Susan and Samantha Cools in 2021, after it was put on hold during the pandemic. This year, Sabel and the Coolses teamed up once again.
“This was by far our best turnout,” Sabel wrote to the Herald. “It was the first of three fundraisers this year going towards the holiday lights throughout Baldwin.”
The event helped raise $1,200 and
Jessenia Melendez took home the crown for Best Chili in Town.
Each attendee enjoyed an all-youcan-sample buffet of hearty chili, a free drink, and a sense of community spirit for $20.
The funds raised at the event are expected to cover not only the cost of the holiday lights but also the maintenance and installation fees.
In response to the criticism, the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, which had previously clarified in a Facebook post that the town’s holiday lights are funded by donations, also lent support
to the cook-off effort.
As for Sabel, he previously told the Herald he is looking ahead to future initiatives. Following the success of the Chili Cook-Off, he’s exploring more ways to bring the community together in fun and meaningful ways. One being the possibility of hosting a Pub Palooza, a community event held outdoors that celebrates dogs.
“I am so excited for the rest of the year and reaching our final goal to lighting this town up!” Sabel said.
Maureen Lennon/Herald photos Taylor Long and Austin Kaider were having a ‘sweet’ time at the Chili Cookout.
Lenny Schlesinger loved to taste the many different flavors of chili.
Steve Sachar had a very delicious tasting experience.
Friends having fun - Kaily Alter, Skylar Kaider, Taylor Long and Marisa Welch
All eyes on Bruins’ player, captain Payton Dulin
that about him.”
During her time in the basketball program, she has dealt with the loss of Anthony Bolden, a former Baldwin High School student-athlete-turned-educator, who was her assistant coach. He died due to complications with pulmonary fibrosis in September 2021, just before the start of the basketball season.
“It’s been really tough,” Dulin, who played for Bolden for two years, said. “He did so much for this program and left a big void in the team. Everything we do, every win, is always for him.”
That season, the Lady Bruins rallied to secure the Class AA County Championship, dedicating it to Bolden.
As of press time, Dulin is averaging 11.3 points per game for the 12-1 basketball team. She has committed to continue playing basketball for The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
For the honor to play in the McDonald’s All American Games, the top 24 girls and 24 boys were revealed last month, and Dulin did not make the final team to compete. Despite not making the cut, Dulin felt appreciated for not only representing her home state, but also her school district for her unique nomination.
“This will always be my home,” she said. “So being able to represent and show people that we haven’t gone anywhere through this accomplishment has been great.”
Planning for Those You Are Responsible For
A client came in to see us for their follow-up consultation. The client shared that, in between their two meetings with us, the husband‘s brother had suffered a stroke and was now in a rehabilitation facility. He was a bachelor. He had no power of attorney or health care proxy. He may or may not have had a will -- they didn’t know. Further, they were unable to get access to his apartment to clean out the fridge, get his clothes, and look for his papers, because he had failed to put them on the list of persons approved to enter in the event of an emergency.
One of the most overlooked areas in estate planning is the question of who you are responsible for. Do you have a friend or relative who you know will need to rely on you if something happens? Either they have no one else or everyone else is too far away. If you have the responsibility, then make sure that you have the documents you will need to carry out that responsibility. Otherwise, you may be facing a guardianship proceeding. Similarly, so many of our clients have adult
children with young families. Do you know whether your children have wills, powers of attorney and health care proxies?
There are serious pitfalls for young families if one spouse dies without a plan. Roughly half of their assets go to their surviving spouse and half to the children. The court will appoint a legal guardian for the children’s money and the unused portion must be turned over to them at age eighteen, ready or not!
A potentially more serious problem for older adults is whether their sons and daughters who have families possess adequate life insurance. If your son or daughter dies without sufficient life insurance, you may be called upon to support and educate your grandchildren out of your retirement money.
Finally, if you are responsible for the care of an elderly parent, then make sure it is you who has the power of attorney and health care proxy and not another sibling who may end up controlling the situation from afar, much to your dismay.
• Medicaid FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com
News brief
Baldwin students selected for LISFA
A half dozen Baldwin student-musicians have been selected to perform in the Long Island String Festival Association Festival, which showcases top orchestral string players from Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The selected students are Brianna Horneck and Ethan Questelles and Benjamin Mason from Baldwin High School.
At Baldwin Middle School, Lily Nelson and Xavier Ugbala were selected
and Ethan Biazon from Plaza Elementary School.
“This recognition highlights the dedication of our students and educators,” André Poprilo, director of Fine and Performing Arts at Baldwin said in a news release.
— Anaya Issacs
E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: baldwineditor@liherald.com
EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 269 E-mail: baldwineditor@liherald.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS:
Courtesy Baldwin School District
Baldwin High School senior payton dulin was one of 805 girls’ and boys’ basketball players nominated to play in this year’s mcdonald’s all american games in Brooklyn.
CHASE TIMBERLAKE
Baldwin Senior Basketball
AFTER HELPING LEAD the Bruins to a historic 2023-24 season highlighted by a fourth straight Nassau Class AAA title, Timberlake joined a very short list of 1,000-career point scorers in program history. On Jan. 17, he reached the milestone previously achieved only by his head coach Darius Burton, a 1993 Baldwin graduate. Timberlake is well on his way to a second All-County selection, averaging a team-high 24 points per game.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, Feb. 6
Boys Basketball: Baldwin at G.N. North 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Carey at Roosevelt 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Elmont at Hewlett 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: G.N. South at Long Beach 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Lawrence at West Hempstead 5
Girls Basketball: South Side at Manhasset 5
Girls Basketball: Mepham at New Hyde Park 5 p.m.
Girls Baksetball: Jericho at MacArthur 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Bethpage at Kennedy 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: V.S. Central at Mepham 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Manhasset at South Side 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 7
Girls Basketball: V.S. South at Lynbrook 4:45 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Syosset at Oceanside 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Clarke at Mineola 6:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Seaford at Malverne 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Floral Park at Wantagh 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 8
Wrestling: Nassau County Division 1 qualifier tournaments at Farmingdale, Long Beach, Oceanside, Jericho, Massapequa and Kennedy 9 a.m. Gymnastics: Coaches Invitational at North Shore 10 a.m.
Boys Basketball: Uniondale at Hicksville 12 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
HERALD SPORTS
Denying Baldwin won’t be easy
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
To say Baldwin’s girls’ basketball team is on a mission this winter would be an understatement.
The Bruins, who saw their string of nine consecutive Nassau County championships come to an end at the hands of Syosset last March, have clearly established themselves as the team to beat against a new set of rivals.
“We’re playing pretty well but we’re not quite there yet,” Baldwin head coach Tom Catapano said after its 77-35 victory over MacArthur Jan. 30. “We know what level we need to be at to accomplish everything we want to accomplish. I think two things we need to improve are playing harder for 32 minutes and finishing better around the basket.”
For the first time, the Bruins aren’t part of Nassau’s largest classification. Instead of the battling usual suspects like Syosset, Massapequa, Farmingdale and Freeport, this season’s biggest hurdles are Garden City, defending Class AA champion East Meadow, Division and MacArthur.
“Garden City has great size and just beat Massapequa by 30,” Catapano said. “I think we’ll be the 1 seed and Garden City will be 2. It’s different checking AA scores instead of keeping track of the opponents we’ve always played. We’re back in AAA next season.”
Baldwin’s roster in each of the past two campaigns was loaded with youth, but that’s no longer the case. Four seniors start along with junior Alyssa Polonia, but a deep bench features mostly underclassmen.
Spearheading the charge for a 10th county title in 11 years is senior Payton Dulin, who is headed to George Washington University. The highly skilled guard is well on her way to a fourth AllCounty season and leads the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game despite not playing much after halftime with Baldwin (11-2) nursing large leads. She had 24 and was the best player on the court, in Catapano’s opinion, in a loss to
Long Island Lutheran Jan 7.
“She’s become a complete player and leads by example,” Catapano said.
“She’s an elite scorer who’s defending and rebounding as well as she ever has.”
Senior center Toni Smith is posting a double-double every game and like Dulin, providing outstanding leadership. She’s a physical presence in the paint along with senior Madison Guillory, who does a lot of the dirty work you can’t find in a boxscore, Catapano said.
Senior Monique Echols is a strong two-way guard who along with Polonia leads the team in three-pointers with over 20.
The group of reserves features sophomore Chinaya Okogeri, who plays starter-like minutes and brings a combination of defensive intensity and scoring ability. Junior Leah Williams is a solid post player who spells Smith and/ or Guillory without a dropoff. Sophomore Ajeya Nicholas is Baldwin’s tallest kid (6-foot) and also one of its most athletic, while freshman Malia Robinson is its future starting point guard already making an impact.
“I think the loss to Syosset in the finals is still in the back of everyone’s minds,” Catapano said. “We want to write a different ending.”
Sue Grieco/Herald Sophomore Ajeya Nicholas, left, is part of a deep group of reserves eager to help Baldwin make a run at the county title and more.
Gillen is ceremonially sworn in to House
By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Laura Gillen celebrated joining the U.S. House of Representatives, where she represents New York’s 4th Congressional District, at a ceremonial swearing-in at the Elmont Public Library on Jan. 25.
Nearly 400 people gathered in the library’s theater to honor Gillen, who was officially sworn into office in Washington on Jan. 3. Former Rep. Steve Israel did the ceremonial honors, with the help of Gillen’s husband, Chris Gillen.
In 2024, Gillen announced she would run against Republican incumbent Anthony D’Esposito, whom she had challenged in 2022, losing narrowly. But voters chose Gillen by a margin of about 2 percentage points in last November’s election.
Congressman Gregory Meeks, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow also attended the library ceremony.
“As you are taking your oath, we could not be prouder of you,” Solages told Gillen. “This moment is really a testimony to your hard work, your dedication and the trust that you have earned from so many of us. Your vision in this district gives us hope and gives us confidence. And we know that the integrity, compassion and determination you have will resonate here, in D.C. and all over.”
Meeks recalled the uncertainty of the October election, particularly in the 4th C.D. But, he said, the Democratic caucus chose Gillen to run because of her character, her ability to connect with the community and her care for all citizens.
“You can’t be a leader if you’re not willing to serve,” Meeks said. “And we
the awesome opportunity to serve the people of this district, and gratitude to all those that made this possible.”
She thanked the elected officials who supported her campaign, expressed enthusiasm about working with them and thanked her family, who she said sacrificed so much in the months leading up to the election to help her campaign.
From 2018 to 2019, Gillen was the first Democrat to serve as Town of Hempstead supervisor in 112 years, which she attributed to her dedication to compromise and bipartisanship.
“Working across the aisle was a necessity,” she said. “It wasn’t always easy. But with a carrot and a stick, we made it possible.”
saw in Laura one that served and one that listened. She’s coming and talking to all sides, and she’s looking for ways to bring people together to better the entire United States of America.”
“So, I made it to Capitol Hill,” Gillen laughed when it was her turn to speak, to loud applause. “I have gratitude for
Among her successes during her time as supervisor, she continued, was the leadership she demonstrated in bringing down taxes, upgrading infrastructure, serving communities that had been ignored, challenging polluters and bringing vital ethical reforms to the town to ensure that public servants were accountable to the people they serve.
“Now, as your congresswoman, those lessons will continue to guide me,” she said. “I’ll always put Long Island and our nation first, and work to do what’s best for all the people in our community. It is the honor of my lifetime to be your congresswoman.”
Tim Baker/Herald
Former U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, left, and Rep. Laura Gillen’s husband, Chris Gillen, took part in her ceremonial swearing-in before a cheering crowd, three weeks after Gillen began her term in the House of Representatives.
NASSAU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
WE’RE EXPANDING SERVICES
NUMC’s new clinical services can help all Nassau residents focus on preventative health care in 2025. We’ve recently expanded these offerings and have longer hours to make staying healthy more convenient than ever before.
12:30pm
2:30pm
9am
NASSAU HEALTH CARE UPDATE
Ó NUMC is running out of money and could close its doors in
Ó NUMC is poorly run and should be taken over by Albany
be
by
NUMC’s
NUMC’s leadership reduced the hospital’s projected deficit by more than $100 million
NUMC earned the coveted Gold Seal rating from the Joint Commission and increased its safety rating in 2024
NUMC opened it’s new MRI facility in 2024 and expanded clinical services
and we’re here for you and your family. We treat everyone –
$0 in grants
The Hochul Administration and NYS provided for NUMC in 2024. NYS has now been exposed for breaking federal law through a massive Medicaid scam to cheat Nassau residents out of additional funding.
Baldwin students celebrate Black history
The African American History Museum of Nassau County hosted a celebration of Black History Month featuring a special art showcase by secondary school students from Baldwin School District. The event highlighted the creativity and cultural expressions of local young artists, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of families, educators and community members.
The exhibit displayed a variety of artwork, all created by Baldwin students. Each piece reflected themes of African American history, heritage, and contemporary culture, offering a powerful visual narrative of the Black experience. The showcase gave stu -
dents a unique opportunity to share their work with the community, while also honoring the significance of Black History Month.
Black History Month originated in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History launched Negro History Week to highlight the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. Woodson selected the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two figures central to African American history.
— Hernesto Galdamez
Alice Moreno/Herald Photos
3rd grader Arya Alvarez pointed at her drawing depicting Ruby Bridgers, the first Black child to attend an all-white school at the Black History Museum of Nassau County.
Ava DrinkwaterLouverture poses next to her essay, describing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s effect in the world.
Juliana Williams, 10, was excited to share her work.
Isabella Flack, 15, poses with her painting.
STEPPING OUT
SCORE BIG on
Super Sunday
Go for the ‘tasty ‘win’
By Karen Bloom
It’s the biggest sports day of the year. The big game — on Feb. 9 — is great opportunity for casual winter entertaining.
Thrilling plays, must-see commercials and your pals are all quintessential elements of the perfect game-day get-together. Of course that game on the big screen is the main focus, but plenty of action takes place around the table — keeping everyone well fed is a sport in itself.
While crowd-pleasing Buffalo flavor-inspired foods and football always seem to go together, think beyond those traditional flavors for a new twist on your Super Bowl cuisine.
Baked Spinach and Chicken Dip
A tasty dip is always a winner. Try this flavorful, creamy variation — in addition to the guacamole.
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup cooked chicken, chopped Heat oven to 375 F.
In microwave-safe medium bowl, add cream cheese and dressing. Microwave on high 30 seconds, or until cream cheese is soft. Stir to combine. Add spinach and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Add chicken and stir to combine.
Transfer mixture to baking dish that holds at least 6 cups. Bake 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. The internal temperature should be 165 F.
Serve with crackers, bread or veggie sticks.
Note: If you like it spicy, substitute a chipotle ranch
dressing and add diced pickled jalapenos. To make ahead, prepare unbaked dip up to 3 days ahead; store covered and refrigerated. Bake prior to serving.
Pull-Apart Garlic Bread Pizza
Instead of the pizza delivery, get creative with “garlic bread” version.
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup ricotta
• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, divided
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• 3/4 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup mini pepperoni
• 2 (16 ounce) cans refrigerated biscuits (such as Pillsbury Grands)
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups mozzarella, cream cheese, ricotta, cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt. Transfer mixture to a 9”-x13” baking dish then spread pizza sauce on top. Top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and pepperoni.
Halve biscuits and roll into balls, then place on top of dip.
In a small bowl, whisk together oil, garlic, and parsley. Brush on biscuits and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
Bake until biscuits are golden and cheese is melty, about 45 minutes, then cover with aluminum foil and bake until biscuits are cooked
Sheng Wang
through, another 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Step up your chili with a barbecue twist.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 tablespoon cumin
• 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
• 26-28 ounces crushed or chopped tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
Chili fixin’s: shredded Mexican cheese, avocado, jalapeno, sour cream, cilantro, green onions, fresh tomato, corn chips, and salsa are all great additions.
Over medium heat, saute onion and carrots in olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper and spices and saute another minute. Add the tomatoes and vegetable broth and simmer over low heat until thickened, about 20 minutes.
Stir in the corn, beans, and barbecie sauce and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add more chili powder and cumin to spice up if necessary.
Simmer another 5 minutes or until ready to eat.
Serve with your favorite chili add-ons.
With his signature laid-back style, as showcased in his Netflix special “Sweet & Juicy” produced and directed by Ali Wong, comedianactor-writer Sheng Wang brings his hilarious standup to the Paramount stage. Wang is now truly coming into his own. Two decades of performing has taken him from doing stand-up for touristy audiences in New York to a successful Netflix special, “Sweet and Juicy,” produced and directed by Ali Wong. He mines comedy from the mundane, everyday parts of life — from the meditative ritual that is shopping at Costco to how to get maximum value from health insurance. Because he’s from Texas, Wang also speaks with a slight Southern drawl, giving a relaxed quality to his delivery. Among his other credits, Wang was a featured standup on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” special and wrote for ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat.” Wang now resides in L.A. and in his time explores botanical gardens and new ways to snack.
Saturday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. $69.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
Boyz II Men
R&B superstars Boyz II Men are always in the groove. They arrive at Tilles Center with their soulful multi-octave sound and incredible vocals, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Given the monumental success of their albums and the timeless quality of their vocals, it’s easy to see why they remain one of the most popular R&B groups of all time. Boyz II Men redefined popular R&B and continue to create timeless hits that appeal to fans across generations. Their four Grammys are just the tip of the iceberg. The trio holds the distinction of being the best-selling R&B group, with an astounding 64 million albums sold. And the reason is abundantly clear. For the past three-plus decades, Boyz II Men have given fans a rich catalog of hits filled with smooth harmonies and enduring themes. And for Boyz II Men, the hits just keep on coming.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Barbecue Three Bean Chili
THE Your Neighborhood
Friends of the Brothers
Friends of the Brothers returns to the Landmark stage with their dynamic tribute to the Allman Brothers, Saturday, Feb. 15, 8 p.m.
Their powerful celebration of the Allman Brothers, featuring musicians closely associated with the original band, continues the brotherhood with passion, committed to the ideals of every night being special and unique. Guitarist/singer Junior Mack has fronted Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band for 12 years and starred in the acclaimed Broadway show “Lackawanna Blues.” Guitarist Andy Aledort played with Dickey Betts for 12 years, has recorded with Double Trouble and Band of Gypsys and toured with Experience Hendrix. Singer/guitarist Alan Paul is the author of “One Way Out,” the definitive, best-selling Allman Brothers Band biography based on 25 years of reporting on and interviewing the band. Their first-hand experience with the Allman Brothers Band and their deep knowledge of the repertoire and the music’s roots and heritage allows them to play with an unrivaled depth. ‘
Rockville Centre Choral Society Recruitment
Like to sing? The Rockville Centre Choral Society wants you! The non-sectarian chorus sings in Lynbrook and around the South Shore. New members are welcome. The chorus sings a variety of genres: pop, folk, showtunes, light classical and standards. All voices are welcome. No experience necessary. RCCS meets Wednesdays, 7:45-9:30 p.m., and performs two concerts yearly. Rehearsals are held at St. James United Methodist Church, 11 St. James Place, Lynbrook. For more information, email rvcchorus@gmail.com or call (516) 599-5705.
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art’s Manes Education Center. The drop-in program continues, Saturday,Feb. 8, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators to explore and discover different materials to create original artwork.
Bird walk
The South Shore Audubon Society welcomes all to join its members for another in its series of bird walks, at Hempstead Lake State Park, Saturday, Feb. 8, starting at 9 a.m. Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. The group will meet The group will meet in parking lot #3, off Exit 18 of the Southern State Parkway. To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. No walk if rain or snow. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit ssaudubon.org.
Breastfeeding Support Group
Friends’ perform songs from every stage of Allman Brothers career, backed by a band of inspirational, veteran players, including drummers Dave Diamond (Zen Tricksters, Bob Weir, Robert Randolph) and Lee Finkelstein (Tower of Power, Blues Brothers), bassist Craig Privett (Half Step) and keyboardist Mike Katzman (Leslie Mendelsohn, The Electrix). Rock on! $38, $33. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or landmarkonmainstreet.org.
Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and make art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Mercy Hospital offers a peer-topeer meeting for breastfeeding support and resources, facilitated by a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30 –11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. All new moms are welcome, regardless of delivering hospital. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 to secure you and your baby’s spot. Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.
Family theater
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday, Feb. 7, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; also Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 12-13,10:15 a.m. and noon. It is 3017 in this futuristic, musical retelling of “Cinderella.” She’s now a space engineer looking to revolutionize space travel. When the Prince holds a space parade, Cinderella saves it by helping fix the Prince’s spaceship. Cinderella knows it’s the perfect opportunity to show the Prince her new hyper warp speed engine.
But first, she’ll have to keep her evil stepmother from throwing a wrench in her plans!
$11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Chamber of Commerce meeting
The Baldwin Chamber of Commerce holds its monthly meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 12. Ttime and location will be announced closer to the date. For more information, visit
Long Island Choral Society auditions
Long Island Choral Society, under the Direction of Michael C. Haigler, holds auditions for new members for the final concert of their 96th Season. Auditions are by appointment only and continue Monday, Feb. 10, at Garden City Community Church. The Berlioz Requiem is a piece known for its power and beauty that offers a rare musical performance opportunity.
If you love to sing consider auditioning to be part of this treasured Long Island tradition. Schedule an audition by calling (516) 652-6878 or via e-mail at audition.info@lics.org. 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City.
Oil Painting Classes
Let your creativity shine at painting classes offered by the Town of Hempstead, Feb. 10 through May 5, at Baldwin Park. Registratiion ongoing now. Visit hempsteadny. gov/261/Online-Registration for more information and to register. 3232 Grand Ave.
Having an event?
Movie showing
Enjoy another movie on Baldwin Pubic Library’s big screen. See “Lady Sings the Blues, Friday, Feb. 7 , 1-4 p.m. The classic heartbreaking story of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday, from her difficult childhood to her turbulent rise to fame, mired by racism and addiction.
Loosely based on her autobiography, starring Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, James Callahan, Paul Hampton. Rated R. 144 minutes. Registration not required. For more information, visit baldwinpl. org or call (516) 223-6228. 2385 Grand Ave.
Board of Education meeting
Baldwin Board of Education next meets on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 8 p.m., at Plaza Elementary School. Parents are encouraged to attend to let their concerns or questions be heard. 501 Seaman Ave.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum. org.
Hempstead House tour
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, Feb. 16, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
TUESDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAYS
BALDWIN HERALD —
Baldwin prohibits phones in all areas
tour, during which she heard from parents, teachers, students and others who voiced concerns about the growing presence of smartphones in schools. Educators, students, law enforcement officers and social justice advocates joined her for the announcement on Jan. 22.
“We know that our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling,” Hochul said in the news release. “This proposal will ensure that our schools have the tools they need to create distraction-free spaces where students can focus on what matters most — their education.”
If approved, the policy would take effect in the 2025-26 school year, and would apply to all public school districts, charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services, or BOCES, facilities. The proposal includes provisions to ensure that parents can still contact their children during the day if necessary, and allows exceptions for students who require phones for medical reasons or as part of Individualized Education Programs.
Hochul’s plan builds on her effort last year to address the challenges that technology poses for young people, including the Safe for Kids Act, which restricts addictive social media features for minors, and the New York Child Data Protection Act, which limits the collection of minors’ personal data
online.
Hochul also noted that the proposal reflects her ongoing commitment to addressing youth mental health, a concern that has been central to her administration since she became governor in 2021. As part of a $1 billion investment in mental health, she has expanded access to care in schools. Since February 2024, the state has funded 71 new
school-based mental health clinics, bringing the total number of facilities to over 1,100 statewide.
Camhi explained that she neither supported nor opposed a smartphone ban, but emphasized that the real solution lies in holding technology and social media companies accountable for the harm they may cause children.
“Our parents and educators are stuck
between a rock and a hard place,” Camhi said. “The real solution resides at the beginning — where the smartphones are manufactured and marketed, and how social media companies have gained access to our children without parental permission.”
The governor’s budget proposal is expected to be reviewed by lawmakers in the coming months.
Herald file photo
gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a proposal for eliminating smartphone use in new York’s schools as part of her fiscal
Chambers workshop focuses on marketing
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Nassau County small businesses gathered to learn about cutting-edge digital marketing strategies from Richner Communications’ Lori Berger at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Roslyn, on Jan. 21.
The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce organized a series of workshops to help local businesses thrive in 2025, sharing information about computer systems, financial planning and communications and marketing. Berger was a presenter for two marketing classes: one in Malverne, on Jan. 14, and the class a week later in Roslyn.
“I’m so passionate about helping people and small businesses with marketing,” Berger said. “We’re a community newspaper company. That’s what we do.”
Her presentation walked attendees through four core aspects of marketing: offline, social media, E-commerce and websites.
The marketing presentation was for businesses in Zone 1, north of Route 25, and it was attended by about 50 small business leaders from throughout the zone. The workshop was made possible by a Nassau County Technical Services grant, which is designed to help the local economy by offering guidance to small businesses free of charge.
Ira Reiter is a co-owner of the Barking Biscuit with his wife, Hillary, and president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. Their business took off five years ago, around the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Social media proved to be a vital tool that helped their to succeed.
Richner Communications offered complimentary one-on-one meetings for all attending businesses to review their search engine optimization and social
media presence — a service Reiter intends to follow up on.
“We are looking forward to it — were just hoping that we can absorb everything,” Reiter said. “So much, and so much fantastic information that came out of last night, and it will help us with our online presence.”
The workshop encouraged Reiter to use Geo-Fencing, a technique to target advertisements to potential customers in a specific area.
Janna Rodriguez, founder of the Innovative Daycare Corp., in Freeport, has been helping children learn and grow for 12 years. “We’ve created a strong support system between the families, the community, the educators and the other organizations that we partner with,” she said.
The NCCC provides a service that makes entrepreneurship much more accessible in Nassau County, Rodriguez said. “The reason that I was interested in marketing is because small businesses, such as myself, find it very difficult to be able to hire a marketing consultant, especially when you’re first starting up,” she said.
In the workshop she discovered that her business comes up on the front page of search engines, and she was advised her to plan more content for Facebook and Instagram.
This was the first time the NCCC has offered classes at no cost, according to Russel Green, a board member of the council and president of the Syosset and Woodbury Chambers of Commerce.
A Chamber “allows other businesses and individuals in the community to know who you are and when you’re starting,” Green said. “We’ll support you, hopefully, for many, many years.”
To learn more about the NCCC and future events, visit ncchambers.org.
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
About 50 small businesses owners gathered at Roslyn’s Hilton Garden Inn on Jan. 21 to learn about digital marketing with Lori Berger, of Richner Communications.
PsychotheraPy
Working hard to ensure people have access to any help they need
By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com
Amy Baron has been providing psychotherapy in Long Beach and the surrounding areas for over 12 years, and since the pandemic, says there has been a significant rise in individuals reaching out for support with anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting challenges, difficulty adjusting to changing life circumstances and a desire to increase self-esteem and feel more fulfilled.
in people seeking help?
With her Heal and Grow Psychotherapy Group, she aims to ensure people know what kind of help they can get, and, ultimately, that help is out there.
Q: What trends do you see
Amy Baron: One key trend I’ve noticed is a sharp increase in parents seeking therapy for their children and teens. Many families are struggling with the stress of changing dynamics, and there’s been a greater recognition of the importance of early intervention. I am seeing a rise in school and social anxiety which we have successfully helped our clients navigate and manage. Additionally, there’s been a noticeable rise in couples and families coming in for help to resolve conflict, improve communication and strengthen their relationships. Another interesting shift is the growing number of people who, in the past, might have
been resistant to seeking therapy—particularly men and those in first responder professions. There’s been a reduction in the stigma around mental health, and people are becoming more open to reaching out for support, recognizing the value of therapy in addressing their challenges and improving relationships and overall well-being.
Q: Are there any hurdles people face in seeking help?
Baron: While more people are reaching out for therapy, there are significant barriers. Many don’t realize how difficult it can be to find a therapist until they begin the search. Many therapists do not have availability and have long waiting lists. Just yesterday, I received calls from two different mothers who shared their frustration after months of trying unsuccessfully to find a therapist for their children. Fortunately, we were able to help.
Another challenge is that many therapists only offer telehealth sessions. While virtual therapy is convenient and has its place, there are many situations where in-person therapy is essential for providing effective care. Being physically present in the same room creates a unique dynamic that fosters connection and a deeper therapeutic process, which can be difficult to replicate on a screen. I firmly
believe that the experience of sitting together in a shared space has a profound impact that cannot always be achieved through virtual sessions.
Additionally, many therapists opt to work with self-pay clients only, rather than accepting insurance. This can make therapy financially inaccessible for many people who rely on insurance to cover their mental health care.
Q: What is your practice doing to ensure people get the help they need?
Baron: In response to the overwhelming demand for mental health services, Heal and Grow Psychotherapy Group is undergoing a significant expansion. We’ve recently moved to a larger office on Park Avenue and welcomed several new therapists specializing in various areas, including child and adolescent therapy, marriage and family counseling, adult therapy, and parenting support. We will be offering group therapy sessions covering an array of topics and will host special events and workshops designed to provide valuable tools, education, and support for individuals, couples, and families.
To accommodate busy schedules, we’ve extended our hours to include more evening
and weekend appointment times. For clients unable to attend in person, we continue to offer telehealth. And to make therapy more financially accessible we work with numerous insurance plans in and out of network and handle all paperwork and claim submission.
Q: Can you tell us about your connection to the community?
Baron: I was born and raised in Oceanside and later raised my children in Baldwin before moving to Long Beach about 12 years ago. When I settled here, I opened my private practice to provide psychotherapy to Long Beach and surrounding towns. Many of our therapists also have strong ties to the area too. Elena Montemurro grew up in Oceanside and Rockville Centre, Marja Ganesh lives in Baldwin, and Emily Magni was raised in Merrick, where she currently resides.
Throughout our time in practice, we have worked closely with local schools and medical providers to better support the mental health needs of our clients. Having such strong connections to Long Beach and surrounding communities allows us to understand the unique challenges people face and offer more integrated care.
Amy BARoN
Public Notices
leGal noTice pUBlic noTice of coUnTY TReasUReR’s sale of TaX liens on Real esTaTe
Notice is hereby given that I shall, commencing on February 18, 2025, sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on real estate herein-after described, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party-ininterest in such real estate shall pay to the County Treasurer by February 13, 2025 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges, against the property. Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per cent per six month’s period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code. Effective with the February 18, 2025 lien sale, Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at:
https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/526/County-Treasurer
Should the Treasurer determine that an in-person auction shall be held, same will commence on the 18th day of February, 2025 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.
The liens are for arrears of School District taxes for the year 2023 - 2024 and/or County, Town, and Special District taxes for the year 2024. The following is a partial listing of the real estate located in school district number(s) 8, 10 in the Town of Hempstead only, upon which tax liens are to be sold, with a brief description of the same by reference to the County Land and Tax Map, the name of the owner or occupant as the same appears on the 2023/2024 tentative assessment roll, and the total amount of such unpaid taxes.
impoRTanT
THE NAMES OF OWNERS SHOWN ON THIS LIST MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE NAMES OF THE PERSONS OWNING THE PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT. SUCH NAMES HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE 2023/2024 TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND MAY DIFFER FROM THE NAMES OF THE OWNERS AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. IT MAY ALSO BE THAT SUCH OWNERS ARE NOMINAL ONLY AND ANOTHER PERSON IS ACTUALLY THE BENEFICIAL OWNER.
Town of HempsTead scHool:8 RoosevelT Ufsd
ALL BUSINESS CONSULTANTS INC 11,993.84
55342 00470
PORTER JR WILLARD & CORRINE 2,183.75
55346 02370
JONES SHARON A 4,407.75
55346 02380
GANTT LEROY 762.72
55348 00610
ROBINSON CE 7,702.77
55349 02190
WYNN JAMES H & MARY L 4,199.95
55359 00780
ROYSTER ANNIE F LIFE ESTATE 3,607.95
55406 03860
MACPHERSON WALTER A 2,824.21
55412 01240
TEMPLETON MABEL T 13,123.01
55412 01340
175 NASSAU ROAD HOLDING INC 31,549.40
55413 01920
96 CENTENNIAL CORPORATION 2,007.37
55415 00470
ROOTS PATRICIA 12,267.61
55415 02430
WHITLEY DEMEIAKO 12,678.20
55415 02450
20 W CONTENNIAL LLC 28,566.56
55415 02730
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 3,830.17
55418 01010
SAMUEL EMMETT 2,460.04
55421 01990 199-200
BLUE ROCK CAPITAL HOLDINGS LLC 7,141.53
55422 01740 174-175
JACKSON, SHANAI 5,560.35
55423 00040
BROWN KHAVIL 3,821.69
55425 01450 145,147,146A,146B
CAMPBELL SAMUEL & DAISY 2,793.68
55427 00340 34-35
CASTRO CARLOS V 771.05
55427 00470
JACKSON JOHN A & MATTIE 37,437.14
55440 01640
BOURNE JOSEPHINE 4,763.02
55440 01670
WILLIAMS ALVIN & ERIC 12,896.96
55440 01760 176
ALVES DAVID 2,956.53
55442 01260 126-127
WILSON MARY H LIFE ESTATE 9,839.92
55442 02510
HARVEY BESSIE 3,455.91
55443 01240 124-125
PERALTA BERNARDO A 2,285.44
55443 01600 160-161
URBINA JESSIKA & URBINA RAFAEL 10,898.97
55444 00440 44-45
ALMONOR HELAIN & MARIE 2,945.08
55449 02730
JENKINS JR HERBERT L & TERESA 12,267.61
55452 00790 79-80
STEVENSON JR ELVIN & NANCY 873.74 55454 00330
WYCHE DELORES MAE 1,287.29
55454 02310 231,428
STEVENSON JR ELVIN & NANCY 10,875.41 55454 04270
FUENTES CARLOS 12,301.80
55454 05050
ROGERS DORIS 13,294.11
55459 02890 289-292
LADSON YVONNE & LADSON LEROY (J 10,830.53
55460 01720
LOWE LE W MAHONEY JR, R 7,491.04
55469 00530 53-55
CHAPMAN MARJORIE 2,635.33
55476 00090 9,505 119 EAST PENNYWOOD AVENUE LLC 12,028.09
55478 04190 419,421,424
GOWIE MAE ELAINE 379.77
55478 04220
GOWIE MAE ELAINE 634.21
55478 04230
RAMSEY MYRTLE LE 8,247.03
55479 05150 515-517
LIGHTFOOT MELVIN & WILLIE M 2,253.10
55480 05960
33 GRAND AVENUE CORPORATION 10,556.78
55483 02510 251-254
LUO SHUANG LIN & HUANG XIAO GUA 11,857.03
55489 00190
Public Notices
Continued from previous page
54038 01990
54039 00050 5,50
54039 02540
CHRISTOPHER AGAM & JOYCE
54041 00790 79-80-81 CURRIE HONORA SMITH
54045 00670 67-69 1144 ATLANTIC AVE BALDWIN LLC
54046 00590
54099 00240 GRIMM WILLIAM &
54101 01130 113-114 TRC GRAND HOLDING CORP
54102 00190 D &
54103 03320
54107 00560 56-57
54108 00100
54524 00690 OKIN
54524 00720
01020
SKIDMORE EVELYN D 4,364.97 54536 30880 3088-3089
APPLEBAUM MITCHELL & ELAINE 6,779.28 54537 00020
YANG DEQUAN & ZHU MIN 2,286.07 54537 00050
WADE ALVIN
54552 00150
STONE WAH 51619 LLC 12,203.67 54553 00060
CLEMENT JUSTIN G & DENISE 10,183.30 54553 00140
PASCONE RICHARD & FLORENCE 2,281.18 54555 00080
GORDON JEAN ROBERT 18,835.42 54561 00130
VANLIEW JEANETTE & NOBLE DANNY 2,695.95 54563 00040
WEISSMAN ALAN & BARBARA 15,952.12 54564 00050
PRAKASH AJAI & SWARN 6,548.26 54574 00140
PANTON SILVIA 9,490.54 54575 00140
MCGINLEY RYAN & KERRI 6,375.91
54576 00220
SCHEIGE CONRAD & GERTRUDE 13,883.40
54580 00020
BARNES ROHAN 18,518.95
54582 00300
SPAULDING TORI TRUST 9,938.11
54582 00350
LASHLEY THALIA 2,256.77
54586 00030
GOLDSTEIN FAMILY TRUST 19,330.84
54590 00130
MITCHEL BARRY 3,100.97 54591 00010
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST CO 24,056.81 54591 00170
THOMAS CURT & JACINTA 2,617.89
54592 00090
BOYLE DANIEL & CINDY 4,501.97
54594 00200
BAPTIST EARLENE 1,245.53
55 M 06130
WALSH THOMAS P & MARY ELICE 16,005.70
55 M 07000
BENN MARGARET 884.28
55023 01830
BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOC 12,995.77 55101 00010
MAKHLOUF TRUST 6,677.61
55347 00060
GREEN ADEYEMI & PAMELA 5,940.21
55350 04590
MCLAUGHLIN ELIZABETH 8,726.18 55385 00080
GIBBS DONALD & BEVERLY 16,320.88
55494 00120 12-14
ESCOFFERY VERONICA 10,006.35 55494 0342A 342A,342B
TERMS OF SALE
Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldier’s and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts.
However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.
The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/ or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA), 12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et. seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) receivership.
The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed.
The rate of interest and penalty which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount from which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall beretained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase be of no further effect.
Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale.
Furthermore, as to the bidding,
1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.
2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.
3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.
4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made, in connection with, said bid shall be forfeited. This list includes only tax liens on real estate located in Town of Hempstead. Such other tax liens on real estate are advertised as follows:
Town of HempsTead
Dist 1001
HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK TREND
NEWSDAY
UNIONDALE BEACON Dist 1002
HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK TREND
NEWSDAY
UNIONDALE BEACON Dist 1003
EAST MEADOW HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS
NEWSDAY Dist 1004
BELLMORE HERALD
MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS
NEWSDAY Dist 1005
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS
NEWSDAY
THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 1006
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
SEAFORD HERALD CITIZEN
Public Notices
Continued from previous page
WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN Dist 1007
BELLMORE HERALD
MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1008
BALDWIN HERALD
BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE
HEMPSTEAD BEACON,
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1009
BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE
FREEPORT HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1010
BALDWIN HERALD
BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1011
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
OCEANSIDE TRIBUNE
OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD Dist 1012
MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE Dist 1013
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
VALLEY STREAM HERALD
VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE Dist 1014
FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES
FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU HERALD (FIVE TOWNS)
NEWSDAY Dist 1015
FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES
FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE
JEWISH STAR
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1016
FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD
FRANKLIN SQUARE BULLETIN
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1017
FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER
NEWSDAY Dist 1018
GARDEN CITY NEWS
GARDEN CITY TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEWSDAY Dist 1019
EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE
LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
ROCKAWAY JOURNAL Dist 1020
EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE
LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD Dist 1021
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD
ROCKVILLE CENTRE TRIBUNE Dist 1022
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
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LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT.
NASSAU COUNTY. COMMUNITY LOAN SERVICING, LLC, FKA BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Pltf. vs. HAVCO LLC, et al, Defts. Index #602791/2024. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered July 12, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on February 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 2842 Dahlia Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510 a/k/a Section 54, Block 289, Lot 365. Said property beginning
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CiTy of Glen Cove
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CiTy of lonG BeaCh
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Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities.
Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in braille, large print, audio tape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 13715.
Dated: February 05, 2025 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER MINEOLA, NEW YORK 1288753
at the corner formed by the intersection of the southerly side of Church Street with the westerly side of Dahlia Avenue, being a plot 88.25 ft. x 77.73 ft. x 103.63 ft. x 58.87 ft. Approximate amount of judgment is $676,638.17 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. CHRISTINE M. GRILLO, Referee. DEROSE & SURICO, Attys. for Pltf., 213-44 38th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361. #102033 150937
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF GCAT 2019-RPL1 TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. THOMAS T. REILEY, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 29, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court
Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 18, 2025 at 4:00 p.m., premises known as 3374 Colony Drive, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 345 and Lot 24. Approximate amount of judgment is $839,978.41 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #607302/2022. Cash will not be accepted.
Judy Griffin Marks victory with community celebration
New York State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin felt that hosting another swearing-in ceremony seemed “very repetitive,” having already taken her oath of office in 2019. Instead, she opted for a different approach—one that reaffirmed her commitment to serving the constituents of the 21st Assembly District.
A packed crowd gathered at the New York Elks Lodge No. 1 in Lynbrook on Sunday, Jan. 27, to celebrate her return to Albany. Among those in attendance were U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, State Senator Siela Bynoe, Legislator Scott Davis, Legislator Seth Koslow, and Freeport Deputy Mayor Jorge Martinez.
Destiny House Christian Center, of Freeport, Pastor Pepper Martin led the invocation, while Pastor Joseph Browne offered the closing prayer.
Laura Mallay, president of the South Hempstead Civic Association was also in attendance.
“It has been my pleasure to dive in and begin representing AD21 again. I was eager to pick up where I left off and come back even stronger with a refreshed perspective.” Griffin said. “That’s why it was important to me to have an event like this — where we can eat, drink some coffee and appreciate one another. Together, we can tackle challenges head-on and create new opportunities for our community.”
“I’m grateful for the meaningful remarks of my good friends, Kevin Mullick, Matty Aracich and Leslie Rose. When I thought of doing this, I asked the three of them to speak, because they represent what matters most—public safety, organized labor, career opportunity and education. These are top priorities for all of us,” Griffin said.
“Throughout my time in office, I’ve appreciated their encouragement, guidance, and support,” Griffin continued. “It was helpful to have all of them championing me, always at my side, whether in office or out of office, and in the campaign to get back to office.”
Each of the keynote speakers emphasized Griffin’s dedication to public service and her commitment to supporting education, labor, and public safety. She also announced her sponsorship of a bill for peer support for police officers statewide, which was initiated by the Nassau County PBA.
“Mental health is a huge issue for everybody, but it is really a serious issue for police officers throughout Long Island, Nassau County and our state,” Griffin said. “I was really proud to take on this bill and I am honored to champion it and get it passed.”
The ceremony included a performance of the national anthem by Heather Cuevas and Sophia Bracco of Rockville Centre, along with participation from Malverne Girl Scout Troops 2237 and 2562.
Griffin took her official oath alongside her family, with Mike Caplice of New York State Comptroller Thomas
Public Notices
Cary D. Kessler, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 150983
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY. DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, FOR CARRINGTON MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2005-NC1 ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, Pltf. vs. ALISON KUPISZ, et al, Defts. Index #7427/2012. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale dated Feb. 5, 2019 and order appointing substitute referee dated March 24, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Dr., Mineola, NY on March 11, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a 2164 Grove St., Baldwin, NY 11510. Said property located at the corner formed by the intersection of the northerly side of Brooklyn Ave. with the westerly side of Grove St., being
x
Approx. amt. of judgment is $619,491.71 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and
DiNapoli’s office officiating.
Following the oath, she expressed gratitude to those who supported her and introduced her staff, acknowledging their dedication.
“My victory wasn’t just my victory, it was a victory for all of us,” Griffin said.
“This victory reflects our shared vision for a more prosperous, safer, cleaner and affordable Long Island.”
“It isn’t easy to make a comeback, but your breadth of support, volunteerism, and endorsements helped pave the way,”
Assemblyman Noah Burroughs, State Senator Siela Bynoe, U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray, Nassau County Legislator Scott Davis and Valley Stream Trustee Kevin Waszak.
she continued. “This seat isn’t my seat, I just have the honor and privilege of representing all of you.”
“I pledge to represent all constituents, embrace our diversity and work tirelessly to address the pressing issues that matter most to our district. I am committed to ensuring that Long Island remains a great place to live, work, raise a family and even retire.”
— Mohammad Rafiq
Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and Matty Aracich, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties.
Photos courtesy office of Judy Griffin
Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, center, surrounded by family takes her oath of office at the New York Elks Lodge in Lynbrook.
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Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
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Do we have beams we don’t need?
Q. We were meeting with our contractor during our home reconstruction, literally tearing the entire house apart and adding a floor. He introduced his “framer,” who was polite but left us with concern. He said the beams going across our house were “overkill.” The beams support a new balcony and high ceilings, so our foyer and living room are two stories tall, very dramatic, and we love what our architect did. We started wondering if we had overpaid for beams that maybe we didn’t need, since the framer said the structure was much more than necessary. Should we ask our architect for an explanation, or just let it go? Construction isn’t cheap, and we understand that, but there is concern about spending more than needed. What do you suggest?
A. Let it go. What you’re experiencing is common and frustrating to hear, because there are so many aspects to designing a building, and I wonder if your framer understands. For example, beams are designed for much more than carrying material loads. Roof beams must carry what we call “dead” loads as well as “live” loads, such as wind and heavy snow.
I have asked framers who have made these statements if they were aware of the several different code-required load capacities a beam is subjected to, to which they either answer, honestly, that they aren’t sure, or make remarks like, “Well, that’s your job,” or “I just know this is overkill.” They just know. And they probably don’t, or they could explain.
Wind impacts buildings in many ways, and is considered a load with multiple effects, requiring calculations, for your safety, to keep the walls and roof from tearing away, or lifting off the house, or crushing down on you in a push-and-pull manner that wind naturally has. Then there are connectors to attach everything. These braces, stirrups and saddles keep structure from pulling apart, but each type comes with engineered calculations.
We often start selecting beams, rafters and joist sizes based on stringent energy codes, which dictate that you must have certain thicknesses of insulation, to prevent heat from escaping quickly or causing your air conditioning to work constantly from heat migrating inward. If you choose the more expensive compact foam insulation, which has greater resistance per inch to heat gain and loss, then we can sometimes reduce the size of some structure. But if you choose less costly fiberglass insulation, which looks like cotton candy, the structure must be deeper, taller, larger — however you can describe it — to accommodate the required insulation thickness.
Larger rafters and joists weigh more, and their angled end cuts require deeper-sized beams to join them. So now you know part of why those beams probably aren’t “overkill,” and why your framer should do a different kind of “home-work” before professing his knowledge. A building is a large jigsaw puzzle of custom parts, and “under-kill” can lead to disaster. Will the framer be there to take responsibility? Good luck!
© 2025 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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opinions
An inauguration that was decidedly different
Last month I traveled to Washington, joining many Nassau County Republicans, including County Executive Bruce Blakeman and GOP Chairman Joe Cairo, to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as our 47th president. Beginning with Richard Nixon’s second inaugural in 1972, I had attended 10 previous ones, seven of them during my 28 years in Congress.
This year’s event was certainly memorable, and not just because the tundra-like weather forced the ceremony indoors. From the moment I arrived at the historic Mayflower Hotel, where many of New York’s elected officials and party leaders were staying, I was struck by the extraordinary level of excitement, enthusiasm and hope. This was significantly different from Trump’s first inaugural in 2017, when, though he had many strong supporters, there was an air of uncertainty about whether his administration would hit the ground running. There had been multiple leaks from the Trump camp and a number of his top cabinet officials, like Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, had no previous
connection to Trump or any political or governmental experience.
This time around, Trump was striding into Washington as a conquering hero who had made the greatest political comeback of any president in history. And he was as prepared for action as any of his predecessors. There was no doubt he would hit the ground running.
The cold and the intense security made getting around Washington more difficult than I remember for any previous inauguration. Cairo and I were in a car for almost two hours, encountering constant roadblocks and rerouting as we tried to get to a Newsmax event at the relatively nearby Andrew Mellon Auditorium, before we gave up and returned to the Mayflower, where New York was staging its Inaugural Party, featuring Elise Stefanik, the upstate congresswoman and the nominee for ambassador to the United Nations.
old friends and prominent officials gathered to reminisce and share the latest news and rumors.
Trump’s inaugural address was truly unique. No president has ever been so direct or detailed, as he laid out the specifics of his agenda and the myriad executive orders he would be issuing on everything from border security to energy production. He was unsparing in his criticism of what he saw as the terrible failings of the Biden administration — all of this as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris sat just several feet away.
iwas struck by the extraordinary excitement, enthusiasm and hope.
But none of this dampened the spirit of hope and optimism. The Mayflower event, the day before the inauguration, drew an overflow crowd of hundreds, who heard powerful speeches from EPA nominee Lee Zeldin, Congressman Mike Lawler and Blakeman. And there was always action in the hotel lobby, as
Ordinarily I would consider it wrong to disrespect a former president at an inaugural ceremony, but these are not ordinary times. Trump strongly believes that the Biden administration and its allies abused the legal system in attempts to destroy Trump with criminal prosecutions and bankrupt him and his family. Ironically, Trump didn’t know that just moments before his term expired, Biden had pardoned five members of his family.
The main impact of Trump’s address was that he would do all he could to change the direction of the country. The days of woke progressivism were over.
After the ceremonies, the president went to the Capitol One Arena for an
indoor version of the inaugural parade. I was particularly proud that one of the bands taking part was the NYPD Pipes & Drums. By some mistake, the band hadn’t been included in the original lineup, but when its leaders came to me just weeks before the inauguration, I was able to reach out to the Trump team and get it done.
The almost frenetic energy of the inauguration continued in the days that followed, as Trump signed one executive order after another. (While I strongly agreed with most of them, I believe it was wrong to issue blanket pardons to those who carried out violence against police officers and other law enforcement on Jan. 6, 2021. Despite all the injustice carried out by the Justice Department against Trump, and the department’s failure to prosecute violent rioters on the left, these pardons cannot be defended.)
Trump has promised America a new Golden Age — an age in which American economic, diplomatic and military power will be respected around the world. An America where we will no longer be subject to government censorship and strangling bureaucratic regulations or be defined by race, religion or sexual preference. If he succeeds, it will indeed be an American Golden Age!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Cleaning the 2024 slate is comforting
The beginning of a new year is a chance to clean the slate from 2024 and to look ahead to more positive things. If you have your health, when you aren’t at work, it’s a chance to enjoy taking long walks, squeezing in a vacation and maybe finding a good book to read. But to erase the 2024 board clean, it’s important to get some things off my chest. One of my pet peeves is our national airline system. These days it costs a lot of money to travel almost anywhere in the United States, and we’re often treated like cattle, unless you fly first class. Boarding the plane can be demeaning, and the seats are uncomfortable. For a round-trip costing $800, asking for an extra bag of pretzels shouldn’t be a big deal, but I’ve had a
few turn-downs on flights to Florida.
My wife has designated me the family shopper, and I don’t mind the periodic trips to the supermarket. My parents had a grocery store, so I know how to move quickly from aisle to aisle. I’m sure many readers have heard the term “shrinkflation,” which is rampant in supermarkets. Almost every item weighs less and costs more. My favorite boxes of cereal not only weigh half as much, but their contents don’t taste anything like they did when I was a child. Especially Kix and Rice Krispies.
Tgains are anything but.
o get a fresh start in the new year, it’s important to get some things off my chest.
Department store shopping was once an adventure. You could go from floor to floor, and it would take hours to go from the ground floor to the top. The shelves were once stacked with many interesting items, and the quality of the merchandise was pretty good. These days, though, there seem to be many less items for sale, and the so-called bar-
I’ve been a loyal Yankees fan for as long as I can remember. I try to get to at least two or three games a season, but the ticket prices can be staggering. I truly feel bad for a family with young kids who make an annual trip to the ballpark. The hot dogs, pizza and ice cream are costly, and if the kids want a few souvenirs, the outing can costs hundreds of dollars. Baseball owners need the revenues to pay high-priced players, but not everyone can afford to be a talent sponsor.
Going to a movie isn’t what it used to be, either. I recall childhood trips to theaters with my parents that were affordable and frequent. Once upon a time, theatergoers would even get some type of premium for buying a ticket. A movie ticket today can cost over $20, and if you and your companion want popcorn, candy or soda, the price of this night out is pretty high.
There are more things that bug me. I look at Facebook from time to time because it’s nice to see people celebrating happy occasions, but there is no shortage of party-poopers who insist on posting political barbs that are of no interest to most viewers. We’ve just survived a period of intense political bickering, and I’m not anxious to see a Facebook testimonial to a politician who my crazy uncle worships.
I have bad feelings about a lot of people both in and out of the political arena, but we’ll save that for another time. There are things going on right now that I could talk about for hours. I’ve chosen the things that upset all of my friends and neighbors as well, with little or no dissent. I’m sure I skipped over some of your annoyances, but I have a whole year to write about them.
Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
JERRY KREMER
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HERALD
GDialing up a possible cellphone plan
ov. Kathy Hochul’s newly unveiled plan to restrict smartphone use in schools across New York state has sparked robust discussion among educators, parents and policymakers.
With the goal of creating distractionfree learning environments, the proposal would direct schools to limit cellphone use throughout the school day while providing practical solutions for communication and storage. The initiative has notable advantages as well as challenges, warranting careful consideration as it moves forward and is considered by the State Legislature.
The primary argument in favor of Hochul’s plan is the undeniable distraction that the phones pose to students. Research consistently shows that smartphones can impede focus, reduce academic performance and foster excessive screen time. By eliminating unsanctioned use of the devices, students would be expected to engage more deeply with their lessons and their peers, improving their classroom experience, their grades and their interpersonal skills.
Hochul’s thinking also aligns with growing concerns about youth mental health. Excessive smartphone use, particularly on social media, has been linked to anxiety, depression and reduced self-esteem among adolescents. The governor’s effort builds on her earlier success in regulating addictive social media feeds for minors, emphasizing the state’s commitment to protecting the mental well-being of its youth.
The proposal also addresses safety concerns, a priority highlighted by law
letters
Randi shares the joy of books
To the Editor:
enforcement experts. Distracted students are more vulnerable to accidents and less likely to be aware of their surroundings during emergencies. A focus on reducing these distractions could enhance student safety.
Allocating $13.5 million for smartphone storage solutions — such as pouches or cubbies — would ensure that schools, regardless of budget constraints, have access to the resources needed to implement the plan.
Despite its merits, however, the proposal raises several concerns. Chief among them is the potential challenge of enforcing the restrictions uniformly across diverse school settings. Administrators and teachers may find it difficult to monitor compliance, especially in larger schools with limited staff.
The plan also risks alienating students and parents who view cellphones as essential tools for communication and personal safety. While the initiative includes provisions for parents to contact their children during the school day, it may not fully address the anxieties of those who rely on immediate connectivity, particularly in emergencies.
Another issue is the reliance on alternative devices, such as school-issued tablets and laptops, for instruction. While these tools are permitted under the plan, they, too, can be distractions if not properly managed. Critics of Hochul’s plan argue that simply replacing smartphones with other internet-enabled devices may not fully eliminate the problem of divided attention in classrooms.
Exemptions outlined in the proposal — such as those for medical needs or individualized education programs —
Re Randi Kreiss’s recent column, “When was the last time you read a book?”: As she stated, one of the great joys in life is having a wonderful book to read. I never go anywhere without one. I taught English on the junior and high school levels on Long Island for 39 years, and I loved it. I would do it all over again.
The exciting discussions I had with my students triggered by great literature were priceless. I loved teaching “Of Mice and Men”; “The Picture of Dorian Gray”; “Romeo and Juliet”; “The Great Gatsby”; my nominee for the greatest novel of all, “To Kill a Mockingbird”; and many others.
Randi’s statement that in some of the country’s “elite” colleges, many students are neither willing nor able to read the books they are assigned is scary. What does that bode for our future leaders? And presently we have one in the White House who I’ll bet has never read a complete book, including our Constitution.
I belong to a book club in which we read mostly nonfiction and sports, but I also enjoy mysteries and detective novels. I
highlight the necessity of accommodating diverse student populations. Ensuring that these exemptions are applied fairly and without reinforcing stigmas, however, could add complexity to the plan’s implementation.
A strength of the proposal is its flexibility, allowing schools to design their own storage and implementation strategies. This autonomy acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all approach may not work across New York’s varied educational landscapes. However, the success of this flexibility hinges on clear guidelines and adequate support from the state to help schools navigate potential challenges.
The plan’s focus on equity, including ensuring that students without internetenabled devices are not disadvantaged, demonstrates an awareness of the broader implications of digital access. This consideration is crucial in preventing unintended disparities.
Hochul’s proposal is a bold step toward addressing the challenges of the digital age in education. While its goals are commendable —enhancing focus, promoting mental health and improving safety — it must carefully navigate the concerns of enforcement, equity and parental confidence.
As the state prepares to roll out the measure by the 2025-26 school year, ongoing collaboration with educators, parents and students will be essential to refine it, and ensure its effectiveness. With a proper balance of structure and flexibility, the initiative has the potential to foster a more focused, healthier and distraction-free learning environment for New York’s students.
Long Island gets shortchanged on transportation funding
over a decade ago, the Long Island Regional Planning Council recognized a critical issue: Long Island’s transportation funding and planning processes were failing to meet the growing demands of our region. In response, we proposed the creation of a dedicated Nassau-Suffolk Metropolitan Planning Organization. Unfortunately, that never happened. Now, 10 years later, the situation has worsened, and investment in transportation on Long Island continues to be shortchanged.
JoHn D. Cameron Jr.
Long Island’s share of transportation funding has steadily declined, a trend that has become more alarming over time. Today, the region receives just 6 percent of the money allocated by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, which primarily serves the interests of New York City. Long Island is forced to compete for resources with the city, leaving our region underfunded and unable to meet its infrastructure needs. This funding disparity is particularly troubling given Long Island’s economic significance. As New York state’s second-largest economic engine, Long
Island plays a crucial role in its financial health. Each year, Long Island sends nearly $15 billion more in tax payments to Albany than it gets back, and an additional $27 billion to Washington. The state’s tax imbalance with Long Island has doubled over the past decade, worsening an already unsustainable situation. If left unaddressed, it threatens Long Island’s economy and its ability to sustain residents’ high quality of life.
and crucial projects remain sidelined due to a lack of funding and prioritization.
The consequences of this inequity are visible in our daily lives. Congested highways, deteriorating bridges and inadequate public transportation aren’t just inconvenient; they hinder economic growth, erode quality of life and compromise public safety. Crucial projects aimed at addressing these issues — from modernizing the Long Island Rail Road to alleviating notorious traffic bottlenecks — remain sidelined due to a lack of funding and prioritization. The current system is failing, and the need for change has never been more urgent.
One of the most effective ways to address this problem is by establishing a Nassau-Suffolk MPO, which would allow Long Island to apply directly for federal transportation funds. It would bypass the bureaucratic delays at the state level, ensuring that funding is allocated
Letters
am currently reading “All the Sinners Bleed,” by S.A. Cosby. A sheriff in Charon County, Virginia, with a very unpleasant case. Cosby is a terrific writer. Thanks to Randi for her other suggestions. I hope she has fun teaching the class.
JIM HAWkINS Baldwin
Randi’s given me some catching up to do
To the Editor:
I’ve been reading Randi’s columns in the Herald for years, and enjoying her take on everything, as well as her style. I am 81. Been reading since I was a single digit. My first novel was “Black Beauty,” by Anna Sewell, which I read when I was about 7.
I’ve read 135 books in each of the past two years, and I’m going to look into all the books in Randi’s curriculum, because I find I’ve read maybe one, “Of Mice and Men,” when I was way younger. Lol. No matter what, I’m going to tackle her list. I hope they don’t have to be read in that order, because I’ve chosen “The Wren, the Wren” to be my first.
RINA COHEN East Meadow
to projects that best meet our region’s needs. Smaller areas, such as Ithaca, have had their own MPOs for years and have benefited significantly from direct access to funding. Long Island, with a population of nearly 3 million and an economy that rivals that of many states, deserves to be treated with the same attention and respect.
The need for a NassauSuffolk MPO extends beyond simply fixing roads and bridges. It’s about taking control of our region’s future and ensuring that its transportation infrastructure supports longterm economic growth and innovation. In today’s global economy, transportation is the backbone of a thriving region. Without a dedicated MPO, Long Island’s potential for growth is stifled, and the region risks falling further behind in an increasingly competitive landscape.
The Long Island Regional Planning Council first raised this issue because we understood the long-term consequences of continued disinvestment. Over the past decade, those consequences have become painfully clear. Our transportation infrastructure is deteriorating, and other critical areas of need, such as affordable housing and the modernization of water systems, roads, bridges and power grids, remain neglected. These issues require both
state and federal support, and Long Island’s fair share of transportation funding is a critical first step in addressing them.
Thankfully, there is hope for change. Thanks to the leadership of State Sen. Monica Martinez and Assemblyman Steve Stern, legislation has been introduced to establish a Nassau-Suffolk MPO. This is a significant step toward securing that transportation funding. It would give our region the ability to prioritize projects that are critical to our local economy and residents, ensuring that Long Island’s transportation needs are no longer overshadowed by the priorities of New York City or other areas of the state.
The establishment of a Nassau-Suffolk MPO wouldn’t be just a policy change — it would be a commitment to the future of our region. Long Island deserves safe roads, efficient public transit and infrastructure that supports economic growth and opportunity. We have waited long enough. The time for action is now.
Long Island has the potential to be a leading force in the state’s economy, but that potential cannot be realized without the right infrastructure. Establishing a Nassau-Suffolk MPO is a critical step in ensuring that Long Island receives the resources it needs to thrive. It’s time for our region to earn its fair share.
John D. Cameron Jr. is chairman of the Long Island Regional Planning Council.
Clavin’s ‘poorly handled,’ double-digit tax increase
To the Editor:
Town Supervisor Don Clavin’s proposed 12.1 percent property tax increase for 2025 represents a glaring failure of financial management. This steep hike places an unreasonable and unnecessary burden on the residents of the Town of Hempstead.
Such a dramatic increase reflects Clavin’s inability to implement sound, long-term financial planning. A more responsible approach would have been to distribute any necessary increases gradually over several years, avoiding the current financial strain on our community.
What is even more troubling than the tax hike itself is the lack of proper notice for town residents. Clavin’s administration failed to adequately inform citizens through mail, email or social media about this significant change. Ironically, the same administration had no issue filling our mailboxes with partisan mailers on other topics. This lack of transparency and accountability is both surprising and unacceptable.
It’s true that, given the inflationary pressures of recent years, modest tax increases may be necessary to cover ris-
ing costs essential for maintaining services like trash collection, recycling, parks and water management. These are critical responsibilities of our town board. However, many of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet. To impose a sudden, substantial tax hike without sufficient notice is a disservice to the very people the town government is meant to serve.
Clavin owes the residents of the Town of Hempstead not only a detailed explanation, but also a sincere apology for this poorly handled tax increase. Transparency and thoughtful planning should be the standard — not afterthoughts.
Framework by Diane Revinskas
At the Knossos Palace — Crete, Greece
PETROS kROMMIDAS Baldwin
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