At Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, the homework assignment was clear: Watch a movie, and write a persuasive piece about it. Third-grade students above Russell Zurbano, Sebastian Roldan, Laila Andreu, Gabriella Bustrin, Angelina D’Andrea and Luke Giannetta showed off their movie critiquing work.
By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
Nikki Cestaro has seen it all. Over the course of 19 years, Cestaro’s Karma Beauty Studio has seen hundreds of clients, dozens of employees, and a few exceptional events that she shares in her new book, “Super Hairo.”
Nikki is an East Meadow resident whose salon operates in Merrick.
Her book is an autobiography exploring the highs and lows of her hairdressing career with good humor and sincerity.
“I love what I do,” she said.
August. The names of real people featured in her stories have been changed to preserve privacy. In addition to jokes and drama, Nikki also shares her experience as an entrepreneur.
“It’s a little bit of a learning guide for somebody who’s in our industry,” she said. “I go into detail about my old school values; you have to start from the bottom and be part of a team and learn along the way, fail to succeed.”
Joey Cestaro, Nikki’s husband, helps maintain the salon.
NIkkI CEStARo Author, hairdresser
“She gave me her vision for a hair salon, and I went with a buddy of mine,” Joey Cestaro said. “We found a spot, and we built a hair salon exactly how she wanted it.”
By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Eighth Precinct police officers addressed a meeting hosted by the League of Women Voters of East Nassau, which encompasses Bellmore and Merrick, on March 19, providing residents with crime prevention strategies to stay safe in the community.
The officers, who are assigned to the Problem Oriented Policing unit, also discussed their role in the community and their efforts to combat crime.
The policing unit, which works to address quality-of-life concerns and build relationships
with local residents, provided attendees with insights on crime prevention, home security, and recognizing suspicious activity. Officers also shared tips on avoiding scams and reporting neighborhood concerns to law enforcement.
Attending the event were POP officers David Brohman, Robert DiFalco and Christopher Giudice, from the Eighth Precinct. Each Nassau County precinct has a POP unit, Brohman said, to handle ongoing community complaints and concerns.
One such issue is the illegal sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors. POP units collaborate with undercover agents to enforce Project 21,
Nikki’s work in hair care began at 15 as a shampoo assistant, where she quickly found her affinity for working with people. Almost 36 years later, Nikki owns her own salon. The idea of publishing a book originated from Nikki’s daily journaling, reflecting on life changes and relieving her frustrations.
“When I started to journal, it really was just for myself,” she said. “My writing would always make me understand how it was really feeling.”
The book was published in
Joey remembers listening to Nikki’s stories each day and encouraging her to share them with a larger audience. One of the themes that resonated with him was her perseverance.
“The restaurant is the number one toughest business to be in, and the next is a hair salon owner,” he said. “Eighty percent of these go out of business
Continued on page 15
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
IThis Passover, the Chabad Hebrew School of Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh is turning up the heat with the Great Matzah Bake-Off, an event where students will experience the holiday in a whole new way.
n these challenging times, our children need to know that they are part of something much bigger than themselves.
ShImON KRAmER
Chabad Center for Jewish Life
Students will be divided into teams that will compete headto-head in a spirited contest to make the perfect matzah — thin, crispy and just the right shape. A panel of judges will select the best matzah, and one team will earn the title of Ultimate Matzah Masters. Once the flour settles, students will design their own Afikomen bags — which hold Matzah for a Passover seder — decorated with gold leaf, to add a dazzling touch to
their Seder tables.
The Chabad said Passover is more than just the story of the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt — it represents resilience and strength. Matzah is not only a symbol of freedom, but also the bread of faith, reminding participants that unity in belief can help overcome
any challenge. The program aims to empower children to embrace their roots, stand strong in their faith and celebrate the journey of their people.
“Through this event, we’re giving children the tools to understand their heritage and connect with it in a way that’s fun, meaningful and exciting,”
said Rabbi Shimon Kramer of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life. “In these challenging times, our children need to know that they are part of something much bigger than themselves — a nation that has stood together through thick and thin, bound by faith and united by purpose. This program will leave children feeling empowered, proud and more connected to their Jewish identity.”
The event will take place on Sunday, April 6, and Wednesday, April 9, at Chabad Hebrew School of MerrickBellmore-Wantagh. It will feature engaging activities, competition and meaningful lessons designed to inspire pride and excitement.
“Passover is about celebrating our freedom and strength as a people, and this program does just that — with a twist,” Kramer said. “In a time when unity and faith are more important than ever, this event will empower children to connect with their heritage, understand the power of our traditions and leave with a deep sense of pride in who they are.”
The Great Matzah Bake-Off is open to Jewish children ages 5 to 11 who are not current students, with prior registration required. To register, email chs@chabadjewishlife.org or call (516) 833-3057 ext. 106.
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
The Bellmore Merrick Roller Hockey League will celebrate its 45th anniversary next week, bringing the community together to honor its rich history and the dedicated leaders who helped shape the league from the very beginning.
IDave Manara, president of the league and son of one of its founders, Ted, told the Herald his dad helped form the Bellmore-Merrick Youth Association, or BMYA, in 1980. The association organized athletics for football and softball players, and it later grew to include roller hockey. Manara said at some point around 1985, the youth association split from the roller hockey portion, and Bellmore Merrick Roller Hockey became known in the community as BMRH. The league’s directors signed a 99-year lease for the grounds behind Newbridge Road School in North Bellmore, where the roller hockey league is still located today.
have a really good board of directors, their kids are playing, and they’re doing a lot to keep the league going as well.
DAVE MANARA
President Bellmore Merrick Roller Hockey
Throughout the years, the league has grown its facilities and expanded in popularity in the community. Efforts have been entirely coordinated by volunteers, and today, many of the league’s directors are league alumni with children who are part of BMRH.
“I grew up playing there, from age 4 or 5 to high school,” Manara said. “Even today, it’s still a big hockey community. A lot of people on the board have had one, two, three children that have already graduated, and they’re still working to keep the league going. It’s not just a youth sports league — it’s a community that we’ve really built up.”
The league is split into three divisions, beginning with freshman, which includes players in grades firstthrough fifth-grade; sophomores in grades sixth through eighth; and seniors in grades ninth through twelfth. Manara said players of all skills levels are welcome to take part in the league and learn the game, and the league also offers clinics to get younger players — but really those of all ages — used to skating and learning the basics of the game.
Registration fees are relatively low cost, Manara said. It’s $199 for 10 games, plus playoffs. Games are played during the league’s spring season, which runs from mid-March through June, and the fall season, which starts in September and ends towards mid-tolate December. Summer programs include clinics for beginners and an advanced clinic in the evenings for longtime players.
“We take kids of all different skill levels — it’s not an all-star team, or you have to try out to be in the league,” he said. “Anyone that wants to play roller hockey, you can just sign up for the league and do so.”
Bellmore Merrick Roller Hockey is also co-educational — and its always been that way. There weren’t as many girl players in the league’s early days, but that has changed over the years, Manara said. “We encourage them to play,” he said, “and I love it, because they’re playing with the boys.”
Manara’s father, Ted, died last year after a battle with dementia and Parkinson’s disease. In his honor, the league’s board of directors surprised Manara and his family with a plaque in honor, hung up at a small snack booth at the league’s facilities in Bellmore. A larger token to Ted will be unveiled on April 11 during a 45th anniversary celebration, and the rink will also be renamed in his honor.
At the celebration, non-competitive exhibitions games will be played, and there will be a barbecue and
Bellmore Merrick Roller Hockey is celebrating its 45th anniversary, honoring the players, league founders and league directors that have helped it thrive throughout the years.
additional activities for players to take part in. The event is slated to begin at 6 p.m.
Overall, Manara said, the event will celebrate the league’s longevity and those who have helped it survive and thrive.
“I’m very humble, because that’s how my dad made me,” he said. “Even if he was here, he would never want to take credit. I have a really good board of directors, their kids are playing, and they’re doing a lot to keep the league going as well.”
For more on the league and the upcoming celebration, visit BMRH.org or email info@bmrh.org. The league’s facilities are on Bellmore Avenue, in between Newbridge Road School and Saint Francis Episcopal Church.
Dave Manara is the league’s current president, who told the Herald the league has been successful for so many years thanks to its dedicated board and volunteers.
a celebration on
By REI WOLFSOHN Correspondent
Local nonprofit Your Time for Creative Empowerment held an anti-bullying conference on March 29 at the Merrick Golf Course Clubhouse, a Town of Hempstead facility, to examine the correlations of — and proactive solutions to — bullying.
The conference covered mental and emotional correlations of bullies and those bullied. Local parents reflected on the problem.
“There are some words associated with bullying,” Ira Gerald, a longtime educator and an award-winning school administrator in New York state, said. “Let’s see if you recognize them in your adult life: intimidate, dominate, terrorize, frighten, coerce…If bullying were limited to children, they wouldn’t have harassment laws.”
about your life, about your coping. In your mind you’re really borrowing a little piece from their life and adding to it, using it as a teaching moment.
Organizer Madona Cole-Lacy emphasized another view.
“When the child goes to school to interact with other children, what happens is that child wants to walk out of that group alive,” Cole-Lacy said. “So they tend to gravitate towards negativity. It’s almost like, ‘If I don’t join them, then I’m going to be a victim.’”
Panelists agreed on correlations between mentalemotional states and being a bully.
COOkGaR aRd Conference attendee, nurse practitioner
One key takeaway was that adults should exemplify coping skills for difficulties in life.
“You don’t have to say, ‘How was your day,’ and then tell them, ‘Don’t do this, do that,’” Gerald said. “Tell them stories
“Children that are aggressive, easily frustrated, have less parental involvement, have issues at home, think badly of others, have difficulty following rules, view violence in a positive way, have friends who bully others,” Gerald said. “Wanting to dominate others, improve their social status, having low self-esteem and wanting to feel better about themselves, having a lack of remorse or failing to recognize their behavior as a problem, feeling angry,
The Garard family, attendees to the conference, were honored for their involvement in their children’s lives.
frustrated, jealous or struggling socially, being the victim of bullying themselves.”
This age-old problem plagues certain targets.
“Perceived as different from their peers, such as being overweight, underweight, wearing glasses, different clothing, brand new to a school, light skinned, dark skinned — unable to defend themselves, depressed, anxious, have low self-esteem — they normalize someone mistreating them,” Gerald added.
Clinical social worker and grief recovery specialist Marie Swiderski added perspective.
“It’s a loss of who they were, when things were in a better time for them,” Swiderski said. “A child loses himself, loses his self-esteem. The world can become a very scary place for him. With the right support though, with people caring, it can get a lot better.”
“Bullying can really distort the way a child thinks about themselves, and operates and functions,” Jeanine Cook-Gara-
Ira Gerald, a longtime educator and an award-winning school administrator in New York state, opened Your Time for Creative Empowerment’s anti-bullying conference on March 29.
rd, a nurse practitioner who spent 30 years teaching at Nassau Community College, said. “So I think that children that come to their parents and give them stories about bullying, it is essential that they respond immediately and make sure that there are interventions that are put in place for not just their own child but for all children.”
“Volunteer in your child’s school,” Gerald said. “If I see you every day coming to the school, once a week coming to the school, I’m going to make sure your child is not injured at all.”
Cole-Lacy doesn’t just leave it up to parents. She emphasized involving mental health practitioners, and the organization promotes children standing up for themselves.
“If someone is trying to bully you and you draw your line,” Cole-Lacy said. “And you say, ‘This is who I am. This is who I’m gonna be. Not what this person tells me that I’m going to be.’”
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
Hofstra baseball kicked off the 2025 season on the biggest of stages on Valentine’s Day at defending national champion Tennessee. Fourth-year head coach Frank Catalanotto hopes the opening series weekend where the Pride had an opportunity to play before a crowd of more than 6,000 serves as an omen for another chance to compete in a big-game environment in the NCAA Tournament if the team can capture the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) title.
“It was a great experience going there and playing against the best of the best,” said Catalanotto, who guided Hofstra to the NCAA Tournament in his first season leading the program in 2022 after winning the CAA’s automatic bid. “It was nice playing in front of all those fans.”
Hofstra will have to prove the doubters wrong in order to reach just the school’s second Division NCAA tourney appearance with the Pride picked to fin-
ish ninth in the 12 team CAA) preseason rankings. The Pride began its quest to reach the six-team CAA Tournament to give itself a chance to earn an NCAA bid by taking two of three in a series at Monmouth from March 21-23.
The Pride returned 14 players to its 37-man roster from last year’s 24-33 team that received the sixth seed in the CAA tourney including last season’s leading hitter, junior second baseman Dylan Palmer. The reigning Second Team All-CAA selection hit. .383 as a sophomore and entered the final week of March as the team;s offensive leader again with a .388 average through the first 23 games.
“He’s the same guy day in and day out and very rarely goes into slumps,” said Catalanotto of Palmer. “He’s putting the ball in play and using his legs to get on base and stealing bases so it’s nice to have him there at the top of the lineup to get things going.”
Sophomore shortstop Michael Brown is also shining offensively and was second on the team in hitting with a .300
average in late March. Catalano is also getting offensive production early this season from freshman second baseman Tyler Castrataro, who is also hitting above. 300.
Redshirt junior Tyler Cox, who plays center field, has also emerged as a new lefthanded offensive threat in the lineup after transferring from West Virginia. The Clarke High School product was hitting in .279 as of March 28 and recorded two hits in Hofstra’s 5-2 loss to Fordham on March 19.
“He brings calmness to the team,” said Catalano of Cox, whose Mark Cox was a two-sport standout in football and lacrosse at Hofstra. ‘“He hasn’t even tapped into his potential yet.:”
The pitching staff suffered a blow when 2024 First-Team All-CAA honoree Carlos Martinez was lost for the season. The team regained Tristan Nemjo, a graduate student from Troy, N.Y. who missed last season and has assumed one of the starting pitching spots. The starting rotation for weekend conference games also includes 6-5 junior Jackson
Bauer and 6-1 junior Sean Hamilton.
The bullpen features 6-4 graduate student Danny Kelleher, a Rockville Centre native who has recorded 16 strikeouts in 19 innings of relief work so far. The former South Side High School standout earned the win in Hofstra’s 13-12 win at Monmouth on March 22 after allowing one hit in 2 ⅓ innings.
“He’s been showing a lot of toughness because he’s been hurt and is battling through it,” said Catalano of Kelleher. “I think he is going to help us down the stretch.”
Freshman Michael Heyman is another local bullpen arm who arrived at Hofstra after a stellar high career at Hewlett. He recorded three strikeouts in the late stages of Hofstra’s 16-3 loss at Kent State on March 14.
Hofstra will host its first CAA games of 2025 this weekend for a series against UNC-Wilmington starting Friday. The home conference slate also includes a series against Long Island rival Stony Brook from April 18-20, Elon from May 2-4 and Towson from May 9-11.
Thursday, April 10, 2025
By MICHELLE RABINOVICH sports@liherald.com
No fan bases are more divided than the Rangers, Islanders and Devils.
But on March 23, those bitter rivals, who have spent decades split by hatred and animosity, were bound together by blood, heritage and creed. United under the flag of Israel, draped around many like Superman’s cape, hundreds of spectators came together to watch the Jerusalem Capitals and HC Tel Aviv, the top teams in the Israeli Elite Hockey League (IEHL), as they participate in the USA Challenge Cup at UBS Arena.
“It’s a historic moment for Israeli hockey,” said Jerusalem assistant coach David Warsofsky. “The night in general was a huge success and I hope the fans enjoyed it as much as we did coaching it.”
The event started with IEHL cofounder and co-commissioner Marc Brunengraber greeted spectators with a welcome speech, with the league on the precipice of entering its fifth season later this year. Brunengraber said that the evening’s events were about more than just hockey, but about sharing love for the sport by growing it exponentially over the last five years, a sentence one of the star players harmonized with.
“Four years ago, we played four-onfour and look where we played now, in an NHL arena,” said Jerusalem forward Nikita Zitserman. “It’s just going to go
higher from here.”
“We’re showing everyone how great [Israeli hockey] is,” said Tel Aviv head coach Stuart Gourdji.
Gourdji pointed to the fact that this was an atmosphere unlike anything he’d ever experienced because of the unique mix of the Israeli background of the staff and players, and the same energy from the fans.
“This is a dream, coaching in front of eight thousand people,” he said. “The music and the Israeli flags, you see that a lot in soccer but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen something like that It wasn’t an NHL game as we’re used to it: the Israeli anthem was sung before the Star-Spangled Banner. The Islanders goal horn rang every time the puck found the back of the net, but it wasn’t
fans chanting “Islanders, Islanders, yes, yes, yes” when the home team scored. When Tel Aviv scored, the loud speakers played Tel Aviv by Omer Adam; when Jerusalem scored, the audience was serenaded with Naomi Shemer’s Yerushalayim shel Zahav.
Other than that, it was a typical NHL hockey game: three 20-minute periods and a pair of 20-minute intermissions in between them, junior hockey teams facing off during intermissions, trashtalking before a fight on the ice and penalty minutes in the Sin Bin. Ironically, after both players sat their penalty, they fist bumped each other on their way to the bench.
Nearly 120 combined shots on goal made for a nail-biting game, one that went to overtime until Jerusalem’s Denis Zaychik netted his one-timer in one of the biggest stages he’s ever played on. The Capitals won, 7-6, in overtime.
“Feeling amazing,” Zaychik said, adding the fact that he’s never played in an arena this large before. “Fans of Israel and fans of hockey and together it’s a very good mix.”
“It was my dream since I was a kid,” Zitserman admitted. “I can only remember that I just wished to play in an NHL rink.”
Sports proved to be a unifier once again. Match 23 might have been the most Hebrew that the halls of UBS Arena heard. Sports proved to be a unifier in an increasingly divisive world.
Temple B’nai Torah will honor Rabbi Daniel Bar-Nahum during the weekend of April 4-5, 2025. Rabbi Bar-Nahum, ordained in 2012 by Hebrew Union College, began his Long Island tenure as assistant rabbi, then rabbi, at Temple Emanu-El of East Meadow. He assumed the pulpit at Temple B’nai Torah, in Wantagh, following its merger in 2018. B’Nai Torah serves congregants from Wantagh, Seaford, Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow.
mission in December 2023.
The press is invited to join Rabbi Bar-Nahum for photos and presentations at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 4, at Temple B’nai Torah to congratulate him and recognize his contributions to the Jewish community. A gala dinner in his honor is planned for the evening of April 5. For reservations and more information, contact Ellen Kraut at JAK3555@aol.com.
He has volunteered at the Mexican-Texas border, feeding migrants with Team Brownsville and World Central Kitchen. He also helped transform an unused playground at Temple B’nai Torah into a giving garden run by dedicated community volunteers. Following the Oct. 7 attacks, he facilitated the collection of thousands of dollars in donations, which he helped distribute in Israel during a solidarity
Temple B’nai Torah is a diverse, caring congregation that embraces a progressive and inclusive vision of Reform Judaism through worship, Torah study, and righteous deeds. The temple fosters a multigenerational home by staying connected to its roots while offering spiritual enrichment, Jewish education, and community engagement.
— Jordan Vallone
Elder law estate planning provides for (1) your care in the event you become disabled as you age, and who will be in charge of that care, and (2) the passing of your assets on death to whom you want, when you want, the way you want, with the least amount of taxes and legal fees possible. These are the five steps to creating an elder law estate plan.
Step One: Understanding the Family Dynamics. Clients often overlook the inestimable value of getting to know the family dynamic. We are firm believers that the social goes first and the legal should serve the social. Too often it is the other way around. Once we understand who’s who and everyone’s interpersonal relations with each other, we are far better able to craft a plan that will work socially as well as legally. The failure to address the social aspects has led to many a plan tearing the family apart.
Step Two: Reviewing the Client’s Assets. IRA’s and other “qualified” assets (i.e. tax deferred) are treated quite differently, on death or disability, from “non-qualified” assets. The determination of the amount and value of all assets, who owns them, and whether they have named beneficiaries are of the utmost importance in planning correctly,
including saving legal fees and taxes.
Step Three: Reviewing Existing Estate Planning Documents: Not having been prepared by an elder law estate planning attorney, clients’ documents rarely have adequate provisions to take advantage of the many benefits the law provides for our aging population. Wills instead of trusts have often been prepared either because the client was considerably younger and a trust was not needed or a trust was needed but the general practice lawyer was unfamiliar with the specifics of preparing a trust.
Step Four: Developing the Elder Law Estate Plan. We are now in a position to determine which persons are best suited to handle your legal, financial and medical affairs on disability or death, what type of plan should be used and how the estate should be distributed -- keeping in mind the preservation of harmony in the family.
Step Five: Executing and Maintaining the Plan. Legal documents are explained and executed, assets are retitled and beneficiaries on assets changed in keeping with planning objectives. The client is called in to the law firm every three years to ensure the plan meets the client’s current wishes and conforms with any law changes.
John F. Kennedy High School is set to host Bellmore-Merrick student and families for an exciting night of industry exploration and STEAM activities. This event is sponsored by the JFK Alumni Association, and the fair will bring individuals from various careers, organizations and colleges to speak with the next generation of innovators about college and career opportunities. From roles in medicine and pharmacy to graphic design and environmental science, attendees will gain exposure to a multi-
tude of pathways. There will also be a medical themed Scrabble fundraiser as well as VEX robotics exhibition for students to get involved.
The event will take place on April 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. The medical scrabble fundraiser and VEX Robotics exhibition will begin at 5:15 p.m. Kennedy High school is at 3000 Bellmore Avenue. For more, contact Rob Soel, district STEM chairman, at (516) 992-1444.
— Jordan Vallone
My mother may soon be applying for Medicaid. How does this affect funeral arrangements?
The latest Medicaid regulations now permit individuals to set aside a portion of their assets in an irrevocable trust account in order to have funds for future funeral expenses.
When an individual approaches the time when Medicaid coverage seems likely, social workers generally advise families to look into this funeral pre-funding option.
Here’s how we can help:
• The Family will make an appointment with us to discuss just what we are to do when the death occurs.
• We discuss options and record their wishes not just about preferred funeral home services but cemetery, church, monument inscription, newspaper notices, etc. We inform the family of exactly what the funeral home and third party costs are at the present time.
• Funds to cover those expenses can then deposited in our FDIC insured PRE - PLAN Trust. The Trust pays sufficient interest to allow us to guaranty those future funeral home costs into the future.
• While the funds remain in the name of the individual going on Medicaid, eligibility to receive Medicaid coverage is not affected.
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
I want the community to know that we exist, and I know that Long Island likes to support their veterans.
DANIEL
HERNANDE z
Marine Corps veteran,
Building Homes for Heroes
Building Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to providing mortgagefree homes for injured veterans, first responders, and their families, will host a 5K Walk/Run at Eisenhower Park this spring. The Long Island-based organization which has established itself as a group with a significant national reach is hoping to raise funds and spread awareness for its mission and cause. The nonprofit’s origins trace back to the Sept. 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. Building Homes for Heroes’ founder Andy Pujol, a businessman and philanthropist, volunteered in search and rescue efforts at Ground Zero. As the U.S. responded overseas, Pujol wanted to find a way to support wounded veterans returning from service. Building Homes for Heroes was born with the hope of gifting a single home to a single veteran.
David Weingrad, director of communications for Building Homes for Heroes, said it wasn’t until 2012 when the organization started to get more national recognition, after partnering with larger corporations, allowing the nonprofit to build 25 to 30 homes a year. Over a decade later, the organization celebrated a significant milestone in 2024, when it completed and gifted its 400th home to a veteran.
“In the last few years, we’ve actually reached 40 homes a year, and we have a lofty goal to reach as many as 50 this year, in 2025,” Weingrad said. “We build homes, we modify homes, all free for the veteran. It’s our way of saying thank you to the servicemen and women.”
The organization’s work extends beyond the gift of a home, however.
“The struggles don’t end when they complete their deployment — they still have their whole life to figure out,” Weingrad added. “We support them with financial advisors to get their finances in order, we provide emergency funding if they have emergencies or illnesses in their family and we do team building events to bring all of our veterans together.”
When veterans are gifted homes, a huge ceremony follows, Weingrad explained. “When we gift the home, it’s not just like, ‘Here’s the keys, goodbye,’” he said. “We work with the local community, the local police departments, fire departments, and actually like processions. We invited the community, hand out flags, and it’s really like a welcome home parade.”
When veterans are gifted homes, entire communities get involved. Air Force Captain
home in
It’s been about a decade since Building Homes for Heroes hosted a race on Long Island. The nonprofit was first based out of Valley Stream, but now it has offices in Island Park, where its founder, Pujol, is from. Daniel Hernandez, a veteran who’s worked at Building Homes for Heroes since 2019, said that during the coronavirus pandemic he got into running, and started participating in races around the country while raising money for the nonprofit.
“Two years ago, I ran my first halfmarathon for in Virginia for Building Homes for Heroes,” Hernandez said, “and since then, I pretty much was hooked on running. One day, I was with David, and we were just talking like, ‘Why not set up a race for the company?’ I found that we did one like 10 years ago, and it never became an annal thing. So, I’m really trying my best to make it an annual thing — I want the community to know that we exist, and I know that Long Island likes to support their veterans. This is a great way to have the community come together.”
That hometown visibility is something Building Homes for Heroes is aiming to achieve.
“We are a national organization, but one thing we’ve noticed is that a lot of people on Long Island don’t realize that we’re a homegrown charity,” Weingrad said. “All of the people that work in our Long Island office are from Long Island. So that was part of the inspiration for Danny to do this. We think we’re doing pretty good work, and we just want people to know we’re here, we’re local, we’re part of the community. That’s a big part of helping raise awareness.”
Hernandez, a former U.S. Marine, elaborated as to how he got involved with Building Homes for Heroes — and how it really is making a difference in people’s lives. After high school, he said he joined the Marine reserves, based out of Farmingdale, and ended up going to college through Adelphi University. After seven years, he left the Marine
Corps and began working at a job in Oyster Bay but wasn’t satisfied. After seeing an advertisement for a role with Building Homes for Heroes, he connected with the organization and joined the team.
“I missed the camaraderie,” he said. “Even though I didn’t deploy in my time with the Marines, I thought helping veterans and just being there for them was great.”
Building Homes for Heroes: Honoring Our Heroes 5K Run/Walk is slated to take place on April 12, rain or shine, in Field 2 of Eisenhower Park. There’s a Kids Fun Run at 8 a.m., followed by the main race at 8:30 a.m. When runners
sign up at Events.EliteFeats. com/25HonoringHeroes, there’s an option to donate to the nonprofit. All registrants will receive a free T-shirt, and the top 150 runners will receive a medal.
There’s also plenty of opportunities for businesses to get involved and sponsor the event, which will also draw in more funds for Building Homes for Heroes. Businesses interested can reach out to Hernandez at daniel.hernandez@ buildinghomesforheroes.org.
Building Homes for Heroes is at 4584 Austin Blvd., Island Park. For more on the organization and its work, visit BuildingHomesForHeroes.org.
Building Homes for Heroes, a national nonprofit based on Long Island that provides mortgage-free homes for injured veterans, first responders, and their families, is holding a 5K Run/Walk in April in Eisenhower Park. Daniel Hernandez an avid runner and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has spearheaded the efforts.
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DEBORAH A. KELLY ESQ.
Lawyer
Mejias, Milgrim, Alvarado & Lindo, EDUCATION
CYNTHIA A. AUGELLO
Managing Partner
Augello Law Group
ELDER LAW & ESTATE PLANNING
STEPHANIE D’ANGELO
Owner and Principal Attorney D'Angelo Law Associates, P.C.
STEPHANIE M. KEATING
Partner
Schwartz, Fang & Keating, P.C.
EMPLOYMENT
DISCRIMINATION LAW
MARJORIE MESIDOR
Founding Partner
Mesidor PLLC
ESTATES & TRUSTS
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
SHAYNA E SACKS
Partner
Napoli Shkolnik PLLC
JAMES F. BURDI, ESQ. Partner Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP GUARDIANSHIP
MATTHEW G. KIERNAN, ESQ. Counsel Burner Prudenti Law P.C.
HEALTHCARE
SVETLANA MINEVICH, ESQ
Attorney Minevich Law Group, P C
IMMIGRATION
EDUARDO M. VILLACORTA, ESQ.
Founder Villacorta Law Group, P C
MICHAEL CATALIOTTI, ESQ. Principal Cataliotti Law PC
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) LAW
TRAVIS J. STOCKMAN ESQ. Co-Founder Stockman & Poropat, PLLC
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT
HON RUTH BOGATYROW KRAFT Partner Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP
CHRISTOPHER MARLBOROUGH Principal Attorney The Marlborough Law Firm, P C
CHRISTOPHER J. MORO
Counsel Nixon Peabody LLP
LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION
KATHRYN C. COLE Shareholder Greenberg Traurig, LLP
DANIEL B. RINALDI Of Counsel Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C.
JACQUELINE HAROUNIAN, ESQ. Managing Partner Wisselman Harounian Family Law
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
STEVEN E MILLON, ESQ Partner
Shapiro-Millon
MEDIATION
HON JOSEPH SPINOLA
Mediator
Resolute Systems, LLC
MUNICIPAL LAW
MATTHEW T MCDONOUGH, ESQ CRE
Founding Member
McDonough PLLC
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
LAURETTE D MULRY, ESQ Attorney & Counselor Legal Aid of Suffolk County, Inc
PERSONAL INJURY
JASON A GREENBERG, ESQ Founder JAG Law Group
REAL ESTATE
DAVID ALTMAN
Owner Brown Altman & Dileo, LLP
KEITH P BROWN Partner Brown Altman & Dileo, LLP
ANTHONY A. NOZZOLILLO, ESQ. Chief Legal Counsel
Anthony A. Nozzolillo Esq.
ELLEN N. SAVINO
Partner
Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano PLLC
REAL ESTATE TAX
CHRISTOPHER P. BYRNES
Partner
Schroder & Strom, LLP
JOSEPH C PACKARD Partner Schroder & Strom, LLP
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CRYSTI D. FARRA
Attorney
Crysti D Farra Attorney at Law
WORKER’S COMPENSATION
CATHERINE M. STANTON Sr Partner Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP
SPECIAL AWARDS
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
THOMAS A KENNIFF
Founding Partner Raiser & Kenniff P C
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
NICHOLAS PAPAIN
Member & Director
Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C.
RISING STARS
SAMUEL L. BIFULCO
Associate Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano PLLC
HARRY BRAR
Paralegal
Raiser & Kenniff P.C.
KRISTINE GARCIA-ELLIOT
Associate Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP
PHILIP RIZZUTO IV
Associate The Rizzuto Law Firm
TOP BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM
ZACHARY I. RIYAZ
Principal The Law Offices of Zachary I. Riyaz,
NIXON PEABODY LLP
TOP LAW FIRM (11-50 EMPLOYEES)
VISHNICK MCGOVERN MILIZIO LLP TOP LAW FIRM (75+ EMPLOYEES)
TOP TAX CERTIORARI LAW FIRM
SCHRODER & STROM, LLP
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Continuing a series of interviews with influential area women. Lisa Burch is president and chief executive of the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies.
Herald: Tell me about yourself.
Burch: I have a master’s degree in public health education and have worked in the nonprofit space my entire career. I always knew I wanted to do something in the helping profession, so I started working to help women who were victims of domestic violence in college. Throughout my career, I’ve moved into different positions related to other types of helping fields — substance use, counseling, health education, criminal justice, mental health. I’ve always wanted to be in a position where I knew that the work I was doing was impacting and improving people’s lives.
Herald: As CEO, what you do?
Burch: My role is to make sure that the organization is stable and following guidelines and regulations. When I first started this position, not a lot of people had heard of EPIC Long Island despite it being around since 1953, so part of my job as the CEO was to get our name out there and the work that we do. There are always going to be individuals with
intellectual and developmental disabilities, individuals struggling with mental health and substance use, and individuals who have epilepsy. We provide group homes and day programs where people with developmental disabilities can come and socialize. We also provide important counseling, therapy, and treatment to help people deal with lifealtering substance and mental health issues.
Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what keeps you going/inspires you?
Burch: In my current role, some challenges are with donor fatigue, people not knowing how to support organizations or how to spread their resources among various organizations. Donors are what help our organization grow. It doesn’t deter the work, because all I have to do is leave my office and go downstairs to our day program, where we have around 150 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities come every day who are just happy to be here and happy to see each other. It reminds me why I’m here and why I put up with some of the struggles that keep coming our way.
Herald: What have been the proudest moments in your life?
Burch: On a personal level, watching
my children grow up and develop as humans has been the greatest joy. Professionally, I’ve spent a lot of time mentoring young women, in particular, and trying to encourage them and help them grow personally and professionally in their careers. At EPIC Long Island, my goal is to bring vitality to our organization. People are happy to be here and are really enthusiastic about what we’re doing. I like to think that my presence has had some impact on that.
Herald: What advice do you have to offer? What work is left to be done?
Burch: I think that despite all of the progress we’ve made as women, and especially as women who work outside of the home, there’s still a level of criticism that you’re not doing enough if you aren’t home with your kids, or you’re not doing enough work if you do stay home. That “you can’t have it all” kind of mentality has caused a lot of stress and anxiety, and young women now are still trying to navigate that. I think you can, and it’s just learning how to balance it, and learning who your supporters are, how to rely on people, and giving people the flexibility to be able to do both.
My advice for young women is don’t wait for somebody to give you something. If there’s something you want, go
“Don’t be afraid to take chances” is
Burch’s advice to young women.
out and get it. Don’t be afraid to take chances. Your career is not going to be a stepladder up in one direction. It’s going to be a twisty, windy road, and you should take every single turn that comes at you and embrace it, learn from it, and then just move on to the next.
For more information on EPIC Long Island, go to epicli.org.
By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
Adrienne Esposito is executive director and a cofounder of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a nonprofit organization fighting for stronger environmental policies.
Herald: Tell me about yourself.
Esposito: I grew up in Copiague, and I literally grew up with one foot in the water and one foot on the land. As a kid, we went crabbing and fishing and to the beach, and my mom would bring us blueberry-picking in the Pine Barrens. And my dad was a really tremendous fisherman and outdoorsmen, so we grew up on the water. So I think that that really connects you to the natural world and impresses upon you the beauty of it and the need to protect it.
Herald: Why do you do what you do?
Esposito:Citizens Campaign is now a 40-year old environmental and publichealth-protection organization, and we do this because it’s necessary to do. Everybody drinks water, everybody breathes the air, and everybody has to be nurtured from the earth. So we feel that we fill a niche that puts a lot of pressure on government to clean up toxics and prevent contamination from
occurring in the future. Industry and polluters are all lobbying for their own corporate interests, and we counter that by lobbying for the public interest.
Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what keeps you going/inspires you?
Esposito: One challenge was making sure the organization was financially viable. We started 40 years ago, so environmental groups were not as popular as they are today. We survived on $10 donations from the public. It was quite challenging, and we had to be very wise, frugal and efficient.
Also, many times — most times — I was the only woman in the room at meetings and advocating. I would walk into a room not only as a woman, but as a 5-foot-2 woman who was an environmentalist. In some cases there would be snickers and laughing, because they didn’t take me seriously. Luckily, being a little woman was God’s disguise, because I’m very smart, and those around me quickly learned there was nothing to laugh about. I look back at it now, and it makes me chuckle, because there was a lot of arrogance by older men, a lot of ignorance on their part that the world was changing.
Herald: What have been the proudest moments in your life?
Esposito: It’s been that we never give up. To me, there is a big amount of satisfaction knowing you’re representing the public, people who maybe don’t have a voice or are too timid to speak up. So such campaigns as stopping Broadwater, which was a Shell Oil and Trans Canada project — everyone told me I would never win. Everyone told me there was no way an environmental group would win against global fossil-fuel industries. And yet we organized in Connecticut and New York, and we empowered the public to speak up. I remember when we won, I opened my email and hundreds of people emailed me saying how excited they were, and how they cheered in their living room when they heard the news. This is how attached people got to that campaign.
Herald: What advice do you have to offer? What work is left to be done?
Esposito: When I started, the environmental movement was looked down upon as if it was just a bunch of hippies. Now surveys say 88 percent of the public considers themselves environmentalists. We’ve changed the perspective. So what I would say to the young is get off your phone and get out there. Gain skills that allow you to be able to talk to diverse groups of people and fight, fight, fight. Don’t worry about fail-
“Protecting the earth should always be a human health issue,”
ing or people who don’t agree with you. Protecting the earth should always be a human health issue. And do not fall into the trap where it becomes a Democratic or Republican issue. Remember, it’s everyone’s concern.
For more information about Citizens Campaign for the Environment, visit CitizensCampaign.org.
The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.
The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.
To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion
Join us on April 23rd at 6pm for a dynamic webinar to learn how:
What is an Energy Assessment? – Learn about PSEG Long Island’s free energy assessment, what it includes, and how it can help identify energysaving opportunities tailored to your business.
Cut Your Energy Costs – Get expert tips on simple, low-cost ways to start reducing your energy bills immediately.
Maximizing Rebates & Incentives – Explore available rebates and incentives to make energy-efficient upgrades more affordable.
Live Q&A with Energy Experts – Ask questions and get real-time answers from PSEG Long Island specialists on how to optimize your energy efficiency efforts.
in the first year, just it’s a tough business to maintain. She’s been able to do it for 19 years now.”
One stylist has been on the team since the beginning. Krista Billera has been a stylist at Karma Beauty Studio for 19 years.
“I was basically a kid when we opened,” she said. “It’s changed, but it hasn’t. It’s always been warm because we all work together as a family. I always admired the way that she ran her business and the way that she treated us.”
Billera has been a witness to almost all of the stories featured in Nikki’s book.
“It’s been a wild ride,” she said. “I really admire her. She’s been like a mentor to me.”
Pamela Smith is one of Nikki’s most loyal clients.
“I’ve been a client for almost 35 years,” Smith said. “I was using her before she even had a salon. She used to cut hair in my garage. She would cut my son’s hair when he was younger.”
Smith was one of the first readers of Nikki’s book.
“I know most of those stories, and the book is very funny,” she said. “But there were also times when I was reading certain passages that brought tears to my eyes, because I felt like she was really wearing her heart on her sleeve.”
While the book records Nikki’s story up to now, she does not intend on stopping her work anytime soon.
“I want to be that 88-year-old hairdresser that gets dropped off from the assisted living bus to go work at the salon,” she said. “I’m never going to leave the chair. I have hairspray running through my veins.”
“Super Hairo” is available digitally and in print on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
a journal compiling years of workplace drama, quirky clients, and personal fulfillment.
By Christie Leigh Babirad
An empowering evening of camaraderie, gratitude and celebration, the sixth annual Premier Business Women of Long Island Awards on March 19, at the Heritage Club at Bethpage, presented by RichnerLive, drew close to 400 attendees, and more than 50 women were honored for their accomplishments across a wide range of industries on Long Island.
The event was organized by Amy Amato, RichnerLive’s executive director of corporate relations and events, who said that it was a privilege to be there with such a talented and driven group of dynamic and fearless women.
“Your presence here displays the countless accomplishments that women have made and will continue to make,” Amato said, “and it’s a pleasure to welcome you all to the Richner family.”
Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications Inc. and publisher of Herald Community Media, said that the night was intended to celebrate remarkable women by honoring what they have achieved in their careers as well as their communities.
“Looking around the room, I am truly humbled by the caliber of our award winners,” Richner said. “These extraordinary women represent diverse fields, from health care to finance to education and entrepreneurship, yet share common traits of vision, resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence.”
He added that his mother, Edith Richner, who founded Richner Communications with Stuart’s father nearly 60 years ago, would undoubtedly be proud of all the women leaders being honored at the event, because in her time, she was almost always the only woman at the table.
The keynote speaker, and the winner of the Trailblazer Award, was Linda Armyn, president and CEO of FourLeaf Federal Credit Union and the creator of the initiative Money Like a Woman, which she said was conceived to celebrate all of the values that women bring to the table. “We want to put them up on a pedestal and say, you know what, women have all these great talents that they use every day,” Armyn said, “to multitask, to be a mom, be a businesswoman, be an innovator, entrepreneur, and we don’t celebrate that enough. Money Like a Woman is all about celebrating those great traits and sharing them with the rest of the world.”
She added that the night was a wonderful way to celebrate women and all of their accomplishments, and that man of them are making a difference not only on Long Island, but well beyond.
Guests enjoyed drinks, appetizers and dinner at the event, as they mingled with award winners, family members and friends.
Honoree Laura D’Amato, Apple Bank’s first vice president and assistant marketing director said that it felt amazing to be honored as a Premier Business Woman of Long Island. “I’m totally humbled to be in the same room with so many amazing women,” D’Amato said.
PSEG Long Island’s manager of customer and community partnerships, Honoree Veronica Isaac, echoed those sentiments, and said that an event like this inspires her to keep doing what she’s doing.
Another honoree, Jennifer Baxmeyer, executive director of the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, said that an award means a lot, but that you’re only as good as your team.
Celine M. Gazes, CFO at Suffolk Regional Off Track Betting Corp. Jake’s 58 Hotel and Casino, said that the award felt “validating.”
Susan Johnson, acting superintendent of Hempstead schools, said that she was truly humbled to be honored. “People believing you can do it and reaching out to you that you are making a difference, it means so much,” said Johnson.
“It’s so incredibly special, and such a unique oppor-
tunity, to see all the different industries helping to move women forward,” Mary Fu, chief advancement officer at People’s Arc of Suffolk, said.
And Susan Gatti, of Disruptive Spark Business Academy, wanted to thank RichnerLive for bringing together women of all different ages and industries. “It’s humbling, and such an opportunity to reflect, since you’re always so busy,” Gatti said. “It’s nice to know that you’re going in the right direction, and to celebrate with so many other amazing women.”
In keeping with RichnerLive’s commitment to giving back, a portion of the proceeds from the event were donated to Hair We Share, a nonprofit that offers wigs at no cost to those experiencing medical hair loss. Its mission to restore dignity and confidence aligns
with the spirit of the honorees. More information about its work can be found at hairweshare.org.
Event sponsors included FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, People’s ARC of Suffolk, Apple Bank, CSD Net, Reworld, Maidenbaum, Whisper Woods of Smithtown, Eclectic Psychotherapy, Mending Hearts Counseling, Premier HR Consulting, Farmingdale State College, Jake’s 58, Optimum Business, Disruptive Spark Academy, PSEG Long Island, Dime Community Bank, C Squared, Family Children’s Association, Certilman Balin, St. Joseph’s University, the Cradle of Aviation, Vandegrift Plastic Surgery, Suffolk Regional Off Track Betting Corp. and ConnectOne Bank.
For a complete list of honorees and photos, visit RichnerLive.com.
By CASEY FERBER
A first-of-its-kind tax credit to give small businesses in Bellmore and Merrick some much-needed financial support is gaining momentum in Albany.
Earlier this month, a large bipartisan group of New York State legislators joined business leaders and local news organizations in person at the State Capitol in support of the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally Act, or just simply the LOCAL Act, which would establish a new $10 million tax credit for small businesses advertising in local media outlets. Sponsored by State Senator Monica R. Martinez and Assemblywoman Jennifer Lunsford, the LOCAL Act aims to maximize the reach of small businesses’ advertising dollars, while supporting the work of the media outlets New Yorkers rely on every day for critical information.
“Communities are built on connections with neighbors, and the same is true for small businesses,” Martinez said at the March 11 event. “The LOCAL Act supports this relationship by encouraging these community-based businesses to advertise with the media outlets already trusted by the neighbors they are committed to serving.”
The LOCAL Act now has four co-sponsors in the State Senate and seven in the Assembly, several of whom attended the rally. Ahead of the rally, nearly 20 major business groups across New York — including the National Federation of Independent Business, Upstate United and the Queens Chamber of Commerce — sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul and state leadership urging them to support the LOCAL Act.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, driving job creation and growth in communities across New York. However, they continue to face significant financial challenges,” the letter states. “This is prag -
matic legislation that will help —and be tremendously appreciated by — the thousands of small businesses that make New York the world’s preeminent place to start and operate a business.”
Championed by the Empire State Local News Coalition, the LOCAL Act also has the staunch support of the coalition’s more than 200 local newspapers across the state. More than two-and-a-half U.S. newspapers disappear per week, and here in New York, several counties have only one local news outlet.
“The LOCAL Act is a win-win-win for local businesses, local news, and local communities,” Zachary Richner, founding member of the Empire State Local News Coalition, said. “These institutions are intricately con-
nected and work together to create the vibrant communities that New Yorkers love.”
Under the LOCAL Act, a minority-, woman- or veteran-owned business, as well as any business with 10 employees or fewer, would be eligible to receive a refundable tax credit of 80% of its first $5,000 of local advertising for a maximum credit of $4,000 per year. The program would be capped at $10 million annually.
“The LOCAL Act is about more than just advertising — it’s about investing in the economic health of our local community and investing in the kind of local journalism that we need now more than ever,” Lunsford said.
The bill is expected to be voted on later this year.
By Karen Bloom
Now that we’ve stepped forth into spring — and Earth Month — the moment has arrived to think about how you embrace the season — and months ahead of being fully present in our natural world. Specifically in your personal environment.
Give some thought to the way in which you want your yard to serve your family, pets and wildlife. Maybe you’re aiming to have the best yard on the block or expand your entertaining options. Perhaps your kids or pets could use a better play space.
Spring and backyarding — the act of bringing indoor activities such as dining, entertaining, even exercising, out into our backyards — surely go hand in hand.
A little planning and preparation now can mean colorful flowers, fresh crops and beautiful garden scenery later down the line. Good gardening starts long before you sow the first seed, so let’s get started!
“With the season’s first signs appearing, this is surely the time to get your garden ready for a great season,” garden design expert Fiona Jenkins says. She offers some common-sense advice on creating a low-maintenance garden full of beautiful, healthy plants all year round without taking your time away from the other things life throws at us.
Limit flowerbed size and plant variety
When considering the size of your flowerbeds, the smaller ones are better if you are looking for a low-maintenance solution, as larger ones will require a lot more initial planting and upkeep.
“Sticking to flower beds that are only one to two feet wide will make them much more manageable,” Jenkins says.
Once you have set the size, think about what plants you want to put in them. Jenkins suggests limiting the variety of your plants to around five different ones. This way, you will easily learn and memorize the requirements of each, and caring for them will be a lot simpler.
Simple, low-maintenance plants are ideal to start with, especially for those who have little spare time or don’t feel very confident in gardening. Hardy perennials such as geraniums and peonies, as well as evergreen shrubs, are great options as they can survive the winter frost and won’t need replanting every year.
“Once settled in, these plants can bring years of color and beauty to your garden,” Jenkins notes. “There are other factors to consider, such as how often a plant will need feeding, watering, and pruning — only purchase a plant when you are certain you can keep on top of its needs.”
Invest in good soil and mulch
Good quality, rich, organic soil allows plants to thrive with minimum need for frequent watering and fertilizing. Add organic matter such as compost to your soil yearly, which you can even make yourself.
“Mulching is a great way of protecting your soil and making it last longer by helping to maintain moisture levels and prevent weeds from growing,” she advises.
A layer of organic materials such as bark chips, dead leaves or compost will improve soil as it breaks down.
Invest in hard landscaping
Hard landscaping, such as decking or paving, elevates your outdoor space
and helps to define different areas of your garden. It forms the backbone of a well-designed yard, providing structure and aesthetic appeal.
One of the most popular choices for hard landscaping these days is omposite decking, which offers a sleek, modern look while being durable and low-maintenance. Unlike traditional wooden decking, composite boards resist fading, warping and moisture damage, meaning you won’t need to worry about sanding, staining, or sealing them over time. This makes them an excellent longterm investment to create an elegant yet practical outdoor area.
If you prefer paving, consider materials such as natural stone, concrete or even porcelain tiling, all of which provide a clean and sophisticated finish.
Beyond aesthetics, hard landscaping also contributes to functionality. Paved walkways make navigating your garden easier, while decking extends your living space outdoors. For an added touch of luxury, consider incorporating built-in lighting into your design, illuminating paths and seating areas for a cozy ambiance during the evenings.
Also consider adding a lower-maintenance rock garden. “This feature will look very visually appealing if done correctly and will pretty much take care of itself, “ according to Jenkins.
Achieving the look of a stunning rock garden is simple: plant some alpine plants and succulents and surround with a mix of larger rocks and smaller pebbles to cover the soil completely.
“This will bring interesting textures to your garden space,” Jenkins adds.
Make use of raised beds
Utilizing raised beds, whether on top of your existing soil or over hard landscaping, can give you more control over your plants.
“A raised flowerbed will stop them from spreading out of control and add a focal point of interest to your garden,” Jenkins says.
Embrace the wild
Another interesting option, which certainly cuts down on lawn maintenance, is to embrace what Jenkins describes as the “wild look.”
“This isn’t to say you should let it grow completely out of control, but your garden can look beautiful with the aesthetic of a grassy meadow rather than an urban space,” she says.
To enhance this effect, try
To enhance this effect, try sprinkling some wildflower seed mixes onto your grass. These flowers won’t need any maintenance, come in a range of beautiful colors, and are a real treat for our beloved garden friends, such as bees and butterflies.
Get set for backyard bliss. Refresh your backyard with vibrant blooms, cozy outdoor spaces and even a touch of nature’s wild charm.
Chicago frontman Jason Scheff is joined by Tommy DeCarlo, Boston’s former lead vocalist for their The Lead Singers of Classic Rock tour. They team up for a night of unforgettable classic rock spanning the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. Their musical tribute features two great sets of classic hits with Chicago’s timeless ballads the guitar-driven rock of Boston. Over 15 million fans have attended a live concert of both bands over a 32-year span featuring either Jason or Tommy’s signature high-tenor lead vocals. Scheff joined Chicago in 1985 and went on to perform thousands of live concerts spanning four decades during a non-stop touring and recording career with the band. DeCarlo joined Boston in 2008 after the passing of Brad Delp was lead singer on every tour thereafter, These pair is backed by a top band of touring professionals.
Saturday, April 5, 8 p.m. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville.
Grab those leather jackets, and rock on! The Wallflowers bring their sound to the Paramount stage, with special guest Jackson Melnick. For the past 30 years, the Jakob Dylanled act has stood as one of rock’s most dynamic and purposeful bands — continually honing a sound that meshes timeless songwriting and storytelling with a hard-hitting and decidedly modern musical attack. That signature style has been present through the decades. In recent years, Dylan — the Wallflowers’ founding singer, songwriter and guitarist — has repeatedly stepped outside of his band. Now the band has made its triumphant return, with “Exit Wounds,” their new studio offering. The much-anticipated record finds that signature sound — lean, potent and eminently entrancing — intact, even as Dylan surrounds himself with a fresh cast of musicians.
Sunday, April 6, 8 p.m., $75, $45, $35, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
The seven-time Grammy nominee brings her extraordinary voice and artistic depth to the timeless music of Bob Dylan, on the Landmark stage, Friday, April 11, 8 p.m. Best known for her multi-platinum hit “One of Us,” Osborne has spent over 25 years captivating audiences with her fearless exploration of genres ranging from rock and blues to soul, gospel and country. Her critically acclaimed 2018 album, “Songs of Bob Dylan,” and her live performances showcase her ability to reimagine Dylan’s iconic works, offering fresh interpretations that highlight the emotional resonance and poetic brilliance of his music. Osborne first began her journey with Dylan’s catalog in 2016 with a series of “Dylanology” concerts. These performances deepened her appreciation for his vast and varied repertoire and inspired her to put her own stamp on his songs. Her renditions are both reverent and inventive, blending her soulful delivery with the rich textures of her band to bring new life to classics like “Tangled Up in Blue” and “Highway 61 Revisited.”
With a voice hailed as one of the most powerful and versatile of her generation, Osborne invites audiences to rediscover Dylan’s masterpieces through her singular lens. Her take on the “Dynalogy” reflects her reverence for iconic musician who remains forever young in the hearts and minds of his fans and the music world. The recent biopic, “A Complete Unknown,” brings Dylan to the forefront once again. Osborne turns back the clock with her artistic and soulful reinterpretations exuding passion, emotion and energy. $59, $55, $48, also special VIP package. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Plaza Theatricals welcomes the ABBA tribute band, Sunday, April 6, 2:30 p.m. This act takes you back to the days when Swedish disco group ruled the airwaves with their great pop hits and memorable performances. Come experience the glitter of the ‘70s. $40, $35 seniors. Groove along at Plaza’s stage at Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit plazatheatrical.com.
Julianna’s Works of HeART host its annual paint night fundraiser, Friday, April 4, at Sacred Heart Church in Merrick. Take part in a guided art class led by Debbie Viola, and purchase raffle tickets and refreshments, all to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities, 7-9 p.m. Donate on Venmo @JWOHF; call (516) 643-2441 for more information. $50 to attend. Email juliannaworksofheart@gmail.com.
720 Merrick Ave.
Get a sneak peek at summer 2025 at Camps ‘R’ Us during its open house, Saturday, April12, 10 a.m.-noon. 2341 Washington Ave., Bellmore. More details at CampsRUs.org/Bellmore.
Art Explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, April 5, noon-3 p.m. Kids and their adult partners talk about and make art together. While there, enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to the collaborative Lobby Project. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum. org to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Long Island Children’s Museum invites families toparticipate in Holi, the Festival of Colors, Sunday, April 6, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Originating in India, this Hindu festival marks the end of winter and the arrival of the colorful spring season. During this joyous celebration, families eat sweets, dance to traditional folk music and throw colorful powder made from flowers called gulal. Crafts, color throwing and dancing are part of this vibrant event. Welcome spring’s arrival with Holi. Participants are encouraged to wear clothes that they won’t mind getting messy. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. Go to licm.org or call (516) 224-5800 for more information.
‘Palette of Petals’ at Planting
Visit Planting Fields
Arboretum for a delightful stroll among the early bloomers, as part of its First Fridays series, Friday, April 4, 1-2 p.m. Experience the enchanting spring colors at the Margaret Sullivan Heather Garden. Director of Horticulture Donna Moramarco guides visitors through the remarkable collection of azaleas, cherry blossom trees, magnolias, camellias, and more as you stroll the grounds to the recently restored garden. Discover the rich horticultural history of this stunning space, learn about the Coe family’s dedication to these vibrant flowers, and delve into the vision that the Olmsted Brothers had for this beloved site. $20. Registration required. 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay. Visit plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210 to register and for information.
‘Listen to the Music’
Join L.I. Cabaret Theatre for their latest performance, Saturday, April 5, 2 p.m., at the Elmont Library Theatre stage. In this spirited show, the plotline follows the startup of a TV network and streaming service. A cast of 30 keeps the action moving along, with original choreography, and band accompaniment.
Singers and dancers perform current hits, oldies and tunes from the Broadway stage. Free admission. Elmont Memorial Library Theater, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. Visit elmontlibrary. org or call (516) 354-5280 for information.
Fest
Spring Dog Festival
Get ready to wag those tails, at Old Westbury Gardens with your pooch (leashed of course), Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Bring your canine companions for a scenic stroll through grounds bursting spring’s first blooms. Browse a selection of local dog-friendly vendors offering unique products and services for your furry friends, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit oldwestburygardens.org.
Merrick Chamber of Commerce hosts its 28th Annual Kids Fest, Friday through Sunday, April 25-27, at Merrick Avenue & the LIRR Station (Broadcast Plaza). The festival opens Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a vendor fair on Saturday and Sunday. More information is available at merrickchamber.com.
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 number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
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.
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, April 13, 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.
There was laughter, there were opposing views and there were reflective answers to questions about major issues as Matt Cohen, president and CEO of the Long Island Association, moderated the organization’s fourth annual What’s New in Washington panel with Republican Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota and Democrats Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury last Friday.
Congressional District 1, which is represented by LaLota, stretches east from western Suffolk County to encompass both the North and South forks of Long Island. Garbarino represents the 2nd District, along the South Shore, which includes parts of Suffolk and a small portion of southeastern Nassau County.
Suozzi’s 3rd Congressional District includes a portion of Queens, expands along the North Shore of Nassau and extends to several communities in the middle of the eastern portion of the county. District 4, represented by Gillen, extends along the South Shore of Nassau, from the Queens border through several central communities to Seaford.
“Because of the times we live in, it’s almost impossible that the delegations are 50-50 Republicans and Democrats — that’s not the case here on Long Island,” Cohen said. “Our delegation didn’t hesitate to say yes when we invited them to this event.”
Cohen asked the panel several questions, ranging from bipartisanship efforts to House Speaker Mike Johnson, the state and local income tax deduction, commonly known as SALT, and President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
Garbarino on bipartisanship:
“We try to work with everyone, and have broad conversations, with many different ideas,” Garbarino said. “There are a lot of egos, but we try to get everyone on the same page before we leave the room.”
Garbarino and LaLota bucked their party by supporting the SALT extension. “Our party is asking how we can support this when we’re growing the state budget by $13 billion,” Garbarino said. “It goes against our argument. We could use some help from Albany on this.”
Both have met with Trump at Mar-aLago, and said that Trump told them, “We are going to fix this.”
On offshore wind:
“We have to bring jobs back home, but one, we need power, and two, we need to generate as much power as possible,” Garbarino said. “That is good for keeping local energy costs down for Long Island and our constituents.”
On DOGE:
Garbarino, like LaLota, acknowledged that mistakes have been made, but expressed confidence that the Trump administration is committed to addressing them.
“I have called the White House and told them, ‘There’s a mistake here,’ and
“I think the American people are sick of hyperpartisanship in Washington,” Gillen said. “They just want us to do our jobs and get things done.”
every time I’ve called, they’ve responded by saying, ‘OK, we’ll have someone look into it,’” Garbarino said. “This is a better response than I’ve ever gotten under the Biden administration.
Gillen on working across the aisle:
“The best way to get things done is by reaching out to the other side,” she said.
“I’m the rookie here — the freshman — and during orientation, we had a lot of events where Democrats and Republicans did events together. I had plenty of time to get to know people on my side of the aisle and make the effort to meet my freshman colleagues who were Republicans and build relationships with them.
“I think the American people are sick of hyperpartisanship in Washington. They just want us to do our jobs and get things done,” she said, drawing applause from the audience.
On DOGE:
“I agree, we need to tighten governments’ belts,” she said. “There’s a ton of waste in government. But it’s a wrecking-ball approach. We should do it in an
organized, deliberative, thoughtful fashion. That’s how they should go forward.”
LaLota on SALT:
“As you can imagine,” LaLota said, “the president did 80, 90 percent of the talking, but heard us in our seriousness about how we need a higher SALT deduction.”
On DOGE:
“For 25 years, neither Republicans nor Democrats in Washington have balanced the budget,” LaLota said. “You have a president who’s a disruptor — a self-admitted disruptor. “He is doing what he promised to do, maybe in a manner that is disruptive to us. But let’s acknowledge the moment we’re in — 25 years, we haven’t balanced the budget.”
On tariffs:
“The president’s objective in much of it, especially in the reciprocal tariffs, is to create better competitive fairness for American manufacturers,” LaLota said. “The long-term objective is to reduce the trade deficits we have with a lot of our trading partners, especially in
China, where we have $200 billion trade deals. We’re sending way more to China than they’re sending back.”
Suozzi on SALT:
“Let me first say I want to give credit to Andrew and Nick, because they’re going against their party on this,” he said. “They stood up … and they’re saying that they’re not going to support this reconciliation package unless it’s resolved.”
On offshore wind:
“We have to figure out how can we protect our zeal to protect the environment, to address climate change, and do the stuff that we believe are important to do,” Suozzi said. “We’ve got to get stuff done, because we can’t get things done (in our country) because we’ve passed all these rules and regulations over the years. And people are fed up with the bureaucracy.”
On DOGE:
“I think it’s been reckless,” he said. “When they laid off people who were responsible for overseeing the nuclear stockpile and said, oh, that was a mistake. And then they had a hard time getting the people back because they had cut them off their emails. They fired the people responsible for overseeing avian flu.”
On tariffs:
“I think that tariffs against China I support, especially when they’re targeted,” Suozzi said. “I’m very concerned about the tariffs that have been proposed for Canada and Mexico and the effects it’s going to have right here on Long Island as well as the rest of the country. I think it’s sending a bad message that our two biggest trading partners are being stifled in this way.”
Roksana Amid, Jeffrey Bessen, Hernesto Galdamez, Carolyn James and Jordan Vallone reported this story.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF Nassau,
U.S. Bank Trust
National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as trustee of the Truman 2021 SC9 Title Trust, Plaintiff, vs. John Bianco a/k/a John S. Bianco individually and as limited administrator for the Estate of Martha E. Bianco, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 22, 2022 and an Order
Appointing Successor Referee and Amend Case Caption duly entered on February 4, 2025, 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 April 29, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 2596 Haff Avenue, North Bellmore a/k/a Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 56, Block 503 and Lot 50.
Approximate amount of judgment is $153,995.13 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614213/2017.
Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 220885-1 152405
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF BEAR STEARNS
ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I LLC, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES
2007-AQ2, Plaintiff AGAINST NEIL ASTROW, ANDREW J. WEILAND, MD, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 9, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 29, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 915 Iris Drive, North Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at North Bellmore, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 529, Lot 6. Approximate amount of judgment
$834,093.39 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #007647/2016. Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16-003740 84892 152389
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 04/09/2025 at 9:30
A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
-----------------------------THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30
A.M.
157/25. BELLMORERobert T Partee III & Lisa Gomez, Install pool & equipment not permitted in front yard on Prospect Pl.; maintain 6’ high fence larger than pool installation area., W/s Sunrise Ave., 192.21’ S/o Merrick Rd., running thru to Prospect Pl., a/k/a 708 Sunrise Ave.
ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Bellmore within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals
The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.
152615
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking on Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 8th day of April, 2025, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations:
(NR)ISLAND PARK
BROADWAY - east side, starting at a point 261 feet north of the north curbline of Saratoga Boulevard, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-64/25)
NORTH BELLMORE
DAVENPORT PLACEnorth side, starting at a point 249 feet east of the east curbline of Newbridge Road, east for a distance of 31 feet.
(TH-115/25) ROOSEVELT
PENNSYLVANIA
AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 120 feet north of the north curbline of Hudson Avenue, north for a distance of 19 feet.
(TH-544/24)
VALLEY STREAM
CHARLES STREETwest side, starting at a point 94 feet south of the south curbline of Oliver Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-119/25)
LAW STREET - west side, starting at a point 420 feet south of the south curbline of Stuart Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-116/25) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:
FRANKLIN SQUARE
CRAFT AVENUE - north side, starting at a point 195 feet west of the west curbline of Hall Street, west for a distance of 22 feet.
(TH-426/23 - 10/3/23)
(TH-121/25)
OCEANSIDE
LAWRENCE AVENUEeast side, starting at a point 30 feet north of the north curbline of Montgomery Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-33/22 - 3/22/22)
(TH-120/25) ;and, BE IT FURTHER ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: Hempstead, New York March 25, 2025 BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.
Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 152591
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE VOTO
ANUAL DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR
BELLMORE-MERRICK
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK
EL AVISO SE HA DADO
AQUI que el voto anual de los votantes calificados del Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, el Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, se llevará a cabo el Martes, el 20 de mayo de 2025, en los varios lugares de votación designados por el
Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore y North Merrick Union Free School Districts, de la siguiente manera: BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, en el Shore Road School, 2801 Shore Road, Bellmore, New York, entre las 6:30 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m.
MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, en la Merrick District Office-Katherine E. Reif Administration Center, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, Nueva York, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m.
NORTH BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT en la escuela Newbridge Road, 1601 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, Nueva York, entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m.
NORTH MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, en la Biblioteca Pública de North Merrick, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, Nueva York, entre las 6:30 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. Para los siguientes propósitos: a. Para votar sobre el presupuesto escolar anual para el año 2025-2026 y para autorizar la imposición de un impuesto sobre la propiedad sujeta a impuestos del distrito para los propósitos anteriores.
b. Para votar sobre otras proposiciones que puedan presentarse adecuadamente antes los votantes.
Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que el registro se llevará a cabo en los lugares de votación indicados anteriormente por Las Juntas de Registro de los varios distritos componentes de la siguiente manera: la Bellmore Union Free School District en la Oficina del Distrito, Winthrop Avenue School, 580 Winthrop Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York, en todos los días de clases del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días anteriores a la votación entre el horario de 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m.; la Merrick Union Free School District en la Oficina Administrativa, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, Nueva York, en todos los días de clases del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días anteriores a la votación entre las horas de 9:30 a.m. y 3:30 p.m.; la North Bellmore Union Free School District en
la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York, y en todos los días de clases del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días anteriores a la votación entre el horario de 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m.; y la North Merrick Union Free School District en la escuela Harold D. Fayette, 1057 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, Nueva York, en todos los días escolares del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días antes de la votación entre las 9:00 a.m. y 4:00 p.m. con el fin de preparar un registro de los votantes calificados con derecho a votar en la reunión de la escuela y la elección para la que dicho registro es preparado, en la forma prevista por la ley. El registro, como así preparado, será archivado en la Oficina del Secretario (District Clerk) en cada uno de los respectivos Distritos Unión Libre como se establece en este aviso y dicho registro sera abierto por inspección en horas razonables hasta cinco (5) días antes de la fecha establecida para votar sobre el presupuesto y la elección del distrito, excepto el domingo, y por cita el sábado anterior de la elección en cada distrito elemental.
Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que una persona quien es cuidadano de Los Estados Unidos, tenga diez y ocho años de edad y es residente del Distrito Escolar de la Unión en el que se tiene la intención de votar a favor un período de treinta días antes de la elección y esta registrado para votar para la elección dicha tendrá derecho a votar. Una persona debera ser registrada para votar si el o ella han registrado permanente con La Junta de Elecciones del Condado de Nassau (Nassau County Board of Elections) o con La Junta de Registro (Board of Registration) del distrito donde el o ella reside. Solamente las personas que estan registradas tienen el derecho para votar.
Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA que Las Juntas de Registro (Boards of Registration) de las varias escuelas componentes tendran una reunion el 20 de mayo 2025 durante las horas de votación en los lugares de votación en cada escuela para el
propósito de preparer el registro para que las elecciones tendran lugar despues del 20 de mayo 2025; El Registro incluirá (1) todos los votantes calificados de las escuelas, quines se presentáran personalemente para registro; y (2) todos votantes calificados permanente registrados con la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau (Nassau County Board of Elections).
Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año siguiente para fines escolares (presupuesto escolar) y copias de las propuestas que involucran gastos de dinero y el funcionamiento del sistema escolar para el año siguiente , puede ser obtenido por cualquier residente del Distrito durante los catorce días inmediatamente anteriores a la votación anual, excepto sábados, domingos o días festivos, en las oficinas del distrito escolar y en cualquier escuela dentro del distrito y en el sitio web del distrito.
Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que las solicitudes de votación anticipada por correo y boletas en ausencia para las elecciones del distrito escolar se pueden solicitar en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito. Las solicitudes de votación anticipada por correo y de voto en ausencia deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito no antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección. Además, dicha solicitud debe ser recibida por el Secretario de Distrito al menos siete días antes de la elección si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección si la boleta se entregará personalmente al votante o a su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna de una boleta por correo, el Secretario del Distrito enviará la boleta por correo a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. No se escrutará ninguna boleta de votación anticipada por correo ni de votante ausente a menos que se haya recibido en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a
las 5:00 p. m. (horario predominante) del día de la elección. Una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les habrá emitido la votación anticipada por correo y el voto en ausencia estará disponible para su inspección en la Oficina del Secretario hasta el día de la votación.
Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO de que los votantes militares que no están registrados actualmente pueden registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del distrito escolar pueden presentar una solicitud para una boleta militar. Los votantes militares pueden designar una preferencia para recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de boleta militar o una boleta militar por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de boleta o boleta. Las formas de registro de votantes militares y las formas de solicitud de boletas militares deben ser recibidas en la oficina del secretario de distrito del distrito escolar no más tarde que a las 5:00 p.m. el 24 de abril de 2025. No se escrutará ninguna boleta militar a menos que (1) se reciba en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el día de las elecciones y que muestre una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o de un servicio postal de un país extranjero, o mostrando un endoso fechado de recibo de otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) recibido por la oficina del secretario de distrito no más tarde que las 5:00 p.m. el día de la elección y firmada y fechada por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha que se asocia a no ser mas tarde del día anterior de la elección. POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT PATTIANNE GUCCIONE SECRETARIO DE DISTRITO El aviso anterior se publicará en los periódicos Herald de Bellmore y Herald de Merrick el Jueves, el 3 de abril de 2025, el 17 de abril de 2025 y el 1
de mayo de 2025 y el 15 de mayo de 2025. 152672
April 3, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
VOTE OF THE BELLMOREMERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the annual vote of the qualified voters of the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District, Nassau County, New York, will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the several polling places designated by the Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore, and North Merrick Union Free School Districts, as follows:
BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the Shore Road School, 2801 Shore Road, Bellmore, New York between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the Merrick District Office-Katherine E. Reif Administration Center, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, New York, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
NORTH BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the Newbridge Road School, 1601 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, New York, between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
NORTH MERRICK
UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the North Merrick Public Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
For the following purposes:
a.) To vote upon the annual school budget for the year 2025-2026 and to authorize the levying of a tax upon the taxable property of the district for the foregoing purposes.
b.) To vote upon such other propositions as may properly come before the voters. AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that registration shall be conducted at the several polling places stated above by the Boards of
Registration of the several component districts as follows: the Bellmore Union Free School District at the District Office, Winthrop Avenue School, 580 Winthrop Avenue, Bellmore, New York, on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; the Merrick Union Free School District at the Administrative Office, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, New York on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; the North Bellmore Union Free School District at the Office of the District Clerk, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, New York, on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; and the North Merrick Union Free School District at the Harold D. Fayette School, 1057 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, New York, on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for the purpose of preparing a register of the qualified voters entitled to vote at the school meeting and election for which such register is prepared, in the manner provided by law. The register, as so prepared, will be filed in the office of the clerk at each of the respective Union Free School Districts as set forth in this notice of meeting and such register is to be open for inspection at reasonable times for at least five (5) days prior to the date set for voting on the budget and election, except Sunday, and by appointment on the Saturday prior to the election at each elementary district.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a person shall be entitled to vote at the annual meeting and election who is a citizen of the United States, eighteen years of age, a resident of the Union Free School District in which he intends to vote for a period of thirty days next preceding the election he offers to vote and registered to vote for said election.
A person shall be
registered to vote if he or she shall have permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections or with the Board of Registration of the component Union Free School District in which he resides. Only persons who shall be registered shall be entitled to vote.
AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Boards of Registration of the several component Union Free School Districts will meet during the hours of voting on May 20, 2025 at the polling places in each of the Union Free School Districts for the purpose of preparing a register for district meetings or elections to be held subsequent to May 20, 2025; said register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the Union Free School Districts, who shall present themselves personally for registration; and (2) all qualified voters permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes (school budget) and copies of propositions involving expenditure of moneys and the operation of the school system for the ensuing year, may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen days immediately preceding the annual vote except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at school district offices and any schoolhouse within the district and on the district’s website.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that applications for early mail voting and absentee ballots for the school district election may be applied for at the Office of the Clerk of the District. Applications for early mail voting and absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election. Furthermore, such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before
the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the vote. No early mail voting or absentee voter’s ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 P.M. (prevailing time) on the day of the election. A list of all persons to whom early mail voting and absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection at the Office of the Clerk until the day of the vote.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district.
Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot.
Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the school district no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BELLMORE-MERRICK
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
PATTIANNE GUCCIONE
DISTRICT CLERK
The above notice will be published in the Bellmore Herald and Merrick Herald newspapers on Thursday, April 3, 2025, April 17, 2025, May 1, 2025 and May 15, 2025. 152671
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Sale
Supreme Court: Nassau County Point 62 LLC v Steve Losik et al. Defts Index 607914/2022
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale filed and entered December 6, 2023 I will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Dr. Mineola NY 11501 on May 6, 2025 at 2:00 pm premises known as School District 7, Section 63, Block 330 Lot 16, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York Sold subject to the terms of sale and filed judgment of foreclosure. Bank Checks Only, must be payable to the Referee for 25% of Bid Price, No Cash Accepted. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Covid-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health and safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Ronald J Ferraro, Esq., Referee 152685
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff AGAINST SHAWN WHALEN, JANET WHALEN, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 7, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 6, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 402 Marle
Place, Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 56., Block 351., Lot 87-89. Approximate amount of judgment $417,139.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #600417/2020. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 19-007424 84887 152563
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PRESUPUESTARIA Y REUNIÓN ANUAL Y ELECCIÓN, DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE BELLMORE UNION, CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se llevará a cabo una audiencia de presupuesto público del Distrito Escolar Libre de Bellmore Union, Ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, NY, en la Escuela Shore Road, Bellmore, NY el martes 6 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:30 p.m. para discutir el gasto de fondos para el año escolar 2025-2026 y el presupuesto de los mismos y para otros asuntos según lo autorice la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que una elección para llenar dos (2) vacantes, cada una por un término de tres (3) años, para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación, se llevará a cabo en la Escuela Shore Road, Bellmore, NY, el martes 20 de mayo de 2025. La votación sobre el presupuesto del año escolar 2025-2026 también se llevará a cabo en dicha reunión anual y elección. La votación se llevará a cabo entre las 6:30 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que cualquier residente del distrito puede obtener una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año escolar 2025-2026 durante los catorce (14) días anteriores a la votación, excepto sábados, domingos o días festivos, en las escuelas del distrito de 8:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m. y en el sitio web del Distrito. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con la Ley del Impuesto sobre la Propiedad Inmobiliaria §495, se requiere que el distrito adjunte a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará cómo el valor total de la tasación en la lista de liquidación final utilizada en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, enumerará cada tipo de exención otorgada por la autoridad estatutaria y mostrará el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, el monto acumulado que se espera recibir como pagos en lugar de impuestos y el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones otorgadas. ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que las peticiones de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación deben presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito antes de las 5:00 p.m. del lunes 21 de abril de 2025. Dicha petición de nominación debe indicar la residencia de cada firmante, el nombre y la residencia del candidato, y estar firmada por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes de distrito calificados. Los dos candidatos que obtengan el mayor número de votos serán elegidos para el cargo. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que el registro personal es un requisito previo para votar, y ninguna persona tendrá derecho a votar en dicha elección cuyo nombre no aparezca en el registro preparado para dicha elección; excepto que cualquier persona, residente del Distrito, que esté permanentemente registrada en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau para votar y cuyo registro esté al día, también estará calificado para votar en esta elección sin necesidad de registrarse adicionalmente. Las personas calificadas pueden registrarse de 9:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. los días en que la escuela está en sesión en la Oficina del
Distrito en 580 Winthrop Ave., Bellmore, NY, excepto que ninguna inscripción se llevará a cabo menos de cinco (5) días antes de la elección, este año a más tardar a las 3:00 p.m. del 15 de mayo de 2025. SE DA AVISO ADEMÁS, que el registro se archivará en la oficina del Superintendente de Escuelas, donde estará abierto para inspección a cualquier votante calificado del Distrito y en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito en la Escuela de la Avenida Winthrop de 9:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. durante los cinco (5) días anteriores a la elección, excepto el domingo, y solo con cita previa de 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 del mediodía el sábado anterior a la elección.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las solicitudes para boletas anticipadas por correo deben completarse en un formulario prescrito por la junta estatal de elecciones y disponible en el sitio web de la Oficina de Asesoramiento del Departamento de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, visitando https://www.counsel.ny sed.gov/miscellaneous. Las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia deben completarse en un formulario prescrito por la junta electoral estatal y disponible en el sitio web del Departamento de Educación del Estado de Nueva York http://www.counsel.nys ed.gov/common/counse l/files/absentee-ballotapplication-andinstructionsenglish.pdf, http://www.counsel.nys ed.gov/common/counse l/files/absentee-ballotapplication-andinstructionsspanish.pdf. Las boletas anticipadas por correo y en ausencia también están disponibles en el sitio web del Distrito, www.bellmoreschools. org, o comunicándose con el Secretario del Distrito por correo electrónico (arosenfeld@bellmores chools.org) o por teléfono (516-679-2910). Las solicitudes completadas para boletas de voto por correo anticipado y en ausencia deben recibirse al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta se
va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección si la boleta se debe entregar personalmente al votante o a su agente designado. Las solicitudes de voto por correo anticipado y en ausencia no se aceptarán antes del 21 de abril de 2025. El correo anticipado y las boletas de votantes ausentes deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el día de la elección para poder ser escrutadas. Una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les han emitido boletas anticipadas por correo y en ausencia estará disponible para su inspección en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito en cada uno de los cinco días anteriores a la elección durante el horario de 9:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. excepto el domingo, y solo con cita previa de 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 del mediodía el sábado anterior a la elección. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2018-d, cualquier persona que preste servicio en las fuerzas armadas, incluidos sus cónyuges y dependientes, puede registrarse para votar en las próximas elecciones del distrito escolar. Un votante militar que sea un votante calificado del distrito puede obtener un formulario de registro comunicándose con el Secretario del Distrito por correo electrónico (arosenfeld@bellmores chools.org) o teléfono (516-679-2910). Un votante militar que esté debidamente registrado puede solicitar una boleta militar solicitando una solicitud al Secretario del Distrito. Las solicitudes completadas deben entregarse personalmente o enviarse por correo al Secretario del Distrito y recibirse a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 24 de abril de 2025. Las boletas militares deben recibirse antes de las 5:00 p.m. del 20 de mayo de 2025 si están firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo de la misma con una fecha que no sea posterior al día anterior a la elección, o no más tarde del cierre de las urnas el 20 de mayo de 2025 si
muestran una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o mostrando un endoso fechado de recibo por otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos. Un votante militar puede designar una preferencia para recibir un formulario de registro de votante militar, una solicitud de boleta militar o una boleta militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico en la solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de boleta o boleta.
ADEMÁS, SE DA AVISO de que la Junta de Educación convocará una reunión especial de la misma en la Escuela Shore Road dentro de las 24 horas posteriores a la presentación ante el Secretario del Distrito de un informe escrito de los resultados de la boleta, con el propósito de examinar y tabular dichos informes para los resultados de la boleta, y declarar los resultados de la boleta; que la Junta por la presente se designa a sí misma como un conjunto de secretarios electorales para emitir y escrutar votos de conformidad con la Sección 2019-a.2-b de la Ley de Educación, en dicha reunión especial de la Junta. SE DA AVISO ADEMÁS, que en la elección anual del Distrito Escolar Libre de Bellmore Union, los votantes calificados del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias de Bellmore-Merrick votarán por los siguientes propósitos:
a) Votar sobre el presupuesto escolar anual para el año escolar 2025-2026 y autorizar la imposición de un impuesto sobre la propiedad imponible del distrito para los fines anteriores. b) Votar sobre las demás proposiciones que se presenten apropiadamente a la reunión.
FECHADO: Marzo 2025 Bellmore, Nueva York POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE BELLMORE UNION
Angela Rosenfeld, Secretaria de Distrito 152446
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING AND ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION, BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that a public budget hearing of the Bellmore Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, NY, will be held at the Shore Road School, Bellmore, NY on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the expenditure of funds for the 2025-2026 school year and the budgeting thereof and for other business as is authorized by the NY State Education Law.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that an election to fill two (2) vacancies, each for a term of three (3) years, for the office of member of the Board of Education, will be held at the Shore Road School, Bellmore, NY, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The vote upon the 2025-2026 school year budget will also be held at said annual meeting and election. Voting shall take place between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the school year 2025-2026 may be obtained by any resident of the district during the fourteen (14) days preceding the vote, except Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, at the schools of the district from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on the District’s website.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that pursuant to the Real Property Tax Law §495, the district is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of
taxes and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Board of Education member must be filed with the District Clerk by 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 21, 2025. Such nominating petition must state the residence of each signer, the name and residence of the candidate, and be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified district voters. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to office.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that personal registration is a prerequisite for voting, and no person will be entitled to vote at such election whose name does not appear upon the register prepared for such election; except that any person, a resident of the District, who is permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections to vote and whose registration is current, shall also be qualified to vote at this election without further registration. Qualified individuals may register from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on days when school is in session at the District Office at 580 Winthrop Ave., Bellmore, NY, except that no registration shall take place less than five (5) days preceding the election, this year no later than 3:00 p.m. on May 15, 2025.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the register will be filed in the office of the Superintendent of Schools where it shall be open for inspection to any qualified voter of the District and in the District Clerk’s office in the Winthrop Avenue School from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the five (5) days prior to the election except Sunday, and by appointment only from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the Saturday prior to the election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that applications for early mail ballots must be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and available on the NYS Education Department’s Office of Counsel website, by visiting https://www.counsel.ny
sed.gov/miscellaneous. Applications for absentee ballots must be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and available on the NYS Education Department’s website http://www.counsel.nys ed.gov/common/counse l/files/absentee-ballotapplication-andinstructionsenglish.pdf, http://www.counsel.nys ed.gov/common/counse l/files/absentee-ballotapplication-andinstructionsspanish.pdf. Early mail and absentee ballots are also available on the District website, www.bellmoreschools. org, or by contacting the District Clerk by email (arosenfeld@bellmores chools.org) or phone (516-679-2910).
Completed applications for early mail and absentee ballots must be received at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to his or her designated agent. Early mail and absentee ballot applications will not be accepted before April 21, 2025. Early mail and absentee voter’s ballots must be received in the District Clerk’s office not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the election in order to be canvassed. A list of all persons to whom early mail and absentee ballots have been issued will be available for inspection in the District Clerk’s office on each of the five days prior to the election during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. except Sunday, and by appointment only from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the Saturday prior to the election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2018-d, any person serving in the military, including spouses and dependents, may register to vote in the upcoming school district election. A military voter who is a qualified voter of the district may obtain a registration form by contacting the District Clerk by email (arosenfeld@bellmores chools.org) or phone (516-679-2910). A military voter who is duly registered may
apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk. Completed applications must be personally delivered or mailed to the District Clerk and received no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025. Military ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2025 if signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto with a date which is not later than the day before the election, or not later than the close of the polls on May 20, 2025 if showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government. A military voter may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration form, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile or electronic mail in the request for such registration, ballot application, or ballot.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the Board of Education shall convene a special meeting thereof at the Shore Road School within 24 hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot, for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports for the results of the ballot, and declaring the results of the ballot; that the Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law Section 2019-a.2b, at said special meeting of the Board.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that at the annual election of the Bellmore Union Free School District, qualified voters of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District shall vote for the following purposes:
a) To vote upon the annual school budget for the 2025-2026 school year, and to authorize the levying of a tax upon the taxable property of the district for the foregoing purposes. b) To vote upon such other propositions as may properly come before the meeting.
DATED: March 2025
Bellmore, NY BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT Angela Rosenfeld, District Clerk 152444
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA
BELLMORE-MERRICK
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK EL AVISO SE HA DADO AQUÍ que la Junta de Educación del Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District celebrará una audiencia pública el 7 de mayo de 2025, a las 7:30 p.m. en la Sala de la Junta del Edificio de Administración Central ubicado en la Centro Educative Brookside, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, Merrick, Nueva York, con el propósito de tramitar todos los negocios según lo autorizado por la Ley de Educación, que incluye, entre otros, la discusión de los gastos de fondos y presupuestos, por lo tanto, en relación con la apropriación de fondos necesarios para cubrir los gastos necesarios del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias para el año escolar 2025-2026 y sobre las propuestas que involucran el gasto de fondos o la recaudación de impuestos, en qué momento y en qué lugar todas las personas interesadas en el tema del mismo en relación con el mismo tendrán la oportunidad de ser escuchadas. Y TAMBIÉN SE DE AVISO que una copia del estado de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año siguiente con fines escolares (presupuesto escolar) y copias de las propuestas relacionadas con el gasto de dinero y el funcionamiento del sistema escolar para el año siguiente , estará disponible para cualquier contribuyente en el Distrito siete días inmediatamente antes de la audiencia pública, excepto los sábados, domingos o días
festivos, en cada escuela en la que se mantenga la escuela durante las horas de 8:00 a.m. y 4:00 p.m.
Y TAMBIÉN SE DE AVISO que un Informe de Exención del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, preparado de acuerdo con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, se adjuntará a cualquier presupuesto provisional / preliminar, así como al presupuesto adoptado final del cual formará parte; y se publicarán en el (los) tablón (s) de boletines del Distrito que se mantendrá para avisos públicos, así como en el sitio web del Distrito POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
PATTIANNE GUCCIONE SECRETARIO DE DISTRITO El aviso anterior se publicará en los periódicos Herald de Bellmore y Herald de Merrick el Jueves, el 3 de abril de 2025, el 17 de abril de 2025 y el 1 de mayo de 2025. 152669
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE BELLMOREMERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District will hold a Public Hearing on May 7, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Central Administration Building located at the Brookside Educational Center, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, Merrick, New York, for the purpose of transacting all business as is authorized by the Education Law, including, but not limited to, discussion of the expenditure of funds and budgeting therefore relative to the appropriation of necessary funds to meet the necessary expenditures of the Central High School District for the school year 2025-2026 and on propositions involving the expenditure of funds or the levy of tax, at which time and which place all persons interested in the
April 3, 2025 —
subject matter thereof concerning the same will have an opportunity to be heard.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes (school budget) and copies of propositions involving expenditure of moneys and the operation of the school system for the ensuing year, will be available to any taxpayer in the District seven days immediately preceding the public hearing except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at each schoolhouse in which school is maintained during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a Real Property Tax Exemption Report, prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on District Bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BELLMORE-MERRICK
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
PATTIANNE GUCCIONE DISTRICT CLERK
The above notice will be published in the Bellmore and Merrick Herald Life newspapers on Thursday, April 3, 2025, April 17, 2025 and May 1, 2025. 152667
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING, PUBLIC HEARING, ELECTION, AND REGISTRATION OF VOTERS
NORTH BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
NORTH BELLMORE, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
Pursuant to Section 1716 of Education Law a Public Hearing for discussion of the proposed 2025/26 School District Budget, and such other business as may come before the meeting, will be held on May 06, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Administration Building on Martin Avenue, Bellmore, New York. A copy of the state of the amount of monies which will be
required for the 2025/26 school year for school purposes may be obtained, upon request, by any school district resident commencing May 1, 2025 during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. except for Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Vote of the qualified voters of the North Bellmore Union Free School District will be held at the Newbridge Road School, North Bellmore, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 for the following purpose:
A. To vote upon the Annual School Budget for the school year 2025-2026 and to authorize levying of a tax upon the taxable property of the North Bellmore School District for such purposes.
B. The election of two (2) members of the Board of Education.
C. To vote upon such other propositions as may properly come before the meeting. Voting will be by ballot on voting machines and the polls will remain open for voting from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and as much longer as may be necessary for all voters then present to cast their votes. Voting will be in the gymnasium of the Newbridge Road School.
Copies of the proposed 2025/26 budget will be available at each of the offices of the school houses in the district, J. G. Dinkelmeyer School, Newbridge Road School, Park Avenue School, Saw Mill Road School and Martin Avenue School between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or holiday during the fourteen (14) days preceding the Annual Vote, and on the school’s website.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, an exemption report detailing exemptions from real property taxation shall be available and appended to any tentative, preliminary or final budget.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the election of members of the Board of Education will be as follows: Two (2) members of the Board of Education; for full terms of three
(3) years, commencing July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that nominating petitions for candidates for the Board of Education must be filed with the District Clerk between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. not later than April 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Each petition shall state the name and residence of each signor, shall state the name and residence of the candidate, and must be signed by not less than thirty-nine (39) qualified voters of the school district for election of members of the Board of Education. Vacancies on the Board of Education are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy upon the Board for which the candidate is nominated.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that at the Annual Vote, qualified voters of the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District shall vote for the following purposes:
A. To vote upon the annual budget of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District for the year 2025-2026 and to authorize the levying of a tax upon the taxable property of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District for such purposes.
B. To vote upon such other propositions as may properly come before the voters.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2014 personal registration of voters is required, and no person shall be entitled to vote at the District Meeting whose name does not appear on the register of the District. Voter registration for the District will be ongoing through and including Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 9:00 o’clock A.M. until 3:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time), on all school days of the school year, at the office of the District Clerk, for the purpose of preparing a register of the qualified voters of the District for said District Meeting, at which time any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such register, provided that he/she is known or
proven to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at said District Meeting for which such register is prepared. Immediately upon its completion, the register will be filed in the office of the District Clerk, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 9:00 o’clock A.M. and 3:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on each of the five (5) days prior to the District Meeting for which it was prepared, except Sunday, and on Saturday, May 17, 2025 by appointment only.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2018-a and Education Law §2018-e applications for absentee and early mail ballots may be applied for at the office of the District Clerk. The District Clerk must receive applications for absentee and early mail ballots no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election. Furthermore, the District Clerk must receive such application at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application, by no later than six (6) days before the vote. No absentee or early mail voter’s ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 P.M. (prevailing time) on the day of the election.
A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available in the office of the District Clerk, 2616 Martin Avenue, North Bellmore, New York, commencing with the issuance of the first absentee or early mail ballot and during regular business hours on each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the election between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. (Prevailing Time), except Sunday and on
Saturday, May 17, 2025 by appointment only. Such list will also be available at the polling place on the date of the vote. No absentee or early mail voter’s ballot shall be canvassed unless it shall have been received in the office of the District Clerk of the North Bellmore Union Free School District not later than 5:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on the day of Annual District Meeting.
NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a person shall be entitled to vote at the annual meeting and election who is a citizen of the United States, eighteen years of age, a resident of the District for a period of thirty days next preceding the election he offers to vote and registered to vote for said election. A person shall be registered to vote if he or she shall have permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections or with the Board of Registration of the school district. Only persons who shall be registered shall be entitled to vote.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Registration will meet during the hours of voting on May 20, 2025 at the polling place of the school district for the purpose of preparing a register for District meetings or elections to be held subsequent to May 20, 2025. Said register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the school district who shall present themselves personally for registration; and (2) all qualified voters permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and
military ballot application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the school district no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election. BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION Laurice Gunnels District Clerk This information is provided in Spanish in compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 152663
durante las horas de 9:00 a.m. y 3:00 p.m., excepto sábados, domingos o días festivos.
POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que la Votación Anual de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de North Bellmore Union se llevará a cabo en la Escuela Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, el martes 20 de mayo de 2025 con el siguiente propósito: A. Votar sobre el Presupuesto Escolar Anual para el año escolar 2025-2026 y autorizar la imposición de un impuesto sobre la propiedad imponible del Norte Distrito Escolar de Bellmore para tales fines. B. La elección de dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación.
C. Votar sobre las demás proposiciones que se presenten a la reunión.
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE REUNIÓN ANUAL, AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, ELECCIÓN, Y REGISTRO DE VOTANTES DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE NORTH BELLMORE UNION NORTH BELLMORE, CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK De conformidad con la Sección 1716 de la Ley de Educación, el 06 de mayo de 2025, a las 7:30 p.m., se llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública para la discusión del Presupuesto del Distrito Escolar 2025/26 propuesto para la discusión, y otros asuntos que puedan presentarse antes de la reunión, en el Edificio de Administración en Martin Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York. Cualquier residente del distrito escolar a partir del 1 de mayo de 2025 puede obtener, previa solicitud, una copia del estado de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año escolar para fines escolares a partir del 1 de mayo de 2025
La votación será por cédula en las máquinas de votación y las urnas permanecerán abiertas para votar desde las 6:00 a.m. hasta las 9:00 p.m., y tanto tiempo como sea necesario para que todos los votantes presentes en ese momento emitan su voto. La votación será en el gimnasio de la escuela Newbridge Road. Copias del presupuesto propuesto para 2025/26 estarán disponibles en cada una de las oficinas de las casas escolares del distrito, la Escuela J. G. Dinkelmeyer, la Escuela Newbridge Road, la Escuela Park Avenue, la Escuela Saw Mill Road y la Escuela Martin Avenue entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. todos los días que no sean sábados. Domingo o feriado durante los catorce (14) días anteriores a la Votación Anual, y en el sitio web de la escuela.
TENGA EN CUENTA que de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la Ley de Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles, un informe de exenciones que detalla las exenciones de impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles estará disponible y se adjuntará a cualquier presupuesto tentativo, preliminar o final.
TENGA EN CUENTA que la elección de los miembros de la Junta de Educación será la siguiente: Dos (2) miembros de la
Junta de Educación; por períodos completos de tres (3) años, comenzando el 1 de julio de 2025 y finalizando el 30 de junio de 2028. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las peticiones de nominación para candidatos a la Junta de Educación deben presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. a más tardar el 21 de abril de 2025 a las 5:00 p.m. Cada petición deberá indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada signador, deberá indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato, y debe estar firmada por no menos de treinta y nueve (39) votantes calificados del distrito escolar para la elección de miembros de la Junta de Educación. Las vacantes en la Junta de Educación no se consideran oficinas separadas y específicas; los candidatos se postulan en general. Las peticiones de nominación no describirán ninguna vacante específica en la Junta para la cual el candidato está nominado.
TENGA EN CUENTA que en la Votación Anual, los votantes calificados del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias de Bellmore-Merrick votarán por los siguientes propósitos: A. Votar sobre el presupuesto anual de la Preparatoria Central Bellmore-Merrick Distrito Escolar para el año 2025-2026 y autorizar la percepción de un impuesto sobre la propiedad imponible de la Escuela Secundaria Central Bellmore-Merrick Distrito para tales fines. B. Votar sobre las demás proposiciones que se presenten apropiadamente ante la Votantes. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014, se requiere el registro personal de los votantes, y ninguna persona tendrá derecho a votar en la Reunión del Distrito cuyo nombre no aparezca en el registro del Distrito. El registro de votantes para el Distrito estará en curso hasta el jueves 15 de mayo de 2025, inclusive, desde las 9:00 a.m. hasta las 3:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente), en
todos los días escolares del año escolar, en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, con el propósito de preparar un registro de los votantes calificados del Distrito para dicha Reunión del Distrito, en cuyo momento cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre sea incluido en dicho registro, siempre que se sepa o se demuestre que tiene derecho a votar en dicha Reunión de Distrito para la cual se prepara dicho registro. Inmediatamente después de su finalización, el registro se archivará en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York, y estará abierto para la inspección de cualquier votante calificado del Distrito entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) en cada uno de los cinco (5) días anteriores a la Reunión de Distrito para la cual se preparó. Excepto el domingo, y el sábado 17 de mayo de 2025, solo con cita previa. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2018-a y la Ley de Educación §2018-e, las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado, pueden solicitarse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito. El Secretario del Distrito debe recibir las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado, no antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección. Además, el Secretario del Distrito debe recibir dicha solicitud al menos siete días antes de la elección, si la boleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si la boleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante o a su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna de una boleta de voto
en ausencia o por correo anticipado, el Secretario del Distrito enviará la boleta a la dirección establecida en la solicitud, a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. No se realizará el escrutinio de ninguna boleta de voto en ausencia o de votante anticipado por correo, a menos que se haya recibido en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) el día de la elección. Una lista de todas las personas a las que se les habrán emitido boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado estará disponible en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 2616 Martin Avenue, North Bellmore, Nueva York, comenzando con la emisión de la primera boleta de voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado y durante el horario comercial regular en cada uno de los cinco (5) días anteriores al día de la elección entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente), excepto el domingo y el sábado 17 de mayo de 2025 solo con cita previa. Dicha lista también estará disponible en el lugar de votación en la fecha de la votación. Ninguna boleta de voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado será escrutada a menos que se haya recibido en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar Libre de North Bellmore Union a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) el día de la Reunión Anual del Distrito.
TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO de que una persona tendrá derecho a votar en la reunión y elección anual que sea ciudadano de los Estados Unidos, dieciocho años de edad, residente del Distrito durante un período de treinta días inmediatamente
anteriores a la elección que ofrece votar y se registró para votar para dicha elección. Una persona estará registrada para votar si se ha registrado permanentemente en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau o en la Junta de Registro del distrito escolar. Solo tendrán derecho a votar las personas que estén inscritas.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que la Junta de Registro se reunirá durante las horas de votación el 20 de mayo de 2025 en el lugar de votación del distrito escolar, con el propósito de preparar un registro para las reuniones o elecciones del Distrito que se llevarán a cabo después del 20 de mayo de 2025. Dicho registro incluirá (1) a todos los votantes calificados del distrito escolar que se presentarán personalmente para el registro; y (2) todos los votantes calificados registrados permanentemente en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los votantes militares que no están registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que son votantes calificados del distrito escolar pueden presentar una solicitud para una boleta militar. Los votantes militares pueden designar una preferencia para recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de boleta militar o una boleta militar por correo, transmisión de fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de boleta o boleta. Los formularios de registro de votantes militares y los formularios de solicitud de boletas militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito escolar a más
tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 2 al 4 de abril de 2025. No se realizará el escrutinio de ninguna boleta militar a menos que (1) se reciba en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el día de las elecciones y muestre una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o muestre un endoso fechado de recepción por otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) recibido por la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el día de las elecciones y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha asociada a no más tarde del día antes de la elección.
POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN
Laurice Gunnels
Secretario de Distrito Esta información se proporciona en español de conformidad con la Ley de Derechos Electorales de 1965. 152665
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY. NAME: Feeling Full Nutrition, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 02/08/2025. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to:
Mailing Address: Katherine Konop (Founder) 2524 Orange Street Bellmore NY 11710
Email: FeelingFullNutrition@g mail.com
Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity 152557
Nassau County’s initiative to curb underage sales. Agents attempt to make purchases, and if successful, officers make an arrest.
Thefts from cars are also a major concern, Giudice said. To prevent breakins, Brohman recommended a simple precaution: keep valuables out of sight.
“If you leave it out and you could see it, they could see it,” Brohman said, “and don’t put your pocketbook in the trunk.”
Brohman said thieves often patrol parking lots, looking for people who leave valuables in their cars.
“As soon as you go into the gym, they know you’ll be in there for at least an hour,” he said. “They have plenty of time to pop your trunk and steal.”
He also warned about scanner devices that can unlock certain vehicles, particularly electric cars with app-based entry systems. These devices mimic the signal sent from a phone app to the car, allowing thieves to gain access. However, Brohman noted that such incidents are not common in the Eighth Precinct.
Giudice said many people leave their key fob near the door when they come home, making it an easy target for thieves using scanner devices. Criminals may stand outside homes at night, attempting to pick up the fob’s signal. If they detect one, they may return months later to steal the car.
To prevent this, Brohman recommended using a Radio Frequency Identification-blocking box to store key fobs, helping to block the signal and reduce the risk of theft.
Officers also discussed common scams and how to avoid them, warning attendees to be cautious of suspicious phone calls. Scammers often pose as representatives of utility companies, threatening to cut off service unless the victims provide payment in untraceable forms, such as gift cards.
“A utility or any kind of company is never going to ask you for a gift card for a payment,” Giudice said, “so it should be the telltale sign.”
Tax-related scams are also prevalent, with fraudsters claiming a tax return was already filed and demanding payment — often through a Target gift card — to “correct” the issue.
Many of these scams frequently target older adults, and Brohman advised residents to report any scams to patrol officers, who then forward the initial report to detectives for further investigation.
According to the officers, another concern is call spoofing, which is when scammers fake caller ID information to appear as though they’re from legitimate organizations, such as banks or government agencies. Officers advised residents to be cautious of such calls and to verify the caller’s identity before sharing any personal information.
The officers also advised community members to be alert when out in public
advice to attendees.
and to secure any valuables that are carried, such as keeping a pocketbook in front or securing it in a shopping cart while grocery shopping.
“The biggest thing is being aware of your surroundings and just being super vigilant,” Giudice said. “If you’re aware of your surroundings, you generally put yourself in a better position overall.”
At the March 19 league meeting, Brohman also highlighted Smart911, a free county-provided app that allows residents to share critical information with first responders. Users can input details such as medical conditions, household pets, or the presence of firearms, ensuring emergency personnel are aware of key information when responding to a call.
For those residing within the confines of the Eighth Precinct, Brohman suggested that they call the precinct’s number, (516) 573-6870, or 911 in emergency situations. He stressed that callers can remain anonymous and won’t clog up the system if they call regarding any concerns in their community.
“You’re not taking services away from anybody,” Brohman said, “so don’t worry about it.”
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grass-roots organization that works to protect and expand voting rights throughout the country. The East Nassau chapter encompasses Wantagh, Seaford, Levittown, Merrick, Bellmore and East Meadow.
According to East Nassau member Barbara Epstein, the officers’ presentation was informative, and helped attendees understand the role of POP, while providing them with tips on how to avoid becoming crime victims.
“They gave people ideas on how to be safe and how to take care of themselves and be protected,” Epstein said, “and I think that is what people in the community want to know, which is how to protect themselves.”
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Q. I’m confused about what to call my addition. I want to put in a double dormer, and it seems clear to people I talk to, but two building department inspectors and two architects have corrected me as to what I want to do. Can you explain to me if there is a difference? I also have something on my plan that says “patio,” but I’m being told it’s not just a patio, but actually a screened room on my back patio. Again, does this matter?
A. Officially, it matters. Correct descriptions are important for legal reasons, and there should be no confusion when it comes to legal descriptions, because it affects whether you will have a problem with having to file for something over again in the future, or even your taxes and insurance. For example, let’s say that your old survey describes the screen room as a patio. Some surveyors, many years ago, would refer to a screened room as a patio because that was a common sales term. Unfortunately, it implies a hard ground surface material and not an actual building, causing some homeowners to spend money reapplying for a permit for an already approved screened room because the records didn’t reflect what was actually there.
Building Department records are sometimes very sketchy, literally, since it used to be a much less formal process, and simple sketches were accepted. They probably thought they were doing homeowners a favor, but in recent years the whole informal attitude changed, and now, with the strictness of officials, there is little or no proof of the structure, and the descriptive word doesn’t match what’s there, even though that screened room may always have been there.
The same is possible for a “double dormer,” or just “dormer.” People often call to request to “dormer” their house. Architects, in the interest of understanding what the caller really wants, have to then ask whether the person wants an outcropping room, extending sideways through their roof, or a new second-floor addition with a higher, newly constructed structure. Even on something like a half second floor, often referred to as a Cape Cod, where only the center of the second floor is tall enough to stand in, the roof and walls are going to be removed and the “dormer” is really a second floor.
I interpret that the misnaming is really intended to make the whole scope of work sound simpler and, hence, cheaper to build. Of course, it isn’t cheaper to build, and the misleading oversimplification can set the homeowner up for disappointment or stress when the construction cost comes in for the seemingly simpler-sounding dormer.
So, for many reasons, the description matters. Insurance companies charge more when they finally realize what they’re insuring, as well. In modern times, you may be trapped into doing something all over again that was already approved. Decks aren’t porches (and cellars aren’t basements, either). Good luck!
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Acore part of my mission in Congress is bipartisanship. That may sound quaint these days, but I believe it’s what the people I represent — and, more broadly, the American people — want and deserve. It’s also getting harder to achieve.
The current climate in Washington is more toxic and polarized than I’ve ever seen. As the Democratic co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus — which is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans — I work every day to find common ground. But I can’t pretend it’s easy in an environment where performative politics too often replaces problem-solving. Nonetheless, I’ll continue to work across party lines, and when I must, buck my own party, if it means getting things done for my constituents.
Why? Because those constituents tell me to. They’re sick and tired of the partisan bickering and political point-scoring. They want results, and that’s what I’m here to do. My philosophy is as it has always been: I’ll work with anyone, regardless of party, who’s serious about delivering for the American people, but
TI’ll never sacrifice my core values.
And let me be clear: there are some things this administration is doing that I cannot support, and that require relentless pushback.
The reckless budget cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency are putting everything from national security to public health at risk. They not only haphazardly fired officials in charge of overseeing our nuclear stockpiles, but they’ve proposed slashing funding for pandemic preparedness, and fired those in charge of monitoring measles and avian flu, just as we face outbreaks of both. Once they realized this was a major mistake, they had a difficult time rehiring these people because they didn’t have their emails. This episode put on full display the cavalier approach DOGE is taking.
Even members of the far-right Freedom Caucus are saying enough is enough.
Problem Solvers colleague, Rep. Don Bacon, has called for targeted spending reforms, not reckless, across-the-board cuts. Another Republican, Mario DiazBalart, stresses congressional oversight, asserting that “Congress still has the power of the purse, and I zealously protect it.” And Republican Rep. Troy Balderson said President Trump’s executive orders are “getting out of control.”
Even members of the far-right Freedom Caucus are saying enough is enough. Rep. Gary Palmer argued that dismantling the Department of Education “can’t be done by executive order.” Sen. Lisa Murkowski put it simply: “That’s outside the bounds of the executive.”
back, standing up to DOGE on behalf of our 9/11 first responders.
When it comes to the state and local tax deduction, all four members of the Long Island delegation sit on the Congressional SALT Caucus, with Garbarino and I serving as co-chairs. And I commend my Republican colleagues for holding their party’s feet to the fire on this crucial Long Island issue; they have made clear to Speaker Mike Johnson that they won’t vote for legislation that doesn’t include raising the SALT deduction.
Internationally, Republican leaders like Sen. Roger Wicker and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick have shown courage by continuing to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. They understand that peace doesn’t come from appeasement — it comes from strength and unity.
Opposing these efforts isn’t about partisanship; it’s about protecting our country. And many Republicans agree.
Two weeks ago, Republican Sen. Susan Collins joined Democratic Sen. Patty Murray in calling out the administration’s attempt to block emergency spending authorized by Congress. They reminded us all: “We must follow the law as it is written, not as we would like it to be.”
Across the Capitol, Republicans are standing up for our institutions. My
The national security implications are just as alarming. Reports that top officials were discussing war plans over Signal, a commercial messaging app, triggered bipartisan outrage. Republican Senators John Thune and Lindsey Graham both sounded the alarm about the serious risks posed by these lapses in judgment.
On Long Island, there have been positive examples of bipartisan cooperation to stand up for what’s right. When DOGE tried to make drastic cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program, Rep. Andrew Garbarino publicly pushed
These Republicans aren’t breaking with their party for political gain. They’re doing it because they know what’s at stake.
We need to encourage other Republicans to speak out — to find the courage to stand up not only for their constituents, but also for the country. We need more courage, more cooperation, more commitment to doing what’s right. I will keep fighting for results alongside my colleagues, no matter their party.
We have to work together. The stakes are too high for either party to go it alone.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
hree years into Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman’s administration, nearly $100 million in opioid settlement funds sits mostly untouched. Meanwhile, lives are being lost. The money is stuck in limbo — apparently with no urgency, no transparency and no plan emerging from his administration.
This is unacceptable. While families mourn and communities struggle, Blakeman’s inaction has left these critical funds collecting dust. It’s time for outside experts to step in and fix this mess.
The county’s opioid settlement funds came from lawsuits initiated by former County Executive Laura Curran against the distributors, manufacturers and retailers of addictive drugs. The funds were intended to support agencies providing treatment, prevention and recovery services on the front lines of this crisis. The most recent funds accepted by the County Legislature — $1.185 million in total — came
from settlements with ShopRite supermarkets, Target and Henry Schein Inc.
Yet out of nearly $100 million, only $4.8 million has been spent. That is a shocking failure.
While Blakeman and his administration claim that $36 million is “encumbered” to various agencies, that’s just a fancy way of saying they’ve promised the money but haven’t delivered it. Worse yet, they blame the service providers for failing to submit reimbursement claims quickly enough.
W e need pros to get these resources to where they belong.
That’s an insult to families fighting to save loved ones in the grip of addiction. “Help is on the way” means nothing when that help never arrives.
Under intense questioning by Legislator Scott Davis and me during the Feb. 24 meeting of the Legislature, Department of Human Services officials finally admitted that only $4.8 million has been spent to date — even though we had selected many of the intended recipients because of the county’s familiarity with their programs and trust in their leadership.
Their testimony and lack of results
to date made it clear that DHS doesn’t have the ability to handle the distribution of these funds under its current leadership — and that agencies entrusted with distributing these funds should at least be consulting with experts in the field as they formulate a strategy.
After years of delays, the Legislature in February created a method for providers to submit applications, and authorized a maximum allocation of $1 million to bring in an outside firm to fix this disaster.
I joined my fellow legislators in supporting the measure because we need professionals to cut through the confusion and get these lifesaving resources to where they belong. Had we known of the level of disorganization three years ago, we could have acted much sooner — but the administration would not admit that it was unable to adequately manage this critical task. Its failure to come clean — a recurring problem with the administration — will have real-life consequences.
I have attended far too many funerals for young overdose victims, and know the heartbreak this crisis inflicts. Addic-
tion doesn’t discriminate — it devastates families of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, religion, sex or economic status. The catastrophic danger posed by the increasing presence of deadly fentanyl makes the stakes higher than ever before.
I regularly hear from families pleading for help, desperate for action. While we cannot undo the pain already inflicted, we can demand accountability. Nassau’s opioid settlement funds must reach those in need without further delay, and it is my hope that hiring a qualified firm will help us fulfill this mandate.
Every life we lose to opioid addiction is one too many. I will continue to meet my responsibility as a fiduciary of the county by continuing to closely monitor the distribution of these funds, which are intended to be used in an efficient, impactful and serious manner. In memory of everyone we have lost and with the hope of reaching our neighbors who are struggling right now, I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that we maximize the positive impact of these resources as expeditiously as possible.
Delia DeRiggi-Whitton represents Nassau County’s 11th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s Democratic minority leader.
when you thought we were hopelessly divided . . .
At a time when extreme political partisanship threatens to divide our nation, it is reassuring to realize that there are those who can engage people across the political aisle without sacrificing or surrendering their principles. The classic example of working to find solutions to serious issues while disagreeing amicably was the storied relationship between President Ronald Reagan and House Speaker Tip O’Neill in the 1980s.
Reagan was the most staunchly conservative president of the past 80 years, and O’Neill as liberal as any speaker ever. I use the term “relationship” rather than “friendship” because people who worked for O’Neill didn’t share the genuinely warm feelings Reagan had for him. But that didn’t prevent these two larger-than-life, strong-minded leaders of their respective political parties from respecting the office the other held and accepting their joint responsibility to find ways to get things done. Probably the best-known example of this cooperation was their agreement on Social Security, the “third rail” of poli-
Itics, which saved the system and strengthened it for another 40 years.
Though not as cordial, President Bill Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich found ways to work together in the mid-1990s, achieving successes for the country on such critical issues as welfare reform and the only balanced budget in a half-century. But that didn’t come easily. For the first two years of Gingrich’s speakership, after leading Republicans in 1994 to their first control of Congress in 40 years, he and Clinton were bitter, partisan rivals.
calmly about politics and serious issues, including the direction of the country.
A t King Umberto’s in Elmont, diners show a highprofile Democrat some love.
Then, when Clinton stalemated Gingrich by being re-elected in 1996, both realized that it made more governmental, and political, sense to find common ground. And they did.
It wasn’t anywhere near the same magnitude, but a similar bipartisan spirit prevailed last week, when my wife, Rosemary, and I had dinner with former Gov. David Paterson and his wife, Mary, at King Umberto’s in Elmont. Paterson is a lifelong Democrat whose father was a well-known state senator and Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. Despite our party differences, David and I have been friends over the years, and can talk
At King Umberto’s the conversation and the food were great, and, adding to the bipartisanship, Nassau County Republican Chairman Joe Cairo came by to say hello and exchange words of friendship and respect with Paterson. So here you had Cairo, the most successful political chairman in the country, having led the Republicans to more victories throughout Nassau than at any time since 1971, and Paterson, a former Democratic governor, displaying friendship and respect to each other in full view of a restaurant full of diners.
As we got up to leave, I was stopped by a number of customers who said hello and wished me well. I appreciated their kind words but wasn’t that surprised — not because I’m universally acclaimed, but because they were Republicans, and I’d been in elective office for 45 years. In fact, all told me they had voted for President Trump. What did surprise me were the universal expressions of friendship and support for Paterson:
“We need more Democrats like you.”
“Is there any way you could run for mayor this year?”
“I always respected you as governor.”
That’s how it went, from table to table, as we made our way to the door. I realize that was only a snapshot in time, and not a scientific survey. But as a political practitioner for all these years, I was pleasantly surprised that in these extraordinarily partisan times, a lifelong Democrat would receive such a warm response from a strong Republican crowd.
It could well have been that Paterson reminded them of a time that was more civil, that he was never known to be an extreme partisan or maybe just that he seemed so comfortable spending an evening with Republicans. Whatever the reasons, it was a signal to me that there’s still a place for bipartisanship. Nassau is in many ways the ultimate politically competitive county. There are 100,000 more registered Democrats here, but Trump carried Nassau by 30,000 votes, and Republicans hold every county office and control all three towns and two cities. At the same time, Democrats hold the majority of the state legislative districts. But with all the political infighting and the close balance of power, Joe Cairo and I are proud to show our friendship with and respect for a prominent Democrat like Paterson. Could be a good model for the country.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
love old war movies. The battle scenes that have been colorized help bring old films back to life. I enjoy spy movies that feature brave private citizens using makeshift radio transmitters to relay the enemy’s battle plans. Many of the heroes are eventually captured and put to death, but their valor is praised and monuments are created in their memory. These old memories came alive when I learned that the U.S. Agency for Global Media was defunding Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty. These two agencies reach an average of 47.4 million people a week in locations around the world. Their staff of 1,700 has programs that communicate in 27 languages to 23 countries. Their voice is heard in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Middle East. They were founded in 1950, with the blessing of President Dwight Eisenhower. If you live in Levittown or Long Beach, your initial reaction might be, why should anyone care about broadcast-
ing to countries that are controlled by dictators? No one in our region wants us to be engaged in another war, but if we can spread truthful information around the globe, words can be more important than bullets. China, Russia and Iran spend billions of dollars telling people what a bad country America is.
We get our daily news from traditional media, podcasts and outlets like Facebook, X and Instagram. People who live in the Ukraine or Iran have found ways to make contact with Radio Free Europe, their only source of real news. Without it and Radio Liberty, they are inundated with propaganda telling them about the “Evil Americans” who will desert them if there is any conflict. Up to a month ago, the two networks were working 24 hours a day to tell the world about America’s technological successes and our many new business achievements. They were also working to help free independent journalists from countries controlled by our political enemies. In fact, it was the Trump administration that helped free the journalist Andrey Kuznechyk from captivity in Belarus, a victory for the West.
F or dictators, there’s great news about Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty.
Dictators around the world want to see Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty go out of business because they get in the way of their propaganda machines. In 1981, a terrorist bomb exploded at the Munich headquarters of the two groups, injuring six and causing over $1 million in damage to the building.
After that episode, many Europeans thought maybe it was time to shut down their operations. When it looked like the groups would cave in and shut down for good, the Russians ramped up their efforts to downgrade America, and support for the networks strengthened again.
During the failed Soviet overthrow of some of its neighbors, then President Boris Yeltsin decided that the two companies provided helpful information for his country, and they received official accreditation. For a short time the networks operated offices in Moscow. When it was suggested that the Moscow offices be closed, they relocated to Prague, Czechoslovakia, with the blessings of then President Vaclav Havel. History will show that changing events kept the two groups alive.
Following the violent breakup of Yugoslavia, RFE/RL began broadcasting in Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian so they could be of service to the people in that region. A bureau was established in North Macedonia, for Albanians and Macedonian, in 2001. Once again there was pressure for a shutdown, but a series of armed aggressions by Russia brought about an increase in the networks’ operations.
With this history, it’s hard to understand why our new Department of Government Efficiency, run by billionaire Elon Musk, decided that the funding for these nonprofits should be eliminated. Clearly Musk knows nothing about theses two operations, their successes and the role they have played in fighting for democracy around the globe.
The good news is that the Czech government has stepped forward to provide funding for them. This short-term solution will help send the message of the West to the East and Far East. But the failure of America to step up is a sign of an administration that is truly out of touch with reality.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
he 54 public libraries in Nassau County and the 53 in Suffolk have long been pillars of knowledge and civic engagement.
More than just buildings filled with books, they are hubs of learning and connection. As we celebrate the 67th annual National Library Week — April 6 to 10 — it is important to recognize the invaluable role libraries play in our society, providing resources, fostering literacy, and hosting a range of community events.
Each day of National Library Week highlights a different aspect of their significance, underscoring their multifaceted contributions to their towns. While reading remains at the core of their mission, 21st-century libraries offer a vast array of services that cater to diverse community needs. From digital literacy programs to job-search assistance, they help people of all ages navigate an increasingly digital world. Free access to computers, and with them internet and research databases, empowers those who might otherwise lack these essential tools.
Libraries also serve as community centers, offering classes in everything from new languages to financial literacy. Programs for children, such as story time and summer reading challenges, foster a love of books and learning from an early age.
Most libraries also offer services for senior citizens, including technology training and social gatherings that keep them from becoming isolated. The inclu-
sivity of those services ensures that everyone, regardless of age, education or socioeconomic status, has the opportunity to learn and grow.
In a time when access to information is more important than ever, libraries remain steadfast in their commitment to education and community. They provide safe spaces for learning as well as opportunities for career advancement. Every day next week emphasizes a different facet of their importance:
Monday, April 7: Right to Read Day. The freedom to read is fundamental to democracy, yet book bans and attempts at censorship continue to threaten access to diverse perspectives. Right to Read Day serves as a rallying call for readers and library lovers and advocates to defend intellectual freedom.
The American Library Association marks the occasion by releasing its annual State of America’s Libraries report. By promoting open access to information, libraries empower their patrons to explore new ideas and think critically about the world around them.
Tuesday, April 8: National Library Workers Day. Every library has a team of dedicated professionals who make its services possible. This day is an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the efforts of librarians, archivists and support staff, who not only manage collections but also offer patrons guidance, research assistance and technological support. Their work ensures that libraries remain welcoming spaces for learn-
ing and discovery.
Wednesday, April 9: National Library Outreach Day
Libraries are not confined to physical buildings; they extend their services to underserved populations through outreach programs. Whether it’s bookmobiles bringing literature to rural areas, mobile internet access for remote communities or library partnerships with schools and shelters, outreach initiatives ensure that no one is excluded from the benefits of library resources. National Library Outreach Day celebrates these efforts and the professionals dedicated to meeting patrons where they are.
Thursday, April 10: Take Action for Libraries Day
Libraries depend on advocacy and support to continue their mission. On this day, their patrons are encouraged to speak up for policies and funding that sustain library programs.
From securing government funding to rallying local support, Take Action day reminds us of the power of collective action in protecting and expanding library services. Whether creating petitions, attending town hall meetings or simply spreading awareness, everyone can play a role in strengthening libraries for future generations.
This year’s Library Week theme is “Drawn to the Library,” with the goal of bringing more people from the community into libraries. If you haven’t been to your library recently, stop by. You can check out a book — and so much more.
It’s up to us to minimize the damage to history
To the Editor:
Re last week’s editorial, “History should not be a political casualty”: History, as history teaches, is inseparable from politics, and thus constantly in opinions’ crossfire, sometimes becoming a specific issue. As history also reveals, efforts to suppress or over-write reality mostly fail.
The musketeers in the Trump administration who are assigned to sniff out any aromas of diversity, equity and inclusion are one line of attack in MAGA’s self-described “culture war.” The current social, economic, political and religious hierarchies are to be reconstructed, which requires construction sites to be created and cleared. That demolition is underway, and will damage the fabric of American history.
In war, as Winston Churchill noted, truth is often the first casualty, and that is what uprooting DEI is all about. But because
Long island stands at a crossroads: it can continue along its traditional energy path, or embrace a transformative opportunity to lead in clean energy innovation. With an increasing number of projects focused on clean hydrogen production, battery manufacturing and renewable energy, the region has the potential to create new economic opportunities while addressing environmental challenges.
These investments aren’t just about going green; they reflect core conservative values — economic growth, energy independence and responsible environmental stewardship.
Conservatives have long understood that economic growth and environmental protection can go hand in hand. Former Gov. George Pataki, a republican, supported the Clean air environmental Bond act, which funded environmental projects across new york, preserving natural resources while also creating jobs and fostering economic activity. it clearly demonstrated that environmental protection can boost the economy, a principle that resonates with conserva-
tives nationwide.
Today, this bipartisan approach continues on long island, where members of Congress are advancing policies that embrace market-driven, clean-energy solutions. republican rep. andrew Garbarino has been an advocate of preserving local natural treasures like the Great South Bay, while rep. nick lalota has championed sustainable transportation investments.
tlong island leaders are also making strides in promoting clean energy. The Suffolk County legislature’s presiding officer, Kevin McCaffrey, supports public-private partnerships in renewable-energy projects, which have brought significant investment to the county. Conservatives are increasingly advocating market-based solutions to the energy transition.
pro-business policies can align with environmental goals.
hey understand that growth and environmental protection can go hand in hand.
The economic benefits of clean energy investments extend beyond the environmental sector. Projects like the South Fork Wind Farm, expected to generate thousands of jobs, will help boost long island’s economy. and the growing battery-manufacturing industry presents an opportunity to create skilled labor jobs while improving grid reliability. These investments in clean-energy solutions will not only boost employment, but also help reduce energy costs, making energy more affordable while promoting regional energy independence.
should encourage competition and innovation, empowering the private sector to lead. Federal and state policies should be designed to incentivize the development of new technologies without stifling businesses with unnecessary red tape. long island should focus on integrating clean energy with traditional energy sources to create a more resilient, diverse energy grid.
investment in grid modernization and battery storage will be essential to ensuring that long islanders continue to enjoy stable, affordable power. Combining renewable energy with traditional energy sources will provide the flexibility needed to meet energy demand.
Garbarino and 21 fellow republican lawmakers have led an effort to promote clean-energy technologies such as hydrogen production, nuclear energy and carbon capture, which are expected to generate jobs, reduce emissions and contribute to energy independence — all without the need for top-down mandates that could stifle innovation and economic growth. Garbarino and his colleagues are showing that pro-growth,
“casualty” does not always mean “fatality,” it is up to us to minimize the damage, end the assault and repair the fabric. That task is also underway. Join in.
Brian Kelly Rockville Centre
To the editor:
i am a concerned citizen calling for urgent action regarding President Trump’s stance on global warming and the environment. The administration’s proposal to reconsider the environmental Protection agency’s endangerment finding is reckless, anti-science, and a huge step backward for climate action. This decision isn’t just about politics — it puts our health, environment and future on the line.
The endangerment finding, established in 2009, is based on clear scientific evidence that greenhouse gases harm public health and the planet. it’s been the legal backbone for policies that reduce emissions from cars, power plants and industry. Without it, we lose a key tool for fighting climate change — and that’s exactly what polluters want. The reality is, climate change isn’t
some distant threat. it’s here. We’re seeing record-breaking heat, wildfires, floods and hurricanes that devastate communities. Our state is not immune to these catastrophes, and the administration’s actions would reverse progress. Gutting this policy ignores science and common sense at a time when we need stronger action, not more rollbacks.
This also sends a terrible message to the rest of the world. While other countries are working toward clean energy solutions, the U.S. risks becoming a climate laggard instead of a leader.
We can’t let this happen. We need to push back against this dangerous move and demand real climate solutions. The health of our planet — and future generations — depends on it. The e Pa should scrap its plan to undo this regulation and maintain the rules that are protecting all of us, and the air and water we rely on.
Kaili DeSanTiS Oyster Bay
‘We must make our voices heard’ on Social Security
To the editor:
Social Security isn’t a handout — it’s a promise that millions of us older
environmental improvements are another key benefit of investing in clean energy. long island has long struggled with the consequences of poor environmental practices, from air pollution to coastal erosion exacerbated by climate change. By embracing clean, americanmade energy, we can improve air quality, protect public health and preserve our natural landscapes — while maintaining a robust economy.
Conservatives have long supported market-driven incentives over burdensome regulations. rather than imposing top-down mandates, energy policies
republicans across the country have a valuable opportunity to embrace the clean-energy future that is emerging on long island. By supporting investments in clean energy, conservatives can show that their approach to energy policy works: it creates jobs, drives economic growth and enhances environmental protection. now is the time for republicans to champion a forward-thinking energy strategy that strengthens the economy, supports american innovation and secures a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
Brett Patrick is a branch leader of the American Conservation Coalition and a political science student at Binghamton University, where he is a member of the onors program.
a mericans have paid into with every paycheck. This administration is dismantling an essential program, closing offices, cutting hotlines, and spreading misinformation to justify these attacks. We elders deserve dignity, not broken promises.
We must stand together and make our voices heard. We cannot allow our american way of life to be decimated, and all the promises we believed in to be broken.
