Universal Interactions, under the direction of Christiano Marcello, Antonio Marcello and Fenol LaRock, presented their annual Black History Month celebration on Feb. 23 at Valley Stream Presbyterian Church. The nonprofit organization collaborated with Church of the Harvest for the free community event, which featured dozens of performers including actors, dancers and a choir. The celebration of Black history and commentary on modern civil rights explored the many angles of the community-led movement, along with the future it seeks to create, by answering the question, “Am I worthy?” Story, more photos, page 3.
Elmont calls out racism in school sports
By RENEE DeloRENZo rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Sewanhaka School District is calling out the Bellmore-Merrick school district for its students repeated racist behavior against Black students from Elmont during sporting events. In an effort to protect their children from continued abuse, Elmont parents said, they are demanding the offending school district be removed from their game schedules going forward.
You can’t have unity when you haven’t addressed the underlying issues that are causing disunity and harm.
On Feb. 26, the Elmont PTSA hosted its monthly meeting at Elmont Memorial High School, where they conducted a public forum to discuss their children’s experiences of being subjected to racism from other students and parents during games.
ranging from racial slurs to physical attacks, which occurred between 2019 and 2025. Among the incidents were white players calling Black players “monkeys,” taunting them by yelling “bananas,” making gorilla sounds, whispering racist comments during huddles, calling students the n-word and refusing to shake hands with Black players.
lAURA HARDINg former president, ERASE Racism
Lynette Battle, a Sewanhaka board trustee and former PTSA president, took to the podium and cited a long list of offenses,
Amaya Haley, a Black student on the Elmont high school girls’ basketball team, walked up to the podium and shared an incident she was involved in earlier this month. She explained that during a game against Bellmore at John F. Kennedy High School, she and a white player from the opposing team were fighting for a loose ball. When Amaya took control of it, her opponent hit her and pulled her hair, to which Amaya fought back.
Amaya was immediately
Continued on page 11
Alice Moreno/Herald photos
How federal budget bill could impact L.I.
More than 700 people attended a live budget briefing with Reps. Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi at Hofstra University that focused on the potentially harmful effects of the partisan budget reconciliation bill passed by the House of Representatives on Feb. 25.
Suozzi opened the March 1 briefing with a detailed PowerPoint, explaining that Congress has yet to pass a full budget for fiscal year 2025 and is currently relying on temporary “Continuing Resolutions,” the latest of which expires on March 14.
He emphasized that the reconciliation bill, which sets the federal government’s spending and revenue for the next decade, would create massive deficits by cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans while slashing critical programs.
“I support cutting waste, fraud, and abuse, but this bill will slash essential funding for hospitals, nursing homes, environmental projects, clean air and water initiatives, school lunches, and more,” Suozzi said in a news release after the event. “Let’s use a scalpel, not a chainsaw — pass a bipartisan budget and do it the right way.”
All Democratic members of Congress, including Suozzi and Gillen, voted against the bill, along with one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
“This briefing was a crucial opportunity for Long Islanders to learn more
about the budget process and hear from local experts on how the proposed budget would impact our communities,” Gillen said in the release. “This budget would rip thousands of people from their healthcare, gut programs that my constituents rely on, and raise costs for working families. I’ll always work across the aisle when it means delivering results for Long Island, but I won’t support a bill that’s bad for Nassau County.”
The event also featured speakers such as Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health, the largest employer in the state, Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, Randi Shubin Dresner, CEO of
Incredibly Great Rates & Personalized Service!
Island Harvest, and Stanfort Perry, CEO of AHRC Nassau. Each highlighted the potential damage the proposed budget cuts could do to their sectors.
“I’ve been through budget battles before, and they’re tough. But budgets are not just about numbers; they’re about people’s lives,” Dowling said in the release. “Decency must be part of the process. You can make tough decisions, but when you combine bad numbers with indecency and a lack of humanity, it makes everything worse.”
Tighe noted the environmental risks posed by the budget.
“The proposed cuts threaten the progress we’ve made in cleaning up our
air and water and advancing affordable clean energy,” she said in the release. Clean air and water should not be partisan issues. All Americans deserve access to stable, homegrown energy that isn’t subject to the volatile cost of fossil fuels.”
Shubin Dresner expressed concern about the impact on food security programs.
“Island Harvest has $2 million in funding currently frozen, putting 17 critical programs at risk,” she said in the release. “You can’t solve a budget crisis by cutting support for the most vulnerable.”
Perry emphasized the dangers of proposed cuts to Medicaid services for people with disabilities.
“We cannot endure these cuts,” he said in the release. “When agencies like AHRC Nassau can’t provide the care people with disabilities need, they end up in hospitals or nursing homes. This isn’t fiscal responsibility—it’s harming those who need help the most.”
“These issues matter to our community, and people are paying attention,” Suozzi stated in the release. “Over 700 Long Islanders came today to learn how Washington’s decisions affect their lives. I’m proud of my community, and I will continue to fight for the programs and services Long Island depends on.”
–Jeffrey Bessen
Herald file photos
The impacts of the federal bill passed last month was discussed by Reps. Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi and several organization leaders at Hofstra University on March 1.
Black history play reasserts self-worth
Universal Interactions presented original play “Worthy,” for their Black History Month celebration
By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com
To culminate the end of Black History Month, Universal Interactions, an Elmont-based nonprofit organization, explored with the concept of self-value and self-worth in the Black community through their annual celebratory performance on Feb. 23.
This year’s theme, “Worthy,” was conceptualized by the nonprofit’s directors Christian Marcello, Antonio Marcello and Fenol LaRock and an Elmont Cultural Center board director, Tamar Paioli Bailey.
Christian explained that “worthy” means that through God, anyone in the Black community can become the next Black leader.
“They wanted us to continue the fight,” Christian said of his predecessors, “and to keep adding to our history, growing, and knowing that we’re worthy to be the next leader and make a change in our community.”
The evening’s performance, which began at 6:30 p.m., included a choir performance of “Omemma,” followed by the performance of “Am I Worthy Enough?” which incorporated acting, dancing, praising and worshipping.
The play followed the story of Marissa Jones, played by Géniale Rebecca Medna, who questions whether or not she is worthy of becoming the next great Black leader.
Christian’s character, boyfriend Kevin Richards, leaves Marissa at the beginning of the play, telling her she’s not worthy enough to be anything.
Marissa then must take care of their baby as a single mother, grappling with the societal pressure that she cannot succeed in becoming a leader.
But, Christian said, by the end of the play, Marissa realizes that she is worthy because God makes her so.
He felt the focus on today’s community, rather than just the achievements of their predecessors, was an important addition to their celebration this year.
“This time, it was like looking in a mirror,” he said of this year’s performance. “We’re basically portraying that we can start a change at any age and become the next Black leader.”
The intention of the performance was to shine light on the different aspects of the Black community, whether it be internal struggle or external influences, and the ways in which it navigates the sociopolitical backdrop of American culture.
Christian said the decision to have the main character be a woman allowed them to explore concepts such as single motherhood, abortion, the lack of male accountability, and the pain Black women feel in the face of social and systemic oppression.
However, Pastor Curtis Thompson of Church of the Harvest, which helped organize the event, said the show was not meant to solely portray the hardships faced by the community. Instead,
he said, it was a celebration of successes in the Black community and the ways in which they’d overcome adversity.
“It’s not a focus on the negatives that have happened,” Thompson said. “It’s also highlighting the progress that we’ve made.”
The church provided performance space in Valley Stream Presbyterian Church, Thompson said, and it regularly participates in local community events.
Thompson, who had previously estab-
lished a relationship with the nonprofit’s three founders through the Men of Elmont mentorship program, said they approached him about putting on the event together this year, which he gladly agreed to. He said the team had a vision of their theme and an idea for a sketch, which he supported.
“The concept of worthy,” Thompson said, “is that we try to allow every person who is part of the production, and everyone in the audience, to know that they are worthy of whatever it is that
God has for them.”
He added that it is important to remember Black history in order to appreciate the present.
As for Christian, his goal is to continue the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
“It’s a time for us to look in the mirror and ask, ‘Where am I today? What am I doing to add to everybody’s greatness?’”
Erica Baah, left, from the Church of the Harvest’s Praise Team choir, sings a solo during their performance of “Omemma.”
Alice Moreno/Herald photos Members of the choir “Praise Team,” Jada Isaac-Thomas, Tamar Paioli Bailey, Nyasha Brown, Jasmine Thompson and D’adra Crump, as they perform the song “Omemma.”
Pastor Fenol Larock hypes up the crowd during the evening’s celebration.
Crime watCh
auto larCeny
Police said a man reported an unknown subject removed $5.00 from his parked vehicle on Baylis Avenue, in Elmont, on Feb. 16 at 9:20 a.m.
According to authorities, a man reported an unknown subject removed assorted items from his parked vehicle on Bieling Road, in Elmont, on Feb. 16 at 4 p.m.
A man reported that an unknown subject removed $200 from his parked vehicle on Ridge Road, in Elmont, on Feb. 16 at 4 p.m., police said.
Petit larCeny
Authorities said it was reported an unknown male subject removed 130 pints of ice cream from the Stop & Shop on Franklin Avenue, in Franklin Square, on Feb. 12 at 7:40 p.m.
Police said an unknown male subject was reported for removing assorted items from a Walgreens on Dutch Broadway, in Elmont, on Feb. 13 at 11:16 a.m.
Two unknown male subjects were reported for removing assorted items from a Walgreens on Dutch Broadway,
in Elmont, on Feb. 15 at 11:06 a.m., according to police.
According to authorities, it was reported that two unknown male subjects removed 16 nutritional drinks from the Walgreens on Dutch Broadway, in Elmont, on Feb. 20 at 12:26 p.m.
Police said it was reported that an unknown male subject removed baby formula and supplements from the Walgreens on Dutch Broadway, in Elmont, on Feb. 26 at 11:20 a.m.
arrests
Sabrina Philipose, 40, of Elmont, was arrested on Feb. 13 at 9:11 a.m. at the Target on Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont for shoplifting at the location, according to police.
Jessica Kaur, 21, of Jamaica, and Noyan Jawad, 22, of Franklin Square, were arrested for shoplifting at the JC Penney in East Garden City on Feb. 20 at 4:55 p.m., authorities said.
According to police, Frank Sanders, 60, of Hempstead, was arrested for shoplifting at the Lidl on Dogwood Avenue in Franklin Square on Feb. 24 at 6:35 p.m.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
Tim Baker/Herald
Elmont Memorial Library, in collaboration with Plaza Theatricals and Sunrise Theatre Company, put on a scholarship fundraiser with a special performance of “Seussical the Musical” on Feb. 18.
Elmont library raises money for high schoolers
By RENEE DELORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Elmont Memorial Library collaborated with Plaza Theatricals and Sunrise Theatre Company to coordinate a special scholarship fundraiser on Feb. 18 that included a performance of “Seussical the Musical” at 11 a.m. All proceeds from the ticket sales went to Elmont high school students to help them “set the stage” for their future.
According to Elmont resident Pedro Bumachar and his 8-year old daughter, Lucia Bumachar, the performance was a fun way to give back to the community.
What is Elder Law Estate Planning?
“Elder Law Estate Planning” is an area of law that combines features of both elder law (disability planning) and estate planning (death planning) and relates mostly to the needs of the middle class. Estate planning was formerly only for the wealthy, who wanted to shelter their assets from taxes and pass more on to their heirs. But today estate planning is also needed by the middle class who often have assets exceeding one million dollars, especially when you consider life insurance in the mix.
Estate planning with trusts became popular starting in 1991 when AARP published “A Consumer Report on Probate” concluding that probate should be avoided and trusts should be used to transfer assets to heirs without the expense and delay of probate, a court proceeding on death. Trusts are also widely used today to avoid guardianship proceedings on disability, protect privacy, and reduce the chance of a will contest in court.
&
As the population aged, life expectancies increased, and the cost of care skyrocketed, the field of elder law emerged in the late 1980’s to help people protect assets from the cost of long-term care by using Medicaid asset protection strategies.
We have been practicing “elder law estate planning” together for over thirty-five years to address these needs:
• Getting your assets to your heirs, with the least amount of court costs, taxes and legal fees possible.
• Keeping your assets in the bloodline for your grandchildren and protecting those assets from your children’s divorces, lawsuits and creditors.
• Protecting your assets from the costs of long-term care and qualifying you for government benefits to pay for your home care or facility care.
• Avoiding guardianship proceedings if you become disabled and probate court proceedings on death.
Lucia said she loves coming to the library for shows, and has been visiting the theater for their children’s programming since she was just three years old. This show, she continued, is one of the best shows she’s seen at the library so far because of how creative the production was.
“It was a really great show,” Lucia exclaimed. “I hope they do it again!”
As for Pedro, who grew up in Elmont, he enjoys any opportunity he gets to contribute to the community, especially students. Pedro attended Gotham Avenue Elementary School and Elmont Memorial High School, and he said he even recalled the old location of the library near the post office. Having a convenient location to watch shows at a cheap price, he said, was something he
was grateful for.
“I loved the show,” Pedro said. “It’s a very great experience for the young kids, and the price is good, too.”
Tickets were $8, he said, and the 400seat theater was packed halfway at the morning’s one-hour show.
Brian Sweeney, the executive director of Sunrise Theatre Company, which Plaza Theatricals contracts shows from, said Sunrise provided the performers for this fundraising event. Luckily, he said, the show had already been produced in summer 2024, so it was a quick two-week turnaround time for the company to rehearse before the event.
Seussical, based on Dr. Seuss’s children’s books and literature, is a childfriendly show, he explained, which makes it a popular choice for kid’s programming. On top of being entertaining, he added, the show can teach children new words.
“So much of our children’s shows are literacy-based,” Sweeney said. “It’s something kids can kind of immerse themselves in and make a connection with the curriculum.”
For more information about the library’s next scholarship fundraising production of Cinderella, on April 15, visit ElmontLibrary.org. To check out future shows by Plaza Theatricals or Sunrise Theatre Company, visit PlazaTheatrical.com and SunriseTheatreLI.com.
LONG LIVE
Many ways to access great doctors? We have that. Simple mobile app? We have that, too. Convenient locations for primary, specialty and urgent care? Absolutely. On Long Island, you have options in health care. But at Catholic Health, we'd like to remind you to choose you first – because we did, too. Long Live
Blakeman makes his case for re-election
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced his plans to run for a second four-year term at a campaign kickoff event on Feb. 24. His opponent will be County Legislator Seth Koslow, a Democrat.
Over the past three and a half years, Blakeman and his team have taken pride in protecting residents’ money by reversing tax hikes he said were implemented by the prior administration.
“We have an amazing team of very competent, caring people, and they’re smart and they have common sense,” Blakeman said.
Initiatives he has implemented include signing an executive order to ensure that Nassau does not become a sanctuary county, and doesn’t spend residents’ tax dollars on services for those coming to the U.S. illegally.
“We’re spending our resources, our money on Nassau County residents, on our parks, our highways, our schools, in the hiring of cops,” Blakeman said. “We’re not going to be the ones who take people in who haven’t been vetted. We see the criminal activity they’ve been engaged in, so it was the right decision to make.”
Blakeman has also banned the wearing of masks in public, except for those
who wear them for health or religious reasons. He said that this initiative was to cut down on crimes, including antisemitic crime.
Additionally, Blakeman signed an executive order to protect women and girls in sports by preventing biological males from competing on their teams and from being permitted in their lock-
er rooms.
Recalling his last campaign, he said that the one thing he wanted everyone to know was that he believed that when it comes to government, a new administration needed to return the county back to normalcy and common sense.
“And we did that,” he said. “We’ve gotten back to our American values
now. We’ve gotten back to the things our parents and our grandparents taught us, the values that have made this a great county and a great nation.”
North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena spoke about Blakeman’s unwavering support for her communities. “I have called him many times, and he has helped me without fail,” DeSena said. “When we had overwhelming floods hurting our neighbors in Manhasset, I called Bruce, and he and the Department of Public Works cleared the sump that gave our residents relief. When our Jewish brothers and sisters were scared after that Oct. 7 terrorist attack, I called Bruce, and he sent the police to protect them. Bruce loves Nassau County, and we are safer and better with him as Nassau County executive.” Koslow, who has served as a county legislator for a little over a year, is a lifelong Nassau resident. He said that he was looking to bringing the transparency, honesty and responsiveness he is known for to the county executive’s office.
“I may be relatively new to politics compared to lifelong politician Bruce Blakeman,” Koslow said, “but I know one thing for sure, which is that putting politics over public safety is a disgrace, and it should disqualify anyone from leading a county of over 1.3 million people.”
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
There was a celebratory mood at Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s re-election kickoff rally at American Legion Post 1066 in Massapequa on Feb. 24.
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Parrish-Brown removes stigma around trauma
By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Continuing a month-long series of interviews with influential area women in honor of Women’s History Month. Shanell Parrish-Brown is an attorney, author, professor, consultant, speaker and thought leader.
Herald: Tell me about yourself. Shanell Parrish-Brown: I’m a child of domestic violence. My father was incarcerated for the early years of my life and came home with many issues that affected our family structure. But he gave me a gift. He would force me to read high-level texts, and it created my love of vocabulary.
I’ve always been a writer. So in 2017, I wrote a novel called “Gifts in Brown Paper Packages.” I didn’t set out initially to write a novel I would publish. In fact, what I set out to do, at the encouragement of my therapist, was process some childhood experiences that this therapist thought I should be talking about in our sessions. Those are things that certainly shaped me, but I didn’t want to be defined in that way. So my writing changed that.
Herald: What do you do? Why?
Parrish-Brown: I run a business where I publish literary work, and I provide programming and education consulting for all audiences. I’m a resilience builder. I teach a course at Fordham University about trauma and family violence, which features my novel as one of the reference materials.
My premise is that if we’re not interacting with our youth from a traumainformed place, we can recognize that kids who are acting out are likely responding to trauma. If we’re not interacting with children from that perspective, they get lost. Mental health challenges in children, like suicidal ideation, have only been exacerbated. We really should be addressing these issues on every single level.
get the press that it needs. I’m also running a business as an independent consultant, and working with government systems is difficult.
But I keep going, and I stay in the work. I continue to put myself in spaces where I can meet people and share my work. I do calls with anyone who’s interested in hearing about the work I’m doing, even if they can’t hire me. It puts me in a place where I have opportunities to spread awareness.
Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what keeps you going/inspires you?
Parrish-Brown: The biggest challenge in my work is access. We have to normalize awareness of trauma, because it’s an area that doesn’t really
Herald: What have been the proudest moments in your life?
Parrish-Brown: Some of my proudest moments come out of my classroom. It’s every single time I leave a class, and a student comes up to me asking if they can hug me.
One of my proudest moments came from a two-hour resilience workshop I did in South Bronx. It was a Spanishspeaking audience, and I don’t speak Spanish, so I had an interpreter. These parents had tears in their eyes after leaving the session. They were fully engaged and telling me what I said reso-
nated with them. We have more similarities as a human race, and trauma doesn’t have a Zip code.
Herald: What advice would you offer? What work is left to be done?
Parrish-Brown: We need more trauma awareness. It’s a prerequisite to action. What we don’t know, or don’t seek to know, gives people the ability to keep their heads in the sand.
One of my goals is to open a resilience institute. It’s really about validating the need for us as a society to be promenading and dialoging around resilience, and that’s what I want to capture.
Why are we not teaching about trauma? Many of my students say I’m the first person to inform them about it. Talking about it helps people realize their own experience with trauma. I’ll have students pouring out themselves in their papers, and I can sit down and ask them if they’re seeing someone about it. That’s why I want a platform and the ability to raise awareness around this work.
To learn more about Shanell ParrishBrown’s work, visit her website, SPBrownWrites.com.
Lauren Wagner leads Long Island Arts Alliance
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Herald: Tell me about yourself.
Wagner: I’m Lauren Wagner, an arts advocate, nonprofit leader and champion for the creative sector. I lead Long Island Arts Alliance, where I work to ensure the arts are recognized, supported and celebrated as essential to our communities. With a background in arts administration and museum studies, I’m passionate about connecting the arts with education, economic growth and community development.
Herald: What do you do? Why?
keeps you going/inspires you?
Wagner: One of the biggest challenges has been fighting the perception that the arts are expendable. Time and again, I’ve seen arts funding slashed, despite the undeniable impact of the creative sector. What keeps me going is knowing that when we equip organizations with the right tools — data, advocacy and visibility — they can thrive. Seeing the arts make a real difference in communities, in schools and in people’s lives fuels my passion.
Wagner: I lead Long Island Arts Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the arts through advocacy, education and resources. I do this work because I believe the arts are not just about creativity — they’re about economic prosperity, community identity and shaping the future. The arts are often overlooked when funding decisions are made, and I’m committed to changing that narrative.
Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what
Herald: What have been the proudest moments in your life?
Wagner: Professionally, one of my proudest moments was leading Long Island’s first-ever economic impact study on the arts. Providing hard data that proves the arts are a powerful economic engine — and watching organizations use that data to secure funding — has been incredibly rewarding. Personally, my proudest moments are raising my two young sons and instilling in them a love for creativity and learning.
Herald: What advice would you offer? What work is left to be done?
are
Wagner: My advice? Advocate relentlessly. The arts need champions who won’t accept being sidelined. And never separate numbers from stories — data alone doesn’t inspire, and stories without facts don’t drive action.
There’s still so much work ahead. We need stronger arts education policies,
more equitable funding, and continued efforts to make the arts a priority in economic development. But I believe that with the right strategy, the right voices and the right advocacy, we can get there.
For more information, visit LongIslandArtsAlliance.org.
SHANELL PARRISH-BROwN
LAUREN wAGNER
Courtesy Long Island Arts Alliance
Lauren Wagner, executive director of the Long Island Arts Alliance, said she believes the arts
worth fighting for. She spoke to the Huntington Arts Coalition in 2023.
Lifesaving Heart Care Close to Home
In 1993, Anita Rothenberg of Valley Stream was first admitted to Mount Sinai South Nassau’s ER in Oceanside and treated for a heart attack at the age of 37. She recovered, raised a family and worked as a teacher on Long Island for the next 29 years. Then, in November of 2022, an angiogram showed three blocked arteries. She underwent triple bypass surgery a few days later at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in Manhattan and completed her cardiac rehabilitation close to home at Mount Sinai South Nassau.
Mount Sinai South Nassau o ers comprehensive heart care for Long Islanders, and has received the following ratings and quality awards:
• Rated High Performing in heart attack and heart failure from U.S. News & World Report ® for 2024-2025
• Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention™
• Healthgrades Five-Star Recipient for Coronary Interventional Procedures
• Named among the top five percent in the nation for Coronary Interventional Procedures by Healthgrades
L ea r n mo r e a t mountsinai.org/southnassauheart
Students honored for music and merit
Sewanhaka Central High School District celebrated the recent achievements of several students and staff during their board of education meeting on Feb. 25.
New Hyde Park senior Marco Valle, a member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, assisted with the Superintendent’s Update at the start of the meeting. According to a news release about the event, student ambassadors have been an integral part of the board of education meetings this school year, sharing successes and events throughout the district.
Superintendent Regina Agrusa began the awards and commendations by honoring NYSSMA All State musicians. During the association’s all-state conference in December, the news release said, New Hyde Park student Abigail Chung performed on the clarinet in the Symphonic Band and Clayton Yu performed on the French horn in the Symphonic Orchestra. Additionally, Elmont student Dylan Angus and New Hyde Park student Janice Park were honored for their selection as alternates.
The accolades continued, the news release said, with the recognition of H. Frank Carey student Meerab Chaudhry, who has been selected among 25 New York State high school seniors as a U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominee. Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages nominated Chaudhry for the honor.
Next, five students across the district were honored for their selection as finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. According to the news release, students entered the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The news release said about 15,000 of the semifinalists become finalists after completing a detailed application, providing information about their academic record such as participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors received.
The National Merit finalists are Brice Chiu, Rachel Jacob and Clayton Yu from New Hyde Park, Julian Santana from H. Frank Carey, and Edward Shen from Floral Park.
Mallory Poledro, the district director of special education, shared updates of the district’s Unified Sports Program and involvement with the Special Olympics of New York. The news release said a team from the LifeSkills program at New Hyde Park Memorial will be participating in the motor activity training program, and they will be training and competing in track and field.
Additionally, the news release said, Special Olympics of New York will be training staff to be their coaches, including physical education teachers, special education teachers and teaching assistants. Poledro shared an achievement for New Hyde Park, stating that the Special Olympics have named them a National Unified Champion School. On Jan. 13, a special banner was unveiled at the school before the boy’s varsity basketball game.
New Hyde Park Memorial High School students and staff, left to right, Board Vice
Agrusa, Principal Rosemary DeGennaro, Elmont Principal Marya
Janice Park, Elmont Memorial student Dylan Angus, Board Trustee
Poledro also recognized the dedicated Unified Sports coaching staff and Special Education Chairperson Christine Trupiano.
The celebrations continued, the news release said, with Floral Park Memorial High School’s art and literary magazine, Trumpet. The magazine’s 2024 edition, “Trumpet: Mosaic of Journeys,” earned the highest rank of “First Class” in the National Council of English Teachers REALM program. This is the first time the Trumpet magazine has received this honor, the news release said.
To conclude the tremendous achievements, the news release continued, Kru Patel, Elmont’s athletic director and chairperson of physical education was recognized for receiving the 2025 Emerging Athletic Director Award from the New York State Athletic Administrators’ Association.
–Renee DeLorenzo
Sewanhaka staff, from left to right, Board President William Leder, Director of Athletics Matthew McLees, Elmont Principal Marya Baker, Athletic Director and Chairperson of Physical Education Kru Patel, Board Trustee Trecia Wong, Board Trustee Tiffany Capers and Superintendent Regina Agrusa.
Photos courtesy Sewanhaka Central High School District
President James Reddan, Superintendent Regina
Baker, Board Trustee Tiffany Capers, New Hyde Park student
Trecia Wong and Board Trustee Patricia Rudd.
New Hyde Park Memorial High School students and staff, left to right, Board Vice President James Reddan, Principal Rosemary DeGennaro, Superintendent Regina Agrusa, Abigail Chung, Clayton Yu and Board Trustee Patricia Rudd.
Parents demand action to address racism
ejected from the game, but the player that attacked her was allowed back on the court and wasn’t told to get off until later in the game. She recounted how upset she was when the girl who attacked her started acting like she was the victim, throwing her hands up as if she didn’t know what she did.
“When she put that image out there,” Amaya said, “it looked like I started it. And the referees took no time to see what actually happened.”
In March 2022, Sewanhaka parents called a meeting with Section VIII, a membership organization that oversees scholastic sports in Nassau County, and collaborated on a plan to address the behavior. The plan included a list of action items, such as community workshops and suspensions for discriminatory behavior. However, Battle said this plan never came to fruition.
“It was a pretty good outline with promises made, but no delivery,” Battle said. “We’re in 2025 still looking for delivery, and it’s not okay.”
Elmont Principal Marya Baker, Sewanhaka Superintendent Regina Agrusa, and members of Nassau County’s Section VIII Athletics attended the Feb. 26 meeting. They listened to parents’ concerns and discussed what the school district and supervisory board could do to address the problem.
Parents were dissatisfied with the
answers they received, saying it was all talk and no action.
“We’re past the point of dialogue,”
Laura Harding, the former president of ERASE Racism said. “You can’t talk about race without talking about race.”
Harding noted how she proposed mandatory training for referees, officials, coaches and athletic directors to educate them about interpersonal and structural racism that affects Black and minority students.
No one took advantage of her proposal, she continued, and instead implemented “Unity Day,” which she said perturbed her.
Wby the district and Section VIII are meaningless because they are not enforced. They said they were tired of coming to meetings over and over again, just to for no concrete action to be taken.
Jon Johnson, president of the Men of Elmont mentorship club at the school, said true progress wouldn’t be made with only words.
and it’s not okay.
Lynette BattLe vice president, Elmont Board of Education
“You can’t have unity when you haven’t addressed the underlying issues that are causing disunity and harm,” Harding said. “You have power, and I want you to execute it.”
Matthew McLees, the Sewanhaka district’s athletic director, spoke on initiatives the school has implemented to address the issue of racism in scholastic sports. The items included unity statements that must be read before games, removal of spectators for discriminatory behaviors and partnering with school districts to work together on policies.
During the following Q&A session, parents said current initiatives espoused
School districts need to bring in former players who have experienced racism, Johnson said, as well as implement drastic measures such as removing offending players and districts from the schedule.
Agrusa said there should be zero tolerance for hate, but she had no experience removing a school district from the sports schedule.
When she began explaining how this action could potentially affect athletes’ statistics, one parent expressed frustration that she seemed to care more about numbers than the wellbeing of their children.
“It’s clear that it appears you’re more concerned about keeping records and looking good to the state and county,” Luciana Griffith, an Elmont parent, said. “If they don’t want to abide by what we do, then we won’t play them, and your record just won’t be what it is.”
Agrusa promptly defended herself, pointing out that she felt this was a mischaracterization. She reiterated that she didn’t know what impact this course of action would have on the district and its students, and she was concerned because of the implication it had for students’ college scholarships.
When parents asked what the diversity of the Section VIII board was, Patrick Pizzarelli, its executive director, said that the organization is comprised of representatives from 56 Nassau County school districts. He admitted that all five board members were white.
“I understand there’s been incidents with Bellmore-Merrick,” Pizzarelli then asserted. “Unacceptable incidents. But to my knowledge, this last incident was an athletic incident.”
“The claim that the district has been unresponsive to concerns about racism in athletics is untrue,” said Michael Harrington, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District superintendent. “The district does not tolerate racism, intolerance or discrimination of any type. We have extended our deepest apologies and held ourselves accountable for unfortunate behaviors that have occurred in the past with Elmont Memorial High School.”
Elmont resident Sheldon Meikle advised Section VIII members to take parents’ suggestions and relay them to the board.
never forget at Hofstra Summer Camps! Registration is now open, and you can secure your child’s spot today with just a deposit down
For over 40 years, Long Island families have trusted us to provide an exceptional summer experience for their children. With 50+ camps to choose from, kids in grades K-12 can:
•
•
•
•
Sewanhaka’s three national merit finalists
In a news release, New Hyde Park Memorial High School announced that three students Brice Chiu, Rachel John Jacob and Clayton Yu have been selected as finalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
According to the news release, students enter the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Schol-
arship Qualifying Test. About 15,000 of the semifinalists become finalists, the news release continued, and receive a Certificate of Merit attesting to their distinguished performance in the competition. Approximately half of the finalists will be Merit Scholarship winners.
–Renee DeLorenzo
Stewart Manor presents the Earth Dome
On Feb. 13, Stewart Manor School hosted a special assembly for students the Earth Dome which was presented by Mobile Ed Productions.
A news release about the event said students entered the school’s gymnasium and were amazed when they saw the inflatable dome, which was comprised of 24 panels silkscreened with photographs shot from satellites of the surface of the world.
Students from grades pre-K through sixth grade, the news release continued,
eagerly “traveled” around the globe, learning about continents, oceans and animals. They also identified deserts, rainforests and the equator. Students then climbed inside the dome, the news release said, where the classes saw Earth from another perspective. According to the news release, the Stewart Manor PTA sponsored the Earth Dome assemblies.
–Renee DeLorenzo
Courtesy Sewanhaka Central High School District
New Hyde Park Memorial High School staff and National Merit finalists, left to right, Counselor Eileen Valdes, Counselor Samantha Marino, Brice Chiu, Clayton Yu, Rachel Jacob, Counselor Jeanne Laudenslager and Principal Rosemary DeGennaro.
Courtesy Elmont Union Free School District
Stewart Manor School students were filled with awe and excitement as they entered the Earth Dome, a special inflatable dome presented by Mobile Ed Productions, and learned about the Earth from a new perspective.
Reworld Honors Long Island’s Champions At Herald Sustainability Awards Gala
STAFF REPORT
Last week Reworld™ celebrated several of Long Island’s sustainability leaders, educators, and community advocates as part of its ongoing efforts to empower community and environmental advocacy initiatives and to raise awareness of sustainability locally. The honors were presented during the recent Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island powered by Reworld, held at the Heritage Club at Bethpage. The event provided a platform to recognize individuals and organizations making significant contributions to advancing sustainable policies, protecting natural resources, educating future generations, and implementing community-driven initiatives to improve the region’s environmental landscape. In addition to honoring established community programs, Reworld also awarded two local students with $2,500 in prizes for their inspirational efforts to enhance quality of life in the region and encourage sustainability for generations to come.
“Our work helps Long Island communities reduce environmental impact while creating new opportunities for sustainability,” said Dawn Harmon, Director, Long Island Market, Reworld.
“Through our Long Island facilities, we eliminate the need for additional landfill space and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are so proud to support those leading the way in sustainability on Long Island and beyond.”
Among those honored were Don X. Clavin, Jr., Hempstead Town Supervisor, and Rich Schaffer, Babylon Town Supervisor, for their leadership in environmental policy. John D. Cameron, Jr., P.E., of IMEG, was recognized for his contributions as an environmental engineering leader. Randi Shubin Dresner of Island Harvest was acknowledged for her efforts in sustainable community leadership. Organizations such as the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Seatuck Environmental Association, and Cornell
Cooperative Extension Nassau County were highlighted for their community impact in sustainability. Leaders like Eric Swenson of the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, Robert Weltner of Operation SPLASH, and the Rotary Environmental Action Coalition of Huntington (REACH) were also celebrated for their dedication to environmental preservation.
Additionally, educators Jennifer Lasher and Lissette Pellegrino from Barnum Woods Elementary School were honored as environmental stewards in education. Stony Brook
University’s Esther Poon was honored along with two younger student honorees who were recognized for their outstanding commitment to sustainability. Louisiana State University freshman and 11-year-old Joseph Petraro received the award for his dedication to a range of community empowerment programs through Joe’s Be Kind Campaign, such as Clean Wells for Humanity which addresses global water scarcity. Desiree Mohammadi, a student at South Woods Middle School who is 12 years old, was honored for developing Seeds of Hope, an initiative that donates thousands of seeds to be planted at community gardens across Long Island to combat food insecurity sustainably.
As the presenting sponsor, Reworld is committed to supporting those at the forefront of environmental progress. With four facilities in Westbury, West Babylon, East Northport, and Ronkonkoma, the company processes two-thirds of Long Island’s waste, recycling 60,000 tons of metals and generating enough electricity to power thousands of homes each year. Through its efforts, Reworld™ reduces the need for landfill expansion, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and helps local communities adopt sustainable waste solutions.
Beyond this event, Reworld remains committed to fostering sustainability throughout Long Island with year-round programs that engage local schools, nonprofit organizations, and municipal partners.Through educational initiatives, community cleanups, and environmental awareness campaigns, Reworld continues to support the next generation of sustainability advocates while strengthening the region’s commitment to a cleaner, greener future.
For more information about Reworld and its initiatives that support various community empowerment and environmental programs fostering positive change locally and globally, please visit www.reworldwaste.com.
To view more pictures please visit www. richnerlive.com.
Holden Leeds/HERALD
Azeez Mohammed, CEO of Reworld delivers welcoming remarks.
Jason Thomas/HERALD
Reworld Lead Community Relations Specialist, Maureen Early (left), with honoree president and CEO Randi Shubin Dresner of Island Harvest (center) and Reworld Long Island Market Director, Dawn Harmon.
Holden Leeds/HERALD
Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin, Jr. addresses the audience after receiving his award.
NCPD wellness center focus is mental health
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The Nassau County Police Department unveiled a new wellness center at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 26. The center aims to support the mental health and well-being of law enforcement personnel and county employees by providing a place to relax, de-stress and connect with mental health resources.
Joining department members at police headquarters in Mineola for the ceremony were County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, District Attorney Anne Donnelly, Police Benevolent Association President Tommy Shevlin, and county legislators John Ferretti and Thomas McKevitt.
The wellness center, according to Blakeman, will serve as a safe space in which law enforcement personnel and county employees can address mental health and wellness concerns. It connects members with resources such as the employee assistance program, peer support and police chaplains.
Blakeman acknowledged that while mental health struggles, particularly suicide, were once stigmatized, open discussions are now helping those in distress find the support and therapy they need.
“This center is going to focus on keeping everybody in law enforcement in Nassau County well and healthy,”
Blakeman said. “And that’s what we want to do.”
The center will function as a resource hub where officers and county employees can seek guidance and support. While there will be no clinicians on-site, trained staff will be on hand to talk and connect members with wellness services. Ryder highlighted the
role of peer support, which offers immediate assistance to officers after traumatic incidents, such as the death of a child or a homicide scene.
“We always recognize the fallen,” Ryder said. “But there are a lot of people who get damaged along the way and don’t get recognized. Today we’re doing that.”
According to Ryder, the facility, a former museum, offers couches, massage chairs and televisions, and at atmosphere in which those feeling stressed can relax, have a cup of coffee and seek guidance.
Donnelly said it was a privilege to attend the center’s opening, and recognized its role in supporting those exposed to trauma. She noted its importance for law enforcement officers who must recount difficult experiences — and for assistant district attorneys who may need support after reviewing crime scene photos.
“The most important thing I believe we can do is care for those who care for us, and that’s the men and women of our Nassau County Police Department,” Donnelly said.
Detective Sgt. Michelle CliffordMarin will lead the center, a role that holds deep personal significance for her. Her brother, Nassau police officer Steven Clifford, died by suicide in 2017, at age 35, after serving in law enforcement for 12 years.
Clifford-Marin said that leading the project is an honor, and that it would be a privilege to help anyone who walks in to achieve a healthy mind, body and soul.
“We want everyone to be healthy,” she said, “and we want everyone to get the help they need, if they do need any help, to prevent additional tragedies like my brother.”
Charles Shaw/Herald
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman cut the ribbon, alongside law enforcement officials and local leaders, to mark the opening of the Nassau County Police Department’s new wellness center on Feb. 26.
with Deals!
STEPPING OUT
Feasts, floats, festivities
Get ready for Carnival at Long Island Children’s Museum
By Danielle Schwab
Bring the family to join in the good times when the Children’s Museum opens its doors to Carnival this weekend.
As a globally cherished cultural celebration, Carnival honors the unique traditions and diverse identities of each community it touches. Especially significant to Caribbean and Latin American cultures, it’s a vibrant cultural showcase of creativity and self-expression.
These themes are woven into every aspect of the museum’s festivities, with the support of New York Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, to make this occasion truly special.
“The holiday is a great entry point of learning for our community and for families. It’s so vibrant and colorful and just a happy event. So it’s fun to give opportunities for people to really celebrate,” Aimee Terzulli, the museum’s vice president for programs and visitor experience, says.
Everyone can get moving to the sounds of drums with Samba and Salsa music guided by the dancers of the Brazilian Sama Novo troupe. Towering “Jumbie” stilt walkers, rooted as a symbol of spirit guardians, bring the magic to life as an iconic part of the Carnival
Louisiana Calling
From the deep roots tag team of Cajun slide guitar phenom Sonny Landreth and legendary New Orleans Latin-Americana rockers the Iguanas comes a mind-blowing musical trip through the scenic soundscape of the bayou. Still wet from crawling out of the swamps, this cross-pollinated confection will be both savory and sweet. Louisiana’s calling — here’s your chance to answer. Landreth’s unique spin on guitar playing has made him legendary. This Louisiana based Blues guitar wizard’s slide playing is distinctive and unlike anything else you’ve ever heard. He simultaneously plays slide and fingers the fret board producing a sound that is often said to resemble many instruments playing at once. His music encompasses Mississippi Delta blues, zydeco and Southern rock. He’s joined by The Iguanas, a fixture of the New Orleans music scene for over two decades.
Saturday, March 8, 8 p.m. $79, $69, $59. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
headpieces or even get their faces painted in elaborate designs to stand out in the crowd as they make their rounds through the museum.
“Costumes are often deep-rooted in cultural themes but are also a symbol of freedom and liberation, they often can mimic animals,” Terzulli says.
Guests can also create flags to show their cultural pride and represent the many countries that celebrate Carnival.
Before the parade kicks off, everyone will have a chance to decorate themed floats and even meet some very special party guests.
“We’ll have our animal specialists showing certain animals that are part of our collection and show them how some of these animals are connected to certain float themes, typically in the Caribbean or in Latin America,” Terzulli adds.
life celebration.
• Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9
• Performances at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
• $17 museum admission, $16 seniors 65 and older
True to Carnival’s festive spirit, a King and Queen will be crowned to lead the crowd with energy and flair. But don’t worry, there’s a role for everyone — both kids and adults — to involve everyone, according to Terzulli.
Colin Jost
Plus, a special performance from the fourth and fifth graders at Elmont’s Dutch Broadway School will get feet jumping to the beat.
• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800
• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City
“It’s about communities really coming together and celebrating different talents and roles that they have.“ she says. “Families that can learn together have tremendous value when you come together to learn something new.”
Although the holiday is celebrated at various times during the year, hosting it in March provides the perfect opportunity to embrace the changing seasons.
“The students have created lessons in different dances that are involved like reggae and calypso, typical for Caribbean culture,” Terzulli explains. “Generation to generation learning is powerful. We want kids teaching other kids.”
“The students teaching other kids.”
Need some fuel after all that dancing? Delicious treats — both sweet and savory — will tempt visitors, including Haitian beignets, marinades, tropical juices, and cocoa bread. And naturally, no Carnival would be complete without a massive parade to ring in the holiday. Families can create wearable crafts such as beaded whistles and feathery
“In March, we’re still not quite in spring so it’s a great way to spend time with your family indoors in a very celebratory way,” Terzulli reminds everyone.
The event is part of a series of cultural festivals the museum is hosting to invite Long Island communities to learn and celebrate together.
“We want people to know about each other and celebrate all the great similarities and differences that make our cultures vibrant and alive here,” Terzulli says.
Live … from Long Island … it’s Colin Jost! From Saturday Night Live to standup to his appearances in film, other TV ventures and even authoring a memoir, Jost is seemingly everywhere. He is currently in the middle of his 11th season as SNL’s “Weekend Update” co-anchor, and his 20th as an SNL writer. His accolades are many: five Writers Guild Awards, two Peabody Awards and 15 Emmy nominations for his writing on “SNL.” Among other endeavors, Jost debuted “A Very Punchable Face” in 2020, His memoir is a series of essays that documents pivotal moments in Jost’s life, including growing up in Staten Island in a family of firefighters, commuting three hours a day to high school, attending Harvard while Facebook was created and more.
Thursday, March 13, 8 and 10 p.m.
Photo on bottom: Be sure to create a parade-worthy headdress and design a whistle to toot some
$129.50, $119.50, $89.50, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
Photos courtesy LICM
Photo on top left: Towering stilt walkers, known as Jumbies, are an iconic Carnival element.
Photo on top right: Ron DeFrancesco, Sama Novo director, creates the beats.
Carnival spirit.
Anthony Rodia
Anthony Rodia is back with his “Laugh Til It Hurts” tour, on the Paramount stage, Friday, March 15, 7:30 and 10 p.m.; also Saturday, March 16, 7 and 9:30 p.m. His allnew routine is refreshingly genuine and quick witted! A first-generation Italian-American from Westchester, Rodia’s comedy pulls from his razorsharp observations on marriage, parenthood, road rage, and everything else worthy of a rant. He came out of the womb making people laugh. In his 20s he tried a few open mics, but ultimately took a different career path as a finance manager of a luxury car dealership. In 2019, Rodia returned to comedy and left his day job to become a full-time stand-up comic. He hit the ground running and performed 100 shows in just nine months, and within three years gained a massive fan base online and around the country. In a short time, Anthony gained over 900,000 social media followers and his YouTube videos have amassed over 22 million views.
Rodia’s comedy pulls from his real life and razor-sharp observations on marriage, parenthood, road rage, and everything else worthy of a rant. With the onset of quarantine, he made the most of a captive audience, delivering a staggering 86 weekly videos. “Road Rage Wednesday” became a fan favorite, but his Uncle Vinny and Zia Lucia characters transformed into a phenomenon. They are the crazy uncle and aunt you love but can’t be out in public with, who speak their minds (whether you asked for it or not). $89.50, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
In concert
Long Island Blues Society presents the Duke Robillard Trio and Long Island’s BFS Trio at My Father’s Place, Saturday, March 8, 8-10 p.m. Duke Robillard, the founder of Roomful of Blues, brings his band back to Long Island for an exceptional night of blues. My Father’s Place at The Roslyn, 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. For tickets/information, visit MyFathersPlace.com or call (516) 580-0887.
Women’s Wealth and Wellness
Join a Women’s Wealth and Wellness gathering, Sunday, March 16, 2-8 p.m., dedicated to women’s self-care and healing. The event will kick off with brunch and networking. This is a self-care day intended for women to relax, rejuvenate and feel good about themselves. With an expert panel discussion, giveaways, food and a live DJ. The dress code is “bright colors to heal,” which encourages women to wear pink, white, gold, and peach. $99, VIP $129. Registration is open now and can be accessed at EventBrite. com. 1081 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square.
Senior Chat
Join fellow seniors for companionship, Fridays, at 10 a.m. at Elmont Public Library. Participate, or just listen, to casual discussions on special interests, concerns, and whatever happens to come up. Next meeting is Friday, Jan 3 in room 01. 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. For more information, visit elmontlibrary. org or call (516) 354-5280.
Are you game?
Bring some friends and make some new ones during game night at Elmont Memorial Library, Wednesdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. There are tons of games to choose from! No registration required. First-comefirst-seated. Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. For more information, visit elmontlibrary. org or call (516) 354-5280.
Community Game Night
Looking to make some friends and play board games? Visit Franklin Square Public Library, the third Wednesday of every month, at 6 p.m., to socialize and have fun at this free program. Light refreshments will be served. No registration is required. 19 Lincoln Road. For more information, visit franklinsquarepl.org or call (516) 488-3444.
March 6, 2025 —
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notices
STATE OF NEW YORK
SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU
M&T BANK, Plaintiff, v. DAVID B. KAYODE, ET AL, Defendants.
NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
THAT
In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on November 21, 2024, I, Robert J. Aiello, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on March 14, 2025 at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Ct. Dr., Mineola, NY 11501, at 02:00 PM the premises described as follows: 11619 240th Street
a/k/a 116-19 240th Street Elmont, NY 11003
SBL No.:
32-640-242,243
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.
The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 605818/2019 in the amount of $696,237.61 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604
Tel.: 855-227-5072 151535
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
NASSAU COUNTY
MUNICIPAL CREDIT
UNION, Plaintiff against
JEANETTE MILLER
A/K/A JEANETTE
SAMUELS A/K/A
JEANETTE MILLERSAMUELS, et al
Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern, Lavinthal & Frankenberg, LLC, 103 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 100, Roseland, NJ 07068.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered April 16, 2024, Order Substituting Referee entered May 9, 2024 and Order Extending Time to Set Sale entered January 14, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 26 Essex Road, Elmont, NY 11003. Sec 32 Block 404 Lot 358. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land with the building and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Approximate Amount of Judgment is $98,713.32 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 605901/2019. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Peter H. Levy, Esq., Referee File # 202100025 151537
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, LIMOSA, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. IFTEKHER HASSAN, IF LIVING, AND IF HE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 3, 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 March 19, 2025 at 2:00
p.m., premises known as 236 Holland Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 32, Block 440 and Lots 123-125. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,000,472.26 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #002479/2014.
Karl C. Seman, Esq., Referee Vallely Law PLLC, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 165, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 151525
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff -againstUNKNOWN HEIRS TO THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH TANTALO, as if they be dead, etc..., et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 7, 2024 and entered on March 12, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 14, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as Section 35 Block 496 Lot 83. Said premises known as 815 FRANKLIN AVE, UNIT 4, FRANKLIN SQUARE, NY 11010
Approximate amount of lien $613,074.75 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 612238/2017.
JANE SHRENKEL, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590
For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. DLG# 38723 {* Elmont Herald*} 151454
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST JACQUELINE SALMON, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 2, 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 March 18, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1601 Johnson Avenue 13, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Hamlet of Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION 32 BLOCK 470 LOT 27. Approximate amount of judgment $717,212.08 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #011587/2008. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 00-120754 84238 151496
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY CHRISTIANA TRUST AS CUSTODIAN FOR GSRAN-Z LLC, Plaintiff against DONNA MANGAL, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Hersko & Ehrenreich P.C., 555 Willow Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516, (516) 942-4216. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered January 30, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being, and identified
on the land and tax map of the County of Nassau in the State of New York. Premises known as 98 Hillsboro Ave., Elmont, NY 11003. Sec 32 Block 449 Lot 121. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $18,827.24 plus interest, fees, and costs and Attorney fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 604289/2023. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF MASTR ASSET BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2006-AM3, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-AM3, -againstSHARON SPERANZA, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on December 5, 2019, wherein U.S. BANK N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF MASTR ASSET BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2006-AM3, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-AM3 is the Plaintiff and SHARON SPERANZA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501,
on March 27, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 247 PASCHAL AVE, FRANKLIN SQUARE, NY 11010; and the following tax map identification: 33-308-52 & 53. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT FRANKLIN SQUARE, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 011081/2013. Janine T. Lynam, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 151689
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST VIVIAN PRYOR, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 7, 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 March 20, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 29 Litchfield Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Franklin Square, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 31, Lot 391 & 392. Approximate amount of judgment $662,737.09 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #001660/2016. Martin
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUTSITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST JULIA DANIELS IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 3, 2025, 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 March 26, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 89 Hunnewell Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Franklin Square, near Elmont, in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, Section 35, Block 032, Lot 244-245. Approximate amount of judgment $401,463.99 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #602721/2023. Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-003604 84451 151657
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1, -against-
VADELL WALKER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF TONI WILLIAMS, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 16, 2025, wherein WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1 is the Plaintiff and VADELL WALKER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF TONI WILLIAMS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 28, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 34 LOUIS AVENUE, ELMONT, NY 11003; and the following tax map identification: 32-363-74, 75, 76 & 77.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 610675/2021. Christine M. Grillo, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 151841
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS of the Franklin Square & Munson Fire District, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York:
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that a resolution was adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners, Franklin Square & Munson Fire District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York at a special meeting thereof held on February 25, 2025 subject to Permissive Referendum as provided by Town Law.
An abstract of the resolution is as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Franklin Square & Munson Fire District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, shall expend additional monies for the purchase, design and renovation of the new EMS building in an amount not to exceed six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000.00).
Said funds to be expended from Capital Reserve for Buildings and Grounds as authorized by Section 6-g of the General Municipal Law. This resolution shall take effect 30 days from the date hereof, unless within 30 days a valid petition, as provided for in the Town Law is filed with the Fire District Secretary requesting a Permissive Referendum.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
FRANKLIN SQUARE & MUNSON FIRE DISTRICT
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
Attest: Kerry Santina District Secretary February 25, 2025 151958
THE ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT SHALL PURCHASE RENOVATION OF ELEVATOR AT DISTRICT BUILDING ON SCHOOL ROAD AND PUBLIC WORK RELATED THERETO AT A COST, INCLUDING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH TRANSACTION NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND ($200,000.00) DOLLARS WITH FUNDS FROM THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS CAPITAL RESERVE FUND.
This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days unless in the meanwhile a permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal Law is required to be held.
Dated: February 26, 2025
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD ATTEST: FRANCES ANDINO Secretary 151959
AND LEGAL NOTICES…
in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AN AD CALL
516-569-4000 x 232
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
AT&T proposes to modify their existing facility (new antenna tip heights of 58.5’ & 63.5’) on the building at 925 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square, NY (20250121). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn at 856-809-1202 or 1012 Industrial Dr, West Berlin, NJ 08091 with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties. 51920
LEGAL NOTICE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Franklin Square & Munson Fire District, Board of Fire Commissioners will meet on Wednesday, March 19, at 7:30 pm for a Special Meeting. The meeting will be held at Fire District Headquarters, 833 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square, New York.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
FRANKLIN SQUARE & MUNSON FIRE DISTRICT
Kerry Santina Fire District Secretary February 25, 2025 151956
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
Christine M. Grillo, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 210491-1 151968
LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT:
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Elmont Fire District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, on the 26th day of February, 2025, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal law.
An extract of the resolution is as follows:
Sealed bids will be received by the Franklin Square & Munson Fire District at the District Office, 833 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square, NY until 4:00 PM on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, for the radio communications upgrade project and related equipment. Bids will be publicly opened and read on March 19, 2025, at 7:30 PM. The right is reserved to waive any informalities in, to reject any or all bids submitted, or to accept and award the contract to the lowest, responsible bidder. Complete specifications for the above project may be inspected and obtained at the District Office beginning on March 5, 2025, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM on weekdays.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
FRANKLIN SQUARE AND MUNSON FIRE DISTRICT
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
ATTEST:
Kerry Santina District Secretary February 25, 2025 151957
COUNTY OF Nassau, U.S. Bank Trust, National Association, as Trustee of the Bungalow Series IV Trust, Plaintiff, vs. Lalchand Lakeram, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 17, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 82 Oakley Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 32, Block 559 and Lot 324. Approximate amount of judgment is $862,181.16 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610315/2019.
If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.
www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AND AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR ARGENT SECURITIES INC., ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006Ml, Plaintiff, Against LYSTRA M. RAMRATTAN AS HEIR AND ADMINISTRATRIX TO THE ESTATE OF SURDASH RAMRATTAN; RANDALL S. RAMRATTAN AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF SURDASH RAMRATTAN; LYSTRA M. RAMRATTAN AS GUARDIAN OF CHELSEA K. R. RAMRATTAN WHO IS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF SURDASH RAMRATTAN; ET AL Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 01/10/2019, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 4/7/2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1069 Concord Street, Franklin Square, New York 11010, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Franklin Square in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York. Section 33 Block 380 Lot 260
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $882,483.61 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 003792/2015
Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Dated: 2/24/2025
File Number: 17-300381 CA 151980
AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to:
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE, IN TRUST FOR CHASEFLEX MULTI-CLASS MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 Plaintiff, Against Sung Choi A/K/A Thomas Choi A/K/A
Thomas L. Choi A/K/A Thomas R. Choi A/K/A Tomas Choi A/K/A Thomas Lee Choi, Capital One Bank New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Capital One Bank (USA), NA, Atlantic City Showboat, Inc., American Express Centurion Bank, Monrovia Growers Company, Boardwalk Regency Corp. d/b/a Caesars Atlantic City, Trump Taj Mahal Associates (formerly Trump Taj Mahal Associates, L.P.) t/a Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, Discover Bank, Chase Bank USA, NA Chung Choi Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 11/01/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 4/8/2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 16 Park Place, Floral Park, NY 11001, And Described As Follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Floral Park, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 32 Block 65 Lot 187 And 188. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $742,622.44 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 606764/2017 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine. Scott H Siller, Esq., Referee. SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Dated: 2/24/2025 File Number: 32674 CA 151982
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF GSAMP TRUST 2005-AHL MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-AHL, -againstMARITZA ESCOBAR, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on February 15, 2024, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF GSAMP TRUST 2005-AHL MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-AHL is the Plaintiff and ESCOBAR, MARITZA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE
at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 10, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 52 LUCILLE AVENUE, ELMONT, NY 11003; and the following tax map identification: 35-36-42, 43 & 44. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT FRANKLIN SQUARE (NOT INCORPORATED) IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 602538/2020. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 151986
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. SAMMY TORRES, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 7, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 9436 241st Street, Floral Park, NY 11001. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bellerose in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and
State of New York, Section 32, Block 009 and Lot 132. Approximate amount of judgment is $495,482.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604678/2023. Cash will not be accepted. Adrienne Flipse Hausch, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 151966
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF POPULAR ABS, INC. MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-4, Pltf. vs. THEYCESLYN FREEMAN, et al, Defts. Index #610776/2019. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Jan. 28, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on April 3, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 32 Cerenzia Boulevard, Elmont, NY 11003 a/k/a Section 32, Block 672, Lot 00001. Said property known as and by Lot No. 1 in Block 645 on a certain map entitled, “Amended Map of Argo Village, N.Y., owned by Argo Homes Inc., 481 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, New York, surveyed by Howard J. Teas, Civil Engineers and Surveyors, Homeland Building, Malverne, N.Y., June 23, 1947 under file Number 4421. Approximate amount of judgment is $520,118.02 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law. JOHN BOKLAK, Referee. HILL WALLACK, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 260 Madison Avenue, 9th Floor, Ste. 940, New York, NY 10016. File No. 20292-1223 - #102144 151972
NUMC, state leaders rally for funding
Long Island’s ‘safety net’ hospital has lost millions in state monies despite providing crucial aid
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Health care leaders and state officials rallied in Albany on Feb. 25, pushing for crucial state funding for the Nassau University Medical Center, the East Meadow-based hospital that is overseen by the Nassau Health Care Corporation.
During the rally, which took place in the Capitol Building, Megan Ryan, the corporation’s president, chief executive and chief legal officer, joined State Sen. Steve Rhoads and other legislators to press the State Legislature to include funding for the hospital in its 2025-26 budget.
“Nassau University Medical Center serves as a critical lifeline for the most vulnerable populations in Nassau County and is an irreplaceable part of Long Island’s healthcare network,” Rhoads, a Republican whose district includes NUMC, said at the rally. “Nearly 90 percent of their patients are Medicare, Medicaid or have no ability to pay. As a result, it relies upon state funding to survive. However, since 2019, NUMC has been denied hundreds of millions of dollars of state funding received by safety net hospitals in other areas.”
Rhoads cited the hospital’s Level 1 trauma center, its burn center for local first responders and those injured in fire-related incidents, and its newly established cardiac catheterization lab as crucially important elements in Nassau County and Long Island’s health care system.
“While hospitals in Westchester, Brooklyn and the Bronx have received funding, NUMC continues to be overlooked,” he added. “It is imperative that the governor and legislative leaders put politics aside, step up, and do the right thing for the people.”
The hospital said it applied for every state funding opportunity available in 2024 and 2025, but has received no state aid. Through a Medicare waiver, which the state was recently awarded, $2.2 billion will be distributed over the course of four years to public hospitals in New York City and Westchester County, but provides no support or funding to
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
CitiMortgage, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST Kettie Jean; Milius Jean; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 2, 2015, and Amended May 24, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 9, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 500 Cameron Street, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County
Health care leaders and state officials
University Medical Center.
NUMC.
“We’re asking to be treated fairly — that shouldn’t be a politically charged or partisan issue,” Ryan said. “The state has a legal responsibility to provide NUMC with aid to fulfill its mission as a safety net hospital.”
Ryan called on leaders in the State Senate and Assembly to “come together” and include “unrestricted aid for NUMC in this year’s budget.”
“Anything less risks creating a health care crisis in Nassau County,” she said.
Assemblyman Ed Ra, a Republican whose district includes parts of East Meadow, said, “This is truly a failure to prioritize the health-care needs of our region. Nassau residents contribute their tax dollars to New York state just like every other region, and it’s only right that those dollars are reinvested in their health care.”
Assemblyman John Mikulin, a Republican whose district also repre-
sents East Meadow, added, “Nassau County needs Nassau University Medical Center. NUMC must receive the state aid necessary to ensure families in need have access to the medical treatment and care they deserve.”
NUMC is Long Island’s largest safety net public hospital and serves all patients, regardless of their ability to pay for health care services.
The health care corporation also oversees the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale.
February 25, 2025 151976
Esq.,
NUMC boasts a Level 1 trauma center, and serves more than 270,000 patients a year, with 67,000 emergency room visits. More than 60 percent of the hospital’s patients are women, and 70 percent are racial minorities. The health care system relies on funding, and since 2017, the state has slashed its allocations from $190 million to zero dollars in 2024.
The health care corporation is currently suing the state for its alleged failure to comply with federal Medicare reimbursement laws, claiming the state orchestrated a ruse to withhold Medic-
Nassau University Medical Center boasts a Level 1 trauma center, and serves more than 270,000 patients a year, with 67,000 emergency room visits. About 90 percent of its patients are on Medicaid or Medicare.
aid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments that the hospital was entitled to. Regarding the lawsuit, which was announced in late-2024, and accusations against the state, Gordon Tepper, a spokesman for Gov. Kathy Hochul, said: “We are continuing to work with Nassau County on an appropriate solution for the future of NUMC. Our concerns are the fiscal health of the hospital and patient care. Everything else is just noise.”
Despite the lack of state funding, the health care corporation’s financial sustainability plan, which was rolled out in late-2023, has allowed the hospital to make significant financial improvements.
Last year, NUMC reported an increase in its cash reserves, an uptick in revenue and a decrease in its operating expenses. NUMC has also expanded its clinical services, revamping a multitude of patient areas, and received the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission, a nonprofit organization that evaluates and accredits health care organizations and programs nationwide.
Courtesy Office of State Sen. Steve Rhoads
rallied in Albany on Feb. 25, calling for the restoration of state funding for Nassau
Herald file photo
Help Wanted Help Wanted
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must.
Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!
$22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778
Email: info@bellautoschool.com
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and
and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
A Hamptons Delight
Apartments For Rent
LYNBROOK: NEWLY RENOVATED 1 BR, EIK, Lower Level. Own Thermostat. $1700 Includes All Except Cable/ WIFI. No Smoking/ Pets. 631-433-5397
The Hamptons comes
Yes, keep those pipes warm
Q. We just got over a lot of repairs from a burst pipe under our kitchen sink. The pipes under the sink are back in the outside wall, with insulation around them, but I’m wondering why they said it was still a good idea to let the water drip, even run a little when it gets cold out. It seems wasteful, and I wasn’t sure why they told me that. Is it because they’re not confident in the repairs, or does everybody have to run their water in the winter when pipes could freeze?
A. The work was not repaired correctly and should be redone before it gets too late to get anybody to return to the “scene of the crime.”
Water freezes, and supplyline water that’s buried in outside walls and not kept warm will turn to ice.
Several years ago, a client, who had work done in the summer, called the following winter to say he had no running water in his bathroom sink. The sink was on an exterior wall, but the rationale the installers used for where they put the insulation was that a roof from below came up to meet the outside wall behind the sink. They told the owner that the roof protected the pipe because of how far the sink was set in from the walls below, set back the way it was designed. They cut open the back of the finished sink cabinet and exposed the pipe, telling the owner that he just needed to let the water trickle and keep the cabinet doors open all the time in the winter. I was called after they told the owner that was a bad design. He was very frustrated by the time we spoke, because the plumber and contractor had already returned several times and this was their final answer.
The simple solution, which worked for him and will work for you, is that supply pipes need to be to the warm side of insulation. I saw that the coldand hot-water supply pipes were completely enclosed with insulation. I removed the insulation from the warm side and only kept the full thickness of insulation on the cold side. The roof cavity behind the wall, in drawings that are called building sections, showed that the roof was to be insulated directly behind the wall to create a full barrier of insulation. Because there was now a gaping hole at the back of the cabinet, sloppily cut, I was able to peer in with a mirror and see that there was no insulation in the roof space where it met the wall behind the sinks. None. Once the water supply lines were moved into the cabinet, under the sink, by the plumber, who fortunately did stand behind their work and did return, there was never a problem again.
Locate pipes neatly in the back of the sink cabinet, to the warm side of a fully insulated wall and there should be no more problems. Good luck!
Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277
Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry
***MASONRY & CONSTRUCTION*** EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS!
GIUSEPPE MUCCIACCIARO
We Do Pavers, Cultured Stone, Concrete, Bluestone, Blacktop, Fireplace, Patio, Waterproofing, Walkways, Pool Work. Lic#H2204320000 Family Operation Over 40Years. 516-238-6287
Cable/TV/Wiring
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069
Electricians
We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry
Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464 Wanted To Buy
FREON WANTED Certified buyer looking for R12, R22 & more! Call Peter at 312-500-4275 SERVICES
E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.
Exterminating
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Home Improvement
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076
CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641
DO YOU KNOW what's in your water? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728
PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496
WIREMAN / CABLEMAN: TVs Mounted. Phone, TV, Computer Wires, HD Antennas, Starlink Dishes, Stereos Installed And Serviced. FREE Estimates. Lic#54264-RE And Ins. Call Dave 631-667-9473(WIRE), 516-353-1118(TEXT)
Miscellaneous
GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391
Health & Fitness
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719
Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-855-399-2582
HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060
Legal Services
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider
Telecommunications
AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803
opinions
Yankees? Mets? Might they meet up in October?
spring training has begun. Another baseball season is on the way. The French-born cultural historian Jacques Barzun said that “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.”
That was certainly true for my generation. The golden age of baseball in New York, from 1947 to 1956, saw New York’s teams — the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants — win nine World Series and seven pennants among them during that 10-year span. The other 13 major league teams combined for one World Series and three pennants during those years. A subway series, with both World Series teams being from New York, became the expected norm. It was almost taken for granted. During the offseason months of mid-
Everybody has a wish list. I’d like to win the lottery, or take some exotic trip that’s on my bucket list. There are jobs that I would love to have, and there are jobs I wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. The worst job I can imagine, the one I would dread having, is being in the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. At the beginning of any Congress member’s career, there is the battle to get your party’s nomination, and then feeling the honor of being the party’s choice. You battle through the drudgery of a campaign and, if you’re lucky, you have the joy of being elected or re-elected. You celebrate with your friends and family, and then, on Jan. 1, you arrive in Washington, preparing for the challenge of being a member of the House.
In today’s Congress, being a majority member is anything but fun. You may have all kinds of ideas about how to help the people back home, but if
October through late February in those years, there would be hot stove league discussions of how our teams would do in the upcoming season, and arguments over whose players were better: Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays or Duke Snider; Roy Campanella or Yogi Berra; Pee Wee Reese or Phil Rizzuto.
is a rivalry missed not just in the five boroughs, but on Long Island, with its plethora of Mets and Yankees fans.
W
Much of that interest lessened when the Dodgers and Giants were hijacked to California after the 1957 season. While there was a rebirth of excitement when the Mets arrived for the 1962 season, it has never been quite the same as during the glory years. Sure, the Mets had their World Series wins in 1969 and 1986, as did the Yankees in 1977 and 1978, and again during the Joe Torre years, at the turn of the century, and under Joe Girardi, in 2009, but except for the 2000 World Series — which the Yankees won — the Yankees and Mets have not faced one another in the World Series. That intraNew York rivalry has not been there. It
e Mets fans, so used to having our hearts broken, believe this is our year.
All that could change with both teams now filled with superstars, led by Aaron Judge of the Yankees, who is accumulating home run titles and Most Valuable Player awards, and the Mets making their own run for superstar glory. This winter they hired Juan Soto, perhaps baseball’s most explosive hitter, away from the Yankees with a $750 million contract over the next 15 years.
The Mets already had Francisco Lindor, who finished second in the voting for National League MVP last season, and slugger Pete Alonso, who is second only to Judge in total home runs over the past six seasons, and is poised to become the Mets’ all-time home run leader.
Last year the Yankees won the American League pennant before falling short against the Dodgers in the World
Series. Before the season, there were low expectations for the Mets. Then, after playing mediocre baseball for most of the regular season, they had an unexpected late-season surge, and actually made it to the National League Championship Series, which they lost to the Dodgers.
This preseason, things are looking very different. Both teams are considered strong contenders to win their league championships. The debates over the teams’ players have already begun, but instead of Mantle vs. Snider or Mays, it’s Judge vs. Soto.
We Mets fans, so used to having our hearts broken over the years, now genuinely believe this is our year to supplant the Yankees as New York’s No. 1 team and win it all in the World Series — and that New York’s baseball rivalry is back. Barring the unexpected, 2025 should be a season for metropolitan-area baseball fans to enjoy and remember.
Play ball!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Here’s a job I’d turn down
your wish list doesn’t coincide with the priorities of your party leader, you can forget about your plan. It’s hard enough being away from your family for weeks at a time, but being told to fall in line and follow party dictates, or else, is a bitter pill to swallow.
Let’s talk about the Washington scene as it currently exists. An unelected multi-billionaire named Elon Musk is ignoring the duly elected officials whose job it is to create the budgets that fund our federal agencies. The Constitution says that the Congress is a separate body from the Executive, but in this case an appointee of the Executive is calling all the shots.
Being a member of the House majority sounds great. Believe me, it’s not.
As a representative of scores or even hundreds of thousands of constituents, you’re the one they turn to when they have a federal problem. For example, a decorated military veteran comes seeking your help after being fired from a federal job he held for 10 years. You can hold his hand, but you can’t get him back his paycheck to feed his family and pay his mortgage.
As a well-informed public official, you follow the media to find out what
they know that you don’t know. The latest reports say that your party leadership has proposed making $800 billion in Medicaid cuts to help pay for a tax cut for the rich. Those cuts will decimate the safety net that your constituents rely on to survive, and will affect more than 90 million people nationwide. You can threaten to vote against the package, but there are more nightmares coming.
You may be able to join a handful of other members to get some changes made to the Medicaid cuts, but there are more crazy slashes being proposed. The far-right members have suggested that every person with a student loan pay an additional $200 per month. That mean-spirited idea would affect 45 million Americans. How do you stop that?
Do you remember the state-andlocal-tax proposal that hit suburban homeowners hard when it was included in President Trump’s 2017 budget? Despite his support for eliminating the SALT cap, there has been very little discussion about that benefit in recent weeks. You want a complete repeal of the cap, but it’s out of your hands.
As we enter the final stages of the budget debate, I can’t help recalling the story of the late Assemblyman Lou Wolfe, of upstate Plattsburgh. Wolfe was part of a narrow majority. He enjoyed both Democratic and Conservative Party support. He was asked to vote on a multi-billion-dollar social program. His party leaders promised him financial support in the general election, and assured him he would be “protected.” Came November, Lou lost because of his “bad” vote.
It’s possible that by the time you read this, all of the budget misgivings of the few conscience-driven members will be satisfied. All they have to do at that point is to go home and explain the mass layoffs, the tax cuts for the rich and the hidden program cuts that were buried in the spending plan they voted for. But remember, they had the promise from the leaders that they had nothing to worry about. Oh, the joy of being in the majority.
Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
Franklin square/elmont
Established 1998
Incorporating the Franklin Square/Elmont Record
Renee DeLoRenzo
RhonDa GLickman Vice President - Sales
2 Endo Boulevard
City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 569-4000
Fax: (516) 569-4942
Web: www.liherald.com
HERALD
Long Island loses a civil rights pioneer
the death of Hazel Dukes, at age 92, last weekend marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in civil rights leadership, with special significance for Long Island. While Dukes will be remembered nationally for her tenure as president of the NAACP from 1990 to 1992, and for her remarkable 48-year leadership of the NAACP New York State Conference from 1977 until her death, her deep connections to Long Island communities deserve particular attention.
Born in Montgomery, Alabama, where she was a neighbor of Rosa Parks, Dukes moved to New York in 1955. She lived in Roslyn Heights for decades, building a life and career that influenced civil rights efforts across the state and the nation.
Named president of the NAACP’s Great Neck, Port Washington, Manhasset and Roslyn branch in 1969, Dukes quickly emerged as a powerful voice opposing housing discrimination on Long Island. She was instrumental in bringing landmark housing discrimination lawsuits that challenged the entrenched patterns of segregation in Nassau County’s suburbs. These legal actions targeted discriminatory practic-
letters
es that kept minority families out of certain neighborhoods, even after the Fair Housing Act of 1968 had made such discrimination illegal.
On Long Island, she worked for the federal Head Start program and became one of the first Black employees in the Nassau County attorney’s office. She also served with the county’s Economic Opportunity Commission, addressing poverty and inequality from within the system. She was the first Black vice chairwoman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee, which gave her a platform to advocate for integrated housing throughout Nassau County. She also served on the Democratic National Committee from 1976 to 1982.
Dukes’ own educational journey illustrates her belief in education as a path to opportunity. She studied at Nassau Community College before earning a degree in business administration from Adelphi University in Garden City in 1978. Her local educational experience strengthened her advocacy for quality education for all communities.
What makes Dukes’ Long Island connection so significant is that she addressed civil rights not as an abstract
Advice from PSEG L.I.: Beware of scammers
To the Editor:
National Consumer Protection Week, observed through March 8, offers an important reminder for consumers to stay alert against fraudulent schemes that prey on our vulnerability. Recent guidance from PSEG Long Island has shed light on the alarming tactics employed by scammers, and we believe it is essential that our community take note of these warnings.
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to trick unsuspecting customers. They frequently impersonate reputable companies, such as PSEG L.I., using advanced phone spoofing technology that displays familiar numbers on caller ID. In many cases, these fraudsters call with an urgent demand for immediate payment, falsely claiming that failure to comply will result in an immediate power shutoff. This tactic is designed to induce panic and force quick decisions without proper verification.
It is crucial for consumers to know that PSEG Long Island never requests payments through external webbased electronic services, prepaid debit cards or even Bitcoin. The only approved payment methods are those offered through our secure channels, such as My Account, the mobile app, or text messaging. Additionally, any request for a deposit in relation to priority meter installations is fraudulent, because we do not require a deposit for such services.
If anyone receives an unexpected call or email threatening an imminent power shutoff while demanding payment, it is imperative to pause, take a
concept, but rather as lived reality in suburban America. While much of the civil rights movement focused on urban centers or the South, she recognized that segregation and opportunity gaps were just as widespread — if sometimes less visible — in prosperous suburban communities like those across Long Island.
Her nearly five decades leading the NAACP’s New York State Conference allowed her to maintain consistent focus on issues affecting communities like ours. That persistence brought meaningful change to institutional practices and policies that had limited opportunities for minority residents.
As we look at Long Island today, we see both the progress Dukes helped achieve and the challenges we continue to face in creating truly equal opportunity. The diversity of our communities has increased, but disparities in housing, education and economic opportunity persist.
In the years ahead, let’s be sure to honor Dukes’ legacy by making Long Island — and the entire country — a place where discrimination is not tolerated, and where everyone has an equal shot at prosperity.
step back, and verify the authenticity of the communication. Instead of responding immediately, customers should contact PSEG Long Island using the phone number found on their billing statement, (800) 490-0025. This simple step can prevent a great deal of financial loss and stress.
As we have honored National Consumer Protection Week, we have urged
all community members to share this important information with friends, family and neighbors. Together, by remaining vigilant and verifying every unexpected request for payment, we can safeguard our community from falling victim to these scams.
Staying informed and cautious not only protects our finances, but also strengthens community trust. Every
It’s time for the county executive to do his job
as I enter my 14th year as a nassau County Legislator and reflect on my time in office, it dawned on me that I have served for all of those years as a member of the Legislature’s minority caucus. While there have been disagreements with county executives and my colleagues in the majority along the way, I have always maintained cordial and productive relationships, and worked with county executives of both parties to get things done for my district and the county’s taxpayers.
Since Bruce Blakeman took office as county executive in 2022, however, progress on crucial initiatives, grants and capital infrastructure proposals has stalled — and minority caucus-represented areas have shouldered a disproportionate impact. To get all areas of the county back on the right track, I urge the Blakeman administration to begin addressing these key priorities:
■ Finalize a comprehensive, equitable capital plan that invests in the communities of all 19 legislative districts. Per the
nassau County Charter, a capital plan must be adopted by dec. 15 each year — but the Blakeman administration has achieved this only once in the past three years. The 2025 plan is once again running late, jeopardizing economic growth, good jobs and increased safety and quality of life generated by these projects.
B■ Get the politics out of CRP grants. Since the beginning of 2024, the majority has received more than 30 Community Revitalization Program grants, and the minority has received none. Some grant proposals for volunteer firefighters, village police departments and other first responders in minority districts have been held up for years. These funds need to get out to our communities regardless of legislators’ party affiliation.
ken system. Until then, the best way to protect yourself from overtaxation is to grieve your home’s assessed value, and the deadline to do so is March 3.
ruce Blakeman has failed to deliver on his promises for three years.
■ We need real solutions to stabilize the future of Nassau University Medical Center. nUMC is an essential part of our regional health care matrix, a Level 1 trauma center with a state-of-theart burn center and an indemand drug detox facility. Moreover, it serves as a lifeline for some of the county’s most economically vulnerable patients. The Blakeman administration must stop treating this vital facility like a political football and have a serious conversation with the state about keeping it open.
rently making its way through the Legislature to create a grant portal for agencies on the front lines of addiction, treatment, prevention and recovery services is long, long overdue.
■ Last, but certainly not least, disband the dangerous, illegal militia. n assau County has one of a merica’s besttrained police departments, and it is instrumental in making us the safest county of our size year after year. a n armed militia with minimal training by the county — regardless of its participants’ previous experience or background — is not something the public or police ever asked for or needed, and Blakeman has no legal authority to marshal such a force. End the militia and allow our outstanding law enforcement professionals to do their jobs without interference.
■ Blakeman promised to “fix” the county’s assessment system. He hasn’t — and it’s only gotten worse. His administration has frozen the assessed values of our properties for three consecutive years. With each passing year, the tax rolls become even more unfair and distorted. The administration must live up to its promises and put the people ahead of the big tax-grievance firms that donate heavily to his campaigns and profit handsomely off a bro-
Letters
action contributes to defeating these scams and preserving our service reliability.
PSEG LonG ISLand
Trump disrespects Teddy Roosevelt
To the Editor:
Will Sheeline was absolutely correct in his column last week, “destroying Roosevelt’s legacy.” President Trump’s promised “golden age” is intended to re-create Mark Twain’s: golden for those having the gold, the gilt-edge securities, gold mines and gold $Trump crypto-coin.
Today’s golden children feel their glory has been stolen, and want it back, with interest, and with punishment for the thieves. But the demands go far beyond T.R.’s trust-busting and conservation crimes to include FdR’s new deal “larceny.” Taft-Hartley, Social Security, and the rest of those alphabet agencies are being undone because they’re seen as obstacles to the promised land of corporate “free markets and personal responsibility,” as The Washington Post’s Jeff Bezos puts it.
Trump’s last-term hero was the genocidal, court-defying a ndrew Jackson. This time it’s the empire-building colonialist William McKinley. This last is unfair to McKinley, but is how the ignorant Trump sees him.
BRIan KELLy Rockville Centre
■ Distribute the opioid funding the county has been sitting on for years. In the past several years, the county has received nearly $100 million in settlement funds from the distributors, manufacturers and retailers of the addictive opioids that continue to devastate families. But the Blakeman administration has only spent roughly $3.3 million of that money to date. It is infuriating that so many people have died in the past year while settlement funds sat in bank accounts collecting interest, and the ordinance cur-
Chainsaws aren’t toys, Elon
To the Editor:
How will we calculate the number of lives Elon Musk will take with his comical “chainsaw massacre”?
What will the death count be in the United States, and around the world, from the withholding of food, drinking water, medical supplies and treatment, vaccinations, and emergency services for natural and manmade disasters? From the removal of the guardians of public safety from food, drugs, diseases, fire, air pollution and workplace dangers?
From the debasement of services to our military veterans and the politicization of the military? From the disabling of the alliances and treaties that have kept a troubled world from World War III since 1945?
From the abatement of research in health, climate, defense, agriculture and countless other areas of vast public interest? From the defunding of early child care and education at every level, up through university and graduate studies — the very keys to hope and advancement that mitigate against social class ossifying into a caste system in which crime is the only outlet for deprivation?
Perhaps the cost will be incalculable, but it is the responsibility of our remaining non-MaGa media to report these casualties and not to relate what’s going on simply as a streamlining of government costs against the whining of a few disgruntled former sucklers at the public teat.
GEnE J. Mann Bayville
Blakeman took an oath to serve all of nassau’s 1.4 million residents, but his hyper-partisan approach and failure to deliver on promises has been evident throughout the past three years. We deserve better, and addressing these key issues would be a step in the right direction for an administration that has routinely focused on matters far beyond its proper jurisdiction or control.
Delia DeRiggi-Whitton represents Nassau County’s 11th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s minority leader.
Framework by Tim Baker
In the biographical notes accompanying U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen’s column, “Government must be efficient, coherent and
transparent,” in last week’s issue, the congresswoman was mistakenly identified as Laura Curran. The Herald regrets the error.
An avian get-together in Brady Park — Massapequa Park
