For the 12th consecutive year, Freeport residents will see no increase in their village taxes, as Mayor Robert Kennedy and the Board of Trustees approved an $85.4 million budget to go into effect March 1 that maintains the essential services that the village provides while keeping the tax levy flat. Above, Trustees Christopher Squeri, left, and Evette Sanchez, Mayor Robert Kennedy, and Deputy Mayor Ronald Ellerbe. See how on Page 3.
DEADLINE MARCH 3RD
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
For half a century, Twin Oaks Day Camp has been a summer haven for generations of campers, who have created memories and friendships lasting a lifetime.
As the camp marks its 50th anniversary this summer, its leaders are reflecting on what makes Twin Oaks a special place, drawing families to return year after year.
Twin Oaks has been family owned and operated since 1975, although its history stretches back even further.
Wand their family member feel like they’re part of an even bigger “family.” Based in Freeport, the camp serves many other communities, including Merrick, Bellmore, East Meadow, Wantagh, Seaford, Baldwin, Rockville Centre and beyond.
e’re a place that smiles.
ElMAN-DAVIS Director,
Hal Elman was a head counselor at the camp prior to 1975, and when the former owners were looking to sell the property, Elman and his college friend, Bernie Hoffman, along with their wives, Barbara Elman and Beverly Hoffman, decided to purchase it.
Since then, the camp has flourished into what it is today — a place where every camper
The Elmans’ daughter, Jenni Elman-Davis, now runs Twin Oaks, alongside assistant directors Carin Stone and Michele Colella, who have both worked at the camp for more than 25 years.
The camp is split into four divisions, with its youngest members taking part in the Barney Program for children between the ages of 20 and 30 months. Each camper is paired with a one-onone supervisor, and they get to take part in a half-day program, filled with fun, adventure and socialization.
The Lower Camp is for three and four year olds and the Upper Camp enrolls children in kindergarten through third grade. Full day and mini day programs are available. The camp’s activity directors create an engaging
By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Some Freeport neighborhoods are grappling with fear and uncertainty amid changes in federal immigration policy and Nassau County’s decision to allow county police to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
According to the National Immigration Law Center, on his first day in office, President Trump signed executive orders calling for, among other measures:
■ A recommitment to mass detention of undocumented immigrants.
■ Potential punishment of municipalities that act as “sanctuaries” for them.
■ Authorization for local municipalities to act as immigration enforcement agents.
This final point has caused alarm among many who wonder whether local governments such as the villages of Freeport, Hempstead and Westbury and area school districts might cooperate with ICE.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed an agreement with the Trump administration on Feb. 4 that enabled him to
deputize Nassau County Police Department officers to carry out immigration enforcement in tandem with the federal agency.
Blakeman’s policy has received bipartisan support.
Newly minted U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat from Rockville Centre, issued a statement on Feb. 6, saying, “Violent criminals with no legal right to be here should be deported in accordance with the law. Nassau County detectives now being able to work directly with ICE agents on targeted enforcement against known noncitizen criminals will help keep Long Islanders safe.”
Janna Rodriguez, founder of the Innovative Daycare Corp. owner in Freeport, described the growing fear among some local families.
“One of the concerns and issues that we’ve had within the child care sector is the fact that there may be children whose parents may be undocumented, or one parent’s undoc-
umented,” Rodriguez said, “and the terror of breaking up those families is where it lies.”
Jasmine Peña, a Freeport resident, noted that local Hispanic businesses, particularly those on Main Street, have seen a downturn in profits. “A lot of their customers, where they’re, like, illegal immigrants, they
Continued on page 10
By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
For the 12th consecutive year, the Village of Freeport has passed its budget without a tax rate increase, continuing its record of fiscal stability under Mayor Robert Kennedy.
The $85.4 million budget for the 20252026 fiscal year was approved by the Board of Trustees on Jan. 13 and will sustain vital services, including fire, police, electric, and water, for Freeport’s 45,000 residents.
The approved budget will be active from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2026.
“When we say we are not raising taxes, we mean a zero levy and zero tax rate,” said Village Attorney Howard Colton. “The mayor and trustees have been able to hold the line on taxes in multiple ways, but mostly by looking at every single dollar and making sure it is going further.”
Mayor Kennedy noted that despite significant mandated cost increases from New York State—including pensions, medical insurance, and workers’ compensation,—his administration has kept taxes flat.
“Between CSEA, PBA, medical, retirement, workers’ compensation, liability— these are mandated increases that we’ve absorbed,” Kennedy said. “And we haven’t raised the taxes once in 12 years.”
A key strategy has been the village’s focus on economic development. Kennedy pointed to the redevelopment of properties like the Moxie Rigby complex, which previously paid no property taxes but now contributes revenue to the village.
Looking ahead, he highlighted a major new project: “The Hilton Garden Inn down on Nautical Mile, that’ll significantly increase revenue, property tax revenue,” he said, adding that the hotel is expected to be completed and open by 2026.
Grants have also played a crucial role in balancing the budget.
“It’s a combination of grants and economic development,” Kennedy explained. “Grants and additional property tax have compensated for the increased mandated expenses that we have.”
The village has secured several grants, including $1.2 million for an expansion of the police department’s Office of Emergency Management building, a grant for six new police cars from
Nassau County amounting to $300,000, as well as $300,000 from the Assembly, and $200,000 for a new police boat.
As a result of Freeport’s financial strategy, the village has strengthened its reserves while cutting its debt nearly in half.
“We increased our reserves here in the village from $1.2 million to $39 million in the last 12 years,” Kennedy said. “We reduced our debt from $160 million to $76 million.”
The village has also made significant investments in public safety. “We brought up police from 77 to 107 police officers,” Kennedy said. “(We) decreased crime by 58 percent.”
Freeport was also the first police department in New York State to mandate body cameras for all patrol officers.
Infrastructure has remained a priority, with Kennedy noting that “we repaved over 117 roads” and made major investments in flood mitigation, including the remodeling of seven catch basins, each costing approximately $250,000.
The new budget was made available for public review before its passing by the Board of Trustees, with residents having the opportunity to discuss it at a public hearing.
As Freeport continues to develop new revenue sources and secure grants, Kennedy remains optimistic about the village’s financial outlook.
“The village is in very good financial standing,” he concluded.
Students from all eight Freeport schools took center stage at the district’s annual Black History Month celebration, filling the Performing Arts Center with music, spoken word, and dance performances that honored African American heritage.
The event, held on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. at Freeport High School, brought together students, parents, faculty, and local officials for a night of celebration and reflection.
Danielle Ballard-Eberhart, Freeport’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, was one of the primary organizers of the event alongside Lynn Fusco, director of arts and community relations.
Ballard-Eberhart described the extensive planning process required to bring the evening together.
“All eight of our schools were represented in performing for our Black History Month program, which is an annual celebration here in Freeport,” she said.
Each school prepared a unique presentation for the evening, ranging from musical performances to step routines.
The Freeport High School jazz combo played Autumn Leaves, and students from New Visions performed Mother to Son.
The evening also included two step teams, the Atkinson Hot Steppers and the Alphas, as well as a performance by the kindergarten chorus from Columbus,
who sang Kindness is Free.
Ballard-Eberhart emphasized the strong turnout for the event.
“We had an excellent turnout last night., she said. “I think every seat in the house was pretty much filled…We also had an art presentation that showcased the visual arts from all of our students
from grades K through 12.”
Parents, faculty, and local officials attended, including legislators Seth Koslow and Debra Mulé, as well as members of the Board of Education, Superintendent Fia Davis, who gave a speech, and the district’s assistant superintendents.
I think that (the parents) loved that it
was a variety of different acts, a variety of different performances for the evening,” Ballard-Eberhart said.
“This year, and particularly, you know, we really had a focus on honoring, you know, the rich and diverse history of African Americans in our country,” she added.
“From groundbreaking innovations of art, music, leadership, and more. Even just as far as global progress is concerned, but making sure our students have an understanding that, you know, Black history started well before enslavement.”
The event lasted about an hour, with valedictorian Lourdes Saunders Blake serving as emcee.
Ballard-Eberhart, a Freeport alumna who has been in her current role for four years after previously teaching social studies and serving as an assistant principal, reflected on the importance of events like this for students.
“I just think it’s incredibly timely, you know, just keeping your strength in unity and creating and continuing to create an inclusive community, a school community.”
With another successful celebration in the books, Freeport continues to showcase the talent, history, and cultural pride of its students.
–Mohammad Rafiq
Passed away on Friday, January 31, 2025 in Kansas City, MO. Evelyn, born on March 1, 1930, was the youngest of five born to Edward and Annie Harper in Baltimore, MD. She was educated in Baltimore Public Schools and graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in 1949. Evelyn matriculated at Coppin State Teachers College.
In 1957 she married Elan M. Frierson Jr. and in 1962 they moved from Brooklyn, NY to Freeport. NY where they raised their four children; Deirdre, Renalre, Desiree and Michael.
Evelyn worked in the Freeport Public Schools beginning in 1968. During her 37 years in Freeport Schools she worked at the Caroline G. Atkinson School with elementary school students. She had a passion for teaching reading and life skills. Evelyn’s firm nurturing nature created positive connections with countless children. These qualities extended to her faith community at the Greater Second Baptist Church where she served for many years in various roles including several, involving young people.
Services at the Greater Second Baptist Church, 129 E. Merrick Road, Freeport, NY are as follows: Viewing and Wake service, Thursday, February 13, 2025 6-Bpm Celebration of Life service, Friday, February 14, 2025 1Oam Interment, Calverton National Cemetery.
For those who don’t qualify for long-term care insurance or can’t afford it, the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (“MAPT”) can protect your assets from the high cost of long-term care in your home or in a facility.
The MAPT sets up two roadblocks that Medicaid cannot break through. First, you cannot be your own trustee. Usually, one or more of the adult children act as trustee.
Secondly, you, as the creator of the MAPT, are entitled to the income only, not the principal. If you don’t have access to the principal (your home or other assets in the trust), then Medicaid doesn’t have access to the principal. The MAPT makes good sense for assets you’re not going to spend –like your home and investments you’re not using. As we often say, if you don’t need it to live on, then why not protect it for your family instead of losing it to pay for long-term care.
When you apply for Medicaid for nursing home care, if you’ve transferred any assets in the past five years, you are ineligible. The full protection of the trust only takes place five years
after you establish the trust. This is why you want to plan ahead. Proposed new rules, often delayed but constantly looming, would also require you to have the MAPT in place two and half years in advance to be eligible for care in your own home.
The MAPT does not affect your lifestyle. You still receive your pension, social security checks, minimum distributions on your retirement plans, interest and dividends. You have the exclusive right to use and enjoy your home. You keep all your property tax exemptions. You can sell your house, buy a new one, or invest the proceeds, which remain in the trust, still protected.
The MAPT is also flexible. You can change trustees and you can change who you leave it to.
Although the MAPT is an irrevocable trust, not only does it have the flexibility mentioned above, but in New York there is a mechanism to revoke an irrevocable trust. All that is required is for all parties, you and your children, to sign. We even have a workaround just in case one of the children refuses to sign.
ELDER LAW ESTATE PLANNING SINCE 1991 trustlaw.com
& Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com
Plans for the new Freeport High School athletic fields.
Freeport Public Schools officially broke ground on a major upgrade to the athletic facilities at Freeport High School on Jan. 23, marking a significant investment in student athletics and the community.
The project includes a new turf football field, upgraded bleachers, a modernized press box, enhanced lighting, a jumbotron, and improved spectator amenities.
District officials believe that the state-of-the-art facilities will support Freeport’s longstanding tradition of athletic excellence while providing an enhanced experience for students, families, and the broader community.
Construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2025.
–Mohammad
The project is expected to be completed by Fall 2025, and includes upgraded bleachers, a jumbotron, and improved amenities.
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MacArthur Senior Basketball
A THREE-YEAR STARTER looking for his first AllCounty selection, Kondyra reached a milestone Jan. 27 in MacArthur’s 79-72 defeat to Long Beach. As part of a 42-point performance, he recorded her 1,000th career point. He hit seven three-pointers in what was his third 40-plus point game of the season. The AllConference honoree in 2023-24 iis averaging 25 points per game this winter to rank among Nassau County’s top five scorers.
NASSAU COUNTY CHAMPIONS
Tyasia Buxton, V.S. Central, 94 pounds
Harley Eidens, Long Beach, 100
Presley Eidens, Long Beach, 107
Gabrielle Severin, Bethpage, 114
Haley Gonzales, Hicksville, 120
Olivia Rausenberger, MacArthur, 126
Taylor Brock, Kennedy, 132
Jessica Marzano, Bethpage, 138
Gabriella Schechtman, Kennedy, 145
Keishara Tulloch, Uniondale, 152
Isabella Steffa, Seaford, 165
Eyslin Turcios, V.S. North, 185
Naomi Gonzalez, V.S. North, 235
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
History was made Feb. 2 when Nassau County hosted its first-ever girls’ wrestling tournament at Bethpage High School with more than 100 entrants from over 20 districts.
Champions were crowned in 13 weight classes, ranging from 94 to 235 pounds, before a jam-packed crowd. Uniondale had the largest contingency with 22 participants as coach Tim Godoy said interest exploded after fall sports concluded.
“It’s been a really fun season and this tournament is great to see,” Godoy said. “I recruited some kids I coach in soccer and badminton and it just kind of took off from there. Last year we had two girls wrestling. By the end of the first week of practice this November, we had 30.”
Bethpage coach Sean Severin coordinated the one-day tournament and was thrilled to see everything run smooth. His daughter, Bethpage junior Gabrielle, captured the
Kennedy senior Gabriella Schechtman, who competed for MacArthur’s team, won the title at 145 pounds.
114-pound title which made a historic day that much more special.
“I was super happy with how good the event turned out,” Sean Severin said. “It drew a really big crowd and the girls brought the energy. It’s going to be a great stepping stone for the growth of the sport in Nassau County.”
Long Beach, which for more than four decades has fielded one of the premier wrestling programs in the county, has four girls competing this season including eighth-grade twins Presley and Harley Eidens. All four made the finals with the Eidens’ both winning championships.
“This is unbelievable opportunity for all the female wrestlers in Nassau,” said Long Beach coach Ray Adams, whose daughter, Reese, competes for Calhoun but missed her junior season with a knee injury that required surgery. “Our youth program, the Gladiators, started a girls program a few years ago and it keeps growing,” he said.
Adams credited 2020 graduate Lina Diamond with being the trailblazer for the budding Long Beach girls program. Presley Eidens, who also plays lacrosse and volleyball, said she started wrestling about two-and-ahalf years ago and grapples with her sister every day in practice. Freshmen Arianna Balsamo (152) and Sofia Calle (165) are also workout partners. “They’ve all improved every match,” Adams noted.
Valley Stream Central junior Tyasia Buxton said she joined wrestling to bring additional discipline into her
life. She just took up the until four months ago but has come a long way in a short time, coach Chris Carbajal said. Buxton captured the 94-pound crown.
“Really proud of her,” Carbajal said. “She made a commitment and stuck to it all season.”
Buxton credits a good deal of her success to scraping against boys almost exclusively this season. “I’ve taken my losses, but I learned a lot and I’m better for it,” she said. “It feels great to win. I gave it my all and didn’t give up.”
Lynbrook junior Dani Zhanay is one of the county’s most-experienced wrestlers. She’s been competing for eight years, coach Rich Renz said, after starting with the Titans youth league. “She loves competing and has a lot of skill,” Renz explained.
Uniondale sophomore Brianna Marquez is one of a
handful of soccer players who decided to give wrestling a try at the urging of Godoy. She was runner-up to Presley Eidens at 107. The Knights crowned one champion — sophomore Keishara Tulloch at 152.
“All the girls are amazing and the wrestling community has been really supportive,” Marquez said. “We all push each other harder every day. It’s definitely something I can see myself continuing to do.” Valley Stream North crowned a pair of champs with juniors Eyslin Turcios winning at 185 and Naomi Gonzaez emerging victorious at 235. Kennedy saw senior Gabriella Schechtman win at 145 and eighth-grader Taylor Brock finish first at 132. All 13 county champs along with six second-place finishers advance to the girls state tournament Feb. 27 in Albany.
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Nassau County Democratic legislators and civil rights attorneys filed a lawsuit against the county last week, branding County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s creation of special sheriff’s deputies an “illegal militia.”
“Bruce Blakeman’s militia is not about public safety — it’s political theater at the expense of Nassau County residents,” Legislator Seth Koslow, ranking member of the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee, said. “There is no justification for creating an unaccountable and illegal force that answers only to the county executive.”
Legislator Scott Davis criticized the measure as unnecessary, citing Nassau’s ranking as one of the safest counties in the country, and called for an increase in properly trained law enforcement officers as an alternative to the volunteer deputy program. The county currently employs over 2,500 officers who have undergone rigorous training.
In the event that the county’s existing law enforcement and crisis volunteers are insufficient, the county has the ability to call for assistance from law enforcement agencies in neighboring counties.
The lawsuit alleges that the county’s application process for the program requires minimal qualifications, including ownership of a pistol license and no
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
tia endangers public safety in Nassau County and the health of our democracy nationwide,” Dunne said. “Our lawsuit alleges an authoritarian power grab in the heart of suburban America. We cannot let the abuse of executive power go unanswered.”
Legislator Debra Mulé alleged that special sheriff’s deputies are an illegal group that should not be funded with taxpayer money, and that the county executive should be compelled to comply with public record laws.
“We filed formal Freedom of Information Law requests to get answers, and Blakeman ignored them,” Mulé said. “Even the county budget hides how much money is being funneled into this program. If this militia is such a great idea, why is he hiding it from the public?”
Blakeman is the first defendant in the case, alongside Nassau County Sheriff Anthony LaRocco. Blakeman was adamant in his opposition to the lawsuit and his support of the volunteer unit.
“misdemeanor convictions within the previous five years.” For each day of activation during an emergency, a volunteer would receive a stipend of $150, which exceeds the hourly rate of pay limit that deputies may receive without legislative approval.
The lawsuit cites a Newsday investigation that found that 25 people had enlisted in the program as of last Sep -
tember, six of whom were not able to be found through background checks. The plaintiffs allege that the county’s program appears to require significantly less training than its regular police training.
Carey Dunne, an attorney from the Free and Fair Litigation Group, argued that this poses a risk to the general public.
“County Executive Blakeman’s mili-
“Debra Mulé and Scott Davis are a disgrace for bringing this frivolous action and defaming the volunteers, many of whom are retired military and law enforcement, who have agreed to pitch in in the event of an emergency,” Blakeman said in a statement. “The antisemitic statements, denigrating these good citizens by labeling them as Nazi brownshirts, disqualify them for public service.”
A Roosevelt man has been charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his former girlfriend to death in front of their two-year-old child.
Jose William Funes-Zabala, 43, was arraigned on Feb. 10 before Judge Howard Sturim on charges of murder, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded. His next court appearance is Feb. 27.
If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
“Enraged that his former girlfriend had begun dating, this defendant allegedly viciously stabbed Brenda Guadoloupe Alfaro Alcantara more than 30 times while their 2-year-old child disturbingly watched,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a news release. “The horrifying scene, and the child smeared with his mother’s blood, were discovered after repeated attempts by family to contact the victim were unsuccessful. We are committed to ensuring justice for Brenda and her loved ones as we prosecute this case.”
Donnelly said that an order of protection against Funes-Zabala, issued on behalf of Alfaro Alcantara, 29, had expired on Oct. 4 of last year..
The following day, near 6 p.m., he
arrived at her basement apartment on Botsford Street in Hempstead to see their son.
An argument broke out when he learned about her new relationship, and he allegedly stabbed over 30 times in her bedroom.
Roughly an hour later, Funes-Zabala was seen leaving the apartment with what appeared to be blood on his face. He left, leaving the child inside.
Concerned relatives later found Alfaro Alcantara and her child after being unable to contact her.
Funes-Zabala was taken into custody on Oct. 6, at Nassau University Medical Center by the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad. Funes-Zabala is being represented by attorney Brian Carmody.
–Mohammad Rafiq
On Jan. 30, 2025, Freeport police arrested a person for grand larceny after investigating a theft from a local residence. The individual was processed at Police Headquarters.
On Feb. 2, 2025, police arrested two individuals in separate incidents for stealing from local businesses. Both were taken to Police Headquarters for processing.
On Feb. 3, 2025, police took a report after an individual stole a check and forged a signature to cash it. No arrest was requested.
On Feb. 3, 2025, a resident reported being woken up by their car alarm and finding the trunk open, though nothing was missing or moved. Police took a report for documentation.
On Feb. 2, 2025, police documented a report for a lost work phone at a local school.
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.
haven’t come around. They’re scared,” Peña said, adding that the fear has extended into the health care sector. “My cousin, who is a health manager, says they have incoming patients who are terrified to go and see a doctor because of their legal status,” she said. “So they have a very low turnout as well.”
Schools have also felt the impact. Her friends in education, Peña said, have told her that attendance among undocumented students, and even those who have benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, has declined.
Maria Jordan-Awalom, a Freeport resident who is active in the community confirmed the rising angst. “We have noticed a shift, especially this year, within our school community, with our students and our families,” she said. “Once this statement came out from the police department, right from Nassau County P.D. and the county executive, I think it put a little bit more fear in our community.”
The Freeport School District sent out a letter on Jan. 27, reaffirming its commitment to protecting students’ rights to an education regardless of their immigration status. It emphasized that requests from ICE would be treated the same way as requests from local law enforcement, and would be reviewed by the district’s legal counsel, and that only requests based on subpoenas from federal or magistrate judges would be considered, again following a review by
Courtesy Roosevelt Public Schools nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman signed an agreement on feb. 4 deputizing county police officers to collaborate with iCe in enforcing federal immigration laws. u.S. rep. Laura gillen voiced support for his plan.
the district’s attorneys.
The fact that the village Police Department operates separately from the NCPD also raises questions about enforcement policies.
Mayor Robert Kennedy maintained that the village would follow state law. “We’ll handle everything in accordance with the law, whatever New York state comes down and tells us what the regulations are,” Kennedy said told the Herald on Monday, Feb. 10.
Meanwhile, local sentiment appears to be overwhelmingly opposed to an increased ICE presence in the community.
Resident Jose Cuevas expressed concerns about racial profiling. “Freeport is a community that has a high concentra-
tion of Spanish speakers, and just seeing the history that ICE has had is quite concerning,” he said, citing reports of ICE agents targeting Spanish-speaking U.S. citizens. “The biggest fear now is Laura Gillen, our representative that just got elected, stating publicly that she supports Bruce Blakeman’s policy with ICE, which is another concern.”
Cuevas noted a Facebook post by Gillen stating her support for the new policy, which as of press time had drawn nearly 100 comments, the vast majority of them negative.
“We should be focusing on ensuring that law enforcement protects everybody equally, without discrimination and without fear,” he said.
Blakeman, responding to rumors that the combined efforts of ICE and the NCPD would range beyond apprehending criminals, posted a video his Facebook page on Feb. 6 titled, “A Message to the Hispanic Community of Nassau County.” In it, he emphasized that the initiative is focused strictly on removing criminals who are in the U.S. illegally, and that it would not target law-abiding undocumented residents.
He assured the public that there would be no raids on “schools, churches or communities in Nassau County” and that people would not be stopped for random immigration status checks.
Blakeman also stressed that victims and witnesses of crimes, and those who call 911, would not be questioned about their immigration status.
A representative of Gillen provided a statement to the Herald addressing the concerns of her constituents about her support for Blakeman’s proposal.
“Compelling ICE to work with local law enforcement means local officials will know when ICE officials are showing up and what they are doing,” Gillen said. “It makes the process more transparent and helps ensure that federal immigration enforcement is targeted and properly carried out. The President has vowed to prioritize deporting known violent criminals, which the majority of Americans agree with to keep us safe. This local-federal coordination is a way to ensure that is the focus.”
Additional reporting by Scott Brinton.
Roosevelt School District Board of Education Trustee Emily Moore was recently recognized as a Nassau County “Shero” by the Long Island chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.
The honor was presented at the organization’s biennial Black and White Candlelight Ball.
“It’s an honor to work alongside Dr. Emily Moore and see firsthand the profound impact she has on our community and beyond,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shawn Wightman. “She is truly an exemplary role model and advocate who continues to dedicate her life and service to education, equality and uplifting others.”
Moore’s career as a mentor, activist, philanthropist, and educator spans more than 55 years. She was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement as a student at Morgan State University in Baltimore, where she worked alongside influential figures such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Dorothy Height, and Stokely Carmichael.
She earned her undergraduate degree in physical education and later received an honorary law doctorate from Morgan State, along with a master’s degree in education and counseling from Hofstra University.
After college, Moore joined the Peace Corps and taught health, physical educa-
tion, and tennis in Nigeria.
A lifelong tennis player, she has used the sport as a platform to mentor children and instill leadership skills.
In 1975, she founded the nonprofit Alliance Junior Tennis Development Program, which has impacted thousands of young athletes. She has coached students through national tournaments, including the U.S. Open.
Moore has earned numerous accolades throughout her life, including the Arthur Ashe Multicultural Enhancement Award from the United States Tennis Association.
She has also been inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame and the Eastern Hall of Fame of the Junior Tennis Foundation.
She was one of two women honored as a Nassau County “Shero” this year, alongside Rosemarie Dearing, a community activist from Copiague.
The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to community service.
For more information about the Roosevelt Union Free School District, visit RooseveltUfsd.org or follow the district on Facebook at facebook.com/RooseveltUFSD
–Mohammad Rafiq
NUMC’s new clinical services can help all Nassau residents focus on preventative health care in 2025. We’ve recently expanded these offerings and have longer hours to make staying healthy more convenient than ever before.
– 9pm Tuesday and Wednesday Evenings 6pm – 9pm Tuesdays – 12:30pm - 2:30pm Thursdays – 9am – 12:30pm Mondays 9am-12pm WALK-INS WELCOME! For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 516-296-2345 or visit NUMC.edu. to reach thousands of women with across the county. In 2025 we’ll launch our new MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY CENTER STATE-OF-THE-ART BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS
Ó NUMC is running out of money and could close its doors in
Ó NUMC is poorly run and should be taken over by Albany
be
by
NUMC’s
NUMC’s
NUMC earned the coveted Gold Seal rating from the Joint Commission and increased its safety rating in 2024
NUMC opened it’s new MRI facility in 2024 and expanded clinical services
and we’re here for you and your family. We treat everyone –
$0 in grants
The Hochul Administration and NYS provided for NUMC in 2024. NYS has now been exposed for breaking federal law through a massive Medicaid scam to cheat Nassau residents out of additional funding.
By Angelina Zingariello
RichnerLIVE hosted its fourth annual R.E.A.L. Awards on Jan. 29, honoring the outstanding entrepreneurs, professionals and visionaries shaping Long Island’s real estate industry.
This event, at the Heritage Club at Bethpage, recognized individuals who have excelled in their fields and dedicated themselves to community advocacy and development.
“We strive to spotlight these developments and the people and organizations behind them week in and week out,” Stuart Richner, president and publisher of Richner Communications Inc., said. “Your work is vital for our shared growth and prosperity.”
The ceremony emphasized the deep connection between real estate and local communities, highlighting how industry leaders contribute to the region’s growth and well-being. The event celebrated the accomplishments of professionals whose efforts go beyond building structures; they lay the foundation for thriving neighborhoods and economic prosperity.
The evening began with a lively cocktail hour, where attendees mingled and connected with friends and colleagues. The networking session set the tone for the night, allowing industry leaders to celebrate their shared achievements and contributions to the local real estate landscape.
“It’s always an honor to be honored,” said Sheldon Shrenkel, CEO and executive director of the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency, said. “We appreciate the recognition, and to be together with all these other wonderful people in similar professions.”
After dinner, the awards ceremony was hosted by five-time Emmy Awardwinning investigative reporter Kristin Thorne. The honorees were recognized for their achievements, and came to the stage to accept their awards.
“It is always an honor to be celebrated multiple times by fellow architects and industry organizations,” Willy Zambrano, founder and design principal at Zambrano Architecutal Design, said. “However, recognition from another professional field is truly invaluable, particularly when it comes from a local news outlet. I’m elated to receive the Architectural Design Excellence award from this event.”
Keynote speaker Mike Florio, CEO of the Long Island Builders Institute, addressed the growing challenges in Long Island’s real estate market, emphasizing how rising construction costs, insurance premiums and restrictive zoning regulations are making homeownership increasingly difficult. Despite these obstacles, Florio highlighted the region’s desirability, and the need for collaborative efforts among developers, policymakers and local businesses to create sustainable, mixed-use communities that accommodate evolving demographic needs while ensuring
economic stability.
“To achieve these goals, we must take this conversation beyond a solution,” Florio said. “Everyone inside understands the challenges we face, but we need to reach a broader audience. Too often, the highest voices in the room are the small but local minority that is resistant to change.”
The annual Herald R.E.A.L. Awards served as a reminder of the vital role real estate professionals play in shaping Long Island’s future, not only through development but also through advocacy and community engagement. The evening brought together industry leaders to celebrate their achievements, foster connections and discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead.
A portion of the proceeds from the
evening benefited General Needs Ltd., a nonprofit organization that is committed to supporting homeless veterans. Founded in May 2015, General Needs provides essential services to veterans in emergency shelters in Brooklyn and Queens and across Long Island. The organization operates entirely through community support, ensuring that all donations directly assist those in need.
For a full list of honorees and photos, visit richnerlive.com/realestate.
Robert Esposito, founder of Relocators Service Inc. and author, “Nobody Move!” with Stuart Richner
By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Overseer Regina Johnson, founder and leader of Deeper Life Deliverance Fellowship, was honored by Hempstead Councilman Chris Schneider on Sunday, February 2, for being named the Freeport Herald’s 2024 Person of the Year.
The recognition, presented at a special ceremony ahead of the church’s Sunday worship service, highlighted Johnson’s decades of service to the local
community in Freeport and beyond. Johnson, who established Deeper Life in 1998, has long been a pillar of faith and outreach in Freeport. Under her leadership, the church has grown into a vital community resource, offering food, clothing, and support services to families in need.
The recent groundbreaking of the church’s first dedicated sanctuary at 212 South Ocean Ave. marked a milestone in her lifelong mission to create a permanent home for Deeper Life’s ministry.
Councilman Schneider, upon reading about Johnson’s honor in the Freeport Herald, felt compelled to personally recognize her efforts.
“He saw it, and they wanted to come and certainly give that citation in honor of what we support and had actually done,” Johnson said.
The ceremony, which took place at Deeper Life’s current worship space at 271 South Ocean Ave., was attended by approximately 50 to 75 people.
“The article alone, I don’t have the words to even express how I felt receiving it. It was such an honor from the Freeport Herald” Johnson said. “I never (dreamed that someone would honor me) in that way. It humbled me even the more, (made me even) more enthusiastic about wanting to get back into our own sanctuary so that we could continue the work that God has given us to do.”
The recognition was not only a personal honor for Johnson but also a source of pride for her church community.
“It really makes such an impression, not only upon me but also upon the Deeper Life Church family, how being honored went, how they felt so blessed,” she said.
Schneider’s visit left a lasting impact on Johnson and her congregation.
“Councilman Schneider made such an impression on us. He’s such a loving and compassionate individual,” she said. “It is an honor, certainly, for him to be in our presence, and even the encouragement that he gave to myself as well as church members, to continue the work that we’re doing.
“He showed genuine concern, wanting to see us back in our own sanctuary, because there are so many things that we want to do,” Johnson added. “Even at times like this, people are constantly reaching out because we’re displaced at this moment. Waiting for our sanctuary to be built does take its toll on the community.”
Despite these challenges, Deeper Life continues to serve those in need.
Johnson praised Schneider’s handson approach, saying, “He visits those that he represents. He is involved and a hands-on individual. It was such a joy to have him.
“And he’s looking forward to being able to help in whatever way that he can so that we can continue the outreach that we’re doing,” Johnson said. “Even further with what we want to do for the community.”
By Danielle Schwab
of the Brothers
Dig into the mysteries of our favorite
et ready to embark on Jurassic Quest, one of the largest immersive dinosaur experiences in North America. The traveling prehistoric adventure, which combining archaeology with the latest tech, returns to Nassau Coliseum with its herd this weekend, Feb. 15-17.
Journey back 165 million years — to a time when mighty dinos ruled the Earth. The arena transforms into the TriassicJurassic and Cretaceous periods with life-like dinosaurs to observe and interact with during, that’s sure to spark the imagination.
“We bring dinosaurs to people in a way that’s fun, interactive and educational that you can’t find anywhere else,” says Jurassic Quest dinosaur expert Sarah Menard, better known as “Safari Sarah,” one of the expert “dino trainers.”
“You can go to a museum to see dinosaurs, but you’re only going to see fossils. You’re going to see educational things, but it’s not going to be as interactive or fun as maybe bouncing on a giant dinosaur inflatable would be,” she says.
There are plenty of opportunities to dig into the excitement. Hop on rideable dinosaurs, engage in hands-on science and art activities, enjoy thrilling dinosaur shows, observe real-life artifacts — and that’s only the start.
All of this — enhanced by carefully chosen vegetation, immersive sound effects, dynamic lighting, and interactive electronics — will make you feel like you’ve truly stepped into another time.
“One of my favorite things to see is whenever kids walk in their jaws drop, and then their parents walk in right after them and they do the same exact thing,” Safari Sarah adds.
Expect to see all your favorite dinos and meet new ones, including the formidable Triceratops, towering longnecks, fierce raptors, and of course, the infamous Tyrannosaurus Rex — standing proud at 20 feet tall as the ultimate apex predator.
• Feb. 15-16 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Feb. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Tickets start at $22 (Use code QUEST15 for 15 percent off admission); available at jurassicquest.com or on-site
• Nassau Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike Uniondale
where they can channel their
where they can channel their inner paleontologist, and study replicated and real fossils like T-Rex teeth, a triceratops horn and life-size dino skull.
“They can learn not only how fossils are made, but they can make fossils themselves, and at the end of the day, they get to walk away with a dinosaurshaped fossil,” Safari Sarah says.
On display, you’ll find real artifacts like Megalodon and dinosaur teeth, horseshoe crabs, and maybe even a dinosaur skull.
Friends of the Brothers returns to the Landmark stage with their dynamic tribute to the Allman Brothers. Their powerful celebration featuring musicians closely associated with the original band, continues the brotherhood with passion, committed to the ideals of every night being special and unique. Guitarist/singer Junior Mack has fronted Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band for 12 years and starred in the acclaimed Broadway show “Lackawanna Blues.” Guitarist Andy Aledort played with Dickey Betts for 12 years while singer/guitarist Alan Paul is the author of “One Way Out,” the definitive, best-selling Allman Brothers biography based on 25 years of reporting on and interviewing the band. Their firsthand experience with the Allman Brothers and their deep knowledge of the repertoire, its roots and heritage allows them to play with an unrivaled depth, backed by a band of inspirational, veteran players. Rock on!
Saturday, Feb. 15, 8 p.m. $38, $33. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or call (516) 767-6444.
Every dinosaur is created in collaboration with top paleontologists to create accurate depictions. As more is learned about these prehistoric creatures, their features are updated to reflect the most authentic depiction of dinosaurs in their prime.
This year, you may see some different feather placement and colors added to the pack.
“We actually know that feathers were a lot more prominent than we originally thought. There are even some paleontologists that think that the T-Rex had feathers,” Safari Sarah explains.
While we may think of dinosaurs in their largerthan-life forms, they, of course started out young — and “small.” Meet the baby dinos, Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T-Rex, and Trixie the Triceratops, three lovable hatchlings ready to play with new friends!
“They all have their own personalities. They’re all kinds of tricksters and will steal your hat or your phone from you. They’re cute little buddies,” Safari Sarah says.
“The famous question we get is ‘Is this really real?”’
There’s much to explore at each activity station, including an opportunity to become a Utahraptor trainer for the largest raptor in the world. The team instruct families on different commands and tricks to use that they can try out for themselves.
Kids will also want to check out the fossil dig,
For those looking for some self-guided fun, there’s
For those looking for some self-guided fun, there’s a scavenger hunt-style activity that the whole family can explore. Go on “The Quest,” a scavenger hunt-style activity where budding paleontologists can become Jr. Park Rangers, and learn all about the dinosaurs and time periods with the help of a fun and fact-filled video tour.
and learn all about the dinosaurs and time periods with the help the
And the youngest adventurers have a spot all their own. Little dino-lovers can roam the ‘Triceratots’ soft play area, taking a well-deserved break from the excitement.
While dinosaurs connect us to the past, they also connect all of this
While dinosaurs connect us to the past, they also connect all ages to a sense of wonder.
“If a parent can step outside of their ‘common sense’ and get into ‘wow, this is a real science,’ it really opens it up for their children as well, ” Safari Sarah says.
From a child’s toy to life-like moving creatures, atmosphere
From a child’s toy to life-like moving creatures, dinosaurs unearth new — but actually very old — possibilities.
“Studying dinosaurs is a gateway science,” Safari Sarah explains. “It opens it up to all these different sciences that talk about our Earth or the atmosphere or the stars. Things that have always been around since the beginning of time.”
His ‘Bronx Tale’ Chazz Palminteri is back on the Paramount stage, with his solo version of “A Bronx Tale.” The powerful one-man stage play depicts his bruising childhood, which included witnessing a gangland killing in the Bronx when he was nine years old. Palminteri plays 18 characters and brings them all to life in his autobiographical play. His friends, enemies and family all come alive on stage. It became a hit after he wrote it in 1989 and the most sought after property since “Rocky.” This is the original show he wrote and performed that made him an in-demand character actor and served as the basis of the acclaimed movie and Broadway musical. Bronx-born and raised, Palminteri was a natural choice to continue the long line of prominent Italian actors in the film industry.
Sunday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m., $99.50, $89.50, $79.50, $59.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Visit ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com for tickets.
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2 p.m.; Monday through Saturday, Feb. 17-22, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. It is 3017 in this futuristic, musical retelling of “Cinderella.” She’s now a space engineer looking to revolutionize space travel. When the Prince holds a space parade, Cinderella saves it by helping fix his spaceship. Cinderella knows it’s the perfect opportunity to show her new hyper warp speed engine. But first, she’ll have to keep her evil stepmother from throwing a wrench in her plans! $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Converse, collaborate and create at family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, Feb. 15, noon-3 p.m. Kids and their adult partners talk about and make art together. While there, enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum.org to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Jupiter String Quartet returns to Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m. The intimate group of violinists Nelson Lee and Meg Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel (Meg’s older sister), and cellist Daniel McDonough (Meg’s husband, Liz’s brotherin-law) are brought together by ties both familial and musical.
The ensemble brings its well-honed musical chemistry to three works shaped by bold musicality and deeply meaningful thematic inspirations, including Warmth from Other Suns by Carlos Simon; String Quartet No. 3, Glitter, Doom, Shards, Memory by Shulamit; and String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Op. 130 with the Grosse Fuge by Ludwig van Beethoven. 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
Having an event?
Plaza Theatricals welcomes the modern-day folk trio, Sunday, Feb. 23 , 2:30 p.m. Inspired by the music and legacy of Peter, Paul & Mary, the ensemble offers up an energetic interactive tribute. Satisfying diehard PPM lovers as well as newcomers to this wonderful era of music, their concer features all of PPM’s beloved hits, including “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Blowing in the Wind,” and of course “Puff The Magic Dragon.”
With stirring vocal harmonies and polished showmanship, they also offers favorites from Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell, The Mamas & The Papas, Joan Baez, The Weavers, and more. $40, $35 seniors. Groove along at Plaza’s stage at Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit plazatheatrical. com.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/ Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, Feb. 16, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
13, 2025 —
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE FOR FORMATION of a limited liability company (LLC). The name of the limited liability company is 239 WOODCLEFT AVENUE
LLC. The date of filing of the articles of organization with the Department of State was December 17, 2024. The County in New York in which the office of the company is located is Nassau. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the company upon whom process may be served, and the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the company served upon him or her to The LLC, P.O. Box 291, Freeport, New York 11520. The business purpose of the company is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 151017
The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 602944/2018 in the amount of $348,050.12 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 151179
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff against ANDREA FAGAN, et al Defendant(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614.
LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF NEW YORK
SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU
WELLS FARGO USA HOLDINGS, INC., Plaintiff, v. ERNESTINA DELVALLE, AS ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE OF BARBARA A. ROLLINS A/K/A BARBARA ROLLINS, 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 April 14, 2023, I, Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on February 25, 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: 20 Lillian Avenue Freeport, NY 11520
SBL #: 55-447-103 ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered April 27, 2017, 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 February 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 296 Pine Street, Freeport, NY 11520. Sec 54 Block 84 Lot 7. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $466,592.84 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 015029/2010.
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.” Certified funds only, made payable to Lisa Goodwin, Esq., as Referee.
Lisa Goodwin, Esq., Referee File # NSRNY006 F/K/A QNSRN601 151181
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CBASS MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-CB5, -againstISAIAS FLORES, 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 October 28, 2024, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CBASS MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-CB5 is the Plaintiff and ISAIAS FLORES, 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 February 25, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 85 EAST PENNYWOOD AVENUE, ROOSEVELT, NY 11575; and the following tax map identification: 0055 - 00483-00 - 00231, 00232 and 00233. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT ROOSEVELT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 006870/2016. 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. 151185
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-CW1, ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff against RONY LUNDY, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840, New York, NY 10170.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered March 10, 2020, 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 February 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 365 Wallace Street, Freeport, NY 11520. Sec 55 Block 397 Lot 232 and 233. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $484,478.30 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 000740/2016.
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.” For sale information, please contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844)400-9633.
Rita Solomon, Esq., Referee File # 21-03756NY 151177
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU CITIZENS BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, -againstCARLOS BERRIOS; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; VILLAGE OF LYNBROOK, NASSAU COUNTY, by and through the Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency; JOSE ARAUJO; STACEY ARAUJO; and MARITZA ARAUJO, Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE Index No. 605841/2018
MORTGAGED PROPERTY:
40 East Avenue, Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, State of New York 11520
COUNTY: NASSAU SBL #: 62-77-21
Mortgage Servicer: Citizens Bank, N.A. d/b/a Citizens One Home Loans Mortgage Service Telephone No.: 800-234-6002
In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly made on September 26, 2024, and entered in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on October 18, 2024, I, the undersigned, the referee, will now sell at public auction, at the North Side steps of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York on February 24, 2025 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon of that date, the premises directed by said judgment to be sold which are commonly known as 40 East Avenue, Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York, Tax Map No.: 62-77-21. A complete legal description can be obtained upon request from plaintiff’s attorney. Judgment amount$396,682.44 plus interest, costs and expenses.
Dated: January 23, 2025 Albany, New York
Omid Zareh, Esq., Referee COOPER ERVING & SAVAGE, LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff 20 Corporate Woods Blvd., Ste. 501 Albany, New York 12211 (518) 449-3900 151053
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 AssetBacked Certificates Series 2006-8, Plaintiff, -againstElizabeth Angilette, unknown heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devises, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming, under, by or through said defendant, who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, Vanessa Lewis, as Heir to the Estate of Elizabeth Angilette, Slomins Inc., People of the State of New York, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, United States of America, Defendants.
Index No.: 604190/2024
Filed: January 9, 2025
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS
Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated. TO THE ABOVE NAMED
DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the attorneys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service; or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York; or within sixty (60) days if it is the United States of America. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $304,500.00 and interest, recorded in the office of the clerk of the County of Nassau on February 06, 2006 in Liber M30064, Page 184 covering premises known as 31 East Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.
Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated: Bay Shore, New York January 9, 2025 Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP
/s/BY: Karen Sheehan
Attorneys for Plaintiff 53 Gibson Street Bay
Shore, New York 11706 (631) 969-3100
Our File No.: 01-099158F00 151059
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF KATHERINE BRYANT WHO WAS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF ELMER BRYANT, DAUD HAZIZ RAMADHAN FKA ELMER BRYANT AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF KATHERINE BRYANT WHO WAS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF ELMER BRYANT, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 31, 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 February 25, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 37 Decatur Street, Roosevelt, NY 11575. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Roosevelt, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 321, Lot 150 & 151. Approximate amount of judgment $294,590.37 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #008750/2013. Adrienne Flipse Hausch, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16-003144 83529 151063
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING, LLC, -againstCORNELL BOZIER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY CURL, 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 May 25, 2023, wherein REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING, LLC is the Plaintiff and CORNELL BOZIER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY CURL, 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 3, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 38 BOOTH STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550; and the following tax map identification: 36-3-44 & 45. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HEMPSTEAD, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 600156/2018. Mary Ellen Divone, 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. 151323
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed 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
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR PARK PLACE SECURITIES, INC. ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-WHQ2, -againstROBERTO CONTRERAS, 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 June 27, 2023, wherein WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR PARK PLACE SECURITIES, INC. ASSETBACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-WHQ2 is the Plaintiff and ROBERTO CONTRERAS, 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 5, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 15 WALLACE STREET, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 55-272-3.
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 FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 601223/2019. Peter Kramer, Esq. - Referee. The Referee may be reached by phone at 516-510-4020.
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. 151325
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, -againstNIMBOKO B. MILLER, 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 June 11, 2018, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is the Plaintiff and NIMBOKO B. MILLER, 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 3, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 352 WESTSIDE AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 62-66-299. ALL THAT PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 006688/2015. Peter Levy, 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. 151321
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO BAC HOME LOANS SERVICING, LP FKA COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS SERVICING, LP, Plaintiff -against- FEDIE R. REDD, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated January 25, 2019, 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 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows:
BEGINNING at the corner formed by the intersection of the Southerly side of Cedar St. with the Easterly side of Westside Avenue; being a plot 100 feet by 50 feet by 100 feet by 50 feet. Section: 62 Block: 149 Lot: 452
Said premises known as 173 CEDAR STREET, FREEPORT, NY 11520
Approximate amount of lien $549,313.36 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 007276/2013.
JEFFREY TOBACK, ESQ., Referee
David A. Gallo & Associates LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030
File# 8150.324 {* FREEPORT LEADER*} 151206
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY. WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR THE HOLDERS OF THE PARK PLACE SECURITIES INC., ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-WCW2, Pltf. vs. ESCOLASTICA CRUZ
A/K/A ESCOLATICA CRUZ, et al, Defts. Index
#000435/2018. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale dated Jan. 15, 2020 and order substituting the referee entered Sept 7, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., prem. k/a 61 East Avenue, Freeport, NY a/k/a Section 62, Block 76, Lot 4. Approx. amt. of judgment is $807,696.06 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. MARK S. RICCIARDI, Referee. MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 575 Underhill Blvd., Ste. 224, Syosset, NY. #102082 151273
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Plaintiff AGAINST
Alvin Gerstein a/k/a Alvin F. Gerstein; Arlene Gerstein a/k/a Arlene E. Gerstein; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 20, 2018, and Amended January 9, 2025, 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 March 13, 2025 at 3:00PM, premises known as 62 Hope Drive, Plainview, NY 11803. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Plainview, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 47 Block 16 Lot 8. Approximate amount of judgment $534,412.91 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 008032/2016. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Tony D’Anzica, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: January 24, 2025 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 151427
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
NASSAU COUNTY
SANTANDER BANK, N.A., Plaintiff against SALVATORE
SANTAMARIA, et al
Defendant(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered May 31, 2018, 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 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM.
Premises known as 31 Buchanan Street, Freeport, NY 11520. Sec 54 Block 334 Lot 19, 20 & 21. 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 Freeport, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $675,326.70 plus interest, fees, and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 001428/2009. 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.”
Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee File # YDHJN001 151523
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR NOMURAR ASSET ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1, Plaintiff AGAINST ALAN RICHARTZ, JR, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 31, 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 11, 2025 at 3:00PM, premises known as 310 Atlantic Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and
improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 62 Block 039 Lot 109. Approximate amount of judgment $371,986.12 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #602538/2023. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-003981 83600 151394
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
The Freeport Housing Authority will be holding a Public Meeting on February 26, 2025 at 5:00PM, at 100 North Main Street, Community Center, Freeport, NY 11520. 151580
LEGAL NOTICE SITE PLAN REVIEW BOARD MEETINGFEBRUARY 25, 2025
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that a Public Hearing will be held before the Site Plan Review Board on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 6:45 P.M., in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Main Conference Room, 46 N. Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York, on Site Plan applications as they appear on the calendar; public comment invited. The Board will meet at 6:00 P.M. in the Trustees Conference Room to discuss cases not requiring a public hearing; open to the public, no public comment.
INTERESTED PROPERTY OWNERS and other persons should appear at the above time and place to have questions answered and to voice opinions.
SP-3801 - 20 Mayfair Court, Section 54/Block B/Lot 453. Residence AA. Shana Ashwood. Rebuild 197 sq. ft. detached garage.
SP-3807 - 83 Washburn Avenue, Section 55/Block 247/Lot 229. Residence A. Leonor Bruny. Construct 21’ x 21’ detached garage and new 20’ x 26’ asphalt driveway.
BY ORDER OF THE PLANNING BOARD
Pamela Walsh Boening, Village Clerk 151581
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS
75,000 GALLONS, MORE OR LESS, ULTRA LOW SULFUR DIESEL (ULSD) - POWER PLANT 1 FOR THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
Notice is hereby given that the Purchasing Department of the Incorporated Village of Freeport, New York will receive sealed proposals for “75,000 GALLONS, MORE OR LESS, ULTRA LOW SULFUR DIESEL (ULSD) - POWER PLANT 1” until 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in the Main Conference Room of the Municipal Building, 46 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York, 11520, at which time and place they will be opened publicly and read aloud. Specifications, proposal and proposed contracts may be seen and obtained at the Purchasing Department, Municipal Building, 1st Floor, 46 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York 11520, or by visiting the Village’s Website at www.freeportny.gov. Bids will be available from 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, until 4:00 P.M. on Friday, February 28, 2025. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bid proposals received and subject to these reservations, shall award the contract to the lowest qualified and responsible bidder. Bids, which in the opinion of the Board are unbalanced, shall be rejected. In submitting a bid, bidders agree not to withdraw their bid within forty five (45) days after the date for the opening thereof.
Taylor D’Orta Buyer Village of Freeport VILLAGE OF FREEPORT Issue Date - February 13, 2025 151582
appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Sale will be held, “rain or shine.” MERIK AARON, Referee. MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 575 Underhill Blvd., Ste. 224, Syosset, NY 11791. #102054 151593
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. JAMES VICTOR, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee 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 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 17 Leonard Street a/k/a 17 Leonard Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. 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 Freeport, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 369 and Lots 259-260. Approximate amount of judgment is $945,194.77 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #003714/2016. Massimo Santoli, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 211883-1 151589
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. FIRST START, LLC, Pltf. vs. TRIDENT EQUITIES LLC, et al, Defts. Index #600121/2023. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Oct. 1, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 17, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. premises k/a 325 South Main Street, Freeport, NY 11520 a/k/a Section 62, Block 44, Lot 430. Approximate amount of judgment is $370,585.75 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health of safety concerns, then the court
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 FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YOLK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 617175/2022. Brian Davis, 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. 151585
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, -againstMICHAEL L. GIOVINO, 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 9, 2025, wherein BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is the Plaintiff and MICHAEL L. GIOVINO, 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 18, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 306 ARTHUR STREET, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 62-90-90 and 91.
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU LPP MORTGAGE, INC. F/K/A LPP MORTGAGE LTD., Plaintiff - againstGERARD Y. OLIVIER A/K/A GERARD OLIVIER, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on January 3, 2025. 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 the 19th day of March, 2025 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece, or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Premises known as 134 North Long Beach Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520.
(Section: 55., Block: 384., Lot: 39)
Approximate amount of lien $633,213.36 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 613787/2022. John Boklak, Esq., Referee.
Stein, Wiener & Roth LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 315 Westbury, NY 11590 Tel. 516-742-1212
OLIVIER-79584
Dated: January 9, 2025
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet
and diversified experience for all campers, and each child has an opportunity to participate in sports, art-and-crafts, swimming and more.
The Gemini Program is for Twin Oaks’ oldest campers, for students entering fourth through ninth grades. Instead of attending the day camp, children in the program travel each day to a new location all over Long Island and New York City, going to everything from baseball games to amusement parks.
Enrollment is currently open for all programs for the upcoming camp season, which runs from June 30 to Aug. 22.
“We’re not the biggest or the fanciest,” Elman-Davis told the Herald, “but we have the most heart. We do a lot of fun, innovative programming. Our travel program for our teens is one of the best travel programs around.”
During each week of camp, Twin Oaks offers a special “theme” that children can take part in — whether it’s dressing up in red, white and blue for Independence Day celebrations, or a special activity day like relay races, a DJ Dance Party or Halloween in August.
Elman-Davis said the camp is special because it boasts multigenerational members. Many campers from the 70s and 80s now have children of their own, who are either campers or enrolled in Twin Oaks’ Day School, which opened in 1975. The students range from toddlers to pre-K.
“We have a very good relationship with the local elementary schools,” Elman-Davis said. “A lot of local elementary school teachers send their children to us because they feel that their students come to public school very well prepared.”
Hal Elman — affectionately known as
apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. Auction Locations are subject to change. 151489
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST Katiuscia Bussereth, 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
the day camp serves children as young as 20-months old, in a variety of different programs. from sports to arts-and-crafts, there something for everyone.
“Papa Hal” — died last year, but ElmanDavis said her mom still checks in each day, even though she lives in Florida. Her mom still constantly runs into people, who simply remember her as “Barbara from Twin Oaks.”
Stone said the environment at Twin Oaks is incredible, and that there’s nothing Elman-Davis wouldn’t do for members, her staff or the families they serve.
“She is kind and loving and under-
standing,” Stone said. “She loves the children here, but she loves her staff too.”
Colella described Twin Oaks as “family, fun and flexible” — meaning that the directors really try to accommodate every family and their schedules in order to meet their needs.
“We’re a place that smiles,” ElmanDavis said. “The minute you walk through our gate, how could you not smile? You’re greeted by happiness. To
atmosphere at
day Camp, founded in 1975 with Hal and Barbara elman and Bernie and Beverly Hoffman.
get to see the world through the eyes of a child every day is the greatest gift that anyone could receive.”
For more information on Twin Oaks, at 458 Babylon Turnpike, visit TwinOaksDayCamp.com or call (516) 623-4550.
County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 17, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 97 North Bergen Place, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION: 55, BLOCK: 269, LOT: 14. Approximate amount of judgment $586,630.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #607307/2018. For sale information, please contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844) 400-9633. Christine M. Grillo, Esq, Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP
53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706
01-090939-F00 84160 151500
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 AGAINST ADRIAN BRYANT, 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 1 Margaret Drive, Roosevelt, NY 11575. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Roosevelt (Unincorporated Area) in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55 Block 549 Lot 6. Approximate amount of judgment $210,443.93 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #619942/2023. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive
Members of the Friends of the Freeport Memorial Library gathered on the evening of Feb. 5 to celebrate the contributions of longtime past president Larry Gumbs. Freeport artist Marc Josloff, presented Gumbs with a framed replica of the library’s mural. The gift bore the inscription: “To our dear Larry Gumbs for his many years of contributions to his library and community.”
Michael Marrell, member and past-treasurer, Daniel Vaggi, vice-president. Marc Josloff, secretary, Jennifer Rechner, president, Larry Gumbs, treasurer, pastpresident, Marilyn Pignataro, member, Elaine McGrowder, trustee.
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers
has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.
Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
COMPANION PART-TIME , Flexible
Schedule. Few Hours. For Disabled Middle-Aged Man. $16/hr. Long Beach Area 516-474-4556.
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
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
FULL CHARGE BOOKKEEPER : Proficiency Quickbooks, 2/ 3 Days/ Week, Flexible. $20-$30/ Hr. Send resume cbc@catalinabeachclub.com Call 516-239-2150
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 turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
RECEPTIONIST/ P/T: SEASONAL, Warm, Friendly, Excellent People Skills, Office Work/ Customer Service. $16-$24/
Q. We completely rebuilt in 1996, and are ready to retire and sell. Our real estate agent told us they checked our permit records and it was never signed off. Although it’s a long story, our first contractor went to jail and destroyed our original permit papers. The second contractor never got a plumbing permit or electrical sign-offs, even though they had people do the work. Is this going to be a big problem to get everything signed off, because we want to sell within the year to take advantage of the market right now? What can you advise?
A. Sounds like you went through a lot. Most people tell me they could write a book about their experience. You need to see your building department records and get copies of the signed and sealed plans. Many municipalities keep records either in paper form, which you may have to pay for copies of, or microfilm or computer files.
Then speak with your inspector to find out what they think needs to be done. Most will be very helpful, and allow for the process to continue, asking you to hire a plumber to get a permit, which involves your notarized signature so you know it’s being done. In way too many cases, the plumber or contractor says it was done when it really wasn’t, so most municipalities require the owner’s signature on permit applications so the building department and owner are aware that the process is being done and is not false.
The plumber needs to see your bathrooms, kitchen, heating equipment and any other plumbing to be sure it meets the plumbing code (and building code). The same process must be done with an electrician, but most building departments ask for a certification from a private agency, not your electrician, since most building departments don’t have an electrical inspector. The reason for this is that one of the two leading causes of fire is electrical (the other being use of the kitchen) so your local government wants nothing to do with the liability for fire safety.
You’ll find that almost everyone in this process wants to avoid responsibility as much as possible. You may have to either call for an inspection agency yourself or, if you suspect that there could be questionable electrical work, hire a licensed electrician to inspect and correct before hiring an agency to detect, if you elect. The private agency charges a few hundred dollars, usually, depending on the number of rooms and outdoor items, like air conditioning condensers, pool equipment and landscape lights, which must also be inspected. After all this is done, you may be able to get a final inspection and a sign-off and certificate from your building department, unless … your building department makes you get plans and a new survey redrawn and updated to the most recent code, which is complicated, time-consuming and expensive — in the thousands of dollars — before you can get a final inspection. Allow plenty of time.
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police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, yet too often they do not receive the essential mental health support they need by nature of their profession. This can exact a toll, both personally and professionally.
Beverly J. Anderson, clinical director of the Metropolitan Police Employee Assistance program, once said, “No human being, no matter how healthy, welltrained or welladjusted, is immune to the long-term stress of sudden critical incidents.”
Police Benevolent Association leaders in the Nassau County Police Department and the New York City and State Police have discussed this major issue with me. They shared how the repetitive trauma that police officers endure from responding to violent crimes, domestic violence incidents, car accidents and other life-threatening situations can have a serious impact on their well-being. It is our responsibility to ensure that we establish effective statewide counseling and resources to help officers process
Nthese experiences. That’s why I am sponsoring legislation to establish a formal peer-to-peer mental health support program for police officers in New York state. This legislation is about supporting the men and women who protect us every day, by ensuring that they have the mental health resources they need to serve effectively.
The Nassau County Police Benevolent Association has strongly advocated for this initiative, and I was honored when they asked me to sponsor the legislation.
We need to establish a peer-to-peer mental health support program.
Since I took office in 2019, I have expressed concern about the uptick in suicides among officers, many of whom retired after long careers on the force. Sadly, suicides continue to rise. I was pleased to see that Tommy Shevlin was elected president of the Nassau County PBA in 2021. It was the right time for an officer with his mental health background to take the lead. As a delegate, he has been instrumental in addressing mental health issues among his fellow officers. Shevlin has encouraged officers to receive the assistance and support they deserve, because a healthy police officer is a more effective one, and an asset to all that he or she is sworn to protect and serve.
The legislation is in memory of Lt. Joseph Banish, a State Trooper who died by suicide. That inspired his brother, Jim Banish, to honor his memory by traveling around the state, and the country, to establish programs that help officers deal with mental health issues. Shevlin and Banish became fast friends, united in a goal to help heal the stress and trauma that officers endure in the course of their work.
This bill directs the Division of Criminal Justice Services to expand a peersupport program in which trained officers counsel fellow officers struggling with trauma, stress, anxiety and grief. By creating a structured, departmentally approved system, we can ensure that officers have a safe, accessible and effective resource to help them navigate the mental health challenges of their profession.
The need for such a program is clear. The emotional toll of policing is well documented, and when trauma goes unaddressed, it can lead to severe consequences, including depression, substance abuse, addictive behavior and even suicide. A recent report on police suicides in Suffolk County highlighted the urgent need for better mental health support within law enforcement. Officers feel more comfortable confiding in a peer who
understands their experiences, rather than seeking help from an external mental health professional. My bill is written for this reality, and provides a structured, confidential avenue for officers to receive the support they need from those who truly understand their struggles.
Confidentiality is a critical aspect of this legislation, ensuring that officers feel safe seeking help without fear of professional repercussions. However, the bill also establishes clear boundaries. Confidentiality does not apply in situations involving a court order, criminal activity, threats of self-harm or harm to others, or the abuse of vulnerable individuals. This strikes a fair balance between protecting officers’ privacy and ensuring public safety.
This effort builds on the success of the federal COPS Counseling Act, which passed with bipartisan support in 2021. It is time for New York to follow suit, and provide all of our police officers with effective, accessible and trustworthy peer-to-peer counseling.
I have made this bill a priority, and I’m finding increasing support from other Assembly members and state senators. It’s time to show our law enforcement officers that their mental well-being matters. When our officers are healthy, our communities are safer.
Judy Griffin represents the 21st Assembly District.
ot that anxiety is funny, but sometimes it helps to laugh at ourselves.
In 1977, Mel Brooks did just that, with his movie “High Anxiety,” starring Brooks as a wildly neurotic shrink and Cloris Leachman as his mustachioed, militaristic nurse at the Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous.
Now, either you think that’s funny or you’re already writing me a letter. But I speak from experience. I’m an anxious person, and according to the American Psychiatric Association, 40 percent of Americans said last year that they were more anxious than the year before.
I was an anxious kid, and teen, and adult. I come by my anxiety honestly, from my nervous parents and grandparents. Most days, I do breathing exercises before I open my eyes in the morning. How do you know if you have anxiety? Do you have a pulse and a moral conscience? You’re in.
Officially, according to psychothera-
pist Linda Hubbard in an article on the Mayo Clinic website, you might have trouble concentrating, you may feel tense or restless, or experience muscle tension or headaches or lightheaded or sleeplessness.
Anxiety treatment has become big business. As I write this — case in point — I just got a pop-up ad from an online health letter selling “proven stress-busting techniques.” The barrage of anti-anxiety messaging is endless. We have to be careful consumers. I offer these words to commiserate and say you are not alone. These are troubling times, and nearly everyone I know is feeling some stress or anxiety. It is permissible now to discuss these feelings openly, and there is relief in sharing.
A nd its treatment is big business. Anti-anxiety messaging is endless.
“shell-shocked,” and ostracized. Now antianxiety tactics and treatments are freely marketed and talked about and posted. Today’s society and culture have produced more anxiety, and more discussions of anxiety online, on TV and in social media. Anxiety has become monetized, from advertisements for medications to promotions for apps that control anxiety and foods and selfhelp books that promise to ease our emotional pain. Since the pandemic, we have had good reason to feel anxious. Our peace of mind is under attack, by everything from rising waters and emerging viruses to political dysfunction and the assault on our democratic values.
work, sometimes and to some degree. For those of us whose anxiety is triggered by the confederacy of dunces who have taken the political stage in Washington, eventually we can vote, but day to day, we can turn off the cacophony of news and social media that surely make us feel worse. I read a few newspapers to keep informed, but I no longer watch much TV, unless it makes me laugh (in a good way). Throw everything at the problem and see what works. But don’t try to tough it out. Be selective in using the internet. Let social media be your tool and not the other way around.
Each of us, in our own lives, can find reasonable and healthy ways to reduce anxiety. Many of them are free, like turning away from devices and toward people. When we need professional help, we can find it. Medications work for millions of people.
There is no real history tracking anxiety. Maybe Shakespeare was anxious; he did create Hamlet, one of the most deeply anxious characters in literature. Maybe cowboys who rode the range felt stress about the roundups. Perhaps our storied astronauts suffered these symptoms. It’s worse to suffer in silence, but that was always the expectation, especially for men. Soldiers who suffered debilitating anxiety in World War I were considered
I am a foot soldier in the struggle with anxiety. What works for me? I walk outdoors as often and as far as I can, weather permitting. The steps, one by one, for a mile or two, seem to ease tension.
I bought one of the apps that promise to reduce anxiety. It offers really boring stories read by monotonic narrators, which help you unwind and even fall asleep. The app also features yoga exercises and various sounds like rain on a roof and light piano music and ocean waves. In my own experience, all of these
It doesn’t hurt to have a laugh or two each day. Comedians like Sarah Silverman and the late Robin Williams carved careers out of their struggles with anxiety. The Apple TV series “Shrinking” has some laugh-out-loud moments. Maybe start by streaming a copy of “High Anxiety” and checking into the Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous for a few hours.
Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
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the recent controversy surrounding Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s creation of an armed civilian unit has sparked intense debate.
Blakeman unveiled a plan last March to deputize gun-owning residents for what he termed “the protection of human life and property during an emergency.”
Democratic lawmakers in Nassau County have now taken legal action, filing a lawsuit in State Supreme Court against what they describe as an “illegal, taxpayer-funded civilian militia.” The concerns focus on not only the legality of the initiative, but also on Blakeman’s refusal to provide clear and essential details about the program.
While opinions on the concept of a civilian militia may vary, what should trouble every resident, regardless of political affiliation, is the disturbing lack of transparency surrounding this initiative. It is not merely the existence of the militia that is at issue, but the secrecy and lack of accountability with which it has been formed and implemented.
As representatives of the people, these lawmakers have a duty to ensure that government actions are conducted openly and lawfully. Their inability to obtain basic information about this unit — who is being recruited, what their training entails, the weapons they will carry, and the total cost to taxpayers — should alarm everyone, regardless of where they stand on the issue of deputizing civilians.
State law in New York is explicit in
defining who can wield police powers: only professional, sworn law enforcement officers. By contrast, the county’s unit consists of volunteers who are required only to be licensed gun owners and complete 12 hours of classroom and firearms training.
This falls far short of the rigorous training required of sworn officers, raising critical concerns about competency and public safety. If these volunteers are granted the authority to use deadly force and make arrests, then their selection, training and oversight should be subject to the highest levels of scrutiny.
Blakeman has attempted to dismiss the lawsuit as “frivolous” and an attack on the volunteers, many of whom are retired military and law enforcement personnel. But his response sidesteps the central issue. No one is questioning the dedication or service history of these individuals. What is being questioned is the manner in which the program has been conceived and implemented — behind closed doors, without legislative approval, and without adequate public oversight.
The county has stated that these deputies will only be deployed in emergencies to protect critical infrastructure, not to patrol streets or manage protests. But without a transparent, codified framework governing their deployment, there are no guarantees that those boundaries will be respected. History has shown that when emergency powers are granted without sufficient oversight, they can be misused or expanded beyond their original intent.
To the Editor:
I just read Peter King’s column in last week’s Herald, “An inauguration that was decidedly different,” and it made me sick. But King is correct in stating that this inauguration was different. Unlike President Trump four years ago, President Biden was there to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power. There was no denial of who won the election. Biden upheld our country’s grand tradition.
On Jan. 6, 2021, police officers were killed and injured by people doing Mr. Trump’s bidding. The lives of Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and all of the members of Congress were at risk. The brave Capitol Police did their duty to protect them, and the thanks they get is a president pardoning their attackers and the people they protected turning their backs on them.
I’d warn Mr. King: Trump’s presidency is a moment in time, but eventually it will pass, and history will not be kind to those like you. Your grand-
Nassau County is not lacking for law enforcement resources. With roughly 2,600 sworn officers, the Nassau County Police Department is the 12th-largest local police force in the country. There is also an existing structure for civilian involvement — the Nassau County Auxiliary Police and the County Community Emergency Response Team, both of which operate unarmed and under professional supervision. Given these resources, what specific gap is the militia intended to fill?
County residents deserve answers. How were these individuals selected? What specific criteria were used? What safeguards exist to ensure their proper conduct? What is the financial burden on taxpayers? Until these questions are answered, the program lacks legitimacy. The lack of transparency is not a partisan issue — it is a fundamental issue of governance. When taxpayer money is being used to fund an initiative that involves armed civilians exercising government-sanctioned power, full disclosure should — must — be the bare minimum. If the program is truly necessary, it should withstand public scrutiny and meet the highest standards of accountability.
Blakeman and his administration must provide the information being sought by community members and lawmakers alike. Without this transparency, concerns about the legality and safety of the program will only continue to grow. The people of Nassau County deserve to know exactly what is being done in their name and with their money. Anything less is unacceptable.
after the congressional hearings that challenged university presidents on campus activism amid allegations of antisemitism, many institutions adopted policies of “institutional neutrality.” Boards of trustees resolved that they would not comment on political issues such as international conflicts, investments in certain countries, and policies proposed by elected officials. Many of the resolutions cited principles enunciated by the University of Chicago. According to the Chicago principles, university leaders should not engage in speech that would appear to infringe on others’ speech. The university should be a protected, neutral place for the expression of all ideas, a safe space for “strong disagreement, independent judgment, and the questioning of stubborn assumptions.”
(“Report on the University’s Role in Political and Social Action,” University of Chicago, 1967.)
There are good reasons for this. When a board or president issues a statement, it can stifle contrary views; it can suppress debate. This would violate the university’s responsibility to foster
critical thinking. Making statements about some issues, but not others, could indicate that some deserve comment but others do not.
But the Kalven Report, which affirmed the University of Chicago’s mission of free inquiry and independence, did not prohibit leaders from commenting on public policies that would affect institutional autonomy and the freedom of scholars to pursue truth no matter where that pursuit may lead. So, “no” to taking partisan positions, but “yes” to evaluating proposals such as those in the much-discussed Project 2025, prepared by the Heritage Foundation, that infringe on the purposes of education.
TAnd it is the home for critical thinking and critics who ask “why?” and “why not?” In these ways, a university is as much about the advancement of ethical character and engaged citizenship as it is about preparation for careers and commerce.
he muchdiscussed Project 25 infringes on the purposes of education.
I agree with these principles. Neutrality does not mean silence. A campus president should not remain silent in the face of proposals that would undermine free speech. A university president has an obligation to question proposals that would undercut quality controls. It is the responsibility of a president and the board to protect the university as the home of critics even as it is not itself a voice of criticism.
A university has three fundamental roles. It is the creator of new knowledge as well as of new professionals. It is the curator of knowledge in all its forms.
kids will have to explain why their grandfather sided with a man who tried to take down democracy instead of standing up to him.
Rest assured, many of us will never forget what happened on Jan. 6. We will continue to fight the good fight. At the same time, career politicians like Mr. King will sacrifice their integrity (if they ever had any) to support a man who wants to be king.
VINCENT
MASTROTA
Sea Cliff
To the Editor:
After reading Congressman Emeritus King’s op-ed, I have reservations about his lauding President Trump. I wrote Trump before he took office, saying that it would be groundbreaking if he became the president of all the people. His legacy would be the destruction of the partisanship that is slowly strangling the USA. I received a very hopeful reply signed by the president-elect.
As of today, I realize this was a dream. I and many like me, ordinary hardworking Americans, have been scammed.
King defends most of Trump’s and his minions’ draconian attacks on the very roots of what’s left of our republic. Revenge, and creating turmoil and anxiety, are the order of the day. Religion is being weaponized, and censorship, which Trump says we will now be free of, is being spread through the agencies of government, right down to teachers in our schools.
Being poor, with skin of a different tone, dispossessed or a peaceful immigrant, is no longer acceptable. The norm will soon become the knock on the door, the presentation of “your papers” and a disappearance in the night. History proves that while we’re not there yet, we are heading down this slippery slope.
King writes of Trump’s new “golden age.” On that term we agree, but we define it differently. The only gold I see is his greedy cadre of rich men grabbing all the power they can lay their hands on. They know that power breeds money. They are pigs at the trough.
King writes that the functions he attended in Washington were filled with “extraordinary excitement, enthusiasm and hope.” Yet the president is but three weeks in office, and many who supported him are reacting
Across the country, governors and state legislators promote policies that proscribe what subjects can be taught and what books can be read. Project 2025 is a “blueprint” for multiple changes in federal policy related to knowledge and expertise. It alleges, without evidence, a radical leftwing bias in university teaching. At the same time, it would require a selective teaching of American history by omitting mention of race and slavery. It also would substitute religious belief for scientific evidence, including weather forecasting and study of the environment. It would substitute political tests for professional expertise, stifling critical thinking and free speech.
The Project calls for the abolition of the U.S. Department of Education, and reclassifying federal scientists as political appointees. It would turn over consumer protections from predatory proprietary schools to the states and retract the “borrower-defense” provisions of the federal loan system put in place to protect students from for-profit schools
and lenders.
Project 2025 also calls for eliminating Head Start; overhauling the educational accreditation system, reducing its political neutrality; and rolling back Title IX protections for sexual assault survivors and LGBTQ students. It calls for prosecuting all government agencies, colleges, corporations and other private employers that maintain diversity policies.
Public education was established to ensure an informed citizenry, essential to a functioning democracy. Project 2025 would deny freedoms in favor of authoritarian dictates. Instead of supporting public education, it would allow for the banning of books and restrictions on independent inquiry.
Project 2025 should be studied and debated. We should affirm the purpose and benefits of education to society and the individual. Project 2025 limits rights, opposes inconvenient history and science, and would impose biased views. We can be passionate in the defense of academic values without becoming politically partisan. Only by advocating for freedom of inquiry and free speech will we preserve them, and our democracy. On this, university leaders should not be neutral.
Dr. Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author of “Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate,” Rowman & Littlefield, 2024.
adversely to the confusion, disappointment and the “shock and awe” of his policies and his erratic statements. Many are feeling buyer’s remorse.
King is an intelligent man who did much for his constituents when he served the public. It is difficult to comprehend how he cannot sense that this president is quickly on his way to
becoming a clear and present danger to the republic King served.
King and I probably both pray, in our own ways, for the same things, a better country and a peaceful world. It’s good to dream!
