Amityville Herald 12_11_2024

HERALD AMITYvIlle

ReCORD

Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa

O’Pharrow wins race in 11th AD Dem headed to Albany

By CAROLYN JAMES

cjames@liherald.

The Nassau and Suffolk County Boards of Election have certified the results for the NY State Assembly’s 11th District, where Democrat Kwani O’Pharrow was running against Republican Joe Cardinale. The final numbers show O’Pharrow narrowly defeated Cardinale, 26,877 votes to 25,980. O’Pharrow garnered 50.8 percent of the votes, to Cardinale’s 49.2 percent.

“I believe that having Kwani in the Assembly who is a member of the majority will help not only the town but the three Villages and that he will work well to develop relationships,” said Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer. “And with Assemblymen Keith Brown and Mike Durso working with Kwani, we will also have strong voices speaking up on behalf of all of our constituents.”

O’Pharrow is a retired New York City Police Department detective. He said during the campaign that he believes his backDground equips him well for the role. He has iden tified the cost of living, housing and public safety as the top issues

facing the district.

Once in Albany, O’Pharrow plans to bridge this gap through community meetings and innovative outreach strategies aimed at engaging working families. “We need to find a way to get those communities and those families out to these meetings to let them know what’s going on,” he said, stressing that local government has a responsibility to support citizens during changing times.

As a U.S. Navy veteran, O’Pharrow is committed to supporting fellow veterans. “They signed up and fought for our country; we need to support them,” he said.

His NYPD career provided extensive experience in community engagement, he added, because he served in various roles, including school officer, community patrol officer, domestic violence officer, and gang investigations officer. He also worked in the Intelligence Bureau, protecting dignitaries such as Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. “I’ve seen a lot and done a lot, and those experiences are going help me when I am in office,”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Carolyn James/Herald

Amityville Village held its annual Christmas Tree lighting on Sunday. See Page 2 for more photos.

Amityville Village hosts annual Christmas Tree Lighting

CRIME WATCH

The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police Department and other fire and law enforcement agencies.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Babylon: On Nov. 29, at approximately 7:30 a.m., an unidentified individual was seen collecting coins from meters along Deer Park Avenue. There were no arrests in that incident.

North Babylon: A cell phone was stolen from an unlocked vehicle that was parked on August Road shortly after 9:30 a.m.

OPERATOR LEAVES SCENE OF A CAR ACCIDENT

North Babylon: A vehicle heading south on Deer Park Avenue collided with another vehicle but fled the scene after failing to stop and exchange information. The damage was minor. That incident occurred at 10:40 a.m., on Nov. 27.

GRAND LARCENY

Deer Park: An unidentified subject went into BJ Wholesale Foods at 3 a.m., Nov. 25 and left with $1,500 in merchandise without paying for the items.

PETIT LARCENY

Lindenhurst: A man walked into Dollar General at 660 Wellwood Avenue at 7:45 p.m., Nov. 29, removed several items from the shelves and walked out without paying for the merchandise.

•A purse was stolen from Taco Bell on Montauk Highway Nov. 24. The purse was in an unlocked vehicle and the theft took place at approximately 6:12 p.m.

Amityville: A wallet was stolen from a vehicle that was parked on Geraldine Avenue Nov. 23, at approximately 6:49 p.m. Police said the wallet contained cash and credit cards.

ASSAULT

Amityville: A confrontation occurred on Broadway between two people shortly before 3 a.m., Nov. 24. Police said one subject pushed and shoved the victim out of the door. The victim was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for minor injuries. No arrests were made in that incident.

•Dion Benjamin, 26, of Oak St., Copiague was arrested Nov. 22 shortly after 7:30 p.m. and charged with interfering with governmental administration. He fled police who were attempting to place him under arrest. A foot pursuit ensured and he injured the officer before being apprehended. The officer was taken to a local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

ARRESTS

Driving While Intoxicated/Impaired: Daniel Vancott, 21 of 102 Inlet Dr., Lindenhurst; Lorrie Ibe, 55, 238 Neptune Ave., West Babylon; Ramon Zambrano, 51 of 17 Arbell Dr., Brentwood; Thomas Keane, 65 of.. Petit Larceny: Olesya Puglisi, 41, of 2000 Jackson Ave., West Islip; Carlos Pascual, 22 of 500 West 1678th St., Manhattan; Mark Butler, 50. Of 830 Bellport Ave., Bellport; Samantha Dellolio, 22, of 230 E. Belle Terre Ave., Lindenhurst; Ingred Barreromanchola, 44, of 5052 96th St., Corona; John Pradalozano, 47 of 10435 8th St., Jamaica; Eamon Nemeth, 28, of 51 Parkwood Blvd., Poughkeepsie.

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance: Dion Benjamin, 27, of 529 Oak St., Copiague; Dwayne Miller, 36, of 150 Bellport Ave., Bellport.

Criminal Possession of a Firearm/Weapon: Anthony Trivic, 22 of 5 Temple Ave., Riverhead.

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.

It was a fun-filled day in Amityville Village as the annual tree lighting ceremony was held. In addition the community enjoyed the annual Holiday Open House, a Christmas Market at St. Martin’s church and more. Watch for upcoming story on these events.

and

Kwani O’Pharrow wins election in 11th State Assembly District

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 munity and I am committed to working tirelessly to address the needs and concerns of my constituents.”

O’Pharrow and his wife, Cindy, have four children—Danielle, Benni, Kwani and Shirley—as well as five grandchildren. In his free time, O’Pharrow enjoys gardening, spending time with family, traveling and watching movies.

Cardinale ran on a platform calling for ending bail reform and added funding for infrastructure He is a retired police officer and a resident of Amityville.

Kwani O’Pharrow is off to Albany to represent the 11th AD

Amityville Mayor Dennis Siry, left, speaks to the crowd at the tree lighting. At right in Amityville Trustee Owen Brooks.

Decorated fire truck led the parade that brought Santa to Village Square.

Right: Mr.

Mrs. Claus were special guests at the tree lighting on Sunday.

4th annual Women of Distinction ceremony lauds local heroines

Assemblyman Mike Durso honors local women

New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso, (R-9th AD), recently held his fourth annual Women of Distinction ceremony at the Marjorie Post Community Center in Massapequa Park.

The event recognizes 10 extraordinary women for their professional accomplishments, personal achievements, and significant contributions to their communities. The honorees are leaders, entrepreneurs, mothers, wives and role models from diverse backgrounds and fields, who have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations.

Local honorees included Carol D’Amato, Theresa DePietto’s, Dawn Dahill, Denise Heegan, Donna Marano, Gaby Paulino-Pena and Deirdre Trumpy

Carol D’Amato

Carol D’Amato is Chief Operating Officer of ALL DAZZLE, a women’s high-fashion clothing and accessories lifestyle brand she established decades ago with a mission to help all women shine.

Carol’s entrepreneurial spirit and keen sense of style allowed her to navigate the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming her fashion design expertise into a force for good by hosting red carpet fundraising fashion events that engage the local community and support various charitable causes.

Most recently, during New York Fashion Week in New York City, D’Amato was prominently featured on Times Square’s giant billboards as an iconic supermodel, showcasing contemporary women’s fashions and inspiring others to dream big and embrace life with style, grace, and meaningful purpose.

She volunteers her time and talents to industry celebrity charity events, senior assisted living centers, local high schools, colleges, and numerous nonprofit organizations.

Her commitment and boundless energy allow her to make a meaningful difference in her community and beyond.

Theresa DePietto

Theresa DePietto’s passion for helping others became evident in the wake of Superstorm Sandy when she has played a vital role in community recovery efforts. She actively participated in the Long Island Long Term Recovery Group, Health and Welfare Council, and is certified with the American Red Cross for Sheltering as a trained disaster case manager.

DePietto has received numerous accolades for her contributions, including the Town of Babylon Community Service Award for Women’s History Month and Vision Long Island’s Smart Growth award. She also served as a New York Rising CRP Committee Member for the Babylon/West Babylon Committee, showcasing her ability to manage complex projects and navigate urgent demands.

She is the founder of the non-profit organization Hope Floats Long Island, which feeds families in need throughout the Town of Babylon. Her collaboration with the Emmy Award-winning NBC TV series “George to the Rescue” exemplifies her dedication to helping local businesses and families, while coordinating the logistics of construction and design crews.

She has actively organized the Babylon Village Pride Parade for the past five years, promoting inclusion and acceptance and strengthening community bonds. Her dedication to the community is always on a volunteer basis, demonstrating her care and commitment to others.

Dawn Dahill

Dawn Dahill is currently the deputy clerk for the Village of Babylon. She has played a key role in managing municipal operations and serving the local community and businesses.

She moved to the Village of Babylon in 2015 to raise four children; she is married with three sons—two of them are Eagle Scouts and one is on the way to becoming an Eagle Scout—and a daughter who has earned her Girl Scout Bronze Award, now working towards her Silver Award.

Dahill earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2001, which enabled her to excel as a trader and sales assistant throughout her 15 -year career on Wall Street, and extends to her work as a volunteer for the PTA for 15 years and actively Scout for more than a decade. She is also the den leader, fundraising chair, treasurer, committee member and product sales coordinator for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and was a four-year Cub Scout leader for North Babylon Pack 112.

She previously served as the administrative coordinator for the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition, dedicating five years to supporting those affected by breast and gynecological cancer and encouragingthem to pay it forward. She has a personal connection to this cause through her family’s history and overseeing her mother’s breast cancer care and treatment.

Denise Heegan

Denise Heegan is the loving mother of four children, and a lifelong resident of North Babylon. Her love for community started early in life by volunteering for the North Babylon Fire Company as a result of her work in healthcare and where she met her husband, John, who died two years ago. She was uniquely prepared for the job, thanks to her 26 years of nursing care experience working for the Catholic Health System.

Heegan not only volunteers her time to the North Babylon Fire Company, she also serves as an advocate and volunteer for other community-based programs, including the Lions Club of North Babylon, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and he Babylon Beautification Society, where she was inducted as the ambassador and continues to work on the Town’s beautification by hanging flags, maintaining flower gardens, participating in cleanups and creating holiday designs.

She continues her charity work through

the foundation formed in her husband’s honor, HeeganStrong, a non-profit organization providing support for those navigating grief. Through various fundraising initiatives, HeeganStrong empowers individuals to find strength in shared experiences, creating a compassionate space for healing.

Donna Marano

Donna Marano is an accomplished professional with over 30 years of experience in the corporate world and automotive industry. She earned Sales Master awards for selling over 7,000 Buicks a year for 12 consecutive years, demonstrating her skill and dedication.

In 2008, Marano was diagnosed with breast cancer, and through the love and support of those around her, especially her husband of 36 years, Lenny Marano, she won her fight against the disease. Motivated by her personal journey, she began volunteering with the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition for Long Island where she has provided support to others who are diagnosed and undergoing treatment for breast and gynecological cancers.

She has been instrumental in fundraising efforts to help alleviate the financial burden of medical co-payments for those in need and has offered additional support through the Coalition’s “Lend A Helping Hand” program.

Her leadership skills and compassion have been further demonstrated through her various roles on the Coalition’s board of directors. In January 2023, she was elected President of the West Islip Breast Can-

cer Coalition, furthering her commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. She also continues to volunteer with the Women of West Islip and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

Gaby Paulino-Pena

Gaby Paulino-Pena is a distinguished childcare leader who began her career in 2002 at La Casita Childcare, co-launching the daycare program. She continued her impactful work at Gema’s Childcare in Copiague from 2006. Her dedication to her field is evident through her annual completion of over 60 hours of specialized training, and she holds critical certifications in CPR and First Aid.

Paulino-Pena holds a bachelor’s degree in international business, an MBA in finance, and professional human resources certifications, with ongoing studies towards a master’s in education focused on Early Childhood.

She is also a key bilingual member of VOCIE CSEA, helping daycare providers access stabilization grants, and co-organized community events like Children’s Day at Belmont Lake Park and Lead Back to School at Granny Park.

Her philanthropic efforts include over $10,000 in scholarships for high school seniors and contributions of school supplies for over 200 students. She also provides essential training for providers on health, safety, and compliance. Her commitment to excellence and community service

Back row: NYS Assemblyman Michael Durso joins Carol D’Amato, Dawn Dahill, Michelle Panetta, and Robin Hepworth. Front row: Denise Heegan, Donna Marano, Deirdre Trumpy, and Gaby Paulino-Pena. Not pictured: Theresa DePietto and Debra Ragusa

High-flying designs fill Great Neck Elementary halls

Second graders at Great Neck Road Elementary School in the Copiague School District recently learned about inventor Tony Sarg, who created the first giant helium balloons. The balloons became a tradition in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The second graders listened to “Balloons

Over Broadway” by Melissa Sweet on Google Classroom, a story about Mr. Sarg and the New York City parade. They then worked with a partner to design and create their own balloons crafted from paper plates and popsicle sticks. They then paraded the balloons around the hallways to show off their designs to classmates.

CRITICAL CARE IN TIMES OF WAR:

An Amityville nurse’s WWII odyssey

By JOHN F. BYRNE correspondent

When we think of members of the Armed Forces in wartime, we tend to think of the combat infantryman. However, the infantry are but a small part of the military. While obviously important, they are only the tip of a very long spear. Each soldier or marine fighting at “the sharp end” requires support from numerous personnel working behind the front lines. In military parlance, this is known as the Tooth-to-Tail ratio.

During WWII, only 14 percent of American troops overseas were in the infantry. The rest supported them, as cooks, truck drivers, supply officers, chaplains, and the like. Perhaps the most critical support staff for the infantry of WWII were the doctors and nurses who cared for them once they became sick or were wounded. During the war, seven out of 10 infantrymen suffered some kind of casualty. So doctors and nurses were critical to ensuring the well-being of the troops.

Several men and women from Amityville helped to provide this care during the war, whether in the United States or abroad. Of the several nurses in the Army Nurse Corps and American Red Cross, the one with perhaps the most interesting story is Isabelle V. Cook.

Cook was born Isabelle Victoria Cedar in Amityville on November 11, 1918, Armistice Day, according to a notice in the Amityville Record . By the time WWII began in Europe, Cook was a nursing student in New York City. With the United States’ entry into the war in 1941, she volunteered for ser -

vice in the Army Nurse Corps. She was eventually assigned to the 3 rd General Hospital, U.S. Army. During the war, the 3 rd General Hospital was deployed to Tunisia, Italy, and southern France, from 1943-1945. Together with thw hospital, Cook became deeply involved in the war, providing essential care for the soldiers at the front.

In 2001, Cook shared some of her wartime experiences with the Library of Congress, as part of their Veterans History Project at the American Folklife Center. She recalled the culture shock of her training in Alabama.

“It was a tiny town of about 500 people, real southerners, and here are these northern Yankees that came to invade the area,” she remembered.

Once she got to North Africa, Cook was one of the first to reach the site for the hospital. After a hard overland journey, she was shocked at the conditions she found. The nearest town had been bombed, as the fighting in Tunisia had just ended. Over the next year the hospital would serve 5,000 patients.

However, Cook recalled that not everything was so grim: Bob Hope visited, and because the nurses were some of the only women in the area, “we had a wonderful social life.” With the drive on Rome, Cook and the hospital were then deployed to Italy for the next nine months. There they were stationed very close to the front lines, which she found taxing. However, conditions for the doctors and nurses improved once the hospital was deployed to southern France. Prior to this, Cook remembered, their quarters were only tents, but now they were stationed in a former resort hotel.

Copiague field hockey’s Emma Luvera named Suffolk’s

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School student athlete Emma Luvera has been named the Suffolk County Division 1 Goalie of the Year in field hockey. This is the first time in school history a field hockey athlete has been awarded this honor. Emma was voted goalie of the year by the coaches in Suffolk County.

“This is monumental considering the quality of teams in Suffolk County,” said varsity field hockey coach Kenneth Berry. “The fact that Copiague did not make the playoffs and Emma was still voted as the county’s best goalie is a tremendous honor.”

goalie of

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School student athlete Emma Luvera with coach Kenneth Berry.

The senior goalie is also captain of the team and a four-year starter with an 83.2 percent save percentage this year alone. She boasts an impressive goals

against average of 2.79 and 12.45 saves per game. During her career in Copiague, she had a total of 685 saves in 55 games. Shehopes to continue her field hockey career, playing collegiately next year.

In 1945, Cook was in Aix-enProvence for VE Day. She recalled how the mood was celebratory as the Allied troops marched in parade; however, there was a dark side to the day as well.

“We were in our full uniform marching down the street and all of a sudden I looked up at one of the lamp posts and hanging from the lamp post was a man with a big sign across his chest saying ‘Collaborator.’ They had hung the collaborators. And, of course, it was a horrifying sight to see him swinging from the lamp post. […] It was quite an experience to be in that parade,” she said.

Shortly after this, Cook’s hospital was ordered home, and in December 1945 she was discharged from the Army with the rank of First Lieutenant.

After her service in the Army Nurse Corps, Cedar married Alexander W. Cook in 1949. She eventually moved with her husband to Texas and had two children, Barbara and Robert Cook. She later retired to California.

Her wartime experiences inspired her to write a fictionalized memoir, “In Times of War: Memoirs of a World War II Nurse,” published in 1999. Her interview with the Library of Congress was later included in the 2004 book “Voices of War: Stories of Service from the Home Front and the Front Lines.”

As she told the Library of Congress, “I keep thinking about the children that will pretty soon only know World War II as a chapter in a history book and I wanted very much to share my experiences with them.”

Cook died on July 17, 2013. She is buried in Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, California. Her legacy lives on, however, with those who remember her service.

Durso hosts 4th annual ceremony for local Women of Distinction

essential training for providers on health, safety, and compliance. Her commitment to excellence and community service service underscores her significant impact in the childcare sector.

Deirdre Trumpy

Deirdre Trumpy has been an integral part of MOMMAS House Mother-Child Residences organization for over 20 years and now serves as its Executive Director. MOMMAS House provides essential housing and support services to homeless pregnant and parenting young mothers and their children. She provides guidance and direction to young mothers so they can learn to support themselves and their children independently.

Trumpy holds an Advanced Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Long Island University, a Master of Social Work degree from NYU, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with focus on Sociology & Social Work from St. John’s University.

Throughout her career, she has been a passionate advocate for mothers, adolescents, children, and populations struggling with mental illness and substance abuse. She is an active member

of the Long Island Continuum of Care as a representative of the pregnant and Parenting youth population on its Governance Board, serves as co-chair and a member of multiple subcommittees focused on homeless services on Long Island.

Her dedication, compassion, and leadership have made her an invaluable part of the community, inspiring those around her and creating a lasting impact through her service.

At the ceremony, Babylon resident Joan Caliendo, a 2022 Women of Distinction and current Ms. New York Senior America, was the keynote speaker. She delivered words of encouragement, determination, and urged her listeners to take risks no matter what your age. She recently participated in the National Ms. Senior America Pageant at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City and was crowned 2nd runner-up.

After the ceremony, Durso said, “I want to congratulate all the 2024 Women of Distinction honorees.”

He added, “It was a privilege to acknowledge these remarkable individuals who exemplify what it means to be courageous, selfless, and a positive role model for young women.”

Read the Babylon Herald Beacon for all your local community news.

PSEG

LI

employees provide veterans with coats, boots, food—and much gratitude

November was a busy suppport month for PSEG Long Island employees, many of whom are military veterans, as they aided local veterans with several initiatives across Long Island.

“Our Military Tuesday events, the Thanksgiving meal giveaway with Long Island Cares, and other activities allow us to thank local veterans around Veterans Day and Thanksgiving,” said David Lyons, PSEG Long Island’s interim president and COO. “These events, including the Stand Down event in Nassau County, help hundreds of veterans stay warm and enjoy the holiday season.”

On Nov. 22, PSEG Long Island volunteers distributed winter coats, boots, and essentials to over 400 veterans at the Stand Down event, with items donated by PSEG Long Island to General Needs veterans’ assistance organization.

On Nov. 17, 10 employees volunteered at the 9-1-1 Veterans event in Lindenhurst, helping distribute turkeys, sides, and desserts to 500 veterans.

Just before Thanksgiving, over two dozen employees braved cold weather

Happy Holidays

in Hauppauge to distribute complete Thanksgiving meal kits—turkeys, pies, and sides—to over 500 veterans and their families, in partnership with Long Island Cares and the Suffolk County Veteran Service Agency. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine joined to help distribute the items.

Additionally, PSEG Long Island hosted two Military Appreciation Tuesdays at Long Island Cares pantries in November, where volunteers assisted veterans with groceries and shared information on energy-saving programs. More than 1,000 veterans were served.

PSEG Long Island employees support veterans year-round, including through events like the Suffolk County Stand Down, distributing fresh produce and essentials, and wreath-laying ceremonies at national cemeteries. Several employees also participated in the 22-mile PTSD Awareness Challenge across the Long Island Sound.

For more information on the PSEG Long Island support, and how you can help, go to: psegliny.com/community.

from MSK Nassau, MSK Hauppauge, and MSK Commack Nonna’s Garden Foundation Center.

To see our locations, point your smartphone camera at the QR code and tap the link.

36 Copiague eighth graders soar like eagles in Junior Honor Society

Copiague Middle School recently inducted 36 new eighth grade members into the Eagle chapter of the National Junior Honor Society.

During the induction ceremony, advisors Francesca Walker and Paul Harvey welcomed guests, and current officers of the NJHS spoke about the qualities of scholarship, character, service and lead-

ership that members must demonstrate.

After reciting the National Junior Honor Society pledge and becoming official members, the students presented a rose to a member of their family in attendance to thank them for their support.

Congratulations to the following inductees: Julia Abayev, Solara Aquino, Brianna Begley, Patrick Broomfield, Kai-

tlyn Caldwell, Janay Carter, Parker Cohen, Dean Coleman, Mason Conway, Ezra Cruz, Lola Cruz, Abigail Duran, Maggie Erickson, Aliyah Fernandez, Mia Gonzales, Jeasiah Guelee, Ashley Guillen, Keyrin Hernandez Burgos, Isabelle Hird, Isabella Kogan, Stanislaw Krasnowski, Kaitlyn Lombardo, Yassin Lounici, Joseph Mendoza, Rebecca Molina, Eliza

Nieznalska, Kamila Nieznalska, Mya Nunez, Nicolette Orlando, Tatiana Pantaleon, Emilio Reyes, Xavier Roe, Isabella Rufrano, Emily Vargas, Mayelin Velasquez Maldonado and Angela Wieczorek.

To qualify for membership, students must possess a cumulative grade point average of 92 or above and receive faculty recommendations.

Amityville middle school, high school students celebrate with veterans

In honor of Veterans Day, Amityville Memorial High School and Edmund W. Miles Middle School held Veterans Day events on November 7 and 8 to celebrate the men and women who have served or are currently serving in the United States military.

Local veterans in the community were welcomed to the middle school to share their experiences in the U.S. Armed Forces. Prior to the event, students prepared questions in their social studies classes to ask the veterans. Veterans, who were escorted throughout the building by members of the National Junior Honor Society, described the branch of military in which they

served, answered the students’ questions, and shared photos and souvenirs from their years of service. Toward the end of the visit, students thanked them for visiting the class.

At the high school, several local veterans were welcomed to speak with students in their social studies classes. During the 45-minute class period, veterans shared stories about their time in the service and answered students’ questions. Additionally, veterans got to enjoy a special luncheon in the school’s library where they were greeted by district administrators and the high school’s principals.

Superintendent of Schools Gina Talbert, center, greeted veterans at high school luncheon.

Veterans visited Middle School students for Veterans Appreciation Day.

Magic of Lights show illuminating Jones Beach through January 4

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Live Nation invites visitors to enjoy the Magic of Lights showing now in

ing starts at $30 Monday—Thursday and $35 Friday—Sunday. You can purchase tickets in advance at: https:// magicoflights.com/locations/jonesbeach/

Jones Beach State Park.

Experience the festive lights from the comfort of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Jones Beach’s new holiday tradition. The display of over one million lights runs at dusk, approximately 5 p.m., through Jan. 4, 2025.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance. Standard vehicle pric-

The experience features favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. There is also a holiday village, with a North Pole Café, a walkthrough selfie present, illuminating mega trees, special nightly activations, holiday merchandise, holiday movies, and more.

Santa will be at the Holiday Village every night through December 23 The Grinch will appear Dec. 24 through January 4. The village will feature special added attractions and there wiil be a Pet Adoption Night on December 11 For more information, visit parks. ny.gov.

ST. PAUL’S

LUTHERAN CHURCH

147 Park Ave., Amityville Office Tel. 631-264-0763

Rev. Thomas W. Cusanelli

WORSHIP SERVICES: Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Worship 7:30 p.m.

Accessible to the Physically Challenged “The Friendly Church” www.stpaulsamityville.com

ST. MARY’S CHURCH

175 Broadway, Amityville 631-264-0004

Fr. Randolph Jon Geminder, Rector www.facebook.com/ StMarysAmityville

Sunday: Matins 7:30 am Low Mass: 8:00 am

SIMPSON

30 Locust Ave., Amityville 631-789-2569

Rev. Akio Iyoda, Pastor SUNDAY

Worship Service • 11:00 am “Here you are a stranger but once” Handicapped Accessible

5:00 pm Church: www.stmartinschurch.org School: www.smtschool.org

Babylon Town author Cheryl Williams addresses grief and loss in her latest book: ‘The Brightest Star that Shines Tonight’

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com

November was Children’s Grief Awareness Month, and it served as a poignant backdrop for author Cheryl Williams at several events where she shared her book, “The Brightest Star that Shines Tonight.”

With her latest work, Williams aims to comfort children coping with loss and help bring solace to families during this holiday season.

“The Brightest Star that Shines Tonight,” released in the summer, offers a simple yet powerful narrative to answer some of the toughest questions children face when they first experience the death of a loved one. Within the first few pages, it gently addresses a common question: “Why did they have to go away?”

The inspiration for the book came from Williams’ experience as a school nurse at Belmont Elementary School in North Babylon. She recalls overhearing a young boy grieving the loss of his mother to breast cancer. Struggling to understand why his mother had to leave, the boy was told by a counselor that “God needed her.” But the words didn’t bring him comfort, and Williams felt compelled to help.

“I wanted to find a way to help youngsters like him,” Williams said. “Kids often blame themselves, and I wanted to do something to empower them.”

The book’s brevity was a conscious decision, Williams explained, acknowledging that children—and those grieving—often find solace in simplicity. The story’s message, however, is profound: although the body may be gone, the love of the lost one remains, shining brightly in the heart. Through the character of a father, the book assures children that their departed mother still watches over them, “shining down from above” each night.

At the end of the book, Williams includes personal family photos and dedicates the story to her own late mother. She hopes that these intimate images, alongside the book’s message, will inspire readers to cherish their loved ones and remember that those who have died can live on in their hearts.

“We all have to walk this path, and so many kids are dealing with loss without talking about it,” Williams said. “I want them to know it’s okay to cry, that they are not alone.”

She said she did not set an age limit for the book, because she thinks its message will resonate with anyone who has experienced loss. “We need to comfort people so they can move forward,” she said.

A wife, mother, and nurse at EPIC Long Island, Williams has written two other books: “A Collection of Poems: A Journey Through Life,” which earned her the Top Female Author award in 2019, and “A Lesson A Day: A Child’s Way,” which won first place at the Children’s Poetry BookFest and an Honorable Mention in the Fiction Children’s Fables category. She isn ow working on a Spanish translation of “The Brightest Star that Shines Tonight,” for release in 2025.

To learn more about Cheryl Williams visit her Facebook page @AuthorCherylWilliams or Instagram @SweetSherry7.

To purchase the book, visit shorturl.at/3lrEm. It’s also on Barnes & Noble and through the publisher’s bookstore, Dorrance Bookstore. Williams is a member of Long Island Authors.

Amityville’s Northeast Elementary crew celebrate their annual Grandparents’ day

It was a family affair at Northeast Elementary School in Amityville when the school recently welcomed grandparents to the classrooms, allowing them to not only observe the lessons but also participate in the day’s activities.

During Grandparents Day, which

has become an annual tradition at Northeast, the special guests visited the pre-K and kindergarten classes. They assisted with a variety of activities, from coloring in pictures of grandmas and grandpas to fall-themed art projects and story time.

Jan 16–Mar 2, 2025 NOV 14– DEC 29

JUL 10 THROUGH AUG 24 2025 MAR 13 THROUGH APR 27 2025 MAY 15 THROUGH JUN 29 2025

JUL 10 THROUGH AUG 24 2025 MAR 13 THROUGH APR 27 2025 MAY 15 THROUGH JUN 29 2025

New York Cracks Down on Puppy Mills with new ban on retail pet sales

New York’s Puppy Mill Pipeline Act Takes Effect December 15

This Christmas, the familiar question “How much is that doggy in the window?” will no longer be heard in New York. On December 15, the state’s Puppy Mill Pipeline Act goes into effect, banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits. These animals are often sourced from largescale breeding operations known as “puppy mills,” where the health and well-being of both animals and parents are sacrificed for profit.

Signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December 2022, New York becomes the sixth state to enact such a ban, aiming to curb the rampant animal cruelty associated with puppy mill suppliers.

Puppy Mill Puppies and Parents Suffer

Pets, Pets, Pets...

JOANNE ANDERSON

Most puppy mills are in the Midwest, where puppies are taken from their mothers at too young an age, often with no genetic screening and minimal veterinary care. These puppies are then transported long distances, making them prone to diseases such as parvo, pneumonia, and hypoglycemia. Meanwhile, their parents remain trapped in tiny, decrepit cages, forced to breed continuously.

Some mills use “red door feeders” that limit the dogs’ access to humans, providing a week’s worth of food at a time. In 2021, there were over 10,000 licensed and unlicensed puppy mills in the U.S., breeding more than two million puppies annually.

It took animal advocates five years to pass this legislation in Albany. Retail pet stores that continue to sell pets after December 15 could face fines of up to $1,000 per violation. However, New Yorkers can still adopt pets from incorporated humane societies, animal rescues, or licensed breeders.

Pet Store Puppies Do Not Come from Responsible Breeders

Pet shops have had two years to adapt their business models, yet some Long Island store owners still claim the law is a surprise. These retailers often insist they obtain puppies from responsible breeders. However, responsible breeders do not sell puppies to pet stores. Breeders who care about animal welfare carefully screen for genetic flaws, educate potential owners, and often require contracts ensuring that they will take

back any puppies if necessary. The price of a well-bred dog from champion lines can be lower than that of a pet store puppy, which may come from irresponsible breeding practices.

Under the new law, pet stores can still charge reasonable rental fees to rescue groups for space to display pets for adoption. This could benefit rescue organizations that lack physical shelters and rely on foster care for adoptable pets. Meanwhile, retail pet stores that previously sold pets will close or shift focus to selling pet supplies, grooming, or boarding services.

A Kinder Pet Store Model

Major pet store chains like Petco and PetSmart have long adhered to a rescue model. Neither store has ever sold puppies or kittens. Instead, they offer their locations as adoption centers for shelters and humane groups at no charge. For example, Last Hope Animal Rescue operates two Petco and two PetSmart adoption centers, where cats and kittens stay until they find homes. The stores provide food and litter, while Last Hope volunteers care for the animals and coordinate adoptions. Additionally, Last Hope dogs visit the stores one weekend a month for adoption events.

This model also works on a smaller scale. In the 1980s and ‘90s, volunteers with the League for Animal Protection (LAP) operated out of a small pet food and grooming store, “Pet Paws,” in Lindenhurst. LAP cats were placed in foster care, while dogs were fostered or boarded at animal hospitals. Adoption paperwork and calls were handled at the store, where certain cats and kittens were brought for adoption when ready.

Libby Post, director of the New York State Animal Protection Federation, said the new law provides pet stores with an opportunity to rebrand themselves as humane businesses. “This retail rescue model enhances public relations”. Adopters of shelter animals from these stores often become lifelong customers for pet food, training, daycare, and grooming services. Pet stores profit, and the cruel practices of puppy mills come to an end.

As the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act takes effect, New York hopes to set a precedent for other states to follow, ending the cycle of animal cruelty in the pet trade once and for all.

Above: Red door feeders in puppy mills contain enough

to last a week.

Left: A puppy mill breeding female dog who has raised many litters.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The following are a list of public meetings and special events for the coming week: Please note: All meetings are subject to change without notice.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12

•Town of Babylon Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting: 6 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Hwy., Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-3012

•Amityville Rotary Club Meeting: 8 a.m., Brownstones Coffee, 55 Merrick Road, Amityville. For more information, please call President Michele Camilleri at (631) 598-1700 or email amityvillerotaryclub@gmail. com

• The Long Island Dahlia Society: 9 a.m., Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy., Great River. All are welcome. Come and learn how to care for your dahlias. Tubers will be available for sale starting in April. For more information call (631)-972-8829 (leave message) or visit longislanddahlia.org

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569

•St. Mary’s Thrift Shop: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 175 Broadway, Amityville, enter from rear parking lot. Lots of collectibles, glassware, clothing and other gently used items. For information, call (631)-464-4899.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14

•Church Attic Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville. For information, call (631)-264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail.com

•St. Mary’s Thrift Shop: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 175 Broadway, Amityville, enter from rear parking lot. Lots of collectibles, glassware, clothing and other gently used items. For information, call (631)-464-4899.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16

•Town of Babylon Planning Board Meeting: 7 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Hwy., Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-3103.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17

•Town of Babylon Accessory Apartment Review Board Meeting: 6 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Hwy., Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-7468

•Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown. Free weekly, in-person meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631)-332-0552 or Jill at (516)-220-7808. All calls are confidential.

•Church Attic Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville. For information, call (631)-264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18

•Amityville Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting: 6 p.m. Amityville Public Library, 19 John Street, Amityville. For more information, email trustees@amityvillepubliclibrary.org or call (631)-264-0567.

•Town of Babylon Town Board Meeting: 3 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Hwy., Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-3012

•Town of Babylon Rental Board Meeting: 6 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Hwy., Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-4434.

• Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free weekly, virtual meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631)-332-0552 or Jill at (516)-220-7808. All calls are confidential.

• The Long Island Dahlia Society: 9 a.m., Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy., Great River. All are welcome. Come and learn how to care for your dahlias. Tubers will be available for sale starting in April. For more information call (631)-972-8829 (leave message)

dogfood

STEPPING OUT

sparkles on local stages

A festive tradition that always delights

By Karen Bloom

‘Tis the season when Sugar Plum Fairies and various figments of a young girl’s imagination come alive. The beloved holiday confection is forever in style.

New York Dance Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’ New York Dance Theatre offers its 42nd season of the holiday classic, presented in the style of the legendary George Balanchine, returning to the John Cranford Adams Playhouse stage at Hofstra University. This production wraps up the company’s celebration of its 50th anniversary on Long Island.

NYDT closely follows the George Balanchine tradition — from storyline through choreography, sets and costumes. It’s the largest production on Long Island, according to Artistic Director and NYDT alumna Nicole Loizides Albruzzese. Her version keeps to the tone set by the company’s founder Frank Ohman, which remains true to the spirit of New York City Ballet’s Lincoln Center production. As a former student and New York City Ballet soloist under George Balanchine, Ohman was one of a select few authorized to use his mentor’s original pas de deux choreography, which continues to distinguish this production, along with costumes and props gifted by Balanchine.

Through the years Ohman supplemented Balanchine’s iconic vision with original dances and scenes. Loizides Albruzzese — who was a student at Ohman School of Ballet (a division of NYDT) under Ohman and performed most of the children’s roles in “The Nutcracker” during her time there (returning as a professional dancer in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy before her international dance career) — faithfully follows in her mentor’s footsteps in keeping to the Balanchine standard.

“This year has been about celebrating our roots and expanding the reach of the company and the Ohman School of Ballet, also marking a milestone at 45 years,” Loizides Albruzzese says. She returns to the NYDT stage as Frau Silberhaus in the opening Party Scene, alongside Glen Cove’s North Shore Village Theatre Founder-Artistic Director Christopher Moll as Herr Silberhaus. New York City Ballet soloist Erica Pereira and principal dancer Daniel Ulbricht return as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Joseph J. Simeone, whose credits include City Center’s “A Chorus Line” and Susan Stroman’s Degas-inspired “Little Dancer” at the Kennedy Center, joins NYDT this year as the mysterious Herr Drosselmeier.

In all, a cast of 80 children, pre-professional and professional dancers bring this classic story ballet to life. The kids’ roles are performed by Frank Ohman School of Ballet and the School of American Ballet (the home school of New York City Ballet) students.

As an added treat, audiences can enter into the 1820s German family’s household where “The

The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier are an enchanting pair as seen in Eglevesky Ballet’s production.

Nutcracker” unfolds during the semi-immersive pre-show experience. Everyone is invited into the Silberhaus home before the curtain rises, with the sights, smells and sounds of the Christmas Eve party that is the setting for Clara’s dream.

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 21-22, noon and 5 p.m. Tickets start at $33. Hofstra University, John Cranford Adams Playouse, Hempstead. For tickets, visit NYDTNutcrackerTickets or call (631) 462-0964.

Eglevsky Ballet’s reimagined ‘The Nutcracker’

Long Island’s professional dance company, the Eglevsky Ballet, welcomes all to its inventive staging of Clara’s delightful journey, at the Tilles Center. Boston Ballet principals Ji Young Chae and Jeffrey Cirio Miller reprise their roles as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, Also of note, star of ballet, Broadway and screen Georgina Pazcoguin appears as the Dew Drop Fairy.

The beloved story — featuring additional choreography by Executive Artistic Director Maurice Brandon Curry — is danced with inventive staging enhanced by Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, stunning costumes and a cast of over 60 students and professional dancers. The longest, continuously running ‘Nutcracker’ on Long Island, Eglevsky Ballet has presented it as a holiday gift to audiences since 1961. This exciting production, accompanied by Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, is a vibrant representation of the trajectory in which Curry is leading the organization.

Among his innovations, Curry has reinterpreted the central first act pas de deux in the prelude to “Waltz of the Snowflakes,” which is usually danced by the Snow Queen and Snow King. Instead Curry has the music (his personal favorite in the ballet) performed by Clara, danced by Eglevesky Ballet’s Ayne Kim and Enzo Castillo as The Nutcracker Prince.

“Having this pas de deux danced by these two intensifies the connection between the two characters,” Curry says. “We see the arc of their relationship and gives the opportunity for Clara’s dream to have a more poignant and personal effect on our audiences.”

Saturday, Dec. 21, 1 and 6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 22, 2 p.m.

$59-$89. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, Rte. 25A, Brookville. For tickets, visit tillescenter.org or ticketmaster.com or call (516) 299-3100.

The Hot Sardines

The band brings their distinctive sound back to the Landmark stage, with a “Holiday Stomp,” a raucous Christmas celebration that includes timeless classics and original tunes. The Hot Sardines reinvents jazz standards with their own brassy horn arrangements, rollicking piano melodies and vocals from a chanteuse who transports listeners to a different era with the mere lilt of her voice. Emerging over a decade ago from the underground parties of Brooklyn to touring worldwide and recording a string of albums landed them at the center of a whirlwind. Audiences revel in the steamy, swanky influence of their art form. With their contagious brand of joy, grit, glamour and passion, the 8-piece band invokes the sounds of nearly a century ago, yet stay right in step with the current age.

Saturday, Dec. 14, 8 p.m. $65, $55, $45. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or by calling (516) 767-6444.

Celtic Woman’s White Christmas

The Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum Irish-singing sensation rings in the holidays with their inimitable style. This is a rare opportunity to hear Celtic Woman’s harmonies with a full symphony orchestra. Hear their favorite Yuletide songs: “Silent Night,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Deck the Halls,” and more, along with Celtic Woman favorites “Danny Boy,” “Amazing Grace” and “You Raise Me Up.” In the 20 years since their debut, Celtic Woman has introduced some of Ireland’s most talented singers and musicians to the world stage. Their fresh fusion of traditional Irish music and contemporary songcraft celebrates Ireland’s history while reflecting its modern vibrant spirit.

Thursday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. $129.50, $99.50, $79.50, $59.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

Courtesy MCA Photos LLC

The party scene is among the ballet’s many dazzling moments that unfold in New York Dance Theatre’s staging.

Courtesy Eglevesky Ballet

THE Your Neighborhoo D

Yellow Brick Joel

Relive the classic songs that define generations when Yellow Brick Joel brings you the ultimate Elton John and Billy Joel experience, on the Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair stage, Friday, Dec. 27, 8 p.m. David Clark performs as Billy Joel along with Bill Connors as Elton John in this thoroughly entertaining and faithful tribute to the Face To Face/Face 2 Face tours of the 1990s and 2000s. Experience a spirited concert celebrating the two greatest ‘Piano Men’ of our generation with hits like “I’m Still Standing,” “Rocket Man,’ “Piano Man” and “You May Be Right” along with some deeper fan performances like “Honky Cat”, “Funeral For A Friend”, “Miami 2017”, and “Captain Jack”! A tribute to two of the greatest piano players and performers of all time couldn’t be set up any other way! On one side of the stage, you’ll have Clark playing the role of Billy Joel for the night. Opposite him is Connors as Elton John with Elton’s requisite flamboyant style.

Enjoy an incredible night as two of the greatest musical icons come to life in this special concert! Feel the vibe at this one-of-a-kind performance where these two talents go head-tohead as Elton John and Billy Joel delivering unforgettable music and showmanship. Whether you’re a fan of Billy’s heartfelt ballads or Elton’s electrifying anthems, this tribute concert is sure to leave you feeling like you’ve seen the real thing! Tickets start at $28. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com.

‘A Christmas Carol’

The Argyle Theatre in Babylon Village presents, “A Christmas Carol” with performances now through Sunday, Jan. 5 Broadway heavy hitters, Alan Menken (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once on This Island), breathe fantastic new life into the classic tale. 34 W. Main St., Babylon. To reach the box office, call (631) 230-3500 or email boxoffice@argyletheatre.com. To purchase tickets online, go to: ci.ovationtix.com

Light Keepers Behind the Scenes Tour

Follow a present-day Lighthouse Keeper on his rounds, Saturday, Dec. 14 , 10 a.m. This bottomto-top tour takes you from the auxiliary generator and the Light Keepers workshop in the basement of the Keeper’s Quarters to the beacon in the lantern room of the lighthouse tower. Learn how Lighthouse Keepers in the 1860s to 2024 maintained the light. Includes a tour of the Lens Building, which houses our original first order Fresnel Lens, and the Boat House. Tour takes approximately two and a half hours. $20, $15 for FILPS members. Reservations required. Limit 10 people. For more information call the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society at (631) 583-5327. 4640 Captree Island, Fire Island.

Dec. 17

A Glimpse of the Future

The North Babylon Chamber of Commerce presents psychic readings, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m., at the Red Zone Bar and Grill. Get ready for an evening of insight and fun! Tickets are $70 and include a private reading (for entertainment purposes only), dinner, top shelf drink, dessert, and coffee. To reserve a space, go to: shorturl.at/cdnKV. 770 Sunrise Hwy. W. Babylon

St. Martin of Tours religious education classes

St. Martin of Tours Church in Amityville offers religious education classes for grades 1-8. Classes meet once a week and sacrament preparation is offered for all ages, including high school level. Religious education begins in grade 1 and First Communion and First Reconciliation is a two-year preparation. Sacraments are received at the end of the second year. All are welcome to register. Online forms can be found at stmartinamityville.com/ religious-education/ 41 Union Avenue, Amityville. For information, call (631) 6911617.

Emily’s Awesome Toy Drive

The Emily Meyer Foundation is accepting donations through Friday, Dec. 13 New unwrapped toys for children in local hospitals will help make their holidays a little brighter. There are several locations throughout Babylon Town where toys can be dropped off, including Mangia’s Pizzeria, 785 Deer Park Ave., North Babylon. For more information on drop-off points go to theemilymeyerfoundation.org or call (631) 664-0368.

DIY Snow Globe crafting

Teens can celebrate the holiday season, Thursday, Dec. 12, by making your own winter snow globe. This activity is part of the library’s Virtual/Take and Make program. To register, email the YA department at ya@amityvillepubliclibrary.org. Include your full name, grade and name of the program in the body of the email. For more information, call (631) 264-0567. 19 John St., Amityville.

Holiday Lights and Market

The Town of Babylon hosts a holiday market, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14 , 6-9 p.m. Enjoy the excitement of this year’s holiday by stopping down. There will be vendors, food trucks, face painting, photos with Santa and a spectacular display of holiday lights. Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. Admission is free.

Get your Amityville Flag

Did you know that the Amityville Historical Society, housed in the lauder Museum, has the famous Amityville Flags in stock? Museum is open every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, 2-4 p.m. Cost is $65; if you are a member or join the Historical Society, you receive a 10% discount on not only the flags but all items in the gift shop. Stop by the museum at 170 Broadway, Amityville, to purchase one of these flags and tour the Museum. Admission is free. For questions,call (631) 598-1486.

Having an event?

Model Train Show

The TMB Model Train Show opens Saturday, Nov. 30. It features its everexciting show of model trains running in dozens of interesting settings, Saturdays, Jan. 4, 18 and Feb. 8 , 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays, 1-5 p.m., on Dec. 15 and Jan. 5, 19 and Feb. 9, at the Upper Room Church.

With new scenic areas to discover as well as familiar sights and a wide variety of trains from prewar to the most modern O gauge trains, all set in 6,500 square feet of fun for the entire family. Admission is free. So, mark your calendars now. 722 Deer Park Ave., Dix Hills. For more information go to tmbmodeltrainclub. 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.

Holiday at Westbury House

Old Westbury Gardens’ Westbury House offers a festive glimpse of early 20th century holiday merriment, before it closes for the winter, Saturday, and Sunday, Dec. 14-15, 10a.m.-4 p.m The “Christmas at Westbury House” celebration reflects what the festive season was like during those opulent decades of the early 1900s when the Phipps family lived there. The period rooms in which John S. Phipps (the eldest son of Henry Phipps, Andrew Carnegie’s partner at Carnegie Steel) and his family resided are impeccably decorated with wreaths, mantelpiece drapes, plenty of greenery, and other horticultural arrangements.

Take a self-guided tour through Westbury House and view specially decorated rooms for the holidays, have cookies and cider on the West Porch and meet and take photos with Santa while listening to ambient holiday music. The gardens will also be open, along with other special holiday events, including holiday market, and more. $15, $13 ages 62+ and students, $8 ages 7-17. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or call (516) 3330048.

DIY Holiday Style

Makerspace will sspread out all of their equipment in the community rooms, Saturday, Dec. 14, at Copiague Memorial Public Library, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. for a drop-in only day. Begin making your holiday projects or simply check out the Makerspace equipment available. You may use some of their leftover supplies from last year’s classes or bring your own materials. This event is for all ages and no registration is required. All equipment is on a first-come, first-served basis. You may be asked to limit your time using a machine if others are waiting. For more information, call (631) 691-1111. 50 Deauville Blvd., Copiague.

Long Island Sierra Club presentation Nature photographer Bob Labuski shares his photographs of some of Long Island’s natural treasures, at Copiague Memorial Public Library, Thursday, Dec. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. This event will be held in-person and via zoom. To register, stop by the library or call (631) 6911111. 50 Deauville Blvd., Copiague.

Board of Trustees

LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Amityville will hold a Public Hearing in the 3rd floor court room of Village Hall, 21 Ireland Pl., Amityville, NY at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, December 23, 2024 to consider the following: Introductory Local Law No. 6 of the Year 2024, a local law to increase the Senior Citizens Tax Exemption as authorized by the Real Property Tax Law and Introductory Local Law No. 7 of the Year 2024, a local law to increase the Veterans Tax Exemption as authorized by Section 458-a of the Real Property Tax Law.

By Order of the Board of Trustees

Catherine Murdock Clerk/Treasurer

21 Ireland Place

Amityville, NY 11701 December 5, 2024 24-554. 12/4, 11

NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Village of Amityville will hold a Public Hearing in the Court Room of Village Hall, 21 Ireland Place, Amityville, NY at 7:00 P.M. on THURSDAY, December 19th 2024, to consider the following applications:  Application of Donald Charles on behalf of James & Jennifer Errante.  Applicant seeks a variance to install a 6 foot vinyl fence pursuant to Section 183-189 of the Village of Amityville Code.  Premises located on the East side of Bayview Avenue approximately 475 North of Merrick Road in a “Residential A” District known as 43 Bayview Avenue a/k/a SCTM# 101-8-2-22.

Application of Megan Richardson on behalf of Deidre Richardson Irrevocable Trust.  Applicant seeks to renew a previously approved special exception for a nonowner occupied two family dwelling pursuant to Section 183-43 C. (6) of the Village of Amityville Code.  Premises located on the Southeast corner of Austin Avenue and Lake Street in a “Residential B” District known as 29 Lake Street a/k/a SCTM# 101-44-21.

Application of David Duval on behalf of Matt Kagiwada.  Applicant seeks a variance to exceed the al-

Public Notices — Your right to know

lowed maximum height of an accessory building from 14 feet to 16 feet associated with the proposed construction of a new garage pursuant to Section 183-55 of the Village of Amityville Code.  Premises located on the East side of County Line Road approximately 110 feet South of Sterling Place in a “Residential B” District known as 293 County Line Road a/k/a SCTM# 101-3-3-61.

Application of A.J.G Associates on behalf of Virginia M. D’Andrea Revocable Trust.

Applicant seeks multiple variances in association with the proposed construction of two (2) Multiple Dwellings.  Variance 1 is a Use Variance to erect two (2) Multiple Dwellings in the Historical District pursuant to Section 183-68 of the Village of Amityville Code.  Variance 2 is a Use Variance to erect two (2) Multiple Dwellings in the Residential A District pursuant to Section 183-9 of the Village Code.  Variance 3 is to reduce the required front yard setback on the Front Building from the existing front yard average to less than 1 foot pursuant to Section 183-75 of the Village Code.  Premises located on the West side of Broadway approximately 36 feet South of Avon Place partially in a “Historical” District and partially in a “Residential A” District known as 137-157 Broadway a/k/a SCTM # 101-5-9-2.

By Order of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Village of Amityville Catherine Murdock, Clerk/Treasurer 24-558. 12/4, 11

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The Board of Education of the Copiague Union Free School District, Copiague, New York, (hereinafter referred to as “Copiague”), in accordance with Section 103 of Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law, hereby invites the submission of sealed bids from reputable and qualified contractors for the provision of labor and materials for the following contracts in the schools of the School District:

#24/25-010 RE-BID 2PROFESSIONAL DRIVER

EDUCATION - ROAD

INSTRUCTION SERVICES

December 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

Bids for Professional Driver Education - Road Instruction

for the half (.5) term of February 2025 through June 2025, and subject to annual renewal for four (4) additional 2-term years thereafter, beginning each September, will be received until the above stated hour of prevailing time and date at the Copiague UFSD Business Office, 2650 Great Neck Road, Copiague New York, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened. In the event that the Copiague UFSD Purchasing Department is closed the day of the Bid Opening, the bid(s) will be opened at the same time, on the next day that the Copiague UFSD Purchasing Department is open. All bids received after the date and time stated in the Notice to Bidders will not be considered and will be returned to the bidder. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at the same office beginning on December 5, 2024, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. excluding holidays.

Bids must be presented on the standard proposal form in the manner designated therein and as required by the specifications. All bids must be enclosed in sealed envelopes which are clearly marked on the outside: “Bid For: Copiague UFSD – #24/25-010 REBID 2 - Professional Driver Education Road Instruction Contract”. Bids shall remain firm for a period of forty-five (45) days following the date of the bid opening.

The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject any or all bids, or to accept that bid which, in the Board of Education’s judgment, is in the best interest of the School District.

The Board of Education reserves the right to consider experience, service and reputation in the abovereferenced fields. In addition, the Board of Education reserves the right to consider the financial responsibility and specific qualifications, as set out herein, of the prospective bidder in its evaluation of the bids and award of the contracts.

Deborah VanFlorcke, District Clerk

BOARD OF EDUCATION

COPIAGUE UNION FREE

SCHOOL DISTRICT

24-562 12/11

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE TOWN OF BABYLON ACCESSORY APARTMENT REVIEW BOARD

Pursuant to provisions of Local Law # 9 of the Babylon Town Code, notice is hereby given that the Town of Babylon Accessory Apartment Review Board will hold a public hearing in the Town Board Meeting Room in the East Wing of Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, New York on Tuesday eve, December 17, 2024. Public hearings begin 6:00pm.

NEW APPLICATIONS:

•Marlon Ochoa-Aguirre 31 E. Gate Copiague, NY 11726

SCTM#0100-197-3-23

•Victor & Deanna Morreale & Gale Terrell 1020 N. Clinton Ave Lindenhurst, NY 11757

SCTM#0100-207-2-72

•Keita Charles 4 Stonington Circle Wheatley Heights, NY 11798

SCTM#0100-12-2-26

•Melfi Gamarro 919 5th Street West Babylon, NY 11704

SCTM#0100-132-4-72

Printing Instructions: RENEWALS BY AFFIDAVIT APPLICANTS, ARE NOT REQUIRED TO APPEAR. ALL NEW CASES WILL BE HEARD IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE ADVERTISED. All interested persons should appear at the above time and place by order of Sandra Thomas, Chairperson, Accessory Apartment Review Board, Town of Babylon, North Lindenhurst, Suffolk County, New York.

Amityville Record: Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 24-561. 12/11

Notice of Formation of HEALING ISLE LLC

Articles of Organization filed with NY Secretary of State (SSNY) on 8/1/24. Office: Suffolk County. SSNY designated as agent for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to: 47 Woodland Ave, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Purpose: Any lawful act. 24 -560. 12/4, 11, 18, 25, 1/1, 8/25

Notice of formation of: Hair Life Regeneration LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on: 11/17/2024

Office location, County of Suffolk. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.  SSNY shall mail a process served to:

Hair Life Regeneration LLC (Hazel de Guzman), 125 Cabota Ave., Copiague, NY 11726

Purpose: any lawful act. 24-556. 12/4, 11, 18, 25/24; 1/1, 8/25

™NOTICE OF PUBLIC AND/OR INFORMATIONAL HEARINGS BY THE TOWN OF BABYLON PLANNING BOARD

Pursuant to Chapter 186, Site Plan Review, and Chapter 213, Zoning, of the Babylon Town Code and Section 276 of the Town Law, notice is hereby given that the Town of Babylon Planning Board will hold public and/ or informational hearings(s) at the Babylon Town Hall, Town Board

Room, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, New York, on the Monday, December 16, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. prevailing time or as soon thereafter as can be heard to consider the following application(s):

PUBLIC HEARING/SITE PLAN REVIEW

JOB# 24-14A; Kelly Windows: SCTM# 0100-00601-020: Zone – G Industry: SEQRA – Type II Action: Applicant proposes to construct a 3,310sf warehouse addition to an existing 15,000sf single story warehouse with office space, along with associated site improvements.: Property is located on the south side of Smith Street, 1,421.73’ west of Wellwood Avenue, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, Town of Babylon, New York All interested persons should appear at the above time and place by order of Patrick Halpin, Chairperson of the Planning Board, Town of Babylon, North Lindenhurst, Suffolk County, New York PRINTING INSTRUCTIONS

Babylon Beacon: 12/12/24 24-563. 12/11

Amityville UFSD Food Service Workers PT/FT

Responsibilities- Food preparation & service, sanitation awareness, other duties as assigned by the District.

Qualifications- Knowledge and experience with cooking, inventory, cashiering, recordkeeping, customer service, computer skills **Suffolk County Food Manager's Certificate preferred. Salary range starting at $20,980.

Email resume to: humanresources@amityvilleufsd.org or apply online at www.olasjobs.org/longisland

Amityville UFSD

Substitute/Permanent Substitute Teachers

Elementary & Secondary Level

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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 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour

Night Availability is a Must.

Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

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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

EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES: Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.

REQUIREMENTS: Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.

POSITION DETAILS:

Flexible: Part-time or Full-time. Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.

Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com

HBCI SUPERVISOR FT: Seeking LCSW or LMSW for Crisis Intervention Program, Cedarhurst NY. 3+ yr exp, Supervision exp. $80K Annually + benefits Claufer@hamaspikkings.org 516-875-8400 x144

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 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

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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 $33,280 + 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

OUTSIDE SALES

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 $33,280 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 individu-

Waterfront Luxury

What good is ‘grandfathered’ if we still need permits?

Q. We have an old home, built in the 1940s, that we just found out needs permits for a garage and a back family room. We don’t understand why we need this. The house was sold to us this way, cleared title, and we were told the garage was grandfathered in and the back room was “part of the house.” Why is it that if we bought it that way and it’s been there for so many years, it still needs plans, permits and, as we are finding out, a possible zoning hearing just to avoid fines? Are there rules about grandfathering over some period of time, like a statute of limitations or something?

A. No, there is actually no provision for grandfathering. When meeting with potential clients, we often check public records if we can’t find anything in the homeowners’ closing papers. The reason why this is missed is because, most of the time, a title company searches records but doesn’t set foot in the house. Also, because it’s rare to have anyone who is qualified to look at the house conditions to compare them with codes and records, things like your garage and rear addition are assumed and not confirmed.

Unfortunately, the conditions may need upgrading if they don’t meet current codes, although some building departments are more reasonable if you can prove the year of the work to them. Others will ask for windows to be changed to meet light, ventilation and fire escape requirements in bedrooms, or to have air conditioning units and basement escape wells addressed. It’s not unusual to need plans, a building application, zoning approval and, finally, a permit for the air conditioning condenser unit in your side yard, or for an escape well that restricts the only side yard available to get out of a basement.

I know that I’m saving people money and aggravation by explaining these things before they buy the house or do a new project, just because they’re aware of how to address the issue, but it’s rare to be asked, before a sale, to even look at the issues, because it would thwart the sale in many cases if this condition was revealed. It’s assumed that a title search is all you need, and yet I often find that in the process of doing the new project people want, we professionals get bogged down with the other things that create friction, delays and feelings of despair. It’s not unusual to hear people say they never would have started the project if they knew it was going to be this difficult, usually with the phrase, “can of worms” attached.

Depending on the need for a zoning variance, which in some municipalities can add many months to the process, you will need to have plans professionally generated by an architect or engineer, code, zoning and energy analysis to obtain permits, final inspections and certification. Good luck!

© 2024 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions

Ask The Architect Monte Leeper

Stuff HERALD

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opinions

Hochul must sign horseshoe crab act into law

Gov. Kathy Hochul has been presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save one of our planet’s greatest unsung heroes, the horseshoe crab. Earlier this year, the State Senate and Assembly passed a bill that would prohibit taking horseshoe crabs from New York waters for bait or for biomedical use. Hochul has until the end of the month to sign the bill into law, and time is running out for us to persuade her to do so.

Horseshoe crabs have existed relatively unchanged for roughly 450 million years — 200 million years longer than dinosaurs — and they have survived five mass extinctions. They are a keystone species, which means that if their populations were to dwindle to numbers that are unsustainable, the repercussions for other species would be devastating. Every year, numerous species of migratory shorebirds rely on horseshoe crab eggs for food on their long journey to

Atheir breeding grounds in the Arctic. For half a century, humans have depended on horseshoe crabs for our survival, because they have played a major role in modern medicine. Their unique copper-based blue blood contains a clotting agent that immediately forms a clot when it comes into contact with bacteria. Because of this, horseshoe crab blood has been used for decades by the biomedical industry to test for infection-causing bacteria in injectable drugs, intravenous solutions, vaccines and medical implants. Their blood was also used to develop the Covid-19 vaccines that have saved millions of lives. Luckily, a synthetic alternative to horseshoe crab blood has been developed and approved for biomedical use, but the changeover in the industry has been slow.

Tanimals, grazing across the seafloor like ancient vacuum cleaners, looking for the small aquatic insects, mollusks and detritus on which they feed.

There are four species of horseshoe crabs, and the Atlantic coast is the only place in the Western Hemisphere that is home to one of those species, the Atlantic horseshoe crab, or Limulus polyphemus

his keystone species helped scientists develop the Covid vaccines.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s benchmark stock assessment of horseshoe crabs in 2019, and the recently updated stock assessment in 2024, both show the crabs’ stock status in New York as poor. Of all the states on the Atlantic coast, New York is the only one where that is the case, and there is no evidence that the population is rebounding.

vest of the crabs, which puts even more pressure on the New York stock and puts them at a higher risk of poaching by out-of-state fishermen. Bait alternatives exist, but fishermen won’t be compelled to use them unless a ban is enacted.

Entrusting the state Department of Environmental Conservation to regulate the harvesting of horseshoe crabs is a mistake. Regulation depends on enforcement, and with only 30 to 40 environmental conservation officers patrolling the entire Long Island coastline, there is ample opportunity for overharvesting and poaching to take place.

Although there are misconceptions that they are poisonous or that they use their tails as weapons, horseshoe crabs are completely harmless. The tail serves a very important purpose: to flip a crab over if it gets turned upside down. That’s why you should never pick one up by its tail. They are completely passive

Horseshoe crabs cannot legally be harvested for biomedical use in New York state. Their dwindling population here is due mostly to their harvesting for use as bait in the eel and conch fisheries as well as the loss of their spawning grounds due to sea level rise and shoreline hardening. New Jersey and Connecticut have both banned the har-

Friends of the Bay is asking you to urge Governor Hochul to sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act into law Friends of the Bay is an environmental conservation and advocacy organization headquartered in Oyster Bay. Our mission is to preserve, protect and restore the ecological integrity and productivity of the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Estuary and the surrounding watershed.

Please visit friendsofthebay.org/ horseshoe-crab-protection-act to learn how you can help, and to get a copy of a sample letter that you can sign and mail, or email, to the governor.

Christine Suter is executive director of Friends of the Bay.

The governor’s totalitarian energy agenda

fter Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed the Planned Offshore Wind Transmission Act last fall due to local opposition to a wind farm’s high-voltage cables, the state had a trick up its sleeve.

The bill would have required the State Energy Research and Development Authority to establish transmission planning for the offshore grid, coupled with a requirement to conduct a costbenefit analysis that included the impact on ratepayers. In essence, the bill would have, for the first time, given New Yorkers insight into the true cost of implementing offshore wind projects and their transmission lines. The question is, why did Hochul veto the bill? In addition to local opposition, I believe the answer is that if the public knew the true cost of these plans, people would begin to question the wisdom of investing millions of dollars in reworking a power grid that wasn’t broken in the first place. They would ask hard questions about where money was being spent, and who was benefiting — questions the governor obviously doesn’t

want raised.

In its infinite surreptitious reach, the state concealed in its latest budget the Renewable Action through Project Interconnection Deployment, or RAPID, Act, granting it the authority to overrule local and public input. The state Office of Renewable Energy Siting would have final say on project siting, even over community objections.

i t’s a mistake to plan for wide-scale solar and wind power in New York at this point.

Groups of so-called environmentalists, influenced by Hochul’s green agenda, have received millions of dollars to push the narrative that we need to move off fossil fuels now because the Earth is on fire. Before we go scorched-Earth, Let’s look at facts.

The state took away local municipality and public involvement in the siting of renewable-energy projects and paused congestion pricing. Further, a report by the state’s Fire Safety Working Group falsely concluded that fires last year at three battery energy storage system facilities in New York state — which store the energy that wind turbines create — had no environmental impact, neglecting to include test results of hydrogen fluoride levels in the air, soil or water at those sites. What is even more disturbing is that the working group has written an inadequate code that allows for placement of BESS facili-

ties in residential and commercial areas. Long Island water comes from aquifers that, if polluted, would jeopardize the health of millions. Hydrogen fluoride gas produced in these fires turns acidic when mixed with water, becoming acid rain. This acid, in large enough concentrations, can dissolve concrete. Would you or your children want to drink water this contaminated? Apparently, Hochul doesn’t care about such consequences in her drive to rapidly implement green-energy projects.

This act-now-and-monitor-later mentality, regardless of the consequences, does nothing to put minds at ease. To date, no robust engineering analysis suggests that Hochul’s RAPID Act plan will work. There has been no rigorous analysis. Instead, evidence seems to indicate that the state’s planned installations of solar arrays, wind turbines, battery facilities and transmission cables will not reliably power the grid, and will not prove safe or affordable.

Worth noting, in this critical context, is the Vineyard Wind offshore debacle off the coast of Nantucket last July, when a single turbine blade selfdestructed, dropping 60 tons of plastic into the ocean and wreaking havoc, closing beaches and impacting marine life,

fishing, local businesses and communities. How future offshore wind catastrophes will affect shore towns, wildlife and commercial fishing isn’t known. But New Yorkers should realize that it’s a mistake, at this point, to plan the construction, let alone the funding, for dozens of gigawatts of solar and wind power — along with batteries 100 times the size of the world’s largest existing battery — and new transmission lines to tie all this to the existing grid.

Instead, we might better ask, first, who thought this was possible? and second, from empirical examples of places with significant intermittent energy — California and Germany — why did anyone think this would enable New York to cut fossil-fuel use and reliably and affordably power the grid?

Given the egregious overreach of Hochul’s RAPID Act, there should be an immediate halt to all of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting work as well as a prohibition on placing any renewableenergy facilities within residential communities and near schools. Taxpayers don’t want to be the subjects of a largescale energy experiment, or a classaction lawsuit, as a result of the “next big idea.”

Christina Kramer, a professional photographer and an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, is the founder and president of Protect Our Coast – Long Island, New York.

CHRis TinE sUTER

CHRis TinA

Amityville

RecoRd

CHARLES DELANO - Founder

Established 1904

Incorporating Amityville Record

CAROLyN JAmES

Associate Publisher / Editor Donna Consola JessiCa Kleiman maryann Heins

offiCe

2 Endo Boulevard

City, NY 11530

Phone: (516) 569-4000

Fax:

HERALD

State must fund seat belts for school buses

Yellow school buses are an iconic image of education in America, transporting millions of children each day. But in New York state, the question of whether buses are equipped with seat belts is left to individual school districts.

The Briarcliff, Elmsford and Yonkers districts have embraced the added security of seat belts in a limited form, but others have opted out, leaving a patchwork system that prioritizes local discretion over consistent safety standards.

On the crowded roads of 2024, this approach is no longer acceptable. It is time for the state to mandate seat belts on all school buses in every district, ensuring the safety of every child who steps aboard.

School buses are generally recognized as one of the safest modes of transportation, thanks to their design and the principle of “compartmentalization.” High-backed, closely spaced seats create a buffer that helps absorb the force of a collision.

Simple compartmentalization is far from foolproof, however, particularly in side-impact crashes or rollovers. Seat belts add a crucial layer of protection in these scenarios. Without them, children can be thrown from their seats, increasing the likelihood of serious injury or even death.

A statewide mandate would align New York with the growing national consensus on school bus safety. Several

letters

D’Esposito is a falsifier

To the Editor:

states, including New Jersey, Florida, and California, already require seat belts on buses. These mandates reflect the recommendations of safety organizations like the National Transportation Safety Board, which has advocated for the installation of lap-and-shoulder belts on all new large buses. By following suit, New York would reaffirm its commitment to children’s safety and set an example for still more states to follow.

One argument often made by opponents of mandatory seat belts is that they’re too costly to install. Retrofitting existing buses or buying new models equipped with seat belts is a significant investment, but when the expense is weighed against the potential cost of injuries or fatalities, the financial argument falls flat.

The state Department of Transportation could work with school districts to phase in the requirement over time, offsetting the cost with the help of state funding or federal grants. But again, the safety benefits of seat belts far outweigh the expense. Protecting children should never hinge on budgetary constraints.

Another concern is enforcement of seat belt requirements. Critics argue that younger children might not consistently buckle up. While this concern is valid, it is not insurmountable. Bus drivers can incorporate quick visual checks into their routine, and schools can implement safety education pro-

Re U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito’s recent op-ed, “I look forward to representing you again”: D’Esposito said some things that were far from the truth. As president of the Long Island chapter of the New York Alliance for Retired Americans, I represent over 10,000 members Islandwide, which includes more than 3,000 members in his district.

I was assigned to secure a meeting with the congressman, as I had done with Peter King several years ago. King gave the alliance’s statewide president and me about 20 minutes, and that was two days after a major snowstorm. I would have been happy with 20 minutes with D’Esposito, but despite numerous calls, I was given the runaround by both his district and Washington offices. Maybe if he had met with us, more of those 3,000-plus members would have voted for him. After all, everyone agrees that senior citizens vote in higher percentages than the general population.

He was also inaccurate about his voting for an immigration bill, because he left out the part where he voted against the bipartisan bill

grams to teach students the importance of being protected while on the bus. These measures would foster a culture of compliance and ensure that seat belts serve their intended purpose.

Beyond the practical and financial considerations, the best argument for seat belts is a moral one. Parents trust that when their children board a bus, they are as safe as possible. By leaving the decision to individual districts, New York sends a troubling message: that children’s safety may vary depending on their Zip code. This undermines the model of equal protection and fairness that public education is supposed to embody.

In the end, the case for mandatory seat belts on school buses is clear. The technology exists, the safety benefits are well documented, and the moral imperative is undeniable. New York has long been a leader in progressive public policy. Requiring seat belts on school buses would not only safeguard the state’s most vulnerable residents, but also reaffirm its commitment to equity and safety.

It’s time for the state to take the wheel on this issue and drive meaningful change. Safety is not optional — it’s a necessity. With an annual budget of nearly a quarter-trillion dollars, New York has no excuse for not providing money to add seat belts to school buses. Children are our most precious passengers, and the time to act is now.

that would have solved many immigration problems. But his party leaders wanted him to help kill that bill so it could be used as an issue in the November election.

Representative D’Esposito speaks out

of both sides of his mouth, like many politicians do. All I can say about that is, you reap what you sow.

STANLEY B. BERgMAN East Meadow

We’re working to keep NUMC open, despite its struggles

among the top priorities of the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority is ensuring that Nassau University Medical Center remains open, returns to financial health and is available to serve the people who need it most. A recent op-ed in the Herald by NUMC leadership (“After reforms, NUMC is on the upswing,” Oct. 10-16) caught our eye, because it painted a rosy picture of the hospital’s financial situation, even though the facts say the opposite.

Despite the platitudes offered in the op-ed, the fundamental issue remains that the Nassau Health Care Corporation, the state public authority that manages NUMC and related facilities, continues to operate at a tremendous deficit while making no meaningful changes to work toward financial stability. NHCC’s oper-

ating losses (before certain actuarial adjustments) were approximately $77 million in 2023 and roughly $108 million in 2022. NIFA is projecting an operating loss for NHCC of around $120 million in 2024.

tEarlier this year, NHCC made a unilateral demand for substantial additional funding from the state. In response, the State Department of Health requested that NHCC provide certain required information and take particular actions to achieve balanced operations in order to be considered for extraordinary relief. Amazingly, NHCC has resisted complying adequately with the Health Department’s reasonable conditions that it must impose to ensure that NHCC would manage the state’s scarce resources appropriately.

of $7 million. Over the past four and a half years, the total that NHCC owes NYSHIP has ballooned to roughly $380 million.

he county’s Interim

Finance Authority has made the troubled hospital a priority.

That isn’t just some enormous number sitting in a filing cabinet in Albany: It’s a tremendous cost that is being passed on to other municipal organizations in Nassau County and throughout the state. This means that these costs are being subsidized by entities like local governments and school districts, and thus, taxpayers. The increased burden on Nassau County and other taxpayers will only get worse if the hospital’s ineffective leadership is not changed for the better.

the past three years alerting leadership that the health care corporation is at risk of termination by NYSHIP due to these unpaid amounts. It is the negligence of NHCC’s executives that has led it to this point.

At the core of its financial instability is the fact that NHCC owes the New York State Health Insurance Program, or NYSHIP, $9 million per month in premiums. NHCC pays only $2 million each month, creating a monthly deficit

Letters

He sounds like he wants his seat back

To the Editor:

I found Anthony D’Esposito’s piece confusing, because it sounded more like his first campaign speech to regain his lost seat rather than an opinion. In a county that voted favorably for the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, Mr. D’Esposito was unable to ride Mr. Trump’s coattails and defeat Laura Gillen in New York’s 4th Congressional District. In the majority opinion, the best candidate won.

JOHN P. FITzSIMONS

Rockville Centre

School regionalization: something smells

To the Editor:

After reading in the Herald about the emergency regionalization plan proposed by the State Education Department, I see this as an attempt by the department to integrate all of the Nassau County school districts and their systems. That would eliminate local control of schools and centralize their supervision.

This new “emergency” approach would improve the education results in the Hempstead and Roosevelt districts, to name just a few, but by signing on to the plan, school districts will lose all local control. I advise districts to move

forward with caution. I smell a rat here.

RUTH HIRSCH Hewlett

Why the MTA’s 2025 fare hikes make sense

To the Editor:

Long Island Rail Road and New York City Transit riders should hold accountable any public official, Metropolitan Transportation Authority board member or transit advocate who opposes the planned 4 percent fare hikes in 2025 for missing why the increases are needed. They were part of the MTA’s $51 billion 2020-2024 Five Year Capital Plan.

Quality and frequency of service depends on secure revenue streams. We will all have to contribute — be it with fares or tax revenue redistributed to the MTA. Fare hikes are periodically required if the authority’s operating agencies, including the LIRR, are to provide the services millions of New Yorkers count on daily. They are inevitable due to increasing costs of labor, power, fuel, supplies, materials, routine safety, state of good repair, replacement of worn-out rolling stock, and upgrades to stations, yards and shops necessary to run any transit system.

In 2023, the MTA lost $700 million to fare evasion and spent $1.3 billion on employee overtime. There is little reason to believe that the 2024 numbers will significantly change. So, in return for honest riders paying the new higher fares

NHCC executives are potentially placing an even greater financial strain on the shoulders of their over 3,500 employees (along with retirees), all of whom are at risk of losing their health insurance should these arrears on NYSHIP payments continue. The New York State Civil Service Commission has sent NHCC numerous letters over

The hospital’s problems are the result of poor management and an ineffective board, whose members must be replaced in order for the situation to improve. NIFA knows for certain that, in order for NUMC to continue serving our community, its existing leadership must change, and soon. NHCC’s current board leadership and management have shown that they are ill-equipped to oversee such a delicate operation. Their lack of ability shows, and it could ultimately result in the hospital shutting down entirely. Thousands of people would be out of jobs, and all of us would lose a crucial medical resource in our community.

The last thing we want is for NUMC is to close its doors. Along with Gov. Kathy Hochul and her top staff, NIFA is working hard with all stakeholders to keep them open.

Richard Kessel is chairman of the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority.

Framework by Tim Baker

next year, the MTA must step up and reduce annual fare evasion by several hundred million dollars and employee overtime to well below $1 billion. A fare increase requires MTA reforms.

LARRY PENNER

Great Neck

Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously served as a director of the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.

At the Chamber of Commerce tree lighting in Veterans Memorial Park — East Meadow