Baldwin Herald 01-16-2025

The First lap returns for another year

Abby and Miguel Melendez have once again taken the lead in this year’s Relay for Life First Lap, continuing their efforts after they revived it last year following a hiatus. Story, additional photos, Page 3.

The Irish Pub to host Chili Cook-off

The annual event will serve as fundraiser for holiday lights

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Despite living in nearby Freeport, Shawn Sabel, owner of The Irish Pub, has a deep connection to the Baldwin community because of his business ties.

So when community members complained on a Baldwin Facebook group page about the lack of Christmas decorations in the hamlet during the past holiday season, he determined that the proceeds from the pub’s planned Feb. 2 Chili Cook-Off would go toward funding lights for this upcoming season.

“We do the cook-off every year and always try to do it for someone or something to give back to the community,” Sabel said. “This year, there

was an outcry of people not satisfied with lights, so I saw that and said, ‘Alright, this is something I’m going to do.’”

The annual cook-off dates back to 2019, when the Baldwin Rotary Club created and sponsored the event, but the club was disbanded the following year during the pandemic.

Susan and Samantha Cools — mother and daughter duo —of Compass Realty brought back the Chilli Cook-Off in 2021 and have since partnered with The Irish Pub to sponsor it.

As of press time, seven chili-cooking teams have signed up for the event, which is free to enter, but the number is expected to soar into double digits as the cook-off nears. Those participating in the cook-off will have the chance to

Petitioning for Diwali as a school holiday

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

A petition created by Baldwin High School graduate Subrina Singh is urging the Baldwin School District to recognize Diwali as an official school holiday.

Singh launched the petition live on Facebook ahead of the Board of Education’s community input meeting on Jan. 8. At press time, it had garnered more than 130 signatures.

she is now a member of the Baldwin Middle School PTA. She has seen the area’s demographic shifts over the years, she said, and saw the meeting as an opportunity to advocate for the holiday.

I just wanted to bring Diwali to the forefront.

At the community meeting, held before the board’s regular meeting that evening, residents voiced their thoughts on “the future of learning in Baldwin schools.” Attendees were asked to write down the topics and concerns they wanted to discuss, including Diwali.

SUBRINA

SINGH

Baldwin resident

Diwali is one of the most significant holidays in Hindu culture, and is celebrated by millions worldwide. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, and is marked by rituals, prayers and vibrant celebrations, including the lighting of diyas (small oil lamps), decorating homes, setting off fireworks and exchanging gifts.

Singh’s push for the holiday follows her October 2024 event, Let’s Learn About Diwali, at the Baldwin Public Library, which detailed the Hindu festival, which usually takes place in October or November and lasts up to five days.

Singh’s family moved to Baldwin when she was 6, and

Singh said that other parents — including those who don’t celebrate the holiday — have expressed their support for the cause by signing the petition.

“I just wanted to bring Diwali to the forefront,” she said. “It’s no surprise that the board had already received similar requests.”

Singh said she recognizes the challenges of adding a holi-

Continued on page 15

Courtesy Miguel Melendez

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Gearing up for Baldwin Relay for Life

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

The First Lap, a key event in the Relay for Life cancer charity walk, returned to Baldwin on Jan. 11 at Baldwin High School’s track and field.

Held annually on the first Saturday of the year, the event has become a tradition since its founding in 2018 by Joe Gillette. Gillette created the First Lap to renew his dedication to Relay for Life and inspire others to join the fight against cancer.

The event is led by Abby, a thyroid cancer survivor, and Miguel Melendez, a prostate cancer survivor. They took the reins in 2020, but the pandemic forced them to pivot to a virtual format, raising more than $12,000 that year.

Previously, the First Lap had been held at Baldwin High School from 2009 to 2013 and then at Baldwin Park from 2014 to 2016, where it raised nearly $28,000 in its final year. After a brief

hiatus, Abby and Miguel relaunched the event in 2024, successfully raising $15,000 with a new goal of $22,000 for 2025.

“We’re still finalizing the location,” Miguel said. “I’ve been working with the school district to move it from the park to the middle school—fingers crossed it gets approved.”

The event encourages Relay for Life participants to form teams within their communities, join existing teams, or participate individually. Local businesses, including The Irish Pub and Blink Fitness, have been active supporters.

Relay for Life, founded by the American Cancer Society in 1985, has grown into a global movement, now taking place in more than 30 countries. The event honors those who have lost their battle with cancer, celebrates survivors, and raises crucial funds for cancer research, patient support, and advocacy efforts.

Koslow announces campaign for county executive

Legislator focusing on things that matter in ‘local, every day politics’

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow has officially launched his campaign for Nassau County executive, pledging to bring accountability, affordability and responsible governance back to the county.

Koslow, a Democrat who represents parts of Freeport, Merrick and Bellmore in the legislature, plans to end the misuse of public funds and focus on policies that benefit Nassau County residents, rather than political agendas.

“This administration has broken their promises and failed Nassau residents,” Koslow said in a Jan. 8 news release. “Nassau County families are being squeezed while their tax dollars are wasted on frivolous lawsuits, inflated salaries, and self-serving political promotions. I’m running to restore trust, eliminate waste, and make our county more affordable for everyone.”

Itrict. A former prosecutor in Queens, he’s currently a criminal defense attorney who resides in Merrick with his wife, three children and rescue pup.

“We deserve better,” Koslow told the Herald last week. “As a dad, as a coach, as a family man — living and growing up in Nassau County — I’ve seen Nassau County for the last 40-something years. I’ve seen the good and bad, and I don’t like where we’re going.”

’ve seen the good and bad, and I don’t like where we’re going.

SETH KOSLOw Nassau County legislator

Jay Jacobs, the New York state and Nassau County Democratic Committee chairman, said, “This is an important moment for Nassau County. We need a leader that will put families first, fight for fiscal responsibility, and work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. Seth Koslow has the integrity and vision to lead Nassau County out of the current administration’s incompetence.”

Koslow, 42, grew up in Baldwin, and was first elected to the legislature in 2023 to represent the newly formed 5th Dis-

Koslow’s priorities, outlined in his campaign announcement, include making Nassau County more affordable by lowering property taxes and implementing fiscally responsible policies to ease the burden on residents; eliminating waste by ending unnecessary legal battles and reducing oversized administrative expenses to ensure public funds are used effectively; introducing accountability measures to ensure every dollar is spent with residents’ best interests in mind; and strengthening communities by investing in essential services, infrastructure, law enforcement and education to improve the quality of life across Nassau County.

Koslow criticized County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s administration for spending “countless dollars defending lawsuits” because of the county’s transgender ban, which prohibits girls’ and women’s teams with transgender athletes from competing at public facilities; the county’s mask ban, which makes it a crime for those wearing a mask or face covering to hide their identity, except for

health or religious reasons; and the county’s plan to form an armed, civilian militia that could operate as a de facto police force during emergencies.

“People in Nassau County are concerned about their money and their affordability — that’s important to them,” Koslow said. “These other issues are not important to them. They may be on a national scale, but that’s not what’s important in local, every day politics.”

Blakeman, a Republican, was elected to the county executive position in 2021.

In response, Chris Boyle, a spokesman for Blakeman, said in a statement, “Bruce Blakeman didn’t raise taxes even after inflation went through the roof, refused to

make Nassau a sanctuary county, put more cops on our streets, fought against radical pro-criminal policies and made Nassau the safest county in America. There’s no better choice for county executive than Bruce Blakeman.”

According to Koslow, Nassau County was dubbed “the safest county in America” because of its police force — not because of Blakeman.

“We have a fantastic police force, and I know that they want more police officers,” Koslow said. “We should reinvest in that to make sure we have the safest county in America forever.”

In regards to accountability, Koslow cited the county’s 2025-2028 budget, which was sent back to the drawing board by the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority, a public benefit corporation that supervises the county’s finances.

“NIFA kicked back the budget because administration was playing fast and loose with the way they did their accounting and how they accounted for certain funds,” Koslow said. “And if it wasn’t for NIFA demanding that they redo the budget, would that budget have been accurate or would it have been illegal, incorrect, and we’d be in hole next year?”

Koslow said his campaign would be “solution-oriented.”

“We’re all tired of elected officials and candidates pointing out the problems in our communities,” he said. “We all know what the problems are, but no one’s willing to offer solutions. I intend to offer solutions that are real — they may not be the solutions people agree with, but they’re going to be at least solutions I think we can accomplish.”

The election for the county executive seat will take place this November.

Courtesy Miguel Melendez

Relay for Life’s First Lap returned to Baldwin on Jan. 11 at the Baldwin High School track and field.

Herald file photo

Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow

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Gillen sworn in as a Congresswoman

Tax and Medicaid Law Changes for 2025

For 2025, the exemptions for estate taxes rise to $7.16 million for New York estate taxes, and to $13.99 million for Federal estate taxes. The annual gift tax exclusion rises to $19,000. If your estate is, or may become, greater than the New York threshold, early intervention can avoid the hefty New York estate taxes, which start at over $600,000. Some of the techniques are (1) setting up two trusts, one for husband and one for wife, and using them to double the New York exemption, (2) gifting out so much of the estate so as to reduce it below the New York exemption, at least three years before the death of the donor, and (3) using the “Santa Clause” providing that the amount over the threshold be donated to a charity or charities of your choosing so as to reduce the estate to no more than the exemption.

For Medicaid, the house is an exempt asset so long as a spouse is residing there, up to $1.1 million of equity for 2025. Seeing as over 80% of nursing home residents do not have a spouse, it is better to plan ahead with

a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) to get the five year look-back for nursing facility care. In that case, the house would be protected by the trust rather than the unreliable spousal exemption. Unless your other assets have been protected by the MAPT, an individual may keep about $31,500 and a spouse at home can keep up to about $158,000.

The often-delayed imposition of the new two and a half year look-back for home care, is not on the horizon for 2025. Currently there is no look-back for home-care and you do not have to worry about getting home care until you actually need it. Nevertheless, this may change in the future so the MAPT remains as an important as a tool to qualify you for home care as well as protecting your assets from a nursing home. Assets should be moved into the MAPT years ahead of time if you want to be able to afford to stay in your own home and get home health aides for assistance with the activities of daily living, should the need arise.

LAW FIRM

Rockville Centre’s Laura Gillen took the oath of office administered by House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and officially was installed as the representative for the 4th Congressional District.

Gillen defeated incumbent Anthony D’Esposito in a rematch of the 2022 race for the two-year term.

A former Hempstead town supervisor, Gillen was joined by her family in Washington, D.C. for her swearing in on Jan. 6.

At freshmen orientation late last year, Gillen had the opportunity to connect with members of Congress from both parties, which she indicated would be essential to passing important legislation starting in January.

“I am honored that the people of New York’s Fourth Congressional District have entrusted me with the responsibili-

ty of representing them in Congress,” Gillen said in a statement after being sworn in.

“As we look ahead to this Congress, I am ready to get to work on the bipartisan priorities that Long Islanders care most about: lowering costs, giving hardworking Long Islanders a middle-class tax break by restoring the full SALT deduction, ensuring clean drinking water, and taking much-needed action to secure our border,” she said.

“I’ve always been guided by the principles of compromise and bipartisanship, and I look forward to working with anyone — Democrat or Republican — who is committed to working productively to deliver on the pressing issues that we face,” Gillen added.

— Jeffrey Bessen

Office of Congresswoman Laura Gillen

Speaker Mike Johnson swore in Laura Gillen, third from right, into office, third from left on Jan. 6. Owen Gillen, far left, Myles Gillen, Johnson, Chris Flanagan, Gillen, Austen Gillen and Laine Gillen.

1286207

Nassau County advances civilian deputy force

By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com

Despite facing backlash from activists and Democratic lawmakers, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is moving forward with a plan to form an armed civilian deputy force for times of emergency.

Blakeman, a Republican of Atlantic Beach, has said he plans to grow the force to 75 people. Since September, the county executive has had 25 deputies authorized to serve after completing training sessions at the Nassau Police Department training facility in Garden City, according to Newsday.

Blakeman first issued a call on March 17 for residents with gun permits to apply to become “special deputy sheriffs,” as outlined in a county flier and an advertisement published in Newsday.

The flier states that Blakeman is assembling a team of sheriffs to protect lives and property during an emergency, and that the sheriffs would have no policing authority unless the county executive were to declare an emergency. Applicants must be skilled in firearm use to be considered, with a preference given to retired law enforcement officers and military veterans.

“I didn’t want to find myself in a circumstance where we’d have an emergency, and it would be a very significant event like Superstorm Sandy, and

scramble to get volunteers who wouldn’t be vetted and wouldn’t be pre-trained,” Blakeman said during a news conference on April 4.

In gathering the collection of special deputy sheriffs, Blakeman has cited New York State County Law 655. The law states that a sheriff may deputize as many additional special deputies as needed “for the protection of human life and property during an emergency” to assist existing law enforcement.

With over 2,600 police officers, Nassau County has the 12th largest police force in the country, leaving critics questioning Blakeman’s move.

“He says he’s going to use it in an emergency, and he points to Superstorm Sandy,” said Jody Kass Finkel, founder of Nassau Residents for Good Government, a nonpartisan good government group. “The last thing we needed was gun-toting residents floating about…We needed water. We needed blankets. We needed gasoline.”

Some opponents have accused Blakeman of forming an armed, and unnecessary, civilian “militia.” In April, Sabine Margolis, of Great Neck, started an online petitioncalled “Stop Bruce Blakeman’s Personal Nassau County Militia,” which has collected more than 2,900 signatures.

The petition notes concerns about the potential dangers of the deputy force, including the risk of friendly fire

and fatalities caused by squads with less training than police officers.

Blakeman’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Some opponents have expressed concerns about how Blakeman plans to fund the deputy force. The deputies are to be paid $150 a day for work, according to the Newsday advertisement. However, according to New York State County Law 655, an emergency deputy cannot be compensated more than $3 per hour.

“That type of salary adjustment has to come before the legislature, and it never has,” said DeRiggi-Whitton, who added that she is now looking into a lawsuit against Blakeman over the deputy force.

On Nov. 12, the NRGG called for the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority to reject Blakeman’s 2025 budget, accusing the county executive of exposing Nassau to legal costs because of potential accidents from “inadequately trained” participants in the deputy program.

For the first time in six years, NIFA rejected the county’s four-year budget proposal in a resolution dated Nov. 26. However, the resolution did not specifically reference concerns over funding the deputy force. The authority stated that the operating budget improperly included $30 million of surplus per year in the budget as revenue.

Blakeman has argued that his critics are exaggerating his program and that their comments are politically motivated.

At the April 4 news conference, Blakeman requested that DeRiggi-Whitton resign from her position after comments about the deputy force in a Patch interview that he interpreted as antiSemitic. In the article, DeRiggi-Whitton said she had heard from a Jewish resident who said Blakeman’s initiative reminded them of Brownshirts, a wing of the Nazi Party formed in the 1920s.

“As many of you know, I am of the Jewish faith,” Blakeman said at the conference. “This is not only a personal insult to me as a Jew, but it is a personal insult to humanity.”

DeRiggi-Whitton stood by her comment and said that it was misinterpreted, as she was relaying the concern that a Nassau County resident told her. She said she received the most support from the Jewish community after Blakeman’s criticism, “who told me this is not antiSemitism, it is being an up-stander.”

At the news conference, Blakeman emphasized that he has done nothing more than create a directory of individuals.

“All we are doing here is pre-training and vetting those individuals and creating a database and a list,” Blakeman said. “That’s it. We’ve done nothing more.”

LEiLA pAz

Carey Senior Basketball

A FOUR-YEAR STARTER and two-time AllCounty selection, Paz reached a milestone Dec. 19 in Carey’s defeat to New Hyde Park. As part of her 18-point performance, she recorded her 1,000th career point, joining a short list of those in the program to accomplish the feat. Paz entered this week’s action leading all of Nassau County in scoring at a shade under 27 points per game. She hit for 30 or more points in half of Carey’s first 10 games.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Jan. 16

Girls Basketball: South Side at Elmont 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: V.S. Central at Baldwin 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Mepham at MacArthur 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Elmont at South Side 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: MacArthur at East Meadow

Girls Basketball: Jericho at Long Beach

Girls Basketball: Garden City at Calhoun

Girls Basketball: Bethpage at Hewlett

Friday, Jan. 17

Boys Basketball: New Hyde Park at Sewanhaka 4:30 p.m.

Wrestling: Oceanside at Farmingdale 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Wantagh at V.S. South 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Plainedge at Seaford 5 p.m.

Girls Baskietball: Syosset at Uniondale 5 p.m.

Wrestling: MacArthur at Long Beach 6 p.m.

Wrestling: Mepham at Calhoun 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Lawrence at North Shore 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 18

Boys Basketball: Island Trees at Calhoun 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Herricks at East Meadow 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Hempstead at Oceanside 1 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Freeport at Syosset 1 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

HERALD SPORTS

Baldwin navigates around inexperience

By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com

The Baldwin boys’ basketball team has been remarkably consistent for more than two decades.

The Bruins have made the playoffs in each of Darius Burton’s 24 previous seasons. They’ve won 10 county championships — including the last four — as well as four Long Island championships.

But this winter, Baldwin’s regular season road has been rockier than the perennial powerhouse has been accustomed to.

There are 10 first-year players on the squad — a rarity for Burton. That team is 6-4 in their first 10 games and there’s been a common theme in each of those defeats.

“In all four losses, we’ve been up in the fourth quarter and haven’t found a way to pull out a win,” Burton said. “All four losses, we’ve been right there. As long as we’re learning and we’re getting better, I would rather have that happen now than in February or March.”

Of those defeats, three came in consecutive games, the first time the Bruins endured a three-game losing streak in six years. Baldwin fell 69-61 to Elmont in the championship game of the Baldwin Holiday Classic, followed by a 56-54 loss to William Floyd and a 73-67 double-overtime defeat to Great Neck South.

Among the varsity newcomers, Burton highlights sophomore Mical Saint Jean, who earned a spot in the starting lineup due to his work ethic, senior Vaughdrea Johnson, the quarterback of the football team who has started the last three games after missing last season due to injury and junior Jordan Williams, who brings athleticism and strong defense, off the bench.

The Bruins bounced back in a big way last Saturday against Great Neck North, winning 88-46 at home.

“They played with a lot of energy, a lot of hunger. I can’t tell you the last time we played at home. It’s been a while, but they bounced back tremendously.” Burton said. “Regardless of the opponent, I look at us and what we did and how we played, and they came out hungry, we defended like we’re capable.”

Baldwin held Great Neck North to 18 points in the first half, including just eight in the second quarter. And senior guard Chase Timberlake led the way offensively with 32 points.

“He’s been scoring, but he hasn’t really been scoring from the perimeter,” Burton said. “I was very happy because he looked like the Chase of old from the perimeter. He was catching the ball ready to shoot, wasn’t thinking about it, and, hopefully, this will carry over in the games to come.”

Timberlake, who came up as a sixth man as a sophomore, is 47 points away from the 1,000-point plateau for his career. That will be a first during Burton’s 25 years as head coach.

“That’s a tribute, to be honest with you, to our program,” Burton said. “Very rarely do I have three or four-year players just because of talent. I’ve been blessed with so much talent, but Chase has done a great job in the three years he’s been with me.”

Ron Manfredi/Herald

Junior Gabe Phillips, right, and the Bruins are looking to get the ball rolling after going 6-4 through 10 games.

Seven teams have thus far signed up for cook-off

win a $200 cash prize and be crowned “Best Chili in Town!”

As for the taste-testers, tickets are $20, which includes unlimited samples and one free drink.

In reaction to criticism about the lack of holiday lights, the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce responded publicly on Facebook, clarifying that the lights are not funded by local taxes, but rather through donations to the chamber.

The chamber noted that each snowflake decoration costs about $800. Additional expenses include installing outlets, using a bucket truck to hang the decorations, covering labor for bulb replacements, and storing the decorations after the season ends.

“Baldwin deserves better,” Sabel said. “We are a beautiful community, and it’s time for everyone to step up and get these lights together so we’ll be more beautiful than the other towns around us.”

Over the years, Sabel has organized other fundraising events, including one for Hangout One Happy Place, a Baldwin-based nonprofit, for which he hosted a corn hole tournament to raise money. This past holiday season, Sabel also held a Toys for Tots fundraiser, collecting toys for those in need.

“When I came here in 2018, this community accepted me in open arms,” Sabel said. “I realized really quickly how tight the community is, and it is such a multi-diverse community, and I felt at home.”

The cook-off is expected to be one of many fundraisers he will organize throughout the year, Sabel said. He also hinted at the possibility of hosting a Pub Palooza, a community event held outdoors that celebrates dogs.

Herald file photo

attending last year’s Chili Cook-off, were, from left, Shawn Sabel, owner of the irish pub; nassau County Legislator debra mule; and Susan and Samantha Cools, who hosted the event.

BALDWIN HERALD — January 16, 2025

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Nassau Chamber group begins workshops

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce has launched a series of workshops to strengthen small businesses and address common challenges entrepreneurs face in an increasingly digital economy across the region. The first one was Tuesday, and there are six more, scheduled for Thursday and on Jan. 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29.

“This is really all about supporting small businesses and their positive impact across the board in Nassau County,” the council’s president, Frank Camarano Jr., said. “The chambers are our workers on the ground, in every community, hand in hand with the folks that live there. Now, while it’s great having so many — it really is — they’re obviously smaller, so the available resources are harder for them to tap into, and it all gets spread out. Also, each voice, individually, is sometimes hard to hear, yet combined — what a difference. That’s where we come in, to support them, of course, and make up for as many missing pieces as we can along the way.

“There’s this saying, ‘When something is done correctly, it looks like nothing has been done at all,’” Camarano continued. “No fanfare, just a lot of work. It’s the chamber way. It’s our way.”

“The workshops are paid for through

a grant made possible by County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Legislature,” the council’s second vice president, Joseph Garcia, said. “It shows they understand the hardships small businesses have faced as we endured and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The initiative stems from a survey of local chambers and small business owners, identifying areas where support is needed the most. Three specialized workshops have been developed, covering financial management, marketing and communications and computer systems.

Each session will focus on practical, hands-on training to equip participants with the skills necessary to adapt and thrive.

address website optimization, cybersecurity best practices and implementing business software, along with guidance on system backup and recovery procedures.

“The goal of this first round of workshops is to provide the type of support usually reserved for big, multi-milliondollar companies and franchises,” Garcia said. “Bringing this to small businesses of all types in Nassau County will pay dividends for our business owners, our county, in additional sales taxes, and strengthen our communities.”

The financial management workshop will explore topics such as tax planning, cash flow management and strategies for acquiring capital. Attendees will also learn bookkeeping fundamentals and techniques for preparing and analyzing financial statements.

The marketing and communications workshop will help businesses develop effective social media strategies, implement online marketing techniques and optimize their e-commerce operations. The computer systems workshop will

The workshops are divided into three zones based on location: In Zone One, north of Route 25, they will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Roslyn. In Zone Two, south of Route 25 and west of the Meadowbrook Parkway, they will take place at American Legion Post 44, in Malverne; and in Zone Three, south of Route 25 and east of the Meadowbrook, will be held at American Legion Post 1066, in Massapequa. The Herald is presenting on marketing in Zone One on Jan. 21.

Each zone will host three separate workgroups on different nights, for a total of nine workgroups. Businesses are encouraged, but not required, to

attend the workgroups in their zone, and cannot participate in the same workgroup across multiple zones.

This workshop series is part of the council’s broader efforts to support Nassau County’s small businesses as they navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic economic landscape.

In February, the council will expand its resources by relocating its offices to Nassau Community College. The move will enhance its capacity to serve the business community through additional workshops, collaborative programs with college faculty and enhanced hands-on business education experiences, and provide internship opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with local enterprises.

“We are grateful to Nassau Community College President Maria P. Conzatti and Jerry Kornbluth, along with their dedicated staff, for their partnership in this initiative,” Gary Slavin, treasurer of the council, added. “This collaboration will create valuable opportunities for both our small business community and the college’s students.”

“With the massive support of County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Legislature, and not just financially, we are all getting it done together,” Camarano said. “We are very proud, and extremely thankful.”

For more information or to register, visit ncchambers.org.

FRANk CAmARANO JR.

Reimagining bowling pins through upcycling

By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com

Each year, Maple Family Centers, of Rockville Centre, replaces all the pins at its five bowling centers with new ones. This year, the company found a creative way to involve the community in its annual upcycling project.

Starting Thanksgiving week, the company hosted its first “Holiday Pin Decorating Contest.” Staff at the company’s five bowling centers handed out thousands of free pins to bowlers and community groups, encouraging them to decorate the pins and enter the contest. Participants uploaded photos of their decorated pins by New Year’s Eve to enter.

“We were amazed by the community’s response,” Teresa McCarthy, director of community outreach for Maple Family Centers, said. “Libraries, schools and numerous Girl Scout troops requested pins so they could decorate them as a craft project. We dropped off a bunch for the Long Beach Public Library’s kids’ programs, and then they requested more for the adults.”

Many participants used acrylic paint for their designs, while others opted for collage or décollage. About 75 percent of entries had holiday themes, such as snowmen, nutcrackers or Christmas trees.

“One of our bowlers, who is a genuine artist, created a ‘storm’ theme that featured the logo of Storm, which is one of the largest bowling ball manufacturers,” LaSpina said. “He gave it to us to present to the owner of Storm as a holiday gift.”

Two winners — one adult and one under 18 — were selected from each bowling center. Winners received a Family Fun Pack, which includes two games of bowling and shoe rentals for up to eight people.

“We received a lot of amazing

entries, which made it very difficult to select the winners,” McCarthy said. All participants received a coupon for a free game of bowling.

Several schools on Long Island used the pins for art projects. The Long Beach Special Education Program joined Baldwin High School, Charles E. Walters Elementary School in Yaphank, Coram Elementary School, Hempstead High School, Holy Angels Regional School in Patchogue, Lynbrook High School, Marion High School in Lynbrook and Ridge Elementary School.

“We were thrilled that so many bowlers, as well as schools and community groups, wanted to join in the fun and create decorative bowling pins,” McCarthy said. “Since we regularly upcycle pins, we plan to continue this project in the future.”

For more information about Maple Family Centers, visit MapleLanes.com.

of the creations included popular

from

Bowling pins were decorated so well they weren’t pins anymore, they were snowmen and reindeer.

Lisa Varallo, a league bowler at both Maple Lanes in Rockville Centre and Jib Lanes, took a break from knocking pins down showed off her creation.

Photos courtesy Maple Family Centers

Girl Scout Troop 2059 in Long Beach decorated bowling pins as part of the craft project, reimagining the used pins.

Some

characters

movies and shows, such as Buddy the Elf, left.

Faith-based education

Students

Strong spiritual guidance is an essential part of daily activities at Long Island’s Catholic schools, creating a special sense of community among children, families, teachers, and the local parish, which reinforces moral values and an abiding respect for others. Resourceful instructors use powerful spiritual teachings and realworld experiences to bring these values to life for children, while our smaller classes allow for more personalized and productive interaction between students and teachers.

Applying strong values in many selfless ways

Catholic school students apply the moral and spiritual lessons they learn in the real world by participating in charitable community initiatives throughout the year and by responding every day to others in a respectful and helpful manner. This spirit of caring and community in our students helps to give them the enduring moral foundation to become active, contributing members of society.

Through faith we grow

A strong Catholic identity as taught in Long Island’s Catholic schools matters. These schools are uniquely empowered to help children in some very important ways. Catholic schools:

√ Help socialize children in a positive way.

√ Reinforce the positive values that you live in your family.

√ Reassure children that they are safe and loved, and that God loves them.

√ Teach children that their value is not based on how others see them.

√ Feature teachers who are models of the faith.

Photo: Catholic schools demonstrate a proven record of achievement. Students excel today and gain the confidence to succeed all their lives.

put moral values to work in their lives every day

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH AT 9:30 A.M.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26TH AT 11 A.M.-1 P.M.

REGISTRATION:

JANUARY 28TH, 9:30 - 10:30 A.M. & 7:00-8:00 P.M. JANUARY 29TH, 9:30 - 10:30 A.M.

Discover a Faith-based Educational Journey at St. Agnes Cathedral School

At St. Agnes Cathedral School we believe that every child is a precious gift from God. We invite you to experience our exceptional academic program at our upcoming Open House.

Nurturing Environment: We cultivate a community based on love, compassion, and respect. Here, every child is encouraged to grow, explore, and develop their unique talents in a caring, supportive atmosphere.

Rigorous Academic Excellence: Our curriculum blends faith with innovative teaching methods, offering a challenging yet enriching academic experience that sparks curiosity and fosters a lifelong passion for learning.

Spiritual Growth: Alongside academics, we emphasize spiritual development, guiding students to understand and live by the values of faith, hope, and charity, shaping strong moral foundations for their future.

Physical and Creative Development: Our students enjoy physical education classes in our spacious gym, with K-8 students also participating in daily recess. Through art, music, and enrichment activities, they experience a well-rounded education that nurtures both body and mind.

Community Engagement: Our Mothers’ Club, Fathers’ Club, Parent-School Association, and School Board work together to help our students grow and thrive, fostering meaningful connections between families, teachers, administration, and students.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: Our new STEM Center features a science lab, STEM lab, and Art Room. Designed to inspire creativity and innovation, our modern classrooms provide an engaging environment for students to explore and learn.

CATHEDRAL SCHOOL

ST. AGNES OPEN

HOUSE

CATHOLIC SHOOLS WEEK

On a path to success

Middle school students find their way through young adulthood

The move from elementary school to middle school marks the beginning of a new set of expectations and a new world of opportunities.

Challenging academic curriculum, inspired Catholic teachings, and an array of new afterschool activities give each student the intellectual, spiritual and social preparation needed for greater achievement in high school, college and beyond.

A renewed focus on study skills and research skills begin to prepare students for the rigors of high school, and the programs and activities the students once participated in, they now lead. They mentor younger students, assume larger roles in liturgies, and lead activities ranging from science fairs to drama productions. From captaining sports teams to supervising community service work, middle school students learn to motivate and manage others.

Maintaining academic superiority

The middle school program continues the student’s challenging academic curriculum. Rigorous literature, math, computer, art, music and foreign language classes continue to engage all students, and qualifying students can enhance their studies with accelerated programs. Middle school students consistently score in the top percentages on national and state testing and most schools boast a 100 percent acceptance rate into prestigious Long Island Catholic high schools.

Putting their faith into practice

The moral and spiritual lessons students have learned along the way guide them in charitable activities and community service. From stocking food banks to sharing with those less fortunate, Catholic school students put their faith into action by responding to others in a caring, respectful and helpful manner every day. Middle school students also play an important role in the school by mentoring others through participation in buddy programs and by modeling their faith for younger students.

Putting Giving back to the Parish community

As students reach middle school they begin to assume more important roles in their faith community. Middle school students assist with the Parish ministries including Parish Outreach, they function as altar servers, and they participate in prayer groups. Seventh and eighth grade students mentor younger students, they lead the Student Government, staff the Safety Patrol, participate in the National Junior Honor Society and lead prayer services. It is in the middle school level that lifetime bridges between our students and the parish are created.

Putting A broader range of sports and activities

In addition to continuing some of the interests students have been cultivating since Early

Education in language, band and choir, middle school students get to help their fellow students by supporting the school’s labs as a member of the Technology Club, they assist other students as Library/Media Club members, and the can participate in STEM Science Fairs and Math Bees. Aspiring journalists create and produce school newspapers or produce radio or TV broadcasts. The athletic types participate in CMSAA (Catholic Middle School Athletic Association) organized interscholastic sports programs. And there are new and more advanced extracurricular activities exclusively for middle school like the drama club that supports each year’s theatrical production and trips and retreats become more

advanced and more frequent.

Putting Becoming the young men and women who will shape the future

Confident in their abilities, Catholic middle school students spread their wings and begin to soar. With values built on a rock-solid foundation and an exceptional education that has engaged each child’s unique abilities, students begin to blossom into young man and women of character.

Photo: A Catholic education is a challenging education. High standards, strong motivation, effective discipline and an atmosphere of caring combine to foster excellence.

CATHOLIC SHOOLS WEEK

The right choice

Determining what’s best for your child

Choosing and committing to the right Catholic school for your child can be daunting. While visiting the open houses offered system-wide during Catholic Schools Week is an excellent way to discern Catholic school possibilities for your child, there are also many ways to research school options from the comfort of your home and at a time of your choosing.

The 35 Catholic elementary schools on Long Island provide a strong, well-rounded education for students from nursery through eighth grade. You will find welcoming early childhood centers and rigorous middle school programs. As evidenced by the Morning Star Initiative’s four pillars, you will see that each school is robustly Catholic, academically excellent, safe and supportive, and here to stay. At the same time, each school has its own special charism that you can learn more about when you visit a school or speak to a school representative. Our administrators and faculty are looking forward to welcoming you and your family!

Start with an open house

During Catholic Schools Week each school will be hosting an open house, where families are welcome to visit, learn more about the school, and meet administrators and faculty.

During each open house, information about the school’s academic, extended day, and extracurricular programs will be shared as well as how you can register your child.

You can also learn more about the open houses by visiting licatholicelementaryschools.org. Of course, you can always contact any of the Catholic elementary schools to learn more.

To get started, visit lischools.org. Here you can briefly learn about each school and then directly access each school’s website. You will also be able to make appointments for personal tours and request information online!

You can also visit each school’s Facebook and Instagram social media pages to learn about the wonderful experiences available.

Get to know the schools

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of prospective schools, you are encouraged to reach out to each school directly. The principals are waiting for your call. They are happy to answer any questions you have. If you are unable to attend the open house or would like a more personalized tour, be sure to set one up with the school. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know more about each school. Following your tour, please do not hesitate to follow up with each school with any addition-

MIDDLE SCHOOL

al questions you may have.

If you are concerned about affordability, you are encouraged to apply for tuition assistance through the Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation. Since Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation was established in 2005, the Foundation scholarships dents. year,

1,139 applications. Of those applicants, over 1,000 students were awarded financial support. The application is based on the applicant’s reported income vs. expenses for the prior tax year. Visit tomorrowshopefoundation.org to learn more.

Live your faith and share it with others

The timeless values that create better prepared, more capable, and more confident young adults. An important part of your child’s program is the learning of values. This is often the most easily observable difference in a ‘Catholic school kid’.

While the specific order and organization of when these values are taught might differ from school-to-school, the values and the discipline to live them are enduring qualities and are taught consistently across all Catholic elementary schools.

The schedule below details how one of our schools creates a focus on two values in each in of the nine years of elementary and middle school.

Kindergarten – Courtesy and Respect: Learning the importance of politeness and good manners in dealing with others, as well as the need to respect one another, and personal and public property.

First Grade – Punctuality and Neatness: Being on time for school and with assignments and being neat in both school work and homework.

Second Grade – Kindness and Generosity: Understanding the need to reach out and help one another and realizing the joy in giving more than is expected.

Third Grade – Hard Work and Perseverance:

Recognizing the importance of diligence and a good work attitude, the satisfaction of doing our best and the need to keep trying despite obstacles.

Fourth Grade – Honesty and Responsibility: Being truthful and keeping our word, doing the right thing even when no one else is looking, accepting the consequences of our actions and meeting our obligations.

Fifth Grade – Patience and Discipline: Learning to be patient with ourselves and others, saying “yes” to the right things and “no” to the wrong things, and taking charge of ourselves by controlling our actions and emotions.

Sixth Grade – Tolerance and Justice: Learning to accept and appreciate the differences in others and treating them with equality and fairness.

Seventh Grade – Thoughtfulness and Compassion: Understanding the needs and feeling of others and treating them with equality and fairness.

Eighth Grade – Loyalty and Courage: Caring about our relationships with others and being willing to show it through our actions; having the strength and will to do what is right even when we’re afraid or it’s unpopular.

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

Signatories include those who don’t celebrate

day to the school calendar.

School districts typically have a set number of instructional days, and adding Diwali could require adjustments to the academic schedule.

“The development of the Baldwin School District calendar is a collaborative and extensive process led by a district committee,” Shari Camhi, Superintendent of Schools for Baldwin School District stated in an email.

“The Baldwin School District’s Calendar Committee must take into account contractual obligations, the demographics of students, faculty, and staff, required number of days of instruction set by the New York State Education Department, as well as both state and federal holidays when making recommendations for the following school year’s schedule.

“This is done on a year-byyear basis with the most current information available,” Camhi continued. “The district instituted many years ago the formality of DROs — Days of Religious Observance.

On a DRO, students cannot be penalized if they are absent due to religious reasons. A calendar of those dates is set every year.”

Last year, Lenox Elementary School incorporated Diwali into its Holidays Around the World program, in which students in kindergarten through fifth grade learned about global holiday traditions.

“That made me so happy,” Singh recalled of the inclusion of Diwali. “For Lenox to feature it as part of their event — informing and spreading knowledge to children — is the greatest form of acceptance in my book.”

At the conclusion of last week’s meeting, Singh said, she was approached by Camhi, who assured her that the district had heard her and other supporters.

“I’m really grateful for the leadership in Baldwin,” Singh said. “For a superintendent to attend a meeting and personally approach a parent or community member speaks volumes about our district’s commitment to community engagement.”

Subrina Singh, a Baldwin High School graduate and member of the Baldwin middle School pta, created a petition urging the school district to recognize diwali as an official holiday. above, Singh is shown hosting a Let’s Learn about diwali event at the Baldwin public Library, which highlighted the Hindu festival.

Maureen Lennon/Herald

BALDWIN HERALD — January 16, 2025

Officials address the State of the Region

By JEFFREY BESSEN, CAROLYN JAMES & MOHAMMAD RAFIQ

Special to the Herald

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer began with a joke. Matt Cohen, president and CEO of the Long Island Association, moderated a discussion among Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Richard Schaffer, president of the Long Island Supervisors Association. Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke about having an impact.

The ballroom at the Crest Hollow Country Club, in Woodbury, was filled with many appointed and elected government officials, along with many more movers and shakers, on Jan. 10 for the LIA’s annual State of the Region Breakfast.

This is a portion of what the elected leaders had to say.

Sen. Chuck Schumer

The former U.S. Senate majority leader, now the minority leader, began the morning with joke. The punch line of a tale about a woman being sentenced to four nights in jail for stealing a can of four peaches is her husband interrupting the proceeds by shouting, “She also stole a can of peas!”

The room filled with laughter, and then Schumer turned serious on several topics, including his hard work to attain his position in the Senate. He noted that despite the partisanship in Washington, Long Island elected leaders from both political parties are working together to bring federal money to the region.

“I’ll keep fighting for Long Island,” Schumer said, noting a $400 million Federal Emergency Management Agency grant for the Long Island Power Authority to strengthen the electrical power infrastructure.

Schumer said he was committed to reinstituting the deduction for state and local taxes, as should the entire state congressional delegation.

“We should be united in doing that, so that our people will stay here, new people will want to come here,” he said. “There is no reason for any member of the New York delegation shouldsettle for anything less than the full restitution of SALT with no cap.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul

The governor, who traveled to the event on the Long Island Rail Road, noted that the state would be investing $1.5 billion in the LIRR. The state is also allocating over $51 million for public safety on Long Island.

“We have to have the courage and vision to do more,” Hochul said of the issue of affordable housing.

She acknowledged the impact of climate change, from the wildfires in California to the fires in upstate New York in November, and from flooding in the Hudson Valley in July to flooding in Suffolk County in August.

“So, we have to be ready for this,” Hochul said. “We are the first genera-

tion to feel the ill effects of climate change, and we’re the last generation that can do something about it.”

She advocated for offshore wind power generation, saying it’s the way to go.

She also said she was motivated to help businesses big and small, because of the economic hard times she saw growing up. “No large business ever started as a large business — they all started small,” Hochul said, noting her mother’s small business to help displaced homemakers.

Since she became governor, she said, 53,000 jobs have been created on Long Island, and that in 2023 alone, 47,000 new businesses started here.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman Blakeman touted his record as county executive.

“Nassau County was named by U.S. News & World Report as the safest county of all the United States of America,” he said, crediting officers of the county Police Department. “They do an outstanding job,” he said. “The men and women work very, very hard to keep us all safe.”

On the proposed Sands casino, Blakeman said the process is progressing, and he believes the county has the best application.

“I think it will generate a lot of jobs — we’re talking about potentially $5 billion in construction jobs,” he said. “We’re talking about revenue that will be spread out in various communities. I believe that, hopefully, we can get a favorable decision from the licensing board, and we’ll go full speed ahead.”

On affordable housing, Blakeman said, “We have 80-year-old sewers that need to be revitalized … and we need at least $100 million over the next five years to do that.”

County Executive Ed Romaine Romaine declared that “Amtrak is coming to Ronkonkoma,” and spoke about affordable housing. Referring to the state’s push to bring development to Nassau and Suffolk counties, Romaine said he agreed that Long Island would benefit from meeting the housing needs of lower-income residents, senior citizens and young people.

He quickly added a caveat, however. “We also need the infrastructure,

including sewers, to support these projects,” Romaine said, noting that there are 3,400 projects under consideration in Suffolk that can’t be built because the county doesn’t have the sewer capacity — and that is the major obstacle for almost every major project undertaken on Long Island.

Increasing affordable housing on Long Island, once a local and regional issue, is front and center in Albany, as the state — dangling lots of state dollars — urges counties, towns and villages to embrace its new housing initiative. He added that the measure has been greeted with mixed reviews, as local officials remain concerned that opting into the state program will undercut local controls like planning and zoning codes.

Romaine was visibly angry about the taxes that Suffolk residents pay on their home electric and heating bills. He promised to suspend those taxes, as well as the gasoline tax.

“We should make it more affordable for the average person to live here,” he said. If not, people will move off Long Island “like the rest of the state. (People) don’t just vote at the ballot box; they vote with their feet. New York lost (more) people than any other state. That’s a wake-up call.

Supervisor Richard Schaffer

Schaffer, the Town of Babylon supervisor and the Suffolk County Democratic chairman, noted his beginnings in the County Legislature, where he worked across the aisle in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“We’re not elected to come here and put on a show to make it into Newsday or make it onto News12,” Schaffer said. “We’re here to get things done.” He noted that that is his philosophy, and Romaine’s thinking as well.

“The stars have aligned, and not only do we have people who have known each other for a very long time, but also key, trust each other in order to do the right thing,” Schaffer added of his relationships with Romaine and Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

LIA President and CEO Matt Cohen, far right, moderated the panel discussion, which included Long Island Supervisors Association

President Richard Schaffer, far left, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer noted that restoring the deduction for state and local taxes was a priority.

Gov. Kathy Hochul touched on a number of topics at the State of the Region event at the Crest Hollow Country Club.

STEPPING OUT

Savor the moment in your cozy kitchen

Let those chef skills take center stage on wintry day

By Karen Bloom

Settle in for some comfy winter nesting during these frigid days. And, of course, it’s certainly time to refocus on a healthier eating now that we’re finished with those weeks of festive over-indulgence.

January is the ideal time to reset and get into the kitchen and work on some “Top Chef” skills. It’s not that difficult with some great comforting — healthy — foods to warm the heart and soul.

Experiment with new culinary creations that incorporate bold flavors for delicious results. Nothing pleases the senses quite like a hearty dish on a cold evening. Try adding these recipes to your repertoire.

Country Stew

A classic stick-to-your-ribs stew is the ideal project for a chilly weekend. A terrific winter warmer-upper, serve with a hearty bread or corn bread.

• 5 pounds bone-in short ribs, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 2 cups water

• 1 1/3 cups Zinfandel wine

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

• 2 beef bouillon cubes

• 6 large potatoes, washed, peeled and quartered

• 1/2 pound small fresh mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed

• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen whole green beans

• 1 can (16 ounces) peeled whole tomatoes, undrained

Dredge ribs in flour to coat; reserve leftover flour. Heat oil in 8-quart Dutch oven on moderate heat. Add half of ribs and brown on all sides. Once browned, remove ribs. Repeat instructions for remaining ribs.Stir in the reserved flour. While stirring, add 1 cup water and wine and stir until thickened.Return ribs to the pan. Add onion, garlic, salt, pepper and bouillon and bring to a boil. Cover and lower heat to simmer for about 1 hour, or until ribs are tender. Remove ribs with slotted spoon and cover with foil to keep warm. Add potatoes, mushrooms and beans. Simmer 20 to 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add ribs and tomatoes with liquid, and heat through. Use slotted spoon to remove meat and vegetables to large serving platter. Remove gravy to serving container and serve with ribs. Makes 6 servings.

Campanelle with Prosciutto and Peas

Settle in with a warming, welcoming bowl of pasta, especially tasty on a winter’s niight.

• 12 ounces uncooked campanelle pasta

• 1 tablespoon Bertolli Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

• 1 large shallot, finely chopped

• ½ cup dry white wine

• 1/2 cup frozen peas

• 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto

• Alfredo sauce

• 4 ounces Fontina cheese, shredded

• 6 eggs

Dave Atell

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In pot of salted water, cook pasta 2 minutes less than directed on package. Drain pasta.

In large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and shallots. Cook 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Add wine; cook 3-4 minutes, or until most liquid has evaporated. Stir in peas, prosciutto, Alfredo sauce and cheese. Add pasta; toss gently. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes to coat pasta with sauce.

In saucepan, bring water to boil and add eggs. Cook 6 minutes. Transfer eggs to ice water and cool before peeling.

Top each serving with soft-set egg and black pepper.

Note: Gouda or Gruyere can be substituted for Fontina. Unpeeled, cooked eggs can be stored in refrigerator up to one week.

Alfredo Sauce:

• 1 stick butter

• 1 cup heavy cream

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan

• Pasta cooking water, as needed

In a saucepan or skillet, warm the butter and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Add the Parmesan and stir until melted.

Toss to combine, thinning with pasta water if necessary.

Lentil, Kale and Sausage Soup

A rustic soup loaded with lentils and kale can be flavorful centerpiece to healthy, satisfying meal. This filling soup is packed with vegetables and has a hint of heat from the sausage, giving it a zesty warm, spicy flavor.

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 8 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed, or sausage of your choice

• 2 celery stalks (with leafy tops), thinly sliced

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced medium

• 3/4 cup-1 cup dried lentils

• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

• 1 1/2 bunches (about 3/4 pound) kale, preferably Tuscan, stems removed, torn into bite-size pieces

• Coarse salt and ground pepper

• 2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar

In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add celery and onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add lentils, broth, and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer, partially cover, and cook until lentils and vegetables are tender, 25 minutes.

Add kale and season with salt. Return soup to a rapid simmer, cover, and cook until kale wilts, about 5 minutes. Remove soup from heat, stir in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.

Serve this soup in individual bowls with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese on top and a crusty slice of bread to sop up the broth at the bottom of the bowl.

Note: Spinach or chard can be substitute for the kale in this recipe. The soup can be enhanced by adding a couple of thyme or rosemary sprigs as it simmers. If it’s too thick to your liking, more broth can be added.

Start the New Year off with some laughs from one of stand-up comedy’s best. An all-time-great joke writer, named one of the “25 Funniest People in America” by Entertainment Weekly, Dave Atell is most at home in comedy clubs. He built a loyal following by barnstorming the country with his brand of off-color “very adult” humor, and his audiences got even bigger after his cult-favorite travel show, “Insomniac.” Atell continues to be a presence on TV — including his hit Netflix specials “Hot Cross Buns” and “Bumping Mics” — while constantly writing new material and taking it on the road. Beginning his comedy career in the early ‘90s, Attell ascended through New York’s stand-up ranks alongside the likes of Louis C.K. and Jon Stewart. After a brief stint writing for SNL, Attell branched out on his own. When not on the road, Attell makes regular appearances at the Comedy Cellar in New York City. Sunday, Jan. 19, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

‘Majestic Melodies’

Old Westbury Gardens maybe closed for the season yet everyone is invited to escape winter’s chill with a special musical interlude in Westbury House’s delightful music room.“Majestic Melodies: An Evening of Piano and Song” pairs the dazzling vocals of Broadway’s Nathaniel Hackmann with the virtuosic talent of pianist Philip Edward Fisher. Hackmann, fresh off his celebrated role as Biff Tannen in “Back to the Future: The Musical,” which just finished its Broadway run, is a powerhouse performer. His commanding stage presence thrills audiences both on Broadway and in concert halls worldwide. He’s joined by Fisher, an accomplished pianist praised for his refined style and exceptional versatility.

Saturday, Jan. 18, 4 p.m. $50; OWG members receive 20 percent discount. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury. For more information and tickets, visit oldwestburygardens.org.

Country Stew Campanelle with Prosciutto and Peas Lentil, Kale and Sausage Soup

THE Your Neighborhood

Jan. 25

Acrobats of Cirque-tacular

See a new take on circus-style thrills when the Acrobats of Cirque-tacular visits the Landmark stage, Saturday, Jan. 25 , at 2 p.m. Cirque-tacular features one dazzling circus feat after another in a highenergy, family-friendly flurry of fun. Indulge your curiosity and celebrate your senses as this troupe of acrobats, aerialists and circus specialty artists bend, twist, flip, and fly into everyone’ hearts. Repeatedly praised by critics, for their “mind-boggling artistry and athleticism” and their “great feats of daring at the extreme edges of human capability,” their acts have reached millions live and millions more through appearances on most major television networks. Cirque-tacular’s performers — an ever-changing cast of elite aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, specialty acts and world-record holders from Broadway and Las Vegas stages — are hailed as “mesmerizing”, “incredible”, and “truly impressive.” The Acrobats of Cirque-tacular bound from one breathtaking, death-defying feat of acrobatic daredevilry to another. Musclepopping, mind-boggling artistry and athleticism charm and awe the audience.

The performers are revered as cuttingedge leaders of the new American vaudeville movement. Cirque-tacular’s entertainers have shared the stage with a who’s who of A-list celebrities. They leave no stone unturned to test the limits of human mind and body. The fun of their show is doubled with explosive music that complements the performance and act. $38. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Open House

Nassau BOCES Barry Tech, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education (CTE) high school, is opening its doors to all students with a passion for a hands-on career. Come and get a “Taste of Tech” at an open house at Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. Following an introduction to the school led by administrators, there will be self-guided tours of the facility. Additional open house sessions are offered in February. Interested students and their families can register for the Open House at nassauboces.org/barrytech or call (516) 622-6812 for more information. 1196 Prospect Ave., Westbury.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art’s Manes Education Center. The drop-in program continues, Saturdays, Jan. 18, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators to explore and discover different materials to create original artwork.

Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.

Let Freedom Ring with MLK

Visit Long Island Children’s Museum for a workshop honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., Monday, Jan. 20, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Families will learn about MLK beyond his “I Have a Dream” speech and gain a better understanding of his impact on the civil rights movement. Also participate in a gallery walk of images from that era and then create a bell to “let freedom ring.”

The program is part of the AdvoKids monthly series that focuses on teaching kids how to advocate for themselves and others and teaching adults how to support their kids’ advocacy efforts. For ages 5 and up. $4 with admission, $3 members. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. Visit licm.org or call (516) 224-5800 for more.

Icebreaker Marathon

Start off the New Year on the right foot with a series of races at Eisenhower Park, Saturday, Jan. 25. The Icebreaker marathon, half marathon and 5K are slated to begin around 9 a.m. in the park’s Field 2, near Parking Lot 2. To register and for more information, visit EliteFeats.com/25icebreaker.

Movie matinee

Come in from the cold and enjoy a movie on Baldwin Public Library’s big screen. See the rebooted “Twisters,” Friday, Jan. 17, 1-4 p.m. Daisy EdgarJones stars as Kate Carter, a former storm chaser haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years who now studies storm patterns on screens safely in New York City. She is lured back to the open plains by her friend Javi to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. There, she crosses paths with Tyler Owens the charming and reckless socialmedia superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures with his raucous crew, the more dangerous the better.

Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney. Registration not required. For more information, visit baldwinpl.org or call (516) 2236228. 2385 Grand Ave.

Oil Painting Classes

Let your creativity shine at painting classes offered by the Town of Hempstead, Feb. 10 through May 5, at Baldwin Park. Registration opens Thursday, Jan. 23, at 9 a.m. Visit hempsteadny.gov/261/ Online-Registration for more information and to register. 3232 Grand Ave.

In concert

British-born country rocker

Albert Lee performs, Saturday, Jan. 18, 8 p.m., at My Father’s Place supper club. He started his career during the emerging rock ‘n’ roll scene of ‘60s London, when he swapped bands with the likes of Jimmy Page and Chris Farlowe. After moving to the U.S. and assimilating himself into the country music scene, Albert quickly garnered a reputation as one of the fastest guitar players in the business. He recorded a number of solo albums, and won a Grammy in 2002 for his contribution on “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”

He continues to tour, playing his signature Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar. My Father’s Place at The Roslyn, 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. For tickets/info, visit MyFathersPlace.com or call (516) 580-0887.

Having an event?

Jan. 18

MLK Day family celebration

Commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Baldwin Public Library, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2-3:30 p.m. City Sounds Music, featuring Jerome “City” Smith, will and his nine-piece ensemble perform hits from Black-owned record labels Motown and Philadelphia International, which gave America and the world music that moved the masses toward peace, love, and universal understanding.

Get ready to be “dancing in the streets” as Jerome tosses teddy bears to a select few who can answer trivia questions throughout the concert. And the love train just doesn’t stop there. There will be balloon animals for the little ones, 1:302:30 p.m., as well as crafts and refreshments while supplies last. Registration required. To register and for more information, visit baldwinpl.org or call (516) 2236228. 2385 Grand Ave.

Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.

Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. Opens Jan. 18, on view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Musical Explorers

Long Island Children’s Museum continues its Musical Explorers! Series, with a performance by a Jazz at Lincoln Center ensemble on the museum’s stage, Sunday and Monday, Jan. 19-20, noon and 2 p.m. Charles Turner (vocals), Summer Camargo (trumpet), David Drake (piano), Brandi Disterheft (bass) and David Hawkins (drums) present “Louis Armstrong’s Great Migration.” The program, especially created for young audiences, underscores the deep connection between this American musical genre, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement. $5 with museum admission; $10 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. Visit licm.org or call (516) 224-5800 for tickets and information.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S.

BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION

TRUST C/O U.S. BANK

TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff AGAINST FRANCESCA POLITO, JOHN JACOBERGER, ET AL.,

Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 8, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 5, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2671 Wilddale Road, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54 Block 523 Lot 3. Approximate amount of judgment $494,919.59 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #617653/2022. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Christine M. Grillo, Esq, Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-002515 83486 150741

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 2, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 7, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 770 Dean Drive, North Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 36 Block 511 Lot 10. Approximate amount of judgment $251,859.49 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 603930/2023. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Howard Eric Colton, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: December 12, 2024 150877

All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction.

Said premises known as 1072 VAN BUREN STREET, BALDWIN, NY 11510

Approximate amount of lien $470,267.07 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 011169/2013.

CAROLYN CLYNE, ESQ., Referee David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 4722.1877 {* BALDWIN HE*} 150865

LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527

RESOLUTION NO. 6-2025

Mulé named Alternate Deputy Minority Leader

Debra Mulé has been appointed as the Alternate Deputy Minority Leader of the County Legislature’s Democratic caucus.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Collateral Trust Trustee of FirstKey Master Funding 2021-A Collateral Trust, Plaintiff

AGAINST

Maryanne Pinderrobinson, a/k/a

Maryanne Pinder a/k/a

Maryanne PinderRobinson; et al., Defendant(s)

LEGAL NOTICE

x 232

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff -against- JOHN A. MCKENZIE, SACHA SINGH, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated November 10, 2016, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on February 13, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Baldwin Harbor, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, particularly bounded and described according to said map as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of Van Buren Street, distant 140 feet westerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the southerly side of Van Buren Street with the westerly side of Eastern Parkway; being a plot 100 feet by 40 feet by 100 feet by 40 feet.

Section 54 Block 379 Lot 1620 & 1621.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. COMMUNITY LOAN SERVICING, LLC, FKA BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Pltf. vs. HAVCO LLC, et al, Defts. Index #602791/2024.

Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered July 12, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on February 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 2842 Dahlia Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510 a/k/a Section 54, Block 289, Lot 365. Said property beginning at the corner formed by the intersection of the southerly side of Church Street with the westerly side of Dahlia Avenue, being a plot 88.25 ft. x 77.73 ft. x 103.63 ft. x 58.87 ft. Approximate amount of judgment is $676,638.17 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. CHRISTINE M. GRILLO, Referee. DEROSE & SURICO, Attys. for Pltf., 213-44 38th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361. #102033 150937

Adopted: January 7, 2025 Councilmember Ryder offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS AND THE REPEAL OF CERTAIN OTHER LOCATIONS, WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY, SET ASIDE AS PARKING SPACES FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS. WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 1281-2024, adopted December 10, 2024, a public hearing was duly held on the 7th day of January, 2025, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:

BALDWIN

MADISON AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 125 feet west of the west curbline of Grand Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-536/24)

EAST MEADOW

GREEN VALLEY ROADwest side, starting at a point 260 feet north of the north curbline of Peters Avenue, north for distance of 20 feet.

(TH-553/24)

ELMONT

HUNNEWELL AVENUEeast side, starting at a point 161 feet south of the south curbline of Russell Street, south for a distance of 18 feet.

(TH-519/24)

FRANKLIN SQUARE

JAMES STREET, west side,

The appointment was made on Jan. 3, by Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, following the departure of former Alternate Deputy Minority Leader Siela Bynoe, who was sworn in as a New York State Senator on Jan. 1. Mulé will serve alongside DeRiggi-Whitton and Deputy Minority Leader Arnold Drucker.

“For more than two decades, public service has been at the forefront of my life – a journey that has led me from my local PTA to my school board, village board, and now the Legislature,” Mulé wrote in a news release. “Being elevated to this role is a high honor and a tremendous responsibility, and I am deeply grateful for the trust that Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton has placed in me to fight for the residents of Nassau County.”

Mulé, who joined the Legislature in 2018, represents the 6th Legislative Dis-

trict, covering Baldwin, Roosevelt, South Hempstead, and parts of Freeport and Oceanside. Throughout her seven years in office, Mulé has championed key priorities for her constituents, including securing millions of dollars for Nassau County’s aging infrastructure. She has also been a leading advocate for reforming the county’s broken and inequitable property assessment system.

Mulé has co-sponsored several landmark initiatives, including a statewide ban on the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, a ban on single-use Styrofoam products, and measures aimed at reducing the use of plastic and paper bags.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Public Notices

starting at a point 256 feet north of the north curbline of Benris Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-521/24)

McKINLEY AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 124 feet south of the south curbline of Garfield Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-534/24)

WILLOW ROAD - north side, starting at a point 491 feet west of the west curbline of Birch Street, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-551/24)

UNIONDALE

BRAXTON STREET - north side, starting at a point 45 feet east of the east curbline of Ruxton Place, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-508/24)

NEWPORT ROAD - east side, starting at a point 152 feet north of the north curbline of Braxton Street, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-533/24)

GOODRICH STREETnorth side, starting at a point 466 feet east of the east curbline of Chester Street, east for a distance of 19 feet.

(TH-539/24) (NR) VALLEY STREAM

AMHERST AVENUEnorth side, starting at a point 193 feet east of the east curbline of Ocean Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-546/24) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons: BELLMORE

EAST ALDER ROADsouth side, starting at a point 167 feet east of the east curbline of Bellmore Avenue, east for a distance of 22 feet.

(TH-129/939/28/93)(TH-514/24) FRANKLIN SQUARE

ROSEGOLD STREETsouth side, starting at a point 69 feet west of the west curbline of Randolph Avenue, west for a distance of 19 feet.

(TH-311/14 - 10/01/14)

(TH-526/24)

UNIONDALE ORCHARD PLACE - south side, starting at a point 246 feet east of the east curbline of Amsterdam Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-176/24 - 6/04/24)

(TH-542/24) (NR) VALLEY STREAM WYNGATE DRIVE - west side, starting at a point 54 feet south of the south curbline of Bretton Road, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-364/17 - 11/28/17) (TH-516/24) ; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once in a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead, and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting. The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Goosby and adopted upon roll call as follows: AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) 150972

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF GCAT 2019-RPL1 TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. THOMAS T. REILEY, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 29, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 18, 2025 at 4:00 p.m., premises known as 3374 Colony Drive, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 345 and Lot 24. Approximate amount of judgment is $839,978.41 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #607302/2022. Cash will not be accepted.

Cary D. Kessler, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 150983

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS INC., Plaintiff AGAINST LUKE SHEPPARD, LUBONA SHEPPARD, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 31, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 28, 2025 at

3:00PM, premises known as 2739 Park Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, Section: 54 Block: 286 Lot: 105 and 106. Approximate amount of judgment $263,100.40 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614918/2022. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-002513 83564 150598

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.

Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

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

E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE:

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

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 $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS

FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or

Two For One Deal

This is the ultimate mother/daughter

Are foreign-made cabinets a bargain or a bad idea?

Q. I am being told that I can buy new kitchen cabinets much cheaper from a Chinese company than the local cabinet companies. I have been shopping around, and cabinets are quite expensive for my small kitchen, around $35,000. The imported kitchen from China is much less, around $18,000, and looks very nice, a similar style. What can you tell me about whether I am getting a good deal or whether the cabinets are poorly made?

Estate WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670

Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

A.This is a timely yet touchy subject, with so much uncertainty about what direction product costs will go in the near future. I receive 32 industry publications per month, and I have just learned that the U.S. Commerce Department issued a ruling in July that China was found to be skirting United States import duties by producing cabinet components in China, but then further processing the products in Vietnam and Malaysia, so the cabinetry did not appear to come from China. Even though this latest judgment pertains specifically to solid wood and engineered-wood products, which is most of what cabinetry is made of, it also includes drawer fronts and doors, which may have been produced elsewhere and assembled in any one of those countries or the U.S. While the components’ foreign production and later assembly saved money, the cabinet door is closing on whether you will save money in the near future.

When I speak to cabinetmakers, assemblers and installers locally, I get a mix of opinions about the quality of the products. First are the components: Many raw materials are hard to trace with imported cabinets, so the type of wood can vary. Because U.S. industry standards are often much higher, the amount of warping and twisting in foreign wood can be greater due to less quality control in the humidity and curing of the solid wood components. The same is true of “engineered” wood products, which come in various types of panels such as wood strips, like plywood, or from glued sawdust pressed together under high pressure. The sawdust and the glues come from unknown origins, and some glue may be made from animal processes, which can lead to a terrible smell as the panel ages.

Then there is the connecting of components, which may be only glued or stapled. Better products have interlocking dovetailed joints. Sometimes what you don’t see is what makes the difference.

While more expensive American-made products are made with higher quality control, it won’t be long before all products go up in price. Price increases notoriously happen at the end of January each year, but with the looming possibility of higher tariffs, you may discover that the old saying, “He that will not when he may, when he will he shall have nay” is accurate. Waiting for a bargain may not save you anything, and you get what you pay for. And “The dissatisfaction of poor quality lingers long after the excitement of a cheaper price has been forgotten.” Good luck!

© 2025 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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Antiques/Collectibles

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Miscellaneous For Sale

SLIDING SHOWER CHAIR f or easy in/out of tub. Never used. Top quality. Less than half of original price. $150. Priced to move. 516-208-5593.

Wanted To Buy

FREON WANTED

Certified buyer looking for R12, R22 & more! Call Peter at 312-500-4275

FINDS UNDER $100

Finds Under $100

CARGO CARRIER, FOR rooftop, Soft, used once, call for specs, $50. (516)225-9191

CD TOWERS (2) Southwestern Kokopelli Design Holds 90+ $45 (516) 287-7027 call/text

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In 2025, Nassau must address aging infrastructure

shortly after the dawn of this new year, residents of Bellmore were greeted by another in a decades-long series of crises stemming from the steady deterioration of Nassau County’s aging infrastructure.

On Jan. 6, Bellmore Avenue was closed in both directions between Sunrise Highway and Clarendon Avenue due to a water main break, which created a hazardous situation for motorists and massive traffic headaches on some of the county’s most heavily traveled roads.

DEBRA MULÉ

Our South Shore communities have been here before, with alarming frequency.

Last year, Baldwin was impacted by two major water main breaks, the first in June, which forced residents to go days without clean water, cost businesses thousands of dollars and necessitated a boil-water order from the county Department of Health for thousands in Baldwin, Island Park, Oceanside, Roosevelt and South Hempstead. Another, in September, beneath Winona Road, interrupted water service for 115 homes and caused severe flooding throughout the

impacted area.

Both of these incidents involved pipes owned by the for-profit Liberty Water, which further underscores the importance of completing the transition to municipal water under the newly formed South Nassau Water Authority.

Then there were the spring and summer of 2023, during which the South Shore was thrown into disarray by three sinkholes in the space of two months. In May, Lido Boulevard, in Lido Beach, was badly damaged, and rendered impassable, by a sinkhole. In June, a 42-inch sewer main under Baldwin’s Grand Avenue failed, spilling untreated sewage into nearby Brookside Creek and the backyards of neighboring residents, causing environmental damage and making the road impassable until midJuly. Finally, in July, Foxhurst Road, in Oceanside, was closed following the eruption of an underground water main, which caused the road above to buckle.

WBlakeman and his administration have demonstrated little drive for fulfilling the duties of his office, and that extends to his handling of Nassau’s capital infrastructure plan.

e’ve had water main breaks and sinkholes. What more evidence do we need?

Each year we are directed by the county charter to adopt a capital infrastructure plan for the following year no later than Dec. 15. Since taking office in 2022, Blakeman and his administration have had three opportunities to enact a plan, but he has fulfilled this baseline governmental responsibility only once, despite repeated calls from my colleagues in government and me, as well as concerned citizens, to make infrastructure a top priority.

The capital plan for fiscal year 2025 is currently caught in a state of inertia because of the Blakeman administration’s refusal to negotiate and finalize a comprehensive and equitable plan.

and update infrastructure so that we do not experience additional catastrophic failures, but Blakeman’s inaction is slamming the brakes on economic development opportunities in Nassau. Infrastructure projects are a key driver of good jobs across the spectrum of construction trades, and every day that this drags on further is another day that these hard-working men and women are deprived of a chance to put their skills to use in building our collective future.

Capital infrastructure plans — and specifically the borrowing that funds the projects in them — are one area in which we, in the Legislature’s Democratic minority, continue to hold bargaining power. Passing a bond ordinance requires a 13-vote supermajority, and we will not provide that 13th vote for additional borrowing until the Blakeman administration presents a fair and equitable capital plan proposal that meets the needs of the communities we serve and provides a clear plan for funding those projects.

All of this leads to one unavoidable conclusion: Nassau County has a serious infrastructure problem, which will only get worse if we don’t take decisive action now to address it once and for all. Unfortunately, County Executive Bruce

AAfter meeting with the administration, the legislative minority submitted revisions to Blakeman as part of this process. Despite our repeated requests to meet and finalize the plan and a corresponding bond ordinance to fund projects, however, he has been unresponsive, further delaying implementation.

Not only could these delays further impede our ability to maintain, repair

Our infrastructure is in serious need of major investment, and the piecemeal approach currently in use will only delay the inevitable. It is time to implement a plan that serves all of the county’s 1.4 million residents and puts us on a road to a safer and more secure future.

Debra Mulé represents Nassau County’s 6th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s alternate deputy minority leader.

Bipartisanship is the way forward

s I look back on my first few weeks as a congresswoman, I have been guided at every turn by the promise I made on the campaign trail: I will always put Long Island first. When I first decided to run for Congress, I knew the mission was simple: to listen to the concerns of my constituents and to work across the aisle whenever possible to deliver real results for Nassau County.

Long Islanders have made it clear that they want action on securing our borders and overhauling our broken immigration system. Its shortcomings are the results of decades of inaction, despite our congressional responsibility to fix these gaps. I said my Day One priority would be fixing immigration and keeping Americans safe, and I meant it. That’s why my very first act in office was crossing party lines to vote for the Laken Riley Act, to prevent future tragedies, protect our communities and

deter crime. This bill gives the Department of Homeland Security the ability to detain those who commit certain crimes while here without legal rights if they have not otherwise been detained. While we work on more comprehensive solutions to address immigration and the border crisis, we must give law enforcement officials the tools to deter crime and protect our communities. I have been clear that these comprehensive solutions must start with securing our southern border, a priority shared by many of my constituents. We must hire more border patrol officers, erect physical barriers where necessary, and ensure that law enforcement has the resources to crack down on fentanyl trafficking. While we secure our southern border, we must also be focused on streamlining our asylum process and protecting pathways to legal immigration for hardworking, eligible people who will contribute to our economy.

nassau County residents have been clear: They want solutions, not partisanship.

counting on Congress to tackle the costof-living crisis. That starts with giving the middle class a tax break by reinstating the deduction for state and local taxes and doing away with the unfair double taxation that is hurting so many of us. In my first week in office, I wrote to House and Senate leadership calling for immediate negotiations to reinstate the SALT deduction in any upcoming tax package. I’ve been clear: We must get this done for New Yorkers, and I look forward to working with my SALT Caucus colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver this much-needed middle-class tax relief.

ing compromise to every day of my service representing the 4th District. With the pressing issues we face, it is more important than ever that we reject extremism and work to deliver results on the shared values and priorities that matter most.

Nassau County residents have been clear: They want problems solved, not partisanship. I’ll always prioritize effective governance and policies that directly enhance our communities over party loyalty or political extremism. I will work with anyone, from either party, to deliver what is best for Nassau County.

Second, in every corner of the district, I’ve heard from hardworking Long Islanders of every background who are

I’ve always been guided by the principles of compromise and bipartisanship. As Hempstead town supervisor, I reached across the aisle to revitalize our infrastructure, reduce taxes and pass anti-corruption reforms. I worked every day with the Town Board’s Republican majority to deliver on the issues that mattered most, while taking aim at government waste and promoting transparency. I’ll bring that same mindset of bridging political differences and find-

As I’ve met more of my new congressional colleagues of both parties, I’m hopeful that the productive relationships we’re building enable thoughtful legislation that advances our shared values. America is diverse in creed, thought and background, but we all strive for the same things: lower costs, access to health care, good jobs, and a better future for our children. There is so much more that unites us than divides us, and if Congress can focus on our shared priorities, we can deliver not only for our constituents, but for all Americans.

Laura

Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.

LAURA GiLLEn

HERALD

Abandoning fact-checking is dangerous

Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook, Instagram and Threads, announced a significant policy shift last week: It will no longer employ independent fact-checkers to monitor and flag false content on its platforms.

While the company says it will continue to remove illegal activity, hate speech and explicit material, the abandonment of fact-checking signals an alarming retreat from the fight against misinformation and disinformation. The decision isn’t just a step backward — it is a surrender that carries grave consequences for the future of public discourse, democracy and social cohesion.

We have seen the potential for misinformation to destabilize our society. From conspiracy theories about election fraud to false narratives about coronavirus vaccines, unchecked falsehoods have exacerbated a public health crisis, deepened our political polarization and even been the cause of violence.

Meta’s platforms have often been central to the spread of such misinformation, because its algorithms often promote and prioritize it. The company’s decision to abandon fact-checking signals that it is no longer willing to bear the responsibility of combating this dangerous trend, leaving a vacuum that bad actors at home and abroad are likely to exploit.

The announcement comes at a time when public trust in crucial institutions like the courts and the media is already at a historic low. By stepping away from fact-checking, Meta is essentially declaring that truth is a relative concept in the digital age. This dangerous idea has dire implications.

If platforms as influential as Facebook and Instagram refuse to differentiate between fact and fiction, the lines between credible information and out-

letters

and-out lies and conspiracy theories will blur even further. This will inevitably empower those who benefit from sowing chaos and confusion, whether they are political extremists, foreign actors, or profit-driven disinformation peddlers.

The broader context of Meta’s decision is equally troubling. Over the past few years, tech companies have faced increasing scrutiny and pressure from both ends of the political spectrum. Some conservatives have accused platforms of censorship, particularly in high-profile cases like Facebook’s suspension of then President Donald Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Republicans in Congress and conservative courts have cast social media moderation as government overreach and an attack on free speech.

But Meta’s retreat from fact-checking is not a victory for free speech; it is a capitulation to chaos. Free speech thrives in an environment where truth and accountability prevail. Local newspapers, which are committed to objective journalism, continue to fact-check and be a source of fairness and truth, but platforms without that commitment become echo chambers for lies, propaganda and hate. The removal of guardrails does not level the playing field; it tilts it in favor of those who manipulate information for power or profit.

This creates a toxic environment in which hate speech and antisemitism flourish, as recent trends have shown. Marginalized groups, often the primary targets of such rhetoric, will bear the brunt of the harm.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish global human rights organization, stated that it is “deeply concerned” about the decision.

“This reckless move disregards the immense responsibility social media companies bear in protecting vulnerable

‘The Postal Service continues to adapt and innovate’

To the Editor:

Last week, the U.S. Postal Service held a meeting with the Long Island Postal Customer Council, a gathering that brought together local commercial mailers, business partners and industry professionals.

The spotlight of the meeting was the Postal Service’s 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America. This ambitious initiative aims to modernize the postal network, enhance service across all mail and shipping categories, and restore long-term financial sustainability. Attendees had the opportunity to understand how this plan has been positively impacting businesses across Long Island.

As part of the Delivering for America plan, the Postal

communities and mitigating the spread of harmful and dangerous ideologies,” the center said in a statement. “History has repeatedly shown that online hate does not remain confined to the digital realm — it manifests in tragic offline consequences.”

By abandoning its responsibility to curb misinformation, Meta risks alienating users and advertisers who value trustworthy, safe online spaces. In a world where lies often spread faster than truth, elections can be swayed by disinformation campaigns, public health initiatives can be derailed by conspiracy theories and trust in scientific and journalistic institutions can erode beyond repair.

The question of who bears responsibility for curbing misinformation in the digital age is complex, but Meta’s decision sets a dangerous precedent. If one of the most influential companies in the world believes it can abdicate this responsibility without consequences, other platforms are likely to follow. This may well create a domino effect in which the internet devolves into a freefor-all of unchecked falsehoods and extremism.

We must demand better. Governments and regulators must step in where companies such as Meta have stepped back, enforcing stricter rules about misinformation and holding platforms accountable for the content they amplify. Nongovernmental organizations and independent watchdogs must also play a role in promoting digital literacy and factchecking.

Meta’s retreat from that crucial responsibility is more than a corporate decision; it is a warning sign. If we fail to act, the world Meta is helping to create could be one in which truth, accountability and even democracy itself are the casualties.

opinions

Safety and affordability must be Nassau’s priorities

as county executive, I have refused to make Nassau a sanctuary county, held the line on taxes even as inflation went through the roof, and brought a common-sense approach to important issues that affect Nassau families. The recent awards our county has received, including being named the safest county in America by U.S. News & World Report and the best county to live in New york by Niche magazine, are a testament to those unwavering principles.

Earning the distinction of being the best New york county to live in can be directly attributed to our safe neighborhoods, world-class programs and facilities, and strong economic opportunities. We are committed to

building on this success in the years to come while protecting our residents’ quality of life from extremist politicians in Albany.

being named the safest county in America reflects the hard work of law enforcement, the strength of our emergencyresponse teams, and our investments in public safety. An increased police presence in Nassau County communities is crucial to maintaining that safety. Since taking office, I have sworn in 291 new police officers and 147 new correction officers and deputy sheriffs.

BTraining Village to ensure that our police officers continue to receive toptier training to protect and serve Nassau families.

eing named the safest county in America reflects the hard work of law enforcement.

While some local governments across the nation are defunding their police, the County Legislature and my office are investing in law enforcement while providing the best training, tools and resources to effectively protect residents and their families. We plan to go further by building a state-of-the-art Police

Letters

Service has introduced several new products and services aimed at helping businesses thrive. From USPS Ground Advantage, a ground shipping solution that provides an affordable and reliable way to send packages in the U.S., to USPS Connect Local, which gives small to medium-sized businesses access to low-cost, sameday/next-day package delivery to local customers in their neighborhood.

We’re giving businesses of all sizes the benefits of USPS’s optimized network.

USPS offers transparent pricing with no hidden surcharges, and Informed Delivery, a free service that gives customers a preview of mail and packages scheduled to arrive soon, and the ability to set package tracking notifications and schedule email reminders for important mail pieces.

At the meeting, satisfied industry partners and business professionals shared their experiences, highlighting how the Postal Service has enabled them to connect affordably with their customers — especially during a period in which business costs are continually escalating.

As the Postal Service continues to adapt and innovate, it remains a trusted partner for businesses on Long Island and across the nation.

Amy GIbbS USPS strategic communications specialist Melville

Nassau County’s official paper is the Post?

To the Editor:

The Press Club of Long Island, the local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, believes that Nassau County’s decision to replace Newsday with the New york Post as its official paper is a disservice to residents.

The decision is also an attack on a free press, viewed by political observers and journalists as punishing Newsday for its watchdog coverage, the essence of journalism’s mission.

Public notices are meant to inform, but fewer readers of the Post in this region mean fewer people will see them. Newsday’s strong local readership and deep connection to Long Island ensure that critical information reaches the community. The Post, with limited ties to Nassau County, lacks the local insight and audience necessary to fulfill this responsibility.

This shift jeopardizes transparency and public engagement. Residents deserve a publication that reflects their needs and understands their community.

Protecting public safety also means protecting our residents from the emerging threat of drones. The county utilizes an advanced system that is well ahead of the curve in detecting and tracking drones. I have granted authorization to the Nassau County Police Department to neutralize drones that threaten the public, ensuring the safety of residents. I am also demanding that the federal government share advanced drone-mitigation technology with local police so that we can redirect drones and effectively control our airspace.

As we celebrate all of our achievements, we must also remain vigilant against policies that could undermine our progress. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Clean

Slate law is a pro-criminal, misguided policy that allows criminals to have their records sealed after committing serious crimes. This law undermines the safety of residents by allowing criminals to avoid accountability, and making it harder for law enforcement to track repeat offenders. I encourage you to contact the governor and your state legislators to tell them that it is wrong! From Clean Slate to cashless bail and sanctuary laws, New york state is headed in the wrong direction, while Nassau County is headed in the right direction. It continues to thrive as the safest and best place to live because of our unwavering commitment to public safety and quality of life. As we face challenges, we must remain vigilant and proactive. Together we can safeguard our communities from misguided policies and enhance the quality of life for all Nassau families. Let us champion what is right for our communities, a safe and prosperous Nassau County for generations to come.

Bruce Blakeman is the county executive.

Framework by Kevin Kelley

In the background, the Himalayas’ Annapurna range — Nepal

BrUCe a . BLakeman

mountsinai.org/southnassau