The North Bellmore School District came together last week for the annual punt, pass and kick competition. Above, fifth-grade students Trey Kerszko, Grayson Greven, and William Calcanes, took park in the friendly competition that encourages students to show off their football skills.
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Elementary school students from throughout the North Bellmore School District showed off their football skills in a friendly faceoff at Saw Mill Road Elementary during the annual action-packed punt, pass and kick competition on Oct. 22.
For nearly 20 years, the district has been running the competition for all five of its elementary schools, according to Bill Green, a gym teacher at Park Elementary School, and Jim Mulvey, who teaches physical education at Dinkelmeyer Elementary School.
The competition is a football-based event, where participants demonstrate
their skills in three categories. During the punt portion, competitors kick the football from their hands, aiming for distance and accuracy. In the pass event, participants throw the football as far at they can, while maintaining accuracy, and in the kick portion, competitors place the football on a tee, and kick it for distance and accuracy.
North Bellmore’s competition previously was open to third, fourth and fifth-grade students, but this year, students from the fourth through sixth grades participated.
The NFL used to sponsor the contest in North Bellmore and other districts, with the students showing the most skills moving through different levels of the overall competition for a chance to reach the finals,
By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
The nonprofit, Julianna’s Works of HeART Foundation, spearheaded by 12-year-old Julianna Tand, is holding its third annual Paint Night Nov. 1 to support Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Julianna is a seventh-grade student at Merrick Avenue Middle School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District — and she already has accrued six years of experience as a fundraiser.
ments was like: ‘I love that, can I get one?’” Julianna said. “I couldn’t say no, and I decided to turn it into business.”
Her endeavors are rooted in charity, however. Her nonprofit — the Julianna’s Works of HeART Foundation — has expanded operations to create other artistic merchandise. The foundation has raised over $33,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities with 100 percent of proceeds going to the good cause.
o ne kid can make a difference.
She started her artistic journey at the age of 6 when she crafted clay figures for her grandparents’ anniversary. “I wanted to make my grandparents more than just a card for their anniversary,” she explained.
Using her mom, Jennifer’s, sculpting clay, Julianna made a set of figures recreating her grandparents’ wedding, which she unveiled at the restaurant they were celebrating — which led to a much larger reaction than expected.
“My mom posted it on Facebook, and everybody in the com-
“We are an organization that supports families holistically when their child is in the hospital,” said Cassandra Basile, director of marketing and public relations for Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro. “We provide overnight accommodations, meals, laundry services, ample playrooms and common spaces for families to relax and recharge so that they can focus on the health and well-being of their child.”
Julianna is motivated to serve the community for a simple reason: People need help.
“It was inspiring to see that, CoNTiNueD oN pAGe 4
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Under the crisp autumn air, the North Merrick Public Library transformed into a Halloween wonderland for its annual Spooky Pumpkin Walk on Oct. 24, where the community gathered to celebrate the season with a mix of creativity and spookiness. As twilight descended, glowing jack-o-lanterns and artistically crafted pumpkins created an enchanting path that led visitors around the library’s grounds. Families, friends, and solo visitors strolled along the display, admiring the intricacy and imagination showcased by pumpkin artists of all ages.
Participants of the pumpkin contest had clearly embraced the Halloween spirit — some creations oozed fright, while others brought beloved books to life, featuring everything from fairy tales to spooky novels.
Categories for the contest were carefully selected to inspire a range of entries, with prizes awarded for the Spookiest, Best Book Themed, and Most Artistic pumpkins in children, teen, and adult age groups.
Adding to the festive mood, volunteers from the teen program were on hand, guiding young participants at the event — but also by helping set up the event.
“Our teen volunteers were working hard to make sure our Spooky Pumpkin Walk will be a huge success,” the library
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Costumes were boundless at the North Merrick Public Library’s Spooky Pumpkin Walk on Oct. 24. Emma Williams, Charlotte Dmitriev and Julianna Tand got into the spirit of Halloween.
said on its Facebook page, a few days before the event. “Their creations will be sure to impress our patrons and special guests.”
Young guests lit up when characters like Jack Skellington and Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” joined in, providing fun photo opportunities and spreading joy.
From haunted faces to literary tributes, the pumpkins reflected the community’s creativity and Halloween excitement, making it a memorable event for all who attended.
“Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Spooky Pumpkin Walk,” the library said. “Special thanks to the exemplary teen volunteers who ran the event
The king and queen of Halloween — Jack Skellington and Sally from ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ entertained eventgoers.
with such enthusiasm and skill — they truly made it a night to remember. And a huge shoutout to all our patrons who participated in the pumpkin carving contest. Your spooky and creative designs added so much to our event.”
Kevan Abrahams, a former county legislator, is the Democrat running for a seat on the Hemsptead Town Council. There is a special election, after the unexpected passing of late-Councilman Chris Carini.
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
It was another year of meeting the candidates on Oct. 22. The Merrick Community Civic Association, in partnership with the Bellmore Civic Association, hosted the annual “Meet the Candidates” night, allowing Merrick and Bellmore community members to hear from those running for office in November, and ask questions on hot-button issues.
Merrick’s civic is run by its president, Berta Weinstein. Bellmore’s is run by its president, Eileen Casazza.
The civic associations invite everyone on the ballot to come to an open forum with the community. Candidates are allotted speaking time and a period for a question-and-answer session. Those in attendance are asked to not interrupt candidates while they are speaking, and to not leave the room in the middle of a speech.
Topics of concerns heading into this year’s election cycle include affordability and safety, among other pressing topics.
“Meet the Candidates” nights — like the one hosted annually by the civic associations — serve as an invaluable platform for communities, offering a direct way for residents to engage with local political candidates, understand
process, and encourages respectful dialogue. It can also offer younger or firsttime voters a chance to engage in the democratic process early on, inspiring civic involvement and emphasizing the importance of every vote.
Such events also encourage voter participation by making the election process feel more personal and accessible, and they offer a space for the community to voice concerns, which can shape candidates’ platforms. Additionally, these nights are an opportunity for citizens to unite around common issues, setting the tone for collaboration and collective action post-election.
At last week’s event, if candidates were present at the conclusion of the event, event attendees could approach them for a more casual discussion, if certain issues were unaddressed during either their speech or question-andanswer period.
their positions, and ask questions about pressing local issues. These events are great for fostering transparency, as candidates explain their stances in an open
forum, often leading to more informed voting decisions. For communities, this can mean stronger connections between residents and their representatives, a clearer understanding of each candidate’s priorities, and an increased sense of civic responsibility.
The forum humanizes the election
This year’s forum featured Town Councilman Christopher Schneider and Kevan Abrahams for Hempstead Town Council; State Assemblyman David McDonough and Ellen Lederer DeFrancesco for State Assembly District 14 and State Senator Steve Rhoads and Lisa Lin for State Senate District 5.
Congressman Anthony D’Esposito and Laura Gillen, running for Congressional District 4, were unable to attend the event.
State Senator Steve Rhoads spoke with constituents at the conclusion of the event.
at 6, she had this drive in her, and it was purely innate,” her mom, Jennifer said. “Nobody told her that she had to do this.”
“I love it when I am able to provide a meal for the families at the Ronald McDonald House,” Julianna said. “I just imagine all these little kids smiling because they got a free meal, or that their parents don’t have to worry about getting lunch or housing.”
In addition to helping people in need, the upcoming fundraiser helps young people get a head-start on extracurricular programs.
“It’s nice to see kids off their phones and doing community service together,” Jennifer said. “My kids are at the age now where, when their friends come this year, they can earn hours for community service for Honor Society, confirmation or for sports.”
The Ronald McDonald facility on Long Island is in New Hyde Park, and celebrated Julianna’s efforts by naming a room after her — and any patient who stays in the room will have their costs covered by the money her foundation raised.
“It’s amazing, and I’m super grateful for that,” Julianna said.
The annual Paint Night is brought together in collaboration with Julianna, her mother and her grandmother, Debbie Viola, and it is one of the largest fundraising events the foundation runs each year. The Paint Night features a class taught by Viola, raffles, and other prizes.
“It’s like a family team building activity,” Jennifer said. “For the months of September and October, leading up to it — we eat, sleep,
breathe, Paint Night and Ronald McDonald House.”
Viola is a painter and wanted to help Julianna with her efforts.
“My grandma had the idea to collaborate, since she’s an artist,” Julianna said. “She was kind enough to donate her time to teach at the event about how to paint.”
Viola has experience as both a fundraiser and an art instructor, bringing unique expertise that has made Paint Night such a success. “Over the years, I’ve donated over $20,000 worth of paintings to various causes to help raise money,” Viola said.
Viola said she’s found great joy in witnessing her granddaughter’s achievements grow exponentially over the last several years.
“It’s really been unbelievable watching what she accomplishes,” Viola said. “She went from a couple of hundred dollars (raised) the first year, to several hundred the next year, and then thousands upon thousands.”
Julianna’s success should be a lesson to everyone, according to Viola. “If you really thought about it, you could probably do something great too — that’s a really powerful message,” she said.
“I’ve learned little by little, a little becomes a lot,” Julianna said. “One kid can make a difference.”
The fundraising Paint Night is scheduled for Nov. 1 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Church cafeteria, at 720 Merrick Ave., North Merrick. To learn more about the event and how to get involved, follow Julianna’s Works of HeART on Facebook.
As estate planning lawyers, we experience the lives — and deaths — of a great many of our clients. Being exposed to death on a regular basis prevents us from “sleepwalking” through life and fosters a keen awareness of our being alive.
“In our Western culture, although death has come out of the closet, it is still not openly experienced or discussed. Allowing dying to be so intensely present enriches both the preciousness of each moment and our detachment from it.”
— Ram Dass
“If we’re not reflecting on the impermanent nature of life, then there are a lot of unimportant things that seem important.”
— Allison Choying Zangmo
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.”
— Steve Jobs
“Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what’s left and live it properly.”
— Marcus Aurelius
”We drift on a chartless, resistless sea. Let us sing while we can, and forget the rest.”
— H. P.
Lovecraft
“Death is not waiting for us at the end of a long road. Death is always with us, in the marrow of every passing moment. She is the secret teacher hiding in plain sight, helping us to discover what matters most.”
— Frank Ostaseski
“Never mind. Never mind. In this brief life, one cannot always be counting the cost.”
—
Christopher Isherwood
Oddly enough, contemplating death may be one of the most life-affirming experiences one can have.
Julianna tand, 12, is the name behind Julianna’s Works of
Her third annual paint night fundraiser is slated for nov. 1 with proceeds going to support the ronald mcdonald House Charities, which helps hospitalized children and their families in need of housing, food, and additional services.
which were held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Even though the NFL no longer partners with the district, the event was so well loved and anticipated by teachers and students that the district decided to keep the tradition alive.
Students practice their football skills in their gym classes throughout September, and two boys and two girls from each school, in each grade, make the finals, held at Saw Mill Road in October. A pair from each grade, from each school, advances.
“It’s like a badge of honor for the kids who make it, because this is like the elite,” Green said. “There’s only two boys and two girls in grades four, five and six — it’s kind of like a big deal to make it.”
IAbigail plays softball, soccer, basketball and volleyball, while Lilliana plays soccer and competes in track-and-field.
“It’s very cool to be here,” Lilliana said. “The environment is so fun, and it’s like a great experience because when you’re going to be older, there’s going to be opportunities like this.”
t’s just a wonderful tradition that we’ve had for years.
Janet PollItt Assistant superintendent North Bellmore School District
“They do well with it, and they enjoy it,” Mulvey said. “That’s why we kept it going. And that district’s really nice — they give out trophies and medals. And we work on improvement — you don’t have to be the best. All kids get to try in class.”
After students take part in each portion of the competition, scores are tallied and an overall winner — a boy and girl from each grade — is announced. Students are also recognized depending on how they place in each category of the competition.
Because third-graders previously took part in the event, some of the students at the recent finals had been part of the last four punt, pass and kick competitions, including Abigail Giordano, a sixth-grade student at Park Avenue, and Lilliana Addeo, a sixth-grader at Dinkelmeyer.
“I feel like it’s a wonderful experience,” Abigail added, “and almost like a boost of confidence, in a sense, because you’re just trying your best and representing your school.”
Many district administrators stopped by the competition, including Marie Testa, the superintendent of schools, and Janet Pollitt, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
Since North Bellmore is a kindergarten through sixthgrade school district, it’s not often that the entire district can come together for a sporting event, such as punt, pass and kick, Pollitt said.
“It’s just a wonderful tradition that we’ve had for years,” she said. “It’s really been like the hallmark of our physical education — just a great opportunity for kids to meet in a friendly competition, and they have a shared experience that’s district-wide.”
“I’m so proud of events such as this,” Testa said, “because as a district, in the different departments, we really strive to plan events that bring our children together from all the different schools. We have been really focused on continuing this program in physical education because it gives children an opportunity to show their skills — punting, kicking and throwing — and everyone can do that.”
Fighting in Albany to make our communities a better and safer place to live!
• Member of the Assembly for 21 years
• Chairman of Task Force for Public Safety
• Chairman of Task Force for Public Safety
Working with Local, State and Federal Agencies
Working with Local, State and Federal Agencies
• Changed the Education Law to Protect All Private School Students
• Changed the Education Law to Protect All Private School Students
• New York State United Teachers
• New York State United Teachers
• NY State Civil Service Employees Assoc.
• NY State Civil Service Employees Assoc.
• NY State Public Employees Federation
• NY State Public Employees Federation
• New York State AFL-CIO
• New York State AFL-CIO
• Nassau County PBA
• Nassau County PBA
• Nassau County Superior Officers Assoc.
• Nassau County Superior Officers Assoc.
• Nassau County Detectives Association
• Nassau County Detectives Association
• Nassau County Correction Officers Assoc
• Nassau County Correction Officers Assoc
• Newsday
• LI Federation of Labor of the Assembly for 23 years
On Tuesday, November 5th, Please vote on the Republican or Conservative lines.
Seaford Senior Cross-country
MUNRO PLACED FIFTH in the Nassau County cross-country championships last fall and will look to top that performance at Bethpage State Park Nov. 2. He went on to earn All-State honors in 2023 as a Top 20 finisher in the state and posted a best 5k time of 15-minutes, 43-seconds. He’s three-time All-County in cross-country and as a junior competed in the state track and field championships in the 3200 and 1600 meter events.
Friday, Nov. 1
Football: Manhasset at Kennedy 2 p.m.
Football: Oceanside at Port Washington 5:30 p.m.
Football: Division at Hewlett 6 p.m.
Football: West Hempstead at East Rockaway 6:30 p.m.
Football: Locust Valley at Plainedge 6:30 p.m.
Football: Syosset at Massapequa 6:30 p.m.
Football: Lynbrook at Bethpage 7 p.m.
Football: V.S. South at Malverne 7 p.m.
Football: Wantagh at C.S. Harbor 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Cross-Country: Nassau County Class I, II and III championships at Bethpage State Park 10 a.m.
Football: Calhoun at Carey 11 a.m.
Football: Jericho at Sewanhaka 11 a.m.
Football: Island Trees at Lawrence 11 a.m.
Football: MacArthur at Baldwin 2 p.m.
Football: Long Beach at Mepham 2 p.m.
Football: Seaford at North Shore 2 p.m.
Football: South Side at Floral Park 3 p.m.
Football: Elmont at Clarke 3 p.m.
Football: Mineola at V.S, North 3 p.m.
Football: Uniondale at Freepprt 3 p.m.
Football: Westbury at V.S. Central 3 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By MICHELLE RABINOVICH sports@liherald.com
Calhoun boys’ volleyball has a tall task ahead of it: replicate last year’s March Madness-like playoff run, one where it entered from a low seed and made it all the way to winning a county championship.
“We really just believed in each other and believed we could win and once we won that first playoff game, we were like ‘alright, let’s go, we can do this,’” Colts coach Ryan Pastuch said. “We were beating teams that beat us pretty well in the regular season, that we ended up beating in the playoffs, and it was just because we believed in each other and went on that run.”
What made last year all the more sweet was the fact there were so many fresh faces to the game, learning on the fly.
“In the regular season, we had all really new players, and it was a lot of their first times playing varsity,” he explained. “They weren’t really used to the speed [of the game], so it took a little bit of an adjustment. We were playing against top teams, which was great for us because we got a lot better, but we just didn’t win many games in the regular season so a lot of people sort of just counted us out.”
In a similar scenario now and with the 2024 playoffs in mind, there’s key components and players that are at the forefront of Pastuch’s mind if he and the Colts (10-5 in Conference 2A) dare to hope for a repeat and capture a third title in four years.
Aleksander Ignjatovic is a returner, labeled as the go-to guy, as well as the senior setter and co-captain Lucas Rogers, the guy in charge of running the offense.
Their successful playoff experience is what’s navigating the sled, providing additional muscle behind them (literally and metaphorically) is Ian Yegedis. Last year he was in the defensive specialist role, this year he stepped up into a bigger role as the libero, and the change is seen by both coach and his teammates.
“He made varsity last year as a freshman and he was very good, but we had two seniors who played libero, and he was right there with them,” Pastuch explained. “Once he came into this season, he was
Ian Yegedis took his game to another level this fall and started at libero and helped the Colts to a 10-win regular season.
ready to take that role, and he also has those leadership qualities that you look for in a libero where want them to always be talking [to the team], guiding the floor, getting the team ready and energized, so he has that personality as well.”
The difference between last and this year’s teams, are the changed roles within the squad between last year and this year. For example, Alec Bloch is a starting outside hitter, a returning sophomore, who didn’t see the most playing time in his position last year.
“Already just the improvement this year is incredible from where he started this
year to where he is now,” he said. “Really just looking forward to watching him in playoffs and see how he could help the team succeed.”
In the center of the Venn diagram between last year and this year’s team is the refusal to give up until the fat lady sings.
“We lost the first two sets and we came back to win the next three,” Pastuch said. “It reminded me of last year’s team, that never-give-up mentality, that just believed in each other, that the game’s never over until that last point. I thought that was a good turning point in the season.”
A two-car accident on Oct. 26 resulted in two injuries after a car crashed into a nail salon, police said.
According to police, a 24-year-old woman was driving a 2019 Dodge Charger eastbound on Jerusalem Avenue when it collided with a 2019 Jeep Cherokee driven by a 71-year-old woman. The Jeep was exiting a parking lot, heading southbound toward Ott Lane, and attempting to cross Jerusalem Avenue when the crash occurred.
A car crash on Jerusalem Avenue resulted in a messy scene outside of Queen Bee Nail Salon. Two employees were injured in the crash.
Following the impact, the Dodge Charger lost control, striking multiple parked cars before crashing into Queen Bee Nail Salon at 1377 Jerusalem Ave., North Merrick. Two employees, both
40-year-old women, suffered minor leg injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Both drivers remained at the scene and declined medical attention.
No criminality is suspected, though the investigation is ongoing.
In last week’s Herald, it was incorrectly reported that Meleny Safaralizadeh was arrested for
shoplifting at Target and Dollar Tree. The Herald regrets the error.
A Hicksville man was arrested early Sunday morning following a fatal hit-andrun involving a bicyclist on Old Country Road in Westbury, police said.
According to detectives, a 2006 gray Chrysler Sebring was traveling eastbound on Old Country Road when it struck a bicyclist near State Street at approximately 3:53 a.m on Oct. 27. The driver, identified as Wilfredo Blanco Molina, 41, of 75 Meadow Lane, fled the scene, continuing east on Old Country Road. The bicyclist, an adult male, suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by a Nassau County Police paramedic.
area where one person was killed, following an accident on Sunday. The driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated.
white powdery substance, believed to be cocaine, in his possession.
Officers located Molina shortly after the incident near the intersection of Old Country Road and the Wantagh State Parkway. A Standardized Field Sobriety Test indicated signs of intoxication, and he was taken into custody without incident. Further investigation revealed a
Blanco Molina faces charges of Vehicular Manslaughter, Leaving the Scene of an Incident, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Driving While Intoxicated. He was arraigned on Oct. 28 at the First District Court in Hempstead Hempstead.
— Jordan Vallone
Power outages are a reality, especially during a storm or other weather events. One of the most frustrating issues can be not knowing when power will be restored.
The good news is that, for PSEG Long Island customers, a power outage doesn’t have to leave you completely in the dark. That’s because the Long Island company created a free Outage Tracker, accessible from any smartphone or mobile-enabled device on our mobile app.
PSEG Long Island used customer feedback from J.D. Power surveys, research, and focus groups to help them design the app.
“Our intention is to reduce the stress and anxiety of an outage by enabling customers to closely track the progress of their restoration, all within the free, convenient PSEG Long Island mobile app,” says Larry Torres, Sr. Director, Emergency Preparedness and Logistics.
It’s as easy to use as it is to download. And once it’s installed on your device, if you have a power outage, you have access to report outages and track updates.
As PSEG Long Island begins the restoration process, you receive notifications on the Outage Tracker. These show everything from confirmation that your outage report was received, to damage assessments, to repair alerts and an estimate of when power will be restored.
“The sooner we know about specific outages, the quicker we can react and restore power,” says Michael Presti, Director, Customer Experience and Marketing.
The PSEG Long Island Outage Tracker provides customers with:
Accessibility: Even if someone loses power, they can access the Outage Tracker on their mobile device as long as they have cell service. However, they need to download it before an event to ensure they’re prepared.
Reporting capability: Customers can report partial or full power outages. In the case of downed lines, the app provides a phone number to call. This immediate reporting helps PSEG Long Island respond more efficiently to restore service.
Year-round reliability: Because outages can sometimes occur even when the weather is not a contributing factor, the Outage Tracker helps people stay connected and able to report issues at any time.
We live in a world where we have more information at our fingertips than ever before. It just follows that having some control and knowledge about power outages is critical to our peace of mind and ability to plan, be heard, and feel safe. So be prepared, and learn more about the free PSEG Long Island mobile app at psegliny.com/app.
A power outage doesn’t have to leave you feeling powerless. Be prepared. Download our free mobile app with Outage Tracker. You can report outages and track restoration progress. Because knowing is power.
John F. Kennedy High School celebrated its homecoming throughout the week ending Oct. 20. Annual traditions of hallway decorating, a Friday pep rally and a communitywide festival ahead of the football game were part of the weeklong celebration.
At homecoming, members of the CHAMP program operated the outdoor snack shack under teacher Michael DiGiovanni and the Student Government Association hosted a halftime field goal competition for charity.
Junior Mikella Rahim sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the band, led by Walter Avellaneda, offered musical interludes throughout the afternoon. The kickline and cheerleading squad performed at halftime, pepping up the crowd. Seniors Giovanni Scimeca and Ella Alesia were crowned homecoming king and queen, respectively.
At the Athletic Hall of Fame induction, the school saw the return of several alumni during a ceremony, including the 2018 boys’ volleyball state champion team.
Although the football team fell to Bethpage with a score of 34-7, game highlights included Jaden Celestin rushing for 60 yards and Niko Bachas’ 13 tackles for Bellmore.
— Jordan Vallone
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Just off Hewlitt Avenue in Merrick, Hempstead town officials gathered Oct. 25 to celebrate 100 miles of new and resurfaced road across the town.
The construction teams behind the paving, Posillico Civil Inc., and H&L Contracting, replaced the town’s 60-year-old asphalt formula in favor of a new technique, which is expected to double the road’s lifespan.
The new road is paved by first using adhesive spray, pouring asphalt on top, which was smoothed and steamrolled, leaving fresh asphalt with a sticky texture. The result was a brand new, longlasting road right at the foot of residents’ driveways which should hold up better in the seasonal battle against potholes.
The 100 miles of repaved roads set a record for the town for the fifth consecutive year, with more to come before 2025 — and officials said around 12 more miles of road could be paved by the end of the year.
“This team that I have working with me made a commitment to the residents, and now it’s paying off,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said.
In the last four and a half years, we’ve done almost 340 miles of roadway, and we’re not going to stop. We’re committing to another 100 miles next year, and it’s all going to be union work as well.”
This road paving project is a part of a larger effort to improve the quality of life for residents in the Town of Hempstead.
“We are unified in the town of Hempstead on improving things,” Clavin said. “These roadways need the improvement. We are the largest township in America — we have a population of 800,000, and the residents deserve it.”
The paving plan strives to meet an ambitious goal: reach every road in the area as soon as possible. According to a release from the Town of Hempstead, all the town’s approximately 1,200 miles of roadway could be repaved within 15 to 20years.
“We’re trying to give people timetables when they’re going to draw those
smooth roads,” Clavin said. “We’re hoping in the next few years, we can get all these roads done.”
In addition to repaving roads, Clavin issued a guarantee that the new asphalt won’t be disturbed by future maintenance.
“We’ve spoken to the utilities,” he said. “If they come and touch your brand-new paved road, they’re going to put it back to the condition they found it. We’re spending the taxpayers’ money, and we’re going to hold everybody accountable, so everybody gets a smooth street.”
Deputy Commissioner of Engineering Jeff Tierney, left, Commissioner of Engineering
Councilman Chris Schnieder, Supervisor Don Clavin, Councilman Dennis Dunne Sr. and Posillico Vice President Charles Forte watched the 100th mile of road get resurfaced in Merrick, and expressed the importance of maintaining a strong quality of life for local residents.
Councilman Dennis Dunne Sr. was enthusiastic about the accomplishment. “This is wonderful,” Dunne said. “I’m getting 26 miles in my district. Last year, I got six.”
“Don Clavin is the reason it went off — our supervisor said, we’ve got to do something with these roads,” he added. “He took the bull by the horns and had our support because we needed it.”
The road repaving project was conducted to improve safety for residents of all ages, whether walking, biking, or driving.
“Public safety is really important to us,” Dunne said. “My kids could be riding a bike in the street and flip or pop a tire. There’s a lot of seniors walking with the walkers trying to cross the street and getting startled. We have to do the right thing.”
This achievement is important to show taxpayers where their money goes, Dunne said.
“As the Town of Hempstead experiences some harsh New York winters, our local roadways certainly take a beating,” Councilman Chris Schneider said in a news release.. “Supervisor Clavin and I are committed to responsible investment in our infrastructure, ensur-
ing that our Town roadways will be maintained and repaired more quickly and efficiently than ever before.”
This accomplishment is a part of a larger investment into the town’s automotive infrastructure, including a more rigorous material testing program.
“Quality of life issues are very important, whether it’s roads, business, economic development — you know you
want your community to be a nice place,” he said. “This is us giving back to the community.”
While roads are seeing improvements across Hempstead, officials said the Highway Department is easy to reach if repairs are needed. To report potholes, (516) 489-5000 ext. 3471 or fill out a Helpline Form at HempsteadNY. gov.
By JENNA ZAZA & LORI SAXENA Special to the Herald
Project 2025’s agenda to restructure the government extends beyond the Fed and into education, proposing to completely eliminate the Department of Education. This is a contentious move that could have profound repercussions for public education on Long Island.
The DOE plays a significant role in supporting local education by providing funding to high-poverty schools and increasing programs designed to protect and serve vulnerable students, such as those with disabilities or in the LGBTQ+ community.
Eliminating the department means drastically reducing federal funding streams and eventually phasing out Title I, a federal program that provides financial assistance to schools with a high percentage of low-income students, according to a Chalkbeat report. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news organization focused on education issues.
Title I aims to ensure all children, regardless of socio-economic status, meet state academic standards by funding programs like after-school tutoring and teacher development. Schools can operate schoolwide improvement initiatives if they meet certain thresholds of low-income students.
“When you eliminate funding, the things that get cut are teacher salaries, teachers get laid off, class sizes get bigger, and you have less counseling services, less paraprofessional services ... all of that is eliminated when you don’t have Title I funding,” Jillian Gaeta, co-founder of the organization Roots to Revolution and a New York City public school teacher, said.
Nearly half of Suffolk County’s total public school enrollment is economically disadvantaged students at 44 percent, in Nassau County it is 32 percent, according to the State Education Department. Districts such as Huntington, Central Islip and Brentwood 63 percent, 66 and 88, of the students are from low-income households, respectively, according to state statistics.
Project 2025 also proposes to reduce eligibility for federally funded meal programs.
Funding impact
The potential rollback of programs like the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program under Project 2025 could exacerbate the lack of access to food on Long Island. In recent years, the number of food-insecure individuals on the island has surged, increasing by 58.3 percent since 2021, with an estimated 65,000 children affected, according to a Long Island Cares report.
Over 60 percent of students in lower-income districts like Brentwood and Hempstead qualify for free lunch and breakfast, indicating a substantial reliance on federal aid programs, according to Meals Count data. Meanwhile, wealthier districts like Jericho and Great Neck in Nassau County, where less than 10 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, would be less affected by federal cuts, according to state data.
“In the schools that I’ve worked in, 80 percent of students were receiving free and reduced lunch,” Gaeta said. “If you take away that ability, you now have 80 percent of your kids hungry. You can’t educate those kids; they’re struggling because all they’re focusing on is how their bellies aren’t full.”
Long Island is also seeing a surge in school lunch debt, according to a Healthy School Meals for All report. The Lindenhurst school district reported nearly $50,000 in unpaid school lunch fees and South Huntington said meal debt doubled from $20,000 after the pandemic. Wealthy districts often benefit from higher property tax revenues, which can be used to supplement educational programs. Low-income districts typically struggle with limited funding and resources, making it challenging to provide basic services, let alone additional support for meal programs.
But it’s not just lunch — early childhood education
programs are also on the chopping block under Project 2025.
Whither Head Start?
Head Start is a federal initiative that promotes school readiness for young children from low-income families. It serves children aged 3 to 5, focusing on cognitive, social, and emotional development alongside health screenings and nutritious meals. The program is critical in preparing disadvantaged children for elementary school and fostering long-term academic success.
“Early education programs ... are foundational for a child’s ability to thrive in school, and also for their economic security, that they are able to read and write and develop those skills at an early age,” Gaeta said.
In Nassau County, the availability of Head Start programs is concentrated in districts with higher rates of low-income families. Out of eight Head Start locations, many are in areas with higher child poverty rates.
The Head Start programs in Hempstead, Freeport and Roosevelt illustrate this trend. Hempstead, with a child poverty rate of nearly 21 percent, and Roosevelt, where nearly 17 percent of children live in poverty, highlights communities that heavily rely on these educational resources. Freeport, with around 14 percent of children living in poverty, further emphasizes the critical need for support in these districts. The figures are based on Census Bureau data.
Child poverty rates in Westbury (14 percent), Lawrence (10 percent), and Long Beach (6 percent) demonstrate a varied landscape where families may still benefit from Head Start programs, although the urgency may differ.
More affluent districts like Garden City, Syosset, and East Williston, which report child poverty rates of less than 5 percent, do not have any Head Start locations. Wealthier families often have access to private preschools and other early childhood programs.
Another proposal of Project 2025 includes a rollback of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, including sports.
“Title IX, which allows girls to play sports and opens up opportunities for young girls, is also supported and protected by the federal government,” Gaeta said. “So if you eliminate the Federal Department of Education, you’re eliminating all those benefits that our kids need to have successful schools.”
Rolling back Title IX could also disproportionately
impact non-binary and transgender students as the project aims to “define ‘sex’ under Title IX to mean only biological sex.”
“Long Island is already seeing pieces of Project 2025 being enacted,” Kiana Abbady, board chair of Long Island Progressive Coalition, said. “[Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman] already passed a transban, where individuals cannot play sports if they identify as transgender.”
In Nassau County 10 school districts — Island Park, Jericho, Lawrence, Locust Valley, Long Beach, Mineola, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Oyster Bay and Port Washington — are set to lose funding, based on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2025 executive budget.
“If any parts of Project 2025 are enacted, we will see large swaths of Long Island’s communities, predominantly black and brown, predominantly working class, lose significant funding for public schools,” Abbady said. “We already see that. ”
Extracurricular activities, such as sports, are typically the first to be cut when schools experience dips in funding, and this could have adverse effects on students. Research indicates that participation in sports is linked to numerous benefits for both girls and transgender youth, including improved academic performance, higher self-esteem, and greater overall well-being.
In underfunded districts, girls often have 1.3 million fewer opportunities than boys to engage in athletic programs, according to the National Women’s Law Center. Exclusionary policies for trans youth like Nassau County’s Legislature and Project 2025 Title IX reforms could exacerbate rates of depression, school absenteeism and suicide in trans students, which are already significantly higher than for cis-gender students.
Without the federal enforcement of Title IX and adequate funding, the gap in opportunities between wellfunded and underfunded schools could widen, leaving many girls and LGBTQ youth without access to the necessary resources for their athletic and educational advancement.
Gaeta said this is ultimately the goal of Project 2025.
“It is designed to benefit wealthy, wealthy white men,” she said. “All of the projects, all the policies in Project 2025, will hurt low-income families, will hurt middle-class families, will hurt women and girls, will hurt LGBTQ families, will hurt people of color. It is designed that way.”
Jenna Zaza and Lori Saxena are reporters with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
By Danielle Schwab & Tim Baker
Havana Munsuz
Age 9, Locust Valley
My mom (Lenia Matias). I think she would make equal rights for every person. She supports LGBTQ rights, and she’s also a woman. All the presidents are boys, and we should have a girl as a president. We read a book about the election together.
If you could choose anyone, who would make a good president? Why?
Nicholas Kemp
Age 5, East Rockaway
I want Aaron Judge to be president but I (also) don’t want him because he’s playing baseball and he won’t hit any more home runs. If he was president I think he would be so happy.
Michael Lutz
Age 7, Rockville Centre
My dad (Eric Donohoe) because he’s basically like Donald Trump. Also, my mom (Shannon Donohoe) because she’s technically almost the same as my dad. She would get more jobs in America, put the prices down so if it was $3 it would be $2 and she would get more American-made products
Amelia Geraghty
Age 8, East Meadow
I think John F. Kennedy because if he ever did something wrong, his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy would have stood up for civil rights for women. I don’t think he would do anything wrong. And he was also young (when he was president). The older you are, the more you forget. I’ve read a lot of books about him and Jacqueline Kennedy.
Vote early through November 3
Election Day November 5
Tasnim and Taha Laghroudi
Tasnim, age 8; Taha, age 10, Wantagh
My teacher Ms. Sanders (my third grade teacher) would make a good president because she’s really fun and she’s very serious so we do our work instead of just playing around the whole time. Teachers are hard working and they’ve been through a lot of lessons and teachings, and they’re responsible for people in their class.
By Carolyn James cjames@liherald.com
With partisan politics in high gear less than two weeks before Election Day, Long Island politicians — Republicans and Democrats — gathered in a bipartisan show of support for an effort to bring more federal funding for road and infrastructure projects to Nassau and Suffolk counties.
“This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue — it is a state and federal issue,” U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi said at a news conference on Oct. 23 at the Long Island Welcome Center on the Long Island Expressway in Dix Hills. “It is about government, labor, business and people and everyone, regardless of party. It is about coming together,” Suozzi added, with the roar of traffic along the expressway providing an appropriate backdrop.
The gathering of politicians, business and labor representatives
was to support a bill in the State Legislature, sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Stern and State Sen. Monica Martinez, that would create a mechanism for Long Island to apply directly for federal transportation dollars. As things stand now, the state must apply to the federal government for infrastructure funding through the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, which includes not only Long Island, but also New York City as well as Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties. Under the proposed legislation, Long Island would create its own Metropolitan Planning Organization to address its infrastructure needs specifically, officials said.
The need for this autonomy became abundantly clear to Long Island lawmakers several years ago. Under the current NYMTC guidelines, Long Island was slated to receive 23 percent of federal funding allocated to the state. That
figure dropped to 1 percent, or $300 million, this year. And according to officials, almost all of that will be spent on renovations to electric signs along local highways, and road repairs. It allows for practically nothing for expansive work or new projects.
Some of those projects were outlined by Marc Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Contractors Association. They include work to reconfigure the Oakdale merge, where Sunrise and Montauk highways converge; the intersection of the Meadowbrook and Southern State parkways; the expansion of Sagtikos Parkway to four lanes to make them safer; and work on the Southern State Parkway, which Herbst described as “blood alley.”
“How many more tragedies do we have to have along that roadway before we address those issues and others?” he said.
“This is more important than
party,” State Sen. Jack Martins said. “It is not about politics; it is about our communities, our homes, our residents — and fairness.”
“This is not an adversarial issue,” Herbst added, pointing to the need for Long Island to have an independent voice when vying for federal funding.
“Long Island is a place unlike any other, and with that distinction comes the reality that we have unique needs,” Martinez said. “Our infrastructure and transportation systems must be as bold and resilient as the people who call this region home in order to thrive in an ever-changing world.”
Adam Levine, executive director of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, said that he and the council understand that “Long Island officials want to get every federal dollar they can,” and that it recognizes the impacts of bureaucracy.
This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.
A “YES” vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.
A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.
Enmienda para Proteger Contra el Trato Desigual
Esta propuesta protegería contra el trato desigual basado en la etnicidad, el origen nacional, la edad, la discapacidad y el sexo, incluida la orientación sexual, la identidad de género y el embarazo. También protege contra el trato desigual basado en la salud y la autonomía reproductiva.
Un voto “SÍ” coloca estas protecciones en la Constitución del Estado de Nueva York. Un voto “NO” deja estas protecciones fuera de la Constitución del Estado.
Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente
Kamala D. Harris (For President)
Tim Walz (For Vice President)
Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente
Donald J. Trump (For President)
JD Vance (For Vice President)
Representante en el Congreso Distrito 4
Laura Gillen (D,CS)
Senador Estatal, Distrito
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D, WF)
Diane Sare (L)
Vote for One (1)
Anthony D’Esposito (R,C)
Vote for One (1)
Michael D. Sapraicone (R,C)
Member
Ellen DeFrancesco
Miembro Kevan
Justice
Juez de la James Gregg Deanna Terence
actual ballot, but a composite of several sample ballots so as to reflect all the districts within the communities covered Specific candidates for individual communities are identified in blue. Complete reporting on candidates running in districts covered by the LIHerald.com under the Elections ’24 tab. For election results after the polls close Tuesday night, go to LIHerald.com
Senator District 5
Estatal, Distrito 5
Lin (D)
Steve Rhoads (R,C)
de la Asamblea Distrito 14
Lederer DeFrancesco (D)
for One (1)
David McDonough (R,C)
Hempstead Council Member District 5
del Concejo de Hempstead, Distrito 5 Vote for One (1)
Kevan Abrahams (D) Christopher Schneider (R,C)
Justice of the Supreme Court
la Corte Suprema
F. Matthews, Jr. (D,R,C)
Roth (D,R,C)
Deanna D. Panico (D,R,C)
Terence P. Murphy (D,R,C)
(Vote for up to Eight) (8)
Alfred C. Graf (D,R,C)
Paul E. Hennings (D,R,C)
Paul M. Hensley (D,R,C)
Andrew A. Crecca (D,R,C)
Juez del Tribunal del Condado
Jeffrey A. Goodstein(D,R,C)
Juez del Tribunal de Familia
Lisa Daniels (D,R,C)
Chris J. Coschignano (D,R,C)
Joseph Nocella, Jr. (D,R,C)
District Court Judge District 2
Juez del Tribunal de Distrito
Andrea C. Phoenix (D,R,C)
Veronica Renta Irwin (D,R,C)
Ryan E. Cronin (D,R,C)
Sean Wright (D,R,C)
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito has his sights set on reelection in the 4th Congressional District, where he will face a familiar opponent amid unfamiliar scrutiny over his hiring practices.
A Republican and a former NYPD detective, D’Esposito won his seat in the 2022 midterms, flipping a district that had been in Democratic hands for 25 years. He defeated former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen that year by a margin of roughly 10,000 votes with a campaign focused on crime, inflation and government spending. He hopes to do it again next week with a renewed focus on border security, crime and the cost of living on Long Island.
But D’Esposito’s re-election bid is under a cloud, with an ethics probe questioning whether he improperly hired his fiancée’s daughter and a woman he allegedly had a personal relationship with for taxpayer-funded positions in his office. During a Herald Roundtable on Oct. 10, D’Esposito made it clear that he views the allegations as baseless. “There is absolutely nothing that was violated ethically, and my personal life is my personal life,” he said, asserting that if there had been any ethical questions, he would not have made those hires.
In spite of the allegations, D’Esposito remains focused on issues central to residents of his district. He emphasized that he has been instrumental in securing millions in federal funding for local infrastructure projects ranging from water filtration systems to police training facilities. “In the last 18 months, I’ve been able to bring close to $40 million back to the district to help with infrastructure,” he said.
D’Esposito has also positioned himself as a strong supporter of Israel, and has been vocal in his support for sending more aid to Israel in light of renewed con-
Juan Lasso/Herald
Anthony D’Esposito discussed his re-election campaign in the 4th Congressional District amid controversy over his hiring practices at a Herald Roundtable on Oct. 10.
flicts with Iran and Lebanon following the attack by Hamas last Oct. 7.
“I think the United States of America needs to continue to provide every resource necessary to Israel to eradicate Hamas and any terrorist organization,” he said, criticizing the Biden administration for what he views as a lack of urgency.
Another key issue is the ongoing border crisis. “We have a border security problem,” D’Esposito said, emphasizing the need to shut down the southern border and implement a more stringent asylum process. He noted a Department of Homeland Security briefing where it was revealed that over 420,000 people who
crossed the border illegally had been convicted of crimes in their home countries, including over 13,000 convicted murderers. D’Esposito argued that the Biden administration’s handling of the border has been inadequate, claiming, “The Customs and Border Patrol agents don’t have the resources that they need.”
He remains critical of the administration’s economic and energy policies, and advocates for energy independence, saying, “We need to focus on being more energy independent and stop relying on foreign countries for power.” He also expressed concerns about the national deficit, arguing that it is unsustainable and could have long-term consequences for future generations.
D’Esposito has framed himself as a bipartisan problem solver, willing to work with both sides to achieve results for his district. But he is also aware of the tightrope he walks within his party, having been labeled both a MAGA extremist and a “Republican in Name Only” after calling for the removal of former U.S. Rep. George Santos. D’Esposito said he understands the balance between his own values and party expectations, and will do what he feels is right, regardless of how it may be perceived. “It seems to me I’m doing the right thing and playing the middle,” he said.
As the district becomes a focal point in the national battle for control of the House of Representatives, D’Esposito remains confident in his leadership and his track record of securing federal resources for Long Island.
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Laura Gillen, the Democratic candidate in New York’s 4th Congressional District, is running on a platform focused on tackling the rising cost of living on Long Island, reproductive rights and immigration reform.
“It’s really expensive to live here, and people want relief,” Gillen said during a Herald Roundtable on Oct. 7, adding that this concern came up in nearly every conversation she has had with voters in the district. She is particularly critical of her opponent, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito for not restoring the state and local tax deduction on income taxes, which was capped during the Trump administration. “My opponent said he was going to restore our SALT deduction. He’s been in the majority for almost two years and has completely failed to do that,” Gillen said, emphasizing that reinstating the deduction, a key issue for many homeowners in Nassau County, would be a top priority if she were elected.
Reproductive rights are also central to Gillen’s campaign, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 decision, ending nearly 50 years of constitutional protection for abortion rights. Gillen stresses the need to protect access to reproductive health care, including abortion, in vitro fertilization and contraception.
“Protecting a woman’s right to choose, protecting the right to access IVF and the right to contraception are things we never thought we’d even have to talk about before the Dobbs decision,” she said. Gillen also pointed to the broader implications of the decision, noting that Republicans are continuing to push for fed-
Tim Baker/Herald
wait times many patients face. “Families shouldn’t have to wait weeks to get an appointment for a loved one in crisis,” she said, calling for improvements in insurance coverage for mental health care and for expanding access to care.
Immigration reform is a pressing issue, Gillen said, criticizing Congress for its inaction on the border crisis. She said she is committed to passing comprehensive immigration reform that secures the border while facilitating citizenship for immigrants. “We’ve seen nothing get done to secure our border, to stop the flow of fentanyl, or to create a pathway for citizenship for people who want to come here legally,” she said. Her proposal includes deploying more border agents, using advanced technology like anti-tunneling systems, and improving the asylum process, which she described as “completely broken” due to the long delays in adjudicating claims.
Gillen has also taken a strong stance on national security, particularly in regard to Israel and the increase of antisemitism in this country. “We’ve seen an incredible rise of antisemitism, even before Oct. 7,” she said, referring to last October’s attacks on Israel by Hamas.
eral restrictions on reproductive rights.
Health care, particularly for mental health, is another key focus of Gillen’s campaign. She noted that the country is facing a growing mental health crisis, which affects people of all ages. “It’s affecting our young people, our seniors, our veterans and our law enforcement officers,” she said.
Gillen advocates increasing resources to make mental health services more accessible, reducing the long
Her bipartisan approach to solving these issues grew out of her experience as the first Democratic Hempstead town supervisor in over 100 years. Despite facing a Republican-controlled Town Board, Gillen managed to implement sweeping reforms, including ethics legislation, cutting taxes and modernizing the town’s infrastructure.
“I got things done, and that’s what I plan to do in Congress,” Gillen said. “People want problem-solvers in Congress … We need to get things done and reduce the partisanship that’s holding us back.”
Some Democrats are too far left.Some Republicans are too far right.But some candidates just make COMMON SENSE.
About Common Sense
The Common Sense Party looks at both Democrats and Republicans running for office. And then nominates the one who’s most reasonable, who thinks for themself. Who can compromise to get things done. In Nassau County, that’s Laura GIllen.
So this November, find the "Common Sense Party" on your ballot.
Party
Democratic
Republican
Conservative
Working Families
Common Sense
Presidential Electors for President (Vote for One)
Kamala Harris
Donald J. Trump
Donald J. Trump
Kamala Harris
Representative in Congress (4th District) (Vote for One)
Laura Gillen
Anthony D’Esposito
Anthony D’Esposito
Laura Gillen
By Danielle Schwab
A tradition since 2010, the popular Long Island Biennial at Hecksher Museum returns with “The Body Politic,” shining the spotlight on our diverse artistic talent throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The latest edition of the juried exhibition — now on view through mid-January — offers an exciting look at what is happening artistically here in our area.
Out of 313 submissions, 79 were accepted from 60 artists, resulting in a vivid assortment of mediums, styles and focuses on exhibit. Curated by Meredith A. Brown, the museum’s consulting curator of Contemporary Art, each piece was reviewed by an expert jury team. The panel included Ian Alteveer, department chair of contemporary art at the Museum of Fine Arts; Patricia Cronin, artistic director of the LGBTQ+ VR Museum, art professor and sculptor; Grace Hong, assistant director of Galerie Lelong & Co.
The exhibit takes on a theme for the first time — examining contemporary social, cultural and political issues. It’s a snapshot of some of the major national, local and even international matters that compel artists in this important election year.
“Sixty countries — taken together, representing half the world’s population, including the United States — will have held major elections by the end of this year,” Brown says.
“It’s a crucial year. And we thought it would be interesting to see how the people, the artists in our communities, are thinking about these political, social, cultural issues — and representing them through art.”
The exhibit represents a remarkable variety of media, with styles spanning abstraction to hyperrealism, including sculpture, painting, photography, and collage. One pieceis even composed with cut plastic straws and lighters found on a beach.
“I’m always interested in the way artists can combine things that I wouldn’t have thought of, sometimes materials that are ‘non-art’ materials,” Brown adds.
East Meadow’s Karen Kirshner is among the artists featured. Her abstract acrylic painting “The Mission, 2022” employs a “direct painting” technique that enables her to use her emotions to paint onto the canvas.
“I never know what I’m going to paint. I paint in the moment, moment to moment, and then
and for the
review and evaluate and adapt and improve,” Kirshner explains.
She was influenced by the war in Ukraine, with so many trying to flee. Her movement of lines, shapes and vibrancy of colors expresses the Ukrainians’ frantic energy.
“I felt in my soul,” Kirshner says. “The mission is to get people out.”
Maria Spector, of Babylon, is represented with two paintings: “Candy Girls and Boys Under the Jellybean Tree, 2022 ” and “Candy Girls Under the Sugar-Plum Tree with Boy and the Artists that Painted Women 2020-22.”
In “Candy Girls and Boys Under the Jellybean Tree“ contemporary figures of children are mixed with images from art history, fine art and popular culture — all under a tree ‘ripe’ with various candies.
• Now through Jan. 19
• Open Thursday through Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
• Heckscher Museum of Art,
2 Prime Ave., Huntington
• Visit Heckscher.org for more information or call (631) 380-3230
“By incorporating pop culture, I explore issues of femininity and masculinity through both history and today. The work is meant to challenge our own biases and beliefs,” Spector says.
Another standout, Lynbrook’s Susan Kozodoy Silkowitz captures her vision through photography. “Pink Shoes, 2022” is a testament to freedom of expression without discrimination. The male in pink platform shoes was snapped outside of Fashion Institute of Technology.
“I’ve been photographing people for 50 years. It took me many years to be able to do what I do, which is approach and photograph people on the street,” Kozodoy Silkowitz says. “I think it’s a wonderful thing to see people who are unafraid to express who they are, although some people may disapprove.”
Visitors can contribute their own voice to what’s on view and how they relate to community and identity through a collage of messages on the response wall.
It’s all part of the museum’s effort to encourage artistic reflection through times of great change, inspiring us to engage with narratives in a new light.
As Brown puts it: “It helps the artists and it helps those of us who are not artists to think about the diversity of artists and viewpoints and opinions in these communities in which we live, and in that way, hopefully it can broaden people’s views of their communities, of where we are.”
As always, the exhibit experience is enhanced by related programming. The participating artists will be in the galleries on select Sundays throughout the exhibition period to engage with visitors, as well as taking part in upcoming museum and community events.
Mike DelGuidice, one of Long Island’s celebrated singersongwriters returns to The Paramount, with special guests. The band always gives it their all, especially when playing the iconic Billy Joel songs. DelGuidice leads his ensemble in a rousing concert that highlights the Piano Man’s decades of hits. Like his idol, DelGuidice grew up mastering several instruments including bass guitar, guitar, piano, and drums. He’s renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of the Joel catalog, which caught the attention of Joel himself, who ultimately brought him on stage with him. DelGuidice and his band pack hit after charttopping hit in a high energy show that’s always a crowd pleaser. The concert delights audiences with renditions of classic rock favorites and his own eclectic originals.
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1-2, 8 p.m. $60, $40, $25, $20. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
The perennial classic rock favorite is back on the road again as founding member Dewey Bunnell celebrates the band’s 54th anniversary, appearing on the Tilles Center stage. Billed as “Ride On Tour 2024, it draws on the band’s deep catalog of hits including signature song “A Horse With No Name,” a #1 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1972. Bunnell and America’s co-founder Gerry Beckley (along with former bandmate Dan Peek), who met in high school in London in the late 1960s, quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of that tune. Forty plus years later, these friends continue to make music together (although Beckley has now retired from touring) thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. Yet beyond their impressive catalog of hits, listeners discovered there was always much more to America than surface perceptions.
Saturday, Nov. 2, 8 p.m.
Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Ailey II, which bills itself as “the next generation of dance,” continues its 50th anniversary of bringing “off-the-charts energy” to the stage, with a performance at Tilles Center, Friday, Nov. 8 , at 8 p.m. Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s outstanding and emerging choreographers.
The 2024-25 repertory features two world premieres by former Ailey II member Alia Kache and by Houston Thomas, as well as repertory favorites and beloved classics. Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble and led by Sylvia Waters for 38 seasons, Ailey II has advanced Alvin Ailey’s vision for more than five decades by giving early-career dancers a bridge from world-class training at The Ailey School to the professional stage. Led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper, Ailey II’s dancers bring their technical mastery and emotional depth to works by the most daring established and emerging choreographers. Just as Ailey envisioned, the company continues to develop the next generation of performers and dancemakers while expanding audiences through global touring and community-based performances.
Looking for something to do this Halloween season that isn’t just for kids? Visit Sands Point Preserve for an exclusive, immersive theatrical production, “The Birthday Party,” held in a secluded opulent mansion concludes Thursday and Friday, oct. 31-Nov. 1. For those who attended Archie’s last “Birthday Party,” rest assured, there are new surprises in store.
Julianna’s Works of HeART hosts its 3rd annual charity paint night, Friday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart R.C. Church in North Merrick. All proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. 720 Merrick Ave., North Merrick. For more on the event, visit Julianna’s Works of HeART on Facebook.
The program includes Alvin Ailey’s Streams, an abstract exploration of bodies in space, danced to a percussion score by Miloslav Kabelac; Houston Thomas’ world premiere Down the Rabbit Hole, a continuation of the choreographer’s Follow the White Rabbit (2022) that expands on its themes, examining the relationship between humans and technology; also Francesca Harper’s Luminous, a work that pays homage to the 50th anniversary of Ailey II and the artists who paved the way for future generations. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Guests are blindfolded and escorted to a secret location on the property, Villa Vanitas, to celebrate the enigmatic Lord Archibald Axel Von Finkelshorn Chatterton’s 30th birthday. He is a witless charmer on the cusp of a life-changing revelation, and everyone’s invited to witness his journey on a night that promises to be unforgettable and delightfully unpredictable. Cocktail attire preferred. $175 per person. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.
Stay spooky a little bit longer this season! The Merrick Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Halloween Parade, Saturday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m.noon. Businesses will give out candy along the way. It begins at Loines Avenue Park and ends at the gazebo at Merrick Avenue and Broadcast Plaza. For more information, visit MerrickChamber.org.
Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow is partnering with local business leaders, social services agencies and career counselors to house a Job and Resource fair for veterans at Temple Beth Am of Merrick and Bellmore, Monday, Nov. 4. The fair begins at 9 a.m. 2377 Merrick Ave, Merrick. For additional information, contact Koslow’s office at (516) 571-6205.
On stage
Join Adelphi University’s talented theater students who perform playwright Caryl Churchill’s “Love and Information,” Thursday and Friday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 2, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 3, 2 p.m.
The fast-moving theatrical kaleidoscope explores more than 100 characters in over 50 short scenes as they try to make sense of what they know and what they find out. This is a play unlike any other that examines what it means to be human in a modern world and tackles the tension between the concepts of love and information.
Tickets start at $30, with discounts available to seniors, students, Adelphi alumni and employees. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, Olmsted Theater, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues Saturday, Nov. 2, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own 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. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Runners are invited to come out for the Long Island Turkey Trot in Eisenhower Park, Saturday, Nov. 2, in Parking Field 2. The walk/ run 5K event begins at 9 a.m. For more information and to register, visit Events.EliteFeats. com/24LITurkeyTrot.
Naddeo Yoga hosts a beginner’s class, Monday, Nov. 4, 10:45 a.m., at the Brookside School in North Merrick. It is part of Bellmore-Merrick’s adult education program. 1260 Meadowbrook Road, N. Merrick. For more, call (516) 992-1062.
Church crafts fair
Visit the Bellmore United Methodist Church, Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. for a fall crafts fair. It feature handmade wreathes, jewelry, wood décor, soaps and more. 2640 Royle St., Bellmore. Visit BellmoreUMC.org for more.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition “Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media.
It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Board games from days gone by
Enjoy an evening of learning and playing historic games at Old Westbury Gardens’ Westbury House, Friday, Nov. 8, 7-9:30 p.m. The Long Island Tabletop Gaming Expo takes visitors on journey through 5,000 years of board game history, from its roots in ancient times to more familiar examples from the time of the Phipps family. A brief lecture on board game history includes a presentation of each of the featured games. All are fully playable, and you can try them out yourself.
Games include: Senet, The Royal Game of Ur, Three Man’s Morris, Six Man’s Morris, Nine Man’s Morris, Twelve Man’s Morris, Mancala, Go, Chess, The Royal and Most Pleasant Game of The Goose, Backgammon. The Landlords Game (transition to the modern Monopoly). $15. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.
The annual Merrick Festival & Street Fair returned this weekend, welcoming troves of shoppers and diners who came out to enjoy hundreds of shopping and food vendors, musical performances, as well as rides and games.
The street fair, hosted yearly by the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, is a staple in the hamlet, and a key generator of funds that allow the chamber to host additional events throughout the year. It also brings attention to many of Merrick’s local mom-and-pop shops that participate in the vendor fair.
On Friday, the festivities kicked off with rides and games opening in the parking lot of the Merrick Long Island Railroad Station. The vendor fair then commenced on Saturday, with dense foot traffic lining a large stretch of Merrick Avenue.
Great weather on Sunday allowed the vendor fair to continue — full steam ahead. Whether fairgoers were popping by for a bite to eat, to shop from local
vendors, or listen to music at several spots throughout Merrick Avenue, fun was had by all.
All in all, it was another successful event for the chamber, and its many members and business owners.
Fall fun continues this weekend during the chamber’s annual Halloween Parade on Nov. 2. The parade begins at Loines Avenue Park, and continues south towards Broadcast Plaza. Join the chamber for some spooky fun — and lots of yummy treats.
Looking ahead, holiday fun is just around the corner. the chamber’s annual visit from Santa Claus will take place on Dec. 7, starting at 2 p.m. at the Merrick Golf Course Clubhouse. And on Dec. 8, the chamber will light its Christmas Tree at the Merrick Gazebo.
For more on what’s ahead throughout the rest of 2024, visit MerrickChamber. org.
— Jordan Vallone
LEGAL NOTICE
A nonprofit organization in Nassau County is seeking sealed bids to provide and install:
(1)security bollards, planters, boulders or other barriers; (2)perimeter doors; (3)intercom system; (4)fixed area lighting in parking lot; (5)security alarm system sensors; (6)blast mitigation and/or window hardening; (7)computer network firewall; (8)computer remote authentication system; (9)computer malware and antivirus protection; and (10)mobile, portable and/or hand-held public address system. These requests are being made under a grant funded project. Selection criteria will be based on knowledge of security, adherence to work schedule and proposal requirements, prior experience, references, and project cost. It is presently anticipated that
bids will be accepted until Noon on December 15, 2024, and work is expected to commence by April 2025 and to be completed by December 2025. All interested vendors will be required to demonstrate preliminary qualifications and licensing for this work, acknowledge receipt of the proposal documents, and provide company name, business address, telephone, fax and email address, and primary contact name and corresponding contact information. Please forward an expression of interest in placing bids on these projects to Merrick.grants@gmail.co m. 149717
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ASSET BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2006-AM2, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-AM2 , Plaintiff, AGAINST ROSARIO TZIMAS A/K/A ROSARIO T. TZIMAS, BILL TZIMAS, et al.
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on July 11, 2023. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 3, 2024 at 2:00 PM premises known as 2405 Wallen Lane North Bellmore, NY 11710 2405 Wallen Lane Bellmore, NY 11710. Please take notice that
this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in North Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 56, Block 491 and Lot 28. Approximate amount of judgment $897,632.21 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #602164/2019. Scott Siller, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 149681
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.
STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
DRIVING
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!
$20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School
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Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable
Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!
RESPONSIBILITIES: Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.
REQUIREMENTS:
Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.
POSITION DETAILS: Flexible: Part-time or Full-time. Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.
Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA
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 $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OFFICE COORDINATOR
To Handle Daily Office and Clerical Tasks at a Conservative Synagogue on the South Shore. 35 Hours per Week. Salary Ranges From $20-$24 per Hour Commensurate with Experience. Email Resume to: office@congbt.org or Call 516-785-2445 for more info
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
To place an ad call 516-569-4000
Welcome to 7 Granada Pl in Massapequa. This stunning Fort Lauderdale-style waterfront colonial, newly constructed in 2023, epitomizes luxurious living. Offering 4 spacious bedrooms and 2.5
Q. I’m looking to sell my home, and I’m stunned by the cost of homes these days. My daughter’s family had to move out of the area, not because they needed better jobs, but because their jobs couldn’t pay enough to afford a home, and my wife and I could only help a little. Do you see any hope for housing to be made more affordable? Are there less costly ways to build that could help young people get a foothold on the American Dream? What do you think?
A. Yes, there are many ways to make homes more affordable, but the way to make it happen is very complicated, and I doubt that you’ll see it happen. Think of people, our economy, our system of living arrangements, our communities, separately or combined into large entities, as being like a large woven fabric. There are many threads in this fabric, many colors and textures and many ways the threads are woven, some over, some under and some straight through. Pull at one part of the fabric, poke at another, and the whole composition ruffles, wrinkles, even tears and starts to unravel.
Now, think of how much each thread costs, how someone puts a price on that thread because of its location, its color, its finish within the fabric. That one thread is now thought of as more expensive, special and exclusive. Others see that thread and decide their threads are pretty darn special, too. Soon every thread goes up in value, and anyone trying to weave a new thread into the fabric, or trying to buy that thread, must be in compliance with the costs, rules and location.
Regulators who decide where different threads can be placed, how big or small those threads can be and what they can look like, are people. People are threads in the fabric. Your kids are threads who may or may not find a way to be woven into the fabric as other threads disintegrate or are pulled away. Government, financial institutions, property associations, neighbors and you have to all cooperate to make the fabric stay together.
It’s possible that when enough people refuse to buy a thread or be a thread, then the value of threads diminishes. The cost of making a thread — a home or a commercial building — keeps increasing, so the cost of the components has to be brought down. But the people who make those components have to get paid. Do we cut their salaries? It’s all connected, like a complicated woven fabric in which everything has to work together.
There’s currently a nationwide shortage of housing units and a limited inventory of homes for sale, possibly because it costs more for less, so people are reluctant to move. Prices, the cost of materials, the regulated size of homes, and profit margins for sellers and lenders all need to be reduced. Does anyone see that happening, or do we wait for the fabric to become brittle and start to come apart to respond? Good luck!
© 2024 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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The candidates for our state offices, incumbents and challengers, have been out campaigning, regaling voters with claims that they are the right people for the jobs that need filling in Albany. They will take up the fight in the Capitol, they insist, to do the best job for us, their constituents. They cite their talent, experience and vision, and their ability to solve even the thorniest of problems.
But the sad irony is that the thorniest problems often remain unsolved. Take, for instance, the conundrum of property assessment in Nassau County. After the school districts establish their budgets, the state sees to additional school funding via foundation aid, the School Tax Relief program and the like. But it is the county that determines the value of real estate, and from that comes our school tax bills. In my case, and those of many other seniors trying to stay in their longtime homes, this process is daunting, confusing and sometimes heartbreaking.
Succeeding elections bring us Demo-
Wcrats and Republicans. Each of these entities has demonstrated a philosophy of how to deal with assessments and taxes. One party hollers about fairness and equity, and claims that they will absolutely get it right — for the benefit of taxpayers, of course. In 2019, then County Executive Laura Curran gave us a Taxpayer Protection Plan, promising that elusive equity. My school taxes continued to climb. Then the other guys came in, claiming they were the true champions of the citizenry when it came to property taxes. Their particular talent seemed to be granting homeowners lots of assessment “relief.” My school taxes continue to climb.
Npanies are among the top contributors to our political office seekers? And their generosity is bipartisan, because it turns out that business is good no matter who is at the helm in Mineola.
o matter which party is in the majority, my school taxes continue to climb.
Neither party seems capable of actually solving this particularly thorny problem. And leavened into their mystifying blend of ideas is a category of businesses that, their advertisements promise, will help us grieve the injustices that the property tax formula creates. These companies tout their acumen and their results. How about the lady in Merrick who got a new kitchen with the money XYZ company saved her?
Is it just coincidence that these com-
While all of this is going on, seniors like me, frustrated and dejected, quietly hire real estate agents to deliver us from all of this “good” news as our ever-rising taxes leave us with no choice but to sell the homes we love. I’m 79, and the increases in school taxes have come like annual infestations of locusts — about $10,000 in additional taxes for schools alone in the past several years. I call everybody — state and county politicians, school district administrators, the property assessors — and they all say the same thing: “It’s not me.” None of them, it seems, is the problem.
The assessor tells me my house is valuable. I tell him I have made it so through 35 years of sweat, my own hard work. I remind him that it’s my home; it’s where I live. He is unmoved, seeming to say, without using the words, that if I can’t pay, they’ll get someone else in here who can.
At this point, 46 years after I began paying property taxes, I have come to
the conclusion that the assessment of property is no longer a viable method of funding our schools. If you’re a senior, you’re a target.
Several years ago, I tried to persuade my local state representative to use some of his vision in Albany to figure out an alternative way to fund the schools that doesn’t target senior property owners for residential extinction. He simply dismissed the idea, saying the current system was the best one.
The subject has come up time after time on area newspapers’ editorial pages, but gets no traction from the political class.
One day soon I will go see the assessor. I am not optimistic. In the meantime, our candidates, incumbents and challengers, will continue to tell us how they’re going to help us. And the grievance companies will continue to prosper. The impossible system of taxation by way of property assessment will continue.
And quietly, all over Nassau County, bewildered longtime residents will be forced from their homes, victims of all that political talent, experience and vision.
Philip Como, who is retired after a career in sales, is a former member of the Nassau County Planning Commission and is treasurer of the Fire Department in Sea Cliff, where he lives.
e did the stupid thing, and we survived.
We did not evacuate our home on a barrier island on the west coast of Florida when Hurricane Helene blasted through in the early-morning hours of Sept. 26.
The first alerts about Helene seemed exaggerated and alarmist: A disorganized low-pressure system, percolating quietly near the Yucatan Peninsula, would gather fearsome energy over the Gulf of Mexico and slam into Florida’s Gulf coast, as a Cat 4 or 5 killer. It was an unusual setup for hurricane in these parts. My part-time residence was long said to be safe by the indigenous people who lived here, protected geographically because of a twist in the coastline. Maybe the ancients are exacting revenge for our careless guardianship of their land.
We are on the eighth floor of a building on the beach, and we have metal wind shutters. So, considering the laborious process of gathering our belong-
ings and food and driving to a safe haven, we decided to stay. Besides, once a storm is on its way, not much time remains before landfall, and it isn’t clear which way to run. Hurricanes often wobble or weaken or, in the case of Helene, turn left over Georgia and North Carolina, destroying everything in their path.
WWe had water for a week, and food that didn’t need to be refrigerated or heated. We had each other and Lillybee the dog, who had been skulking in our shadows for days. We also felt somewhat jaded by overhyped weather alarms in the past. Epic snowfalls, tornadoes sprouting everywhere, on-again-off-again water spout watches. We would probably be OK.
tioned. Then I walked up. Then I did the same walk, down and up eight flights, for five days, until power was restored. Both of our cars, parked “safely” in the garage, were engulfed by the tidal surge and totaled.
e were scared straight by Helene, and will never try to ride one out again.
Sometime after midnight on the 26th, the rain and wind came on like a freight train, hammering the shutters against our windows. Within an hour we had no electricity and no internet. Officials on the mainland turned off all water service to the island. The bridge to the rest of the world was closed.
The dog needed to go out, so I grabbed a flashlight and walked down eight dark flights of stairs to get outside. Building generators malfunc-
But we were lucky. We lived through the storm without a medical crisis and with replaceable losses.
We vowed never to stay when the authorities tell us to evacuate. What if one of us got sick during the hurricane? What if the windows blew in, even with the shutters?
Less than two weeks later, we had another shot at hurricane survival. Hurricane Milton developed on the east coast of Mexico, and got himself together in record speed, exploding from Category 1 to Category 5 in one day and taking direct aim at our island as he charged up the west coast of Florida.
This time we obeyed the evacuation orders and moved to a hotel on the mainland with Lillybee. One day later, the hotel was evacuated, sending us on a drive across the state, with thousands of other people. We took refuge with family on the East Coast. And we waited and waited for the hurricane to hit and
do its work so we could begin to build back. Like waiting for surgery.
Milton made landfall on Oct. 9 on the tiny barrier island south of us, wiping it clean of all the charming old Florida cottages that have survived for so long on a spit of land. Cars floated out into the Gulf. A man was rescued clinging to a large cooler from his sunken boat. We came back to our condo four days later. The property was a mess, but we had power and internet. We were on a boilwater advisory, stores were closed, and piles of household belongings and soaked furnishings are piled up along the roads.
We love it here, but it’s crazy to build on barrier islands. Nature always reclaims her own. We were scared straight by the first hurricane, and will never try to ride one out again. We look around at neighbors who have lost everything they own. And we know we are part of a bigger, more frightening human-made disaster called climate change.
Who will gather the will and willingness to stop the rising tides and temperatures? Who will stop the awful gathering storm of wind, rain and fire that sweep across our nation in every season?
n recent days, two of the most prominent national newspapers, The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post, announced that they would not endorse a presidential candidate in Tuesday’s election, breaking from decades of precedent. Many have speculated on the reasons behind these decisions, suggesting that the newspapers favored Kamala Harris but ultimately chose not to upset Donald Trump for fear of retribution if the former president returns to the Oval Office.
For those of us in the news business, these decisions raise questions about the role of newspapers in a charged political climate. We at the Long Island Herald, a proud local newspaper company family-owned for three generations, see this as an opportunity to reaffirm our mission to serve the people of Long Island.
Unlike many national publications, the Herald does not make endorsements of candidates seeking political office, and our reasons are simple yet vital. Our focus is not on swaying voters toward a particular candidate, but on delivering comprehensive and unbiased information about the issues that matter most to Long Islanders. We are not here to tell our readers how to vote for political candidates; rather, we are here to arm readers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions at the
‘Harris shouldn’t even be on the ticket’
To the Editor:
ballot box. For us, the true measure of success is when readers feel empowered to draw their own conclusions based on facts, insights and perspectives they can trust.
Our mission is grounded in the local stories that directly impact your day-today lives — stories about Long Island schools, roads, parks, businesses and community events. It’s easy for national headlines to overshadow these essential local matters, especially in a polarized political landscape. Yet we firmly believe that our responsibility is to stay rooted in the issues affecting our neighborhoods and families. From zoning changes and public safety to neighborhood events and high school sports, we are here to cover what is relevant and timely for our readers.
The one place where you might see opinions about local and national political candidates, however, is in columns on our editorial pages, like those written by Randi Kreiss and Peter King. These essays are distinguished from Herald news content by featuring photos of the authors, making it clear that they reflect the writers’ perspectives and not the views of the Herald. We strive to showcase a diverse array of local voices across the ideological spectrum in these opinion pieces.
In a world saturated with news from national outlets, social media platforms and pundits, local newspapers play a
I couldn’t disagree more with Jerry’s Kremer’s viewpoint in his column last week, “Why I’m voting for Kamala Harris.” Harris shouldn’t even be on the ticket. If the Democrats had held an open primary after President Biden was pushed aside, she wouldn’t even have been considered. Her word-salad responses to questions are baffling and her knowledge of the issues is inept. The only thing that rings in her favor is the Roe v. Wade debate. Harris is clueless on the economy, the border, which is a travesty, and her ability to engage with world leaders. Donald Trump is far from perfect, but he’ll put America first, and Kamala, in my opinion, will not.
KEnnY CULLEn
Franklin Square
To the Editor:
In “Why I’m voting for Kamala Harris,” Jerry Kremer forgot to mention what our open south -
unique and irreplaceable role. Our newspaper is here to highlight the concerns and successes of Long Island, to act as a mirror to our community, and to bring a sense of belonging and understanding that no national publication can provide. But to achieve this, we need to hear from you, our readers. What are the topics you care about? What issues are not getting the coverage they deserve? Are there people in our community doing extraordinary things whom we should feature? We encourage you to share your thoughts, ideas and feedback with us. Let us know what you’re curious about, what you feel needs to be addressed, and where you think we can improve. Your voices are essential to shaping a Herald that genuinely reflects and serves your community.
Reach out to us at execeditor@liherald.com, and let us know what matters to you!
As the election approaches, we understand the intense focus on national races, but our mission remains to illuminate the issues closest to home. We will continue to be your trusted source for local news, not by endorsing political candidates but by informing, listening, and responding to the needs of Long Island.
Together, let’s keep our community well-informed, engaged and vibrant — one local story at a time.
ispent a lot of my childhood, and now, consequently, a lot of my adulthood, at my uncle’s lake house in Pennsylvania.
Some of my fondest memories revolve around being there — whether I was fishing with my grandfather, exploring the outdoors with my cousins or curled up with a good book on the beach, taking in my surroundings.
As I’ve gotten older, I find that I love the area for different reasons. I still like to fish and spend time outside with my family and my dogs. But I also love exploring the Poconos communities around the house, which, in many ways, feel like a second home to me.
Readers of the Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow Heralds have likely seen my name pop up on their community Facebook pages throughout the almost three and a half years that I’ve been working here. I like to stay involved with community forums,
because they’re not only a great source of information, but also a great place for me to network, and meet the people in the communities that I cover and love.
So just as I do here at home and when I’m working, I’ve joined a few community social media pages in the Pennsylvania region I travel to. Again, I find that it’s a great way to stay in the loop, find new spots to visit, and again, receive a variety of information that I might not know otherwise.
the world often feels overwhelmingly negative, but we don’t have to make it worse.
A few weeks ago, I was scrolling through a page that I check frequently, and came across a post from a page contributor that read: “NY Trash Destroyed The Poconos.”
It took me a moment to really wrap my head around what I was reading, because for one, the region is economically very reliant on tourism from places like New York, and because I couldn’t believe that people actually felt that way. I’d imagine that everyone has had their own experiences with “outsiders,” but I’d venture to guess that the vast majority of the people who’ve found second
ern border has done to our country. Maybe that’s because Harris was in charge of the border.
FRANk VENIS East Rockaway
To the Editor:
Vice presidents are very limited in what they can do in that job. Their job is to support the president’s policies. Think of former Vice President Mike Pence.
Vice President Harris is her own strong person, and she will take what she perceives to be the best aspects of President Biden’s policies, but no vice president is ever a carbon copy of their predecessor. In terms of the southern border, Harris says that she supports having both parties in Congress work together and compromise on solutions, as was recently done with the strict border bill that both parties agreed on. However, Trump intervened and told Republicans to back out.
Trump and his MAGA Republicans prefer a dictatorial approach to solving our country’s problems. They tell us that we are a failing nation that only one man can fix. Beware. That is not democracy.
Concerning our economy, economists
homes in Pennsylvania are just like me and my family — kind, courteous and respectful. Fellow commenters on the thread confirmed my beliefs. Whatever reasons he had to make that post didn’t matter in the long run. In the grand scheme of things, it was just another blip on the social media timeline. It didn’t make any waves, and it certainly didn’t stop “outsiders” from visiting the area, or going to homes that they own.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve thought a lot about that post, not because I took insult in his words, but because I can’t imagine ever going out of my way to post such a ridiculous, negative thing — on any platform, for any reason.
It’s like the age-old saying: “If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.”
It doesn’t matter that the post came from a place other than Long Island, because I’m sure we can all think of similar ones. Comments become vicious and people start attacking one another, while ignoring the actual problem: We, as a society, can be extraordinarily unkind.
There’s a lot going on these days. Things are polarized, and I feel it — the agitation, the stress about the way things are. The world we live in today isn’t perfect, but was it ever?
The point I’m trying to make is, if you have to go out of your way to say something completely unnecessary, take a moment and ask yourself: Is it worth it?
The world today may not be perfect, and often it feels overwhelmingly negative. We don’t have to make it worse. When things feel harsh and disconnected, kindness is a quiet strength, as is thinking about the things we say, or write, before we say them.
We can choose to be mindful of what we say, understanding that our words have consequences. The world may not be perfect, but each of us can make it a little better by simply pausing, reflecting, and opting for kindness whenever we can, because in a time when so much feels out of our control, this is one thing that isn’t.
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor who writes for the Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow Heralds. Comments? jvallone@ liherald.com.
report that it is doing well. Gas prices are down, unemployment is down and the stock market is flourishing.
One would expect that food and housing costs would continue to improve under Harris. Economists say that Trump’s tariffs would backfire and increase the cost of goods. Also, it seems that most people agree with the Harris plan to have large corporations pay their fair share of taxes, but she will need a Democratic Congress to achieve this.
ELAINE RAuCH Lynbrook
To the Editor:
Beware of all the promises of goodies — or, as I call them, Halloween tricks and treats — promised by candidates running for public office. There is no such thing as a free lunch, or, in this case, free government programs offering benefits to you. Taxpayers always end up picking up the tab.
That’s a good reason why politicians should be changed often, like diapers, because most are full of you know what! Remember this next Tuesday before you vote.
LARRY PENNER Great Neck
