Mepham’s girls’ volleyball team captured its first Nassau County championship in program history on Monday afternoon with a four-set victory over top-seeded, defending champ Long Beach in the Class AA final, held at East Meadow High School. Coached by Tom Wildeman, the second-seeded Pirates took the first, third and fourth sets to claim the crown and avenge a loss to the Marines in last year’s title match. At right, captains Sam Raikos and Makayla Daube were instrumental in Mepham’s victory. Raikos had 18 kills and 10 digs, and Daube added 19 assists and 6 kills. Story, additional photo, Page 7.
New clubs open at Calhoun H.S.
Buddy and Recreation clubs foster inclusivity and connection
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
In an effort to foster a more inclusive environment at Calhoun High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, the special education department and special education teachers at the school have formed two new clubs — the Buddy Club and the Recreation Club.
The Buddy Club offers an opportunity for special education and general education students to interact in a relaxed environment. It gives special education students an opportunity to attend school events and socialize with peers, as well as interact with “buddies” — or general education students — who serve as mentors in various activities.
of Calhoun’s sport teams and student-athletes.
Teachers Josh Drescher, Melanie Picchioni and Alyssa Sieber have been organizing club events under the advisement of special education department co-chairs Theresa Catalina and Melissa Rohr.
“We are working to partner with various teams, clubs and general education classes to immerse our students in all areas of Calhoun,” Picchioni said in a news release.
MElissA RohR
Special education department co-chair Calhoun High School
The Recreation Club is designed for special education students who enjoy various leisure activities. Students who join take part in various activities, including games, in collaboration with other clubs, some
“Our collaborative goal is to have our students form many new peer connections,” Sieber added, “while participating in all the amazing opportunities that Calhoun has to offer.”
Rohr said the ideas behind both programs aren’t necessarily new to Calhoun, but the clubs this year are different.
“We’ve run clubs through the special education department for a number of years here at Calhoun, but this year, we redesigned our clubs a little
Continued on page 6
Media Origin Inc./Herald photos
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Mepham students hit the steps, climbing for a cause
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
For the third year in a row, students at Wellington C. Mepham High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District participated in a stairway climb for philanthropic purposes.
People often think that active citizenship only means that you vote or run for political office, but there are a multitude of ways we, as Americans, can be active citizens.
KERRy
Social studies teacher
The event is organized by the students in the school’s Participation in Government classes, a social studies course for seniors, Kerry Dennis, one of the class’s teachers explained. During the halfyear class, the students have to complete a community-service component, and about 15-yearsago, Dennis and Chris Patten, the course’s other teacher, decided to eliminate the individual community service requirement, and make it a group effort.
“The kids work with an organization and create not only awareness for the organization,” Dennis said, “but raise funds and raise school spirit at the same time.”
Since the fall of 2009, the course has raised close to $800,000 for various charities.
The stairway climb, Dennis said, began a few years ago because students in the class were working with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation as their charity for the course. The foundation commemorates the lives and sacrifices of all Sept. 11 heroes, including FDNY
firefighter Stephen Siller and FDNY Captain Billy Burke, through various events, including a stairway climb in New York City, where participants climb 104 stories at One World Trade Center — symbolizing strength, hope and resiliency.
Mepham High School is known for its iconic tower, tall façade — and its many sets of stairs — Dennis said.
“The kids wanted to create their own version of (the stairway climb), to pay tribute to the first responders on Sept. 11,” she said, “and because we have so many stairs at Mepham, they thought we could create our own.”
Since then, every students enrolled in the fall portion of Participation in Government have kept the tradition alive, working with different charities.
Students who take the class in the
spring work directly with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, as Mepham hosts Bellmore-Merrick’s “Chop Your Locks” for charity event, every year in March.
This fall, the class decided to fundraise for the Ronald McDonald House Charities in the New York Metroregion, which supports families with children battling diseases by offering housing, meals and other vital services. The charity operates a home in New Hyde Park, that each student in the class at Mepham will have an opportunity to visit it at some point this fall, Dennis said.
Students raise funds through various avenues, such as selling sponsorships for flags, which are included in Mepham’s Field of Flags, that gets set up on the school’s front lawn in November. The students also sell
T-shirts that can be worn during Mepham’s Battle of the Classes — a school wide competition — and encourage participation in the stairway climb.
Through community service and other modules, seniors at Mepham learn what it means to be an active citizen in society — hence the name of the course, Dennis said.
“The course teaches them about active citizenship, so understanding and being aware of the world around you,” she said. “People often think that active citizenship only means that you vote or run for political office, but there are a multitude of ways we, as Americans, can be active citizens. That is the idea behind the course — to increase the desire to be active citizens, when they turn 18.”
Melvin Mammen/Herald photos
Wellington C. Mepham High School students headed down the halls last week, ready to take on a stairway climb. The school holds the charity event to raise money for an organization chosen by students in the Participation in Government class.
The Bellmore and North Bellmore Fire Departments helped set up an American Flag arch outside of the school.
Bellmore and North Bellmore firefighters took part in the stairway climb. Students, staff and other participants climbed 104 flights of stairs, in honor of the sacrifices of Sept. 11 heroes.
Proceeds from this year’s climb will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Above, students made their way down one of Mepham’s staircases.
DENNis
Mepham High School
Kevin Vaughan: Triumph over trauma and adversity
By Mariam Guirgis
Special to the Herald
Kevin Vaughan was an eighth grader in Merrick when his life was forever changed on Sept. 11, 2001. The chaos that unfolded that day not only marked a national tragedy but also ignited Vaughan’s decision to join the Marine Corps.
“I remember vividly seeing these kids get called to the principal’s office during that time when no one knew what was going on,” Vaughan, 35, said. “It wasn’t until later that you found out why they were being called; they were saying goodbye to their parents and that was intense for someone that was in eighth grade.”
Vaughan spent his teenage years drifting but participated in his school sports —lacrosse, football and wrestling.
“I wasn’t really taking school seriously,” he said. “It was [either] sports [or] probably getting in trouble.”
In his senior year of high school, Vaughan realized college wasn’t for him, so he made the decision to enlist and hid his intentions from his parents until the last moment.
“I basically told the recruiter, ‘what’s the fastest way I can go to Iraq or Afghanistan? I want to fight,’” he said.
After completing boot camp and infantry school, Vaughn was deployed to Afghanistan in early 2010.
During that first tour, a mortar mal-
function led to serious injuries, bringing him back to the U.S. for recovery.
“I hurt my shoulder and shattered my hand,” he recalled. Within months, Vaughan’s unit saw significant losses. “We lost 17 people, over 140 got Purple Hearts, a few got Silver Stars, and one guy got a Medal of Honor,” he added. A Medal of Honor is the highest award you can get in the military.
“One of our friends received a Medal of Honor because he jumped on a grenade that landed in between all of us and he survived,” Vaughn said. “He saved six of us, and he survived.”
Vaughan returned to Afghanistan to the same location for a second tour after seven months, where the threat shifted from firefights to improvised explosive devices.
On Sept. 28, 2011, a month before his second tour was over, a 140pound IED detonated under Vaughan’s vehicle.
“It basically destroyed my whole truck that I was in,” he said. “I had third-degree burns, I broke both my legs, broke my hip, broke my arms, ribs, shattered my skull up here, broke my nose. My friends had to basically fold my legs back forward in front of me because they were behind me and they had to put me on the stretcher. It took about 40 minutes for the helicopters to
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He was sent to Germany for surgeries before eventually being sent to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on his birthday, Oct. 1, where spent a year and a half there. Vaughan left the hospital after 35 surgeries and has had 10 more since coming home.
The stay at Walter Reed marked another significant change in his life. The aftermath of combat left Vaughan physically and emotionally scarred.
“Being in a room that was only, like, an eight-by-eight room for a year and a half, it closes in on you after a while, especially when you can’t move because that’s how I lost my leg, my left leg below the knee and after a year and a half of being there, I was discharged.”
Upon his discharge from the hospital, Vaughan returned to Merrick, his home, where the town welcomed him with a parade.
“It was a mixture of I’m thankful but at the same time I’m not ready to be around this many people,” he said.
Vaughan was also gifted a new home made for wounded warriors by the nonprofit organization, Building Homes for Heroes in 2015.
“The mental battle is so hard . . .
there’ve been days where I definitely did not want to be here anymore, you know, and it’s scary and it’s dark if I didn’t have the friends and family that I had, I don’t know where I’d be,” he said.
Because of Vaughan’s experience with physical therapy when he was in recovery at Walter Reed, he came home knowing he wanted to go into physical therapy, but hesitated and from 2013 to 2017 he started working with a union Local 52 that hire wounded warriors to help build the sets for commercials, movies and television shows. However, it wasn’t long before Vaughan realized how demanding the job was on his body.
He used tried to use adventures like hiking mountains across the globe and traveling as a distraction but discovered those moments were often fleeting.
“They always seem to fall a little short as far as, like, I always end up falling back into that little not-so-good circle of thoughts, Vaughn said.”
Realizing this, he became determined to put his all into school and focus on supporting others that may be facing similar struggles and got into the New York Institute of Technology’s physical therapy program.
“I signed up for [PT school] because I really wanted to help people. PT works, and I have a direct experience of why it works,” he said.
Through his recovery, Vaughan developed a unique perspective, allowing him to connect deeply with patients.
“I can always show them a bigger picture: It’s bad now, but it can be way better than you think,” he said. Vaughan’s journey is a powerful reminder of resilience.
“No matter how hard things get in life … or how emotional it is or how lost you feel you may not understand it in the moment and it might feel so unfair and unbearable but if you just push through there’s always an answer at the end,” he said.
Mariam Guirgis is a reporter 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.
Courtesy Kevin Vaughn
Kevin Vaughn on his first day of walking during physical therapy in 2012.
Pumpkins pose as popular book characters
The auditorium became homage to children’s literature with a fall twist on Nov. 4 at Newbridge Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. Fourth graders presented their pumpkin book character projects as classes from other grades visited throughout the day.
Students in JoAnn Belferder and Dawn Teti’s classes were tasked with turning a pumpkin into a popular character from a favorite book. The projects were done at home and could be made from real or fake pumpkins. On Nov. 1, students presented in class before creating their gallery in the auditorium a few days later.
Each student wrote a report that identified three of the character’s traits, and how those characteristics were demonstrated in the story. Fourth graders learned how to cite text evidence to support their findings.
As students from other grades visited the auditorium, fourth graders shared their reports and engaged in thoughtful discussions about children’s literature.
Some of the characters represented on the pumpkins included Greg Heffley from “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, Kitty from the “Bad Kitty” books, Auggie from “Wonder” and Olaf from “Frozen.”
—Jordan Vallone
Photos courtesy North Bellmore School District
‘Diary of Wimpy Kid’ was the most popular book students chose, including, from left, Francisco Meza, Luca Mendoza, Olivia Egan, Vincent Giordano and Amalia Ahadova.
Andrew Boylan put a lot of effort into creating a pumpkin model of Olaf from ‘Frozen.’
A community of inclusion and understanding
bit,” she said. “They were a little bit outdated, and we kind of needed a revamp based on the needs of all our students. So this is the first year that we’re calling one the Buddy Club and calling the other club the Recreation Club.”
Anyone in Calhoun’s special education classes is welcome to participate in both of the clubs.
According to the district, both groups have many collaborative ideas on the horizon — and held a successful event recently, in celebration of Halloween.
On Halloween, the Buddy Club simulated a real movie theater experience for students in self-contained programs. Selling tickets to Calhoun students were students in the school’s Prep for the Future program, which is designed to connect students with disabilities to real-world experiences through volunteer work programs and companies in the Bellmore-Merrick community.
The students then worked on things like reading a movie theater schedule, purchasing tickets and making change, Sieber explained, while other students acted like movie theater ushers.
“Our buddies were also there,” Sieber said, “to help support and enjoy the experience.”
And on the Recreation Club side, soccer players at Calhoun participated in a meeting earlier this school year, and special education students were able to return their support by attending a playoff game at the end of October, Picchioni said.
“It was so awesome for our kids to be able to support the varsity kids in such a big game, after they have been giving us so much support all year,” she said. “You could really see the connection and excitement from everyone involved.”
Every school in the district has a special education department, but Calhoun is the only one that offers self-contained classes, for students who may have more diverse needs in their education, Rohr said.
The general education students who volunteer or participate in these two clubs are either varsity athletes, students who have good relationships with teachers in the building, or are students who have expressed an interest in working with students with disabilities.
“A lot of the kids — the ones that volunteer in our programs — have an inter-
Photos courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Calhoun High School has rolled out two new clubs this year — the Buddy Club and the recreation Club — fostering an inclusive environment between special education and general education students. mary mcdonald, above, with her pal Jose Castillo, were all smiles after completing a mad Libs activity together.
est in becoming a teacher or special education teacher, or involved in the special education world in some capacity, as a service provider like a speech teacher or occupational therapist,” Rohr said.
The Buddy Club meets on Mondays in Calhoun’s east cafeteria, and the Recreation Club meets every other Wednesday in the same location. Sign-up is open on a rolling basis, meaning general education students who want to join or attend a club meeting are welcome at any time.
Anyone interested in learning more about the clubs can visit the Instagram handles, @CalhounConnections, which has posts about the Buddy Club and other connections made between the special education and general education students at Calhoun, and @CalhounRecreation, which specifically posts information about the Recreation Club.
Both clubs, Rohr said, really reinforce the feeling of community at Calhoun.
“We’re a school community and we all care about each other, and (the clubs) have just opened up our program to the whole building, which has been very nice,” she said. “You’re not going to find a more inclusive place than Calhoun. But there’s always room to grow, and as our program grows and evolves, there’s always room to get better and do the best we possibly can for our students.”
Club is designed for students who enjoy a variety of leisure activities. Students worked together on art projects at a recent meeting.
Student John paul amato, left, and his teacher, alyssa Sieber, were ready for fun at a recreation Club meeting.
recreation
HERALD SPORTS
Mepham wins first county championship
By MICHELLE RABINOVICH sports@liherald.com
Mepham’s girls’ volleyball program made history Monday afternoon.
It took four sets for the Pirates to secure the Nassau Class AA championship in a revenge-match rematch of last year’s county title game against Long Beach, winning 25-21, 17-25, 25-17, 25-20.
“They just came together and played incredibly, supporting each other, never got down, had the momentum most of the game; blocking was outrageous, serve receive was best I’ve seen all year,” Mepham coach Tom Wildeman said.
Captains Sam Raikos (18 kills and 10 digs) and Makayla Daube (19 assists and 6 kills) led the way for the Pirates, who captured their first-ever county crown.
“Two really good teams, we split with them during the regular season so we knew it was going to be a really tough game, we knew that it was going to come down to five or four sets,” Long Beach coach Katherine Meyers said. “My girls played really well, I’m really proud of them.”
The first set proved to Mepham that
Long Beach was beatable, with the Pirates cutting through their opponents’ defense almost immediately out of the gate, converting on-the-court miscommunications into free points. What made the points pile on was Mepham’s defense, anchored by senior libero Grace Brassill. The Long Beach offense, save for a couple of unreturnable serves, could not find its footing with Brassill in the way.
“Grace is such a good player, her servereceive today was the best I’ve seen all year,” Wildeman said. “she did her homework, so [Grace] was reading the hitters, seeing the set, seeing their shoulders turn, and she’s just a really good defender.”
In the second set, however, the Marines wanted to write this story. Mepham’s Sam Bremer, who ended the evening with seven kills, four blocks and seven digs, said that she felt the team’s energy drop in the second set, leading to Long Beach evening the match at one set apiece. Franky DeCicco, Hayley Lipinski, Ivanka Priymak and Sara Biancamano led the way for the Marines.
“We told the girls from the beginning that this is an accomplishment just to be here, and they need to play not just for themselves but for their community and
for their team,” Meyers said. “Once they realized that this is bigger than just them, they really focused on not as much nerves, and really focused on playing for their town and their school.”
It was a completely different conversation on the other side of the net.
“Just get back to covering, backing up our blockers and our hitters,” Wildeman said. “They got to put [the second set] behind them and they did.”
The vibe shift was subtle in the third and self-evident in the fourth. Mepham had a few long serves, but after that cooled down to walk away with the 25-17 third-set W, tightening loose ends from the mistakes of the second stanza.
Halfway through an intense fourth set, Mepham started to tip the scale in its direction with its serve-bump-hit-block routine translated to a five-point lead. Later, kills from Sam Bremer and Kailey Harrison put the Pirates in front 24-17. A few erroneous plays gave Long Beach hope when the set tightened to 24-20, put away by one final Mepham kill.
“It feels so good,” Bremer said. “We worked so all season and trained so hard; to finally get that win is so validating.”
Media Origin Inc./Herald
The Pirates celebrated after knocking off Long Beach in four sets in the Class AA championship match Monday afternoon.
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The Herbert School of Communications, at Hofstra University, had transformed overnight into a news station. Students were busy writing scripts and reporting live results on election night, on a program called “Hofstra Votes Live.”
The multi-platform broadcast brought together students from across the Herbert School and the university. They began planning the program months before the election in order to deliver comprehensive, real-time coverage — all under the mentoring and guidance of Hofstra faculty members. The broadcast aired from 8 p.m. to midnight, and reached audiences on campus, on YouTube and on 88.7 FM WRHU, Radio Hofstra University.
The program featured coverage with both a regional and national perspective, and included live reports from watch parties such as those for Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and his Democratic challenger Laura Gillen, who ultimately defeated him. One of the standout moments was a live report from Vice President Kamala Harris’s watch party, at Howard University, in Washington, by student reporter Jake Epstein. Student anchors also interview guests such as former New York Gov. David Paterson on air.
The students gained hands-on experience in the fast-paced world of live news coverage, and learned about the behindthe-scenes work that goes into producing an important broadcast on a historic night. They also felt for themselves the excitement and intensity of covering a
presidential election.
“To be part of Hofstra Votes Live is a huge opportunity, and I feel so grateful being part of the team,” said Sarah Ng, a senior at Hofstra who served as one of the anchors of the national coverage.
“It’s a big production that the depart -
ment puts on every two years, and I’m really excited to see how it comes together. I’m both excited and nervous just because it’s four hours long — that’s like, that would be the longest I’ve ever been on air live.”
Days before the broadcast, student anchors like Ng took part in a special workshop hosted by WABC reporter Chanteé Lans, who shared some of the secrets of being a good anchor during a live broadcast.
In the past, “HVL” has covered presidential and midterm elections as well as Super Tuesday during the presidential primaries. Last year the broadcast won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Student Video Newscast for its coverage of the 2022 midterms.
“I’m really grateful, actually, to be one of the coordinating producers for ‘HVL’ for the 2024 presidential election,” junior Samantha Diamond said. “You know, seeing me as a freshman two years ago, I was one of the camera assistants. . . . And I was just, like, you know what? When I’m an upperclassmen and we do this again in two years, I want to be one of the leaders.”
In addition to the main “HVL” broadcast, students also produced a special edition of “Hofstra News Now” that aired the day before Election Day. The broadcast examined key issues in the election, including reproductive rights, foreign affairs and inflation.
Courtesy Diego Olivras
Regional anchors Michael Dent and Camryn Bowden reporting the news for ‘Hofstra Votes Live’ on election night.
Nassau County honors veterans, military
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Nassau County veterans, families and community members gathered in Eisenhower Park on Nov. 10 to honor those who served on Veterans Day, paying tribute to local heroes whose courage and sacrifice have protected the United States’ freedoms and values. In a poignant ceremony led by the United Veterans Organization at the county’s veterans memorial in the park, speakers focused on respect, courage and resilience — and of course, the importance of Veterans Day and veteran service agencies.
“On Veterans Day, we veterans remember our service — we think about friends that we made, and some of the friends that we’ve lost,” Morris Miller, who’s on the UVO’s board of directors, said during the ceremony’s opening remarks. “We served with distinction. We served with honor. And even though many of us are older, greyer, out of shape — we would not hesitate at a moment’s notice to serve our country, if asked.”
Following a convocation, given by Chaplain Eric Spinner of the United Veterans Organization, a Color Guard was presented by active servicemen and women, youth organizations, and various veteran organizations.
Following his convocation, Spinner offered remarks for those who are prisoners of war and those who are still listed as missing in action.
“As you entered these grounds today, you may have noticed this small table in place,” Spinner said, referencing a display in front of the lectern. “This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are com-
County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and State Senator Steve Rhoads carried a wreath to the POW-MIA memorial, and held their hands over their hearts during the presentation of ‘Taps.’
monly called POWs or MIAs — we call them brothers. They are unable to be with us at this time, and so we remember them.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, State Senator Steve Rhoads, State Assemblyman-elect Daniel Norber, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jen DeSena and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder all attended Sunday’s ceremony.
“We have enemies that hate our way of life, they hate our prosperity, they hate our spirit, they hate our love of country,” Blakeman said. “So today, we’re here to remember. May God bless our veterans, may God bless our active military, and may God bless America.”
Ryder said both veterans and police
offers have a bond over the word “service.”
“And what does it mean — unconditional service,” he said. “You didn’t ask for anything when you signed up to serve your country. You just went out to do it, and do it because you honored the flag, the constitution, the way of life here in the United States — that freedom we all get to enjoy.”
Among all of the speakers, perhaps no one is more involved directly with veteran affairs than Ralph Esposito, director of Nassau County’s Veterans Service Agency. There’s an office in East Meadow, right behind the main tower of the Nassau University Medical Center, which offers support, health care, food and other resources to veterans.
Morris Miller of the United Veterans Organization reflecting on the importance of Veterans Day at the ceremony in Eisenhower Park on Sunday.
“I feed 1,650 people a month that are veterans,” Esposito said of the office he runs. “That should not be. Veterans should not be hungry. Our veterans shouldn’t have to sleep in the park. There’s a lot more to be done, and as long as I’m living, I want to fight to get it done. I promise you that.”
The United Veterans Organization held a Veterans Day ceremony at the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale on Sunday as well.
For more on veteran affairs and resources offered in Nassau County, visit NassauCountyNY.gov or call (516) 572-6565. Its headquarters are 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, Building ‘Q,’ East Meadow.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Veteran organizations from across Nassau County participated in Sunday’s ceremony at the county’s veterans memorial in Eisenhower Park. Above, Elmont Post No. 1033 Legion Riders with the Patriot Guard Riders of New York.
An afternoon well spent with Bellmore-Merrick EMS
The Bellmore-Merrick EMS got the community into the Halloween spirit a few days early, hosting its annual “Boo Bash,” a family-friendly Halloween event in the Bellmore-Merrick area on Oct. 27. It features activities like trick-or-treating, costume contests, and pumpkin painting, along with opportunities for the community to meet EMS staff and learn about emergency services. The Boo Bash often includes interactive demonstrations, treats for kids, and is designed to create a safe Halloween experience for families while strengthening ties between the EMS team and the community.
Events like the Boo Bash foster a sense of community, providing a fun and safe environment where families can celebrate together. They offer an opportunity for children and parents to meet and interact with local EMS staff in a non-emergency setting, which builds trust and familiarity. This helps kids feel more comfortable with emergency responders, potentially reducing fear in actual emergencies.
Community events with first responders also create connections between neighbors, reinforcing support networks and community pride. In areas like Bellmore-Merrick, where residents take pride in local initiatives, such gatherings reinforce bonds between public service organizations and the people they serve. They also provide educational moments about health, safety, and emergency response, offering a casual way for families to learn important information that could be critical in real emergencies.
Visit BMEMS.com for more on the BellmoreMerrick EMS.
— Jordan Vallone
Curing a rare heart disorder with a short life expectancy.
Performing a life-changing brain surgery without a single incision.
Helping a new mom give birth—and receive a new liver.
At Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital, the nation’s most brilliant minds come here to conquer health care’s greatest challenges. So that whatever comes through our doors: challenge accepted.
North Shore University Hospital
Brittany Krilov/Herald
Members of the Bellmore-Merrick EMS hosted a community-oriented Halloween event ahead of the holiday, called ‘Boo Bash’ on Oct. 27. It promotes safe, family-oriented Halloween fun.
BELLMORE HERALD — November 14, 2024
He served the country. Now, the county.
Navy veteran Kerry Englander discusses his role as the American Legion’s Nassau commander
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Kerry Englander, a U.S. Navy veteran and longtime member of American Legion Post 1711 in Levittown, was appointed the Legion’s Nassau County commander in June. Representing nearly 30,000 veterans across 52 posts, he now oversees efforts to support those who served.
Englander, 79, joined Levittown Post 1711 in 2008, starting as historian before being named second vice commander. He became active in the Nassau County chapter of the American Legion in 2020, serving as vice commander of the second division, where he supervised 15 posts in central Nassau.
After three years in that role, he was promoted to adjutant. His journey toward leadership included training at American Legion College at SUNY Morrisville, where he strengthened his understanding of the organization’s mission.
“It’s so gratifying working with all the vets and vet services,” Englander said. “Helping veterans — that’s what the American Legion is. It’s vets helping vets and the community. We served our country, and now we’re serving our community — simple as that.”
Englander’s commitment to aiding
veterans was evident when he recently helped a fellow veteran with a staph infection transfer to the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook for specialized care.
“He’s rehabilitating there, awaiting his hip replacement,” Englander said, highlighting his hands-on approach.
ment operations. Boys State has had many notable alumni throughout its 88-year history, including Neil Armstrong, Bruce Springsteen and Michael Jordan. Englander said that he sees this program as an essential way to teach leadership and civic responsibility.
Englander’s own leadership journey began with his military service. From 1966 to 1968, he served on the USS Talladega, a troop transport ship based in California, before ending his tour in Pearl Harbor, where he trained recruits. Starting as a boatswain’s mate, he fondly recalls early duties, including cooking for the chiefs.
“Everybody’s gotta start someplace,” he said with a laugh.
After his military service, Englander pursued a career in information technology with Con Edison and now runs a tax practice. He got married to his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth, and has a son, who is now 47, and a grandson, 11. His commitment to service, influenced by his family’s values and history, continues to shape his work with the Legion.
Englander’s advocacy has also extended to pushing for the reopening of the Mitchel Field commissary in Uniondale. In September, he joined other members of the American Legion, as well as Congressman Anthony D’Esposito and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, in urging the Department of Defense to repair the damaged facility. The commissary’s closure has forced local veterans to travel to Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn for discounted food.
“The veterans and current military need this facility, especially with the economy the way it is today,” Englander told the Herald at the rally. “I believe that if the military and veterans are putting this facility, it should be opened up.
The Nassau County Legion chapter continues to advocate for more state funding to expand opportunities for Long Island students to attend Boys State, a prestigious program that immerses high school juniors in govern-
One of Englander’s proudest achievements as county commander has been the revival of the Nassau County oratorical contest, a constitutional speech competition for high school students. Contestants compete for up to $1,000 in scholarships by presenting an eight- to 10-minute speech on the U.S. Constitution, followed by a discourse on an assigned topic related to key amendments.
In his role as county commander, Englander remains focused on growing membership and strengthening the Legion’s community outreach. He values the mentorship of past county commanders, acknowledging their support as essential to his success.
“When you get into the county, you’re dealing with many posts,” he said. “The past commanders are critical to the making of a county commander … I couldn’t do it without them.”
For Englander, the American Legion is about more than honoring service — it’s about actively supporting veterans and their families. His leadership embodies the Legion’s core values of commitment, service and community.
Daniel Offner/Herald
Nassau County American Legion Commander Kerry Englander shared some of his goals as the representative of the county’s nearly 30,000 veterans.
Light the night with sweet
LuminoCity unwraps a colorful world of wonder
By Danielle Schwab
The holiday season is quickly approaching, so bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and experience holiday magic at 14 acres of enchanting displays in Eisenhower Park.
Now in its fifth year, the popular holiday festival LuminoCity, which runs through Jan. 5, welcomes guests to a wonderland filled with giant lantern creations.
“It’s a really cool combination of light and art and a little sprinkle of holiday magic with this event,” John Baiata, LuminoCity’s onsite manager. Eisenhower Park is our signature event.”
All of the displays are new to Eisenhower Park this year.
The idea started with the founder Xiaoyi Chen, who grew up in China and was inspired by traditional Chinese lantern festivals as a child.
“She came to New York, went to art school here, and founded LuminoCity in 2018 with the idea to reimagine the traditional Chinese lantern festival into something that combined her acumen with the art world,” Baiata explains.
As you stroll along the paths, LuminoCity’s mascot, Lumi, lights you along the way. Visitors will see Lumi in various outfits as your glowing tour guide throughout your visit.
This year’s theme “Sweet Dreams,” stirs up a delightful blend of sugar and imagination into a candy-coated world of desserts and confections.
“Who doesn’t like a giant donut tunnel, or a forest made entirely of sweets?” asks Baiata. Kids have added their own “Sweet Dreams” to the walk-through as part of Lumi’s Utopia, in partnership with Long Island Children’s Museum.
“We hold an art contest for children of different age categories. They submit works of art with a pre-agreed theme — this year’s theme was Sweet Dreams, such as candy and sweets — and the museum and our founder picked the winners,” Baiata says.
LuminoCity’s team acquires kids’ 2-D artwork that is brought to life as a 3-D light display for all to enjoy.
“The best part is the children seeing, for the first time, their pieces of art come to life. There’s this visceral excitement and just a gushing pride that you see from them and their parents as well,” Baiata adds.
“Art enriches our lives in so many ways that we take for granted sometimes. This really reminds us that imagination and art are central to our purpose here.”
Other can’t-miss attractions include a 50-foot Christmas tree and a majestic ice castle, which is
• Now through Jan. 5; weekdays 4:30-9:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 4:30-10 p.m.
• Tickets priced $24-$32 per person, children 3 and under free
• Purchase tickets at luminocityfestival.com or on-site.
• Eisenhower Park , East Meadow
described as bigger than a residential home. And, of course, a lantern Santa Claus returns to spread holiday cheer .
“I think that it creates this sense of wonder and adventure because as you approach, you’re looking up and you’re just kind of awed,” Baiata says.
Unlike Old Saint Nick, this process certainly can’t be completed in just one night. With a team of 40 members, the spectacle has been months in the making.
“It’s a big production staff required to get this all done. And it’s not just the creation. It’s also the maintenance because we’re outdoors, so we are beholden to the elements,” Baiata adds.
For an exciting twist, the festival also offers theme nights. Check out the website for additional ways to join in the fun.
When it’s time for a break, seek out the food truck nearby, with tempting eats and treats.
Whether you have been before, or it’s your first time, LuminoCity’s Holiday Light festival promises a night of memory-making experiences with friends and family.
“One of the most precious things in children is seeing the wonder in their eyes. And you want to cultivate that sense of wonder with your children; not just your children, but also your inner child,” Baiata enthuses.
“For the families who have already made (our festival) a tradition, we’re so grateful.”
Madeleine Peyroux
The acclaimed jazz singer, songwriter and interpreter brings her tour to the Landmark stage, following spring’s release of “Let’s Walk,” her first album in six years. Peyroux is acclaimed for her dusky, lyrical style and affinity for reinterpreting classic jazz, blues, and folk standards. Her extraordinary journey is one of the music industry’s most compelling. Emerging in her teens, much like songbird Edith Piaf, Peyroux spent her teenage years busking the busy streets of Paris. Years later, Peyroux would cite Piaf as an influence on her music and record a rendition of the classic La Vie En Rose, soulfully capturing the tune’s romanticism and melancholy. Madeleine’s thirst for creative exploration is unfading and her willingness to face creative challenges remains as solid now as it was three decades ago.
Sunday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m. $70, $65, $58. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
‘Come
and play”… on Sesame Street
Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their friends from Sesame Street are coming to your neighborhood to say hello! At Sesame Street Live! Say Hello everyone’s invited to sing, dance and play alongside some of their favorite friends, all while you follow Elmo’s puppy, Tango, in a fun game of hide and seek. Elmo, his pals and other Muppets lead dances, songs, and games from the stage while you and your little ones participate in the audience. Join in lively dances, sing along to catchy tunes and interact with your favorite Muppets, As they say on Sesame Street: “Come and play, Everything’s A-Okay, Friendly neighbors there, That’s where we meet…”.
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6 p.m. 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.
Photos courtesy LuminoCity Eisenhower Park glitters throughout the holiday season with the arrival of LuminoCity.
THE Your Neighborhood
The Weight Band
Owl Prowl
Tea time
Originating inside Helm’s famed Woodstock barn Weider was inspired to carry on the musical legacy of the iconic group. Years of touring have seen The Weight Band revive “The Woodstock Sound,” keeping the spirit of Americana/Roots Rock alive. He is joined by keyboardist Brian Mitchell (Helm’s Midnight Ramble Band), bassist Albert Rogers (Jim Weider Band, Jimmy Vivino), drummer Michael Bram (Jason Mraz) and keyboardist Matt Zeiner (Dickey Betts). The veteran quintet shares a deep appreciation and knowledge for this music, which Weider describes as the “Woodstock Sound.” The Weight Band continues to serve as its torchbearer, with “Shines Like Gold” representing a sublime example of these masterful roots musicians at work. They continue to keep the sound vibrant by releasing new music. Replicating the music of The Band would be a tall order, but interpreting it is an art. The songs The Band created have pleased audiences for decades, and The Weight Band has found a way to honor the legacy while creating its own sound with original works that complement that legacy. $45, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. Nov. 24
The Weight Band — helmed by by Jim Weider, a 15-year former member of The Band, and the guitarist who replaced Robbie Robertson — pays tribute to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ensemble’s iconic, timeless and enduring 1968 album “Music from Big Pink.,” on the Paramount stage, Sunday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m. The Weight Band, named for the classic The Band song “The Weight,” performs a rare and historic show showcasing the album in its entirety, along with outtakes and other favorites by The Band. The concert also include cuts from their latest album “Shines Like Gold,” a dynamic set of classic Americana that draws upon roadhouse rock, funky swamp pop, blues, country soul, and folk music. The band interprets and honors the legacy of “Music from Big Pink,” which changed rock and roll forever. The Band drummer Levon Helm inspired Weider to launch The Weight Band in 2013, as a vehicle for carrying on The Band’s iconic sound. Frontman Weider, a Woodstock native who joined The Band in 1985 and was a member until 2000, was also a member of the Levon Helm Band.
Check out Sands Point Preserve’s native owls calling in the woods at night, with biologist and ranger Eric Powers, Friday, Nov. 15, 7-8:30 p.m. Learn how to identify owls by sight and sound, and attract these beneficial birds to your own backyard. Then head out to the woods for a very quiet guided night walk in search of owls and other nighttime wildlife. Families welcome. Spaces are limited and registration required. $24 adult, $12 child, 8+; $18 adult, $6.50 child, 8+ members. 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
In concert
Plaza Theatricals’ welcomes Andy Cooney with his “Irish Celebration,” Sunday, Nov. 17, 2:30 p.m. Cooney’s outstanding voice and dynamic stage have filled the rafters of Lincoln Center and The National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland. His talent and versatility provide the ability to deliver a variety of songs directly to the hearts of the audience.
Cooney is surely one of the greatest singing sensations on the Irish music scene today. Christened “Irish America’s Favorite Son” by The New York Times, it is a title he richly deserves. See the show at 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
The festive season is underway at Old Westbury Gardens. Enjoy a cream tea (featuring scones, Devonshire cream, assorted sweets, and tea), then a guided tour of decorated Westbury House, Tuesday, dec. 3, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.; Wednesday, dec. 4, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.; Thursday, dec. 5, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. $22.50 per person. Advance registration suggested. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.
Wine & Whiskey Night
American Beauty Bar & Grill invites all to a Wine & Whiskey Night, Friday, Nov. 15, 7:3010:30 p.m. Enjoy a selection of fine wines and whiskey, while helping making a difference in the lives of children battling cancer. $65 per person, Venmo @Vinnys-Army to attend. 2562 Sunrise Highway, Bellmore. RSVP required through payment; must be 21 or older to attend.
Let’s Skate
Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, opening Saturday, Nov. 16,, through Jan. 7. Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades.
Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.” Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues Saturday, Nov. 169, 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.
Having an event?
Nov. 21
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Open House
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education (CTE) high school, is opening its doors to all students with a passion for a hands-on career. Come and get a “Taste of Tech” at an open house at Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, Thursday, Nov. 21, 5:30 p.m. Following an introduction to the school led by administrators, there will be self-guided tours of the facility. Additional open house sessions are offered in January and February. Interested students and their families can register for the Open House at nassauboces.org/ barrytech or call (516) 6226812 for more information. 1196 Prospect Ave., Westbury.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“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.
Flea Market
Check out the flea market in the Merrick LIRR parking lot, Sunday, Nov. 17, beginning at 8 a.m. Stop by for a day of shopping ahead of the holiday season. Vendors interested in attending must pay $60 to reserve a spot. For more or to learn how to be a vendor, visit NassauFairs.com.
Movie matinee
See a film on Merrick Library’s big screen. Watch the documentary “The Session Man,” Friday, Nov. 15, 1-2:30 p.m. The 90-minute documentary feature tells the story of Nicky Hopkins, the highly gifted and prolific session pianist, and unsung hero. Nicky not only played with The Kinks, The Who, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, he also played on solo albums of all four members of the Beatles in the early part of a stellar career that spanned over 30 years. Nicky’s legendary piano riffs and wonderful musical motifs helped ordinary tracks become extraordinary and iconic. So many of them remain popular today. The generations that followed the Golden Era of rock ‘n roll soon discover those iconic tracks that made Nicky Hopkins a legend among his peers. No registration necessary. For more, visit merricklibrary.org or call (516) 377-6112 2279 Merrick Ave.
Public Notices
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
LEGAL NOTICE
ANNUAL ELECTION OF THE NORTH BELLMORE FIRE DISTRICT
DECEMBER 10, 2024
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Annual Election of the North Bellmore Fire District will take place on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the North Bellmore Fire District Buildings located at 1500 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, New York, and 821 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, New York for the purpose of electing one (1) Commissioner for a five (5) year term, commencing January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2029. All duly registered voters residing in the North Bellmore Fire District shall be eligible to vote. Residents must be registered to vote with
the Nassau County Board of Elections on or before November 18, 2024 in order to be eligible to vote.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that in order to be placed on the ballot Candidates for District office shall file their names in petition form with the Secretary of the North Bellmore Fire District at the Fire District Office located at 1500 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, New York, between the normal business hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and no later than 4:00 p.m. on November 20, 2024. Said petition shall be subscribed to by at least (25) twenty-five qualified voters of the North Bellmore Fire District and shall set forth the name of the candidate, the candidates address and the Office for which the candidate is nominated..
The official North Bellmore Fire District petition form must be used and petition forms may be obtained from the office of the District Superintendent.
Dated: North Bellmore, New York
November 6, 2024
Georg V. Kern Superintendent 150012
LEGAL NOTICE
NORTH BELLMORE FIRE DISTRICT PREPARATION OF THE REGISTRATION ROLLS
ANNUAL ELECTION OF THE FIRE DISTRICT
PLEASE BE ADVISED, that the Board of Elections of the North Bellmore Fire District shall meet on the 10th day of December, 2024 between the hours of 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm at the Fire District office located at 1500 Newbridge Rd, North Bellmore, NY 11710 for the purpose of preparing the rolls of registered voters of the North Bellmore Fire District.
The annual election of the North Bellmore Fire District will be held immediately thereafter on the 10th day of December 2024 between the hours of 3:00 pm and 9:00 pm at the Fire District Office, 1500 Newbridge Rd, North Bellmore, NY 11710 and 821 Newbridge Rd, North Bellmore, NY 11710.
PLEASE BE ADVISED that only those persons residing in the fire district who have registered to vote with the County Board of Elections at least twenty three (23) days before December 10, 2024 shall be eligible to vote.
PLEASE BE ADVISED that candidates for District Office shall file their names in petition form with the Superintendent of the North Bellmore Fire District at the office of the fire district at 1500 Newbridge Rd, North Bellmore, NY 11710, no later than twenty (20) days before the date of
said election. Said filing shall be submitted in the form of a petition subscribed by twenty-five, (25) qualified voters of the Fire District to the Superintendent. Petition forms shall be made available by the Superintendent.
Dated: North Bellmore, New York
November 6, 2024
George V. Kern
Superintendent North Bellmore Fire District 150015
LEGAL NOTICE
NORTH BELLMORE FIRE DISTRICT
AVISO LEGAL
ELECCIÓN ANUAL DEL DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS
NORTH BELLMORE 10 DE DICIEMBRE DE 2024
TENGA EN CUENTA que la Elección Anual del Distrito de Bomberos de North Bellmore se llevará a cabo el martes 10 de diciembre de 2024 entre las 3:00 p.m. y 9:00 p.m. en los Edificios del Distrito de Bomberos de North Bellmore ubicados en 1500 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, Nueva York, y 821 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, Nueva York con el propósito de elegir un (1) Comisionado por un período de cinco (5) años, a partir de enero 1, 2025 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2029. Todos los votantes debidamente registrados que residan en el Distrito de Bomberos de North Bellmore serán elegibles para votar. Los residentes deben estar registrados para votar en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau el 20 de noviembre de 2023 o antes para poder votar. Tenga mas aviso de que, para ser incluidos en la boleta electoral, los candidates a cargos de distrito deberan presenter sus nombres en el forulario de peticion ante el Superintendent del Distrito de Bomberos de North Bellmore en la Oficina del Distrito de Bomberos ubicada en 1500 NewBridge Rd, North Bellmore NY, entre el horario laboral normal de 9:00 a.m. y 4:00 p.m. y a mas tardar a las 4:00 p.m. el 20 de Noviembre de 2024. Dicha peticion debera ser suscrita por al menos (25) veinticinco votantes calificados del Distrito de Bomberos de North Bellmor y debera establecer el nombre del candidate, la direccion del candidate y la Oficina para la cual el candidate es nominado. Se debe utilizar el formulario de peticion oficial del Distrito de Bomberos de North Bellmore y loss formularios de peticion se pueden obtener en la oficina del Superintendent de Distrito Fecha: North Bellmore, Nueva York
6 de Novembre de 2024
George V. Kern
Superintendente DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS NORTH BELLMORE 150028
LEGAL NOTICE RESOLUTION 07-2
BELLMORE FIRE DISTRICT
SALE OF 2003 Pierce 85’
Platform
WHEREAS, the Board of Fire Commissioners of the BELLMORE FIRE DISTRICT is vested with the authority to sell property or equipment owned by the District which it determines is no longer necessary for the uses and purposes of the District pursuant to Section 176 subdivision 23 of the Town Law; and WHEREAS, the Board has determined that a 2003 Pierce 85’ Platform owned by the District is no longer necessary for its uses and purposes; and WHEREAS, the Board has determined to sell such 2003 Pierce Platform, subject to a mandatory referendum, in accordance with the authority vested in the Board of Fire Commissioners under Section 176 subdivision 23 of the Town Law.
The vote on the mandatory referendum will be held on December 10, 2024, at the Bellmore Fire Department Headquarters (across from the LIRR), 230 Pettit Ave. from 2:00pm to 9:00pm, during which hours, polls will remain open for voting.
IT IS RESOLVED that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Fire Commissioners under Section 176 subdivision 23 of the Town Law, the BELLMORE FIRE DISTRICT shall sell such 2003 Pierce 85’ Platform whose actual value shall be determined by market forces.
The adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote and upon roll call, was voted on and approved unanimously.
By Order of the Board of Fire Commissioners John Fabian Secretary 149996
LEGAL NOTICE
RESOLUCIÓN
07-2
DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS DE BELLMORE VENTA DE 2003
Plataforma Pierce 85’ CONSIDERANDO QUE, la Junta de Comisionados de Bomberos del DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS DE BELLMORE está investida con la autoridad para vender propiedad o equipo propiedad del Distrito que determine que ya no es necesario para los usos y propósitos del Distrito de conformidad con la Sección 176 subdivisión 23 de la Ley Municipal; y
News brief
Motorcyclist succumbs to injuries
A motorcyclist involved in a severe accident last month has died from his injuries, police reported.
The incident occurred on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at approximately 6:55 p.m. when a black motorcycle, operated by 34-year-old Richard Sorrentino of Queens, was traveling westbound on Sunrise Highway near Rose Place. According to detectives, Sorrentino struck a male bicyclist attempting to cross Sunrise Highway from south to north. The impact caused the motorcycle to catch fire.
Sorrentino was airlifted to a nearby hospital by Nassau County Police Helicopter, suffering from severe trauma and burns. He had been listed in critical condition before being pronounced dead on Friday, Nov. 8, by a hospital physician.
The motorcyclist involved in a crash last month has died from his injuries, police reported.
The bicyclist was taken to a local hospital with trauma injuries and remains in stable condition.
Public Notices
CONSIDERANDO QUE, la Junta ha determinado que una Plataforma Pierce 85’ 2003 propiedad del Distrito ya no es necesaria para sus usos y propósitos; y CONSIDERANDO QUE, la Junta ha determinado vender dicha Plataforma Pierce 2003, sujeta a un referéndum obligatorio, de acuerdo con la autoridad conferida a la Junta de Comisionados de Bomberos bajo la Sección 176 subdivisión 23 de la Ley de la Ciudad. La votación sobre el referéndum obligatorio se llevará a cabo el 10 de diciembre de 2024, en la sede del Departamento de Bomberos de Bellmore (frente al LIRR), 230 Pettit Ave. de 2:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m., durante ese tiempo, las urnas permanecerán abiertas para votar. SE RESUÉLVASE que de conformidad con la autoridad conferida a la Junta de Comisionados de Bomberos bajo la Sección 176 subdivisión 23 de la Ley de la Ciudad, el DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS DE BELLMORE venderá dicha Plataforma Pierce 85’ 2003 cuyo valor real será determinado por las fuerzas del mercado. La aprobación de la resolución que antecede fue debidamente sometida a votación y votación nominal, fue votada y aprobada por unanimidad. Por orden de la Junta de Comisionados de Bomberos
Juan Fabián Secretario 149997
AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I LLC, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-AQ2, Plaintiff AGAINST NEIL ASTROW, ANDREW J. WEILAND, MD, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 9, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 17, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 915 Iris Drive, North Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at North Bellmore, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 529, Lot 6. Approximate amount of judgment $834,093.39 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #007647/2016. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will
cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16-003740 83261 149954
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE OF MFRA TRUST 2015-1, Plaintiff, vs. THOMAS RYAN A/K/A THOMAS M. RYAN, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 17, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 17, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1085 Ruth Place, North Bellmore, a/k/a 1085 Ruth Place, Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 51, Block 70 and Lot 24. Approximate amount of judgment is $909,655.40 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #618198/2019. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP,
U.F.S.D. NORTH MERRICK
U.F.S.D. TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU NOTICE TO BIDDERS: In accordance with provision of Section 103 of the General Municipal Law, the Board of Education of the BellmoreMerrick Transportation Consortium hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for: Bellmore-Merrick Cooperative 20242025 School Year Bid Bids will be publicly opened and read at the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Business Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 10:00 am. Specifications and Bid Forms may be obtained from the office of Tom Volpe, Director of Transportation, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject in whole or in part all bids or to accept any bid which in its judgment is in the best interest of the school district. By order: Board of Education
BELLMORE-MERRICK
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
— Jordan Vallone
Courtesy John Scalesi
Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen
Assistant Business Administrator Position
The Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen is seeking an Assistant Business Administrator for an immediate opening. The successful candidate must possess a valid NYS SBA, SDBL, SDA, or SDL certification. The incumbent will assist the Assistant Superintendent for Business & Human Resources in all aspects of school business administration. The primary responsibilities include:
• Managing the District’s financial accounting system and procedures, processing accounting transactions, and preparing related month end/year end reports.
• Assisting in the preparation of the annual budget and related reports, responsible for grant recording and reporting.
• Managing the transportation process and responsible for the day-to-day transportation administration of the district.
• Maintain capital project files and ensure reporting of state aid forms on a timely basis for state aid. Coordinating all required reporting for audits and ST-3 filings. They assist in tuition billing, preparing cash flows as needed for necessary borrowings, develop regulations and processes to support Board of Education policies, assist in the supervision of certified and classified staff. Administrative experience and Certified Public Accountant Preferred; proficiency in Microsoft products is required, incumbent should be an independent thinker and motivated self-starter.
All interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to stayal@valleystream13.com or apply on OLAS. Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen is an equal opportunity employer and will hire without regard to religion, creed, race, color, gender, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
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EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.
REQUIREMENTS:
Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.
POSITION DETAILS: Flexible: Part-time or Full-time.
Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.
Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com
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
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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
Dealing with the postSandy bureaucracy
Sun-Filled Gracious Colonial
Q. I saw an article about auditing government by our state comptroller and wondered if you saw how he outlined waste and mishandling federal and state funds, in recovering from Superstorm Sandy. He cited gaps in program “oversight.” Were you aware of problems? We got funds from the New York Rising program. It was an ordeal we hope to never repeat. Like our neighbors, our house was raised, but they got more money without questions. We received a letter demanding $20,000 back, claiming funds were misused. Our neighbor built an illegal ground-floor family room with a wet bar, yet we were told we could only have storage, for example, and the state didn’t even say anything when they passed inspection. Did you see that people were treated differently, and is there any recourse?
A. Since the program has ended, I doubt that you can appeal. For 10 years after the storm I made many observations of the ways in which the officials at each level handled the specifics of insisting on everything from plastic laminate countertops versus quartz or granite, the waste of every property separately surveyed for groundwater depth, the use of the ground floor and the changes in whether you could have a window or door opening, and even whether you could have masonry steps when the program only allowed for wood steps, which were destined to need maintenance or replacement in a short period of time. There were many ways a design professional like me, working with the recipients of the funds, like you, could have helped to make the programs more efficient, safer, and less expensive for the government, but each time I tried to contact the fund management, my input was ignored. I met with the national head of FEMA while I was filming a documentary about disasters in Moore, Oklahoma, as well state legislators and our local New York Rising program director. In each case I got a business card and a “Shoot me an email and we’ll talk,” but never any follow-up.
I saw that it was a complete waste to ask homeowners to separately pay for groundwater testing on their property, for $1,000 to $2,500, in order to qualify for house-raising when an organized agency could have saved millions of dollars by getting testing done up and down entire blocks, mobilizing the testing company to come to a block once instead of randomly testing next-door neighbors’ properties a day apart. I was working with five neighbors at one time, and tried to get a state and local adviser to review procedures and applications in a single meeting, only to be told that one would meet on a Wednesday, the next the following week and squeeze another in by the month’s end.
And, yes, I witnessed many differences in people’s treatment and how cases were handled, and I could not get an explanation when appealing on behalf of a homeowner. Perhaps the Homes and Community Renewal Agency can advise. Good luck!
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opinions
A call for tolerance amid the acrimony
Aweek and a half removed from the conclusion of the profoundly exasperating 2024 election cycle, it is abundantly clear that the political temperature remains at an unprecedented high.
sCoTT M. DAVis
Constructive discourse seems nonexistent. Divisive rhetoric and finger-pointing have emerged as the standards of the day, and the pendulum has swung far away from working together across the political spectrum to build consensus for the greater good. This unsustainable climate is driving us down the dead-end road of acrimony and dysfunction.
We must all recognize this moment as a time for introspection and taking personal responsibility for the direction in which we move forward. As our emo-
tions settle, we should consider the legacy that we will leave for the next generation and reflect on what we can do to create a better path of promise for the future for those who follow.
In recognizing the magnitude of this moment in our political history, it is imperative to consider focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us. At our core, I believe we all share similar fundamental desires: to be able to live in an affordable, safe community where we, our families, and loved ones are treated with dignity and respect and can thrive, live authentically, and become the best versions of ourselves. We may have different customs, attend different religious institutions or celebrate in different ways, but the reality is this: We share more similarities than differences.
We must tamp down the divisive rhetoric that permeates our discourse.
ideals of tolerance and constructive problem-solving. Developing a willingness to listen and consider the possibility that an alternate way of thinking on an issue may have value is essential, and as a first step, I encourage everyone across the political spectrum to see how we can do better and contribute toward achieving this outcome.
seize on the work of forging a positive path for the next generation. Everyone is exhausted by the current political climate. We can and must do our part to work together, in order to give us all a better chance to live our best lives in a society where everyone is valued and protected.
Changing the toxic political climate starts with each one of us taking a long look in the mirror and embracing the
At this time of tremendous division, we must all renew our willingness to consider the legitimacy of differing perspectives and seek common ground on which reasonable people can begin to build a consensus. Start by focusing on something you can agree on and build from there. This isn’t an easy task, but it is a necessary one. We won’t always agree, but we must not always disagree. Even within our own families, we don’t concur on everything, but we move forward together.
With the holiday season fast approaching, now is an ideal time to
Our first task in this vital pursuit is tamping down the divisive rhetoric and intolerance that permeates our discourse. By focusing on understanding, empathy and bridge-building, we can pave the way for more united communities as we build a future that is inclusive, respectful of differences, and focused on creating solutions that benefit everyone.
Let’s come together — not as adversaries, but as neighbors and fellow citizens — and work toward a future in which our shared values and common goals guide us to a stronger and more resilient future. We are all better when we work together.
Scott M. Davis, of Rockville Centre, represents Nassau County’s 1st Legislative District.
Congestion pricing won’t solve the MTA’s problems
Halloween is over, but Gov. Kathy Hochul’s congestion pricing plan is still haunting New Yorkers. This might even feel like Groundhog Day to those who read my column on congestion pricing in June, when we celebrated the delay but also exposed the true political motivations behind the proposal.
The governor’s decision to “pause” congestion pricing this summer temporarily stopped tolls that would have made travel into Manhattan’s busiest areas even more costly. Now, with state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli warning of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s worsening financial troubles, congestion pricing is back on the table, threatening to add yet another burden to New Yorkers already facing record-high costs.
When the governor announced the delay in June, I called for the Legislature to hold hearings. We had a real opportunity to hear directly from those affected and find a path forward for MTA fund-
ing that didn’t involve hiking fees for middle-class commuters. Instead, we wasted valuable time while the MTA’s financial troubles have only deepened.
The comptroller now reports a massive authority shortfall in its operating budget of at least $211 million this year, and DiNapoli is warning of a potential $1.5 billion gap next year if no action is taken. These operating budget shortfalls will add to the MTA’s financial crisis, especially when you couple this with its massive $68 billion capital plan.
T he Legislature shouldn’t be a rubber stamp for closed-door deals.
On top of these challenges, new taxes and fees — like last year’s payroll mobility tax hike — have only placed additional financial burdens on New Yorkers without achieving the intended results. Despite this tax increase aimed specifically at supporting the MTA, the agency is still running a deficit. The shortfall underscores a deeper issue: Even with new revenue from the proposed congestion tolls, the MTA continues to struggle with high operating costs and budgetary mismanagement.
This measure unfairly targets hardworking, middle-class commuters and imposes harmful extra fees on taxis and
for-hire drivers, effectively taxing their means of making a living. We can’t keep piling on taxes and fees without addressing these underlying problems, or we risk pushing families, workers and businesses out of New York altogether. There are too many questions about the agency’s budget management to make congestion pricing the default solution.
We have seen firsthand the inefficiency and lack of transparency in the MTA. The agency has consistently over-promised and under-delivered, costing taxpayers more with each misstep. Pushing for increased use of public transportation over private vehicles without addressing the MTA’s well-known reliability issues will only increase congestion in an already troubled system. The public deserves a clear accounting of where these funds are going and how decisions are being made. Lawmakers, too, deserve the chance to ask hard questions and consider practical solutions. The answer is not to rush into congestion pricing to cover up a failing system, but rather to bring forward a thoughtful, public process that thoroughly examines the MTA’s spending and governance.
Hochul suggested that the delay was intended to protect New York City’s delicate economic recovery from the impact of reduced commuter-driven business. But it was really a strategic decision to curry favor in suburban areas where the plan faces significant opposition, particularly before a key election. The socalled “indefinite” delay was set to last only until Nov. 6. Now that election season is over, congestion pricing will likely return during the upcoming state budget cycle, because the plan was ultimately designed to generate revenue, not to solve the fundamental problems with our transportation system.
The Legislature should not be a rubber stamp for closed-door deals that impact millions of lives. It’s time to bring this conversation out into the open, hear from stakeholders and make the MTA’s fiscal health a topic of thorough public debate. Without accountability, New Yorkers will just keep paying more for the same services. Rather than “unpausing” a broken solution and rushing into a costly toll scheme, let’s focus on addressing the root issues in a way that doesn’t sacrifice our workers and families to endless new taxes.
Ed Ra represents the 19th Assembly District, and is the ranking Republican member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
Herald editorial
Delivering quality journalism matters most
last week’s news that The Newark Star-Ledger will cease its print edition and become digitalonly in February offers an opportunity to reflect on how quality journalism best serves our communities today.
The Star-Ledger’s shift, along with similar moves by other newspapers in New Jersey, reflects the complex reality facing modern newsrooms. But rather than seeing this as a choice between print and digital, let’s focus on what research consistently shows: Different formats serve different purposes, and many readers benefit from both.
Print newspapers continue to command exceptional trust and engagement. Studies repeatedly demonstrate that readers retain information better from print, and advertisers see stronger results from print campaigns. There’s something uniquely focused about the experience of reading a physical newspaper — the thoughtful progression through its pages, the serendipitous discoveries, the natural hierarchy that helps readers understand what matters
letters
Affordable housing tops the list of L.I.’s problems
To the Editor:
I’m writing in response to the editorial “The Herald’s pact with you” (Oct. 31-Nov. 6), in which you ask, “What are the topics you care about?”
There are many problems affecting Nassau County, Long Island, New York state and the United States that I care about, but the one I find myself coming back to more than any other is housing, specifically the availability of affordable housing.
I live in Point Lookout, a community that has gentrified enormously since my parents bought a home here in 1957, for which they paid $17,500, taking a 10-year mortgage. It’s great for me, I guess, that my home has appreciated in value astronomically, but, in my opinion, not so good overall for the people of Long Island.
One of my daughters struggled to find somewhere to live on her own nearby, finally settling into part of a home in another Nassau County community, paying rent that’s at the very limit of what she can afford. And this is typical. As individuals and families struggle to pay their mortgages and property taxes, there are close to zero apartments and mixed-use developments being built.
In Long Beach, just down the road from Point Lookout, there are innumerable, mostly illegal apartments in homes, despite the periodic statements of various Long Beach officials
most. Digital platforms, meanwhile, excel at breaking news and interactive graphics.
The most successful news organizations today recognize that different stories, and different moments, call for different platforms.
At the Herald, we see firsthand how print and digital complement each other. Breaking news might first appear online, and then our print editions provide the context, analysis and depth that help readers truly understand issues affecting their communities. Each platform serves its purpose, and together they create a more informed community.
The future of news isn’t about choosing digital over print, or vice versa — it’s about delivering quality journalism through whatever channels best serve you, our readers. There’s no doubt that news will eventually be delivered by a technology that doesn’t even exist yet, and that’s OK.
Local newspapers, regardless of format, serve as champions of community achievements, watchdogs of public officials and chroniclers of the stories that
matter most to our readers. Whether you’re holding a printed page or scrolling on a screen, what matters most is the quality of the journalism you’re reading.
At the Herald, our commitment has remained unchanged for many decades: to provide trustworthy, impactful journalism that serves the people of Long Island. We’ll continue investing in both print and digital delivery, recognizing that our readers benefit from having choices in how they consume news. And, of course, we always want to hear from you about how we can serve you and your communities better.
The future of journalism depends not on the medium but on the continued support of readers who value quality local news. Whether you prefer print or digital, or both, your engagement helps ensure that professional journalism continues to thrive in our communities. Tell your friends and family to subscribe to their local newspapers, wherever in the world they live.
We look forward to being your trusted source of local news for years to come.
promising a crackdown on such apartments.
The opposition to building more housing on Long Island is fierce. Look what happened last year to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s attempt to encourage the construction of more housing throughout the state.
Local politicians rant and rave about how apartments and multi-unit developments near transit hubs will destroy the suburban character of Nassau County — as if developers were looking to build huge apartments in residential neighborhoods!
Fin our intensified max on here to have wholeheartedly Trumpist may be what the that Americans economic flict, afraid These the many the final watched
— while our young people and families who cannot afford to buy homes have almost no options for housing. Cowardly town, county and state politicians serve only their own self-interest in being re-elected, and do nothing to address this problem. And our young people, and others, continue to leave Long Island due to the lack of housing options.
MICHAEL CrAvEN Point Lookout
What comes next? How about our neglected unity?
For me, like so many Americans, the last six months have been a whirlwind of emotions, as arguably the most historic election in our nation’s history built momentum, intensified and eventually reached a climax on election night. While I’m not here to share my opinion on the outcome, the big question facing every citizen and resident of our country is: What next?
It can be tempting to see the outcome of the election as the ultimate refutation of the left — proof that Americans have rejected progressive values and policies and have wholeheartedly embraced modern Trumpist conservatism. While there may be some truth to this, I believe that what the result ultimately showed was that Americans are afraid. Afraid of economic disaster, afraid of global conflict, afraid of violence at home. These are reasonable fears. Even for the many Americans who lived through the final throes of the Cold War or watched the twin towers fall on Sept. 11,
2001, our country has never seemed more like a powder keg ready to explode.
Which is why, now more than ever, we need to come together not just as liberals and conservatives, but as Americans. The united States has always been strongest when we’ve been united, and our darkest moments come when we turn on one another and lay blame at our neighbors’ doorsteps.
As Abraham Lincoln famously said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” and those words are as true today as they were 166 years ago.
m
y dad will never forget the kind strangers far from home after the 9/11 attacks.
While conservatives may claim, rightly or wrongly, that progressives are softhearted dopes who focus on issues that don’t matter to real Americans, progressives may claim, rightly or wrongly, that conservatives are coldhearted dopes who focus on issues that don’t matter to real Americans. Perspective is everything, and trying to work together and understand not only what our differences are, but also why they exist, is the quintessential heart of the American experiment.
The intersection of our political and social culture has always been an uneasy compromise. This extends to
Letters
Not giving in to ‘our season of despair’
To the Editor:
I hope that Nov. 5, 2024, is not a date that will live in infamy, but I must express my justifiable concerns. I don’t fear the boogeyman in the closet. I fear a reality that may occur.
Hello, America: This is the time to say, “Oops, shoulda not done that.” This may be the season of our regret and despair. At the risk of sounding Cassandra-like, I fear for our democratic nation, I fear for our personal safety and I fear for our future.
Let’s start with our new leader, Donald Trump, awaiting sentencing on his criminal charges. How will the judicial system honor the decisions of the jurors? What will he do in the cases of the Capitol rioters? He could grant all or some of them pardons. What actions might he take on his first day in office? Which programs will he sign into law?
At risk are female reproductive rights, tariffs that could possibly raise the price of marketplace goods, more laws against vulnerable and targeted populations and the empowering of those who promote false science and other highly dubious theo-
everything from political rivals being forced to work together in government — such as when Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson collaborated to create our financial system while simultaneously establishing Washington, D.C., as the nation’s capital — to having uncomfortable Thanksgiving dinners with relatives who have radically different political values.
The idea that people who disagree politically could do so without resorting to violence is what separated our country from nearly all others when we declared our independence. It is one of the most sacred responsibilities that we as Americans must honor and hold dear, or risk losing the dream of a more just, more equitable society as envisioned by our Founding Fathers.
So while it’s easy to feel emotional following this election, remember that we need to heal the nation’s wounds, not worsen them. Think next time before you gloat to a “libtard” about winning the election — or calling every conservative voter you know a fascist. Are you really saying it because you believe it, or because emotions are running high and you feel like you need to show the
Framework
ries. Many of us are concerned about what could happen to our health care and Social Security benefits. Will they change, possibly with decreases that will seriously impact an aging population? And, of course, there is the issue of border security, with its parallel implications of a ready labor market.
Like many of my fellow citizens, I hope that President-elect Trump doesn’t violate long-held democratic traditions and implement authoritarian governance.
I am worried about him using his platform to praise authoritarian leaders while demeaning our democratic allies. I am also concerned about him using pejorative and threatening language with his perceived enemies. We who feel abandoned and in despair must stand strong, and must continue to make our voices heard through democratic means and processes. We must persist in speaking for the disenfranchised, so the liberties we have known and hope to preserve for future generations are not deserted and forgotten. This is our America — let us continue to carry the torch illuminating a better life for all, and not give in to our season of despair.
MIrEILLE TAub Freeport
world how strongly you hold your beliefs?
In the days after the Sept. 11 attacks, my father was in California, desperately trying to get back home to my family. With all flights grounded, he and a friend rented a car and tried to make a cross-country drive.
running on fumes on a remote stretch of highway, they came to a gas station that, unfortunately, was out of business. Stranded and worried about their loved ones, my dad and his friend were lucky enough to be found by some locals in a pickup truck. The saviors had a spare five-gallon tank of gas for the dirt bikes in the bed of the truck.
My dad always talked about how, while thanking them, he explained how and his friend were New Yorkers trying to get home to their families. Without missing a beat, one of the men responded, “We’re all New Yorkers today.”
That is what makes America great, not rhetoric or political stunts or moral grandstanding. And that is what we need to keep hold of in the aftermath of this election: that no matter what, we are all Americans, and that we’re all stronger when we work together.
Will Sheeline is a senior reporter covering Glen Cove, Glen Head, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff. Comments? WSheeline@ liherald.com.
by Tim Baker
Bellmore Girl Scout Troop 965 visits the Herald — Garden City
