gabriella Koch, left, a junior firefighter in the east Meadow Fire department, went to germany last month with juniors from different departments in nassau County. there, they learned about german firefighting and german culture.
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Gabriella Koch, a junior firefighter in the East Meadow Fire Department, recently traveled to Germany with 30 other juniors from fire departments across Nassau County — where they learned about German firefighting and culture.
Koch, 17, a senior at East Meadow High School, has been a member of the junior firefighters since she was 14.
In Germany, the juniors took part in a week of training and cultural immersion in German firefighting, funded by the German government, which oversees all of the country’s fire departments. Jerry Presta, chair-
man of the Nassau County Junior Firefighters Association, organized the trip.
Koch told the Herald she joined the East Meadow juniors’ organization because her stepfather is in the fire department.
“I saw how he was assisting people in the medical field, and then he moved onto the fire side, and I realized that I also wanted to do that,” she said.
Planning for the Germany trip began in 2018, when firefighters from Lower Saxony, a state in northwest Germany, contacted the Fire Association of the State of New York about connecting teens that take part in German juniors programs with those in the United States. The following year, teens from Continued on page 9
E.M. Plaza
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Real estate developer Regency Centers revealed renovation plans for East Meadow Plaza to residents at the Council of East Meadow Community Organizations meeting at the East Meadow Public Library on Sept 19.
The redevelopment project will join properties south of Hempstead Turnpike including East Meadow Plaza and the Stew Leonard’s Plaza. Everything in the plot will undergo major changes to improve appearance, cleanliness and safety, while attracting new businesses.
Tfeature a Lidl, Burger City, UPS and many other stores that have not been revealed.
here’s been a lot of work going on here already.
MiCHAEL
“This is going to represent a significant upgrade to the center,” Zoning Counsel William Bonesso said. “It’s going to be much more attractive, both inside the center and outside on the peripheries. It’s going to operate very, very well, and you’re going to have a true corporate neighbor who’s going to be somebody who works well with the community.”
PERkOwSki Manager, Regency Centers
“This is important to the East Meadow population because it’s going to offer a new set of shopping opportunities for our community, and at the same time, redesign the entire shopping center to make it more amenable, and more beautiful, and more attractive,” said CEMCO President Joseph Parisi.
The renovated center will
Bonesso, a partner of the Forchelli, Deegan and Terrana law firm, specializes in preparing and presenting land use plans.
The safety improvements at the plaza will feature repairs to the sidewalks, rebuilt fencing, improving sight lines when leaving the center onto a main road, and changing the circulation of traffic in the parking lot throughout the center to reduce speeding.
To improve the appearance of the area, the new buildings
Continued on page 5
Courtesy Gabriella Koch
HERALD NEIGHBORS
Students learn about clubs and activities
East Meadow High School held its annual Clubs and Activities Fair on Sept. 20, as students were able to see all of the clubs and teams that the school has to offer.
With dozens of options to choose from, students spent time learning about each activity, and then signed up for the programs that interested them the most.
Clubs and Activities fairs provide students with a chance to explore a wide range of clubs, from academic and arts-related groups to social, sports, and community service organizations. This can help them discover new passions or deepen existing interests.
Joining clubs allows students to meet peers with similar interests, helping them make friends and feel more connected to their school community. Extracurricular activities look great on college applications — and play a big roll in the college admissions process. Participation in clubs and activities shows wellroundedness, and demonstrates a student’s commitment to leadership and initiative, which are qualities that colleges often seek.
Around the gymnasium of East Meadow High School, club leaders set up tables in the high school’s gymnasium with posters and information promoting their clubs. Students eagerly circled the mesmerizing selection to learn about the different activities.
–Jordan Vallone
— which stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America — is a great group for students to join. It’s an international association of high school and college students that focuses on preparing emerging leaders in the fields of marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
Grace Episcopal Church 19th Annual Harvest Fair
Around East Meadow High School’s annual Club and Activities Fair, students got to learn about a variety of student organizations they can join. Members of Model Congress, which simulates for the workings of the U.S. Congress, spoke with prospective students about the workings of their club.
Members of the First Responders Club not only chatted with prospective students about their club — but they looked the part too.
Photos courtesy East Meadow Union Free School District
DECA
NUMC opens its doors to the community
By JORDAN VALLONE
jvallone@liherald.com
Nassau University Medical Center held its first Open House, inviting members of the community to come out and get an inside look at how the hospital is delivering high-quality health care to Nassau County residents.
“Whether you’re a patient, family member, or just curious about our services, this event offers a welcoming environment to explore and connect with NUMC’s team,” the hospital said.
Attendees enjoyed a tour of NUMC’s state-of-the-art facilities, where they met dedicated health care professionals and learned about comprehensive health care services and specialty clinics. They took advantage of free health screenings and flu shots, ensuring access to vital care. Guests discovered recent improvements, including extended visitation hours, revamped patient care areas, and a variety of new offerings designed to enhance their experience. Many participated in Narcan training and obtained educational materials to empower themselves and others. The event concluded with refreshments, allowing everyone to connect with the community in a welcoming atmosphere.
The Open House came just a week after the hospital opened its new Outreach Center — the first of its kind at NUMC. It will run a food pantry, provide assistance for Medicaid enrollment, offer career development initiatives, and prescription education, among many other programs and services. The new center will also provide services to those impacted by the criminal justice system, assisting them in making a smooth transition back into society.
NUMC is the only public hospital on Long Island, which means it serves all patients — regardless of their ability to pay.
“I am proud to host our first Open House at (the) Nassau Health Care Corporation, showcasing over 25 services, Narcan trainings, flu shots, health screenings, and the debut of our first Care--Van,” Megan Ryan, the interim chief executive and president at NUMC said at the event. “We are grateful to the Children’s Music Orchestra for playing tonight — another great event for our community, highlighting our great work and staff.”
Additional reporting by Steve Sachs
Steve Sachs/Herald photos
NUMC showed off its first Care-a-Van, which will enhance access to care for everyone. In front of the van are Sarah Pak, Jaynee Abraham, Shannon Costello, Dr. Grace Ting, Megan Ryan, Saiful Md Islam, Vincent Pinkney, Sasy Salomon and Guillermo Campisi.
Danielle Pollaro, director of critical care, Shannon Costello, interim chief nursing officer and Jennifer Rufle, nurse manager for special procedures, were at NUMC’s Open House on Sept. 17.
Dr. Micheal Knee, director of pharmacy at NUMC, gave a flu shot to Jan Figueria, a Nassau Health Care Corporation board member.
The nonprofit Children’s Music Organization performed at the event.
The Joy of Living
Let us take a moment to remember that joy itself is a primary purpose of living.
“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”
— George Bernard Shaw
“Well, your greatest joy definitely comes from doing something for another, especially when it was done with no thought of something in return.”
— John Wooden
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.”
— Leo Buscaglia
“A sense of humor...is needed armor. Joy in
one’s heart and some laughter on one’s lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life.”
—Hugh Sidey
“There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.”
— Kahlil Gibran
“The three factors that seem to have the greatest influence on increasing our happiness are our ability to reframe our situation more positively, our ability to experience gratitude, and our choice to be kind and generous.”
— Dalai Lama
“Things won are done, joy’s soul lies in the doing”
—
William Shakespeare
“As selfishness and complaint pervert the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision.”
— Helen Keller
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D’Esposito may face ethics probe over hirings
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
U.S. Representative Anthony D’Esposito may have violated ethics rules in Congress, designed to combat nepotism and corruption, according to a story published by the New York Times on Sept. 23.
Shortly after taking the oath of office in 2023, D’Esposito hired his longtime fiancé’s daughter to work as a special assistant in his district office, where she earned $3,800 a month, according to payroll records. In April, D’Esposito hired an alleged mistress, Devin Faas, who earned $2,000 a month for a part-time job in the same district office. Payments to both women stopped in July 2023, the Times reported.
D’Esposito has not been accused of wrongdoing, but the employment of both women, which resulted in a payment of about $29,000 in taxpayer funds, could lead to disciplinary actions in the House of Representatives, according to the Times.
Tim Baker/Herald
U.S. Representative Anthony D’Esposito may have violated ethics rules in the House of Representatives, according to a report by the New York Times.
The allegations against D’Esposito come about 6-weeks ahead of Election Day. D’Esposito is being challenged by Democrat Laura Gillen, who he defeated two years ago. Early voting starts on Oct. 26. Election Day is Nov. 5.
“These are very serious allegations that demand further investigation and it’s clear that Anthony D’Esposito has abused his power in every position of trust he’s ever held,” Gillen said in a statement released by her press team on Tuesday. “As Hempstead Town Supervisor, I fought against corruption, nepotism and waste to help all Nassau County families, and I’ll bring that same common sense, ethical leadership to Congress. Together we can clean up the deep-seated corruption that clearly surrounds Anthony D’Esposito and restore transparency and accountability to New York’s Fourth Congressional District.”
According to the House’s Code of Official Conduct, “a member, delegate or resident commissioner may not
retain the relative of such individual in a paid position, and an employee of the House may not accept compensation for work for a committee on which the relative of such employees serves as a member. The House defines “relative” as someone related to the member, delegate or resident commissioner, including a parent, child, sibling, parent’s sibling, first cousin, sibling’s child, spouse, parent-in-law, child-in-law, sibling-in-law, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, halfsibling, or grandchild.
According to the Times, Matt Capp, a spokesperson for D’Esposito, did not deny that the congressman had a relationship with Faas, but declined to comment on the employment of either women.
In a statement shared with News12, D’Esposito said “My personal life has never interfered with my ability to deliver results for New York’s fourth district, and I have upheld the highest ethical standards of personal conduct.
“Voters deserve better than the Times’ gutter politics,” he added.
file
Thomas L. Kearns
Changes are coming to East Meadow Plaza
will be made of long-lasting materials, add sunshades and significantly increase the greenery.
The current number of shrubs is around 220, according to data from Bohler Engineering. The proposed renovation will increase that number to almost 650.
“We are going to add vegetation where, presently, there is absolutely no vegetation,” Bonesso said. “There’s going to be trees planted on all elements.”
Project Manager Mike Biancaniello represented Bohler Engineering at the meeting.
“We’re significantly increasing the amount of landscaping,” Biancaniello said. “We’ve made the site function a little more safer with more traffic control elements throughout.”
At the meeting, the development team presented rendered graphics of what the final product is intended to look like, featuring a birds-eye view of new buildings and parking zones, as well as street perspective of the buildings’ new facades.
“The current state of the site is kind of dilapidated, old, and definitely in need of a facelift,” Biancaniello said.
The team has begun to renovate storefront facades throughout the shopping center.
“There’s been a lot of work going on here already,” Regency Centers Manager Michael Perkowski said. “We really want to freshen the center up, bring it back up to current standards, and bring in a lot of new high end materials.”
The rest of redevelopment work is expected to begin in the summer of 2025 and finish around the end of the year, said Perkowski.
The proposal includes five large blocks of singlestory buildings that have an area over 50,000 square
the Council of east meadow Community organizations meeting was led by
counsel, local politicians and community leaders.
feet, a five-story building, a restaurant with outdoor seating, and a joined bank and medical office.
Community members in attendance raised awareness of difficulties associated with the area, such as parking overflow from other nearby businesses, spaces used as unofficial overnight truck stops, discarded broken glass and car parts, and parking lots used for reckless driving.
“This development also solves another long-standing problem that we’ve been dealing with,” Parisi said. “Remember, the guys discussed that it’s going to be a
tree planting that’s going to completely eliminate the congregation of the cars coming in the evening and then doing their spins. That has been a problem for us as well. So, that problem gets solved.”
The redevelopment team cited the plot’s dubious condition as a contributing factor for large-scale renovation, providing an opportunity to install features required by construction code, such as traffic control islands.
“We certainly want just to have the property function in a safe and attractive manner,” Bonesso said.
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
engineers, project managers, legal
JOEY DIESSO
Massapequa Senior Football
A YEAR AFTER THROWING for 20 touchdowns and helping lead Massapequa to a perfect 12-0 season, Nassau Conference I and Long Island Class I titles, Diesso passed for a pair of scores in each of the first two games this fall. On Sept. 13, he had a near-perfect performance in a 38-13 victory over Freeport. He completed all but one of his 11 pass attempts for 135 yards as the Chiefs got into the win column for the first time in 2024.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, Sept. 26
Boys Soccer: Hewlett at Lawrence 4:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Baldwin at V.S. Central 4:45 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Clarke at V.S. North 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 27
Boys Soccer: Wantagh at Clarke 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Wantagh at Plainedge 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Seaford at North Shore 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Farmingdale at Baldwin 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Malverne/East Rock at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Calhoun at Oceanside 6 p.m.
Football: Garden City at Hewlett 6 p.m.
Football: Seaford at Plainedge 6:30 p.m.
Football: Hicksville at Freeport 6:30 p.m.
Girls Volleyball: Freeport at Baldwin 6:30 p.m.
Football: South Side at V.S. North 7 p.m.
Football: North Shore at Malverne 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Football: Calhoun at Mepham 11 a.m.
Football: Carey at Sewanhaka 3 p.m.
Football: Farmingdale at Massapequa 3 p.m.
Football: Hempstead at Oceanside 3 p.m.
Football: Uniondale at V.S. Central 3 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
SPORTS
Hewlett holds off Clarke, 22-18
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Hewlett’s All-County senior quarterback Matthew DeCicco is just too valuable to risk injury playing defense, but he was as close as you could get to stepping on the field as last Saturday’s counterpart, Clarke junior Matthew Kurz, marched the visitors inside the red zone in the waning seconds trailing by four.
On the game’s final snap, from the 16-yard line, Kurz dropped back and fired a pass that fell incomplete in the back of the end zone as time expired and the Bulldogs held on for a thrilling 22-18 Nassau Conference III football victory before a large Homecoming crowd.
“That was intense,” said DeCicco, who had all three Hewlett touchdowns and racked up 196 yards on the ground. “We had a chance on offense to seal the game with a first down and I was upset we didn’t,” he added. “But I trust our defense. I was practically on the field for the last play. Their quarterback had a great day and I’m glad we found a way to get the win.”
DeCicco had touchdown runs in the first, third and fourth quarters, his last of which from a yard out gave the Bulldogs (1-2) a 22-12 lead with 8:44 remaining. Kurz, who completed 23 of 32 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns, connected with junior James Millman on a 14-yard scoring strike to make it a onepossession game with 5:53 to go and had the Rams (2-1) within one play of a third straight victory.
“He was our JV starting quarterback last year and played great, and so far he’s been our best player,” Clarke head coach Kevin O’Hagan said of Kurz, who had three total touchdowns in the season-opening win over Mineola and two rushing scores, including the game-winner with a minute left, the previous Friday against Kennedy. “He can throw the ball, he can scramble and he’s only going to get better,” he added. “Today was just his third varsity game so it’s pretty exciting.”
Hewlett, which opened the season with losses to Manhasset and Elmont
and closes the first half against juggernaut Garden City, scored on its first Homecoming day possession and led 7-6 at halftime.
Senior running back Daniel Karadi, behind a front line consisting of Jordan Sita, Cristopher Maiorano, Gianni Griffith, Jude Zack and Joardin Bojorge, racked up 70 of his 134 rushing yards on the afternoon on five openingdrive carries to set up DeCicco’s 10-yard touchdown run. Clarke responded on the ensuing drive, capping it with a fourth-and-4 gadget play resulting in junior Michael Iadeviai throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior Chris-
tian Destine.
Destine was back in the end zone a few minutes into the third quarter, catching a screen pass from Kurz and racing 32 yards to give the Rams a 12-7 lead. Hewlett jumped back in front with another DeCicco 10-yard touchdown and 2-point conversion and led 15-12 entering the fourth.
“We had an excellent week of practice and got a win we needed,” Hewlett head coach John Palladino said. “Clarke is a tough team and we knew they wouldn’t go away. We have tough kids too and our seniors were on a mission today.”
Paul Grassini/Herald Clarke junior quarterback Matthew Kurz threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns in last Saturday’s hard-fought defeat at Hewlett.
Mets’ Alvarez gives kids tips to remember
By ANTHONY DiCOCCO
Special to the Herald
The energy was palpable as soon as the children began their infield and hitting drills, because in just moments, they would get the chance to learn from one of baseball’s rising stars.
Despite being in the thick of an intense playoff race, New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez volunteered 90 minutes of his time to coach dozens of lucky kids, ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade, at a free baseball clinic at the Lou Anthony Sports Complex in Massapequa on Sept. 5.
“This is awesome,” Rich Lopos, president of the Nassau County Police Activity League said. “This was something (Alvarez) called us about. He said, ‘I just want to come down and hang out with the kids for a little while,’ and these kids are loving it.”
Over the course of the clinic, kids decked out in Mets apparel rotated between stations that focused on the fundamentals of baseball, such as throwing, catching popups, running and infield work, before finally getting some hitting tips from Alvarez himself during tee drills. Following the clinic and a group photo, participants had the opportunity to pose for individual pictures with Alvarez and get his autograph.
As a young pro player who’s still learning what it takes to be a major leaguer, Alvarez said that the kids on the field were also teaching him valuable lessons.
“This definitely helps me relax,” he said. “I’m happier. I can see the kids smile, I see the kids’ emotion and I can see how hard they work here. It gives me a little more energy.”
The event was part of a stacked lineup of athlete-run clinics that has been made possible through a partnership between PAL and Pioneer Sports Long Island. Over the past year, Pioneer Sports, now its 14th year, has held clinics that featured former Rangers goalie Mike Richter, Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert, Mets third baseman Brett Baty and closer Edwin Diaz, and Yankees starting pitchers Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt.
Tom Falcone, a co-founder of Pioneer Sports, helps facilitate all of the clinics.
Aiden’s brother, Austin, 8, said some
“This was really cool,” Brooklyn native Aiden Rodriguez, 11, said after the clinic run by the player he described as his idol. “I go to Mets games and meet a lot of players, and Alvarez is one of my favorite catchers in MLB. He made me want to be a catcher.”
of the key lessons Alvarez taught were to keep your eye on the ball and the ball on the barrel of your bat. And he taught the kids about the mental side of the game, as well. Throughout the clinic, he stressed the importance of putting all their mental energy into baseball and to always have fun while doing it.
“These kids are having a lifetime experience, and for me it’s a lifetime experience, too,” Falcone said. “Just to be able to have these guys come out here to the facility and give back to the community, we’re honored to do this.”
Anthony DiCocco is a reporter for 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 Anthony DiCocco Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez gave hitting pointers to the kids who attended the free baseball clinic at the Lou Anthony Sports Complex in Massapequa.
CRIME bRIEfS
James Ely arrested for robbing taxi driver
The Nassau County Police Department reported the arrest of a Baldwin man in connection with a robbery that occurred on Sept. 19 at
tim after he exited the vehicle. He then allegedly poured an unknown liquid on the victim, punched him in the head and chest, and stole his
Officers were called to the scene and located Ely hiding behind Mavis Discount Tires at 2250 Hempstead Turnpike. He was arrested without fur-
Ely is charged with robbery in the third degree and was arraigned on Sept. 19 at First District Court in Hempstead.
Man arrested for assaulting police officer
Andrew Odonohue, 37, of 852 Main
The arrest took place on Saturday, Sept. 14 at approximately 12:55 a.m.
According to detectives from the Third Squad, officers from the Third Precinct were called to the medical center, located at 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, to assist with a combative individual. Upon arrival, the officers encountered
During the attempt to calm him down, Odonohue allegedly kicked and struck an officer in the face, causing substantial pain.
Officers were able to place Odonohue under arrest without further incident. He is now facing charges of seconddegree assault and will be arraigned when medically practical.
–Jordan Vallone
–Jordan Vallone
Juniors learn about German firefighting
Germany traveled to New York for Camp Fahrenheit — a weeklong program for county juniors, including daylong drills at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy in Old Bethpage.
Nassau County juniors planned to travel to Germany in 2020 and 2022, but their plans were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic and, later, the war in Ukraine. The trip came to fruition this year, and on Aug. 16, the group of juniors departed from Kennedy Airport in Queens for their German excursion, alongside leaders from Nassau’s junior firefighter association. They returned home on Aug. 24.
Koch first learned about the trip a year ago, she said, and was given official word that she’d be going eight months ago.
Koch said the Nassau County juniors learned about wildfires in Germany, and the different types of hoses and nozzles used to fight them. They also visited a heavy technical rescue unit, which helped them improve their communication skills with each other, took a trip to a military airfield, where the fire department in Germany showed them how to approach issues on runways, learned how to receive water from rivers and went on a fire boat.
In addition, they visited a parliament building, learning about drones, police fire trucks and more, became acquaint-
ed with the German dispatching system, and took part in a closing ceremony, where they were presented pins for their accomplishment.
Aside from learning about firefighting in Germany, the juniors also learned about history, and took a tour of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
The team from Nassau County had to overcome a few obstacles on their trip, including a language barrier.
“There was a huge language barrier between us,” Koch said. “We realized on our first day that there were major communication barriers. But over time, we taught the German juniors some English, they taught us some German, so that helped a lot. It was a very interesting experience.”
Koch said the juniors also learned about the difference in American firefighting techniques, versus German
ones.
“We saw the difference between our fire ways and their fire ways, and how we approach certain things,” she explained. “Their fire hydrants are actually underground, so they have different attachments to connect them with each other.”
The juniors flew into the city of Frankfurt, and then Hanover, and stayed in the town of Baddeckenstedt, where they slept in an area that was designated for them in a school. They ate mostly German cuisine, and were given opportunities to explore the area and immerse themselves in German culture.
Koch was the only junior firefighter from East Meadow who went on the trip, and said she knew a few other peers before they embarked. Despite not knowing most of the people on the trip, she said they all very quickly became friends and bonded over the amazing experience.
The German junior firefighters plan to visit Nassau County next summer, and Koch said they’re all looking forward to seeing each other again. “They’re very excited to come here next summer,” she said of the German juniors.
The experience was something Koch said she would never forget. “Overall, the friendships that I made and the experience I had was amazing, and will be unforgettable,” she said.
Courtesy Gabriella Koch
in total, 30 junior firefighters traveled to germany and took part in a weeklong training session alongside german junior firefighters.
Steve Aoki fans ‘get caked’ at Eisenhower Park
Nassau County welcomed worldrenowned DJ Steve Aoki last weekend at its Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park — drawing a crowd of over 30,000 fans who came out for an energetic show that closed out the county’s summer concert series.
Aoki is a well-known music producer and entrepreneur — famous for his high-energy performances and crowd interaction. He’s known for throwing cakes into the audience, crowd-surfing on inflatable rafts, and delivering electric dance music sets. Aoki has released numerous studio albums, including “Neon Future” and “Kolony,” collaborating with artists from different genres. His style of music makes him a versatile figure in the EDM scene.
In addition to his music career, Aoki runs his own record label, Dim Mak,
which has launched the careers of several major artists. He’s also involved in philanthropic efforts, notably through the Aoki Foundation, which supports brain research and other charitable causes. Aoki’s concerts are usually packed with high-octane visuals, lights, and sounds that create a festival-like atmosphere.
“30,000 people came out last last night for Steve Aoki at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater in Eisenhower Park,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman wrote on his Facebook page.
“Thank you to our sponsor NYU Langone Health. And thank you to our law enforcement and first responders for keeping everyone who attended safe during the concert.”
–Jordan Vallone
Justine Stefanelli/Herald photos
Over 30,000 fans packed into the fields around the theatre to watch the free show, sponsored by NYU Langone Health.
Hunter Auyeung and Manny Auyeung waited for an opportunity to possibly be ‘caked’ by Aoki.
Aoki is known for throwing cakes into the crowd at his shows, and eager fans lined up to be hit by an epic shot.
Legendary DJ, music producer and entrepreneur Steve Aoki took to the stage in Eisenhower Park last week — entertaining a packed house at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre.
STEPPING OUT
From the ‘burbs to the
big stage
Rockville Centre native explores roots in new musical
By Iris Wiener
Shaun Taylor-Corbett has enjoyed a unique journey from his upbringing in Rockville Centre to working in New York theater. After becoming a household face with a stint on the hit children’s TV show “Hi-5,” he went on to star in the acclaimed Off-Broadway musical “Altar Boyz” and eventually was part of the original cast of Lin Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights.” Working on that Tony-Award winning musical showed him the importance of exploring community through musical theater; it set the stage for his most personal project to date: ”Distant Thunder,” which runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 27 at A.R.T./New York Theatres. Taylor-Corbett not only co-wrote the book and lyrics for the new Off-Broadway musical, he also co-produced and stars in the production, which he credits with helping him learn about his own background. His mother, acclaimed dancer-choreographer and director Lynne Taylor-Corbett, directed and co-wrote. At age 15, Taylor-Corbett decided he wanted to know more about his family’s background. “It was important to me to know where we came from,” he says.
His roots are Black, Scandinavian, Blackfeet Indigenous, and Irish. Realizing he wanted to know more about his Indigenous side, Taylor-Corbett’s mother proceeded to bring her son to Browning, Mont. There he met Darrell Robes Kipp, an educator and community leader responsible for saving the Blackfeet language.
“He really instilled in me the importance of language for a culture,” says Taylor-Corbett. “It was very impactful for me and it made me want to create a story about my experience being mixed race.”
“Distant Thunder”evolved into a story about a young person who returns to his roots after many years of being away. It goes on to explore the various ways in which he experiences community.
Taylor-Corbett’s first memory as a performer was recording himself singing to Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl.” He moved to Rockville Centre when he was 8-years-old, where he attended South Side Middle School and South Side High School. It was at South Side Middle School that he took on one of his first theatrical roles: Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof.” Looking back he appreciates having had a unique childhood growing up with his father [Columbia Records music executive Michael Corbett] and his mother.
Much of ‘Distant Thunder’ was inspired by Taylor-Corbett’s experience growing up mixed race. “I didn’t quite know where I fit in, so I was open and friendly with everybody,” he says. “There were some instances where I felt like an outsider and got made fun of, but I think what I got from being mixed and hanging out with people from different cultural identities is that I fell in love with learning about cultures.”
Taylor-Corbett travels frequently and studies international relations.“As one aspect of my identity — being Indigenous — got stronger, I realized I could take all of what I learned and try to do something in the U.S. I wanted to help the people that gave me so much.”
Taylor-Corbett still spends time in Rockville Centre with his mother in his childhood home. One of his favorite aspects of working on “Distant Thunder” has been collaborating with mom.
“I value having time with her and going through this adventure,” he says. “We’ve grown so much together as friends because of this. There’s a deeper meaning, and drive we have together because I was a kid when we started [this journey]. We don’t have that much time with our parents, so holding onto every moment doing this with her is a joy.”
He also appreciates the wealth of experience that Lynne brings to the project; the multi-talented ‘Broadway legend’ is known for her choreography of Broadway’s “Swing!” and the film “Footloose,” as well her direction and writing for “Cougar the Musical,” among other projects.
“I’m learning so much from her,” he says. “She passed on that legacy to me. I see myself growing in confidence because of her.”
Taylor-Corbett is proud that “Distant Thunder” honors the Blackfeet community that he holds close to his heart. He had never seen an Indigenous Broadway or Off-Broadway musical, and imagined how incredible it would be to have a large cast representing the Blackfeet and Indigenous communities performing an Indigenous story through powwow and pop music. Adding it to the American theater canon would break through barriers.
“We wanted to have the show be a portal into another world, into the magic that is Indian country,” he says, as he looks forward to opening night on Oct. 3. “I want people to leave the show uplifted and joyful about the future. I’m hoping that everyone feels represented, that people feel proud of what we’ve done, and that it inspires people who might be on a similar journey as they write their own stories.”
Tickets for ‘Distant Thunder’ can be purchased online at amasmusical.org or by calling (212) 563-2565.
Jessie’s Girl
Take out that neon yet again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage, The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as ‘80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Jessie’s Girl has mastered overthe-top renditions of the some of world’s most unforgettable songs, all while dressed up as the iconic characters of that decade. This is theater meets live music, covered in ‘80s glitz. Some would say there’s no decade like the ‘80. So throw on your best neon, use extra hair spray on that hair and head to Back To The Eighties — because it’s time to party like it’s 1989.
Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. $45, $37.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Celebrity Autobiography
The Drama Desk Award-winning “Celebrity Autobiography” returns to Tilles Center with an entirely new show. Starring Richard Kind, pictured above (fresh off his comic turn in that Hulu sensation “Only Murders in the Building”), Jackie Hoffman, Craig Bierko, Lillias White, Mario Cantone, and show creators Eugene Pack and Dayle Reyfel, an ever-changing selection of tellalls and memoirs are performed verbatim. Celebrity tell-alls are perfectly entertaining on their own, as exclusive windows into the lives of famous personalities. But this smash-hit comedic masterpiece takes it a step further — as as outrageously true memoirs are acted out live on stage by some of the funniest people around.
Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 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.
Photo courtesy Michael Lee Stever
The cast rehearses “Distant Thunder” ahead of previews beginning Sept. 25.
Photo courtesy Caroline Grogan Shaun Taylor-Corbett with his co-writer, director and mother, Lynne Taylor Corbett.
THE Your Neighborhood
Everclear
Everclear, one of the leading alternative rock bands to emerge from the ‘90s, led by vocalistguitarist-founder Art Alexakis, is back on the road, appearing on the Paramount stage, Sunday, oct. 6, 7 p.m. The band is joined by special guests Marcy Playground and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack. The setlist for this tour includes all the hits from throughout Everclear’s extraordinary three decades-long catalog, spotlighting tracks off their album “Songs From An American Movie Vol. One,” which they’ll release on vinyl later this year for the first time via Intervention Records.
Since forming in 1992, Everclear has enjoyed a lengthy career by any measure, spanning 11 studio releases, including four that have been certified Gold or Platinum, selling over 6 million records, and achieving 12 Top 40 Hit Singles on Mainstream Rock, Alternative, and Adult Top 40 radio, including “Santa Monica,” “Father of Mine,” “I Will Buy You A New Life,” “Wonderful” and “Everything To Everyone,” as well as numerous videos, concerts, and various other accolades, including a 1998 Grammy nomination. The band’s 1993 debut album “World Of Noise,” released on the Portland independent label Tim/Kerr Records, paired with their significant efforts to break into college radio and the buzz they’d created within the Portland music scene, attracted the attention of major labels, including Capitol Records, which signed the group soon after. Beginning with their major-label debut, 1995’s platinum-selling album “Sparkle and Fade,” and its massive chart-topping hit “Santa Monica,” Everclear was soon a household name and catapulted into the masses. Alexakis was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2019; he’s since donated $1 from every ticket purchased from his performances to charities such as Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and National MS Society. In addition their numerous concerts over the band’s lengthy career, Alexakis created and runs the annual Summerland Tour, which features a package of popular ‘90s alt rock bands. $70.50, $50.50, $050, $25.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Spooky Fest is back
A Halloween experience not to be missed, Spooky Fest is an outdoor adventure perfect for families, whether you want to be scared — or prefer seasonal fun of the non-scary kind. Join in the fun at the Center for Science, Teaching and Learning, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout October. Along the way in the updated and beautifully lit up Enchanted Walk you will see dinosaurs, aliens and friendly witches, costumed characters and more, including the Mystical Garden. Get your fortune told, make a craft and dance with the Halloween DJ, along with face painting and the Amazing Glow tent. For those who want to get scared, venture into the Haunted Woods, where zombies and dinosaurs hang out.. Admission starts at $22. 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre. Visit CSTL. org for call (516) 764-0045 for more information.
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program returns for a new season, Saturday, Sept. 28, 9, 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.
Bingo at Beth-El Get your game on at a weekly bingo game at East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center starting at 6 p.m. Prizes, progressive games, bell jar prizes and refreshments will be provided. Proof of vaccination is required. 1400 Prospect Ave., in East Meadow. For information, contact (516) 4834205.
Fascinating Fungi
Bring the kids to make some discoveries about mushrooms at Long Island Children’s Museum’s drop-in program, Sunday, Sept. 29, 1-3 p.m. Did you know that some mushrooms can glow in the dark? Learn about the 113 species of mushroom that are considered bioluminescent, due to a chemical reaction that attracts bugs to help spread mushroom spores. Stop by to learn about these amazing fungi and make a glowing mushroom craft to bring home. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.
Alzheimer’s Walk in the Park
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America hosts its annual Walk in the Park fundraiser, at Eisenhower Park, Thursday, Sept. 28. The walk kicks off with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. at the park’s Field 6. Those who raise $100 or more will have an opportunity to meet retired baseball player Dwight Gooden, who’s joining the walk’s efforts as an ambassador. For more information, visit ALZFdn.org/walk.
Author meet-up
Robert Silbering visits East Meadow Public Library, Tuesday, Oct. 1, to discuss his book, “Law & Disorder: How a Kid from the Bronx Became America’s Top Drug Prosecutor,” at 6:30 p.m. Registration required. 1886 Front St. Visit EastMeadow. info for more.
Give Life Run/Walk
Runners and walkers are encouraged to participate Give Life NY’s Run/Walk, which raises money for organ donor awareness, Sunday, Oct. 6, 8:30 a.m. It begins at the Field House in Eisenhower Park. Visit RunSignUp. com/race/ny/EastMeadow/ GiveLife5KRunWalk to learn more and to donate.
Fall Festival
East Meadow United Methodist Church hosts a fall fair, Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. With vendors, food, music and games. Vendors are still wanted; contact jadenmaxwell@yahoo. com. 470 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow.
Having an event?
Hempstead House tour
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Wednesday, Oct. 9, noon-1 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-squarefoot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.
United in Solidarity
Long Islanders gather to commemorate the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel in Eisenhower Park, Monday, Oct. 7, 6 p.m. There will several speakers, as everyone unites in solidarity. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater, Park Blvd, East Meadow.
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 will 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.
On stage
Adelphi University’s Theatre Department present two one-act plays from icons of the American Little Theater movement, of the early 20th century, now through Sunday, Sept. 29. See “Suppressed Desires” by Susan Glaspell and “George Cram Cook and Seaweed” by Alice Gerstenberg, Sept. 26-27, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 28, 2 and 7:30 p.m. (livestream available); Sept. 29, 2 p.m. Gerstenberg’s Seaweed explores the future prospects and dating escapades of 20somethings in the 1920s. It’s “Sex and the City” but only four years after women received the right to vote. Suppressed Desires brings the audience into a 1914 marriage where a husband, wife, and her sister interrogate the psychological meaning of every conscious and unconscious utterance. All shows take place in Adelphi’s Performing Art Center’s Black Box Theatre. $25, with discounts available to seniors, students, Adelphi alumni and employees. 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
Trump is welcomed to L.I. by a sea of red
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ & KELSIE RADZISKI of the Herald
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, vowed to the crowd at his rally on Sept. 18 at the Nassau Coliseum that he would win the vote in the state of New York in November’s election.
“It hasn’t been done in a long time,” Trump, referring to a decades-long losing streak of Republican presidential candidates in the state, “but we are going to win New York.”
Trump spoke for nearly 90 minutes at his first rally on Long Island since 2017, cheered by a sea of supporters wearing Make America Great Again hats and T-shirts and waving MAGA flags, thousands of them gathered outside the packed arena, watching on television monitors.
He denounced his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her policies, which he said would make New York “a Third World nation” if she were to win.
Trump highlighted Long Island issues and events, paying tribute to New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller, of Massapequa, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens in March. The former president noted the 2016 slaying of Long Island teenagers Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas, and the influx of MS-13 gang members.
“Our country’s going down,” he said. “If you look at what’s happening with the Venezuelans taking over … They’ve taken over your buildings and your land. You got to do something about it.
“That wouldn’t happen with Bruce Blakeman, I can tell you that right now,” Trump added, referring to the Republican Nassau county executive, which sparked chats of “Bruce!” from the
crowd.
This was Trump’s first rally since a second assassination attempt was reported at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15. He credited the U.S. Secret Service for stopping the attempt.
He vowed to rebuild the subways, highways and bridges in New York and across the country. He promised to reinstate the income tax deduction for state and local taxes, which his administration backed legislation to cap during his presidency. He also announced that he would make the World Trade Center site, in Lower Manhattan, a national monument maintained by the federal government — a pronouncement that was met with an enthusiastic ovation.
“That hallowed ground and the memory of those who perished there will be preserved for all time,” he said, just a week after the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Trump also addressed global affairs. “I will settle the war in Ukraine,” he said. “I got along very well with Putin,” he said, referring to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, “and I will end the chaos in the Middle East. A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote to obliterate Israel.”
Hours before the rally, County Legislator Carrié Solages, a Democrat, condemned statements made by Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, about Haitian migrants eating residents’ pets in Springfield, Ohio, at a counterprotest with Haitians from Long Island outside the Coliseum entrance.
County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs held a protest with elected officials hours before Solages’.
Before Trump took to the stage, others expressed their support for his campaign, including Republican U.S. Representatives Anthony D’Esposito and Nick LaLota, who represent the 4th and 2nd
congressional districts, respectively. The pair are being challenged by former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen and John Avalon in closely watched contests in November that could determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives.
In an impassioned speech, D’Esposito denounced Harris, described the Democratic Party as “dangerous” and emphasized that he “stand(s) for what Donald Trump believes in.”
“I stand for a secure border, I stand for backing law enforcement, I stand for growing our economy, I stand for putting America first,” D’Esposito said.
The Republican nominee in the 3rd Congressional District, Mike LiPetri, who hopes to flip Rep. Tom Suozzi’s seat, said he was proud to endorse Trump and his goals for his presidency.
“This is our time to restore common sense, to create safe, secure and affordable communities …,” LiPetri said, “making sure we have secure borders, a safe America, making sure we have peace across the world, making sure we’re standing with the Jewish community, and making sure we stand with Israel.”
Blakeman spoke of his priority to keep the county safe, after Nassau was recently named the safest county in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
“Nassau County protects the integrity and safety of women’s sports, and Nassau County unmasked the criminals, antisemites and hate mongers,” he said.
Blakeman called for Trump’s election in November so the country could “get back to common sense.”
“Let’s save our country, and let it start right here,” he said. “Let it start on Long Island, and go throughout the whole state of New York and the state of New Jersey and roll across America.”
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Former President Donald Trump held a rally at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale on Sept. 18, and vowed to win the state of New York in the November election.
Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was among those who enthusiastically supported the former president.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman spoke about his priority to keep the county safe.
Rally reflects Nassau’s deep political divide
By ROKSANA AMID
ramid@liherald.com
The Nassau Coliseum parking lot was filled with vehicles displaying flags, banners and homemade posters before former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally last week. Attendees, eager to show their allegiance, dressed in MAGA hats, shirts and red, white and blue outfits, while chants of “Trump, Trump, Trump!” erupted sporadically.
For his supporters, Trump remains the best candidate to fix the nation’s economic problems and take a stand against traditional politicians. Tommy Mundy, a Trump impersonator from Long Beach, praised the former president’s record.
“He’s a great man,” Mundy said. “He’s been right on everything all along.”
Mundy also dismissed concerns about Trump’s divisive stance on social issues, including abortion.
“Politicians are wicked and evil, and he’s not a politician,” Mundy said. “I’m not too concerned about the abortion issue — let God take care of that. We’re going to do great things, and the economy’s going to get turned around.”
Edward Sass, of North Babylon, also voiced his dissatisfaction with career politicians, a common theme among the attendees. Sass said he sees Trump as a non-politician who speaks plainly and delivers results.
“You get a lot of these politicians saying, ‘We’re going to do this; we’re going to do that.’ They should have done it already,” Sass said. “Three and a half
years, and they haven’t done anything.”
Sass criticized what he described as Vice President Kamala Harris’s vague promises, as well as the growing population on Long Island.
“We’re Long Island, we’re an island, we’ve got too many people in a boat,” he said, suggesting that the region’s infra-
structure is being overwhelmed by unchecked development and population growth.
Outside the Coliseum, anti-Trump protests reflected the sharp divisions among voters. Protesters gathered just beyond the gates, holding signs and chanting, “We’re not going back,” sum-
ming up their opposition to the former president.
Ann Leahy, from Wantagh, was among them. “He’s a crook, and he’s a liar, and he’s a rapist,” she said of Trump. “He’s cruel and he’s just a horrible person. He should never get near the White House again.”
Leahy expressed disbelief at the continuing support for Trump. “He was there for four years, and he was a horror then,” she said. “He has no policies. He just repeats the same stuff over and over again, and people are falling for it. I don’t understand why people would even dream about voting for this lunatic.”
Another one of the protesters was Magalie Theodore, a Haitian immigrant from Elmont, who expressed deep frustration with Trump’s disproven claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were stealing and eating residents’ pets.
“We are mad at Trump for the lies he has made about us,” Theodore said. “We don’t eat pets. We protect pets. As a citizen from Haiti, our country is a protector. We are the first Black republic. We don’t support bullies, and that’s what he’s been doing to immigrants.”
Theodore also criticized Trump’s approach to campaigning, accusing him of attacking ethnic groups to distract from his legal troubles. She also expressed disappointment in local leaders like Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for supporting Trump.
“I thought he was going to look out for all people, but apparently, he’s not,” Theodore said of Blakeman. “He’s supporting the biggest bully in America.”
Roksana Amid/Herald photos
Magalie Theodore and Magda Guillaune defiantly made clear their oppostion to former President Trump at last week’s rally. “We don’t support bullies,” Theodore said.
Edward Sass, of North Babylon, was eager to show his support for Donald Trump.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Rainbow Meadows DS, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 7/10/2024. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 263 Pontiac Pl. East Meadow, NY, 11554. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 148572
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. JANET ROBERTS, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 11, 2023, 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 October 16, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1167 Warwick Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. 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 50, Block 7 and Lots 91-92. Approximate amount of judgment is $408,344.99 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #616060/2019.
Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No. 201214-1 148883
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU METRO CITY BANK, Plaintiff, Against
WILLIAM KISH, ET AL., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 07/05/2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, The North Front Steps of the Nassau County Courthouse, 262 Old Country Rd., Mineola, NY on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on
10/23/2024 at 3:00PM, premises known as 1455 Rose Lane, East Meadow, New York 11554, And Described As Follows:
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 50 Block 546 Lot 27
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $559,625.01 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 609251/2019 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.
Richard Lawrence Farley, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Dated: 8/14/24 File Number: 19-301084 SH 149036
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 65-2024 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held September 17th, 2024, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 65-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 65-2024, amending Section 197-5 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “ARTERIAL STOPS” at various locations.
Dated: September 17, 2024
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 149130
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND BOARD MEETING
EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT ANNUAL BUDGET FOR 2025 WHEREAS, on the 16th day of September, 2024, pursuant to Sections 105 and 181 of the Town Law, the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District confirmed that the
Annual Fire District Budget Hearing will be conducted with reference to the Annual Fire District Budget for fiscal year 2025 on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 commencing at 8:00 p.m. at the Fire District Office Building located at 197 East Meadow Avenue, East Meadow, New York 11554, and WHEREAS, the Board of Fire Commissioners is required to adopt a proposed budget at least 21 days before October 15, 2024 so that it is available for public inspection prior to the budget hearing.
NOW, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District has adopted a proposed Annual Fire District Budget for 2025 as of this date for purposes of discussion and review at the Budget Hearing to be held on October 15, 2024 and a copy of the proposed budget is available at the office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Hempstead and at the office of the East Meadow Fire District Secretary at 197 East Meadow Avenue, East Meadow, New York 11554 where it may be inspected by any interested person during office hours. In addition, copies of the proposed budget will be available on the night of the said hearing.
NOW, therefore, BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District will hold the Annual Fire District Budget Hearing to be conducted with reference to the Annual Fire District Budget for fiscal year 2025 on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 commencing at 8:00 p.m. at the Fire District Office Building located at 197 East Meadow Avenue, East Meadow, New York 11554.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the aforesaid budget will be presented to the residents and taxpayers of the East Meadow Fire District and to the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District, for their respective consideration at this public hearing and for the purpose of considering the said budget and hearing all persons interested in the subject concerning same on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 commencing at 8:00 p.m. at the Fire District Office Building located at 197 East Meadow Avenue, East Meadow, New York 11554.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that the Board of Fire Commissioners will conduct a regular monthly meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, immediately
following the aforesaid Budget Hearing at the same location, the Fire District Office Building located at 197 East Meadow Avenue, East Meadow, New York 11554, and the public is welcome to attend this meeting. Please note that in October the regular monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, and not on Monday October 14, 2024, or Monday October 21, 2024.
Dated: September 17, 2024
East Meadow, New York BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD ATTEST:
ERIC BECKER
EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT SECRETARY 149153
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
LOCAL LAW NO. 63-2024
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held September 17th, 2024 , by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 63-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 63-2024, amending Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations.
Dated: September 17, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.
Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 149128
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
LOCAL LAW NO. 64-2024
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held September 17th, 2024, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 64-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 64-2024, amending Section 202-1 of the Code
Holiday GreetinG
Rosh Hashanah, a time for gratitude
as we approach Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, we stand at the threshold of a time filled with reflection, renewal, and hope. This sacred season invites us to look back on the year that has passed, to consider our actions and to seek forgiveness from those we may have wronged. It is a time to evaluate our relationships—with ourselves, our loved ones, and the world around us.
Rosh Hashanah is not just a commemoration of the past; it is the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, a period that culminates in Yom Kippur. This is a unique opportunity for spiritual introspection and personal growth. We are called to embrace the practice of teshuvah, or repentance, which encourages us to turn back to our best selves. In this process, we acknowledge our shortcomings and commit to making amends, fostering healing in our relationships and within our communities.
Central to our Rosh Hashanah observance is the sound of the shofar, the ram’s horn, which calls us to awaken our spirits. Its blasts resonate with a profound message: we are being summoned to reflect deeply on our lives and the impact we have on those around us. The shofar serves as a reminder that change is possible; we can learn from our past and aspire to become better individuals. As the shofar’s echoes fill the air, may they inspire us to embrace new beginnings and challenge ourselves to grow in wisdom and compassion.
Rosh Hashanah is also a time to express gratitude. We reflect on the blessings in our lives — the gift of family, friendships, and the opportunities we have to make a difference. As we dip apples in honey, we symbolize our hope for a sweet new year, filled with joy, health, and prosperity. May this simple act remind us of the sweetness we can bring to the lives of others through kindness and generosity. As we enter this new year, let us also remember those in need within our communities. Acts of charity, compassion, and support for one another are fundamental to our tradition. Together, we can create a more just and loving world, embodying the values of our faith.
In this spirit, I wish you and your loved ones a year filled with peace, health, happiness, joy and fulfillment. May you find strength in community, joy in your endeavors, the courage to pursue your aspirations, the strength to overcome obstacles, the wisdom to recognize and seize opportunities for growth and inspiration in the journey ahead. Let us step into this new year with open hearts and a commitment to growth, as we work together to build a brighter future for all.
Shanah Tovah U’metukah — may it be a good and sweet year! May we all be inscribed for blessing in the Book of Life.
Rabbi Mickey Baum is the rabbi and director of education at Temple Beth Am.
of the Town of Hempstead, to include “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations.
Dated: September 17, 2024
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.
Supervisor
KATE MURRAY
Town Clerk
149129
Rabbi Mickey bauM
EMPLOYMENT
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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 mhinman@liherald.com
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INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
To Deliver Papers To Businesses in Massapequa, Amityville and Babylon 2 Days Per Week Must Have Own Vehicle/Van
This is an independent contractor role for Richner Communications Compensation based on stops starting at $275/week
If Interested contact Jim at jrotche@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 x211
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on
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Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
Charming Tudor/Colonial
L‘We did everything right, or so we thought’
Q. We are trying to understand why we did everything right, or so we thought, and now have to start over with getting a permit and inspections so we can move on. First, we thought the whole construction process was over a year ago, but now find that we got an ultimatum, in the form of a notice that we will get a summons to appear in court if we don’t respond, and the inspector said that the plans we have are no longer good. We read your column about this and it created even more questions, like: What if we just drop it and don’t respond, and why do we have to make new plans? We did make some changes, but isn’t that normal? We wanted to get it right, and the changes were hardly noticeable to anyone else. What do you think we should do?
A.Do something, as opposed to doing nothing. If you do nothing, you may get the summons to appear in court, and after the appearance, you more likely will receive a judgment in addition to a fine, plus an order to still follow through or receive more fines and judgments. The timing of all of this is up to your building inspector and your building department as to the amount of time that will pass before any of this happens. I have clients who have done nothing for 20 years, and several who sold their property to unsuspecting buyers who still have to follow through, someday.
The fine may be affordable, but it’s still a fine. The judgment either forces you to comply or appeal. An appeal can cost as much or more in legal and court fees than just complying.
The only cases in which there were serious legal consequences that I have any experiences with both ended badly. Both involved much more serious problems, with building violations of a dangerous condition, and both ended with the building being condemned and bulldozed. Each was seriously structurally deficient and had multiple code violations. While your situation may not be like these, you should consult an attorney about your options, since resisting compliance changes from a building permit to a legal matter.
In most jurisdictions, when you make changes to the house that no longer match the plans, the building department may only ask for a letter from the design professional, as I recently mentioned in an earlier column. That would be a lie if you made so many changes or the changes were significant. I’ve often dealt with situations in which the owner and contractor made changes that moved the load-bearing walls off of the structural load path, and now the second floor is bowing. That type of change is significant, and could lead to irritating cracking that will not go away no matter how many times repairs are made.
Changes without communication are a bad idea. Your officials are trying, indirectly, to confirm safety and code compliance. Good luck!
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INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the
After
all the drama, it’s a dead heat
It seems as if barely a week goes by in the presidential campaign without one more otherwise once-in-adecade, totally unexpected event occurring.
Almost relegated to the background in all this tumult are the multitude of criminal charges brought against Donald Trump, including 34 felony convictions in one case alone, which have only increased his favorability ratings to their highest level ever.
For starters, there was the Biden-Trump CNN debate fiasco in late June, in which President Biden virtually self-destructed in real time before a nationwide audience. At times incoherent and appearing hopelessly confused, Biden had no sooner left the debate stage than Democratic Party leaders, consultants and media types displayed their own levels of incoherence in expressing their shock and dismay over how poorly Biden had performed and their fear of his impending defeat in November, especially contrasted with Trump’s relatively effective performance. Biden insisted he was going for-
ward, and conducted a media tour to rescue his terminally wounded candidacy.
While all this was taking place, Trump barely escaped death in Butler, Pennsylvania, when an attempted assassin’s bullet missed his skull by an inch, clipping his right ear and resulting in the iconic photo of his bloody defiance. Then there was the Republican Convention in Milwaukee, which, except for an overly long acceptance speech by Trump, worked to perfection. Trump’s path to victory seemed clear.
TThen, out of nowhere on a Sunday afternoon, Biden announced that he would not run for re-election. Though he had won the overwhelming majority of delegates to the impending Democratic National Convention, he couldn’t withstand the coordinated move against him from all sides of the Democratic Party, from the actor George Clooney to party leaders Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. Almost simultaneously with his withdrawal statement, Biden announced his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Though her favorability numbers had been lower than Biden’s, she unexpectedly surged into a dead heat with Trump. This was followed by a
Bigotry
With precious weeks to go before the November election, I had hoped that we would be having a real debate about the issues that should dominate in a federal election year. I refer to such things as election integrity, a woman’s right to choose, the economy and other relevant subjects in such a crucial year. But instead, it seems that for some of the candidates, the only issue is race.
When Vice President Kamala Harris became the nominee of the Democratic Party, I understood that her mixed-race history would be a boon to some bigots who considered her selection a chance to vent against all people of color. And with every passing day, we hear about some politician openly venting about her color. The chief culprit has been former President Donald Trump, who seizes every opportunity he can to stoke the culture wars.
carefully choreographed Democratic Convention in Chicago, at which Harris appeared to make headway by repositioning herself as a moderate, not the progressive she had always been.
rump can’t just criticize current policies, and Harris can’t just say she’s not Joe Biden.
Seemingly caught off guard by Harris’s emergence, Trump made a number of unforced errors, including saying he hadn’t known until recently that Harris was black. He was clearly off his game. Polls showed Harris with a slight but growing edge. This was followed by their debate, in which Harris was acknowledged to be the victor.
Yet in another surprise development, the postdebate polls not only showed almost no real gain by Harris, but also found increased voter doubts about her on gut issues like immigration and the economy. It was now a horse race, and both sides were gearing up for the stretch run.
Then again came the unexpected: another assassination attempt against Trump, this time while he was playing the fifth hole of his Mar-a-Lago golf course. For days the media focused on this almost-tragedy. How did the Secret Service allow the would-be assassin to get so close to Trump so soon after the attempt in Butler in July? How much
did incendiary rhetoric contribute to this political violence?
This tumultuous, unprecedented 2024 campaign is now in its final six weeks, and is back where it started in earnest almost a year ago. Despite all that has happened along the way, the polls show the race is too close to call. Hopefully the candidates and voters will use the time between now and Nov. 5 to focus on the issues.
Real people are hurt by high prices for groceries. It’s difficult for young people to obtain a mortgage to buy a home. Crime is real, and repeat offenders are back on the streets. Illegal immigration is rampant, and attacks by criminal gangs are increasing.
Overseas, Israel is fighting for its survival. The Russia-Ukraine war rages unabated, while China continues to expand its military and threaten its neighbors, particularly Taiwan and the Philippines.
Trump must do more than criticize current policies, and detail what measures he would take. Harris must do more than just say that she’s not Joe Biden. And all of us must live up to the responsibilities and challenges of living in a democracy.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
must not dominate this election
One of his first shots in the current hate debate was his questioning of Harris’s race. At one of his campaign rallies, he asked if she really was Black. Eventually, when Trump found that this diatribe wasn’t catching on with his voters, he moved on to other highly sensitive racial areas.
TKeep in mind that he has often played the race card. One of his most memorable racist comments concerned the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Despite his continuous denials, there were multiple press stories that quoted him as saying there were “very fine people, on both sides.”
Their most recent target was the Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. It’s a fact that various groups that cross the border often seek to settle in places that other immigrants have chosen as their home.
he governor of Ohio and the mayor of Springfield have denied vile claims.
In order to keep the racial flames burning, both Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, have made immigration the focal point of their campaign. There is no doubt that the border issue has legitimacy, but the TrumpVance approach is to stoke the racial fires with claims that mental patients and convicts are invading the country. Neither man has come up with any proof that these claims are legitimate.
The Haitians in Springfield are in this country as part of a program that allows immigrants to seek asylum based on violence in their countries. That program was created by President Ronald Reagan, and has been honored by all subsequent presidents, with the exception of Trump. This same program allows in residents of Ukraine and Venezuela, whose countries are experiencing great turmoil. Trump and Vance continue to spread the lie that members of Springfield’s Haitian community are stealing people’s pets and eating them. Their claims have caused massive angst in that city, where schools and municipal activities have shut down. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, the mayor of Springfield and other city officials have vehemently denied that such activities have taken place, but the Trump-Vance meanness continues unabated. There is no doubt that Spring-
field is dealing with an influx of Haitians who are trying to find work there, but the false rumors continue.
Adding to the venom were remarks Vance made on the Sunday talk shows on Sept. 15. He was challenged for continuing to assert the false pet-eating claims. “If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do,” he told Dana Bash on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
The latest attempt to assassinate Trump should have resulted in his toning down the incendiary talk coming from him and his campaign team. But after a soft comment expressing his appreciation for the public’s support, he claimed that the Democrats were responsible for the assassination attempts “with their ugly rhetoric about me.” That kind of response can only bring about more toxic threats at a time when calm should be the byword.
Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
HeraLd editoriaL
Deadly Wild West in our backyard
One year ago, the Herald published the editorial below, about a spate of reckless driving on the Southern State Parkway. Unfortunately, in light of the devastating news that a number of Long Island teens have lost their lives in several recent crashes, we are once again somberly reminded that reckless drivers put at risk not only their own lives, but also the lives of others. We recommend that local municipalities and law enforcement agencies schedule town halls to discuss how best to stem the tide of reckless driving on Long Island — from speeding to texting, and everything in between, whether on a parkway or a local street. In the meantime, we reprint our editorial from the Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2023, issue.
Drive a mere exit or two on any of Long Island’s main thoroughfares and you are sure to see at least one roadside shrine remembering the victim of a fatal car crash.
These memorials — already too commonplace — will only become more ubiquitous if nothing is done to stem the rising tide of dangerous drivers on these roads. In fact, just last week, sadly, Peninsula Boulevard was the site of two
Letters
The utilities thrive on environment-damaging fossil fuels
To the Editor:
As the country and the rest of the world have experienced another year of scorching heat waves, private, for-profit utility companies — which we rely on for our basic necessities, like heating, cooling and electricity — are keeping us reliant on climate-wrecking fossil fuels while reporting record profits. When they work well, utilities exist in the background of our lives: They power our homes, cool us down when it’s hot, and give us heat when it’s cold. But too often they are sources of aggravation: The power goes off when it’s dangerously hot or cold out, our bills skyrocket, and these for-profit companies threaten to shut off services when we’re unable to pay.
We know that climate change raises those stakes even higher, and utility companies themselves play a massive role in exacerbating the climate crisis: 80 percent of the electric utilities in the U.S. run on fossil fuels.
Shifting utilities to clean energy is integral to working toward a safer climate, but these companies would rather maintain the status quo and keep the public in the dark.
separate fatal accidents. On the same day.
We have all seen the tricked-out cars and motorcycles that zig and zag through traffic — exceeding the speed limit in spades — with no concern about repercussions from law enforcement or consequences for the lives of others.
That sickening feeling you get when your heart skips a beat, and you thank heaven to be alive, because yet another vehicle comes out of nowhere at 100 mph to cut you off, and then does the same thing to the next car? And the next? Too many of us Long Islanders know this feeling all too well.
Reckless (and noisy) drivers — threatening both public safety and community tranquility — are operating with impunity. And they know it.
Their cars are hard to miss, with their illegally modified mufflers that can be heard miles away at all hours of the day and night. Illegal license plate covers and fake temporary tags protect their callous disregard for law and order by making it impossible for anyone to identify them, including law enforcement tools like speed cameras. And their friends are now sometimes even setting up lawn chairs on the side of the high-
way to watch cars race in broad daylight — missing the irony that a crash victim’s memorial is often just over their shoulders.
More than 75 people lost their lives, and another 13,000 were injured, in nearly 37,000 traffic accidents in Nassau County last year. Those are unacceptable numbers.
It’s difficult to find law enforcement on these central thruways, especially on the Southern State Parkway — one of Nassau County’s deadliest roads — between the Cross Island Parkway and Heckscher State Park.
We need more, not less, patrolling of our roads. We need more, not less, enforcement of sensible laws already on the books. We need more, not less, coordination between state and local law enforcement. And we need more stringent laws and harsher penalties coming out of Albany so that we can make these reckless drivers as scared to continue these dangerous activities as we are to witness them.
We implore all jurisdictions to work together to rein in the scourge of irresponsible, dangerous and selfish drivers. Because even one more roadside shrine is one too many.
our money to burn our future while individuals and families struggle. We deserve an energy system that allows everyone to have access
LISA KONRAD Rockville Centre
Buried in our uniforms: a call to protect firefighters
Beyond law enforcement and the military, few professions are so deeply ingrained in one’s soul and evoke such a profound connection that members would choose to be buried in their uniforms. Fire service members’ love for their profession is part of their DNA, and integral to their very being.
I write this with a sense of frustration. Far too often, we get news of another firefighter’s death from cancer. These dedicated servants, in all likelihood, were or will be buried in their uniforms. We must do better, and prevent the lives of our brothers and sisters from being cut short.
At what point do we say, ‘Enough’? When do we take a stand to ensure the future health of firefighters? Cancer has been an increasingly common diagnosis among them for a while now, and it’s time for leadership to take the steps that are needed to address this issue head on. We are all aware that firefighters are exposed to myriad harmful substances during their service. These dangers
range from toxic fumes to hazardous chemicals, and they accumulate in our bodies, taking a toll on our health. Despite advancements in safety gear and procedures, the risks remain significant, and acknowledging them isn’t enough. We must take definitive action to mitigate them.
Leadership in fire departments and governmental bodies must prioritize the health and safety of their firefighters. This includes implementing common-sense procedures that account for firefighters’ long-term health and well-being, and that ensure policy accountability.
Screenings, training, culture
Lfirefighters to better protect themselves, reducing the likelihood of exposure and subsequent health issues.
Fostering a culture that prioritizes long-term health within the fire service is essential. Firefighters often prioritize the immediate mission over their health, but shifting this mindset to one that also values ongoing health is critical. Promoting a culture of health awareness encourages firefighters to take proactive steps to protect their health, both on and off the job.
eadership in fire departments must prioritize firefighters’ safety.
Regular and thorough health screenings should be mandatory to catch potential issues early. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment. If their health problems are identified earlier, firefighters have a better chance of successful treatment and recovery, ultimately saving lives.
Firefighters need detailed training on the risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances and on best practices to minimize those risks. That includes using firefighting gear correctly and understanding decontamination procedures. Proper training empowers
Letters
Does the proposed Equal Rights Amendment go too far?
To the Editor:
After reading Sasha Ahuja’s letter (“Curran’s wrong about the ‘war on women,’” Sept. 5-11), in support of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment, which will be on New York ballots in November, I decided to ask Google to tell me exactly what the proposed constitutional amendment says. This is what I learned:
“No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed, or religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state pursuant to law.”
I’m wondering if the amendment might go too far or be too broad in its
scope. Adding anything to the Constitution is a very big deal, since changing our minds after the fact may be very difficult in practice. Voters need to understand the complexities before casting a vote.
Personally, I’d have no issue with the amendment if it granted equal rights and equal protection to everyone regardless of “race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed, or religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression” — but it doesn’t stop there. The final clause gives women an unlimited right to abortion on demand, regardless of the stage of gestation.
While many argued for or against the removal of “reproductive freedom” as guaranteed by Roe v. Wade, most would agree that abortion has been a hotly debated topic. As such, I do not feel it should be part of a bigger amendment like Prop 1. Instead, let’s get Prop 1 passed without its final clause, and then allow ample discussion time before trying to get a separate amendment passed that deals exclusively with whether a woman’s “right to privacy” trumps the right to life of the unborn, and if so, when?
PAm SINGER Malverne
ter, and to make informed tactical and strategic decisions that will benefit future generations of firefighters. Simply stated, we assist in size-up by joining the NFR.
Protecting our health
We are buried in our uniforms. This must not just be a symbol of our dedication, but a call to protect ourselves. It’s time to say ‘Enough’ and make the changes that will ensure the future health of our firefighters.
More is needed
We also must be part of the solution, and provide the information that’s needed to develop better strategies and tactics for combating cancer in the fire service. That’s why today, I ask you, whether you are a career or volunteer firefighter, active or retired, to join the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer.
Firefighters understand the value of size-up on the fireground. The information that we gain is critical to informing our strategies and tactics, leading to successful outcomes and lives saved. This is the same way that the NFR aims to “size up” and assess cancer risks. This information will be used to help us understand occupational cancer bet-
Please join the NFR today. The sacrifices that were made by those who were diagnosed with cancer are a stark reminder of the urgency of this issue. Let’s honor them by taking action. Sign up at cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/registry.html.
Frank Leeb is the managing director of the First Responder Center for Excellence. He previously served as a deputy assistant chief in the New York City Fire Department, and retired in June after more than 30 years. During his tenure with the FDNY, he held several senior staff positions, including chief of the fire academy, chief of training and chief of safety. He has also been a member of the East Farmingdale Fire Department since 1983. He can be contacted at firstresponderconsultant@gmail.com. This article first appeared in Firehouse magazine (firehouse.com) in August.
Framework courtesy Peter Moran
Soaking in the Secret Lagoon hot springs — Fludir, Iceland
