Franklin Square/Elmont Herald 10-24-2024

HERALD Franklin square/elmont

Franklin Square historian Paul van Wie educated neighbors about the historical significance of the hamlet’s downtown area during a revitalization meeting at the Plattduetsche Park Restaurant on Oct. 17.

Franklin Square’s ambitions to revitalize downtown

By NIColE WAGNER nwagner@liherald.com

Roughly 200 Franklin Square community members, including leaders of civic associations, places of worship and the school district, attended a revitalization meeting for the hamlet on Oct. 17. There, neighbors and community leaders advocated for the preservation of the downtown area.

The meeting, organized by the Franklin Square Historical Society, brought neighbors together to come up with ideas to help the community thrive.

Paul van Wie, Franklin Square’s histori-

an, and several other residents advocated for investing in the hamlet’s downtown area.

Van Wie said that the downtown has an “oldschool, friendly feel” to it that people of all generations have loved. Many of the buildings there were erected in the 1920s, he added.

“Those buildings are really, really significant, and they have value — not only because of their age, but because of their architecture,” van Wie said.

Plattduetsche Park, Krauss Funeral Home, St. Catherine of Sienna Church and Hoffman Street are just a few of the archiCOntinued On Page 8

For 30+ Years!

Welcome to the Franklin Square/Elmont Herald.

These communities consistently advocate for each other by lending a hand to those in need and speaking up for those without a voice. Whether you’re new in town or your family has called Franklin Square and Elmont home for generations, neighbors always greet each other with kindness here.

Folks can hear a number of languages spoken in this diverse community. Businesses can look for support from the Elmont and Franklin Square Chambers of Commerce.

The school districts work hard, to educate and support families.

Visit the Franklin Square Historical Museum and learn stories of past residents you won’t find anywhere else. Get your game face on, and grab a seat at UBS Arena and hear the roar of the crowd.

Thanks to local and state support, residents will see a reinvented historic Belmont Park in 2026 when the Belmont Stakes returns. The local economy looks to see a boost in activity from this renovation and the recent introduction of The Park at UBS Arena and the Belmont Retail Village.

This week’s Franklin/Square Elmont Herald is being mailed to every home, and includes a copy of our popular annual magazine, Living In Franklin Square and Elmont. It’s filled with helpful information you can use throughout the year and it features the hidden gems that make Franklin Square and Elmont such a special place to live.

If you’re not a Franklin Square/ Elmont Herald subscriber, we hope a look at this week’s paper will persuade you that you should be. We will continue to give voice to the stories that matter most to the community. We are committed to serving Franklin Square and Elmont, telling the stories you won’t find anywhere else. Email nwagner@liherald.com.

To those who share your stories, we thank you. To those who already subscribe to the Herald and help us keep you informed, we thank you. Our local news coverage is only possible with your help.

If you like what you see, we encourage you to check out our subscription offer on Page 9, visit LIHerald.com/subscribe or call (516) 569-4000, ext. 7.

Nicole Wagner, Editor

Nicole Wagner/Herald

What to know before early voting starts

By NICOLE WAGNER nwagner@liherald.com

As early voting season approaches, the Nassau County Board of Elections has prepared itself to facilitate a safe, efficient voting process this year.

In January, the Elmont Memorial Library Board voted to discontinue early voting at the library after electioneering efforts during 2023 early voting in the parking lot created an unsafe environment for patrons. The board reinstated early voting at the library in February after community members voiced their concerns about the discontinuation of the library as a polling site.

James Scheuerman, Democratic Commissioner for the Nassau County Board of Elections, takes safety as the utmost important facet of the voting process. After the controversy at the Elmont Memorial Library last year, the state’s elections board sent out more information to local elections board about how to treat poll watchers reiterating existing information.

Wtraining for inspectors of how to deal with poll watchers and spoke with the Nassau County Police Department Commissioner Patrick Ryder about how to effectively coordinate quick reactions to concerns as they pop up.

e’ve seen that every election we have more people taking advantage of early voting. JAmEs sChEuERmAN Democratic Commissioner, Nassau County Board of Elections

“The issue we had in Elmont was more of an anomaly and folks abusing the system, rather than a lack of oversight or training on our part,” he said. “It’s kind of one of those ‘a few bad apples spoils the bunch’ type of thing.”

Scheuerman said the elections board has increased

“I think that we have taken every step to train our employees with the information of how to deal with them and what they’re allowed to do,” Scheuerman said. “It is my hope that the political parties, on both sides, respect the voters’ rights and integrity and don’t try to infringe on that.”

Voting by the numbers:

n 736,124 Nassau County residents cast their ballot in 2020.

n 222,710 of those ballots were cast at early voting locations. 13,040 of those ballots were cast at the Elmont Memorial Library.

n 153,442 ballots were cast by mail.

n 354,694 ballots were cast on Election Day.

n In 2020, 74 percent of Nassau County’s total active voters cast their ballot.

n In 2023, 25 percent of Nassau County’s total active voters cast their ballot.

With an expected increase in voter turnout during presidential election years, the elections board increases the amount of poll inspectors to open more tables at polling sites.

Scheuerman also said that there will be election

For more information about where to vote early at one of Nassau County’s 27 early voting sites, visit Bit.ly/NassauVoteEarly.

monitors from Attorney General Letitia James’ Office to keep an eye out for instances of electioneering. This is a result of not only the controversy at the Elmont Memorial Library, but also of concerns that were raised in Great Neck and Massapequa, according to Scheuerman.

The attorney general also offers an Election Protection Hotline to help answer voting questions at (866) 390-2992.

“We’ve seen that every election we have more people taking advantage of early voting,” Scheuerman said. Many voters have also taken advantage of vote by mail, which alleviates pressure on polling sites on Election Day.

Absentee ballots will be counted ahead of Election Day, Scheuerman said. At 9:01 p.m. on Election Day, the results for all votes cast early or by mail will be released to the public.

“With early vote by mail, shortest line you’re going to have is at your kitchen table,” Scheuerman said. “So request a ballot, and you have plenty of time to vote it and get it back in without a stamp. It can’t be any easier.”

Teens participate in Great Give Back Day

By REI WOLFSOHN Correspondent

Howie’s Heart and the Franklin Square Library hosted Great Give Back Day, where teens put their arts skills to use making donations for Ronald McDonald House on Oct. 19.

Howie’s Heart is a Franklin Square-based nonprofit that organizes events for kids, teens and families to do community service. Great Give Back Day is observed by libraries throughout New York to do community service together in October. The event attracted roughly 30 teenagers.

“Everything we do for the community is based off what the community gives to us,” said Samantha Walter, 14.

Walter volunteers with the Long Island Children’s Museum and Ronald McDonald House through the many community service events at the library.

“We want to make sure that teens and children understand the importance of community, and giving back to people less fortunate than themselves,” Library Director Aviva Kane said.

The library hosts many community service opportunities for people of all ages throughout the year. Teen Librarian Daphne Levy has guided young people with painting birdhouses for the Garden City Bird Sanctuary and cleaning up Hempstead Lake State Park as part of past community service events.

“The Franklin Square Library has been an amazing partner for us,” said Jennifer Camacho, founder of Howie’s Heart. “They have opened up their doors here for us, as a home base for us. They’ve also supplied materials and things for all of our events as well.”

Howie’s Heart has hosted more than 30 events since they started in February. Most of their funding comes from Camacho’s family and friends. In August they became a 501(c)3 and got their first microloan. Camacho started the nonprofit in honor of her father Howie.

“He was a great guy with a big heart, always willing to help people, lend a hand

what

if you needed it,” Camacho said.

be

On Great Give Back Day, teens decorated treat bags and filled them with the tiny canvases they painted, suncatchers they made and some candy.

“It really makes me feel good about myself, because I like that I’m helping out people who need it,” 15-year-old Joanna Colocho said. It touches my heart.”

Howie’s Heart also hosts “Spectrum of Service” events that focus on ensuring inclusiveness and sensitivity for children with special needs.

“We want all families to feel like there’s no road blocks here, we can do this,” Camacho said. “That’s something near and dear to our hearts too: Making sure everyone feels they have a home with us.”

The teens at Great Give Back Day were excited to come to a Howie’s Heart event. There were many repeat participants.

“Jen is a really amazing person and I think she just does a lot for the community here,” said Emily Vrahimis, 15. “She is super nice and very welcoming to everyone that comes here. It’s a great space to be in.”

Rei Wolfsohn/Herald

Teens painted canvases to put in Halloween gift bags as part of a community service effort with Howie’s Heart and the Franklin Square Library Oct. 19.

Joanna Colocho, Emily Vrahimis and friends decorate canvases for hospitalized children.

Jennifer Camacho, founder of Franklin Square-based nonprofit Howie’s Heart, and Lori Conklin organize candy for Ronald McDonald House.

Melissa Cox tells the teens

they’ll

doing for Great Give Back Day on Oct. 19.

Estate Planning for the Estranged Child (Part Two)

Last week, we wrote about having compassion for the estranged son or daughter married to the narcissist when considering leaving an inheritance. But what about leaving an inheritance to the estranged child who is not in this situation.

The reasons for estrangement are as different as are families. As Tolstoy famously remarked, “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”.

One of the keys to resolving what to leave the estranged child is determining who in the family are they estranged from and for how long and for what reasons (if known). Sometimes they are estranged from only one parent and the other parent does not wish to see that child disinherited. Sometimes they are estranged from the parents but not their siblings — or some but not all of their siblings. It’s complicated. Often, hope springs eternal that the estranged son or daughter will come back into the fold.

In cases like these we like to use a technique

we call “Schedule A”. Generally, in a trust or a will, you will find the dispositive provisions, i.e. who you are leaving it to and in what amounts, somewhere in the middle of the document.

When you amend the trust, or prepare a codicil to the will, you may legally change your wishes. Nevertheless, all of the parties can see what it was before and what the change was. For example, if you left someone out and now you are putting them back in, they will clearly see that they were left out before, and vice versa!

To avoid the hurt, confusion and possible litigation that these emotionally fraught situations may engender, we recommend using a “Schedule A” to the trust. Here, in the body of the trust we state that the wishes are provided in “Schedule A” annexed hereto which may be replaced from time to time with the same formalities as the execution of the trust. Now, when a change is made we destroy the old “Schedule A” replacing with the new one avoiding hurt feelings and misunderstandings.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

&

CRIME bRIEfs

Elmont woman, 81, suffers dog bites

An 81-year-old woman was bit several times by a dog and suffered lacerations to various parts of her body Oct. 18 at 7:55 p.m. in Elmont, according to Nassau police.

Police were called to a Newburgh Street residence last week for a reported dog bite.

The woman was transported to a

local area hospital for evaluation and treatment of her injuries. She is listed in stable condition, according to police.

The Nassau County Emergency Service Unit also responded and secured the animals.

The investigation is ongoing.

–Nicole Wagner

Pedestrian dies in hit-and-run accident

A 48-year-old man was struck by a sedan while crossing Hempstead Turnpike at Elmont Road Oct. 13 at 4:40 a.m. in Elmont, according to Nassau police.

Patricio Rodriguez-Hayes, of Queens Village, was transported to a local hospital after the accident, according to police. A hotel physician pronounced Rodriguez-Hayes dead at 8 p.m. Oct. 17.

The sedan that hit the man drove west on Hempstead Turnpike away from

the man, police said.

Police are seeking the public’s help gathering information about this incident. Detectives ask that anyone with information regarding this incident contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-8477 or call 911. All calls are kept confidential.

–Nicole Wagner

CRIME watCh

LaRCENY

An unidentified person stole a catalytic converter from a car parked on Harriet Street in Elmont between 10 p.m. Oct. 2 and 10 a.m. Oct. 3.

On Oct. 3, two unidentified men stole several items from CVS on Franklin Avenue in Franklin Square at 10:58 p.m.

On Oct. 12, two unidentified men stole several items from Stop & Shop on Franklin Avenue in Franklin Square at 9:10 p.m.

aRREsts

On Oct. 11, Anna Catanzaro, 64, of Franklin Square, was arrested for allegedly shoplifting from JC Penney on Old Country Road in East Garden City at 1:37 p.m.

On Oct. 14, Jamaal James, 32, of Elmont, was arrested for allegedly shoplifting from Target on Union Turnpike in North New Hyde Park at 6:19 p.m.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/franklinsquare or www.liherald.com/elmont

■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: fseditor@liherald.com

■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 282 E-mail: fseditor@liherald.com

■ SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Meet the civic association co-presidents

By NICOLE WAGNER nwagner@liherald.com

The Morton Civic Association has been a staple in the Franklin Square and West Hempstead communities since 1951. The nonprofit helps neighbors out with quality of life concerns and organizes fun events throughout the year to help bolster community pride.

Joseph Romeo and Domenico Ciaccio, co-presidents of the civic association, have led the organization for more than a decade.

Romeo first joined the civic in 2010 when he moved to Franklin Square. He became president of the civic in 2012 to help out in the community with its 770 members. A large part of the responsibility with the organization is managing the relationship between civic association members and Petro Home Services, Romeo said.

Ciaccio joined the civic in 2013 and shortly thereafter became co-president. He moved to Franklin Square in 2012 and fell in love with the “neighborly love” that makes Franklin Square home.

Ciaccio and Romeo also manage the civic’s events committee to organize fun outings for the community.

Most recently, the Morton Civic Asso-

ciation hosted a trunk or treat Oct. 20 where they welcomed neighbors throughout the town to grab a sweet treat and have some Halloween-themed fun.

The civic will also host its annual tree lighting ceremony in November in Franklin Square.

“Last year it was a huge success, and we want to build on that to have another great event for members and non-members,” Ciaccio said of the tree lighting.

“Everyone from the Franklin Square community is welcome.”

Ciaccio and Romeo are committed to working with local organizations to better the community.

“The end goal is the same: to make Franklin Square better,” Ciaccio said.

All of the work that the civic does in the community is in hopes to help the next generation, Romeo said.

“In us, we were instilled to give the best community service and value, and truthfully treat everyone as you want to be treated and if not better,” Romeo said.

“And the reason for that is I see my kids now growing up, 7 and 9, and if we don’t hold an event like this or if they see something on the floor in the Dogwood Shopping Center they want to also help. So it’s kind of setting the foundation, also, for future generations to come so that this can continue to be a community that people love for generations.”

As a neighbor in the community, Romeo enjoys the mix of families who are new to the community and those who have called Franklin Square home for generations.

Courtesy Domenico Ciaccio

Domenico Ciaccio has served as co-president of the Morton Civic Association since 2013.

Courtesy Joe Romeo Joe Romeo has served as co-president of the Morton Civic Association since 2012.

GIANNA VENTURA

East Meadow Junior Field Hockey

AN HONORABLE MENTION ALL-COUNTY in 2023 after scoring 12 goals and setting up 6 others in her first varsity field hockey season, Ventura ranks among Nassau’s leading offensive weapons this fall and has helped the 11-1 Jets to a conference title. A right wing forward, she has 20 goals and 13 assists through a dozen games. She scored at least one goal in all but one game and has eight multi-goal performances including one hat trick.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Oct. 24

Field Hockey: Sewanhaka District at East Meadow 5 p.m.

Football: G.N. South at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Boys Volleyball: Lawrence at Calhoun 5:45 p.m.

Girls Volleyball: South Side at Lynbrook 6:45 p.m.

Girls Volleyball: V.S. North at Malverne 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 25

Field Hockey: North Shore at Clarke 5 p.m.

Football: Plainedge at Island Trees 5 p.m.

Football: Massapequa at Westbury 5 p.m.

Football: Floral Park at Hewlett 6 p.m.

Football: Kennedy at Mineola 6 p.m.

Football: Carle Place at West Hempstead 6 p.m.

Football: Wantagh at Seaford 6 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Farmingdale 6:30 p.m.

Football: Freeport at Port Washington 6:30 p.m.

Football: Floral Park at Lynbrook 3 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Freeport 3 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Football: Mepham at Sewanhaka 11 a.m.

Football: Carey at New Hyde Park 11 a.m.

Football: Garden City at Elmont 1 p.m.

Football: V.S. North at Lynbrook 3 p.m.

Football: V.S. Central at East Meadow 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.

Carey adds third conference title

By BRIAN KACHARABA sports@liherald.com

Winning the conference has become commonplace for the Carey girls’ soccer team. Now it’s hoping it will finally translate to a deep playoff run.

The Seahawks clinched their third straight division championship with a 2-0 win at Baldwin on Oct. 14 before rallying to tie Division 1-1 two days later to finish 7-1-5 (7-1-4 Conference AAA/AA3), four points clear of the Roslyn and Division. The deadlock also sealed the team’s third straight one-loss campaign.

Carey advanced to the quarterfinals last fall, but eventually fell short of its first-ever county title. The Seahawks were set to begin the playoffs Tuesday at Manhasset (4-8-4) and coach Chris Posillico is confident that it will be the beginning of run that leads them to Farmingdale State College on Nov. 1.

“I thought in the beginning of the season, my sights were set on hopefully getting to another quarterfinal,” he said. “But after we played a non-league against Calhoun to start the year and tied them 0-0, I really feel like if we play our best that, on any day, we can beat anybody.”

The Seahawks went 3-0-3 following a 1-0 loss at Division on Sept. 19. After a scoreless tie against Roslyn two days later, freshman Laura Maya and sophomore Gabriella Perna snapped the shutout drought with second-half goals to beat Farmingdale 2-0 and junior Ava Iori netted her only goal of the season in the second half of a 1-1 draw at

Kennedy on Sept. 30.

Carey’s leading scorer Amelia Kalamaras scored twice in a 3-1 win over New

Hyde Park on Oct. 7 and senior Toni Flaherty tallied in both halves of the conference clincher.

The second half magic continued during the rematch with Division. Dragons AllCounty star Rebecca Petrellese gave her team the lead in the first half with an arcing free kick that snuck underneath the crossbar, but Kalamaras responded early in the second with her team-tying fifth goal of the campaign to preserve the tie.

The Seahawks outscored the opposition 14-2 in the second half this season, boosted by a 9-0 margin in the eight games following the Division loss.

“It’s funny because from my end as a coach, I always get on them because I always call it a slow start instead of a strong finish,” Posillico said. “Always in the first half, it’s like molasses.”

Kalamaras added four assists to pace the team with nine points, just behind Maya (5-2-7).

The Seahawks won despite several injury setbacks. Original starting goalie Maggie Gonzalez tore her ACL in the second game of the season, eighth grader Sofia Santana (3-1-4) was lost for the season with a sprained ankle near the midway point and senior co-captain Gabriella Jacob missed some games with a heel injury.

Senior Kaitlyn Zitarosa volunteered to take over in goal and the result was 72 saves and four shutouts.

“She is one of the only reasons that we’re here right now,” Posillico said.

Iori and eighth graders Madeline Masa, Juliana Tonkin, and Michaela Messina also helped anchor a defense that surrendered just eight goals all year.

Ross Farber/Herald

Amelia Kalamaras is Carey’s leading scorer and netted a pair of goals Oct. 7 in a 3-1 victory over New Hyde Park.

Lead pipes need to be replaced by 2034

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule requiring the replacement of lead pipes throughout the United States by 2034 earlier this month.

Over the past year, water providers across Long Island have been compiling inventories of all service line materials throughout their respective service territories.

In adherence to the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, known as LCRI, which were announced back in 2021 and finalized earlier Oct. 8, water providers submitted these inventories to the state health department by Oct. 16.

According to the state health department’s website, “homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixture and solder.” The website also says that “homes built after 1986 have ‘leadfree’ plumbing, but can still contain trace amounts of lead that can dissolve in water.”

Up to 9 million homes throughout the United States are serviced by legacy lead pipes, according to EPA estimates.

The Long Island Water Conference, known as the LIWC, wants residents

who receive letters by from their water provider by Nov. 16 not to be alarmed by the communication, but to pay close attention to its contents as they will provide important details and next steps.

H“It is crucial that all residents understand that if there is an elevated presence of lead in their drinking water, it is not coming from the water they receive from their supplier, but rather, it’s leaching from the resident’s service line or other plumbing fixtures within their home that contain lead,” LIWC Chairman Jason Belle said in a news release. “The notifications being sent out by water suppliers are only going to those residents who do or could have a problem with their service line material as they are designed to provide steps for them to follow to have the issue resolved.”

A service line is the underground pipe that connects an individual’s home or business to the water main in the

street. Responsibility for service lines varies from water provider to water provider. For example, some residents are responsible for service lines up to the sidewalk, while others are responsible for service lines until they connect to water mains underneath the street.

Residents should follow the instructions on the letter they receive to assess the actions they need to take.

The notifications being sent from water providers will inform residents and business owners of one of three scenarios:

1. Service line material is lead based and needs replacement.

2. Customer service line material is galvanized and is preceded by lead or unknown material on the utility side requiring replacement.

3. The service line material is unknown and the provider needs either access from the homeowner to confirm the ser-

vice line material type or how the homeowner can report the material type back to the provider.

Residents with unknown service line materials are strongly encouraged to take action and support their providers’ required data collection efforts. The state health department has published fact sheets and an explanation video on how to quickly and easily determine the material of a service line. Visit Health. NY.gov for more information.

As part of the LCRI, the EPA announced that $2.6 billion will flow through drinking water state revolving funds to support pipe replacement and inventory projects throughout the country through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

With approximately 500,000 service lines needing replacement throughout the state, the LIWC said it will advocate alongside the New York Section American Water Works Association in asking the state to allocate $500 million to establish a program that will fund and expedite the replacement of service lines.

–Nicole Wagner

2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

COMING SOON

Formerly King Kullen

Manhasset’s Finz recognized by Army

BY JOAQUIN CONTRERAS

Although two years shy of his 100th birthday, Leonard Finz doesn’t look that far ahead into the future, instead preferring to live as presently as possible.

for two years after law school, performing in venues across the country.

Finz was cast in the NBC soap opera “Another World” and even auditioned for the lead in the 1952 remake of “The Jazz Singer,” a role which went to Danny Thomas.

“To think that in two weeks I’ll be 98, God willing, (and) if I’m still around to think that I’ll even hit the century mark— well, I don’t go that far. I just live day to day, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second, and I leave the higher authority to chart whatever life I have for the future,” said Finz.

Though looking back on the nearly 36,000 days of his lifetime, Finz’s achievements have spanned courtrooms, stages, and a World War. The Manhasset resident was honored with an induction into the United States Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 23, at the historic Gracewood Mansion.

Graduating in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, Finz enlisted in the Army at 18 and completed basic training at Camp Pendleton, Virginia.

At the request of the captain of special services and given his background in the arts, Finz produced, wrote, and directed shows on a weekly basis, subsequently displaying his musical talent with the United States Army Band.

But louder than the music were the cries of soldiers on the battlefield.

How F.S. plans to build a bustling downtown

Finz was recognized for his service as a 1st lieutenant, field artillery in the Pacific Theater during World War II and was awarded with the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious and Outstanding Service.

Continued from page 1

tectural gems that van Wie believes “make Franklin Square Franklin Square.” “The downtown, we can say, is the cultural, economic anchor of our community,” he said. “It is the center of our identity.”

He believes that the downtown area should receive recognition as the center of community life and for its historic importance. But preserving the area is something that van Wie said neighbors would have to work with elected officials to accomplish.

“As a young man, Lt. Leonard Finz led his artillery battery into combat to serve and protect his nation. Today we have the honor to recognize Judge Leonard Finz for a lifetime of devoted service. He is an icon of his generation and a role model for others to follow,” said state Sen. John Brooks, who presented Finz with copies of New York State Senate and Assembly Resolutions that were passed in his honor at the ceremony alongside state Sen. Ana M. Kaplan and state Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti.

“We can’t do this ourselves,” he said. “We need the people in our government who know where we have the money and what’s going to fly and what’s going to work.”

“There were soldiers—real soldiers— dying in Europe, dying in the Pacific, and I just didn’t want to tell my grandchildren and my wife that I spent World War II playing music. I wanted to get into battle and be a part of the war. Therefore, I applied to officer candidate school in field artillery, which is a combat branch of the Army,” Finz said.

Art Studio in Franklin Square, toured the theater in 2022, and said that it is currently in a state of disrepair. The civic association has expressed its concerns about the building, and Boerckel would like to purchase it with another investor to make the theater a cultural and community center. He is still looking, however, for another investor to take the leap.

Finz joins other famous inductees such as Sen. Bob Dole, Former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, and author, political commentator and original host of Firing LineWillam F. Buckley Jr.

The proposed preservation and revitalization of the hamlet is something van Wie said must be a “win-win” for everyone in the community, from property owners on Hempstead Turnpike to local merchants.

Graduating as part of a class of only 32 candidates, Finz was honored as a 2nd Lieutenant and boarded a troop ship for Okinawa, joining the first wave attack force upon the Japanese mainland, but never reached his destination as Japan surrendered following the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki just days prior to the planned attack.

“It’s gaining momentum, but we still need the final push,” Boerckel said.

Honorably discharged as a 1st lieutenant in 1946, Finz pursued a law degree at New York University through the aid of the G.I. Bill, prompted by his experience as Judge Advocate General in the Philippines where he defended GI prisoners waiting to be court-martialed for various crimes. Finz fulfilled the position despite having only a high school diploma.

Born in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1924 to Turkish immigrants, Finz was initially a keen musician, playing both the clarinet and saxophone while attending the High School of Music and Art, from which he graduated in 1942. Finz would embark on a career as a singer and musician under the name ‘Lennie Forrest”

The theater is something he believes would be a win-win for the community. Grey also proposed renovating unused building and turning them into exhibition spaces or art galleries. Another story could be added to the buildings, she said, as artists’ lofts or studio spaces, and the roofs converted to gardens to grow crops for local consumption and “reconnect Franklin Square to its farming heritage,” Grey said.

Returning to the law after his time in show business, Finz became politically active, organizing rallies as Queens County campaign chairman for John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, and running for senate and congressional seats unsuccessfully. He was

MaryAnne Grey, executive director of the Franklin Square Civic Association, offered recommendations for strengthening and improving the downtown to help it transition into the 21st century. She proposed that underutilized buildings be repurposed and renovated for senior housing.

“There are many residents that have lived in Franklin Square for many, many years who would like to downsize without leaving the area,” Grey said. The downtown’s walkability, with shops, restaurants, places of worship and public transportation, would be appealing to seniors, Grey believes.

The Franklin Square Theater is another community fixture that neighbors say should be restored for communal use. The Franklin Square Civic Association advocated making the building a Town of Hempstead historical landmark in 2019.

Darren Boerckel, owner of Outrlimits

To support the downtown, she proposed that an underground parking facility be constructed to mitigate traffic on Hempstead Turnpike.

Her final recommendation was that a park-like square be built where restaurants, businesses and neighbors could gather.

“These are suggestions that are moderate, and they can be accomplished if we make these changes,” Grey said. “Preserving the good that we have and bringing us into the 21st century, we can make Franklin Square a place that we can all be proud of.”

Meeting attendees were encouraged to join committees to research ways that neighbors can advocate for these changes.

“The only thing you need to truly transform your community is relentless, incremental improvements,” van Wie said. “Meaning, this is going to take some time, but it’s worth studying and getting into to see if we can make this work for everybody involved.”

Nicole Wagner/Herald

oughly 200 people attended the franklin Square revitalization meeting, hosted by franklin Square Historical Society, last week.

HERALD NEIGHBORS

Halloween is in the air at Trunk or Treat

Neighbors came out dressed in their best Halloween costumes for some early spooky festivities at the Morton Civic Association Trunk or Treat on Oct. 20.

Minecraft characters, princesses, superheroes, skeletons and more fun costumes descended on Dogwood Shopping Center last weekend.

During the trunk or treat, kids played fun games, collected sweet treats and had fun with friends. Kids decorated Halloween frames and had a blast doing fall-themed arts and crafts.

Face painters at the event helped kids add color their costumes with fun designs throughout the day.

Magician Magic Gianni Gavilanes even tapped into the Halloween spirit as he threw a “magic banana” into the crowd to pick his helper during the festivities.

–Nicole Wagner

Alice Moreno/Herald photos

Dana Casil, of Franklin Square, had fun decorating her Minecraft-themed trunk with her son Leo Casil, 4, for the Morton Civic Association Trunk or Treat.

Lisa Giammarco and Mia Giammarco, 3, decorated their trunk like the game ‘Candyland.’

Declan R., 4, decorated a Halloween frame during the festivities.

Emilia Gavilanes, 6, decorated a cookie during the trunk or treat on Oct. 20.

Evan Peña, 5, Eddie Colón-Patton, 7, and Sebastian Martinez, 5, jumped for joy when they saw each others costumes.

Samaya Rajune, 6, gets her arm painted with a fun design by Angela, of ‘Face Painting By Ang.’

Project 2025 pushes controversial policies

By JENNA ZAZZA & LORI SAXENA Special to the Herald

Written by the conservative Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 is a 922-page book detailing overhauls of the executive branch and proposing what some consider as radical policy changes regarding the economy, culture, education and healthcare.

The controversial plans have Democrats in a tizzy, the Trump campaign distancing themselves from the ideas and saying they would embrace the mandate’s demise.

The Project would decimate the working and middle classes.

JOhN RIZZO Economist

Some of the project’s more significant policies include eliminating the Department of Education, transforming the Department of Health and Human Service into an antiabortionfocused “Department of Life,” and increasing the president’s control over independent agencies like the Department of Justice.

Despite Trump rejecting the project, six of his former Cabinet secretaries and over 140 people who played a role in the project also worked in his administration, according to a CNN report.

It’s clear that Project 2025 is an election year buzzword. It has both opponents and proponents. At its core, the initiative seeks to reshape the federal government, but its impact extends to the local level.

In the plans forward, the Heritage Foundation notes: “Every hour the Left directs federal policy and elite institutions, our sovereignty, our Constitution, our families, and our freedom are a step closer to disappearing. Conservatives have just two years and one shot to get this right. With enemies at home and abroad, there is no margin for error. Time is running short. If we fail, the fight for the very idea of America may be lost.”

The economy

The mandate criticizes the Federal Reserve’s monetary policies, recommending a major reform of the agency. Even with major reform, the project argues the Federal Reserve, also known as The Fed, would still cause “inflationary and recessionary cycles.” The report calls for abolish it outright, replacing it with either a free-banking system or reimplementing the gold standard.

A free-banking system allows banks to issue their own notes without government oversight or regulation. The gold standard system fixes the value of currency to a specified amount of gold. Up until 1970, the U.S. operated under the gold standard.

“A gold standard imposes very tight constraints on the government to spend,

The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 is a touchstone of controversy, proposing major changes to national policies.

especially in times of crisis like Covid,” said Stephanie Kelton, an economy and public policy professor at Stony Brook University. “This is why countries always go off the gold standard. There is a lot of economic instability in the gold standard.”

Kelton is a former chief economist on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee.

The project claims that the gold standard offers a more stable and less inflationary economy. It asserts that the gold standard will deter the government from arbitrarily issuing more money since a hard asset must back the dollars.

“When we were on a gold standard, the economy would have big booms and big crashes,” Kelton said. “You could say that it was stable if you look over a long period of time like a century or 50 years, but within that period of time, prices are crashing.”

According to economists, a free-banking system isn’t ideal either.

“We saw what unregulated banks did in 2008. It caused a great recession,”

John Rizzo, former Long Island Association chief economist, said. “If anything, we need more regulation not less.”

Long Island is among the top areas in New York state that was hit the hardest by the 2008 financial crisis. The state experienced the most subprime loans with either none or low documentation per 1,000 housing units, according to a report released by the state comptroller.

Long Island also had the most foreclosures, with one every 500 households or less, according to the same report. Congress created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to prevent another great recession and housing finance

bubble. Project 2025 also calls to eliminate the CFPB.

“A bunch of lending activity took place that never should have taken place. Banks steered people into buying homes that they couldn’t afford,” Kelton said. “So if we eliminate the CFPB, it just makes it more likely that something like that can and would happen again.”

Long Island’s unemployment rate is increasing, namely in Babylon town which follows the state rate of 4.9 by only 0.5 points, according to the state’s Department of Labor statistics. The entire region lags behind the state by 1.1 points. Unemployment insurance is also declining. As the rates climb, housing prices are too. The median sale price of a single-family home is nearly $800,000, up 11 percent from last year.

“The housing crisis nearly brought the global economy to its knees, it did, in fact,” Kelton said. “We need people whose job it is to watch out for stuff like this and to intervene and take action on behalf of consumers because, in many cases, people didn’t understand the risks they were taking.”

Project 2025 also proposes peeling back worker pay and protections, making fewer workers eligible for time-anda-half overtime pay by lowering the threshold, and permitting children to work in “hazardous jobs.”

“[The project] is an extreme antiworker agenda that’s more or less designed to allow employers to use and abuse workers as they see fit, pay them as little as possible, offer limited protections, unions, wages, benefits– the whole thing,” Kelton said.

All economists contacted for com-

ment had similar negative perspectives on the project’s economic plans.

The proposed income tax reform simplifies the system to a 15 percent rate for those earning up to about $168,000 and 30 percent for higher earners could have significant implications for Long Island’s middle-income residents. With median individual incomes of around $54,000 in Nassau County and $49,000 in Suffolk County, a large portion of Long Islanders would fall into the lower tax bracket, according to Census Bureau data.

However, many households are already struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and transportation, according to a report by United Way of Long Island. Nearly 30 percent of households in Nassau and Suffolk County face financial hardship despite the region’s relatively low poverty rate of 6 percent.

“It’s blatantly in favor of large corporations and the 15 percent and 30 percent would have a devastating effect on lower and middle-income individuals’ financial situation and overall on the economy,” Rizzo said. “There will be an adverse impact on small businesses that account for 90 percent of the business on Long Island and the middle class. In fact there wouldn’t be a middle class any longer. The Project would decimate the working and middle classes.”

Jenna Zazza and Lori Saxena are reporters with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.

Courtesy George Giokas

Hundreds attend Herald Senior Health Expo

Oceanside’s O’Connell Gardens hosts fourth highly anticipated event in series of 2024 gatherings

By Alexa Anderwkavich

The O’Connell Gardens in Oceanside welcomed eager attendees for the Herald’s Senior Health & Beyond Expo, produced by RichnerLIVE, on October 10 — the fourth in a series of exciting Expos for 2024.

The Expo is a community-loved event where diverse businesses and innovative services share their products and refined knowledge with Long Islanders.

“We are so thrilled with the turnout today — over 400 attendees!” stated Amy Amato, Executive Director at RichnerLIVE. “It offers valuable opportunities for companies and guests to learn, engage, and access essential screenings, benefitting both attendees and businesses. And we are so excited to expand this expo to Suffolk next month on Nov. 3.”

Over 45 vendors offering health, wellness, and personal care insights filled the hall. They provided guidance on enhancing lifestyle through new products and programs, as well as advice on senior living arrangements, financial security, and more.

Guests received free flu and COVID vaccines, courtesy of Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation and free COVID test kits from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s office.

Before noon, guests sat down for a panel discussion to hear experts discuss various topics, including consumer assistance programs and preparing for winter, advanced care directives, Medicaid asset protection trusts and estate planning, and the FCA Ombudsman Program. Guests also experienced an incredible segment from Mae Caime, CEO of aMAEzing Midlife & Beyond, called “Ageless Attitude,” — which got the crowd stretching and in motion!

“Never disappoints!” Caime said. “I love getting the crowd moving and grooving!”

Attendees received a goody bag — courtesy of Giftbag Sponsors Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Beach Terrace Care Center and Oceanside Care Center — filled with the special-event section, keepsakes and vital take-home information. At the end, the first 150 attendees also received a free to-go lunch provided by O’Connell Gardens and raffles winners were announced!

The Expo was made possible thanks to Silver Sponsors New York Department of Public Service, Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Centerlight Healthcare PACE and Long Beach Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (Cassena Care).

Guests and vendors are looking forward to the fifth and final expo of the year, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Suffolk Y JCC, at 74 Hauppauge Road in Commack, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pablo Rendon and team of the Parker Jewish Institute for Healthcare and Rehabilitation.

Alison Fenech, of the Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, at the podium.

NYS Department of Public Service Utility Consumer Program Specialist Xenia Vega, right, and Jill Wasser.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Guests of the Expo enjoying their mindset, movement, and magic class guided by Mae Caime.

Speaker Daniel Miller, of Miller and Miller Law Group, with his wife.

A representative of the Oceanside Care Center with a vendor display.

Mae Caime, event host and CEO of aMAEzing Midlife and Beyond.

Kim Accardi and a colleague from FCA NYS Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman program.

A representative of Beach Terrace Care Center at its exhibitor table.

A representative of Silver Lining Home Care.

Justice of the Supreme Court 2024 JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

Andrew Crecca

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Age: 59

Legal career: Andrew Crecca, a figure in Suffolk County’s judicial system for nearly two decades, is looking to take on the state Supreme Court, next.

Appointed as administrative judge for Suffolk County, the 10th Judicial District of the Supreme Court in 2020, Crecca currently oversees operations. This role follows his tenure as supervising judge for matrimonial matters in the same court, from 2013 to 2020.

Crecca’s judicial career began in 2005 when he was elected to the county court in Suffolk. He has since served as an acting justice of the Suffolk Supreme Court from 2007 to 2010 and was elected as a justice of the Supreme Court in 2011, a position he will hold until 2024.

Along with his courtroom duties, Crecca has presided over the Integrated Domestic Violence Court in Suffolk County since 2007. He also served in the Suffolk Legislature.

James F. Matthews

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: James F. Matthews, a candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court in the 10th Judicial District, has over 40 years of legal experience.

Since 2015, he has served as an Acting County Court Judge in Suffolk County, presiding over civil and criminal cases, including business law disputes, personal injury matters and criminal trials.

He has also been an adjunct professor of law at Touro Law School His public service career includes a decade as Northport village attorney and nearly two decades as Huntington town attorney, responsible for municipal law, litigation and land use.

Matthews spent over 30 years in private practice, handling corporate and commercial law, litigation, and personal injury cases. He has a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law and a bachelor’s from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Alfred C. Graf

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 66

Legal career: A Suffolk County District Court judge since 2018, Alfred Graf is now aiming for the state Supreme Court.

Born and raised on Long Island, Graf graduated from Farmingdale High School in 1976. He enlisted in the Navy that same year and rose to the rank of Operations Specialist Third Class Petty Officer. He received an honorable discharge four years later.

Graf earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from SUNY Plattsburgh and his law degree from Touro Law School. His professional experience includes serving as a NYPD officer. He has also worked as an alternative education schoolteacher and as an attorney with his own private firm.

His political experience includes serving two terms as supervisor of the upstate Town of Brighton and was an assemblyman from 2011 to 20118 representing A.D. 5 in Suffolk.

Terence P. Murphy

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: Terence Murphy was elected to serve as a Nassau County Court judge in 2014. He previously served as a Nassau County District Court judge where he presided over the Veterans Treatment Court from 2010 through 2014. He is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association.

Murphy is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served 26.5 years active and military service and was deployed to Bosnia, Iraq and Kuwait. His active duty experience began in 1973 with enlistment after high school. Murphy served as legal adviser to multiple commanders.

Paul E. Hennings

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 63

Legal career: Paul Hennings is a resident of Suffolk County and has served as a District Court judge since 2019 and Acting County Court judge since 2022. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Providence College in 1983 and went on to earn his law degree at Catholic University Law School three years later. After law school, he joined the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office where he was an assistant district attorney until 1989.

Hennings began his career in private practice in civil litigation, trials and appeals in State and Federal Courts. He first served as an associate with Wortman, Furmuso, Kelly (1989 to 1996). Then he joined the law office of Ted M. Toboias, until 2005. He then joined Devitt, Spellman and Barrett, LLP where he practiced as lead attorney until 2008. He then became a partner at Lawrence, Worden, Rainis, and Bard LLP.

Deanna D. Panico

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: Deanna Panico is a partner at Bee Ready Fishbein Hatter & Donovan, LLP. She has been in private practice since 2011, specializing in employment law.

Panico was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2011, the U.S. Eastern District of New York in 2012, the U.S. Southern District of New York in 2016, and the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in 2014.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University in 2007 and her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 2010.

Paul Hensley

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 63

Legal career: Paul Hensley was a judge for the district court of Suffolk County in New York. He was appointed to the court in 2002, elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2008. Hensley lost the 2014 election.

Before his judicial appointment, Hensley served as a principal law clerk. His current titles are County Court judge, District Court judge and acting Supreme Court justice. Hensley has served as an acting Suffolk County Court judge since 2006, and was a law clerk for County Court Judge James Hudson from January 2001 until July 2002. From January 1999 to January 2001, Hensley was a law clerk for State Supreme Court Justice Leonard B. Austin. From March 1998 until January 1999, he worked as an assistant Huntington Town attorney. Before that, Hensley worked for the Robert Plan Corp., and also served as a Suffolk County assistant district attorney. He received his law degree from SUNY Buffalo.

Gregg Roth

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: Gregg Roth is an attorney with over 30 years of experience in many sectors of law, including civil rights law, employment law, personal injury law, social security disability law and workers’ compensation law.

Roth received his law degree at Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law in 1993, and has been a member of the New York State Bar since 1994. He has served as a state principal law clerk for the past 11 years, and previously was the associate director for Drug Court programs February 2011 to April 2014.

An extremely accomplished legal professional for decades, according to people who know him, he’s been crossendorsed by the Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties in Nassau County as a nominee for the New York State’s Supreme Court.

Ryan E. Cronin

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Age: 43

Legal career: Ryan Cronin is a practicing attorney from Garden City. He received his law degree from the Washington University School of Law in 2008. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Loyola College. He was the Democratic candidate for Senate District 6 in 2012 and 2016, losing both times to incumbent Republican Kemp Hannon. He ran for Nassau County Comptroller in 2021 and lost to Republican Elaine Phillips.

During his campaigns, Cronin focused on issues such as community safety, justice reform and access to legal resources. He emphasized a commitment to fairness and integrity in the judicial process.

2nd District Court Judge Family Court Judge 2024 JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

Chris J. Coschignano

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Age: 60

Legal career: Chris J. Coschignano is a seasoned attorney and a candidate for family court judge, practicing law since 1990. As a member and partner at his firm — Sahn Ward — he specializes in zoning and land use planning, real estate law, municipal law, economic development, and family law. His extensive experience includes managing complex zoning projects on Long Island, earning recognition for smart growth initiatives. He served as a councilman for the Town of Oyster Bay from 2001 to 2017 and has held various municipal roles since 1995, including counsel to the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

Coschignano is active in community service, serving on multiple boards, including the Nassau County Bar Association and the Touro Law Center. He co-founded the St. Edward the Confessor Church’s Annual Summer Festival and coaches youth ice hockey. A recipient of numerous awards, he is committed to public service and education

Veronica Renta Irwin

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 50

Legal career: Judge Veronica Renta Irwin, currently serving on the Nassau County District Court, is running for re-election in the 2nd District.

Renta Irwin completed her early education at Brentwood High School before earning her degree from SUNY Albany and graduating from Hofstra Law School in 1999.

Starting her legal career in private practice, she founded her own firm, Irwin & Streiner, LLC, in Great Neck in 2001, focusing on personal ijury, guardianship and constitutional violations. Renta Irwin also has experience as principal law clerk for Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Sharon M.J. Gianelli from 2020 to 2024. She has also been involved in various legal organizations, including theLong Island Hispanic Bar Association, where is a past president, and as a board member of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association. She also teaches at the School of Law at Hofstra University.

Andrea C. Phoenix

Democrat

Age: 59

Legal career: Phoenix has served as a Nassau County District Court judge in the Tenth Judicial District since 2007, where she presides over the Nassau County Mental Health Court and the Drug Treatment Court. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University, a master’s degree in communication and education from The Ohio State University, and a J.D. from the Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law.

Before her election, Phoenix practiced family law in private practice from 1992 to 2006 and was a staff attorney with Nassau Suffolk Law Services. She has led the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York and the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, and she served on the New York State Unified Court System Family Violence Task Force.

She is also involved with the Amistad Black Bar Association, Theodore Roosevelt American Inn of Court, and community groups, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and The Links, Incorporated.

Lisa Daniels

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 58

Legal career: Lisa Daniels has over 25 years of legal experience, focusing on family litigation and guardianship cases. Daniels holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a Brooklyn Law School law degree She has been an adjunct professor, teaching family law and litigation at Hofstra University and Queens College from 1997 to 2001. Daniels is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Children and the Law and serves on its legislation subcommittees. She is also a member of the Nassau County Bar Association Family Court Advisory Committee. Daniels ran for county legislator in 2013 and eight years later. In 1998, Daniels founded her law firm, addressing a wide range of family law issues, such as juvenile delinquency actions, abuse and neglect matters. She is listed on the New York State Court Part 36 Fiduciary List, serving as a court examiner, evaluator and guardian for incapacitated individuals.

Joseph Nocella Jr.

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 60

Legal career: Joseph Nocella Jr. currently serves as a Nassau County District Court judge, having been elected to the position for the 2023 to 2028 term. County Executive Bruce Blakeman initially appointed him to the court in 2022.

Before becoming a judge, Nocella served as the town attorney for Hempstead from 2021 to 2022 and as chief of staff to the Hempstead Town Supervisor from 2020 to 2021.

From 2017 to 2020, he was the town attorney for Oyster Bay. Within Nassau County government, Nocella has an extensive background, including positions as Counsel to the Office of Housing & Community Development from 2014 to 2017, Managing Attorney in the County Attorney’s Office from 2011 to 2014, and Counsel to both the County Executive and the Nassau County Legislature from 2006 to 2008 and again from 2010 to 2011.

Sean Wright

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 54

Legal career: Sean Wright, a longtime Valley Stream resident, is running for District Court Judge in the 2nd District, bringing decades of legal experience and community service to his campaign.

Wright has spent more than seven years as a prosecutor for Valley Stream, where he handled ticket and building violation cases. Inn 2011 when he became a Hempstead Town attorney and worked as an arbitrator for both Queens and Nassau County.

He has served as treasurer for the Friends of Bridge, a substance abuse counseling center, and has volunteered as an attorney adviser for High School Mock Trial, where he helped teacha new generation of legal minds. His dedication to local youth extended to the sports field as an assistant coach for the Valley Stream Green Hornets.

In 2016, Wright was appointed to the Valley Stream village board by Mayor Ed Fare after the resignation of Virginia ClavinHiggins

County Court Judge

Jeffrey A. Goodstein

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 57

Legal career: Jeffrey A. Goodstein is running for Nassau County Court Judge. Goodstein has served as an acting justice of the Nassau County Supreme Court in the 10th Judicial District since 2012, appointed by Chief Administrative Judge A. Gail Prudenti. He also holds a position as a judge in the New York Court of Claims, appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2012 and reappointed in 2014. Goodstein earned his law degree from Touro Law School and has served in various legal capacities throughout his career. He is also an adjunct professor at St. John’s University School of Law.

On the issues:

Patricia CanzoneriFitzpatrick is a familiar face, being elected to represent Senate District 9 in 2022. She’s seeking a re-election for a second term.

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick began her career in public service well before becoming senator.

She’s spent time as a Malverne village trustee in the Village of Malverne — where she lives — as Malverne’s police and fire commissioner, and as the village’s deputy mayor and budget director.

Senate DiStrict 9

Patricia CanzoneriFitzpatrick Party: Republican

She says police need more funding, training, and trust based on their training and wants to continue working on bail reform and increasing discretion for judges.

“One of the first bills I proposed was allowing judges to have discretion,” Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said. “I understood that there was a need for the bail laws to change, and I applauded that, but I think they went

Ian Bergström, an attorney, has a deep passion for public service.

A lifelong Floral Park resident, he was the head basketball coach and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

On the issues:

too far. So, we need to bring it back a little bit toward the middle, so to speak, and give judges discretion.”

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick also wants to support small businesses.

She says they should be allowed to operate without increased utility rates and increased taxes from the state.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our community. It’s very important to support small businesses,” she said.

She also hopes to offer more support to veterans, more mental health support in schools and to stop Nassau County from becoming a “sanctuary county” for illegal immigration.

She’s also not opposed to offshore wind energy options, but thinks it has to be implemented in a more efficient way than previously attempted.

On the issues:

James Lynch, a longtime psychiatrist, has been helping those struggling with severe mental illness.

He saw firsthand what it was like to be poor, at risk of homelessness and underserved. A newcomer for this position, he aims to do more.

Lynch spent time as a trustee and deputy mayor for Stewart Manor village, and said he enjoyed it, but decided he wanted to do more.

He thought of Senate District 9, and threw his hat into the ring.

He hopes to “end one party domination” in Nassau County politics. He hopes to join their ranks, and hold them accountable.

“I’d like to see a change in the tone and the dynamics that don’t exist in Nassau County,” he said. “I don’t think some people are serving us as well as they should.”

Lynch plans to combat climate change and the effect it’s had on local

Assembly District 22

He believes New York has “lost its way” concerning its laws, policies, and financial management. At a historic $239 billion state budget and fiscal hawks projecting a possible $7.25 billion deficit in the next three years, Bergström is determined to clamp down on “irresponsible” runaway spending.

“By limiting state spending you ensure that residents have enough discretionary income to purchase what’s needed,” said Bergström, 32.

Out-of-control spending worsens the cost-of-living crisis, he argues, by sapping hard-earned money from taxpayers burdened with high property taxes. A top priority of his is to address the frequent congestion on Hempstead

communities. He’s for wind farms, for said he understands there’s work to be done in terms of community response.

He’s met with community members that have pushed back against wind farms — and found that the residents agreed be open to potential wind farms in the future.

Lynch said he also plans to work to keep taxes from increasing.

“I support a tax cap,” he said. “Nassau County, Town of Hempstead, my school district, has a tax cap. New York State Government, that’s a separate thing to deal with, but that’s how you solve it. It’s only slowing the rate of increase; it’s not stopping or lowering it. So I expect my taxes to stay the same.”

Turnpike and the trafficsnarled streets around Elmont’s UBS arena.

“The traffic has become outrageous throughout the local neighborhoods and the nearby Cross Island Parkway,” Bergström said. “I believe that a lot of the dead space surrounding the Cross Island Parkway can be developed to increase parking accessibility as well as handling the traffic situation.”

Despite multiple revisions to the 2019 bail reform law — aimed at preventing lowincome individuals from pretrial detention for minor offenses — seeking to give judges more discretion to set bail in certain situations, Bergström says nothing short of a complete overhaul of the law is enough.

“An amendment to the cashless bail legislation is necessary. Unfortunately, the legislation allows hardened criminals to be released from jail,” Bergström said, adding that lawmakers should work with law enforcement to rewrite the law.

On the issues:

Incumbent

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages says life is far too expensive for too many Long Island households. As a key architect of several pieces of legislation, she has put much of her effort into addressing the cost-ofliving crisis in areas ranging from healthcare to utility prices to maternal benefits.

electiOn

‘24

Last year, she led a bipartisan push to pass a hospital pricing transparency law requiring the state to publish an annual report disclosing hospital prices and cost comparisons to keep consumer prices down.

Solages, 39, been credited for spearheading the first paid leave law for pregnant women in the country, allowing them to take paid time off for pregnancy care and improving access to donor breast milk.

“Babies and infants in ICU have very sensitive stomachs and when served infant formula at hospitals, they would develop these bacteria that would kill a

lot of them in New York State, especially among low-income families,” she said citing cases of rare sometimes fatal infections linked to contaminated powdered formula. “We made it easier for low-income families to access donor breast milk.”

As Long Island faces outsized health, environmental, and financial threats from climate change, Solages asserts that she will remain steadfast in securing the resilience and infrastructure funding needed to withstand its impacts.

When Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed to cut the annual funding for clean water infrastructure to $500 million over two years, Solages and her allies were “able to get that fully restored in the budget.”

If re-elected, she is also setting her sights on ensuring schools and public institutions have the infrastructural and financial means to meet the state’s climate goals.

James Lynch Party: Democrat

Senate District 9 inludes Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Elmont, FranklinSquare, Inwood, Isand Park, Hewlett, Lawrence, Lynbrook, Malverne, North Woodmere,Valley Stream and Woodmere.

Michaelle Solages Party: Democrat

Ian Bergström Party: Republican

On the issues:

Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican and former NYPD detective, won the district in the 2022 midterm elections defeating Laura Gillen, and flipping the seat from Democratic to the GOP control for the first time in 25 years.

He said he is working hard noting as there are 75,000 more Democrats in the district than Republicans.

4th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Anthony D’Esposito Party: Republican

D’Esposito’s platform continues to emphasize affordability, increased funding for local schools, and opposes “cashless bail” policies, which he says have contributed to rising crime. He also suports eliminating the cap on state and local tax deductions.

D’Esposito noted his work to retun money to the district for water cleanup in Hempstead village and to mitigate flooding in low-lying South Shore communities, a majority of the district, including his hometown of Island Park.

Along with partnering with local elected officials to make the communities more sustainable, considering the damage the area suffered after

Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

He said he is opposed to a federal ban on abortion.

On immigration he supported the House bill known as H.R. 2 that addressed issues regarding immigration and border security, including by imposing limits to asylum eligibility, but points to the Democratic-led Senate that did not put the measure up for a vote.

D’Esposito said he prioritizes public safety and said he strongly support Israel and Ukraine.

His re-election bid has been overshadowed by an ethics complaint.

A Democratic action committee has accused him of hiring his fiancée’s daughter and a woman he allegedly had a personal relationship with for taxpayer-funded positions in his district office.

The allegations have prompted calls for an expedited investigation, though D’Esposito has denied any wrongdoing and views it as a personal, private matter.

Laura Gillen is mounting a campaign centered on supporting middle-class families, defending women’s rights, and tackling pressing social justice issues.

As a former Town of Hempstead Supervisor, Gillen made history in 2017 as the first Democrat to hold the office in over a century. Her tenure was marked by key accomplishments, including passing transparency reforms, modernizing the town’s digital infrastructure, and allocating over $59 million to repair local roads. She lost her re-election bid in 2019, but remained an active figure in Nassau County politics.

On the issues:

wake the Supreme Court overturning Roe V. Wade. She criticized D’Esposito’s support for anti-abortion policies, arguing that his stance is out of touch with the values of Long Island voters. She said she stands strong stand against the rise of antisemitism, particularly in the wake of increasing incidents in schools, synagogues and on social media. Her action plan is aimed at combating hate, which includes leveraging federal resources to improve safety in schools, providing more protection for synagogues, and increasing oversight of social media platforms to prevent the spread of hateful content.

Gillen has made it clear that her campaign is focused on delivering for Long Island families. She has emphasized her commitment to reinstating the State and Local Tax deduction, a key economic issue for many county residents.

Gillen is a staunch advocate for reproductive rights, vowing to fight for the restoration of legal abortion in the

As a mother of four, Gillen said she brings a personal connection, emphasizing that she understands the challenges facing families in her district. She believes that her bipartisan approach as town supervisor, where she worked with a GOP-majority board, demonstrates her ability to get things done while staying true to her principles.

Town approves preliminary 2025 budget

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Town of Hempstead residents are expecting to pay more taxes next year — $5 more for those who live in villages, and $65 more for those who live in unincorporated areas.

The Town Board approved the preliminary 2025 budget on Oct. 1, adopting a $549 million spending plan, an increase of 4.9 percent. The tax levy will increase from $346 million to $389 million — a jump of over 12 percent that will far exceed the state tax cap of roughly 2 percent.

Town Comptroller John Mastromarino stated at a budget hearing on Oct. 15 that the town has managed to postpone tax increases over the past few years by utilizing reserve funds. But, he said, those funds are now running low, which is necessitating the tax increase.

“The town hasn’t had a tax increase in four years,” Mastromarino said. During that time, he added, the cost of living across the country increased by almost 28 percent, “and what we were doing was utilizing the reserves to protect our taxpayers,” Mastromarino said.

“The reserves were used, the taxpayers were protected, and it’s now at a point where we just can’t do it anymore,” he said.

Mastromarino said that the town used $22 million of reserve funds.

Where your tax dollars could go

School districts: 64 percent

Nassau County: 14 percent

Special districts: 10 percent

Villages: 7 percent

Towns: 4 percent

Cities: 1 percent

Before the budget hearing, community members rallied outside Town Hall, organized by members of the Nassau County Legislature’s Democratic caucus, who oppose the proposed tax increases. They accused the board of lacking transparency and failing to adequately inform the public about budgetary changes.

Attendees highlighted the already high cost of living that many residents are struggling with as they face the need to find additional funds to meet their tax obligations.

Former County Legislator Kevan Abrahams, who is challenging Republican Town Councilman Christopher Schneider to serve the balance of the term of Christopher Carini, who died in July,

spoke at the rally.

“There’s no transparency — there’s no visibility,” Abrahams said of the board’s budgeting process. “They try to do this in the cloak of darkness and they’re trying to squeak it past you. It’s called a sneaky weasel tax.”

In a letter about the budget proposal distributed among those who attended the hearing, Town Supervisor Donald Clavin stated that the spending plan was “fiscally responsible” and would enhance the town’s quality of life.

“Residents love the Town of Hemp -

Town Supervisor Donald Clavin addressed board members during a budget hearing on Oct. 15, at which they discussed the preliminary 2025 budget of $549 million.

Hernesto Galdamez/Herald

stead, and for many good reasons,” Clavin wrote. “Our beaches, parks, and nature preserves are second to none. We have some of the finest restaurants, shops, and small businesses around. Our schools, athletic programs, community organizations, senior centers, and other public resources are among the best in the nation.

“This superlative quality-of-life experience paired with top-notch government services is what continues to make Hempstead Town a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” he added.

Laura Gillen Party: Democrat

Congressional District 4 includes the South Shore Nassau County communities from the western county border to Seaford.

GENERAL ELECTION Candidates

Amendment to Protect Against Unequal Treatment

This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

A “YES” vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.

A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.

Enmienda para Proteger Contra el Trato Desigual

Esta propuesta protegería contra el trato desigual basado en la etnicidad, el origen nacional, la edad, la discapacidad y el sexo, incluida la orientación sexual, la identidad de género y el embarazo. También protege contra el trato desigual basado en la salud y la autonomía reproductiva.

Un voto “SÍ” coloca estas protecciones en la Constitución del Estado de Nueva York. Un voto “NO” deja estas protecciones fuera de la Constitución del Estado.

FRANKLIN SQUARE / ELMONT

Democratic Electors

Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente

Kamala D. Harris (For President)

Republican Electors

ELECTIon

This is not an actual by your edition of the Herald. Specifi Herald may be found at LIHerald.com

Tim Walz (For Vice President)

Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente

Donald J. Trump (For President)

JD Vance (For Vice President)

Representative in Congress District 4

Representante en el Congreso Distrito 4

Laura Gillen (D,CS)

United States Senator

Senador Estatal, Distrito

Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D, WF)

Diane Sare (L)

Vote for One (1)

Anthony D’Esposito (R,C)

Vote for One (1)

Michael D. Sapraicone (R,C)

State Senador Estatal, James

Member

Miembro Sanjeev

Member

Miembro de Michaelle

Justice Juez de la James Gregg Deanna Terence

ELECTIon’24

actual ballot, but a composite of several sample ballots so as to reflect all the districts within the communities covered Specific candidates for individual communities are identified in blue. Complete reporting on candidates running in districts covered by the LIHerald.com under the Elections ’24 tab. For election results after the polls close Tuesday night, go to LIHerald.com

Senator District 9

Estatal, Distrito 9

James Lynch (D)

Vote for One (1)

Patricia CanzoneriFitzpatrick(R,C)

Member of Assembly District 19

de la Asamblea Distrito 19

Sanjeev Jindal (D) Ed Ra (R,C)

Member of Assembly District 22

de la Asamblea Distrito 22

Vote for One (1)

County Court Judge

Juez del Tribunal del Condado Jeffrey A. Goodstein(D,R,C)

Family Court Judge

Juez del

Lisa Daniels (D,R,C)

Chris J. Coschignano (D,R,C)

Vote for One (1)

Michaelle Solages (D) Ian Bergstrom (R,C)

Justice of the Supreme Court

la Corte Suprema (Vote for up to Eight) (8)

James F. Matthews, Jr. (D,R,C)

Gregg Roth (D,R,C)

Deanna D. Panico (D,R,C)

Terence P. Murphy (D,R,C)

Alfred C. Graf (D,R,C)

Paul E. Hennings (D,R,C)

Paul M. Hensley (D,R,C)

Andrew A. Crecca (D,R,C)

District Court Judge District 2

Juez del Tribunal de Distrito

Andrea C. Phoenix (D,R,C) Veronica Renta Irwin (D,R,C)

Ryan E. Cronin (D,R,C) Sean Wright (D,R,C)

Assembly District 19 election ‘24

Edward Ra, from Garden City South, has served seven consecutive terms in Assembly since 2010 representing the 19th Assembly District Ra, 42, serves as the ranking minority member of the assembly’s Ways and Means Committee. In his earlier tenure, Ra was a key figure on several committees.

on the issues:

He said that the state budget adoption process should be more transparent with the public being informed on which stakeholders are weighing in on the process. Ra also noted that adjusting to earlier hours when the budget is debated could better engage the lawmakers.

Ra also said he has focused on increasing transparency and accountability in the state budget process — a priority he plans to advance if re-elected. He remains

dedicated to promoting public safety, addressing affordability issues and supporting special education programs in schools.

He said he wants to help implement tax exemptions for specific demographics, including a phased-in property tax for first-time homeowners, to ease the tax burden. Ra said he previously introduced a bill. To build out infrastructure to support different housing options, he would like to create ways to provide incentives or funding for local governments, as “one size does not fit all.”

To help schools and school districts, he said he wants to enhance reimbursable aid categories. Ra considers himself a moderate Republican when it comes to gun control and has supported legislation supporting “red flag” laws and restrictions on “ghost guns.”

Democrat candidate Sanjeev Jindal did not come in for roundtable.

Assembly District 19 includes East Meadow, Franklin Square, Garden City, West Hempstead and several other communities.

Affordability is an issue close to Ra’s heart

By NICOLE WAGNER

nwagner@liherald.com

Edward Ra, of Garden City South, has served as the representative of the 19th Assembly District for seven consecutive terms since he was elected in 2010. Ra, 42, is the ranking minority member of the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee. Earlier in his tenure, he was active on several committees, including the Education Committee, and served as assistant minority leader pro tempore.

Affordability is an issue Ra has remained focused on throughout his tenure. He was first elected to the Assembly at age 28, at a time, he said, when he and his peers were looking to buy their first houses.

“I was watching me and all of my friends see whether we could afford to stay here and buy a house in Nassau County — either in the community we grew up in or close by,” Ra recalled during a Herald Roundtable. “So that’s always been a very prime concern for me throughout my time in office.”

To help with affordability, Ra said he wants to help implement tax exemptions for specific demographics, including a phased-in property tax for firsttime homeowners, to ease the tax burden. He said he had first introduced a similar bill in the Assembly in 2011.

To build out infrastructure to support different housing options, he would like to create ways to provide incentives or funding for local governments, because, he said, he believes “one size does not fit all.”

“Local governments have to be a partner when you get into trying to help with housing and affordability,” Ra said.

He believes that the state budget adoption process should be more transparent, with the public more informed about which stakeholders are weighing in on the process. Ra also noted that adjusting to earlier hours when the budget is debated could better engage the lawmakers.

“The transparency part of it really would help in terms of adopting the bills in the light of day, and knowing at least what the basic financial parameters are of the budget,” he said. That is a priority he plans to advance if he is re-elected.

During his time on the Education Committee, Ra became well acquainted with the state’s education stakeholder groups. He remains dedicated to supporting special education programs in schools, and advocates for the 4201 Schools Association, a group of statesupported schools that serve children who are blind, deaf or severely disabled.

To help schools and school districts, he said he wants to enhance reimburs-

Nicole Wagner/Herald

Assemblyman Edward Ra, of Garden City South, will focus on addressing public safety concerns, affordability issues and transparency in the state’s budgeting process if he is re-elected.

able aid categories. That would help support schools’ varying needs for mental health, English as a second language and special education programs.

He is focused on addressing constituents’ public safety concerns with statelevel policies like bail reform and the Clean Slate Act. He feels that these poli-

cies “had a premise that most people can agree on, but I think took things too far in one direction.”

“It’s a matter of degree,” Ra said. “These things could have been done in a better fashion, and I think the pendulum has just swung too far.”

He considers himself a moderate Republican when it comes to gun control, and has supported legislation supporting so-called red flag laws and restrictions on “ghost guns.” He believes that the state has been aggressive with its gun control measures, but has been lacking in its efforts to prosecute firearm-related crimes.

Ra earned a law degree from St. John’s University in 2007, and a master of laws in intellectual property law from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2008. He is a member of the Franklin Square Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, 12 Apostles Council and Cellini Lodge 2206 Order Sons of Italy in America.

Editors’ note: Ed Ra’s Democratic challenger, Sanjeev Jindal, was not available for a Herald Roundtable.

Edward Ra Party: Republican

25

FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — October 24, 2024

STEPPING OUT

Ghoul out with some festive merrymaking Get your scare on with Halloween-inspired shindig

By Karen Bloom

The countdown is now on to spooking and assorted revelry. The signs of that festive day are all around us as all those ghouls, witches and wizards look forward to Oct. 31.

So throw on a costume and act like a kid — with or without the kids. Transform your house into a spooky (or mildy spooky lair) with party tricks and Halloween treats. Set the scene with a mad scientist-themed sweets table and carry it home with a crazy good menu featuring frightfully yummy appetizers, some mocktails for the kids (and non-drinkers in your crowd) and, of course, treats.

Dress up the details: Many folks can’t wait to dress up for a Halloween party, but that’s not so for everyone. Don’t make costumes mandatory. Instead offer a table of accessories that anyone can borrow and use to alter their appearance. Goofy glasses, strange hats, adhesive mustaches, or masks can be fun.

Have fun with Halloween cuisine. Cookie cutters can turn sandwiches, desserts, biscuits — just about anything — into different shapes. Foods also can be made a tad more spooky simply by renaming them or presenting them in interesting containers. Beverages can be offered in jugs or old bottles and labeled “potions.”

Try these tricked-out treats for same tasty spooking.

Witches Finger Sandwiches

Entice guests into your lair with some witchy fingers

• 1 (11-oz.) can refrigerated breadsticks

• 6 small slices pepperoni

• 12 (2/3-oz.) slices cheese

• 3/4 cup finely shredded lettuce

Heat oven to 375°F. Separate dough into 12 strips. Place flat on ungreased cookie sheet; do not twist. With sharp knife or kitchen scissors, cut 2 small triangles from one end of each dough strip to form a point that resembles a fingertip. Lightly score breadsticks in center to resemble knuckles. Cut each pepperoni slice into 2 pointed ovals to resemble 2 fingernails. Place 1 pepperoni piece on each breadstick.

Bake at 375°F. for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. If necessary, reapply “fingernails” with small dot of ketchup.

puffs to resemble ghosts onto the remaining baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until dried and firm, about 1 hour. Turn off the oven, close the door, and cool until completely dried, about 1 hour more.

Dip the tip of a toothpick into melted chocolate and dot chocolate “eyes” on each of the ghosts.

Spiderweb Cheesecake

Snare your guests with some spider web cheesecake. Use your favorite 9” cheesecake recipe.

Topping:

• 1/3 cup heavy cream

• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

• 1/3 cup milk, cream, sour cream or ricotta cheese

Web:

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chunks or chips

First, make your favorite 9” cheesecake, one using a graham cracker crust. Add 1/4 cup black cocoa to the crust, before pressing it into the pan. Bake the cake as directed; remove from the oven, and let it cool.

To make the topping: Whip the heavy cream with the sugar just until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the sour cream just until combined.

Spread the topping over the cooled cheesecake.

Rock the Dock

Ambrosia, John Ford Coley and Peter Beckett (The Voice of Player), come together for a magical night performing all of their 1970s and ‘80s Billboard Top 40 Hits, on the Tilles Center stage, Yacht Rock the Dock shines the spotlight on the original artists, with Elliot Lurie, as they reinvigorate their many beloved tunes. Enjoy Ambrosia’s everlasting hits including “How Much I Feel,” “You’re the Only Woman” and “Biggest Part of Me.” John Ford Coley, most known as half of the Grammy-nominated duo England Dan and John Ford Coley, performs many memorable hits, including “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” “Love Is The Answer” and “Nights Are Forever Without You.” These songs are the soundtrack to a generation.Today’s so-called smooth yacht rock music scene would not be yacht rock without the contributions of these Grammy winning artists.

Friday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

‘Old Time Rock’

Split each breadstick. Cut each cheese slice into strips and place in breadstick, overlapping strips. Top each with lettuce. If desired, serve with mustard, mayonnaise or ketchup. Serve warm or cold. Note: Place leftover small triangular dough pieces on cookie sheet; bake until crisp. Use as croutons or nibblers.

Spooky Bones and Ghosts

Chase the demons away with a few “bones.”

• 2 large egg whites

• 2 drops fresh lemon juice, or more to taste

• 7 tablespoons white sugar, or more to taste

• 2 chocolate chips, melted, or as needed

Preheat oven to 225°F. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats.

Whisk eggs whites and lemon juice together in a bowl until thick, white, and foamy. Add sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking constantly, until meringue is shiny, thick, and holds its shape.

Transfer meringue to a piping bag. Pipe 12 bone shapes onto a prepared baking sheet. Pipe 12

To make the chocolate web: Heat the cream until it begins to simmer, then pour it over the chocolate and stir. The chocolate will begin to form one mass. Keep stirring until all the chocolate has melted — the cream should be hot enough to melt all the chocolate. If not, reheat briefly.

Transfer the melted chocolate to a piping bag fitted with a small tip (or a zip-top bag with one corner cut to form a 1/8” opening). Pipe one central dot onto the cream topping, then six concentric circles around the dot, spaced 1/2” apart.

Beginning with the center circle, gently pull a toothpick through all the circles toward the outer edge. Wipe the toothpick clean and repeat, moving clockwise and dragging the toothpick through at every eighth segment of the circle to complete the web pattern.

Peter Lemongello, Jr., the son of Long Island’s legendary star, returns to the Landmark stage. He takes his audience on a nostalgic musical journey from the 1960s through the’ 80s with his “Old Time Rock ‘N Roll” show. Accompanied by his eight-piece band, Peter delivers an engaging performance that evokes pure emotion. He continues to honor his father’s legacy — Peter Lemongello was the first artist to sell over a million albums on TV, through an innovative TV commercial campaign that paved the way for music video infomercials and MTV. A special highlight is Peter Jr.’s heartfelt tribute to his father, performing the hit “Do I Love You,” written by Paul Anka, which his Dad debuted on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.”

Friday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or by contacting Gene DiNapoli at (917) 567-5842.

Witches Finger Sandwiches

Spooky Bones and Ghosts

Spiderweb Cheesecake

THE Your Neighborhood

America

The perennial classic rock favorite is back on the road again as founding member Dewey Bunnell celebrates the band’s 54rd anniversary, appearing on the Tilles Center stage, Saturday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. Billed as “Ride On Tour 2024, will draw on the band’s deep catalog of hits including signature song “A Horse With No Name,” a Number One hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1972. Bunnell and America’s co-founder Gerry Beckley (along with former band mate Dan Peek), who met in high school in London in the late 1960s, quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of that tune. Forty plus years later, these friends continue to make music together (although Beckley has now retired from touring) thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. Yet beyond their impressive catalog of hits, listeners discovered there was always much more to America than surface perceptions. The combination of Beckley’s melodic pop rock and Bunnell’s use of folk-jazz elements, slinky Latin-leaning rhythms and impressionistic lyric imagery contrasted well with Peek’s more traditional country-rock leanings and highly personal lyrics.

On their way to becoming a global household name, America’s journey found them exploring a wide variety of musical terrain. Their best-known tunes, including “I Need You,” “Ventura Highway,” “Don’t Cross The River,” “Tin Man,” “Lonely People,” and “Sister Golden Hair” were beloved as cornerstones of 1970s Top 40 and FM rock radio. From their formative years, America has been a band capable of transcending borders with its uplifting music and positive message. Embracing a rainbow of divergent cultures, America’s audiences continue to grow, comprising a loyal legion of first, second and third generation fans, all bearing testament to the group’s enduring appeal. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

‘The Birthday Party’

Looking for something to do this Halloween season that isn’t just for kids? Visit Sands Point Preserve for an exclusive, immersive theatrical production, “The Birthday Party,” held in a secluded, opulent mansion, Friday, oct. 25, also oct. 31 and Nov. 1. For those who attended Archie’s last “Birthday Party,” rest assured, there are new surprises in store.

Guests will be blindfolded and escorted to a secret location on the property, Villa Vanitas, to celebrate the enigmatic Lord Archibald Axel Von Finkelshorn Chatterton’s 30th birthday. He is a witless charmer on the cusp of a life-changing revelation, and everyone’s invited to witness his journey on a night that promises to be unforgettable and delightfully unpredictable. Cocktail attire preferred. $175 per person. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.

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 e 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.

Dog Days Weekend

Enjoy the glorious grounds of Old Westbury Gardens with your pooch (leashed of course), Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27, 10 a.m.6 p.m. With dog parade and costume contest on Sunday, 3-5 p.m. Prizes awarded to best dog costumes, including Prettiest, Most Handsome, Most Original, Best Duo or Group, Funniest.

Costume contest participants must register. Advance ticket purchase for weekend events required. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information, visit oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048.

Community Game Night

Looking to make some friends and play board games? Visit Franklin Square Public Library, the third Wednesday of every month, at 6 p.m., to socialize and have fun at this free program. Light refreshments will be served. No registration is required. 19 Lincoln Road. For more information, visit franklinsquarepl.org or call (516) 488-3444.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues Saturday, Nov. 2, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork. Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.

Fall Festival

Enjoy the 21st annual Garden City South Fall Festival, Sunday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. With a giant craft show, kids’ fun zone, pony rides, petting zoo, inflatable rides, food from local restaurants and food trucks. On Nassau Boulevard, from Cambridge Avenue to Terrace Avenue. For more information, call (516) 317-7729.

Having an event?

In concert

Musical quintet Sybarite visits Adelphi University’s Performing Arts Center, Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. The ensemble is known for bridging genre gaps to bring unexpected musical combinations together to create unique, dynamic concert experiences. Equal parts passion, grit, and musical ecstasy, it’s an intoxicating cocktail of genre-breaking artistry expressed through the virtuosity of violinists Sami Merdinian and Suliman Tekalli, violist Caeli Smith, cellist Laura Andrade, and double bassist Louis Levitt. The group is constantly evolving, defying categorization, and keeping audiences on their toes. Tickets start at $35. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. Visit Adelphi.edu/pac for tickets and information or call (516) 877-4000.

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

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media.

It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

On stage

See Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” presented by Nassau Community College Theater and Dance Department, opening Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 29-30, 7;30 p.m. Delve into the lives of Arkádina, a famous — but fading — actress, and that of her lover, Trigórin, a well-known author. They arrive at her brother Sórin’s country estate for the summer, just as son Konstantín is staging an experimental new play he’s written and directed, starring his girlfriend, Nína.

Chekhov’s first successful naturalist play follows the lives of young artists as they navigate life. Thematically, it’s a study of the arts and the artist, the lack of real satisfaction to be found there, the pretense and mediocrity that pervade the practice, and yet the power and mystery that are possible. $12; NCC students free $10 veterans,

Public Notices

Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12 Not applicable.

13. Publication Title: FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD.

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Data Below: SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

24, 2024

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11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

INDEX NO: 608851/2017

Notice of Sale COUNTY OF NASSAU -------------------------------X

Easton Capital Corp. Plaintiff, - against -

745 Anderson Corp., Juan DeJesus Portela Arce, Liliana Portela Gil, “John Doe” and “Jane Doe”, said names being fictitious, parties intended being possible tenants or occupants of the premises, Defendants. -------------------------------X

745 Anderson Corp. Juan DeJesus Portela-Arce, Liliana Portela-Gil, et. al.,

Third-Party Plaintiffs, - againstClaudia Echeverri, Kevin Blass, Shahram Delafraz, Kevin Finn, Rafael Raffaelli, Third-Party Defendants.

NOTICE OF SALE, SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

Easton Capital Corp. v. 745 Anderson Corp., Juan DeJesus Portela Arce, Liliana Portela Gil.

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly filed on July 26, 2023, I the undersigned referee will sell at public auction at the at the CCP (Calendar Control Part Courtroom) in the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on

15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: a. Total No. Copies: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 6000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 5200 b. Paid Circulation (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies

Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 6; Actual No.

Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 5. (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 306; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 342. (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, and Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 2669; Actual No.

Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 2219(4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12

Tuesday October 29, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., the premises known as: 745 Anderson Avenue, Franklin Square, NY 11010. Said Premises known as Section 35, Block 577, Lot 25 on the tax maps of Nassau County

Approximate amount of Judgment: $811,299.70 plus interest, legal fees and costs

Premises will be sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment under Index No. 608851/2017

Michael Langer, Esq., referee Kevin P. Finn, Attorney for Plaintiff 400 Post Ave Suite 305 Westbury, NY 11590

Dated October 3, 2024 149269

Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. c. Total Paid Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 2981; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 2566. d. Free or Nominal Rate

Distribution( by Mail and Outside the Mail) : (1) Free or Nominal Rate OutsideCounty as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 501; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 442. (2)Free or Nominal In-County as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0 (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other classes Mailed Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1,000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1,000. e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1501; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1442. f. Total Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During

Preceding 12 Months, 4482; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 4008 g. Copies Not Distributed: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1518; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1192. h. Total: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 6000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 5200.

i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 66.51 Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 64.02

16. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the October, 24,2043, issue of this publication.

17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Stuart Richner, Owner; Date: October 1, 2024 I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material information requested on the form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties). 1275281 To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

Vallely Law PLLC, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 165, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 149271

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as owner trustee for Legacy Mortgage Asset Trust 2018-RPL4, Plaintiff AGAINST Vincenza Dipasquale; Vito Dipasquale; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly

entered September 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 4, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 873 Court Road, Franklin Square, NY 11010. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Franklin Square, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, Section: 33, Block: 399, Lot: 10 & 11. Approximate amount of judgment $782,145.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #612817/2022. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov /Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Matin

at 2:30 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows:

11/19/2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 16 Park Place, Floral Park, NY 11001, And Described As Follows:

Emouna, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-095942-F00 82585 149244

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, SSA NE ASSETS, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. IMPERIOUS CORPORATION, ndant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 29, 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 November 4, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 389 Hunnewell Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 62 and Lots 19-20. Approximate amount of judgment is $445,342.51 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #608286/2021.

Jane Pastor Shrenkel, Esq., Referee

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY CHRISTIANA TRUST AS CUSTODIAN FOR GSRANZ LLC, Plaintiff against SECURE YOUR HOME INC., et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Hersko & Ehrenreich P.C., 555 Willow Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516, (516) 942-4216. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered August 7, 2024, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 13, 2024 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being, and identified on the land and tax map of the County of Nassau in the State of New York. Premises known as 333 Benson Ave., Elmont, NY 11003. Sec 32 Block 492 Lot 9 (Group Lot: 9-10). Approximate Amount of Judgment is $10,414.15 plus interest, fees, costs and attorney fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 604075/2023. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Karl Seman, Esq., Referee File # 19-5387 149394

BEGINNING at a point on the westerly side of Stewart Street, distant 220 feet northerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the westerly side of Stewart Street with the northerly side of Atherton Avenue; being a plot 100 feet by 40 feet by 100 feet by 40 feet. Section: 32 Block: 481 Lots 42 and 43. All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction. Said premises known as 108 STEWART STREET, ELMONT, NY 11003 Approximate amount of lien $214,001.69 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 605713/2023.

HEATHER D. CROSLEY, ESQ., Referee David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 7777.248 {* Elmont Herald*} 149311

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village Of Floral Park, In The Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau And State Of New York. Section 32 Block 65 Lot 187 And 188. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $742,622.44 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 606764/2017 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.

Scott H Siller, Esq., Referee.

SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 Dated: 10/4/2024 File Number: 32674 CA 149527

masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Ralph J. Madalena, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-096147-F00 82822 149473

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. CITIBANK, N.A., Plaintiffagainst- RICARDO CASTILLO A/K/A RICARDO A. CASTILLO, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated July 18, 2024 and entered on July 26, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on November 12, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE, IN TRUST FOR CHASEFLEX MULTICLASS MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 Plaintiff, Against SUNG CHOI A/K/A

THOMAS CHOI A/K/A

THOMAS L. CHOI A/K/A

THOMAS R. CHOI A/K/A TOMAS CHOI A/K/A

THOMAS LEE CHOI, ET AL. Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 11/01/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST Laksh Maggoo, Baljit Singh, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 17, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 20, 2024 at 3:00PM, premises known as 742 Lenore Lane, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 32, Block: 694, Lot: 29. Approximate amount of judgment $726,910.85 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614396/2022. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov /Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. SAMMY TORRES, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 18, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 9436 241st Street, Floral Park, NY 11001. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bellerose in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 32, Block 009 and Lot 132. Approximate amount of judgment is $495,482.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604678/2023. Cash will not be accepted.

Adrienne Flipse Hausch, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 145922

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Public Meetings of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Elmont Fire District originally scheduled for October, November and December have been changed to Wednesday October 30, 2024, Wednesday November 6, 2024, Tuesday November 26, 2024, Wednesday December 11, 2024 and Wednesday December 18, 2024 Meeting will be held at the District Office, 100 School Road, Elmont, New York, at 7:00 P.M.

Deli raises money to aid Diller’s family

By BRIAN NORMAN bnorman@liherald.com

Ron and Rachel Collura of Aratas Deli have been collecting funds since March to support the family of former NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller, a Franklin Square native who was shot and killed during a traffic stop on March 25.

On Oct. 17, the Collura family and County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton presented the funds collected for the Diller family.

Diller, a former Massapequa resident, was shot and killed in Queens while performing a routine traffic stop in March. Many police officers including Nassau County officers and members of the 105th precinct — the same precinct Diller served in — came to the deli to pay their respects last week.

“As a resident of Massapequa, this hit me very hard,” said Kevin Mullick, first vice president of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association. “This is a tragedy beyond belief and members of many communities have come out and been helpful toward the family. The jar keeps getting bigger and bigger and it all adds up to what this family needs.”

DeRiggi-Whitton presented the jar to residents who gathered at the Deli to pay their respects to the Diller family. While presenting the funds raised by members of the community, DeRiggiWhitton spoke about the importance of first responders and the support for this effort.

“This was a real grassroots effort,” said DeRiggi-Whitton. “I got a call from Ron and he was determined to do something for the family and people would come in, see the photo and donate to make sure this family was financially secure. This just goes to show the love that we have for our first responders, especially in our police department.”

Aratas Deli has been a staple of the Sea Cliff community for more than a century. Ron and Rachel Collura have been using the deli to give back to the

community for many years, raising money for other causes such as diabetes and other first responders in the past.

Ron Collura said this has been an ongo-

Public Notices

This NOTICE is published in conformance with Section 104 of the Public Officers Law.

Dated: October 17, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT ATTEST: FRANCES ANDINO DISTRICT SECRETARY 149610

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, -againstMAHMOOD ALI, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on September 20, 2024, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is the Plaintiff and MAHMOOD ALI, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY

SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on November 21, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 276 BENSON AVENUE, ELMONT, NY 11003; and the following tax map identification: 32-493-81, 82 & 83. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 617170/2019. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq. - Referee.

Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 149608

ing effort since the incident occurred and has received great support from customers.

“We have police officers come in here

all the time and say we don’t want any money for the food, just put it in the jar,” Collura said. “I see people here today who are always putting money in when they could be keeping the change in their pockets, but they opt to do this. We just try to put ourselves in the place of that wife and that little kid and you just can’t even imagine it.”

Many members of Diller’s former precinct came to pay their respects and donate at the deli. Chris Kiefer from the New York City Police Benevolent Association said it is always nice to see the support for law enforcement, and he knows the money will be put to good use.

“It’s always good to see things like this,” Kiefer said. “It’s always nice to see people who care about law enforcement and come out to support us. I know that Stephanie is going to put this money to good use so thank you to everyone in the community who came out and donated.”

Aratas Deli has been collecting money for the family of New York Police Department Detective Jonathan Diller since he was killed in the line of duty in March.

Brian Norman/Herald photos

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Ron Callura, Bruce Kennedy, Kevin Mullick, Chris Keifer, and members of the NYPD and Nassau County Police Department held a moment of silence for Detective Jonathan Diller.

Residents gathered at Aratas Deli to donate and pay respects to the Diller family last week.

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Victorian Colonial Fixer-Upper

What can we do with our Helene-damaged home?

Q. Our home in Asheville, North Carolina, was damaged by Hurricane Helene. The insurance company was contacted, and several busy contractors have looked at the property as they passed by. One commented that many homes need to be completely rebuilt, because they’re missing parts that protect them from hurricanes, such as “tecos.” What are tecos, and why do they make a difference? Can they be added without tearing our house down? This may push us to just sell, as is, and move on, at a large loss. What can we do?

A. . First, Teco is a brand name for metal connectors that hold lumber building parts together, giving any home greater resistance to being pulled apart by wind.

Unfortunately, the company went out of business in the 1990s. It’s a brand name, not a generic term — it’s like saying Kleenex instead of facial tissue.

But the name stuck, and is often used by people who have no idea that you can’t get a Teco anymore, but it’s easier than saying joist hanger or connector.

The most-used brand today is Simpson, which is far more sophisticated, for a much wider variety of engineered connections. The key word is “engineered,” and I emphasize it because most users of these products often use the wrong connectors for the wrong purposes. For example, your home, if it’s not completely in splinters, can be saved, but you have to use the right connectors, utilizing manufacturer charts and selecting the right ones based on wind resistance calculations. I’m sure I just lost most readers, because almost nobody actually calculates, or desires to respect, the right use of the right connector, so people go to the store and buy a box of what looks best, what is most available or what costs the least.

While filming the documentary “Hell or High Water,” which never got released due to lack of funding, I got to meet with officials, from (the equivalent of) the mayor to the head of the building department in Moore, Oklahoma, after third-graders were killed in their concrete elementary school by the fastest winds ever recorded, 313 miles per hour. The neighborhood was gone. People were rebuilding. I questioned why building permits were issued and yet nobody was using the connectors to reconstruct. The superintendent of the building department answered with frustration, knowing that it’s a code requirement, that “most people can’t afford the cost of the connectors.” Nine years later, I saw an article about the state of Oklahoma now strictly enforcing connector requirements.

You don’t have to walk away from your home. The base and top of the wall studs, the roof rafter connections and the corner hold-downs can be retrofitted, which will give you additional wind resistance of approximately 30 mph, and as a nationally certified damage assessor, I have seen firsthand that the right connectors save property and lives. Good luck!

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opinions

Law school bonds formed decades ago are still strong

Few possessions in life are more valuable than lasting friendships. I’ve been more than blessed with friendships that began almost 60 years ago, when I was a student at Notre Dame Law School, and remain strong all these decades later. That was clear when we got together again at Notre Dame last week.

I entered Notre Dame in 1965. From my home in Queens to the campus in South Bend, Indiana, was about 800 miles by car. In life experience, the distance was light years. I had no clue what to expect. My life up to then had been almost entirely confined to Queens, where I grew up; Brooklyn, where I went to high school and college; and Manhattan, where I was born, and where, during my last two years of college, I worked loading and unloading trucks and freight cars at the Railway Express Terminal on 10th Avenue.

My out-of-state ventures had been limited to New Jersey: a two-week summer rental when I was 9, a handful of one-day visits to relatives and two nights at Palisades Amusement Park. In

New York, I took the ferry once to Staten Island, made the occasional trip to Jones Beach and journeyed to the Bronx for a handful of Yankees games and once to watch the football Giants practice at Fordham. I had never eaten in an actual restaurant, my dining experience limited to White Castle and pizza joints.

The Notre Dame campus was as impressive as advertised, with its famed Golden Dome glistening in the Indiana sun and more trees and manicured grass than I’d seen anywhere except Central Park. The law school was a three-story Gothic structure that radiated seriousness of purpose. I opted to live in Fisher Hall, the graduate student dorm, rather than an off-campus apartment mainly for convenience: It was a two-minute walk from the law school and next door to the dining hall.

had gone away to college, and I had no idea what dorm life was like.

C atching up with four longtime, far-flung friends from Notre Dame.

We were all willing to work together and help one another out — very different from the cutthroat competition at many law schools. That was a great defense against the dean of the law school, who took pride in the number of first-year students who flunked out or bailed out. His welcoming greeting to us had set the tone: “Look at the man on your left and the man on your right. Before long, one of you won’t be here. And damned be he who first cries, ‘Enough, enough!’”

Fortunately, the six of us survived the dean’s first-semester bloodletting, with Ward and Weiss doing exceptionally well and the rest of us doing well enough.

Rosemary, who was a student at neighboring St. Mary’s, during my first semester, and her becoming an integral part of our group. We got married at the start of my final semester before graduation.

After graduation, everyone did well: Manning in Chicago, Ward in Maine, Curtin in New Jersey, Weiss in St. Louis and Bonenberger in West Virginia. Though we were many miles apart, we stayed in close contact over the years, including at five-year class reunions, even holding weekly Zoom meetings during Covid.

Then, last summer, Manning, who was in many ways our magnet, died, and we decided to have our own minireunion. So last week we were together again in South Bend.

Most important, the law students living around me in Fisher Hall were great guys. Dick Manning, Tom Curtin, Tom Ward, Charlie Weiss and Lanny Bonenberger became lifelong friends. For the most part we all had similar upbringings, Catholic school-educated. Every one of us except Ward, whose father was a doctor, was the first in our family to go to college. And every one of the others

Why I’m voting

FSometime in the spring of our first year, there was a climactic power struggle between the dean and the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, president of the university, over the starting date for the law school in the fall. Their grand compromise was to give the dean his starting date, but to throw the law students off campus. It was my first experience as collateral damage! But the six of us found a house to rent in South Bend, and our friendships grew stronger than ever.

Adding to all this was my meeting

There were changes. Fisher Hall and the house we rented have been demolished. The law school building is many times larger than it was. But among us, nothing had changed. We walked the campus, reliving good memories, retelling old stories, talking about our children and grandchildren. We were thankful for our bonds of friendship, which had been forged in another century and have grown only stronger over seven decades. A great gift.

Go, Irish!

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

for Kamala Harris

or the past year, politicians and political commentators have described the upcoming election as the most consequential in American history. To be realistic, all elections have consequences, but there is no doubt that this one will have a dramatic impact on my family, and countless others, for years to come. With less than two weeks to go until Nov. 5, I am weary from the back-and-forth discussions I have had with family members, friends, neighbors, and political allies and adversaries. Happily, all of those talks have been cordial, and it has been worthwhile to listen to all opinions. These exchanges have better prepared me to explain why I will vote for Kamala Harris for president. Before explaining the basis for my vote, I need to rebut some of the arguments that I have heard from supporters of Donald Trump. Some have made the claim that Harris is “anti-Israel.”

They point to the fact that then-President Trump moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, but they have not offered any proof that as a candidate, Harris has failed to support Israel. She has shown her unhappiness with its prime minister, but Benjamin Netanyahu is not Israel.

itrust her, and believe she is the best choice for challenges both at home and abroad.

Three months into the election madness, some people tell me they “don’t know enough about Kamala.” I view that as an excuse not to vote for a woman. My response to them is, “Where does Trump stand on abortion, child care tax cuts, more housing opportunities for people of modest means and tax breaks for middleincome families?”

I frequently hear people describe the vice president as “too liberal.” They reference her former support for Medicare for All and her past opposition to fracking. Harris has modified her positions on a number of issues, as has Trump’s vice presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, who is now in lockstep with Trump — after once calling him a “Hitler.”

I choose Harris over Trump for a

number of reasons. I trust her, and believe that she will be an honest president. I don’t believe that she will make private deals with campaign donors, or craft laws that will favor a handful of wealthy donors like Elon Musk. Above all, she won’t lie, lie and lie some more at every opportunity.

Thanks to President Biden’s hard work, America has the respect of world leaders once again. NATO is once more a united force in Europe, and the only firewall we have against Russia and Vladimir Putin. Harris will be a strong supporter of NATO and Ukraine. That will make our country safer. She will uphold our alliances with Asian nations and oppose China’s efforts to harm Taiwan.

Harris will appoint qualified people to major positions in her cabinet, and has pledged to seek bipartisan advice on key issues. There are countless thought leaders in America who would gladly give their time to the government if they thought their views would be respected. Above all, she will not sell out the nation to domestic or foreign

interests.

Harris will protect a woman’s right to choose. She has pledged to reinstate Roe v. Wade, and will appoint judges to the Supreme Court who will protect women’s rights. She will appoint an attorney general who will follow the Constitution, and be the people’s lawyer and not the president’s lap dog.

Harris will maintain our support for Israel. She has seen the powerful support that Biden has provided, including his latest pledge to give Israel guided missiles and U.S. military support to back them up. She will honor those commitments.

Rather than recite the reasons why I do not support Trump, I’ll defer to America’s top generals, who have called him dangerous and unfit to be commander in chief. To add to their opposition, I could further quote all of Trump’s former cabinet members who oppose his re-election.

Enough said.

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.

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your chance — get out and vote

as we approach a pivotal election that portends high political drama, there’s never been a better time to stress the importance of voting. Every vote counts, and participation is more than a right — it’s a crucial responsibility that shapes this nation’s democracy.

This is not about whom to vote for. It’s about making the most of the privilege of voting.

Early voting is now underway in parts of the country, and in the state of Georgia, the turnout has already made headlines. On the first day of early voting, more than 300,000 Georgians cast their ballots — more than double the number who voted that day in 2020.

That could signal the beginning of another record turnout for the presidential election. Four years ago, both eventual President Joe Biden and the incumbent, Donald Trump, garnered the most votes ever in a presidential election. Biden won with some 81 million.

The heightened enthusiasm, to put it most politely, for next month’s election underscores why every eligible voter should make his or her voice heard.

This year, Election Day falls on Nov. 5, but early voting provides flexibility for those who may not be able to vote on that day. In New York, early voting gets under way this Saturday and ends on Nov. 3.

Early voting gives voters the chance to skip the long lines and cast their ballots at a time and place that is convenient for them. It’s a safeguard against last-minute emergencies or unforeseen obstacles that might occur on Election Day.

The surge in early voting is a promising sign for democracy, but it also sends a larger message about civic engagement in today’s highly charged political climate. Voting is one of the most direct ways individuals can influence the policies that shape their lives.

Whether the issues voters are focused on are health care, education, the economy, social justice or abortion access, the winning candidates, and measures on the

New York state elections are all about the major parties

To the Editor:

As New York voters prepare for the Nov. 5 elections, it is apparent that candidate choices are limited now more than ever. The Herald Roundtable articles, for example, are limited to coverage of Democratic and Republican candidates. The anti-democratic impact of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s electoral

■ Oyster Bay Ice Rink

Early voting locations

1001 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714

■ Elmont Public Library 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont, NY 11003

■ Floral Park Recreation Center 124 Stewart Ave., Floral Park, NY 11001

■ Freeport Recreation Center 130 East Merrick Rd., Freeport, NY 11520

■ St. Paul’s Recreation Center 295 Stewart Ave., Garden City, NY 11530

■ Glen Cove City Hall 9 Glen St., Glen Cove, NY 11542

■ Great Neck House 14 Arrandale Ave., Great Neck NY 11023

■ Hempstead Rec. Center/Kennedy Park 335 Greenwich St., Hempstead, NY 11550

■ Hofstra University 1000 Fulton Ave., Hempstead, NY 11549

■ Hicksville Levittown Hall 201 Levittown Pkwy., Hicksville NY 11801

■ South Shore Jewish Center 191 Long Beach Rd., Island Park, NY 11558

■ Lawrence Country Club 101 Causeway, Lawrence, NY 11559

■ Long Beach City Hall 1 West Chester St., Long Beach, NY 11561

■ Massapequa Town Hall South 977 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa, NY 11758

■ Temple Beth Am 2377 Merrick Ave., Merrick NY 11566

■ Nassau County Board of Elections 240 Old Country Rd., Mineola NY 11501

■ Michael J. Tully Park 1801 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040

■ Plainview Mid-Island Y JCC 45 Manetto Hill Rd., Plainview, NY 11803

■ Port Washington Library 1 Library Dr., Port Washington, NY 11050

■ Rockville Centre Recreation Center 111 N. Oceanside Rd., Rockville Centre, NY 11570

■ Gayle Community Center 53 Orchard St., Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

■ Syosset Public Library 225 S. Oyster Bay Rd., Syosset NY 11791

■ Valley Stream Presbyterian Church 130 S. Central Ave., Valley Stream, NY 11580

■ St. Francis De Chantal Church 1309 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh, NY 11793

■ West Hempstead Public Library 500 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead NY 11552

■ Yes We Can Community Center 141 Garden St., Westbury, NY 11590

■ Williston Park American Legion 730 Willis Ave., Williston Park, NY 11596

ballot, will help determine the future of those issues. By casting your vote, you become part of the collective decisionmaking process that steers the direction of the country.

For those who feel disillusioned or disengaged, it’s important to remember that democracy works best when it’s fully inclusive. Every election offers the opportunity to hold public officials accountable, to approve or reject ballot measures, and to influence the future of local, state and national policies.

When large numbers of people opt out of the process, fewer voices shape the policies that affect everyone. Voting is a way to speak up, even when the system feels

letters

“reforms” has become abundantly clear with this year’s elections in our state. Having made it virtually impossible for independent third-party candidates to appear on the ballot, drastically changing longstanding ballot access laws and regulations in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, this fall we find ourselves with only Democrats and Republicans listed on our ballots. In a manner similar to what Republicans have done elsewhere, New York Democrats have suppressed the vote and stifled

imperfect or frustrating. By casting your vote — whether early or on Election Day— you are exercising a power that should never be taken for granted. “My vote doesn’t matter” is simply not the case. So if you can’t vote on a busy Tuesday, Nov. 5, make a plan to do so between now and the Sunday before Election Day. Or take advantage of the time you still have to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. Be part of the conversation, have a say in the issues that matter to you, and help ensure a future that reflects the will of all Americans.

Voting isn’t just a privilege; it’s a duty that upholds the foundation of our democracy. Your voice matters. Let it be heard.

meaningful political debate on the issues that face us all. We urge Gov. Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature to reverse these draconian changes to our election law as soon as possible. New Yorkers deserve more voter choice, more democracy.

Thanks to the Cuomo “reforms,” New York is the only state to have just two candidates for president appearing on the ballot. This has happened in only one other state in the past 40 years, Oklahoma. Many voters now feel faced with two unsatisfactory

opinions

Join the necessary fight against spotted lanternflies

the Herald and other publications have detailed the negative impacts of the invasive spotted laternfly on long island, and while the population of these unwelcome insects continues to require intervention to prevent their unchecked spread across our region, there are steps that every long islander can take in their own backyard to protect against them. At the long island Conservancy, we are eager to share some tips that will make a positive impact — and in some cases, multiple positive outcomes by eradicating not only this invasive insect, but also invasive plants that serve as the lanternfly’s primary food source.

First off, much like the mTA’s famous slogan, if you see something, squish something! This fall, keep your eyes peeled for egg masses, and make sure to destroy them through the spring. removing the tree of heaven, an invasive non-native plant, is a top priority when it comes to proactive ways to erad-

icate the lanternfly. The tree of heaven is a fast-growing, invasive species across north America that you may not recognize by sight, but you certainly can by scent — it’s also known as the stinking sumac, stink tree, stink weed, and a variety of other names including “stink.”

The plant is spreading with the same vigor as the lanternfly, and removing it eliminates the insect’s favorite food. mechanical removal is possible: Girdle it, rip it out and remove it; whatever you can do to set them back. make sure to follow up to ensure it doesn’t regrow.

a species displaced halfway across the world.

s quash them, plant milkweed, and yank out all the tree of heaven you can find.

many land managers and conservation professionals have warned against mechanical removal, encouraging the use of herbicides instead. in our experience, this isn’t necessary; while the removed/damaged trees will sucker up, if you pull the suckers biweekly for a growing season, the roots will give up the ghost and the problem can be eliminated.

The tree of heaven is a significant problem in our region, not just because of the smell, but because it chokes out beneficial native plants. in the case of the lanternfly, the plant is essentially the closest thing to “home cooking” for

Letters

choices: a candidate who is engaged in sowing pernicious and deadly seeds of ethnic and ideological conflict, and another who supports wars and continuing our nation’s complicity in an ongoing genocide.

The Green Party urges all progressive voters to write in “Jill Stein” in this year’s election. Don’t stay home, and don’t waste your vote!

Jim Brown Chair, Green Party of Nassau County Island Park

Kremer summed up Trump, but there’s more

To the Editor:

in his oct. 10-16 column, “A historic election for all the wrong reasons,” Jerry Kremer presents several compelling reasons to reject Donald Trump’s “desperate campaign” for president.

But voters should consider other factors as well. Conservatives, in particular, ought to ask whether Trump adheres to three principles they surely hold dear: family values, law and order, and patriotism.

Do republican parents really want their children to view this potential president as a role model? Should kids

if getting rid of that awful smell isn’t enough incentive, early scientific research suggests that lanternflies that feed on the tree of heaven sequester toxins, called quassinoids, that make our native birds extremely less likely to eat them. So the lanternflies are essentially exempt from the food chain, another reason why so many have managed to thrive in our competitive environment. This is, by the way, why they have those bright red warning colors!

And the tree of heaven isn’t the only invasive species of plant that supports the lanternfly population. Porcelainberry and other species that originated in Asia are key sources of food. Every pernicious invasive species removed means more available space for native, healthy species to grow and thrive on long island.

when it comes to native species, there are a few to consider planting, like milkweed. i’ve seen dead lanternflies on milkweed plants — it appears that the dopey insects feed on them and poison themselves. (if you need a bonus reason to plant milkweed, the influx of mon-

arch butterflies is lovely!) while taking steps to remove invasive plants in your yard and replace them with native species is proactive, some people are well past that point — they’re dealing with infestations. in that case, you may be ready to set up a trap around a native host tree.

observe where the lanternflies congregate most on your land and set your trap up there. while they tend to like walnut and sumac the best, they’ve been seen on maples, birches, sycamore and other trees. Building a trap is easy — you can find a step-by-step guide at https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-builda-spotted-lanternfly-circle-trap.

For saplings that aren’t big enough for a proper trap, just knock the bugs into a soapy dish. Some will hop away, but they’re quite easy to catch this way, and if you do this once a day, over time you’ll see fewer of them returning. while combating the spotted lanternfly has been compared to trying to keep water off the beach because there are so many, by eradicating invasive species like the tree of heaven, we are helping to protect our environment now and for years to come.

Frank Piccininni is the president of Spadefoot Design and Construction and a co-founder of the Long Island Conservancy.

Framework by Tim Baker

seek to emulate a philanderer and a vulgarian incapable of telling the truth?

How do those professing to “back the blue” square that stance with support for a convicted felon? is someone charged with racketeering and 51 other criminal offenses a credible champion of the rule of law?

Are red-white-and-blue all-Americans oK with a candidate who orchestrated the attempted overthrow of the country’s constitutional order? Does denigrating members of the U.S. armed forces demonstrate love of country?

Trump defiles all three of the values most Americans regard as sacrosanct.

This is not to say that Kamala Harris is without personal flaws of her own. She’s imperfect, both as a candidate and a human being. Besides, voters should be assessing a candidate’s policy positions, not only his or her personal behavior. And Harris’s record and her proposals can be fairly criticized from a conservative perspective.

But character does matter. And on that score, Donald Trump is utterly unqualified to hold the nation’s highest office.

KEvin J. KEllEy Atlantic Beach

Election Letters to the Editor policy

In the interest of fairness and transparency during the election season, we will not publish letters in the Oct. 31-Nov. 6 issue, the final one before Election Day, that criticize a candidate or a specific issue. This is to ensure that no last-minute submissions are published without sufficient opportunity for rebuttal. Readers are encouraged to send letters to execeditor@liherald.com.

A crisp, patriotic day in Eisenhower Park - East Meadow

Frank piccininni