The Long Beach Middle School Drama Club presented ‘Annie Jr.’ for family and friends in the middle school auditorium in two evening performances on Jan. 23 and 24. The production featured 16 musical numbers, and Mira Mordetsky, far left, took a star turn as Annie. Story, more photos, Page 2.
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLo azingariello@liherald.com
At its meeting on Monday night, the Long Beach Board of Education made a long-awaited decision, voting to keep East Elementary School open, after over a year of deliberation and community debate.
The board’s decision not to repurpose East Elementary was made after extensive deliberation. While community advocacy played a significant role in the discussions, trustees emphasized that their decision was based on thorough research and careful consideration of a number of factors.
“I do appreciate the administration putting together plans and giving us the opportunity to take the time,” board Vice President Alexis Pace said. “That’s what we did. That’s what the community asked us to do — to take time and to think it through. So ultimately, the school stays open, but I really . . . hope and pray that we can rebuild some sort of culture and some sort of mutual respect and collaboration.”
The potential repurposing of East Elementary was initially discussed as part of a broader effort to address the district’s financial challenges, but an anticipated cut in state foundation aid, which had prompted the exploration of consoli-
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLo azingariello@liherald.com
In the interest of more efficiently managing development in Long Beach, the City Council continues its plans to create a planning board, something the city has never had.
At its meeting on Jan. 21, the council approved amendments to the city charter and local ordinances to establish the board.
The move is intended to ensure that future development projects have greater oversight and long-term vision.
Beach.”
The new board will review and approve site plans, subdivisions and large development projects, focusing on their design as well as their impact on traffic and the environment. Unlike the Zoning Board of Appeals, which handles individual variances, the planning board will take a broader approach to development. Smaller residential projects will not fall under its purview.
T he planning board will be something that will really be helpful.
The decision follows years of discussions about balancing growth, infrastructure demands and preserving the city’s character.
BRENDAN FINN City Council president
“I was just really happy with this legislation,” Councilman Chris Fiumara said, “because it stops the overdevelopment in Long Beach and allows things to not just go through the zoning board anymore, but have a plan and go with people from the community on the planning board to see if a project fits the vision of the residents of Long
The board will also include an architectural review panel, which will assess architectural designs and specifications. As a result, the planning board will handle all aspects of the review process, helping to ensure consistency and give proposals a more comprehensive analysis — and its decisions more administrative heft. The city plans to establish a 62-day limit on board reviews.
“Sometimes it appears that the city is being taken advantage of,” Council President Brendan Finn said. “I feel that Continued on page 10
The Long Beach Middle School Drama Club presented “Annie Jr.” for family and friends in the middle school’s auditorium for two evening performances on Jan. 23 and 24. With a cast and crew of nearly 60 students, including several ensembles, the classic show followed Annie through song and dance as she tried to find her parents.
The production featured 16 musical numbers with favorites such as, “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long” and “Tomorrow.” Middle schoolers Mira Mordetsky, as Annie, Peyton Waine, as Oliver Warbucks and Ellie Steier, as Miss Hannigan took to the stage in style.
On the production team, Scott Scheinson directed with Christina Farrell, serving as assistant director and musical director. Alison Katulka, Brian Pross and the LBMS Art Club and Wood Club organized set design and construction. Eydie Yarwood served as teaching assistant and Molly Abrams was the student choreographer.
–Brendan Carpenter
The Long Beach Police Department is set to undergo much-needed improvements, thanks to funding secured through various grants and legislative support.
The department’s dispatch area will be modernized with the assistance of a grant from the Nassau County Legislature. The department thanked retired Legislator Denise Ford and current Legislator Patrick Mullaney for their efforts in securing the funding. Additionally, upgrades will be made to the officer locker rooms and bathrooms to better accommodate the growing number of female officers serving in our department.
Department will be undergoing some upgrades, causing temporary service changes.
The department said further enhancements will include a new facade for police headquarters, made possible by funds provided by Assemblyman Ari Brown.
As these improvements take place, there will be temporary service changes for those visiting the headquarters.
The lobby will be closed during construction. For the Records or Traffic Division services, visit the 6th floor of
City Hall during business hours. To file a police report, residents are encouraged to call the Long Beach Police Department at (516) 431-1800, and an officer will be dispatched to your location. Call 911 in the case of an emergency. If you must file a report in person, call (516) 431-1800 from outside police headquarters, and an officer will be dispatched to assist you after you call (516) 431-1800 to alert us of your presence. For further updates, follow the Long Beach Police Department on social media or visit its website.
By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com
Amy Baron has been providing psychotherapy in Long Beach and the surrounding areas for over 12 years, and since the pandemic, says there has been a significant rise in individuals reaching out for support with anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting challenges, difficulty adjusting to changing life circumstances and a desire to increase self-esteem and feel more fulfilled.
With her Heal and Grow Psychotherapy Group, she aims to ensure people know what kind of help they can get, and, ultimately, that help is out there.
Q: What trends do you see in people seeking help?
Amy Baron: One key trend I’ve noticed is a sharp increase in parents seeking therapy for their children and teens. Many families are struggling with the stress of changing dynamics, and there’s been a greater recognition of the importance of early intervention. I am seeing a rise in school and social anxiety which we have successfully helped our clients navigate and manage. Additionally, there’s been a noticeable rise in couples and families coming in for help to resolve conflict, improve communication and strengthen their relationships. Another interesting shift is the growing number of people who, in the past, might have been resistant to seeking therapy—particularly men and those
in first responder professions. There’s been a reduction in the stigma around mental health, and people are becoming more open to reaching out for support, recognizing the value of therapy in addressing their challenges and improving relationships and overall wellbeing.
Q: Are there any hurdles people face in seeking help?
Baron: While more people are reaching out for therapy, there are significant barriers. Many don’t realize how difficult it can be to find a therapist until they begin the search. Many therapists do not have availability and have long waiting lists. Just yesterday, I received calls from two different mothers who shared their frustration after months of trying unsuccessfully to find a therapist for their children. Fortunately, we were able to help.
Another challenge is that many therapists only offer telehealth sessions. While virtual therapy is convenient and has its place, there are many situations where in-person therapy is essential for providing effective care. Being physically present in the same room creates a unique dynamic that fosters connection and a deeper therapeutic process, which can be difficult to replicate on a
screen. I firmly believe that the experience of sitting together in a shared space has a profound impact that cannot always be achieved through virtual sessions.
Additionally, many therapists opt to work with self-pay clients only, rather than accepting insurance. This can make therapy financially inaccessible for many people who rely on insurance to cover their mental health care.
Q: What is your practice doing to ensure people get the help they need?
Baron: In response to the overwhelming demand for mental health services, Heal and Grow Psychotherapy Group is undergoing a significant expansion. We’ve recently moved to a larger office on Park Avenue and welcomed several new therapists specializing in various areas, including child and adolescent therapy, marriage and family counseling, adult therapy, and parenting support. We will be offering group therapy sessions covering an array of topics and will host special events and workshops designed to provide valuable tools, education, and support for individuals, couples, and families.
To accommodate busy schedules, we’ve extended our hours to include more evening
and weekend appointment times. For clients unable to attend in person, we continue to offer telehealth. And to make therapy more financially accessible we work with numerous insurance plans in and out of network and handle all paperwork and claim submission.
Q: Can you tell us about your connection to the community?
Baron: I was born and raised in Oceanside and later raised my children in Baldwin before moving to Long Beach about 12 years ago. When I settled here, I opened my private practice to provide psychotherapy to Long Beach and surrounding towns. Many of our therapists also have strong ties to the area too. Elena Montemurro grew up in Oceanside and Rockville Centre, Marja Ganesh lives in Baldwin, and Emily Magni was raised in Merrick, where she currently resides.
Throughout our time in practice, we have worked closely with local schools and medical providers to better support the mental health needs of our clients. Having such strong connections to Long Beach and surrounding communities allows us to understand the unique challenges people face and offer more integrated care.
By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com
The City of Long Beach has been providing fire response services to Atlantic Beach since 1990. For the last 35 years, the city’s volunteer firefighters have been the primary care providers in firerelated instances.
With the current contract expiring, the city announced entering into a new inter-municipal agreement with the Atlantic Beach Fire District at the council meeting on Jan. 21 to continue offering automatic aid to the area. The new extension is for five years, up until Dec. 31, 2029. The city will also act as the secondary response for EMS calls.
When Long Beach firefighters respond to calls in Atlantic Beach, it has traditionally been the volunteer department that go out, not the paid firefighters.
“When we did the contract originally in 1990 it was for the volunteer response, and that’s what we’ve done since then,” Commissioner Joseph Miller said. “Right now, the volunteers handle the calls and we don’t have issues. There is no reason to change something if it’s not broken. That’s what we’ve done with Atlantic Beach, that’s what we’ve done with the fire department, and that’s what we’ve done protecting the city.”
Long Beach announced a new five-year agreement at the City Council meeting with Atlantic Beach to continue supplying fire-related aid.
Sam Pinto, a Long Beach professional firefighter, brought up questions about the contract, asking why the paid department isn’t also sent out when providing services to Atlantic Beach.
“Atlantic Beach relies on Long Beach,
and the contract is between the City of Long Beach as a whole, and not specifically with either the volunteers or the career,” Pinto said. “I don’t want to take away anything from the volunteers, I think they’ve added a valuable service in fire protection and EMS services. It
wouldn’t be an overwhelming bearing, but it would provide valuable protection to the village of Atlantic Beach in the agreement.”
The agreement states that Long Beach will continue offering 24/7 responses to all fire-related alarms located in Atlantic Beach, from the Sands and going all the way west.
The city will remain the primary responder to fire and non-medical emergencies and will be the supplemental responder for ambulance and medical rescue calls. The Atlantic Beach Rescue Unit or Lawrence Cedarhurst Rescue will be providing the EMS services. If either are unable to respond, the Long Beach would be next up in those situations.
“I would like the paid Long Beach Fire Department to work in Long Beach, primarily, and go to Atlantic Beach when it’s an emergency, and necessary,” City Council President Brendan Finn said.
Over the course of the five-year agreement, Long Beach will make just under $409,000 for providing the fire aid services. The city will be bringing in less revenue than the previous agreement, but the city will also be providing less services without the frequent EMS responses.
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
Heading into an election year for all 19 Nassau County legislative districts, the lines have been redrawn after a lawsuit that originated in 2023 was settled last Friday.
The agreed-on new districts are considered a victory for Democrats.
“This is a tremendous victory for Nassau County,” Jay Jacobs, the New York state and Nassau County Democratic Committee chairman, stated in a news release. “The illegal map sought to disenfranchise communities of color and undermine our democratic principles. This settlement reinforces the fundamental rights of all voters and sends a clear message that such tactics will not be tolerated.”
County Democrats, along with 21 plaintiffs from throughout the legislative districts, filed the lawsuit, alleging that before they were redrawn, the districts were racist, gerrymandered and gave an unfair advantage to Republicans, who hold majority control in the Legislature.
The suit also claimed that voters leaning in one direction were being packed into two districts, while the rest were spread out in other districts as a way to “dilute their voting strength.”
“Once again, the Republican majority in the Nassau County Legislature did
something that was unconstitutional by imposing legislative lines that were unconstitutional,” County Legislator Carrié Solages, who now represents a district similar to when he was first elected in 2011, said. “I am very thankful to the Democratic Party for assembling a team of attorneys, experts on maps and data from across the country, at a cost of well over half a million dollars, in order to fight for a fair, legal map in Nassau County.”
Under the terms of the settlement:
■ The illegal redistricting map is nullified, addressing violations of the New York Voting Rights Act and Municipal Home Rule Law.
■ A new, fairer legislative map is established, including six majority-minority districts and an Asian Influence District, a substantial increase from the prior four majority-minority districts.
■ The voices of Black, Latino and Asian communities are amplified, ensuring that communities of color can elect candidates who represent their interests.
“After long negotiations, Republican attempts to change venue and even disqualify the judge presiding over the case, the Democrats arrived at a map that is fair and creates the opportunity for historic six minority majority districts,” Solages said.
as you age.
1. Flow. A sedentary life causes brain deterioration. Blood flow to the brain keeps oxygen in your brain cells which gives them life. Keep moving, walking and get some exercise.
2. Energize. Junk food clogs your arteries and lowers energy, causing a sedentary lifestyle. Healthy food gives energy to your body and brain. Refuel and brighten the lights.
3. Recharge. Lack of enough sleep causes deterioration of the brain. Your brain needs downtime to recharge. Give it enough recharging and keep the lights burning bright.
4. Relax. Constant high stress has damaging effects on the brain and can lead to destructive habits which add further damage. Learn to control stress and let the lights shine.
5. Engage. Like muscles your brain needs exercise. Too often people, after retirement, retire their brains also so they atrophy. Stay engaged, exercise your brain with reading, puzzles and other challenges to keep the lights going on strong.
6. Love. When people grow isolated their brains lack stimulation and they grow dull. Stay connected with family and friends to brighten the lights.
7. Adventure. Many older people lose their zest for new adventures. You don’t need to climb Everest just break out of dull routines. Any venture out to new places turns up the lights.
8. Purpose. People can lose interest in life after they have retired, feeling they have no purpose. Look for opportunities to volunteer. Helping others keeps the lights flaming.
District 1: Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, South Hempstead, and portions of Baldwin and Hempstead.
District 2: Carle Place, New Cassel, Westbury, and portions of Hempstead, Uniondale, Hicksville and Jericho.
District 3: Elmont, Lakeview, Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, South Floral Park, Malverne Park Oaks, and portions of Malverne, Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, West Hempstead and Franklin Square.
District 4: Long Beach, Lido Beach, East Atlantic Beach, Island Park, Harbor Isle, Barnum Island, Point Lookout and portions of Oceanside.
District 5: Portions of Hempstead, Uniondale, West Hempstead and Franklin Square.
District 6: Freeport, and portions of Baldwin and Oceanside.
District 7: Atlantic Beach, Bay Park, Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Hewlett, Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck, Inwood, Lawrence, Woodmere, Woodsburgh, and portions of Oceanside, South Valley Stream and Valley Stream.
District 8: Garden City, Garden City South, Stewart Manor, and portions of Floral Park, Franklin Square, New Hyde Park and North New Hyde Park.
District 9: Mineola, East Williston, Garden City Park, Herricks, Manhasset Hills, North Hills, and portions of Floral Park, New Hyde Park, North New Hyde Park, Searingtown and Williston Park.
District 10: Albertson, Flower Hill, Great Neck, Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Gardens, Great Neck Plaza, Harbor Hills, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Munsey
Park, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Roslyn Estates, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock, Saddle Rock Estates, Thomaston, University Gardens, and portions of Roslyn Heights, Searingtown and Williston Park.
District 11: Baxter Estates, Glen Cove, Glenwood Landing, Manorhaven, Port Washington, Port Washington North, Roslyn Harbor, Sands Point, Sea Cliff, and portions of Glen Head.
District 12: Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore, North Merrick, and portions of Wantagh.
District 13: East Meadow, Salisbury, and portions of Levittown
District 14: Lynbrook, North Lynbrook, and portions of Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, Malverne and South Valley Stream.
District 15: North Wantagh, Seaford, and portions of Levittown and Wantagh.
District 16: Farmingdale, Old Bethpage, Plainview, and portions of Hicksville, Jericho, Syosset and Woodbury.
District 17: Bethpage, Plainedge, South Farmingdale, and portions of Hicksville and North Massapequa.
District 18: Bayville, Brookville, Centre Island, Cove Neck, East Hills, East Norwich, Greenvale, Lattingtown, Laurel Hollow, Locust Valley, Matinecock, Mill Neck, Muttontown, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay Cove, and portions of Glen Head and Jericho.
District 19: East Massapequa, Massapequa, Massapequa Park, and portions of North Massapequa.
V.S. South Senior Basketball
IT WAS A HISTORIC night for DelValle Jan. 17 when Valley Stream South faced Wantagh. The two-time All-County guard reached the 1,000point career milestone in the Falcons’ hardfought defeat. He also assumed the top spot in Nassau County this season for 3-pointers made with 44. A captain, he is averaging 17.4 points per game, which ranks him in the Top 20 in Nassau, and scored in double figures in all but one of the Falcons’ first 14 games.
Thursday, Jan. 30
Gymnastics: South Side at Oceanside 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Port Wash at Farmingdale 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Manhasset at Kennedy 5 p.m.
Wrestling: Oceanside at Freeport 6 p.m.
Gymnastics: Lynbrook at North Shore 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: MacArthur at Baldwin 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Clarke at Hewlett 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Locust Valley at East Rockaway 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 31
Boys Basketball: Syosset at Uniondale 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Lawrence at Plainedge 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Oceanside at Massapequa 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Herricks at Mepham 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Boys Basketball: Wantagh at Plainedge 12 p.m.
Boys Basketball: V.S. South at V.S. North 12 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Carle Place at West Hempstead 12 p.m.
Girls Basketball: V.S. North at V.S. South 12 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 3
Boys Basketball: Calhoun at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.
Wrestling: Long Beach at Calhoun 5:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Farmingdale at Massapequa 7 p.m.
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com
The day after a heartbreaking defeat in the Nassau Division I dual meet final to Farmingdale, Long Beach wrestling coach Ray Adams wanted to ease some of the pain and share some good news with his team.
But first, he wanted to mess with them.
“They just had the meeting for next week’s state duals to determine the wild cards. Unfortunately, bad news for you guys,” Adams wrote in the first text.
“You won’t be able to hang out in Long Beach next weekend. Pack your bags, boys. We still have life. Syracuse, here we come for that state dual meet title. Go Beach and see you at practice manana,” he followed with.
The Marines secured the first of two wild-card berths to the state dual meet tournament at SRC Arena and Events Center in Syracuse this Saturday. Long Beach is the No. 4 seed and joins West Genesee and Webster Schroeder in one of the four three-team pools.
Two-time champion Minisink Valley is the top seed, followed by Horseheads and Farmingdale.
It is Long Beach’s first appearance in the state dual meet championship, which started in 2018. The Marines captured back-to-back Union-Endicott Duals in 2016 and 2017, considered the unofficial state championship at the time.
Nassau County has had a great deal of success in the state dual meet tournament, with Massapequa, Plainedge and Wantagh each winning.
“We’re excited, the kids are pumped,” Adams said. “It kind of makes you forget about [the Nassau Division I dual meet final]. It’s move on and next stop on the journey.”
Ahead of the Nassau duals, Long Beach captured the Conference 2A crown dramatically, edging second-place MacArthur, 35-27, in a battle of two of the top 10 teams in the state.
The second-seeded Marines (14-1) followed that up by knocking off Mepham and Bellmore JFK before ousting peren-
Terry Uellendahl/Herald Liam Hastings, top, and the Marines were Nassau dual meet runners-up and earned a wild-card bid to this Saturday’s state tournament.
nial powerhouse Massapequa, 37-20, in the semifinals.
That set up a showdown with undefeated top-seed Farmingdale. Long Beach won five of the first six bouts, but the Dalers rallied to win four in a row to set up a winner-take-all final match at 215 pounds, with the Farmingdale’s Wilson Quintanilla beating Liam Hastings to secure the title.
“I told them I was proud of them,” Adams said. “They showed up, they battled hard, and that’s all you can ask out of kids, is to show up, battle, do the best they can, and I think they gave max effort.”
Adams has been impressed with his hard-working squad this season. Casey Powers at 101 pounds has improved this year, while Matt Diamond (145), Jordan Andreula (145) and Ari Kaye (160) each have more than 20 wins.
Jahmel Isaac has made the biggest strides, also picking up more than 20 wins at 160/170 pounds.
And then there’s the “big guns,” as Adams calls them, led by North Carolinacommit Dunia Sibomana at 124 pounds.
“He’s really matured from last year,” Adams said. “You can tell he’s more confident in himself, his technique is on point, he has a great mindset. All those things coupled together have really elevated his game.”
Sibomana is joined by 131-pounder Greg Walpole, who Adams said is hitting his stride after rebounding from injury, and Brody Franklin at 138 pounds.
They’re all on the way to Syracuse to erase the pain from the Nassau loss and make Long Beach history.
“That wasn’t the end,” Adams said. “It’s only the beginning.”
By MADELEINE ROSEN Special to the Herald
The Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally Act would provide small businesses with up to $4,000 for marketing in community media.
Small businesses in Long Beach might soon be receiving some much-needed financial relief.
Earlier this month, State Sen. Monica R. Martinez and Assemblywoman Jen Lunsford introduced the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally Act, which would establish a new $10 million tax credit for small businesses advertising in local media outlets. The LOCAL Act aims to support the marketing needs of small businesses — especially those that are minority-, woman- or veteran-owned, or that have 10 employees or fewer — while keeping investment in the media outlets that New Yorkers rely on every day for critical information.
port from the media and business community alike. Led by The Empire State Local News Coalition, which is composed of over 200 local newspapers across New York — including the Long Beach Herald — the bill has received praise from business trade groups throughout the state, which view the proposal as a solution to increase investment in small businesses and sustain local news organizations.
I think it is absolutely incredible, and so needed.
LEAh TOzER chamber co-chair, Long Beach Chamber of Commerce
“This legislation fosters a cycle of growth, allowing small businesses to expand their reach while simultaneously supporting the media outlets that keep New Yorkers informed and engaged,” Martinez, the bill’s senate sponsor, said.
“I think it is absolutely incredible, and so needed,” Leah Tozer, co-chair of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, said. “For a lot of businesses, especially small businesses, it’s very difficult for them to outsource. I think this would be so helpful and what a great idea, especially with businesses that have under 10 employees, which is a lot more than you’d think.”
The legislation has already garnered staunch sup-
“The LOCAL Act is a win-win-win for local businesses, local news, and local communities,” Zachary Richner, founding member of the Empire State Local News Coalition, said. “These institutions are intricately connected and work together to create the vibrant communities that New Yorkers love.”
The bill comes as the 2025 Legislative Session kicks off and negotiations begin on the State’s next fiscal year budget, which must be passed by both the Senate and Assembly and signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul by April 1. The tax credit would need to be included in the State’s final spending plan.
“The LOCAL Act is about more than just advertising — it’s about investing in the economic health of our local communities and investing in the kind of local journalism that we need now more than ever,” Martinez’ fellow bill sponsor, Lunsford, said.
Under the LOCAL Act, a minority-, woman- or veteran-owned business, as well as any business with 10 employees or fewer, would be eligible to receive a refundable tax credit of 80 percent of its first $5,000 of local advertising for a maximum credit of $4,000 per year. The program would be capped at $10 million annually.
“We are excited to support local businesses,” Stuart Richner, president of Richner Communications Inc., said. “By making advertising more accessible and affordable, the LOCAL Act will empower Long Island’s small businesses to reach new customers while ensuring that our local media outlets continue to connect and inform our residents.”
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
New York State Supreme Court Judge Bruce Cozzens last week denied a request by the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women’s recreational roller derby league, to temporarily block a Nassau County law that restricts sports teams from using county facilities based on biological sex.
The Roller Rebels argued that Local Law 121-24 discriminates against transgender women by preventing them from participating in women’s sports. The league sought a preliminary injunction to stop the law’s enforcement while its lawsuit challenging the law continues.
The Long Island Roller Rebels are members of the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association, which “welcomes all transgender women, intersex women, and gender expansive women to participate in its member leagues. The sex assigned at birth of any and all WFTDA participants is considered confidential and private,” according to court documents.
“I’m very happy that … Cozzens ruled that Nassau County’s local law banning biological males from playing on female sports teams is constitutional and that we did abide by the law,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. “I’m gratified that we were the first in America to do it, and I think we set the tone for the rest of the nation.”
In a 12-6 vote along party lines, the County Legislature passed a bill on June 24 that bans individuals who were born male from taking part in women’s sports and on county-run facilities, regardless of their gender identity.
The county claimed the law was enacted to ensure fairness and safety in sports for biological women, and
argued that federal Title IX regulations protecting women’s sports support its position.
The court ruled that the Roller Rebels failed to prove that the law discriminates against transgender individuals under the state’s Human Rights Law or Civil Rights Law. Cozzens noted that the law does not ban transgender people from participating in sports, but requires leagues to designate teams as male, female or co-ed.
In his decision, he emphasized the safety concerns and physical differences between biological men and women, particularly in contact sports like roller derby. The judge also highlighted the county’s responsibility to use public facilities in ways that serve the majority of taxpayers.
“The power differential between adult individuals
who are born male and those born female is substantial and therefore may be more dangerous,” Cozzens’s decision read. “This would create additional risk to the individual and potential liability, creating costs to the municipality. The municipality is not obligated to provide a recreational setting for each and every individual residing within its confines.”
“As we’ve said all along, it’s just common sense,” Blakeman said. “Biological males should not play in female sports. They have a competitive advantage. It’s unfair, and it’s also unsafe.”
The ruling follows an executive order signed by President Trump on Jan. 20 that eliminated protections for transgender individuals, stating that the federal government would define sex strictly as male or female.
Do you practice fire exit drills in your home? It could help save a life!
Fire drills are an essential part of fire safety, not just in schools and work, but also within the home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the majority of fire deaths occur in the residential setting. Regularly practicing fire drills at home can reduce panic and confusion during an actual emergency, potentially saving lives. Don’t wait for an emergency to be the first time your family goes through the steps to keep them safe.
Fires spread quickly and in some cases, you may have only moments to escape. By practicing fire drills, you ensure that every family member knows how to evacuate the home quickly, where to meet outside the home to account for everyone, how to stay calm during a crisis, panic can slow you down and cloud your judgment and what to do if trapped or if the exit routes are blocked.
Every home should have a clear escape plan. Include the common walk-
ways, as that is how firefighters may set up their rescue efforts if you become trapped or overcome by smoke. Include secondary ways out if in the event the main ways are hampered by smoke or fire. Consider other exits or windows that could accessible by ladders or fire escapes. Make sure all windows and doors can be accessed and are not obstructed.
Designate a meeting point — choose a safe spot outside the home, such as a neighbor’s driveway, where everyone will gather after exiting. This helps to ensure that no one is left behind or unaccounted for. The first question firefighters ask when they arrive at a fire: “is everyone out?”
twice a year or more for households with young children or elderly members. Try to practice drills at different times including nighttime. Many residential fire fatalities occur at night when we families are normally asleep.
Once a potential rescue is considered, firefighters can then focus on containment and extinguishment.
Regularly test smoke detectors throughout the house. A smoke alarm can be a lifesaver, but it only works if it is functioning properly, and if the residents understand what to do when they go off.
Set aside time to practice the fire drill. Ideally, this should be done at least
Have everyone exit the house quickly and calmly. Ensure that children understand the importance of not hiding during a fire. Practice using alternate escape routes. Include “Get Low and Go” to limit smoke inhalation. Smoke rises so staying low to the ground will help you breathe cleaner air. If you cannot exit, signal for help through a window and call for help.
Establish your outside meeting places, and remember to call 911 from a place of safety. Don’t delay getting to safety to call emergency services
Make sure that all family members are familiar with the fire escape routes and the meeting point. If you have young children, walk through the steps together and explain what they should do if they are in a different room from the family when the alarm sounds.
Certain family members may have additional needs or mobility challenges that require extra consideration. Make sure to plan practical escape routes and be prepared to provide assistance in the event of an emergency.
Young children should be taught how to react to a fire alarm, how to exit the house, and how to communicate with emergency responders.
Don’t forget to include pets in your fire safety plan, and let kids know not to delay exiting to search for pets, leave that to the adults and firefighters.
Always use stairs, instead of elevators when evacuating a building. Feel doors before opening: if a door is hot, do not open it. Look for an alternate escape route. Close doors behind you: closing doors can slow the spread of smoke and flames.
Fire drills in the home are a critical part of family safety and preparedness. By planning and practicing, you improve the chances of a better outcome. During a fire, every second counts, and a practiced escape plan can make all the difference.
Sam Pinto is a professional firefighter in the City of Long Beach.
dation options, did not occur this year.
The board has continued to weigh the long-term fiscal and educational implications of maintaining the school. Throughout the process, district officials made a concerted effort to gather all the information they needed to reach an informed decision, undertaking demographic studies, consulting with advisory committees and considering potential impacts on students, staff and the wider community.
The trustees expressed varying perspectives during the meeting. The majority ultimately supported keeping East Elementary open, citing its importance to the community and the lack of a clear, viable plan for repurposing the building. One trustee, Dennis Ryan, opposed the decision, citing concerns about the financial sustainability of maintaining the nearly century-old school and the potential benefits of consolidation for educational and fiscal efficiency. Ryan argued that repurposing the school would have better served the district’s long-term interests.
Tdent for finance and operations, presented more information on the preliminary $157.8 million district budget for the 2025-26 school year — roughly $1.9 million, or 1.21 percent, larger than the current spending plan. It includes routine adjustments, such as a 2.23 percent rise in employee compensation, as many staff members move up to the next step on the salary schedule.
hat’s what the community asked us to do — to take time and to think it through.
alexIs
PaCe Vice president, Board of Education
“We have a fiscal responsibility, and I vote that it should be repurposed,” he said. “I believe it’s the best for (the) educational interests of the children and the community and (the) best financial interests of the entire community.”
The other trustees, however, said they felt that the community’s needs, and the absence of immediate financial necessity, outweighed the potential advantages of repurposing the school. They emphasized the importance of focusing on academic excellence and fostering unity in the district.
More budget details
Michael DeVito, the district’s assistant superinten-
Transportation costs are a particular concern this budget season, with potential contractor rate increases of up to 50 percent, which would cost an additional $700,000. Facilities costs, including utilities, are also expected to rise. The district plans to offset some increases, however, with anticipated savings from retirements, with newer staff members entering at lower salaries. Employee benefits are expected to see a slight reduction, and reduced interest payments on the district’s debt is projected to save $46,000.
“We’re fortunate to see a little bit of a reduction because past this January, our health insurance remained pretty much flat,” DeVito said. “It was able to offset some of the pension contribution increases.”
The district is anticipating an increase of 2 percent, or $390,000, in state foundation aid in 2025-26. Funding tied to student enrollment, however, is expected to decline due to lower enrollment. Building aid may increase slightly as the state processes final reports for recent projects, but administrators expressed concerns about potential long-term decreases in aid due to changes in funding formulas.
The district continues to refine budget projections in meetings with school administrators and district residents. The final budget is scheduled for adoption on April 23, followed by a public hearing. The budget vote and trustee election will take place on May 20.
the planning board will be an obstacle to that, perhaps, and hopefully a really great resource for the city, for developers, for residents to get the city to the vision that all of us — some of us — aspire to. I know we all don’t agree, we have different opinions of the way the city should be, but I think the planning board will be something that will really be helpful to this city going forward.”
The board’s future appointees will undergo four hours of training, and experience in planning will be preferred, but there will be no required qualifications. City employees will be prohibited from serving on the panel.
is going to go a very long way to protect the citizens of the city for things like this multi-million-dollar settlement that we’re paying in taxes right now.”
Negri was referring to the Haberman settlement, which concluded a decadeslong dispute with the developer Sinclair Haberman, who had filed a $130 million suit against the city after it revoked a building permit for a luxury condo project.
I was just really happy with this legislation.
ChrIs FIuMara Councilman
“I would like to thank this administration for … moving the city forward in a nonpartisan way to continue to create this planning board,” said Michael Negri, one of 10 members of the Planning Advisory Board, which worked with the city’s Department of Planning and Development — and which will be renamed once the planning board is established, to avoid confusion. “Which
City Manager Dan Creighton read a note at the meeting from the Nassau County Planning Commission praising Long Beach’s efforts to modernize its development review process. County officials highlighted the importance of proactive planning, particularly in a city with unique challenges like waterfront management and the need for resilient infrastructure to address climate-related risks.
Council members assured meeting attendees that they would monitor the board’s activities to ensure that it runs smoothly, without unnecessary red tape. They emphasized that the board’s purpose is not to discourage development,
the City Council approved amendments to the city charter and local ordinances
make way for a planning board.
but to guide it in order to align with community priorities and long-term sustainability.
The planning board is set to begin
operations later this year, with the city now focused on appointing qualified members and finalizing the procedural framework that will guide its work.
By Danielle Schwab & Tim Baker
Sean Cirillo Oceanside
My 2025 resolution is to replace all my local car trips with walking and biking. Replacing these short trips that are typically done with a car is healthier, saves me money, better connects me to the community and I’m never stuck in traffic on a bike.
Mike
Ahl Babylon
I would like to get stronger. I ride my bike in Babylon. My average is 45 minutes to do 10 miles, and I want to get it under 40 minutes. I have two little boys, I want to be healthy for them.
David Friedman Hewlett
Definitely need a nice relaxing vacation somewhere warm. I haven’t been to Atlantis in many years, or maybe Italy. There are too many things to do and I’m getting older, so I need a vacation.
Sharon Edwards Merrick
Time management is definitely my resolution for this year. Last year really went by quickly; it was over and done. I have everything on one to-do list. I have a family that I want to spend some time with and then I have my business. I’m trying to balance everything.
Cliff
Krauter Bayville
I would like to become more involved in the committees around the city (Glen Cove). I meet many people that do things out of their good nature. It’s something I highly respect and admire and I’d like to try to do more of.
By Danielle Schwab
When it comes to Monster Jam, go big or go home.
Witness the roar of eight monster trucks battle it out for the winning trophy at the fullthrottle competition with plenty of car-smashing, donut-wheeling and back-flipping action fans know and expect.
Monster Jam arrives at UBS Arena next weekend, Feb. 7-9, taking over Belmont Park for three days packed with high-flying action and jaw-dropping stunts. This isn’t just any event — it’s “As Big As It Gets.” where where every moment is unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable.
Both monster truck fanatics and first-time watchers will experience all the motorsport has to offer in a four-part competition ruled by these 12,000 pound mechanical beasts.
Drivers bring out all the stunts for the competition to the delight of spectators.
“Who doesn’t love big trucks crushing stuff, mjumping high in the air, rolling over and doing all the crazy stuff we do?” says Matt Cody, the longtime driver of Grave Digger and 2024 Arena Series West Champion.
• Friday through Sunday, Feb. 7-9; times vary
• Tickets available at ticketmaster.com
• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
always my birthday present. I fell in love with it,” he says.
Starting at 13-years-old, Cody got involved with the event in every way possible — whether it was sweeping floors, cleaning trucks or driving the tractortrailers. His passion and hard work earned him a role as a mechanic for the show, eventually paving the way for him to become an official driver in 2012.
‘Easy come, easy go’ Queen-mania rocks on. Almost Queen returns to the Paramount stage with their homage to the beloved band. They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports you back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. The band — featuring Joseph Russo as Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon, and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor — is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. dynamic live performance showcasing signature four-part harmonies and intricate musical interludes. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision captivates fans of all ages. Almost Queen’s concerts are a true testament to the band’s love for Queen’s music. We Are the Champions!” It’s no wonder fans keep coming back for more.
Saturday Feb. 1, 8 p.m. $79.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $34.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
“From the atmosphere to the production to the people, it’s a big family and it’s a big family sport, everybody’s there to just have fun,” he adds.
Ten years later, Cody started driving the infamous Grave Digger — a 43 year global legend among monster trucks, sporting massive 66-inch tires.
“It’s just a big, bad machine,” Cody says.
Watch as these powerful trucks race for the fastest time, showcase their jaw-dropping skills with epic stunts — some of which are only on two wheels — in competitions of speed and skill. Also see the drivers unleash their trucks’ wild, untamed power in a thrilling freestyle showdown.
And of course, there’ll be plenty of monster-sized donuts to get heads-spinning as well.
This epic ride sports tombstones on its side “for the competitors that we’ve beaten and buried,” he explains.
Going head-to-head against Grave Digger are newcomers Plane Krazy and Krazy Train as well as a new fan favorite, Sparkle Smash, a giant blue-and-purple unicorn that’s sure to kick some butt.
Other trucks returning to claim victory are the always-popular Megalodon, Zombie, El Toro Loco, and Terminal Velocity.
right in the middle of the action, helping to
To make it even more exciting, the judges’ panel includes the entire audience. Fans are right in the middle of the action, helping to crown the event champion as they get to score the drivers in real time based on their skills, stunts, and saves. Everyone gets a say in which truck triumphs with glory and eventually moves on to July’s Monster Jam World Finals.
It’s truly an unforgettable family affair, involving generations of families since Monster Jam’s start in 1992.
“I met so many awesome fans from over the years, dedicated fans who’ll bring their grandfather, the dad, and now son, to an event. And the grandfather will be like, ‘Yeah, I remember bringing my son.’ Even though I’m not the driver that may have been [there] at that time, they’ll take a picture just to recreate that,” Cody says.
“It’s just an awesome experience among the families and the memories that they’re making.”
All of this from the best seat in UBS Arena, which is every seat according to Cody.
“I tell people that in an arena as compared to a stadium, stadiums are cool, but in an arena, there’s not a bad seat in the house.”
Start off the action early. Fans can get a closer look at the trucks and meet the drivers at the exclusive Monster Jam Pit Party — or get revved up prior to the show with sneak peaks, giveways and extra action at the Monster Jam Trackside Experience.
Before taking over the driver’s seat, Cody’s Monster Jam journey began sitting in the audience of Monster Jam events as a kid. Cody, from Williamsport, Md., began to follow the sport at age 8. As a lifelong fan, he knows the thrills it offers to both fan and participant.
Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment
Before taking over the driver’s seat, lifelong fan, he knows the thrills it offers to both
Top left - Sparkle Smash, among the newcomers, joins El Toro Loco and the other trucks in nailing vertical 2-wheel tricks, among other feats.
Music Director Adam Glaser’s South Shore Symphony Orchestra welcomes the New Year with a rousing concert, titled “Heritage and Memory, at its Madison Theatre home. The orchestra is joined by guitarist Tali Roth. Originally from Israel, now based in the New York City area, she’ll be playing the beloved Rodrigo’s Concieto de Aranjuez. The evening’s repertoire also includes Humperdinck’s Prelude to the opera Hansel and Gretel. The charming composition is known for its sweetness and nostalgia to this piece that catches you off guard. Another, Mary Watkins’ Soul of Remembrance is becoming a staple in the orchestra repertoire, and deservedly so, according to Glaser. The program’s second half is devoted to Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 in D major.
“Monster Jam used to come every year. It was
Top right - Monster trucks reach epic heights in the latest edition of Monster Jam. Grave Digger, with Matty Cody (bottom left) and other popular trucks thrill fans in their customized high-power vehicles.
Saturday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444.
Sheng Wang
With his signature laid-back style, as showcased in his Netflix special Sweet & Juicy produced and directed by Ali Wong, comedian, actor, and writer,
Sheng Wang brings his hilarious standup to the Paramount stage, Saturday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m.
Long-time comedian
Sheng Wang is truly coming into his own. Two decades of performing has taken him from doing stand-up for touristy audiences in New York unwilling to give an Asian American comedian the time of day to a successful Netflix special, “Sweet and Juicy,” produced and directed by Ali Wong. Wang asks audiences to not only recognize the personhood of an Asian on stage but to find deep resonance with this person’s honest feelings. He mines comedy from the mundane, everyday parts of life — from the meditative ritual that is shopping at Costco to how to get maximum value from health insurance. Because he’s from Houston, Texas., Wang also speaks with a slight Southern drawl, giving a relaxed quality to his delivery. He likens himself to “A Clown with Words.” Among his other credits, Wang was a featured standup on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” special and also wrote for the ABC show “Fresh Off the Boat.” Wang resides in L.A. and in his time off he enjoys exploring botanical gardens and discovering new ways to snack. $69.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Do you play Mah Jongg and want to meet other community members who play? Join in the game, at Long Beach Library, Wednesdays at 11 a.m. in the auditorium. Practice your skills and have fun while you do it. Bring your own Mah Jongg tiles. 111 W. Park Ave. For more information, visit LongBeachPL. com or call (516) 432-7201.
Do you have questions about your computer or laptop? Want to learn more about Zoom, streaming movies, or downloading ebooks to your device? Join Long Beach Library’s Tech Guy, every Wednesday, 2-3 p.m. to get answers to your pressing tech questions. 111 W. Park Ave. For information, visit LongBeachPL.org.
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, Feb. 1, noon-3 p.m. Kids and their adult partners talk about and make art together. While there, enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum. org to register or call (516) 4849337.
Winter in the woods
Explore Sands Point Preserve in winter, with environmental educator Hildur Palsdottir, Saturday, Feb. 1, 10-11:30 a.m. She will engage participants ill engage audiences in handson nature discovery activities encompassing the preserve’s unique physical features and wildlife.
Conservation issues are also discussed on the walk through the grounds of the former summer residence of Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. $15 ($10 members), $5 children. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.
Visit Long Island Children’s Museum and share in some Groundhog Day fun, Saturday, Feb. 1, noon-2 p.m. Join in on the forecasting festivities and make a groundhog to take home, at the drop-in program. Will he emerge from his burrow and see his shadow or not? For ages 3 and up. Free with admission. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE OF NASSAU COUNTY
TREASURER’S
SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE
Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 18th, 2025, will sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on certain real estate, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party in interest in such real estate shall have paid to the County Treasurer by February 13th, 2025 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property.
Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 percent per six-month period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in Section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code. Effective with the February 2019 lien sale Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased. Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/526/CountyTreasurer
Should the Treasurer determine that an inperson auction shall be held, same will commence on the 18th day of February 2025 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer. A list of all real estate in Nassau County on which tax liens are to be sold is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/527/Annual-TaxLien-Sale
Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in Braille, large print, audiotape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 1-3715.
Dated: January 23, 2025 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, NewYork
TERMS OF SALE
Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts.
However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.
interests in any bankruptcy case affecting their purchased tax lien, including but not limited to the filing of a proof of claim on their behalf, covering their investment in said tax lien. The Nassau County Treasurer and Nassau County and its agencies, assumes no responsibility for any legal representation of any tax lien purchaser in any legal proceeding including but not limited to a bankruptcy case where the purchased tax lien is at risk.
A list of local properties upon which tax liens are to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 06th, 2025. Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans with
The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a tax lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) and the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act(FIRREA),12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et.seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation(FDIC) receivership.
The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed.
The Nassau County Treasurer reserves the right to intervene in any bankruptcy case/litigation where the property affected by the tax liens sold by the Treasurer is part of the bankruptcy estate. However, it is the sole responsibility of all tax lien purchasers to protect their legal
The rate of interest and penalty at which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount for which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all amounts deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase shall be of no further effect. Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of the sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale. Furthermore, as to the bidding,
1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.
2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other
bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.
3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.
4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made in connection with said bid shall be forfeited.
Dated: January 23, 2025 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York 151098
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AN AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232
found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AND AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2019-HB1, Plaintiff, AGAINST
UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF SARAH WARD MOORE A/K/A SARAH WARD A/K/A SARAH MOORE, DANIELLE COPELAND A/K/A DANIELLE MOORE AS NEXT OF KIN AND HEIR AT LAW OF SARAH
WARD MOORE A/K/A
SARAH WARD A/K/A
SARAH MOORE, et al.
Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on July 19, 2024.
I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM premises known as 157 W Chester Street, Long Beach, NY 11561.
Middle schoolers from Temple Emanu-El delivered care packages to the police department to help people dealing with homelessness.
Temple Emanu-El’s 6th to 8th grade Hebrew School students recently delivered over 60 care packages to the Long Beach Police Department to assist individuals experiencing homelessness.
The kits, which contain cold-weather gear, socks, toiletries and other essentials, were assembled as part of a community service project.
“It’s truly a win-win endeavor, Zanerhaft said. “Our 6th,7th and 8th graders who assembled the kits learn that being good means doing good. The students put into action what they are taught, and those in need have a chance for a bit of improvement in their lives.”
The city commended the students for their efforts and everyone who donated, packed and delivered the care packages. The city emphasized that this collaborative initiative reflects Long Beach’s commitment to addressing homelessness and fostering community care. “Long
Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 59, Block 69 and Lot 50, 51, 52. Approximate amount of judgment $872,190.65 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold
subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #602521/2019. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 151077
place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR HILLDALE TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST
Beach cares,” the statement read.
This collaborative effort between Temple Emanu-El, city officials and the LBPD reflects an ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness within the community while allowing young students to engage in meaningful community service.
“Acting Chief DePalma expressed his department’s deep appreciation,” Zanerhaft said. “He explained that this act was so important because when an officer gives one to someone living on the streets or in the bus station, it creates a moment of trust, and an uplift in the demeanor of the recipient which often allows the individual to voluntarily agree to enter a shelter, connect to resources and seek more lasting help.”
- Angelina Zingariello
MARY MARKS, RON MARKS AKA RON EVAN MARKS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 16, 2022, 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 March 3, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 47 East Beech Street, Long Beach, NY 11561. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, Town of Hempstead,
County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 59, Block 99, Lot 61-64. Approximate amount of judgment $1,405,702.49 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #600924/2018. Fay Mattana, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 19-005692 83791 151237
Help Wanted
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.
Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.
Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must.
Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778
Email: info@bellautoschool.com
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OFFICE ASSISTANT PT
Flexible Hours. General Office Duties. Phones, Filing, Light Bookkeeping. $20$25/ Hour. Salary Commensurate With Experience. Email info@cousinsmetal.com Or Call 516-536-7755
SALES
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Q. We want a new boiler and to convert to gas, because oil costs keep rising. How safe are a gas boiler, water heater and stove? We are told it could be very expensive to run a gas line to our home if there isn’t one on the street. We have spoken to a plumber who is looking into this for us, but is this really going to be economical, since we’re retired and just trying to find ways to reduce living costs?
A. Gas is generally safe when the lines are left alone where installed, and not tampered with. We only read or hear news about a gas explosion when something out of the ordinary happens. Years ago, a gas explosion on Long Island turned out to have been caused by thieves who ripped the gas stove out of an empty home, leaving the open gas line spewing gas to the whole house until a spark from the boiler ignited the gas and blew the home up. This is rare, and was caused by ignorance.
You can avoid this by being cautious, and hiring professionals to handle gas appliances. With several steps to convert from oil to gas, you, or your plumber, must verify that gas lines are available on your street. I remember converting to gas, contacting the gas company and, after a week, calling them back and learning that there was no gas, and that the closest location was a block away, on the other side of a busy county road. I was also told that I would have to go door to door to speak to neighbors about converting to gas so that it would be worth it for the gas company to extend the street line into our neighborhood. In other words, the gas company wanted me to market their product if I wanted it for myself.
I did manage to find others around me who were interested in converting. Then we all waited, and wouldn’t you know it, the neighbors started calling me to find out when the gas lines were going to be installed. That prompted me to do what you may also have to do: keep calling. There were issues with getting approvals for the road opening of a county road, which takes months, permits for the gas conversion by the plumber, location of other utilities, oil and tank removal after gas was in.
Plan for summer installation, when the boiler is least needed. As for the expense, it doesn’t pay to buy a less expensive boiler if it’s less efficient, because its operating cost — usually based on how much heat is derived per unit of fuel consumed — will be much more than the money saved at the outset. Incidentally, oil fuel is slightly more efficient than gas, but the cost increases are based on a less stable spot market. Although gas tends to remain more price-stable, for some unknown reason, it tends to increase in cost concurrent with oil increases. Good luck!
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As we embark on the 2025 legislative session, the challenges facing New York have never been more evident. Across the state, families are grappling with the rising cost of living, businesses are struggling under the weight of strict regulations, and public safety concerns remain at the forefront of many New Yorkers’ minds. Additionally, illegal immigration continues to place a significant fiscal burden on our communities, straining resources and compounding these challenges. In this pivotal moment, it is imperative that we seize the opportunity to chart a course toward meaningful reform and lasting prosperity.
Recently, Gov. Kathy Hochul outlined her agenda in her State of the State address, as well as in her proposed $252 billion budget. While I commend her for acknowledging issues like affordable child care, youth mental health and free school meals — issues I have helped champion since taking office — I remain concerned about the increased level of spending and the direction of the governor’s proposals. They must be more than
italking points; they require strategic investments and implementation to yield tangible results for our communities.
For example, addressing youth mental health is an area in which bipartisan consensus is possible. I have introduced legislation to provide funding for schools to hire mental health service professionals, which would ensure that students could more easily access these services, thereby increasing the likelihood that they would seek help when they need it. Likewise, making sure that children receive free school meals isn’t just a moral imperative, but a practical one, because hunger directly impacts educational outcomes. I will work to ensure that these vital initiatives are not overlooked in the upcoming budget negotiations.
Congestion pricing remains a glaring example of misplaced priorities.
Hochul’s agenda is more notable for what it omits. It has been nearly a decade since the Senate Republican conference passed the 2016 middle class tax cuts, which provided much-needed relief to millions of New Yorkers, and I commend the governor for proposing to build on those tax cuts. But while cutting taxes and sending out refund checks is great, those efforts are negated when other proposals increase people’s expenses.
Congestion pricing, in particular, remains a glaring example of misplaced
priorities. It unfairly targets hardworking New Yorkers like first responders and teachers who rely on their vehicles to commute to work and contribute to our economy. While Hochul may frame short-term delays or reductions in toll rates as “savings,” they do nothing to mitigate the long-term financial burden this policy will impose. Instead of imposing new taxes on struggling families, we should focus on cutting costs and empowering local communities to make decisions about their own futures.
New Yorkers have endured enough of the chaos caused by cashless bail laws that handcuff judges and empower criminals. Blaming the judiciary for the consequences of these policies only serves as a distraction from Albany’s failures. True reform starts with restoring judicial discretion and allowing judges to consider the danger posed by defendants when setting bail, which my bill, S.236, would accomplish.
Short-term solutions, like increased police presence on subways, may offer some temporary relief, but fail to address the long-term issues of public safety to prevent crimes from occurring. We need to prioritize lasting reforms that protect families, neighborhoods and commuters
across the state.
One of the most pressing challenges New York faces is the ongoing influx of illegal migrants and the significant fiscal burden it puts on the state. With taxpayer dollars stretched thin, the financial strain of providing housing, health care and education to migrants diverts critical resources away from hardworking New Yorkers, the ones who are covering these additional costs.
Local communities, particularly here on Long Island, are bearing the brunt of this crisis, as their municipal budgets are overwhelmed and their essential services are jeopardized. Schools, for example, are facing increased costs to meet higher demand for English as a New Language services. Albany must prioritize the needs of its residents by addressing these issues head-on and advocating for federal accountability to secure our borders and reduce the financial impact on our state.
As a member of the State Senate, my mission is clear: to fight for policies that make life more affordable, ensure public safety, and foster economic growth for Long Island and all of New York. I will continue to advocate for initiatives that prioritize the well-being of our residents, hold Albany accountable, and work toward a stronger, more prosperous future for our state.
Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick represents the 9th State Senate District.
am a minority in so many ways that I never realized I’m part of a shrinking population of people who read books for fun. We read because we want to. We read because, for some of us, there’s no better way to spend our time. We read because there’s no other human experience that can transport us to another time and place, completely immersing us in the joys and tribulations of people who are the invention of a writer’s mind.
I’ve known for some time that young people aren’t choosing to read books when the competition is TV or social media. I don’t need studies to tell me that, head to head, when it’s reading vs. streaming, reading loses with most teens most of the time.
The Atlantic recently ran a piece by Rose Horowitch revealing that at some of the country’s “elite” colleges, many students are neither willing nor able to read the books they’re assigned for classes. They say they just can’t do it — can’t concentrate for so long, can’t stay with a narrative. Classes that once required some 10
books for the year now assign “excerpts.”
The students aren’t failing to perform. We have failed in preparing them to read properly.
When Horowitch investigated further, she discovered that the problem begins in high school. In recent years, with the ascendance of social media and smartphones, there has been a parallel decline in reading. More disturbing, many teachers are accommodating the change by dumbing down the curriculum, assigning summaries or chapters instead of whole books.
Damn good is the answer. Plot summary, excellent. Discussion of themes, better than I could do. Analysis of language, good enough.
A re parents of young kids reading to them, or are they, too,distracted by phones?
Last week I began teaching a book group for adults. We do a book a week for eight weeks; they’ve had the syllabus since May, so there has been ample time to prepare. These folks are in the class for the pure joy and intellectual stretch of abandoning themselves to a narrative imagined by someone else.
I realize that high school and college kids can probably get by with ChatGPT to find summaries and analyses of the books they’re assigned in class. So, after I had reread the first book for my class and completed my notes, I went to ChatGPT to see what AI could do with the assignment.
But what is missing entirely is any discussion of the emotional component of reading. The summaries can inform you, but they can’t make you feel. I’m remembering reading “Sophie’s Choice” in 1982, my heart twisted around the character as she chose which of her children would live. I’m talking about reading “Beloved” as a teen and perceiving racism in a profoundly new way. When I discovered “Lonesome Dove,” I disappeared for days into the Old West, way past the clichés of cowboys and cattle drives.
This isn’t just a woe-is-me essay. There’s an answer to the problem, and it is to limit or ban smartphone use and social media for children and young teenagers. We limited cigarette smoking and we demanded seat belts. Enlightened and committed leaders can do this. Informed parents can do this.
Kids read before they could Google. They picked up books before they could stream. Living in a world where high
school and college students don’t or can’t find the intellectual bandwidth to read a book is tragic for them personally and for our country. I wonder if parents of young children are regularly reading to them and introducing books, or if they, too, are distracted by phones.
Children who don’t read books grow up to be adults who don’t read, and never learn the subtleties of language and the possibilities of lives and worlds other than their own.
As we begin a new year, here are the books that I’m teaching. Maybe you’ll read one or two. If you do, write to me and we can share our impressions.
“Migrations,” by Charlotte McConaughy; “A Portrait of Dorian Grey,” by Oscar Wilde; “Something I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You,” by Alice Munro; “The Matrix,” by Lauren Groff; “Slow Horses,” by Mick Herron; “The Wren, the Wren,” by Anne Enright; “A Day in the Life of Abed Salama,” by Nathan Thrall; “Of Mice and Men,” by John Steinbeck. We worry about the rise of book banning in today’s America. Remember the horrific dystopia of “1984”? The irony is that book banning and book burning aren’t necessary in a culture that doesn’t read books.
Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. They are the corner stores, familyowned restaurants, and local service providers that fuel our neighborhoods, create jobs, and drive economic growth. Yet these vital businesses often face significant challenges in reaching new customers and growing their operations in an increasingly competitive economy.
With the official introduction in the New York State Legislature of the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally, or LOCAL, Act, small businesses across the state might gain a powerful new tool next year to help sustain their success and maximize the reach of their marketing dollars. Sponsored by State Sen. Monica Martinez and Assemblywoman Jen Lunsford, the legislation would establish a tax credit for small businesses that advertise in local media outlets — from print and digital to television and radio. By making advertising more affordable, the LOCAL Act would empower small businesses to reach their target audiences while also supporting the essential work of the same media outlets that provide our communities with local journalism.
The LOCAL Act focuses on supporting minority-, woman- and veteranowned businesses, as well as any businesses with 10 or fewer employees. For
Blakeman takes the credit, but how safe is the county?
To the Editor:
many of these entrepreneurs, the ability to advertise affordably in trusted, community-driven platforms like local newspapers would be a game-changer. Local media outlets are well positioned to connect businesses with their neighbors — customers who are eager to shop locally and uplift their communities.
This legislation couldn’t come at a better time. Small businesses are still navigating the economic aftershocks of the pandemic, inflationary pressures, and competition from large corporations with massive marketing budgets. The LOCAL Act would help level the playing field, giving your favorite momand-pop store a way to increase visibility without sacrificing their scarce financial resources.
When our small businesses thrive, so do our communities. Small businesses employ your neighbors, sponsor your kids’ Little League team, and offer a convenient destination for a night out with your spouse. These businesses are not only economic drivers, but also cornerstones of community identity.
The benefits of the LOCAL Act would extend beyond businesses. Local media outlets, too, are vital to communities, because they produce the journalism that keeps people informed about school board meetings, neighborhood crime, church bake sales and the
most recent newlyweds — and everything in between. Unfortunately, declining advertising revenues have jeopardized the financial sustainability of many of these media outlets, and small newsrooms have been shuttering across the state. By encouraging small businesses to advertise locally, the LOCAL Act would helps these outlets continue their essential work of championing their communities.
This dual benefit — supporting both small businesses and local journalism — has already garnered strong support from business groups, community leaders, and the 200-plus local newspapers comprising the Empire State Local News Coalition — including the Heralds. It’s a win-win solution that strengthens the backbone of our local economy while fostering a unified, informed citizenry.
The LOCAL Act marks a bold step forward in tackling the interconnected challenges our communities are facing today. By working together to implement and embrace this program, we can build stronger businesses, sustain vital journalism, and ensure the prosperity of communities across New York for years to come.
We support this smart legislation. Tell your elected leaders in Albany to include the LOCAL Act in the final fiscal year 2026 state budget.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman boasts in his Jan. 16-22 Herald op-ed, “Safety and affordability must be Nassau’s priorities,” that he has made Nassau County the safest county in the nation. But Blakeman neglects to acknowledge that the same top ranking in a U.S. News & World Report annual survey was also attained in two consecutive years during the tenure of his predecessor, Democrat Laura Curran.
The Republican county executive attributes the comparatively high degree of security to “our investments in public safety.” Blakeman notes that he has sworn in 291 new police officers since taking office in 2022.
While the additional cops may be helping keep violent-crime rates at the low level achieved under Curran, an expanded Nassau County Police Department has done little to make the county’s roads safer. Blakeman says nothing, and has done nothing, about the traffic violence that resulted in nearly 150 deaths in the county during his first two years in office. Killings by armed assailants claimed fewer than 10 lives in the same period.
The NCPD, and Blakeman, appear uninterested in acting to reduce this carnage. County police issued about 20 percent fewer tickets to drivers in 2022 than in
2019, according to the most recent data available from state sources. Stricter enforcement would likely bring about a drop in fatal crashes related to speeding
Like so many others, I have watched the California wildfires unfold with a mix of horror and awe.
For those unfamiliar with the scale of destruction, the fires that began igniting near Los Angeles in early January have scorched over 40,000 acres, claimed at least 27 lives, injured more than 20 people and destroyed over 15,000 structures.
As I followed news reports, watched television coverage and scrolled through social media during the first week of the fires, one message stood out: Nearly everyone had California and its residents in their thoughts and prayers. Relief efforts and fundraisers quickly sprang into action as people rallied to help and offer support wherever it was needed. It is in our nature as humans to want to help. Yet to my dismay, almost as soon as the relief efforts began, conspiracies started surfacing. And not to be punny, but they spread like, well, wildfire. On my social media feeds, I occasionally come across videos from a popular
account called “Gubba Homestead.” The account owner, a farmer, often starts her videos with the tagline, “I’m a conspiracy theorist . . .” From there she dives into various claims, many of which can be debunked by science. The videos are clickbait-like in their nature, designed to provoke reactions or outrage in the comments — an approach that boosts views and amplifies the videos’ spread.
tIt’s a fascinating, albeit troubling, method of online content creation, and I wasn’t surprised when, about a week after the fires began, she appeared on my feed once again, starting with the familiar line, “Call me a conspiracy theorist, but . . .”
atures in 2024 were dubbed “abnormally hot” by scientists at the University of California — which should surprise no one. And it’s not just the West Coast that has been affected by fires. Think about what occurred just a few months ago in upstate New York.
heories started surfacing almost as soon as the relief efforts began in L.A.
She went on to claim that there was no way the L.A. wildfires could have been caused by climate change, offering harmful commentary that did nothing to help anyone during a time of tragedy. Without diving too deep, I’ll tell you this: Climate scientists have indicated that the likelihood of fire events has increased by 31 to 66 percent since 1950, due to intense periods of strong rainfall, which create more vegetation, followed by periods of extreme drought, which dries out that vegetation. Global temper-
and driving under the influence — the two leading causes of road deaths. Blakeman seeks to project a toughguy image when it comes to crime. That accounts for his unilateral move to create a force of 75 armed “special deputies” to be activated whenever he chooses. This new unit, criticized as a private militia, will be mobilized in cases of “emergency,” the county executive maintains. But the carnage on the county’s roads does not, in his estimation, qualify as a topic worth addressing — let alone as an “emergency.”
KevIN J KeLLeY Atlantic Beach
To the editor:
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent state budget proposal fails to adequately address New York’s energy infrastructure. The proposal does not mention nuclear power, even though it is the state’s best energy opportunity. equally troubling is the omission of the empire State Wind project, a once-central component of New York’s energy goal of generating net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. If the governor rec-
ognizes that wind energy faces significant public opposition, especially on Long Island, then it’s time to focus on funding nuclear energy projects instead.
Nuclear power is the most efficient form of renewable energy, generating massive amounts of electricity with a much smaller land footprint than wind or solar. This is best demonstrated by the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant, which never went online. The plant’s site now houses wind turbines that produce 1/35,000th of the energy the nuclear plant would have generated. While there were justifiable concerns about building a reactor downstate, Hochul should now look to fund nuclear reactors upstate that would create electricity for downstate communities.
The closure of the Indian Point energy Center in 2021 underscores the urgency of building a better energy grid for New York. This move forced downstate New York to increase its reliance on fossil fuels, driving up emissions and worsening air pollution. Communities already struggling with environmental and health inequities continue to bear the brunt of these decisions.
Nuclear power is resurging across the country. Tech companies such as Microsoft and Meta are restarting nuclear reactors because they recog -
Climate change is real, and it’s here. People can ignore the truth, but there’s no place in this conversation for conspiracies.
At the core of American values lies the principle of free speech. Thoughtful questioning and theorizing have driven breakthroughs once deemed impossible. Scientific discoveries have emerged, and transformative social change has been achieved, thanks to people who challenged the status quo — doing so with ethical integrity and moral purpose.
What’s unfolding across social media, as Californians work to rebuild their lives, is neither ethical nor moral. Those whose lives have been upended don’t need “influencers” spreading baseless claims or (again, sorry) fanning the flames of conspiracy.
This behavior exploits tragedy for attention, shifting the focus away from the victims and the real issues at hand. It undermines efforts to address the underlying causes, like climate change
and inadequate infrastructure, and distracts from the stories of resilience and heroism that deserve to be heard.
The conspiracy phenomenon isn’t unique to the California fires. From hurricanes to pandemics to mass shootings, misinformation and conspiracy theories seem to surface in the wake of nearly every major tragedy. Under the guise of seeking the “truth,” sensationalized theories simply capitalize on fear, confusion and distrust, and accomplish nothing.
To complicate things, Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, announced a few weeks ago that it was scrapping its fact-checking program, which flagged possible misinformation — a move that will just keep conspiracies burning, spreading and infiltrating the minds of many.
I’m not suggesting that we stop questioning or trying to make sense of the world around us, but as always, we must remain mindful. Consider the weight of your words and actions, and the harm that conspiracies can inflict. There’s a time and place for questions, based on the truth. That’s how we rebuild and move forward. But in the aftermath of tragedy, we can’t afford to make room for ignorance.
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? Jvallone@liherald.com.
nize that they are the most effective way to fuel their operations sustainably. It’s time for New York to follow suit. Governor Hochul should take bold action to fund nuclear energy projects, ensuring that downstate residents have access to renewable power.
