Malverne/West Hempstead Herald 02-06-2025

Malverne/West HeMpstead

Six more weeks of winter!

Malverne Mel makes his 30th annual prognostication

By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com

Last weekend, Malverne Mel made his 30th annual prognostication before a crowd at Chester A. Reese Veterans Memorial Park. This year, Mel found himself in agreement with Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil, as both rodent prognosticators saw their shadows and predicted six more weeks of winter.

“I, Mayor Tim Sullivan, of the Incorporated Village of Malverne, do today proclaim that on the second day of February, in the year 2025, I witness to Malverne Mel, Long Island’s pre-eminent prognosticator of all prognosticators, that he prognosticated to me that upon looking for his shadow, it surely could be seen, so I must now announce, to skiers’ delight, there will be six more weeks of winter!” the mayor stated.

The festivities, which have take place at CrossConTinueD on paGe 7

Know your rights: How to act in police encounters

By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com

Lawyer Uchenna Emeagwali instructed Malverne and Lakeview youth the proper way to act if they are stopped by police officers, cautioning them that they can’t talk their way out of trouble.

Emeagwali, a supervising attorney with The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Office, led a “Know Your Rights” discussion for the youngsters and their families on Jan. 26 in the Community Room at Harold Walker Memorial Park. He explained how the legal system works and how to

respond when interacting with law enforcement.

“I’m always talking with my sons about the subject,” Emeagwali, whose work is mostly focused in his native Queens, said during the workshop. “And I realized a lot of people don’t really know what to do when they’re interacting with the police.”

The workshop, which Emeagwali organized after seeing expressed interest from the community, involved role-playing as a mode of working though hypothetical interactions with police. Emeagwali, who lives in Malverne, coached attendees in the correct ways to

react in different situations based on his legal expertise and experience.

“If our kids ever do get stopped by the police, they should know how to respond,” he added.

Throughout the workshop, Emeagwali emphasized that whenever anyone interacts with police — whether during an arrest or stopped for questioning — they should request to speak with a lawyer. This protects defendants by guaranteeing their right to an attorney at every stage of a criminal proceeding. Attorneys can protect the client, ensuring their rights are upheld throughout the legal

process, he said.

He also told the middleschool age crowd attending the workshop that, as minors, police are not allowed to speak to them without a parent present. While parents are important, according to Emeagwali, a lawyer should be a priority because police officers in New York are allowed to use the Reid tech -

nique, an interrogation method employed to create high-pressure situations to extract information from suspects or trick them into confessing.

Other methods of coercing a confession from suspects include placing them in isolation, sleep deprivation, or withholding food and water, among

Madison Gusler/Herald

Mayor Tim Sullivan listened to Malverne Mel’s 30th annual prognostication at last Sunday’s Groundhog Day celebration.

Hablamos Español

Gillen is ceremonially sworn in to House

By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com

Laura Gillen celebrated joining the U.S. House of Representatives, where she represents New York’s 4th Congressional District, at a ceremonial swearing-in at the Elmont Public Library on Jan. 25.

Nearly 400 people gathered in the library’s theater to honor Gillen, who was officially sworn into office in Washington on Jan. 3. Former Rep. Steve Israel did the ceremonial honors, with the help of Gillen’s husband, Chris Gillen.

In 2024, Gillen announced she would run against Republican incumbent Anthony D’Esposito, whom she had challenged in 2022, losing narrowly. But voters chose Gillen by a margin of about 2 percentage points in last November’s election.

Congressman Gregory Meeks, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow also attended the library ceremony.

“As you are taking your oath, we could not be prouder of you,” Solages told Gillen. “This moment is really a testimony to your hard work, your dedication and the trust that you have earned from so many of us. Your vision in this district gives us hope and gives us confidence. And we know that the integrity, compassion and determination you have will resonate here, in D.C. and all over.”

Meeks recalled the uncertainty of the October election, particularly in the 4th C.D. But, he said, the Democratic caucus chose Gillen to run because of her character, her ability to connect with the community and her care for all citizens.

“You can’t be a leader if you’re not willing to serve,” Meeks said. “And we

the awesome opportunity to serve the people of this district, and gratitude to all those that made this possible.”

She thanked the elected officials who supported her campaign, expressed enthusiasm about working with them and thanked her family, who she said sacrificed so much in the months leading up to the election to help her campaign.

From 2018 to 2019, Gillen was the first Democrat to serve as Town of Hempstead supervisor in 112 years, which she attributed to her dedication to compromise and bipartisanship.

“Working across the aisle was a necessity,” she said. “It wasn’t always easy. But with a carrot and a stick, we made it possible.”

saw in Laura one that served and one that listened. She’s coming and talking to all sides, and she’s looking for ways to bring people together to better the entire United States of America.”

“So, I made it to Capitol Hill,” Gillen laughed when it was her turn to speak, to loud applause. “I have gratitude for

Among her successes during her time as supervisor, she continued, was the leadership she demonstrated in bringing down taxes, upgrading infrastructure, serving communities that had been ignored, challenging polluters and bringing vital ethical reforms to the town to ensure that public servants were accountable to the people they serve.

“Now, as your congresswoman, those lessons will continue to guide me,” she said. “I’ll always put Long Island and our nation first, and work to do what’s best for all the people in our community. It is the honor of my lifetime to be your congresswoman.”

Tim Baker/Herald

Former U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, left, and Rep. Laura Gillen’s husband, Chris Gillen, took part in her ceremonial swearing-in before a cheering crowd, three weeks after Gillen began her term in the House of Representatives.

OBITUARY

West Hempstead basketball star dies at 84

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

A former West Hempstead basketball star passed away in December in Florida. Mike Cingiser passed away on Dec. 18, 2024 at the age of 84.

“He lived a really splendid life,” shared his daughter, Karen Cingiser. “He was such a good human. It was pretty incredible, the impact he had on people.”

Cingiser was born in Manhattan on Sept. 23, 1940, but he lived in Queens, before his family moved to Malverne Oaks South while he was in elementary school.

While attending West Hempstead High School Cingiser led the Rams to the 1957 Nassau title. He was named tournament MVP, scoring 38 points in the semifinals and 24 in the championship game as a junior.

As a senior, Cingiser received the Carl Molusky Award as the South Shore Athletic League’s top player.

Cingiser graduated from West Hempstead in 1958 as the program’s all time leading scorer, with 1,185 points. He was a two-time first-team All-Nassau County basketball selection, as well as an honorable-mention all-county baseball player and a first singles tennis player.

Cingiser attended Brown University, where he played for the university basketball team, the Bears, for three years following his time on the freshman team.

In all three of his varsity seasons, Cingiser was named First Team All-Ivy League with the Bears. He graduated as Brown’s leading scorer after scoring 1,331 points. Cingiser averaged 17.8 points per game, ranking tied for fourth in program history.

“He had a reputation of being extremely competitive,” said Russ Tyler, Brown Bear alumni and color commentator for their games. “From what I understand, he could score the ball, take it to the basket, hit jump shots and then score the ball from deep. He was a great rebounder.”

While in school, Cingiser won a gold pedal for the United States at the 1961 Maccabiah Games, playing alongside Larry Brown.

Cingiser received an English degree from Brown University in 1962. That same year he was selected in the ninth round of the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics but decided to pursue coaching and teaching instead.

Cingiser was inducted in the Brown Athletic hall of fame in 1971.

“He may be Brown’s greatest player ever,” Tyler added.

In 1962, Cingiser married Marjan Sann. The two met in the late 50’s while working as counselors at a day camp located in Plainview.

Soon after Cingiser’s graduation, they moved onto Long Island, eventually settling in Lynbrook. Cingiser worked as a high school English teacher in Lynbrook for 18 years.

“He had a love of words, a love of language,” Karen recalled. “Loved to read loved to write, loved to correct people’s grammar.”

He served the district coaching both basketball and tennis. As head coach, Cingiser led Lynbrook’s boy’s basketball teams won six league titles and two Long Island South Shore Championships. The boy’s tennis team won ten league titles in ten seasons under his coaching. Cingiser was named Long Island Coach of the Year twice and in 2019 he was inducted into the Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame. He also spent two years as the assistant coach for Hofstra’s men’s basketball team, wining back-to-back East Coast conference Championships and appearing in two NCAA tournaments.

Afterschool and during some summers Cingiser worked as a tennis instructor at racquet and country clubs throughout the island. The summers he wasn’t

instructing, Cingiser worked as the head counselor at overnight summer camps his children attended. Marjan would work as camp photographer.

After several years applying for the position, Cingiser became head coach of the Brown Bears in 1981. He moved his family up to Rhode Island and spent ten years as head coach, winning a total of 93 games. Cingiser led the Bears to their lone Ivy League championship in the 1985-86 season, bringing the team to the NCAA tournament.

“My senior year, when we won the title, he put a number on the whiteboard in the locker room that was there the entire season. The number was 3.13,” recalled Michael Waitkus, who played under Cingiser’s coaching in the championship game. “So March 13, the first day of the NCAA tournament in 1986. And every day we walked in, looked at that number and that was the single goal, just to be playing on 3.13, and we got there.”

“He was a great man Mike,” Waitkus added. “Mike was a great human being. He touched so many people, people like me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without somebody like Mike, he was a wonderful, wonderful

Cingiser and his wife, Marjan, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary while on vacation with family in Rhode Island in August 2022. He is pictured here with his greatest accomplishment, his six grandchildren.

human being and great coach.”

After leaving Brown, he worked as a co-director of Camp Wah-nee in Torrington, Connecticut. In retirement, Cingiser and Marjan moved to South Carolina and then Florida. Cingiser spent his free time watching sports, caddying, playing golf and enjoying old home movies.

He died unexpectedly, surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Marjan, daughters, Karen and Lisa, son David, their spouses and, his greatest accomplishment, his six grandchildren. His daughter Nicole predeceased him.

“The greatest gift he gave to us and to the people that were involved in his life, is a sense of family,” said Karen. “He created family with his high school basketball players at Lynbrook. He created family with the players at Brown. He had a great sense of humor and a great sense of loyalty and was able to build relationships that created family.”

In lieu of a funeral, Brown will honor Cingiser’s memory with a ceremony at 3:00 pm on Feb. 15 ahead of their home game against Penn.

Courtesy Brown Athletics

Mike Cingiser coached the Brown Bears from 1981 to 1991. He led the team to their lone Ivy League championship in the 1985-86 season.

Courtesy Karen Cingiser

Proposed opt-out of zero-emission buses

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

The New York State Assembly introduced a bill that would allow local school districts to opt out of a new state law mandating the transition to electric school buses. Lawmakers argue that the measure, which requires districts to replace diesel buses with zero-emission models, presents significant energy and cost-related challenges.

“School districts across New York have raised serious concerns about the financial burden of the mandated transition to electric school buses,” said Assemblyman Ed Ra in a statement. Ra represents the 19th district, including West Hempstead. “The cost of purchasing these buses—along with the necessary charging infrastructure—is simply unsustainable for many districts, including those in Nassau County.”

At a news conference on Jan. 28, the proposed Assembly and Senate bills were introduced. If passed, they would give school districts the option to apply for a waiver from the state’s commissioner of education, allowing them to bypass certain zero-emission bus requirements.

“I support giving school districts the flexibility to make decisions based on their financial and logistical realities rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all state mandate,” said Ra. “This legisla -

tion is a pragmatic step toward recognizing the challenges schools face and providing them with a much-needed optout option.”

Under current law, starting in 2027, school districts in New York will be required to purchase electric school buses to replace traditional diesel models. The state offers transportation aid as partial reimbursement for bus pur-

Planning for Those You Are Responsible For

A client came in to see us for their follow-up consultation. The client shared that, in between their two meetings with us, the husband‘s brother had suffered a stroke and was now in a rehabilitation facility. He was a bachelor. He had no power of attorney or health care proxy. He may or may not have had a will -- they didn’t know. Further, they were unable to get access to his apartment to clean out the fridge, get his clothes, and look for his papers, because he had failed to put them on the list of persons approved to enter in the event of an emergency.

One of the most overlooked areas in estate planning is the question of who you are responsible for. Do you have a friend or relative who you know will need to rely on you if something happens? Either they have no one else or everyone else is too far away. If you have the responsibility, then make sure that you have the documents you will need to carry out that responsibility. Otherwise, you may be facing a guardianship proceeding. Similarly, so many of our clients have adult

children with young families. Do you know whether your children have wills, powers of attorney and health care proxies?

There are serious pitfalls for young families if one spouse dies without a plan. Roughly half of their assets go to their surviving spouse and half to the children. The court will appoint a legal guardian for the children’s money and the unused portion must be turned over to them at age eighteen, ready or not!

A potentially more serious problem for older adults is whether their sons and daughters who have families possess adequate life insurance. If your son or daughter dies without sufficient life insurance, you may be called upon to support and educate your grandchildren out of your retirement money.

Finally, if you are responsible for the care of an elderly parent, then make sure it is you who has the power of attorney and health care proxy and not another sibling who may end up controlling the situation from afar, much to your dismay.

LAW FIRM

&

chases, but the new measure has raised concerns about its affordability.

“Even though the Environmental Bond Act offers both public school districts and contracted fleet operators over $500 million in funding toward school bus electrification, this is not nearly enough to fund this transition,” said Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, who represents Malverne and the rest of the 21st district, in a statement. She expressed her concerns that the additional costs of this “well-intentioned” mandate would fall to local taxpayers. “School districts must be assured that state and federal resources will be provided to help school districts efficiently and cost-effectively comply with the timeline.”

A group of Republican state senators sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, expressing concerns over the high costs of electric buses. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average new electric school bus costs approximately $400,000, compared to about $130,000 for traditional diesel buses.

Hochul defended the initiative in a statement. “It is not enough to encourage New Yorkers to buy electric — we must build green infrastructure that will drive New Yorkers to choose cleaner

and greener modes of transportation.”

The push for electric school buses is part of New York’s broader environmental goal of reaching 850,000 zero-emission vehicles by 2025, with plans for all new passenger vehicles to be electric by 2035. Critics of the mandate argue that electric buses cost two to four times more than traditional buses.

One analysis estimated that it could cost between $8 billion and $15.25 billion for school districts to transition their fleets from gas-powered to electric buses. Though these estimates do not include the costs of infrastructure and facility upgrades that would be needed to support these buses.

“I believe the timeline to transition to zero-emissions school buses needs to be reevaluated,” said Griffin. She expressed her concerns about the existing increased costs of transportation school districts face and is open to alternative ideas for funding this transition, along with other transportation related costs. “I don’t believe that the measure to permit districts to simply opt out of the zero-emission bus transition meets the moment.”

Additional reporting contributed by Madison Gusler.

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Courtesy Metro Creative

electric school buses by 2027.

CHASE TIMBERLAKE

Baldwin Senior Basketball

AFTER HELPING LEAD the Bruins to a historic 2023-24 season highlighted by a fourth straight Nassau Class AAA title, Timberlake joined a very short list of 1,000-career point scorers in program history. On Jan. 17, he reached the milestone previously achieved only by his head coach Darius Burton, a 1993 Baldwin graduate. Timberlake is well on his way to a second All-County selection, averaging a team-high 24 points per game.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Feb. 6

Boys Basketball: Baldwin at G.N. North 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Carey at Roosevelt 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Elmont at Hewlett

Boys Basketball: G.N. South at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Lawrence at West Hempstead 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: South Side at Manhasset 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Mepham at New Hyde Park

Girls Baksetball: Jericho at MacArthur 7

Girls Basketball: Bethpage at Kennedy 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: V.S. Central at Mepham 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Manhasset at South Side 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 7

Girls Basketball: V.S. South at Lynbrook 4:45 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Syosset at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Clarke at Mineola 6:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Seaford at Malverne 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Floral Park at Wantagh 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 8

Wrestling: Nassau County Division 1 qualifier tournaments at Farmingdale, Long Beach, Oceanside, Jericho, Massapequa and Kennedy 9 a.m.

Gymnastics: Coaches Invitational at North Shore 10 a.m.

Boys Basketball: Uniondale at Hicksville 12 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

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.

West Hempstead tops East Rockaway

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

The road has been a bumpy one for the West Hempstead and East Rockaway girls’ basketball programs this season with a combined record of 4-25 heading into their Jan. 28 matchup.

It was a nailbiter midway through the third quarter before West Hempstead stretched a four-point lead to double digits entering the fourth, then pulled away for a 52-36 road victory to complete a season sweep of the Rocks.

Senior Constance Berry-Rowley and junior Daniela Healy both had a gamehigh 17 points and eighth grader Heather Chrobet added 9 to lead West Hempstead to its fourth win in 15 tries.

“We work a lot on shooting threes and we did a nice job tonight from there and the foul line,” Rams head coach Chris Van Kovics said. “We’ve been getting better and better. Tonight was probably our best game from start to finish. We have three quality guards. Heather has great basketball knowledge and skills. Constance is one of our best shooters and Daniela is athletic and does a lot out there.”

Senior Sophia Pappas and sophomore Colleen Lynch led East Rockaway (1-15) with 10 points apiece. Senior Norah Rose added 9.

“It’s been a tough season, but every game the girls work hard and fight until the end,” Rocks head coach Cheri Poland said. “We’ve been struggling on the offensive end, but we’re proud of our defense. Tonight we were in it pretty much the whole way, we just couldn’t get over the top.”

Healy had two field goals and went 4-for-4 on free throws in the opening quarter to help West Hempstead build a 17-10 lead. An evenly played second quarter saw both teams get plenty of contributions. Chrobet, Berry-Rowley, Healy, and sophomore Isabella Salimbene all hit shots for the Rams, while Rose, Lynch, Pappas and freshman Leila Perez did the same for the Rocks.

The Rams led by nine at the half but had a cold spell early in the second half

Eighth grader Heather Chrobet had 9 points

Jan. 28 at East Rockaway.

and saw their lead dwindle to 31-26 as Lynch and Pappas accounted for the only points through four minutes of the third quarter.

That’s when West Hempstead’s role players made some noise. Junior Jazmyn Russell, senior Madison Cates and sophomore Ana Rizzuto all provided key baskets to stretch the advantage to 40-30 entering the fourth.

Berry-Rowley and Chrobet opened the final quarter with back-to-back 3s, and Chrobet added a fast-break layup for a 48-30 cushion.

“Basketball is her sport and she

plays AAU,” Van Kovics said of Chrobet, who scored 24 in the team’s 55-43 win over East Rockaway in the first meeting Dec. 17. “She has good size and can play down low if we need her to.” Both teams have three games remaining and two common opponents — Carle Place and Oyster Bay. West Hempstead also has Cold Spring Harbor, while East Rockaway has Locust Valley.

The Rocks are without a JV, but Poland said she’s hopeful for the future. “We have two junior high teams coming up,” she said.

Derrick Dingle/Herald

to help lead the Rams to a 52-36 victory

Malverne celebrates Groundhog Day

roads Farm at Grossmann’s in recent years, were moved to Veterans Memorial Park in honor of the 30th annual ceremony. As Mel’s predecessor, also named Malverne Mel, made his first prognostication in the same park in 1996, proclaimed by then Mayor Joseph Canzoneri.

Deputy Mayor Scott Edwards, village Trustees Perri Cuocci, Lori Lang and Carl Prizzi joined Sullivan onstage, accompanied by former Mayor Patti McDonald, U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and East Rockaway Mayor Gordon Fox.

Tand Maurice W. Downing Primary schools.

After receiving a letter from People for the Ethical treatment of Animals, PETA, and Humane Long Island highlighting the potential stress on groundhogs during these celebrations, the village took extra steps to prioritize Mel’s safety and comfort during the ceremony.

“I visited Mel earlier in the week, and while he wouldn’t tell me what he was going to say today, he was very sleepy,” Sullivan said. “But I can assure you that he is well taken care of.”

here will be six more weeks of winter!

Children and adults from near and far attend the event. They endured the freezing weather and gathered just as the sun began to rise, preparing to witness Mel’s official prognostication.

The celebration included hot chocolate and other refreshments, as well as groundhog-themed cookies and cupcakes from the Rare Treats Baking Company. The winners of a poster contest, determined with the help of the event sponsors, the Malverne Civic Association, were announced, and hung in Malverne’s Long Island Rail Road station house. The artwork was created by students from Our Lady of Lourdes, Grace Lutheran, James A. Dever Elementary, Davison Avenue Intermediate

The mayor visited Mel at his home with the STAR Foundation, to check on him and speak with his handler.

“The STAR Foundation cares for sick and injured animals,” Sullivan said. “In the case of Mel, he was sick and injured years ago. It is through the wonderful staff and volunteers at the STAR Foundation that he was brought back to good health.”

Mel is cared for daily by the foundation, and its staffers oversaw his handling during the ceremony. This year they used the ceremony to promote their work, handing out fliers and encouraging attendees to make donations.

“We ask you to help support them,” Sullivan said. “Help support Mel’s home and the other creatures that need care and rehabilitation, like Mel did.”

News brief

West Hempstead man sentenced for crash

The West Hempstead man that caused a fatal crash in Woodmere in December 2021 was sentence on Jan. 31 to up to 21 years in prison.

Arlin Aguilera, 37, was convicted of several charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide on Aug. 21 of last year.

He was driving a blue 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck that was traveling north on Peninsula Boulevard when it struck a white 2018 Audi Q5 sport utility vehicle that was turning southbound onto Peninsula Boulevard by Edward Avenue on Dec. 11 in 2021. It was alleged he was driving while intoxicated.

ahead. But tragically, Liel never left that car alive, because Arlin Aguilera, drunk and speeding, barreled into the vehicle and killed her,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a news release.

The subsequent crash killed Liel Namdar, 15, a sophomore at the Torah Academy for Girls in Far Rockaway. The four other people in the Audi were injured, including the driver Miriam Meltser who was severely injured.

“Liel Namdar was excited to be reunited with her friends from summer camp and hopped into the back of the car with them, ready for a fun night

“Aguilera fled the jurisdiction days before his trial and remained a fugitive from justice until October when he was arrested by the Nassau County Police Department Fugitive Squad and U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force,” Donnelly added. “We used every tool at our disposal to ensure that this defendant was found and held accountable for the lives that he ripped apart. I thank the NCPD and U.S. Marshals for their persistent efforts. Drunk driving continues to be an epidemic on our roadways, and NCDA remains focused on educating drivers about the perils of driving while impaired and holding drivers accountable for flouting our laws and endangering our streets.”

–Jeffrey Bessen

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the village’s board of trustees attended the celebration in traditional top hats.

Tim Sullivan Malverne Mayor

arlin aguilera

School NEWS

Malverne schools welcome new STEM Supervisor

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

Q: What are you looking forward to in your new role as STEM Supervisor for the Malverne school district?

Debbie Langone: I’m looking forward to working with STEM on the K-12 level, getting to know the community, building relationships, and working to keep what’s already great here in STEM and continuing to enhance our programs to keep up with the ever-changing world.

Q: How did you become interested in STEM education?

Langone: I come from a family of educators. My mom is a retired administrator and she was a teacher for many years. So, I guess the love for learning is deep rooted in me. She always had an intense passion, which seems to fill me in my life. I always loved science as a student and as I get older, I love just being entrenched in science and working with kids and students.

Q: Can you tell me a bit about your career history?

What led you to your current position?

Langone: I’ve been in education about 30 years from that. I have taught on all grade levels, so I taught elementary science programs for ten years. I taught middle school for about nine years. I taught secondary for many years and I also taught college and graduate courses.

My first administrative position was in East Meadow high school, I was chairperson of science 9-12. I did that for seven years. Absolutely loved it. I wanted to extend to a K-12 position so I took a director of science position in West Islip school district. I was in charge of the science and engineering technology curriculum for K-12 in seven different buildings. I did that for four years.

Then my latest position was in the Seaford school district. I was executive director of instructional technology and STEAM K-12. I was in charge of the tech team and infrastructure, and I learned a lot with technology. However my passion is truly in curriculum. So what I’ve learned to love is science and math, and I just wanted to solely focus on sci -

ence, math, and engineering technology. Which I’m very happy to be here, to be doing math and science K-12. It’s my true passion to work with teachers, to support teachers so that they can support their students. That’s what I love the most. I love being grassroots, in classrooms, working alongside educators to support students, so that’s what led me to Malverne.

Q: What do you bring to Malverne’s STEM Program?

Langone: Throughout my career I’ve learned that networking is so important, networking with companies and organizations. I’ve networked with engineering companies, such as Lockheed Martin, Curtiss-Wright, Designatronics, making connections for students, opening up doors for mentorship programs, and just bridging students from high school to the real world. I love doing that, and with the direction education is going I think it would be very beneficial to expand on those types of programs here.

I am also very strong in ele-

What’s neWs in and out of the classroom

HERALD SchoolS

mentary STEM. My dissertation was focused on coaching teachers to support students in STEM education on the elementary level. I feel that infusing students in STEM in early elementary boost their confidence in STEM fields and they’ll be more likely to enjoy science and math. That’s one area that I’m strong in and I’m happy to bring that here for our young scholars.

Q: What are your priorities as you take on this new role?

Langone: Relationships come first. I feel building relationships and trust is so important. I really work alongside teachers to strengthen pedagogical practices in the classroom, at the grassroots level. I think getting to know our community, our community needs, our students, and teacher’s needs are so important. Every community is different and unique, so in the beginning, forming those relationships and learning what the Malverne community is all about, what our strengths are, and what we could do to continue growing is the most important first step.

Malverne students prep for science fairs

Eight graders in Howard T. Herber Middle School’s Science Research class are getting ready for competition season, as they work hard to complete their experimental trials.

Months of preparatory work led to this point. Students began with exploring the fundamentals of research, then selecting topics before they designed and executed their experiments.

With their project

“Relative Rates of Abrasion in Metamorphic

Rocks,” Christian St. Cyr, left, and Elliot Sheridan are looking to determine the best construction materials from metamorphic rocks by determining which one wears out the least.

These young scientists will be presenting their research at prestigious competitions and science fairs, including the Long Island Science Congress, the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair, Thermo Fisher MASTERS Middle School Science Fair and the South Asian American Women’s Alliance Science Research Competition.

DEBBIE L ANGONE

–Madison Gusler

Photos courtesy Malverne school district

Jayden Cruz, left, Lucas Motola, and Sebastian Rueda are studying the rate of decomposition for products advertised as biodegradable versus traditional counterparts.

STEPPING OUT

SCORE BIG

on Super Sunday

Go for the ‘tasty ‘win’

By Karen Bloom

It’s the biggest sports day of the year. The big game — on Feb. 9 — is great opportunity for casual winter entertaining.

Thrilling plays, must-see commercials and your pals are all quintessential elements of the perfect game-day get-together. Of course that game on the big screen is the main focus, but plenty of action takes place around the table — keeping everyone well fed is a sport in itself.

While crowd-pleasing Buffalo flavor-inspired foods and football always seem to go together, think beyond those traditional flavors for a new twist on your Super Bowl cuisine.

Baked Spinach and Chicken Dip

A tasty dip is always a winner. Try this flavorful, creamy variation — in addition to the guacamole.

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed

• 1 cup ranch dressing

• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

• 1/2 cup cooked chicken, chopped Heat oven to 375 F.

In microwave-safe medium bowl, add cream cheese and dressing. Microwave on high 30 seconds, or until cream cheese is soft. Stir to combine. Add spinach and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Add chicken and stir to combine.

Transfer mixture to baking dish that holds at least 6 cups. Bake 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. The internal temperature should be 165 F.

Serve with crackers, bread or veggie sticks.

Note: If you like it spicy, substitute a chipotle ranch

dressing and add diced pickled jalapenos. To make ahead, prepare unbaked dip up to 3 days ahead; store covered and refrigerated. Bake prior to serving.

Pull-Apart Garlic Bread Pizza

Instead of the pizza delivery, get creative with “garlic bread” version.

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup ricotta

• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, divided

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• Kosher salt

• 3/4 cup pizza sauce

• 1 cup mini pepperoni

• 2 (16 ounce) cans refrigerated biscuits (such as Pillsbury Grands)

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups mozzarella, cream cheese, ricotta, cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt. Transfer mixture to a 9”-x13” baking dish then spread pizza sauce on top. Top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and pepperoni.

Halve biscuits and roll into balls, then place on top of dip.

In a small bowl, whisk together oil, garlic, and parsley. Brush on biscuits and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Bake until biscuits are golden and cheese is melty, about 45 minutes, then cover with aluminum foil and bake until biscuits are cooked

Sheng Wang

through, another 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Step up your chili with a barbecue twist.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• 3 carrots, chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder

• 1/2 tablespoon cumin

• 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano

• 26-28 ounces crushed or chopped tomatoes

• 2 cups vegetable broth

• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels

• 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce

• Salt and pepper to taste

Chili fixin’s: shredded Mexican cheese, avocado, jalapeno, sour cream, cilantro, green onions, fresh tomato, corn chips, and salsa are all great additions.

Over medium heat, saute onion and carrots in olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper and spices and saute another minute. Add the tomatoes and vegetable broth and simmer over low heat until thickened, about 20 minutes.

Stir in the corn, beans, and barbecie sauce and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add more chili powder and cumin to spice up if necessary.

Simmer another 5 minutes or until ready to eat.

Serve with your favorite chili add-ons.

With his signature laid-back style, as showcased in his Netflix special “Sweet & Juicy” produced and directed by Ali Wong, comedianactor-writer Sheng Wang brings his hilarious standup to the Paramount stage. Wang is now truly coming into his own. Two decades of performing has taken him from doing stand-up for touristy audiences in New York to a successful Netflix special, “Sweet and Juicy,” produced and directed by Ali Wong. 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 Texas, Wang also speaks with a slight Southern drawl, giving a relaxed quality to his delivery. Among his other credits, Wang was a featured standup on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” special and wrote for ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat.” Wang now resides in L.A. and in his time explores botanical gardens and new ways to snack.

Saturday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. $69.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

Boyz II Men

R&B superstars Boyz II Men are always in the groove. They arrive at Tilles Center with their soulful multi-octave sound and incredible vocals, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Given the monumental success of their albums and the timeless quality of their vocals, it’s easy to see why they remain one of the most popular R&B groups of all time. Boyz II Men redefined popular R&B and continue to create timeless hits that appeal to fans across generations. Their four Grammys are just the tip of the iceberg. The trio holds the distinction of being the best-selling R&B group, with an astounding 64 million albums sold. And the reason is abundantly clear. For the past three-plus decades, Boyz II Men have given fans a rich catalog of hits filled with smooth harmonies and enduring themes. And for Boyz II Men, the hits just keep on coming.

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Barbecue Three Bean Chili

Neighborhood

THE

Feb.

15

Friends of the Brothers

Friends of the Brothers returns to the Landmark stage with their dynamic tribute to the Allman Brothers, Saturday, Feb. 15, 8 p.m. Their powerful celebration of the Allman Brothers, featuring musicians closely associated with the original band, continues the brotherhood with passion, committed to the ideals of every night being special and unique. Guitarist/singer Junior Mack has fronted Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band for 12 years and starred in the acclaimed Broadway show “Lackawanna Blues.” Guitarist Andy Aledort played with Dickey Betts for 12 years, has recorded with Double Trouble and Band of Gypsys and toured with Experience Hendrix. Singer/guitarist Alan Paul is the author of “One Way Out,” the definitive, best-selling Allman Brothers Band biography based on 25 years of reporting on and interviewing the band. Their first-hand experience with the Allman Brothers Band and their deep knowledge of the repertoire and the music’s roots and heritage allows them to play with an unrivaled depth.

Friends’ perform songs from every stage of Allman Brothers career, backed by a band of inspirational, veteran players, including drummers Dave Diamond (Zen Tricksters, Bob Weir, Robert Randolph) and Lee Finkelstein (Tower of Power, Blues Brothers), bassist Craig Privett (Half Step) and keyboardist Mike Katzman (Leslie Mendelsohn, The Electrix). Rock on! $38, $33. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or landmarkonmainstreet.org.

Nassau BOCES GC Tech Open House

Nassau BOCES GC Tech, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education high school, is opening its doors to all students with a passion for a hands-on career. Come and get a “Taste of Tech” at an open house at the campus in Levittown, Thursday, Feb. 13, 6-7:30 p.m. Nassau BOCES GC Tech prepares students for a future in the workforce by providing them with the skills, knowledge and professional qualities they will need to be successful in their chosen career fields.

The school boasts a new spa where aspiring estheticians learn skin care and massage techniques. There is also a newly revamped auto shop. Prospective students and families from Nassau County are invited to tour the GC Tech campus at 150 Abbey Lane, and to meet with expert teachers, counselors and administrators. Register for an open house at nassauboces.org/ gctech or call the school for more information at (516) 604-4200.

Basketball tickets

Pick up free Hofstra Pride basketball tickets for games on Saturday, Feb. 8 vs. Stony Brook; Saturday, March 1 vs. North Carolina A&T, at Malverne Village Hall. Limit 5 per group, Malverne residents only. 90 Church St.

Bird walk

The South Shore Audubon Society welcomes all to join its members for another in its series of bird walks, at Hempstead Lake State Park, Saturday, Feb. 8, starting at 9 a.m. Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. The group will meet The group will meet in parking lot #3, off Exit 18 of the Southern State Parkway. To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. No walk if rain or snow. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit ssaudubon.org.

Super Bowl Sunday Pancake Breakfast

West Hempstead Lion’s Club hosts their annual Super Bowl Sunday Pancake Breakfast, Sunday, Feb. 9, 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the West Hempstead Secondary School South Campus Cafe. All you can eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, waffles, sausage, bagels, coffee, tea, juice, etc. Please bring a toiletry to donate to the INN. $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, free for kids 5 and under. 400 Nassau Blvd., West Hempstead.

Malverne BOE meets Malverne Board of Education meets, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m., at Malverne High School. 80 Ocean Ave., Malverne. A livestream is accessible at YouTube.com/channel/ UCbw0cR20Xx9AsrvVNL5zR3w.

Family theater

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday, Feb. 7, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; also Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 12-13,10:15 a.m. and noon. It is 3017 in this futuristic, musical retelling of “Cinderella.” She’s now a space engineer looking to revolutionize space travel. When the Prince holds a space parade, Cinderella saves it by helping fix the Prince’s spaceship. Cinderella knows it’s the perfect opportunity to show the Prince her new hyper warp speed engine. But first, she’ll have to keep her evil stepmother from throwing a wrench in her plans! $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.

Mah Jongg

Get in the game. Bring your mah jongg card and set to Malverne Public Library, Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m. Players of all experience levels welcome. For more information, visit malvernelibrary.org or call (516) 599-0750. 61 St. Thomas

Long Island Choral Society auditions

Long Island Choral Society, under the Direction of Michael C. Haigler, holds auditions for new members for the final concert of their 96th Season. Auditions are by appointment only and continue, Monday, Feb. 10, at Garden City Community Church. The Berlioz Requiem is a piece known for its power and beauty that offers a rare musical performance opportunity. If you love to sing consider auditioning to be part of this treasured Long Island tradition. Those interested can schedule an audition by calling (516) 652-6878 or via e-mail at audition.info@lics.org. 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City.

Bridge Club

Meet up with friends and neighbors for a friendly afternoon of bridge, Wednesdays, at Malverne Public Library, 1-4 p.m. All levels are welcome to attend! No registration required. For more information, visit malvernelibrary.org or call (516) 599-0750. 661 St. Thomas Place.

Having an event?

Rockville Centre Choral Society Recruitment

Like to sing? The Rockville Centre Choral Society wants you! The non-sectarian chorus sings in Lynbrook and around the South Shore. New members are welcome. The chorus sings a variety of genres: pop, folk, showtunes, light classical and standards.

All voices are welcome. No experience necessary. RCCS meets Wednesdays, 7:459:30 p.m., and performs two concerts yearly. Rehearsals are held at St. James United Methodist Church, 11 St. James Place, Lynbrook. For more information, email rvcchorus@ gmail.com or call (516) 5995705.

Barks and Brews

Visit Broadway Tavern for “Barks and Brews,” Sundays, noon-2 p.m. Enjoy food, drinks and adorable pups. Everyone is encouraged to bring their dogs to the event, which has an open yard, water and treats waiting for your furry friends. 8 Broadway.

Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.

Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum. org.

Hempstead House tour

Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, Feb. 16, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.

Chambers workshop focuses on marketing

Local businesses, hosted by Richner Communications, learn to reach customers in new ways

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Nassau County small businesses gathered to learn about cutting-edge digital marketing strategies from Richner Communications’ Lori Berger at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Roslyn, on Jan. 21.

The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce organized a series of workshops to help local businesses thrive in 2025, sharing information about computer systems, financial planning and communications and marketing. Berger was a presenter for two marketing classes: one in Malverne, on Jan. 14, and the class a week later in Roslyn.

“I’m so passionate about helping people and small businesses with marketing,” Berger said. “We’re a community newspaper company. That’s what we do.”

Her presentation walked attendees through four core aspects of marketing: offline, social media, E-commerce and websites.

The marketing presentation was for businesses in Zone 1, north of Route 25, and it was attended by about 50 small business leaders from throughout the zone. The workshop was made possible by a Nassau County Technical Services grant, which is designed to help the local economy by offering guidance to small businesses free of charge.

Ira Reiter is a co-owner of the Barking Biscuit with his wife, Hillary, and president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. Their business took off five years ago, around the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Social media proved to be a vital tool that helped their to succeed.

Richner Communications offered complimentary one-on-one meetings for all attending businesses to review their search engine optimization and social

media presence — a service Reiter intends to follow up on.

“We are looking forward to it — were just hoping that we can absorb everything,” Reiter said. “So much, and so much fantastic information that came out of last night, and it will help us with our online presence.”

The workshop encouraged Reiter to use Geo-Fencing, a technique to target advertisements to potential customers in a specific area.

Janna Rodriguez, founder of the Innovative Daycare Corp., in Freeport, has been helping children learn and grow for 12 years. “We’ve created a strong support system between the families, the community, the educators and the other organizations that we partner with,” she said.

The NCCC provides a service that makes entrepreneurship much more accessible in Nassau County, Rodriguez said. “The reason that I was interested in marketing is because small businesses, such as myself, find it very difficult to be able to hire a marketing consultant, especially when you’re first starting up,” she said.

In the workshop she discovered that her business comes up on the front page of search engines, and she was advised her to plan more content for Facebook and Instagram.

This was the first time the NCCC has offered classes at no cost, according to Russel Green, a board member of the council and president of the Syosset and Woodbury Chambers of Commerce.

A Chamber “allows other businesses and individuals in the community to know who you are and when you’re starting,” Green said. “We’ll support you, hopefully, for many, many years.”

To learn more about the NCCC and future events, visit ncchambers.org.

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

About 50 small businesses owners gathered at Roslyn’s Hilton Garden Inn on Jan. 21 to learn about digital marketing with Lori Berger, of Richner Communications.

Public Notices

leGal noTIce

pUBlIc noTIce of coUnTY TReasUReR’s sale of TaX lIens on Real esTaTe

Notice is hereby given that I shall, commencing on February 18, 2025, sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on real estate herein-after described, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party-ininterest in such real estate shall pay to the County Treasurer by February 13, 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 per cent per six month’s 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 18, 2025 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.nassaucountyny.gov/526/County-Treasurer

Should the Treasurer determine that an in-person 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.

The liens are for arrears of School District taxes for the year 2023 - 2024 and/or County, Town, and Special District taxes for the year 2024. The following is a partial listing of the real estate located in school district number(s) 27, 12, 205 in the Town of Hempstead only, upon which tax liens are to be sold, with a brief description of the same by reference to the County Land and Tax Map, the name of the owner or occupant as the same appears on the 2023/2024 tentative assessment roll, and the total amount of such unpaid taxes.

ImpoRTanT

THE NAMES OF OWNERS SHOWN ON THIS LIST MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE NAMES OF THE PERSONS OWNING THE PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT. SUCH NAMES HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE 2023/2024 TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND MAY DIFFER FROM THE NAMES OF THE OWNERS AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. IT MAY ALSO BE THAT SUCH OWNERS ARE NOMINAL ONLY AND ANOTHER PERSON IS ACTUALLY THE BENEFICIAL OWNER.

Town of HempsTead scHool:12 malveRne Ufsd

Name Parcel Group Lot Amount HAMER CHRISTOPHER 15,000.45 35 N 11040

GORMAN JOHN K 6,201.85

38018 00200 20-21

RIVERO ALEXANDER 537.26

38020 00010 1-3

CHRISTIE DIANE 6,568.90

38025 00620 62-64

MURPHY KEVIN & ANN 10,689.83

38027 00090 9-10

WALSH EDWARD & MARIE 13,055.54

38027 00560 56-58

CAMPBELL MICHAEL & CECILE C 5,357.58

38029 04010 401-402

SCHUMACHER KATHLEEN M & CARDEN 12,987.82

38030 03080 308-310

JULIANO RONALD P & M F 456.54

38033 00790

37 Grace Ave Llc 931.19

38036 00110 11-12

STRIANESE ANTHONY 5,124.04

38037 01020

STRIANESE ANTHONY 3,390.76

38037 02020

BASSO ESTHER LIFE ESTATE 1,089.26

38041 00560

RINCK KEVIN J 570.05

38043 02110 211-212

ANDINO VINCENT & BERTHA 6,825.86

38047 00870 87-88

KHAN RAIS A & KHAN SAAD & KHAN 6,506.92

38053 00270 27-28

FINDLAYTER ORLANDO & YVETTE & 6,974.87

38054 02190

GILL DONALD & MARY CLAIRE 973.92

38057 02360

KUDLAC C M & M 6,887.19

38058 00110 11-12

BELTRANI HELEN TRUST 9,709.30

38060 00300 30-31

IZZO T KRAL & GENNARO 7,295.17

38062 00310 31-33

HUTTER TRUST 13,597.08

38065 00320

MAIONE CHARLES & FRANCINE 1,005.62

38082 05030

ROSINO JR ALBERT & SUSAN 1,699.46

38085 01160 116,117

DEVIVO MICHAEL & GINGER 849.88

38086 00850 85-86

MCKEEVER JERALD & MICHELLE 11,030.82

38087 01070 107-108

COMER JAMES K & EILEEN T 714.05

38087 01670 167-169

WILSON-BAYLOR JUANITA 13,806.87

38098 01170

HOUGH KEMP & IDA 9,093.39

38099 00040 4-6

KERNOCHAN AVENUE PROPERTIES LLC 11,060.35

38102 00680

BROWN YVONNE 9,068.07

38104 01830 183-185

LATTIMER WADDIE 14,692.48

38104 02020 202-203,377

BROWN JOYCE A 531.02

38105 00960

GASTON YOLANDE 13,768.36

38105 01530

CROCKETT LESTER & EVELYN 2,760.06

38109 04140

501 LAFAYETTE AVE LLC 20,853.08

38110 04800 480-483

SIMMONS JOHNNIE & DAISY 13,071.35

38110 04990 499-500

GREGG WEEDYNDE 7 & SIMERVILLE M 14,615.47

38111 05780

BNL REALTY LLC 14,141.35

38113 09420 942-945

BNL REALTY LLC 27,665.94

38113 09460 946-947

SINGH DEOKIE & RUPA 5,594.85

38116 07680

BOREMSKI RICHARD 2,667.27

38120 02210

150 LAKEVIEW AVENUE LLC 5,906.29

38121 05220 522-525

HASSAN DHAKER A 7,030.95

38122 00010 1-3

MATTHEW & HEATHER LLC 8,366.50

38122 00150 15-16

MATTHEW & HEATHER LLC 9,763.93

38122 00410

Public Notices

EAST MEADOW HERALD

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

32094 01700

32096 00360 36-37 BARTOLOTTA

33110 03240

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 Soldier’s 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.

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 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) 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 rate of interest and penalty 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 from 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 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 beretained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase 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 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. This list includes only tax liens on real estate located in Town of Hempstead. Such other tax liens on real estate are advertised as follows:

Town of HempsTead

Dist 1001

HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK TREND

NEWSDAY

UNIONDALE BEACON

Dist 1002

HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE NEW YORK TREND

NEWSDAY

UNIONDALE BEACON Dist 1003

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS

NEWSDAY

Dist 1004

BELLMORE HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS

NEWSDAY Dist 1005

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 1006

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SEAFORD HERALD CITIZEN

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN Dist 1007

BELLMORE HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1008

BALDWIN HERALD

BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE

HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1009

BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE

FREEPORT HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1010

BALDWIN HERALD

BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

Dist 1011

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

OCEANSIDE TRIBUNE

OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD

Dist 1012

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE

Dist 1013

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE

Dist 1014

FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU HERALD (FIVE TOWNS)

NEWSDAY

Dist 1015

FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE

JEWISH STAR

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

Dist 1016

FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD

FRANKLIN SQUARE BULLETIN

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

Dist 1017

FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEWSDAY

Dist 1018

GARDEN CITY NEWS

GARDEN CITY TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY

Dist 1019

EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE

LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

ROCKAWAY JOURNAL

Dist 1020

EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE

LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

Dist 1021

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

ROCKVILLE CENTRE TRIBUNE

Dist 1022

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEWSDAY Dist 1023

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SEAFORD HERALD CITIZEN

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN Dist 1024

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE Dist 1025

MERRICK HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1026

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 1027

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

WEST HEMPSTEAD BEACON Dist 1028

LONG BEACH HERALD

LONG BEACH TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1029

MERRICK HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1030

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE Dist 1031

ISLAND PARK TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD Dist 1201

EAST MEADOW HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY Dist 1205

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEWSDAY

Town of norTH HempsTead Dist 2001

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY Dist 2002

MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY Dist 2003

MANHASSET PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

ROSLYN NEWS TIMES Dist 2004

MANHASSET PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

PORT WASHINGTON NEWS Dist 2005

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEWSDAY Dist 2006

MANHASSET PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

PORT WASHINGTON NEWS Dist 2007

GREAT NECK NEWS RECORD

JEWISH STAR

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 2009

MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY Dist 2010

MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES

Public Notices

Continued from previous page

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY

2122

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEWSDAY Dist 2301

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER Dist 2315

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Town of oysTer Bay Dist 3001

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER Dist 3002

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SEA CLIFF - GLEN HEAD HERALD

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER Dist 3003

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3004

LONG ISLAND PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER Dist 3006

LONG ISLAND PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER Dist 3008

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

OYSTER BAY GUARDIAN Dist 3009

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

OYSTER BAY GUARDIAN Dist 3011

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

OYSTER BAY ENTERPRISE PILOT

SYOSSET ADVANCE Dist 3012

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET ADVANCE

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3013

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET ADVANCE

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3014

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3015

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3017

HICKSVILLE/LEVITTOWN TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3018

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM

MASSAPEQUA POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3019

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3020

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3021

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3022

MASSAPEQUA POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3023

MASSAPEQUA POST

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THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3024

GLEN COVE HERALD GAZETTE

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SEA CLIFF - GLEN HEAD HERALD Dist 3203

LONG ISLAND PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

ROSLYN NEWS TIMES Dist 3306

MASSAPEQUA POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER

CiTy of Glen Cove Dist 4005

GLEN COVE HERALD GAZETTE

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER

CiTy of lonG BeaCh Dist 5028

LONG BEACH HERALD

LONG BEACH TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE NEWSDAY

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 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, audio tape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 13715.

Dated: February 05, 2025 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER MINEOLA, NEW YORK 1288764

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as Indenture Trustee for the registered Noteholders of Renaissance Home Equity Loan Trust 2007-1, Plaintiff AGAINST Pauline E. Johnson; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 21, 2020 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 25, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 301 Coventry Road North, West Hempstead, NY 11552. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Lakeview, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 35 Block 515 Lot 30. Approximate amount of judgment $616,322.45 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 004255/2014. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: January 10, 2025 151104

LEGAL NOTICE Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE INDEX #: 607868/2024 MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC Plaintiff, vs PHILIP LAROCCA, JR. AKA PHILIP LA ROCCA, JR., RAYMOND H. SZOSTAK, JR. AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF SZOSTAK, JO ANN, CAROL M WOEHR AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF SZOSTAK, JO ANN, UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JO ANN SZOSTAK IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; SUCH UNKNOWN PERSONS BEING HEREIN GENERALLY DESCRIBED AND INTENDED TO BE

INCLUDED IN WIFE, WIDOW, HUSBAND, WIDOWER, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF SUCH DECEASED, ANY AND ALL PERSONS DERIVING INTEREST IN OR LIEN UPON, OR TITLE TO SAID REAL PROPERTY BY, THROUGH OR UNDER THEM, OR EITHER OF THEM, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE WIVES, WIDOWS, HUSBANDS, WIDOWERS, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNS, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES, EXCEPT AS STATED, ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON BEHALF OF THE IRS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, NASSAU COUNTY CLERK “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the Subject Property described in the Complaint, Defendant(s). MORTGAGED PREMISES: 80 Lexington Avenue Malverne, NY 11565 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Nassau. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Unknown Heirs of Jo Ann Szostak Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Jeffrey

A. Goodstein of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Tenth day of December, 2024 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, in the City of Mineola. The object of this action is to foreclosure a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by Frances LaRocca AKA Frances La Rocca (who died on May 25, 2023, a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York), Philip LaRocca AKA Philip La Rocca (who died on November 7, 2023, a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York), Philip LaRocca, Jr. AKA Philip La Rocca, Jr. and Jo Ann Szostak (who died on August 27, 2020, a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York) dated the November 18, 2005, to secure the sum of $469,342.50 and recorded at Book M29941, Page 833 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk on January 10, 2006. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed October 15, 2009 and recorded on November 16, 2009, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M34349, Page 993. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by a corrective assignment executed September 29, 2021 and recorded on March 9, 2022, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M VI 46421, Page 854. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed December 22, 2023 and recorded on January 8, 2024, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M VI 47394, Page 296. The property in question is described as follows: 80 Lexington Avenue, Malverne, NY 11565 NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this Foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: January 13, 2025 Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For

Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221

The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 84206 151075

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: DRP Visionary Advisors, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 11/15/2024. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: New York Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 151264

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees will meet in Work Session at Malverne Village Hall, 99 Church St., Malverne, NY 11565 for the purpose of department budget presentations at 6:00PM on February 18, 2025, February 27, 2025, March 12, 2025 and 6:30PM on March 5, 2025. In addition, a Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025, at 7:15 PM at Malverne Village Hall, for the purpose of discussion and adoption of Local Law #1 of 2025, a Local Law to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law 3-c. All interested parties will be heard at the abovementioned place and time.

Inc. Village of Malverne Jill Valli, Village Clerk Dated: January 30, 2025 151412

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ARCHITECTURAL & SITE PLAN REVIEW BOARD HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL & SITE PLAN REVIEW of the Inc. Village of Malverne will hold a PUBLIC HEARING at the Malverne Village Hall, 99 Church Street, Malverne, New York 11565 on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 7:30 pm to hear the following cases: Malverne Center LLC 344A Hempstead Ave.; Business District Sign Permit Application #2024-0898

Proposes to install new 12 ft. wide x 2 ft. high non-illuminated sign panel for new tenant space Believer Hands Nail and Spa.

Learning how to interact with the police

other tactics, he said.

“A lot of people don’t think that innocent people would confess to something they didn’t do,” Emeagwali said. “You’ll be surprised how many people confess to stuff they didn’t do.”

Though officers could use some rather deceitful tactics, Emeagwali told the young crowd that they should be as truthful as possible.

“You cannot lie to the police,” he said, adding that it could result in a misdemeanor charge carrying with it a penalty of up to one year in jail. “But, you don’t have to answer their questions.”

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

Malverne Union Free School District

Malverne, New York

Proposes

Veronica Fabiani

11 Audrey Ct.: Residential

“A” District Building Permit Application #2024-0801

Proposes to construct 276 sq. ft. first floor addition over crawl space; 1516 sq. ft. second floor addition; 259 sq. ft. roof over rear patio; and 50 sq. ft. front portico to existing single family dwelling.

Ibtisam Javed 16 Atlas Ct.; Residential

“A” District Building Permit

Application #2024-0594

Proposes to maintain and legalize construction of 408 sq. ft. one story addition to existing single family dwelling.

All interested parties should appear at the above time and place.

The Architectural & Site Plan Review Board Meeting will be immediately followed by a work session of the Board of Trustees.

BY ORDER OF THE MALVERNE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

INC. VILLAGE OF MALVERNE

Jill Valli, Village Clerk

January 31, 2025 151413

Legal Notice UNIVERSAL PRE-K SERVICES

Notice is hereby given that separate bids, submitted in sealed envelopes for UNIVERSAL PRE-K SERVICES, will be received on: Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 9:30 a.m. 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 Malverne Administration Building

Sealed bids are to be addressed to the attention of Christopher Caputo, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Malverne Union Free School District, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, New York 11565. All bids must be submitted to the Assistant Superintendent, on or before the date and time of opening in sealed envelopes, bearing on the outside the name and address of the bidder and the title of the bid in the lower left-hand corner. Contact Donna Fecht at dfecht@malverneschools. org for the RFP. The Board of Education reserves the right to award all or a part of this bid or to reject all bids or to make awards which are in the best interest of the school district.

Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025 By Order of the Board of Education Malverne Union Free School District 151414

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the tentative assessment rolls of the Inc. Village of Malverne for fiscal year June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026 will be available for inspection at Malverne Village Hall, 99 Church Street, Malverne, NY 11565 during regular business hours and on malvernevillage.org starting February 1, 2025.

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in accordance with New York State Real Property Tax Law Section 1408(2), complaints on real property assessment for the fiscal year June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026 will be accepted by the Inc. Village of Malverne, at Malverne Village Hall between February 1, 2025 and February 18, 2025 during regular business hours. On the last Grievance Day, February 18, 2025 the Assessor will also be available between the hours of 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM to receive complaints on real property assessments. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Inc. Village of Malverne Jill Valli, Village Clerk Dated: 1/27/2025 151411 LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, -againstSUSAN SCHRAMM AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ELEANOR FICKBOHM, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 3, 2024, wherein MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC is the Plaintiff and SUSAN SCHRAMM AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ELEANOR FICKBOHM, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 11, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 840 TAFT STREET, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552; and the following tax map identification: 35-435-71.

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 Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 602021/2020. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 151409

If our kids ever do get stopped by the police, they should know how to respond

Emeagwali advised those in attendance to never consent to be searched or to agree to a search of their belongings, including their car or home. He suggested that if an officer does ask to conduct a search, they should calmly state that they do not consent, adding that they should never physically resist because officers carry weapons and have the ability to arrest them for not cooperating.

Uchenna emeagwalI

The Legal Aid Society

In addition, the lawyer explained that officers could not access a suspect’s phone unless provided with a code or entry, allowing them access to the device.

Emeagwali stressed that even when a

person is not guilty, they should never volunteer their DNA as evidence to clear themselves as suspects. He explained that many law enforcement operations share their resources, including their DNA databases. The DNA may be entered into a database or used in way that the suspect did not consent to.

That’s why Emeagwali suggested that suspects should not accept water, food or cigarettes offered during an interrogation, because DNA could be lifted from those surfaces.

“It’s important to be mindful and protect yourself, because you don’t know what they’re doing with your information,” he said.

While Emeagwali stressed that he knows the students in attendance are scholars and honors students, officers don’t. Many will see race before seeing their age and personality. He referred to the many studies that have been conducted concluding that Black youth are more likely to be perceived as older than they actually are.

“Get them to recognize your humanity,” Emeagwali said, encouraging those in attendance not to be afraid of calling out for mommy and daddy, even if it may not seem cool.

“At the end of the day, your job is to come home safe to your family,” he said. Continued from page 1

News brief

Register for West Hempstead little league

Registration is open for the Garden City South West Hempstead Little League Spring 2025 season. This is the league’s 71st season.

Children who attend Washington Street, Carey High School, George Washington, Cornwall Avenue, Chestnut Street, West Hempstead Secondary School, West Hempstead High School or live within the league boundaries are eligible to play. Though any child who is the league age of 4, 5, 6, or 7 can play in the league, regardless of where they live or attend school.

League age charts, as determined by Little League International®, and league boundaries can be found on the league website. At minimum girls must be four by Dec. 31, 2024 and boys must be four by Aug. 31, 2025.

Games are held at Cherry Valley Field on Cherry Valley Avenue and Echo Park Field. Cherry Valley hosts all T-Ball and A Ball games. The field includes features such as concessions, bathrooms, and ample parking on the property. Two new scoreboards have been installed, along with a PA system. Games are played during the week,

with a 5:30 p.m. start time. There are some Saturday games, with a start time of 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m., or 12:45 p.m. Participating youth will have opportunities to join in events outside the league, such as preseason indoor training clinics, a family outing to a New York Mets Game, and more.

Registration can be completed online at Gcs-Fsaa.com. Last day to register is March 16. Email questions to gcswhll@ gmail.com. More information is available on the website.

Registration fees are as listed:

■ T-Ball (4-5 years old) = $55

■ A Ball (5-6 years old) = $90

■ AA Ball (7-8 years old) = $155

■ AAA Ball (9-10 years old) = $170

■ Majors Ball (11-12 years old) = $175

■ Juniors Ball (13-14 years old) = $175

There is also a $25 membership fee per family. A family discount is available for families with three or more players, maxing costs at $290

Madison Gusler/Herald

attorney uchenna emeagwali informed malverne and Lakeview youth about their legal rights during a recent workshop.

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

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.

Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must.

Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

FULL CHARGE BOOKKEEPER : Proficiency Quickbooks, 2/ 3 Days/ Week, Flexible. $20-$30/ Hr. Send resume cbc@catalinabeachclub.com Call 516-239-2150

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

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off.

HomesHERALD

That Has It All!

Do we have beams we don’t need?

Q. We were meeting with our contractor during our home reconstruction, literally tearing the entire house apart and adding a floor. He introduced his “framer,” who was polite but left us with concern. He said the beams going across our house were “overkill.” The beams support a new balcony and high ceilings, so our foyer and living room are two stories tall, very dramatic, and we love what our architect did. We started wondering if we had overpaid for beams that maybe we didn’t need, since the framer said the structure was much more than necessary. Should we ask our architect for an explanation, or just let it go? Construction isn’t cheap, and we understand that, but there is concern about spending more than needed. What do you suggest?

A. Let it go. What you’re experiencing is common and frustrating to hear, because there are so many aspects to designing a building, and I wonder if your framer understands. For example, beams are designed for much more than carrying material loads. Roof beams must carry what we call “dead” loads as well as “live” loads, such as wind and heavy snow.

I have asked framers who have made these statements if they were aware of the several different code-required load capacities a beam is subjected to, to which they either answer, honestly, that they aren’t sure, or make remarks like, “Well, that’s your job,” or “I just know this is overkill.” They just know. And they probably don’t, or they could explain.

Wind impacts buildings in many ways, and is considered a load with multiple effects, requiring calculations, for your safety, to keep the walls and roof from tearing away, or lifting off the house, or crushing down on you in a push-and-pull manner that wind naturally has. Then there are connectors to attach everything. These braces, stirrups and saddles keep structure from pulling apart, but each type comes with engineered calculations.

We often start selecting beams, rafters and joist sizes based on stringent energy codes, which dictate that you must have certain thicknesses of insulation, to prevent heat from escaping quickly or causing your air conditioning to work constantly from heat migrating inward. If you choose the more expensive compact foam insulation, which has greater resistance per inch to heat gain and loss, then we can sometimes reduce the size of some structure. But if you choose less costly fiberglass insulation, which looks like cotton candy, the structure must be deeper, taller, larger — however you can describe it — to accommodate the required insulation thickness.

Larger rafters and joists weigh more, and their angled end cuts require deeper-sized beams to join them. So now you know part of why those beams probably aren’t “overkill,” and why your framer should do a different kind of “home-work” before professing his knowledge. A building is a large jigsaw puzzle of custom parts, and “under-kill” can lead to disaster. Will the framer be there to take responsibility? Good luck!

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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opinions

An inauguration that was decidedly different

Last month I traveled to Washington, joining many Nassau County Republicans, including County Executive Bruce Blakeman and GOP Chairman Joe Cairo, to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as our 47th president. Beginning with Richard Nixon’s second inaugural in 1972, I had attended 10 previous ones, seven of them during my 28 years in Congress.

This year’s event was certainly memorable, and not just because the tundra-like weather forced the ceremony indoors. From the moment I arrived at the historic Mayflower Hotel, where many of New York’s elected officials and party leaders were staying, I was struck by the extraordinary level of excitement, enthusiasm and hope. This was significantly different from Trump’s first inaugural in 2017, when, though he had many strong supporters, there was an air of uncertainty about whether his administration would hit the ground running. There had been multiple leaks from the Trump camp and a number of his top cabinet officials, like Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, had no previous

connection to Trump or any political or governmental experience.

This time around, Trump was striding into Washington as a conquering hero who had made the greatest political comeback of any president in history. And he was as prepared for action as any of his predecessors. There was no doubt he would hit the ground running.

The cold and the intense security made getting around Washington more difficult than I remember for any previous inauguration. Cairo and I were in a car for almost two hours, encountering constant roadblocks and rerouting as we tried to get to a Newsmax event at the relatively nearby Andrew Mellon Auditorium, before we gave up and returned to the Mayflower, where New York was staging its Inaugural Party, featuring Elise Stefanik, the upstate congresswoman and the nominee for ambassador to the United Nations.

old friends and prominent officials gathered to reminisce and share the latest news and rumors.

Trump’s inaugural address was truly unique. No president has ever been so direct or detailed, as he laid out the specifics of his agenda and the myriad executive orders he would be issuing on everything from border security to energy production. He was unsparing in his criticism of what he saw as the terrible failings of the Biden administration — all of this as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris sat just several feet away.

iwas struck by the extraordinary excitement, enthusiasm and hope.

But none of this dampened the spirit of hope and optimism. The Mayflower event, the day before the inauguration, drew an overflow crowd of hundreds, who heard powerful speeches from EPA nominee Lee Zeldin, Congressman Mike Lawler and Blakeman. And there was always action in the hotel lobby, as

Ordinarily I would consider it wrong to disrespect a former president at an inaugural ceremony, but these are not ordinary times. Trump strongly believes that the Biden administration and its allies abused the legal system in attempts to destroy Trump with criminal prosecutions and bankrupt him and his family. Ironically, Trump didn’t know that just moments before his term expired, Biden had pardoned five members of his family.

The main impact of Trump’s address was that he would do all he could to change the direction of the country. The days of woke progressivism were over.

After the ceremonies, the president went to the Capitol One Arena for an

indoor version of the inaugural parade. I was particularly proud that one of the bands taking part was the NYPD Pipes & Drums. By some mistake, the band hadn’t been included in the original lineup, but when its leaders came to me just weeks before the inauguration, I was able to reach out to the Trump team and get it done.

The almost frenetic energy of the inauguration continued in the days that followed, as Trump signed one executive order after another. (While I strongly agreed with most of them, I believe it was wrong to issue blanket pardons to those who carried out violence against police officers and other law enforcement on Jan. 6, 2021. Despite all the injustice carried out by the Justice Department against Trump, and the department’s failure to prosecute violent rioters on the left, these pardons cannot be defended.)

Trump has promised America a new Golden Age — an age in which American economic, diplomatic and military power will be respected around the world. An America where we will no longer be subject to government censorship and strangling bureaucratic regulations or be defined by race, religion or sexual preference. If he succeeds, it will indeed be an American Golden Age!

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

Cleaning the 2024 slate is comforting

The beginning of a new year is a chance to clean the slate from 2024 and to look ahead to more positive things. If you have your health, when you aren’t at work, it’s a chance to enjoy taking long walks, squeezing in a vacation and maybe finding a good book to read. But to erase the 2024 board clean, it’s important to get some things off my chest. One of my pet peeves is our national airline system. These days it costs a lot of money to travel almost anywhere in the United States, and we’re often treated like cattle, unless you fly first class. Boarding the plane can be demeaning, and the seats are uncomfortable. For a round-trip costing $800, asking for an extra bag of pretzels shouldn’t be a big deal, but I’ve had a

few turn-downs on flights to Florida. My wife has designated me the family shopper, and I don’t mind the periodic trips to the supermarket. My parents had a grocery store, so I know how to move quickly from aisle to aisle. I’m sure many readers have heard the term “shrinkflation,” which is rampant in supermarkets. Almost every item weighs less and costs more. My favorite boxes of cereal not only weigh half as much, but their contents don’t taste anything like they did when I was a child. Especially Kix and Rice Krispies.

Tgains are anything but.

o get a fresh start in the new year, it’s important to get some things off my chest.

Department store shopping was once an adventure. You could go from floor to floor, and it would take hours to go from the ground floor to the top. The shelves were once stacked with many interesting items, and the quality of the merchandise was pretty good. These days, though, there seem to be many less items for sale, and the so-called bar-

I’ve been a loyal Yankees fan for as long as I can remember. I try to get to at least two or three games a season, but the ticket prices can be staggering. I truly feel bad for a family with young kids who make an annual trip to the ballpark. The hot dogs, pizza and ice cream are costly, and if the kids want a few souvenirs, the outing can costs hundreds of dollars. Baseball owners need the revenues to pay high-priced players, but not everyone can afford to be a talent sponsor.

Going to a movie isn’t what it used to be, either. I recall childhood trips to theaters with my parents that were affordable and frequent. Once upon a time, theatergoers would even get some type of premium for buying a ticket. A movie ticket today can cost over $20, and if you and your companion want popcorn, candy or soda, the price of this night out is pretty high.

There are more things that bug me. I look at Facebook from time to time because it’s nice to see people celebrating happy occasions, but there is no shortage of party-poopers who insist on posting political barbs that are of no interest to most viewers. We’ve just survived a period of intense political bickering, and I’m not anxious to see a Facebook testimonial to a politician who my crazy uncle worships.

I have bad feelings about a lot of people both in and out of the political arena, but we’ll save that for another time. There are things going on right now that I could talk about for hours. I’ve chosen the things that upset all of my friends and neighbors as well, with little or no dissent. I’m sure I skipped over some of your annoyances, but I have a whole year to write about them.

Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

JERRY KREMER

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GDialing up a possible cellphone plan

ov. Kathy Hochul’s newly unveiled plan to restrict smartphone use in schools across New York state has sparked robust discussion among educators, parents and policymakers.

With the goal of creating distractionfree learning environments, the proposal would direct schools to limit cellphone use throughout the school day while providing practical solutions for communication and storage. The initiative has notable advantages as well as challenges, warranting careful consideration as it moves forward and is considered by the State Legislature.

The primary argument in favor of Hochul’s plan is the undeniable distraction that the phones pose to students. Research consistently shows that smartphones can impede focus, reduce academic performance and foster excessive screen time. By eliminating unsanctioned use of the devices, students would be expected to engage more deeply with their lessons and their peers, improving their classroom experience, their grades and their interpersonal skills.

Hochul’s thinking also aligns with growing concerns about youth mental health. Excessive smartphone use, particularly on social media, has been linked to anxiety, depression and reduced self-esteem among adolescents. The governor’s effort builds on her earlier success in regulating addictive social media feeds for minors, emphasizing the state’s commitment to protecting the mental well-being of its youth.

The proposal also addresses safety concerns, a priority highlighted by law

letters

Randi shares the joy of books

To the Editor:

enforcement experts. Distracted students are more vulnerable to accidents and less likely to be aware of their surroundings during emergencies. A focus on reducing these distractions could enhance student safety.

Allocating $13.5 million for smartphone storage solutions — such as pouches or cubbies — would ensure that schools, regardless of budget constraints, have access to the resources needed to implement the plan.

Despite its merits, however, the proposal raises several concerns. Chief among them is the potential challenge of enforcing the restrictions uniformly across diverse school settings. Administrators and teachers may find it difficult to monitor compliance, especially in larger schools with limited staff.

The plan also risks alienating students and parents who view cellphones as essential tools for communication and personal safety. While the initiative includes provisions for parents to contact their children during the school day, it may not fully address the anxieties of those who rely on immediate connectivity, particularly in emergencies.

Another issue is the reliance on alternative devices, such as school-issued tablets and laptops, for instruction. While these tools are permitted under the plan, they, too, can be distractions if not properly managed. Critics of Hochul’s plan argue that simply replacing smartphones with other internet-enabled devices may not fully eliminate the problem of divided attention in classrooms.

Exemptions outlined in the proposal — such as those for medical needs or individualized education programs —

Re Randi Kreiss’s recent column, “When was the last time you read a book?”: As she stated, one of the great joys in life is having a wonderful book to read. I never go anywhere without one. I taught English on the junior and high school levels on Long Island for 39 years, and I loved it. I would do it all over again.

The exciting discussions I had with my students triggered by great literature were priceless. I loved teaching “Of Mice and Men”; “The Picture of Dorian Gray”; “Romeo and Juliet”; “The Great Gatsby”; my nominee for the greatest novel of all, “To Kill a Mockingbird”; and many others.

Randi’s statement that in some of the country’s “elite” colleges, many students are neither willing nor able to read the books they are assigned is scary. What does that bode for our future leaders? And presently we have one in the White House who I’ll bet has never read a complete book, including our Constitution.

I belong to a book club in which we read mostly nonfiction and sports, but I also enjoy mysteries and detective novels. I

highlight the necessity of accommodating diverse student populations. Ensuring that these exemptions are applied fairly and without reinforcing stigmas, however, could add complexity to the plan’s implementation.

A strength of the proposal is its flexibility, allowing schools to design their own storage and implementation strategies. This autonomy acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all approach may not work across New York’s varied educational landscapes. However, the success of this flexibility hinges on clear guidelines and adequate support from the state to help schools navigate potential challenges.

The plan’s focus on equity, including ensuring that students without internetenabled devices are not disadvantaged, demonstrates an awareness of the broader implications of digital access. This consideration is crucial in preventing unintended disparities.

Hochul’s proposal is a bold step toward addressing the challenges of the digital age in education. While its goals are commendable —enhancing focus, promoting mental health and improving safety — it must carefully navigate the concerns of enforcement, equity and parental confidence.

As the state prepares to roll out the measure by the 2025-26 school year, ongoing collaboration with educators, parents and students will be essential to refine it, and ensure its effectiveness. With a proper balance of structure and flexibility, the initiative has the potential to foster a more focused, healthier and distraction-free learning environment for New York’s students.

FPulling back the curtain on Hochul’s state budget

or me and my fellow state legislators, the governor’s State of the State address and executive budget proposals are our blueprint for the year ahead, a map outlining where Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to lead New York, and how she intends to use taxpayer dollars to get us there. While I recognize the value of several initiatives in this year’s budget proposal, such as expanding child care and addressing public safety concerns, this year’s $8.6 billion spending hike only deepens our long-term structural challenges — a cycle we’re already struggling to break. Year after year, we see more spending, more taxes and more financial uncertainty for New Yorkers. Instead of doubling down on costly commitments, we need to take a hard look at where this money is going and whether it truly benefits you and your family. Hochul’s $252 billion spending plan is the largest in the state’s history. If the $8.6 billion increase sounds familiar, that’s because it is — another year, another massive spending increase. Her plan commits to billions in new spend-

ing without addressing the structural fiscal issues jeopardizing our long-term financial stability. And while some proposals may sound appealing, they rely on speculative future solutions that leave taxpayers footing the bill, such as billions of dollars for film, TV and Broadway, $13.5 million in funding to implement a school cellphone bans and $3 billion in “inflation reduction” payments to households making up to $300,000.

HThe governor’ catchphrase, “Putting money back in your pockets,” is disingenuous when she’s the one taking the money out of your pockets in the first place. Her focus on affordability rings hollow when her policies do the exact opposite. Long Islanders already face some of the nation’s highest property taxes, yet Albany continues to pile on costs. While investing in our schools and providing middleclass tax relief are priorities I support, those commitments must be made responsibly. Instead, Hochul’s budget increases spending without a stable financial foundation to support it.

into extra money, instead of saving or paying down what you owe, you spend even more. That’s exactly what Albany is doing. This cycle of unchecked spending isn’t sustainable. Just as responsible families make tough financial choices, so must our state if we want a stable and secure future.

er focus on affordability rings hollow when her policies do the exact opposite.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however. I was encouraged to see Hochul address several key issues that the Assembly minority conference has been advocating over the years, including closing gaps in discovery reform, providing middle-class tax cuts and expanding access to affordable child care. Additionally, the long-overdue changes to the foundation aid formula to fund our schools are a welcome and positive step forward.

revised projections adding $8.3 billion in revenue through 2029, it won’t be enough to counter soaring costs in Medicaid and school aid. The state still faces a projected $27 billion budget deficit within three years. And with a new federal administration in office, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has warned about potential shifts that could impact the state’s finances.

Given these uncertainties, it’s critical that we prioritize long-term budget sustainability. That means making responsible fiscal decisions now — curbing reckless spending, reducing our reliance on temporary revenue boosts and ensuring that taxpayers aren’t left covering shortfalls for years to come.

To put this reckless spending in perspective, consider how it would play out in your household budget. Imagine continuously increasing your expenses, piling on debt, and whenever you come

Letters

am currently reading “All the Sinners Bleed,” by S.A. Cosby. A sheriff in Charon County, Virginia, with a very unpleasant case. Cosby is a terrific writer. Thanks to Randi for her other suggestions. I hope she has fun teaching the class.

JIM

HAWKINS Baldwin

Randi’s given me some catching up to do

To the Editor:

I’ve been reading Randi’s columns in the Herald for years, and enjoying her take on everything, as well as her style. I am 81. Been reading since I was a single digit. My first novel was “Black Beauty,” by Anna Sewell, which I read when I was about 7.

I’ve read 135 books in each of the past two years, and I’m going to look into all the books in Randi’s curriculum, because I find I’ve read maybe one, “Of Mice and Men,” when I was way younger. Lol. No matter what, I’m going to tackle her list. I hope they don’t have to be read in that order, because I’ve chosen “The Wren, the Wren” to be my first.

RINA COHEN East Meadow

Clavin’s ‘poorly handled,’ double-digit tax increase

To the Editor:

Town Supervisor Don Clavin’s proposed 12.1 percent property tax increase for 2025 represents a glaring failure of financial management. This steep hike places an unreasonable and unnecessary burden on the residents of the Town of Hempstead.

Such a dramatic increase reflects Clavin’s inability to implement sound, long-term financial planning. A more responsible approach would have been to distribute any necessary increases gradually over several years, avoiding the current financial strain on our community.

What is even more troubling than the tax hike itself is the lack of proper notice for town residents. Clavin’s administration failed to adequately inform citizens through mail, email or social media about this significant change. Ironically, the same administration had no issue filling our mailboxes with partisan mailers on other topics. This lack of transparency and accountability is both surprising and unacceptable.

It’s true that, given the inflationary pressures of recent years, modest tax increases may be necessary to cover ris-

But this progress doesn’t change the hard reality that the proposed budget significantly increases spending across the board. State operating expenses are set to rise nearly 8 percent, far outpacing inflation. While the state’s financial plan projects a $3.5 billion surplus this year, that’s largely the result of increased tax revenue and adjusted spending timelines — something that isn’t guaranteed on a yearly basis.

Even with the Division of Budget’s

In short, Albany’s spending addiction is unsustainable, and we can’t afford to ignore the consequences any longer. The governor’s plan gambles on higher tax revenues to justify even more spending, but fails to tackle the deep-rooted fiscal challenges threatening the state’s future. We need to reprioritize by making targeted, responsible investments rather than broad, unsustainable spending.

As we move forward in the budget process, I will continue to fight for a more responsible, affordable New York — pulling back the curtain on where your tax dollars are really going, and standing up for you. We deserve better.

Ed Ra represents the 19th Assembly District.

ing costs essential for maintaining services like trash collection, recycling, parks and water management. These are critical responsibilities of our town board. However, many of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet. To impose a sudden, substantial tax hike without sufficient notice is a disservice to the very people the town government is meant to serve.

Clavin owes the residents of the Town of Hempstead not only a detailed explanation, but also a sincere apology for this poorly handled tax increase. Transparency and thoughtful planning should be the standard — not afterthoughts.

Framework by Diane Revinskas

At the Knossos Palace — Crete, Greece

PETROS KROMMIDAS Baldwin

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