Malverne/West HeMpstead
Popkin Brogna kicks in to end local hunger
By TAYloR GRAYSoN tgrayson@liherald.com
Kick-a-thons are good fun. When they’re done to fight hunger, they’re even better to be involved with. The Popkin-Brogna Jujitsu Center is a family-owned dojo that recently did just that. The participants were not only showing off their fighting prowess, but doing so for a good cause.
The West Hempstead dojo has been in operation for 19 years, but this event was the first of its kind there. It hosted a Kick-a-thon to fight hunger, in partnership with Long Island Cares, a food bank that helps to feed those in need, on Nov. 9. There were two sessions.
“This was really done to get the kids involved, to get them to understand a bit,” Sensei Joseph Brogna said. “People don’t understand how privileged we are. No matter how bad we think things get, we’re not worried about food most of the time. We brought
Village and residents look into reopening the theater
By TAYloR GRAYSoN tgrayson@liherald.com
Malverne Mayor Tim Sullivan addressed the announced closing of the Malverne Cinema, during the village board meeting on Nov. 6.
Malverne’s public board meetings are held each month at Village Hall, 99 Church St. They usually fall within the first week of the month. The trustees that make up the board are elected for four-year terms. The current trustees are Scott Edwards, Perry Cuocci, Carl Prizzi and Lori Lang.
Many residents said they were up in arms over the the-
ater’s decision to shut its doors, saying that the cinema is what set Malverne apart from other areas on Long Island. The theater was open for 34 years, and shut down for financial and internal reasons.
The board took the initiative to address the closing of the theater on its own, before village members could mention it during the meeting. They seem to be well aware of the resident’s concerns and interests, and quick to respond.
“The board is doing everything they can to preserve the theater, and have a long-term viable plan for it,” Mayor Sullivan said during the meeting.
“We are pleased about the progress of the restoration of this theater.”
Though the board is in talks to revamp the theater, it is important to note that all plans are tentative and nothing is set in stone as of yet.
Some of the main causes for concern among village residents were shared after the trustees announced their resolutions and updates. Recently, village members also expressed concern about local robberies and vandalism.
However, the biggest concern was that of the beloved cinema and its revitalization.
Resident Marian Dill said to the
Mayor, “I’m glad you mentioned the theater because I was already going to. I’, happy to hear some moves are being made in that regard.”
Village resident TR King said of the Sept. 29 cinema closing, “it was our favorite place to see a movie. It’s a loss for the patrons; the citizens of Malverne and it will hurt the small
local businesses. There’s no way I’ll drive to watch a movie on a big screen at Roosevelt Field. Now it’s on my list of former LI cinemas, which began with the Mini Cinema in Uniondale.”
Malverne’s village board meetings are now held in the newly constructed village hall,
Taylor Grayson/Herald
Group A Kick-a-thon students with their parents after kicking to stop hunger.
Malverne misses convenience of the cinema
a central location that made it easier for residents to attend. The meetings have seen a marked increase in public participation as citizens have used them as the place to voice their concerns about local issues, such as road maintenance, zoning regulations and public safety.
Many of the residents, having moved to the area for its suburban charm and small-town feel, began to express concerns about preserving the character of Malverne as the population swelled. Over time, the need for more localized decision-making and services led to its incorporation as a village.
The history of Malverne’s village board meetings reflects the evolution of the village itself. Currently, the village board consists of a mayor, a clerk and four trustees. They handle local issues such as road maintenance, zoning regulations and public safety. At this
The board is doing everything they can to preserve the theater, and have a long-term viable plan for it.
Tim Sullivan Malverne Mayor
early stage, meetings were held in a modest setting, often in someone’s home or at the local firehouse, as the village had yet to build any dedicated municipal facilities.
Established in 1921, Malverne was originally an unincorporated part of the Town of Hempstead. Over time, the need for more localized decision-making and services led to its incorporation as a village,
marking the beginning of regular village board meetings. The monthly meetings have become a cornerstone of the village’s democratic process, serving as the public forum where residents can voice concerns, suggest improvements and interact with local officials.
To many, Malverne’s village board meetings remain an essential part of village life. Held regularly in the village hall, these meetings continue to be the primary venue for discussing matters that affect the community, from budgeting and taxes to zoning laws and environmental concerns. While the format of the meetings may have evolved over time, the underlying spirit of these gatherings remains the same — a place where citizens can come together to voice their opinions, address their concerns, and work collectively toward shaping the future of their village.
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At Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital, the nation’s most brilliant minds come here to conquer health care’s greatest challenges. So that whatever comes through our doors: challenge accepted.
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Continued
Taylor Grayson/Herald
malverne mayor t im Sullivan with the village board of trustees at the start of Wednesday’s meeting.
Malverne celebrates Veterans Day in style
Veterans Day is a widely celebrated federal holiday that occurs each year on Nov. 11. The holiday commemorates all those who served the country, living and deceased. Malverne hosts an annual celebration for their village vets. This year, the ceremony was held at Chester A. Reese Memorial Park at 11 a.m.
Veterans, and village residents of Malverne filled the park in support of those they know who protected us in various wars. People like Mayor Tim Sullivan wore honorary gear in solidarity with the Veterans.
Several veterans were in attendance too, including Ronnie West, Don Brady, Matt Gross, Frank Dimieri and more. Their proud family members posed in pictures with them and said kind words of their achievements.
A few dozen people were in attendance at the ceremony. It was one to remember.
–Taylor Grayson
Melissa Baptiste/Herald photos
Malverne Veterans and their families amidst the celebration.
Ronnie West, Cdr Malverne AL Post 44.
From left to right: Don Brady, Matt Gross, Frank Dimieri, Charlie Carnaval, John Pillitteri, Liam Connolly, Kevin Connolly.
Mayor Tim Sullivan addressing the crowd in honorary gear.
Malverne Veterans saluting the flag during the annual village ceremony.
Kick-a-thon to halt hunger on Long Island
it to the kids three weeks ago — they’ve been really excited. We plan to bring the donations to the LIC the week before Thanksgiving. That way, families can be fed for the holidays.”
Brogna, one of the dojo’s original partners, learned from Long Island Cares that many Long Islanders do not have regular access to food, and it takes all of $16 per day to feed a family.
Roughly 234,000 people suffer from a lack of access to food, including 65,000 children, according to the organization. Nearly 3 percent of Long Islanders struggle to afford food.
Although 40 percent people who are struggling are above the poverty threshold, they don’t earn enough money to keep up with the cost of living in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Long Island Cares says. And being above the poverty line — $55,500 for a family of four — usually makes them ineligible for government assistance.
To do their part to help those in need, the jujitsu center set a goal for each student taking part in the Kick-a-thon to raise $25, which, according to Long Island Cares, provides 19.25 pounds of food and 15.75 meals.
The students far exceeded the goal, with many families donating $100 even before seeing how many kicks their children could do. Recommended sponsorship was 5 to 10 cents per kick. Most stu-
dents did 80 kicks or more, and some did over 200. Some families came with their donations in envelopes, and then were inspired to give extra cash when the event was over. The dojo is still counting money but they have received at least $2,000 in donations.
Brogna’s son Nick, 25, is one of the dojo partners who organized the Kick-athon. He trained there as a child.
“I probably started around 6 years
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old,” Nick recalled. “I quit later on, went to college to be a physics teacher. Then I realized that I liked physics and was good at it, but I didn’t love it. I love teaching and I love kids. I realized that this had been such a rewarding and amazing job. Now I work here full time and train in my own time.”
The dojo is a family business through and through. Howard Popkin is another partner, but it’s his son Jordan 11, a
member since he was a toddler, who is the more extroverted Popkin.
“Senpai is Japanese — it means student who came before,” Jordan explained. “Sensei means teacher or master. Here we have two senseis and three senpais leading us.”
Watching all the dojo students take part in the Kick-a-thon, it seemed clear that everyone was happy to be a part of an activity that gives back to the community.
Sensei Howard popkin, standing at left, and Sensei Joe Brogna after both Kick-a-thon sessions. Kneeling, Senpai Jovani Ledesma, left, Senpai nicholas Brogna and Senpai nicholas gerbi.
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Taylor Grayson/Herald photos group a Kick-a-thon students with their parents and Sensei nick Brogna, far right in black shirt.
Six Eagle Scouts in one ceremony
Troop 300 has produced 31 Eagle Scouts in 23 years
By REINE BETHANY
Special to the Herald
An atmosphere of triumph, congratulations — and most of all, love — radiated from the smiling crowd that packed the Regan Hall auditorium at St. George’s Episcopal Church on Saturday.
The occasion was the Troop 300 Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony. No less than six troop members had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout during 2023 and 2024.
Fr. Sean Wallace, rector of St. George’s and Chartered Organization Executive for Troop 300, delivered the opening invocation.
The new Eagle Scouts were Esias Ellis, Steven Galdamez, Kyree Redd, Jeremiah Soto, Ahmand Tillery, and Jahmeir Tillery.
To become an Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout must rise through the prior five ranks of Scout membership, earning a minimum of 21 merit badges, in disciplines ranging from first aid to environmental science. All six new Eagle Scouts had earned well beyond the required number of badges.
In fact, Uniondale High School student and St. George’s member Esias Ellis had racked up 130 of the possible 138 merit badges offered by the Boy Scouts of America. He was also honored for his membership on the Ceremonial Team of the Order of the Arrow, the Scout International Honor Society.
Jeremiah Soto was unable to attend the ceremony because he is now a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps. His mother, Renaye Soto, accepted his Eagle Scout neckerchief and pin in his absence.
In addition to Boy Scouts officials from around Long Island, local politicians also attended the ceremony: Nassau County Legislators Scott Davis and Siela Bynoe, Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr., Hempstead Village Trustee Noah Burroughs, Hempstead School Board Vice President and Dean of Students Jeffrey Spencer, and Hempstead High School Principal Stephen Stra -
Why Not Print
by Eagle
with dedication, watching it produce a stellar 31 Eagle Scouts in those 23 years.
chan.
“I have been part of quite a few Eagle ceremonies here at St. George’s Episcopal Church,” said Bynoe. “I saw Nsikak Ekong being awarded his Eagle Scout pin here, and now he is the Scoutmaster. … Remember, be a good steward over everything this community and this church and this family has afforded to you.”
“The things that you do will lead to greater heights,” said Burroughs, “and to being leaders in this community and other communities as well.”
“Some of these young men are students at Hempstead High School,” said Strachan. “Keep up the good work! We are very proud of you.”
A special callout went to Carolyn Morant, a Roosevelt resident and decades-long member of St. George’s. Her son, Scott “La Rock” Sterling, had risen to high popularity in the 1980s hip-
hop scene. He died of bullet wounds in 1987 while trying to calm a neighborhood dispute in the South Bronx. In 2001, Morant decided to start Troop 300
at St. George’s in his honor. She proudly saw her grandson, Edward Morant III, earn the troop’s first Eagle Scout pin in 2010.
Courtesy Antonio Kelley
Carolyn Morant (center), surrounded
Scouts past and present, founded Troop 300 at St. George’s in 2001. She served it
Veterans Day commemorated in the park
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Nassau County veterans, families and community members gathered in Eisenhower Park on Nov. 10 to honor those who served on Veterans Day, paying tribute to local heroes whose courage and sacrifice have protected the United States’ freedoms and values. In a poignant ceremony led by the United Veterans Organization at the county’s veterans memorial in the park, speakers focused on respect, courage and resilience — and of course, the importance of Veterans Day and veteran service agencies.
“On Veterans Day, we veterans remember our service — we think about friends that we made, and some of the friends that we’ve lost,” Morris Miller, who’s on the UVO’s board of directors, said during the ceremony’s opening remarks. “We served with distinction. We served with honor. And even though many of us are older, greyer, out of shape — we would not hesitate at a moment’s notice to serve our country, if asked.”
Following a convocation, given by Chaplain Eric Spinner of the United Veterans Organization, a Color Guard was presented by active servicemen and women, youth organizations, and various veteran organizations.
Following his convocation, Spinner offered remarks for those who are prisoners of war and those who are still listed as missing in action.
“As you entered these grounds today, you may have noticed this small table in place,” Spinner said, referencing a display in front of the lectern. “This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly called POWs or MIAs — we call them brothers. They are unable to be with us at this time, and so we remember them.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, State Senator Steve Rhoads, State Assemblyman-elect Daniel Norber, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jen DeSena and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder all attended Sunday’s ceremony.
“We have enemies that hate our way of life, they hate our prosperity, they hate our spirit, they hate our love of country,” Blakeman said. “So today, we’re here to remember. May God bless our veterans, may God bless our active military, and may God bless America.”
Ryder said both veterans and police offers have a bond over the word “service.”
“And what does it mean — unconditional service,” he said. “You didn’t ask for anything when you signed up to serve your country. You just went out to do it, and do it because you honored the
flag, the constitution, the way of life here in the United States — that freedom we all get to enjoy.”
Among all of the speakers, perhaps no one is more involved directly with veteran affairs than Ralph Esposito, director of Nassau County’s Veterans Service Agency. There’s an office in East Meadow, right behind the main tower of the Nassau University Medical Center, which offers support, health care, food and other resources to veterans.
“I feed 1,650 people a month that are veterans,” Esposito said of the office he runs. “That should not be. Veterans should not be hungry. Our veterans shouldn’t have to sleep in the park. There’s a lot more to be done, and as long as I’m living, I want to fight to get it done. I promise you that.”
The United Veterans Organization held a Veterans Day ceremony at the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale on Sunday as well.
For more on veteran affairs and resources offered in Nassau County, visit NassauCountyNY.gov or call (516) 572-6565. Its headquarters are 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, Building ‘Q,’ East Meadow.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and State Senator Steve Rhoads carried a wreath to the POW-MIA memorial, and held their hands over their hearts during the presentation of ‘Taps.’
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Veteran organizations from across Nassau County participated in Sunday’s ceremony at the county’s veterans memorial in Eisenhower Park. Above, Elmont Post No. 1033 Legion Riders with the Patriot Guard Riders of New York.
West Hempstead runners continue rise
By ANDREW FANTUCCHIO sports@liherald.com
The West Hempstead boys’ cross country team made major strides this season, capping off a 13-1 campaign by finishing third in the Nassau County Class III Championships on Nov. 2 at Bethpage State Park.
“It’s a huge step forward,” Rams coach Nick DeBenedetto said. “In the past two or three years, I might have had one or two standout athletes who went all-county and went to the state championship, but this is the first time that we’re consistently fielding a full team, so it’s a big step forward. The depth is there, and it wasn’t there before.”
Out of the field of 97 runners from across Nassau County, West Hempstead had two finish in the top 10, and none finish lower than 30th. Senior Justin Delavandel led the Rams with a time of 17:46.50 to earn eighth place.
“Justin is really the most consistent of our athletes,” said DeBenedetto. “He was our top finisher at almost every meet. I anticipate he’s going to have success at the state qualifier and hopefully at state championships as well. There’s more proverbial meat on the bone there, and I think that’s the case for most of them.”
Fellow seniors Jeremy Haynes and Lukas Santana finished the race 18th and 30th, respectively. However, the true standout for West Hempstead was Joseph Santos-Acosta. With a time of 17:46.60, Santos-Acosta fin-
ished just behind Delavandel in ninth place and was the only freshman to place within the top 25.
“He has the potential to be county champion by the time he’s a senior,” said DeBenedetto. “If he keeps working at the rate he’s going, he’ll definitely be in the top five of the county. Among other freshmen, he’s really very, very good. That might be kind of his goal for himself, once he’s a senior. To be that senior who wins the county meet and blows everybody out of the water.”
With the success of Santos-Acosta and the team as a whole this season, DeBenedetto expects that more students will soon want to join the now blossoming program.
“The program is already very successful, but now it’s going to a place where it’s a standout program,” DeBendetto said. “It’s turning it into something that is super rewarding. You have all these athletes that are fresh, that don’t know anything about the sport, and you let them find that success.”
That’s how Christian Dominguez became part of the team. Without any cross-country experience prior to this year, he joined the team as a sophomore and finished in 29th place at the county championships.
The Rams are even starting to compete in the girls’ ranks. Junior Karen Orozco-Castro placed 13th as West Hempstead’s lone runner in the girls’ championship race.
“It’s a passion project,” said DeBenedetto. “To have a program here that’s becoming successful, I couldn’t be more proud of them and what has developed here.”
Paul Grassini/Herald Senior Jeremy Haynes crackied the top 20 at the Nassau Class III championships to help the Rams secure third place.
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Hofstra students star in election broadcast
By XIOMARA TRINIDAD PEREZ Herald Intern
The Herbert School of Communications, at Hofstra University, had transformed overnight into a news station. Students were busy writing scripts and reporting live results on election night, on a program called “Hofstra Votes Live.”
The multi-platform broadcast brought together students from across the Herbert School and the university. They began planning the program months before the election in order to deliver comprehensive, real-time coverage — all under the mentoring and guidance of Hofstra faculty members. The broadcast aired from 8 p.m. to midnight, and reached audiences on campus, on YouTube and on 88.7 FM WRHU, Radio Hofstra University.
The program featured coverage with both a regional and national perspective, and included live reports from watch parties such as those for Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and his Democratic challenger Laura Gillen, who ultimately defeated him. One of the standout moments was a live report from Vice President Kamala Harris’s watch party, at Howard University, in Washington, by student reporter Jake Epstein. Student anchors also interview guests such as former New York Gov. David Paterson on air.
The students gained hands-on experience in the fast-paced world of live news coverage, and learned about the behindthe-scenes work that goes into producing an important broadcast on a historic night. They also felt for themselves the excitement and intensity of covering a
presidential election.
“To be part of Hofstra Votes Live is a huge opportunity, and I feel so grateful being part of the team,” said Sarah Ng, a senior at Hofstra who served as one of the anchors of the national coverage.
“It’s a big production that the depart -
ment puts on every two years, and I’m really excited to see how it comes together. I’m both excited and nervous just because it’s four hours long — that’s like, that would be the longest I’ve ever been on air live.”
Days before the broadcast, student anchors like Ng took part in a special workshop hosted by WABC reporter Chanteé Lans, who shared some of the secrets of being a good anchor during a live broadcast.
In the past, “HVL” has covered presidential and midterm elections as well as Super Tuesday during the presidential primaries. Last year the broadcast won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Student Video Newscast for its coverage of the 2022 midterms.
“I’m really grateful, actually, to be one of the coordinating producers for ‘HVL’ for the 2024 presidential election,” junior Samantha Diamond said. “You know, seeing me as a freshman two years ago, I was one of the camera assistants. . . . And I was just, like, you know what? When I’m an upperclassmen and we do this again in two years, I want to be one of the leaders.”
In addition to the main “HVL” broadcast, students also produced a special edition of “Hofstra News Now” that aired the day before Election Day. The broadcast examined key issues in the election, including reproductive rights, foreign affairs and inflation.
Courtesy Diego Olivras
Regional anchors Michael Dent and Camryn Bowden reporting the news for ‘Hofstra Votes Live’ on election night.
Lakeview’s NAACP Celebrates Vet Day
Veterans Day is a widely celebrated federal holiday that occurs each year on Nov. 11. The holiday commemorates all those who served the country, living and deceased. This year, for a change of pace, Lakeview’s NAACP chapter hosted the Veterans Day event at St. Paul AME church at 452 Pershing Blvd. Veterans, citizens and members of the Lakeview NAACP chapter lined the church walls to celebrate those who fought for our country and risked their lives. Several key members of the NAACP were present, including Phillip Tinsley (Membership Chairman) and Doris Hicks Newkirk (Lakeview Branch President.)
Several veterans were in attendance too, some from Vietnam, Desert Storm and more. Terrance Holliday, Thomas Kemp Jr., Aulbert J. Hancock and James Macklin were some of the heroes who showed up at the ceremony and were honored.
Around 20 people were in attendance at the ceremony. The real celebration started after lunch was provided. The whole event lasted a few hours.
–Taylor Grayson
Tiktok sued in lieu of mental health in
By Carolyn James cjames@liherald.com
A federal lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, alleges that the company violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, COPPA. The suit, filed by the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission in August 2024, subjects the company to a court order requiring it to implement specific measures to comply with COPPA.
According to the lawsuit, TikTok allowed children to create standard accounts, enabling them to create, view, and share short videos and messages with adults and others on the platform. “The defendants collected and retained a wide variety of personal information from these children without notifying or obtaining consent from their parents. Even for accounts created in ‘Kids Mode,’ a pared-down version of TikTok intended for users under 13, the defendants unlawfully collected and retained children’s email addresses and other personal information,” the suit alleges.
The lawsuit also states that when parents discovered their children’s accounts and requested that the company delete the information, TikTok frequently failed to honor those requests.
In October 2024, TikTok faced another lawsuit filed by a bipartisan coalition, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta. This suit claims that TikTok harms children’s mental health.
“Young people are struggling with their mental health because of addictive social media platforms like TikTok,” James said. “TikTok claims that their platform is safe for young people, but that is far from true. In New York and across the country, young people have died or been injured doing dangerous TikTok challenges, and many more are feeling sad, anxious, and depressed due to TikTok’s addictive features. Today, we are suing TikTok to protect young people and help combat the nationwide youth mental health
Studies have shown that excessive use of technology by young people leads to stress and psychological disorders.
crisis. Kids and families across the country are desperate for help, and we are doing everything in our power to protect them.”
In 2021, educators raised additional concerns about TikTok’s “devious licks” trend, which was linked to incidents of vandalism and even physical attacks on school personnel. One theme encouraged students to “smack a staff member on the backside” or “kiss a friend’s girlfriend in school,” clearly designed to disrupt or incite violence in school settings. Although TikTok banned the “devious licks’” hashtag weeks after it emerged, similar trends have proliferated across multiple platforms since then.
kids
“When we look at the youth mental health crisis and the revenue machine TikTok has created, fueled by the time and attention of our young people, it’s devastatingly obvious: our children and teens never stood a chance against these social media behemoths,” Bonta said. “TikTok must be held accountable for the harms it has caused by taking away the time—and childhoods—of American children.”
A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that 41 percent of teens with the highest social media usage rate their overall mental health as poor or very poor, compared to 23 percent of those with the lowest usage. Additionally, 10 percent of the highest users expressed suicidal intent or self-harm in the past year, compared to 5 percent of the lowest users, and 17 percent of the highest users reported poor body image, compared to 6 percent of the lowest users. Therefore, monitoring and limiting access is critical.
“There is no question that young people today are under constant pressure to be online and connected,” said Jennifer Lopez, director of pupil personnel services at the Amityville School District. “Whenever I tell my own children to get off the phone, it feels like a punishment, and they go through withdrawals. But then they seem to relax and have permission to be kids again.”
Lopez, who also teaches at the college level, emphasized the need for parents and educators to stay ahead of technology, which often seems impossible.
“We cannot ignore technology; we have to stay one step ahead of it and teach young people how to use it,” she said. “They must learn to critically analyze information and use it to their advantage without letting it replace reasoning.”
Zhang Yiming, the architect of TikTok, graduated from Nankai University in 2005 with a degree in software engineering. TikTok was introduced to a global audience in 2012 and is banned in mainland China, as well as in many other countries.
Metro Creative
Metro Creative
Mary Smith, Lakeview; Irma Ford, Lakeview; Andrea Tillman, West Hempstead; Sherri Flournoy, Lakeview.
Cedarhurst’s Annual
Black Friday Weekend Sale Event
Friday, November 29th
Sat, Nov. 30th: 7pm - Midnight!
Sunday, December 1st
He served the country.
Navy veteran Kerry Englander discusses his role as the American Legion’s Nassau commander
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Kerry Englander, a U.S. Navy veteran and longtime member of American Legion Post 1711 in Levittown, was appointed the Legion’s Nassau County commander in June. Representing nearly 30,000 veterans across 52 posts, he now oversees efforts to support those who served.
Englander, 79, joined Levittown Post 1711 in 2008, starting as historian before being named second vice commander. He became active in the Nassau County chapter of the American Legion in 2020, serving as vice commander of the second division, where he supervised 15 posts in central Nassau.
After three years in that role, he was promoted to adjutant. His journey toward leadership included training at American Legion College at SUNY Morrisville, where he strengthened his understanding of the organization’s mission.
“It’s so gratifying working with all the vets and vet services,” Englander said. “Helping veterans — that’s what the American Legion is. It’s vets helping vets and the community. We served our country, and now we’re serving our community — simple as that.”
Englander’s commitment to aiding
veterans was evident when he recently helped a fellow veteran with a staph infection transfer to the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook for specialized care.
“He’s rehabilitating there, awaiting his hip replacement,” Englander said, highlighting his hands-on approach.
ment operations. Boys State has had many notable alumni throughout its 88-year history, including Neil Armstrong, Bruce Springsteen and Michael Jordan. Englander said that he sees this program as an essential way to teach leadership and civic responsibility.
Englander’s own leadership journey began with his military service. From 1966 to 1968, he served on the USS Talladega, a troop transport ship based in California, before ending his tour in Pearl Harbor, where he trained recruits. Starting as a boatswain’s mate, he fondly recalls early duties, including cooking for the chiefs.
“Everybody’s gotta start someplace,” he said with a laugh.
After his military service, Englander pursued a career in information technology with Con Edison and now runs a tax practice. He got married to his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth, and has a son, who is now 47, and a grandson, 11. His commitment to service, influenced by his family’s values and history, continues to shape his work with the Legion.
Englander’s advocacy has also extended to pushing for the reopening of the Mitchel Field commissary in Uniondale. In September, he joined other members of the American Legion, as well as Congressman Anthony D’Esposito and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, in urging the Department of Defense to repair the damaged facility. The commissary’s closure has forced local veterans to travel to Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn for discounted food.
“The veterans and current military need this facility, especially with the economy the way it is today,” Englander told the Herald at the rally. “I believe that if the military and veterans are putting this facility, it should be opened up.
The Nassau County Legion chapter continues to advocate for more state funding to expand opportunities for Long Island students to attend Boys State, a prestigious program that immerses high school juniors in govern-
One of Englander’s proudest achievements as county commander has been the revival of the Nassau County oratorical contest, a constitutional speech competition for high school students. Contestants compete for up to $1,000 in scholarships by presenting an eight- to 10-minute speech on the U.S. Constitution, followed by a discourse on an assigned topic related to key amendments.
In his role as county commander, Englander remains focused on growing membership and strengthening the Legion’s community outreach. He values the mentorship of past county commanders, acknowledging their support as essential to his success.
“When you get into the county, you’re dealing with many posts,” he said. “The past commanders are critical to the making of a county commander … I couldn’t do it without them.”
For Englander, the American Legion is about more than honoring service — it’s about actively supporting veterans and their families. His leadership embodies the Legion’s core values of commitment, service and community.
Daniel Offner/Herald
Nassau County American Legion Commander Kerry Englander shared some of his
county’s nearly 30,000 veterans.
Light the night with sweet
LuminoCity unwraps a colorful world of wonder
By Danielle Schwab
The holiday season is quickly approaching, so bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and experience holiday magic at 14 acres of enchanting displays in Eisenhower Park.
Now in its fifth year, the popular holiday festival LuminoCity, which runs through Jan. 5, welcomes guests to a wonderland filled with giant lantern creations.
“It’s a really cool combination of light and art and a little sprinkle of holiday magic with this event,” John Baiata, LuminoCity’s onsite manager. Eisenhower Park is our signature event.”
All of the displays are new to Eisenhower Park this year.
The idea started with the founder Xiaoyi Chen, who grew up in China and was inspired by traditional Chinese lantern festivals as a child.
“She came to New York, went to art school here, and founded LuminoCity in 2018 with the idea to reimagine the traditional Chinese lantern festival into something that combined her acumen with the art world,” Baiata explains.
As you stroll along the paths, LuminoCity’s mascot, Lumi, lights you along the way. Visitors will see Lumi in various outfits as your glowing tour guide throughout your visit.
This year’s theme “Sweet Dreams,” stirs up a delightful blend of sugar and imagination into a candy-coated world of desserts and confections.
“Who doesn’t like a giant donut tunnel, or a forest made entirely of sweets?” asks Baiata. Kids have added their own “Sweet Dreams” to the walk-through as part of Lumi’s Utopia, in partnership with Long Island Children’s Museum.
“We hold an art contest for children of different age categories. They submit works of art with a pre-agreed theme — this year’s theme was Sweet Dreams, such as candy and sweets — and the museum and our founder picked the winners,” Baiata says.
LuminoCity’s team acquires kids’ 2-D artwork that is brought to life as a 3-D light display for all to enjoy.
“The best part is the children seeing, for the first time, their pieces of art come to life. There’s this visceral excitement and just a gushing pride that you see from them and their parents as well,” Baiata adds.
“Art enriches our lives in so many ways that we take for granted sometimes. This really reminds us that imagination and art are central to our purpose here.”
Other can’t-miss attractions include a 50-foot Christmas tree and a majestic ice castle, which is
• Now through Jan. 5; weekdays 4:30-9:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 4:30-10 p.m.
• Tickets priced $24-$32 per person, children 3 and under free
• Purchase tickets at luminocityfestival.com or on-site.
• Eisenhower Park , East Meadow
described as bigger than a residential home. And, of course, a lantern Santa Claus returns to spread holiday cheer .
“I think that it creates this sense of wonder and adventure because as you approach, you’re looking up and you’re just kind of awed,” Baiata says.
Unlike Old Saint Nick, this process certainly can’t be completed in just one night. With a team of 40 members, the spectacle has been months in the making.
“It’s a big production staff required to get this all done. And it’s not just the creation. It’s also the maintenance because we’re outdoors, so we are beholden to the elements,” Baiata adds.
For an exciting twist, the festival also offers theme nights. Check out the website for additional ways to join in the fun.
When it’s time for a break, seek out the food truck nearby, with tempting eats and treats.
Whether you have been before, or it’s your first time, LuminoCity’s Holiday Light festival promises a night of memory-making experiences with friends and family.
“One of the most precious things in children is seeing the wonder in their eyes. And you want to cultivate that sense of wonder with your children; not just your children, but also your inner child,” Baiata enthuses.
“For the families who have already made (our festival) a tradition, we’re so grateful.”
Madeleine Peyroux
The acclaimed jazz singer, songwriter and interpreter brings her tour to the Landmark stage, following spring’s release of “Let’s Walk,” her first album in six years. Peyroux is acclaimed for her dusky, lyrical style and affinity for reinterpreting classic jazz, blues, and folk standards. Her extraordinary journey is one of the music industry’s most compelling. Emerging in her teens, much like songbird Edith Piaf, Peyroux spent her teenage years busking the busy streets of Paris. Years later, Peyroux would cite Piaf as an influence on her music and record a rendition of the classic La Vie En Rose, soulfully capturing the tune’s romanticism and melancholy. Madeleine’s thirst for creative exploration is unfading and her willingness to face creative challenges remains as solid now as it was three decades ago.
Sunday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m. $70, $65, $58. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
‘Come and play”… on Sesame Street
Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their friends from Sesame Street are coming to your neighborhood to say hello! At Sesame Street Live! Say Hello everyone’s invited to sing, dance and play alongside some of their favorite friends, all while you follow Elmo’s puppy, Tango, in a fun game of hide and seek. Elmo, his pals and other Muppets lead dances, songs, and games from the stage while you and your little ones participate in the audience. Join in lively dances, sing along to catchy tunes and interact with your favorite Muppets, As they say on Sesame Street: “Come and play, Everything’s A-Okay, Friendly neighbors there, That’s where we meet…”.
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Photos courtesy LuminoCity Eisenhower Park glitters throughout the holiday season with the arrival of LuminoCity.
Let’s Skate
Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, opening Saturday, Nov. 16, through Jan. 7. Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades. Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.” Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.
Nov. 15
Malverne Holiday Light Tour Sign-Up
Register your home for a spectacular tour of Holiday Lights and Decorative Displays by Friday, Nov. 15. The tour takes place Saturday, Nov. 23, 10-noon. For more information, go to at malvernevillage.org
Defensive Driving Class
Have a road test coming up? Need points off your license or a lower insurance rate? Attend this one-day course presented by Empire Safety Council for all ages on Thursday, Nov. 21, 9:30 a.m.3:30 p.m., at West Hempstead Public Library. $33 per person. Registration required. 500 Hempstead Ave, $33 per person. Visit whplibrary.org or contact (516) 481-6591 with any questions.
Having an event?
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues Saturday, Nov. 16, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.
Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition “Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media. It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Conversation Circle
Need a safe space? West Hempstead Public Library invites all to its Conversation Circle, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2:30- 4 p.m. Discuss issues, concerns, and wins, anything you’d like. The meeting will be virtual. Go to plymouthricketxb.com for more information.
Owl Prowl
Check out Sands Point Preserve’s native owls calling in the woods at night, with biologist and ranger Eric Powers, Friday, Nov. 15, 7-8:30 p.m. Learn how to identify owls by sight and sound, and attract these beneficial birds to your own backyard. Then head out to the woods for a very quiet guided night walk in search of owls and other nighttime wildlife. Families welcome. Spaces are limited and registration required. $24 adult, $12 child, 8+; $18 adult, $6.50 child, 8+ members. 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale
TRAILBLAZER AWARD & KEYNOTE SPEAKER
MICHAEL J. DOWLING
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NORTHWELL HEALTH
ACCOUNTING:
JOHN FITZGERALD
Managing Partner
Citrin Cooperman
GURJIT SINGH
Chief Information Officer
Prager Metis CPAs
DIANE L. WALSH
Chief Marketing Officer
Prager Metis CPAs
BANKING & FINANCE:
JOHN BURKE
Managing Director
Global Head of Business & Professional Services
Citi Commercial Bank
MICHELE DEAN
Chief Executive Officer
Suffolk Credit Union
STUART H. LUBOW
President & Chief Executive Officer
Dime Community Bank
DAVID A. PERLMUTTER
Managing Partner
Forest Hills Financial Group
MARK SANCHIONI
Senior Vice President & Chief Banking Officer
Ridgewood Savings Bank
JOSEPH TEDESCO
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ocean Financial Federal Credit Union
BIOPHARMA:
PATRICIA ECKERT, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Enzo Biochem, Inc.
COMMUNICATIONS:
ANDREW RAINONE
Senior Vice President, Business Sales
Optimum Business
EDUCATION:
MARIA CONZATTI, Ed.D.
Chief Administrative Officer
Nassau Community College
CHRISTINE M. RIORDAN, Ph.D.
President
Adelphi University
TIMOTHY E. SAMS, Ph.D.
President
SUNY Old Westbury
ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION:
LOUIS BEKOFSKY
Principal, Managing Partner VHB
WILLIAM MAXWELL
Vice President The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
BILLY HAUGLAND II
Chief Executive Officer
Haugland Group LLC
ANDREW J. SOLANO
Managing Partner
Emtec Consulting Engineers
GAS/UTILITIES:
CHRISTINA ARMENTANO
Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President Paraco
JOHN RHODES
Chief Executive Officer Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)
ROSS TURRINI
Chief Operating Officer, New York Gas National Grid
ENERGY:
JIM FLANNERY
Chief Operating Officer National Grid Ventures, US Northeast
HEALTHCARE:
MICHAEL GITMAN, MD President Long Island Jewish Medical Center
STACEY C. JACKSON-HARLEY
RN MA BSN
Chief Operating Officer
Harmony Healthcare
ANDREW MINTZ
Chief Executive Officer
The Smilist
MICHAEL N. ROSENBLUT
President & Chief Executive Officer
Parker Jewish Institute For Healthcare and Rehabilitation
AMY SILVA-MAGALHAES
Chief Operating Officer
The Bristal Assisted Living
JON SENDACH, FACHE President North Shore University Hospital
AMIT SHAH, MD
Partner & Vascular Surgeon
PRINE Health
JOSEPH VERDIRAME
Chief Executive Officer
Alliance Homecare
HOSPITALITY:
MICHAEL LESSING
Chief Executive Officer Lessing's Hospitality Group
LEGAL:
NICOLE W. JOSEPH, MSc
Chief Operating Officer & Finance Director
CM Law PLLC
JULIE WYETZNER
Executive Director &
Chief Operating Officer
Cona Elder Law PLLC
MICHAEL H. SAHN
Managing Partner Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano PLLC
HOWARD M. STEIN
Managing Partner & Co-Chair of the Real Estate Practice Group Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
NOT-FOR-PROFIT:
PHIL ANDREWS
President
Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce
LISA BURCH, MPH
President & Chief Executive Officer
EPIC Long Island, Inc.
RANDELL M. BYNUM
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Nassau County
MATTHEW COHEN
President & Chief Executive Officer Long Island Association, Inc.
ERIKA FLORESKA
President Long Island Children's Museum
JEFFREY FRIEDMAN
Chief Executive Officer
CN Guidance and Counseling Services
DAN LLOYD
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Minority Millennials, Inc.
DIANE MANDERS
Interim Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of LI
JOHN MCGUIGAN
Chief Executive Officer
AHRC Suffolk
JEFFREY L. REYNOLDS, Ph.D.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Family and Children's Association
LUIS VAZQUEZ
President & Chief Executive Officer
Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
REAL ESTATE:
JOSEPH A. FARKAS
Chief Executive Officer & Founder Metropolitan Realty Associates LLC
RETAIL:
ROBERT KAY
Chief Executive Officer Lifetime Brands, Inc.
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
CHRIS R. VACCARO
President & Executive Officer
Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame
TECHNOLOGY:
AMY E. NEWMAN
Senior Vice President, Administration
Canon U.S.A, Inc.
TRANSPORTATION:
ROBERT FREE
Acting President
Long Island Rail Road
MARLON TAYLOR
President New York & Atlantic Railway
MICHAEL D. TORNABE
Chief Operating Officer
Guardian Bus Company
COREY J. MUIRHEAD
Executive Vice President
Guardian Bus Company
WASTE MANAGEMENT:
AZEEZ MOHAMMED
President & Chief Executive Officer
Reworld
*List still in formation
Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen
Assistant Business Administrator Position
The Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen is seeking an Assistant Business Administrator for an immediate opening. The successful candidate must possess a valid NYS SBA, SDBL, SDA, or SDL certification. The incumbent will assist the Assistant Superintendent for Business & Human Resources in all aspects of school business administration. The primary responsibilities include:
• Managing the District’s financial accounting system and procedures, processing accounting transactions, and preparing related month end/year end reports.
• Assisting in the preparation of the annual budget and related reports, responsible for grant recording and reporting.
• Managing the transportation process and responsible for the day-to-day transportation administration of the district.
• Maintain capital project files and ensure reporting of state aid forms on a timely basis for state aid. Coordinating all required reporting for audits and ST-3 filings. They assist in tuition billing, preparing cash flows as needed for necessary borrowings, develop regulations and processes to support Board of Education policies, assist in the supervision of certified and classified staff. Administrative experience and Certified Public Accountant Preferred; proficiency in Microsoft products is required, incumbent should be an independent thinker and motivated self-starter.
All interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to stayal@valleystream13.com or apply on OLAS.
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.
STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.
Salary Range is $16 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
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
MARKETING SPECIALIST
Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.
REQUIREMENTS:
Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.
POSITION DETAILS: Flexible: Part-time or Full-time. Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.
Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Dealing with the postSandy bureaucracy
Sun-Filled Gracious Colonial
Q. I saw an article about auditing government by our state comptroller and wondered if you saw how he outlined waste and mishandling federal and state funds, in recovering from Superstorm Sandy. He cited gaps in program “oversight.” Were you aware of problems? We got funds from the New York Rising program. It was an ordeal we hope to never repeat. Like our neighbors, our house was raised, but they got more money without questions. We received a letter demanding $20,000 back, claiming funds were misused. Our neighbor built an illegal ground-floor family room with a wet bar, yet we were told we could only have storage, for example, and the state didn’t even say anything when they passed inspection. Did you see that people were treated differently, and is there any recourse?
A. Since the program has ended, I doubt that you can appeal. For 10 years after the storm I made many observations of the ways in which the officials at each level handled the specifics of insisting on everything from plastic laminate countertops versus quartz or granite, the waste of every property separately surveyed for groundwater depth, the use of the ground floor and the changes in whether you could have a window or door opening, and even whether you could have masonry steps when the program only allowed for wood steps, which were destined to need maintenance or replacement in a short period of time. There were many ways a design professional like me, working with the recipients of the funds, like you, could have helped to make the programs more efficient, safer, and less expensive for the government, but each time I tried to contact the fund management, my input was ignored. I met with the national head of FEMA while I was filming a documentary about disasters in Moore, Oklahoma, as well state legislators and our local New York Rising program director. In each case I got a business card and a “Shoot me an email and we’ll talk,” but never any follow-up.
I saw that it was a complete waste to ask homeowners to separately pay for groundwater testing on their property, for $1,000 to $2,500, in order to qualify for house-raising when an organized agency could have saved millions of dollars by getting testing done up and down entire blocks, mobilizing the testing company to come to a block once instead of randomly testing next-door neighbors’ properties a day apart. I was working with five neighbors at one time, and tried to get a state and local adviser to review procedures and applications in a single meeting, only to be told that one would meet on a Wednesday, the next the following week and squeeze another in by the month’s end.
And, yes, I witnessed many differences in people’s treatment and how cases were handled, and I could not get an explanation when appealing on behalf of a homeowner. Perhaps the Homes and Community Renewal Agency can advise. Good luck!
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A call for tolerance amid the acrimony
Aweek and a half removed from the conclusion of the profoundly exasperating 2024 election cycle, it is abundantly clear that the political temperature remains at an unprecedented high.
sCoTT M. DAVis
Constructive discourse seems nonexistent. Divisive rhetoric and finger-pointing have emerged as the standards of the day, and the pendulum has swung far away from working together across the political spectrum to build consensus for the greater good. This unsustainable climate is driving us down the dead-end road of acrimony and dysfunction.
We must all recognize this moment as a time for introspection and taking personal responsibility for the direction in which we move forward. As our emo-
tions settle, we should consider the legacy that we will leave for the next generation and reflect on what we can do to create a better path of promise for the future for those who follow.
In recognizing the magnitude of this moment in our political history, it is imperative to consider focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us. At our core, I believe we all share similar fundamental desires: to be able to live in an affordable, safe community where we, our families, and loved ones are treated with dignity and respect and can thrive, live authentically, and become the best versions of ourselves. We may have different customs, attend different religious institutions or celebrate in different ways, but the reality is this: We share more similarities than differences.
W e must tamp down the divisive rhetoric that permeates our discourse.
ideals of tolerance and constructive problem-solving. Developing a willingness to listen and consider the possibility that an alternate way of thinking on an issue may have value is essential, and as a first step, I encourage everyone across the political spectrum to see how we can do better and contribute toward achieving this outcome.
seize on the work of forging a positive path for the next generation. Everyone is exhausted by the current political climate. We can and must do our part to work together, in order to give us all a better chance to live our best lives in a society where everyone is valued and protected.
Changing the toxic political climate starts with each one of us taking a long look in the mirror and embracing the
At this time of tremendous division, we must all renew our willingness to consider the legitimacy of differing perspectives and seek common ground on which reasonable people can begin to build a consensus. Start by focusing on something you can agree on and build from there. This isn’t an easy task, but it is a necessary one. We won’t always agree, but we must not always disagree. Even within our own families, we don’t concur on everything, but we move forward together.
With the holiday season fast approaching, now is an ideal time to
Our first task in this vital pursuit is tamping down the divisive rhetoric and intolerance that permeates our discourse. By focusing on understanding, empathy and bridge-building, we can pave the way for more united communities as we build a future that is inclusive, respectful of differences, and focused on creating solutions that benefit everyone.
Let’s come together — not as adversaries, but as neighbors and fellow citizens — and work toward a future in which our shared values and common goals guide us to a stronger and more resilient future. We are all better when we work together.
Scott M. Davis, of Rockville Centre, represents Nassau County’s 1st Legislative District.
Congestion pricing won’t solve the MTA’s problems
Halloween is over, but Gov. Kathy Hochul’s congestion pricing plan is still haunting New Yorkers. This might even feel like Groundhog Day to those who read my column on congestion pricing in June, when we celebrated the delay but also exposed the true political motivations behind the proposal.
The governor’s decision to “pause” congestion pricing this summer temporarily stopped tolls that would have made travel into Manhattan’s busiest areas even more costly. Now, with state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli warning of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s worsening financial troubles, congestion pricing is back on the table, threatening to add yet another burden to New Yorkers already facing record-high costs.
When the governor announced the delay in June, I called for the Legislature to hold hearings. We had a real opportunity to hear directly from those affected and find a path forward for MTA fund-
ing that didn’t involve hiking fees for middle-class commuters. Instead, we wasted valuable time while the MTA’s financial troubles have only deepened.
The comptroller now reports a massive authority shortfall in its operating budget of at least $211 million this year, and DiNapoli is warning of a potential $1.5 billion gap next year if no action is taken. These operating budget shortfalls will add to the MTA’s financial crisis, especially when you couple this with its massive $68 billion capital plan.
The Legislature shouldn’t be a rubber stamp for closed-door deals.
On top of these challenges, new taxes and fees — like last year’s payroll mobility tax hike — have only placed additional financial burdens on New Yorkers without achieving the intended results. Despite this tax increase aimed specifically at supporting the MTA, the agency is still running a deficit. The shortfall underscores a deeper issue: Even with new revenue from the proposed congestion tolls, the MTA continues to struggle with high operating costs and budgetary mismanagement.
This measure unfairly targets hardworking, middle-class commuters and imposes harmful extra fees on taxis and
for-hire drivers, effectively taxing their means of making a living. We can’t keep piling on taxes and fees without addressing these underlying problems, or we risk pushing families, workers and businesses out of New York altogether. There are too many questions about the agency’s budget management to make congestion pricing the default solution.
We have seen firsthand the inefficiency and lack of transparency in the MTA. The agency has consistently over-promised and under-delivered, costing taxpayers more with each misstep. Pushing for increased use of public transportation over private vehicles without addressing the MTA’s well-known reliability issues will only increase congestion in an already troubled system. The public deserves a clear accounting of where these funds are going and how decisions are being made. Lawmakers, too, deserve the chance to ask hard questions and consider practical solutions. The answer is not to rush into congestion pricing to cover up a failing system, but rather to bring forward a thoughtful, public process that thoroughly examines the MTA’s spending and governance.
Hochul suggested that the delay was intended to protect New York City’s delicate economic recovery from the impact of reduced commuter-driven business. But it was really a strategic decision to curry favor in suburban areas where the plan faces significant opposition, particularly before a key election. The socalled “indefinite” delay was set to last only until Nov. 6. Now that election season is over, congestion pricing will likely return during the upcoming state budget cycle, because the plan was ultimately designed to generate revenue, not to solve the fundamental problems with our transportation system.
The Legislature should not be a rubber stamp for closed-door deals that impact millions of lives. It’s time to bring this conversation out into the open, hear from stakeholders and make the MTA’s fiscal health a topic of thorough public debate. Without accountability, New Yorkers will just keep paying more for the same services. Rather than “unpausing” a broken solution and rushing into a costly toll scheme, let’s focus on addressing the root issues in a way that doesn’t sacrifice our workers and families to endless new taxes.
Ed Ra represents the 19th Assembly District, and is the ranking Republican member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
HERALD
Herald editorial
Delivering quality journalism matters most
last week’s news that The Newark Star-Ledger will cease its print edition and become digitalonly in February offers an opportunity to reflect on how quality journalism best serves our communities today.
The Star-Ledger’s shift, along with similar moves by other newspapers in New Jersey, reflects the complex reality facing modern newsrooms. But rather than seeing this as a choice between print and digital, let’s focus on what research consistently shows: Different formats serve different purposes, and many readers benefit from both.
Print newspapers continue to command exceptional trust and engagement. Studies repeatedly demonstrate that readers retain information better from print, and advertisers see stronger results from print campaigns. There’s something uniquely focused about the experience of reading a physical newspaper — the thoughtful progression through its pages, the serendipitous discoveries, the natural hierarchy that helps readers understand what matters
letters
Affordable housing tops the list of L.I.’s problems
To the Editor:
I’m writing in response to the editorial “The Herald’s pact with you” (Oct. 31-Nov. 6), in which you ask, “What are the topics you care about?”
There are many problems affecting Nassau County, Long Island, New York state and the United States that I care about, but the one I find myself coming back to more than any other is housing, specifically the availability of affordable housing.
I live in Point Lookout, a community that has gentrified enormously since my parents bought a home here in 1957, for which they paid $17,500, taking a 10-year mortgage. It’s great for me, I guess, that my home has appreciated in value astronomically, but, in my opinion, not so good overall for the people of Long Island.
One of my daughters struggled to find somewhere to live on her own nearby, finally settling into part of a home in another Nassau County community, paying rent that’s at the very limit of what she can afford. And this is typical. As individuals and families struggle to pay their mortgages and property taxes, there are close to zero apartments and mixed-use developments being built.
In Long Beach, just down the road from Point Lookout, there are innumerable, mostly illegal apartments in homes, despite the periodic statements of various Long Beach officials
most. Digital platforms, meanwhile, excel at breaking news and interactive graphics.
The most successful news organizations today recognize that different stories, and different moments, call for different platforms.
At the Herald, we see firsthand how print and digital complement each other. Breaking news might first appear online, and then our print editions provide the context, analysis and depth that help readers truly understand issues affecting their communities. Each platform serves its purpose, and together they create a more informed community.
The future of news isn’t about choosing digital over print, or vice versa — it’s about delivering quality journalism through whatever channels best serve you, our readers. There’s no doubt that news will eventually be delivered by a technology that doesn’t even exist yet, and that’s OK.
Local newspapers, regardless of format, serve as champions of community achievements, watchdogs of public officials and chroniclers of the stories that
matter most to our readers. Whether you’re holding a printed page or scrolling on a screen, what matters most is the quality of the journalism you’re reading.
At the Herald, our commitment has remained unchanged for many decades: to provide trustworthy, impactful journalism that serves the people of Long Island. We’ll continue investing in both print and digital delivery, recognizing that our readers benefit from having choices in how they consume news. And, of course, we always want to hear from you about how we can serve you and your communities better.
The future of journalism depends not on the medium but on the continued support of readers who value quality local news. Whether you prefer print or digital, or both, your engagement helps ensure that professional journalism continues to thrive in our communities. Tell your friends and family to subscribe to their local newspapers, wherever in the world they live.
We look forward to being your trusted source of local news for years to come.
promising a crackdown on such apartments.
The opposition to building more housing on Long Island is fierce. Look what happened last year to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s attempt to encourage the construction of more housing throughout the state.
Local politicians rant and rave about how apartments and multi-unit developments near transit hubs will destroy the suburban character of Nassau County — as if developers were looking to build huge apartments in residential neighborhoods!
tour neighbors, work
tribute about and more Despite challenges sense of many That’s community humbled ty the p
— while our young people and families who cannot afford to buy homes have almost no options for housing. Cowardly town, county and state politicians serve only their own self-interest in being re-elected, and do nothing to address this problem. And our young people, and others, continue to leave Long Island due to the lack of housing options.
MICHAEL CrAvEN Point Lookout
canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
topinions Reflecting on progress and looking ahead
hank you. Over the past two years, I have had the incredible honor of traveling throughout the 9th Senate District to meet our neighbors, to see the extraordinary work they’re doing to serve and contribute to our communities, and to hear about the challenges and struggles they face every day. As a mother and a small-business owner, I’m all too familiar with many of these challenges — inflation and the increasingly high cost of living, concerns about public safety and antisemitism, and helping our children navigate a seemingly more and more troubled world.
Despite how insurmountable these challenges appear, there is almost a sense of comfort in knowing that so many of us are facing them together. That’s why I sought to be a voice for our community two years ago, and why I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity the residents of the district have
given me to continue advocating for them in Albany for the next two years. With the 2025 state legislative session quickly approaching, I am committed to ensuring that the priorities and concerns of the residents of our communities are heard in the Capitol. I will continue to highlight the experiences my constituents share with me to help make the case for tackling the issues impacting everyday New Yorkers. It is imperative that lawmakers return to Albany with a focus on lowering costs and combating the affordability crisis head-on.
ilong-term if they ultimately decide to resume this disastrous proposal. rather than further burdening New Yorkers with more taxes and costly mandates, we need to rein in state spending to drive down the costs of goods and utilities.
t’s clear that residents don’t like policies that result from oneparty control.
After years of control by a one-party supermajority in both chambers of the Legislature, and after two consecutive budgets that included a billion-dollar-or-more handout to New York City’s selfimposed migrant crisis, New York voters have rejected the State Senate’s supermajority. It’s clear that residents aren’t in favor of the tax-and-spend policies that have resulted from one-party control, and gimmicks like pausing the congestion pricing tax on commuters shortly before an election won’t work
Letters
Not giving in to ‘our season of despair’
To the Editor:
I hope that Nov. 5, 2024, is not a date that will live in infamy, but I must express my justifiable concerns. I don’t fear the boogeyman in the closet. I fear a reality that may occur.
Hello, America: This is the time to say, “Oops, shoulda not done that.” This may be the season of our regret and despair. At the risk of sounding Cassandra-like, I fear for our democratic nation, I fear for our personal safety and I fear for our future.
Let’s start with our new leader, Donald Trump, awaiting sentencing on his criminal charges. How will the judicial system honor the decisions of the jurors? What will he do in the cases of the Capitol rioters? He could grant all or some of them pardons. What actions might he take on his first day in office? Which programs will he sign into law?
At risk are female reproductive rights, tariffs that could possibly raise the price of marketplace goods, more laws against vulnerable and targeted populations and the empowering of those who promote false science and other highly dubious theo-
ries. Many of us are concerned about what could happen to our health care and Social Security benefits. Will they change, possibly with decreases that will seriously impact an aging population? And, of course, there is the issue of border security, with its parallel implications of a ready labor market.
Like many of my fellow citizens, I hope that President-elect Trump doesn’t violate long-held democratic traditions and implement authoritarian governance.
I am worried about him using his platform to praise authoritarian leaders while demeaning our democratic allies. I am also concerned about him using pejorative and threatening language with his perceived enemies. We who feel abandoned and in despair must stand strong, and must continue to make our voices heard through democratic means and processes. We must persist in speaking for the disenfranchised, so the liberties we have known and hope to preserve for future generations are not deserted and forgotten. This is our America — let us continue to carry the torch illuminating a better life for all, and not give in to our season of despair.
MIrEILLE TAub Freeport
In the years since shortsighted bail reform policies went into effect in 2020, New Yorkers have been clamoring to restore common sense to our judicial system. That’s why the very first bill I introduced was intended to return judicial discretion, and allow judges to consider whether a defendant poses a threat to the community when setting bail, a common-sense practice allowed by 49 states and the federal government, but prohibited in New York.
Antisemitism, which once lurked mostly in the shadows, has reared its head in public, yet state lawmakers in the majority didn’t take action on any of the proposals laid out by my colleagues and me in the Antisemitism Working Group report.
While it may be a challenge — one that I welcome — to persuade some of
my colleagues across the aisle to change course by lowering costs for New Yorkers and empowering law enforcement and our judicial system to keep our communities safe, I am optimistic about the opportunities to work with lawmakers of all stripes to combat the youth mental health crisis. Last year, bipartisan legislation I cosponsored to protect children from harmful social media algorithms was signed into law. I hope to build on this progress and bolster access to mental health services in our schools.
It is unlikely that New York’s problems will be fixed overnight, and there will no doubt be further challenges in getting our state back on the right track, but every day I am inspired by the stories from friends and neighbors who help make our communities a better place to live. It is these stories, these friends and these neighbors who motivate me to serve them. So I want to thank you not only for the support and the opportunity to continue serving as your state senator, but also for everything you do — big and small — to add to those communities to make them the best places call home. Thank you.
Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick represents the 9th Senate District.
Framework by Tim Baker
Bellmore Girl Scout Troop 965 visits the Herald — Garden City
patricia canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
Giving Birth? Look No Further than the South Shore’s
Only High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care
Mothers looking for a hospital at which to give birth should consider the quality indicators used by U.S. News & World Report ® to determine institutions deemed High Performing for Maternity care.
Mount Sinai South Nassau is the only South Shore hospital to earn the rating of High Performing based on eight key measures:
• Reduced C-section delivery rates
• Low early elective delivery rates
• Low overall unexpected newborn complication rates
• Increased routine VBAC rates
• Increased exclusive human milk feeding rates
• Low episiotomy rates
• Routine birthing-friendly practices
• Transparency on racial/ethnic disparities
If you want the best birthing experience for you and for your baby, look no further than Mount Sinai South Nassau.
Learn more at southnassau.org/maternity, or call 877-SOUTH-NASSAU.