The Birch PTA in the Merrick Union Free School District kicked off the new school year with a fall festival on Sept. 13. The event featured popcorn, cotton candy, pizza, carnival games, a GaGa Ball pit, a DJ, and a dance party.
Teachers joined in on the fun as the communi ty celebrated the start of the school year.
Above, Fifth graders Ilyse and Kennedy had a blast on the playground during the back-toschool fall festival. Right, Grayson and Zane were all smiles during the event. Story, more pho tos, Page 7.
“ I couldn’t have aforded to open my distillery without help. PSEG Long Island came through.”
Infusing local ingredients into distilled spirits. This has been John Pawluk’s dream since he opened Twisted Cow Distillery.
Through our Business First programs, like Main Street Revitalization and Vacant Space Revival, John qualifed for more than $35,000 in incentives.*
He used those incentives to revitalize the space and save energy by installing products like a super-efcient blast chiller and LED lighting. All of which continue to reduce his electric costs.
The programs also help the local economy. Ofering fnancial incentives for businesses to breathe new life into these empty spaces improves the economic stability and growth of our communities. A win-win.
It’s easy to apply for these no-cost programs, and we encourage business owners to look into all the rebates, grants, incentives, and support we ofer.
See how we can help your small business. psegliny.com/businessfrst *Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.
Fall back to fun at the Birch School
The Birch PTA in the Merrick Union Free School District kicked off the new school year with a fall festival on Sept. 13. The event featured popcorn, cotton candy, pizza, carnival games, a GaGa Ball pit, a DJ, and a dance party.
Teachers joined in on the fun as the community celebrated the start of the school year.
Above, Fifth graders Ilyse and Kennedy had a blast on the playground during the back-toschool fall festival. Right, Grayson and Zane were all smiles during the event. Story, more photos, Page 7.
Board of Ed. charts ahead for new year
By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
The Bellmore-Merrick Board of Education welcomed students and staff, new and returning, for the 2024-25 school year at its first board meeting of the school year on Sept. 4 — one day after classes were back in session.
“Yesterday, there were a lot of really proud parents dropping their kids off — our buildings are alive again,” Nancy Kaplan, president of the board said.
On the first day of classes, high schools across the district had leadership teams of older students welcome ninth grade students to feel safe and comfortable, in addition to helping them meet new staff and teachers.
Superintendent Michael Harrington expressed his gratitude to the district’s educators and administrators for their work during the previous school year.
“I’m so grateful to be part of this community every day, which has so much gratitude and so much pride in the work that gets done here,” Har -
rington said.
Board members agreed this past year has been one of the best in the district’s history, marked by various academic and athletic achievements.
One of the district’s special accomplishments is its high graduation rate last school year. In Bellmore-Merrick, the graduation rate is at a remarkable 97 percent, exceeding the state average of 86 percent. The district said not counting students with significant learning challenges, the district’s graduation rate is over 99 percent. Of these graduates, 86 percent went on to pursue four-year degrees, eight percent for two-year degrees, and six percent went directly to employment or service academies, according to Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Scott Bersin.
“It really was a terrific year last year,” Bersin said.
“When people look for what makes us a great district, they look for results, they look for scores, they look for opportunities for students, but really, all
Continued on page 2
Photos courtesy Merrick Union Free School District
Hablamos Español
Every year, the Bellmore Fire Department holds a service outside their firehouse, with members of the North Bellmore Fire Department, to honor the sacrifice of their colleagues who died on Sept. 11 or due to related illnesses.
Communities mark 23rd anniversary of Sept. 11
23 years ago, the attacks on Sept. 11 changed the Bellmore-Merrick community forever — and every year since, residents come together to mourn and remember those who perished.
The Bellmore memorial service was held at the Bellmore Fire Department to honor first responders and civilian community members who died on Sept. 11.. Two of the department’s firefighters, Kevin Prior and Adam Rand, died during rescue operations, and a third member, Sean McCarthy, died in 2008 from cancer caused by exposure to hazardous substances on the day of the attacks.
Chaplain Dennis Rich, Chief of the Department Michael Oakes and the Rev. James Barnum spoke to attendees about bravery, sacrifice and the importance of remembering those who gave their lives to help others.
“They made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for the city of New York, and for this, they will be remembered,” Oakes said.
Family members of the deceased laid bouquets of flowers on wreaths, bearing the names of their loved ones next to the station’s steel girder memorial recovered from ground zero.
In Merrick, the ceremony is perhaps best known for the massive American Flag, that is hung parallel to Sunrise Highway, often grabbing the attention of many passersby, who honk in support of the department.
The Merrick memorial is at the cor-
A massive American flag was flown along Sunrise Highway last week for Merrick’s Sept. 11 memorial service.
ner of Sunrise and Merrick Avenue, alongside a steel girder from one of the towers. A portion of Merrick Avenue was closed, so ceremony attendees could gather in the street for the service.
Each year, wreathes are laid for ex-
chief Ronnie Gies, and ex-captain Bryan Sweeney, who gave their lives that day. Gies’s three sons are all members of the department.
“The Merrick Fire Department proudly joined with community members and families to honor our Sept. 11 heroes,” the department wrote on Facebook. “The fallen are forever in our hearts. Together we will never forget.”
— Joseph D’Alessandro & Jordan Vallone
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald photos
Bellmore firefighters Kevin Prior and Adam Rand died during rescue operations on Sept. 11, and seven years later, firefighter Sean McCarthy died due to cancer.
Max Oppenheim/Herald
Max Oppenheim/Herald
Merrick firefighters placed wreathes at the memorial, honoring the firefighters who died during the attacks.
Planning For and Executing Inheritances
(Part Two)
Early on, we learned the estate planning phrase “There’s nothing so unequal as the equal treatment of unequals.” Who has children that are all the same?
Some children have received signifcant help from parents during their lifetimes while others haven’t. Many parents choose the “forgiveness provision” to address this situation at death, to either “equalize” any gifts made to some children during lifetime with those who did not or, in the alternative, to “forgive” any loans made to children and then make a gift in like amount to each of the other children by inheritance, before the estate is divvied up in equal shares. Lifetime gifts may also be ignored. Next up is the problem of children who are partially or wholly estranged. Many clients wish to leave them a token amount but there are pitfalls to consider. One who is left considerably less than their siblings will often be angry and upset. They may demand that their siblings disclose what they received and even to pony up their equal share. Not only that, but the burden of telling that estranged child they are getting
less and delivering the paltry amount is left to the children who you wish to favor!
In our view, it is sometimes better to leave an estranged child out altogether than to stir up all the issues surrounding an inheritance much smaller than equal.
There are many valid reasons, however, to treat children differently. Some may have alcohol or substance abuse issues, learning disabilities or special needs, they may be immature and irresponsible, poor at handling money or a “soft touch” and, fnally, they may have a spouse that dominates them and you do not want to see that controlling spouse get your money.
Sometimes parents leave more to the “needy” child, the old adage being that “the tongue always turns to the aching tooth”. If so, other children’s feelings may need to be addressed. A letter to be opened after your death, explaining what you did and why, may go a long way towards soothing hurt feelings and avoiding misunderstandings, what we term the “emotional legacy”.
LAW FIRM
Trusts & Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com 100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake
Eric Caballero named top athletic director in the state
The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District announced last week that Eric Caballero, district director of physical education, athletics, driver education and health, has been named as the 2024 New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Director of the Year.
According to the association, this award is given to an outstanding director who has contributed significantly to the improvement of physical education programs in servicing the youth of their own school district in New York state.
“On behalf of the entire BellmoreMerrick Central High School District, we congratulate Mr. Caballero on being
named the NYS AHPERD director of the year,” Superintendent of Schools Michael Harrington said. “This well-deserved recognition is a testament to his unwavering dedication and leadership for our athletic programs. His contributions have not only elevated our district’s achievements but have also inspired our students, coaches and community to strive for greatness. We thank Mr. Caballero for this positive impact he has made on our school community.”
Caballero will be presented with his award at the association’s annual conference in late November.
Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Eric Cabellero has been named as the 2024 New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Director of the Year.
— Jordan Vallone
Nassau County remembers lives lost on 9/11
Nassau County residents gathered last week to mark the 23rd anniversary of Sept. 11, at a moving ceremony filled with music, tears and remembrance at Eisenhower Park.
The annual memorial ceremony takes place at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, which is situated next to the park’s lake — serving as a visual backdrop for the county’s memorial to the Long Islanders that perished in the attacks.
The ceremony featured remarks from speakers, including County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and
parents who’s children died on Sept. 11.
Chris Macchio, an internationally renowned singer, led the crowd in several musical performances.
The county’s memorial features two, semi-transparent aluminum towers, which represent the former World Trade Center. The memorial also features the names of 344 Nassau County residents who died during the attacks.
— Jordan Vallone
Tim Baker/Herald photos Nassau County marked the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks at a moving ceremony in Eisenhower Park. Hundreds packed into the fields around the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre to remember those who perished.
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Chris Macchio, an internationally renowned singer, performed during the ceremony.
MERRICK HERALD — September 19, 2024
LUKE VILLELLA
Oceanside Senior Football
A TWO-TIME ALL-COUNTY selection in baseball, Villella is looking to accomplish the same accolades this football season while leading the Sailors to a deep playoff run in Nasssau Conference I. He set the tone on opening night Sept. 6, rushing for a pair of touchdowns and throwing for a score in Oceanside’s 42-39 home victory over defending county and Long Island champion Massapequa. He threw for 189 yards, going 8-for-13 through the air.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, Sept. 19
Girls Soccer: Lynbrook at Wantagh 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Oceanside at Garden City 5 p.m.
Boys Soccer: V.S. South at Seaford 6:30 p.m.
Girls Volleyball: Long Beach at Mepham 6:45 p.m.
Girls Volleyball: South Side at Massapequa 6:45 p.m.
Girls Volleyball: Farmingdale at East Meadow 6:45 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 20
Girls Soccer: Freeport at Uniondale 4:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer: East Meadow at V.S. Central 5 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Carey at Calhoun 5 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Kennedy at Elmont 5 p.m.
Football: Elmont at South Side 6 p.m.
Football: Wantagh at Locust Valley 6 p.m.
Football: Plainview at East Meadow 6:30 p.m.
Football: Oceanside at Syosset 6:30 p.m.
Football: New Hyde Park at MacArthur 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Football: Carey at Long Beach 11 a.m.
Football: Plainedge at West Hempstead 1 p.m.
Football: V.S. South at North Shore 2 p.m.
Football: East Rockaway at Lawrence 2 p.m.
Football: Clarke at Hewlett 3 p.m.
Football: Freeport at V.S. Central 3 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
HERALD SPORTS
Senior-led Mepham brings energy
By MICHELLE RABONOVICH sports@liherald.com
With 12 seniors returning, the Mepham girls’ soccer team is in good shape according to coach Janine Bizelia.
“They’re eager to do well,” she explained. “Last year we lost in the quarterfinals to the eventual county champion, South Side, and it was a 1-0 game so we were right there with them, so we’re looking to go even further this year.”
After a 3-3 draw in their first conference match, against Bethpage, some things got underlined on the Pirates’ drawing board.
“Their work ethic and their energy,” Bizelia stressed. “We always talk about energy and effort in every game, in every practice and to bring that energy and effort is something they all can control, no matter how good they are or what talent level they’re at so when we bring those, we really try to outwork the other teams, and I think that’s the key to our success. The rest of the stuff will come.”
To start, junior Kaitlyn Tansey stands out amongst the starting XI as someone who can and does contribute on the offensive and defensive ends of the field, tailoring her game to what the team needs at a moment’s notice.
“She just brings a different level to the game,” Bizelia said. “She plays in the back for us but we also play her as defensive center-midfielder.
She’s really an all over the field type of player but she really brings out a true sense of the game.”
Adding to her in the attacking third there’s Gabriella Caminiti, a junior who regular-
ly gets minutes in the midfield and forward slots, as well as senior Ava West, who’s regarded as a consistent goal-scorer.
All in all, there’s a plethora of strong veteran players, including returning senior goalie Melanie Arcos, who’s a figurative and literal backbone for the team. On the varsity roster since her sophomore year, this is her third year in the cage at this level.
“It’s just known in the conference, her being one of the best in the net,” Bizelia said. “She’s become more vocal and more confidence back there, directing the defenders in front of her. She’s just an amazing goal stopper for us. She’s definitely a leader on our team, the girls love her and as well as the coaches. Just a great overall student athlete.”
One of the captains, Addison Chiarello, is also expected to make a big splash on defense, especially given the fact that she’s returning from an ACL injury.
“She really is out go-to girl in the back line,” Bizelia said.
With all of those seniors, the logical question would be about the underclassmen, those with less experience and arguable less chemistry between themselves to perform successfully on the pitch.
Sophomore Addison Iemma and freshman Anna Kaplun are players who jump off the pages. They come off the bench and “give 110 percent the moment their cleats touch the field,” Bizelia said, with their maturity and ethic matching that of the seniors around them.
At the end of the day, it comes back to what the Pirates can control.
Junior Gabriella Caminiti contributes in the midfield and forward for the Pirates, who seek a deep playoff run with a dozen seniors in the fold.
“I think the main focus for us is our energy and our effort,” Bizelia said. “We always preach that we can control certain things, attitude, energy, effort, and then the rest comes in place
with training, working on tactical and technical ability. I think that falls into place if you show up and you’re ready to work and you need 110 percent.”
Derrick Dingle/Herald
HERALD SchoolS
Fun times had at Birch School’s fall festival
The Birch School’s Parent Teacher Association in the Merrick Union Free School District welcomed faculty, staff and families back for the new school year with a fall festival on Sept. 13.
Popcorn, cotton candy, pizza, carnival games, a GaGa Ball pit, a DJ and dance party were all part of the festivities.
Teachers were also on hand for the fun and eager to begin the school year.
“We loved watching all of the fun being had, and memories being made,” wrote PTA co-Presidents Courtney Ramirez and Isabel Doerbecker in their newsletter.
The event was held on the
newly updated basketball court area. The PTA donated the funds for the district to replace hoops, a backboard and pole pads, as well as resurface and paint the floor.
“The new basketball court is now being enjoyed by the students and community,” PTA leaders said of the event.
—Jordan Vallone
Courtesy Merrick Union Free School District Matthew and Daniel enjoyed the school’s new basketball blacktop area.
Principal Kerri Galante, center, took part in a dance party with students.
MERRICK HERALD — September 19, 2024
Stony Brook hockey set to begin new era
By ANTHONY DICOCCO
Special to the Herald
Starting with the 2025-26 season, the Stony Brook hockey team will begin a new chapter of its story that may aid in expanding its recruiting reach across Nassau County.
Last month, the Seawolves announced that this upcoming season would be the team’s 14th and final year in the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League. Beginning with the 2025-26 campaign, Stony Brook is set to join a brand-new conference — the Atlantic Coast Conference Hockey League.
The ACCHL will have North and South divisions. Stony Brook, Pittsburgh, Delaware, Syracuse and Oswego State in the North. The South will consist of Alabama, Louisville, North Carolina State and the University of North Carolina.
Due to the conference relocation, Stony Brook players from Nassau County are hoping that more players from their area will be inclined to join the program. Currently, there are just three Nassau County residents playing on the team.
After initially failing to get into the university, the Massapequa native attended Farmingdale State for a year to “take care of business on and off the ice” before transferring to Stony Brook prior to last season.
As someone who identified Stony Brook as the total package for both academics and athletics, Valenti hopes that joining the ACCHL can be a needle mover for other Nassau County residents.
“After playing junior hockey in Connecticut for two years, I realized that I had everything that I needed regarding academics and hockey at home,” Valenti said. The new conference, he added, “is definitely exciting . . . and people need to realize it’s a (State University of New York) school. We’re going to be in a very competitive league and you get what you pay for. Stony Brook is a very good school for everything, and hockey is just the icing on the cake.”
Forward Jake Gusavitch, a Massapequa native and first-year student, understands his peers’ reluctance to attend Stony Brook but hopes the name notoriety of the other schools in the conference, along with the opportunities they can bring, can help change that.
“If you just see the logo of Alabama or UNC, it acts as an attractor for players in Nassau County and really everywhere,” Gusavitch said. “We have schools like Syracuse and Delaware
joining us along with the schools down south, so I think that’s a great opportunity to get some looks from scouts who are coming for the bigger schools. All in all, there are a lot of positives.”
Bethpage native and forward Lucas Puccia echoed that sentiment.
“There’s a lot of talent down there in the south,” the sophomore student said. “I think playing those teams will be pretty cool and competitive. Stony Brook is one of the top programs and a really good option for anyone on Long
Gusavitch also emphasized the bonuses of a limited traveling schedule, as teams in the North will only compete against the South’s teams during the playoffs. Due to Stony Brook’s hyperfocus on academics, he raised the point that less travel on the weekends allows for more time to get schoolwork done, which can be enticing for new recruits who live farther away in Nassau County.
In defenseman Teddy Valenti’s case, Stony Brook was always at the top of his college wish list despite living just under an hour away from the school.
While the Seawolves are guaranteed to finish their tenure in the ESCHL with the most championship wins (five) and regular-season championships (four), the last two seasons have not been kind to them. They have posted a combined 25-28-8 record, missing the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament during each campaign.
Choosing to concentrate on the new season, the Seawolves are putting the upcoming league change on the backburner, as they hope to capture their sixth ESCHL championship and their first national title.
“The mission is always the same,” Valenti said. “We had a very unsuccessful year last year. This year we’re playing in the same conference, and hopefully we can prove ourselves as a program. Then next year, when we move on to a different conference, those teams should fear us.”
Stony Brook will open its ESCHL farewell tour at The Rinx, where it will face off against the New York University Violets, on Oct. 4.
Anthony DiCocco is a reporter with the SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
Wellington C. Mepham High School celebrated its homecoming weekend with a 20-0 victory over Levittown’s MacArthur High School during the Sept. 14 football game.
Annual traditions of hallway decorating, a pep rally and Pirate Festival were all part of the weeklong celebration.
At the game, performances included social studies teacher Chris Patten on the bagpipes, Alana Muniz who sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Mepham Bands, led by Anthony Brandofino.
The kickline and cheerleading squad per-
The band, let by Anthony Brandofino, led the crowd in musical performances during homecoming.
formed at halftime as well, pepping up the crowd. Students Andrew Rispoli and Robert Fekete took on Pirate mascot duties, amping up the crowds throughout the game. Students packed the new Pirate Cove area in the stands.
The homecoming court was celebrated at halftime and included students Milan White, Xavier Sutherland, Jacob Sarduy, and Arisleiny Claisse. Noah Mach and Maggie Fitzgerald were crowned homecoming king and queen, respectively.
— Jordan Vallone
Photos courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
Students Andrew Rispoli and Robert Fekete took on Pirate mascot duties, amping up the crowds throughout the game.
The kickline and cheerleading squad performed energetic routines at halftime.
Several administrators, as well as the Board President Nancy Kaplan, were present to cheer on the homecoming festivities.
Mepham High School celebrated their homecoming weekend with a 20-0 victory over Levittown’s MacArthur High School during the Sept. 14 football game.
Town task force will combat antisemitism
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
The Town of Hempstead has unveiled an antisemitism task force that aims to investigate the rise of assaults on Jewish people across the town.
“I’m delighted to have so many people that are joining me to participate in what we find to be something that is needed, and warranted with what is transpiring in our society now,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said at the Hebrew Academy of West Hempstead on Sept. 12.
The task force will comprise members appointed by Clavin, along with its co-chair, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito. D’Esposito is currently up for re-election and is running against Laura Gillen.
“The presence of everybody here should signify the importance of what today’s announcement really is,” Clavin said, “the unprecedented and definitely noticed rise of antisemitism throughout our country, and particularly here in the Town of Hempstead.”
According to Clavin, the Town of Hempstead has the second-largest Jewish population of any municpality, behind New York City.
As the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel approaches, the creation of the task force comes at a time where communities have been facing a surge in acts of antisemitism.
“I feel strongly that this advisory council, with its role of not only indentifying antisemitism, (is) trying to determine where it’s festering from, how it’s getting in our communities, and how we educate people to recognize the hatred that is being fostered in our communities,” Clavin said.
Councilwoman Melissa Miller said she was thrilled that the town was taking on this initiative.
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin, center, discussed the creation of an antisemitism task force alongside members of the town board, elected officials and religious leaders, on Sept. 12.
“It’s just unacceptable — if we replaced the population that is being targeting with any other population, there would be an uproar by government, law enforcement and the universities,” Miller said. “It is not acceptable — we should not be just sitting back and fearing what’s going to happen next. Continue to send this message, that we at the Town of Hempstead do not tolerate this and we will continue to fight back.”
Rabbi Ouriel Hazan, of the Hebrew Academy of West Hempstead, expressed his gratitude for the strong partnership between the county and community leaders.
“Today, we speak with one united voice against the veils of antisemitism, and the message is very clear:
We will not tolerate nor stand idly by, or remain silent in the face of hate speech or hateful actions against our community,” Hazan said. “The children deserve to be educated in peace and security.”
As the Jewish holidays approach, the antisemitism task force will be proactive in indentifying and combating signs of hate attacks. There will also be enhanced police patrols at temples and places of worship, according to Clavin.
“This panel has a big responsibility — we’re seeing it foster in our communities, zero tolerance,” Clavin said. “This advisory board has to get it done, be diligent and have the passion that they’re going to go out and get people educated.”
Melissa Berman/Herald
A world awaits when you open a library card
September is National Library Card Signup Month, and the North Bellmore Public Library is joining libraries nationwide to remind the community of the incredible resources available with a free library card. This initiative encourages anyone who doesn’t have a card to sign up and take advantage of the wealth of opportunities the library offers. A library card opens doors to a variety of services, from borrowing books, eBooks, and audiobooks to accessing homework help, learning new skills, and attending programs like book clubs or story times. It’s a tool that saves money while enriching lives.
“Finding ways to enrich our daily lives with a free library card is something that the North Bellmore Public Library takes great pride in,” Library Director Jessica Tymecki said. “From children’s programs to adult programs and everything in between, NBPL offers resources to build literacy, develop a skill, learn a new language, enjoy discounted experiences through museum partnership passes, and so much more.”
The NBPL boasts several key features that make it a hub for the community. Among its highlights is the Children’s Activity Center, a welcoming space equipped with a new interactive play table, books, games, and hands-on activities for families to enjoy together. Additionally, the Innovation Room provides a creative area where patrons can use tools like a 3D printer, Cricut machines, and laminators to build, invent, and share skills. The library also offers dedicated study rooms with workstations for those seeking quiet, focused envi-
ronments for learning and productivity. The large Community Room regularly hosts various programs, including exercise classes, cooking demonstrations, and CPR training. Another unique offering is the Library of Things, which includes items available for borrowing, such as American Girl Dolls, AP study tools, lawn games, and a DeWalt drill.
For the first time, the NBPL has partnered with local businesses to offer exclusive discounts to library cardholders. Participating businesses include Elsie Lane Wing House, The Clean Machine, and The Original Salpino Italian Food Market, offering discounts ranging from 5 percent to 10 percent on select purchases.
National Library Card Sign-up Month has been celebrated each September since 1987, coinciding with the start of the school year. The aim is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to sign up for their own library card.
“Signing up for a library card is just the first step on the path toward academic achievement and lifelong learning,” Tymecki said.
Residents or employees within the North Bellmore School District are eligible for a free library card. Non-residents who work within the district can also obtain a card by visiting the library during regular hours and presenting proof of employment. For more information on how to sign up or explore the library’s programs, visit NorthBellmoreLibrary.org.
—Jordan Vallone
Hundreds attend FCA’s Senior H.O.P.E. Fair
Family & Children’s Association (FCA), one of Long Island’s largest nonprofit health and human services organizations, hosted a highly successful Senior H.O.P.E. Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Samanea N.Y. Mall in Westbury. The free event, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, drew a large crowd of seniors and their families, offering a wealth of information and services aimed at improving their quality of life.
H.O.P.E., which stands for Happiness, Opportunity, Positive, Energy, was specifically designed to provide older adults with resources and knowledge to enhance their well-being. More than 50 vendors participated, offering attendees valuable insights into a wide range of services, including Medicare, mental health support, scam prevention, and substance use awareness. The fair also featured four educational workshops, technology training for seniors, and opportunities for caregivers to learn about support options. Additionally My Three Sons Bagels provided a free boxed lunch for the first 300 attendees.
FCA President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds emphasized the importance of events like the Senior H.O.P.E. Fair, especially as Long Island’s population continues to age. "It’s no secret that Long Island’s population is aging. Every year, our senior division helps more than 10,000 seniors improve their quality of life. The H.O.P.E. Fair allowed us to share these resources, and many others, with the broader Long Island community,
Reynolds said.
Lisa Stern, FCA’s Assistant Vice President for Senior & Adult Services, expressed her gratitude to the event's partners and the diverse group of vendors who made the fair possible. “We’re thrilled to have brought the H.O.P.E. Fair to Long Island’s senior population and their families. We couldn’t do this without our valued community partners, and we were happy to have vendors from diverse backgrounds offering a multitude of services to the senior community,” she said.
For those unable to attend, FCA offers continuous support to Long Island’s senior population through its many programs, reaching over 10,000 seniors each year. For more information about FCA’s services or future events, visit www.fcali.org.
Courtesy North Bellmore Public Library
The North Bellmore Public Library boasts an Innovation Room provides a creative area where patrons can use tools like a 3D printer, Cricut machines, and laminators.
(LEFT TO RIGHT) Paige O’Brien VP & Chief Development Officer and Kim Como, Marketing & Communications Director at FCA.
DR. JEFFREY L. REYNOLDS, CEO & President of FCA
GUESTS visiting the over 50 vendors to earn a wealth of new information.
Photos by Tim Baker
H.O.P.E. balloon arch greeting guests at the entrance.
FCA VAN outside the venue taught attendees about technology
STEPPING OUT
a vision of the power of the YONIA FAIN’S JOURNEY —
HUMAN SPIRIT
By Danielle Schwab
An artist’s life can take many twists and turns. Certainly that is case of Yonia Fain. He reinvented himself repeatedly, yet his dedication to art remained unwavering throughout his 100 years.
Hofstra University Museum of Art welcomes fall with a look at the esteemed artist, poet, author and educator, through its new exhibit, “Yonia Fain (1913-2013): Tracing History.”
The museum’s assemblage of Fain’s art and personal ephemera offers a comprehensive view of his life and global influence, on view through Dec. 16. Fain was a member of Hofstra’s Fine Arts, Design and Art History faculty from 1971 until his retirement in 1985; he was named faculty emeritus on his 100th birthday.
Around 50 of his works — he bequeathed his archive to the museum — are on display, curated by Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections Kristen Dorata, including paintings, drawings, sketchbooks, and poetry.
• Now through Dec. 16
• All programs require advance registration; call (516) 463-5672 or visit events.hofstra.edu
“This exhibition is focusing on his journey, offering a vision of the human spirit,” says Museum Director Sasha Giordano. “We wanted to emphasize the aspect of being a refugee, being a displaced person having to move from place to place. The works of art that were chosen are from the many different places he traveled.”
Born in Ukraine in 1913, Fain fled Bolshevik Russia with his family to Warsaw, Poland. After the Nazi invasion in 1939, he and his first wife fled on foot to Vladivostok, Russia. There he was conscripted into the Russian army as an artist.
Refusing to create propaganda art as demanded by the Nazis and Russian authorities, Fain, with his wife, obtained falsified documents, traveling from Siberia to Japan, eventually landing in the Shanghai Ghetto for the remainder of World War II.
Fain continued to use art as a form of expression, making a living painting portraits of Japanese soldiers and their families, also writing poetry.
“Firsthand experience is key to understanding Yonia Fain’s prolific artistic oeuvre, from his early drawings in prewar Warsaw to the many paintings in New York after 1953,” Jan Burzlaff, postdoctoral associate in Holocaust Studies at Cornell University, writes in the exhibit catalogue.
She continues: “To paint is to share the experience,” Fain reflected in a testimony given to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in June 1999. His work seeks to lend voice to all Jews who experienced Nazi rule, the vast majority of whom did not leave a trace. … The exhibition allows for precisely such a window into historical experience. In the process, because his creations do not fit neatly into the two dominant categories of abstract or realist representations, they also invite a much-needed reevaluation of Holocaust and postwar art.”
After the war ended, Fain set his sights on mural painting in Mexico, becoming friendly with fellow artists Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo. In 1953, he immigrated to the U.S.; his works featured in prominent museums. Fain also continued writing, authoring five books of Yiddish poetry and serving as the president of the Yiddish Pen Society.
“His journey speaks to those who are displaced and pushed to the margins and stripped of identity in society,” Giordano says.
Fain’s art mixes representational technique with elements of abstract expressionism, employing
broad brush strokes, diagonals and dark marks.
“He really can’t be put comfortably into one style of art,” Giordano adds.
One of Fain’s prominent pieces “Occupied City, 2008,” shows an abstract landscape with overlapping buildings drawn in the background.
“It gives a sense of people living on top of each other in an enclosed space, in a trapped space, which reflects his lived experience,” Giordano notes.
Fain also used color to invoke deeper reflection. “Despite the subject matter being very traumatic, he uses a lot of bright and soft pastel colors. It plays to this dichotomy that exists in his work. He’s showing you hope, but he’s showing you despair. He’s showing you betrayal, but he’s showing you empathy.
Museum visitors can also interact with biographical material, including a timeline of the artist’s life and a video recording in which he discusses life in the Shanghai Ghetto. Additionally, everyone is invited to read Fain’s poetry and then submit a poem in response to the exhibit experience.
Fain’s extraordinary conviction to art during a time of adversity shows the enduring strength of human resilience and beckons us to explore the past.
“We should revisit history. We should re-examine these stories. We should consider people whose stories may trace a similar path of hardship today,” says Giordano.
As always, related programming enhances the viewing experience, including an exhibit tour on Oct. 23.
1964 … The Tribute
‘The “British Invasion” returns anew, when “1964 The Tribute” takes its audience on a musical journey back to that unforgettable era in rock history. Since the early 1980s, this reincarnation of the Fab Four has been thrilling folks all over the globe with what Rolling Stone Magazine has called the “Best Beatles tribute on earth.” Choosing songs from the pre-Sgt. Pepper era, “1964” astonishingly recreates an early ‘60s live Beatles concert, with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and onstage banter. The band focuses on the quintessential moment in history, when The Beatles actually played before a live audience. Only a precious few got to experience when The Beatles toured the world in the early ‘60s. Who actually felt the “mania” that brought them to world acclaim. “1964” meticulously re-creates the “magic of those live performances with artful precision and unerring accuracy.
Friday, Sept. 20, 8 p.m. $65, $40, $30, $19.64. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
‘…
Rollin’ on the river’
Step into a virtual time machine and journey back to the glory days of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s with Commotion — the electrifying Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band. The musicians pride themselves on their commitment to faithfully reproducing the iconic CCR sound. From the soulful voice of Steve McLain to the mesmerizing guitar solos of Jimmy Ryan, every riff, melody and rhythm comes to life with precision. McLain possesses a vocal prowess rivaling the one and only John Fogerty. With his husky timbre, emotive delivery and uncanny ability to recreate Fogerty’s raw energy, be transported back to when CCR ruled the airwaves. They are joined drummer Mark Ellis and bassist George Foster, who deliver those infectious beats that were CCRs trademark.
Friday, Sept. 20, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $45. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at MadisonTheatreNY.org or (516) 323-4444.
Photos courtesy Hofstra University Museum of Art; Gift of the Estate of Yonia Fain Yonia Fain’s life is represented through his contemplative art, such as “Occupied City” (top left), “rouble Moving Into Harmony and Light,” (top right) and “Rage” (bottom right).
Take out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage, Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as ‘80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive 80s experience. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Jessie’s Girl has mastered over-the-top renditions of the some of the most unforgettable songs, all while dressed up as the iconic characters of that decade.
Theater meets live music, covered in ‘80s glitz. There’s no decade like the ‘80s — and no one does that era quite like Jessie’s Girl Throw on your best neon, use extra hair spray and head to Back To The Eighties — because it’s time to party like it’s 1989. $45, $37.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Fascinating Fungi
Bring the kids to make some discoveries about mushrooms at Long Island Children’s Museum’s drop-in program, Sunday, Sept. 29, 1-3 p.m. Did you know that some mushrooms can glow in the dark? Learn about the 113 species of mushroom that are considered bioluminescent, due to a chemical reaction that attracts bugs to help spread mushroom spores.
Stop by to learn about these amazing fungi and make a glowing mushroom craft to bring home. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
Hempstead House tour
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Wednesday, Sept. 25, noon-1 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-squarefoot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
Tribute concert
Plaza Theatricals’ tribute series continues, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2:30 p.m., with Shades of Buble. An exciting trio brings the swinging standards and pop hits of Michael Bublé to the stage in an unforgettable high-energy event. This act consistently wows audiences with their harmonies, smooth choreography and charming good looks.
Enjoy big-band standards from the jazz era, classic hits from the 1950 through ‘70s, as well as Billboard chart toppers from today in this high-energy show that generates standing ovations from sold-out crowds. See the show at 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
Friday Night Car Show
The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores holds its Friday Night Car Show, through oct. 4, at the Bellmore LIRR parking lot. Show opens at 6 p.m., closes at 10 p.m. Free for all spectators; admission for cars is $5. For more, visit BellmoreChamber.com.
Jessie’s Girl
Afternoon tunes
Eisenhower Park’s Noontime Concert series concludes, Wednesday, Sept. 25, noon-2 p.m. Enjoy the classic oldies group The Tercels, reliving those great tunes of the ‘50s and ‘60s, plus more, at Field #1. Bring seating. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
Movie matinee
See a movie on Bellmore Library’s big screen, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2-4:30 p.m. See the 2023 fantastical thriller
“Poor Things.” From flmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone, the incredible tale tells of the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe).
Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation. Registration required. 2288 Bedford Ave. Visit bellmorelibrary.org or call (516) 785-2990 to register and for more information.
Bellmore Festival
The widely popular Bellmore Family Street Festival returns to Bedford and Pettit Avenues, Broadway and in the LIRR lots, Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 26-29. With crafters, vendors, live music, food, entertainment and carnival rides. The carnival is open 6-10 p.m., Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday. Street festival is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Visit BellmoreChamber.com. for more.
Alzheimer’s Walk in the Park
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America hosts its annual Walk in the Park fundraiser, at Eisenhower Park, Saturday, Sept. 28. The walk kicks off with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. at the park’s Field 6. Those who raise $100 or more will have an opportunity to meet retired baseball player Dwight Gooden, who’s joining the walk’s efforts as an ambassador. For more information, visit ALZFdn.org/ walk.
Having an event?
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program returns for a new season, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.
Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.
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.
Art League of L.I. exhibit
Sept. 28
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Art League of Long Island presents “Retrospect - The Individual Art of Collaboration in Reconstructive Surgery.” The exhibit delves into the interplay between personal artistry and collaborative efforts in the context of breast reconstruction, showcasing how the healing process can transcend medicine to become an inspiring narrative of restoration and personal resilience. This unique exhibition explores the intersection of medicine and art through the lens of two accomplished breast reconstruction surgeons, Dr. Ron Israeli and Dr. Jonathan Bank, whose careers and artistic endeavors are deeply intertwined.
The works on display show the multifaceted nature of artistic expression in medicine and surgery. Their work emphasizes the importance of collaborative creativity in the healing process, offering viewers a unique perspective on the emotional and physical aspects of breast reconstruction. On view Sept. 28 through Oct. 18. Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery at Art League of Long Island, 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. Visit artleagueli.org for more information.
BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN
NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE presents
FREE EVENT
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH
7:00PM
A Wellington C. Mepham High School Participation in Government student at last year’s Flag Field of Honor installation in November 2023.
Mepham High School begins fundraising for Field of Honor
Seniors in the Wellington C. Mepham High School Participation in Government classes will set up their 10th annual Flag Field of Honor this fall.
This year’s proceeds will benefit the Mepham Senior Service Learning Project’s partnership with the Ronald McDonald House program. Ronald McDonald Houses around the world accommodate families with hospitalized children under 21 years of age who are being treated at nearby hospitals and medical facilities. These houses are located just minutes away from the special care hospitals that are required to help children return to full health. Ronald McDonald Houses also allow families to stay free of charge and provide families with home-cooked meals.
Since its inception in 2009, the Senior Service Learning Project has raised over $700,000 for local and national charities through the generosity and support of the school community.
Those interested in honoring a family member or friend are asked to please complete the attached form and return to Mepham High School Flag Field of Honor at 2401 Camp Ave., Bellmore, NY 11710, by Friday, Oct. 25.
Flags will be flown from Nov. 3 to Dec. 8, 2024.
For more information, contact Kerry Dennis or Chris Patten at Mepham at 516992-1500, or by email at kdemmos@ bmchsd.org or cpatten@bmchsd.org.
News briefs
Safety presentation, including an active shooter workshop, coming to the library
Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow is partnering with the Nassau County Police Department to host an active shooter training workshop at the Merrick Public Library on Sept. 23. The workshop aims to raise public awareness and preparedness for emergency situations, focusing on responses to critical incidents like active shooter events.
The training will provide participants with an overview of how to respond to various emergency calls, including fire, medical, and suspicious items, and how to apply these techniques in a potential active shooter scenario. In addition to teaching practical skills, the workshop will educate the public about law enforcement’s response to violent incidents, empower individuals to navigate dangerous situations, and highlight resources available to help those dealing with trauma after a crisis.
“Nassau County has once again been named the safest municipality of its size in America, and that is in large part due to the outstanding work of the men and women of the Nassau County Police Department,” said Legislator Koslow. “This workshop will provide the public with valuable insights from our partners in law enforcement that can help our families prepare for an active shooter crisis and navigate them as safely as possible. I thank Nassau PD for partnering with us on this important community forum.”
The workshop is open to the public and will be held from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at the Merrick Public Library, located at 2279 Merrick Avenue. For additional information, contact Legislator Koslow’s office at (516) 571-6205 or via email at skoslow@nassaucountyny.gov.
— Jordan Vallone
Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
Public Notices
Maxine
Donni Lee Cochran
Ralph Kostant
Susan Kostant and any and all unknown persons whose names or parts of whose names and whose place or places of residence are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, distributees, heirs-at-law and next-ofkin of the said ERIC COHEN deceased, and if any of the said distributees named specifcally or as a class be dead, their legal representatives, their husbands or wives, if any, distributees and successors in interest whose names and/or places of residence and post offce addresses are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained
A petition and an amended petition having been duly fled by Public Administrator of Nassau County, who is domiciled at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York 11501.
YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Nassau County, at 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York, on October 2, 2024, at 9:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, why the account of Public Administrator of Nassau County, a summary of which has been served herewith, as Administrator of the estate of Eric Cohen, should not be judicially settled.
[X] Further relief sought (if any):
1.Releasing and discharging the Petitioner from all liability, responsibility, and accountability as to all matters set forth in the account of proceedings;
2.Allowing the commissions of the Petitioner in the amount of $5,191.01 pursuant to SCPA 2307(1) and the reasonable and necessary expenses of the offce in the amount of $1,038.20 pursuant to SCPA 1207(4);
3.Fixing and determining the attorney’s fees of Mahon, Mahon, Kerins & O’Brien, LLC attorney for petitioner in the amount of $27,250.00 of which $2,250.00 has been paid and $25,000.00 is unpaid;
4.Fixing and determining the accounting fees of Grassi & Co, CPA’s, PC in the amount of $7,537.50 of which $1,537.50 has been paid and $6,000.00 is unpaid;
5.Releasing and
discharging the surety;
6.And why each of you claiming to be a distributee of the decedent should not establish proof of your kinship; and why the balance of said funds should not be paid to said alleged distributees upon proof of kinship, or deposited with the New York State Comptroller on account for the unknown next of kin of ERIC COHEN, decedent should said alleged distributees default herein, or fail to establish proof of kinship;
7.Granting such other and further relief as to the Court is just and proper.
Dated, Attested, and Sealed, August 21, 2024
Seal HON. HON. MARGARET C. REILLY
Margaret C. Reilly, Surrogate
s/ Debra Keller Leimbach
Debra Keller Leimbach, Chief Clerk
Richard T. Kerins, Esq.
Attorney Name Mahon, Mahon, Kerins & O’Brien, LLC
Firm (516) 538-1111
Telephone 254 Nassau Blvd. South, Garden City South, New York 11530
Address rkerins@mmkolaw.com
Email (optional) NOTE: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed that you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you, and you or your attorney may request a copy of the full account from the petitioner or petitioner’s attorney.
148682
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2003-3, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003-3, Plaintiff, vs. KEVIN P. MURPHY A/K/A KEVIN MURPHY, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale After Inquest and Appointment of Referee duly entered on January 31, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 16, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1811 Bedford Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New
York, Section 55, Block 123 and Lots 61-63 & 108. Approximate amount of judgment is $321,049.80 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #007487/2012. George Esernio, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 180558-1 148885
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 1st day of October, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 197-13 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to REPEAL “TRAFFIC REGULATIONS IN THE VICINITY OF SCHOOLS” at the following location: MERRICK ROSE STREET (TH 476/07) West SideNO PARKING 8AM TO 2PM SCHOOL DAYSstarting at the south curbline of Webster Avenue, south for a distance of 230 feet. (Adopted 11/27/07) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid. Dated: September 17, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 148998
Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Offcers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 09/25/2024 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 AM
600/24. MERRICKRedmond Road, LLC (Melissa Waters), Renewal of grant to maintain 2-family dwelling., S/W cor. Redmond Rd. & Park Ave., a/k/a 2238 Redmond Rd. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Merrick within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available a t https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals
The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 148986
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, Pltf. vs. CIRO CINIGLIO, et al, Defts. Index #607176/2023. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Aug. 15, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on October 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 108 Kenny Ave., Merrick, NY 11566 a/k/a Section 63, Block 133, Lot 14. Approximate amount of judgment is $320,426.23 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of fled judgment and terms of sale. JANE P. SHRENKEL, Referee. BALLARD SPAHR, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 1675 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10019. #101794 149040
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR RMAC REMIC TRUST, SERIES 2009-9, Plaintiff, vs. CLAUDIO JOVELL, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 25, 2016, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive,
Crime brief
Man arrested for elder scam
A man was arrested in connection with an elder scam that targeted an 82-year-old East Meadow resident, Nassau County Police reported. The arrest, made by the department’s Fraud and Forgery Unit, stemmed from an incident on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, when a scammer posing as a Microsoft employee attempted to swindle the elderly man out of his life savings.
According to detectives, the victim received a message on his computer from an unknown male who claimed his bank accounts had been compromised. The scammer instructed the victim to with-
draw all of his savings and await further instructions on where to deliver the funds. Sensing something suspicious before completing the transaction, the victim contacted police.
Following an investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Zongjin Teng, 26, and arrested him on Sept. 11 at 3:25 p.m. Teng has been charged with third-degree grand larceny and attempted third-degree grand larceny. He was arraigned on Sept. 12 at First District Court in Hempstead.
— Jordan Vallone
Man facing charges for assault
A South Farmingdale man was arrested in East Meadow after allegedly assaulting a police officer during an incident at Nassau University Medical Center. The arrest took place on Saturday, Sept. 14 at approximately 12:55 a.m.
According to detectives from the Third Squad, officers from the Third Precinct were called to the medical center. Upon
arrival, the officers encountered Andrew Odonohue, 37, of 852 Main Street.
During the attempt to calm him down, Odonohue allegedly kicked and struck an officer in the face, causing substantial pain. Officers were able to place Odonohue nder arrest without further incident. He is facing second-degree assault and will be arraigned when medically practical.
Crime watCh
auto LarCeny
Three men stole a catalytic convert from a car while parked on Pettit Ave in Merrick on Sept. 10.
A man reported his catalytic converter was stolen on 7th Ave in East Meadow on Sept. 10.
Petit LarCeny
A male was seen stealing from Stop & Shop on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow on Sept. 6.
arrests
Aliceia Varriale, 50, from Farmingdale was arrested for allegedly shoplift-
ing at Target on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on Sept. 8.
Barbara Costantino, 58, and Gianna Cilla, 21, of Belle Harbor were arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Walmart on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow on Sept. 9.
Roberto Archibol, 30, of Levittown was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Target on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on Sept. 9.
Cheryl A Johnsen, 51, of Westbury, and Theresa Flanagan, 78, of Hempstead, were both arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Walmart on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow on Sept. 10.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
Mineola, NY 11501 on October 22, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1720 Montague Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of
Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 24 and Lot 120. Approximate amount of judgment is $633,799.60 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #003996/2014. Cash will not be accepted. Jeffrey Halbreich, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 149014
Zongjin Teng
Help Wanted
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!
$20 - $25/ 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 mhinman@liherald.com
EMAIL 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
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
To Deliver Papers To Businesses in Massapequa, Amityville and Babylon 2 Days Per Week
Must Have Own Vehicle/Van
This is an independent contractor role for Richner Communications Compensation based on stops starting at $275/week
If Interested contact Jim at jrotche@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 x211
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE open-
ings 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
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 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. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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A column went ‘clunk’
Entertainer's Dream Home
Q. We were sitting in our living room and heard a loud clunk. We went to investigate, thinking something spooky or structural had happened, maybe in our attic. It turned out that a steel post in our basement had just rusted out and fallen over, probably from saltwater during the hurricane flooding we had. Should we be concerned? The floor seems to be level, and not bouncy or anything. What should we do? Can we replace the column to save money?
A. Sometimes things do go bump in the middle of the night. (People sometimes ask me if these questions are real. You actually called me about this, as a former client, and I was able to stop over and look at the problem.) You were right to be concerned, and to react quickly instead of waiting to see what could happen next.
I can report that your crawl space went through a significant amount of repair, but is in otherwise pristine condition after the flooding occurred. Unlike many people I meet with, you took pictures of the stripped bare structure, and could show me the ones you kept in a computer file. That was important in determining what to do next, because the main beam supporting the house is partially enclosed with marine plywood and has several adjustable columns, which I never recommend for permanently supporting loads, especially in a potential flood-prone crawl space under a home.
Now I have photos to prove what I have often said about adjustable columns, the ones with either pegs or adjustable screws or, like your columns, both pegs and a large adjustable screw at the top. I am in favor of full steel columns that aren’t lightweight, but rather have heavyweight sidewalls of ¼-inch-thick steel.
It isn’t that the adjustable columns aren’t strong enough. My concern is that they be installed correctly and how long they will last, especially in a corrosive environment. Almost every adjustable column I have ever seen is installed incorrectly, upside down. The manufacturer specifically instructs that the adjustment portion of the column should be at the bottom, not at the top. After installing a correctly calculated spread footing, the column is installed so that when the floor slab is poured in place, the concrete will enclose the screw adjustment section of the column.
In a flood zone, I always recommend that plastic be in place around the base of the column before the concrete pour is made, to keep saltwater from directly contacting the steel. Even though the steel must be coated with rust-preventive paint, concrete acts like a sponge, and the salt builds up and remains around the steel after each flooding episode. Even better, I recommend solid concrete block columns to support the beam in a flood hazardprone area. They will last a hundred years longer than the steel. You can do the work yourself and avoid things that go bump in the night. Good luck!
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com,
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We badly need congestion pricing
Ibelieve congestion pricing is an absolute necessity, for several reasons. First of all, traffic in the metropolitan area is an absolute nightmare. You can’t get into New York City in a reasonable amount of time unless you leave at 5 a.m. or after 9 p.m. most days from any direction — Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut or New Jersey.
Once you get to Manhattan, traffic is so bad that you can walk faster than you can drive. I know, because I work on the Upper East Side and often walk to appointments and meetings. It’s faster than waiting endlessly in a taxi or Uber.
The rafts of Citi Bikes, bike lanes, bus-only lanes and outdoor restaurants built during and after the coronavirus pandemic make Manhattan more intolerable for driving than ever before.
According to a TomTom report, New York tops the list of cities with the worst traffic in America. The average commuter spent just under 25 minutes driving about six miles in 2023.
ISecondly, our mass transit system has been allowed to deteriorate over the decades, because politicians have always kicked the can down the road. The Second Avenue subway was originally proposed over 100 years ago. Today, three stations have been built, and the extension to Harlem has been put off, because congestion pricing, which was supposed to help pay for it, has been halted.
IThe 7 Subway line was to have had a stop in Hell’s Kitchen, the “10th Avenue station,” to alleviate passenger congestion on the West Side and serve the growing neighborhood, but that, too, was killed for lack of funds and political will.
regional train service and rehabilitating the century-old subway system. The more comfortable and convenient the train system, the more people will use it, and the more drivers will opt out of the maddening rush to get to the city.
f only we could come up with a way to charge people based on their net worth.
Much of the current subway system is antiquated, some of it was damaged by saltwater intrusion during Superstorm Sandy, and the signal system is a hazard unto itself, slowing the system down and causing accidents. So how do we resolve our urban traffic nightmare? There is no doubt that rail lines into Manhattan should be the No. 1 priority. They move the most people at the fastest speeds into and out of the city. Congestion pricing would be of enormous benefit in funding better
Now, there are valid reasons why congestion pricing is unfair. If I’m a millionaire, I don’t care about paying $15 to drive below 60th Street, but if I make $50,000 a year, it’s putting a huge dent in my wallet. Box trucks or moving vans would pay $24, large trucks $36, which would make goods and services cost more for New Yorkers.
It’s unfortunate that we can’t devise a methodology that could charge people based on their net worth. If a license tag could be connected to an IRS filing, we could charge wealthy people a different rate than those of more modest means.
Beyond a system like that, we must resurrect the congestion pricing program to start to reduce traffic into Manhattan, and use those funds to upgrade MTA trains, subways and buses. If we do nothing, we will have wasted $500 million installing the apparatus to track vehicular traffic into the city, while
doing nothing to reduce traffic and pollution and build a city for the future.
It is also unconscionable that fare evasion cost the MTA an estimated $690 million in 2022, including $315 million from buses and $285 million from subways — 10 percent of the MTA’s annual budget.
And beyond the dollars and cents, New York City now ranks as one of the most ozone-polluted cities in the world thanks to the millions of cars, trucks and buses in stop-and-go gridlock traffic, with drivers endlessly circling for parking spaces and taxis, Ubers and Lyfts driving nonstop, looking for their next fare.
So how to move the massive number of people in the metropolitan area from destination to destination? Make the best use of the advanced train system that enlightened people built 120 years ago, and that provided 2 billion rides in 2023, on over hundreds of miles of track, picking up and dropping off people at 472 stations. But you can’t build out and upgrade the system without money, and congestion pricing is the ticket.
Jim Paymar is a veteran New York television anchor and reporter who has worked at CNBC, WNBC and WABC. He anchors a podcast, “The Big Shift with Jim Paymar.”
When will we fnally say, ‘Enough’?
was a junior at Plainedge High School, in North Massapequa, in 2018, when 17 people died and 17 others were injured in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida.
After the shooting, we wore orange to school — the color for protesting gun violence — and staged a walkout in solidarity with the school. We ran a fundraiser through the National Honor Society, from Plainedge to Parkland, to help a grieving community over a thousand miles away. And yet, it didn’t seem like enough. What words do you have to offer, thoughts you have to think, when something so senseless happens to people your age?
That year, everything changed. When we returned to classes in the fall of 2018, the front doors at Plainedge High had been changed to fortify the exterior. We weren’t permitted to enter or leave through any entrance except the main one, and we carried I.D. cards at all times.
But as demonstrated earlier this
month at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, sometimes no level of security is enough. It wasn’t enough at the Covenant School in Nashville last spring; it wasn’t enough in Uvalde, Texas, the year before. The list of schools and communities tarnished by acts of violence against children goes on and on, and at some point, I think we all can’t help but wonder: How many more?
Many will argue that guns aren’t the problem in America, and that instead we have a mental health crisis. I agree — we do. But the two are not mutually exclusive.
rus pandemic, 1 in 5 children had a diagnosed mental health disorder. After 2020, surveys showed that 71 percent of parents said the pandemic had taken a toll on their child’s mental health — and things haven’t gotten much better since.
E verything changed at Plainedge High in 2018 — but security isn’t enough.
Gun violence, and deaths related to it, have been on the rise. In 2020, gun violence claimed more lives than it had during any other year on record — more than 45,000. In 2022 it was the leading cause of death among U.S. children and teens between ages 1 and 19.
Guns are a problem. But so is mental health.
The “mental health crisis” has long been Republicans’ scapegoat — their explanation for school shootings — and yet the party has done almost nothing to address their supposed concerns.
According to the American Psychological Association, before the coronavi-
Despite the fact that the data supports what we already know, 193 House Republicans voted against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided $2.35 billion to expand vital school mental health services; 210 voted against the American Rescue Plan Act, which provided $12 billion to address mental health needs arising from the pandemic; and 205 voted against the Mental Health Matters Act, which would provide grants for schools to hire more mental health experts and grow their mental health services.
America has a problem, and the longer we wait to address it, the more people will die. School shootings should have ended after Columbine, after Sandy Hook, after Oxford High School in Michigan. Students shouldn’t be afraid to go to school.
“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is written in our Declaration of Independence, codifying the unalienable rights of all Americans. But as it turns
out, the children who have been senselessly murdered while their government stood by didn’t have those rights. Because if they did, they’d still be alive. Right?
Colt Gray, the 14-year-old charged with four murders for the shooting in Georgia, shouldn’t have had access to a gun. He displayed serious mental health concerns and had made threats in the past, and yet he carried out an act of extreme violence, with a weapon his father purchased for him.
The problem isn’t isolated to Georgia. Two weeks ago, right here on Long Island, a Bayville man was arrested because his 11-year-old son wandered out of his house carrying his father’s shotgun.
We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines and hope things will change. The time for thoughts and prayers has passed. What we need is decisive action — action that addresses both gun control and mental health, because either one without the other is no solution.
The safety of children, the preservation of their future, depends on our ability to enact meaningful reforms. The question is no longer how many more tragedies we can endure, but when we will finally say, “Enough.”
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? jvallone@liherald.com.
HeraLd editoriaL
History is passed down in our fre departments
History is often perceived as something static — a collection of events consigned to textbooks, memorialized in museums, or commemorated on anniversaries. It can feel as though history lives on dusty bookshelves, far removed from our daily lives.
But history isn’t merely a record of the past, frozen in time. Rather, it is a living, breathing thing, continuously shaping the present and influencing the future.
History evolves as it is interpreted, re-examined and passed down through generations. One way to understand its dynamic nature is by noting how institutions like fire departments are now hiring young people who were born after Sept. 11, 2001 — a day that still feels so recent and vivid to many of us.
This milestone is a potent reminder that history is an ever-evolving force that defines generational perspectives, values and narratives.
Many of us remember where we were and what we were doing on 9/11, as do members of older generations who remember where they were when they heard that President John F. Kennedy had been shot, or that Pearl Harbor had been attacked.
For firefighters — and especially those who serve in New York City and on Long Island — no date holds deeper meaning than Sept. 11. The bravery of the many first responders who ran
Letters
The latest on New York’s push for state and federal ERA
To the Editor:
toward the hellish chaos at the World Trade Center, intending to save lives, has become emblematic of the courage and sacrifice inherent in their profession.
That fire departments are now hiring people who were not alive when the towers fell highlights the inevitability of generational change and the idea that history is always moving forward, even when it feels as if time has stood still.
These young recruits are entering a world shaped by the consequences of 9/11, yet they engage with it in a different way. For them, Sept. 11 is, yes, history, but not a memory — a chapter learned in school rather than a harrowing, indelible life experience.
This generational shift forces us to confront the duality of history: it is at once deeply personal and profoundly collective. For those of us who lived through 9/11 — and particularly the millions who could see the smoking wreckage from their homes or offices, with no need of a television screen — the event has become part of the fabric of our lives. For those born afterward, it is something learned about and appreciated through second-hand accounts.
Nonetheless, their presence in firefighting gear yet to be soiled signals that history is alive, breathing new life into the institutions that helped shape it. Eerily similar to the refrain repeated by Jewish people immersed in their
own living history since the Holocaust, “Never again,” fire departments across the United States, as far removed from New York as Alaska, echo the phrase, “Never forget.”
There, the Kenai Fire Department — more than 4,500 miles from ground zero — commemorates 9/11 every year as if its members, too, were just a truck ride from where the planes hit.
“The greatest thing we can do to honor the lives lost on 9/11 is to strive to be the people we were on Sept. 12, when we all came together, we all felt like one nation, one people,” Jay Teague, chief of the Kenai department, said at its Sept. 11 ceremony last week, as reported by KDLL public radio. “We get lost in the daily strife, the daily frustrations, and we lose that sometimes, but I think that’s probably the best sentiment we can end on, is that we should strive to be the people we were on Sept. 12.”
As young recruits join firehouses in New York City, on Long Island and across the country, they bring with them a new understanding of public service, informed not only by the legacy of 9/11, but the challenges they have faced in the post-9/11 world, marked by heightened security, shifting global politics, a pandemic and a divided country.
This generational handoff underscores the vitality of history. It is not static; it does not belong solely to the past. Rather, it lives on through the people who reinterpret it and shape it anew.
As election season heats up, the League of Women Voters of Central Nassau and partners such as New Yorkers for Equal Rights and the New York Civil Liberties Union continue to advocate for and educate about Proposal 1, appearing on state ballots in the upcoming election, through postcarding, phonebanking, canvassing and public appearances. We remind New York voters to “flip their ballot” on Nov. 5 and vote on Prop 1, which expands on the current state Equal Rights Amendment to include protections against discrimination for all New Yorkers.
Moreover, LWVCN recently joined the Sign4ERA.org team — which advocates for the long-overdue certification and publication of the federal ERA — when the organization’s chair, former New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and her colleagues visited Garden City on Sept. 1 to ask U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito for his support. D’Esposito, who represents the 4th Congressional District, is one of a few
A new season of optimism and opportunities
the old refrain, “Summer went too fast,” never does get old — and that’s because so many of us have been repeating it in recent days.
But even as the season’s end brings a tinge of sadness, it also brings a new autumnal momentum to our lives: a new school year for our children, the transition of our recent high school graduates to higher education in colleges and universities around the country, and people entering the job market or changing careers. Our local small businesses geared up for back-to-school sales, and families are now preparing for fall events and religious holidays, most notably the Jewish New Year and the High Holy Days.
As we have each year since 2016, my office will host a number of events coinciding with this change in seasons, to help constituents and their families prepare for the months ahead.
On Sept. 24, we will host our twice-annual Shed the Meds event at Syosset Library, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department’s 2nd Precinct. This event is crucially important, because it provides a safe and effective way for our friends and neighbors to dispose of unused, unfinished or expired medications, thereby safeguarding against having those medications end up in the wrong hands or damaging our environment through improper disposal.
s hedding meds, tax workshops, the Mammovan and more as we move into fall.
Village Restoration, in partnership with the county Department of Assessment. Homeowners and seniors will receive individualized assistance with applying for and receiving all of the tax exemptions they are entitled to. We will repeat that workshop less than two weeks later, on Oct. 22, at the Jericho Public Library. Both workshops are from 1 to 3 p.m., and anyone needing help should arrive no later than 2:30.
As we approach the colder months and contend with the inevitable flu season and an increase in Covid cases, I encourage everyone to protect themselves and their families by taking full advantage of the vaccines that are available to keep us safe and healthy. And with school now back in session and our children, parents and families sharing and embracing this new season, I remind all drivers to exercise an abundance of caution as they traverse the streets of our communities.
On Oct. 10, we will bring the Homeowner Exemption Liaison Program, or HELP, property tax exemption workshop series to The Barn at Old Bethpage
Letters
remaining members of Congress needed to sign a House discharge petition that would bring HJ Resolution 25 — removing the deadline for the ratification of the ERA — to the House floor for a vote.
Since Virginia was the 38th state to ratify the ERA in 2020, we have the threefourths majority of states needed to affirm it as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. As of Sept. 1, the discharge petition had been signed by 214 House members, and needed 218 signatures to move to a floor vote. So if you live in District 4 — which includes Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Carle Place, East Meadow, Elmont, the Five Towns, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Freeport, Garden City, Garden City Park, Hempstead, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Malverne, Merrick, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, Seaford, Uniondale, Valley Stream, Wantagh, West Hempstead and Westbury — and you support the ERA, contact D’Esposito’s office, at desposito.house.gov, as soon as possible, and ask him to sign Discharge Petition No. 6. This federal equal rights legislation is long overdue, and we are close to making history by seeing it finally published in the Constitution, where, arguably, it always should have been.
On Tuesday, which, auspiciously, was both Constitution Day and National Voter Registration Day, representatives of the LWVCN, the National Council of Jewish Women and the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women were scheduled to visit D’Esposito’s office to discuss the urgency and significance of the federal ERA, not only for New Yorkers but for all Americans.
SUSAN CUSHMAN, PH.D. LWVCN advocacy chair Garden City
Last but certainly not least, on Nov. 7, we will team up with Nassau University Medical Center to bring the Mammovan back to our community. This potentially life-saving initiative gives women an opportunity to expeditiously screen for breast cancer — and those without insurance may be able to do so at no cost. Please stay tuned, and contact my office closer to the event date for more details.
Funding from Washington and Albany is crucial to LIRR’s operations
To the Editor:
The Long Island Rail Road still needs to reach a state of good repair for its existing fleet, stations, elevators, escalators, signals, interlockings, track, power, yards and shops. That also includes more stations reaching compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Maintenance programs for all operating assets also need to be fully funded, and completed on time, to ensure riders safe, uninterrupted, reliable service.
Since its creation in 1964, the Urban Mass Transit Administration — which since 1991 has been known as the Federal Transit Administration — has provided billions of dollars to pay for many of these capital improvements. The LIRR’s share of the FTA’s annual grants to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority averages 15 percent. In 2024, this should total $270 million of $1.8 billion in federal grant funding.
The state Department of Transportation also provides Statewide Transportation Operating Assistance on an annual basis to the MTA and the LIRR. Let’s give thanks to both Washington and Albany for continued financial support for our LIRR, the nation’s largest commuter railroad.
LARRY PENNER Great Neck
Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously served as a director of the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.
My office is always available to anyone and everyone for any questions or needs. It continues to be my utmost honor and privilege to serve as a legislator, and as we support the Syosset Chamber of Commerce’s 20th anniversary Street Fair on Jackson Avenue on Sept. 29, I hope you can take a break from the fun, festivities and vendors to stop by and say hello to my staff and me.
Arnold W. Drucker represents Nassau County’s 16th Legislative District, and is the Legislature’s deputy minority leader.
Framework by Tim Baker
Pride sculpted in sand — Town Park Point Lookout
arnoLD w. DrUCker
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