Nassau Herald 01-30-2025

HERALD Nassau

Courtesy

Reo Sheldon Soloway, Inwood Civic Association board member, far left, Kathy Menella, the association’s treasurer, and Rosemarie Reo honored Michael Gliner, the 2022 Citizen of the Year.

Geri Barish, DeNapoli family are ICA Citizens of the Year

By BRIAN NORMAN bnorman@liherald.com

For decades, Geri Barish and the DeNapoli family have dedicated themselves to serving the community. In recognition of their outstanding contributions, the Inwood Civic Association will honor them as this year’s Citizens of the Year.

The Association has hosted the Citizen of the Year dinner since 1963, recognizing individuals and organizations for their service. Past honorees have included the Inwood Fire Department and Sanitary District 1, for their work during Hurricane Sandy.

“We always try to honor someone who has given back to the community and some-

one who is for the community,” Rosemarie Reo, president of the civic association, said. “I think it shows that the community does appreciate what people do to help out, and usually we have quite a nice crowd that shows up to the dinner to show the people that they’re appreciated.”

One of this year’s honorees, Geri Barish, is the executive director of Hewlett House, a free resource center that she helped create in 2000. Hewlett House has helped over 40,000 residents suffering from various types of cancer. It offers a variety of free services, including arts and crafts, yoga, meditation, support groups, advice from medical attorneys, help with appointments, and necessi-

This survivor’s mission is to keep truth alive

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

This year, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, on Monday, commemorated 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Germany.

The day serves as a time to remember the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.

Marion Blumenthal Lazan, 90, of Hewlett, was 10½ when the Holocaust ended, in 1945. She was born in Bremen, Germany, in 1934 and was barely 1 when Adolf Hitler came into power.

mother’s parents lived with them. So the family remained in Germany until her grandparents died, and then made arrangements to emigrate to the United States, first going to Holland, with the hope of making their way out forever.

M any people gave in and gave up, and I’m a firm believer that a strong mind has so much to do with the physical wellbeing, for sure. MARION L AzAN

“He made life very difficult for the adults and for my parents,” Lazan said. “I was only a few years old, so I didn’t feel the threats and hardships that they did.”

Her parents wanted to leave Germany after Hitler took control of the country, but were unable to do so, because Lazan’s

“That never materialized, and while we were in Holland we were incarcerated in camp Westerbork, a transit camp that was OK,” Lazan recalled. “When the Nazis took over Holland, things became worse. In January 1944 we were transported back to a camp in BergenBelsen, Germany.” Lazan and her family were in there for a year and a half. Marion was sent to the women’s section with her mother, Ruth.

“The conditions were beyond harsh,” she recounted. “Six hundred of us were ‘housed’ in barracks that were initially built to accommodate 100 people. There were triple-decker bunk beds. I was fortunate to share with my

ContInued on pAGe 11

Rosemarie

Headed to regionals one robot at a time

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Two of Hewlett High School’s robotics teams, Bionica and Roboboogie, will be headed to regionals, in March.

These are just two out of the four robotics teams the school offers, along with Innovo and Nexus.

Regionals are not the only level of competition these teams have competed at. Roboboogie appeared at the World Championships and in 2022, 2023 and in 2024 Bionica went.

Qualifiers were held at Sewanhaka High School, in Elmont on Jan. 18 and 19.

Each day, they competed against 19 other teams and the theme this year was “Into the Deep,” which uses ideas that can be applicable for submersibles — a mechanical device that can operate underwater, either remotely or autonomously.

The competition is comprised of an interview in the morning, where they present a portfolio of their progress with building, coding, community outreach and how they connect to the other schools.

“They do their interviews as a panel, so each main member of the team gets to present on a certain area of the project,” said Daniel Duffey-Birkenstock, coach. “In addition to presenting on community outreach they also talked about how things went with building the robot, what their design process was like and any advantages or challenges they encountered during the process of building and coding.”

Bionica scored high on their interview and the judges said, “it was one of the best

Courtesy Daniel Duffey-Birkenstock

they have the best showing possible.”

Jeremy Ginzburg, president of Hewlett Robotics and captain of Roboboogie, has been involved all four years of high school and formed long-lasting relationships.

“It’s very easy to make friends here, a lot of people have the same experience,” Ginzburg said. “Collaborating with other students and meeting our mentors is one of the best experiences.”

He is proud of his team winning the Connect Award and appreciates how hard his team members worked.

“We put in a lot of long hours and to this team it wouldn’t be worth it unless you had friends along side working at the same pace and finishing the robot right before competition,” he added. “Those moments before competition when stress is high, but you have your friends next to you so it makes it fun at the same time.”

interview they’ve ever seen,” according to Birkenstock.

In coordination with their performance in the robot presentation portion, they were awarded the Second Place Inspire Award, which automatically qualified them for regionals. The team received a trophy for their accomplishments.

Additionally, Roboboogie received the Connect Award for their work with connecting with other schools, mentors in the community and local engineers.

“Based on their interviews that the judges did, they felt that Roboboogie was the most well-connected team,” Birkenstock added. “Along with their overall

points this weekend, they also qualified for regionals.”

Both robots had arm mechanisms, Bionica’s was based on a “Lazy Susan” and the arm had 360 degree mobility. While Roboboogie’s had an extendable arm, and both utilized different technologies to complete the necessary tasks.

“The ingenuity that these kids bring to the project is incredible, I’m really proud of both teams for a strong showing at qualifiers,” Birkenstock said. “They’ve spent six hours every Friday working on this in the workshop, and up until the last moment they were fine-tuning, coating and making adjustments to make sure

Deniz Artan, co-captain of Bionica and head builder joined robotics due to being exposed at an early age and garnering a passion for it.

“I specifically opined Bionica because of STEAM night in elementary school and they way that they spoke and advertised themselves really spoke to me,” she said. “From fifth grade on I really knew I wanted to be apart of team Bionica.”

She is thankful for her team members and proud for winning the Second Place Inspire Award for their performance.

“We were able to get up to a level where we placed fourth on the leader board at the end of the day, it was very special,” Artan said.

Financial discrepancies raise alarms in Atlantic Beach

By BRIAN NORMAN bnorman@liherald.com

Atlantic Beach residents voiced their concerns about financial discrepancies with legal fees and property taxes at the recent village board meeting.

Many were vocal during the meeting, raising concerns about where the money would be coming from to pay legal fees now totaling around $500,000.

Resident Francine Rosenberg sparked the conversation by bringing up numbers from previous years in hopes of getting clarification at the Jan. 13 meeting.

“Since 2022, the budget has reflected that central council will be allotted $7,500 per year,” Rosenberg said. “That’s 22,500 for three years for special council. Last meeting, we were notified that the legal fees are around $500,000, where is this money coming from?”

The question was met with a wide range of answers from members of the board.

Mayor George Pappas provided possible explanations, saying that some of the money came from the reserve, and was going toward the eminent domain attorney’s.

Such legal expertise was needed after the village announced plans to acquire the 2025 Park St. property from the Chabad of the Beaches through eminent

Atlantic Beach trustees heard residents air their grievances on the increase in taxes at the Jan. 13 meeting.

domain, which is a governmental procedure to convert private property to public use after compensating the owner At fair market value.

Pappas did not respond to further questioning from the Herald, but said he would comment more on the topic at a future meeting.

Trustee Barry Frohlinger added that after reviewing the budget he can not come up with an answer for this question, which garnered a lot more concern from residents.

“As to where the money came from, I have looked through the budget and I can report, that it is a mystery,” Frohlinger said. “What I can report is that we have had some positive and negative

variances in the spend. There has been a reduction to the reserves, and our cash balances are down by $100,000 which is part of it, but it has not been easy to find the numbers.”

Frohlinger said that the board would be able to answer more questions and go into depth on financial discussions more during budget season.

This conversation led to multiple residents looking for clarification.

Among the confusion, residents wanted to know if last year’s property tax increase from last year was correlated to the rising legal fees and if they could expect another increase on property tax this year.

“I want to make it clearer to every-

one, that the village should be prepared for significant, double digit tax increases,” Frohlinger said. “When I first got on the board six months ago, I was shown something that I cannot touch on at this point, that showed a number of a tax increase which could be significant double digits, which had nothing to do with Libby, Capital One, or the Chabad settlement.”

Frohlinger stated that the property tax increase for each resident could range from 40 to 60 percent. This estimate does not include potential additional costs stemming from ongoing settlements involving Capital One, Libbey, and Chabad, related to the 2035 Park Street property. The village had attempted to acquire the building through eminent domain after Chabad purchased it in 2021.

Resident Douglas Garczynski also raised concerns and objections. He said residents feel left in the dark.

“We’re going to go down this rabbit hole with Chabad at all costs,” he said. “My only thing over the past two years was, what does that mean and how much does that cost? You’ve done a wonderful job not telling anybody. We’re all in the dark, and I’m just telling to people. The bill is coming due soon, and there’s going to be a lot of pain.”

Brian Norman/Herald

Hewlett High School’s robotics team, Roboboogie, won the Connect Award and qualified for regionals at qualifiers.

Suit settled, Nassau County is redistricted

By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com

Heading into an election year for all 19 Nassau County legislative districts, the lines have been redrawn after a lawsuit that originated in 2023 was settled last Friday.

The agreed-on new districts are considered a victory for Democrats.

“This is a tremendous victory for Nassau County,” Jay Jacobs, the New York state and Nassau County Democratic Committee chairman, stated in a news release. “The illegal map sought to disenfranchise communities of color and undermine our democratic principles. This settlement reinforces the fundamental rights of all voters and sends a clear message that such tactics will not be tolerated.”

County Democrats, along with 21 plaintiffs from throughout the legislative districts, filed the lawsuit, alleging that before they were redrawn, the districts were racist, gerrymandered and gave an unfair advantage to Republicans, who hold majority control in the Legislature.

The suit also claimed that voters leaning in one direction were being packed into two districts, while the rest were spread out in other districts as a way to “dilute their voting strength.”

“Once again, the Republican majority in the Nassau County Legislature did

something that was unconstitutional by imposing legislative lines that were unconstitutional,” County Legislator Carrié Solages, who now represents a district similar to when he was first elected in 2011, said. “I am very thankful to the Democratic Party for assembling a team of attorneys, experts on maps and data from across the country, at a cost of well over half a million dollars, in order to fight for a fair, legal map in Nassau County.”

Under the terms of the settlement:

■ The illegal redistricting map is nullified, addressing violations of the New York Voting Rights Act and Municipal Home Rule Law.

■ A new, fairer legislative map is established, including six majority-minority districts and an Asian Influence District, a substantial increase from the prior four majority-minority districts.

■ The voices of Black, Latino and Asian communities are amplified, ensuring that communities of color can elect candidates who represent their interests.

“After long negotiations, Republican attempts to change venue and even disqualify the judge presiding over the case, the Democrats arrived at a map that is fair and creates the opportunity for historic six minority majority districts,” Solages said.

Keeping The Lights On

1. Flow. A sedentary life causes brain deterioration. Blood flow to the brain keeps oxygen in your brain cells which gives them life. Keep moving, walking and get some exercise.

2. Energize. Junk food clogs your arteries and lowers energy, causing a sedentary lifestyle. Healthy food gives energy to your body and brain. Refuel and brighten the lights.

3. Recharge. Lack of enough sleep causes deterioration of the brain. Your brain needs downtime to recharge. Give it enough recharging and keep the lights burning bright.

4. Relax. Constant high stress has damaging effects on the brain and can lead to destructive habits which add further damage. Learn to control stress and let the lights shine.

5. Engage. Like muscles your brain needs exercise. Too often people, after retirement, retire their brains also so they atrophy. Stay engaged, exercise your brain with reading, puzzles and other challenges to keep the lights going on strong.

6. Love. When people grow isolated their brains lack stimulation and they grow dull. Stay connected with family and friends to brighten the lights.

7. Adventure. Many older people lose their zest for new adventures. You don’t need to climb Everest just break out of dull routines. Any venture out to new places turns up the lights.

8. Purpose. People can lose interest in life after they have retired, feeling they have no purpose. Look for opportunities to volunteer. Helping others keeps the lights flaming.

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The districts on the new map

District 1: Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, South Hempstead, and portions of Baldwin and Hempstead.

District 2: Carle Place, New Cassel, Westbury, and portions of Hempstead, Uniondale, Hicksville and Jericho.

District 3: Elmont, Lakeview, Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, South Floral Park, Malverne Park Oaks, and portions of Malverne, Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, West Hempstead and Franklin Square.

District 4: Long Beach, Lido Beach, East Atlantic Beach, Island Park, Harbor Isle, Barnum Island, Point Lookout and portions of Oceanside.

District 5: Portions of Hempstead, Uniondale, West Hempstead and Franklin Square.

District 6: Freeport, and portions of Baldwin and Oceanside.

District 7: Atlantic Beach, Bay Park, Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Hewlett, Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck, Inwood, Lawrence, Woodmere, Woodsburgh, and portions of Oceanside, South Valley Stream and Valley Stream.

District 8: Garden City, Garden City South, Stewart Manor, and portions of Floral Park, Franklin Square, New Hyde Park and North New Hyde Park.

District 9: Mineola, East Williston, Garden City Park, Herricks, Manhasset Hills, North Hills, and portions of Floral Park, New Hyde Park, North New Hyde Park, Searingtown and Williston Park.

District 10: Albertson, Flower Hill, Great Neck, Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Gardens, Great Neck Plaza, Harbor Hills, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Munsey

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail:

Park, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Roslyn Estates, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock, Saddle Rock Estates, Thomaston, University Gardens, and portions of Roslyn Heights, Searingtown and Williston Park.

District 11: Baxter Estates, Glen Cove, Glenwood Landing, Manorhaven, Port Washington, Port Washington North, Roslyn Harbor, Sands Point, Sea Cliff, and portions of Glen Head.

District 12: Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore, North Merrick, and portions of Wantagh.

District 13: East Meadow, Salisbury, and portions of Levittown

District 14: Lynbrook, North Lynbrook, and portions of Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, Malverne and South Valley Stream.

District 15: North Wantagh, Seaford, and portions of Levittown and Wantagh.

District 16: Farmingdale, Old Bethpage, Plainview, and portions of Hicksville, Jericho, Syosset and Woodbury.

District 17: Bethpage, Plainedge, South Farmingdale, and portions of Hicksville and North Massapequa.

District 18: Bayville, Brookville, Centre Island, Cove Neck, East Hills, East Norwich, Greenvale, Lattingtown, Laurel Hollow, Locust Valley, Matinecock, Mill Neck, Muttontown, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay Cove, and portions of Glen Head and Jericho.

District 19: East Massapequa, Massapequa, Massapequa Park, and portions of North Massapequa.

Adapted from author Doug Armey, the following are keys to keeping your brain “lit” as you age.

BRADY DELVALLE

V.S. South Senior Basketball

IT WAS A HISTORIC night for DelValle Jan. 17 when Valley Stream South faced Wantagh. The two-time All-County guard reached the 1,000point career milestone in the Falcons’ hardfought defeat. He also assumed the top spot in Nassau County this season for 3-pointers made with 44. A captain, he is averaging 17.4 points per game, which ranks him in the Top 20 in Nassau, and scored in double figures in all but one of the Falcons’ first 14 games.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Jan. 30

Gymnastics: South Side at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Port Wash at Farmingdale 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Manhasset at Kennedy 5 p.m.

Wrestling: Oceanside at Freeport 6 p.m.

Gymnastics: Lynbrook at North Shore 7

Girls Basketball: MacArthur at Baldwin 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Clarke at Hewlett 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Locust Valley at East Rockaway 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 31

Boys Basketball: Syosset at Uniondale 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Lawrence at Plainedge 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Oceanside at Massapequa 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Herricks at Mepham 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1

Boys Basketball: Wantagh at Plainedge 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: V.S. South at V.S. North 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Carle Place at West Hempstead 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: V.S. North at V.S. South 12 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 3

Boys Basketball: Calhoun at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.

Wrestling: Long Beach at Calhoun 5:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Farmingdale at Massapequa 7 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

LWA navigates through top teams

By BRIAN KACHARABA sports@liherald.com

After capturing the Prive Schools Athletic Association championship last season, Lawrence Woodmere Academy White squad head coach Hank Williams Sr. wanted to challenge his team even more by scheduling games against some of the top teams in the area. So far, the results have been mixed, but along the way the program has discovered some exciting young talent and the continued growth of its returnees.

This season has been one of peaks and valleys for the Tigers, but they found themselves back on an upswing after a thrilling 65-64 win over Victory Academy on Jan. 23 for their second straight win following a three-game losing streak. They had won back-to-back games on two previous occasions but failed to extend it each time.

“I tried to schedule the toughest games possible for the entire season and this is kind of the result of it,” Williams Sr. said. “You could be victorious, or you could take a loss, but that’s the risk you take when you try to schedule the best teams that you could possibly play.”

The win pushed Lawrence Woodmere’s record to 6-7 with seven games remaining and, since it is now an independent team, will have its playoff fate determined by a selection committee.

Against Victory, Lawrence held a 31-19 lead at halftime, but with Tiger backups in the game, the opposition stormed back and went up by three with about 20 seconds left. Lawrence Woodmere cut the deficit to one before junior Sylvanus Tabe caused a jump ball tie up that gave possession to the Tigers, which would eventually result in the goahead 3-point play by 6-foot-6 eighthgrader Floybert Kuminga.

“They had a kid who hit a lot of big 3’s in the fourth quarter, I think he had 27 points, so those big 3’s really helped them to come back,” Williams Sr. recalled. “I got a chance to play everybody on our team, so that was my goal. It was the last home game, and I wanted to really get some good minutes in for

Donovan Berthoud/Herald Eighth-grader Floybert Kuminga threw down two of the Tigers’ 65 points in their onepoint win over Victory Academy Jan. 23.

all the players. So, everybody got to play, the entire bench, and it almost cost us the game.”

The win came two days after Lawrence Woodmere topped Portledge, the school that won the previous three PSAA crowns, 76-67 behind a seasonbest 20 points by junior Nick Anson and 14 by Kuminga.

Sophomore Hank Williams Jr. began the season with three games of at least 20 points and remains the leading scorer with a 15.9 scoring average, with Anson (10.5) not far behind. Kuminga (9.9 ppg) and junior Josh Smith (9.6) are

close to double digits and the 6-foot-10 Tabe is at 8.8.

Malachi Miller has flashed some offensive potential with a 12-point game during the Tigers’ win against The Patrick School on Dec. 15 and fellow eighth grader Ethan Henry had the same amount against Rome Free Academy on Jan. 19. Freshmen Elliot Goldberg has also been in the rotation and produced 10 points against Portledge.

Six-foot-8 sophomore Alex Kuminga can hit the 3-pointer and rebound and Williams Sr. lauded him for being a coachable player.

Sharon Brown Lawrence, assistant director of education and development behavioral health, left, Denise Potts, assistant vice president of professional practice, N’Kechi Oliver, nurse residency coordinator, Keisha-Ann Wisdom, SVP of patient services & chief nursing officer, Jocelyn C. Sese, nurse educator and Devena Sallah, maternal child health nurse educator all serve as leaders on the Episcopal Health Services Residency Program.

EHS launches yearlong nursing residency program

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Calling all recent New York State board certified nurses, Episcopal Health Hospital is rolling out its inaugural nursing residency program.

This initiative is being offered through the New York City Nursing Project in partnership with Vizient — a healthcare company, is accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and funded by New York City’s Talent and Workforce Development Division.

The first cohort started on Dec. 5 and there are 25 nurses currently enrolled. Every three months a new group will be initiated for a total of four a year.

The 12-month nursing residency programs pairs new nursing hires with mentors to provide training and enhance their skills in a smaller setting. They also review policies and procedures to ensure that the new nurses are well prepared for their duties.

The residency program is aimed for registered nurses with less than a year’s experience and serves as a place for learning and support.

“At some point throughout the residency, the nurses will start to explore the relevance of evidence based practice into their every day work,” said Dr. Keisha-Ann Wisdom, SVP of patient services & chief nursing officer. “It’s a threeprong approach to the resident.”

The members of this residency will have monthly meetings with higher-ups for the nurses to express how they are currently feeling.

One of the main goals of the program is retention — there is a lot of turnover regarding new nurses in the post-Covid era.

“As an organization, you really need

to take care of this population of employees in a very supportive way,” Wisdom said. “It focuses on attracting the nurses and retaining them once they come in. This program being a year long, will provide us to get to that sixmonth mark and then take us to the one year mark by creating a trusting environment and supporting our nurses.”

In order to qualify for this program, you need — a New York state nursing license, degree from an accredited institution and low experience levels.

A typical schedule for a resident will start off with a classroom setting to learn the expectation for when they enter the work force. After that, they are partnered with a nurse to guide them for 12 weeks and become immersed into the reality of nursing by working on their own.

“We want to improve our patient outcomes because it’s going to benefit a lot of people including our incumbent staff their experience should go up,” said Dr. Denise Potts. “Literature states that you’ll get a bigger outcome when you have stationary staff rather than temporary. This group will impact a lot of people within the hospital.”

All seminars will take place on-site at the hospital, along with the meetings.

“Having access to this resource helps us measure how we compare to other institutions, our nurses will provide information and surveys at different intervals of the residency,” Wisdom added. “That’s really important for us as leader here at EHS to see how do we compare? How do we learn from others and help others learn? It’s creating that learning environment and making sure that we are not looking at things as an anomaly but as a normal way of transitioning nurses. ”

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New state tax credit for small businesses introduced

By MADELEINE ROSEN Special to the Herald

The Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally Act would provide small businesses with up to $4,000 for marketing in community media.

Small businesses across the Five Towns might soon be receiving some much-needed financial relief.

Earlier this month, State Sen. Monica R. Martinez and Assemblywoman Jen Lunsford introduced the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally Act, which would establish a new $10 million tax credit for small businesses advertising in local media outlets. The LOCAL Act aims to support the marketing needs of small businesses — especially those that are minority-, woman- or veteranowned, or that have 10 employees or fewer — while keeping investment in the media outlets that New Yorkers rely on everyday for critical information.

“I think it’s a great idea but we don’t know anything about it, the concept sounds good but they need to explain what the refundable tax credit is and how it works, “ said David Friedman, president of the Hewlett Woodmere Business Association and small business owner. “I’d be super interested and share it with all my members upon further explanation as to how they get the money back.”

“This legislation fosters a cycle of growth, allowing small businesses to

expand their reach while simultaneously supporting the media outlets that keep New Yorkers informed and engaged,” Martinez, the bill’s senate sponsor, said.

The legislation has already garnered staunch support from the media and business community alike. Led by The Empire State Local News Coalition, which is composed of over 200 local newspapers across New York — includ-

tions are intricately connected and work together to create the vibrant communities that New Yorkers love.”

The bill comes as the 2025 Legislative Session kicks off and negotiations begin on the State’s next fiscal year budget, which must be passed by both the Senate and Assembly and signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul by April 1. The tax credit would need to be included in the State’s final spending plan.

“The LOCAL Act is about more than just advertising – it’s about investing in the economic health of our local communities and investing in the kind of local journalism that we need now more than ever,” Martinez’ fellow bill sponsor, Lunsford, said.

ing the Nassau Herald — the bill has received praise from business trade groups throughout the state, which view the proposal as a solution to increase investment in small businesses and sustain local news organizations.

“The LOCAL Act is a win-win-win for local businesses, local news, and local communities,” Zachary Richner, founding member of the Empire State Local News Coalition, said. “These institu -

Under the LOCAL Act, a minority-, woman- or veteran-owned business, as well as any business with 10 employees or fewer, would be eligible to receive a refundable tax credit of 80 percent of its first $5,000 of local advertising for a maximum credit of $4,000 per year. The program would be capped at $10 million annually.

“We are excited to support local businesses,” said Stuart Richner, president of Richner Communications Inc. “By making advertising more accessible and affordable, the LOCAL Act will empower Long Island’s small businesses to reach new customers while ensuring that our local media outlets continue to connect and inform our residents.”

Herald file photo

The Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally Act would provide the many small businesses in the Peninsula Shopping Center, in Hewlett, with up to $4,000 for marketing in community media.

Annual dinner to honor outstanding Inwood contributors

ties for patients such as blankets, hats, wigs and undergarments.

Barish, who lost both her mother and son to cancer and is a five-time cancer survivor herself, said that her promise to her son was that she would find out why he contracted the disease, and that promise has motivated her in her work at Hewlett House.

“It’s about our children,” Barish said. “Today it’s very expensive to go to the hospital and get information, and if we can help cut some questions, and we can get an appointment and get them screened in 24 or 48 hours, we could give people information and answers that people are afraid to ask (for).”

Many residents, including cancer patients, local middle and high school students and other community members, have volunteered at Hewlett House over the years, making gifts and necessities, such as blankets, hats and scarves, for people battling cancer.

“It’s wonderful to be recognized with someone like the DeNapoli family,” Barish said. “I was shocked. I really was. I always say, ‘What, me? What did I do?’ It’s a huge honor, and I really have no words.”

The DeNapoli family, who manage the Bel-Mar Oil Company, are being honored for their constant commitment to giving back not only to Inwood, but Nassau County and Queens as well.

Dominick’s son Frank now runs the company, along with his mother, Valencia, and his brother, Dominick Jr.

“It’s definitely a great honor, and we’re still even shocked that we’re being nominated,” Frank said. “Even my mom was shocked, and we were all

The late Dominick DeNapoli founded the company after returning from the Korean War. The family-run company has been keeping area homes and businesses warm since 1953, and has been involved with service organizations such as the Peninsula Kiwanis.

saying the same thing, like, ‘Why us? What did we do?’ You know, you want to call it just normal people that work around the community and try and help others. It’s too bad Dad isn’t alive to see this, but it’s great mom is here, so it’ll be good.”

Barish and the DeNapolis will be honored at the Citizen of the Year dinner at the Inwood Country Club on March 23. The annual event features donations from restaurants and other civic organizations, gift baskets and raf-

fles. The money raised there goes to the civic association’s scholarship fund.

“We give out six scholarships to high school seniors every year,” Michael Gliner, a former president of the association and its current board chair, said. “So to get to honor them and everything that they’ve done, and at the same time help these kids go off to college, it’s a win-win.”

For information on tickets, visit the Inwood Civic Association’s face book page, www.facebook.com/InwoodCivics.

Courtesy Rosemarie Reo

2021 Citizen of the Year Frank Parise, center, was honored by former board Chair Mike Gliner, third from left, and former civic association President David Hance, far right, along with members of the Peninsula Kiwanis.

Retro rock concert raises funds for Israel aid

Residents of the Five Towns threw it back to the rock classics of the 1960s and ’ 70s at the Israel Chesed Center, in Hewlett’s benefit.

Organized by, Allan Spielman, Hewlett resident and musician, the benefit was held at Creative Corner in West Hempstead where Acoustic Retro performed, on Jan. 25.

Acoustic Retro played popular songs from — the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Bread, CCR, Chicago, Eagles, Elton John, James Taylor, Meatloaf, Monkeys, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Rascals, Simon and Garfunkel, Steve Miller, Stones and Van Morrison.

A donation of $10 was suggested, and all proceeds go to the Israel Chesed Center in their effort to transport critical gear to Israel.

After Acoustic Retro played from 8 to 9 p.m., there was an open jam session from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. Community members had the opportunity to join the band on stage and play an instrument and/or sing.

— Melissa Berman

Steven Frankel from West Hempstead jammed out on the guitar during the open mic portion, on Jan. 25.

Stu Goldman/Herald photos

Acoustic Retro — Akiva the Believer, percussion, left, Avi Spielman, keyboards, Rich Ocean, bass and Rich Mansour, lead vocals/acoustic guitar, right performed at the Israel Chesed Center benefit.

Creative Corner owner Harry Baldino, left and Mark Wolkenfeld, the manager, were glad to host the space for the benefit.

Bari Willner from Long Beach got up on stage and sang during the open jam session of the benefit, at Creative Corner in West Hempstead.

Jeffrey, front left and Cheryl Fried from Cedarhurst attended the benefit to hear rock classics of the 1960s and ’70s while helping to raise money for the Israel Chesed Center in Hewlett.

Recounting her story is Lazan’s life work

mother.”

She attributes her ability to survive to her mother’s fortitude and inner strength.

“Many people gave in and gave up, and I’m a firm believer that a strong mind has so much to do with the physical well-being, for sure,” Lazan said. “My mom was quite amazing.”

Lazan and her family arrived in the U.S. in 1948, three years after the end of World War II.

She was invited to speak at the United Nations on Monday by Tracey Peterson, manager of The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme.

Lazan initially received an email from Peterson on Nov. 13. At first she was taken aback, and had mixed feelings about accepting the offer. “The U.N. is not very kind to our people and to our little country of Israel,” she said. “How can I be so comfortable speaking there and not even mention their behavior, attitude and way of thinking? (But) if I were to say no, I would be working right into their thinking, and I think it’s important for them to understand and realize and reconfirm that we’re here and still here.”

She wanted to pass her story on to the generations to come, because there

won’t be as many Holocaust survivors around to speak in person in the coming years.

After she accepted, a more formal letter arrived from Maher Nasser, director of the U.N.’s Outreach Division, in November.

Other speakers included Philemon Lang, the president of the U.N. General Assembly, representatives of the Permanent Mission of Israel, representatives of the Permanent Mission of the United States to the United Nations, and Secretary-General, António Guterres.

Lazan was slated to speak for 10 minutes, and Peterson approved her speech ahead of time. But, tragically, Lazan had to withdraw on Sunday, when her husband, Nathaniel, 92, died.

She has been traveling around the country, to 44 states, and many countries around the world, sharing her story of survival.

She usually speaks for an hour before answering questions from the audience, so whittling her story down to 10 minutes was a big task for her.

“There are other speakers and dignitaries from the U.N., so I guess they are limited with time,” she said on Jan. 22, four days before her husband died.

Lazan wrote a book called “Four Perfect Pebbles” with Lila Perl, which focus-

es on her youth in Nazi Germany. The book has been translated to Dutch, German, Hebrew and Japanese.

In her presentations, Lazan stresses the importance of positive thinking to overcome adversity. She also asks her audiences to be tolerant of others and not stereotype people based on their religious beliefs, the color of their skin or their country of origin.

The current generation will be the last to hear firsthand account of the Holocaust in person, and Lazan wants the truth to be passed on for generations to come.

Two of her children, Michael Lazan and Susan Weinberg, were in awe when they heard that their mother had been invited to speak at the U.N.

“She’s done so many things and been invited so many places — she’s a very powerful speaker and connects emotionally to people — that I wasn’t shocked to hear that as a Holocaust survivor, she was asked to do this,” Michael Lazan said, adding that he is amazed at his mother’s ability to capture children’s attention with her story.

“When she speaks, she says, ‘This message is for your children and grandchildren, because we’re the last ones,’” Weinberg said. “She makes sure that she tells that to the kids, and they do listen.”

Melissa Berman/Herald Marion Blumenthal Lazan was invited to speak at the United Nations on Monday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Germany, but had to withdraw when her husband, Nathaniel, died.

By Danielle Schwab & Tim Baker

Sean Cirillo Oceanside

My 2025 resolution is to replace all my local car trips with walking and biking. Replacing these short trips that are typically done with a car is healthier, saves me money, better connects me to the community and I’m never stuck in traffic on a bike.

What is your major goal for 2025?

Mike

Ahl Babylon

I would like to get stronger. I ride my bike in Babylon. My average is 45 minutes to do 10 miles, and I want to get it under 40 minutes. I have two little boys, I want to be healthy for them.

David Friedman Hewlett

Definitely need a nice relaxing vacation somewhere warm. I haven’t been to Atlantis in many years, or maybe Italy. There are too many things to do and I’m getting older, so I need a vacation.

Sharon Edwards Merrick

Time management is definitely my resolution for this year. Last year really went by quickly; it was over and done. I have everything on one to-do list. I have a family that I want to spend some time with and then I have my business. I’m trying to balance everything.

Cliff

Krauter Bayville

I would like to become more involved in the committees around the city (Glen Cove). I meet many people that do things out of their good nature. It’s something I highly respect and admire and I’d like to try to do more of.

Woodmere native bicycles in Africa for a purpose

By NECHAMA BLUTH nbluth@TheJewishStar.com

For Woodmere native Jonah Adelsberg, bicycling is more than a hobby. He had participated in the NYC 2021 marathon on Team Lifeline for Chai Lifeline, raising money for children fighting cancer and chronic illnesses. This year, Adelsberg chose to fundraise for The Next Step, an organization that supports children and adults suffering from limbloss.

In a recent conversation with his friend David Farhi, managing director of The Next Step explained how the organization provides prosthetics and prosthetic guidance, mental and physical therapies, sports programs, community initiatives, and lobbying/advocacy for the Israeli amputee community.

When Adelsberg learned about The Next Ride, their event in Nairobi, Kenya, that begins on Feb. 24, he knew he had to get involved.

Cycling over 200 miles for three days through the mountains of Kenya to raise funds for those in need felt like a meaningful way to contribute — and an incredible opportunity to visit Africa, a place he’s always dreamed of exploring.

While this is Adelsberg’s first biking fundraiser, he hopes that through his participation in this event he will be able to help others make their lives a little easier to navigate.

Adelsberg knows a thing or two about

navigating a challenge.

He recalls that when he had cancer as a child, there was a boy in the hospital bed next to him eating popcorn with his hands for the last time before undergoing a double-arm amputation the next day.

Because of Adelsberg’s chemotherapy, the smell of the popcorn made him extremely nauseous. He wanted to ask the boy to stop, but even at 8 years old, he understood that he had to suck it up.

That moment taught Adelsberg a powerful lesson — no matter how hard things may seem, someone else may be going through something even more dif-

ficult. That memory has stayed with him, shaping his perspective and empathy.

To prepare for his 200 mile spin, he exercises in the gym Monday through Friday, doing general cardio and weight training, understanding that the ride will be something he’s definitely not used to. He’s been focusing much more on lower-body workouts, endurance exercises like swimming, incorporating yoga into his daily routine, and getting advice from anyone he can along the way — including on YouTube and in Reddit groups.

For the New York City Marathon in

2021, his goal wasn’t to achieve a specific time but simply to complete the 26.2 miles and prove to himself that he could do it. This ride presents a different kind of challenge. With three consecutive days of 50-plus miles and a 2,000-foot vertical climb, it’s a much more sustained physical and mental effort.

Living on Long Island, the lack of mountains makes conditions difficult to simulate, so he’s been trying to replicate the event by biking for one to two hours three days in a row. As he always says, “I’ll figure it out.”

Professionally, Adelsberg is the creative director of business development at a music production agency called UFO, where they produce commercials for proaudio and lifestyle brands. He is fortunate to have a flexible schedule, which allows him to fit in proper training days. He wants to prove to himself and others that bold, “crazy” ideas only seem crazy if you don’t act on them. If you commit to a vision, everything else tends to fall into place. And honestly, he’d love the chance to pet an elephant!

As for what’s next, he’s not entirely sure yet, but completing a triathlon has always been on his bucket list. This ride feels like a step in that direction, and he’s excited to see where it leads him.

Around 4,600 people have been beneficiaries of The Next Step’s programs. To make a donation to The Next Ride, visit ThenExtride.org/jonahadelsberg.

Courtesy Jonah Adelsberg

Jonah Adelsberg at the NYC 2021 marathon.

Court backs county transgender sports ban

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

New York State Supreme Court Judge Bruce Cozzens last week denied a request by the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women’s recreational roller derby league, to temporarily block a Nassau County law that restricts sports teams from using county facilities based on biological sex.

The Roller Rebels argued that Local Law 121-24 discriminates against transgender women by preventing them from participating in women’s sports. The league sought a preliminary injunction to stop the law’s enforcement while its lawsuit challenging the law continues.

The Long Island Roller Rebels are members of the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association, which “welcomes all transgender women, intersex women, and gender expansive women to participate in its member leagues. The sex assigned at birth of any and all WFTDA participants is considered confidential and private,” according to court documents.

“I’m very happy that … Cozzens ruled that Nassau County’s local law banning biological males from playing on female sports teams is constitutional and that we did abide by the law,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. “I’m gratified that we were the first in America to do it, and I think we set the tone for the rest of the nation.”

In a 12-6 vote along party lines, the County Legislature passed a bill on June 24 that bans individuals who were born male from taking part in women’s sports and on county-run facilities, regardless of their gender identity.

The county claimed the law was enacted to ensure fairness and safety in sports for biological women, and

argued that federal Title IX regulations protecting women’s sports support its position.

The court ruled that the Roller Rebels failed to prove that the law discriminates against transgender individuals under the state’s Human Rights Law or Civil Rights Law. Cozzens noted that the law does not ban transgender people from participating in sports, but requires leagues to designate teams as male, female or co-ed.

In his decision, he emphasized the safety concerns and physical differences between biological men and women, particularly in contact sports like roller derby. The judge also highlighted the county’s responsibility to use public facilities in ways that serve the majority of taxpayers.

“The power differential between adult individuals

SUNDAY

who are born male and those born female is substantial and therefore may be more dangerous,” Cozzens’s decision read. “This would create additional risk to the individual and potential liability, creating costs to the municipality. The municipality is not obligated to provide a recreational setting for each and every individual residing within its confines.”

“As we’ve said all along, it’s just common sense,” Blakeman said. “Biological males should not play in female sports. They have a competitive advantage. It’s unfair, and it’s also unsafe.”

The ruling follows an executive order signed by President Trump on Jan. 20 that eliminated protections for transgender individuals, stating that the federal government would define sex strictly as male or female.

Herald file photo

biological sex was upheld.

STEPPING OUT

By Danielle Schwab

When it comes to Monster Jam, go big or go home.

Those bigger-than-life behemoths gear up for a crushing competition madness takes over

Witness the roar of eight monster trucks battle it out for the winning trophy at the fullthrottle competition with plenty of car-smashing, donut-wheeling and back-flipping action fans know and expect.

Monster Jam arrives at UBS Arena next weekend, Feb. 7-9, taking over Belmont Park for three days packed with high-flying action and jaw-dropping stunts. This isn’t just any event — it’s “As Big As It Gets.” where where every moment is unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable.

Both monster truck fanatics and first-time watchers will experience all the motorsport has to offer in a four-part competition ruled by these 12,000 pound mechanical beasts.

Drivers bring out all the stunts for the competition to the delight of spectators.

“Who doesn’t love big trucks crushing stuff, mjumping high in the air, rolling over and doing all the crazy stuff we do?” says Matt Cody, the longtime driver of Grave Digger and 2024 Arena Series West Champion.

• Friday through Sunday, Feb. 7-9; times vary

• Tickets available at ticketmaster.com

• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont

always my birthday present. I fell in love with it,” he says.

Starting at 13-years-old, Cody got involved with the event in every way possible — whether it was sweeping floors, cleaning trucks or driving the tractortrailers. His passion and hard work earned him a role as a mechanic for the show, eventually paving the way for him to become an official driver in 2012.

‘Easy come, easy go’ Queen-mania rocks on. Almost Queen returns to the Paramount stage with their homage to the beloved band. They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports you back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. The band — featuring Joseph Russo as Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon, and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor — is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. dynamic live performance showcasing signature four-part harmonies and intricate musical interludes. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision captivates fans of all ages. Almost Queen’s concerts are a true testament to the band’s love for Queen’s music. We Are the Champions!” It’s no wonder fans keep coming back for more.

Saturday Feb. 1, 8 p.m. $79.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $34.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

“From the atmosphere to the production to the people, it’s a big family and it’s a big family sport, everybody’s there to just have fun,” he adds.

Ten years later, Cody started driving the infamous Grave Digger — a 43 year global legend among monster trucks, sporting massive 66-inch tires.

“It’s just a big, bad machine,” Cody says.

Watch as these powerful trucks race for the fastest time, showcase their jaw-dropping skills with epic stunts — some of which are only on two wheels — in competitions of speed and skill. Also see the drivers unleash their trucks’ wild, untamed power in a thrilling freestyle showdown.

And of course, there’ll be plenty of monster-sized donuts to get heads-spinning as well.

This epic ride sports tombstones on its side “for the competitors that we’ve beaten and buried,” he explains.

Going head-to-head against Grave Digger are newcomers Plane Krazy and Krazy Train as well as a new fan favorite, Sparkle Smash, a giant blue-and-purple unicorn that’s sure to kick some butt.

Other trucks returning to claim victory are the always-popular Megalodon, Zombie, El Toro Loco, and Terminal Velocity.

South Shore Symphony

right in the middle of the action, helping to

To make it even more exciting, the judges’ panel includes the entire audience. Fans are right in the middle of the action, helping to crown the event champion as they get to score the drivers in real time based on their skills, stunts, and saves. Everyone gets a say in which truck triumphs with glory and eventually moves on to July’s Monster Jam World Finals.

It’s truly an unforgettable family affair, involving generations of families since Monster Jam’s start in 1992.

“I met so many awesome fans from over the years, dedicated fans who’ll bring their grandfather, the dad, and now son, to an event. And the grandfather will be like, ‘Yeah, I remember bringing my son.’ Even though I’m not the driver that may have been [there] at that time, they’ll take a picture just to recreate that,” Cody says.

“It’s just an awesome experience among the families and the memories that they’re making.”

All of this from the best seat in UBS Arena, which is every seat according to Cody.

“I tell people that in an arena as compared to a stadium, stadiums are cool, but in an arena, there’s not a bad seat in the house.”

Start off the action early. Fans can get a closer look at the trucks and meet the drivers at the exclusive Monster Jam Pit Party — or get revved up prior to the show with sneak peaks, giveways and extra action at the Monster Jam Trackside Experience.

Before taking over the driver’s seat, Cody’s Monster Jam journey began sitting in the audience of Monster Jam events as a kid. Cody, from Williamsport, Md., began to follow the sport at age 8. As a lifelong fan, he knows the thrills it offers to both fan and participant.

Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment

Before taking over the driver’s seat, lifelong fan, he knows the thrills it offers to both

Top left - Sparkle Smash, among the newcomers, joins El Toro Loco and the other trucks in nailing vertical 2-wheel tricks, among other feats.

Music Director Adam Glaser’s South Shore Symphony Orchestra welcomes the New Year with a rousing concert, titled “Heritage and Memory, at its Madison Theatre home. The orchestra is joined by guitarist Tali Roth. Originally from Israel, now based in the New York City area, she’ll be playing the beloved Rodrigo’s Concieto de Aranjuez. The evening’s repertoire also includes Humperdinck’s Prelude to the opera Hansel and Gretel. The charming composition is known for its sweetness and nostalgia to this piece that catches you off guard. Another, Mary Watkins’ Soul of Remembrance is becoming a staple in the orchestra repertoire, and deservedly so, according to Glaser. The program’s second half is devoted to Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 in D major.

“Monster Jam used to come every year. It was

Top right - Monster trucks reach epic heights in the latest edition of Monster Jam. Grave Digger, with Matty Cody (bottom left) and other popular trucks thrill fans in their customized high-power vehicles.

Saturday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444.

THE Your Neighborhood

Sheng Wang

With his signature laid-back style, as showcased in his Netflix special Sweet & Juicy produced and directed by Ali Wong, comedian, actor, and writer, Sheng Wang brings his hilarious standup to the Paramount stage, Saturday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. Long-time comedian

Sheng Wang is truly coming into his own. Two decades of performing has taken him from doing stand-up for touristy audiences in New York unwilling to give an Asian American comedian the time of day to a successful Netflix special, “Sweet and Juicy,” produced and directed by Ali Wong. Wang asks audiences to not only recognize the personhood of an Asian on stage but to find deep resonance with this person’s honest feelings. He mines comedy from the mundane, everyday parts of life — from the meditative ritual that is shopping at Costco to how to get maximum value from health insurance. Because he’s from Houston, Texas., Wang also speaks with a slight Southern drawl, giving a relaxed quality to his delivery. He likens himself to “A Clown with Words.” Among his other credits, Wang was a featured standup on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” special and also wrote for the ABC show “Fresh Off the Boat.” Wang resides in L.A. and in his time off he enjoys exploring botanical gardens and discovering new ways to snack. $69.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Cafe Europa

Congregation Beth Shalom and Marion & Aaron Gural JCC hosts Cafe Europa, Tuesdays, noon-2 p.m. Enjoy meeting new people with a little nosh, Yiddish humor, lectures, music and more. $5 fee. For more information, contact Judy Goldberg at judy.goldberg@guraljcc.org.

Congregation Beth Shalom, 390 Broadway, Lawrence.

Senior Choir

Enjoy a musical morning with Marion & Aaron Gural JCC’s Golden Notes Social Choir, every Tuesday, 11 a.m.-noon. Come hear an hour of singing in several languages, led by Zvi Klein. Suggested donation is $5. For more information, contact Rachayle Deutsch at rachayle. deutsch@guraljcc.org. Gural JCC, 207 Grove Ave., Cedarhurst.

Game Time

Peninsula Public Library invites all to game time, Mondays and Thursdays, in the Bentley Room. Come play canasta, Mah Jongg, and Scrabble. Seating is limited; first come, first served. Call Roxanne Spodek to confirm the program the day before at (516) 967-5777. 280 Central Ave., Lawrence.

Winter in the woods

Explore Sands Point Preserve in winter, with environmental educator Hildur Palsdottir, Saturday, Feb. 1, 10-11:30 a.m. She will engage participants ill engage audiences in handson nature discovery activities encompassing the preserve’s unique physical features and wildlife.

Conservation issues are also discussed on the walk through the grounds of the former summer residence of Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. $15 ($10 members), $5 children. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.

The Furry Forecaster

Visit Long Island Children’s Museum and share in some Groundhog Day fun, Saturday, Feb. 1, noon-2 p.m. Join in on the forecasting festivities and make a groundhog to take home, at the drop-in program. Will he emerge from his burrow and see his shadow or not? For ages 3 and up. Free with admission. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

INC. VILLAGE OF WOODSBURGH

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF COLLECTION OF TAXES

TAKE NOTICE that I the undersigned Clerk of the Village of Woodsburgh have received the tax roll and Warrant for the collection of taxes for the forthcoming fiscal year, March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026, and that I will attend to my office from March 1st to April 1st, from 8 o’clock in the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, excepting Saturdays, Sundays and holidays for the purpose of receiving such taxes; during which period taxes may be paid to me without additional charge.

Checks for the payment of taxes will be received at the Village Office, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York 11557.

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that on all such taxes remaining unpaid after April 1st, 2025 five per centum (5%) will be added for the first month. Thereafter, the rate will be that percentage determined by the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance of the State of New York and will be added for each month or fraction thereof thereafter until paid.

MICHELLE BLANDINO VILLAGE CLERK

Inc. Village of Woodsburgh Dated: January 23, 2025 151162

LEGAL NOTICE

INC. VILLAGE OF HEWLETT BAY PARK

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF COLLECTION OF TAXES

TAKE NOTICE that I the undersigned Clerk of the Village of Hewlett Bay Park have received the tax roll and Warrant for the collection of taxes for the forthcoming fiscal year, March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026, and that I will attend to my office from March 1st to April 1st, from 8 o’clock in the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, excepting Saturdays, Sundays and holidays for the purpose of receiving such taxes; during which period taxes may be paid to me without additional charge.

Checks for the payment of taxes will be received at the Village Office, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York 11557.

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that on all such taxes remaining unpaid after April 1st, 2025, five per centum (5%) will be added for the first month. Thereafter, the rate will be that percentage determined by the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance of the State of New York and will be added for each month or fraction thereof thereafter until paid.

Inc. Village of Hewlett Bay Park

Dated: January 23,2025 151158

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER’S

SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 18th, 2025, will sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on certain real estate, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party in interest in such real estate shall have paid to the County Treasurer by February 13th, 2025 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property.

Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 percent per six-month period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in Section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code. Effective with the February 2019 lien sale

Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale.

Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased. Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/526/CountyTreasurer

Should the Treasurer determine that an inperson auction shall be held, same will commence on the 18th day of February 2025 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.

Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in Braille, large print, audiotape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 1-3715.

Dated: January 23, 2025 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, NewYork

TERMS OF SALE

Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts.

However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.

right to intervene in any bankruptcy case/litigation where the property affected by the tax liens sold by the Treasurer is part of the bankruptcy estate. However, it is the sole responsibility of all tax lien purchasers to protect their legal interests in any bankruptcy case affecting their purchased tax lien, including but not limited to the filing of a proof of claim on their behalf, covering their investment in said tax lien. The Nassau County Treasurer and Nassau County and its agencies, assumes no responsibility for any legal representation of any tax lien purchaser in any legal proceeding including but not limited to a bankruptcy case where the purchased tax lien is at risk. The rate of interest and penalty at which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount for which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all amounts deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase shall be of no further effect. Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of the sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale. Furthermore, as to the bidding,

award of tax certificates.

2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.

3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.

4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made in connection with said bid shall be forfeited.

Dated: January 23, 2025 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York 151098

“ A Local Law to amend Village Ordinance 200-62 so as to provide for fees/rates for parking meters to be established by Resolution of the Board of Trustees

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT copies of the proposed items described above are on file/available in the office of the Village Clerk of the Village of Lawrence, NY, where the same is available for public inspection during regular office hours.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard on all meeting matters at the place and time aforesaid. If anyone needs special accommodations for a disability, such person should contact the Village Clerk at least 5 days before the meeting.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to the requirements of the Open Meetings Law of the State of New York, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lawrence will convene in public meeting at the place and time aforesaid for the purpose of conducting a regular meeting where general business will be conducted.

Dated: January 24, 2025 By Order of the Board of Trustees Village of Lawrence, NY Gerry Castro Village Administrator 151294

AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AN AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter: Agency: Board of Appeals Village of Hewlett Neck Date: February 4, 2025

Time: 7:00 p.m.

A list of all real estate in Nassau County on which tax liens are to be sold is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/527/Annual-TaxLien-Sale

A list of local properties upon which tax liens are to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 06th, 2025.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a tax lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) and the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act(FIRREA),12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et.seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation(FDIC) receivership.

The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed.

The Nassau County Treasurer reserves the

1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF LAWRENCE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING and PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that there will be a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence, at Lawrence Village Hall, 196 Central Avenue, Lawrence, New York 11559, on the 13th day of February 2025, at 8:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time, and three (3) Public Hearings with respect to the following matter:

Place: Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York

setback ratio is 1.70, (ii) the proposed west side setback ratio is 1.54; (d) 195-20.2, states that for a lot size of 36,715 square feet, the maximum permitted impervious surface coverage is 10,504.2 square feet, the proposed impervious surface coverage is 13,054.1 square feet; (e) 195-21(F), states, every swimming pool shall be enclosed by a fence, such fence shall be erected so as to completely enclose the pool itself or the particular yard area in which the pool is situated or the entire property back of the building, the proposed fencing on the east side of the property is located in the side yard at the front of the building, where it must be at the rear of the building, (f) 195-25(E), states, all sports courts and/or tennis courts shall be completely screened from adjoining properties by a living screen of coniferous trees. Said trees shall be of a height, when planted, not less than two feet below the top of the adjacent fence and shall be planted five feet on center and not more than 10 feet away from the fence surrounding the sports court and/or tennis court, on all sides of the court not facing the dwelling on the same lot, and shall be maintained so long as the sports court and/or tennis court remains in existence, the proposed landscaping is not within 10 feet on the north side and west side of the sports court. Premises are also known as Section 41, Block 17, Lot 524 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map. At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters. This application is a Type II Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Hewlett Harbor will hold a Special Meeting to discuss and consider the addition of guard booths in the Village to enhance the safety of the residents and property. Such Special Meeting will be held at 7:00 PM on February 6, 2025 at the Village Hall, 449 Pepperidge Road, Hewlett Harbor, New York. All interested persons will be heard during the Public Hearing at the time and place aforementioned. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

NICOLE GIACOPELLI, VILLAGE CLERK

HEWLETT HARBOR, NEW YORK

DATED: 1/24/25 151299

LEGAL NOTICE

Village of Lawrence

Legal Notice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence will hold a work session beginning at 6:45 P.M. followed by a public meeting on February 11, 2025 at the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club, 101 Causeway, Lawrence, New York 11559 beginning at 7:30 P.M. to conduct the following Public Hearings and to attend to such other matters as may properly come before the Board: 116 Causeway, FriedmanSection 70-11.B of the Village Code states that it shall be unlawful to alter, change, add to or remove from any site soil or other material which will result in any deviation from the original grade of the property.

Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance at or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation.

To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232 To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232 To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

Proposed Local Laws of 2025

“ A Local Law to amend Village Ordinance 144-10 increasing the maximum fine from $1,000 to $2,500

A Local Law to amend Village Ordinance 125-9.A.(8) to include “Peaceful Demonstrations” as an activity requiring a license/permit

Subject: Application of Margareta Miller owner/member of JMG 326 LLC, 326 Hewlett Neck Road, Hewlett Neck, New York, to construct a new single-family dwelling, which construction requires variances of the following Village code sections: (a) 195-12(A), states no building shall exceed 2 1/2 stories, with a maximum height of 30 feet, the proposed building height is 34 feet, an excess of 4 feet; (b) 195-20(A)(3), states, the footprint areas occupied by all buildings and structures and accessory uses which extend three feet or more above the grade of the property shall not exceed 4,500 square feet, the proposed lot coverage is 5,225 square feet, an excess of 725 square feet; (c) 195-20.1, state the following height/setback for a side yard shall not exceed 1.0, (i) the proposed east side

All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York, during regular business hours.

Dated: December 12, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk 151293

The order in which the listed applications are heard shall be determined the night of the meeting. The applications and accompanying exhibits are on file and may be inspected at the Village Office during normal business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If anyone needs special accommodations for a disability, such person should contact the Village Clerk at least 5 days before the hearing. All interested parties will have the opportunity to be heard By Order of the Board of Appeals

Lloyd Keilson

Chairman

Dated: January 26, 2025 151301

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE INWOOD FIRE DISTRICT, INWOOD, NEW YORK, 11096.

There will be a General Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Inwood Fire District as follows: ime:7:00 P.M.

MICHELLE BLANDINO VILLAGE CLERK

Public Notices

Date:Thursday, February 13, 2025

Place:DISTRICT OFFICE

Melissa Rivelli, District Secretary 151300

LEGAL NOTICE

CASE NO. 21527

RESOLUTION NO.61-2025

Adopted: January 21, 2025

Councilmember Miller offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION

ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS

ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 54 -2025, adopted January 7th, 2025, a public hearing was duly held on the day of January 21st, 2025, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:

ELMONT

KIEFER AVENUE - south side, starting at a point 93 feet west of the west curbline of Keller Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-565/24)

ROOSEVELT

CARROLL STREET - south side, starting at a point 65 feet west of the west curbline of Andrews Avenue, west for a distance of 16 feet.

(TH-570/24)

EAST ROOSEVELT AVENUE - north side, starting at a point 250 feet east of the east curbline of Rose Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-556/24)

HOWARD AVENUEnorth side, starting at a point 284 feet west of the west curbline of John Place, west for a distance of 30 feet.

(TH-566/24) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:

ELMONT

MADISON STREET - south side, starting at a point 32 feet west of the west curbline of Dauntless Parkway, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-380/06 - 10/3/06)

(TH-563/24)

INWOOD

WEST END AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 94 feet south of the south curbline of Pearl Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-523/22 - 12/6/22)

(TH-557/24)

(NR)LYNBROOK

HUDSON COURT - east side, starting at a point 152 feet north of the north curbline of Whitehall Street, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-105/20 - 08/4/20)

(TH-568/24) ; and, BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting.

The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Goosby and adopted upon roll call as follows:

AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) 151261

LEGAL NOTICE

HEWLETT-WOODMERE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING, PROPOSED REPAIR RESERVE FUND EXPENDITURE

February 5, 2025

6:15 P.M.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 6-d of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York, a Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 6:15 p.m. prevailing time at the Woodmere Education Center, One Johnson Place, Woodmere, New York, at which time and place the Board of Education of the HewlettWoodmere Union Free School District will propose to appropriate monies, not to exceed $873,136 from the athletics repair reserve fund for the purpose of repairs to the Hewlett High School Athletic Fields and gymnasium floor.

By order of:

District Clerk

Hewlett-Woodmere Union Free School District

Date: January 30, 2025 151290

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers 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 02/05/2025 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 79/25. WOODMEREMarc & Sarah Schmerler, Variances, lot area occupied, front yard setback on Carol Ave., rear yard, construct addition which is lower than 2’ above base flood elevation attached to dwelling., N/W cor. Carol Ave. & Donald La., a/k/a 942 Carol Ave. 84/25. WOODMEREAaron & Michal Gorin, Variances, height, lot area occupied, side yard, side yards aggregate, construct dwelling (demolish existing dwelling)., E/s Oak St., 150’ N/o Central Ave., a/k/a 114 Oak St. 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 Woodmere 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 at 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. 151254

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter: Agency: Board of Appeals

Village of Hewlett Neck

Date: February 4, 2025

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York

Subject: Application of Evgenia Mayvaldov, 189 Priscilla Road, Hewlett Neck, New York, to construct a new single family dwelling with attached garage, which construction requires variances of the following Village Code sections: (a) 195-12(B), to permit a front yard setback of 28.8 feet, where the minimum setback is 30 feet; (b) 195-12(D), to permit a rear yard setback of 25.3 feet, where the minimum setback is 30 feet; (c) 195-12(G), to permit a maximum gross floor area of 7,702.8 square feet, where the maximum permitted is 6,895.5 square feet; (d) 195-20.1, to permit a front yard height setback ratio along Dolphin Drive of 0.67, where the maximum permitted ratio is 0.6; (e) 195-20.1, to permit a front yard height setback ratio along Priscilla Road of 0.69, where the maximum permitted ratio is 0.6; (f) 195-20(A)(3), to permit a lot coverage of 6,438.7 square feet, where the maximum permitted is 4,500 square feet; (g) 195-26.1(B), to permit two air conditioning units in a front yard, where air conditioning units shall be located in a side or rear yard only. Premises are also known as Section 41, Block 106, Lot 11 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map.

At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters. This application is a Type II Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance at or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation. All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York, during regular business hours.

Dated: January 23, 2025 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk 151292

LEGAL NOTICE

MEETING NOTICE

The following are a list of meetings of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Lawrence North Fire District: General MeetingWednesday, February 5, 2025- 7:30 p.m. at LCFD Budget MeetingWednesday, September 17, 2025-7:30 p.m. at LCFD

Edward Gottlieb, president of Temple Israel, left, Letitia James, NYS attorney general, Bishop Dr. Danilo Archbold, New Jerusalem Cathedral Inc., Melissa Archbold, co-Pastor, New Jerusalem Cathedral Inc., and Rabbi Dr. Galina Makaveyev, Temple Israel, at the 23rd annual MLK Commemoration Shabbat, on Jan. 17.

MLK Shabbat emphasizes

solidarity and shared purpose

Temple Israel of Lawrence hosted its 23rd annual Martin Luther King Shabbat for the Five Towns community, on Jan. 17.

Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest is a sacred time for reflection and connection.

“In the spirit of solidarity, unity, and peace, Temple Israel leadership holds a special Friday evening Shabbat service preceding the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Rabbi Galina Makaveyev wrote in an email. “This Shabbat gathering encourages us to continue the sacred mission of justice and unity in our time with hope our actions today will make a meaningful difference and transform the future.”

Alongside the special service, congregation members participated in meaningful service projects across the Five Towns — assembling educational supplies for children and packaging food for those in need.

“Temple Israel’s values, grounded in the vision of Reform Judaism, align with Dr. King’s message of justice and human thriving,” Makaveyev wrote.

Public Hearing regarding 2024 Budget- Wednesday October 15, 2025 7:30 p.m. at the LCFD Annual Election- Tuesday, December 9, 2025 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the BMNL Building 239 Rockaway Turnpike entrance at the rear of the building 2026 Organization Meeting-Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at LCFD Dovid Lovett, Secretary / Treasurer 151291

LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HEWLETT HARBOR NOTICE OF MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hewlett Harbor will meet in both public and via Zoom on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 7:00PM, Eastern Standard Time, for the purpose of holding the Village’s regular monthly meeting. An agenda for the meeting will be made available to the public on the Village Website. All residents wishing to attend via Zoom can visit www.hewlettharbor.gov for instructions. Residents wishing to speak via Zoom or in person must notify the Village Clerk in advance.

Dated: Hewlett Harbor, New York

“Having a Shabbat MLK tradition was created to honor his legacy while emphasizing our shared commitment to building a society where all individuals can thrive.”

This year’s message was about celebrating the spirit of solidarity.

Bishop Dr. Danilo Archbold of New Jerusalem Cathedral in Elmont was the keynote speaker and shared a message titled “I Am My Brother’s Keeper.”

“His words inspired us to uplift one another and build bridges of understanding,” Makaveyev wrote. “Together we prayed for peace and the safe release of all hostages, standing by our commitment to walk this journey side by side as human beings, united in purpose and hope.”

Temple Israel used the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat while honoring Dr. King’s legacy.

“Coming together as a faith community, we open our doors to welcome leaders from across traditions, creating a powerful space for reflection, connection, and shared purpose,” she wrote.

— Melissa Berman

January 24, 2025 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF HEWLETT HARBOR NICOLE GIACOPELLI VILLAGE CLERK 151295

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HERBY GIVEN, that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Hewlett Harbor will hold a Public Hearing to consider the addition of Section 145-9.1 to the Hewlett Harbor Village Code which will prohibit the use of any premises as a Transient Dwelling Unit, and under SEQRA Regulations, to determine whether the proposed would constitute a

significant negative impact on the environment; said Public Hearing will be held at 7:00PM on February 13, 2025 at the Village Hall, 449 Pepperidge Road, Hewlett Harbor, New York.

All interested persons will be heard during the Public Hearing at the time and place aforementioned. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES NICOLE GIACOPELLI, VILLAGE CLERK HEWLETT HARBOR, NEW YORK

DATED: 1/24/25 151297

Courtesy Edward Gottlieb

EMPLOYMENT

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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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OFFICE ASSISTANT PT

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How hard is converting from oil to gas?

Q. We want a new boiler and to convert to gas, because oil costs keep rising. How safe are a gas boiler, water heater and stove? We are told it could be very expensive to run a gas line to our home if there isn’t one on the street. We have spoken to a plumber who is looking into this for us, but is this really going to be economical, since we’re retired and just trying to find ways to reduce living costs?

A. Gas is generally safe when the lines are left alone where installed, and not tampered with. We only read or hear news about a gas explosion when something out of the ordinary happens. Years ago, a gas explosion on Long Island turned out to have been caused by thieves who ripped the gas stove out of an empty home, leaving the open gas line spewing gas to the whole house until a spark from the boiler ignited the gas and blew the home up. This is rare, and was caused by ignorance.

You can avoid this by being cautious, and hiring professionals to handle gas appliances. With several steps to convert from oil to gas, you, or your plumber, must verify that gas lines are available on your street. I remember converting to gas, contacting the gas company and, after a week, calling them back and learning that there was no gas, and that the closest location was a block away, on the other side of a busy county road. I was also told that I would have to go door to door to speak to neighbors about converting to gas so that it would be worth it for the gas company to extend the street line into our neighborhood. In other words, the gas company wanted me to market their product if I wanted it for myself.

I did manage to find others around me who were interested in converting. Then we all waited, and wouldn’t you know it, the neighbors started calling me to find out when the gas lines were going to be installed. That prompted me to do what you may also have to do: keep calling. There were issues with getting approvals for the road opening of a county road, which takes months, permits for the gas conversion by the plumber, location of other utilities, oil and tank removal after gas was in.

Plan for summer installation, when the boiler is least needed. As for the expense, it doesn’t pay to buy a less expensive boiler if it’s less efficient, because its operating cost — usually based on how much heat is derived per unit of fuel consumed — will be much more than the money saved at the outset. Incidentally, oil fuel is slightly more efficient than gas, but the cost increases are based on a less stable spot market. Although gas tends to remain more price-stable, for some unknown reason, it tends to increase in cost concurrent with oil increases. Good luck!

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Tackling the tough issues: what New York needs in 2025

As we embark on the 2025 legislative session, the challenges facing New York have never been more evident. Across the state, families are grappling with the rising cost of living, businesses are struggling under the weight of strict regulations, and public safety concerns remain at the forefront of many New Yorkers’ minds. Additionally, illegal immigration continues to place a significant fiscal burden on our communities, straining resources and compounding these challenges. In this pivotal moment, it is imperative that we seize the opportunity to chart a course toward meaningful reform and lasting prosperity.

Recently, Gov. Kathy Hochul outlined her agenda in her State of the State address, as well as in her proposed $252 billion budget. While I commend her for acknowledging issues like affordable child care, youth mental health and free school meals — issues I have helped champion since taking office — I remain concerned about the increased level of spending and the direction of the governor’s proposals. They must be more than

Ltalking points; they require strategic investments and implementation to yield tangible results for our communities.

For example, addressing youth mental health is an area in which bipartisan consensus is possible. I have introduced legislation to provide funding for schools to hire mental health service professionals, which would ensure that students could more easily access these services, thereby increasing the likelihood that they would seek help when they need it. Likewise, making sure that children receive free school meals isn’t just a moral imperative, but a practical one, because hunger directly impacts educational outcomes. I will work to ensure that these vital initiatives are not overlooked in the upcoming budget negotiations.

Congestion pricing remains a glaring example of misplaced priorities.

Hochul’s agenda is more notable for what it omits. It has been nearly a decade since the Senate Republican conference passed the 2016 middle class tax cuts, which provided much-needed relief to millions of New Yorkers, and I commend the governor for proposing to build on those tax cuts. But while cutting taxes and sending out refund checks is great, those efforts are negated when other proposals increase people’s expenses.

Congestion pricing, in particular, remains a glaring example of misplaced

priorities. It unfairly targets hardworking New Yorkers like first responders and teachers who rely on their vehicles to commute to work and contribute to our economy. While Hochul may frame short-term delays or reductions in toll rates as “savings,” they do nothing to mitigate the long-term financial burden this policy will impose. Instead of imposing new taxes on struggling families, we should focus on cutting costs and empowering local communities to make decisions about their own futures.

New Yorkers have endured enough of the chaos caused by cashless bail laws that handcuff judges and empower criminals. Blaming the judiciary for the consequences of these policies only serves as a distraction from Albany’s failures. True reform starts with restoring judicial discretion and allowing judges to consider the danger posed by defendants when setting bail, which my bill, S.236, would accomplish.

Short-term solutions, like increased police presence on subways, may offer some temporary relief, but fail to address the long-term issues of public safety to prevent crimes from occurring. We need to prioritize lasting reforms that protect families, neighborhoods and commuters

across the state.

One of the most pressing challenges New York faces is the ongoing influx of illegal migrants and the significant fiscal burden it puts on the state. With taxpayer dollars stretched thin, the financial strain of providing housing, health care and education to migrants diverts critical resources away from hardworking New Yorkers, the ones who are covering these additional costs.

Local communities, particularly here on Long Island, are bearing the brunt of this crisis, as their municipal budgets are overwhelmed and their essential services are jeopardized. Schools, for example, are facing increased costs to meet higher demand for English as a New Language services. Albany must prioritize the needs of its residents by addressing these issues head-on and advocating for federal accountability to secure our borders and reduce the financial impact on our state.

As a member of the State Senate, my mission is clear: to fight for policies that make life more affordable, ensure public safety, and foster economic growth for Long Island and all of New York. I will continue to advocate for initiatives that prioritize the well-being of our residents, hold Albany accountable, and work toward a stronger, more prosperous future for our state.

Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick represents the 9th State Senate District.

Conspiracy has no place after tragedy

ike so many others, I have watched the California wildfires unfold with a mix of horror and awe.

For those unfamiliar with the scale of destruction, the fires that began igniting near Los Angeles in early January have scorched over 40,000 acres, claimed at least 27 lives, injured more than 20 people and destroyed over 15,000 structures.

As I followed news reports, watched television coverage and scrolled through social media during the first week of the fires, one message stood out: Nearly everyone had California and its residents in their thoughts and prayers. Relief efforts and fundraisers quickly sprang into action as people rallied to help and offer support wherever it was needed.

It is in our nature as humans to want to help. Yet to my dismay, almost as soon as the relief efforts began, conspiracies started surfacing. And not to be punny, but they spread like, well, wildfire.

On my social media feeds, I occasionally come across videos from a popular account called “Gubba Homestead.” The account owner, a farmer, often starts her videos with the tagline, “I’m a conspiracy theorist . . .” From there she dives into various claims, many of which can be debunked by science. The videos are clickbait-like in their nature, designed to provoke reactions or outrage in the comments — an approach that boosts views and amplifies the videos’ spread.

It’s a fascinating, albeit troubling, method of online content creation, and I wasn’t surprised when, about a week after the fires began, she appeared on my feed once again, starting with the familiar line, “Call me a conspiracy theorist, but . . .”

create more vegetation, followed by periods of extreme drought, which dries out that vegetation. Global temperatures in 2024 were dubbed “abnormally hot” by scientists at the University of California — which should surprise no one. And it’s not just the West Coast that has been affected by fires.

T heories started surfacing almost as soon as the relief efforts began in L.A.

She went on to claim that there was no way the L.A. wildfires could have been caused by climate change, offering harmful commentary that did nothing to help anyone during a time of tragedy.

Without diving too deep, I’ll tell you this: Climate scientists have indicated that the likelihood of fire events has increased by 31 to 66 percent since 1950, due to intense periods of strong rainfall, which

Climate change is real, and it’s here. People can ignore the truth, but there’s no place in this conversation for conspiracies.

At the core of American values lies the principle of free speech. Thoughtful questioning and theorizing have driven breakthroughs once deemed impossible. Scientific discoveries have emerged, and transformative social change has been achieved, thanks to people who challenged the status quo — doing so with ethical integrity and moral purpose.

What’s unfolding across social media, as Californians work to rebuild their lives, is neither ethical nor moral. Those whose lives have been upended don’t need “influencers” spreading baseless claims or (again, sorry) fanning the flames of conspiracy.

This behavior exploits tragedy for attention, shifting the focus away from the

victims and the real issues at hand. It undermines efforts to address the underlying causes, like climate change and inadequate infrastructure, and distracts from the stories of resilience and heroism that deserve to be heard.

The conspiracy phenomenon isn’t unique to the California fires. From hurricanes to pandemics to mass shootings, misinformation and conspiracy theories seem to surface in the wake of nearly every major tragedy. Under the guise of seeking the “truth,” sensationalized theories simply capitalize on fear, confusion and distrust, and accomplish nothing.

To complicate things, Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, announced a few weeks ago that it was scrapping its fact-checking program, which flagged possible misinformation.

I’m not suggesting that we stop questioning or trying to make sense of the world around us, but as always, we must remain mindful. Consider the weight of your words and actions, and the harm that conspiracies can inflict. There’s a time and place for questions, based on the truth. That’s how we rebuild and move forward. But in the aftermath of tragedy, we can’t afford to make room for ignorance.

Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? Jvallone@liherald.com.

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Act would help main streets, local newsrooms

Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. They are the corner stores, familyowned restaurants, and local service providers that fuel our neighborhoods, create jobs, and drive economic growth. Yet these vital businesses often face significant challenges in reaching new customers and growing their operations in an increasingly competitive economy.

With the official introduction in the New York State Legislature of the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally, or LOCAL, Act, small businesses across the state might gain a powerful new tool next year to help sustain their success and maximize the reach of their marketing dollars. Sponsored by State Sen. Monica Martinez and Assemblywoman Jen Lunsford, the legislation would establish a tax credit for small businesses that advertise in local media outlets — from print and digital to television and radio. By making advertising more affordable, the LOCAL Act would empower small businesses to reach their target audiences while also supporting the essential work of the same media outlets that provide our communities with local journalism.

The LOCAL Act focuses on supporting minority-, woman- and veteranowned businesses, as well as any businesses with 10 or fewer employees. For

letterS

Blakeman takes the credit, but how safe is the county?

To the Editor:

many of these entrepreneurs, the ability to advertise affordably in trusted, community-driven platforms like local newspapers would be a game-changer. Local media outlets are well positioned to connect businesses with their neighbors — customers who are eager to shop locally and uplift their communities.

This legislation couldn’t come at a better time. Small businesses are still navigating the economic aftershocks of the pandemic, inflationary pressures, and competition from large corporations with massive marketing budgets. The LOCAL Act would help level the playing field, giving your favorite momand-pop store a way to increase visibility without sacrificing their scarce financial resources.

When our small businesses thrive, so do our communities. Small businesses employ your neighbors, sponsor your kids’ Little League team, and offer a convenient destination for a night out with your spouse. These businesses are not only economic drivers, but also cornerstones of community identity.

The benefits of the LOCAL Act would extend beyond businesses. Local media outlets, too, are vital to communities, because they produce the journalism that keeps people informed about school board meetings, neighborhood crime, church bake sales and the

most recent newlyweds — and everything in between. Unfortunately, declining advertising revenues have jeopardized the financial sustainability of many of these media outlets, and small newsrooms have been shuttering across the state. By encouraging small businesses to advertise locally, the LOCAL Act would helps these outlets continue their essential work of championing their communities.

This dual benefit — supporting both small businesses and local journalism — has already garnered strong support from business groups, community leaders, and the 200-plus local newspapers comprising the Empire State Local News Coalition — including the Heralds. It’s a win-win solution that strengthens the backbone of our local economy while fostering a unified, informed citizenry.

The LOCAL Act marks a bold step forward in tackling the interconnected challenges our communities are facing today. By working together to implement and embrace this program, we can build stronger businesses, sustain vital journalism, and ensure the prosperity of communities across New York for years to come.

We support this smart legislation. Tell your elected leaders in Albany to include the LOCAL Act in the final fiscal year 2026 state budget.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman boasts in his Jan. 16-22 Herald op-ed, “Safety and affordability must be Nassau’s priorities,” that he has made Nassau County the safest county in the nation. But Blakeman neglects to acknowledge that the same top ranking in a U.S. News & World Report annual survey was also attained in two consecutive years during the tenure of his predecessor, Democrat Laura Curran.

The Republican county executive attributes the comparatively high degree of security to “our investments in public safety.” Blakeman notes that he has sworn in 291 new police officers since taking office in 2022.

While the additional cops may be helping keep violent-crime rates at the low level achieved under Curran, an expanded Nassau County Police Department has done little to make the county’s roads safer. Blakeman says nothing, and has done nothing, about the traffic violence that resulted in nearly 150 deaths in the county during his first two years in office. Killings by armed assailants claimed fewer than 10 lives in the same period.

The NCPD, and Blakeman, appear uninterested in acting to reduce this carnage. County police issued about 20 percent fewer tickets to drivers in 2022 than in

2019, according to the most recent data available from state sources. Stricter enforcement would likely bring about a drop in fatal crashes related to speeding

iopinions Does Seth Koslow really want to put politics aside?

feel compelled to respond to a recent column by nassau County legislator Seth Koslow — who is running for county executive — titled, “let’s put politics aside and just save lives,” about his proposed bill to equip police patrol cars with epinephrine auto-injectors, or epiPens. Koslow’s article is long on emotion and political attacks, but woefully short on facts, knowledge and analysis. Had Koslow done his homework, he would know that nassau County’s emergency ambulance Bureau already has the infrastructure, equipment and personnel to rapidly deploy epinephrine to those suffering from anaphylaxis.

Unlike Suffolk County, which utilizes a volunteer eMT system, the nassau County Police Department has paid police medics deployed in county police ambulances throughout its patrol precincts. These medics are immediately available to respond alongside police officers to 911 calls for medical emergencies, and there is no delay following dispatch, as occurs in other parts of the state — including Suffolk County, where

the ambulance service is notified separately, and often must wait to raise a crew of eMS technicians to respond to the emergency.

By contrast, the nCPD’s police medics share the same radio channels with police officers. a police medic will often arrive before a police officer, and in all cases the police officers assist our medics and become part of the ambulance crew. nCPD police medics are all advanced life-support providers, able to assess the medical situation and administer emergency medicines, including several, such as epinephrine, for people experiencing allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.

He makes uninformed claims about the need for county police to carry EpiPens.

Koslow’s glib assertion that training police officers in the use of these injectors can be done in less than half an hour is dangerous. epinephrine is not a benign medicine, and there are serious safety concerns associated with epinephrine auto-injector use. epinephrine is a powerful cardiovascular medication, and administering it to someone where it is not indicated, and especially to someone with pre-existing cardiac conditions who is not having an anaphylactic reaction, can trigger life-threatening reactions including abnormal cardiac rhythms, heart attack, sharp increas-

Letters

and driving under the influence — the two leading causes of road deaths. Blakeman seeks to project a toughguy image when it comes to crime. That accounts for his unilateral move to create a force of 75 armed “special deputies” to be activated whenever he chooses. This new unit, criticized as a private militia, will be mobilized in cases of “emergency,” the county executive maintains. But the carnage on the county’s roads does not, in his estimation, qualify as a topic worth addressing — let alone as an “emergency.”

Kevin J Kelley Atlantic Beach

It’s time for New York to embrace nuclear power

To the editor:

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent state budget proposal fails to adequately address new york’s energy infrastructure. The proposal does not mention nuclear power, even though it is the state’s best energy opportunity. equally troubling is the omission of the empire State Wind project, a once-central component of n ew york’s energy goal of generating net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. if the governor rec-

es in pulse and blood pressure and fluid build-up in the lungs. not every person experiencing an allergic reaction is having an anaphylactic reaction and in need of epinephrine. Highly trained police medics can assess, treat and stabilize these patients with several medications, including epinephrine when it is appropriate and indicated. There is also the risk of accidental deployment of an autoinjector, resulting in selfadministration into a responder’s fingers that can easily cause a limbthreatening emergency in addition to cardiac side effects.

nassau’s configuration of eMS directly integrated with police officers responding to medical emergencies is unique in new york state. in jurisdictions that do not have police medics in their police departments, the benefits of properly training and then equipping police with epinephrine autoinjectors might be worth consideration, but it’s simply not necessary — and potentially dangerous — in nassau County and would overlap with the effective system that’s already in place. interestingly, according to the nCPD, in 2024, epinephrine was used just 62 times in 45,000 ambulance transports. That equates to less than 0.14 percent of

all transports. Further, most people with severe allergies carry epiPens with them. While that doesn’t diminish the need to address any potentially lifethreatening allergic reaction as quickly as possible, the average response time of our police medics is typically between four and eight minutes, similar to police response times.

The office of county executive is a critical one, demanding a serious occupant — one who would have done research and known that the authority that Koslow proposes to create already exists, and that the county is already accomplishing what he is asking for, with great effectiveness. His legislation is, therefore, nothing more than a political statement. Proposing legislation that does not actually accomplish anything useful is not only a waste of valuable governmental time, but diverts attention from the truly critical issues we face.

Of course, no one wants even a single unnecessary death due to anaphylaxis, or any medical emergency. However, the old adage “The devil is in the details” certainly applies. i hope that if Koslow truly wishes to take on the serious job of county executive, he will take the time to ascertain the facts before engaging in unfounded political attacks and hyperbole.

Howard Kopel represents Nassau County’s 7th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s presiding officer.

Framework by Tim Baker

ognizes that wind energy faces significant public opposition, especially on long island, then it’s time to focus on funding nuclear energy projects instead.

nuclear power is the most efficient form of renewable energy, generating massive amounts of electricity with a much smaller land footprint than wind or solar. This is best demonstrated by the Shoreham n uclear Power Plant, which never went online. The plant’s site now houses wind turbines that produce 1/35,000th of the energy the nuclear plant would have generated. While there were justifiable concerns about building a reactor downstate, Hochul should now look to fund nuclear reactors upstate that would create electricity for downstate communities.

The closure of the i ndian Point energy Center in 2021 underscores the urgency of building a better energy grid for n ew york. This move forced downstate new york to increase its reliance on fossil fuels, driving up emissions and worsening air pollution. Communities already struggling with environmental and health inequities continue to bear the brunt of these decisions.

n uclear power is resurging across the country. Tech companies such as Microsoft and Meta are restarting nuclear reactors because they recog -

nize that they are the most effective way to fuel their operations sustainably. it’s time for new york to follow suit. Governor Hochul should take bold action to fund nuclear energy projects, ensuring that downstate residents have access to renewable power.

Miss Long Island 2025, Kristen Rosario, left, and Miss Long Island Teen, Adriana Lane, were crowned at Molloy University’s Madison Theatre — Rockville Centre

MiCHael SinGer Long Beach

Michael Singer is a student at New York University’s Stern School of Business.

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