Nassau Herald 09-26-2024

HERALD Nassau

Filling a break in the action with music

The brass section of the Hewlett High School marching band performed a variety of songs at the Homecoming game’s halftime.

Four local National Merit semifinalists

High achievers are among fewer than 1 percent of U.S. seniors

By PARKER SCHUG and MELISSA BERMAN of the Herald

Four standout students from the Five Towns have been recognized for being among the top 1 percent of U.S. seniors, earning semifinalist status in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship program.

Rachel Chen, of Hewlett High School; Sean Harris, of Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, in Cedarhurst; Ariel Khavulya, of Rambam Mesivta High School, in Lawrence; and Yonatan Schochet, of Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School, in Woodmere, are among more than 16,000 students nationwide to receive the honor.

The program, now in its 70th year, has a several-step process in which students compete to earn $2,500 and the title of Merit Scholar, according to a news release from the National Merit Scholar Corporation.

“NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program,” the release read. “Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 280 business organizations, higher education institutions, and individual donors that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encour

5k Run & Family Walk

Sunday, September 29, 2024 Sunny Atlantic Beach Club• 8am For complete info and to register visit CommunityChestSS.org pipe doctor plumbing-cooling-heating

Spon S ored By

Development concerns are still a hot topic

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

The transit-oriented development plan for North Lawrence and Inwood remains a hot topic for residents, who expressed their strong opinions at a Town of Hempstead board meeting on Sept. 17 — even though the subject was not on the board’s agenda.

Four people addressed the board about the proposal, with three opposing overdevelopment and one championing the plans.

Wwas put in place. The moratorium was extended until June 18 of this year, and the town held a public hearing on July 2 to decide how to move forward.

During the Sept. 17 meeting, Woodmere resident Martin Goldberg said he was proud to support this new development in the Five Towns.

e expect more from our representatives. This does not belong where it was planned and a change has to be made.

In 2019, the Town of Hempstead approved zoning changes that would allow for the establishment of a transit-oriented development district in Inwood and North Lawrence.

JoSEPH LIPSCHITz Lawrence

The original plans called for apartment buildings to be constructed near the Long Island Rail Road stations in Inwood and Lawrence, meeting the demand for housing to be close to mass transportation.

But the plans came to a halt in 2022, when a moratorium

“I believe we need more housing in the Five Towns,” Goldberg told the board. “I don’t believe the small amount of additional traffic would significantly impact the current traffic situation in the Five Towns. Some young people want to live in the same neighborhood as their parents and extended family, and this project will fulfill that need.”

Goldberg said he doesn’t see a downside to this project and hopes to see it come to fruition.

However, Hannah Schuster, a Lawrence resident, expressed concern about how the project could negatively impact her neighborhood and asked town

Continued on page 5

Alice Moreno/Herald Photo

Horsing around at Five Towns Premier

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Aiden and Pearl, a charming duo of mini therapy horses, galloped into Five Towns Premier, sparking smiles and forging connections among seniors in need of a little joy.

Horse Ability, a non-profit organization, based on the SUNY Old Westbury campus, in Old Westbury, offers a program where mini therapy horses interact with seniors, promoting emotional, physical and social well being, according to HorseAbility.org.

Mini therapy horses, Aiden and Pearl, both 13-years old, stopped by Five Towns Premier, a nursing and rehabilitation center in Woodmere, on Sept. 18.

Joe Graves, home care consultant for Family First Home Companions, sponsored the special opportunity for the patients and residents.

“We’ve been trying to get Horse Ability into a few facilities and Cathy at Five Towns Premier were the first ones we thought of,” Graves said. “The goal of Horse Ability is to bring some smiles and some joy to the patients faces.”

Graves visits different nursing homes and rehab facilities and organizes opportunities for Horse Ability to meet patients and residents. This was the first Horse Ability visit with Family First Home Companions, kicking off their partnership, he said.

“We’re always looking to do some dif-

home care consultant for Family First Home Companions, along with Horse Ability mini horses, Pearl, front left, and Aiden.

ferent marketing activities and pets and animals always seem to be a big hit,” Graves said. “We thought it was a perfect match to bring them into some facilities.”

During the visit to Five Towns Premier, Aiden and Pearl went to each of the five floors to spend time with all of the patients and residents. The horses trotted the common area of each floor and visited

bed-ridden patients who didn’t want to miss out on the experience.

The facility reacted positively to the whole experience and even the staff was excited to see the horses, Cathy Byrne, supervisor and gerontologist at Five Towns Premier said.

“So much gratitude goes out to the generous support of Family First Home Companions for sponsoring this program,” Byrne said. “As a gerontologist, I was able to witness first hand the very positive and magical effect the horses had on the residents, families and staff.”

Family members were invited to come experience the therapy horses with their loved ones, who were patients or residents at the facility.

“The horses increased feelings of empowerment, sensory input and social connection,” Byrne added. “This interactive program promoted psychological and emotional well being.”

According to Byrne, connecting with horses is actually a therapy used with dementia patients, to help with communication, emotions, nervous system regulations and sensory input.

“Today was a huge success, it was nice to see the emotional element and the emotion of happiness from many residents,” Byrne said.

For more information on the Five Towns Premier Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, call (516) 374-9300 and for more about Horse Ability visit HorseAbility.org.

The standstill continues in Woodmere Club development

By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com

Woodmere Club developers will have to wait until at least Dec. 16 for approval on their proposed redrawing of lot lines.

At the Woodsburgh village and Woodmere Club planning meeting at Village Hall on July 24, Christian Browne, the attorney for Efrem Gerszberg and Robert Weiss, who purchased the property in 2017, asked on behalf of his clients for the village to approve the redrawing of the lot lines to reflect four new sub-divisions.

“Mr. Weiss, he was emphatic in his desire that this be taken care of expeditiously,” Browne said in July. “He asked me to repeat that and stress how important it is to my client that this application be granted, again, not because it allows anything else to happen there, but because it is more conducive to their management of the property for real estate conveyance purposes, and we see no reason why the application can’t be granted, since it doesn’t change anything except the way the tax map is drawn.”

The most up to date plan, proposed at another late July meeting, was the construction of 160 condominiums for seniors on the Woodmere portion of the property and conservation areas on the other parts of the property, which has sections in Lawrence village, Woodsburgh village and the Town of Hempstead.

At the July village meeting, Browne

expressed that developers, Gerszberg and Weiss, whose future development has generated no shortage of controversy, did not intend to sell the proposed sub-divisions.

Residents in attendance at village hall in Hewlett, urged the board to hold off approval of redrawing the lot lines until the developers put forward a completed plan.

The village board pushed the vote on the matter to a special meeting on Aug. 19, so it could consider it further, trustees said, then adjourned the matter again until Sept. 23.

At the September meeting, Gerszberg said that while the developers have Lawrence and Woodsburgh resident support

on most recent version of the plan, Hempstead has refused to meet, keeping the development at a standstill.

Gerszberg added that the new lot lines would allow him to sell the clubhouse property alone, which is divided into its own sub-division, without the two southern pieces of the property, which fork off of the proposed clubhouse sub-division, as conservation areas.

Residents expressed concern, in that the purpose for the lot lines was unclear, since their July meeting with the developer’s representative.

“Do we not have, not only a right or an obligation to understand more information on exactly what you’re going to be

doing with that property?” Woodsburgh Mayor Jacob Harman said, who Gerszberg commended for his tireless efforts in pushing for the town’s approval of the proposed plan, without the new sub-divisions.

If the lot lines do not get approved, Gerszberg said he would sell the entire section of the property south of Keene Lane and Railroad Avenue.

“My point is all you’re doing is forcing me, which I will do, to sell everything over here, (lower portion of the Woodmere Club property) and all you do is give someone 20 acres to play with instead of a very small thing,” Gerszberg said, explaining the immediate surrounding property to the clubhouse, as the small thing.

Gerszberg and Browne closed the meeting, stating that if Hempstead does not agree to meet with developers in 60 days, the developers will proceed with additional legal action, involving both Lawrence and Woodsburgh village.

The developers urged community members to show their support at upcoming town meetings, to push Hempstead to move forward with the proposed plans.

Woodsburgh village officials scheduled the next planning board meeting for Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. to reconsider lot lines.

The next Town of Hempstead meeting is scheduled for Oct. 31 at 10:30 a.m.

Have an opinion on the new Woodmere Club proposal? Send a letter to pschug@liherald.com.

Melissa Berman/Herald

Cathy Byrne, left, supervisor and gerontologist at the Five Towns Premier, with Joseph Benden, administrator at the Five Towns Premier and Joe Graves,

Parker Schug/Herald

Brian Stolar, left, Woodsburgh village attorney and the Woodsburgh village board discuss possible sub-divisions within the Woodmere Club property with Christian Browne, attorney for developers Efrem Gerszberg and Robert Weiss.

The George W. Hewlett High School “Never Forgotten” Alumni Memorial Committee and members wish to expr ess our sincer e sympathy to our friend David B. Friedman and his family in memory of his mother Francine Friedman

Aug. 29, 1929 - Sept. 10, 2024 Rest in Peace

The Joy of Living

“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”

— George Bernard Shaw

“Well, your greatest joy definitely comes from doing something for another, especially when it was done with no thought of something in return.”

—

John Wooden

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.”

— Leo Buscaglia

“A sense of humor...is needed armor. Joy in

one’s heart and some laughter on one’s lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life.”

—Hugh Sidey

“There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.”

—

Kahlil Gibran

“The three factors that seem to have the greatest influence on increasing our happiness are our ability to reframe our situation more positively, our ability to experience gratitude, and our choice to be kind and generous.”

— Dalai Lama

“Things won are done, joy’s soul lies in the doing”

— William Shakespeare

“As selfishness and complaint pervert the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision.”

— Helen Keller

Trusts & Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com 100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success Other offices in Huntington • Melville • Islandia

Confronting antisemitism, calling for peace in New Year

Since celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year a year ago, the Jewish world has been turned upside down by the October 7 massacre. This slaughter, which was carried out on the Jewish festival of Shimmini Etzet, was the largest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust. October 7 also marked the end of American Jewish vacation from history. We Jews now find ourselves confronting levels of antisemitism at home that are reminiscent of the painful diaspora experiences that our brethren have experienced in far off lands. While some of our leaders have shown unequivocal support for the Jewish state it has been deeply disappointing to see that other leaders have felt the need to make specious moral equivalencies between Israel and Hamas, the murderous terrorist organization, which enjoys a tremendous amount of support from Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Whether these moral equivalencies are being advanced due to political cowardice or a broken moral compass is a mute point. The net result is the same; the reality is that it legitimizes terrorism as an effective political tool. The fact that many responded to the October 7 massacre by calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state sends the message to all would be terrorists that -

terrorism pays.

Rabbi Steven SakS

The Jewish new year gives us the opportunity to access our past actions and make the necessary adjustments. All peace loving people must stand up and demand that our leaders stop making the same mistakes over and over again by rewarding the violence of Palestinians and their supporters. Rewarding this violence (and violent rhetoric) such as calls for genocide against Jews) whether directed at Israel or American Jewish students on campus, makes as much sense as rewarding a child for throwing a violent tantrum. The inevitable result will be another tantrum. A precondition to a successful peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is that the latter accept the former’s right to exist. This will only occur when the Palestinians come to see that their use of violence in their attempt to destroy the Jewish state will no longer be rewarded.

Israel’s struggle is the struggle of all peace loving people. May this new year, God willing, be a year in which the peoples of the world demand that the Palestinians put down their weapons and engage in a constructive dialogue with Israel culminating in true peace.

Rabbi Steven Saks is the leader at Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere.

News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com

■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com

E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: nassaueditor@liherald.com

■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 201 E-mail: nassaueditor@liherald.com

■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@liherald.com

Melissa Berman/Herald

At a Sept. 17 Town of Hempstead board meeting, Lawrence resident Hannah Schuster expressed opposition to overdevelopment in the Five Towns.

Residents fear town plan would make traffic worse

officials how they intend to respond to the proposal.

“Despite the expectation of the resolution that we are still waiting, this delay can expose our community to threats,” Schuster said. “The neighborhood has been left in a vulnerable position with no clear direction from the town on how it will be resolved.”

A the residents of the Five Towns await an answer of yes or no to passing this, she urged the board to realize that every day that passes without a decision increases the risk of detrimental development.

“The community remains under the persistent threat with no assurances that corrective action will be taken against our environment, infrastructure and safety,” Schuster said. “The transitoriented development and related districts were adopted without proper adherence to the State Environmental Quality Review Act.”

Zvi Bornstein, from Far Rockaway, told board members that his children attend schools in the Five Towns and the traffic is already a problem.

“It’s so difficult going down West Broadway or even down Peninsula (Boulevard),” Bornstein said. “It’s really hard to get to school unless you plan ahead. If there’s going to be continuous development in the Five Towns, the situation is just going to get worse. This is something that I am very much against.”

He said the proposed development would likely increase traffic volume, adding to the already heavily congested area. Bornstein also alluded to the possibility that the overdevelopment of these

communities would be akin to adding a sixth town.

Lawrence resident Joseph Lipschitz, who previously spoke at the July hearing on the proposal, reiterated his disdain for overdevelopment of the Five Towns.

“It’s so obvious for anyone that drives around our neighborhood that you can’t move, or get in and out of the village at any time,” Lipschitz said. “When this was proposed in 2019, very few people were aware of it and knew about it. Now the whole community is aware and speak out about it.”

He compared the possible construction of a five-story apartment complex to those that are built in Brooklyn — which is overdevelopment that doesn’t belong in the Five Towns.

“We expect more from our representatives,” Lipschitz said. “This does not belong where it was planned and a change has to be made.”

In 2019, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who was then a town councilman, played a huge role in approving zoning changes for a transitoriented development district in Inwood and North Lawrence.

At the public hearing in July, about 40 residents voiced their opposition to overdevelopment, and the town board voted to approve a 30-day comment period on whether the transit-oriented development plan should be rescinded.

The board is expected to render a decision at its October meeting, with the date yet to be determined. Have an opinion on overdevelopment in the Five Towns? Send letter to pschug@liherald.com.

Package #3

(Feeds 20 Hungry People) Fillet Whitefish, Nova Scotia, Juicy Baked

ConTinued

A happy homecoming for Hewlett-Woodmere

Hewlett High School celebrated their homecoming on Sept. 21, with a parade that marched from Woodmere Education Center to Hewlett High School, where the varsity football team was victorious.

Hewlett High School beat Clarke High School, with a score of 22-18.

The day consisted of performances from the marching band, color guard, junior varsity and varsity cheerleading teams and dance teams during half time and the parade.

The parade featured the high school sport teams, members of

each class carrying themed banners, homecoming court members and administrators from the district.

During the homecoming game, they announced homecoming king and queen, awarded an alumnus with a hall of fame award, honored teachers and showed off the class banners.

Prior to homecoming, the school held a pep rally and high school athletes visited students at Ogden Elementary. The football team, cheerleaders and dance team hyped the elementary kids up for the big weekend. — Melissa Berman

Alice Moreno/Herald Photos

Hewlett High School junior varsity and varsity cheerleading teams walk through the Homecoming Parade route with pep.

The sophomore class at Hewlett High School carried their banner, in the Sept. 21 parade with members of the homecoming court trailing behind them.

Members of the Hewlett-Woodmere homecoming court are driven through the parade.

Students on the junior varsity and varsity soccer teams at Hewlett High marched in the district’s homecoming parade, which traveled from Woodmere Education Center, down Broadway to the high school.

Nassau

Stuart Richner Publisher

Jeffrey Bessen Deputy Editor

Rhonda Glickman V.P. Sales

Field’s completion sparks celebration

The Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education, administrators, students, staff and families celebrated the completion of the track and field renovation at their 2024 Homecoming game against Clarke High School.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 21 and the game followed at three.

The field’s existing synthetic turf was replaced, field event spaces were reconstructed and additional turf was installed in various areas. Bleachers were replaced along with the field’s fencing, the track was redone and the home bleachers were refurbished.

“Projects are developed and designed based upon need, usage, safety & compliance with State Education Department,” Kim Parahus, the district’s director of school facilities and operations wrote in an email. “All projects are brought forth to the community through multiple public budget presentations. Public approval occurs at the annual school budget vote held in May.”

Next up, is Woodmere Middle School, where the synthetic turf will be replaced this fall and the track restored next summer. — Parker Schug

Paul Grassini/Herald Photo

The Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education and Hewlett High School athletes cut the ribbon on the newly renovated track and filed, to kick off the 2024 Homecoming game on Sept. 21.

Inwood residents, Jason Flay and Haley Harris, were married by Hempstead Town Clerk, Kate Murray at Hempstead Town Hall on Aug. 29. Residents interested in obtaining their marriage license and/or scheduling a wedding ceremony should call the Office of the Town Clerk at (516) 812-3014 or visit HempsteadNY.gov/Marriage. — Melissa Berman

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, left, officiated the wedding of Inwood residents Haley Harris and Jason Flay on Aug. 29.

Hewlett’s Kerrisha Jean moves up in the N.Y. Guard

Hewlett resident Kerrisha Jean was promoted to Private 1st Class, in the 133rd Quartermaster Company of the New York Guard.

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant for the state of New York announced her promotion on Aug. 10, with other members in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state’s executive agency responsible to the Governor for managing New York’s Military Forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard.

Hewlett resident Kerrisha Jean was promoted to Private 1st Class, in the 133rd Quartermaster Company of the New York Guard. Above, when she named Student of the Quarter by Barry Tech

Principal Peter Dalton, left, and Assistant Principal Daniel Cava in 2023.

Promotions in the Army National Guard are based on a soldier’s overall performance, demonstrated leadership abilities, professionalism and future developmental potential, according to the National Guard.

The promotions recognize soldiers that are best qualified for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

According to the National Guard, cit-

izens who serve the state and nation are eligible for monthly pay, educational benefits (from the state and federal government), travel across the globe, technical and leadership training, health and dental insurance and contributions towards retirement programs similar to a 401(k).

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit Dmna. Ny.Gov or 1800GoGuard.com. — Melissa Berman

National Council of Jewish Women

Peninsula Section wishes you a Happy and Healthy New Year.

May we continue to enrich and protect the lives of women, children and families in our community and in Israel as we have for over 87 years. We hope that 5785 brings unity, progress, prosperity & peace to all. Shana Tova!

Become a member. Volunteer. Donate.

Contact our office or visit our Thrift Shop 342 Central Avenue, Lawrence 11559 516-569-3660 / office@NCJWPeninsula.org www.ncjwpeninsula.org

David Friedman: President

John Roblin: 1st Vice President

Richard Valenti: 2nd Vice President

Terri Maher: Treasurer

Nicole Eliopoulos: Secretary

Courtesy Nassau BOCES

HAFTR starts a new year

After a fun-filled summer, students and faculty at Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns And Rockaway High School have returned to begin the 2024-2025 school year. With this new beginning comes an eagerness to dive back into the courses, extracurriculars, and programs that HAFTR offers.

As returning students attended grade orientations, the freshmen participated in the Big-Sib Program, where each freshman was paired with a senior to serve as a mentor throughout the year. During the kickoff program, held on Sept. 4, big and little sibs got to know each other, and freshmen gained a better sense of the building in a fun, intense scavenger hunt around the campus.

To further help their transition, the ninth-graders met their teachers and enjoyed a shortened first day of classes during their own “mini-day,” as a way to help them ease into this new, unfamiliar high school environment. At the same time as our newest students entered the building, our seniors posed for yearbook photos, returning to school looking their best, ready for their final and most impactful year of high school.

The official first day of class on Sept. 5 welcomed all faculty and students. Crisp notebooks, pens of every color, and excite-

ment filled the classrooms. Even better, the Student Government treated everyone to Dippin’ Dots ice cream during lunch. In addition, Hawks Talks, HAFTR’s weekly school news segment featured on Instagram, has returned to update the HAFTR community about all of the riveting events going on at the school. Students look forward to hearing from weekly hosts about the latest athletic, academic, and specialty events.

Of course, the more a school has to offer, the better the opportunities for students to explore avenues they may travel in their futures, so it’s wonderful that there are so many HAFTR teams and clubs for students to join and lead.

Students have already jumped into the world of athletics with sports tryouts for basketball, volleyball, hockey, and more. Many teams, such as the Speech and Debate team, have begun to recruit new members. Notably, Speech and Debate has made it to the national competition for the past two years, so there are high hopes for this year’s season!

We are thrilled to have had a wonderful start to the school year and wish the best for students on upcoming events, exams, and tryouts!

– Natalie Bellehsen

“Last year, this year, and next, I am fighting against antisemitism and standing strong for our entire Long Island community, even when few on the other side of the aisle will join me, Together, we will not back down.”

-

Assemblyman Ari Brown

Local students recognized for acing the PSAT

aging the pursuit of academic excellence.”

The first step in the process is earning a high score on the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, known as the PSAT, a practice exam for the nationwide SAT test.

Over a million high school juniors at more than 21,000 high schools take the PSAT, and those with the highest scores are selected as semifinalists on a state-by-state basis, proportional to each state’s percentage of the nation’s total number of graduating seniors.

Chen, whose brother, Brian, was named a semifinalist in 2022, said she was excited to hear that she had been recognized.

“I was really happy about it,” she said. “I kind of already sort of knew that it was coming, because it’s based off of the PSAT score, and I got a 1,520, a perfect PSAT score.”

Chen’s exam preparation included studying print material the summer before it, so the digital format posed a challenge, but it was nothing she wasn’t ready for, she said.

Khavulya, who said he was proud to earn the title of semifinalist, attended HAFTR Middle School before moving up to Rambam, where he has plenty of support for creative opportunities.

“Whenever I have a request to selfstudy an AP class or to create a battle bots-style robotics club, they’re always open to hear me out,” Khavulya said of the administration’s openness to new and unique ideas.

Harris attributed his success on the PSAT to the resources provided at HAFTR by his college guidance team, which helped him prepare for the exam.

“To me, being a National Merit semifinalist means having a strong academic dedication,” Harris said. “It takes a lot of studying and practice to prepare. It’s extremely rewarding to have received this recognition, and justifies the hard work and dedication I put into my studies.”

Schochet declined to speak with the Herald.

To become a finalist, each student must submit a detailed scholarship application to the NMSC that reflects a strong academic and communityinvolvement-oriented record, along with an essay, a recommendation by a high school official and a recent SAT or ACT score that is similar to his or her PSAT exam.

Over 15,000 students are expected to be named finalists, in February and from that group, 2,500 will be named National Merit Scholars and receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Chen is hoping to study mechanical engineering in college; Khavulya, physics and computer science; and Harris, computer science and cyber security.

For more information on the National Merit Scholarship Program, go to NationalMerit.org.

High Holidays

Rachel Chen, Sean Harris and Ari Khavulya are three of the four students in the Five Towns who were named semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

B”H

Trump is welcomed to L.I. by a sea of red

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ & KELSIE RADZISKI of the Herald

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, vowed to the crowd at his rally on Sept. 18 at the Nassau Coliseum that he would win the vote in the state of New York in November’s election.

“It hasn’t been done in a long time,” Trump, referring to a decades-long losing streak of Republican presidential candidates in the state, “but we are going to win New York.”

Trump spoke for nearly 90 minutes at his first rally on Long Island since 2017, cheered by a sea of supporters wearing Make America Great Again hats and T-shirts and waving MAGA flags, thousands of them gathered outside the packed arena, watching on television monitors.

He denounced his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her policies, which he said would make New York “a Third World nation” if she were to win.

Trump highlighted Long Island issues and events, paying tribute to New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller, of Massapequa, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens in March. The former president noted the 2016 slaying of Long Island teenagers Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas, and the influx of MS-13 gang members.

“Our country’s going down,” he said. “If you look at what’s happening with the Venezuelans taking over … They’ve taken over your buildings and your land. You got to do something about it.

“That wouldn’t happen with Bruce Blakeman, I can tell you that right now,” Trump added, referring to the Republican Nassau county executive, which sparked chats of “Bruce!” from the

crowd.

This was Trump’s first rally since a second assassination attempt was reported at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15. He credited the U.S. Secret Service for stopping the attempt.

He vowed to rebuild the subways, highways and bridges in New York and across the country. He promised to reinstate the income tax deduction for state and local taxes, which his administration backed legislation to cap during his presidency. He also announced that he would make the World Trade Center site, in Lower Manhattan, a national monument maintained by the federal government — a pronouncement that was met with an enthusiastic ovation.

“That hallowed ground and the memory of those who perished there will be preserved for all time,” he said, just a week after the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Trump also addressed global affairs. “I will settle the war in Ukraine,” he said. “I got along very well with Putin,” he said, referring to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, “and I will end the chaos in the Middle East. A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote to obliterate Israel.”

Hours before the rally, County Legislator Carrié Solages, a Democrat, condemned statements made by Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, about Haitian migrants eating residents’ pets in Springfield, Ohio, at a counterprotest with Haitians from Long Island outside the Coliseum entrance.

County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs held a protest with elected officials hours before Solages’.

Before Trump took to the stage, others expressed their support for his campaign, including Republican U.S. Representatives Anthony D’Esposito and Nick LaLota, who represent the 4th and 2nd

congressional districts, respectively. The pair are being challenged by former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen and John Avalon in closely watched contests in November that could determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives.

In an impassioned speech, D’Esposito denounced Harris, described the Democratic Party as “dangerous” and emphasized that he “stand(s) for what Donald Trump believes in.”

“I stand for a secure border, I stand for backing law enforcement, I stand for growing our economy, I stand for putting America first,” D’Esposito said.

The Republican nominee in the 3rd Congressional District, Mike LiPetri, who hopes to flip Rep. Tom Suozzi’s seat, said he was proud to endorse Trump and his goals for his presidency.

“This is our time to restore common sense, to create safe, secure and affordable communities …,” LiPetri said, “making sure we have secure borders, a safe America, making sure we have peace across the world, making sure we’re standing with the Jewish community, and making sure we stand with Israel.”

Blakeman spoke of his priority to keep the county safe, after Nassau was recently named the safest county in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

“Nassau County protects the integrity and safety of women’s sports, and Nassau County unmasked the criminals, antisemites and hate mongers,” he said.

Blakeman called for Trump’s election in November so the country could “get back to common sense.”

“Let’s save our country, and let it start right here,” he said. “Let it start on Long Island, and go throughout the whole state of New York and the state of New Jersey and roll across America.”

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Former President Donald Trump held a rally at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale on Sept. 18, and vowed to win the state of New York in the November election.

Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was among those who enthusiastically supported the former president.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman spoke about his priority to keep the county safe.

Rally reflects Nassau’s deep political divide

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

The Nassau Coliseum parking lot was filled with vehicles displaying flags, banners and homemade posters before former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally last week. Attendees, eager to show their allegiance, dressed in MAGA hats, shirts and red, white and blue outfits, while chants of “Trump, Trump, Trump!” erupted sporadically.

For his supporters, Trump remains the best candidate to fix the nation’s economic problems and take a stand against traditional politicians. Tommy Mundy, a Trump impersonator from Long Beach, praised the former president’s record.

“He’s a great man,” Mundy said. “He’s been right on everything all along.”

Mundy also dismissed concerns about Trump’s divisive stance on social issues, including abortion.

“Politicians are wicked and evil, and he’s not a politician,” Mundy said. “I’m not too concerned about the abortion issue — let God take care of that. We’re going to do great things, and the economy’s going to get turned around.”

Edward Sass, of North Babylon, also voiced his dissatisfaction with career politicians, a common theme among the attendees. Sass said he sees Trump as a non-politician who speaks plainly and delivers results.

“You get a lot of these politicians saying, ‘We’re going to do this; we’re going to do that.’ They should have done it already,” Sass said. “Three and a half

years, and they haven’t done anything.”

Sass criticized what he described as Vice President Kamala Harris’s vague promises, as well as the growing population on Long Island.

“We’re Long Island, we’re an island, we’ve got too many people in a boat,” he said, suggesting that the region’s infra-

structure is being overwhelmed by unchecked development and population growth.

Outside the Coliseum, anti-Trump protests reflected the sharp divisions among voters. Protesters gathered just beyond the gates, holding signs and chanting, “We’re not going back,” sum-

ming up their opposition to the former president.

Ann Leahy, from Wantagh, was among them. “He’s a crook, and he’s a liar, and he’s a rapist,” she said of Trump. “He’s cruel and he’s just a horrible person. He should never get near the White House again.”

Leahy expressed disbelief at the continuing support for Trump. “He was there for four years, and he was a horror then,” she said. “He has no policies. He just repeats the same stuff over and over again, and people are falling for it. I don’t understand why people would even dream about voting for this lunatic.”

Another one of the protesters was Magalie Theodore, a Haitian immigrant from Elmont, who expressed deep frustration with Trump’s disproven claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were stealing and eating residents’ pets.

“We are mad at Trump for the lies he has made about us,” Theodore said. “We don’t eat pets. We protect pets. As a citizen from Haiti, our country is a protector. We are the first Black republic. We don’t support bullies, and that’s what he’s been doing to immigrants.”

Theodore also criticized Trump’s approach to campaigning, accusing him of attacking ethnic groups to distract from his legal troubles. She also expressed disappointment in local leaders like Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for supporting Trump.

“I thought he was going to look out for all people, but apparently, he’s not,” Theodore said of Blakeman. “He’s supporting the biggest bully in America.”

Roksana Amid/Herald photos

Magalie Theodore and Magda Guillaune defiantly made clear their oppostion to former President Trump at last week’s rally. “We don’t support bullies,” Theodore said.

Edward Sass, of North Babylon, was eager to show his support for Donald Trump.

JOEY DIESSO

Massapequa Senior Football

A YEAR AFTER THROWING for 20 touchdowns and helping lead Massapequa to a perfect 12-0 season, Nassau Conference I and Long Island Class I titles, Diesso passed for a pair of scores in each of the first two games this fall. On Sept. 13, he had a near-perfect performance in a 38-13 victory over Freeport. He completed all but one of his 11 pass attempts for 135 yards as the Chiefs got into the win column for the first time in 2024.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Sept. 26

Boys Soccer: Hewlett at Lawrence 4:30 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Baldwin at V.S. Central 4:45 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Clarke at V.S. North 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 27

Boys Soccer: Wantagh at Clarke 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Wantagh at Plainedge 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Seaford at North Shore 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Farmingdale at Baldwin 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Malverne/East Rock at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Calhoun at Oceanside 6 p.m.

Football: Garden City at Hewlett 6 p.m.

Football: Seaford at Plainedge 6:30 p.m.

Football: Hicksville at Freeport 6:30 p.m.

Girls Volleyball: Freeport at Baldwin 6:30 p.m.

Football: South Side at V.S. North 7 p.m.

Football: North Shore at Malverne 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 28

Football: Calhoun at Mepham 11 a.m.

Football: Carey at Sewanhaka 3 p.m.

Football: Farmingdale at Massapequa 3 p.m.

Football: Hempstead at Oceanside 3 p.m.

Football: Uniondale at V.S. Central 3 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

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

SPORTS

Hewlett holds off Clarke, 22-18

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Hewlett’s All-County senior quarterback Matthew DeCicco is just too valuable to risk injury playing defense, but he was as close as you could get to stepping on the field as last Saturday’s counterpart, Clarke junior Matthew Kurz, marched the visitors inside the red zone in the waning seconds trailing by four.

On the game’s final snap, from the 16-yard line, Kurz dropped back and fired a pass that fell incomplete in the back of the end zone as time expired and the Bulldogs held on for a thrilling 22-18 Nassau Conference III football victory before a large Homecoming crowd.

“That was intense,” said DeCicco, who had all three Hewlett touchdowns and racked up 196 yards on the ground. “We had a chance on offense to seal the game with a first down and I was upset we didn’t,” he added. “But I trust our defense. I was practically on the field for the last play. Their quarterback had a great day and I’m glad we found a way to get the win.”

DeCicco had touchdown runs in the first, third and fourth quarters, his last of which from a yard out gave the Bulldogs (1-2) a 22-12 lead with 8:44 remaining. Kurz, who completed 23 of 32 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns, connected with junior James Millman on a 14-yard scoring strike to make it a one-possession game with 5:53 to go and had the Rams (2-1) within one play of a third straight victory.

“He was our JV starting quarterback last year and played great, and so far he’s been our best player,” Clarke head coach Kevin O’Hagan said of Kurz, who had three total touchdowns in the seasonopening win over Mineola and two rushing scores, including the game-winner with a minute left, the previous Friday against Kennedy. “He can throw the ball, he can scramble and he’s only going to get better,” he added. “Today was just his third varsity game so it’s pretty exciting.”

Hewlett, which opened the season with losses to Manhasset and Elmont and closes the first half against juggernaut Garden City, scored on its first Homecoming

win over Clarke.

day possession and led 7-6 at halftime. Senior running back Daniel Karadi, behind a front line consisting of Jordan Sita, Cristopher Maiorano, Gianni Griffith, Jude Zack and Joardin Bojorge, racked up 70 of his 134 rushing yards on the afternoon on five opening-drive carries to set up DeCicco’s 10-yard touchdown run. Clarke responded on the ensuing drive, capping it with a fourth-and-4 gadget play resulting in junior Michael Iadeviai throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior Christian Destine.

Destine was back in the end zone a few minutes into the third quarter, catching a screen pass from Kurz and racing 32 yards to give the Rams a 12-7 lead. Hewlett jumped back in front with another DeCicco 10-yard touchdown and 2-point conversion and led 15-12 entering the fourth.

“We had an excellent week of practice and got a win we needed,” Hewlett head coach John Palladino said. “Clarke is a tough team and we knew they wouldn’t go away. We have tough kids too and our seniors were on a mission today.

Paul Grassini/Herald

Hewlett’s Michael Shlemovich, left, celebrated with Matthew DeCicco after one of the latter’s three touchdowns in last Saturday’s

D’Esposito may face ethics probe over hirings

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

U.S. Representative Anthony D’Esposito may have violated ethics rules in Congress, designed to combat nepotism and corruption, according to a story published by the New York Times on Sept. 23.

Shortly after taking the oath of office in 2023, D’Esposito hired his longtime fiancé’s daughter to work as a special assistant in his district office, where she earned $3,800 a month, according to payroll records. In April, D’Esposito hired an alleged mistress, Devin Faas, who earned $2,000 a month for a parttime job in the same district office. Payments to both women stopped in July 2023, the Times reported.

D’Esposito has not been accused of wrongdoing, but the employment of both women, which resulted in a payment of about $29,000 in taxpayer funds, could lead to disciplinary actions in the House of Representatives, according to the Times.

The allegations against D’Esposito come about 6-weeks ahead of Election Day. D’Esposito is being challenged by Democrat Laura Gillen, who he defeated two years ago. Early voting starts on Oct. 26. Election Day is Nov. 5.

“These are very serious allegations that demand further investigation and it’s clear that Anthony D’Esposito has abused his power in every position of trust he’s ever held,” Gillen said in a statement released by her press team on Tuesday. “As Hempstead

Town Supervisor, I fought against corruption, nepotism and waste to help all Nassau County families, and I’ll bring that same common sense, ethical leadership to Congress. Together we can clean up the deepseated corruption that clearly surrounds Anthony D’Esposito and restore transparency and accountability to New York’s Fourth Congressional District.”

According to the House’s Code of Official Conduct, “a member, delegate or resident commissioner may not retain the relative of such individual in a paid position, and an employee of the House may not accept compensation for work for a committee on which the relative of such employees serves as a member. The House defines “relative” as someone related to the member, delegate or resident commissioner, including a parent, child, sibling, parent’s sibling, first cousin, sibling’s child, spouse, parent-in-law, child-inlaw, sibling-in-law, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, half-sibling, or grandchild.

According to the Times, Matt Capp, a spokesperson for D’Esposito, did not deny that the congressman had a relationship with Faas, but declined to comment on the employment of either women.

In a statement shared with News12, D’Esposito said “My personal life has never interfered with my ability to deliver results for New York’s fourth district, and I have upheld the highest ethical standards of personal conduct.

“Voters deserve better than the Times’ gutter politics,” he added.

Dedicated parking

Tim Baker/Herald file

U.S. Representative Anthony D’Esposito may have violated ethics rules in the House of Representatives, according to a report by the New York Times.

Mets’ Alvarez gives kids tips to remember

By ANTHONY DiCOCCO Special to the Herald

The energy was palpable as soon as the children began their infield and hitting drills, because in just moments, they would get the chance to learn from one of baseball’s rising stars.

Despite being in the thick of an intense playoff race, New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez volunteered 90 minutes of his time to coach dozens of lucky kids, ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade, at a free baseball clinic at the Lou Anthony Sports Complex in Massapequa on Sept. 5.

“This is awesome,” Rich Lopos, president of the Nassau County Police Activity League said. “This was something (Alvarez) called us about. He said, ‘I just want to come down and hang out with the kids for a little while,’ and these kids are loving it.”

Over the course of the clinic, kids decked out in Mets apparel rotated between stations that focused on the fundamentals of baseball, such as throwing, catching popups, running and infield work, before finally getting some hitting tips from Alvarez himself during tee drills. Following the clinic and a group photo, participants had the opportunity to pose for individual pictures with Alvarez and get his autograph.

Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez gave hitting pointers to the kids who attended the free baseball clinic at the Lou Anthony Sports Complex in Massapequa.

As a young pro player who’s still learning what it takes to be a major leaguer, Alvarez said that the kids on the field were also teaching him valuable lessons.

“This definitely helps me relax,” he said. “I’m happier. I can see the kids smile, I see the kids’ emotion and I can see how hard they work here. It gives me a little more energy.”

The event was part of a stacked lineup of athlete-run clinics that has been made possible through a partnership between PAL and Pioneer Sports Long Island. Over the past year, Pioneer Sports, now its 14th year, has held clinics that featured former Rangers goalie Mike Richter, Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert, Mets third baseman Brett Baty and closer Edwin Diaz, and Yankees starting pitchers Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt.

Tom Falcone, a co-founder of Pioneer Sports, helps facilitate all of the clinics.

Aiden’s brother, Austin, 8, said some

“This was really cool,” Brooklyn native Aiden Rodriguez, 11, said after the clinic run by the player he described as his idol. “I go to Mets games and meet a lot of players, and Alvarez is one of my favorite catchers in MLB. He made me want to be a catcher.”

of the key lessons Alvarez taught were to keep your eye on the ball and the ball on the barrel of your bat. And he taught the kids about the mental side of the game, as well. Throughout the clinic, he stressed the importance of putting all their mental energy into baseball and to always have fun while doing it.

“These kids are having a lifetime experience, and for me it’s a lifetime experience, too,” Falcone said. “Just to be able to have these guys come out here to the facility and give back to the community, we’re honored to do this.”

Anthony DiCocco is a reporter for the SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.

Courtesy Anthony DiCocco

Holiday GreetinG

Reflections on Rosh HaShanah

the coming holiday of Rosh HaShanah, perhaps the best known of the four Jewish new years is Tu B’shvat, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, begins a new cycle of nature in the land of Israel. Rosh HaShanah is much more than a time to “hang one more year on the line.” For Jews it is a deeply unique way to think about our lives, our priorities and what requires change and repentance. We begin this process on Rosh HaShanah and it culminates ten days later on Yom Kippur. One of the most remarkable aspects of the liturgy of the Jewish new year is what we ask for, and what we don’t, in our prayers. What we ask for is simply one more year! We want another chance to become a better person, to express our gratitude for what we have and to ask forgiveness for those acts we fell short on during the past year. We pray that if we are granted another year of life, we can at least come close to doing what we know is right, accomplishing more of what we know we need to do. Why don’t we ask for more years? The Talmud instructs us “tafasta merubah lo tafasta, if you try to grasp/do too much, you will

end up not grasping/doing anything.” Indeed it seems to be exactly enough time to do what we need to do. This past year has been a particularly difficult one for the Jewish people. The October 7th terrorist killing of over 1200 Israelis and the taking of over 200 people to Gaza as hostages (both Jews and nonJews) remains with us every day the hostages are not freed. We ask ourselves, “What is the way forward in the coming year?”. While there are no simple answers, we ask of God to please grant us the time to bring this horrible situation to an end, and bring at least some semblance of peace to the entire region. That, it seems to me, would not be asking for too much in the coming year. May we all, members of both the Jewish and non-Jewish community, be given the time in the coming weeks, months and year, to mend ourselves and the world and to accomplish that which needs to be done in both our personal lives and for society. Shanah tova, may we truly have a year filled with goodness, love and peace.

Rabbi Steven Kane is the leader of Temple Beth El of Cedarhurst.

Faith, resilience and renewal

embracing the paradoxes of life is one of the most intriguing features of the Jewish people. We thrive in the midst of persecution and under enormous pressure, much like it says in the Torah:

“But as much as they would afflict them, so did they multiply and gain strength” (Shemot 1:12).

We learn that the only way to answer many questions of life is with a sense of humor and silent faith. As the famous saying goes, “Man plans, and Gd laughs,” suggesting that this humor is embedded in the very fabric of Hashem’s creation. HaShem runs the world in mysterious ways, and our only reaction that can do it justice is to laugh. This laughter signifies the ultimate victory of HaShem and His people over those who seek to destroy us:

“Then our mouths will be filled with laughter and our tongues with songs of praise” (Tehilim 126:2).

taken for granted. Last year was a wakeup call, and listening to the shofar this Rosh HaShana will heighten our awareness of our duty as Jews. We can only fight evil if we know where we stand and who fights for us—His Majesty, the King Himself!

The world has become a battleground, but as long as we remember the rules of engagement, we are guaranteed to be victorious:

In the most moving part of the liturgy, we are assured of the path to triumph: Teshuvah. We must return to the core of life, to that spark of Gdliness within us, and our true nature—unspoiled and pure. Teshuvah calls for constant renewal, a cosmic force:

All of this comes to mind as we approach a new page in history—Rosh HaShana of 5785. Rosh HaShana represents a new beginning, urging us to reflect on our lives and embrace the vision of the Torah and the prophets: HaShem is the King. The entire world is created to proclaim His glory. We are His servants and beloved children. His judgments are sweet, reminding us to dip apples in honey, reprogramming ourselves to see sweetness and light where others see darkness and despair.

This Rosh HaShana, we need courage and wisdom to celebrate after the bitterness of the past year. Turning that darkness into light is no small task, but it’s something only we, the Jewish people, can do! Rosh HaShana itself embodies paradox: ”Rejoice with trembling.” The joy of life is connected to trembling and fragility. Each moment is precious, and every breath is a gift. Nothing can be guaranteed, and nothing should be

“HaShem renews His creation, creating the world anew every moment!”

In the realm of Teshuvah, nothing is impossible. Jewish history is proof of Hashem’s glory; the smallest of nations is chosen to bring into the world what Eliezer Berkovitch called the “history of faith.” Teshuvah is the triumph of survival and the secret of life—grow, change, and learn!

Tefilah. Prayer penetrates doubts and elevates hopes. HaShem listens and remembers—always—especially on the Day of Remembrance—(the name for Rosh HaShana in the Torah).

What should we ask for? This year, more than ever, we should ask: “Give us Life! Bring us close to You!”

Tzedakah. Charity saves from death, as our Rabbis taught. Giving is a secret—when you give, you become an agent of blessings. The power is given to you then, as you emulate HaShem and become His partner in creation!

May we all be written in the Book of Life—a year of prosperity and blessings to all of Israel.

Our client, a nonprofit religious school in Cedarhurst, New York is seeking sealed proposals from licensed and insured contractors to replace or modify seven (7) exterior doors to withstand forced entry resistance FE‑10 standard. To install access controls on seven exterior doors that are compatible and meet Genetec Enterprise standards. To install approximately 100 feet of 6 ‑foot‑high chain‑link fencing. Selection criteria will be based on knowledge of surveillance and security, adherence to project schedule, prior experience, references, proposed equipment, and overall project cost. Bid specifications and bid/proposal submission requirements can be obtained by contacting

Rabbi Reuven Khaskin is the leader at Brandeis Hebrew Academy in Lawrence.

Rabbi Reuven KhasKin

Rabbi steven Kane

STEPPING OUT

From the ‘burbs to the

big stage

Rockville Centre native explores roots in new musical

By Iris Wiener

Shaun Taylor-Corbett has enjoyed a unique journey from his upbringing in Rockville Centre to working in New York theater. After becoming a household face with a stint on the hit children’s TV show “Hi-5,” he went on to star in the acclaimed Off-Broadway musical “Altar Boyz” and eventually was part of the original cast of Lin Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights.” Working on that Tony-Award winning musical showed him the importance of exploring community through musical theater; it set the stage for his most personal project to date: ”Distant Thunder,” which runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 27 at A.R.T./New York Theatres. Taylor-Corbett not only co-wrote the book and lyrics for the new Off-Broadway musical, he also co-produced and stars in the production, which he credits with helping him learn about his own background. His mother, acclaimed dancer-choreographer and director Lynne Taylor-Corbett, directed and co-wrote. At age 15, Taylor-Corbett decided he wanted to know more about his family’s background. “It was important to me to know where we came from,” he says.

His roots are Black, Scandinavian, Blackfeet Indigenous, and Irish. Realizing he wanted to know more about his Indigenous side, Taylor-Corbett’s mother proceeded to bring her son to Browning, Mont. There he met Darrell Robes Kipp, an educator and community leader responsible for saving the Blackfeet language.

“He really instilled in me the importance of language for a culture,” says Taylor-Corbett. “It was very impactful for me and it made me want to create a story about my experience being mixed race.”

“Distant Thunder”evolved into a story about a young person who returns to his roots after many years of being away. It goes on to explore the various ways in which he experiences community.

Taylor-Corbett’s first memory as a performer was recording himself singing to Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl.” He moved to Rockville Centre when he was 8-years-old, where he attended South Side Middle School and South Side High School. It was at South Side Middle School that he took on one of his first theatrical roles: Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof.” Looking back he appreciates having had a unique childhood growing up with his father [Columbia Records music executive Michael Corbett] and his mother.

Much of ‘Distant Thunder’ was inspired by Taylor-Corbett’s experience growing up mixed race. “I didn’t quite know where I fit in, so I was open and friendly with everybody,” he says. “There were some instances where I felt like an outsider and got made fun of, but I think what I got from being mixed and hanging out with people from different cultural identities is that I fell in love with learning about cultures.”

Taylor-Corbett travels frequently and studies international relations.“As one aspect of my identity — being Indigenous — got stronger, I realized I could take all of what I learned and try to do something in the U.S. I wanted to help the people that gave me so much.”

Taylor-Corbett still spends time in Rockville Centre with his mother in his childhood home. One of his favorite aspects of working on “Distant Thunder” has been collaborating with mom.

“I value having time with her and going through this adventure,” he says. “We’ve grown so much together as friends because of this. There’s a deeper meaning, and drive we have together because I was a kid when we started [this journey]. We don’t have that much time with our parents, so holding onto every moment doing this with her is a joy.”

He also appreciates the wealth of experience that Lynne brings to the project; the multi-talented ‘Broadway legend’ is known for her choreography of Broadway’s “Swing!” and the film “Footloose,” as well her direction and writing for “Cougar the Musical,” among other projects.

“I’m learning so much from her,” he says. “She passed on that legacy to me. I see myself growing in confidence because of her.”

Taylor-Corbett is proud that “Distant Thunder” honors the Blackfeet community that he holds close to his heart. He had never seen an Indigenous Broadway or Off-Broadway musical, and imagined how incredible it would be to have a large cast representing the Blackfeet and Indigenous communities performing an Indigenous story through powwow and pop music. Adding it to the American theater canon would break through barriers.

“We wanted to have the show be a portal into another world, into the magic that is Indian country,” he says, as he looks forward to opening night on Oct. 3. “I want people to leave the show uplifted and joyful about the future. I’m hoping that everyone feels represented, that people feel proud of what we’ve done, and that it inspires people who might be on a similar journey as they write their own stories.”

Tickets for ‘Distant Thunder’ can be purchased online at amasmusical.org or by calling (212) 563-2565.

Jessie’s Girl

Take out that neon yet again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage, The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as ‘80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Jessie’s Girl has mastered overthe-top renditions of the some of world’s most unforgettable songs, all while dressed up as the iconic characters of that decade. This is theater meets live music, covered in ‘80s glitz. Some would say there’s no decade like the ‘80. So throw on your best neon, use extra hair spray on that hair and head to Back To The Eighties — because it’s time to party like it’s 1989.

Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. $45, $37.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Celebrity Autobiography

The Drama Desk Award-winning “Celebrity Autobiography” returns to Tilles Center with an entirely new show. Starring Richard Kind, pictured above (fresh off his comic turn in that Hulu sensation “Only Murders in the Building”), Jackie Hoffman, Craig Bierko, Lillias White, Mario Cantone, and show creators Eugene Pack and Dayle Reyfel, an ever-changing selection of tellalls and memoirs are performed verbatim. Celebrity tell-alls are perfectly entertaining on their own, as exclusive windows into the lives of famous personalities. But this smash-hit comedic masterpiece takes it a step further — as as outrageously true memoirs are acted out live on stage by some of the funniest people around.

Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Photo courtesy Michael Lee Stever

The cast rehearses “Distant Thunder” ahead of previews beginning Sept. 25.

Photo courtesy Caroline Grogan Shaun Taylor-Corbett with his co-writer, director and mother, Lynne Taylor Corbett.

Everclear

Everclear, one of the leading alternative rock bands to emerge from the ‘90s, led by vocalistguitarist-founder Art Alexakis, is back on the road, appearing on the Paramount stage, Sunday, oct. 6, 7 p.m. The band is joined by special guests Marcy Playground and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack. The setlist for this tour includes all the hits from throughout Everclear’s extraordinary three decades-long catalog, spotlighting tracks off their album “Songs From An American Movie Vol. One,” which they’ll release on vinyl later this year for the first time via Intervention Records.

Since forming in 1992, Everclear has enjoyed a lengthy career by any measure, spanning 11 studio releases, including four that have been certified Gold or Platinum, selling over 6 million records, and achieving 12 Top 40 Hit Singles on Mainstream Rock, Alternative, and Adult Top 40 radio, including “Santa Monica,” “Father of Mine,” “I Will Buy You A New Life,” “Wonderful” and “Everything To Everyone,” as well as numerous videos, concerts, and various other accolades, including a 1998 Grammy nomination. The band’s 1993 debut album “World Of Noise,” released on the Portland independent label Tim/Kerr Records, paired with their significant efforts to break into college radio and the buzz they’d created within the Portland music scene, attracted the attention of major labels, including Capitol Records, which signed the group soon after. Beginning with their major-label debut, 1995’s platinum-selling album “Sparkle and Fade,” and its massive chart-topping hit “Santa Monica,” Everclear was soon a household name and catapulted into the masses. Alexakis was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2019; he’s since donated $1 from every ticket purchased from his performances to charities such as Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and National MS Society. In addition their numerous concerts over the band’s lengthy career, Alexakis created and runs the annual Summerland Tour, which features a package of popular ‘90s alt rock bands. $70.50, $50.50, $050, $25.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program returns for a new season, Saturday, Sept. 28, 9, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.

Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum. org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.

Hewlett Bagel Boss Concert Series

Bagel Boss concert series continues, Saturday, Sept. 28, 9 p.m.-12 a.m. Hear the music of Bam, featuring the Rockinghams. Bagel Boss, 1352 Peninsula Blvd, Hewlett. For more information

Spooky Fest is back

A Halloween experience not to be missed, Spooky Fest is an outdoor adventure perfect for families, whether you want to be scared — or prefer seasonal fun of the non-scary kind. Join in the fun at the Center for Science, Teaching and Learning, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout October. Along the way in the updated and beautifully lit up Enchanted Walk you will see dinosaurs, aliens and friendly witches, costumed characters and more, including the Mystical Garden. Get your fortune told, make a craft and dance with the Halloween DJ, along with face painting and the Amazing Glow tent. For those who want to a scare, venture into the Haunted Woods, where zombies and dinosaurs hang out. Admission starts at $22. 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre. Visit CSTL.org for call (516) 7640045 for more information.

Fascinating Fungi

Bring the kids to make some discoveries about mushrooms at Long Island Children’s Museum’s drop-in program, Sunday, Sept. 29, 1-3 p.m. Did you know that some mushrooms can glow in the dark? Learn about the 113 species of mushroom that are considered bioluminescent, due to a chemical reaction that attracts bugs to help spread mushroom spores. Stop by to learn about these amazing fungi and make a glowing mushroom craft to bring home. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

Sunny Atlantic 5K Run/Walk

Sunny Atlantic Beach Club holds its Annual 5K Run & Family Walk, Sunday, Sept. 29, 8:30 a.m. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. and post-race refreshments will be served. Awards will be given out and free finish line photos will be taken. Register online at CommunityChestSS. org, for more information call (516) 374-5800. Sunny Atlantic Beach Club, 2035 Ocean Boulevard, Atlantic Beach.

Oct. 9

Hempstead House tour

Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Wednesday, Oct. 9, noon-1 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.

Having an event?

Rock Hall’s Annual Country Fair

It’s not too early to start thinking about this local tradition. Join in Rock Hall 38th Annual Rock Hall Country Fair, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19-20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy entertainment and fall fun. Visit with colonial historians, explore the harvest market, craft vendors, antique cars, farm animals and pony rides. There is also a children’s craft area, pumpkin patch, “make your own” scarecrow and much more. Featured entertainer Will Shaw does juggling comic act. Free admission and parking. All fair proceeds benefit the Friends of Rock Hall. Rock Hall Museum, 199 Broadway, Lawrence.

Game Time

Play canasta, mah jongg or Scrabble during in-person game time, on Monday, Sept. 30, 2-4:30 p.m., in the Bentley Room of Peninsula Public Library. 280 Central Ave., Lawrence. Seating limited. First come, first seated.

Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media.

It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

On stage

Adelphi University’s Theatre Department present two one-act plays from icons of the American Little Theater movement, of the early 20th century, now through Sunday, Sept. 29. See “Suppressed Desires” by Susan Glaspell and “George Cram Cook and Seaweed” by Alice Gerstenberg, Sept. 26-27, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 28, 2 and 7:30 p.m. (livestream available); Sept. 29, 2 p.m. Gerstenberg’s Seaweed explores the future prospects and dating escapades of 20somethings in the 1920s. It’s “Sex and the City” but only four years after women received the right to vote. Suppressed Desires brings the audience into a 1914 marriage where a husband, wife, and her sister interrogate the psychological meaning of every conscious and unconscious utterance. All shows take place in Adelphi’s Performing Art Center’s Black Box Theatre. $25, with discounts available to seniors, students, Adelphi alumni and employees. 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

RBS CITIZENS, NA F/K/A

CHARTER ONE BANK, Plaintiff -against- LAVERN BECKFORD AND NEVILLE

LEWIS, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated September 26, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at (CCP) Calendar Control Part Court Room of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Dr., Mineola, NY on October 9, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point on the Southerly side of Cedarhurst Street, distant 537.35 feet Westerly and Southwesterly as measured along the southerly and Southeasterly side of Duston Road from the extreme Westerly end of the arc of a curve which connects the Southerly side of Duston Road with the Westerly side of Oakleigh Road; being a plot 129.43 feet by 10.89 feet by 121.28 feet by 112.71 feet by 37.82 feet. Section: 39 Block: 549 Lot: 41. All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction.

Said premises known as 1069 DUSTON ROAD, NORTH WOODMERE, NY 11581

Approximate amount of lien $717,014.19 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 011136/2014.

RALPH MADALENA, ESQ., Referee

David A. Gallo & Associates LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 5025.2735 {* NASSAU HER, NEWSDAY NA*} 148758

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK (BROOKLYN)

WINDWARD BORA, LLC.; Plaintiff v. OSNAT ZINNAR, et al; Defendants

Attorneys for Plaintiff: Hasbani & Light, P.C., 450 7th Ave, Suite 1408, NY, NY 10123; (212) 643-6677

Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale granted herein on 2/12/24, I will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder in the EDNY-Brooklyn, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, NY 11201. On October 22, 2024 at 9:30 AM.

Premises known as 965 Cedarhurst Street, North Woodmere, NY 11581

Section: 0039 Block: 00549-00 Lot: 00002

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York. As more particularly described in the judgment of foreclosure and sale. Sold subject to all of the terms and conditions contained in said judgment and terms of sale. Approximate amount of judgment: $273,926.00 plus interest and costs.

Docket Number: 19cv-04533 Allan B. Mendelsohn, Esq., Referee 149058

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE, FOR CARRINGTON MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-NCI ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff, Against FREDERICK NEIL KLEIN

A/K/A FREDERICK KLEIN

A/K/A FRED KLEIN, JODI KLEIN, DEBBIE G. KLEIN, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 08/27/2019, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 10/22/2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 58 Brower Avenue, Woodmere, New York 11598, And Described As Follows:

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Woodmere (Formerly Woodsburgh) In The Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau And State Of New York.

Section 41 Block 24 Lot 326

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $1,162,718.94 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 0003350/2012

If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.

Rita Solomon, Esq., Referee.

MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 7/31/24 File Number: 109-0035 SH 149030

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 October 9, 2024 at the Lawrence Village Hall 196 Central Ave 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: “34 Larch Hill Rd, Moskowitz- Section 212-12.1 of the Schedule of Dimensional Regulation states the maximum building coverage for a lot size of 14,077 sq. ft. in area is 3,217 sq. ft. Section 212.12.1 Schedule dimensional Regulations states, the maximum surface coverage for a lot size of 14,077 sq. ft. in an area is 6,333 sq. ft. Section 212.12.1

Schedule dimensional Regulations states, the maximum surface coverage for a front yard of 4,256 sq. ft. in an area is 2,128 sq. ft. Section 212-24.D of the Code of the Village of Lawrence states accessory structures must be located in a side or rear yard. Section 212-47 of the Village Code states, no pool equipment may be constructed in a front yard. Section 212-47 of the Village Code states, in a Residence District B the minimum side yard setback for pool equipment is 15 ft.

“38 Larch Hill Rd, Moskowitz- Section 212-55.A of the Code of the Village of Lawrence states no recreational structure shall be constructed in a front yard.

“110 Causeway, Mandelbaum- Section 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.

“116 Causeway, Friedman- Section 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.

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: September 19, 2024 149147

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET

EAST END ATLANTIC BEACH FIRE DISTRICT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE PROPOSED BUDGET OF THE EAST END ATLANTIC BEACH FIRE DISTRICT OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD STATE OF NEW YORK WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS FOR ITS CONSIDERATION.

A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD AT 6 PM TO 8 PM AT THE EAST ATLANTIC BEACH CLUB HOUSE ON TROY AVE IN EAST ATLANTIC BEACH NEW YORK ON THE 15TH OF OCTOBER 2024.

PURSUANT TO TOWN LAW SECTION 105 THE PURPOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING IS TO ALLOW ANY PERSON TO BE HEARD IN FAVOR OF OR AGAINST THE PROPOSED BUDGET AS IT IS SUBMITTED OR FOR OR AGAINST ANY ITEM OR ITEMS CONTAINED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET, AND HEARING ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE SUBJECT COVERING THE SAME. THAT A COPY OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS AVAILABLE WITH THE TREASURER OR SECRETARY OF THE EAST END ATLANTIC BEACH FIRE DISTRICT. DATED: SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS

EAST END ATLANTIC BEACH FIRE DISTRICT

DAVID FINKELSTEINSECRETARY 149148

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter: Agency: Board of Trustees, Village of Hewlett Neck

Date: October 30, 2024

Time: 6:30 p.m.

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

Subject: HN 24-03. A local law to amend the Code of the Village of Hewlett Neck to amend the maximum speed limit in non-school zones throughout the Village to 25 miles per hour

HN24-04- A local law to amend the Code of the Village of Hewlett Neck amending Chapter 137Tree Preservation and Protection

At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters. The proposed law is an Unlisted Action under SEQRA, as to which no environmental determination has been made by the Board of Trustees

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: September 27, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk 149149

LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that at a properly noticed Board Meeting held on September 12, 2024, the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Hewlett Harbor held a Public Hearing and unanimously passed the addition of Section 138 to the Hewlett Harbor Village Code. Section 138 provides for the creation of a Village Justice Court for the Village of Hewlett Harbor. Pursuant to New York Law, the creation of a Village Justice Court is subject to permissive referendum. Any person interested may obtain a copy of Section 138 of the Village Code from the Hewlett Harbor Village Hall located at 449 Pepperidge Road, Hewlett Harbor, New York. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

NICOLE GIACOPELLI, VILLAGE CLERK

HEWLETT HARBOR, NEW YORK

DATED: SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 149146

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

LOCAL LAW NO. 63-2024

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public

hearing was duly called and held September 17th, 2024 , by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 63-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 63-2024, amending Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations.

Dated: September 17, 2024

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 149128

PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES

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

LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO.21527

RESOLUTION NO. 973-2024

Adopted: September 17, 2024 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. 969-2024, adopted September 4, 2024, a public hearing was duly held on the 17th day of September, 2024, 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:

(NR) ATLANTIC BEACH

CLAYTON AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 72 feet south of the south curbline of Beech Street, south for a distance of 18 feet.

(TH-369/24)

ELMONT

CROYDON DRIVE - south side, starting at a point 20 feet east of a point opposite the east curbline of Abbey Court, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-373/24)

116th STREET - south side, starting at a point 195 feet west of the west curbline of 240th Street, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-374/24)

BEDFORD AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 168 feet east of the east curbline of Covert Avenue, east for a distance of 18 feet.

(TH-361/24)

EVANS AVENUE - west side, starting at a point 113 feet north of the north curbline of Union Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-360/24)

FRANKLIN SQUARE

JAMES STREET - east side, starting at a point 200 feet north of the north curbline of Benris Avenue, north for a distance of 15 feet.

(TH-396/24)

UNIONDALE

PARK AVENUE - south side, starting at a point 377 feet west of the west curbline of Cornwell Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-395/24)

PEMBROKE STREETnorth side, starting at a point 413 feet east of the east curbline of Arcadia Avenue, east for A distance of 20 feet.

(TH-391/24)

CAMPUS STREET - east side, starting at a point 142 feet north of the north curbline of Northern Parkway, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-366/24)

LOCUST AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 40 feet north of the north curbline of Oakley Street, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-349/24)

GREENGROVE AVENUEeast side, starting at a point 132 feet north of the north curbline of Hempstead Boulevard, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-372/24)

WEST HEMPSTEAD

OAK STREET - south side, starting at a point 207 feet east of the east curbline of Morton Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-324/24) ; 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 in 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 Muscarella and adopted upon roll call as follows:

AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) 149131

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a public hearing will be held by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the MEADOWMERE FIRE DISTRICT, Nassau County, New York at the Meadowmere Fire House, 14 Meyer Avenue, Lawrence, New York on the 16th day of October, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of considering the proposed Fire District Budget for the 2025 fiscal year. A copy of the proposed Budget is available at the office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Hempstead and the Fire District Secretary where it may be inspected during normal office hours.

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED in the matter will be heard at such time and place.

Dated: Lawrence, New York

September 20, 2024. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MEADOWMERE FIRE DISTRICT. SUSAN LUND SECRETARY 149150

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, October 10, 2024, 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 September 20, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF HEWLETT HARBOR NICOLE GIACOPELLI VILLAGE CLERK 149144

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

Holiday GreetinG

Change in a year of pain and resilience

For one thing, it begins in October. (Wednesday evening, October 2, to be exact.) This, once again, proves the rule that the Jewish holidays may be early or late, but they are never on time.

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It kicks of the “Days of Awe,” a 10-day period of reflection and repentance, which culminates with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It is both a somber time, while also the opportunity to hope, aspire, and resolve to start fresh. Rosh Hashanah is well known for its symbolism. We dip apples and honey as we envision a sweet year ahead. We sound the Shofar (ram’s horn) to wake us up and energetically embrace the future. Jews greet each other with the expression “Happy New Year.”

Blakeman, the police and law enforcement, and civic leader have forcefully fought back against the sick sentiments of those who threaten Jews and seem to hate America just as much.

It’s been a tough year.

How can we celebrate a New Year?

Where’s the joy within all the pain and sadness of the past year?

This Rosh Hashanah arrives as we mark the one-year anniversary of October 7, the darkest day in recent Jewish memory. The Palestinian terror group Hamas led a devastating cross-border assault on Israel that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took some 251 hostages. 97 remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 33 confirmed dead. Ever since, Israel has been at war with Hamas while also battling the terrorist group Hezbollah in the north and facing attacks from Yemen and Iran.

Here in the United States, we have seen a rise in Jew-hatred with an uptick in antisemitic acts and hateful protests. The Jewish community has responded with pride and strength. Here in Nassau County, County Executive Bruce

Embracing the depth of scripture

MWhile Jews say “Happy New Year” at this time of year, the expression really is more of adapting the secular greeting on January 1. The actual Jewish expression in Hebrew is “Shanah Tovah,” which literally translates as “Good Year.” On a deeper level, though, the Hebrew word “shanah,” come from the same root as the Hebrew word for “change.” In effect as Rosh Hashanah arrives, we greet each other with what we really need: change for the better.

“Shanah Tovah.” We need good change. We need increased commitment to truth, justice, and law and order. We need to be kinder and more generous towards each other. We need more mutual respect. We need an end to war and terror. We need the hostages back: Bring them home now!

There is a traditional Jewish expression that captures our sentiments this time of year: May this year with all its curses conclude, and a new year with many more blessings commence.

May this year usher in changes for the good. Happy New Year. Shanah Tovah.

Rabbi Elie Weinstock is the leader at the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR VELOCITY COMMERCIAL

CAPITAL LOAN TRUST

2018-2, Plaintiff against ILYUSHA KHAIMOV, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF RAKHMIN KHAIMOV, DECEASED, et

al Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016 and 1131 Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered June 28, 2024, I

will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 28, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Premises known as 266 Randall Avenue, Lawrence, NY 11559-1231. Sec 40 Block 20 Lot 35 and 36. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate lying and being at Lawrence, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $383,964.81 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to

provisions of filed Judgment Index No 603624/2022. During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules

and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Darice Guzman Piotrowski,

Esq., Referee File # NY202300000275-1 149154

y R osh HaShanah asks us to acclaim G-d as King, to put Him in the center of our lives. It is a festival of uncompromising monotheism, the belief that all that exists is His handiwork and that He is everywhere and yet entirely separate from His creation. He is transcendent, immanent, omnipotent, omniscient and eternal. There is no ‘Other’ but G-d.

In addition to the majestic words of the prayers, we have two other vehicles, which we use on Rosh Hashanah to acclaim G-d: the shofar, and the reading from Scripture. I think that everyone, from the youngest child to the most mature adult, understands the point of the primal sounding of the shofar. What about the readings from the Torah and the Prophets?

Negev.

Thus, Scripture informs us that Abraham and Isaac never live together again.

The other important character who is in fact absent during the story of the Aqedah is Sarah, wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. In Genesis chapter 21 we read that after Abraham is forced to banish his son Ishmael, the patriarch goes to live among the Philistines. He does not return to Hebron where Sarah resides. And in Genesis chapter 22, after the story of the binding of Isaac, Abraham goes to live in Beersheva.

Let’s consider the hypothesis that the stories of the Bible are NOT fairy tales. There are some teachers who read them so and teach others to read them similarly. Most often, when teachers in the classroom - both of children and of adults - when these teachers have not been well taught themselves, they treat the stories of the Bible as fairy tales, and thereby do great damage to impressionable minds young or old. And while they may be the parts of Scripture which are most accessible to children - they are not fairy tales.

Take one example: the reading of the near-sacrifice of Isaac by his father, commonly referred to as the Aqedah – ‘The Binding of Isaac’. Repeatedly the Torah tells us that “father and son walk up the mountain together”. At the end of story, yes, Isaac is saved by the prophetic voice that stays Abraham’s hand. But after the ram is offered instead of Isaac, the text tells us unceremoniously: Abraham returns to his SERVANTS! And it is Abraham and now the servants who arise and go together with the patriarch to Beersheva where Abraham now makes his home.

Isaac is totally absent from the end of the story, nowhere to be seen with the entourage that travels to Beersheva. Where did Isaac go? The Torah tells us later: Isaac lives in Be’er Lahai Ro’ee in the

Scripture, in its lowkey manner, clearly tells the reader that Abraham never returned to his wife Sarah after the banishment of Ishmael. Sarah lived in Hebron, and husband and wife never lived together again. So here we have a story where twice the patriarch Abraham is bidden by G-d to make huge sacrifices with respect to his children - and twice he ends up losing his sons because they cannot live together with their father, obviously for different reasons. But Scripture is clear. Whatever relationships Abraham has in the future, his sons are not with him at his side.

These are complex stories. Not fairy tales. They describe family conflicts that seem to be, unfortunately, very common experiences. Many can’t access the Bible’s profound wisdom because they were taught that it is all fairy tales. But the only human condition known to us seems so far removed from fairy tales, and thus, many give up on finding Scripture’s profound lessons.

On Rosh HaShanah, we have the shofar and we have the prayers, but we can become aware that we also have another vital tool to assist us in the great task of preparing for a new year - the life sustaining words of the Torah. May we merit to open our hearts and minds to Torah in the coming year and hear G-d speak to us.

The Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst wishes all people Anyada Buena y Dulce - a Sweet and Good New Year!

Rabbi Steve Golden is the leader at Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst.

Rabbi EliE WEinstock

Rabbi stEvE GoldEn

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team.

If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.

REQUIREMENTS:

Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.

POSITION DETAILS:

Flexible: Part-time or Full-time. Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.

Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

To Deliver Papers To Businesses in Massapequa, Amityville and Babylon 2 Days Per Week Must Have Own Vehicle/Van

This is an independent contractor role for Richner Communications Compensation based on stops starting at $275/week

If Interested contact Jim at jrotche@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 x211

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media,

Charming Tudor/Colonial

Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

Garages For Rent

VALLEY STREAM OVERSIZED GARAGE With Upstairs, 20x20, For Storage. $800/Month. Call 646-399-5785

L‘We did everything right, or so we thought’

Q. We are trying to understand why we did everything right, or so we thought, and now have to start over with getting a permit and inspections so we can move on. First, we thought the whole construction process was over a year ago, but now find that we got an ultimatum, in the form of a notice that we will get a summons to appear in court if we don’t respond, and the inspector said that the plans we have are no longer good. We read your column about this and it created even more questions, like: What if we just drop it and don’t respond, and why do we have to make new plans? We did make some changes, but isn’t that normal? We wanted to get it right, and the changes were hardly noticeable to anyone else. What do you think we should do?

A.Do something, as opposed to doing nothing. If you do nothing, you may get the summons to appear in court, and after the appearance, you more likely will receive a judgment in addition to a fine, plus an order to still follow through or receive more fines and judgments.

The timing of all of this is up to your building inspector and your building department as to the amount of time that will pass before any of this happens. I have clients who have done nothing for 20 years, and several who sold their property to unsuspecting buyers who still have to follow through, someday.

The fine may be affordable, but it’s still a fine. The judgment either forces you to comply or appeal. An appeal can cost as much or more in legal and court fees than just complying.

The only cases in which there were serious legal consequences that I have any experiences with both ended badly. Both involved much more serious problems, with building violations of a dangerous condition, and both ended with the building being condemned and bulldozed. Each was seriously structurally deficient and had multiple code violations. While your situation may not be like these, you should consult an attorney about your options, since resisting compliance changes from a building permit to a legal matter.

In most jurisdictions, when you make changes to the house that no longer match the plans, the building department may only ask for a letter from the design professional, as I recently mentioned in an earlier column. That would be a lie if you made so many changes or the changes were significant. I’ve often dealt with situations in which the owner and contractor made changes that moved the load-bearing walls off of the structural load path, and now the second floor is bowing. That type of change is significant, and could lead to irritating cracking that will not go away no matter how many times repairs are made.

Changes without communication are a bad idea. Your officials are trying, indirectly, to confirm safety and code compliance. Good luck!

AT & T CELL PHONE: New in box with all accessories. $95. 516-486-7941

BASSETT GIRL'S 4 piece bedroom set w/ mirror. Merrick. Text for photos. $90 516-306-9131

CHICKEN WIRE 50 ft long 3 ft high coated $30.00 516-872-8486

CRYSTAL STEMWARE: WATER, Wine, Champagne. 6 of each, Brand New in Original Boxes. $89, 516-225-9191

HEAD BOARD, KING size, wrought iron, Beautiful (Macy's) Mint, impeccable. $99 516-225-9191

HOOVER RUG SHAMPOO Machine with all Attachments, and Cleaning Supplies. $85 LIke New. 516-486-7941

JOOLA FOLDING PING pong table w/ paddles. Excellent cond. Merrick. $75 516-306-9131

WESTINGHOUSE ROKU 32" HD SMART TV, WR32HT2212. New, unopened. $65.00. (516)209-7970.

Cable/TV/Wiring

Cleaning Services

HOUSE CLEANING AVAILABLE 20 Years Exp. Excellent References Homes / Offices. Reliable. Affordable Rates. 516-776-0021.

Electricians

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

Exterminating

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Home Improvement

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076

Miscellaneous

GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391

Plumbing

PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. Family Plumbing. 516-599-1011.

Power Washing

POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. . ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641

Telephone Services

CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

Tree Services

FRANCISCO'S TREE SERVICE AND LANDSCAPING: Tree Removal, Stumps, Fertilization, Planting, Land Clearing, Topping. Free Estimates. Lic# H206773000. Office 516-546-4971, Cell 516-852-5415

Satellite/TV Equipment

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Health & Fitness

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719

Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-855-399-2582

HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060

Health Coverage

FREEDOMCARE. LET YOUR loved ones care for you and get paid! Paid by Medicaid. Choose family or friends as your paid caregiver. Check your eligibility today! Call FreedomCare now! 1-855-385-7556

Legal Services

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with

After

all the drama, it’s a dead heat

It seems as if barely a week goes by in the presidential campaign without one more otherwise once-in-adecade, totally unexpected event occurring.

Almost relegated to the background in all this tumult are the multitude of criminal charges brought against Donald Trump, including 34 felony convictions in one case alone, which have only increased his favorability ratings to their highest level ever.

For starters, there was the Biden-Trump CNN debate fiasco in late June, in which President Biden virtually self-destructed in real time before a nationwide audience. At times incoherent and appearing hopelessly confused, Biden had no sooner left the debate stage than Democratic Party leaders, consultants and media types displayed their own levels of incoherence in expressing their shock and dismay over how poorly Biden had performed and their fear of his impending defeat in November, especially contrasted with Trump’s relatively effective performance. Biden insisted he was going for-

ward, and conducted a media tour to rescue his terminally wounded candidacy.

While all this was taking place, Trump barely escaped death in Butler, Pennsylvania, when an attempted assassin’s bullet missed his skull by an inch, clipping his right ear and resulting in the iconic photo of his bloody defiance. Then there was the Republican Convention in Milwaukee, which, except for an overly long acceptance speech by Trump, worked to perfection. Trump’s path to victory seemed clear.

TThen, out of nowhere on a Sunday afternoon, Biden announced that he would not run for re-election. Though he had won the overwhelming majority of delegates to the impending Democratic National Convention, he couldn’t withstand the coordinated move against him from all sides of the Democratic Party, from the actor George Clooney to party leaders Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. Almost simultaneously with his withdrawal statement, Biden announced his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Though her favorability numbers had been lower than Biden’s, she unexpectedly surged into a dead heat with Trump. This was followed by a

Bigotry

With precious weeks to go before the November election, I had hoped that we would be having a real debate about the issues that should dominate in a federal election year. I refer to such things as election integrity, a woman’s right to choose, the economy and other relevant subjects in such a crucial year. But instead, it seems that for some of the candidates, the only issue is race.

When Vice President Kamala Harris became the nominee of the Democratic Party, I understood that her mixed-race history would be a boon to some bigots who considered her selection a chance to vent against all people of color. And with every passing day, we hear about some politician openly venting about her color. The chief culprit has been former President Donald Trump, who seizes every opportunity he can to stoke the culture wars.

carefully choreographed Democratic Convention in Chicago, at which Harris appeared to make headway by repositioning herself as a moderate, not the progressive she had always been.

rump can’t just criticize current policies, and Harris can’t just say she’s not Joe Biden.

Seemingly caught off guard by Harris’s emergence, Trump made a number of unforced errors, including saying he hadn’t known until recently that Harris was black. He was clearly off his game. Polls showed Harris with a slight but growing edge. This was followed by their debate, in which Harris was acknowledged to be the victor.

Yet in another surprise development, the postdebate polls not only showed almost no real gain by Harris, but also found increased voter doubts about her on gut issues like immigration and the economy. It was now a horse race, and both sides were gearing up for the stretch run.

Then again came the unexpected: another assassination attempt against Trump, this time while he was playing the fifth hole of his Mar-a-Lago golf course. For days the media focused on this almost-tragedy. How did the Secret Service allow the would-be assassin to get so close to Trump so soon after the attempt in Butler in July? How much

did incendiary rhetoric contribute to this political violence?

This tumultuous, unprecedented 2024 campaign is now in its final six weeks, and is back where it started in earnest almost a year ago. Despite all that has happened along the way, the polls show the race is too close to call. Hopefully the candidates and voters will use the time between now and Nov. 5 to focus on the issues.

Real people are hurt by high prices for groceries. It’s difficult for young people to obtain a mortgage to buy a home. Crime is real, and repeat offenders are back on the streets. Illegal immigration is rampant, and attacks by criminal gangs are increasing.

Overseas, Israel is fighting for its survival. The Russia-Ukraine war rages unabated, while China continues to expand its military and threaten its neighbors, particularly Taiwan and the Philippines.

Trump must do more than criticize current policies, and detail what measures he would take. Harris must do more than just say that she’s not Joe Biden. And all of us must live up to the responsibilities and challenges of living in a democracy.

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

must not dominate this election

One of his first shots in the current hate debate was his questioning of Harris’s race. At one of his campaign rallies, he asked if she really was Black. Eventually, when Trump found that this diatribe wasn’t catching on with his voters, he moved on to other highly sensitive racial areas.

TKeep in mind that he has often played the race card. One of his most memorable racist comments concerned the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Despite his continuous denials, there were multiple press stories that quoted him as saying there were “very fine people, on both sides.”

Their most recent target was the Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. It’s a fact that various groups that cross the border often seek to settle in places that other immigrants have chosen as their home.

he governor of Ohio and the mayor of Springfield have denied vile claims.

In order to keep the racial flames burning, both Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, have made immigration the focal point of their campaign. There is no doubt that the border issue has legitimacy, but the TrumpVance approach is to stoke the racial fires with claims that mental patients and convicts are invading the country. Neither man has come up with any proof that these claims are legitimate.

The Haitians in Springfield are in this country as part of a program that allows immigrants to seek asylum based on violence in their countries. That program was created by President Ronald Reagan, and has been honored by all subsequent presidents, with the exception of Trump. This same program allows in residents of Ukraine and Venezuela, whose countries are experiencing great turmoil. Trump and Vance continue to spread the lie that members of Springfield’s Haitian community are stealing people’s pets and eating them. Their claims have caused massive angst in that city, where schools and municipal activities have shut down. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, the mayor of Springfield and other city officials have vehemently denied that such activities have taken place, but the Trump-Vance meanness continues unabated. There is no doubt that Spring-

field is dealing with an influx of Haitians who are trying to find work there, but the false rumors continue.

Adding to the venom were remarks Vance made on the Sunday talk shows on Sept. 15. He was challenged for continuing to assert the false pet-eating claims. “If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do,” he told Dana Bash on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

The latest attempt to assassinate Trump should have resulted in his toning down the incendiary talk coming from him and his campaign team. But after a soft comment expressing his appreciation for the public’s support, he claimed that the Democrats were responsible for the assassination attempts “with their ugly rhetoric about me.” That kind of response can only bring about more toxic threats at a time when calm should be the byword.

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

lOri harWiTT

City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000

Fax: (516) 569-4942

OHeraLd editoriaL

Deadly Wild West in our backyard

ne year ago, the Herald published the editorial below, about a spate of reckless driving on the Southern State Parkway. Unfortunately, in light of the devastating news that a number of Long Island teens have lost their lives in several recent crashes, we are once again somberly reminded that reckless drivers put at risk not only their own lives, but also the lives of others. We recommend that local municipalities and law enforcement agencies schedule town halls to discuss how best to stem the tide of reckless driving on Long Island — from speeding to texting, and everything in between, whether on a parkway or a local street. In the meantime, we reprint our editorial from the Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2023, issue.

Drive a mere exit or two on any of Long Island’s main thoroughfares and you are sure to see at least one roadside shrine remembering the victim of a fatal car crash.

These memorials — already too commonplace — will only become more ubiquitous if nothing is done to stem the rising tide of dangerous drivers on these roads. In fact, just last week, sadly, Peninsula Boulevard was the site of two

Letters

The utilities thrive on environment-damaging fossil fuels

To the Editor:

As the country and the rest of the world have experienced another year of scorching heat waves, private, for-profit utility companies — which we rely on for our basic necessities, like heating, cooling and electricity — are keeping us reliant on climate-wrecking fossil fuels while reporting record profits. When they work well, utilities exist in the background of our lives: They power our homes, cool us down when it’s hot, and give us heat when it’s cold. But too often they are sources of aggravation: The power goes off when it’s dangerously hot or cold out, our bills skyrocket, and these for-profit companies threaten to shut off services when we’re unable to pay.

We know that climate change raises those stakes even higher, and utility companies themselves play a massive role in exacerbating the climate crisis: 80 percent of the electric utilities in the U.S. run on fossil fuels.

Shifting utilities to clean energy is integral to working toward a safer climate, but these companies would rather maintain the status quo and keep the public in the dark.

separate fatal accidents. On the same day.

We have all seen the tricked-out cars and motorcycles that zig and zag through traffic — exceeding the speed limit in spades — with no concern about repercussions from law enforcement or consequences for the lives of others.

That sickening feeling you get when your heart skips a beat, and you thank heaven to be alive, because yet another vehicle comes out of nowhere at 100 mph to cut you off, and then does the same thing to the next car? And the next? Too many of us Long Islanders know this feeling all too well.

Reckless (and noisy) drivers — threatening both public safety and community tranquility — are operating with impunity. And they know it.

Their cars are hard to miss, with their illegally modified mufflers that can be heard miles away at all hours of the day and night. Illegal license plate covers and fake temporary tags protect their callous disregard for law and order by making it impossible for anyone to identify them, including law enforcement tools like speed cameras. And their friends are now sometimes even setting up lawn chairs on the side of the high-

way to watch cars race in broad daylight — missing the irony that a crash victim’s memorial is often just over their shoulders.

More than 75 people lost their lives, and another 13,000 were injured, in nearly 37,000 traffic accidents in Nassau County last year. Those are unacceptable numbers.

It’s difficult to find law enforcement on these central thruways, especially on the Southern State Parkway — one of Nassau County’s deadliest roads — between the Cross Island Parkway and Heckscher State Park.

We need more, not less, patrolling of our roads. We need more, not less, enforcement of sensible laws already on the books. We need more, not less, coordination between state and local law enforcement. And we need more stringent laws and harsher penalties coming out of Albany so that we can make these reckless drivers as scared to continue these dangerous activities as we are to witness them.

We implore all jurisdictions to work together to rein in the scourge of irresponsible, dangerous and selfish drivers. Because even one more roadside shrine is one too many.

They are charging us more while they get paid off by the fossil fuel industry to block the transition to renewable energy. Utility companies have gotten away with profiting at the expense of people and our planet for too long. It’s time we hold them accountable and demand that they stop using

our money to burn our future while individuals and families struggle. We deserve an energy system that allows everyone to have access to clean and affordable energy.

LISA KONRAD Rockville Centre

A better idea than the original congestion pricing plan

Yes, I think we can all agree that New York City’s roads are too crowded, the air is too polluted, and a lot of money is needed to improve mass transit, but the plan to charge commuters $15 to enter manhattan — on top of the tolls they’re already paying — that was recently put on hold by Gov. Kathy Hochul isn’t the way to go. The additional expense wouldn’t affect the rich, but it would clobber the middle class and working poor, who are already overburdened by high taxes.

Proponents say that the plan would push commuters to take the train. Well, have you seen how much train tickets cost these days? From my village of Sea Cliff, a round-trip ticket to manhattan

is $29. And, of course, that fee doesn’t include parking. And for some folks, like my friend Charlotte Abelson, who owned an upholstery business and worked into her 80s, commuting daily into the city, it was not feasible for her to lug her wares onto the Long Island Rail Road.

And there are some communities that don’t have train service at all.

HThe original congestion pricing plan would create a staggering bureaucracy. Since it was announced, more than 130 groups have petitioned to be exempt or to be charged a reduced fare. (If their claims are accepted, who would make up the difference for revenue lost?). Small businesses and Broadway producers have testified that the plan would hurt. Companies have declared that they would send their trucks through Bronx neighborhoods to avoid paying the new tolls — which I am sure would not delight the people

Letters

Does the proposed Equal Rights Amendment go too far?

To the Editor:

After reading Sasha Ahuja’s letter (“Curran’s wrong about the ‘war on women,’” Sept. 5-11), in support of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment, which will be on New York ballots in November, I decided to ask Google to tell me exactly what the proposed constitutional amendment says. This is what I learned:

“No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed, or religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state pursuant to law.”

I’m wondering if the amendment might go too far or be too broad in its

living there.

But there is a solution: Instead of the original congestion pricing plan, let’s severely cut the price of a train ticket. I can testify from personal experience how this would be a success. I’ve always loved manhattan, but the cost to go into the city became too prohibitive, so I limited my jaunts to special occasions.

ow about drastically reducing the price of an LIRR ticket instead of hiking tolls?

But then, three years ago, I turned 65. While I wasn’t ecstatic about becoming a senior citizen, it did have a nice benefit: half-price tickets on the LIRR! So my old $29 ticket is now $14.50 — still a tad high, but much better. I go in to manhattan at least once a week now. And I’m helping the city’s economy: I see a show, I eat in a restaurant, I attend concerts and book signings. Indeed, since I’m going in more often than I did before, I’m adding more money to help rebuild mass transit.

And it seems that Governor Hochul likes my plan — though she might not realize it. Traffic around Kennedy Airport has gotten worse because of construction going on, so Hochul has cut the price of an AirTrain ticket in half, from $8.50 to $4.25, as a way to induce travelers to leave their vehicles at home and reduce the traffic around the airport. And it’s working. Way to go, Governor!

So let’s extend this idea to the railroad: Dramatically cut the price of an LIRR ticket. Commuters would leave their cars at home, traffic entering the city would be reduced, air pollution would decrease, and there would be lots of revenue to improve mass transit. A win-win for everyone.

Saul Schachter is a retired social studies teacher and freelance writer whose essays have appeared in Newsday, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and The Miami Herald as well as in a 2020 collection entitled, “Why Does My Social Life Pick Up When I Leave the Country?”

Framework courtesy Peter Moran

scope. Adding anything to the Constitution is a very big deal, since changing our minds after the fact may be very difficult in practice. Voters need to understand the complexities before casting a vote.

Personally, I’d have no issue with the amendment if it granted equal rights and equal protection to everyone regardless of “race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed, or religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression” — but it doesn’t stop there. The final clause gives women an unlimited right to abortion on demand, regardless of the stage of gestation.

While many argued for or against the removal of “reproductive freedom” as guaranteed by Roe v. Wade, most would agree that abortion has been a hotly debated topic. As such, I do not feel it should be part of a bigger amendment like Prop 1. Instead, let’s get Prop 1 passed without its final clause, and then allow ample discussion time before trying to get a separate amendment passed that deals exclusively with whether a woman’s “right to privacy” trumps the right to life of the unborn, and if so, when?

PAm SINGER

Malverne

Soaking in the Secret Lagoon hot springs — Fludir, Iceland

saUL

sCHaCHter