Melissa Berman/Herald Men from the Hewlett community and Rabbi Nochem Tenenboim, right, took the Torah scrolls out of the ark to parade them around the room, in celebration of Simchat Torah.
Torah readings concluded, Chabad celebrates with dance
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
Simchat Torah, the Jewish holiday commemorating the conclusion and restart of the annual Torah reading cycle, is celebrated with dancing, music and festive food.
This year, the holiday fell on Oct. 24, the same day as the Hebrew anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel.
The Chabad of Hewlett held a community Simchat Torah celebration that day in honor of the rejoicing of the Torah.
There was a children’s Hakafot party — when the Torah scrolls are removed from the ark and paraded around while people sing and dance — at 6 p.m., and a community celebration at 7 p.m.
The celebration featured merchandise and flags with the phrase Am Yisrael Chai — which means “The people of Israel live” — along with a buffet dinner, music from the boys from Israel Choir and an open bar.
“It is a very beautiful holiday to celebrate the Torah, the absolute holiday of Am Yisrael Chai,” Rivkah Tenenboim said. “All are welcome to dance with the Torah, no matter how learned you are.”
Tenenboim invited all women in attendance to make L’Chaim — a toast to something better in life.
For Adi Carucci of Hewlett, the evening meant more than honoring the Torah and celebration.
“I’m here to spread Jewish pride and Jew-
From influencer to commissioner
Hewlett’s Emily Austin joins Nassau County Bridge Authority
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
Emily Austin, a social media influencer from Hewlett Harbor, was appointed the newest commissioner of the Nassau County Bridge Authority on Oct. 22. Austin, 23, joins four other commissioners, and will serve as an unpaid volunteer for five years. The board has monthly meetings, and she will attend her first one in December.
From taking part in the Miss New York competition to marketing her own skin care brand, People’s Beauty, Austin has experience in various industries, she said. A 2019 graduate of North Shore Hebrew Academy, she attended Hofstra University, where she studied journalism, and landed an internship at the United Nations. After dropping out of Hofstra, she earned a liberal
arts degree from Touro University in 2023.
She became known on social media in 2019, when she competed in Miss New York, before serving as a judge for the 2022 Miss Universe competition, in New Orleans.
want to use my platform to make sure there’s open communication between the residents and the board, and really utilize technology as much as I can to have dialogue within the community.
EMILy AuStIN Commissioner, Nassau County Bridge Authority
When her father, Ron Austin, ran for mayor of Hewlett Harbor in 2020, Emily served as his chief of staff. Austin lost to Mayor Mark Weiss. As she became more involved in the community, Emily Austin attended political events hosted by U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. A member of Chabad of Hewlett, she attends High Holiday events and speaks on religious issues.
“I always made it clear that one day I know I have a future
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Scouting expands in Lawrence schools
By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com
The Scouts are back in Lawrence schools!
Scoutreach, a program started by the Theodore Roosevelt Council in Massapequa, has been a staple of Lawrence Primary School’s activity offerings for years, and now Lawrence Elementary School students can participate too.
“The Scoutreach program reaches youth of various backgrounds, cultures and languages, living in underserved communities,” a representative from Theodore Roosevelt Council said in a news release. “Program goals include instilling stable personal values, encouraging a sense of family and community responsibility, as well as developing a degree of self-reliance based on courage, initiative and resourcefulness.”
Pamela Makaea, leader of program serving boys and girls of Lawrence school, has been a Scoutreach leader since 2018. Her involvement started when her youngest son Carson Libbey joined Cub Scouts, and she now instructs alongside him and her other son Matthew Libbey.
“My favorite part of the program is sharing scouting with the children and seeing them get excited about the curriculum we’re presenting,” Makaea said. “Whether it’s about how to be safe
in the outdoors, science experiments, arts and crafts, the basic Bobcat requirement, or the many other subjects we provide, I love seeing them light up when they see and learn something new.”
Each grade level, some combined, meet a different day of the week from October to June to learn topics ranging from community involvement to first aid.
First graders on Mondays, second graders Tuesdays, third graders Wednesday and the new fourth and fifth grade sector meets on Thursdays at their respective schools.
Parents pay $10 for the nearly ninemonth session, where students learn about art, science, vocabulary and play games from the end of the school day until 5 p.m.
Zoe Suarez, a Lawrence Primary School third grader, is a return scout.
“I learned to always be kind and respectful to others (last year),” Suarez said.
Thiago Romero, a participative scout, leading the pack, said that his favorite part of Scoutreach, both last year and what he’s most excited to do again, are the art projects.
“I learned how to behave and how to be helpful and how to help other people make model cars,” Romero said.
At an Oct. 16 session of Scoutreach, instructors Victoria Simao and her son Michael Simao reviewed the Scout Law with about 30 students.
They were asked to try to define vocabulary outlining the core values of scouts, including words like brave, cheerful, clean, courteous, friendly, helpful, kind, loyal, obedient and reverent.
Next, the group played a game where students interlinked their arms, based on commonalities they shared, like their favorite color or food.
“What we’re trying to do is introduce you guys to each other, because you’re going to be spending every Wednesday with each other, here,” Makaea said to the students. “Make friends, get to know people, say hello when you’re in school.”
For more information or to get involved, email robert.wolff@scouting. org.
Remembering Kristallnacht, 86 years later
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
For 86 years, Jews around the globe have commemorated Kristallnacht — or the night of broken glass — by listening to stories from Holocaust survivors.
Kristallnacht remembers the Nazi attack on the Jewish people and their property in Germany and Austria, on Nov. 9 and 10 in 1938.
The name comes from the shards of broken glass that lined the streets from homes, Jewish-owned businesses and synagogues after the violence, which preluded the Holocaust.
Temple Israel of Lawrence is commemorating the anniversary of Kristallnacht with a complementary dinner and service, on Nov. 9.
Rachel Epstein, a Holocaust survivor, will share her life story.
“Raising awareness about the Holocaust and giving survivors a platform to share their voices is a crucial part of our Temple’s mission,” Rabbi Galina Makaveyev, of Temple Israel said.
Douglas Segan and his family sponsored the event, in honor of father, Ben Segan who was a U.S. Army World War II veteran that helped to liberate the Buchenwald Concentration Camp, on April 11, 1945.
Epstein grew up in Compiégne, north of Paris and hid out in the open by still attending school, during World War II.
According to Makaveyev, Epstein and
her brother were the only members of their immediate family to survive the Holocaust, thanks to the courage of a Christian family. Epstein immigrated to America in 1950 and has been speaking
about her experience to ensure the horrors of the Holocaust never happen again.
“This opportunity represents more than just sharing Mrs. Epstein’s story — her life experience becomes a source of
inspiration to all, and our support demonstrates our commitment to remembering, honoring, and carrying forward the legacy of resilience, faith, and the enduring strength of the Jewish people,” Makaveyev said.
The stories of holocaust survivors serve as a reminder to what happened in the past, and educate the younger generations, according to Segan.
“A lot of people don’t know the history of the Holocaust and why Jews around the world feel so strongly top have a safe homeland,” Douglas said. “To understand the psychology of the Israeli government, you have to study the Holocaust.”
Douglas said that his late parents thought these types of events had a special part in history.
“Even as my dad approached 90, he never forgot how emaciated the prisoners were and it stuck with him his whole life,” Douglas said. “Seeing the concentration camp prisoners at Buchenwald when they were liberated stuck with him his whole life.”
Douglas knows that if his parents were alive, they would be proud of his contribution to the evening, he said.
“I think it’s important for everyone to learn about the events that transpired in Germany prior to the Holocaust and World War II,” Douglas said. “50 million people died in World War II, including six million Jews.”
To register for this event, contact Temple Israel of Lawrence at (516) 239-1140.
Courtesy Douglas Segan
Judy, left, and Ben Segan in the 1940s. Ben was a U.S. Army World War II veteran and helped liberate the Buchenwald Concentration Camp, on April 11, 1945.
Parker Schug/Herald
Matthew Guerra, left, Thiago Romero and Zoe Suarez are part of the Scoutreach program at Lawrence Primary School, which meets every Wednesday after school.
Hewlett-Woodmere Yankees cheer on the professionals
Hewlett- Woodmere Little League got a taste of the majors on Sept. 24.
little league said. “Going with our team to see the New York Yankees and especially watch Judge hit one of his homers is something we will never forget.”
The intermediate Yankees from the Five Towns athletic organization, attended the New York Yankee vs. Baltimore Orioles game with their families, sporting signs rooting on their favorite players.
Aaron Judge, outfielder for the Yankees, hit his 56th home run in the evening event.
“Their captain, Aaron Judge, is a great role model to kids both on and off the baseball field,” Joe Petraro of the
The Hewlett-Woodmere athletes are cheering on the Yankees from afar, in the World Series against the Lost Angeles Dodgers.
“I think it’s well deserved because the Yankees haven’t been to the World Series in 15 years and they worked really hard to get there,” Maxwell Montero little leaguer said.
— Parker Schug
Christmas ornament fundraiser to benefit ‘Shop with a Cop’
The Hewlett Business Association is hosting a Christmas ornament fundraiser to benefit the Fifth Annual Michael Geraldi-Ray Abear Shop with a Cop event.
The fundraiser runs from Oct. 20 - Nov. 18, and ornaments are $4 each.
Shop with a Cop, hosted by Project Thank A Cop, allows pediatric patients from NYU Langone Mineola Hospital to go on a sponsored shopping spree at Matty’s Toy Stop in Hewlett. This year’s event is scheduled for Dec. 7.
All ornaments purchased will decorate the Hewlett Christmas tree at Vet-
erans Plaza.
To buy ornaments, send an email to santashelpers481@gmail.com. Payment can be made via venmo to @Brian-Goldstein-17.
Buyers have an option to add their name to the ornaments.
Barry V. Goldstein & Assoc. LLC Insurance and Financial Services donated the ornaments.
Join the HWBA for the Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. at Veterans Plaza.
— Melissa Berman
Courtesy Annie Petraro
Joseph Petraro was thrilled to see his role model, Aaron Judge, hit his 56th home run during the Yankees vs. Orioles game on Sept. 24.
Five Towns organization keeps the World Series green
Syd Mandelbaum, founder of Rock and Wrap It Up! a Cedarhurst based anti-poverty think tank secure volunteers a spot in the 100s section of Yankee Stadium to watch the third World Series game between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers while keeping things clean.
The Green Team, coordinated by WM, a waste management and recycling company and Mandelbaum, ensured that cans and bottles were recycled, instead of being thrown away or tossed underneath ballpark seats.
Mandelbaum had the opportunity to bring 25 to 30 volunteers to each New York based World Series game, to help out during the 2024 season. Each volunteer received a Major League Baseball green hat, a World Series green t-shirt and a green bag and vest to wear while collecting cans and bottles.
As of press time, the Yankees are down 3-0 in the series.
The Rock and Wrap It Up! volunteers, including Nassau County community members, first responders and veterans will return to game four and potentially five, if the Yankees advance, to continue their cleanly efforts.
— Parker Schug
Parker Schug/Herald
Frank Alesia, left, Anthony Alesia, Barry Slovinsky, Syd Mandelbaum, Pat Alesia, Mike Felix and Karl Kirchner were part of the Green Team at the New York Yankees World Series game on Oct. 28.
MYLES MUNRO
Seaford Senior Cross-country
MUNRO PLACED FIFTH in the Nassau County cross-country championships last fall and will look to top that performance at Bethpage State Park Nov. 2. He went on to earn All-State honors in 2023 as a Top 20 finisher in the state and posted a best 5k time of 15-minutes, 43-seconds. He’s three-time All-County in cross-country and as a junior competed in the state track and field championships in the 3200 and 1600 meter events.
GAMES TO WATCH
Friday, Nov. 1
Football: Manhasset at Kennedy 2 p.m.
Football: Oceanside at Port Washington 5:30 p.m.
Football: Division at Hewlett 6 p.m.
Football: West Hempstead at East Rockaway 6:30 p.m.
Football: Locust Valley at Plainedge 6:30 p.m.
Football: Syosset at Massapequa 6:30 p.m.
Football: Lynbrook at Bethpage 7 p.m.
Football: V.S. South at Malverne 7 p.m.
Football: Wantagh at C.S. Harbor 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Cross-Country: Nassau County Class I, II and III championships at Bethpage State Park 10 a.m.
Football: Calhoun at Carey 11 a.m.
Football: Jericho at Sewanhaka 11 a.m.
Football: Island Trees at Lawrence 11 a.m.
Football: MacArthur at Baldwin 2 p.m.
Football: Long Beach at Mepham 2 p.m.
Football: Seaford at North Shore 2 p.m.
Football: South Side at Floral Park 3 p.m.
Football: Elmont at Clarke 3 p.m.
Football: Mineola at V.S, North 3 p.m.
Football: Uniondale at Freepprt 3 p.m.
Football: Westbury 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.
Hewlett tops Long Beach in PKs
By TONY BELLISSIMO sports@liherald.com
Long Beach was a Cinderella story in last year’s Nassau Class AA boys’ soccer playoffs, reaching the semifinal stage following a thrilling penalty kick win over Great Neck North and a stunning upset of South Side.
The Marines were hoping for more October magic this fall but were denied by Hewlett in another wild shootout following 110 minutes of a 1-1 stalemate Oct. 18. The No. 12 Bulldogs advanced with an 8-7 edge in penalty kicks as sophomore Sebastian Mendoza-Reyes netted the eventual winner following a save by senior Matthew Fridburg on what would be Long Beach’s final shooter.
“It was definitely the craziest game I’ve been a part of and the longest PKs I’ve ever been a part of,” Hewlett coach Jesse Corben said. “It was really exciting. I felt we had more opportunities than they did before we went to PKs. Long Beach has two really strong players up front. They caught us on a quick counter attack for their only goal.”
The Marines (6-3-6) struck first midway through the first half on a goal by Ryder Heitefuss. The Bulldogs (8-7-1) tied it 10 minutes later when senior Brandon Fridburg, their leading scorer with more than 20 points, found a loose ball off a corner kick by junior Eden Glazer and knocked it home.
“It was a hot day and both teams were running out of gas,” Corben said. “You could see it in all the kids’ faces but they just kept battling. Both teams deserve a lot of credit. These kids are used to playing at 5 p.m. This was a 1 o’clock start on a warm day on the turf.”
Hewlett didn’t miss any of its eight PKs. Both goalkeepers, Matthew Fridburg and Long Beach senior Jayden Zarco, were chosen as the fourth shooters by their respective coaches and scored against each other. Heitefuss, Nick Amantea, Gavin O’Grady, Braeden Konop, Hector Melgar and Logan Jennings also scored in PKs for the Marines.
“We really competed all season,” Long Beach coach Leo Palacio said. “With PKs,
Goalkeeper Matthew Fridburg allowed only one goal in 110 minutes of play and scored one of Hewlett’s eight penalty kicks Oct. 18 versus Long Beach.
it’s great when you win and tough when you lose. We’ve been on both sides.”
The Bulldogs were battle-tested by conference rivals Garden City, Manhasset and South Side but there is no OT or PKs during the regular season.
“I knew who was going to kick for us if it went as far as nine,” Corben
explained. “If it went beyond that, I would’ve had to figure it out on the fly. Fortunately we only needed eight.”
Aside from Mendoza-Reyes, every Hewlett PK shooter is a senior: Yeriel Miller, both Fridburgs, Raz Vaknine, Kfir Halfon, Anthony Melnick and Lucas Munoz.
Brian Ballweg/Herald
Dancing in Hewlett, while a war rages on
ish love, by creating awareness for the community within the neighborhood,” Carucci said.
She helped Rabbi Nochem Tenenboim by gathering girls to start dancing, and made sure everyone had a smile on their face, Carucci said.
“Simchat Torah is extremely important,” Carucci said. “It means everything to me to be able to come together as a community and be able to strive
and show no matter what we are going through, to show our pride, and we are going to survive.”
Carucci was honoring the lives lost at the Nova Festival, which Hamas attacked first on Oct. 7, 2023, by dancing and encouraging others to be a part of the celebration.
“The holiday is about dancing, and it’s so important, given that the Nova festival was all about love and dancing,” Carucci said. “So we are going to dance
and show pride, love and be happy to be Jewish. We still remember those that we lost and continue to lose. Like we always do, we will strive to come back bigger and stronger than ever.”
Hewlett High School juniors Joseph Kogan and Jacob Yamen also joined the celebration.
“I feel very holy and happy when we come together and I’m able to express my Judaism, along with my friends as a group that I feel comfortable in,” Kogan said.
Yamen said he believes that family, community and celebrating the good, while the war in Israel rages on, is important.
“I always go to the Simchat Torah services with my parents,” Yamen said. “It’s especially important to go now, with everything that’s happened with Oct. 7.”
Kogan said he felt that taking part in the holiday gives the community strength.
“As we’ve seen recently in the news, there’s been a lot of difficulties in the state of Israel,” he said, “so coming together and showing our zeal, we can show that we’re not going to give up.”
Austin details her plans for the bridge authority
in political office,” Austin said, “but I just want to start small, and not take on more than I can handle.”
In September 2024, Blakeman told her about the opening on the bridge authority. He explained the importance of the bridge, its infrastructure and, she said, “how the community takes this very seriously.” She studied documents on the bridge’s history.
“I took a week or two to study the papers, and told the county executive that if you nominate me, I will take this responsibility seriously,” she said.
Having experienced Hurricane Sandy at age 12, and knowing the damage the bridge sustained, helped Austin understand how devastating it was for the community, and how important the bridge remains.
“I learned that we’re the only bridge that doesn’t receive taxes, so that’s why we’re so dependent on the tolls that, sometimes, people get so upset about,” she said. “I had to learn the concerns of the community with the priorities of Nassau County.”
One of her strengths, Austin said, is problem-solving. “I want to use my platform to make sure there’s open communication between the residents and the board, and really utilize technology as much as I can to have dialogue within the community,” she said. “Just bring a little bit of a young Gen-Z aspect to it —
we’re the technology gurus. If I can make sure everyone’s voice is heard through what’s easiest, social media, anything technological, then, I’ll be the one to do that.”
Blakeman nominated Austin to be a
commissioner at an Oct. 6 ceremony in Cedarhurst marking the anniversary of Hamas’s attacks on Israel.
“Emily Austin is deeply committed to Nassau County,” Blakeman wrote in a statement, “and has demonstrated
through her advocacy, especially on social media, that she is a serious and professional individual who will contribute greatly to the continued success of the Nassau County Bridge Authority.”
Courtesy Emily Austin Hewlett Harbor resident Emily Austin is a new commissioner of the Nassau County Bridge Authority.
Jeff Bessen/Herald Austin spoke about defending Israel at a rally to support the Jewish state on Oct. 6 at Andrew J. Parise Park in Cedarhurst.
Melissa Berman/Herald
At the Chabad of Hewlett Simchat Torah celebration, women danced and cheered as the Torah was paraded around the room.
Melissa Berman/Herald Male students from Hewlett High School went to the stage to celebrate Simchat Torah with Rabbi Nochem Tenenboim on Oct. 24.
Celebrating Sukkot with a festive fair
The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC in partnership with Community Chest South Shore, hosted the annual Succos Fair at Andrew J. Parise Park, in Cedarhurst.
Sukkot, commemorates the exodus from Egypt and Jews build Sukkah’s to represent the huts where the Israelites lived for 40 years, in the desert. It started on Oct. 16 and is eight days long. The fair was from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 20, 21 and 22.
“The annual Five Towns Community Succos Fair this past week was a wonderful success,” Cal Nathan, Community Chest South Shore president
wrote in an email. “Thousands of local residents enjoyed beautiful weather and great family friendly musical entertainment along with food, rides, and games. We look forward to continuing to partner with the Gural JCC on future events and programs to make a positive impact within our community.”
The fair featured activities, carnival rides, a petting zoo and games. Attendees indulged in cotton candy, kosher food and popcorn.
There were musical performances from Chicago Boyz, Uri Davidi and NACHAS.
Alice Moreno/Herald Photos
Carnival games, food and prizes we in abundance, entertaining community members at the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC Succos Fair.
Yahir Herman, middle left and Dakota Gevertzman, middle right, competed for prizes like pet goldfish at the Succos Fair in Cedarhurst.
Five Towns children rode ‘The Pirates Revenge,’ as part of the Succos Fair at Andrew J. Parise Park in Cedarhurst.
Kids feed farm animals in Andrew J. Parise Park, among other activities during the three-day event.
Cedarhurst village was booming with family fun in mid-October for the annual Succos Fair. Bentzion Gvir showed off his skills.
Family fun at LWA Homecoming
Stephen Takacs/Herald Photos
Each fall, Lawrence Woodmere Academy celebrates school spirit as part of the lead up to the school’s annual Homecoming weekend in mid-October.
Last year the festivities were postponed until the spring due to the events of Oct. 7, 2023.
Students new and returning were eager to get back to the regular fall pro-
gram with a week filled with spirited fun, officials from LWA wrote in a news release.
All three divisions from Early Childhood through the Upper School students participated in a variety of themed outfit days, as well.
Homecoming weekend at the 336 Woodmere Blvd. school featured a
Free breast and cervical cancer screenings at EHS
Episcopal Health Services will offer free breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services at the EHS Clinical Learning Center and Margret O’Carpenter Women’s Center.
The increase in services comes after EHS received New York State Department of Health accreditation. Previously, these services were available only at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. According to EHS, the Cancer Services Program has screened and treated hun
dreds of individuals since its inception, demonstrating its effectiveness in early cancer detection and improving health outcomes. The diagnostic services include the enrollment of diagnosed patients into the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program for comprehensive care, identifying and treating multiple breast and cervical cancers and providing critical diagnostic services at no cost to uninsured patients.
— Melissa Berman
A nonprofit organization in Long Island, NY is seeking sealed bids for the sale and installation of security related enhancements. This project includes the installation of a CCTV system, Fixed Area Lighting, Vehicle Mitigation Barriers, Impact Resistant Gates, and a Public Notification Warning System. Selection criteria will be based on price, reputation/experience, and quality of materials proposed. Specifications and bid requirements can be obtained by contacting us at myplantersproject@gmail.com. All interested firms will be required to sign for the proposal documents and provide primary contact, telephone, fax and email address. Bids will be accepted until 12 pm November 14, 2024. Work is to commence by November 27, 2024 and completed by January 31, 2025. Minority and Women Owned Businesses are Encouraged to Apply.
bounce house, ice cream, lawn games, a petting zoo and slides. Families ate burgers, candy and pizza at the Oct. 19 all-day event.
“Spirit week and Homecoming are an amazing opportunity to celebrate the wonderful community that Lawrence Woodmere Academy continues to build,” said Head of School Mr. Hank Williams.
“We honor the traditions of the past while building and expanding on that legacy through new events such as the student vs. faculty Volleyball game as well as the Basketball exhibition on Homecoming Saturday. It is also heartwarming to see our Alumni return for the reception to revisit their home at LWA.” — Parker Schug
Contemplations on Death
As estate planning lawyers, we experience the lives — and deaths — of a great many of our clients. Being exposed to death on a regular basis prevents us from “sleepwalking” through life and fosters a keen awareness of our being alive.
“In our Western culture, although death has come out of the closet, it is still not openly experienced or discussed. Allowing dying to be so intensely present enriches both the preciousness of each moment and our detachment from it.”
— Ram Dass
“If we’re not reflecting on the impermanent nature of life, then there are a lot of unimportant things that seem important.”
— Allison Choying Zangmo
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.”
— Steve Jobs
“Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what’s left and live it properly.”
— Marcus Aurelius
”We drift on a chartless, resistless sea. Let us sing while we can, and forget the rest.”
— H. P. Lovecraft
“Death is not waiting for us at the end of a long road. Death is always with us, in the marrow of every passing moment. She is the secret teacher hiding in plain sight, helping us to discover what matters most.”
— Frank Ostaseski
“Never mind. Never mind. In this brief life, one cannot always be counting the cost.”
— Christopher Isherwood
Oddly enough, contemplating death may be one of the most life-affirming experiences one can have.
Ina Weber, left, Dax Weber, Cole Weber and Jarrod Weber took part in the family fun at the Lawrence Woodmere Academy Homecoming on Oct. 19.
Mr. Odeyale, left, Lawson Odeyale, Joliann Shaw and Stella Shaw did arts and crafts at the weekend Homcoming celebration at LWA on Oct. 19.
L.I. schools threatened by Project 2025
By JENNA ZAZA & LORI SAXENA Special to the Herald
Project 2025’s agenda to restructure the government extends beyond the Fed and into education, proposing to completely eliminate the Department of Education. This is a contentious move that could have profound repercussions for public education on Long Island.
The DOE plays a significant role in supporting local education by providing funding to high-poverty schools and increasing programs designed to protect and serve vulnerable students, such as those with disabilities or in the LGBTQ+ community.
Eliminating the department means drastically reducing federal funding streams and eventually phasing out Title I, a federal program that provides financial assistance to schools with a high percentage of low-income students, according to a Chalkbeat report. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news organization focused on education issues.
Title I aims to ensure all children, regardless of socio-economic status, meet state academic standards by funding programs like after-school tutoring and teacher development. Schools can operate schoolwide improvement initiatives if they meet certain thresholds of low-income students.
“When you eliminate funding, the things that get cut are teacher salaries, teachers get laid off, class sizes get bigger, and you have less counseling services, less paraprofessional services ... all of that is eliminated when you don’t have Title I funding,” Jillian Gaeta, co-founder of the organization Roots to Revolution and a New York City public school teacher, said.
Nearly half of Suffolk County’s total public school enrollment is economically disadvantaged students at 44 percent, in Nassau County it is 32 percent, according to the State Education Department. Districts such as Huntington, Central Islip and Brentwood 63 percent, 66 and 88, of the students are from low-income households, respectively, according to state statistics.
Project 2025 also proposes to reduce eligibility for federally funded meal programs.
Funding impact
The potential rollback of programs like the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program under Project 2025 could exacerbate the lack of access to food on Long Island. In recent years, the number of food-insecure individuals on the island has surged, increasing by 58.3 percent since 2021, with an estimated 65,000 children affected, according to a Long Island Cares report.
Over 60 percent of students in lower-income districts like Brentwood and Hempstead qualify for free lunch and breakfast, indicating a substantial reliance on federal aid programs, according to Meals Count data. Meanwhile, wealthier districts like Jericho and Great Neck in Nassau County, where less than 10 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, would be less affected by federal cuts, according to state data.
“In the schools that I’ve worked in, 80 percent of students were receiving free and reduced lunch,” Gaeta said. “If you take away that ability, you now have 80 percent of your kids hungry. You can’t educate those kids; they’re struggling because all they’re focusing on is how their bellies aren’t full.”
Long Island is also seeing a surge in school lunch debt, according to a Healthy School Meals for All report. The Lindenhurst school district reported nearly $50,000 in unpaid school lunch fees and South Huntington said meal debt doubled from $20,000 after the pandemic. Wealthy districts often benefit from higher property tax revenues, which can be used to supplement educational programs. Low-income districts typically struggle with limited funding and resources, making it challenging to provide basic services, let alone additional support for meal programs.
But it’s not just lunch — early childhood education
programs are also on the chopping block under Project 2025.
Whither Head Start?
Head Start is a federal initiative that promotes school readiness for young children from low-income families. It serves children aged 3 to 5, focusing on cognitive, social, and emotional development alongside health screenings and nutritious meals. The program is critical in preparing disadvantaged children for elementary school and fostering long-term academic success.
“Early education programs ... are foundational for a child’s ability to thrive in school, and also for their economic security, that they are able to read and write and develop those skills at an early age,” Gaeta said.
In Nassau County, the availability of Head Start programs is concentrated in districts with higher rates of low-income families. Out of eight Head Start locations, many are in areas with higher child poverty rates.
The Head Start programs in Hempstead, Freeport and Roosevelt illustrate this trend. Hempstead, with a child poverty rate of nearly 21 percent, and Roosevelt, where nearly 17 percent of children live in poverty, highlights communities that heavily rely on these educational resources. Freeport, with around 14 percent of children living in poverty, further emphasizes the critical need for support in these districts. The figures are based on Census Bureau data.
Child poverty rates in Westbury (14 percent), Lawrence (10 percent), and Long Beach (6 percent) demonstrate a varied landscape where families may still benefit from Head Start programs, although the urgency may differ.
More affluent districts like Garden City, Syosset, and East Williston, which report child poverty rates of less than 5 percent, do not have any Head Start locations. Wealthier families often have access to private preschools and other early childhood programs.
Title IX fallout
Another proposal of Project 2025 includes a rollback of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, including sports.
“Title IX, which allows girls to play sports and opens up opportunities for young girls, is also supported and protected by the federal government,” Gaeta said. “So if you eliminate the Federal Department of Education, you’re eliminating all those benefits that our kids need to have successful schools.”
Rolling back Title IX could also disproportionately
impact non-binary and transgender students as the project aims to “define ‘sex’ under Title IX to mean only biological sex.”
“Long Island is already seeing pieces of Project 2025 being enacted,” Kiana Abbady, board chair of Long Island Progressive Coalition, said. “[Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman] already passed a transban, where individuals cannot play sports if they identify as transgender.”
In Nassau County 10 school districts — Island Park, Jericho, Lawrence, Locust Valley, Long Beach, Mineola, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Oyster Bay and Port Washington — are set to lose funding, based on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2025 executive budget.
“If any parts of Project 2025 are enacted, we will see large swaths of Long Island’s communities, predominantly black and brown, predominantly working class, lose significant funding for public schools,” Abbady said. “We already see that. ”
Extracurricular activities, such as sports, are typically the first to be cut when schools experience dips in funding, and this could have adverse effects on students. Research indicates that participation in sports is linked to numerous benefits for both girls and transgender youth, including improved academic performance, higher self-esteem, and greater overall well-being.
In underfunded districts, girls often have 1.3 million fewer opportunities than boys to engage in athletic programs, according to the National Women’s Law Center. Exclusionary policies for trans youth like Nassau County’s Legislature and Project 2025 Title IX reforms could exacerbate rates of depression, school absenteeism and suicide in trans students, which are already significantly higher than for cis-gender students.
Without the federal enforcement of Title IX and adequate funding, the gap in opportunities between wellfunded and underfunded schools could widen, leaving many girls and LGBTQ youth without access to the necessary resources for their athletic and educational advancement.
Gaeta said this is ultimately the goal of Project 2025.
“It is designed to benefit wealthy, wealthy white men,” she said. “All of the projects, all the policies in Project 2025, will hurt low-income families, will hurt middle-class families, will hurt women and girls, will hurt LGBTQ families, will hurt people of color. It is designed that way.”
Jenna Zaza and Lori Saxena are reporters with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
Courtesy George Giokas
A portion of Project 2025 aims to roll back progress made on programs and laws that are designed to protect and serve vulnerable people such as the LGBTQ community.
Ari Brown is Fighting Hate & Keeping Us Safe!
“Ari” Brown is ghting hate and keeping our communities safe. In fact, he has sponsored legislation aimed at stopping hate and prosecuting terrorists and other criminals.
Sponsoring legislation that defunds colleges that allow anti-Semitic and other terrorist demonstrators to run rampant, harassing and terrorizing students.
Working to expand the number of o enses that can be prosecuted as hate crimes.
Supporting legislation to enhance police resources in order to keep our neighborhoods safer.
Fighting to x the broken “cashless bail” laws.
Vote by Absentee Ballot
Be prepared: An app that lets you report and track power outages.
Power outages are a reality, especially during a storm or other weather events. One of the most frustrating issues can be not knowing when power will be restored.
The good news is that, for PSEG Long Island customers, a power outage doesn’t have to leave you completely in the dark. That’s because the Long Island company created a free Outage Tracker, accessible from any smartphone or mobile-enabled device on our mobile app.
PSEG Long Island used customer feedback from J.D. Power surveys, research, and focus groups to help them design the app.
“Our intention is to reduce the stress and anxiety of an outage by enabling customers to closely track the progress of their restoration, all within the free, convenient PSEG Long Island mobile app,” says Larry Torres, Sr. Director, Emergency Preparedness and Logistics.
It’s as easy to use as it is to download. And once it’s installed on your device, if you have a power outage, you have access to report outages and track updates.
As PSEG Long Island begins the restoration process, you receive notifications on the Outage Tracker. These show everything from confirmation that your outage report was received, to damage assessments, to repair alerts and an estimate of when power will be restored.
“The sooner we know about specific outages, the quicker we can react and restore power,” says Michael Presti, Director, Customer Experience and Marketing.
The PSEG Long Island Outage Tracker provides customers with:
Accessibility: Even if someone loses power, they can access the Outage Tracker on their mobile device as long as they have cell service. However, they need to download it before an event to ensure they’re prepared.
Reporting capability: Customers can report partial or full power outages. In the case of downed lines, the app provides a phone number to call. This immediate reporting helps PSEG Long Island respond more efficiently to restore service.
Year-round reliability: Because outages can sometimes occur even when the weather is not a contributing factor, the Outage Tracker helps people stay connected and able to report issues at any time.
We live in a world where we have more information at our fingertips than ever before. It just follows that having some control and knowledge about power outages is critical to our peace of mind and ability to plan, be heard, and feel safe. So be prepared, and learn more about the free PSEG Long Island mobile app at psegliny.com/app.
Photo by Tony Lopez.
Photo by Fotostorm via Getty Images.
A power outage doesn’t have to leave you feeling powerless. Be prepared. Download our free mobile app with Outage Tracker. You can report outages and track restoration progress. Because knowing is power.
Seeking federal money for road projects
By Carolyn James cjames@liherald.com
With partisan politics in high gear less than two weeks before Election Day, Long Island politicians — Republicans and Democrats — gathered in a bipartisan show of support for an effort to bring more federal funding for road and infrastructure projects to Nassau and Suffolk counties.
“This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue — it is a state and federal issue,” U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi said at a news conference on Oct. 23 at the Long Island Welcome Center on the Long Island Expressway in Dix Hills. “It is about government, labor, business and people and everyone, regardless of party. It is about coming together,” Suozzi added, with the roar of traffic along the expressway providing an appropriate backdrop.
The gathering of politicians, business and labor representatives
was to support a bill in the State Legislature, sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Stern and State Sen. Monica Martinez, that would create a mechanism for Long Island to apply directly for federal transportation dollars. As things stand now, the state must apply to the federal government for infrastructure funding through the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, which includes not only Long Island, but also New York City as well as Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties. Under the proposed legislation, Long Island would create its own Metropolitan Planning Organization to address its infrastructure needs specifically, officials said.
The need for this autonomy became abundantly clear to Long Island lawmakers several years ago. Under the current NYMTC guidelines, Long Island was slated to receive 23 percent of federal funding allocated to the state. That
figure dropped to 1 percent, or $300 million, this year. And according to officials, almost all of that will be spent on renovations to electric signs along local highways, and road repairs. It allows for practically nothing for expansive work or new projects.
Some of those projects were outlined by Marc Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Contractors Association. They include work to reconfigure the Oakdale merge, where Sunrise and Montauk highways converge; the intersection of the Meadowbrook and Southern State parkways; the expansion of Sagtikos Parkway to four lanes to make them safer; and work on the Southern State Parkway, which Herbst described as “blood alley.”
“How many more tragedies do we have to have along that roadway before we address those issues and others?” he said.
“This is more important than
party,” State Sen. Jack Martins said. “It is not about politics; it is about our communities, our homes, our residents — and fairness.”
“This is not an adversarial issue,” Herbst added, pointing to the need for Long Island to have an independent voice when vying for federal funding.
“Long Island is a place unlike any other, and with that distinction comes the reality that we have unique needs,” Martinez said. “Our infrastructure and transportation systems must be as bold and resilient as the people who call this region home in order to thrive in an ever-changing world.”
Adam Levine, executive director of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, said that he and the council understand that “Long Island officials want to get every federal dollar they can,” and that it recognizes the impacts of bureaucracy.
Laura Gillen: Independent Leadership for Long Island
Hewlett resident and Nassau County Judge Ira Raab dies at 89 LIRR
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
Ira Raab, longtime Nassau County Judge and Hewlett resident, died on Oct. 4. He was 89.
He died after complications from a fall in his West Palm Beach, Florida home.
Ira was born in 1935 in New York City and grew up on the Lower East Side. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the City College of New York in 1955 and graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 1957. Ira was admitted into the New York State Bar Association in 1958.
He was elected as a Nassau County District Court Judge in 1996 and assumed office in 1997, before serving as the presiding judge of the district court in 2000. In 2001, he was elected as a state Supreme Court Justice, serving until 2003.
“My dad was probably the most efficient judge that sat, he brought parties together,” said Michael Raab, his son.
Ira was well known and respected around Long Island.
Nassau County Administrative Judge Vito DeStefano praised Ira’s dedication.
“After leaving the bench, he continued to work as a dedicated attorney, mediator and arbitrator. Justice Raab was a valued friend, attorney, judge and member of the court family, he will be sorely missed.”
Ira was an active Democrat and officer of the American Judges Association.
Steven Weinstein, an attorney and childhood friend of Michael, interned for Ira one summer.
“Raab was the kind of old school, throw-back to the old days general practice attorney, the jack-of-alltrades,” Weinstein said. “He handled criminal, worker’s comp, personal injuries and divorces, the whole gambit.”
According to Weinstein, it was a tremendous opportunity to work with him and go from one case to another.
“He was a good instructor, teacher, mentor, and a hardworking, dedicated lawyer to his clients, he worked too hard in my opinion,” Weinstein added.
“Ira was a genuine guy who really looked out for the little guy, and defended them to the very best off his abilities.”
“Justice Raab was a dedicated jurist who was widely known and respected for his tireless efforts to settle disputes,” DeStefano wrote in a statement.
He is survived by his wife Gloria and daughter Shelley English, along with his stepchildren Jennifer Basner, Joseph Carrara, Julia Carrara, Jill Adwar, Todd Adwar and his 18 grandchildren.
A funeral service was held at Gutterman’s Chapels in Rockville Centre, on Oct. 6.
The Long Island Rail Road announced service disruptions for two upcoming weekends as part of switch replacement work aimed at improving service reliability, according to Cedarhurst and Lawrence village.
Train service between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal will be suspended from 9 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Monday during the weekend of Nov. 8-11.
Service was suspended between the two stations at the same times during the Oct. 25 to 28 weekend, as well.
LIRR riders can use subway service as an alternative during the disruptions, the villages wrote in emails to residents.
Passengers can access six subway stations free by presenting LIRR tickets to booth agents:
— Sutphin Blvd.-Archer Ave.
— Broadway Junction
— Nostrand Ave., Lafayette Ave.
— Fulton St. (G train)
— Atlantic Ave.-Barclays Center
The final trains before the weekend suspension will depart Jamaica at 8:44 p.m. and Atlantic Terminal at 8:51 p.m. on the Fridays.
For more information on possible delays and suspensions, visit New.MTA. Info/Agency/Long-Island-Rail-Road.
— Parker Schug
Courtesy Michael Raab
Hewlett resident and Nassau County Judge, Ira Raab dies at 89.
Solages focuses on successes in the Assembly
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages has been a fixture in the Assembly for over a decade. At age 39, she is seeking her sixth term, and says she has the political courage and clout to tackle two of the hottest issues in this election season — the rising cost of living and increasing threats to Long Islanders’ quality of life.
“I’m a leading voice in making sure that we do right by New Yorkers,” Solages said, touting her track record of legislative wins this term.
“The price of health care is always going up,” she said. “I was able to pass legislation that creates a study on hospital pricing and how we can make it more affordable for the average New Yorker.”
The hospital pricing transparency bill, signed into law last year, mandates that the state create an annual report disclosing hospital prices and cost comparisons to keep those prices down.
Another one of Solages’s legislative efforts has centered on curbing the alarming number of infant deaths, especially among Black women who are new mothers.
“The governor signed my bill about expanding donor breast milk for New York state, especially for low-income families,” she said, citing cases of powdered baby formula tainted with a rare, though often deadly, bacterial infection
Tim Baker/Herald
Michaelle Solages is running for her sixth term in Albany, emphasizing her legislative achievements in health care affordability, maternal health and climate resilience.
in hospitals.
The Elmont Democrat has also been credited with spearheading the first paid leave law for pregnant women in the country, allowing them to take paid time off for pregnancy care.
While the jury is no longer out on the ravages of climate change, Solages says that if Albany moves to roll back its climate goals, she will continue to “fight
for infrastructure and resiliency money” to shield the 22nd District from the worst effects of increased flooding.
When Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed cut the annual funding for clean water infrastructure to $250 million per year from $500 million, Solages and her allies were “able to get that fully restored in the budget.”
“Clean water infrastructure is
entwined with flooding prevention, and we need to protect and harden our systems,” she said.
She has also been a leading supporter of Long Island Cares’ emergency food pantry in the heart of Valley Stream’s business district. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for so long, and it came about during Covid, when people were just struggling financially,” she said.
A large part of the cost-of-living crisis on Long Island is the shortage of affordable housing, driven by restrictive zoning regulations, inadequate infrastructure and strong local opposition to development. Solages’s proposed solutions were neither sweeping nor new: She recommended that stakeholders sharpen their focus on expanding affordable housing options in downtowns, where they can best be accommodated. She endorses a carrot rather than a stick approach to increasing Long Island’s languishing housing stock, by emphasizing incentive-based programs.
“We should be focused on making sure that we talk to the community leaders who are in charge of zoning and building,” she said, “and make sure they have the money to build housing.”
Ian Bergström says Albany has ‘lost its way’
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
Ian Bergström has a long history of answering the call to public service in ways big and small. The Nassau County deputy attorney, a lifelong Floral Park resident, has coached basketball for the Floral Park Indians Athletic Club, serves as an usher at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church, and is a proud member of the Knights of Columbus.
Now the 32-year-old Republican says his Assembly district demands new leadership to keep his community safe and thriving. He knows his path to victory is difficult. But he says his decision to step off the sidelines and into the political arena against five-time incumbent Michaelle Solages is not “based on ego,” but instead rooted in restoring a lost concern by Albany lawmakers for middle-class families.
State government, Bergström argues, has “lost its way.” A fog of laws, policies and financial decisions, he says, have been passed in recent years that seem out of touch with the well-being of Long Island households.
After the approval of a historic $239 billion state budget, fiscal hawks project a possible $7.25 billion deficit in the next three years. Bergström says that he is determined, if elected, to clamp down on Albany’s “irresponsible” runaway spending.
“By limiting state spending, you ensure that residents have enough discretionary income to purchase what’s needed,” he said.
Bergström argues that out-of-control spending worsens the cost-of-living crisis by taking hard-earned
Tim Baker/Herald
Ian Bergström, a Nassau County deputy attorney and a longtime Floral Park community leader, is challenging Solages in Assembly District 22, pledging to tackle state spending, overhaul cashless bail and address local traffic issues.
money from taxpayers already burdened with high property taxes. While he has a general sense of the budget areas he would like to see cut — funding allocated to the migrant crisis is at the top of his list — he
declined to share a specific fiscal plan without first conducting “an in-depth evaluation.”
On cashless bail reform, Democrats have called out Republicans’ ongoing criticism of the law as a political boogeyman aimed at persuading voters that they are soft on crime. Despite several rounds of revisions to the 2019 law — including measures giving judges greater discretion in preventing low-income people from facing pretrial detention for minor offenses — Bergström maintains that those concerns remain high.
“An amendment to the cashless bail legislation is necessary. Unfortunately, the law allows hardened criminals to be released from jail,” Bergström said, adding that lawmakers should work with law enforcement to rewrite the law, but he did not offer additional details.
As an Islanders season ticketholder, he hopes to make progress on an issue close to his heart — the frequent congestion on Hempstead Turnpike and the traffic-snarled streets around Elmont’s UBS arena.
“The traffic has become outrageous throughout the local neighborhoods and the nearby Cross Island Parkway,” Bergström said. “I believe that a lot of the dead space surrounding the Cross Island Parkway can be developed to increase parking accessibility as well as handling the traffic situation.”
He claims that the increased traffic has spilled over to affect residents’ quality of life. “Elmont is a quiet suburban community, but we have people parking in front of residential houses” and blocking driveways, he said. “People are unable to leave their houses during game nights and events. It’s an obvious concern.”
Party
Democratic
Republican
Conservative
Working Families
Common Sense
Presidential Electors for President (Vote for One)
Kamala Harris
Donald J. Trump
Donald J. Trump
Kamala Harris
Some Democrats are too far left.Some Republicans are too far right.But some candidates just make COMMON SENSE.
IN NASSAU COUNTY, THAT’S LAURA GILLEN FOR CONGRESS .
About Common Sense
The Common Sense Party looks at both Democrats and Republicans running for office. And then nominates the one who’s most reasonable, who thinks for themself. Who can compromise to get things done. In Nassau County, that’s Laura GIllen.
So this November, find the "Common Sense Party" on your ballot.
Representative in Congress (4th District) (Vote for One)
Laura Gillen
Anthony D’Esposito
Anthony D’Esposito
Laura Gillen
GENERAL ELECTION Candidates
Amendment to Protect Against Unequal Treatment
This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.
A “YES” vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.
A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.
Enmienda para Proteger Contra el Trato Desigual
Esta propuesta protegería contra el trato desigual basado en la etnicidad, el origen nacional, la edad, la discapacidad y el sexo, incluida la orientación sexual, la identidad de género y el embarazo. También protege contra el trato desigual basado en la salud y la autonomía reproductiva.
Un voto “SÍ” coloca estas protecciones en la Constitución del Estado de Nueva York. Un voto “NO” deja estas protecciones fuera de la Constitución del Estado.
Democratic Electors
Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente
Kamala D. Harris (For President)
Republican Electors
ELECTIon
This is not an actual by your edition of the Herald. Specific Herald may be found at LIHerald.com
Tim Walz (For Vice President)
Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente
Donald J. Trump (For President)
JD Vance (For Vice President)
Representative in Congress District 4
Representante en el Congreso Distrito 4
Laura Gillen (D,CS)
United States Senator
Senador Estatal, Distrito
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D, WF)
Diane Sare (L)
Home Happens Here
Anthony D’Esposito (R,C)
Michael D. Sapraicone (R,C)
ELECTIon’24
actual ballot, but a composite of several sample ballots so as to reflect all the districts within the communities covered Specific candidates for individual communities are identified in blue. Complete reporting on candidates running in districts covered by the LIHerald.com under the Elections ’24 tab. For election results after the polls close Tuesday night, go to LIHerald.com
Senator District 9
Estatal, Distrito 9 Vote for One (1)
James Lynch (D) Patricia CanzoneriFitzpatrick (R,C)
Member of Assembly District 20 de la Asamblea Distrito 20
Vote for One (1)
Posterli (D) Eric Ari Brown (R,C)
Member of Assembly District 21
de la Asamblea Distrito 21
Griffin (D) Brian Curran (R,C)
Vote for One (1)
Justice of the Supreme Court
Juez de la Corte Suprema (Vote for
James F. Matthews, Jr. (D,R,C)
Gregg Roth (D,R,C)
Deanna D. Panico (D,R,C)
Terence P. Murphy (D,R,C)
County Court Judge
Juez del Tribunal del Condado Jeffrey A. Goodstein(D,R,C)
Family Court Judge
Juez del Tribunal de Familia
Lisa Daniels (D,R,C)
Chris J. Coschignano (D,R,C)
Alfred C. Graf (D,R,C)
Paul E. Hennings (D,R,C)
Paul M. Hensley (D,R,C)
Andrew A. Crecca (D,R,C)
Member of Assembly District 22
de la Asamblea Distrito 22
Vote for One (1)
Michaelle Solages (D) Ian Bergstrom (R,C)
(3)
Joseph Nocella, Jr. (D,R,C)
District Court Judge District 2
Juez del Tribunal de Distrito Vote for Four (4)
Andrea C. Phoenix (D,R,C)
Veronica Renta Irwin (D,R,C)
Ryan E. Cronin (D,R,C) Sean Wright (D,R,C)
D’Esposito balances controversy, re-election
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito has his sights set on reelection in the 4th Congressional District, where he will face a familiar opponent amid unfamiliar scrutiny over his hiring practices.
A Republican and a former NYPD detective, D’Esposito won his seat in the 2022 midterms, flipping a district that had been in Democratic hands for 25 years. He defeated former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen that year by a margin of roughly 10,000 votes with a campaign focused on crime, inflation and government spending. He hopes to do it again next week with a renewed focus on border security, crime and the cost of living on Long Island.
But D’Esposito’s re-election bid is under a cloud, with an ethics probe questioning whether he improperly hired his fiancée’s daughter and a woman he allegedly had a personal relationship with for taxpayer-funded positions in his office. During a Herald Roundtable on Oct. 10, D’Esposito made it clear that he views the allegations as baseless. “There is absolutely nothing that was violated ethically, and my personal life is my personal life,” he said, asserting that if there had been any ethical questions, he would not have made those hires.
In spite of the allegations, D’Esposito remains focused on issues central to residents of his district. He emphasized that he has been instrumental in securing millions in federal funding for local infrastructure projects ranging from water filtration systems to police training facilities. “In the last 18 months, I’ve been able to bring close to $40 million back to the district to help with infrastructure,” he said.
D’Esposito has also positioned himself as a strong supporter of Israel, and has been vocal in his support for sending more aid to Israel in light of renewed con-
Juan Lasso/Herald
Anthony D’Esposito discussed his re-election campaign in the 4th Congressional District amid controversy over his hiring practices at a Herald Roundtable on Oct. 10.
flicts with Iran and Lebanon following the attack by Hamas last Oct. 7.
“I think the United States of America needs to continue to provide every resource necessary to Israel to eradicate Hamas and any terrorist organization,” he said, criticizing the Biden administration for what he views as a lack of urgency.
Another key issue is the ongoing border crisis. “We have a border security problem,” D’Esposito said, emphasizing the need to shut down the southern border and implement a more stringent asylum process. He noted a Department of Homeland Security briefing where it was revealed that over 420,000 people who
crossed the border illegally had been convicted of crimes in their home countries, including over 13,000 convicted murderers. D’Esposito argued that the Biden administration’s handling of the border has been inadequate, claiming, “The Customs and Border Patrol agents don’t have the resources that they need.”
He remains critical of the administration’s economic and energy policies, and advocates for energy independence, saying, “We need to focus on being more energy independent and stop relying on foreign countries for power.” He also expressed concerns about the national deficit, arguing that it is unsustainable and could have long-term consequences for future generations.
D’Esposito has framed himself as a bipartisan problem solver, willing to work with both sides to achieve results for his district. But he is also aware of the tightrope he walks within his party, having been labeled both a MAGA extremist and a “Republican in Name Only” after calling for the removal of former U.S. Rep. George Santos. D’Esposito said he understands the balance between his own values and party expectations, and will do what he feels is right, regardless of how it may be perceived. “It seems to me I’m doing the right thing and playing the middle,” he said.
As the district becomes a focal point in the national battle for control of the House of Representatives, D’Esposito remains confident in his leadership and his track record of securing federal resources for Long Island.
Laura Gillen prioritizes reproductive rights
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Laura Gillen, the Democratic candidate in New York’s 4th Congressional District, is running on a platform focused on tackling the rising cost of living on Long Island, reproductive rights and immigration reform.
“It’s really expensive to live here, and people want relief,” Gillen said during a Herald Roundtable on Oct. 7, adding that this concern came up in nearly every conversation she has had with voters in the district. She is particularly critical of her opponent, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito for not restoring the state and local tax deduction on income taxes, which was capped during the Trump administration. “My opponent said he was going to restore our SALT deduction. He’s been in the majority for almost two years and has completely failed to do that,” Gillen said, emphasizing that reinstating the deduction, a key issue for many homeowners in Nassau County, would be a top priority if she were elected.
Reproductive rights are also central to Gillen’s campaign, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 decision, ending nearly 50 years of constitutional protection for abortion rights. Gillen stresses the need to protect access to reproductive health care, including abortion, in vitro fertilization and contraception.
“Protecting a woman’s right to choose, protecting the right to access IVF and the right to contraception are things we never thought we’d even have to talk about before the Dobbs decision,” she said. Gillen also pointed to the broader implications of the decision, noting that Republicans are continuing to push for fed-
Tim Baker/Herald
wait times many patients face. “Families shouldn’t have to wait weeks to get an appointment for a loved one in crisis,” she said, calling for improvements in insurance coverage for mental health care and for expanding access to care.
Immigration reform is a pressing issue, Gillen said, criticizing Congress for its inaction on the border crisis. She said she is committed to passing comprehensive immigration reform that secures the border while facilitating citizenship for immigrants. “We’ve seen nothing get done to secure our border, to stop the flow of fentanyl, or to create a pathway for citizenship for people who want to come here legally,” she said. Her proposal includes deploying more border agents, using advanced technology like anti-tunneling systems, and improving the asylum process, which she described as “completely broken” due to the long delays in adjudicating claims.
Gillen has also taken a strong stance on national security, particularly in regard to Israel and the increase of antisemitism in this country. “We’ve seen an incredible rise of antisemitism, even before Oct. 7,” she said, referring to last October’s attacks on Israel by Hamas.
eral restrictions on reproductive rights.
Health care, particularly for mental health, is another key focus of Gillen’s campaign. She noted that the country is facing a growing mental health crisis, which affects people of all ages. “It’s affecting our young people, our seniors, our veterans and our law enforcement officers,” she said.
Gillen advocates increasing resources to make mental health services more accessible, reducing the long
Her bipartisan approach to solving these issues grew out of her experience as the first Democratic Hempstead town supervisor in over 100 years. Despite facing a Republican-controlled Town Board, Gillen managed to implement sweeping reforms, including ethics legislation, cutting taxes and modernizing the town’s infrastructure.
“I got things done, and that’s what I plan to do in Congress,” Gillen said. “People want problem-solvers in Congress … We need to get things done and reduce the partisanship that’s holding us back.”
Laura Gillen, the Democratic challenger in the 4th C.D., discussed the rising cost of living, reproductive rights, the country’s border problems, the mental health crisis, Israel and more with the Herald.
By Danielle Schwab & Tim Baker
Havana Munsuz
Age 9, Locust Valley
My mom (Lenia Matias). I think she would make equal rights for every person. She supports LGBTQ rights, and she’s also a woman. All the presidents are boys, and we should have a girl as a president. We read a book about the election together.
If you could choose anyone, who would make a good president? Why?
Nicholas Kemp
Age 5, East Rockaway
I want Aaron Judge to be president but I (also) don’t want him because he’s playing baseball and he won’t hit any more home runs. If he was president I think he would be so happy.
Michael Lutz
Age 7, Rockville Centre
My dad (Eric Donohoe) because he’s basically like Donald Trump. Also, my mom (Shannon Donohoe) because she’s technically almost the same as my dad. She would get more jobs in America, put the prices down so if it was $3 it would be $2 and she would get more American-made products
Amelia Geraghty
Age 8, East Meadow
I think John F. Kennedy because if he ever did something wrong, his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy would have stood up for civil rights for women. I don’t think he would do anything wrong. And he was also young (when he was president). The older you are, the more you forget. I’ve read a lot of books about him and Jacqueline Kennedy.
Tasnim and Taha Laghroudi
Tasnim, age 8; Taha, age 10, Wantagh
My teacher Ms. Sanders (my third grade teacher) would make a good president because she’s really fun and she’s very serious so we do our work instead of just playing around the whole time. Teachers are hard working and they’ve been through a lot of lessons and teachings, and they’re responsible for people in their class.
STEPPING OUT
Looking outward
from an artistic perspective
Local talents on view at
Museum’s Long Island Biennial
By Danielle Schwab
A tradition since 2010, the popular Long Island Biennial at Hecksher Museum returns with “The Body Politic,” shining the spotlight on our diverse artistic talent throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The latest edition of the juried exhibition — now on view through mid-January — offers an exciting look at what is happening artistically here in our area.
Out of 313 submissions, 79 were accepted from 60 artists, resulting in a vivid assortment of mediums, styles and focuses on exhibit. Curated by Meredith A. Brown, the museum’s consulting curator of Contemporary Art, each piece was reviewed by an expert jury team. The panel included Ian Alteveer, department chair of contemporary art at the Museum of Fine Arts; Patricia Cronin, artistic director of the LGBTQ+ VR Museum, art professor and sculptor; Grace Hong, assistant director of Galerie Lelong & Co.
The exhibit takes on a theme for the first time — examining contemporary social, cultural and political issues. It’s a snapshot of some of the major national, local and even international matters that compel artists in this important election year.
“Sixty countries — taken together, representing half the world’s population, including the United States — will have held major elections by the end of this year,” Brown says.
“It’s a crucial year. And we thought it would be interesting to see how the people, the artists in our communities, are thinking about these political, social, cultural issues — and representing them through art.”
The exhibit represents a remarkable variety of media, with styles spanning abstraction to hyperrealism, including sculpture, painting, photography, and collage. One pieceis even composed with cut plastic straws and lighters found on a beach.
“I’m always interested in the way artists can combine things that I wouldn’t have thought of, sometimes materials that are ‘non-art’ materials,” Brown adds.
East Meadow’s Karen Kirshner is among the artists featured. Her abstract acrylic painting “The Mission, 2022” employs a “direct painting” technique that enables her to use her emotions to paint onto the canvas.
“I never know what I’m going to paint. I paint in the moment, moment to moment, and then
and for the
review and evaluate and adapt and improve,” Kirshner explains.
She was influenced by the war in Ukraine, with so many trying to flee. Her movement of lines, shapes and vibrancy of colors expresses the Ukrainians’ frantic energy.
“I felt in my soul,” Kirshner says. “The mission is to get people out.”
Maria Spector, of Babylon, is represented with two paintings: “Candy Girls and Boys Under the Jellybean Tree, 2022 ” and “Candy Girls Under the Sugar-Plum Tree with Boy and the Artists that Painted Women 2020-22.”
In “Candy Girls and Boys Under the Jellybean Tree“ contemporary figures of children are mixed with images from art history, fine art and popular culture — all under a tree ‘ripe’ with various candies.
• Now through Jan. 19
• Open Thursday through Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
• Heckscher Museum of Art,
2 Prime Ave., Huntington
• Visit Heckscher.org for more information or call (631) 380-3230
“By incorporating pop culture, I explore issues of femininity and masculinity through both history and today. The work is meant to challenge our own biases and beliefs,” Spector says.
Another standout, Lynbrook’s Susan Kozodoy Silkowitz captures her vision through photography. “Pink Shoes, 2022” is a testament to freedom of expression without discrimination. The male in pink platform shoes was snapped outside of Fashion Institute of Technology.
“I’ve been photographing people for 50 years. It took me many years to be able to do what I do, which is approach and photograph people on the street,” Kozodoy Silkowitz says. “I think it’s a wonderful thing to see people who are unafraid to express who they are, although some people may disapprove.”
Visitors can contribute their own voice to what’s on view and how they relate to community and identity through a collage of messages on the response wall.
It’s all part of the museum’s effort to encourage artistic reflection through times of great change, inspiring us to engage with narratives in a new light.
As Brown puts it: “It helps the artists and it helps those of us who are not artists to think about the diversity of artists and viewpoints and opinions in these communities in which we live, and in that way, hopefully it can broaden people’s views of their communities, of where we are.”
As always, the exhibit experience is enhanced by related programming. The participating artists will be in the galleries on select Sundays throughout the exhibition period to engage with visitors, as well as taking part in upcoming museum and community events.
Mike DelGuidice’s Concert Weekend for Veterans
Mike DelGuidice, one of Long Island’s celebrated singersongwriters returns to The Paramount, with special guests. The band always gives it their all, especially when playing the iconic Billy Joel songs. DelGuidice leads his ensemble in a rousing concert that highlights the Piano Man’s decades of hits. Like his idol, DelGuidice grew up mastering several instruments including bass guitar, guitar, piano, and drums. He’s renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of the Joel catalog, which caught the attention of Joel himself, who ultimately brought him on stage with him. DelGuidice and his band pack hit after charttopping hit in a high energy show that’s always a crowd pleaser. The concert delights audiences with renditions of classic rock favorites and his own eclectic originals.
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1-2, 8 p.m. $60, $40, $25, $20. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
America
The perennial classic rock favorite is back on the road again as founding member Dewey Bunnell celebrates the band’s 54th anniversary, appearing on the Tilles Center stage. Billed as “Ride On Tour 2024, it draws on the band’s deep catalog of hits including signature song “A Horse With No Name,” a #1 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1972. Bunnell and America’s co-founder Gerry Beckley (along with former bandmate Dan Peek), who met in high school in London in the late 1960s, quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of that tune. Forty plus years later, these friends continue to make music together (although Beckley has now retired from touring) thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. Yet beyond their impressive catalog of hits, listeners discovered there was always much more to America than surface perceptions.
Saturday, Nov. 2, 8 p.m.
Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Susan Kozodoy Silkowitz’s Pink Shoes gives a voice to personal expression.
Photos courtesy Heckscher Museum
Maria Spector’s collage “Candy Girls and Boys Under the Jellybean Tree,” is part of a series that explore issues of consumerism, sexuality, femininity, and masculinity — merging the ideas and works of the past with the present.
Karen Kirshner’s “The Mission” was inspired by the war in Ukraine. It conveys the frantic rush to safety by
Ukrainians.
THE Your Neighborhood
Ailey II
Ailey II, which bills itself as “the next generation of dance,” continues its 50th anniversary of bringing “off-the-charts energy” to the stage, with a performance at Tilles Center, Friday, Nov. 8 , at 8 p.m. Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s outstanding and emerging choreographers.
The 2024-25 repertory features two world premieres by former Ailey II member Alia Kache and by Houston Thomas, as well as repertory favorites and beloved classics. Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble and led by Sylvia Waters for 38 seasons, Ailey II has advanced Alvin Ailey’s vision for more than five decades by giving early-career dancers a bridge from world-class training at The Ailey School to the professional stage. Led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper, Ailey II’s dancers bring their technical mastery and emotional depth to works by the most daring established and emerging choreographers. Just as Ailey envisioned, the company continues to develop the next generation of performers and dancemakers while expanding audiences through global touring and community-based performances.
Inwood/Lawrence PAL Basketball Clinic
Kids are invited to participate in the Police Activity League basketball clinic for boys and girls grades, every Wednesday, at the Five Towns Community Center. Grades K-2, 6-7 p.m. and grades 3-5, 7-8 p.m.
Space is limited and registration required. Free for first 20 kids each session. Register at inwoodlawrenceunit. leagueapps.com/events/. For more information, contact Ray Lajara at r.lajara@ nassaucountypal.org. 270 Lawrence Ave., Lawrence.
Explore New York
Rock Hall Museum invites all to a program on “A Vanishing New York: Ruins Across the Empire State,” Sunday, Nov. 3, 3-4 p.m. Author and photographer John Lazzaro, explores over 40 of the most evocative abandoned sites in the Empire State and puts their stories in the larger context of New York’s historical legacy.
Senior Choir
Enjoy a musical morning with Marion & Aaron Gural JCC’s Golden Notes Social Choir, every Tuesday, 11 a.m.-noon. Come hear an hour of singing in several languages, led by Zvi Klein. Suggested donation is $5. For more information, contact Rachayle Deutsch at rachayle.deutsch@guraljcc.org. Marion & Aaron Gural JCC, 207 Grove Ave., Cedarhurst.
Breakfast Connect
Want to network your business? Attend the Breakfast Connect group’s get together every Wednesday, 8-9 a.m. The breakfast meeting is free and open to everyone in the community. Hewlett Fire Department at the Benjamin J. Moleno Hall, 25 Franklin Ave., Hewlett. For more information call or text Andrew Leibowitz at (516) 790-4829.
Social Knitting Club
The program includes Alvin Ailey’s Streams, an abstract exploration of bodies in space, danced to a percussion score by Miloslav Kabelac; Houston Thomas’ world premiere Down the Rabbit Hole, a continuation of the choreographer’s Follow the White Rabbit (2022) that expands on its themes, examining the relationship between humans and technology; also Francesca Harper’s Luminous, a work that pays homage to the 50th anniversary of Ailey II and the artists who paved the way for future generations. 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.
These abandoned hospitals, schools, churches, railways, and estates offer a view into a rapidly dissolving past. $10, $8 seniors, members free. Make check payable to Friends of Rock Hall. Space is limited, reservations are required. For more information call (516) 239-1157 or email FriendsofRockHall@gmail.com. 199 Broadway, Lawrence.
Marion & Aaron Gural JCC invites all knitters to their Social Knitting Club, Mondays, Nov. 4, 4- 5 p.m.; also Nov. 18 and Nov. 25. You will need two skeins of yarn and size 10 or larger needles that correspond to your yarn. $25 per session. For more information, contact Erica Brown at Erica.brown@guraljcc. org. Marion & Aaron Gural JCC, 207 Grove Ave., Cedarhurst.
On stage
Join Adelphi University’s talented theater students who perform playwright Caryl Churchill’s “Love and Information,” Thursday and Friday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 2, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 3, 2 p.m.
The fast-moving theatrical kaleidoscope explores more than 100 characters in over 50 short scenes as they try to make sense of what they know and what they find out. This is a play unlike any other that examines what it means to be human in a modern world and tackles the tension between the concepts of love and information.
Tickets start at $30, with discounts available to seniors, students, Adelphi alumni and employees. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, Olmsted Theater, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
‘The Birthday Party’
Looking for something to do this Halloween season that isn’t just for kids? Visit Sands Point Preserve for an exclusive, immersive theatrical production, “The Birthday Party,” held in a secluded opulent mansion concludes Thursday and Friday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1. For those who attended Archie’s last “Birthday Party,” rest assured, there are new surprises in store.
Guests are blindfolded and escorted to a secret location on the property, Villa Vanitas, to celebrate the enigmatic Lord Archibald Axel Von Finkelshorn Chatterton’s 30th birthday. He is a witless charmer on the cusp of a life-changing revelation, and everyone’s invited to witness his journey on a night that promises to be unforgettable and delightfully unpredictable. Cocktail attire preferred. $175 per person. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.
Having an event?
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues Saturday, Nov. 2, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.
Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media.
It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Board games from days gone by
Enjoy an evening of learning and playing historic games at Old Westbury Gardens’ Westbury House, Friday, Nov. 8, 7-9:30 p.m. The Long Island Tabletop Gaming Expo takes visitors on journey through 5,000 years of board game history, from its roots in ancient times to more familiar examples from the time of the Phipps family. A brief lecture on board game history includes a presentation of each of the featured games. All are fully playable, and you can try them out yourself.
Games include: Senet, The Royal Game of Ur, Three Man’s Morris, Six Man’s Morris, Nine Man’s Morris, Twelve Man’s Morris, Mancala, Go, Chess, The Royal and Most Pleasant Game of The Goose, Backgammon. The Landlords Game (transition to the modern Monopoly). $15. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.
Gillen meets with Five Towns commuters
By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com
With just over a week left to campaign, Laura Gillen, the Democratic candidate in New York’s 4th Congressional District, walked the platform of the Cedarhurst Long Island Rail Road station and along Cedarhurst Avenue introducing herself to constituents and discussing her plans if elected.
“I want them to know that I am in touch with the community, and I share their views, and I will be an advocate for them,” Gillen said of the community members she spoke with on Oct. 28. “It doesn’t matter if you’re R or D, it matters where you stand on Israel. I think it’s important to a lot of folks here and I think it’s important that they know where I stand.”
Gillen distributed papers to residents with her action plan for taking down antisemitism, where she outlines her plan for combating harassment of Jewish students on campuses, threats against synagogues and hate propaganda on social media.
“We have strong tools to address this problem in schools, synagogues, and on social media,” Gillen wrote in the handout. “Congress has failed to utilize these tools, and in some cases is seeking to undermine them. In congress I will pursue a comprehensive policy plan to effectively combat antisemitism and take on
anyone, including those in my party, who would deter these measures.”
Rep. Ritchie Torres from the state’s 15th Congressional District joined Gillen during the Five Towns appearance.
“I think that everybody here knows where Ritchie stands on Israel,” Gillen said. “You could see the reaction of folks here, like ‘You’re my hero.’ They love him here and I think having his
endorsement, he would not endorse me if I was not going to be a starkly proIsrael Democrat and I think it’s kind of a validator.”
Torres said he believes Five Towns residents want to know that he and Gillen have their backs.
“It’s become more urgent than ever to send a message that the Democratic Party must be the home of the pro-Israel
community,” Torres said.
Gillen’s opponent, incumbent Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican who defeated her in the 2022 election, introduced a Define to Defeat Act in April, clarifying legislation and providing an updated definition of antisemitism, helping better assess and prosecute criminal and discriminatory acts.
A spokesperson for D’Esposito previously told the Herald that the congressman has been to Israel several times, has met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is a board member of the U.S. Holocaust Museum and has been instrumental in passing several Israel aid bills.
Pamela Korn of Hewlett came out to show her support for Gillen in Cedarhurst.
“Laura is a moderate Democrat and I like centrist politicians,” Korn said. “She cares about the issues that I care about. Top of the list is she’s got a plan to fight antisemitism. She is a strong supporter of Israel, and she also cares about reproductive freedom and wants to fight gun violence, and those are all issues I care about.”
Gillen said she anticipates this to be a very close election.
“I think if you’re not running scared, you’re not running smart,” Gillen said. “We are going to keep our foot on the gas through to the polls close on Nov. 5, and hope for a good night.”
SHOP WHAT'S NOW UNIQLO PRIMARK FOOT LOCKER
Parker Schug/Herald
Rep. Ritchie Torres, left and Laura Gillen spoke with Five Towns residents boarding the Long Island Rail Road at the Cedarhurst station on Oct. 28.
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20 • 6:00-9:00PM
The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
MICHAEL J. DOWLING
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NORTHWELL HEALTH
ACCOUNTING:
JOHN FITZGERALD
Managing Partner
Citrin Cooperman
GURJIT SINGH
Chief Information Officer
Prager Metis CPAs
DIANE L. WALSH
Chief Marketing Officer
Prager Metis CPAs
BANKING & FINANCE:
STUART H. LUBOW
President & Chief Executive Officer
Dime Community Bank
DAVID A. PERLMUTTER
Managing Partner
Forest Hills Financial Group
MARK SANCHIONI
Senior Vice President & Chief Banking Officer
Ridgewood Savings Bank
JOSEPH TEDESCO
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ocean Financial Federal Credit
JOHN BURKE
Managing Director
Global Head of Business & Professional Services
Citi Commercial Bank
BIOPHARMA:
PATRICIA ECKERT, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Enzo Biochem, Inc.
COMMUNICATIONS:
ANDREW RAINONE
Senior Vice President, Business Sales
Optimum Business
EDUCATION:
MARIA CONZATTI, EdD
Chief Administrative Officer
Nassau Community College
TIMOTHY E. SAMS, Ph.D.
President SUNY Old Westbury
ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION:
LOUIS BEKOFSKY
Principal, Managing Partner VHB
WILLIAM MAXWELL
Vice President The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
BILLY HAUGLAND II
Chief Executive Officer Haugland Group LLC
ANDREW J. SOLANO Managing Partner Emtec Consulting Engineers
GAS/UTILITIES:
CHRISTINA ARMENTANO
Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President Paraco
JOHN RHODES
Chief Executive Officer
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)
ROSS TURRINI
Chief Operating Officer
National Grid New York
ENERGY: JIM FLANNERY Chief Operating Officer National Grid Ventures, US Northeast
HEALTHCARE:
ALLISON BERGMANN
Chief Operating Officer
Solutions 4 Community Health
MARIANELA CASAS, MPA
Chief Operating Officer
Association for Mental Health and Wellness
STACEY C. JACKSON HARLEY
Chief Operating Officer
Harmony Healthcare
ANDREW MINTZ
Chief Executive Officer
The Smilist
MICHAEL N. ROSENBLUT
President & Chief Executive Officer
Parker Jewish Institute For Healthcare and Rehabilitation
AMY SILVA-MAGALHAES
Chief Operating Officer
The Bristal Assisted Living
JOSEPH VERDIRAME
Chief Executive Officer
Alliance Homecare
AMIT SHAH, MD
Partner & Vascular Surgeon
PRINE Health
HOSPITALITY:
MICHAEL LESSING Chief Executive Officer Lessing's Hospitality Group
LEGAL:
NICOLE JOSEPH
Chief Operating Officer & Finance Director
CM Law PLLC
JULIE WYETZNER
Executive Director &
Chief Operating Officer
Cona Elder Law PLLC
MICHAEL H. SAHN
Managing Partner
Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano PLLC
HOWARD M. STEIN
Managing Partner & Co- Chair of the Real Estate Practice Group Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
NOT-FOR-PROFIT:
PHIL ANDREWS
President Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce
MICHAEL K. BILLIA
Chief Executive Officer Life’s WORC
LISA BURCH, MPH
President and Chief Executive Officer EPIC Long Island, Inc.
RANDELL BYNUM
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Nassau County
MATTHEW COHEN
President and Chief Executive Officer
Long Island Association, Inc.
ERIKA FLORESKA
President
Long Island Children's Museum
JEFFREY FRIEDMAN
Chief Executive Officer
CN Guidance and Counseling Services
DAN LLOYD
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Minority Millennials, Inc.
Interim Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of LI
JOHN MCGUIGAN
Chief Executive Officer
AHRC Suffolk DIANE MANDERS
JEFFREY L. REYNOLDS, PHD
President & Chief Executive Officer
Family and Children's Association
LUIS VAZQUEZ
President & Chief Executive Officer
Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
REAL ESTATE:
JOSEPH A. FARKAS
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Metropolitan Realty Associates LLC
RETAIL:
ROBERT KAY
Chief Executive Officer
Lifetime Brands, Inc.
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
CHRIS R. VACCARO
President & Executive Officer
Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame
TECHNOLOGY:
AMY E. NEWMAN
Senior Vice President, Administration Canon U.S.A, Inc.
TRANSPORTATION:
ROBERT FREE
Acting President
Long Island Rail Road
MARLON TAYLOR
President New York and Atlantic Railway
COREY J. MUIRHEAD
Executive Vice President
Guardian Bus Company
MICHAEL D. TORNABE
Chief Operating Officer
Guardian Bus Company
*List still in formation
Incoming president of East Rockaway Kiwanis John Chen, incoming Lt. Gov. Michaelene Abbott-Cooper, outgoing Lt. Gov. Dominick Curra, and past president of Peninsula Kiwanis Kevin Cooney at Kiwanis Long Island Southwest banner exchange, at Remy’s of Hewlett on Sept. 25.
Local banner exchange
The Long Island Southwest Kiwanis held the banner exchange for lieutenant governors, which happens every 10 years, at Remy’s of Hewlett.
Over 70 Kiwanis and community members attended the Sept. 25 event.
Michaelene Abbott-Cooper, of the East Rockaway chapter, helped build her Kiwanis from 17 to 34 members.
The Long Island South West Division voted Abbott-Cooper in as the next lieutenant governor for 2024-25.
Ann DeMichael, administrative assistant for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, presented AbbottCooper with a citation.
Outgoing Lt. Gov. Dominick Curra of Peninsula Kiwanis handed the banner off to Abbott-Cooper.
“It’s an accomplishment and a good thing, we’re getting the banner back in East Rockaway’s hands” Abbott-Cooper said.
— Melissa Berman
Michaelene Abbott-Cooper, lieutenant governor of the Long Island Southwest Kiwanis, left, with Ann DeMichael, administrative assistant for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Online safety with police
The Lawrence Primary School received a visit from Nassau County Police Officer Teana Grande to educate students about the importance of digital citizenship and internet safety.
Grande engaged with the students and provided an informative experience about the online world and responsibility.
During the session, the students discussed internet safety, protecting personal information, recognizing online threats and responsible social media usage.
The students participated by asking questions and developing skills needed
to make responsible digital decisions. There were engaging activities and reallife scenarios for the students to learn how to approach online interactions thoughtfully and safely, a Lawrence district official wrote in news release.
“Lawrence Primary School is dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment, and this collaboration with the Nassau County Police Department underscores that commitment,” a Lawrence official wrote. “The school looks forward to future partnerships that enhance student education and well-being.”
— Melissa Berman
Hewlett-Woodmere appoints new business administrator
James Igoe will serve as the new school business administrator fro the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools.
As of Dec. 1, Igoe will succeed the current School Business Administrator Joseph DiBartolo, who is retiring after 23 years of service with the district.
The Board of Education approved Igoe at a special meeting on Oct. 25. He holds an advanced certification in school district business leadership from Long Island University and a master’s degree in accounting from St. John’s University.
Igoe has experience in financial management and educational administration. He recently served as the assistant business administrator for Valley Stream Union Free School District 13. He oversaw a school budget of $70 million and has experience with federal and state regulations.
“Mr. Igoe’s background in school finance and his commitment to transparency and efficiency will greatly ben-
efit our District,” Ralph Marino, Jr., Ed.D., Superintendent of HewlettWoodmere Public Schools wrote in a news release. “We are excited to welcome him to our team, where he will play a vital role in shaping the financial future of our schools.”
In addition to financial expertise, Igoe has expereince managing transportation logistics and creating relationships with various stakeholders.
According to HWPS, his background as an audit assistant provides him with a unique perspective on maintaining sound financial operations within the school system. He is dedicated to maximizing resources and ensuring the fiscal health of the district
“The District looks forward to Mr. Igoe’s contributions as he steps into this important role, ensuring continued excellence in our financial operations,” the district write in a news release.
— Melissa Berman
James Igoe.
Courtesy Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools appoints new School Business Administrator
Courtesy Lawrence UFSD
Lawrence Primary School students learned about digital citizenship and internet safety from Nassau County Police Department Officer Teana Grande.
Courtesy Michaelene Abbott-Cooper
31,
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST HEINRIC ROSENBLUM AKA HEINRICH ROSENBLUM, SARA HAMER AKA SHERRI SARA HAMER, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 16, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 13, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 9 Park Circle, Cedarhurst, NY 11516. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Cedarhurst, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 39 Block 122 and Lot 69. Approximate amount of judgment $699,167.91 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #606257/2023. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Adrienne Flipse Hausch, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-000053 82406 149374
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company. Name: Boulevard Associates LLC (“LLC”). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on May 17, 2004. NY office location: Nassau County. The SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to 930 Broadway, Woodmere, N.Y. 11598. Purpose/character of LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. 149349
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company. Name: SADA Developers LLC (“LLC”). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on December 5, 2007. NY office location: Nassau County. The SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to 930 Broadway, Woodmere, N.Y. 11598. Purpose/character of LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.
149351
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company. Name: Westchester 2 Retail Developers LLC (“LLC”). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on April 11, 2008. NY office location: Nassau County. The SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to 930 Broadway, Woodmere, N.Y. 11598. Purpose/character of LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.
149347
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company. Name: 110 Fulton Group LLC (“LLC”). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on November 21, 2006. NY office location: Nassau County. The SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to 930 Broadway, Woodmere, N.Y. 11598. Purpose/character of LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity 149341
LEGAL NOTICE Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company. Name: Polite Hewitt LLC (“LLC”). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on December 6, 2007. NY office location: Nassau County. The SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to 930 Broadway, Woodmere, N.Y. 11598. Purpose/character of LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. 149345
LEGAL NOTICE
RALPH MADALENA, ESQ., Referee
David A. Gallo & Associates LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030
File# 5025.1027
{* NASSAU HER*} 149477
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU INDEX # 611544/2023
Property: 182 East Rockaway Road, Hewlett, New York 11557
the Plaintiff’s attorneys within 20 days after the service of this summons exclusive of the day of service or within 30 days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company. Name: Crescent Bathgate LLC (“LLC”). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on June 6, 2007. NY office location: Nassau County. The SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to 930 Broadway, Woodmere, N.Y. 11598. Purpose/character of LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.
149343
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST INC. ASSETBACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FX1, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, Plaintiffagainst- TAGEWATTIE NANDALALL, SEWNARINE SAWH, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated December 11, 2018, 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, NY on November 19, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Lawrence, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the easterly side of Lawrence Avenue, distant 161.52 feet northerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the easterly side of Lawrence Avenue with the northerly side of Spring Street; being a plot 128.71 feet by 50 feet by 108.75 feet by 53.84 feet. Section 40 Block 32 Lot 113. 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 280 LAWRENCE AVENUE, LAWRENCE, NY 11559
Approximate amount of lien $629,669.70 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 010770/2014.
Supplemental Summons with Notice of Action to Foreclose a Mortgage Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as Trustee for the benefit of the Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2019-1, Plaintiff(s),against- Unknown heirs at law of Michele Bondanelli, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors; administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; Charles A. Honigman; Doris Honigman, The People of the State of New York, The United States of America, and “JOHN DOE #1,” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein, Defendant(s). WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on
The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.
Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Sheldon May & Associates, P.C. by Ted Eric May, Esq., Attorneys for Plaintiff. 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, New York 11570. Phone: 516-763-3200. File # 39117 149579
LEGAL NOTICE
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF LAWRENCE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that there will be a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence, at Lawrence Village Hall, 196 Central Avenue, Lawrence, New York 11559, on the 14th day of November 2024, at 8:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard on all meeting matters at the place and time
aforesaid. If anyone needs special accommodations for a disability, such person should contact the Village Clerk at least 5 days before the meeting. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to the requirements of the Open Meetings Law of the State of New York, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lawrence will convene in public meeting at the place and time aforesaid for the purpose of conducting a regular meeting where general business will be conducted.
Dated: October 25, 2024 By Order of the Board of Trustees Village of Lawrence, NY Gerry Castro Village Administrator 149740
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ELECTION THE GREATER ATLANTIC BEACH WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT, ATLANTIC BEACH, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK TO THE REGISTERED VOTERS AND ELECTORS OF THE GREATER ATLANTIC BEACH WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Town Law an Election will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Atlantic Beach Fire Rescue Headquarters, Bridge Access Road, a/k/a One Rescue Road, Atlantic Beach, New York, for the purpose of electing a Commissioner for a term of three (3) years, commencing on January 1, 2025 and expiring on December 31, 2027.
The polls shall be open for the receipt of ballots from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. and for such additional time as shall be necessary to permit the electors present at the time of closing to cast their ballots.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to a Resolution adopted at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners of The Greater Atlantic Beach Water Reclamation District held on the 15th day of October, 2024, and as provided for in Section 215, subdivision 20, of the Town Law, candidates for the position of Commissioner shall file their names at the District Offices, 2150 Bay Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, New York, 11509, at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of such
Election. Such nomination shall be submitted in petition form specifying the term for which they are a candidate, subscribed by twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District. Only resident electors are eligible to hold the office of Commissioner. To vote at a District Election, a person must be a registered voter in the District under permanent personal registration and must have resided in the District for the thirty (30) day period next preceding the said District Election.
Secretary, The Greater Atlantic Beach Water Reclamation District
Chairman, The Greater Atlantic Beach Water Reclamation District DATED: Atlantic Beach, New York October 15, 2024 149741
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE INWOOD FIRE DISTRICT, INWOOD, NEW YORK, 11096. There will be a General Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Inwood Fire District as follows:
Time:7:00 P.M.
Date:Thursday, November 14, 2024
Place:DISTRICT OFFICE
Melissa Rivelli, District Secretary 149739
LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF ATLANTIC BEACH ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID 2024 ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Sealed bids for the 2024 Bay Boulevard Road Improvement ProgramBay Blvd, between Albany Boulevard and Broome Avenue will be received at the Village Hall of the Incorporated Village of Atlantic Beach, 65 The Plaza, Atlantic Beach, New York until 10:30 AM (prevailing time) on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at which time all bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud and awarded as soon thereafter as practical.
Complete specifications may be obtained at the Village Hall,65 The Plaza, Atlantic Beach, New York during normal business hours 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM upon payment of $50 nonrefundable deposit, check payable to the Inc. Village of Atlantic Beach.
The Inc. Village of Atlantic Beach reserves the right to waive any informalities in, or to accept or reject any or all bids or to award the contract to other than the lowest bidder, if it is deemed in the interest of said village. BY ORDER OF MAYOR PAPPAS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
EMILY SINISCALCHI, VILLAGE CLERK October 24, 2024 149738
LEGAL NOTICE
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HEWLETT HARBOR LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE IS HERBY GIVEN, that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Hewlett Harbor will hold a Public Hearing to consider the addition of Section 138 to the Hewlett Harbor Village Code which will create a Village Justice Court; and under SEQRA Regulations, to determine whether the proposed would constitute a significant negative impact on the environment; said Public Hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on November 14, 2024 at the Village Hall, 449 Pepperidge Road, Hewlett Harbor, New York. All interested persons will be heard during the Public Hearing at the time and place aforementioned. Dated: Hewlett Harbor, New York October 25, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF HEWLETT HARBOR NICOLE GIACOPELLI VILLAGE CLERK 149742
LEGAL NOTICE Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company. Name: Yellow Rock Associates LLC (“LLC”). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on April 25, 2007. NY office location: Nassau County. The SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to 930 Broadway, Woodmere, N.Y. 11598. Purpose/character of LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. 149710
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.
STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.
Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.
Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
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
your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
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
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, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
VOLUNTEER AVAILABLE To Work With Others Monday And/ Or Wednesday Mornings. Assist With General Tasks In A
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Welcome to 7 Granada Pl in Massapequa. This stunning Fort Lauderdale-style waterfront colonial, newly constructed in 2023, epitomizes luxurious living. Offering 4 spacious bedrooms and 2.5 elegantly designed baths, this property showcases top-tier upgrades throughout. Inside, you’ll find exquisite 6” white oak floors and a show stopping Calacatta quartz infinity island in a gourmet kitchen outfitted with Wolf and
Q. I’m looking to sell my home, and I’m stunned by the cost of homes these days. My daughter’s family had to move out of the area, not because they needed better jobs, but because their jobs couldn’t pay enough to afford a home, and my wife and I could only help a little. Do you see any hope for housing to be made more affordable? Are there less costly ways to build that could help young people get a foothold on the American Dream? What do you think?
A. Yes, there are many ways to make homes more affordable, but the way to make it happen is very complicated, and I doubt that you’ll see it happen. Think of people, our economy, our system of living arrangements, our communities, separately or combined into large entities, as being like a large woven fabric. There are many threads in this fabric, many colors and textures and many ways the threads are woven, some over, some under and some straight through. Pull at one part of the fabric, poke at another, and the whole composition ruffles, wrinkles, even tears and starts to unravel.
Now, think of how much each thread costs, how someone puts a price on that thread because of its location, its color, its finish within the fabric. That one thread is now thought of as more expensive, special and exclusive. Others see that thread and decide their threads are pretty darn special, too. Soon every thread goes up in value, and anyone trying to weave a new thread into the fabric, or trying to buy that thread, must be in compliance with the costs, rules and location.
Regulators who decide where different threads can be placed, how big or small those threads can be and what they can look like, are people. People are threads in the fabric. Your kids are threads who may or may not find a way to be woven into the fabric as other threads disintegrate or are pulled away. Government, financial institutions, property associations, neighbors and you have to all cooperate to make the fabric stay together.
It’s possible that when enough people refuse to buy a thread or be a thread, then the value of threads diminishes. The cost of making a thread — a home or a commercial building — keeps increasing, so the cost of the components has to be brought down. But the people who make those components have to get paid. Do we cut their salaries? It’s all connected, like a complicated woven fabric in which everything has to work together.
There’s currently a nationwide shortage of housing units and a limited inventory of homes for sale, possibly because it costs more for less, so people are reluctant to move. Prices, the cost of materials, the regulated size of homes, and profit margins for sellers and lenders all need to be reduced. Does anyone see that happening, or do we wait for the fabric to become brittle and start to come apart to respond? Good luck!
© 2024 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
Ask The Architect
Monte
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The madman theory and today’s international scene
All the way back in the year 1517, Niccolò Machiavelli argued that sometimes it is “a very wise thing to simulate madness.” But what did he mean, and does it have relevance today? Let’s start with a definition.
As quoted in Wikipedia, “the madman theory is a political theory commonly associated with the foreign policy of President Richard Nixon and his administration, who tried to make the leaders of hostile Communist Bloc nations think Nixon was irrational and volatile so that they would avoid provoking the U.S. in fear of an unpredictable response.”
Let’s consider some other wellknown examples of this theory in practice:
Libya, under Moammar Gaddafi, had a clandestine program to develop nuclear weapons. In 2003, however, Libya suddenly decided to surrender its program and discontinue further pursuit of such
weapons. Did they suddenly develop a conscience? Actually, I would argue that the invasion of Iraq by the U.S. under President George W. Bush scared the Libyans, who feared that Bush was going to invade any country developing these weapons, whether or not there was an actual provocation that would justify it. They thought that Bush was not entirely rational in this regard.
There are those who accuse Donald Trump of being unstable. It may be by design.
Vladimir Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine if things don’t go his way. As a result, many Western countries put severe restrictions on the Ukrainians’ use of the weapons provided to them by the U.S. and other countries, for fear that Putin would actually do what is considered unthinkable and use his nukes. Throughout his rule over Russia, Putin has cultivated and encouraged the idea that he is unpredictable and could do crazy things. This has worked to inhibit and restrain other countries from acting as they otherwise might in response to Russian aggression.
Kim Jong-un and his predecessors in North Korea have long used the idea that they are crazy and unpredictable to
Wtheir advantage. They have repeatedly been able to extract concessions from the U.S. in the form of sanctions relief and the provision of food and have been able to develop and test nuclear weapons and missiles to deliver them simply by encouraging the fear that they would restart the Korean War. This despite Western vows that they would never be allowed to have these weapons. Now that they have nukes, and constantly threaten to use them, they have even more leverage. People think they would actually use them. Now let’s look at today’s international scene and compare it with how things were just a few years ago. President Biden is seen as being weak and fearful of using American power. When he suggests that he would use this power, no one believes it. He says “don’t” to bad actors and they “do.” They’re not afraid of him, and feel free to ignore his warnings.
As a result, we have hot wars in Ukraine and Israel, Chinese aggression in the Pacific and the real and imminent threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The new “Axis” of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea is on the
move, creating chaos and the real danger of igniting a third world war. Contrast this with the situation during the Trump administration. There are those who accuse Donald Trump of being unpredictable and unstable. But consider that this may be by deliberate design on his part. When he tells a foreign leader that he will take action that many would consider dangerous, they believe him.
Under Trump, Mexico became extremely cooperative in controlling the border, Russia didn’t further its Ukraine ambitions and Iran was careful not to allow Hamas or Hezbollah to get out of control. Trump took several actions (think of the destruction of ISIS, and of the take-out of Iranian military leader Qassim Suleimani) that some other leaders might have been afraid to take. The bottom line was that things were positively quiet, compared with today’s chaos.
I would argue that the madman theory is actually a valuable tool that was employed effectively by Trump, and that, if he is elected again, we can entertain the hope that our military will be rebuilt and U.S. deterrence restored.
Howard Kopel represents Nassau County’s 7th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s presiding officer.
Hurricanes shred lives and property
e did the stupid thing, and we survived.
We did not evacuate our home on a barrier island on the west coast of Florida when Hurricane Helene blasted through in the early-morning hours of Sept. 26.
The first alerts about Helene seemed exaggerated and alarmist: A disorganized low-pressure system, percolating quietly near the Yucatan Peninsula, would gather fearsome energy over the Gulf of Mexico and slam into Florida’s Gulf coast, as a Cat 4 or 5 killer. It was an unusual setup for hurricane in these parts. My part-time residence was long said to be safe by the indigenous people who lived here, protected geographically because of a twist in the coastline. Maybe the ancients are exacting revenge for our careless guardianship of their land.
We are on the eighth floor of a building on the beach, and we have metal wind shutters. So, considering the laborious process of gathering our belong-
ings and food and driving to a safe haven, we decided to stay. Besides, once a storm is on its way, not much time remains before landfall, and it isn’t clear which way to run. Hurricanes often wobble or weaken or, in the case of Helene, turn left over Georgia and North Carolina, destroying everything in their path.
W
We had water for a week, and food that didn’t need to be refrigerated or heated. We had each other and Lillybee the dog, who had been skulking in our shadows for days. We also felt somewhat jaded by overhyped weather alarms in the past. Epic snowfalls, tornadoes sprouting everywhere, on-again-off-again water spout watches. We would probably be OK.
tioned. Then I walked up. Then I did the same walk, down and up eight flights, for five days, until power was restored. Both of our cars, parked “safely” in the garage, were engulfed by the tidal surge and totaled.
e were scared straight by Helene, and will never try to ride one out again.
Sometime after midnight on the 26th, the rain and wind came on like a freight train, hammering the shutters against our windows. Within an hour we had no electricity and no internet. Officials on the mainland turned off all water service to the island. The bridge to the rest of the world was closed.
The dog needed to go out, so I grabbed a flashlight and walked down eight dark flights of stairs to get outside. Building generators malfunc-
But we were lucky. We lived through the storm without a medical crisis and with replaceable losses. We vowed never to stay when the authorities tell us to evacuate. What if one of us got sick during the hurricane? What if the windows blew in, even with the shutters?
Less than two weeks later, we had another shot at hurricane survival. Hurricane Milton developed on the east coast of Mexico, and got himself together in record speed, exploding from Category 1 to Category 5 in one day and taking direct aim at our island as he charged up the west coast of Florida.
This time we obeyed the evacuation orders and moved to a hotel on the mainland with Lillybee. One day later, the hotel was evacuated, sending us on a drive across the state, with thousands of other people. We took refuge with family on the East Coast. And we waited and waited for the hurricane to hit and
do its work so we could begin to build back. Like waiting for surgery.
Milton made landfall on Oct. 9 on the tiny barrier island south of us, wiping it clean of all the charming old Florida cottages that have survived for so long on a spit of land. Cars floated out into the Gulf. A man was rescued clinging to a large cooler from his sunken boat. We came back to our condo four days later. The property was a mess, but we had power and internet. We were on a boilwater advisory, stores were closed, and piles of household belongings and soaked furnishings are piled up along the roads.
We love it here, but it’s crazy to build on barrier islands. Nature always reclaims her own. We were scared straight by the first hurricane, and will never try to ride one out again. We look around at neighbors who have lost everything they own. And we know we are part of a bigger, more frightening human-made disaster called climate change.
Who will gather the will and willingness to stop the rising tides and temperatures? Who will stop the awful gathering storm of wind, rain and fire that sweep across our nation in every season?
Copyright 2024 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
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iHerald editorial
The Herald’s pact with you
n recent days, two of the most prominent national newspapers, The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post, announced that they would not endorse a presidential candidate in Tuesday’s election, breaking from decades of precedent. Many have speculated on the reasons behind these decisions, suggesting that the newspapers favored Kamala Harris but ultimately chose not to upset Donald Trump for fear of retribution if the former president returns to the Oval Office.
For those of us in the news business, these decisions raise questions about the role of newspapers in a charged political climate. We at the Long Island Herald, a proud local newspaper company family-owned for three generations, see this as an opportunity to reaffirm our mission to serve the people of Long Island.
Unlike many national publications, the Herald does not make endorsements of candidates seeking political office, and our reasons are simple yet vital. Our focus is not on swaying voters toward a particular candidate, but on delivering comprehensive and unbiased information about the issues that matter most to Long Islanders. We are not here to tell our readers how to vote for political candidates; rather, we are here to arm readers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions at the
letters
‘Harris shouldn’t even be on the ticket’
To the Editor:
ballot box. For us, the true measure of success is when readers feel empowered to draw their own conclusions based on facts, insights and perspectives they can trust.
Our mission is grounded in the local stories that directly impact your day-today lives — stories about Long Island schools, roads, parks, businesses and community events. It’s easy for national headlines to overshadow these essential local matters, especially in a polarized political landscape. Yet we firmly believe that our responsibility is to stay rooted in the issues affecting our neighborhoods and families. From zoning changes and public safety to neighborhood events and high school sports, we are here to cover what is relevant and timely for our readers.
The one place where you might see opinions about local and national political candidates, however, is in columns on our editorial pages, like those written by Randi Kreiss and Peter King. These essays are distinguished from Herald news content by featuring photos of the authors, making it clear that they reflect the writers’ perspectives and not the views of the Herald. We strive to showcase a diverse array of local voices across the ideological spectrum in these opinion pieces.
In a world saturated with news from national outlets, social media platforms and pundits, local newspapers play a
I couldn’t disagree more with Jerry’s Kremer’s viewpoint in his column last week, “Why I’m voting for Kamala Harris.” Harris shouldn’t even be on the ticket. If the Democrats had held an open primary after President Biden was pushed aside, she wouldn’t even have been considered. Her word-salad responses to questions are baffling and her knowledge of the issues is inept. The only thing that rings in her favor is the Roe v. Wade debate. Harris is clueless on the economy, the border, which is a travesty, and her ability to engage with world leaders. Donald Trump is far from perfect, but he’ll put America first, and Kamala, in my opinion, will not.
KEnnY CULLEn Franklin Square
And Jerry left something out
To the Editor:
In “Why I’m voting for Kamala Harris,” Jerry Kremer forgot to mention what our open south -
unique and irreplaceable role. Our newspaper is here to highlight the concerns and successes of Long Island, to act as a mirror to our community, and to bring a sense of belonging and understanding that no national publication can provide. But to achieve this, we need to hear from you, our readers. What are the topics you care about? What issues are not getting the coverage they deserve? Are there people in our community doing extraordinary things whom we should feature? We encourage you to share your thoughts, ideas and feedback with us. Let us know what you’re curious about, what you feel needs to be addressed, and where you think we can improve. Your voices are essential to shaping a Herald that genuinely reflects and serves your community.
Reach out to us at execeditor@liherald.com, and let us know what matters to you!
As the election approaches, we understand the intense focus on national races, but our mission remains to illuminate the issues closest to home. We will continue to be your trusted source for local news, not by endorsing political candidates but by informing, listening, and responding to the needs of Long Island.
Together, let’s keep our community well-informed, engaged and vibrant — one local story at a time.
When did we become so unkind?
ispent a lot of my childhood, and now, consequently, a lot of my adulthood, at my uncle’s lake house in Pennsylvania.
Some of my fondest memories revolve around being there — whether I was fishing with my grandfather, exploring the outdoors with my cousins or curled up with a good book on the beach, taking in my surroundings.
As I’ve gotten older, I find that I love the area for different reasons. I still like to fish and spend time outside with my family and my dogs. But I also love exploring the Poconos communities around the house, which, in many ways, feel like a second home to me.
Readers of the Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow Heralds have likely seen my name pop up on their community Facebook pages throughout the almost three and a half years that I’ve been working here. I like to stay involved with community forums,
because they’re not only a great source of information, but also a great place for me to network, and meet the people in the communities that I cover and love.
So just as I do here at home and when I’m working, I’ve joined a few community social media pages in the Pennsylvania region I travel to. Again, I find that it’s a great way to stay in the loop, find new spots to visit, and again, receive a variety of information that I might not know otherwise.
the world often feels overwhelmingly negative, but we don’t have to make it worse.
A few weeks ago, I was scrolling through a page that I check frequently, and came across a post from a page contributor that read: “NY Trash Destroyed The Poconos.”
It took me a moment to really wrap my head around what I was reading, because for one, the region is economically very reliant on tourism from places like New York, and because I couldn’t believe that people actually felt that way. I’d imagine that everyone has had their own experiences with “outsiders,” but I’d venture to guess that the vast majority of the people who’ve found second
Letters
ern border has done to our country. Maybe that’s because Harris was in charge of the border.
FRANk VENIS East Rockaway
Harris looks like the smart choice
To the Editor:
Vice presidents are very limited in what they can do in that job. Their job is to support the president’s policies. Think of former Vice President Mike Pence.
Vice President Harris is her own strong person, and she will take what she perceives to be the best aspects of President Biden’s policies, but no vice president is ever a carbon copy of their predecessor. In terms of the southern border, Harris says that she supports having both parties in Congress work together and compromise on solutions, as was recently done with the strict border bill that both parties agreed on. However, Trump intervened and told Republicans to back out.
Trump and his MAGA Republicans prefer a dictatorial approach to solving our country’s problems. They tell us that we are a failing nation that only one man can fix. Beware. That is not democracy.
Concerning our economy, economists
homes in Pennsylvania are just like me and my family — kind, courteous and respectful. Fellow commenters on the thread confirmed my beliefs. Whatever reasons he had to make that post didn’t matter in the long run. In the grand scheme of things, it was just another blip on the social media timeline. It didn’t make any waves, and it certainly didn’t stop “outsiders” from visiting the area, or going to homes that they own.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve thought a lot about that post, not because I took insult in his words, but because I can’t imagine ever going out of my way to post such a ridiculous, negative thing — on any platform, for any reason.
It’s like the age-old saying: “If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.”
It doesn’t matter that the post came from a place other than Long Island, because I’m sure we can all think of similar ones. Comments become vicious and people start attacking one another, while ignoring the actual problem: We, as a society, can be extraordinarily unkind.
There’s a lot going on these days. Things are polarized, and I feel it — the agitation, the stress about the way things are. The world we live in today isn’t perfect, but was it ever?
The point I’m trying to make is, if you have to go out of your way to say something completely unnecessary, take a moment and ask yourself: Is it worth it?
The world today may not be perfect, and often it feels overwhelmingly negative. We don’t have to make it worse. When things feel harsh and disconnected, kindness is a quiet strength, as is thinking about the things we say, or write, before we say them.
We can choose to be mindful of what we say, understanding that our words have consequences. The world may not be perfect, but each of us can make it a little better by simply pausing, reflecting, and opting for kindness whenever we can, because in a time when so much feels out of our control, this is one thing that isn’t.
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor who writes for the Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow Heralds. Comments? jvallone@ liherald.com.
report that it is doing well. Gas prices are down, unemployment is down and the stock market is flourishing.
One would expect that food and housing costs would continue to improve under Harris. Economists say that Trump’s tariffs would backfire and increase the cost of goods. Also, it seems that most people agree with the Harris plan to have large corporations pay their fair share of taxes, but she will need a Democratic Congress to achieve this.
ELAINE RAuCH Lynbrook
On Election Day, keep it all in perspective
To the Editor:
Beware of all the promises of goodies — or, as I call them, Halloween tricks and treats — promised by candidates running for public office. There is no such thing as a free lunch, or, in this case, free government programs offering benefits to you. Taxpayers always end up picking up the tab.
That’s a good reason why politicians should be changed often, like diapers, because most are full of you know what! Remember this next Tuesday before you vote.
LARRY PENNER Great Neck
Framework by Tim Baker At Falcon’s Halloween Yard Haunt — Pierce Avenue, North Bellmore
JorDan VaLLone
