Five
Laura Gillen declares victory in 4th C.D. rematch with D’Esposito
By HERAlD STAFF
Laura Gillen declared victory in a rematch of the 2022 4th Congressional District contest against Rep. Anthony D’Esposito on Tuesday.
“The coordinated campaign that we put together — we knocked on 300,000 doors, we made over 600,00 phone calls, and we put together a campaign that was a winning game that we will emulate in the years to come,” Gillen said.
The closely watched race flipped the seat back to Democratic control after two years.
State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, a Republican with a campaign focused on public safety and small business support, was re-elected in the state’s 9th Senate District. She was challenged by Democrat James Lynch, running on a platform of climate action and tax reform.
Republican Assemblyman Ari Brown, campaigning on public safety and combating antisemitism, prevailed in the race against Democrat Tina Posterli.
In the 21st Assembly District,
Adrienne Daley/Herald Laura gillen declared victory in the 4th Congressional district race, flipping the seat back to democratic control after two years.
Democrat Judy Griffin defeated
State Assemblyman Brian Curran to return to the seat she lost in 2022. Griffin defeated Curran in 2018 to become the first Democrat to win the seat.
Democratic Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages was reelected to the seat in the 22nd District, easily defeating Republican challenger Ian Bergstrom.
ElEction RESUltS
Hewlett High senior’s service makes a splash
By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com
The fizz of success is bubbling up for a Hewlett High School senior.
Benjamin Halimi has been named one of about 1,050 semifinalists in the 2025 Coca-Cola Scholars Program, advancing from a pool of more than 105,000 applicants nationwide.
The scholarship program, funded by the Coca-Cola Company and the Coca-Cola Bottling System through their Scholars Foundation, recognizes high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to community service, Jamie Williams, the program’s senior director of scholarships and enrichment, explained in an email.
warmup and went to check my phone, and honestly couldn’t believe it at first,” he wrote in an email. “I thought it was a mistake!”
To qualify for the program, applicants must be graduating from high school this year, must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and must be planning to earn a college degree.
T hose chosen as CocaCola Scholars are motivated to do good not for their own egos or to bolster their resumes, but to lead others to create a better shared future.
JAMiE WilliAMS Coca-Cola Scholars
Halimi learned of his selection last month, before a varsity soccer game.
“I finished our regular
“In order to submit the first round of the application,” Halimi wrote, “you need to list your extracurricular involvements, high school classes and grades, any awards or honors you earned, and most importantly, your community service hours during high school.”
Just over 1 percent of applicants advance to the semifinalist stage, according to Williams.
“These are students who have impressive track records of leading their peers at school and beyond to make a positive Continued
Community spirit grows with Tornado Sports Network
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
Lawrence High School launched a new media club aimed at enhancing community involvement and showcasing the student-athletes.
Tornado Sports Network was created in collaboration with Angela Matinale, athletic director and Brandon Rebel, LHS alumni.
Rebel graduated in 2022 and is currently an undergraduate student at St. John’s University. He was hired by the district to support various technology needs at the school, including audiovisual equipment for musicals and concerts.
Most recently, he has been working on managing flat panels, a thin video display used as computer monitors and digital signage.
“While working on these projects, I started recording our high school athletic games, Rebel wrote in an email. “Then, while watching the Mets towards the end of the season and into the postseason, I thought: why not stream our games and give students a chance to explore a career in media or communications?”
Rebel was inspired by professional networks like SNY and ESPN, and received the necessary support from the district to create TSN.
TSN serves as a multimedia platform for all members of the community to connect, participate and celebrate the LHS’s athletic programs.
“TSN is designed to foster a strong sense of community while providing valuable hands-on experience for students interested in media and broadcasting,” Angela Matinale, LHS director of health, physical education and athletics wrote in an email. “We want to encourage students to explore their passions and develop skills that will serve
them in the professional world.”
TSN aims to provide game coverage and on-hand experience for aspiring media professionals. The club currently has 10 students involved.
“Ever since I was a student at Lawrence, I’ve always been passionate about giving back to our community,” Rebel wrote. “Being a part of TSN
allows me to do just that, by providing our students with a platform to express themselves and gain valuable, realworld experience. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how these opportunities can shape young lives.”
Wynter-Mari Content, a junior at LHS and Leandro Guardado, a freshman, joined TSN at the start of the organization.
Content had already been filming the sports games and was a member of stage crew it LHS, where the idea of TSN was explained and offered to them.
“I really do like watching sports but we also get to film it so the players can look back at the games and strategize about better plays,” Content said.
According to Content, her favorite part is having conversations behind the cameras and figuring out what questions to ask they players.
Guardado, who is also a member of stage crew, heard about TSN from Rebel and decided to give it a chance.
“I’m really interested in interviewing people and be on camera, that’s why I joined the club,” Guardado said.
At Lawrence Middle School, Guardado was involved in the media club and he wanted the opportunity to grow his high school transcript.
“I am interested in studying this because it’s really fun and I met a lot of new people,” Guardado said. “This is just a great opportunity.”
For event coverage, search Tornado Sports Network on YouTube.com.
John Diresta headlines Hewlett High School senior comedy night
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
From transit cop to Hollywood star and comedian, Woodmere Native John Diresta has a vast repertoire.
Diresta is a Hewlett High School class of 1982 alumni, former captain of the football team and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2004.
“A lot of comedians have a misfit lifestyle and upbringing,” Diresta said. “I loved growing up in the Five Towns and going to Hewlett High School.”
After getting suspended from SUNY New Paltz after 10 weeks of classes, he attended Nassau Community College where he stayed for five months and then dropped out, Diresta said.
“I always knew I wanted to be a comedian, I just didn’t have the nerve,”
Diresta said.
Later, in 1984 Diresta took NYPD exam and was assigned to be a transit police officer, where one out of 10 people get assigned, he said.
“I always looked for comedian jobs in the Newsday want ads,” Diresta said, during his time in the NYPD. “That’s how much I wanted to do it I just didn’t know where to start.”
His NYPD partner offered to pay for his comedy classes and that’s where Diresta had his big break.
As of early November, Diresta has performed 7,160 shows in almost all 50 states.
Five years into stand-up, Diresta won New York’s funniest cop award and was offered a sitcom deal from Disney in 1998.
He was offered a role as an FBI agent in the film “Miss Congeniality” with Sandra Bullock without an audition.
HHS PTA Vice President, Gina PageNelson, and Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education member, Shari Amitrano approached Diresta at the Brokerage in Bellmore, in March.
“As soon as they asked me to do it, I immediately said yes,” Diresta said. “I love everything about Hewlett High School.”
The comedy night is for adults 21 and older and the evening is $55 a person, including two drinks and light snacks.
All proceeds raised go towards the prom after-party for the graduating class at HHS, organized by the senior committee.
“The goal of the committee is to fundraise to provide a safe post-prom celebration to keep the kids in a safe environment,” Amitrano said.
• “Miss Congeniality”
• “Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous”
• “15 Minutes”
• “How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days”
• “Trash to Cash”
— Sourced from John Diresta John Diresta’s
“I got into the movie because of my New York accent, Diresta added. “Then I was in ‘15 Minutes’ with Robert De Niro and Ed Burns, also a HHS alumni.”
Diresta also starred in “Miss Congeniality 2,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and had three different woodworking shows. He became the funny woodworker and piloted three different sitcoms.
“I do one set every 24 hours, I do one show every night of the week,” Diresta said. “My goal is to do 10,000 shows.”
He returns to Long Island from North
Hollywood, California for the HHS class of 2025 senior comedy night, on Nov. 17.
Diresta is headlining at Elk’s Lodge in Lynbrook where comedian Carla Okerson will open.
Before comedy night, Diresta will be performing at Governor’s Comedy Club in Levittown, on Nov. 15 and 16.
Amitrano and Page-Nelson’s goal is to promote alumni from the community and raise money for the kids, they said.
“It’s really been a wonderful collaboration between the PTA, parents involved and John Diresta,” Amitrano said.
For Page-Nelson, she wanted to bring back an event that was around when she first moved into the district 17 years ago.
“It’s great to bring alumni back into the district,” Page-Nelson said. “It also shows the kids different avenues of what they can do after high school.”
To buy tickets, visit TinyURL.com/ bp84xby5.
Courtesy Lawrence Union Free School District
Leo G., left, Brian Amaya Ramirez, Boaz Walker and Jason Umana edit a video for the Tornado Sports Network club.
Courtesy John Diresta
Woodmere native, John Diresta, comedian, will be performing at Elk’s Lodge in Lynbrook for the Hewlett High School senior comedy night, on Nov. 17.
Sababa BBG empowers teenage girls through friendship and fun
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
B’nai B’rith Youth Organization — or BBYO — a teen-led group, offers opportunities and experiences for Jewish youths in grades eight through 12 to have more meaningful Jewish experiences.
“For more than 95 years, BBYO has provided exceptional identity enrichment and leadership development experiences for hundreds of thousands of Jewish teens,” according to BBYO.org.
Sababa BBG — B’nai B’rith Girls — is the chapter for East Rockaway, the Five Towns and Lynbrook. They are a part of the Nassau Suffolk Region BBYO.
“BBG chapters are a teen-led high school sorority where young women are empowered to make lasting friendships, have fun, learn, grow, celebrate their Jewish identity through conventions and programming,” said Lisa Hoffman, Sababa adviser. “They give back to their communities and the world, become leaders and learn skills that will help them beyond high school.”
Marty Greenstein, former field supervisor for BBYO and 60-year member, helped form Sababa BBG 18 years ago.
“I helped organize, recruit members for Sababa BBG,” Greenstein said. “Within a couple of years, they had more than 100 members and became a great chapter in the Nassau Suffolk Region.”
Greenstein, who attended Lynbrook High School, has a deep connection to
Sababa and what they stand for, she said.
“The continued success of Sababa BBG is not only important to me personally but to the Five Towns community as well,” Greenstein said. “The girls do a lot of community service which helps them foster a strong relationship in their community.”
This year, Sababa is focused on helping Hadassah — an American Jewish women’s Zionist volunteer organization.
“We will be selling sweatshirts with all the profits going toward the organization,” said Leore Paskal, president of Sababa.
Sababa currently has 30 members and they meet twice a month on Sundays for various types of events and activities.
Their first event of the year was a paint party in August. In October they had a Havdalah Bake ‘n’ Paint, and every year they do a mystery mench gift exchange for Hanukkah.
These events are not only for current members but also for prospective ones.
“We have events where we collaborate with other chapters, and it’s nice to meet girls from other areas,” Paskal said. “We do a lot of Shabbat and Havdalah events.”
Sophia Gak, regional vice president and Sababa member, joined BBYO in eighth grade and has made connections around the world through the organization, she said.
“I found who I really am and who I can be myself around,” Gak said. “I found best friends who don’t just live in my town and go to my school.”
The Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is Nothing to be Afraid Of
“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.”
— H.P. Lovecraft
Many people are afraid of using a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) to protect their assets from being depleted for the cost of longterm care. Shining a bit of light on the subject may help eliminate this fear of the unknown. Contrary to what many believe, including many lawyers, CPA’s and financial advisors, you do not give up control when entering into the MAPT, even though it is called an irrevocable trust.
First, you reserve the right to change the trustee at any time. Yes, you must name one or more children as the trustee (manager) of the MAPT but it is a simple matter to change the trustee at any time for any reason or for no reason at all. It is up to you.
Secondly, you reserve the right to change who you leave your trust estate to upon death.
Circumstances change and your MAPT gives you the flexibility to “roll with the punches”.
Thirdly, while the MAPT only allows you to take the income (interest and dividends) from the trust, you may still make gifts of principal taxfree to your children at any time, in any amount. If you give more than $18,000 per person per year you must report the gift but there is no tax —the IRS just subtracts it from the amount you can give at death, currently over thirteen and a half million. We like to say that most of our clients are “comfortably under”.
Finally, you may revoke an irrevocable trust in New York on consent of all the parties. If you and your children all sign it may be undone. What if one of them will not sign? Not a problem. Remember we said you may change the trustee and who you leave it to. We simply remove the unwilling participant as trustee and beneficiary and then revoke the trust on consent of all the parties!
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
County outlines e-bike law
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder shared a flyer with public school leaders at the end of October outlining county regulations for electronic bikes, according to Debi Sheinin, president of the HewlettWoodmere Board of Education.
According to county law, e-bike and electric scooter riders must wear a helmet while riding, must be at least 16 years old, cannot operate on sidewalks and cannot go over 20 miles per hour.
“Any motorized scooter operated on the highway, parking lot, sidewalk, street or other public areas can be
impounded,” officials wrote on the flyer. Violations of the county law could result in a fine of up to $700 for repeat offenders, officials wrote.
In mid-October, David Friedman, president of the Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association, shared on Facebook that he would be spearheading an effort to make e-bikes safer in the Hewlett-Woodmere school district and surrounding communities.
Friedman met with elected officials and business owners about strengthening enforcement and legislation related to e-bikes.
— Parker Schug
NASSAU
Courtesy Leore Paskal
The members of Sababa BBG BBYO, the Five Towns chapter, held a paint party in August as their first event of the year.
provided screenings at
EHS supports mental health with free screenings
The parking lot of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway was transformed into an ad hoc mental health clinic by the Episcopal Health Services Population Health team that hosted a National Depression Screening Day on Oct. 10.
The annual event aimed to raise awareness about mental health offered free depression screenings to community members.
“Depression is a serious medical issue that affects millions of people each year,” Preet Kukreja, director of Population Health at Episcopal Health Services said in a news release. “By screening community members, we have an opportunity to connect individuals with the support they need to manage their mental health.”
Population Health team members were joined by community partners, including the Queens Community Justice Center, The B.R.I.D.G.E. Family Enrichment Center and Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation, who shared valuable resources with those in attendance. North Shore Animal League’s Mobile Puppy Unit, with puppies available for adoption, was also present, thanks to the generosity of the St. John’s ICARE Foundation.
“The foundation was proud to sponsor the mobile puppy unit for National Depression Screening Day,” Nancy
Leghart, executive director of the St. John’s ICARE Foundation said in the release. “When the Population Health team approached us about supporting their event by creating a more relaxed atmosphere to ease the stress for participants and reinforce the importance of mental health care in our community, we were happy to help.”
Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and improve overall health, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
“At EHS, we are committed to raising awareness of depression and the importance of early screenings,” Renee HastickMotes, senior vice president, chief external officer at EHS and president of St. John’s ICARE Foundation said in the release.
“Depression can have a profound impact on individuals and their families, and events like these help us address this serious issue head-on by providing resources and support,” she added. “We were thrilled that puppies were adopted during the event and hope they will bring comfort to their new families, helping to alleviate the stress and loneliness that so often accompany depression.”
— Jeffrey Bessen
Former Five Towns priest arrested for alleged sexual abuse
Police arrested Thomas Moriarty, 62, of New Hyde Park for alleged sexual abuse of a 22-year-old man. The incident occurred on Oct. 26 at around 12:30 a.m. in Oceanside. Moriarty, employed as a pastor by the Holy Spirit Church located in New Hyde Park, is charged with forcible touching.
Before this role, he was a priest at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, St. Joachim’s R.C. Church and Our Lady of Good Counsel in the Five Towns. Moriarty also held Sunday mass at
point Beach Club in Atlantic Beach for 31 years. He was arraigned at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead on Oct. 31.
Detective’s request anyone that feels they may have been the victim of a similar incident, to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-(800) 244-8477 or call Special Victims Squad at (516) 5734022. All callers will remain anonymous.
— Kepherd
Daniel
Silver -
Courtesy NCPD Thomas Moriarty
Photos courtesy of Episcopal Health Services
Population Health team members nurse Latoya Maragh, left, Brian Sanceno, and social worker Brittany Heitman
National Depression Day last month.
A Q&A with Hewlett-Woodmere standout art students
By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com
For the second year in a row, Hewlett High School junior Becky Feygin and senior Charles Zeledon’s art pieces were accepted into the Nassau County High School Juried Exhibit and Competition.
On Nov. 3, the two students attended an artist reception with their work on display at the Art Guild Museum in Port Washington, highlighting high schoolers’ creations from around the county.
Karen Cunningham, Advanced Placement Art teacher at Hewlett High, was thrilled to see Feygin and Zeledon’s work recognized.
“Seeing my students work be accepted into the Art Guild of Port Washington’s annual art exhibition is a reminder that their creativity and dedication are making waves beyond the classroom and out into other communities,” Cunningham wrote in an email.
Feygin and Zeledon spoke with the Herald about the creative process in their work, being part of a Juried Exhibit and what their artistic futures hold: Herald: What inspired you to get into art?
Feygin: I’ve always been, involved in art. My mom, she was in the art industry when I was a child, so there was always that early influence. I’ve been doing art since I was three, I think.
Zeledon: I got started because my family does a lot of art. My grandma did architecture, my grandpa is a painter, and my uncle was the reason why I got into art, he taught me how to paint at a very young age. I would say it just runs my family to be really into art.
H: What artistic activities are you involved in at Hewlett High?
Hewlett High School junior Becky Feygin was accepted into the Nassau County High School Juried Exhibit and Competition.
F: I’ve had really good teachers in general, but in art, my teachers have just encouraged me to be free. For at least last two years, I’ve had some sort of guiding questions (for my art) and now I have more freedom, but they still encourage me to go with whatever I want. They kind of back me up. They help me whenever I need it. I do art club every week. I’m secretary right now, and I’m also in National Art Honor Society (since last school year).
Z: I do AP classes for art and I’ve been doing that for two years straight now. I also participate in different clubs
Charles Zeledon, a senior at Hewlett High, was a part of the Port Washington juried exhibit and competition highlighting Nassau County High School student’s art.
that involve me doing artwork for the club. I’m working with the yearbook club to make a cover for the yearbook.
H: Do you have an area where you specialize?
F: I prefer using colored pencils and acrylic paints.
Z: I really enjoy working with gouache and I enjoy working with digital artwork.
H: Talk to us about your submission to the Nassau County High School Juried Exhibit and Competition.
F: It’s an application process. We got
A new assistant superintendent for
Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools has appointed Charles Carollo as the new assistant superintendent of finance and personnel for the district.
Carollo’s role starts on Dec. 1 and he succeeds Alan Groveman, who served in the interim. He was approved by the Board of Education at a special meeting, on Oct. 28.
Before, Carollo served as executive manager of the Business Services Department for Nassau BOCES where
he managed complex budgets, ensured compliance with state regulations and implemented cost-saving measures, Hewlett-Woodmere officials wrote in a news release.
Carollo earned a New York State School District Business Leader Certificate and a master’s in business administration from Adelphi University.
He brings expertise in preparing annual budgets, overseeing transportation logistics for more than 1,000 stu -
a notification through the email since I signed up for like their mailing service last year and they just let me know that there’s a competition going on and my teacher wanted to get me involved. I submitted two pieces. One of them didn’t get accepted. The one that did get accepted was a pencil drawing of my room that I did back in December for school, but it kind of shows a more personal connection to me because it’s my room. Not many people see it.
Z: I submitted a painting of my house made in Digital (class) and I also submitted a painting of a protest from my country (Nicaragua). The process is very much finding a good photo. I take a lot of photos. A good portion of my time is finding the best photo I can for my artwork. I use a reference photo that I took for those paintings.
H: What did you think when you were accepted into the exhibit?
F: I was really excited when I found out. I’m just kind of happy that I got a piece into the exhibition for two years now. I wasn’t really thinking about it maybe back in like ninth grade, that I would get an art piece in an exhibition twice.
Z: It was nice. I really enjoyed going to it last year. I had a great experience, so I was really happy that I got to repeat the same experience this year.
H: What are your artistic plans moving forward?
F: I’m still trying to settle on what I want to do (in the future). But, I mean, if I can still pursue art in my adult life, I’d love to.
Z: I’m planning on doing art education for five years to get my master’s. I’m in between the Maryland Institute College of Art and SUNY New Paltz for art education.
Hewlett-Woodmere
dents and directing financial operations for multiple educational initiatives, the Hewlett-Woodmere officials said.
“The district looks forward to Mr. Carollo’s contributions as he steps into this key role, ensuring fiscal responsibility and continued excellence in our financial and personnel operations,” district officials wrote.
Carollo has significant experience in stakeholder engagement and problem solving, according to the district.
“Mr. Carollo’s financial expertise and commitment to fostering an efficient environment will greatly benefit our District,” Ralph Marino, Jr., Ed.D., Superintendent of Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools wrote in a news release.
“We are excited to welcome him to our team, where his leadership will be instrumental in shaping our financial strategies and enhancing our personnel operations.”
— Melissa Berman
Courtesy Becky Feygin
Courtesy Charles Zeledon
HERALD SPORTS
Lawrence falls in Nassau ‘A’ title game
By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com
Prior to last year, Lawrence had never competed in a boys’ soccer county championship.
The Golden Tornadoes made it back-to-back trips on Sunday, but suffered a second consecutive defeat, falling to Floral Park, 2-0, in the Nassau Class A final at Farmingdale State College.
It was a heartbreaking defeat, especially for a group of seniors who came agonizingly close to the school’s first title. And coach Gerard Legasse attempted in vain to console his team in the locker room afterward.
“Their passion is second to none and unfortunately we just didn’t have it tonight,” Legasse said. “I told them to hold their heads up. I’m so proud of the effort, day in and day out. It just wasn’t our day today.”
The game was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, when the Golden Tornadoes upset top-seeded and undefeated Floral Park.
This time the third-seeded Knights earned a measure of revenge and advance to compete in the Long Island Class A final against either John Glenn or Kings Park at Farmingdale State College Nov. 8 at 8:30 pm.
After a scoreless first half, Floral Park (13-3-1) struck twice in a fourminute span early in the second half on goals by Ned Devine and Michael Donovan to take control of the match.
Fourth-seeded Lawrence (13-4-2) had chances to pull back, but Floral Park goalkeeper denied Jeremy Cruz, who was played behind the Knights’ defense. Cruz also put a point-blank shot over the crossbar and Ben Perez headed the ball off the crossbar.
“We had a lot of chances to score,” Legasse said. “We just couldn’t put it in the back of the net.”
To reach a second straight county final, Lawrence had to knock off the top-seeded team in the semifinals for a second consecutive year. In their way was Mineola, the defending
county champions who knocked off the Golden Tornadoes in last year’s Nassau Class A final.
Lawrence emerged victorious thanks to Perez’s powerful back-post header off Brandon Moran-Flores’ corner kick in the 23rd minute. It was the senior center back’s fourth goal of the year.
The breakthrough goal came moments after the Mustangs nearly broke the scoreless stalemate, but Gabriel Rosales got a touch on a cross in the box. The rebound fell to Leonel Carillo, who put his shot off the post. It darted out to Frank Ramos, who put a shot on frame only for Alex Samayoa to make a diving clearance.
“We played a very good, but not perfect semifinal match,” Legasse said. “The focus was to set the tone the first 15-20 minutes of the game, which we did very well. We had Mineola on their heels and showed that we wanted it more. Our tactics worked in our favor and at the end of the day, we were the better team and the result proved that.”
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Media Origin Inc./Herald Joseph Gonzalez was part of a passionate and talented senior class for the Golden Tornadoes, who reached the championship stage again.
Project 2025 plan for culture, health care
By Jenna ZaZa & Lori Saxena Special to the Herald
Third in a series.
Written by the conservative Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 is a 922-page book detailing overhauls of the executive branch and proposing radical policy changes regarding the economy, culture, education and health care.
The controversial plans have Democrats in a tizzy, the Trump campaign distancing itself from the ideas and saying they would embrace the mandate’s demise. However, six of his former Cabinet secretaries and more than 140 people who played a role in the project also worked in his administration, according to a CNN report.
At its core, the initiative seeks to reshape the federal government, but its impact extends to the local level.
“The next President has a moral responsibility to lead the nation in restoring a culture of life in America again,” Heritage Foundation officials wrote in the project foreword.
Culture
Project 2025 is steeped in dividing culture wars saying, “The next conservative President must make the institutions of American civil society hard targets for woke culture warriors.” Its top goal is to prioritize the nuclear family model “as the centerpiece of American life” by rolling back hard-fought LGBTQ+ and Black rights.
It calls for the reversal of the 2015 Supreme Court case that legalized samesex marriage in all 50 states. Widespread anti-LGBTQ+ policies could significantly erode cultural and familial support for queer individuals.
“This policy document gives extended protections that violate individual civil and human rights,” Kiana Abbady, board chair of Long Island Progressive Coalition, said. “There would be no such thing as non-traditional families, that would only be the nuclear family, and that goes back to the denial of LGBTQ rights.”
Child protection rhetoric of antiLGBTQ+ has a long history but the ideology behind the project’s “optimal childrearing” family structure emerged in the late 1990s from religious conservative groups. Saying that children grew up best in households with both a man and woman parental figure. That argument is considered to be false, according to the American Psychological Association.
“So when [the project] says they want to prioritize nuclear family values, that is coded language,” said Jillian Gaeta, co-founder of Roots to Revolution and a New York City public school teacher. “What that means is they think that women who don’t have children … that couples who are gay and adopting children also have less value in our society.”
The project proposes limiting opportunities for people of color by stamping out all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the federal, state and local
Project 2025, a plan conceived by the conservative Heritage Foundation, could change the U.S. if Donald Trump is
level. DEI creates jobs, boosts the bottom line for companies and contributes significantly to the economy, according to research by McKinsey & Company.
According to a Suffolk County disparity study final report, persons of color “experience the greatest disparity, as they are significantly less likely to own a business.” It also discovered that there are statistically “significant disparities” in business earnings for minorities.
“The elimination of these programs that encourage economic advancement and economic opportunity for hard working Americans based on the color of their skin is abhorrent and it’s disappointing,” Abbady said.
Critics of the mandate argue that the proposed policies risk overextending government power to enforce rigid gender binaries and strip away support for marginalized communities.
“It was working on, for decades, to have the United States be a white, Christian, authoritarian nation,” Claudia Borecky, president of the Bellmore-Merrick Democratic club, said.
Health care
Project 2025 proposes decentralization of federal programs like Medicaid, increasing privatization, and implementing grant caps on health care.
A 2023 study in the international Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health of 1,695 healthcare facilities in Nassau County, revealed a disproportionate distribution of services, with the majority of facilities clustered in two affluent zip codes. Areas with high social vulnerability have a significantly sparser distribution of healthcare services.
Parts of Suffolk County are federally designated Medically Underserved
Areas due to insufficient access to primary care, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. These regions rely on federally qualified health centers and federal programs such as Medicaid.
Project 2025 aims to encourage health care funding that is specific to the needs of local communities and competition with private insurers. Decentralization could lead to reducing federal funding and limitations on Medicaid, which could exacerbate barriers in accessing medical care for vulnerable populations.
Currently, just over 25 percent of Suffolk County residents and a little more than 23 percent of Nassau County residents are enrolled in Medicaid, according to a United Hospital Fund report.
Michelle Jones, a nurse at Flushing Hospital, who is on the board of directors for the New York State Nurses Association, said these proposals would substantially increase the cost of health care if implemented.
“The cost of health care is going to skyrocket, and so is the cost of medication,” she said. “This, is going to put profit over patients and over the frontline workers who take care of these patients. This project will erode people.”
The project’s proposed health care policies also include reforming the Department of Health and Human Services into an anti-abortion-focused Department of Life.
Liberal organizations, such as EMILY’s List, have pledged to invest money and resources into flipping House seats currently held by anti-abortion Republicans.
“Project 2025 outlines tracking women’s pregnancies, including abortion, miscarriages, stillbirths ... dismantling sex education, and replacing birth con-
trol programs,” Yari Aquino, an EMILY’s List representative, said. “The way to stop Project 2025 from happening is to elect … Democratic pro-choice women up and down the ballot.”
The Long Island Coalition for Life remains determined to influence public policy in a direction that bans abortion statewide with no exceptions.
“Our ultimate goal is to protect every preborn son and daughter in the womb, to end abortion and to bring back respect for the right to life of all people,” Celeste Broyles, a representative of the Coalition, said. “We don’t discriminate against babies who may have been conceived in rape … all babies deserve the right to life.”
In 2022, former State Sen. Anna M. Kaplan and Assemblywoman Gina L. Sillitti highlighted ongoing local abortion restrictions. Several communities still had “trigger laws” on the books that were passed in the early 1970s and were intended to limit the establishment of abortion clinics and impose stringent regulations on access. Hempstead, Huntington and Oyster Bay towns and the villages of Freeport and Williston Park had local abortion restrictions.
“Every person should have autonomy over their body and have the right to discuss that with their provider.” Jones said. “Under the project, people are defined by their role in their family, but even then they are a single person with the right to make decisions.”
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.
Jenna Zaza/Herald
elected president.
His service could earn Halimi $20,000
impact and to address the challenges facing their communities,” Williams wrote. “These are students who lead (and in some cases, start) clubs and organizations, who volunteer hundreds of hours a year in and out of school, who maintain stellar academic records, and who work to improve their schools and communities.”
Halimi co-founded the Youth Outreach, a group that connects with nonprofit organizations through podcast interviews and awareness campaigns. Youth Outreach recently worked with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and partnered with Emblem Health Neighborhood Care to donate 550 school supplies to local children, Halimi said.
At the high school he is president of DECA, where he developed programs to teach children about business, personal finance and law. He also volunteers at Chabad of Hewlett.
“I definitely believe I am somewhat involved in my community, which I think played a role,” he wrote.
To become a finalist, Halimi must submit additional docu -
mentation about his activities, a teacher recommendation letter, his transcript and several essays. Prospective finalists undergo an interview with a selection committee.
“Those chosen as Coca-Cola Scholars are motivated to do good not for their own egos or to bolster their resumes, but to lead others to create a better shared future,” Williams said.
If selected, Halimi would receive a $20,000 college scholarship and join the Coca-Cola Scholars community.
He is in the process of submitting college applications, plans to study political science and has aspirations of becoming a lawyer, he said.
“We are incredibly proud of Benjamin Halimi for being named a semifinalist,” Hewlett High Principal Alexandra Greenberg wrote in a statement. “His dedication to academic excellence, leadership, and community service has truly set him apart.”
For more information about the Coca-Cola Scholars Program and its recognition of student leaders nationwide, visit CocaColaScholarsFoundation.org.
Courtesy Benjamin Halimi
Benjamin Halimi has been named a semifinalist in the 2025 Coca-Cola Scholars Program, which recognizes students who are dedicated to community service and involvement.
LHS Class of 1969 celebrates their 55th reunion
The Lawrence Class of 1969 celebrated their 55th reunion at the Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, on Oct. 26 to 27. More than 55 classmates attended from 10 different states.
The reunion was planned and chaired by Ian Brecher and Robin Wexler, and included a Saturday afternoon meet and greet at Brixx and Barley in Long Beach, a Saturday evening gala on the Allegria rooftop and a two night stay with a special rate.
There was an optional after-party on Saturday at L’Onde bar and a Sunday breakfast buffet, in the Allegria.
“Our attendees reconnected with old friends as well as with people that they never knew in high school,” Brecher wrote in an email. “I felt that I had stepped into a time warp and all of my memories of high school came flooding back to me. Everyone enjoyed this weekend and made new memories at this warm, spirited, joyous and memorable reunion.”
—
Melissa Berman
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Photos
The Lawrence High School Class of 1969 celebrated their 55th reunion at the Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, on Oct. 26 to 27.
Classmates gathered around to chat, share life stories and tell tales of their high school days.
Members of the Class of 1969 laugh and smile during their former classmates’ speeches.
Reunion Organizers Robin Wexler, left, and Ian Brecher hosted the weekend events for the 55th reunion.
Stuart Hantman, left, Jill Shelly, Marsha Weiss, Carol Fox Hantman, Edith Ginsberg and David Berry enjoy the Saturday night reunion reception at the Allegria Hotel rooftop.
Nassau Legislature adopts 2025 budget
By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
The Nassau County Legislature has approved County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s proposed $4.2 billion budget for 2025. The plan, which keeps property tax rates flat and prioritizes investments in law enforcement and children’s early-intervention programs, sparked considerable debate and split votes on key legislative committees.
“I’m very pleased that the Republican Majority unanimously passed our no tax increase budget over the objections of Democrats who wanted a tax increase to give them more money to squander away on wasteful spending,” Blakeman said in a statement after the vote on Oct. 30. His office did not respond to requests for further comment.
The Legislature’s Finance Committee voted unanimously to advance the budget, while the Rules Committee was divided, with Republican members in favor and Democratic members, including Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, abstaining. DeRiggi-Whitton cited concerns over the budget’s reliance on reserves, the lack of movement on assessment reform, and financial uncertainties as reasons for the Democratic caucus’s stance.
Blakeman’s budget allocates significant funds for law enforcement and public safety, setting aside resources for two police cadet classes and two correction officer classes, totaling 206 new hires. The allocation is designed to address anticipated retirements and maintain adequate staffing in the Nassau County Police Department, which currently has 2,576 officers.
The spending plan also funds 38 additional full-time positions, primarily in health and human services as well as law enforcement, which will bringing the county’s workforce to 7,517.
Despite the additions, DeRiggi-Whitton said she was
U sing such a large chunk of reserves in one year leaves us vulnerable to future budget challenges, especially if unexpected costs arise.
DELIa DeRIggI-WHIttoN Minority leader, Nassau County Legislature
concerned about the budget’s anticipated 30 percent reduction in police overtime expenses. She argued that the assumption lacks justification, given historical trends and expected police demands, noting that similar overtime cuts in the past have led to strain on publicsafety services.
“There’s no real evidence to back up the notion that we’ll see a decrease in overtime needs,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “With the same head count, expecting a 30 percent reduction seems overly optimistic and potentially risky for the county.”
The budget includes a $22 million boost in funding for early intervention and preschool services, bringing the total allocation to $185 million. The funds support speech, occupational and physical therapy services for children with special needs. Earlier this year, the county increased its reimbursement rates for service providers, addressing what had been among the state’s lowest rates.
Blakeman’s proposal keeps property taxes flat, in keeping with his commitment to avoid new tax burdens. But DeRiggi-Whitton argued that the spending plan falls short of delivering on Blakeman’s original campaign promises of tax relief and a reformed property assess-
ment system.
“For the third year in a row, we’re seeing a budget that doesn’t address his campaign’s core promises,” she said. “Homeowners are still waiting for the tax cuts and assessment reform that were central to his platform.”
Another sticking point for DeRiggi-Whitton and her Democratic colleagues is the budget’s heavy reliance on reserves, specifically federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. According to the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, the county has a $207.4 million operating deficit, which the administration plans to offset by drawing on nearly $200 million in reserves. DeRiggiWhitton likened this to dipping into a household’s savings account to cover ongoing expenses.
“This one-time money is being used to patch budget gaps instead of creating sustainable financial plans,” she said. “Using such a large chunk of reserves in one year leaves us vulnerable to future budget challenges, especially if unexpected costs arise.”
In addition to the budget, legislators approved several key appointments during the meeting. Joseph Adamo, who had been serving as acting county assessor, was confirmed as the permanent assessor, despite questions about his certification status.
Jose Lopez was also confirmed as the permanent commissioner of the Department of Social Services, receiving bipartisan support. Lopez has served under both Democratic and Republican administrations, and brings extensive experience to the role.
The Legislature also approved a pay increase for Nassau County election commissioners, raising their salaries from $180,000 to $210,000.
The budget’s passage in the Republican-majority Legislature shifts the focus to NIFA, which will review the county’s financial plan. Its meeting to discuss the budget is scheduled for Nov. 20.
High ceilings
EHS walks for a range of causes
The Episcopal Health Services team members showed their support at the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” and the 7th Annual Trina Williams Far Rockaway Cancer & Domestic Violence Walk, to raise awareness for both breast cancer and domestic violence.
EHS sponsored booths at both events on Oct. 20 and handed out snacks, waters and swag to participants. The mobile health van was stationed on the Far Rockaway boardwalk, offering
blood pressure readings, information on screenings and influenza vaccinations to walkers.
“EHS was proud to sponsor the ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ walk,” Sharika Gordon, senior vice president and chief people officer at EHS wrote in a news release. “This event raises much-needed funds for research and awareness of breast cancer. It also provides an opportunity for our team members to unite and show support for family members, patients
and the community at large.”
According to the news release, EHS raised more than $10,000 to support breast cancer research throughout October. Their events included a “Real Men Wear Pink” fashion show, a pink treat sale and a ‘Think Everything Pink” decorating contest.
“Our Population Health team was honored to support the Trina Williams Far Rockaway Cancer & Domestic Violence Walk, an event we look forward to each year,” Renee Hastick-Motes, EHS
senior vice president and chief external affairs officer wrote in a news release.
“The Rockaway’s have one of the highest cancer rates in New York City and we know that domestic violence is a continuous issue that we must bring awareness to and find solutions to combat it. It’s vital that EHS stands in solidarity with its community to show support and offer resources to those in need who have been affected by these critical issues.”
— Melissa Berman
Run for Their Lives hits the boardwalk
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
The Long Beach chapter of Run for Their Lives hosted another peaceful walk last Sunday as part of a global movement dedicated to raising awareness of the plight of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
About 60-80 participants gathered with posters with photos of many of the hostages captured by Hamas and the Run For Their Lives Banner.
Founded in California’s Bay Area by a group of Israelis in partnership with the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, Run for Their Lives has expanded internationally, with participants around the world walking or running to show solidarity and to call for the safe return of the hostages.
The Long Beach chapter’s weekly walks are organized by volunteers working to keep public attention focused on the hostages’ situation. Esther Langer shares brief biographies of two hostages with the group each week, and documents each event with photos and videos shared online. Tara Bogart Spiess oversees the graphic design of banners and fliers, edits the visual images from each walk and posts the materials on both local and international platforms to ensure Long Beach’s visibility on the global Run for Their Lives site. Frada Pasik oversees the creation of posters, banners and flags for the group, which
Stephen Takacs/Herald
The organizers share ideas with the global community on Canva when it comes to designing the weekly fliers.
display the hostages’ photos and nationalities.
“We want people to remain cognizant that the hostages are Israelis, Arabs, foreign nationals, Druze, Jews, Muslims, Christians, children, men, women, grandparents and even a great grandparent,” Spiess said alongside Langer and Pasik. “We feel we cannot go on with our daily lives knowing that these innocent people, young and old, are in perilous danger in the tunnels of Gaza.”
The idea of creating a local chapter of Run for Their Lives came together after
Langer attended a rally in Plainview, the hometown of one of the hostages, Omer Neutra where she learned about a Run for Their Lives group in the Five Towns area. The three joined the effort in April.
A few weeks later, they decided that Long Beach should have its own walks to raise awareness locally. They contacted the head of the international organization, Shira Weiss, who sent the link to many resources to help them start their own chapter and worked with City Councilman Chris Fiumara to learn how to proceed while satisfying the guidelines
of the city. The first walk took place on July 7.
Before each Sunday’s walk, the organizers promote the event in local group chats, usually posting on Thursday and Saturday nights. The walks are kept intentionally quiet, with no chanted slogans, and last just 18 minutes to symbolize Chai, the Hebrew word for life.
“We are hopeful for the lives of those hostages that remain alive in captivity, so they can come home and rebuild their lives,” Spiess said alongside Langer and Pasik. “And for the dead to be buried near their beloved families.”
The walks have received a positive response from the community. The participants get a lot of thumbs-up and waves, and some people join in, according to the organizers.
The chapter also follows the global movement’s practice of recording a brief video at the end of each walk. In it, participants say, “Run for Their Lives, release them now, Long Beach, New York,” which is shared on social media. Former Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg showed his support for the effort by attending last Sunday’s walk.
The organizers plan to continue to hold the walks each week, to maintain awareness of the hostages’ situation, until they are safely returned.
The walk takes place every Sunday unless there is a conflicting function. For more information, visit Run4lives.org.
Courtesy Episcopal Health Services
NYPD Detective Lynn Blanchette, left, with Renee Hastick-Motes, senior vice president and chief external affairs officer at Episcopal Health Services at the 7th Annual Trina Williams Far Rockaway Cancer & Domestic Violence Walk, on Oct. 20.
Courtesy Episcopal Health Services
Episcopal Health Services Population Health team members Antonio Handy, left, and Brian Sanceno handed out informational pamphlets to walk participants.
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.
Pence reflects on Jan. 6 at LIA luncheon
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
One week before Election Day, former Vice President Mike Pence spoke candidly to about 700 people at the Long Island Association’s annual fall luncheon at the Crest Hollow Country Club, in Woodbury. In an hour-long interview led by LIA President Matt Cohen, Pence, 65, spoke with conviction to a politically diverse crowd about the state of American politics, his break with Donald Trump, and the Republican Party’s future.
Pence didn’t mince words when expressing his views on the current political landscape, telling attendees he could not support the Democratic ticket of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, but he also acknowledged his decision not to endorse the Republican ticket.
“I could never support the Democrat ticket,” Pence said. “But I’m also not endorsing our ticket. I have real concerns about the direction of the Republiwhile “marginalizing the sanctity of life.”
One of the most poignant moments of the luncheon came as Pence recounted his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, when a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol, some chanting threats against him. Pence explained that he was guided by the oath he took on President Reagan’s Bible, which he considered both a commitment to the American people and a
“The Bible says in Psalm 15, ‘He keeps his oath even when it hurts.’ I know something about that,” Pence said, adding that it is against the spirit of the presidency to dictate what votes were or were not counted.
As Pence described it, his differences with Trump surfaced only in the final days of their administration, when Trump, influenced by a group of lawyers outside the administration, became convinced that Pence had the authority to
overturn the election results. Despite their disagreements, Pence recalled that he and Trump “never had a cross word” throughout their four years together, and even reconciled shortly after Jan. 6, parting “very amicably.” He noted, however, that as time went on, Trump returned to much of the same rhetoric that had fueled the events of Jan. 6, solidifying their separation.
Pence’s said that the Republican Party needed to return to what he described as “mainstream conservatism.” He spoke of the importance of maintaining strong American leadership on the world stage, fiscal responsibility, limited government and traditional values. As he sees it, the GOP must decide whether to adhere to those principles or follow “the siren song of populism unmoored to conservative principle.”
Beyond his concerns about his party’s trajectory, Pence expressed a broader worry for the nation’s divided politics. “Our politics are more divided than any time in my life,” he said. “But I’m not convinced the American people are as divided as their politics.” He added that he hoped we would ultimately unite to face common challenges.
Pence closed on an optimistic note, acknowledging that while many Americans feel their values are being “trampled on and disrespected,” the U.S. can still uphold its role as “the leader of the free world.”
Roksana Amid/Herald
Long Island Association President Matt Cohen spoke with former Vice President Mike Pence about a range of topics, including his break from Donald Trump, the future of the Republican Party and the importance of upholding constitutional values.
STEPPING OUT
Join the party with
Magical moments on ice and his pals
By Karen Bloom
Ailey II
The latest dose of Disney magic arrives with a rockin’ start to the holiday season. Disney On Ice glides into UBS Arena with “Let’s Dance,” on Nov. 13, to the delight of families who enthusiastically embrace every Disney moment. This time around Mickey and the gang are groovin’ at the DJ table and everyone’s on the guest list.
Audiences feel the electric atmosphere from the get-go as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy remix favorite tunes into colorful stories. “Wish,” an homage to Disney’s 100th anniversary that debuted in the show last fall before the film’s release in theaters — is back in a big way. Now, the entire Kingdom of Rosas is in the spotlight. Wish, Asha, Valentino, Star, and King Magnifico come together for “This Wish,” “I’m a Star” and “This Is The Thanks I Get?!” Go on a journey to Arendelle and the Enchanted Forest in “Frozen 2” with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf as they are reminded that “Some Things Never Change.”
Also escape to the Pride Lands with Simba and Nala. Audiences should “Be Prepared” as Scar and the hyenas plot to take over the throne. Timon and Pumbaa remind us it’s best just to say “Hakuna Matata” as everyone celebrates the “Circle of Life” as represented in “’The Lion King.”
Skilled maestro Sebastian strikes a chord “Under the Sea” when he conducts Ariel, her seven sisters and a colorful orchestra of sea creatures. Everyone will be singing along as Ariel serenades Prince Eric in “The Little Mermaid.”
And, of course, everyone will immediately “Know The Way” when Moana journeys from the island of Motunui to save her home from Te Ka.
These unforgettable characters and their adventures come alive as audiences are transported to world where imaginations soar — and in true Disney spirit “anything can happen if you just believe.”
So it goes with Mikaela Hyryläinen. The skater, who grew up and still makes her home in Finland, joined the Disney On Ice ensemble in 2019 after concluding her competitive skating career — and is living her dream. Proof that ‘Disney magic’ knows no boundaries.
A Disney fan since childhood, naturally, her first experience with the ice spectacle came about in 2006-07 when she attended a production as a young child with her Mom in Helsinki.
“I remember telling my mother that I enjoyed it so much that I would love to do something similar in the future. So that’s actually where everything started for me.”
Of course, Hyryläinen is quite partial to Elsa.
“Elsa’s my favorite since she comes from the Nordic countries like I do. She has these powers with snow and ice. It’s something that when I was growing up I really enjoyed, playing in the snow and all that. It’s cool that Disney has a character like her.”
As always the skating brings a new dimension to the stories we know so well. Solos, pairs, fast-paced ensemble numbers, along with acrobatic routines, keep everyone in awe of what they’re seeing.
awe of what they’re seeing. not
As Hyryläinen puts it: “We not only do the show on the ice, we also bring it into the air.”
She is especially enthusiastic about a segment in “The Little Mermaid” — Under the Sea — when the seven daughters of Triton ‘fly’ with aerial hoops.
Ailey II, which bills itself as “the next generation of dance,” continues its 50th anniversary of bringing “offthe-charts energy” to the stage. 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. 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. The program includes Ailey’s Streams, an abstract exploration of bodies in space, danced to a percussion score; Houston Thomas’ world premiere Down the Rabbit Hole, a continuation of the choreographer’s Follow the White Rabbit (2022; 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.
“They do splits and spins and all sorts of exciting tricks in the air,” she explains.
Expect to see acrobatic stunts throughout the show.
“We have swaypoles, freestyle skaters leaping off ramps, also other kinds of aerial acts that are so special. They help us tell the stories on an even deeper level.”
• Wednesday through Sunday. Nov. 13-17; times vary
• Tickets start at $30; available at DisneyOnIce.com
• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
While the entire production always gets an enthusiastic response, audiences are especially fond of the “Circle of Life.”
“We see Simba and Nala on the Pride Rock and there are all kinds of different animals. We have flamingos, giraffes, impalas, obviously Timon and Pumbaa and even Zazu. It’s a huge celebration of Simba and Nala and their new cub,” she notes.
In fact ‘celebration’ is an apt descriptive of the entire spectacle. The show encourages fans, as per the Mouse House, to “celebrate the magic of courage, love and adventure.”
And that pretty much sums it up for Hyryläinen.
“There’s nothing more heartwarming than seeing young kids whose eyes light up when they see you and see certain characters on the ice,” she says. “They’re singing so loud, they’re clapping, they’re dancing, they’re having the best time. I’m so happy bringing the Disney magic to all the kids who attend our shows.
“I’m living my best life, getting to bring the stories to life. Plus, this job has taken me to so many cool places in the world. I couldn’t be more grateful for the path I chose.”
A final takeaway from Hyryläinen: “As long as you believe in the magic, as long as you have goals, as long as you have dreams, there’s nothing to stop you.”
Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment
What starts out as a party transforms into an adventure with Mickey and his crew spinning tunes to get it all going.
Friday, Nov. 8, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
The Seven Wonders
The Seven Wonders “go [their] own way’ when the band brings their popular Fleetwood Mac show to the Madison Theatre. The concert features all your favorite Fleetwood Mac songs — “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” “You Make Lovin’ Fun,” “Rhiannon,” and more — delivered in a powerful performance by a band whose chemistry is as electric as the original. Certainly not your average tribute band, these musicians take it to the next level. While their collective performance experience spans decades, their presence and energy are vivacious, paying homage to the live show of the original Fleetwood Mac. Their onstage charisma invokes the styles of the original band in its prime. It’s a true testament to music’s timelessness.Their performances have been turning heads since their inception.
Friday, Nov. 8, 8 p.m. $50-$60. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 3234444.
Whiskey & Wings
Benefit
Enjoy a tasty evening that pairs Buffalo wings and whiskey, benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter, Thursday, Nov. 7, 5-8 p.m., at Amber Court of Westbury. With raffles and 50/50. 3400 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury. RSVP to Laura LaFauci at llafauci@ ambercourtal.com or call (631)383-4341.
Talking birds
The South Shore Audubon Society invites all to a lecture program, “Galápagos Species: Why Birders’ Life Lists May Be Wrong,” with Prof. Russell Burke, of Hoftstra’s Biology Department, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m., at Freeport Memorial Library.
The Galápagos Islands are famous for unusual animals and plants. Counting them all requires thinking about what we mean by the term “species.”
Discussion involves determining what a species is. 144 W. Merrick Road (at S. Ocean Avenue) in Freeport. For more information about the program or South Shore Audubon, go to SSAudubon. org.
Film Screening
National Counsel of Jewish Women Peninsula Section hosts a screening of “Cuba’s Forgotten Jewels: A Haven in Havana,” Sunday, Nov.10. 2 p.m., at Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library. It explores the little known story of the Jewish refugees who escaped Nazi-occupied Europe and found safe haven in Cuba. The film was born of the tales that Marion Kreith told her daughter, co-director Judy Kreith, about her escape from Nazi-occupied Belgium and her teenage years in 1940s Havana. Registration is required. Call (516) 569-3660 to register. 1125 Broadway, Hewlett.
Veterans Day Program
Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Center honors Veterans Day with “The Role of Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America,” Monday, Nov. 12, 8 p.m. With Jewish War Veterans Post 652. 295 Main St., East Rockaway. For more, call (516) 599-2634.
Having an event?
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues Saturday, 9, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.
Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition “Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition
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 Union
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, Ed.D.
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, New York Gas National Grid
ENERGY:
JIM FLANNERY Chief Operating Officer National Grid Ventures, US Northeast
HEALTHCARE:
MARIANELA CASAS, MPA
Chief Operating Officer
Association for Mental Health and Wellness
STACEY C. JACKSON-HARLEY
RN MA BSN
Chief Operating Officer
Harmony Healthcare
ANDREW MINTZ
Chief Executive Officer
The Smilist
MICHAEL N. ROSENBLUT
President & Chief Executive Officer
Parker Jewish Institute For Healthcare and Rehabilitation
AMY SILVA-MAGALHAES
Chief Operating Officer
The Bristal Assisted Living
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, MSc
Chief Operating Officer & Finance Director
CM Law PLLC
JULIE WYETZNER
Executive Director &
Chief Operating Officer
Cona Elder Law PLLC
MICHAEL H. SAHN
Managing Partner
Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano PLLC
HOWARD M. STEIN
Managing Partner & Co- Chair of the Real Estate Practice Group Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
NOT-FOR-PROFIT:
PHIL ANDREWS
President Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce
LISA BURCH, MPH
President & Chief Executive Officer
EPIC Long Island, Inc.
RANDELL M. BYNUM
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Nassau County
MATTHEW COHEN
President & Chief Executive Officer
Long Island Association, Inc.
ERIKA FLORESKA
President
Long Island Children's Museum
JEFFREY FRIEDMAN
Chief Executive Officer
CN Guidance and Counseling Services
DAN LLOYD
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Minority Millennials, Inc.
DIANE MANDERS
Interim Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of LI
JOHN MCGUIGAN
Chief Executive Officer
AHRC Suffolk
JEFFREY L. REYNOLDS, Ph.D.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Family and Children's Association
LUIS VAZQUEZ
President & Chief Executive Officer
Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
REAL ESTATE:
JOSEPH A. FARKAS
Chief Executive Officer & Founder Metropolitan Realty Associates LLC
RETAIL:
ROBERT KAY
Chief Executive Officer
Lifetime Brands, Inc.
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
CHRIS R. VACCARO
President & Executive Officer
Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame
TECHNOLOGY:
AMY E. NEWMAN
Senior Vice President, Administration
Canon U.S.A, Inc.
TRANSPORTATION:
ROBERT FREE
Acting President
Long Island Rail Road
MARLON TAYLOR
President New York & Atlantic Railway
COREY J. MUIRHEAD
Executive Vice President
Guardian Bus Company
MICHAEL D. TORNABE
Chief Operating Officer
Guardian Bus Company *List still in formation
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notices
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: 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: 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
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
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
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE 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.
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
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 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. 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 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
LEGAL NOTICE
ANNUAL FIRE DISTRICT ELECTION
Please take notice that a fire district election of the East End of Atlantic Beach District will be held on Tuesday December 10, 2024 at the Administration Bldg located at Troy Avenue and the Beach in East Atlantic Beach to elect: (1) Fire Commissioner to serve for a term of five (5) years beginning January 1, 2025. Please note all duly registered residents of EAB Fire District shall be eligible to vote: Candidates for the office shall file with the secretary of the Fire District no later than November 20, 2024 By order of the Fire Commissioners East End Atlantic Beach.
DAVID FIKELSTEIN
Secretary 1298 Park Street Atlantic Beach, NY 11509 516-239-0839
149871
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE FOR FIRE DISTRICT ELECTION AND PREPARATION OF REGISTRATION ROLLS
Annual Election of Meadowmere Fire District December 10, 2024
PLEASE BE ADVISED that the Board of Elections of the Meadowmere Fire District shall meet on the 26th day of November, 2024 between the hours
of 6:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. at the Meadowmere Fire House, 14 Meyer Avenue, Lawrence, New York for the purpose of preparing the rolls of registered voters of the Meadowmere Fire District.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Annual Election of the Meadowmere Fire District will take place on December 10, 2024 between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the Meadowmere Firehouse located at 14 Meyer Avenue, Lawrence, New York, for the purpose of electing one commissioner for a fiveyear term, commencing January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2029. All residents of the Meadowmere Fire District duly registered to vote on or before November 17, 2024 shall be eligible to vote. Candidates for District Office shall file their name and Petition with Susan Lund, the Secretary of the Meadowmere Fire District at 14 Meyer Avenue, Lawrence, New York 11559 no later than November 20, 2024. By order of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Meadowmere Fire District. Susan Lund Fire District Secretary Meadowmere Fire District 149870
LEGAL NOTICE
Village of Lawrence Legal Notice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence will hold a work session beginning at 6:45 P.M. followed by a public meeting on November 20, 2024 at the Lawrence Village Hall 196 Central Ave Lawrence, New York 11559 beginning at 7:30 P.M. to conduct the following Public Hearings and to attend to such other matters as may properly come before the Board: 8 Muriel Avenue, Fishman- Section 212-12.1 of the Schedule of Dimensional Regulation states the maximum building coverage for a lot size of 8,247 sq. ft. in area is 2,529 sq. ft. Section 212-16.D (1) of the Village Code states, in a Residence District B the minimum front yard setback is 30 ft. Section 212-16.D (1) of the Village Code states, in a Residence District B the minimum side yard setback is 15 ft. Section 212-16.D (1) of the Village Code states, in a Residence District B the minimum aggregate yard setback is 30 ft. Section 212-16.D (2) (a) of the Village Code states, in a Residence District B the maximum front yard height setback ratio is 0.74. Section 212-16.D (2) (c) of the Village Code states, in a Residence District B the maximum
side yard height setback ratio is 1.5. Section 212-16.D (2) (b) of the Village Code states, in a Residence District B the maximum rear yard height setback ratio is 0.74. Section 212-48.C of the Village Code states, in a Residence District B the minimum side yard setback for pool is 15 ft. Section 212-48.B of the Village Code states, the minimum rear yard setback for pool is 20 ft.
94 Muriel Avenue, Kornfield- Section 212.12.1 Schedule dimensional Regulations states, the maximum surface coverage for a lot size of 21,661 sq.ft. in an area is 9,747 sq. ft. Section 212-12.1 of the
Schedule of Dimensional Regulations states that the minimum side yard setback for a lot size of 21,661 sf in area is 20 ft. Section 212-12.1 of the Schedule of Dimensional Regulations states that the minimum aggregate yard setback for a lot size of 21,661 sq.ft. in area is 40 ft. Section 212-12.1
Schedule Dimensional Regulations states, the maximum side yard height/setback ratio for a lot size of 21,661 sq. ft. is 1.1.
27 Washington Avenue, Gade- Section 212-55.B of the Code of the Village of Lawrence states no recreational structure shall be constructed less than 20 ft from any side or rear yard property line.
34 Larch Hill Rd, Moskowitz- Section 212-12.1 of the Schedule of Dimensional Regulation states the maximum building coverage for a lot size of 14,077 sq. ft. in area is 3,217 sq. ft. Section 212.12.1 Schedule dimensional Regulations states, the maximum surface coverage for a lot size of 14,077 sq. ft. in an area is 6,333 sq. ft. Section 212.12.1
Schedule dimensional Regulations states, the maximum surface coverage for a front yard of 4,256 sq. ft. in an area is 2,128 sq. ft. Section 212-24.D of the Code of the Village of Lawrence states accessory structures must be located in a side or rear yard. Section 212-48.A of the Village Code states, no pool equipment may be constructed in a front yard.
38 Larch Hill Rd, Moskowitz- Section 212-55.A of the Code of the Village of Lawrence states no recreational structure shall be constructed in a front yard.
4 Weston Pl, Wein (Contract Vendee)Section 212-12.1 of the Schedule of Dimensional Regulation states the maximum building coverage for a lot size of 6,290 sq. ft. in area is 2,227 sq. ft. Section 212-24.D of the Village Code states, in a Residence District B the
minimum side yard setback for accessory structure is 8ft. Section 212-24.D of the Village Code states, in a Residence District B the minimum rear yard setback for accessory structure is 8ft.
272 Sage Ave, BrooksSection 212-12.1
Schedule Dimensional Regulations states, the minimum front yard setback for a lot size of 13,000 sq. ft. is 30 ft. Section 212-12.1 Schedule Dimensional Regulations states, the maximum front yard height/setback ratio for a lot size of 13,000 sq. ft. is 0.74.
34 Brairwood Lane, Davison- Section 70-11.B of the Village Code states that it shall be unlawful to alter, change, add to or remove from any site soil or other material which will result in any deviation from the original grade of the property.
40 Ventana Court KleinSection 70-11.B of the Village Code states that it shall be unlawful to alter, change, add to or remove from any site soil or other material which will result in any deviation from the original grade of the property.
The order in which the listed applications are heard shall be determined the night of the meeting. The applications and accompanying exhibits are on file and may be inspected at the Village Office during normal business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If anyone needs special accommodations for a disability, such person should contact the Village Clerk at least 5 days before the hearing. All interested parties will have the opportunity to be heard By Order of the Board of Appeals Lloyd Keilson Chairman
Dated: October 28, 2024 149872 LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter: Agency:Board of Trustees, Village of Hewlett Neck
Date:November 21, 2024
Time: 6:15 p.m. Place:Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York
Subject Bill VHN 24-05. A local law to amend Chapter 140 (“Vehicles and Traffic”) of the Code of the Village of Hewlett Neck, to prohibit parking on public streets throughout the Village. At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters.
7,
Public Notices
The proposed law is an Unlisted Action under SEQRA, as to which no environmental determination has been made by the Board of Trustees
Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance at or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation.
All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York, during regular business hours.
Dated: November 7, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk 149888
LEGAL NOTICE
Village of Lawrence
Legal Notice
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Building Design of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence will hold a work session beginning at 6:30 P.M. followed by a public meeting on November 18th, 2024 at the Lawrence Village Hall 196 Central Ave Lawrence, New York 11559 beginning at 7:00 P.M. to conduct the following Public Hearings and to attend to such other matters as may properly come before the Board: Hertz-21 BayberryProposed New Fence. Yin-276 Narragansett Avenue- Proposed New House Design.
The order in which the listed applications are heard shall be determined the night of the meeting.
The applications and accompanying exhibits are on file and may be inspected at the Village Office during normal business hours between 8:00a.m. and 4:00p.m. If anyone needs special accommodations for a disability, such person should contact the Village Clerk at least 5 days before the hearing.
All interested parties will have the opportunity to be heard By Order of the Board of Building Design
Barry Pomerantz Chairman
Dated: October 30th, 2024 149877
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ELECTION:
ATLANTIC BEACH FIRE DISTRICT
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Fire District election of the Atlantic Beach Fire District will be held on the 10TH day of December 2024 between the hours of 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Atlantic Beach Fire Rescue Headquarters, located at Bridge Access Road a/k/a
One Rescue Road, Atlantic Beach, New York for the purpose of electing one (1) Fire Commissioner for a term of five (5) years from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029. The polls shall be open for voting 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 votes.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that in order to vote at this Fire District election, a person must be a registered voter with the Nassau County Board of Elections on or before November 18, 2024 and must have resided in the Fire District for 30 days preceding the date of said election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that candidates for District office shall file their names with the Secretary of the District, Commissioner Arnold M. Geller and in addition a petition subscribed to by twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District nominating such candidates for District office at least twenty (20) days prior to December 10, 2024.
Dated:Atlantic Beach, New York
Date: October 7, 2024 By Order of the Board of Fire Commissioners
ARNOLD M. GELLER, Commissioner-District Secretary 149867
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 11/13/2024 at 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 672/24. WOODMEREElle & Robyn Lowenstein, Variances, lot area occupied, side yards aggregate, rear yard, construct addition, 2nd story addition, 2-story addition & convert garage to living space & storage all attached to dwelling., N/s Northfield Rd., 169’ E/o Westwood Rd., a/k/a 966 Northfield Rd. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.
This notice is only for new cases in Woodmere within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.
149806
LEGAL NOTICE ANNUAL FIRE DISTRICT ELECTION OF THE WOODMERE FIRE DISTRICT
December 10, 2024
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Annual Election of the Woodmere Fire District will take place on December 10, 2024, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the Woodmere Fire District Headquarters Building, located at 20 Irving Place, Woodmere, New York, for the purpose of electing one (1) commissioner for a five (5) year term commencing on January 1, 2025, and ending on December 31, 2029. All duly registered voters residing in the Woodmere Fire District for a period of thirty days prior to the date of the election shall be eligible to vote, but residents must be registered to vote by November 18, 2024 with the Nassau County Board of Elections.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that Candidates for District Office shall file their names with the Secretary of the Woodmere Fire District at the Woodmere Fire District Headquarters Building, located at 20 Irving Place, Woodmere, New York, no later than twenty (20) days before the date of the election. Said filing shall be submitted in the form of a petition subscribed by twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the Fire District to the Fire District Secretary. Candidates must select one office to run for and use the petition form that pertains to that office. Petition forms shall be made available by the Fire District Secretary. Dated: Woodmere, New York October 15, 2024
DAVID HALLER Fire District Secretary WOODMERE FIRE DISTRICT 149869
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF REGISTRATION ROLLS FOR ANNUAL ELECTION OF THE WOODMERE FIRE DISTRICT
PLEASE BE ADVISED, that the Board of Elections of the Woodmere Fire District shall meet on the 10th day of December, 2024 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Woodmere Fire District Headquarters Building, located at 20 Irving Place, Woodmere, New York for the purpose of preparing the rolls of registered voters of the Woodmere Fire District. The annual election of the Woodmere Fire District will be held on the 10th day of December, 2024, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the Woodmere Fire District Headquarters Building, located at 20 Irving Place, Woodmere, New York.
PLEASE BE ADVISED that only those persons who have registered with the County Board of Elections on or before the 18th day of November, 2024, and have resided in the fire district for thirty days prior to said date of election shall be eligible to vote.
PLEASE BE ADVISED that candidates for District Office shall file their names with the Secretary of the Woodmere Fire District at the Woodmere Fire District Headquarters Building, located at 20 Irving Place, Woodmere, New York no later than twenty (20) days before the date of the election. Said filing shall be submitted in the form of petition subscribed by twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the Fire District to the Fire District Secretary. Petition forms shall be made available by the Fire District Secretary.
Dated: Woodmere, New York
October 15, 2024
DAVID HALLER Fire District Secretary WOODMERE FIRE DISTRICT 149868
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ALBERT D. SUROWIECKI
A/K/A ALBERT SUROWIECKI, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 6, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501
Picking pumpkins at primary school
The Lawrence Primary School hosted their annual pumpkin patch, a fall tradition that brings students, families and the community together for a day of festive fun.
The pumpkin patch was on Oct. 25 and was coordinated by members of the Parent Teacher Association.
Seasonal activities included crafts, games and pumpkin picking. The event featured a full-size scarecrow that was crafted and stuffed by Ms. Brown’s sec-
ond grade class. The scarecrow currently lives in the school courtyard.
“We are grateful to our PTA for their hard work and dedication in making this event possible,” Kristen Panzarella, Principal of Lawrence Primary School wrote in a news release. “The pumpkin patch is not just about pumpkins; it’s about building community and celebrating the joys of fall together.”
— Melissa Berman
Far Rockaway man killed
in
fatal Inwood car crash
A fatal car crash involving a pedestrian occurred on Monday, Oct. 28 at 11:08 pm in Inwood, police said.
Detectives report that a 2004 Ford Explorer traveling southbound on Sheridan Boulevard near Nassau Avenue allegedly hit a Patrick Sean Mwesigwa, 44 of Far Rockaway. The 35-year old
on December 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 966 Singleton Avenue, Woodmere, NY 11598. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Woodmere, Town of Hempstead, County of
Nassau and State of New York, Section 41, Block 28 and Lots 105 and 823. Approximate amount of judgment is $530,294.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #609151/2021. Cash will not be accepted. Peter J. Famighetti, Esq.,
driver remained on the scene.
Mwesigwa suffered severe trauma and was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead by a hospital physician, according to the police.
This is an ongoing investigation.
— Melissa Berman
Courtesy Lawrence UFSD
Aruna Carranza Martinez, left, and Gwyneth Saquiche Rodas at Lawrence Primary School’s annual pumpkin patch.
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
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Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
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
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Replacing concrete with glass in a high-rise condo?
Q. We have a condo in Florida, and read your column even when we’re there, which is half the year. Our condo board is proposing “improvements,” aside from all the regulatory issues we’ve been hit with due to building collapses and storms. Our building faces the ocean and is 17 stories tall. It has spectacular views and large balconies. One proposed renovation is to remove the concrete walls between the balconies, which we were told are not structural, and replace them with glass walls to improve our views and modernize the building. Aside from the huge cost increase we will be forever paying, do you think that’s a good idea? The board hired engineers to look at it, and they say it can be done. We are concerned about glass not holding up to hurricanes, since all of the balcony doors and windows had to be replaced with specially made strong frames and glass. What should we tell our board?
A. Your address helped me look at the satellite view from my computer. I’m skeptical about whether this would be an improvement. Certainly it would add glitz and glamour to the building, probably making the value as sky-high as the cost and the height. I understand why you live on a high floor, considering the views.
But any building has to be examined as the sum of its many parts. Its appearance is only part of the equation. There are three basic components to what is defined as “architecture”: appearance, function and structure. To a trained professional, the composition will fail if the three components aren’t working together in a harmonious way.
In your building’s case, there are certain aspects that are taken for granted, but to an engineer or architect, the placement of those vertical fin walls not only accentuates the “verticality,” giving the building an illusion of greater height, but the fins act as a wind break to the balconies, which reduces the tendency for the wind to whip across the face of the building. This whipping wind is, at times, dangerous, and is referred to as the Bernoulli effect. This phenomenon sucks roof shingles off homes and gives lift to airplanes. It’s also the reason your toilet draws waste down the pipes when water flows from above the bowl downward.
In your case, the removal or replacement of those walls may actually negatively alter the function of the building’s integrity to withstand high winds in the name of glitzy appearance. I wouldn’t recommend the jack-hammering and saw-cutting of the fins unless I first spoke to the original designers to find out if it was their intention to have those spines on the outside of the building to strengthen against natural horizontal movement, and whether they intended them to break up the high winds in extreme hurricane events. Sometimes it’s better to leave a design alone when the conclusions are better but not well understood than to tinker and ruin the integrity.
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If only politics could emulate Notre Dame-Navy football
I’ve been a lifelong lover of sports, particularly baseball and college football. The rivalries. The tension. The thrill of victory. The agony of defeat. Watching warriors in the arena.
Having said that, I’m generally not one of those guys who equate the gridiron, the playing field, the rink, the tennis court or the boxing ring with the challenges of everyday life or those facing the nation. But there are exceptions. One in particular. I truly wish that the almost century-long football rivalry between the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen and Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish could serve as a model for the world of politics and government.
Beginning in 1927, Navy and Notre Dame have played each other 98 times on the gridiron, missing only the 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic. While Notre Dame has pretty much dominated the series, winning 82 of the games, this rivalry transcends so much of what passes for college sports
and “student-athletes” today.
While every Notre Dame-Navy game is intense and hard-fought, there is no trash talk or demeaning the other team or its players. At the end of the game, no matter who wins or loses, the players on both teams stand respectfully together for the playing of their respective alma maters.
At the end of the game, no matter who wins, the players on both teams stand together.
A further differential between this and other rivalries is that these players are truly students, who must meet academic standards. Notre Dame always ranks at or near the top of colleges across the country in the percentage of athletes who graduate and receive degrees. Navy has similar standards, and its graduates are also obligated to serve five years of active military duty after graduation. Understandably, this has made it increasingly difficult to recruit top high school players who have dreams of going on to make millions of dollars in the National Football League rather than being shot at in combat. Certainly since the Vietnam War, Navy hasn’t been the football powerhouse it was during the 1940s and ’50s.
While Notre Dame has managed dur-
ing most of these years to compete at a high level, it has never considered dropping Navy from its schedule, thanks to a commitment it made after World War II, which Notre Dame survived only because of Navy. As a private Midwest school with no large benefactors at the time and so many students being drafted into the war effort, Notre Dame was faced with imminent financial collapse. The Naval Academy saved the day by setting up a major training base on the Notre Dame campus, providing the university with fiscal solvency and ensuring its survival as an academic institution — and a football colossus.
The Fighting Irish won the national championship in three of the four years following the end of the war.
Realizing and appreciating how obligated it was to Navy for its very survival, Notre Dame made a solemn commitment to keep Navy on its football schedule for as long as Navy wanted. So the rivalry and the series have continued all these years. But it goes beyond a financial obligation. There is a mutual respect between the schools that’s reflected at every level, including Notre
Dame’s emulation of Navy with its firstrate naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.
No matter how often I’ve seen it, I am always moved by the pregame ceremonies, with each school acknowledging the other’s traditions, and the postgame alma mater camaraderie among the players, no matter how hard the battle or how bitter the defeat.
Think how gratifying it would be if our national leaders could follow the lead of Notre Dame and Navy. Fight hard but respect the other side. Look for common ground in the national interest without fear of being labeled a Republican In Name Only or a traitor by your own party.
No, politics is not college football. But our political leaders could learn something by emulating the best of college football, exemplified by the Fighting Irish and the Midshipmen.
And yeah, Notre Dame did beat Navy in this year’s game, 51-14, on Oct. 26. But even in the win-at-all-costs world of college football, the score was almost secondary in this unique traditional rivalry. Go Irish! Go Navy!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
EIt’s
time for a new era of political civility
lection Day has come and gone. While the results are unofficial or pending, the passing of this period is the happiest thing that has happened to me in years. By any measure, the 2024 election season has been a brutal, emotional and unsettling time. Our nation has been bruised, battered and ripped apart by the tensions that elections can cause, and now, happily, the campaigns have come to an end. Depending on the results, we will soon either be talking about the winners’ plans for the future or steeling ourselves for days and weeks of bitter court battles. It may be that the lawyers will be fully engaged in what they do best, but it’s long past time for the country to begin thinking about how we can start the healing process that is so badly needed.
So much of the division that we have been experiencing is the product of a political system that has no referee to stop any foul play or ugly communica-
tion. I have witnessed many campaigns over the years, and I have been involved in my own. But more recent campaigns have sunk to levels of conflict that previously were impossible to imagine.
The root cause of the bitterness can be attributed to the candidates, but the real cause is money, money and money. Since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed unlimited expenditures in elections, billions of dollars have poured into shadow committees, none of which care about dignity, decency or fair play. These “dark” committees, whose backers are unknown and well hidden, are not reluctant to drag campaigns into the gutter.
Rlaw that would change how the political system is funded. But there are too many elected officials who like the current system and have no desire to clean it up. Many of them represent safe districts, and are happy to be able to beat up a challenger using phantom funding.
ecent campaigns have sunk to levels of conflict previously unimagined.
The average voter has no idea who or what is behind a political television commercial, except those that mention a candidate by name and voice that candidate’s approval. But there are countless commercials, mailings and social media postings that are misleading. They may mention some committee, but you will never know who is really behind the presentation.
You would think that members of Congress, who are often the object of smear campaigns, would want to pass a
The use of untraceable money isn’t just something that is connected to the campaign process. The same donors spend fortunes throughout the year, wining and dining legislators, favoring them with extravagant trips and coming up with countless other imaginative ways to curry favor with members of Congress. Some legislators get so much financial support from some industries or special-interest groups that it’s fair to say that they’ve been captured and are fully owned by them.
If the divisions in our country are linked to too much money in the system, how can America be healed? The answer is in the hands of the public. It may be unfair to suggest that the voters have any responsibility for the bitterness that we have experienced, but voters can’t be excused from helping to cure a government evil.
The thing that makes certain elected officials happy is the fact that average citizens are too busy to monitor the conduct of their legislators. Over the course of a typical year in office, members of Congress vote on dozens of bills, and the people back at home have no knowledge of how they vote. It’s the responsibility of the media to devote more space to reporting on how our representatives vote.
But to make our world a little more civil, voters must demand that Congress make a serious effort to clean up our corrupt campaign system. At least once or twice a year, call your congressman or congresswoman and ask what he or she is doing to change how we elect our officials. Don’t talk to a staff member. Insist on talking to the person who represents you.
It isn’t a hopeless task to seek changes in the election process. Nothing is written in stone, and you can make things happen. It’s time for an American political climate change.
Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
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aNow the real work begins
s the Herald reaches your mailbox, the election results may or may not be fully tallied.
Regardless of outcomes, one truth remains constant: Long Island is our shared home, and its future depends far more on what unites us than what divides us.
HERALD
Although the voting machines are making their way from the gymnasiums of schools and recreation centers back into storage, democracy doesn’t pack up and leave town when the polls close. The real measure of our community’s strength is found in how we work together on the other 364 days of the year. And on that score, Long Island’s story is nothing short of remarkable.
Look around our communities. The volunteer firefighter rushing to an emergency call isn’t asking whether the home in danger voted red or blue. The teacher staying late to help struggling students isn’t checking their parents’ party registration. The civic association working to preserve local wetlands isn’t conducting political litmus tests at its meetings.
What binds our communities together runs deeper than partisan politics. We
letters
Peter King always fought for us
To the Editor:
I enjoy former Congressman Peter King’s commentary in the Herald, and I’ve appreciated his efforts to support Long Island through the years.
The various natural disasters that have recently occurred across the country bring back memories of Superstorm Sandy and Sept. 11, and the many federal and state officials who fought King’s efforts for relief. I think it would make an interesting column to see how many of those elected officials are now clamoring for similar relief in their jurisdictions.
ToM JAffA Rockville Centre
So who collects all those lawn signs?
To the Editor:
Election Day has come and gone. It reminds me of the 1960s television show “The o uter Limits.” With the end of around-the- clock commercials by politicians, political parties, political action groups and special-interest groups, we
all want our children to thrive in Long Island’s excellent schools. We share concerns about protecting our sole-source aquifer — the water beneath our feet that sustains every one of us. We worry about young families being priced out of our neighborhoods, and about our seniors being able to age in place in the communities they helped build. We take pride in our beautiful shorelines and want to preserve them for future generations.
These challenges don’t come with party labels attached. Potholes don’t care how you voted. High property taxes affect everyone’s wallet. Delays on the Long Island Rail Road don’t discriminate based on political affiliation. The solutions to these shared challenges won’t come from political grandstanding, but rather from the often unsung work of community engagement: attending town halls, participating in school board meetings, joining civic associations, supporting local businesses, and staying informed about local issues.
Whether it’s addressing water quality concerns, tackling the housing crisis, preparing for rising sea levels or ensuring that our downtowns remain vibrant,
the solutions will come from sustained community engagement, not just periodic trips to the polls. This means neighbors working with neighbors, towns collaborating with towns, and citizens engaging with their government at all levels.
As your community newspaper, the Herald has chronicled Long Island’s journey through countless election cycles. We’ve seen the political pendulum swing back and forth, but we’ve also witnessed something more fundamental: the enduring strength of our communities when residents commit to the daily work of democracy.
So whether you’re pleased or disappointed with Tuesday’s results, remember that the most important work happens between elections. Get involved. Stay informed. Attend local meetings. Join community organizations. Talk with neighbors who see things differently than you do. Model behavior you’d be proud for your children to emulate.
The ballot you cast on Tuesday mattered. But what you do today, tomorrow, and every day after could matter even more. Let’s all work together for a prosperous Long Island.
now return control of your TV to you — until the next election cycle. No more telephone robo calls, text messages or candidate campaign mailings clogging mailboxes and weighing down our hard-working postal employees.
finally, some peace and quiet! Candidates who claimed they cared about the environment should now do their part. Winners and losers should have their campaign staff and volunteers pick up all the
opinions
Join the necessary fight against spotted lanternflies
the Herald and other publications have detailed the negative impacts of the invasive spotted laternfly on Long Island, and while the population of these unwelcome insects continues to require intervention to prevent their unchecked spread across our region, there are steps that every Long Islander can take in their own backyard to protect against them. at the Long Island Conservancy, we are eager to share some tips that will make a positive impact — and in some cases, multiple positive outcomes by eradicating not only this invasive insect, but also invasive plants that serve as the lanternfly’s primary food source.
First off, much like the MTa’s famous slogan, if you see something, squish something! This fall, keep your eyes peeled for egg masses, and make sure to destroy them through the spring. removing the tree of heaven, an invasive non-native plant, is a top priority when it comes to proactive ways to erad-
icate the lanternfly. The tree of heaven is a fast-growing, invasive species across north america that you may not recognize by sight, but you certainly can by scent — it’s also known as the stinking sumac, stink tree, stink weed, and a variety of other names including “stink.”
The plant is spreading with the same vigor as the lanternfly, and removing it eliminates the insect’s favorite food. Mechanical removal is possible: Girdle it, rip it out and remove it; whatever you can do to set them back. Make sure to follow up to ensure it doesn’t regrow.
a species displaced halfway across the world.
s quash them, plant milkweed, and yank out all the tree of heaven you can find.
Many land managers and conservation professionals have warned against mechanical removal, encouraging the use of herbicides instead. In our experience, this isn’t necessary; while the removed/damaged trees will sucker up, if you pull the suckers biweekly for a growing season, the roots will give up the ghost and the problem can be eliminated.
The tree of heaven is a significant problem in our region, not just because of the smell, but because it chokes out beneficial native plants. In the case of the lanternfly, the plant is essentially the closest thing to “home cooking” for
Letters
thousands of campaign signs that litter our roads and highways. Perhaps they could use leftover campaign funds to hire homeless or unemployed people to collect this litter, along with people who have been sentenced to perform community service.
If candidates refuse to clean up after themselves, your local village, town or county department of highways or public works should do the job and send candidates the bill.
Larry Penner Great Neck
Let’s turn the seasonal page, not just on weather
To the editor:
We are entering a different season in a merica. It’s not a season everyone likes or voted for, but it’s changing. For some it’s better, for some it’s worse. For some it’s good news, and for some it’s bad.
your perspective colors your season. If you love autumn, then you have enjoyed the current season in much of a merica. y ou haven’t enjoyed it if you’ve been in the path of a hurricane, but you’ve enjoyed it if you live in most any other place in america. We’ve had a dry fall, but it’s been beautiful.
Political seasons are hard on the nation. We’ve been inundated by political advertisements for months. The presidential campaign went on forever. We are so ready to move on.
There’s always a new season around the corner. It’s best for all of us if we can make the best of each one. They pass by, so enjoy them, love them, roll with them.
Try to make the best of your current season in life. It’s not always easy. We don’t like the seasons when we’re sick, and seasons that are difficult, and even harsh and cruel, come to us all if we live long enough. So, enjoy the good ones.
Dr. GLenn MoLLeTTe
If getting rid of that awful smell isn’t enough incentive, early scientific research suggests that lanternflies that feed on the tree of heaven sequester toxins, called quassinoids, that make our native birds extremely less likely to eat them. So the lanternflies are essentially exempt from the food chain, another reason why so many have managed to thrive in our competitive environment. This is, by the way, why they have those bright red warning colors! and the tree of heaven isn’t the only invasive species of plant that supports the lanternfly population. Porcelainberry and other species that originated in asia are key sources of food. every pernicious invasive species removed means more available space for native, healthy species to grow and thrive on Long Island.
When it comes to native species, there are a few to consider planting, like milkweed. I’ve seen dead lanternflies on milkweed plants — it appears that the dopey insects feed on them and poison themselves. (If you need a bonus reason to plant milkweed, the influx of mon-
arch butterflies is lovely!)
While taking steps to remove invasive plants in your yard and replace them with native species is proactive, some people are well past that point — they’re dealing with infestations. In that case, you may be ready to set up a trap around a native host tree.
observe where the lanternflies congregate most on your land and set your trap up there. While they tend to like walnut and sumac the best, they’ve been seen on maples, birches, sycamore and other trees. Building a trap is easy — you can find a step-by-step guide at https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-builda-spotted-lanternfly-circle-trap.
For saplings that aren’t big enough for a proper trap, just knock the bugs into a soapy dish. Some will hop away, but they’re quite easy to catch this way, and if you do this once a day, over time you’ll see fewer of them returning.
While combating the spotted lanternfly has been compared to trying to keep water off the beach because there are so many, by eradicating invasive species like the tree of heaven, we are helping to protect our environment now and for years to come.
Frank Piccininni is the president of Spadefoot Design and Construction and a co-founder of the Long Island Conservancy.
Comments about our stories? Send a letter to the editor to execeditor@liherald.com.
Framework by Lisa LaMagna & Billy Reyes
In between changings of the guard at Buckingham Palace — London
Frank piccininni
