Registered Nurse Keshanna Young, above left, Personal Care Assistant Derani Ramkhelawan and Registered Nurse Sima Mathew, of Catholic Health’s Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre, celebrated Pinktember 12 with a treat. Security Director Michael Gildea, right, made a splash in the dunk tank during the festivities. Story, more photos, Page 10.
By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Rockville Centre natives Britt Berke and Caroline Festa were filled with excitement at the opportunity to premiere their new short film, “Ships,” at the SoHo International Film Festival on Sept. 18. The 12-minute short follows Beth, a young woman struggling with manic depression. After an intense emotional episode, she seeks help from her therapist. When her therapist is called out to an emergency, Beth is left in the care of Dr. Uhzo, a seemingly bumbling figure who might hold the key to unlocking her path to healing.
MFesta, 28, graduated from Syracuse University, where she had studied acting. She was originally focused on the theater, but decided to shift toward film and TV in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
“After the pandemic hit, the industry kind of took a shift into more TV and film,” Festa explained. “It was the first part of the industry that came back.”
ental health is a journey.
CARolINE FESTA
Writer, producer and star of ‘Ships’
This film marks the first time Berke and Festa have worked on a film together. For Berke, 28, the experience was both challenging and rewarding.
“This was the first time either of us have worked in film,” Berke said. “Caroline is a true visionary. She wrote, produced, and starred in it. She was absolutely luminous in this.”
The idea for the film came from her own experiences with mental illness and a desire to create a story that could connect with others going through similar struggles.
“The film came from my own personal experience dealing with mental illness,” Festa said. “I wanted to help people and let them know that they’re not alone.”
The film explores Beth’s emotional journey, which Festa notes is filled with extremes. “Her meltdowns are dramatized a bit, otherwise it would’ve probably been a more
Continued on page 11
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
U.S. Representative Anthony D’Esposito may have violated ethics rules in Congress, designed to combat nepotism and corruption, according to a story published by the New York Times on Sept. 23.
Shortly after taking the oath of office in 2023, D’Esposito hired his longtime fiancé’s daughter to work as a special assistant in his district office, where she earned $3,800 a month, according to payroll records. In April, D’Esposito hired an alleged mistress, Devin Faas, who earned $2,000 a month for a part-time job in the same district office. Payments to both women stopped in July 2023, the Times reported.
D’Esposito has not been accused of wrongdoing, but the employment of both women, which resulted in a payment of about $29,000 in taxpayer funds, could lead to disciplinary actions in the House of Representatives, according to the Times.
The allegations against D’Esposito come about 6-weeks ahead of Election Day. D’Esposito is being challenged by Democrat Laura Gillen, who he defeated two years ago. Early voting starts on Oct. 26. Election Day is Nov. 5.
“These are very serious allegations that demand further investigation and
it’s clear that Anthony D’Esposito has abused his power in every position of trust he’s ever held,” Gillen said in a statement released by her press team on Tuesday. “As Hempstead Town
Supervisor, I fought against corruption, nepotism and waste to help all Nassau County families, and I’ll bring that same common sense, ethical leadership to Congress. Together we can clean up
the deep-seated corruption that clearly surrounds Anthony D’Esposito and restore transparency and accountability to New York’s Fourth Congressional District.”
According to the House’s Code of Official Conduct, “a member, delegate or resident commissioner may not retain the relative of such individual in a paid position, and an employee of the House may not accept compensation for work for a committee on which the relative of such employees serves as a member. The House defines “relative” as someone related to the member, delegate or resident commissioner, including a parent, child, sibling, parent’s sibling, first cousin, sibling’s child, spouse, parent-in-law, child-in-law, sibling-inlaw, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, half-sibling, or grandchild.
According to the Times, Matt Capp, a spokesperson for D’Esposito, did not deny that the congressman had a relationship with Faas, but declined to comment on the employment of either women.
In a statement shared with News12, D’Esposito said “My personal life has never interfered with my ability to deliver results for New York’s fourth district, and I have upheld the highest ethical standards of personal conduct.
“Voters deserve better than the Times’ gutter politics,” he added.
Curing a rare heart disorder with a short life expectancy.
Performing a life-changing brain surgery— without a single incision.
Helping a new mom give birth and receive a new liver.
At Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital, the nation’s most brilliant minds come here to conquer health care’s greatest challenges. So that whatever comes through our doors: challenge accepted.
North Shore University Hospital
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The Ex-Chief Robert “Bubba” Seaman Memorial Golf Outing, hosted by the Rockville Centre Fire Department, was held on Monday, Sept. 16 at the Inwood Country Club.
More than just a golf tournament, the annual event serves as a tribute to Seaman’s lasting impact on the community. Seaman, who died March 3, 2023, from a 9/11-related illness, was a cherished member of the department and a pillar in the Nassau County firefighting community.
Friends, family, and fellow firefighters hit the links to celebrate his dedication, bravery, and selflessness.
Jeff Greenfield, golf committee cochair, said this year’s event honored Seaman’s legacy by raising money to restore one of the department’s vintage fire trucks.
“The golf outing was a big success in memory of our beloved Ex-Chief Robert ‘Bubba’ Seaman and will help toward restoring his favorite 1937 Ahern-Fox antique fire truck,” Greenfield said.
Seaman’s legacy transcended his role as a firefighter. He was known for his dedication to mentoring younger firefighters, helping out his community, and supporting initiatives like the Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warriors.
“Bubba was more than just a leader,” said Captain Dominic Alesi of Live Oak Engine Company No. 1. “He was a friend, a mentor and someone who cared deeply about his community. His love for the fire department was well-known, but even more so was his love for family and friends. It’s fitting that we come together today on this beautiful course to celebrate Bubba’s legacy and the community spirit he always embodied.”
Seaman joined the fire department in June 1989, and over the course of his 34-year career, held various leadership roles, including serving as captain of Live Oak Engine Company No. 1 and, ultimately, chief of the Rockville Centre Fire Department from 2015 to 2017.
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Seaman, like many of his Nassau County colleagues, contributed to rescue and recovery operations. This selfless act was a testament to his courage and commitment to service — qualities that defined his tenure with the department.
Seaman also worked as a sales manager at P.C. Richard and Son on Sunrise Highway for more than 25 years. He was a familiar face in the community and was always ready to lend a hand or share in conversation. Whether talking sports, especially about his beloved New York Mets, or discussing fire department matters, he was known for his approachable and friendly demeanor.
His untimely death at 57 was a great loss to both the fire department and the Rockville Centre community. The annual golf outing in his honor ensures that his memory and contributions will continue to inspire the community he served so faithfully.
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Let us take a moment to remember that joy itself is a primary purpose of living.
“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”
— George Bernard Shaw
“Well, your greatest joy definitely comes from doing something for another, especially when it was done with no thought of something in return.”
— John Wooden
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.”
— Leo Buscaglia
“A sense of humor...is needed armor. Joy in
one’s heart and some laughter on one’s lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life.”
—Hugh Sidey
“There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.”
— Kahlil Gibran
“The three factors that seem to have the greatest influence on increasing our happiness are our ability to reframe our situation more positively, our ability to experience gratitude, and our choice to be kind and generous.”
— Dalai Lama
“Things won are done, joy’s soul lies in the doing”
— William Shakespeare
“As selfishness and complaint pervert the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision.”
— Helen Keller
Trayvon Morgan, 22, of Cottage Place in Roosevelt, was arrested on Sept. 16. He has been charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and other traffic offenses following an investigation on Hempstead Avenue.
Two individuals reported on Sept. 19 that they had an argument in the parking lot of 598 Merrick Road, which escalated into a possible altercation between both parties.
A resident of Andover Road in Rockville Centre reported on Sept. 11 that a package was stolen from her doorstep after it had been delivered.
A resident of Andover Road reported on Sept. 17 that a package was stolen from her residence.
The manager of Village Liquor on Sunrise Highway reported on Sept. 18 that an unknown person entered the store and stole merchandise.
A resident of State Street reported on Sept. 20 that his vehicle was stolen from in front of his residence.
A motorist reported on Sept. 15 that his vehicle was struck by another vehicle, which fled the scene while parked on Yale Place.
A motorist reported on Sept. 16 that her vehicle was struck by another vehicle, which fled the scene while stopped at a traffic light on Peninsula Boulevard.
A motorist reported on Sept. 16 that his vehicle was struck by another vehicle, which fled the scene while parked in Municipal Parking Field No. 22.
The manager of the Rockville Centre U-Haul reported on Sept. 10 that a rented vehicle had not been returned when expected, approximately two weeks ago.
A resident of St. Marks Place in Rockville Centre reported on Sept. 10 that multiple bank accounts had been opened using her personal information.
A resident of North Village Avenue in Rockville Centre reported on Sept. 10 that she was almost the victim of a telephone scam, in which an unidentified caller informed her that her daughter was in legal trouble and needed financial assistance. The resident was able to make contact with her daughter prior to withdrawing any funds.
A resident of Fonda Road in Rockville Centre reported on Sept. 11 that a check he mailed had been fraudulently altered and cashed.
A resident of Old Mill Court reported on Sept. 17 that an unknown person altered and cashed a check that she was supposed to receive from the Social Services Administration.
A resident of Reid Avenue reported on Sept. 18 that an unknown person altered and cashed a check from his bank account.
having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
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Massapequa Senior Football
A YEAR AFTER THROWING for 20 touchdowns and helping lead Massapequa to a perfect 12-0 season, Nassau Conference I and Long Island Class I titles, Diesso passed for a pair of scores in each of the first two games this fall. On Sept. 13, he had a near-perfect performance in a 38-13 victory over Freeport. He completed all but one of his 11 pass attempts for 135 yards as the Chiefs got into the win column for the first time in 2024.
Thursday, Sept. 26
Boys Soccer: Hewlett at Lawrence 4:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Baldwin at V.S. Central 4:45 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Clarke at V.S. North 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 27
Boys Soccer: Wantagh at Clarke 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Wantagh at Plainedge 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Seaford at North Shore 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Farmingdale at Baldwin 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Malverne/East Rock at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Calhoun at Oceanside 6 p.m.
Football: Garden City at Hewlett 6 p.m.
Football: Seaford at Plainedge 6:30 p.m.
Football: Hicksville at Freeport 6:30 p.m.
Girls Volleyball: Freeport at Baldwin 6:30 p.m.
Football: South Side at V.S. North 7 p.m.
Football: North Shore at Malverne 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Football: Calhoun at Mepham 11 a.m.
Football: Carey at Sewanhaka 3 p.m.
Football: Farmingdale at Massapequa 3 p.m.
Football: Hempstead at Oceanside 3 p.m.
Football: Uniondale at V.S. Central 3 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By TONY BELLISSIMO sports@liherald.com
Coming off a 13-win season and an appearance in the Nassau Class A girls’ volleyball semifinals, South Side entered 2024 with its share of question marks but has provided coach Steve Mariano with plenty of answers so far.
“This year was a different challenge because we had a number of positions to fill,” Mariano said. “Some kids even had their roles change. But it’s such an incredibly fun group. It’s like a family. They love playing volleyball and support each other.”
The Cyclones’ cohesiveness, chemistry and depth are the biggest reasons whey they stormed out of the gate with four straight wins, including a five-set marathon victory over Class A contender Wantagh in the Sept. 9 opener, a sweep of defending champ Mineola three days later and a hard-fought sweep of Class AAA power Massapequa Sept. 19.
“Every match has been a total team effort,” Mariano said. “Wantagh has a lot of height and talent and it felt like a playoff match even though it was the opener. Beating Massapequa was a confidence builder.”
South Side returned three starters, including All-County senior middle Abby Magness. She has 31 kills through four matches and leads the team in blocks. “I’ve know Abby since she was in elementary school and believe she’s one of the best middles on Long Island,” Mariano said. “She’s such a force out there. She has height and power and does everything well.”
Senior Cate Cammalleri had 13 kills in the 27-25, 25-17, 25-15 win at Massapequa, giving her 48 on the year. A right-side hitter with great leaping ability, Mariano said, she comes off a productive junior campaign and also brings strong blocking skills.
Junior outside hitter Keira Mullaney has been filling the stat sheet and plays in all six rotations, the coach noted. She stood out against Masaspequa with 10 kills, 9 digs and 8 service aces. “She’s been one of our better passers in serve
middle hitter/blocker
and a 2023 All-County selection.
receive and hitting at a high percentage,” Mariano said.
Senior Keely McCormack starts on the outside as well and is one of the team’s most improved players along with junior setter Amy Berenbroick, according to Mariano. Berenbroick, who averaged 20.5 assists through the first four matches, seized the opportunity at a position that was South Side’s biggest question mark during the offseason.
“Amy has great hands and her mental game is stronger,” Mariano said. “She’s getting better and better every match.”
Last year’s JV setter, Lena Miller, is
thriving following a move to the middle and ranks among South Side’s top servers so far. “She’s doing a great job learning the position and becoming more patient and solid each match,” Mariano said.
At libero, junior Maeve Britt is “super aggressive,” the coach said, and leads the way in digs with 42.
The Cyclones have put long-term goals on hold, but Mariano feels the results will take care of themselves as long as the team “continues to have fun and works together.”
Additional tests come this week with Syosset and Lynbrook on tap.
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Field hockey has officially made its way to the Rockville Centre School District. The junior varsity field hockey team kicked off its inaugural season on Sept. 9, with a win against Sacred Heart Academy.
“Congrats to the field hockey team,” Kelly Barry, president of the Rockville Centre school board, said. “We’re really proud of you. I’m really glad we started out with a win.”
Superintendent Matt Gaven said the district’s decision to introduce field hockey to its athletic offerings was made following a request made by one of the students.
“Students came and said ‘we have an idea for a team,’” Gaven shared at the Sept. 10 school board meeting. “We don’t necessarily want to play soccer. We don’t want to run track. Is there something else we can do?”
Hazel Drake, a freshman at South Side High School, created an online petition to show support for the formation of a junior varsity field hockey team. She later approached the school board in March with a presentation to request the district add field hockey to its fall athletics schedule.
“The excitement of my upcoming high school journey began with my course selection and attending orientation,” she told the board. “I was eagerly looking through all the classes, clubs
and athletic opportunities awaiting me next school year, and I was disappointed to see that field hockey is not offered at South Side.”
Drake said that as an enthusiastic
field hockey player, she competes as part of a travel club team, and that the introduction of a JV team would be beneficial for students like herself with a passion for field hockey.
“Field Hockey is not just a sport, it is an opportunity to practice physical fitness, teamwork and leadership skills,” Drake said. “Many of the 54 high schools on Long Island offer field hockey as a fall sport including some of our biggest rivals, Garden City, Massapequa, Manhasset and Carle Place to name a few. However, high school students like myself are missing out on this opportunity.”
In response to the news that the school has added field hockey to its fall athletics programs, the school had 32 students sign-up to participate.
“We have built it and they have come,” Gaven said.
The Cyclones JV field hockey team have continued to dominate in recent weeks, with a big 2-0 win over Great Neck North High School on Sept. 18. The team’s next game will be a scrimmage against Port Washington on Tuesday, Sept. 24, after press time, followed by a game at South Side on Tuesday, Oct. 1 against Great Neck North.
For more information on upcoming games visit SSHS.DigitalSports.com.
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Rockville Centre native and defense attorney Chris Morvillo, 59, and his wife, Neda, were among seven victims recovered after the luxury yacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily on Aug. 19. The $40 million yacht, owned by British tech mogul Mike Lynch, capsized during a sudden storm, killing Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and five others.
In a new development, Italian prosecutors have ordered heightened security around the wreckage due to concerns that sensitive data stored aboard may interest foreign governments.
According to CNN, the 184-foot Bayesian is believed to contain water-tight safes holding two super-encrypted hard drives. The hard drives, likely belonging to Lynch, could include classified information linked to Western intelligence services.
Lynch, a founder of the cybersecurity firm Darktrace, was connected to intelligence services in the U.S. and the U.K. and served as an adviser on cyber security for former British Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May.
Specialist divers searching the wreck reported the vessel lying on the seabed at a depth of about 164 feet. Salvage operations, scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, are being monitored due to the potential interest of foreign
governments, including Russia and China. Italian authorities confirmed to CNN that surveillance has been implemented above and below the water to secure the site.
Morvillo, a partner at Clifford Chance in New York City, represented Lynch in several high-profile cases, including his recent acquittal in a U.S. criminal fraud trial related to the sale of Lynch’s company, Autonomy, to Hewlett-Packard. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Bayesian cruise was intended to celebrate Lynch’s legal victory. Morvillo and his wife were invited aboard by Lynch as a gesture of gratitude following the trial’s conclusion.
Preliminary autopsy results, reported by CNN, indicate that Morvillo and his wife died from suffocation or “dry drowning,” likely caused by an air bubble trapped in their sleeping cabin. The yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, was found outside the vessel and died by drowning. While no physical injuries were observed on the victims, toxicology reports are still pending.
The Italian Coast Guard rescued 15 passengers, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares. Among those who survived was the ship’s captain, James Cutfield, 51, who is under investigation for multiple manslaughter charges and neg-
ligent shipwreck, along with two crew members. The exact cause of the sinking remains under investigation, though The New York Times reported that the yacht sank within 16 minutes of the storm hitting.
Lynch was also dealing with personal tragedy before the incident. His business partner, Stephen Chamberlain, who was also a codefendant in Lynch’s U.S. fraud case, died after being hit by a car on the same day the Bayesian sank, CNN reported. Lynch had planned to end the cruise early to visit Chamberlain, who had been on life support.
Divers are working to ensure that any sensitive data aboard the yacht, including Lynch’s hard drives, does not fall into the wrong hands. Investigators have recovered surveillance cameras and navigational data from the yacht to determine how the vessel sank so quickly.
The costs of raising the yacht will be covered by Lynch’s widow, as required by Italian maritime law, and precautions are being taken to prevent any environmental damage from the 18,000 liters of oil and fuel still on board.
–Daniel Offner
as we enter this Jewish High Holiday season, we reflect on a year marked by immense challenges. The world has witnessed war, terrorist attacks, assassination attempts, migrant crises, mass shootings, and political turmoil. Yet, in the face of such darkness, we have also seen acts of love, solidarity, support, and a resilient optimism.
It is easy to look toward the future with pessimism, given the hardships surrounding us. But our task is not to succumb to despair. Our greatest challenge is to resist doubt and choose hope instead. Each day offers us the opportunity to renew our commitment to that hope — to turn aspiration into reality.
down on our efforts to repair the brokenness in our world, in our communities, and in ourselves. This season invites us to reflect not just on our individual lives but on how we can work together for a better tomorrow.
Pirkei Avot (2:16) reminds us that “it is not your duty to finish the work [of repairing the world], but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.”
Rabbi Michael G. cohen
May this season inspire us to awaken each day with purpose, determined to be the bearers of light and healing in a world that needs it more than ever. Together, we can create a future rooted in justice, compassion, and hope.
next Thursday, the Jewish community will welcome the New Year with the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. According to tradition, this festival invites us all to pause and look back at the year that has passed, even as we look forward with hope. But as we reflect on the past year, particularly through the lens of the Jewish experience both at home and around the world, I must confess it isn’t so easy. This has been a difficult year to embrace.
Rosh Hashanah prompts us to resist this temptation to give in to despair, by calling us to refocus our perspective.
beauty of my friendships and fellowships with those who seek truth, and understand that when it comes down to it, all of our fates are bound together. This is not just a charge for the Jewish community, but for all people.
During these High Holidays, we are reminded that our tradition calls us not only to seek forgiveness but to pursue justice and peace actively. In times of uncertainty, we must double
Shanah Tovah, and may you all be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good year.
Rabbi Michael G Cohen, Central Synagogue Beth-Emeth
The sound of the shofar, a ram’s horn, is this symbolic wake-up call to our spirit. This ancient call encourages us to keep up the good fight, knowing we will persevere as we always do. But it is also a call to restoration—to restore our hope and faith in humanity. For me, I seek to reengage with the
As a community, no matter our faith or background, let us recognize the power of our call to each other. Let us continue to stand in solidarity, recognizing that unity and compassion can help restore our faith in one another, even if just in our little corner. This New Year offers us a chance for renewal, to repair what is broken, to fight for what is right, and to walk together toward a brighter future.
L’Shanah Tovah. May this year be one of peace, healing, and restored hope for us all.
Rabbi David Lerner Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Catholic Health’s Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month a few weeks early, with its sixth annual Pinktember 12th event.
Hundreds of people from the hospital community and surrounding area gathered on the lawn on Thursday afternoon for this fun and informative event on breast cancer awareness.
Pinktember 12th is a celebration that was created by Mercy Hospital more than five years ago as an informative lunch and learn, with the goal of spreading the importance of early detection while reinforcing the support programs available to the entire community.
Since then, it has continued to grow bigger each year as a precursor to gear everyone up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
“While Breast Cancer Awareness should be all year round, our annual Pinktember event puts a spotlight on the disease that affects so many women and men in our community,” Joseph Manopella, president of Mercy Hospital, said in a statement. “I’m proud to support this yearly event that not only offers a space for survivors, those in treatment, our doctors, nurses, and staff, but also for community members to come together for a cause. We also hosted many partners in our community who joined us to help spread education, resources, and overall support.”
Breast cancer mortality in the United States has dropped about 44 percent since 1989, saving more than 490,000 lives thanks to advancements in early detection and treatment, according to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
During the event, attendees were provided the opportunity to meet-andgreet with physicians and learn more about screening options, resources on breast health, and remembrance and survivor activities provided by the hospital and surrounding community.
Among the activities this year was an obstacle course, a two-person race challenging hospital employees to put their endurance and dexterity to the test. The dunk tank, a fan-favorite among hospital staff, also returned this year. Once again, members of the hospital’s executive team volunteered to take a dip to help raise money for the radiology and imaging departments.
The event also included giveaways, entertainment, games, and refreshments including healthy smoothies, cotton candy, and ice cream.
Vendors at this year’s event also included Mercy’s Radiology and Imaging departments, hospital physicians, genetic counselors, dietitians, the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition, the American Cancer Society, Adelphi Breast Health Center, and more.
mundane story,” she said. “It’s about seeing a therapist, taking steps to make yourself better and finding out the root of your personal problems. She is really frustrated, not knowing what is wrong with her.”
The friendship between Berke and Festa began when they were much younger. They first met in the local theater program, “Time to Shine,” at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center on North Oceanside Road.
“We’ve known each other since we were three years old,” Festa said.
Berke said that they were later reunited at South Side Middle School and both went on to take IB Theater at South Side High School under the direction of Pam Seiderman — who retired this past year.
According to Berke, their shared experiences would help lay the foundation for future creative endeavors. “Time to Shine bonds us and how we see the world,” she said.
Festa said that to save time and money, they opted to do the project as a short film. “Shorts are cheaper and easier to do,” she explained.
The film’s process wasn’t easy, with editing, color grading, and sound design requiring careful attention.
“It was a very long process,” Berke said, detailing the extensive work that went into the project. “The film had to be edited, then we did color and sound.”
Despite the challenges, the payoff was huge. Out of 2,500 entries, “Ships” was chosen as one of only 70 films to premiere at the Soho International Film Festival in New York City.
“Our goal was to really try at the film festival circuit,” Festa said. “There are thousands of entries and they only select 70. We knew it was not necessarily a guarantee.”
Festa said that the film channeled some of her own experiences with mental illness to encompass the broader issues of mental health awareness and advocacy, and was in part influenced by stories from others that she read online or saw in the news, in order to add a more dramatic component to the story.
A portion of the film’s funding was donated to the Trevor Project, an organi-
zation that supports suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth.
“It was very important for me to give back,” Festa said. “In this world and in this country, LGBTQ+ children are dealing with a lot of hate and bullying, not just from classmates but from leaders . . . If my small donation can be of service, that would mean a lot to me.”
Casting for “Ships” also played a critical role in bringing the film’s story to life. Festa and Berke sent out casting calls and auditioned several actors before settling on Mark Torres and Ashton Muñiz.
“We ended up auditioning and having people referred to us,” Festa said. “They really embodied the characters and were behind the message.”
Berke and Festa went into the premiere eager to see how an audience would receive their film. No one, not even their families, had seen the film yet.
Reflecting on the journey, Festa said she feels a deep connection to the film and its message about mental health.
“Mental health is a journey,” she said. “It’s more common than you think, and it’s important to let people know they’re not alone.”
Their new film tackles these issues head-on, dramatizing a personal story that Festa hopes will resonate with audiences at the festival and beyond.
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ & KELSIE RADZISKI of the Herald
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, vowed to the crowd at his rally on Sept. 18 at the Nassau Coliseum that he would win the vote in the state of New York in November’s election.
“It hasn’t been done in a long time,” Trump, referring to a decades-long losing streak of Republican presidential candidates in the state, “but we are going to win New York.”
Trump spoke for nearly 90 minutes at his first rally on Long Island since 2017, cheered by a sea of supporters wearing Make America Great Again hats and T-shirts and waving MAGA flags, thousands of them gathered outside the packed arena, watching on television monitors.
He denounced his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her policies, which he said would make New York “a Third World nation” if she were to win.
Trump highlighted Long Island issues and events, paying tribute to New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller, of Massapequa, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens in March. The former president noted the 2016 slaying of Long Island teenagers Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas, and the influx of MS-13 gang members.
“Our country’s going down,” he said. “If you look at what’s happening with the Venezuelans taking over … They’ve taken over your buildings and your land. You got to do something about it.
“That wouldn’t happen with Bruce Blakeman, I can tell you that right now,” Trump added, referring to the Republican Nassau county executive, which sparked chats of “Bruce!” from the
crowd.
This was Trump’s first rally since a second assassination attempt was reported at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15. He credited the U.S. Secret Service for stopping the attempt.
He vowed to rebuild the subways, highways and bridges in New York and across the country. He promised to reinstate the income tax deduction for state and local taxes, which his administration backed legislation to cap during his presidency. He also announced that he would make the World Trade Center site, in Lower Manhattan, a national monument maintained by the federal government — a pronouncement that was met with an enthusiastic ovation.
“That hallowed ground and the memory of those who perished there will be preserved for all time,” he said, just a week after the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Trump also addressed global affairs. “I will settle the war in Ukraine,” he said. “I got along very well with Putin,” he said, referring to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, “and I will end the chaos in the Middle East. A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote to obliterate Israel.”
Hours before the rally, County Legislator Carrié Solages, a Democrat, condemned statements made by Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, about Haitian migrants eating residents’ pets in Springfield, Ohio, at a counterprotest with Haitians from Long Island outside the Coliseum entrance.
County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs held a protest with elected officials hours before Solages’.
Before Trump took to the stage, others expressed their support for his campaign, including Republican U.S. Representatives Anthony D’Esposito and Nick LaLota, who represent the 4th and 2nd
congressional districts, respectively. The pair are being challenged by former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen and John Avalon in closely watched contests in November that could determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives.
In an impassioned speech, D’Esposito denounced Harris, described the Democratic Party as “dangerous” and emphasized that he “stand(s) for what Donald Trump believes in.”
“I stand for a secure border, I stand for backing law enforcement, I stand for growing our economy, I stand for putting America first,” D’Esposito said.
The Republican nominee in the 3rd Congressional District, Mike LiPetri, who hopes to flip Rep. Tom Suozzi’s seat, said he was proud to endorse Trump and his goals for his presidency.
“This is our time to restore common sense, to create safe, secure and affordable communities …,” LiPetri said, “making sure we have secure borders, a safe America, making sure we have peace across the world, making sure we’re standing with the Jewish community, and making sure we stand with Israel.”
Blakeman spoke of his priority to keep the county safe, after Nassau was recently named the safest county in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
“Nassau County protects the integrity and safety of women’s sports, and Nassau County unmasked the criminals, antisemites and hate mongers,” he said.
Blakeman called for Trump’s election in November so the country could “get back to common sense.”
“Let’s save our country, and let it start right here,” he said. “Let it start on Long Island, and go throughout the whole state of New York and the state of New Jersey and roll across America.”
By ROKSANA AMID
ramid@liherald.com
The Nassau Coliseum parking lot was filled with vehicles displaying flags, banners and homemade posters before former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally last week. Attendees, eager to show their allegiance, dressed in MAGA hats, shirts and red, white and blue outfits, while chants of “Trump, Trump, Trump!” erupted sporadically.
For his supporters, Trump remains the best candidate to fix the nation’s economic problems and take a stand against traditional politicians. Tommy Mundy, a Trump impersonator from Long Beach, praised the former president’s record.
“He’s a great man,” Mundy said. “He’s been right on everything all along.”
Mundy also dismissed concerns about Trump’s divisive stance on social issues, including abortion.
“Politicians are wicked and evil, and he’s not a politician,” Mundy said. “I’m not too concerned about the abortion issue — let God take care of that. We’re going to do great things, and the economy’s going to get turned around.”
Edward Sass, of North Babylon, also voiced his dissatisfaction with career politicians, a common theme among the attendees. Sass said he sees Trump as a non-politician who speaks plainly and delivers results.
“You get a lot of these politicians saying, ‘We’re going to do this; we’re going to do that.’ They should have done it already,” Sass said. “Three and a half
years, and they haven’t done anything.”
Sass criticized what he described as Vice President Kamala Harris’s vague promises, as well as the growing population on Long Island.
“We’re Long Island, we’re an island, we’ve got too many people in a boat,” he said, suggesting that the region’s infra-
structure is being overwhelmed by unchecked development and population growth.
Outside the Coliseum, anti-Trump protests reflected the sharp divisions among voters. Protesters gathered just beyond the gates, holding signs and chanting, “We’re not going back,” sum-
ming up their opposition to the former president.
Ann Leahy, from Wantagh, was among them. “He’s a crook, and he’s a liar, and he’s a rapist,” she said of Trump. “He’s cruel and he’s just a horrible person. He should never get near the White House again.”
Leahy expressed disbelief at the continuing support for Trump. “He was there for four years, and he was a horror then,” she said. “He has no policies. He just repeats the same stuff over and over again, and people are falling for it. I don’t understand why people would even dream about voting for this lunatic.”
Another one of the protesters was Magalie Theodore, a Haitian immigrant from Elmont, who expressed deep frustration with Trump’s disproven claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were stealing and eating residents’ pets.
“We are mad at Trump for the lies he has made about us,” Theodore said. “We don’t eat pets. We protect pets. As a citizen from Haiti, our country is a protector. We are the first Black republic. We don’t support bullies, and that’s what he’s been doing to immigrants.”
Theodore also criticized Trump’s approach to campaigning, accusing him of attacking ethnic groups to distract from his legal troubles. She also expressed disappointment in local leaders like Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for supporting Trump.
“I thought he was going to look out for all people, but apparently, he’s not,” Theodore said of Blakeman. “He’s supporting the biggest bully in America.”
By ANTHONY DiCOCCO Special to the Herald
The energy was palpable as soon as the children began their infield and hitting drills, because in just moments, they would get the chance to learn from one of baseball’s rising stars.
Despite being in the thick of an intense playoff race, New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez volunteered 90 minutes of his time to coach dozens of lucky kids, ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade, at a free baseball clinic at the Lou Anthony Sports Complex in Massapequa on Sept. 5.
“This is awesome,” Rich Lopos, president of the Nassau County Police Activity League said. “This was something (Alvarez) called us about. He said, ‘I just want to come down and hang out with the kids for a little while,’ and these kids are loving it.”
Over the course of the clinic, kids decked out in Mets apparel rotated between stations that focused on the fundamentals of baseball, such as throwing, catching popups, running and infield work, before finally getting some hitting tips from Alvarez himself during tee drills. Following the clinic and a group photo, participants had the opportunity to pose for individual pictures with Alvarez and get his autograph.
Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez gave hitting pointers to the kids who attended the free baseball clinic at the Lou Anthony Sports Complex in Massapequa.
As a young pro player who’s still learning what it takes to be a major leaguer, Alvarez said that the kids on the field were also teaching him valuable lessons.
“This definitely helps me relax,” he said. “I’m happier. I can see the kids smile, I see the kids’ emotion and I can see how hard they work here. It gives me a little more energy.”
The event was part of a stacked lineup of athlete-run clinics that has been made possible through a partnership between PAL and Pioneer Sports Long Island. Over the past year, Pioneer Sports, now its 14th year, has held clinics that featured former Rangers goalie Mike Richter, Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert, Mets third baseman Brett Baty and closer Edwin Diaz, and Yankees starting pitchers Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt.
Tom Falcone, a co-founder of Pioneer Sports, helps facilitate all of the clinics.
Aiden’s brother, Austin, 8, said some
“This was really cool,” Brooklyn native Aiden Rodriguez, 11, said after the clinic run by the player he described as his idol. “I go to Mets games and meet a lot of players, and Alvarez is one of my favorite catchers in MLB. He made me want to be a catcher.”
of the key lessons Alvarez taught were to keep your eye on the ball and the ball on the barrel of your bat. And he taught the kids about the mental side of the game, as well. Throughout the clinic, he stressed the importance of putting all their mental energy into baseball and to always have fun while doing it.
“These kids are having a lifetime experience, and for me it’s a lifetime experience, too,” Falcone said. “Just to be able to have these guys come out here to the facility and give back to the community, we’re honored to do this.”
Anthony DiCocco is a reporter for the SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
For the past 31 years, Dr. Chester Palmieri, a family orthodontist in Rockville Centre, has invited patients to an annual party at Hempstead Lake State Park.
The celebration began as a way to give back to the parents and children he serves by providing an afternoon of family fun.
Over the years, the party has been held at various locations across Long Island, including Fun Station USA in Lynbrook and Maple Lanes in Rockville Centre. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, however, Pamieri and his staff decided to move the party outdoors.
This year’s festivities were held on Friday, Sept. 6, with a barbecue, rides on the historic carousel—a favorite among younger patients—and a DJ.
Palmieri is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists and has served as a past president of the Nassau County Dental Society. He also served three years as a lieutenant in the United States Dental Navy Corps.
A native Long Islander, Palmieri supports his community by organizing an annual food drive to benefit Long Island Cares and the Harry Chapin Food Bank.
Palmieri Orthodontics are also proud supporters of the Oceanside Middle School Marching Band, the Rockville Centre Little League, the Rockville Centre Basketball League, Leggz Dance Studio, the South Side Middle School Robot-
ics Club, 5 Star Gymnastics Academy, St. Agnes Parish, the ASPCA, Canine Companions and others. To learn more, visit RVCOrtho.com.
–Daniel Offner
By Iris Wiener
Shaun Taylor-Corbett has enjoyed a unique journey from his upbringing in Rockville Centre to working in New York theater. After becoming a household face with a stint on the hit children’s TV show “Hi-5,” he went on to star in the acclaimed Off-Broadway musical “Altar Boyz” and eventually was part of the original cast of Lin Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights.” Working on that Tony-Award winning musical showed him the importance of exploring community through musical theater; it set the stage for his most personal project to date: ”Distant Thunder,” which runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 27 at A.R.T./New York Theatres. Taylor-Corbett not only co-wrote the book and lyrics for the new Off-Broadway musical, he also co-produced and stars in the production, which he credits with helping him learn about his own background. His mother, acclaimed dancer-choreographer and director Lynne Taylor-Corbett, directed and co-wrote. At age 15, Taylor-Corbett decided he wanted to know more about his family’s background. “It was important to me to know where we came from,” he says.
His roots are Black, Scandinavian, Blackfeet Indigenous, and Irish. Realizing he wanted to know more about his Indigenous side, Taylor-Corbett’s mother proceeded to bring her son to Browning, Mont. There he met Darrell Robes Kipp, an educator and community leader responsible for saving the Blackfeet language.
“He really instilled in me the importance of language for a culture,” says Taylor-Corbett. “It was very impactful for me and it made me want to create a story about my experience being mixed race.”
“Distant Thunder”evolved into a story about a young person who returns to his roots after many years of being away. It goes on to explore the various ways in which he experiences community.
Taylor-Corbett’s first memory as a performer was recording himself singing to Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl.” He moved to Rockville Centre when he was 8-years-old, where he attended South Side Middle School and South Side High School. It was at South Side Middle School that he took on one of his first theatrical roles: Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof.” Looking back he appreciates having had a unique childhood growing up with his father [Columbia Records music executive Michael Corbett] and his mother.
Much of ‘Distant Thunder’ was inspired by Taylor-Corbett’s experience growing up mixed race. “I didn’t quite know where I fit in, so I was open and friendly with everybody,” he says. “There were some instances where I felt like an outsider and got made fun of, but I think what I got from being mixed and hanging out with people from different cultural identities is that I fell in love with learning about cultures.”
Taylor-Corbett travels frequently and studies international relations.“As one aspect of my identity — being Indigenous — got stronger, I realized I could take all of what I learned and try to do something in the U.S. I wanted to help the people that gave me so much.”
Taylor-Corbett still spends time in Rockville Centre with his mother in his childhood home. One of his favorite aspects of working on “Distant Thunder” has been collaborating with mom.
“I value having time with her and going through this adventure,” he says. “We’ve grown so much together as friends because of this. There’s a deeper meaning, and drive we have together because I was a kid when we started [this journey]. We don’t have that much time with our parents, so holding onto every moment doing this with her is a joy.”
He also appreciates the wealth of experience that Lynne brings to the project; the multi-talented ‘Broadway legend’ is known for her choreography of Broadway’s “Swing!” and the film “Footloose,” as well her direction and writing for “Cougar the Musical,” among other projects.
“I’m learning so much from her,” he says. “She passed on that legacy to me. I see myself growing in confidence because of her.”
Taylor-Corbett is proud that “Distant Thunder” honors the Blackfeet community that he holds close to his heart. He had never seen an Indigenous Broadway or Off-Broadway musical, and imagined how incredible it would be to have a large cast representing the Blackfeet and Indigenous communities performing an Indigenous story through powwow and pop music. Adding it to the American theater canon would break through barriers.
“We wanted to have the show be a portal into another world, into the magic that is Indian country,” he says, as he looks forward to opening night on Oct. 3. “I want people to leave the show uplifted and joyful about the future. I’m hoping that everyone feels represented, that people feel proud of what we’ve done, and that it inspires people who might be on a similar journey as they write their own stories.”
Tickets for ‘Distant Thunder’ can be purchased online at amasmusical.org or by calling (212) 563-2565.
Take out that neon yet again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage, The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as ‘80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Jessie’s Girl has mastered overthe-top renditions of the some of world’s most unforgettable songs, all while dressed up as the iconic characters of that decade. This is theater meets live music, covered in ‘80s glitz. Some would say there’s no decade like the ‘80. So throw on your best neon, use extra hair spray on that hair and head to Back To The Eighties — because it’s time to party like it’s 1989.
Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. $45, $37.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
The Drama Desk Award-winning “Celebrity Autobiography” returns to Tilles Center with an entirely new show. Starring Richard Kind, pictured above (fresh off his comic turn in that Hulu sensation “Only Murders in the Building”), Jackie Hoffman, Craig Bierko, Lillias White, Mario Cantone, and show creators Eugene Pack and Dayle Reyfel, an ever-changing selection of tellalls and memoirs are performed verbatim. Celebrity tell-alls are perfectly entertaining on their own, as exclusive windows into the lives of famous personalities. But this smash-hit comedic masterpiece takes it a step further — as as outrageously true memoirs are acted out live on stage by some of the funniest people around.
Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Everclear, one of the leading alternative rock bands to emerge from the ‘90s, led by vocalistguitarist-founder Art Alexakis, is back on the road, appearing on the Paramount stage, Sunday, oct. 6, 7 p.m. The band is joined by special guests Marcy Playground and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack. The setlist for this tour includes all the hits from throughout Everclear’s extraordinary three decades-long catalog, spotlighting tracks off their album “Songs From An American Movie Vol. One,” which they’ll release on vinyl later this year for the first time via Intervention Records.
Since forming in 1992, Everclear has enjoyed a lengthy career by any measure, spanning 11 studio releases, including four that have been certified Gold or Platinum, selling over 6 million records, and achieving 12 Top 40 Hit Singles on Mainstream Rock, Alternative, and Adult Top 40 radio, including “Santa Monica,” “Father of Mine,” “I Will Buy You A New Life,” “Wonderful” and “Everything To Everyone,” as well as numerous videos, concerts, and various other accolades, including a 1998 Grammy nomination. The band’s 1993 debut album “World Of Noise,” released on the Portland independent label Tim/Kerr Records, paired with their significant efforts to break into college radio and the buzz they’d created within the Portland music scene, attracted the attention of major labels, including Capitol Records, which signed the group soon after. Beginning with their major-label debut, 1995’s platinum-selling album “Sparkle and Fade,” and its massive chart-topping hit “Santa Monica,” Everclear was soon a household name and catapulted into the masses. Alexakis was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2019; he’s since donated $1 from every ticket purchased from his performances to charities such as Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and National MS Society. In addition their numerous concerts over the band’s lengthy career, Alexakis created and runs the annual Summerland Tour, which features a package of popular ‘90s alt rock bands. $70.50, $50.50, $050, $25.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program returns for a new season, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.
Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Wednesday, oct. 9, noon-1 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudorstyle mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
Spooky Fest is back
A Halloween experience not to be missed, Spooky Fest is an outdoor adventure perfect for families, whether you want to be scared — or prefer seasonal fun of the non-scary kind. Join in the fun at the Center for Science, Teaching and Learning, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout October. Along the way in the updated and beautifully lit up, Enchanted Walk you will see dinosaurs, aliens and friendly witches, costumed characters and more, including the Mystical Garden. Get your fortune told, make a craft and dance with the Halloween DJ, along with face painting and the Amazing Glow tent. For those who want a scare, venture into the Haunted Woods, where zombies and dinosaurs hang out. Admission starts at $22. 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre. Visit CSTL.org for call (516) 7640045 for more information.
The Lions Club of Rockville Centre hosts The Amazing Race, Saturday, Sept. 28, beginning at 10 a.m, at the Rockville Centre Fire Department on Maple Avenue. Teams of residents race around the village, solving clues, performing challanges and having fun, with a chance for a Test your local knowledge and learn more about the village, all while raising money. Raffles, food and a cash bar at the final destination. Teams are capped at four people.
Check-in is at John J. Anderson Recreation Center. Cost is $35 for adults and $20 for children. A portion of proceeds is donated to the Rockvkille Centre Breast Cancer Coalition. For more information visit rvclions.com or call (516) 395-3024.
Enjoy a hilarious night of comedy at The Pantry RVC, Friday, Sept. 27, featuring a lineup of comedians from across Long Island and New York City including Dan LaRocco, Sean Brown, Carla Oakerson, Johnny Macdonald and Sean Donnelly. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 plus taxes and fees and are available online at Eventbrite.com. For more information call (516) 766-8848. 525 Merrick Road.
Backyard Players & Friends hosts its annual Oktoberfest fundraiser, at the St. Agnes Parish Center, Saturday, Sept. 28, 7-10 p.m. Celebrate the season with a dinner, raffles, music, dancing and a beer garden. For more information visit BYPAndFriends.com. 26 Quealy Place.
Nassau County Legislator
Scott Davis and Island Harvest invite the community to a food drive for Sharon’s Pantry, Sunday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in front of Key Food Supermarket, 399 Ocean Ave. in Rockville Centre. For more information contact Legislator Davis at (516) 571-6201 or email SDavis@NassauCountyNY. gov.
Bring the kids to make some discoveries about mushrooms at Long Island Children’s Museum’s drop-in program, Sunday, Sept. 29, 1-3 p.m. Did you know that some mushrooms can glow in the dark? Learn about the 113 species of mushroom that are considered bioluminescent, due to a chemical reaction that attracts bugs to help spread mushroom spores. Stop by to learn about these amazing fungi and make a glowing mushroom craft to bring home. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.
Molloy University kicks offs its inaugural Sprint Football season, with its first home game, Friday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m., at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale. Tickets are available online at MolloyLions.com.
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.
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media.
It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Adelphi University’s Theatre Department present two one-act plays from icons of the American Little Theater movement, of the early 20th century, now through Sunday, Sept. 29. See “Suppressed Desires” by Susan Glaspell and “George Cram Cook and Seaweed” by Alice Gerstenberg, Sept. 26-27, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 28, 2 and 7:30 p.m. (livestream available); Sept. 29, 2 p.m. Gerstenberg’s Seaweed explores the future prospects and dating escapades of 20somethings in the 1920s. It’s “Sex and the City” but only four years after women received the right to vote. Suppressed Desires brings the audience into a 1914 marriage where a husband, wife, and her sister interrogate the psychological meaning of every conscious and unconscious utterance. All shows take place in Adelphi’s Performing Art Center’s Black Box Theatre. $25, with discounts available to seniors, students, Adelphi alumni and employees. 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
By XIOMARA TRINIDAD PEREZ Herald Intern
For the sixth consecutive year, members of the Rockville Centre community gathered on Sept. 14 to support the bake sale fundraiser in memory of Jamison Novello, a former South Side High School sophomore who died by suicide in 2019.
Her mother, Kimberly McGuigan, told the Herald the bake sale was inspired by Jamison’s love of sweets. The event, which began in 2019 to celebrate Jamison’s 16th birthday, raises money for a scholarship fund created in her honor at the Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan, where she discovered her passion for dance. The goal is to help aspiring dancers pursue their dreams and refine their skills under the guidance of the center’s worldrenowned choreographers.
Proceeds have also been donated to the Long Island Crisis Center and, more recently, to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), a nonprofit dedicated to mental health research, improving interventions, suicide prevention training, and advocacy for life-changing policies.
McGuigan, who organizes the annual event outside her home on Burtis Avenue in Rockville Centre, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming baked goods donations she received just a day prior.
This year’s bake sale marked what would have been a milestone — Jamison’s 21st birthday. Several signs displayed messages of support, featuring photos of Jamison from her many dance performances. One sign read, “Keep dancing, Jamagirl.”
McGuigan said the signs held special significance, reminding her of what Jamison would have said had she been there.
“I felt that she was there, just sprinkling magic on that day,” McGuigan said. “It felt like she was saying, ‘You’re doing a good thing, Mom.’”
This year’s event raised more than
LEGAL NOTICE
$14,700, with additional donations bringing the total to $15,200. The funds will be split between the scholarship fund and AFSP. Through the community’s support, McGuigan has donated more than $100,000 to the scholarship fund and more than $40,000 to AFSP.
More than 14 friends and family
0926 PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com
A non-profit organization in Oceanside, NY is seeking interested resources to provide bids for sale and installation of components and equipment to enhance our security infrastructure. These include bollards & barriers, fire resistant entry doors and enhanced bullet resistant glass. Selection of providers in each category will be based on knowledge of each of the above noted components and their integration in our security system framework. Additionally, relevant prior experience, problem resolution expertise, adherence to projected work schedules, agreed upon budget/cost estimates and references will play an important role in the evaluation process.
Next steps and requisite details can be obtained by contacting us by phone at (516)766-6809 ext. 2 or via email at: security@avodah.org with your company name, point of contact & email and/or phone information. Responses will be provided and accepted until ___ (Date to follow). Work will commence by ____ (Date to follow) and be completed by ____ (Date to follow). All information will remain confidential. 149126
AND
in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AN AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232 Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AN AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232 PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AN AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232 Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
members helped organize this year’s event, setting up 12 booths, including a lemonade stand run by McGuigan’s daughter, Carter.
“It was beautiful. It is always beautiful,” McGuigan said. “It was so crowded, and there was so much love and so many different signs and different people.”
This year, with the help of the local law firm Falcon, Rappaport and Berkman, McGuigan launched the Still Spar-
kling Foundation as an official nonprofit. The foundation is dedicated to keeping Jamison’s legacy alive through mental health awareness and advocacy.
In addition to the bake sale, McGuigan organizes a Casino Night every March to support mental health initiatives through the Still Sparkling Foundation.
For more information on the foundation and its initiatives, visit JamisonsDream.com.
Carter McGuigan, 13, and Lea Rassier, 13, welcomed everyone to the bake sale while manning the lemonade booth.
Wanted
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!
$20 - $25/ Hour
Bell Auto School
516-365-5778
Email: info@bellautoschool.com
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com
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!
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Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.
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Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
To Deliver Papers To Businesses in Massapequa, Amityville and Babylon 2 Days Per Week Must Have Own Vehicle/Van This is an independent contractor role for Richner Communications Compensation based on stops starting at $275/week If Interested contact Jim at jrotche@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 x211
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours
Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email
L‘We did everything right, or so we thought’
Q. We are trying to understand why we did everything right, or so we thought, and now have to start over with getting a permit and inspections so we can move on. First, we thought the whole construction process was over a year ago, but now find that we got an ultimatum, in the form of a notice that we will get a summons to appear in court if we don’t respond, and the inspector said that the plans we have are no longer good. We read your column about this and it created even more questions, like: What if we just drop it and don’t respond, and why do we have to make new plans? We did make some changes, but isn’t that normal? We wanted to get it right, and the changes were hardly noticeable to anyone else. What do you think we should do?
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A.Do something, as opposed to doing nothing. If you do nothing, you may get the summons to appear in court, and after the appearance, you more likely will receive a judgment in addition to a fine, plus an order to still follow through or receive more fines and judgments. The timing of all of this is up to your building inspector and your building department as to the amount of time that will pass before any of this happens. I have clients who have done nothing for 20 years, and several who sold their property to unsuspecting buyers who still have to follow through, someday.
The fine may be affordable, but it’s still a fine. The judgment either forces you to comply or appeal. An appeal can cost as much or more in legal and court fees than just complying.
The only cases in which there were serious legal consequences that I have any experiences with both ended badly. Both involved much more serious problems, with building violations of a dangerous condition, and both ended with the building being condemned and bulldozed. Each was seriously structurally deficient and had multiple code violations. While your situation may not be like these, you should consult an attorney about your options, since resisting compliance changes from a building permit to a legal matter.
In most jurisdictions, when you make changes to the house that no longer match the plans, the building department may only ask for a letter from the design professional, as I recently mentioned in an earlier column. That would be a lie if you made so many changes or the changes were significant. I’ve often dealt with situations in which the owner and contractor made changes that moved the load-bearing walls off of the structural load path, and now the second floor is bowing. That type of change is significant, and could lead to irritating cracking that will not go away no matter how many times repairs are made.
Changes without communication are a bad idea. Your officials are trying, indirectly, to confirm safety and code compliance. Good luck!
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all the drama, it’s a dead heat
It seems as if barely a week goes by in the presidential campaign without one more otherwise once-in-adecade, totally unexpected event occurring.
Almost relegated to the background in all this tumult are the multitude of criminal charges brought against Donald Trump, including 34 felony convictions in one case alone, which have only increased his favorability ratings to their highest level ever.
For starters, there was the Biden-Trump CNN debate fiasco in late June, in which President Biden virtually self-destructed in real time before a nationwide audience. At times incoherent and appearing hopelessly confused, Biden had no sooner left the debate stage than Democratic Party leaders, consultants and media types displayed their own levels of incoherence in expressing their shock and dismay over how poorly Biden had performed and their fear of his impending defeat in November, especially contrasted with Trump’s relatively effective performance. Biden insisted he was going for-
ward, and conducted a media tour to rescue his terminally wounded candidacy.
While all this was taking place, Trump barely escaped death in Butler, Pennsylvania, when an attempted assassin’s bullet missed his skull by an inch, clipping his right ear and resulting in the iconic photo of his bloody defiance. Then there was the Republican Convention in Milwaukee, which, except for an overly long acceptance speech by Trump, worked to perfection. Trump’s path to victory seemed clear.
TThen, out of nowhere on a Sunday afternoon, Biden announced that he would not run for re-election. Though he had won the overwhelming majority of delegates to the impending Democratic National Convention, he couldn’t withstand the coordinated move against him from all sides of the Democratic Party, from the actor George Clooney to party leaders Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. Almost simultaneously with his withdrawal statement, Biden announced his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Though her favorability numbers had been lower than Biden’s, she unexpectedly surged into a dead heat with Trump. This was followed by a
With precious weeks to go before the November election, I had hoped that we would be having a real debate about the issues that should dominate in a federal election year. I refer to such things as election integrity, a woman’s right to choose, the economy and other relevant subjects in such a crucial year. But instead, it seems that for some of the candidates, the only issue is race.
When Vice President Kamala Harris became the nominee of the Democratic Party, I understood that her mixed-race history would be a boon to some bigots who considered her selection a chance to vent against all people of color. And with every passing day, we hear about some politician openly venting about her color. The chief culprit has been former President Donald Trump, who seizes every opportunity he can to stoke the culture wars.
carefully choreographed Democratic Convention in Chicago, at which Harris appeared to make headway by repositioning herself as a moderate, not the progressive she had always been.
rump can’t just criticize current policies, and Harris can’t just say she’s not Joe Biden.
Seemingly caught off guard by Harris’s emergence, Trump made a number of unforced errors, including saying he hadn’t known until recently that Harris was black. He was clearly off his game. Polls showed Harris with a slight but growing edge. This was followed by their debate, in which Harris was acknowledged to be the victor.
Yet in another surprise development, the postdebate polls not only showed almost no real gain by Harris, but also found increased voter doubts about her on gut issues like immigration and the economy. It was now a horse race, and both sides were gearing up for the stretch run.
Then again came the unexpected: another assassination attempt against Trump, this time while he was playing the fifth hole of his Mar-a-Lago golf course. For days the media focused on this almost-tragedy. How did the Secret Service allow the would-be assassin to get so close to Trump so soon after the attempt in Butler in July? How much
did incendiary rhetoric contribute to this political violence?
This tumultuous, unprecedented 2024 campaign is now in its final six weeks, and is back where it started in earnest almost a year ago. Despite all that has happened along the way, the polls show the race is too close to call. Hopefully the candidates and voters will use the time between now and Nov. 5 to focus on the issues.
Real people are hurt by high prices for groceries. It’s difficult for young people to obtain a mortgage to buy a home. Crime is real, and repeat offenders are back on the streets. Illegal immigration is rampant, and attacks by criminal gangs are increasing.
Overseas, Israel is fighting for its survival. The Russia-Ukraine war rages unabated, while China continues to expand its military and threaten its neighbors, particularly Taiwan and the Philippines.
Trump must do more than criticize current policies, and detail what measures he would take. Harris must do more than just say that she’s not Joe Biden. And all of us must live up to the responsibilities and challenges of living in a democracy.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
One of his first shots in the current hate debate was his questioning of Harris’s race. At one of his campaign rallies, he asked if she really was Black. Eventually, when Trump found that this diatribe wasn’t catching on with his voters, he moved on to other highly sensitive racial areas.
TKeep in mind that he has often played the race card. One of his most memorable racist comments concerned the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Despite his continuous denials, there were multiple press stories that quoted him as saying there were “very fine people, on both sides.”
Their most recent target was the Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. It’s a fact that various groups that cross the border often seek to settle in places that other immigrants have chosen as their home.
he governor of Ohio and the mayor of Springfield have denied vile claims.
In order to keep the racial flames burning, both Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, have made immigration the focal point of their campaign. There is no doubt that the border issue has legitimacy, but the TrumpVance approach is to stoke the racial fires with claims that mental patients and convicts are invading the country. Neither man has come up with any proof that these claims are legitimate.
The Haitians in Springfield are in this country as part of a program that allows immigrants to seek asylum based on violence in their countries. That program was created by President Ronald Reagan, and has been honored by all subsequent presidents, with the exception of Trump. This same program allows in residents of Ukraine and Venezuela, whose countries are experiencing great turmoil. Trump and Vance continue to spread the lie that members of Springfield’s Haitian community are stealing people’s pets and eating them. Their claims have caused massive angst in that city, where schools and municipal activities have shut down. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, the mayor of Springfield and other city officials have vehemently denied that such activities have taken place, but the Trump-Vance meanness continues unabated. There is no doubt that Spring-
field is dealing with an influx of Haitians who are trying to find work there, but the false rumors continue.
Adding to the venom were remarks Vance made on the Sunday talk shows on Sept. 15. He was challenged for continuing to assert the false pet-eating claims. “If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do,” he told Dana Bash on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
The latest attempt to assassinate Trump should have resulted in his toning down the incendiary talk coming from him and his campaign team. But after a soft comment expressing his appreciation for the public’s support, he claimed that the Democrats were responsible for the assassination attempts “with their ugly rhetoric about me.” That kind of response can only bring about more toxic threats at a time when calm should be the byword.
Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
ne year ago, the Herald published the editorial below, about a spate of reckless driving on the Southern State Parkway. Unfortunately, in light of the devastating news that a number of Long Island teens have lost their lives in several recent crashes, we are once again somberly reminded that reckless drivers put at risk not only their own lives, but also the lives of others. We recommend that local municipalities and law enforcement agencies schedule town halls to discuss how best to stem the tide of reckless driving on Long Island — from speeding to texting, and everything in between, whether on a parkway or a local street. In the meantime, we reprint our editorial from the Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2023, issue.
Drive a mere exit or two on any of Long Island’s main thoroughfares and you are sure to see at least one roadside shrine remembering the victim of a fatal car crash.
These memorials — already too commonplace — will only become more ubiquitous if nothing is done to stem the rising tide of dangerous drivers on these roads. In fact, just last week, sadly, Peninsula Boulevard was the site of two
To the Editor:
As the country and the rest of the world have experienced another year of scorching heat waves, private, for-profit utility companies — which we rely on for our basic necessities, like heating, cooling and electricity — are keeping us reliant on climate-wrecking fossil fuels while reporting record profits. When they work well, utilities exist in the background of our lives: They power our homes, cool us down when it’s hot, and give us heat when it’s cold. But too often they are sources of aggravation: The power goes off when it’s dangerously hot or cold out, our bills skyrocket, and these for-profit companies threaten to shut off services when we’re unable to pay.
We know that climate change raises those stakes even higher, and utility companies themselves play a massive role in exacerbating the climate crisis: 80 percent of the electric utilities in the U.S. run on fossil fuels.
Shifting utilities to clean energy is integral to working toward a safer climate, but these companies would rather maintain the status quo and keep the public in the dark.
separate fatal accidents. On the same day.
We have all seen the tricked-out cars and motorcycles that zig and zag through traffic — exceeding the speed limit in spades — with no concern about repercussions from law enforcement or consequences for the lives of others.
That sickening feeling you get when your heart skips a beat, and you thank heaven to be alive, because yet another vehicle comes out of nowhere at 100 mph to cut you off, and then does the same thing to the next car? And the next? Too many of us Long Islanders know this feeling all too well.
Reckless (and noisy) drivers — threatening both public safety and community tranquility — are operating with impunity. And they know it.
Their cars are hard to miss, with their illegally modified mufflers that can be heard miles away at all hours of the day and night. Illegal license plate covers and fake temporary tags protect their callous disregard for law and order by making it impossible for anyone to identify them, including law enforcement tools like speed cameras. And their friends are now sometimes even setting up lawn chairs on the side of the high-
way to watch cars race in broad daylight — missing the irony that a crash victim’s memorial is often just over their shoulders.
More than 75 people lost their lives, and another 13,000 were injured, in nearly 37,000 traffic accidents in Nassau County last year. Those are unacceptable numbers.
It’s difficult to find law enforcement on these central thruways, especially on the Southern State Parkway — one of Nassau County’s deadliest roads — between the Cross Island Parkway and Heckscher State Park.
We need more, not less, patrolling of our roads. We need more, not less, enforcement of sensible laws already on the books. We need more, not less, coordination between state and local law enforcement. And we need more stringent laws and harsher penalties coming out of Albany so that we can make these reckless drivers as scared to continue these dangerous activities as we are to witness them.
We implore all jurisdictions to work together to rein in the scourge of irresponsible, dangerous and selfish drivers. Because even one more roadside shrine is one too many.
our money to burn our future while individuals and families struggle. We deserve an energy system that allows everyone to have access to clean and affordable energy.
Ibelieve congestion pricing is an absolute necessity, for several reasons. First of all, traffic in the metropolitan area is an absolute nightmare. You can’t get into New York City in a reasonable amount of time unless you leave at 5 a.m. or after 9 p.m. most days from any direction — Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut or New Jersey.
Once you get to Manhattan, traffic is so bad that you can walk faster than you can drive. I know, because I work on the Upper East Side and often walk to appointments and meetings. It’s faster than waiting endlessly in a taxi or Uber.
The rafts of Citi Bikes, bike lanes, bus-only lanes and outdoor restaurants built during and after the coronavirus pandemic make Manhattan more intolerable for driving than ever before.
According to a TomTom report, New York tops the list of cities with the worst traffic in America. The average commuter spent just under 25 minutes driving about six miles in 2023.
Secondly, our mass transit system has been allowed to deteriorate over the decades, because politicians have always kicked the can down the road. The Second Avenue subway was originally proposed over 100 years ago. Today, three stations have been built, and the extension to Harlem has been put off, because congestion pricing, which was supposed to help pay for it, has been halted.
IThe 7 Subway line was to have had a stop in Hell’s Kitchen, the “10th Avenue station,” to alleviate passenger congestion on the West Side and serve the growing neighborhood, but that, too, was killed for lack of funds and political will.
regional train service and rehabilitating the century-old subway system. The more comfortable and convenient the train system, the more people will use it, and the more drivers will opt out of the maddening rush to get to the city.
f only we could come up with a way to charge people based on their net worth.
Much of the current subway system is antiquated, some of it was damaged by saltwater intrusion during Superstorm Sandy, and the signal system is a hazard unto itself, slowing the system down and causing accidents.
So how do we resolve our urban traffic nightmare? There is no doubt that rail lines into Manhattan should be the No. 1 priority. They move the most people at the fastest speeds into and out of the city. Congestion pricing would be of enormous benefit in funding better
To the Editor:
After reading Sasha Ahuja’s letter (“Curran’s wrong about the ‘war on women,’” Sept. 5-11), in support of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment, which will be on New York ballots in November, I decided to ask Google to tell me exactly what the proposed constitutional amendment says. This is what I learned:
“No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed, or religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state pursuant to law.”
I’m wondering if the amendment might go too far or be too broad in its scope. Adding anything to the Consti-
Now, there are valid reasons why congestion pricing is unfair. If I’m a millionaire, I don’t care about paying $15 to drive below 60th Street, but if I make $50,000 a year, it’s putting a huge dent in my wallet. Box trucks or moving vans would pay $24, large trucks $36, which would make goods and services cost more for New Yorkers.
It’s unfortunate that we can’t devise a methodology that could charge people based on their net worth. If a license tag could be connected to an IRS filing, we could charge wealthy people a different rate than those of more modest means.
Beyond a system like that, we must resurrect the congestion pricing program to start to reduce traffic into Manhattan, and use those funds to upgrade MTA trains, subways and buses. If we do nothing, we will have wasted $500 million installing the apparatus to track vehicular traffic into the city, while
doing nothing to reduce traffic and pollution and build a city for the future.
It is also unconscionable that fare evasion cost the MTA an estimated $690 million in 2022, including $315 million from buses and $285 million from subways — 10 percent of the MTA’s annual budget.
And beyond the dollars and cents, New York City now ranks as one of the most ozone-polluted cities in the world thanks to the millions of cars, trucks and buses in stop-and-go gridlock traffic, with drivers endlessly circling for parking spaces and taxis, Ubers and Lyfts driving nonstop, looking for their next fare.
So how to move the massive number of people in the metropolitan area from destination to destination? Make the best use of the advanced train system that enlightened people built 120 years ago, and that provided 2 billion rides in 2023, on over hundreds of miles of track, picking up and dropping off people at 472 stations. But you can’t build out and upgrade the system without money, and congestion pricing is the ticket.
Jim Paymar is a veteran New York television anchor and reporter who has worked at CNBC, WNBC and WABC. He anchors a podcast, “The Big Shift with Jim Paymar.”
tution is a very big deal, since changing our minds after the fact may be very difficult in practice. Voters need to understand the complexities before casting a vote.
Personally, I’d have no issue with the amendment if it granted equal rights and equal protection to everyone regardless of “race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed, or religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression” — but it doesn’t stop there. The final clause gives women an unlimited right to abortion on demand, regardless of the stage of gestation.
While many argued for or against the removal of “reproductive freedom” as guaranteed by Roe v. Wade, most would agree that abortion has been a hotly debated topic. As such, I do not feel it should be part of a bigger amendment like Prop 1. Instead, let’s get Prop 1 passed without its final clause, and then allow ample discussion time before trying to get a separate amendment passed that deals exclusively with whether a woman’s “right to privacy” trumps the right to life of the unborn, and if so, when?
A story in last week’s issue, “Zoning board OKs medical facility — with conditions,” incorrectly stated that the Rockville Centre Board of Zoning Appeals, “by granting a variance, agrees to amend village code to conform to the requested alterations,
bringing a proposal in compliance with the law.” The BZA, however, has no control over zoning code. The granting of a variance does not result in a change in code, but rather provides allowances to property owners due to unique circumstances.
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