Rockville Centre Herald 10-24-2024

Stu Goldman/Herald

Floodlight Company No. 1 hosts open house

Firefighter/EMT Kiernan Woram, left, Firefighter/EMT Paige Sansone, First Lieutenant Michael Woram demonstrate the ‘jaws of life’ on a minivan. Story, more photos, Page 5.

RVC moms will hit the gridiron

Titans

football raises money for Breast

By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com

To raise awareness and support for the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition, a nonprofit outreach program that provides financial and emotional support for local residents diagnosed with breast cancer, the Titans youth football program will host its first-ever Moms’ flag-football game fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 27.

This unprecedented display of community spirit, spearheaded by Jessica Bifulco and Lisa Guerriero, has already surpassed expectations with an overwhelming response from the community. In just a short time, the organization raised $7,500 not accounting for additional fundraising efforts including a bake sale and 50/50 raffles.

“If we do as well as we hope, we’re looking to break $10,000,” Dana Lozito, one the Titans orga-

Cancer Coalition

nization’s founders said.. “One hundred percent of the funds will go to the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition.”

Lozito founded the Rockville Centre Titans football program with her husband and coach, Bill Lozito, after learning that their two sons would have to travel outside the village to participate in a youth football league. It is an entirely volunteer-led organization dedicated to helping young athletes by developing life skills both on and off the field.

Currently in its 10th season, the Titans help kids by building character, instilling positive values, and creating lifelong memories.

“The lessons you learn on the field, between the mental and physical grind during practices and games, getting tackled and getting back up again, relates to the tools they need to preserve in

Local author writes powerful new memoir

By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com

Edward T. Byrne’s powerful new memoir, “In Whom I Am Well Pleased,” recounts his grief as a Rockville Centre father who in an instant is forced to confront what can only be described as “a parent’s worst nightmare” — the loss of child to suicide.

Byrne, 72, weaves together two narrative threads, about his son Matthew’s journey, growing up as an all-American boy on Long Island, and his subsequent descent, as posttraumatic stress from his dream job as a New York City firefighter sends him spiraling toward substance abuse, depression and eventually to the point of taking his own life.

years of trying to help his family through their grief. His priority became “getting them off the ash heap,” particularly his wife and daughter, who were at home when Matthew died there.

“I probably didn’t touch this until 2016,” Byrne told the Herald. “I made up my mind that it was probably worthwhile to do.”

ime makes a difference. It doesn’t let you get over it, but it lets you get past it.

EDwARD T. ByRNE author

The book would take Byrne until 2018 to complete, as he tackled the complexity of his son’s mental health, posttraumatic stress and addiction head on, learning more about him, and the thoughts that had haunted him for years that had never come to light. The book isn’t intended to cast blame on anyone, but it acknowledges that there were signs that Byrne now believes were “not taken seriously enough.”

“You’re definitely shellshocked in the wake of something like this,” Byrne recalled of the aftermath of that devastating day in August 2014.

Byrne said that he began writing the memoir after two

“It was a tough book to write,” he said. “It’s a tough book to read. Hopefully it was worth the effort. Time makes a difference. It doesn’t let you get over (the loss), but it lets you

Continued on page 31

FIGHTER FOR FIGHTER FOR FIGHTER FOR LONG ISLAND’S LONG ISLAND’S LONG ISLAND’S

Took action to keep guns out of the wrong hands, passed a bump stock ban and a full package of gun safety legislation

Voted to accelerate middle-class tax cuts and allocated funding to Nassau County Police and local police departments for vehicles, resources and training

Allocated billions in funding for the Environmental Protection Fund and the Environmental Bond Act of 2022, protecting our clean air and water while creating jobs

Supported legislation to protect women’s rights to reproductive health care, including birth control and IVF

Memorial service honors fallen firefighters

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

The Rockville Centre Fire Department held its annual memorial service at Firefighters Memorial Park on Sunday, honoring seven members who passed away in the last year—Joseph Lagudi, Carl Boegel Jr., Charles Khram, Thomas O’Boyle, Anthony Papalia, Donald Lister, and Ian Bernard.

“Today marks the most important day on the calendar for the Rockville Centre Fire Department, where we mourn our brothers and sisters who answered their last alarm over the past year,” Rockville Centre Fire Department Chief Scott Mohr said. “These 7 dedicated members that we lost in the past year, served a combined total of over 300 years to the community and its residents. They will be missed.”

The department commemorates each firefighter’s “last alarm” to recognize their service and legacy.

Honorary Chief Joseph Lagudi Joseph Lagudi, 90, dedicated 51 years to the Rockville Centre Fire Department, joining Defender Hose Company No. 1 in 1972. A U.S. Army National Guard veteran who served for 22 years, Lagudi held various leadership roles, including Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, and Captain of Hose Company No. 1. His sons, Michael and Charlie, also served as captains, continuing the family’s commitment to service. In 2013, Lagudi was named Honorary Chief. His legacy lives on through his family and the department.

Honorary Chief Carl Boegel Jr.

Carl Boegel Jr., 82, was a member of Defender Hose Company No. 1 for 57 years. He joined the department in 1967 after serving 22 years in the U.S. Navy. Boegel held several leadership posi-

Members of the Rockville Centre Fire Department pay respects to the firefighters lost this past year.

tions, including lieutenant and captain of the Fire Police Squad, and was a delegate to various firefighter associations. His dedication earned him the title of Honorary Chief. Boegel’s lifelong service leaves a lasting impact on the fire department and the broader community.

Honorary Chief Charles Khram

Charles Khram, 64, was a member of Defender Hose Company No. 1 for 47 years. He joined the department in 1977 and became an essential figure, serving as captain from 2015 to 2018. Khram played a key role in establishing the Rockville Centre Junior Firefighter Program and was co-chairman of the program until his passing. Many will remember his dedication to the department and mentoring young firefighters.

Ex-Captain Thomas O’Boyle

Thomas O’Boyle, 78, served Defender Hose Company No. 1 for 56 years. He joined in 1968 and rose through the ranks, becoming captain in 1973. O’Boyle was instrumental in acquiring

new equipment for the department, including overseeing the introduction of the 1975 Mack engine. Recognized as a life member in 2018, O’Boyle’s leadership and contributions to the department spanned more than five decades.

Honorary Chief Anthony Papalia

Anthony “Pappy” Papalia, 90, spent 71 years serving Reliance Hose Company No. 3. He joined the fire department in 1952 and held leadership positions such as captain from 1959 to 1964. Known for his humor, dedication, and leadership, Papalia earned the title of Honorary Chief in 2002. His commitment to both his family and the fire department left a lasting mark on the community.

Ex-Captain Donald Lister

Donald “Donny” Lister was a member of Reliance Hose Company No. 3 for 56 years. He joined in 1968 and served as captain from 1977 to 1979. Lister was known for his calm leadership and quick wit, as well as his love of fly fishing and

RVCFD Second Assistant Chief Pat Healy, left, and Department Chief Scott Mohr honor those lost this past year with the placing of the wreath.

practical jokes. His service and strong leadership left a deep impression on his fellow firefighters and the community.

Firefighter Ian Bernard

Ian Bernard served with Alert Engine Co. No. 2 for 41 years, joining in 1983. Bernard was dedicated to learning and took numerous classes throughout his career. He joined the Fire Police Squad in 1996, furthering his commitment to his community’s safety. Known for his love of history and passion for firefighting, Bernard’s presence in the department will be sorely missed.

The Rockville Centre Fire Department continues to honor the memory of these seven firefighters, celebrating their lives of dedication, service, and leadership. Their legacies will endure in the department and the community they served so faithfully.

Photos courtesy Chris De Gray

Rockville Centre Fire Department Chaplain Rabbi David Lerner, left, Assemblyman Brian Curran, Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, Department Chief Scott Mohr, Second Assistant Chief Pat Healy, Village Trustee Emilio Grillo, Village Trustee Katie Conlon, Village Trustee Gregory Shaughnessy, Hempstead

Town Councilwoman Laura Ryder and RVCFD Chaplain Rev. Michael Duffy attend the department’s annual memorial ceremony on Oct. 20.

Crime watCh

Criminal misChief

A resident of Brower Avenue reported on Oct. 16, damage was made to the siding of her residence by unknown means.

The superintendent of the John A. Anderson Recreation Center reported on Oct. 17, damage was made to one of the exterior bathrooms at Veteran’s Park.

harassment

A resident of Hamilton Road reported on Oct. 16 that she had a dispute with her neighbor and felt that she was harassed by him.

larCeny

A resident of Valley Stream reported on Oct. 16 that property was stolen out of her purse after leaving it at Catch 13.

A resident of Ormond Street reported on Oct. 18 that property was stolen from his vehicle and he received fraudulent charges on his debit card.

UnUsUal inCident

A resident of Driscoll Avenue report-

ed on Oct. 1, that an unknown person used his personal information to apply for car insurance.

A juvenile reported on Oct. 3, that while riding her bicycle on Merrick Road, she observed someone running towards her, which caused her to be fearful. The individual continued running past her on Merrick Road as she rode away.

The owner of a Hamilton Road business reported on Oct. 5, someone altered a check that was mailed through the USPS.

A resident of Whitehall Road reported on Oct. 8 that someone altered a check that was mailed through the USPS.

An employee of TR Capital Management reported on Oct. 8 reported someone altered a check that was mailed through the USPS.

A resident of Seaman Avenue reported on Oct. 8 someone withdrew money from his bank account in the State of Massachusetts.

A resident of Lakeview Avenue reported on Oct. 9 someone trimmed several trees in the rear of his yard without permission.

People named in Crime Watch items as 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.

fire watCh

Rockville Centre Fire Department is always looking for help in serving our community. If you live here or in any one of the adjacent communities and are interested in joining or just

have questions, please visit any firehouse on Sunday mornings and speak with one of the officers or call (516) 6789320. For emergencies dial 911 or (516) 766-0400.

Alarms – 459

Floodlight company celebrates fire safety

Rockville Centre Fire Department’s Floodlight Rescue Company No. 1 hosted its first-ever fire safety awareness open house on Oct. 19, at the Fire Department headquarters on N. Centre Avenue.

The event provided residents with a closer look at the work firefighters and emergency responders do.

It featured a live auto extrication demonstration, giving attendees a firsthand look at the “jaws of life,” which firefighters use to rescue people trapped in vehicles when they’ve been involved in an accident.

Guests got to tour one of the fire trucks and learned more about the equipment used in emergency situations. Families also enjoyed playing games and participated in raffles, making it an educational yet fun event for all ages.

“It’s a great thing that we can have an open house that allows us to meet our community and for them to understand what we do,” Floodlight Captain David Showerer said. “To speak with kids and adults and give them a few moments of fun and happiness is beyond measure. If we give information that can save a life or give residents the opportunity to ask about joining us, that has to be a great day and a worthy endeavor.”

In addition to the demonstrations and activities, the event offered fire safety tips and highlighted ways residents could be better prepared for emergencies. The open house also provided an opportunity for residents to learn about becoming a volunteer firefighter or joining the rescue team.

Floodlight Rescue Company No. 1’s open house proved to be a valuable community event, drawing a crowd of all different ages, who were eager to meet their local firefighters and learn more about the different functions of the department.

–Daniel Offner

Anthony, left, 11, Eileen, 4 and Johnny Lamonica, 12, of Rockville Centre check out some of the firefighter helmets and turnout gear.

Stu Goldman/Herald photos

Firefighter Kieran Woram teaches Shane Brown of Rockville Centre how to use the hose to put out a fire.

GIANNA VENTURA East Meadow Junior Field Hockey

AN HONORABLE MENTION ALL-COUNTY in 2023 after scoring 12 goals and setting up 6 others in her first varsity field hockey season, Ventura ranks among Nassau’s leading offensive weapons this fall and has helped the 11-1 Jets to a conference title. A right wing forward, she has 20 goals and 13 assists through a dozen games. She scored at least one goal in all but one game and has eight multi-goal performances including one hat trick.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Oct. 24

Field Hockey: Sewanhaka District at East Meadow 5 p.m.

Football: G.N. South at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Boys Volleyball: Lawrence at Calhoun 5:45 p.m.

Girls Volleyball: South Side at Lynbrook 6:45 p.m.

Girls Volleyball: V.S. North at Malverne 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 25

Field Hockey: North Shore at Clarke 5 p.m.

Football: Plainedge at Island Trees 5 p.m.

Football: Massapequa at Westbury 5 p.m.

Football: Floral Park at Hewlett 6 p.m.

Football: Kennedy at Mineola 6 p.m.

Football: Carle Place at West Hempstead 6 p.m.

Football: Wantagh at Seaford 6 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Farmingdale 6:30 p.m.

Football: Freeport at Port Washington 6:30 p.m.

Football: Floral Park at Lynbrook 3 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Freeport 3 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Football: Mepham at Sewanhaka 11 a.m.

Football: Carey at New Hyde Park 11 a.m.

Football: Garden City at Elmont 1 p.m.

Football: V.S. North at Lynbrook 3 p.m.

Football: V.S. Central at East Meadow 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.

South Side falls to Hewlett, 21-19

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Trailing visiting Hewlett by just a point midway through the fourth quarter of last Friday night’s Nassau Conference III football matchup, South Side was poised to regain the lead it held after each of the first three quarters.

But the Bulldogs’ defense came up with the play of the game a foot from the goal line when junior Stefano Borsellino forced a fumble and junior Erick Bojorge recovered, then senior quarterback Matthew DeCicco took it from there. DeCicco accounted for every inch of an ensuing 96-yard touchdown drive and Hewlett withstood a late twopoint conversion try to beat the Cyclones, 21-19.

“They were about to score and I felt it was now or never,” Borsellino said of the forced fumble, which popped into the air and was caught on the fly by Bojorge. “We had their guy wrapped up and I just came in and jarred the ball out. Our motto this week was “don’t flinch’ and we lived up to it.”

DeCicco rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns, while his counterpart, South Side senior Nate Schwartzberg, threw for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns including a 16-yard fourth-and-10 strike to sophomore AJ Magaraci with 16 seconds remaining in regulation to set up a potential game-tying, two-point attempt that resulted in an incompletion.

“We played a lot of guys tonight and it was a total team effort and a great win,” Hewlett head coach John Pal-

ladino said. “South Side was the preseason No. 2 seed and has built a tremendous program over the years. We had a few kids get banged up, but others came into the game and stepped up. To leave here with a win is huge.”

Both teams entered the game 2-3 and on the playoff bubble. The Bulldogs have Floral Park and Division remaining on their schedule; the Cyclones host Manhasset for Homecoming next and close with Floral Park.

“We can’t worry about anything except the next game,” said head coach Phil Onesto, who last season guided South Side to its first county championship since 2001. “We left a bunch of points on the field tonight. We stung ourselves a little bit and Hewlett made big plays when they needed to.”

Following Bojorge’s fumble recovery with 5:23 remaining, Palladino called his quarterback’s number on seven straight snaps. On the fourth one, DeCicco broke free down the sideline for a 71-yard gain to the South Side 11. He then capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run and Borselino’s extra point gave Hewlett a 21-13 lead with 2:07 left.

A nice kick return by Magaraci set up South Side at its own 38 and Schwartzberg, with help from senior tailback Justin Singh (150 yards rushing on 33 carries), Sean Arnott, Jack Boyens and Brendan Vetter, directed the offense on a 72-yard scoring drive and brought it inches away from forcing overtime.

Sophomore AJ Magaraci’s late touchdown gave South Side a chance to force overtime in last Friday night’s 21-19 defeat to Hewlett.

Jack Mullin had the game’s first touchdown, a 10-yard reception in the second quarter that gave the Cyclones a 10-0 lead. Junior Lucas Papadopulos booted a pair of field goals. Sophomore Dylan Parchment got the Bulldogs on the board late in the first half with a 2-yard score set up by a DeCicco 68-yard run behind an offensive line consisting of Gianni Griffith, Cristopher Maiorano, Jordan Sita. Jordan Sita, and Jude Zack.

Derrick Dingle/Herald

Flag-football raises money for breast cancer

life as well,” Lozito said. “Football is different from other sports. Everybody has to be doing their job and working together on every play in order to be successful.”

The inaugural Moms flag football event struck a deeply personal chord within the Titans community, which serves 275 families across Rockville Centre. Among those, an impressive 115 moms have signed up to participate in the five scheduled games to help raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

“When we put this out there, we learned there are several moms in our program who have been personally affected by breast cancer who we’re going to be honoring that day,” Lozito explained.

Laura Altman, whose boys have been a part of the Titans program, serves on the board of the coalition and has been a driving force behind the initiative.

“The Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition has allowed me to give back after my own breast cancer diagnosis eight years ago. The support from family and friends in the community during that difficult time was incredible,” Altman said. “Now, through the RVCBCC we can help other women dealing with their own breast cancer diagnosis, to know that they are not alone.”

Altman added that the Coalition is continually blown away from the support in the community.

Working in collaboration with Guerriero, who has experience with hosting fundraisers for different organizations, and Bifulco, who recently took over organizational responsibilities with the Titans, all three have been instrumental in bringing this event to life.

The day’s schedule has been carefully planned, with youth tackle games starting at 9 a.m. and continuing until 3 p.m. leading up to the Mom’s Flag game, which will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on the main field at South Side

High School. Titans coaching staff will be serving as coaches and referees during the games.

“It’s going to be a huge event,” Lozito said. The afternoon will feature five games, with Bill Lozito serving as emcee. Following the games, participants are invited back to Centre Station to celebrate their efforts.

“We are excited that the moms get to be involved in something fun,” Lozito said, highlighting how the event will give mothers a chance to be in the spotlight rather than cheering on the sidelines.

The efforts of the Titans organization go beyond just this single event. In recent years, the team has donned pink socks, towels, stickers and bracelets to show their commitment to the cause. While the Titans have made significant contributions to breast cancer organizations in the past, raising $1,800 last year from a bake sale. This year’s efforts are the team’s largest and most ambitious undertaking to date.

The inaugural Moms’ Flag Football Game represents more than just a fundraiser — it’s a testament to the power of the Titans family and community coming together for a cause.

“This is the perfect example of the community

throughout october, the rockville Centre t itans youth football teams continue their tradition of wearing pink socks in support of Breast Cancer awareness month. on Sunday, oct. 27, they will host their first-ever moms’ flag football fundraiser at South Side High School.

Courtesy RVC Titans

reaching out to us and giving back,” Peg McDonald, copresident of the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition, said. “The Titans moms put together this nice, different and fun event and I hope it is well attended.”

The game will take place on the same weekend as the big homecoming game between South Side High School and Manhasset. Before the game, members of the RVC Titans will march in the annual homecoming parade, alongside the varsity team, whose players also came up through the organization.

According to Lozito, in the spirit of giving back, ten of the boys’ varsity football players have been lending a hand with the 5- and 6-year-old flag football program that plays on Sunday afternoons.

The RVC Titans is a nonprofit volunteer organization, which plays in the Nassau County Youth Football League. In recent years it has grown from five teams to nine and serves more than 200 youth athletes aged 7-12 in their tackle program and 85 athletes aged 5-6 in the flag football program.

To learn more about the Titans organization visit RVCTitans.com, and for more ways you can help support the Breast Cancer Coalition visit RVCBCC.org.

Honoring the shipwreck victims of 1836

A poignant tribute to those who perished while seeking a better life took place at the Bristol and Mexico Monument, which marks the mass grave of 139 of these victims.

The Oct. 19 ceremony honored the 215 victims, primarily Irish immigrants, who tragically lost their lives in two shipwrecks off the south shore of Hempstead in the winter of 1836.

The dual tragedies of the Bristol and Mexico occurred just within sight of the shore, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by immigrants in the 19th century. The monument in the Rockville Cemetery stands as a testament to these lives lost, ensuring their memory endures.

–Jeffrey Bessen

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

Melissa Baptiste/Herald

The Glór na nGael Pipes and Drums Color Guard AOH McGuinness-Fitzsimons Division 14n at the mariner ceremony.

Located in Rockville Centre, Molloy University is home to one of the premier NCAA Division II athletic programs in the East Coast Conference. Molloy is expanding its athletic offerings by introducing sprint football as its 23rd intercollegiate sport. The Lions will proudly compete as the newest member of the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL), with the inaugural season kicking off in fall 2024.

Molloy University combines academic excellence and leadership with personal mentoring in over 70 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral academic programs.

Here you’ll think about your future in a whole new way.

Hundreds attend Herald Senior Health Expo

Oceanside’s O’Connell Gardens hosts fourth highly anticipated event in series of 2024 gatherings

By Alexa Anderwkavich

The O’Connell Gardens in Oceanside welcomed eager attendees for the Herald’s Senior Health & Beyond Expo, produced by RichnerLIVE, on October 10 — the fourth in a series of exciting Expos for 2024.

The Expo is a community-loved event where diverse businesses and innovative services share their products and refined knowledge with Long Islanders.

“We are so thrilled with the turnout today — over 400 attendees!” stated Amy Amato, Executive Director at RichnerLIVE. “It offers valuable opportunities for companies and guests to learn, engage, and access essential screenings, benefitting both attendees and businesses. And we are so excited to expand this expo to Suffolk next month on Nov. 3.”

Over 45 vendors offering health, wellness, and personal care insights filled the hall. They provided guidance on enhancing lifestyle through new products and programs, as well as advice on senior living arrangements, financial security, and more.

Guests received free flu and COVID vaccines, courtesy of Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation and free COVID test kits from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s office.

Before noon, guests sat down for a panel discussion to hear experts discuss various topics, including consumer assistance programs and preparing for winter, advanced care directives, Medicaid asset protection trusts and estate planning, and the FCA Ombudsman Program. Guests also experienced an incredible segment from Mae Caime, CEO of aMAEzing Midlife & Beyond, called “Ageless Attitude,” — which got the crowd stretching and in motion!

“Never disappoints!” Caime said. “I love getting the crowd moving and grooving!”

Attendees received a goody bag — courtesy of Giftbag Sponsors Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Beach Terrace Care Center and Oceanside Care Center — filled with the special-event section, keepsakes and vital take-home information. At the end, the first 150 attendees also received a free to-go lunch provided by O’Connell Gardens and raffles winners were announced!

The Expo was made possible thanks to Silver Sponsors New York Department of Public Service, Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Centerlight Healthcare PACE and Long Beach Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (Cassena Care).

Guests and vendors are looking forward to the fifth and final expo of the year, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Suffolk Y JCC, at 74 Hauppauge Road in Commack, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pablo Rendon and team of the Parker Jewish Institute for Healthcare and Rehabilitation.

Alison Fenech, of the Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, at the podium.

NYS Department of Public Service Utility Consumer Program Specialist Xenia Vega, right, and Jill Wasser.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Guests of the Expo enjoying their mindset, movement, and magic class guided by Mae Caime.

Speaker Daniel Miller, of Miller and Miller Law Group, with his wife.

A representative of the Oceanside Care Center with a vendor display.

Mae Caime, event host and CEO of aMAEzing Midlife and Beyond.

Kim Accardi and a colleague from FCA NYS Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman program.

A representative of Beach Terrace Care Center at its exhibitor table.

A representative of Silver Lining Home Care.

Annual ‘Run For Heroes’ 5K raises $25,000

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

Nearly 200 people laced up their running shoes Saturday morning at Baldwin Park to support local veterans organizations during the annual “Run for Heroes” 5K, raising more than $25,000 for VFW and American Legion posts across Nassau County’s South Shore.

The event, hosted by Assemblyman Brian Curran, benefits veterans’ facilities in six communities: Rockville Centre, Malverne, Lynbrook, Baldwin, Freeport and East Rockaway.

“I am so grateful for everyone who came out to raise money for our veterans,” Curran said. “I take great pride in honoring those who protect our freedoms, and as an assemblyman, this is an event I look forward to every year, and I am always blown away by how successful it is. I know the funds raised will be put to good use to help serve our wonderful veterans.”

The fundraiser emerged amid a crisis in 2010, when three veterans’ buildings shuttered due to financial difficulties. After assuming office in 2011, Curran established the district-wide run to help veterans’ organizations cope with operational costs, including electricity, plumbing and maintenance.

The event pools all proceeds for distribution among participating communities, with allocations based on need rather than individual fundraising success. Each community typically receives between $5,000 and $10,000 for their local veteran groups.

Frank Colón, commander of the American Legion Post No. 303 in Rockville Centre, expressed his gratitude for the community’s support.

“It went really great,” Colón said about the annual ‘Run for Heroes’ 5K event on Saturday. “The kids all had a great time.”

David Putterman, 42, of Rockville Centre finishes the annual ‘Run for Heroes’ 5K in first place with a time of 18 minutes and 34 seconds.

The success of this year’s event relied heavily on the collaborative efforts across various posts, according to Colón, who acknowledged the contributions of several key organizers.

“It was a team effort,” he said. “All the American Legion posts and VFWs in the district worked together.”

Colón specifically recognized Post 303 Vice Commander Paul Casazza, Robert Kipp and Jim Keane for their work in securing donations.

This event has become a cornerstone within the Assembly district’s veteran community. Each year it brings together runners, walkers and supporters of all ages. Not only does it help raise crucial funds, it strengthens community bonds while honoring those who served.

Jameson Ferrick, 8, and James Kipp with the RVC Titans youth football organization participated in this year’s race.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Nassau County American Legion Commander Kerry Englander, left, joins John Scotton, Peter Kaiser, Jim Keane, Frank Colón and Pat Alesia of American Legion Post 303 in Rockville Centre and Jesse Keane of the Village of Freeport Police Department at the 5k ‘Run for Heroes’ in Baldwin Park.

Bailey Lipatov, 10, Matty Lemley, 8, and Madeline Lee, 8, with the St. Agnes Cathedral track team participate in the annual 5k ‘Run for Heroes’ on Saturday.

Covert Elementary hosts its Fall Festival

William S. Covert Elementary School hosted its much-anticipated annual Fall Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 9, creating an afternoon filled with excitement and community spirit.

The family-friendly event attracted students, parents and teachers alike, offering a wide array of fun-filled activities. Carnival games were a big attraction, giving participants a chance at winning prizes while engaging in a bit of friendly competition.

In addition to games, the Covert Fall Festival featured hands-on crafts that allowed children to unleash their creativity, providing a wholesome blend of entertainment and artistic expression.

Beyond the fun and excitement, the festival serves an important cause. Each year, the proceeds raised during the event are donated to the Raymar Children’s Fund. This philanthropic initiative was established by former principal Darren Raymar to help support local families in need.

This display of generosity is a hallmark of the festivities, demonstrating the elementary school community’s commitment to support its students and families in a fun and engaging way.

–Daniel Offner

Last week, we wrote about having compassion for the estranged son or daughter married to the narcissist when considering leaving an inheritance. But what about leaving an inheritance to the estranged child who is not in this situation.

The reasons for estrangement are as different as are families. As Tolstoy famously remarked, “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”.

One of the keys to resolving what to leave the estranged child is determining who in the family are they estranged from and for how long and for what reasons (if known).

Sometimes they are estranged from only one parent and the other parent does not wish to see that child disinherited. Sometimes they are estranged from the parents but not their siblings — or some but not all of their siblings. It’s complicated. Often, hope springs eternal that the estranged son or daughter will come back into the fold.

In cases like these we like to use a technique

Two)

we call “Schedule A”. Generally, in a trust or a will, you will find the dispositive provisions, i.e. who you are leaving it to and in what amounts, somewhere in the middle of the document. When you amend the trust, or prepare a codicil to the will, you may legally change your wishes. Nevertheless, all of the parties can see what it was before and what the change was. For example, if you left someone out and now you are putting them back in, they will clearly see that they were left out before, and vice versa! To avoid the hurt, confusion and possible litigation that these emotionally fraught situations may engender, we recommend using a “Schedule A” to the trust. Here, in the body of the trust we state that the wishes are provided in “Schedule A” annexed hereto which may be replaced from time to time with the same formalities as the execution of the trust. Now, when a change is made we destroy the old “Schedule A” replacing with the new one avoiding hurt feelings and misunderstandings.

Fifth-grader Luca Gervino plays the bottle ring toss game at the Covert Fall Festival.

Effie Cacace, Arianna Marino and Jessica Cheliotes braid fifth-grade student Hope Bernstein’s hair.

Covert Principal Michelle DeMartino and second-grade student Jezhel Velasquez Rivera enjoy the Covert Fall Festival.

Photos courtesy Rockville Centre School District

Former Principal Darren Raymar is taken by surprise, after letting teachers and students a chance to try and hit him with Cool Whip.

24,

Project 2025 pushes controversial policies

By JENNA ZAZZA & LORI SAXENA Special to the Herald

Written by the conservative Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 is a 922-page book detailing overhauls of the executive branch and proposing what some consider as radical policy changes regarding the economy, culture, education and healthcare.

The controversial plans have Democrats in a tizzy, the Trump campaign distancing themselves from the ideas and saying they would embrace the mandate’s demise.

The Project would decimate the working and middle classes.

JOhN RIZZO Economist

Some of the project’s more significant policies include eliminating the Department of Education, transforming the Department of Health and Human Service into an antiabortionfocused “Department of Life,” and increasing the president’s control over independent agencies like the Department of Justice.

Despite Trump rejecting the project, six of his former Cabinet secretaries and over 140 people who played a role in the project also worked in his administration, according to a CNN report.

It’s clear that Project 2025 is an election year buzzword. It has both opponents and proponents. At its core, the initiative seeks to reshape the federal government, but its impact extends to the local level.

In the plans forward, the Heritage Foundation notes: “Every hour the Left directs federal policy and elite institutions, our sovereignty, our Constitution, our families, and our freedom are a step closer to disappearing. Conservatives have just two years and one shot to get this right. With enemies at home and abroad, there is no margin for error. Time is running short. If we fail, the fight for the very idea of America may be lost.”

The economy

The mandate criticizes the Federal Reserve’s monetary policies, recommending a major reform of the agency. Even with major reform, the project argues the Federal Reserve, also known as The Fed, would still cause “inflationary and recessionary cycles.” The report calls for abolish it outright, replacing it with either a free-banking system or reimplementing the gold standard.

A free-banking system allows banks to issue their own notes without government oversight or regulation. The gold standard system fixes the value of currency to a specified amount of gold. Up until 1970, the U.S. operated under the gold standard.

“A gold standard imposes very tight constraints on the government to spend,

The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 is a touchstone of controversy, proposing major changes to national policies.

especially in times of crisis like Covid,” said Stephanie Kelton, an economy and public policy professor at Stony Brook University. “This is why countries always go off the gold standard. There is a lot of economic instability in the gold standard.”

Kelton is a former chief economist on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee.

The project claims that the gold standard offers a more stable and less inflationary economy. It asserts that the gold standard will deter the government from arbitrarily issuing more money since a hard asset must back the dollars.

“When we were on a gold standard, the economy would have big booms and big crashes,” Kelton said. “You could say that it was stable if you look over a long period of time like a century or 50 years, but within that period of time, prices are crashing.”

According to economists, a free-banking system isn’t ideal either.

“We saw what unregulated banks did in 2008. It caused a great recession,”

John Rizzo, former Long Island Association chief economist, said. “If anything, we need more regulation not less.”

Long Island is among the top areas in New York state that was hit the hardest by the 2008 financial crisis. The state experienced the most subprime loans with either none or low documentation per 1,000 housing units, according to a report released by the state comptroller.

Long Island also had the most foreclosures, with one every 500 households or less, according to the same report. Congress created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to prevent another great recession and housing finance

bubble. Project 2025 also calls to eliminate the CFPB.

“A bunch of lending activity took place that never should have taken place. Banks steered people into buying homes that they couldn’t afford,” Kelton said. “So if we eliminate the CFPB, it just makes it more likely that something like that can and would happen again.”

Long Island’s unemployment rate is increasing, namely in Babylon town which follows the state rate of 4.9 by only 0.5 points, according to the state’s Department of Labor statistics. The entire region lags behind the state by 1.1 points. Unemployment insurance is also declining. As the rates climb, housing prices are too. The median sale price of a single-family home is nearly $800,000, up 11 percent from last year.

“The housing crisis nearly brought the global economy to its knees, it did, in fact,” Kelton said. “We need people whose job it is to watch out for stuff like this and to intervene and take action on behalf of consumers because, in many cases, people didn’t understand the risks they were taking.”

Project 2025 also proposes peeling back worker pay and protections, making fewer workers eligible for time-anda-half overtime pay by lowering the threshold, and permitting children to work in “hazardous jobs.”

“[The project] is an extreme antiworker agenda that’s more or less designed to allow employers to use and abuse workers as they see fit, pay them as little as possible, offer limited protections, unions, wages, benefits– the whole thing,” Kelton said.

All economists contacted for com-

ment had similar negative perspectives on the project’s economic plans.

The proposed income tax reform simplifies the system to a 15 percent rate for those earning up to about $168,000 and 30 percent for higher earners could have significant implications for Long Island’s middle-income residents. With median individual incomes of around $54,000 in Nassau County and $49,000 in Suffolk County, a large portion of Long Islanders would fall into the lower tax bracket, according to Census Bureau data.

However, many households are already struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and transportation, according to a report by United Way of Long Island. Nearly 30 percent of households in Nassau and Suffolk County face financial hardship despite the region’s relatively low poverty rate of 6 percent.

“It’s blatantly in favor of large corporations and the 15 percent and 30 percent would have a devastating effect on lower and middle-income individuals’ financial situation and overall on the economy,” Rizzo said. “There will be an adverse impact on small businesses that account for 90 percent of the business on Long Island and the middle class. In fact there wouldn’t be a middle class any longer. The Project would decimate the working and middle classes.”

Jenna Zazza and Lori Saxena are reporters with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.

Courtesy George Giokas

Justice of the Supreme Court 2024 JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

Andrew Crecca

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 59

Legal career: Andrew Crecca, a figure in Suffolk County’s judicial system for nearly two decades, is looking to take on the state Supreme Court, next.

Appointed as administrative judge for Suffolk County, the 10th Judicial District of the Supreme Court in 2020, Crecca currently oversees operations. This role follows his tenure as supervising judge for matrimonial matters in the same court, from 2013 to 2020.

Crecca’s judicial career began in 2005 when he was elected to the county court in Suffolk. He has since served as an acting justice of the Suffolk Supreme Court from 2007 to 2010 and was elected as a justice of the Supreme Court in 2011, a position he will hold until 2024.

Along with his courtroom duties, Crecca has presided over the Integrated Domestic Violence Court in Suffolk County since 2007. He also served in the Suffolk Legislature.

James F. Matthews

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: James F. Matthews, a candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court in the 10th Judicial District, has over 40 years of legal experience.

Since 2015, he has served as an Acting County Court Judge in Suffolk County, presiding over civil and criminal cases, including business law disputes, personal injury matters and criminal trials.

He has also been an adjunct professor of law at Touro Law School His public service career includes a decade as Northport village attorney and nearly two decades as Huntington town attorney, responsible for municipal law, litigation and land use.

Matthews spent over 30 years in private practice, handling corporate and commercial law, litigation, and personal injury cases. He has a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law and a bachelor’s from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Alfred C. Graf

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Age: 66

Legal career: A Suffolk County District Court judge since 2018, Alfred Graf is now aiming for the state Supreme Court.

Born and raised on Long Island, Graf graduated from Farmingdale High School in 1976. He enlisted in the Navy that same year and rose to the rank of Operations Specialist Third Class Petty Officer. He received an honorable discharge four years later.

Graf earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from SUNY Plattsburgh and his law degree from Touro Law School. His professional experience includes serving as a NYPD officer. He has also worked as an alternative education schoolteacher and as an attorney with his own private firm.

His political experience includes serving two terms as supervisor of the upstate Town of Brighton and was an assemblyman from 2011 to 20118 representing A.D. 5 in Suffolk.

Terence P. Murphy

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: Terence Murphy was elected to serve as a Nassau County Court judge in 2014. He previously served as a Nassau County District Court judge where he presided over the Veterans Treatment Court from 2010 through 2014. He is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association.

Murphy is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served 26.5 years active and military service and was deployed to Bosnia, Iraq and Kuwait. His active duty experience began in 1973 with enlistment after high school. Murphy served as legal adviser to multiple commanders.

Paul E. Hennings

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 63

Legal career: Paul Hennings is a resident of Suffolk County and has served as a District Court judge since 2019 and Acting County Court judge since 2022. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Providence College in 1983 and went on to earn his law degree at Catholic University Law School three years later. After law school, he joined the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office where he was an assistant district attorney until 1989.

Hennings began his career in private practice in civil litigation, trials and appeals in State and Federal Courts. He first served as an associate with Wortman, Furmuso, Kelly (1989 to 1996). Then he joined the law office of Ted M. Toboias, until 2005. He then joined Devitt, Spellman and Barrett, LLP where he practiced as lead attorney until 2008. He then became a partner at Lawrence, Worden, Rainis, and Bard LLP.

Deanna D. Panico

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: Deanna Panico is a partner at Bee Ready Fishbein Hatter & Donovan, LLP. She has been in private practice since 2011, specializing in employment law. Panico was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2011, the U.S. Eastern District of New York in 2012, the U.S. Southern District of New York in 2016, and the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in 2014.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University in 2007 and her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 2010.

Paul Hensley

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 63

Legal career: Paul Hensley was a judge for the district court of Suffolk County in New York. He was appointed to the court in 2002, elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2008. Hensley lost the 2014 election. Before his judicial appointment, Hensley served as a principal law clerk. His current titles are County Court judge, District Court judge and acting Supreme Court justice. Hensley has served as an acting Suffolk County Court judge since 2006, and was a law clerk for County Court Judge James Hudson from January 2001 until July 2002. From January 1999 to January 2001, Hensley was a law clerk for State Supreme Court Justice Leonard B. Austin. From March 1998 until January 1999, he worked as an assistant Huntington Town attorney.

Before that, Hensley worked for the Robert Plan Corp., and also served as a Suffolk County assistant district attorney. He received his law degree from SUNY Buffalo.

Gregg Roth

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: Gregg Roth is an attorney with over 30 years of experience in many sectors of law, including civil rights law, employment law, personal injury law, social security disability law and workers’ compensation law.

Roth received his law degree at Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law in 1993, and has been a member of the New York State Bar since 1994. He has served as a state principal law clerk for the past 11 years, and previously was the associate director for Drug Court programs February 2011 to April 2014.

An extremely accomplished legal professional for decades, according to people who know him, he’s been crossendorsed by the Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties in Nassau County as a nominee for the New York State’s Supreme Court.

Ryan E. Cronin

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 43

Legal career: Ryan Cronin is a practicing attorney from Garden City. He received his law degree from the Washington University School of Law in 2008. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Loyola College. He was the Democratic candidate for Senate District 6 in 2012 and 2016, losing both times to incumbent Republican Kemp Hannon. He ran for Nassau County Comptroller in 2021 and lost to Republican Elaine Phillips.

During his campaigns, Cronin focused on issues such as community safety, justice reform and access to legal resources. He emphasized a commitment to fairness and integrity in the judicial process.

2nd District Court Judge Family Court Judge 2024 JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

Chris J. Coschignano

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 60

Legal career: Chris J. Coschignano is a seasoned attorney and a candidate for family court judge, practicing law since 1990. As a member and partner at his firm — Sahn Ward — he specializes in zoning and land use planning, real estate law, municipal law, economic development, and family law. His extensive experience includes managing complex zoning projects on Long Island, earning recognition for smart growth initiatives. He served as a councilman for the Town of Oyster Bay from 2001 to 2017 and has held various municipal roles since 1995, including counsel to the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

Coschignano is active in community service, serving on multiple boards, including the Nassau County Bar Association and the Touro Law Center. He co-founded the St. Edward the Confessor Church’s Annual Summer Festival and coaches youth ice hockey. A recipient of numerous awards, he is committed to public service and education

Veronica Renta Irwin

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 50

Legal career: Judge Veronica Renta Irwin, currently serving on the Nassau County District Court, is running for re-election in the 2nd District.

Renta Irwin completed her early education at Brentwood High School before earning her degree from SUNY Albany and graduating from Hofstra Law School in 1999.

Starting her legal career in private practice, she founded her own firm, Irwin & Streiner, LLC, in Great Neck in 2001, focusing on personal ijury, guardianship and constitutional violations. Renta Irwin also has experience as principal law clerk for Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Sharon M.J. Gianelli from 2020 to 2024. She has also been involved in various legal organizations, including theLong Island Hispanic Bar Association, where is a past president, and as a board member of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association. She also teaches at the School of Law at Hofstra University.

Andrea C. Phoenix

Democrat

Age: 59

Legal career: Phoenix has served as a Nassau County District Court judge in the Tenth Judicial District since 2007, where she presides over the Nassau County Mental Health Court and the Drug Treatment Court. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University, a master’s degree in communication and education from The Ohio State University, and a J.D. from the Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law.

Before her election, Phoenix practiced family law in private practice from 1992 to 2006 and was a staff attorney with Nassau Suffolk Law Services. She has led the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York and the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, and she served on the New York State Unified Court System Family Violence Task Force.

She is also involved with the Amistad Black Bar Association, Theodore Roosevelt American Inn of Court, and community groups, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and The Links, Incorporated.

Lisa Daniels

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 58

Legal career: Lisa Daniels has over 25 years of legal experience, focusing on family litigation and guardianship cases.

Daniels holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a Brooklyn Law School law degree She has been an adjunct professor, teaching family law and litigation at Hofstra University and Queens College from 1997 to 2001. Daniels is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Children and the Law and serves on its legislation subcommittees. She is also a member of the Nassau County Bar Association Family Court Advisory Committee. Daniels ran for county legislator in 2013 and eight years later. In 1998, Daniels founded her law firm, addressing a wide range of family law issues, such as juvenile delinquency actions, abuse and neglect matters. She is listed on the New York State Court Part 36 Fiduciary List, serving as a court examiner, evaluator and guardian for incapacitated individuals.

Joseph Nocella Jr.

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 60

Legal career: Joseph Nocella Jr. currently serves as a Nassau County District Court judge, having been elected to the position for the 2023 to 2028 term. County Executive Bruce Blakeman initially appointed him to the court in 2022.

Before becoming a judge, Nocella served as the town attorney for Hempstead from 2021 to 2022 and as chief of staff to the Hempstead Town Supervisor from 2020 to 2021.

From 2017 to 2020, he was the town attorney for Oyster Bay. Within Nassau County government, Nocella has an extensive background, including positions as Counsel to the Office of Housing & Community Development from 2014 to 2017, Managing Attorney in the County Attorney’s Office from 2011 to 2014, and Counsel to both the County Executive and the Nassau County Legislature from 2006 to 2008 and again from 2010 to 2011.

Sean Wright

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 54

Legal career: Sean Wright, a longtime Valley Stream resident, is running for District Court Judge in the 2nd District, bringing decades of legal experience and community service to his campaign.

Wright has spent more than seven years as a prosecutor for Valley Stream, where he handled ticket and building violation cases. Inn 2011 when he became a Hempstead Town attorney and worked as an arbitrator for both Queens and Nassau County. He has served as treasurer for the Friends of Bridge, a substance abuse counseling center, and has volunteered as an attorney adviser for High School Mock Trial, where he helped teacha new generation of legal minds. His dedication to local youth extended to the sports field as an assistant coach for the Valley Stream Green Hornets.

In 2016, Wright was appointed to the Valley Stream village board by Mayor Ed Fare after the resignation of Virginia ClavinHiggins

County Court Judge

Jeffrey A. Goodstein

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 57

Legal career: Jeffrey A. Goodstein is running for Nassau County Court Judge. Goodstein has served as an acting justice of the Nassau County Supreme Court in the 10th Judicial District since 2012, appointed by Chief Administrative Judge A. Gail Prudenti. He also holds a position as a judge in the New York Court of Claims, appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2012 and reappointed in 2014. Goodstein earned his law degree from Touro Law School and has served in various legal capacities throughout his career. He is also an adjunct professor at St. John’s University School of Law.

On the issues:

Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican and former NYPD detective, won the district in the 2022 midterm elections defeating Laura Gillen, and flipping the seat from Democratic to the GOP control for the first time in 25 years.

He said he is working hard noting as there are 75,000 more Democrats in the district than Republicans.

4th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Anthony D’Esposito

Party: Republican

D’Esposito’s platform continues to emphasize affordability, increased funding for local schools, and opposes “cashless bail” policies, which he says have contributed to rising crime. He also suports eliminating the cap on state and local tax deductions.

D’Esposito noted his work to retun money to the district for water cleanup in Hempstead village and to mitigate flooding in low-lying South Shore communities, a majority of the district, including his hometown of Island Park.

Along with partnering with local elected officials to make the communities more sustainable, considering the damage the area suffered after

Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

He said he is opposed to a federal ban on abortion.

On immigration he supported the House bill known as H.R. 2 that addressed issues regarding immigration and border security, including by imposing limits to asylum eligibility, but points to the Democratic-led Senate that did not put the measure up for a vote.

D’Esposito said he prioritizes public safety and said he strongly support Israel and Ukraine.

His re-election bid has been overshadowed by an ethics complaint.

A Democratic action committee has accused him of hiring his fiancée’s daughter and a woman he allegedly had a personal relationship with for taxpayer-funded positions in his district office.

The allegations have prompted calls for an expedited investigation, though D’Esposito has denied any wrongdoing and views it as a personal, private matter.

Laura Gillen is mounting a campaign centered on supporting middle-class families, defending women’s rights, and tackling pressing social justice issues.

As a former Town of Hempstead Supervisor, Gillen made history in 2017 as the first Democrat to hold the office in over a century. Her tenure was marked by key accomplishments, including passing transparency reforms, modernizing the town’s digital infrastructure, and allocating over $59 million to repair local roads. She lost her re-election bid in 2019, but remained an active figure in Nassau County politics.

On the issues:

wake the Supreme Court overturning Roe V. Wade. She criticized D’Esposito’s support for anti-abortion policies, arguing that his stance is out of touch with the values of Long Island voters. She said she stands strong stand against the rise of antisemitism, particularly in the wake of increasing incidents in schools, synagogues and on social media. Her action plan is aimed at combating hate, which includes leveraging federal resources to improve safety in schools, providing more protection for synagogues, and increasing oversight of social media platforms to prevent the spread of hateful content.

Gillen has made it clear that her campaign is focused on delivering for Long Island families. She has emphasized her commitment to reinstating the State and Local Tax deduction, a key economic issue for many county residents.

Gillen is a staunch advocate for reproductive rights, vowing to fight for the restoration of legal abortion in the

Assembly District 21

As a mother of four, Gillen said she brings a personal connection, emphasizing that she understands the challenges facing families in her district. She believes that her bipartisan approach as town supervisor, where she worked with a GOP-majority board, demonstrates her ability to get things done while staying true to her principles.

electiOn ‘24

Brian Curran, after serving in the Assembly from 2010 to 2018, returned to the Legislature in 2022, representing the 21st A.D.

During his earlier tenure, Curran was a key figure on several committees.

Previously he was mayor of Lynbrook and is admitted to practice law in New York and Connecticut, which he believes strengthens his legislative work.

On the issues:

He is a proponent of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Noting that its time and expectations are “unrealistic.” “Everybody wants clean water, air, environment. I think it was a bad plan with the best of intention’s, but it’s a bad plan.”

The measure addresses climate change to reach net zero emissions in the state. It sets the goals to reduce emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and then to 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. He is concernd for what he called a surge of air traffic over his district, noting

the Federal Aviation Agency’s report of a fourfold increase. Curran said he supported legislation for a health study on airplane noise. He said that findings have yet to be released

Curran said he has advocated for increasing funding for school resource officers and has partnered with his village mayors to attain grants for upgrading school security systems.

An opponent of the congestion pricing plan that was halted by Gov. Kathy Hochul, Curran called an unfair burden on middle-class workers. While simultaneously saying that Hochul’s pause came after $200 million in tax dollars were spent.

He said he aims to continue supporting expansion the STAR exemptions, which help reduce school taxes for homeowners, especially seniors. He opposed the bail reforms that became law in 2018, saying that after four failed attempts to rectify the measure, judges should be give more discretion to determine whether bail should be set. “Public safety has to come first,” Curran said.

Judy Griffin is hoping to reclaim the 21st Assembly District seat. Griffin narrowly lost the seat to incumbent Assemblyman Brian Curran in 2022 by 138 votes. Griffin initially defeated Curran in 2018, marking the first time a Democrat and a woman held the seat in 42 years.

On the issues:

During her tenure from 2019 to 2022, she secured over $8 million in funding for local services, including schools, libraries, and emergency services.

She disagreed with fellow Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul on Hochul’s take about reimagining foundation aid, which would have cut more than $400 million statewide, leaving schools to face more than $230 million in proposed cuts.

Griffin said she would stress a more collaborative approach with state lawmakers, the governor’s staff and various stakeholders, and meet before legislative session begins in January.

She challenged the GOP view that bail reform created a “revolving door” for the convicted. She remains committed to ensuring equality in the legal system,

Griffin said she has worked closely with district attorneys and police unions in a series of revisions to help ensure the law appropriately categorizes non-violent offenses.

She noted her role in the Red Flag Gun Law, which aims to prevent people who pose a threat to themselves or others from obtaining firearms. A supporter of the proposed Prop 1 amendment, Griffin stressed that it not only affirms fundamental rights but also provides legal protections against discrimination of marginalized communities.

She said that housing is a great need, but needs to be addressed strategically, providing suburban municipalities the opportunity to weigh in. Collaboration and addressing disparities would help build a better future in Nassau County, she said.

Griffin has championed the creation of health and wellness with-in school districts in Baldwin and Freeport, which provide support for physical and mental wellbeing.

Laura Gillen Party: Democrat

Congressional District 4 includes the South Shore Nassau County communities from the western county border to Seaford.

Judy Griffin Party: Democrat

Brian Curran Party: Republican

GENERAL ELECTION Candidates

Amendment to Protect Against Unequal Treatment

This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

A “YES” vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.

A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.

Enmienda para Proteger Contra el Trato Desigual

Esta propuesta protegería contra el trato desigual basado en la etnicidad, el origen nacional, la edad, la discapacidad y el sexo, incluida la orientación sexual, la identidad de género y el embarazo. También protege contra el trato desigual basado en la salud y la autonomía reproductiva.

Un voto “SÍ” coloca estas protecciones en la Constitución del Estado de Nueva York.

Un voto “NO” deja estas protecciones fuera de la Constitución del Estado.

November 05, 2024 NASSAU COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS ROCKVILLE CENTRE

Democratic Electors

Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente

Kamala D. Harris (For President)

Republican Electors

This is not an actual by your edition of the Herald. Specific Herald may be found at LIHerald.com

Tim Walz (For Vice President)

Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente

Donald J. Trump (For President)

State

Member

JD Vance (For Vice President)

Representative in Congress District 4

Representante en el Congreso Distrito 4

Laura Gillen (D,CS)

United States Senator

Justice

Vote for One (1)

Anthony D’Esposito (R,C)

Senador Estatal, Distrito Vote for One (1)

Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D, WF)

Diane Sare (L)

County

Michael D. Sapraicone (R,C)

Miembro de

Judy Griffin

Juez de la James Gregg Deanna Terence

Juez del Tribunal

Jeffrey

Senador Estatal, Siela Bynoe

ELECTIon’24

actual ballot, but a composite of several sample ballots so as to reflect all the districts within the communities covered Specific candidates for individual communities are identified in blue. Complete reporting on candidates running in districts covered by the LIHerald.com under the Elections ’24 tab. For election results after the polls close Tuesday night, go to LIHerald.com

Senator District 6

Estatal, Distrito 6

Bynoe (D)

Thomas Philip Montenfinise (R,C)

Member of Assembly District 21

de la Asamblea Distrito 21

Griffin (D) Brian Curran (R,C)

Justice of the Supreme Court

for One (1)

Family Court Judge

Juez del Tribunal de Familia

Lisa Daniels (D,R,C)

Chris J. Coschignano (D,R,C)

District Court Judge District 2

Juez del Tribunal de Distrito Vote for Four (4)

Andrea C. Phoenix (D,R,C) Veronica Renta Irwin (D,R,C)

Ryan E. Cronin (D,R,C) Sean Wright (D,R,C)

la Corte Suprema (Vote for up to Eight) (8)

F. Matthews, Jr. (D,R,C)

Roth (D,R,C)

Deanna D. Panico (D,R,C)

Terence P. Murphy (D,R,C)

County Court Judge

Tribunal del Condado

Jeffrey A. Goodstein(D,R,C)

Alfred C. Graf (D,R,C)

Paul E. Hennings (D,R,C)

Paul M. Hensley (D,R,C)

Andrew A. Crecca (D,R,C)

Joseph Nocella, Jr. (D,R,C)

Thomas Montefinise, a lifelong Oceanside resident.

A graduate of Hofstra University and CUNY School of Law, Montefinise’s career spans a range of roles, from repairing commercial kitchen equipment to practicing law in family, criminal, and matrimonial cases.

On the issues:

Senate DiStrict 6

Thomas Philip Montenfinise Party: Republican

A key issue driving Montefinise’s platform is the rise in crime across Long Island, which he attributes to the state’s controversial bail reform laws. The laws allows individuals charged with misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies to be released while awaiting trial. Montefinise sees flaws in the system.

“There’s a process. Everybody deserves a day in court, but you also need to give the tools to the prosecutors and police to get their job done,” Montefinise said.

He stressed that the erosion of trust in law enforcement can unravel the justice

Senate

system: “If people start feeling like they can’t call the police, the system falls apart.”

He is also focused on the struggles of Long Island’s middle class, whom he believes are being “squeezed out” by rising costs. He calls for smarter spending and resource allocation, pointing to ongoing challenges such as inflation and the influx of migrants.

“We need to raise wages and incentivize programs,” Montefinise said, emphasizing the need to reallocate funds rather than continually increasing spending. “We’re cutting money and spending it in all the wrong places,” he added, pointing to mismanaged state resources as a source of frustration.

“I’ve met a lot of people,” he said. “I’ve never done something like this before, but I’ve been hearing about the economy, prices of goods, inflation, and safety. It’s been an awesome experience.”

Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe is focusing on her extensive public service record and community values. Her career includes serving such as commissioner of the North Hempstead Housing Authority and on the Westbury Board of Education.

On the issues:

Bynoe highlighted significant county legislative accomplishments, such as the passage of the Ground Water and Public Supply Facts Report Law and the introduction of police body cameras in Nassau County. She stressed that these efforts are part of her broader mission to ensure Long Islanders’ concerns are prioritized in Albany.

She aims to protect Nassau University Medical Center, which provides critical services but faced financial challenges earlier this year. Bynoe advocates for the development of housing options on NUMC’s campus, with a focus on workforce and senior housing to benefit the surrounding community and ensure

access to healthcare.

“There are opportunities there for senior housing, workforce housing, especially for folks who we want to ensure have access to health care,” she said.

She helped passed a county bill to study alternatives to traditional police responses to mental health crises, and she supports the expansion of wellness centers in schools.

“We should go to those community organizations, including schools, that can host those types of facilities on their campuses and have folks that are already doing the work, fund them, and go in and talk to the young people,” she said.

Bynoe seeks to advocate for the issues that matter most to her constituients

“Making sure that we have a voice — a strong voice in the Senate that really has a pulse on the issues and the concerns of Long Islanders,” she said.

Town approves preliminary 2025 budget

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ

hgaldamez@liherald.com

Town of Hempstead residents are expecting to pay more taxes next year — $5 more for those who live in villages, and $65 more for those who live in unincorporated areas.

The Town Board approved the preliminary 2025 budget on Oct. 1, adopting a $549 million spending plan, an increase of 4.9 percent. The tax levy will increase from $346 million to $389 million — a jump of over 12 percent that will far exceed the state tax cap of roughly 2 percent.

Town Comptroller John Mastromarino stated at a budget hearing on Oct. 15 that the town has managed to postpone tax increases over the past few years by utilizing reserve funds. But, he said, those funds are now running low, which is necessitating the tax increase.

“The town hasn’t had a tax increase in four years,” Mastromarino said. During that time, he added, the cost of living across the country increased by almost 28 percent, “and what we were doing was utilizing the reserves to protect our taxpayers,” Mastromarino said.

“The reserves were used, the taxpayers were protected, and it’s now at a point where we just can’t do it anymore,” he said.

Mastromarino said that the town used $22 million of reserve funds.

Where your tax dollars could go

School districts: 64 percent

Nassau County: 14 percent

Special districts: 10 percent

Villages: 7 percent

Towns: 4 percent

Cities: 1 percent

Before the budget hearing, community members rallied outside Town Hall, organized by members of the Nassau County Legislature’s Democratic caucus, who oppose the proposed tax increases. They accused the board of lacking transparency and failing to adequately inform the public about budgetary changes.

Attendees highlighted the already high cost of living that many residents are struggling with as they face the need to find additional funds to meet their tax obligations.

Former County Legislator Kevan Abrahams, who is challenging Republican Town Councilman Christopher Schneider to serve the balance of the term of Christopher Carini, who died in July,

spoke at the rally.

“There’s no transparency — there’s no visibility,” Abrahams said of the board’s budgeting process. “They try to do this in the cloak of darkness and they’re trying to squeak it past you. It’s called a sneaky weasel tax.”

In a letter about the budget proposal distributed among those who attended the hearing, Town Supervisor Donald Clavin stated that the spending plan was “fiscally responsible” and would enhance the town’s quality of life.

“Residents love the Town of Hemp -

Town Supervisor Donald Clavin addressed board members during a budget hearing on Oct. 15, at which they discussed the preliminary 2025 budget of $549 million.

Hernesto Galdamez/Herald

stead, and for many good reasons,” Clavin wrote. “Our beaches, parks, and nature preserves are second to none. We have some of the finest restaurants, shops, and small businesses around. Our schools, athletic programs, community organizations, senior centers, and other public resources are among the best in the nation.

“This superlative quality-of-life experience paired with top-notch government services is what continues to make Hempstead Town a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” he added.

Siela Bynoe Party: Democrat

District 6 includes Baldwin, Freeport, Hempstead,Oceanside, Rockille Centre, Roosevelt, Uniondale amd West Hempstead.

News briefs

Early voting at Anderson Recreation Center

Early voting in the Village of Rockville Centre will take place from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3. The early voting location will be at the John A. Anderson Rockville Centre early voting will take place from Oct. 26th through Nov. 3rd. The early voting location will be at the John A. Anderson Recreation Cen-

ter. Before visiting the polling place, make sure that you are registered to vote. For further information on the polls’ open hours, please visit NassauVotes.com

–Xiomara Trinidad Perez

Chamber hosts 9th annual Snowman Hunt

A beloved tradition returns to Rockville Centre this holiday season. The Rockville Centre Chamber of Comerce will launch its ninth annual Snowman Hunt beginning Nov. 30 through Dec. 24. Participating businesses will be listed on a community-wide map and will display snowman decals prior to the event to help build anticipation. This year, the chamber will also introduce meet-and-greet opportunities with Mr. Snowman on Saturdays throughout the month of December.

The event, which is designed to help boost local shopping an dining during the holiday season, costs businesses $50 to participate. Businesses can register

through the payment link on the Rockville Centre Chamber website through Oct. 31.

The annual Snowman Hunt encompasses all business and shopping districts in the community. The chamber emphasizes that participants must include their business name on the registration form to be included on the map, which will feature the addresses and phone numbers of all participating members.

For more information on the event visit RockvilleCentreChamberofCommerce.com.

–Daniel Offner

20 Lincoln Ave – Rockville Centre

516-766-4700 www.glynnfh.com

Thomas A. Glynn ~ John J. Glynn Ret. NYPD

Family Owned and Operated by Lifelong Village Residents

Thomas A. Glynn – John J. Glynn

Offering Cremation, Burial and Memorial Services

Ret. NYPD

Thomas A. Glynn & Son Inc. Funeral Home

Offering Cremation, Burial and Memorial Services

Thomas A. Glynn & Son Inc. Funeral Home

OBITUARY

Robert E. Baumann, Jr.

Robert E. Baumann, Jr. passed away at home with his wife, Mary Jane (Rockefeller) Baumann, at his side. He is survived by his daughters, sisters, and their families: Stacey, John, Aidan and Jillian Aicher; Jaimee, Marcos, Michaela and Robert Reis, Alex and Chris Valente, Victoria and Chris Lechler; Jennifer, Dennis, Eoghan, Conor and Anne McGovern; and Susan, Judson, Lily, Julia and Timothy Mihok; Sharon Herlihy, Penny Farran, and Diane Wilson.

Bob was born in Oceanside, New York to Robert E. Baumann, Sr. and Rosalyn G. (Rodesk) Baumann. He graduated from Blair Academy (where he was a NJ State wrestling champion), Siena College in 1964 (where he helped start the men’s lacrosse program, and played on and coached the team) and Gonzaga University School of Law in 1967. He was commissioned as a 1st Lt. in the Marines in 1964 and admitted to the New York Bar on June 26, 1969. He practiced law in the City and on Long Island for over 50 years, with offices in Oceanside, Garden City, and Freeport.

In addition to his long years of service to his clients, he will be remembered as a soccer fan and girls’ soccer coach for the Rockville Centre Soccer Club, the Long Island Junior Soccer League and the Eastern New York State Youth Soccer Association.

We will be lighting candles at sunset on Bob’s 83rd birthday, Nov. 6, 2024. Please join us in remembering him. An open house celebration of Bob’s life will be from 11 am - 2 pm on November 30, 2024 at Kasey’s Kitchen & Cocktails, 23 N. Park Avenue, RVC, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Robert E. Baumann, Jr. to one of the following: • Saints Alive Siena College Athletic Fund • We Care Fund/Nassau County Bar Association

Girls’ volleyball hosts Dig Pink fundraiser

The South Side High School volleyball program raised $4,225 for breast cancer research during its annual Dig Pink fundraiser Friday night, while securing victories over Massapequa in both varsity and junior varsity matches. Both teams generated donations through merchandise, raffle baskets, and a bake sale, with proceeds benefiting the Side-Out Foundation, a volleyballfocused organization that provides support and helps fund research for metastatic breast cancer. The Cyclones varsity squad maintains its first-place ranking with three games remaining in regular season play, as of press time on Tuesday. For more information on the Dig Pink fundraiser and ways you can help, visit Buoy4.com or Side-Out.org.

Courtesy Michelle McCormack

STEPPING OUT

Get your scare on with Halloween-inspired shindig

Ghoul out with some festive merrymaking

By Karen Bloom

The countdown is now on to spooking and assorted revelry. The signs of that festive day are all around us as all those ghouls, witches and wizards look forward to Oct. 31.

So throw on a costume and act like a kid — with or without the kids. Transform your house into a spooky (or mildy spooky lair) with party tricks and Halloween treats. Set the scene with a mad scientist-themed sweets table and carry it home with a crazy good menu featuring frightfully yummy appetizers, some mocktails for the kids (and non-drinkers in your crowd) and, of course, treats.

Dress up the details: Many folks can’t wait to dress up for a Halloween party, but that’s not so for everyone. Don’t make costumes mandatory. Instead offer a table of accessories that anyone can borrow and use to alter their appearance. Goofy glasses, strange hats, adhesive mustaches, or masks can be fun.

Have fun with Halloween cuisine. Cookie cutters can turn sandwiches, desserts, biscuits — just about anything — into different shapes. Foods also can be made a tad more spooky simply by renaming them or presenting them in interesting containers. Beverages can be offered in jugs or old bottles and labeled “potions.”

Try these tricked-out treats for same tasty spooking.

Witches Finger Sandwiches

Entice guests into your lair with some witchy fingers

• 1 (11-oz.) can refrigerated breadsticks

• 6 small slices pepperoni

• 12 (2/3-oz.) slices cheese

• 3/4 cup finely shredded lettuce

Heat oven to 375°F. Separate dough into 12 strips. Place flat on ungreased cookie sheet; do not twist. With sharp knife or kitchen scissors, cut 2 small triangles from one end of each dough strip to form a point that resembles a fingertip. Lightly score breadsticks in center to resemble knuckles. Cut each pepperoni slice into 2 pointed ovals to resemble 2 fingernails. Place 1 pepperoni piece on each breadstick.

Bake at 375°F. for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. If necessary, reapply “fingernails” with small dot of ketchup.

puffs to resemble ghosts onto the remaining baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven until dried and firm, about 1 hour. Turn off the oven, close the door, and cool until completely dried, about 1 hour more.

Dip the tip of a toothpick into melted chocolate and dot chocolate “eyes” on each of the ghosts.

Spiderweb Cheesecake

Snare your guests with some spider web cheesecake. Use your favorite 9” cheesecake recipe.

Topping:

• 1/3 cup heavy cream

• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

• 1/3 cup milk, cream, sour cream or ricotta cheese

Web:

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chunks or chips

First, make your favorite 9” cheesecake, one using a graham cracker crust. Add 1/4 cup black cocoa to the crust, before pressing it into the pan. Bake the cake as directed; remove from the oven, and let it cool.

To make the topping: Whip the heavy cream with the sugar just until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the sour cream just until combined.

Spread the topping over the cooled cheesecake.

Rock the Dock

Ambrosia, John Ford Coley and Peter Beckett (The Voice of Player), come together for a magical night performing all of their 1970s and ‘80s Billboard Top 40 Hits, on the Tilles Center stage, Yacht Rock the Dock shines the spotlight on the original artists, with Elliot Lurie, as they reinvigorate their many beloved tunes. Enjoy Ambrosia’s everlasting hits including “How Much I Feel,” “You’re the Only Woman” and “Biggest Part of Me.” John Ford Coley, most known as half of the Grammy-nominated duo England Dan and John Ford Coley, performs many memorable hits, including “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” “Love Is The Answer” and “Nights Are Forever Without You.” These songs are the soundtrack to a generation.Today’s so-called smooth yacht rock music scene would not be yacht rock without the contributions of these Grammy winning artists.

Friday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

‘Old Time Rock’

Split each breadstick. Cut each cheese slice into strips and place in breadstick, overlapping strips. Top each with lettuce. If desired, serve with mustard, mayonnaise or ketchup. Serve warm or cold. Note: Place leftover small triangular dough pieces on cookie sheet; bake until crisp. Use as croutons or nibblers.

Spooky Bones and Ghosts

Chase the demons away with a few “bones.”

• 2 large egg whites

• 2 drops fresh lemon juice, or more to taste

• 7 tablespoons white sugar, or more to taste

• 2 chocolate chips, melted, or as needed

Preheat oven to 225°F. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats.

Whisk eggs whites and lemon juice together in a bowl until thick, white, and foamy. Add sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking constantly, until meringue is shiny, thick, and holds its shape.

Transfer meringue to a piping bag. Pipe 12 bone shapes onto a prepared baking sheet. Pipe 12

To make the chocolate web: Heat the cream until it begins to simmer, then pour it over the chocolate and stir. The chocolate will begin to form one mass. Keep stirring until all the chocolate has melted — the cream should be hot enough to melt all the chocolate. If not, reheat briefly.

Transfer the melted chocolate to a piping bag fitted with a small tip (or a zip-top bag with one corner cut to form a 1/8” opening). Pipe one central dot onto the cream topping, then six concentric circles around the dot, spaced 1/2” apart.

Beginning with the center circle, gently pull a toothpick through all the circles toward the outer edge. Wipe the toothpick clean and repeat, moving clockwise and dragging the toothpick through at every eighth segment of the circle to complete the web pattern.

Peter Lemongello, Jr., the son of Long Island’s legendary star, returns to the Landmark stage. He takes his audience on a nostalgic musical journey from the 1960s through the’ 80s with his “Old Time Rock ‘N Roll” show. Accompanied by his eight-piece band, Peter delivers an engaging performance that evokes pure emotion. He continues to honor his father’s legacy — Peter Lemongello was the first artist to sell over a million albums on TV, through an innovative TV commercial campaign that paved the way for music video infomercials and MTV. A special highlight is Peter Jr.’s heartfelt tribute to his father, performing the hit “Do I Love You,” written by Paul Anka, which his Dad debuted on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.”

Friday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or by contacting Gene DiNapoli at (917) 567-5842.

Witches Finger Sandwiches Spooky Bones and Ghosts Spiderweb Cheesecake

THE Your Neighborhood

America

The perennial classic rock favorite is back on the road again as founding member Dewey Bunnell celebrates the band’s 54rd anniversary, appearing on the Tilles Center stage, Saturday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. Billed as “Ride On Tour 2024, will draw on the band’s deep catalog of hits including signature song “A Horse With No Name,” a Number One hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1972. Bunnell and America’s co-founder Gerry Beckley (along with former band mate Dan Peek), who met in high school in London in the late 1960s, quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of that tune. Forty plus years later, these friends continue to make music together (although Beckley has now retired from touring) thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. Yet beyond their impressive catalog of hits, listeners discovered there was always much more to America than surface perceptions. The combination of Beckley’s melodic pop rock and Bunnell’s use of folk-jazz elements, slinky Latin-leaning rhythms and impressionistic lyric imagery contrasted well with Peek’s more traditional country-rock leanings and highly personal lyrics.

On their way to becoming a global household name, America’s journey found them exploring a wide variety of musical terrain. Their best-known tunes, including “I Need You,” “Ventura Highway,” “Don’t Cross The River,” “Tin Man,” “Lonely People,” and “Sister Golden Hair” were beloved as cornerstones of 1970s Top 40 and FM rock radio. From their formative years, America has been a band capable of transcending borders with its uplifting music and positive message. Embracing a rainbow of divergent cultures, America’s audiences continue to grow, comprising a loyal legion of first, second and third generation fans, all bearing testament to the group’s enduring appeal. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

EXPERIENCE ITALY'S CULINARY SOUL!

‘The Birthday Party’

Looking for something to do this Halloween season that isn’t just for kids? Visit Sands Point Preserve for an exclusive, immersive theatrical production, “The Birthday Party,” held in a secluded opulent mansion, Friday, oct. 25, also oct. 31 and Nov. 1. For those who attended Archie’s last “Birthday Party,” rest assured, there are new surprises in store.

Guests will be blindfolded and escorted to a secret location on the property, Villa Vanitas, to celebrate the enigmatic Lord Archibald Axel Von Finkelshorn Chatterton’s 30th birthday. He is a witless charmer on the cusp of a life-changing revelation, and everyone’s invited to witness his journey on a night that promises to be unforgettable and delightfully unpredictable. Cocktail attire preferred. $175 per person. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.

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.

Brahms - Symphony No. 1

Smetana - My Country “The Moldau” Smyth- Overture to ”The Wreckers” Adam Glaser Music Director and Conductor

Dog Days Weekend

Enjoy the glorious grounds of Old Westbury Gardens with your pooch (leashed of course), Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. With dog parade and costume contest on Sunday, 3-5 p.m. Prizes awarded to best dog costumes, including Prettiest, Most Handsome, Most Original, Best Duo or Group, Funniest. Costume contest participants must register. Advance ticket purchase for weekend events required. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information, visit oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048.

Retro Halloween Happy Hour

Celebrate Halloween with a retro flair, Friday, Oct. 25, at Kasey’s Kitchen and Cocktails. DJ MDW of Power 78.7 will be spinning a mix of freestyle, disco and dance classics. 23 N. Park Ave.

South Side Homecoming Pride

Show your Cyclones pride, Saturday, Oct. 26, beginning with the annual Homecoming Parade at 1 p.m. Line-up begins at 12:30 p.m. The parade kicks off from Parking Lot 12 on Sunrise Highway and continues towards the high school at 140 Shepherd St. Afterwards, be sure to check out the big game at 3 p.m. against Manhasset.

SSHS Reunion

South Side High School’s Class of 1984 celebrates 40 years since graduation during homecoming weekend, Saturday, Oct. 26, 7-10 p.m., at Kasey’s Kitchen and Cocktails. $65 per person; can be purchased at the door. Admission includes adult beverages, soft drinks and food. Rooftop 32 will also have a cash bar. 23 N. Park Ave. For more information call (516) 766-5049.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues Saturday, Nov. 2, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.

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

Having an event?

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

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

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

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

On stage

See Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” presented by Nassau Community College Theater and Dance Department, opening Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 29-30, 7;30 p.m. Delve into the lives of Arkádina, a famous — but fading — actress, and that of her lover, Trigórin, a well-known author. They arrive at her brother Sórin’s country estate for the summer, just as son Konstantín is staging an experimental new play he’s written and directed, starring his girlfriend, Nína.

Chekhov’s first successful naturalist play follows the lives of young artists as they navigate life. Thematically, it’s a study of the arts and the artist, the lack of real satisfaction to be found there, the pretense and mediocrity that pervade the practice, and yet the power and mystery that are possible. $12; NCC students free $10 veterans,

Byrne’s memoir confronts mental health stigma

get past it.”

Matthew Byrne was a 2002 graduate of Bowdoin College who spent his summers as a lifeguard at Jones Beach. The attacks on Lower Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001, during his senior year, sparked a passion in him that led him to join the ranks of New York’s Bravest. In 2006, he achieved his dream of becoming a New York City firefighter.

His service was marked by both heroism and heartbreak. He responded to a seven-alarm fire at Deutsche Bank in 2007, an inferno that claimed two of his fellow FDNY firefighters and left 155 injured. He also experienced profound grief after a car ran over two young children in Chinatown, where he was stationed. In their final moments, he held them in his arms. These experiences left him with invisible scars. His father said that in writing the book, he learned more about what had been haunting Matthew for years that had never come to light. When he got hurt on the job, he was prescribed opioids to help with the pain, and became addicted to them.

Post-traumatic stress, addiction and depression were unwanted companions in Matthew’s life, which ultimately led to his resignation from the FDNY in February 2014. He began the work of regaining control of his life, with the unwavering support of his parents and four siblings. That, apparently, was not enough, and on Aug. 24, 2014, Matthew died from suicide. He was 34.

In his memory, his Jones Beach colleagues held a memorial paddle-out a week later, with his family and friends. It was a fitting tribute to a man who had dedicated so many of his summers to watching over others in the ocean.

In the memoir, Edward Byrne was determined to address his son’s suicide truthfully and openly. He explained that the story serves as both a “cautionary tale” and as a “wake-up call” about the ongoing mental health crisis in the United States.

“This can happen to anybody,” Byrne emphasized. “There are underlying conditions that you might not be catching or appreciating. You need to be on top of your game.”

He said that while in some sense the writing process was cathartic, he felt it was important not to shy away from some of the negatives. As he wrote, he said, he noticed how some friends vanished — “Maybe they think sorrow is contagious” — while others unexpectedly stepped forward.

“First you’re kind of pissed off at them,” he said. “Then you realize they just can’t handle it, and some people are

Courtesy Edward T. Byrne the cover of his edward t. Byrne’s new memoir, ‘in Whom i am Well pleased,’ features a high school photo of his son, matthew, who took his own life in 2014.

better equipped for that than others.”

By sharing all the details, good and bad, Byrne hopes that the story will help others by breaking the stigma attached to mental health issues and suicide, so that others reading the book, who might be living through a similar experience, will understand that there is nothing to be ashamed of, and perhaps will be moved to seek help.

Now, 10 years after Matthew’s death, his father hopes that his book can reach parents in communities like Rockville Centre and beyond, to give families the heads-up they may need to avoid similar loss, to help them better understand mental health issues, and to help them find the strength to survive tragedy.

“Rockville Centre parents I think are very much of this mindset that ‘It can’t happen to us,’” Byrne said. “And yet it did, and very quickly. Despite our best efforts along the way.”

The impact is already resonating throughout the community, including the RVC Moms Facebook group, Chaminade High School’s senior religion class, and fire department counseling programs.

In addition to his newfound career as an author, Byrne is an attorney with 45 years of experience in construction law. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College and Columbia Law School. His first novel, “Love’s Not Over ’Til It’s Over,” is a Vietnam-era family drama published in 2017, after what he refers to as “a very long gestation period.”

He continues to keep a law office in Rockville Centre, and now lives in Long Beach, in a home that his family rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy.

In the memoir, Byrne transforms his family’s tragedy into a beacon of hope and awareness for others, to remind readers that by sharing our darkest moments, we may help others who are working to find their way through darkness of their own.

For more about the author visit EdwardTByrne.com. His book, “In Whom I Am Well Pleased” is available for purchase on Amazon and digital booksellers.

Public Notices

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1. Publication Title: ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD.

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Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. c. Total Paid Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 2377; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 2599. d. Free or Nominal Rate

Distribution( by Mail and Outside the Mail) : (1) Free or Nominal Rate OutsideCounty as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 958; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 938 (2)Free or Nominal In-County as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0 (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other classes Mailed Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 500; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 750.

e. Total Free or Nominal Rate

Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1458; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1688. f. Total Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During

plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 38 Block 105 Lot 153. Approximate amount of judgment $506,388.47 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 607221/2017. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Mortgage Assets Management, LLC,, Plaintiff AGAINST Nassau County Public Administrator, as Limited Administrator of the Estate of Yolande E. Bayard-Gaston a/k/a Yolande Gaston; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 17, 2023 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 14, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 1180 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. All that certain

Preceding 12 Months, 3835;

Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 4287. g. Copies Not Distributed: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1165; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 713 h. Total: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 5000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 5000. i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 61.98%; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 60.63%. 16. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the October 24, 2024, issue of this publication. 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Stuart Richner, Owner; Date: October 1, 2024. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material information requested on the form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties). 1275292

for fire hazards which might endanger the lives of students, teachers, employees therein, has been completed and the report thereof is available at the office of St. Agnes Cathedral School for inspection by all interested persons. 149628

Peter Kramer, Esq., Referee- (516) 510-4020 LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: September 25, 2024 149408

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Curated Concierge, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 10/11/24. location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to:12 Vanderveer Court,RVC NY 11570

Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 149581

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the annual inspection for 2024 of St. Agnes Cathedral School

Edward T. ByrnE

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department.

Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.

Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!

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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

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Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable

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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

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

Medical Reception/Accounts Receivable

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OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press

Victorian Colonial Fixer-Upper

What can we do with our Helene-damaged home?

Q. Our home in Asheville, North Carolina, was damaged by Hurricane Helene. The insurance company was contacted, and several busy contractors have looked at the property as they passed by. One commented that many homes need to be completely rebuilt, because they’re missing parts that protect them from hurricanes, such as “tecos.” What are tecos, and why do they make a difference? Can they be added without tearing our house down? This may push us to just sell, as is, and move on, at a large loss. What can we do?

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A. . First, Teco is a brand name for metal connectors that hold lumber building parts together, giving any home greater resistance to being pulled apart by wind. Unfortunately, the company went out of business in the 1990s. It’s a brand name, not a generic term — it’s like saying Kleenex instead of facial tissue. But the name stuck, and is often used by people who have no idea that you can’t get a Teco anymore, but it’s easier than saying joist hanger or connector.

The most-used brand today is Simpson, which is far more sophisticated, for a much wider variety of engineered connections. The key word is “engineered,” and I emphasize it because most users of these products often use the wrong connectors for the wrong purposes. For example, your home, if it’s not completely in splinters, can be saved, but you have to use the right connectors, utilizing manufacturer charts and selecting the right ones based on wind resistance calculations. I’m sure I just lost most readers, because almost nobody actually calculates, or desires to respect, the right use of the right connector, so people go to the store and buy a box of what looks best, what is most available or what costs the least.

While filming the documentary “Hell or High Water,” which never got released due to lack of funding, I got to meet with officials, from (the equivalent of) the mayor to the head of the building department in Moore, Oklahoma, after third-graders were killed in their concrete elementary school by the fastest winds ever recorded, 313 miles per hour. The neighborhood was gone. People were rebuilding. I questioned why building permits were issued and yet nobody was using the connectors to reconstruct. The superintendent of the building department answered with frustration, knowing that it’s a code requirement, that “most people can’t afford the cost of the connectors.” Nine years later, I saw an article about the state of Oklahoma now strictly enforcing connector requirements.

You don’t have to walk away from your home. The base and top of the wall studs, the roof rafter connections and the corner hold-downs can be retrofitted, which will give you additional wind resistance of approximately 30 mph, and as a nationally certified damage assessor, I have seen firsthand that the right connectors save property and lives. Good luck!

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opinions

Law school bonds formed decades ago are still strong

Few possessions in life are more valuable than lasting friendships. I’ve been more than blessed with friendships that began almost 60 years ago, when I was a student at Notre Dame Law School, and remain strong all these decades later. That was clear when we got together again at Notre Dame last week.

I entered Notre Dame in 1965. From my home in Queens to the campus in South Bend, Indiana, was about 800 miles by car. In life experience, the distance was light years. I had no clue what to expect. My life up to then had been almost entirely confined to Queens, where I grew up; Brooklyn, where I went to high school and college; and Manhattan, where I was born, and where, during my last two years of college, I worked loading and unloading trucks and freight cars at the Railway Express Terminal on 10th Avenue.

My out-of-state ventures had been limited to New Jersey: a two-week summer rental when I was 9, a handful of one-day visits to relatives and two nights at Palisades Amusement Park. In

New York, I took the ferry once to Staten Island, made the occasional trip to Jones Beach and journeyed to the Bronx for a handful of Yankees games and once to watch the football Giants practice at Fordham. I had never eaten in an actual restaurant, my dining experience limited to White Castle and pizza joints.

The Notre Dame campus was as impressive as advertised, with its famed Golden Dome glistening in the Indiana sun and more trees and manicured grass than I’d seen anywhere except Central Park. The law school was a three-story Gothic structure that radiated seriousness of purpose. I opted to live in Fisher Hall, the graduate student dorm, rather than an off-campus apartment mainly for convenience: It was a two-minute walk from the law school and next door to the dining hall.

had gone away to college, and I had no idea what dorm life was like.

C atching up with four longtime, far-flung friends from Notre Dame.

We were all willing to work together and help one another out — very different from the cutthroat competition at many law schools. That was a great defense against the dean of the law school, who took pride in the number of first-year students who flunked out or bailed out. His welcoming greeting to us had set the tone: “Look at the man on your left and the man on your right. Before long, one of you won’t be here. And damned be he who first cries, ‘Enough, enough!’”

Fortunately, the six of us survived the dean’s first-semester bloodletting, with Ward and Weiss doing exceptionally well and the rest of us doing well enough.

Rosemary, who was a student at neighboring St. Mary’s, during my first semester, and her becoming an integral part of our group. We got married at the start of my final semester before graduation.

After graduation, everyone did well: Manning in Chicago, Ward in Maine, Curtin in New Jersey, Weiss in St. Louis and Bonenberger in West Virginia. Though we were many miles apart, we stayed in close contact over the years, including at five-year class reunions, even holding weekly Zoom meetings during Covid.

Then, last summer, Manning, who was in many ways our magnet, died, and we decided to have our own minireunion. So last week we were together again in South Bend.

Most important, the law students living around me in Fisher Hall were great guys. Dick Manning, Tom Curtin, Tom Ward, Charlie Weiss and Lanny Bonenberger became lifelong friends. For the most part we all had similar upbringings, Catholic school-educated. Every one of us except Ward, whose father was a doctor, was the first in our family to go to college. And every one of the others

Why I’m voting

FSometime in the spring of our first year, there was a climactic power struggle between the dean and the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, president of the university, over the starting date for the law school in the fall. Their grand compromise was to give the dean his starting date, but to throw the law students off campus. It was my first experience as collateral damage! But the six of us found a house to rent in South Bend, and our friendships grew stronger than ever.

Adding to all this was my meeting

There were changes. Fisher Hall and the house we rented have been demolished. The law school building is many times larger than it was. But among us, nothing had changed. We walked the campus, reliving good memories, retelling old stories, talking about our children and grandchildren. We were thankful for our bonds of friendship, which had been forged in another century and have grown only stronger over seven decades. A great gift.

Go, Irish!

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

for Kamala Harris

or the past year, politicians and political commentators have described the upcoming election as the most consequential in American history. To be realistic, all elections have consequences, but there is no doubt that this one will have a dramatic impact on my family, and countless others, for years to come. With less than two weeks to go until Nov. 5, I am weary from the back-and-forth discussions I have had with family members, friends, neighbors, and political allies and adversaries. Happily, all of those talks have been cordial, and it has been worthwhile to listen to all opinions. These exchanges have better prepared me to explain why I will vote for Kamala Harris for president. Before explaining the basis for my vote, I need to rebut some of the arguments that I have heard from supporters of Donald Trump. Some have made the claim that Harris is “anti-Israel.”

They point to the fact that then-President Trump moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, but they have not offered any proof that as a candidate, Harris has failed to support Israel. She has shown her unhappiness with its prime minister, but Benjamin Netanyahu is not Israel.

itrust her, and believe she is the best choice for challenges both at home and abroad.

Three months into the election madness, some people tell me they “don’t know enough about Kamala.” I view that as an excuse not to vote for a woman. My response to them is, “Where does Trump stand on abortion, child care tax cuts, more housing opportunities for people of modest means and tax breaks for middleincome families?”

I frequently hear people describe the vice president as “too liberal.” They reference her former support for Medicare for All and her past opposition to fracking. Harris has modified her positions on a number of issues, as has Trump’s vice presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, who is now in lockstep with Trump — after once calling him a “Hitler.”

I choose Harris over Trump for a

number of reasons. I trust her, and believe that she will be an honest president. I don’t believe that she will make private deals with campaign donors, or craft laws that will favor a handful of wealthy donors like Elon Musk. Above all, she won’t lie, lie and lie some more at every opportunity.

Thanks to President Biden’s hard work, America has the respect of world leaders once again. NATO is once more a united force in Europe, and the only firewall we have against Russia and Vladimir Putin. Harris will be a strong supporter of NATO and Ukraine. That will make our country safer. She will uphold our alliances with Asian nations and oppose China’s efforts to harm Taiwan.

Harris will appoint qualified people to major positions in her cabinet, and has pledged to seek bipartisan advice on key issues. There are countless thought leaders in America who would gladly give their time to the government if they thought their views would be respected. Above all, she will not sell out the nation to domestic or foreign

interests.

Harris will protect a woman’s right to choose. She has pledged to reinstate Roe v. Wade, and will appoint judges to the Supreme Court who will protect women’s rights. She will appoint an attorney general who will follow the Constitution, and be the people’s lawyer and not the president’s lap dog.

Harris will maintain our support for Israel. She has seen the powerful support that Biden has provided, including his latest pledge to give Israel guided missiles and U.S. military support to back them up. She will honor those commitments.

Rather than recite the reasons why I do not support Trump, I’ll defer to America’s top generals, who have called him dangerous and unfit to be commander in chief. To add to their opposition, I could further quote all of Trump’s former cabinet members who oppose his re-election.

Enough said.

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.

Rockville centRe

Established 1990

Incorporating The News & Owl of Rockville Centre

Daniel Offner

Senior Editor

rObert Palma

2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530

Phone: (516) 569-4000

Fax: (516) 569-4942

Web: www.liherald.com

Don’t

miss your chance — get out and vote

as we approach a pivotal election that portends high political drama, there’s never been a better time to stress the importance of voting. Every vote counts, and participation is more than a right — it’s a crucial responsibility that shapes this nation’s democracy.

This is not about whom to vote for. It’s about making the most of the privilege of voting.

Early voting is now underway in parts of the country, and in the state of Georgia, the turnout has already made headlines. On the first day of early voting, more than 300,000 Georgians cast their ballots — more than double the number who voted that day in 2020.

That could signal the beginning of another record turnout for the presidential election. Four years ago, both eventual President Joe Biden and the incumbent, Donald Trump, garnered the most votes ever in a presidential election. Biden won with some 81 million.

The heightened enthusiasm, to put it most politely, for next month’s election underscores why every eligible voter should make his or her voice heard.

This year, Election Day falls on Nov. 5, but early voting provides flexibility for those who may not be able to vote on that day. In New York, early voting gets under way this Saturday and ends on Nov. 3.

Early voting gives voters the chance to skip the long lines and cast their ballots at a time and place that is convenient for them. It’s a safeguard against last-minute emergencies or unforeseen obstacles that might occur on Election Day.

The surge in early voting is a promising sign for democracy, but it also sends a larger message about civic engagement in today’s highly charged political climate. Voting is one of the most direct ways individuals can influence the policies that shape their lives.

Whether the issues voters are focused on are health care, education, the economy, social justice or abortion access, the winning candidates, and measures on the

New York state elections are all about the major parties

To the Editor:

As New York voters prepare for the Nov. 5 elections, it is apparent that candidate choices are limited now more than ever. The Herald Roundtable articles, for example, are limited to coverage of Democratic and Republican candidates. The anti-democratic impact of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s electoral

■ Oyster Bay Ice Rink

Early voting locations

1001 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714

■ Elmont Public Library 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont, NY 11003

■ Floral Park Recreation Center 124 Stewart Ave., Floral Park, NY 11001

■ Freeport Recreation Center 130 East Merrick Rd., Freeport, NY 11520

■ St. Paul’s Recreation Center 295 Stewart Ave., Garden City, NY 11530

■ Glen Cove City Hall 9 Glen St., Glen Cove, NY 11542

■ Great Neck House 14 Arrandale Ave., Great Neck NY 11023

■ Hempstead Rec. Center/Kennedy Park 335 Greenwich St., Hempstead, NY 11550

■ Hofstra University 1000 Fulton Ave., Hempstead, NY 11549

■ Hicksville Levittown Hall 201 Levittown Pkwy., Hicksville NY 11801

■ South Shore Jewish Center 191 Long Beach Rd., Island Park, NY 11558

■ Lawrence Country Club 101 Causeway, Lawrence, NY 11559

■ Long Beach City Hall 1 West Chester St., Long Beach, NY 11561

■ Massapequa Town Hall South 977 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa, NY 11758

■ Temple Beth Am 2377 Merrick Ave., Merrick NY 11566

■ Nassau County Board of Elections 240 Old Country Rd., Mineola NY 11501

■ Michael J. Tully Park 1801 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040

■ Plainview Mid-Island Y JCC 45 Manetto Hill Rd., Plainview, NY 11803

■ Port Washington Library 1 Library Dr., Port Washington, NY 11050

■ Rockville Centre Recreation Center 111 N. Oceanside Rd., Rockville Centre, NY 11570

■ Gayle Community Center 53 Orchard St., Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

■ Syosset Public Library 225 S. Oyster Bay Rd., Syosset NY 11791

■ Valley Stream Presbyterian Church 130 S. Central Ave., Valley Stream, NY 11580

■ St. Francis De Chantal Church 1309 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh, NY 11793

■ West Hempstead Public Library 500 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead NY 11552

■ Yes We Can Community Center 141 Garden St., Westbury, NY 11590

■ Williston Park American Legion 730 Willis Ave., Williston Park, NY 11596

ballot, will help determine the future of those issues. By casting your vote, you become part of the collective decisionmaking process that steers the direction of the country.

For those who feel disillusioned or disengaged, it’s important to remember that democracy works best when it’s fully inclusive. Every election offers the opportunity to hold public officials accountable, to approve or reject ballot measures, and to influence the future of local, state and national policies.

When large numbers of people opt out of the process, fewer voices shape the policies that affect everyone. Voting is a way to speak up, even when the system feels

letters

“reforms” has become abundantly clear with this year’s elections in our state. Having made it virtually impossible for independent third-party candidates to appear on the ballot, drastically changing longstanding ballot access laws and regulations in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, this fall we find ourselves with only Democrats and Republicans listed on our ballots. In a manner similar to what Republicans have done elsewhere, New York Democrats have suppressed the vote and stifled

imperfect or frustrating. By casting your vote — whether early or on Election Day— you are exercising a power that should never be taken for granted. “My vote doesn’t matter” is simply not the case.

So if you can’t vote on a busy Tuesday, Nov. 5, make a plan to do so between now and the Sunday before Election Day. Or take advantage of the time you still have to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. Be part of the conversation, have a say in the issues that matter to you, and help ensure a future that reflects the will of all Americans.

Voting isn’t just a privilege; it’s a duty that upholds the foundation of our democracy. Your voice matters. Let it be heard.

meaningful political debate on the issues that face us all. We urge Gov. Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature to reverse these draconian changes to our election law as soon as possible. New Yorkers deserve more voter choice, more democracy. Thanks to the Cuomo “reforms,” New York is the only state to have just two candidates for president appearing on the ballot. This has happened in only one other state in the past 40 years, Oklahoma. Many voters now feel faced with two unsatisfactory

opinions

Join the necessary fight against spotted lanternflies

the Herald and other publications have detailed the negative impacts of the invasive spotted laternfly on long island, and while the population of these unwelcome insects continues to require intervention to prevent their unchecked spread across our region, there are steps that every long islander can take in their own backyard to protect against them.

At the long island Conservancy, we are eager to share some tips that will make a positive impact — and in some cases, multiple positive outcomes by eradicating not only this invasive insect, but also invasive plants that serve as the lanternfly’s primary food source.

First off, much like the mTA’s famous slogan, if you see something, squish something! This fall, keep your eyes peeled for egg masses, and make sure to destroy them through the spring. removing the tree of heaven, an invasive non-native plant, is a top priority when it comes to proactive ways to erad-

icate the lanternfly. The tree of heaven is a fast-growing, invasive species across north America that you may not recognize by sight, but you certainly can by scent — it’s also known as the stinking sumac, stink tree, stink weed, and a variety of other names including “stink.”

The plant is spreading with the same vigor as the lanternfly, and removing it eliminates the insect’s favorite food. mechanical removal is possible: Girdle it, rip it out and remove it; whatever you can do to set them back. make sure to follow up to ensure it doesn’t regrow.

a species displaced halfway across the world.

s quash them, plant milkweed, and yank out all the tree of heaven you can find.

many land managers and conservation professionals have warned against mechanical removal, encouraging the use of herbicides instead. in our experience, this isn’t necessary; while the removed/damaged trees will sucker up, if you pull the suckers biweekly for a growing season, the roots will give up the ghost and the problem can be eliminated.

The tree of heaven is a significant problem in our region, not just because of the smell, but because it chokes out beneficial native plants. in the case of the lanternfly, the plant is essentially the closest thing to “home cooking” for

Letters

choices: a candidate who is engaged in sowing pernicious and deadly seeds of ethnic and ideological conflict, and another who supports wars and continuing our nation’s complicity in an ongoing genocide.

The Green Party urges all progressive voters to write in “Jill Stein” in this year’s election. Don’t stay home, and don’t waste your vote!

Jim Brown Chair, Green Party of Nassau County Island Park

Kremer summed up Trump, but there’s more

To the Editor:

in his oct. 10-16 column, “A historic election for all the wrong reasons,” Jerry Kremer presents several compelling reasons to reject Donald Trump’s “desperate campaign” for president.

But voters should consider other factors as well. Conservatives, in particular, ought to ask whether Trump adheres to three principles they surely hold dear: family values, law and order, and patriotism.

Do republican parents really want their children to view this potential president as a role model? Should kids

if getting rid of that awful smell isn’t enough incentive, early scientific research suggests that lanternflies that feed on the tree of heaven sequester toxins, called quassinoids, that make our native birds extremely less likely to eat them. So the lanternflies are essentially exempt from the food chain, another reason why so many have managed to thrive in our competitive environment. This is, by the way, why they have those bright red warning colors!

And the tree of heaven isn’t the only invasive species of plant that supports the lanternfly population. Porcelainberry and other species that originated in Asia are key sources of food. Every pernicious invasive species removed means more available space for native, healthy species to grow and thrive on long island.

when it comes to native species, there are a few to consider planting, like milkweed. i’ve seen dead lanternflies on milkweed plants — it appears that the dopey insects feed on them and poison themselves. (if you need a bonus reason to plant milkweed, the influx of mon-

arch butterflies is lovely!) while taking steps to remove invasive plants in your yard and replace them with native species is proactive, some people are well past that point — they’re dealing with infestations. in that case, you may be ready to set up a trap around a native host tree. observe where the lanternflies congregate most on your land and set your trap up there. while they tend to like walnut and sumac the best, they’ve been seen on maples, birches, sycamore and other trees. Building a trap is easy — you can find a step-by-step guide at https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-builda-spotted-lanternfly-circle-trap.

For saplings that aren’t big enough for a proper trap, just knock the bugs into a soapy dish. Some will hop away, but they’re quite easy to catch this way, and if you do this once a day, over time you’ll see fewer of them returning. while combating the spotted lanternfly has been compared to trying to keep water off the beach because there are so many, by eradicating invasive species like the tree of heaven, we are helping to protect our environment now and for years to come.

Frank Piccininni is the president of Spadefoot Design and Construction and a co-founder of the Long Island Conservancy.

Framework by Tim Baker

seek to emulate a philanderer and a vulgarian incapable of telling the truth?

How do those professing to “back the blue” square that stance with support for a convicted felon? is someone charged with racketeering and 51 other criminal offenses a credible champion of the rule of law?

Are red-white-and-blue all-Americans oK with a candidate who orchestrated the attempted overthrow of the country’s constitutional order? Does denigrating members of the U.S. armed forces demonstrate love of country?

Trump defiles all three of the values most Americans regard as sacrosanct.

This is not to say that Kamala Harris is without personal flaws of her own. She’s imperfect, both as a candidate and a human being. Besides, voters should be assessing a candidate’s policy positions, not only his or her personal behavior. And Harris’s record and her proposals can be fairly criticized from a conservative perspective.

But character does matter. And on that score, Donald Trump is utterly unqualified to hold the nation’s highest office.

KEvin J. KEllEy Atlantic Beach

Election Letters to the Editor policy

In the interest of fairness and transparency during the election season, we will not publish letters in the Oct. 31-Nov. 6 issue, the final one before Election Day, that criticize a candidate or a specific issue. This is to ensure that no last-minute submissions are published without sufficient opportunity for rebuttal. Readers are encouraged to send letters to execeditor@liherald.com.

A crisp, patriotic day in Eisenhower Park - East Meadow

Frank piccininni