Head Coach Steve DiPietro, left, and former Cyclones goaltender Michael Muscarella, Class of 2024 valedictorian, reunite at the annual alumni lacrosse game on Nov. 29. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Bill Cassidy is set to complete 1,400 miles around the village
By ABIGAIl GRIECo Herald Intern
Bill Cassidy, of Rockville Centre, is a living testament to the power of perseverance, discipline and the relentless pursuit of good health.
At the age of 82, Cassidy has battled major setbacks and rebounded into an active, fulfilling lifestyle that is built on the very foundation of the sport that changed his life — marathon running.
The former U.S. Marine turned longtime marathon runner started his journey in the 1970s when he was living in Island Park, just two miles away from the Long Beach Boardwalk. Initially,
Cassidy explained, he was simply looking to get in better shape, but his passion for running only increased after he was invited to join the Long Beach Sandpipers and the Eisenhower Park Long Island Road Runners.
He soon began to compete in marathons, and within a 10-year span, Cassidy ran 37 marathons. He completed the Long Island Marathon for the first time in 1977, at the age of 35, and a decade later, finished the Boston Marathon in 1987 at 45 years old. Despite the nearly 17,000 competitors, he was the 1,100th runner to cross the finish line, setting a new personal record as well.
“I had some really, really good experiences,
Lead poses a threat to home water lines
By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The Village of Rockville Centre is urging property owners to replace galvanized steel water service lines, which pose a risk of absorbing lead from previously installed pipes.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, galvanized service lines are classified as “requiring replacement” if they were previously downstream of lead pipes. These lines can absorb lead, which may increase the risk of exposure through drinking water.
Anthony Iannone, superintendent of the Rockville Centre Water Department, said residents with galvanized pipes that have absorbed lead face an elevated risk of lead contamination.
copper rule,” Iannone said. The village is currently working to comply with updated EPA regulations, which require water providers to submit a detailed inventory of service lines to the New York State Department of Health. The inventory focuses on identifying lines installed before 1988, when lead pipes were banned, to determine whether they are made of lead, galvanized steel, or other materials that do not meet current standards.
ANTHoNy IANNoNE Superintendent, Rockville Centre Water
“The Rockville Centre Water Department remains committed to safeguarding the health of its residents by complying with the Environmental Protection Agency’s updated lead and
Rockville Centre residents were sent a notice from the village if the service line material connected to their home is lead based and needs replacement; if the service line is galvanized and preceded by lead or unknown material and needs replacement; or if the material is unkonwn and the village needs help to identify if the material used. Residents with pipes that are currently up to the standard did not receive a letter in the mail.
Continued on page 2
Village says water quality meets standards
Homeowners notified by the village are encouraged to identify their service lines to determine whether they are made of lead and require replacement, are galvanized and preceded by lead or unknown materials, or are made of other materials requiring further evaluation.
“If lead is detected, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to replace their line from the water main to the house,” Iannone said.
The village advises residents to conduct a visual inspection to identify the material of their service lines. By using the flat edge of a screwdriver, residents can lightly scratch the surface of the pipe where it enters the home. If the pipe is dull silver-gray, a magnet can help determine the material. Strong magnets will cling to galvanized steel but will not stick to lead.
Residents should avoid scratching through any corrosion on the pipe and, if the material is identified as plastic, no further testing is necessary.
To assist with identification, the village has provided visual aids and an instructional video highlighting the characteristics of common service line materials, including lead, galvanized steel, copper, plastic, and brass. Lead, for example, has a dull, easily scratchable surface, while copper resembles the color of a penny.
Exposure to lead poses serious health risks, especially for children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These include damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, and learning, behavioral, hearing, and speech problems.
“Lead exposure in children is often difficult to see,” the CDC reports. “Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms.”
For adults, lead exposure can cause anemia, kidney damage, infertility, nerve damage, heart disease, and even death. Long-term exposure has also been linked to cancer and hearing loss.
The village emphasized that, while service line materials are being assessed, its water quality meets all regulatory standards.
“Our water quality meets all federal, state, and county regulations. Lead is not a concern in the water supplied to property-owned water service lines,” Iannone said.
To further protect residents, the village has implemented a corrosion control program designed to prevent lead and other materials from leaching into the water supply. The program is frequently monitored to ensure its effectiveness.
The village’s service line assurance initiative aims to proactively work with residents to address the new EPA regulations. By doing so, the village aims to address its aging infrastructure while continuing to deliver safe, high-quality drinking water in compliance with federal and state standards.
“Our water department is here to answer any questions residents may have, and we encourage anyone with concerns to reach out,” Iannone said.
For additional help, residents can send a photo of their service pipe where it enters the home, complete an online inspection form, or schedule an inspection by phone at (516) 678-9301 or email LeadAndCopper@ rvcny.us for more information.
A Baker’s Dozen Reasons to Use a Trust
1. Trusts can shield your assets from the high cost of home care making you eligible for home health aides through the Medicaid program.
2. Trusts start the five year “look-back” for institutional care, making you eligible for Medicaid benefits to pay for a nursing home.
3. Trusts can ensure the inheritances you leave will stay in the bloodline for your grandchildren and not end up with in-laws and their families.
4. Trusts can provide who takes over if you become disabled – guaranteeing you get the person you choose instead of a court-appointed legal guardian.
5. Trusts can avoid a will contest from heirs you leave out or ones that receive less than they think they are entitled to.
6. Trusts give you immediate access to assets on death unlike wills which can take months and
sometimes years to probate.
7. Trusts can provide supervision and protection for special needs and other children who have issues with handling financial matters.
8. Trusts can reduce and often eliminate estate taxes for couples with taxable estates.
9. Trusts can avoid guardianship proceedings for gifts made to grandchildren.
10. Trusts can avoid the problems of locating unknown heirs or dealing with heirs abroad.
11. Trusts can move assets out of your estate for income and estate purposes.
12. Trusts can avoid the expense, delay and publicity of a probate court proceeding for your property in New York and out of state.
13. Trusts can protect the inheritances you leave from your children’s divorces, lawsuits and creditors.
Daniel Offner/Herald
anthony iannone, superintendent of the rockville Centre Water department, speaks with residents at a public forum about the local water supply in 2022.
South Side hosts 6th annual alumni game
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The state lacrosse champions wrapped up an extraordinary year with an event that has swiftly evolved into a beloved holiday tradition in the Rockville Centre community.
While families and friends gathered around dining tables to enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving dinner complete with mashed potatoes, turkey, gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce, another kind of tradition was unfolding outside South Side High School.
This year, more than 65 former South Side Cyclones lacrosse players set aside the holiday comforts to lace up their cleats and participate in the annual alumni lacrosse game.
“We combined the alumni game with our ring ceremony, this year” Cyclones Head Coach Steve DiPietro said. “It was an awesome day. We’re very proud of the fact so many guys come back and participate.”
The addition of the ring ceremony provided a very unique experience for the returning 2024 state champions, who were reunited with former teammates and coaches.
DiPietro said that a few of the returning champs also participated in the alumni match, where they competed alongside players from the 2004 state championship team.
The annual alumni lacrosse game traces its roots back to 2018, when DiPietro, who has been head coach of the team since 2008, first introduced the idea. His vision was to celebrate and honor the remarkable legacy of the South Side High School boys’ varsity lacrosse program, which has been thriving in the village for more than three decades.
“We had a really good turnout,” DiPietro added. “We had players from as far back as 1992 come and watch.”
The game now stands as a hallmark
Kent Lucas, No. 33, joined the evens team during the alumni lacrosse game on Nov. 29. He played for the 2004 state championship-winning Cyclones.
event, reconnecting players and their love for the sport while engaging the wider school community. Each year, following the Thanksgiving holiday, former Cyclones teammates compete in a full-length regulation exhibition match, with the coveted championship belt and bragging rights hanging in the balance.
Players are divided into two teams based on their graduation year, creating a friendly rivalry between those who graduated in even years and those who graduated in odd years. This unique setup adds a playful, yet competitive twist that ensures the game is as much about camaraderie as it is about winning.
This year, the evens-year team managed to pull off yet another hard-fought victory, triumphing over the odd-year team 8-5 to continue a two-year winning streak. The evens team previously emerged victorious in 2023, following a thrilling high-scoring game ending in sudden-death overtime.
Stephen Serling, No. 13, who scored the game-winning goal last year, covers
Dominic Moriarity, left, and Logan Kelly with the odds team face-off against John Provost, Alex Doerflein and Nick LiCalzi of the evens team at the alumni lacrosse game.
No. 12, Thomas Kelly.
Michael Rechter/Herald photos
The evens team reclaimed victory this year, winning the championship belt and bragging rights.
Crime watCh arrest
Police arrested Diego E. Regalado Carrilo, 43, of Roosevelt on Nov. 19, who has been charged with driving while intoxicated and additional vehicle and traffic law offenses following an investigation on Burtis Avenue.
Police arrested Hal Baines, 46, of Strathmore Way in Melville on Nov. 26, who has been charged with criminal possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a narcotic and other drug-related felony offenses.
Criminal misChief
A resident of Brower Avenue reported on Nov. 19 that someone damaged the window on her front door.
larCeny
A motorist reported on Nov. 21 that a tire from his bicycle was stolen while it was locked to a bike rack underneath the Long Island Rail Road Station in Rockville Centre.
leaving the sCene of an aCCident
A student at South Side High School
reported on Nov. 25 that she was walking across Long Beach Road, in the vicinity of Princeton Road, when she was struck by a vehicle, which fled the scene.
A motorist reported on Nov. 27 that her vehicle was struck by another vehicle, which fled the scene, while she was parked in Municipal Parking Field No. 3.
A motorist reported on Dec. 1 that her vehicle was struck by another vehicle, which fled the scene, while she was driving on Merrick Road.
reCovered stolen motor vehiCle
Rockville Centre Police located an unoccupied vehicle that was stolen from Long Beach, parked in Municipal Parking Field No. 1 on Nov. 12.
UnUsUal inCident
A resident of S. Marion Place reported on Nov. 18 that there were unauthorized transactions on his New York State Electronic Benefit Transfer card.
A resident of Grand Avenue reported on Nov. 23 that there were unauthorized transactions on her bank account.
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
The 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
Nov 24 – Dec 1
General Alarms – 11
Still Alarms – 11
Rescue – 4
Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 42
Mutual Aid Fire – 3
Mutual Aid Rescue – 0
Mutual Aid Ambulance – 0
Total – 71
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.
Year To Date
General Alarms – 529
Still Alarms – 283
Rescue – 170
Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 2,230
Mutual Aid Fire – 79
Mutual Aid Rescue – 6
Mutual Aid Ambulance – 4
Total – 3,301
news brief
Man dies after being struck by school van
Nassau County Police are investigating a fatal accident that took place on Monday afternoon in Rockville Centre.
According to police, a 68-year-old man was out walking his dog, before 1:30 p.m., when he was struck by a Rockville Centre School District van while attempting to cross Buckingham Road, near the intersection with Princeton Road.
Nassau County Police and the Rockville Centre Fire Department rushed to
the scene, where they deployed airbags to lift the vehicle, authorities said.
The man, whose name has not been identified, suffered multiple injuries and was transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, where he later died.
The investigation is still ongoing as of press time on Tuesday.
–Daniel Offner
HERALD SPORTS
Hofstra hoops showing plenty of promise
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
With a largely new roster this season, fourth-year Hofstra men’s basketball head coach Speedy Claxton was expecting that the beginning of the new season could be a bit of a learning curve. The former standout Hofstra and NBA guard then saw quicker chemistry than he anticipated, providing hope that the 202425 campaign could culminate with a banner.
Hofstra won its first four games to start the new season with many new faces including a 49-48 upset victory against Big East foe Seton Hall at the Nassau Coliseum on Nov. 13. The hot start featured a number of scoring contributions with the Pride also finding ways to win games in a variety of fashions in three straight wins against Iona, Seton Hall and UMass after starting with
a blowout of Division III opponent SUNY Old Westbury.
“Those are three good wins and if you would have told me before the season we would get all three I’d be extremely happy and even if you told me I would only get one I would have been happy,” said Claxton, a former NBA guard who led Hofstra to the NCAA Tournament as a player in 2000. “It shows we can compete with anyone.”
The 4-0 start was followed up by stiff competition at Florida State and then 7th-ranked Houston. The Pride then headed to the Bahamas for three games over the Thanksgiving weekend and knocked off Rice in overtime 68-63 and edged Arkansas State 68-66 on a buzzer beater shot from graduate student forward Michael Graham.
Claxton added six transfers and two freshmen to the roster to go along with six returners from last year’s team that went 20-13 and fell to Long Island rival Stony Brook in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) semifinals.
Sophomore guard Jean Aranguren is one of the newcomers shining early as the team’s leading scorer. The Iona transfer registered a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds in Hofstra’s 75-71 overtime win at UMass on Nov. 16.
The addition of Big East transfers Cruz Davis (St. John’s) and Jaquan Sanders (Seton Hall) are also paying dividends early on this season. Sanders was clutch in the Seton Hall win against his old team with 10 second half points while Davis tallied 21 in the UMass victory.
“All three of those guys have been playing well,” Claxton said. “I think that is why we have been performing well in the early part of the season.”
Other transfers added to the roster include Graham (Loyola Marymount), senior guard TJ Gadsden (Canisius) and redshirt sophomore guard Eric Parnell (Eastern Florida State). Graham is the team’s fourth leading scorer and recorded 14 in the dramatic Arkansas State win.
The Pride are also getting a leadership boost from returning players Silas Sunday and German Plotnikov, who both
Newcomer Cruz Davis popped in 21
UMass.
saw key minutes last season. The 7-1 Sunday provides a big presence in the paint while Plotnikov is a long-range shooting threat who connected on 47.4 percent of his three-pointers last season.
“They’re both benefiting from being here last year and knowing how we do things,” said Claxton of Sunday and Plotnikov.
Hofstra’s December schedule is highlighted by a Sunday afternoon home game against Temple on Dec. 15 starting at noon. It will also serve as Hofstra’s annual Jewish Heritage Day game.
The CAA home schedule gets under-
way on Jan. 2 against William & Mary at 7 p.m. which will honor the 25th anniversary of David S. Mack Arena. Hofstra’s annual winter homecoming game will take place on Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. against Stony Brook.
Hofstra was picked fourth in the CAA Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll behind Towson, defending champion College of Charleston and UNC-Wilimington.
“The conference is always going to be tough with some really good teams and really good coaches,” Claxton said. “It’s not gonna get any easier once we get into conference play”
photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications
points for the Pride in a Nov. 16 victory over
Sophomore Jean Aranguren is leading Hofstra in scoring in the early going.
South Side’s drama guild delights audiences
South Side High School’s Drama Guild brought Jane Austen’s beloved 1813 novel “Pride and Prejudice” to the stage from November 20 - 23.
Directed by Russell Dembin, the students delivered a spirited performance based on Kate Hamill’s adaptation of the literary classic. Set in 19th century England, the play captures the romantic entanglement between Elizabeth Bennett, one of five daughters, who encounters Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich socialite who, at first, rejects her advances, but eventually finds himself drawn to her grace and wit.
The two-act drama was a light-hearted romp featuring a cast who skillfully embodied Austen’s timeless characters — from Lizzy’s charisma to Darcy’s reserved charm. Set against the backdrop of Regency-era England, the production balanced intimate moments with a comedic flare, keeping audience members entertained.
The Drama Guild’s interpretation of “Pride and Prejudice” was a heartfelt display of talent and teamwork, which provided a fun, fresh take on a literary masterpiece.
–Daniel Offner
The ensemble cast of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ hit the stage for the big party scene.
As we close out the year, I want to take a moment to thank my incredible clients and community for the trust and relationships we’ve built together. I take genuine pride in providing expert guidance, personalized advice, and unwavering support to help you achieve your real estate goals.
Whether you're buying, selling, or simply curious about the current market, I’m here to ensure every step of your journey is seamless and successful.
Courtesy Rockville Centre School District
Celebrating Long Island’s Future Leaders: $2,500 Student Sustainability Prize Open for Nominations
By: Maureen Fitzgerald
Reworld™ is searching for Long Island’s next generation of environmental innovators to receive the first-ever 2025 Student Sustainability Champion Award. This prestigious award honors one outstanding student from Nassau County and one from Suffolk, with each winner receiving $2,500 to support their education or future sustainability projects – presented to the student recipients at the upcoming 2025 Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island.
Nominations are now open, inviting the community to recognize young changemakers under 16 who are making a positive impact. Submissions should highlight the student’s leadership, innovative contributions, and dedication to sustainability. Entries should include a brief description of their achievements and motivation, along with a photo or example of their work—be it a community garden, recycling initiative, or creative environmental solution.
This award is part of the larger 2025 Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island, presented by Reworld™ and hosted by the LI Herald and RichnerLIVE, which will take place on February 26th at The Heritage Club in Bethpage.
The event will bring together community leaders, advocates, and changemakers who are driving innovative environmental solutions and fostering sustainable tomorrows across Long Island.
Despite Long Island’s environmental challenges —coastal erosion, water quality, and balancing development with conservation—stories of innovation and hope thrive. Local nonprofits restore habitats, educators inspire, and leaders prioritize sustainability. From renewable energy to advanced recycling, these efforts showcase the region’s spirit. With Reworld™ fostering this innovation and community empowerment, they’re driving Long Island toward a greener future.
t
“Reworld™ is honored to partner with RichnerLIVE and the Herald to recognize the inspiring efforts of our young changemakers,” said Dawn Harmon, East Region Area Asset Manager at Reworld™. “This initiative aims to empower Long Island’s future leaders and celebrate the innovative strides our community is taking toward sustainability.”
For more information or to submit a student nomination, visit www.richnerlive.com/reworldcontest. Let’s celebrate the bright minds and groundbreaking innovations shaping Long Island’s sustainable future.
Nominate a student under 16 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.
We want to hear about the extraordinary young individuals who are driving change in their communities.
The award will be presented at the 2025 LI Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island powered by Reworld in February.
Your nomination could inspire countless others to follow in their footsteps!
Submit a nomination of approximately 200 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?
Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.
Play 4 Mary weekend raises more than $5K
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The second annual Play 4 Mary weekend at St. Agnes Cathedral School raised $5,400 for the Mary Ruchalski Foundation, uniting more than 250 young athletes and their families for three days of basketball, community, and fundraising.
The event, held from Nov. 21-24, featured 19 Catholic Youth Organization games with players from eight schools. Funds were raised through bake sales, merchandise sales, and a 50/50 raffle, with proceeds supporting families battling pediatric cancer.
The weekend began Thursday night with a poster night at the St. Agnes Parish Center. “The girls decorated posters to be displayed in the gym,” said Brie Ellwood, who organized the event with her husband, Brian.
“A lot of players worked the bake sale with their teammates,” Ellwood said. “It brought everyone together, which is especially nice before the holidays.” Teams of fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade girls all signed up for slots to help run the bake sale.
Games began Friday evening and continued through Sunday night. Before each game, players read Mary’s story to highlight the event’s purpose. “Each team read our Play 4 Mary speech before their game, explaining what Play 4 Mary is all about and telling Mary’s story,” said Carol Ruchalski, Mary’s mother and founder of the foundation.
“The weekend was great!” Ruchalski said. “We had over 250 girls participate in games all weekend and over eight schools involved. It was a beautiful weekend raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer.”
The Mary Ruchalski Foundation was created in honor of Mary Ruchalski, who passed away in 2018 from rhabdo-
myosarcoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer. The foundation raises funds for pediatric cancer research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and supports families facing financial challenges.
Ellwood noted that this year’s funds will go to help a family whose daughter is undergoing her fourth round of chemotherapy. The foundation was contacted directly by the family’s insurance provider, highlighting the immediate impact of the fundraising efforts.
The Play 4 Mary campaign was launched in 2020 to combine Mary’s love for sports with charitable efforts. “Kids do some kind of charity work in conjunction with being on a team,” Ellwood said. “The premise is to have kids involved in something—not just parents writing a check.”
The week concluded with a fundraiser at the Tap Room in Rockville Centre, featuring a performance by the band MANNCHILD. “That night 400 people attended the concert, and over $8,000 was
raised,” Ruchalski said. “It was a fabulous community event celebrating Mary.” Blending sportsmanship, charity, and
community, the Play 4 Mary weekend has become a cornerstone event to fight pediatric cancer and honor Mary’s legacy.
Courtesy Brie Ellwood
Fifth-grade CYO players from St. Gertude’s church in Bayville show their support during Play 4 Mary weekend.
Michael Rechter/Herald photos
Michaell Smyth, left, Carol Ruchalski, Brie Ellwood, Brian Ellwood kick off Play 4 Mary weekend with a poster night at St. Agnes Parish Center.
Michaela Stines and Grace Dolan, 11, spread Mary’s message.
Gabby Matthews, Ela Horn, 10, made three posters with the message, ‘Be bold. Go Gold.’
Cassidy, now 82, swaps running for walking
but I had some bad ones too,” Cassidy said. “If you run marathons, you have some bad experiences. It’s inevitable.”
His marathon running days came to an end with the Long Island Marathon in 1987, a full-circle moment for Cassidy, whose time had dramatically improved by nearly an hour. His personal best time stood at an impressive 2 hours and 58 minutes.
But after running the course based only on memory and without the intense level of training he was accustomed to, Cassidy came to the realization that his body was no longer capable of maintaining the same level of performance.
“That’s when I knew I wasn’t going to be able to run faster than 2:58, so I decided that was the end of my marathon career,” Cassidy said.
M“I keep going for a lot of reasons,” Cassidy said. “I’m 82 years old, and I’m keeping the weight off, keeping my heart pumping, and it seems to be working.”
Thanks to his continued commitment to proper nutrition and exercise, he said that his doctor describes him as a “perfect physical specimen.” His daily walking routine not only focuses on maintaining his physical health, but his mental wellbeing as well.
y goal has always been to live long and be healthy for my family.
Even though he decided to stop competing in marathons, Cassidy’s love for running never waned. His commitment to fitness became a lifestyle that would help him sustain his toughest challenges. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, Cassidy underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, which he admitted, “ended my running career entirely.”
Bill Cassidy Rockville Centre resident
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Cassidy and his wife, Patricia, moved to Rockville Centre. He swapped running for walking, setting a goal of three to four miles every day. By early November 2024, he had already traveled 1,200 miles around the village and is on track to meet his goal of 1,400 miles by the end of the year.
“When you first start running, you try to figure out how you can not run,” Cassidy explained. “You don’t want to go outside. The weather’s bad — the rain, the wind, it’s too cold. But once you really get involved in it, you don’t see yourself not going out.”
For him, the mental health benefits of exercise are just as important as the physical ones — if not more so.
“(Running and walking) clears your head, and you forget about all your problems for however long you’re out there,” Cassidy said. “When you come back, it gets you through the whole day. It’s definitely a mind-clearing experience.”
Throughout his life, Cassidy has maintained a structured day-to-day routine, prioritizing both exercise and nutrition. Today, he remains just as active as ever. He doesn’t miss a single day of walking, and as a result, has stayed remarkably healthy.
“My goal has always been to live long and be healthy for my family,” Cassidy said. “All of this has paid off in the long run. I’ve seen the benefits of hard work and discipline in my life.”
Thanks to his daily regiment, he continues to defy the limitation of age and maintain a positive mindset.
Courtesy Bill Cassidy
Bill Cassidy of rockville Centre completes the Long island marathon for the first time at age 35.
Odd Fellows donate turkeys
Pat Lavelle, left, Jack Clark, Dave Rees, Mike Gallagher, John Pucciarelli, Andre Farr, Aaron Kupferberg, Scott Ketler, Ryan Kelly, Thomas Bogue, Mike Gleason and Dave Ajello of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 279 donated more than 100 turkeys and non-perishable food items to the John A. Anderson Recreation Center, the St. Agnes Food Pantry and Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Malverne on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Town honors local officer
Sergeant Joseph Burnside of the Rockville Centre Police Department was presented with the Town of Hempstead Police Service Award for demonstrating the qualities of ideal policing in response to a domestic incident that took place in Hempstead on May 22. Following a thorough search of the premises, Burnside found the subject on the roof, and persuaded him to back away from the ledge. The man was later transported to the hospital for further treatment.
GET READY for community
GREEN ACRES GIVES BACK
EMPOWERING FAMILIES IN NEED
Distributing over 1,000 regular, Kosher and Halal turkeys during the holiday season.
INVESTING IN EDUCATION
Donating over 1,000 backpacks and school supplies for students to thrive.
TRANSFORMING STUDENTS’ FUTURES
Supporting local schools and students through our School Cents program, sponsorships and scholarships.
ENRICHING CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
Hosting free Kids Club and holiday events.
SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY
Proudly hosting remarkable community celebrations.
Courtesy Dave Ajello
Courtesy Town of Hempstead
News briefs
The Village of Rockville Centre provides tips to help residents beat the winter weather
The winter weather is slowly approaching with colder temperatures and the possibility of snow. In the event of a snowstorm, Rockville Centre residents are asked not to go out during or immediately after unless absolutely necessary.
The Department of Public Works is responsible for plowing 53 miles of roads, 30 parking fields and all village sidewalks. Throughout the storm the DPW will use more than 20 different pieces of equipment including snow -
plow vehicles, dump trucks and payloaders.
Remember all sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after the end of a snowstorm. Snow should not be thrown into the roadway when clearing out driveways and sidewalks. Snow and ice should be clear from any hydrants near your home so they are visible and accessible in case of a fire. While shoveling your sidewalk, keep an eye on storm drains. Keeping these clear of snow, ice and debris will prevent flood-
ing when temperatures rise.
Residents are also reminded to remove vehicles parked along the streets to allow snowplows to do their job. Crews will be able to do their job fully and quickly when there is less traffic on the roads.
Individuals that rely on electricity to operate life-sustaining equipment should notify the police, fire and electric departments of their needs in case of emergency. Back-up equipment should also be on hand in the event of a
NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
power outage.
If you must go out during hazardous driving conditions, remember to drive slowly, brake slowly and allow plenty of room between yourself and the car in front of you. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.
Residents are encouraged to register for notifications on Swift 911 and download the MY RVC mobile app, for critical information on severe weather, road closures, power outages and more.
Village appoints a new comptroller
The Village of Rockville Centre announced that it has appointed Fran Graziano to the role of village comptroller. Graziano has worked with the village for more than four years as deputy treasurer and brings to his new role more than two decades of experience in the accounting industry.
“I am confident that Fran will continue to play an integral role in our village’s sound fiscal practices that have been recognized with the highest ratings from Standard and Poor’s,” Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray said. “His vast experience, coupled with his working knowledge of our village, made him an obvious choice for the position.
In his new role, Graziano is responsible for the preparation and implementation of the annual operating budget, for the sale of bonds to finance capital projects and for advising the Board of Trustees abut the general financial condition of the village. He is also responsible to supervise the tax office, deputy treasurer and the purchasing departments.
Graziano earned his degree in accounting from Bentley University. He later went on to work as an accountant in the health care and staffing industries for over 20 years.
“I am excited to enter this next phase of work with the village by providing consistent and accurate financial information that will enable administration to continue making sound decisions,” Graziano said.
Fire department is seeking volunteers
The Rockville Centre Fire Department is looking for new volunteers to join their ranks. Simply stop by one of the five local firehouses any Sunday morning. If firefighting doesn’t hold any appeal for you, Floodlight Rescue Company offers training for Volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians too. For more information, visit rvcfd.org. You can also call 516-678-9254 or email
Tommy Brull Foundation hosts 26th concert
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The Tommy Brull Foundation has raised money for individuals with physical, mental, and emotional challenges since 2008. Rockville Centre native Martin Brull founded the nonprofit in memory of his brother, Tommy, who died in a 1999 car accident near the Williamsburg Bridge.
“I wanted to do something a little different that really reflected the way that Tommy was,” Brull said. “He loved music. We loved music together. All of our friends that are here love music.”
Inspired by this mutual passion for music, Brull launched the “Shine A Light” concert series in 2011. Through the years, the organization has invited a number of major headliners to perform including Deer Tick, The Hold Steady, Kurt Vile and many others.
The series celebrated its 26th show on Saturday, Nov. 30 featuring J Masics, lead singer and songwriter of the alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr. Thanks to the group’s widespread recognition, people from all across the metropolitan area gathered at Centre Station, formerly R.J. Daniel’s, in Rockville Centre to see the show.
“It has been an absolutely amazing experience to hire and work with all of my favorite artists,” Brull said before introducing J Masics to the stage. “This one is really specially because this is the second show we had with an artist that Tommy really loved.”
Brull recalled one of his favorite memories of his brother was of the two of them listening to Dinosaur Jr.’s song, “I’m Insane,” and pumping their fists to the sound of the horns.
The Tommy Brull Foundation and SparkyMusic hosted their 26th concert in the Shine A Light music series on Nov. 30, featuring J Masics, lead singer and songwriter of the alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr.
J Masics is known for his distinctive vocals, which have often been compared to that of Neil Young, and his extensive use of feedback, which evokes early 1980s noise rock influences like the Melvins and Sonic Youth.
The evening’s set list included a variety of Dino-
Opening the show was multi-instrumentalist Mike Polizze of Purling Hiss, a Philadelphia-based rock group that Brull said he saw open for Kurt Vile in 2011 and wanted to invite them to perform ever since.
saur Jr. songs, solo tracks and covers, including “Motion Sickness” by Phoebe Bridgers. He closed out the show with an encore performance of “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star.
During the show, Mascis dedicated his performance of “Alone” to Tommy, which made the evening even more meaningful for the Brull family and the audience.
Daniel Offner/Herald
STEPPING OUT
Five times the charm
Laurie Berkner returns with a rockin’ holiday concert for families
By Alyssa Seidman
The scarcity of sun that marks winter’s return often brings Laurie Berkner back to her musical roots. On cozy winter evenings her family would gather ’round a songbook to recite melodies reminiscent of Christmas and falling snow.
“Music always made me feel safe, happy, and loved, and all those feelings come together around [this] time of year,” Berkner says. “Holiday songs were always something that brought up a lot of really warm feelings for me.”
It’s no surprise, then, that Berkner’s discography includes two bestselling albums about the most wonderful time of the year. Families adore her — she still wears the known as the ‘Queen of Kindie Rock’ — and can tale in her festive originals alongside yuletide classics once again when “The Greatest Holiday Hits Tour” arrives here at the Paramount, on Dec. 15.
Berkner is a veritable dynamo as singer/songwriter, author, lyricist, and founder of Two Tomatoes Records. With more than one billion total streams, over 500 million views on YouTube, and millions of albums, singles and DVDs sold, her songs have become beloved classics for families worldwide.
While working as a children’s music specialist at preschools and day care centers in New York City, she gained an instinctive understanding of kids’ natural rhythms and energy. This enabled her to launch the progressive “kindie rock” movement, a genre that is just as palatable to parents and caregivers.
Berkner has released 16 award-winning albums over the course of her decades-long career. She was the first recording artist to perform in music videos on Noggin — appeared regularly on the network’s “Jack’s Big Music Show” — and helped develop the animated musical preschool series “Sing It, Laurie!” for Sprout TV, now Universal Kids.
Berkner has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the White House, among many prestigious venues. She is regularly lauded by her peers, and has been dubbed “the Adele of the preschool crowd” (The New York Times), “the queen of kids’ music” (People), and “one of the most popular children’s performers in America” (Wall Street Journal).
Holiday hits
This is the fifth time “The Greatest Holiday Hits Tour” will grace The Paramount stage. She first brought her holiday concert to Long Island in 2019, and has delighted kids — and kids at heart — every year since, aside from 2020.
“It feels really great to be able to come back each year and make it feel like a tradition,” Berkner says. “It’s that feeling of coming together and doing something that feels really good, fun, and joyous.
“Mostly what I try to do is hit a lot of people’s favorites and put the songs I can’t get to into a medley for the encore. I’ll also be playing my new song ‘Walking With The Penguins,’ so they’ll
Courtesy Jayme Thornton
DoLaurie Berkner is ready to share some holiday cheer with her fans — as only she can. Groove along to festive originals alongside yuletide classics at “The Greatest Holiday Hits Tour.
• Sunday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m.
• Tickets start at $20.50; available at LiveNation.com
• A $1 donation to Little Shelter Animal Rescue is included in each ticket
• The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
hear that live for the first time.”
Her concert features original tunes from her popular holiday albums, “A Laurie Berkner Christmas” and “Another Laurie Berkner Christmas.” She’ll also play treasured holiday classics like “Deck the Halls,” “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” and more.
Of course Berkner’s greatest hits — “We Are The Dinosaurs,” “Waiting for the Elevator” and “Pig On Her Head” — are always in the mix. At that point everyone is sure to be singing and dancing along with their favorite stuffed animal on their head.
The hour-long show fully involves her audience from the get-go; yet two moments in particular stand out to Berkner.
“In every show I do ‘We Are The Dinosaurs,’ and it’s very hard to not start laughing while everyone is screaming. “When I sing ‘My Family’ I will ask people to hug the person they’re there with, and it’s amazing that they actually do it.”
Cultivating these shared experiences for her mixed-age audiences is Berkner’s aim for every performance, but especially at her holiday shows.
“Those events that feel exciting to the kids [yet] still fun and enjoyable for the parents are difficult to find, but my shows fit that bill. I feel really grateful to provide moments where they can connect with one another, and have a sweet, loving memory when they leave.”
New Year’s resolutions
With a new year on the horizon, Berkner shares some of her plans for 2025.
“I very likely will put out another album next year, but I also have a couple projects I can’t talk about yet,” she says.“There will be new music, new videos, and definitely some surprises — probably more on my plate than I should have!”
Her fans would expect nothing less.
Leggz Ltd.’s
‘The
Nutcracker’
Visions of sugarplums await when Leggz Ltd. Dance, presents its annual full-length production. Helmed by longtime Artistic Director Joan Hope MacNaughton, it’s as always, accompanied by the South Shore Symphony Orchestra. This year’s production stars Violeta Angelova as the Sugar Plum Fairy, who’s appeared with the Vienna State Oper and Suzanne Farrell Ballet, with George Sanders, who has danced with New York Theatre Ballet and The Little Prince Broadway, as the Cavalier. The gifted young dancers who round out the cast include 9-year-old Vivian Ng as Clara and 11-year-old Matthew Carnaval as The Prince — both Rockville Centre residents.
Friday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 5 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 8, 3 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444.
Jason
Led Zeppelin Evening
Jason Bonham, son of the legendary Led Zeppelin drummer, showcases his musical journey and family legacy when he visits the Paramount stage. He celebrates his father with hits from Led Zeppelin’s iconic albums, while highlighting his own contributions to rock history. Encompassing tunes from the iconic band’s entire career, including albums “Led Zeppelin,” “Led Zeppelin II,” and “Led Zeppelin IV,” the concert event is a dynamic tribute to a legend. Jason always finds himself at home behind the drumkit. From this spot, he has anchored the tempo of one of the legendary artists of all-time.
Monday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. $99.50, $89.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
Bonham’s
THE Your Neighborhood
The Hot Sardines
The band brings their distinctive sound back to the Landmark stage, with a “Holiday Stomp,” Saturday, d ec. 14 , at 8 p.m. It’s a raucous Christmas celebration that includes timeless classics and original tunes. The Hot Sardines bring classic jazz standards with their own brassy horn arrangements, rollicking piano melodies and vocals from a chanteuse who transports listeners to a different era with the mere lilt of her voice. Emerging over a decade ago from the underground parties of Brooklyn to touring worldwide and recording a string of albums that’s racked up more than 60 million streams across digital platforms, the Hot Sardines’ own “potent and assured” (The New York Times), “simply phenomenal” (The Times of London) brand of reinvigorated classic jazz landed them at the center of a whirlwind. . In the last two years, the Hot Sardines have been featured at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival, have sold out venues in New York City from Joe’s Pub to Bowery Ballroom and more than 150 tour dates from Chicago to London. They released two albums on Universal Music Classics to critical reviews and a #1 slot on the iTunes Jazz chart in the U.S. and internationally. Their unique recipe blends hot jazz and sultry standards from the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s, rich New Orleans sounds, a dash of ’40s Paris flavor, and vibrant musical surprises. It’s all steeped in salty stride piano and the music Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt and Fats Waller used to make. The result is straight-up foot-stomping jazz. Their name says it all: their iconic ‘hot’ styling will paint a vibrant picture with smoky sounds and audiences revel in the steamy, swanky influence of their art form. With their contagious brand of joy, grit, glamour and passion, the 8-piece band invokes the sounds of nearly a century ago, yet stay right in step with the current age. $65, $55, $45. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or by calling (516) 767-6444.
Holiday at Westbury House
Old Westbury Gardens’ Westbury House offers a festive glimpse of early 20th century holiday merriment, before it closes for the winter, Saturday, dec. 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, dec. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Also dec. 14-15. The “Christmas at Westbury House” celebration reflects what the festive season was like during those opulent decades of the early 1900s when the Phipps family lived there. The period rooms in which John S. Phipps — the eldest son of Henry Phipps, Andrew Carnegie’s partner at Carnegie Steel — and his family resided are impeccably decorated with wreaths, mantelpiece drapes, plenty of greenery, and other horticultural arrangements.
Take a self-guided tour through Westbury House and view specially decorated rooms for the holidays, have cookies and cider on the West Porch and meet and take photos with Santa while listening to ambient holiday music. The gardens will also be open, along with other special holiday events, including Holiday Flute Choir concert, Dec. 8, 2:30 p.m., holiday market, and more. $15, $13 ages 62+ and students, $8 ages 7-17. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or call (516) 333-0048.
NIght Out on the Lion
Molloy University invites kids ages 4-10 to join student-athletes on campus for fun-filled evening, Friday, dec. 6. Arts and crafts, relay races, snacks, games and more, while their parents enjoy a night out of holiday shopping or dinner. Contact Brianna Falese at Bfalese@Molloy.edu to register or for more information. 1000 Hempstead Ave.
Pancake Breakfast
Bring the family and join Santa for breakfast at The Backyard to benefit Love, Nana, Saturday, dec. 7. 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon. The Front Porch Market will also be open for holiday shopping. $15 per person. Reservations are required. To reserve your seat visit BYPandFriends.com.
Holiday concert
The Long Island Choral Society returns its holiday tradition, Handel’s Messiah, Part 1 and highlights from Parts 2 and 3, Saturday, dec. 7, 7 p.m., at Garden City Community Church. For many Long Islanders, the holiday season officially begins with this performance. The chorus is accompanied by a professional orchestra and soloists. $25, $10 youth. Tickets are available via credit card by calling (516) 6526878 as well as via Venmo at LICS_2022. For more information, visit lics.org. 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City.
On exhibit
Let’s Skate
Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, through Jan. 7. Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades. Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.” Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.
Family theater
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday, Dec. 6, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; also Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 10-12, 10:-15 a.m. and noon. Ezra
Jack Keats’ “The Snowy Day & Other Stories” celebrates the joy in the small moments of a child’s world. Experience the wonder of a fresh snowfall, the delight of whistling for the first time, and the awe of finding a special treasure.
In this childhood adventure, Keats’ classic books come to life, featuring live actors and shadow puppets telling the stories of “The Snowy Day,” “Goggles!,” “Whistle for Willie,” and “A Letter to Amy.” $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Having an event?
Sugar Plum Ball/ Galactic Gala
Bring the kids to celebrate the season at festivities hosted by the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Sunday, Dec. 8, noon-4 p.m., at Fox Hollow in Woodbury. Kids ages 4-12, accompanied by their adult guest (Mom, Dad, grandparent, etc.), will enjoy a unique party featuring food, fun and some special guests including princesses, fairies and visitors from a Galaxy Far, Far Away.
With lunch, DJ, magic show, dancing, raffles, games, photo ops, and more, even Jedi-training. Enjoy a sit down lunch and meet characters from some favorite shows and movies. Cost for each child/adult pair is $195. Advance reservation only. All proceeds benefit CP Nassau. Call CP Nassau at (516) 378-2000 ext. 651 for reservations or visit cpnassau. org. 7755 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury. Dec. 8
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media.
It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Annual Snowman Hunt
Dec. 5
The Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce’s ninth annual Snowman Hunt returns to the village, through Dec. 23. The community-wide scavenger hunt is open to kids 12 and younger. Participating businesses will be listed on a community-wide map and will display snowman decals prior to the event to help build anticipation.
Participants will receive a stop for each snowman found. Those who collect all of the stamps will be entered into a drawing for a shot at a gift certificate. New, this year, the chamber will also host meet-and-greet opportunities with Mr. Snowman on Saturdays throughout the month of December. For more information, visit RockvilleCentreChamberOf Commerce.com.
5,
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notices
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: THE IMAGE AND STYLE CONNECTION, LLC.
Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 10/16/24. NY Office 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: 189 Raymond St, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 149777
LEGAL NOTICE
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION, CARE AND PROTECTION, TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, DOCKET NUMBER
23CP0211HO, Trial Court of Massachusetts, Juvenile Court Department, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, Clerk Magistrate’s Office, Hampden County Juvenile Court, 121 Elm Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. (413) 322-6700. TO: The father of Niamonnie Ariah G-G Artis Fountain, born on 02/13/2008 to Camelia Artis in Village of Rockville Centre, NY: A petition has been presented to this court by DCF Holyoke, seeking as to the following child: Niamonnie Ariah G-G Artis Fountain, that said child be found in need of care and protection and committed to the Department of Children and Families. The court may dispense the rights of the person(s) named herein to receive notice of or to consent to any legal proceeding affecting the adoption, custody, or guardianship or any other disposition of the child named herein, if it finds that the child is in need of care and protection and that the best interests of the child would be served by said disposition.
You are hereby ORDERED to appear in this court, at the court address set forth above, on the following date and time: 01/03/2025 at 09:00 AM Other Hearing
You may bring an attorney with you. If you have a right to an attorney and if the court determines that you are indigent, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you. If you fail to appear, the court may proceed on that date and any date thereafter to a trial on the merits and adjudication of this matter.
For further information call the Office of the Clerk-Magistrate at
(413) 322-6700.
WITNESS: Hon. David B. Paradis, FIRST JUSTICE, DATE ISSUED: 11/15/2024, Michele Dunn, Clerk-Magistrate. 150132
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notice to Bidders
Sealed Bids will be received by the Purchasing Department of the Village of Rockville Centre One College Place, Room 204, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 for the matter stated below until 11:00 am prevailing time on DECEMBER 19, 2024 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. The contract will be awarded as soon thereafter as practicable for:
ANNUAL PLANTING IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE ON VILLAGE PROPERTIES
Bid No. 2411G1(1133)
The bid specifications can be examined on the Village’s website at www.rvcny.gov. Follow the link to the Purchasing Department. All questions should be directed to the Purchasing Department. Please contact Lisa Strazzeri via email only at lstrazzeri@rvcny.us. Questions must be submitted no later than December 12, 2024. Award of Contract will be made to the lowest responsible bidder in accordance with applicable provisions of the law. The Village reserves the right to reject all bids, or make such determination as in the best interests of the Village, as provided by law.
Purchasing Department Lisa Strazzeri
Purchasing Agent 516-678-9213 150296
LEGAL NOTICE
Village of Rockville Centre
Nassau County, New York
Notice of Board of Zoning Appeals
Hearing Date: December 11, 2024
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 340 Rockville Centre Village Code NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Appeals of the Village of Rockville Centre will hold a Zoning Appeals Hearing at the Eugene J. Murray Village Hall 1 College Place, Rockville Centre at 7:00 p.m.
LEGAL NOTICE
December 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Case # 38-2024 - 38
Vincent Owner LLC
To construct a second story addition over existing, with new fire wall separation and interior alterations creating a multifamily use where 100% of the units contain 3 bedrooms where 10% is the maximum allowable by code, on an existing lot size of 8939.29 square feet where 15,000 is the minimum required, existing front yard setbacks of 3.0 feet and 4.3 feet on a corner lot where 20.0 feet is the minimum required, an existing side yard setback of 14.82 feet where 20.0 feet is the minimum required, and six nonconforming parking spaces where 6 conforming spaces are required within a Residence B district.
Premises known as 38 Vincent Street Case # 40-2024 - Mark Clemens
To convert a one-family dwelling to a two-family dwelling, is not a permitted use within a Residence A district.
Premises known as 79 No. Oceanside Road
Case # 41-2024 - Maria & Alex Serendinsky
To construct a one-story side addition, second story addition over existing first story, and front portico with a proposed Lot Coverage of 34.10% where 30.0% is the maximum allowable, F.A.R of 54.63% where 50.0% is the maximum allowable, a side yard setback of 7.3 feet where 8.0 feet is the minimum required, and a rear yard setback of 24.9 feet where 25.0 feet is the minimum required within a Residence A district.
Premises known as 172 Allen Road
Dated: November 26, 2024
BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, Rockville Centre, New York
J. Robert Schenone, Chairman
Patrick D. O’Brien, Secretary Information and records for appeals cases are available at the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Appeals, 110 Maple Avenue, RVC, NY 150297
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE UNDER SECURITIZATION SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 1, 2005 STRUCTURED ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-
THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-HE3, Plaintiff, Against FOLAREMI ABIOLA; ET AL,
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 02/01/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 1/9/2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 1288 Dekoven Street, Rockville Centre, New York 11570, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, being at Rockville Centre, Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau And State Of New York.
Section 38 Block 114 Lot 905, 906, and 907. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $557,690.22 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 15-010953
If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.
Janine Lynam, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 MIDLAND AVENUE, SUITE 205, PORT CHESTER, NY 10573
Notice is hereby given that the annual fire inspection for the 2024/25 school year of the school buildings of the Rockville Centre Union Free School District has been completed and the report thereof is available at the Administrative Offices of the Rockville Centre School District, 128 Shepherd Street, Rockville Centre, NY 11570-2298 for inspection by all interested persons. Dated: November 26, 2024 Rockville Centre, NY BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK
MARYLOU CELIBERTI, DISTRICT CLERK 150295
Town files suit opposing congestion pricing
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The Town of Hempstead has filed a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the state of New York, opposing the revised congestion-pricing plan in Manhattan.
The suit comes after several town supervisors and state senators throughout Long Island voiced their objection over the initiative.
Earlier this month, Gov. Kathy Hochul re-launched the congestion-pricing program, requiring operators of regular passenger vehicles traveling south of 60th Street in Manhattan to pay a one-day $9 charge. This marked a 40 percent drop from the initial cost of $15 before the plan was paused in June, after state officials voiced concerns over the financial burden the initiative would impose on commuters.
On Nov. 18, the MTA board approved the revised plan, which is set to take effect on Jan. 5.
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin said the lawsuit, filed in the Nassau County Supreme Court on Nov. 21, states that Gov. Hochul and the MTA “circumvented procedural requirements that enable residents to speak and be heard,” referring to the legally required 45-day comment period.
According to Town of Hempstead attorney Josh Liebman, the revised tolling program is an entirely new law that should be subjected to a renewed public comment period.
“When a governmental body makes a rule, the public has a specific right to comment on it and to give any objections they have,” Liebman said. “What happened here was a complete rush-job. It’s a new law, and it was done without any kind of public participation whatsoever.”
Gordon Tepper, spokesman for Gov. Hochul, said the state cannot comment on pending litigation, but noted that
opponents of the tolling initiative have “failed to offer any of their own meaningful solutions” for reducing gridlock, improving emergency vehicle response times and strengthening the city’s transit system.
When the revised plan was given the go-ahead on Nov. 18, Clavin held a news conference at Sand Hill Road Park in Wantagh, to condemn the rehashed proposal. Joining him in opposition were Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico and U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. Clavin called the tolling initiative “an ill-conceived idea that is nothing more than a money grab,” adding that it would be costly to Long Island commuters traveling to the city.
“This is going to have an effect south of 60th Street to the men and women who teach our kids, the men and women who protect our students, who protect the workforce down there,” Clavin said. “This is going to have an effect on people who are seeking medical treatment.”
D’Esposito said the MTA has lost millions over the last year from people riding buses and subways without paying.
“This is not a group that knows how to manage money,” D’Esposito said. “Instead of tightening the reins ... they dig into the pockets of the people of New York and New Jersey.”
Clavin and D’Esposito also said they wrote to president-elect Donald Trump, urging him to eliminate Hochul’s plan. Congestion pricing aims to improve quality of life by reducing traffic and improving air quality in the city, according to the MTA. The program is also expected to bring in “billions of dollars in funding,” which the MTA stated could improve subways, buses and commuter railroads, on top of supporting around 23,000 jobs throughout the state.
Additional reporting by Juan Lasso
Courtesy Town of Hempstead
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin joined town supervisors throughout Long Island at Sand Hill Road Park in Wantagh on Nov. 18, denouncing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s congestion-pricing plan.
$17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.
REQUIREMENTS:
Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.
POSITION DETAILS:
Flexible: Part-time or Full-time. Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.
Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com
HBCI SUPERVISOR FT: Seeking LCSW or LMSW for Crisis Intervention Program, Cedarhurst NY. 3+ yr exp, Supervision exp. $80K Annually + benefits Claufer@hamaspikkings.org 516-875-8400 x144
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities
Yes, those tall buildings really sway
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Q. We were in Manhattan recently, and learned that tall buildings actually sway back and forth. We stared at the tallest apartment building in the Western Hemisphere, at 432 Park Ave., but couldn’t really tell. Do these buildings sway? How far? Wouldn’t that be dangerous, and how come we don’t hear about it? Why would people put up with that for so much money?
A. Yes, for anywhere from $2 million upward (pun intended) to around $200 million, you, too, can get a continuous amusement ride, or the sensation of always being on a cruise, if you like that sort of thing. When people, mostly at parties, ask me whether I have designed anything tall or famous, I wince, because I’d rather be asked if I’ve ever done anything that people enjoyed seeing or being in.
Few people ever discuss the failings of the most well-known architects. Most of the buildings Frank Lloyd Wright designed leaked. Wright never really was a trained or licensed architect, but he made it to postage stamp status. When the 500-pound windows began flying out of I.M. Pei’s Hancock Tower in Boston, most people, except those who either nearly died or had to clean up the mess, never noticed. The list of the ways in which we learn from building design “aberrations” is endless, but the important thing is that we learn.
People who can afford to live in those tall buildings, above the crowds of common folk, must have to accept the soft sway of the windswept towers they rest their weary heads in. I have read many articles in technical magazines, and reports about how engineers have been tasked with trying to resolve the problems. In the case of 432 Park Avenue, two “dampers” were designed into the center of the tower, even though there is currently no code requirement for them.
The Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, which is much taller than 432 Park Avenue, has features including an aerodynamic shape to cut the wind, and a massive 660-ton pendulum that sways from cables in the core of the building. Even so, on the 163rd floor, the building sways 6½ feet back and forth. There are many different damper systems, flexible, viscoelastic collars and inserts between the rigid steel frame connections that transfer the forces by taking the heat away from the strain of the otherwise rigid joints. Without all of these shock-reducing components, sections would crack and crumble.
As it is, the residents of 432 Park Avenue have complained of air conditioning and heating malfunctions and acoustical discomfort from the creaking walls, whistling wind and stalled elevators. Most of the units are purchased for the beautiful vistas, and you can sell anything to someone who doesn’t do their homework. Many units have been leased and re-leased, bought and sold several times in the three years since the tower opened, with the prices going up and up. Better than buying the Brooklyn Bridge, right?
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Remembering Jimmy Breslin, a legend in New York journalism
Ihave always been an avid reader of newspapers, and have a great admiration for columnists, particularly Jimmy Cannon, and then Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill. That’s why I so appreciate the opportunity to write a column for the Heralds.
All of this came rushing back at me as I was reading the recently published biography “Jimmy Breslin,” by Richard Esposito. Breslin was a unique character. No one understood New York’s people, neighborhoods and streets like him.
Breslin’s New York was Queens Boulevard, not Park Avenue. It was cops, prizefighters, bookies and cold beer (until he stopped drinking, anyway). I started reading his columns years ago, in the old Journal-American, and continued with him through the Herald Tribune, the Daily News
and Newsday.
I first met Breslin in the 1980s, and we became close friends in the late 1990s. My wife, Rosemary, and I would go to dinner with Jimmy and his wife, Ronnie, at least once a month, and he and I would talk at least once a day. When Jimmy wanted to talk, he wouldn’t stop, and it was almost impossible to get off the phone with him, even if you had work to do. I found that the one way to close out a conversation was to compliment him on something. In true Irish fashion, he would get flustered, mumble a rushed goodbye and slam down the phone.
When he wanted to talk, it was impossible to get off the phone with him.
Breslin was a great guy to be with. He was tough and cynical, but had endless stories and was a true friend — when he was still your friend. He wrote several columns about me during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment that I will always cherish, and he wrote a great blurb for my first novel (which he probably never read). We commiserated after the 9/11 attacks,
attending funerals of mutual friends, giving each other support in an Irish sort of way. He came to my daughter Erin’s wedding and reception, and stayed to the very end — and that was long after he’d stopped drinking! During these good times, though, I would have in the back of my head columns Breslin used to write when he was living in Baldwin, listing people he would no longer speak with. Though he stopped issuing those lists, I wondered when my number would be up. I found out in March 2003, when Rosemary sent him a heated note, blasting him for comparing President George W. Bush to Adolf Hitler. That ended it. It was curtain time. No more phone calls or dinners. I did call him once when I heard there was a serious illness in his family.
“Jimmy, I heard the news,” I said. “I’m sorry. I’m thinking of you.”
“Yeah,” he replied, “I’ll be thinking of you, too. Goodbye.”
Later I saw him at the renowned
journalist Jack Newfield’s funeral, and we had a quick handshake. Several years after that, in 2009, Rosemary and I went to the funeral of Breslin’s daughter Kelly at an old church in Lower Manhattan. Afterward we sat and talked with him at a table in the churchyard for 10 or 15 minutes. The conversation was warm and friendly, almost like it used to be. When it was time to say so long, I said, “Jimmy, we should get together.”
“Yeah,” he said. “We should. That’d be good.” We shook hands.
We never got together. I wish we had. Breslin died in 2017, and a large part of New York died with him.
Esposito’s biography brings back the memories not just of Breslin, but of the days when newspapers and their columnists — and the written word — had such a vital role to play in our society. While much of that has died, I commend the Herald for keeping the tradition alive for the people of Long Island.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
No matter who’s president, L.I.’s middle class
Eight years ago, about four months into Donald Trump’s first term as president, the Herald published an op-ed I wrote entitled “What American Dream?” in which I lamented the ever-growing financial burden on Long Island’s middle class.
Despite all the hard work I put in, I wrote, I was decidedly worse off than my mother and father were a generation earlier. I laid equal blame on Democrats and Republicans, who had rotated in and out of Washington all my life and done little to stop the downward spiral. “And his promises notwithstanding,” I added, “President Trump will likely do little to change our trajectory.” He did not.
And, in all fairness, neither did President Biden.
Eight years ago I noted that my wife and I worked full time as teachers, but that she had to care for our kids alone during the week, while I tutored after school to keep up with ever-rising expenses.
Today I tutor two to three times as much as I did then. Not out of greed, but necessity. My wife continues to do the lion’s share of the work with the kids, but she, too, has taken on a second job, doing early intervention for specialneeds 2-year-olds. So, eight years ago, we basically needed three incomes to make it. Now we need four.
B
Some of my colleagues at school were elated after Election Day that we have another four years of Trump coming, almost as if their team had won the Super Bowl. It has always surprised me how any teacher can support the guy whose Supreme Court appointee, Neil Gorsuch, rendered the decisive vote in Janus v. AFSCME, a case that weakened public-sector unions like the ones we belong to.
House — our lives here on Long Island are not going to get any easier.
That’s because we’ve witnessed a steady erosion of the middle class since 1973, when real wages started to fall against the backdrop of an energy crisis and pronounced inflation. The true death knell was President Ronald Reagan’s taking office in 1980. Reagan slashed taxes for corporations and the wealthy with the idea that the financial benefits at the top of the economic food chain would trickle down to the rest of us. Only they didn’t.
y the time I graduated from eighth grade in 1992, working moms were the norm.
To be fair, others at school were crestfallen.
I, on the other hand, for the first time in my adult life, paid absolutely no attention to this election, and did not watch one minute of election night coverage. Although I voted for Kamala Harris, I did not shed a tear.
That’s because I’ve heard this song before. I know how this movie ends. It doesn’t matter who’s in the White
I’m by no means an economist, but consider this: When I entered kindergarten in 1983, my mother was one of a few moms who needed to get a job to help make ends meet. The embarrassment of getting picked up by another classmate’s mother will forever be etched in my memory. Years later, my mother told me how the guilt I laid on her at the time absolutely broke her heart. Sorry, Mom. I love you.
But by the time I graduated from eighth grade in 1992, working moms were the norm. I can only recall one or two classmates whose mothers didn’t work. Things had certainly changed, and they only continued to get worse.
struggles
I’m not piling on Republicans, because there were 20 years of Democratic presidents as well between then and now. My colleagues, both jubilant and dejected after this past Election Day, might remember that the roles were reversed in 2008, when Barack Obama was first elected. Regardless of who has led the country, things haven’t gotten a whole lot better.
That’s because the people at the top — the corporate interests that really run America — don’t want them to. As the late, great comedian George Carlin said, “Our country’s a big club … and you ain’t in it!”
Nobody should have been surprised that Trump trounced the incumbentbacked Harris. Middle class voters have been drowning for 50 years, desperately hoping someone would toss them a life vest that never seems to come.
I wish I shared my Trump-supporting colleagues’ optimism, or even the Harris supporters’ melancholy, but I just don’t. I don’t think any real help is coming, regardless of who is in office.
I will gladly eat my words in four years if my wallet is fatter and prices are lower. But I doubt that’s going to happen.
Nick Buglione is a teacher, a freelance journalist and a former editor of the East Meadow Herald.
Rockville centRe
Established 1990
Incorporating The News & Owl of Rockville Centre 1928-2001
eginning with the birth of our nation, Long Islanders have shaped the policies of America as well as our country’s impact on the world. Suffolk County’s William Floyd was one of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. President Theodore Roosevelt, who made his home in Oyster Bay, is often cited as one of our greatest leaders. Bellmore’s William Casey served as President Ronald Reagan’s CIA director during an era fraught with Cold War tensions.
As the Biden administration sunsets and President-elect Donald Trump’s second administration begins to take shape, Long Islanders are once again positioned to influence our nation and the course of human history.
T rump has nominated Howard Lutnick, from Jericho, to serve as secretary of commerce. Lutnick, the chairman and chief executive of the global financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, strongly supports the president-elect’s plans to impose tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico, which would have dramatic impacts on the global economy.
T rump has chosen Dr. Dave Weldon, a Farmingdale High School and Stony Brook University graduate, to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Weldon, a former congressman from Florida, would succeed fellow Long Islander Dr. Mandy Cohen, a Baldwin native whom President Biden appointed to the role last year. (Another Baldwin native, Karine Jean-Pierre, has served as President Biden’s White House press secretary since 2022.)
Given the recent politicization of the CDC, as well as the anti-establishment views of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom
letters
Trump has selected as his secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services — which oversees the CDC — Weldon is set to wield unique power in setting public health policy.
Biden named Dr. David Kessler, a graduate of Woodmere Academy (now the Lawrence Woodmere Academy) as the lead scientist on the coronavirus vaccine distribution efforts. Kessler formerly headed the Food and Drug Administration under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
T rump has also named Steve Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. Witkoff, who was raised in Baldwin Harbor and Old Westbury, is a successful real estate developer and a major benefactor of Hofstra University, where he earned a law degree. (He shares that law school alma mater with Charles Kushner, the father of Trump’s son-inlaw, Jared Kushner, and a convicted felon whom Trump has selected as ambassador to France.) Witkoff’s appointment continues Trump’s selection of Long Islanders for critical Middle East policy roles.
In Trump’s first term, the U.S. ambassador to Israel was David Friedman, who grew up in North Woodmere. The son of Rabbi Morris Friedman, who led Temple Hillel for 33 years and brought Reagan to the synagogue in 1984, David Friedman played a pivotal role in promoting Trump’s Middle East policies, from the decision to relocate the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, to supporting the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
T rump also announced his choice of Garden City’s Kash Patel as director of
Randi just won’t stop with Trump
To the Editor:
I just finished reading Randi Kreiss’s column, “Dear readers, we can’t keep it in neutral” (Nov. 28-Dec. 4). It seems that Randi is totally consumed by Trump derangement syndrome. Donald Trump is a deeply flawed soul to be sure, but when compared with Hillary and Harris, he is Abe Lincoln.
When he left office, but for the horror of Covid, the country was at peace and the economy was in great shape. Could this country endure four more years of what we just went through? Obviously not! The fake dossier, the disgraceful lawfare, and it goes on and on.
Trump establishes the Depar tment of Government Efficiency and the left mocks him unendingly. When it pays enormous dividends, they will ignore it, as they always do. Thank God the country was sickened by the last four years and overwhelmingly decided to reject it!
RICHARD
the FBI. Leaders on both sides of the aisle, however, have expressed concerns about that choice, because of what they perceive to be Patel’s desire to dismantle the very institution he has been tapped to lead, as well as his lack of relevant experience.
“I categorically opposed making Patel deputy FBI director,” William Barr, who served as attorney general under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Trump, wrote in his 2022 book, “One Damn Thing After Another.” “I told Mark Meadows,” Barr added, referring to Trump’s White House chief of staff, “it would happen ‘over my dead body.’ Someone with no background as an agent would never be able to command the respect necessary to run the day-to-day operations of the bureau.”
Finally, there’s former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, who, in 2022, unsuccessfully challenged Gov. Kathy Hochul in New York’s gubernatorial election. Zeldin, an Army veteran who represented New York’s 1st Congressional District from 2015 to 2023, is poised to become Trump’s administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. In that role, Zeldin would have wide-ranging powers to create or eliminate regulations that protect the environment.
Many of Trump’s selections must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. We expect most of them will be, or will serve in interim roles. Regardless, these Long Islanders are a testament to the region’s diverse influence on national politics and international diplomacy.
We hope they don’t forget where they came from, and make decisions that uplift not only our country, but also the Long Island communities they once called home.
N.Y. needs to make entrepreneurship an option for all
our economy thrives on the spirit of entrepreneurship — new businesses solve problems, create jobs and contribute tax revenue. States like New York recognize this, offering programs and funding to support startups. But an essential segment of our population is being overlooked: people with disabilities. It’s time New York state extends its support to include businesses owned by people with disabilities. Entrepreneurship can be a lifeline for those with differing abilities. It can be lifechanging — not just for business owners, but also for their employees, families and communities. My son, John Cronin, is a prime example.
When John entered his final year at Huntington High School, he was excited about joining the workforce. Yet he quickly found that traditional paths weren’t available to him. John has Down syndrome, and like many people with disabilities, he faced an unacceptable reality: Only one in five adults with a disability is employed.
But John is a natural entrepreneur. If he couldn’t find the right job, he’d create his own. So he came to me with an idea:
LetteRs
Shop safely during the holidays
To the Editor:
The Nassau County Police Department advises shoppers to be vigilant for their safety and the safety of others this holiday season.
Before leaving home, secure and engage alarms, and leaving lights on in frequented rooms to give the appearance that people are home. Plan your shopping trips, know where you’re going and, if possible, go with someone else. Let someone know where you’re going. Park in an area that’s well lit, and make sure your valuables are out of sight. Avoid parking near vans or other vehicles with covered cargo areas. Don’t get out of your car unless you feel safe, lock your vehicle, and remember where you’ve parked.
As you shop, keep money and credit/debit cards in a front pocket, and limit the number of cards and the cash
He wanted to start a business together. That was the spark that led to John’s Crazy Socks, a social enterprise that has since grown into a seven-figure business and the world’s largest sock store.
Consider the impact John’s entrepreneurism has had. We’ve created 34 jobs, and 22 of them are held by people with differing abilities. Through our Giving Back program, we’ve donated over $800,000 to organizations like Special Olympics New York, the National Down Syndrome Society, and North Shore Animal League America. Over 3,000 students and social service clients have toured our operation, finding inspiration in John’s story. And we’ve seen other entrepreneurs with differing abilities courageously follow his path.
differing abilities represent an extraordinary, untapped talent pool, ready to work and contribute.
To unlock this potential, New York state can take five specific steps:
A disability hasn’t kept my son, Mark, from leading the world’s largest sock store.
1. Certification for disability-owned businesses. The state already certifies businesses owned by women and veterans, which gives these businesses crucial visibility and access to state resources. Establishing a similar certification for disability-owned businesses would send a powerful message and create essential opportunities for these businesses.
people with disabilities? By including them, we could unlock even greater economic potential.
4. Technical support for startups. The state offers technical support through various programs, and coordinating these resources for disability-owned startups would level the playing field for entrepreneurs like John.
5. Startup grants. New York provides millions in grants to encourage new businesses. Some of these funds should be earmarked specifically for startups owned by people with disabilities.
John’s story shows that entrepreneurship isn’t just an option; it’s an essential alternative for people with disabilities. When given the opportunity, they contribute, uplift others, and bring positive change to our communities. By supporting entrepreneurship for people with differing abilities, New York has an opportunity to address one of the highest unemployment rates among any group. It’s not just good policy; it’s good business. A 2018 Accenture report found that companies leading in disability inclusion perform 28 percent better financially than their peers. People with
you carry. To avoid identity theft, be careful when exposing your cards and other identification at cash registers and ATMs.
Be aware that thieves use cellphones to capture card and identity information. Be cognizant of distractions that could be staged to avert your attention.
When you return to your vehicle, don’t do so with your arms full of packages. Use a cart. Be ready to unlock your car door. Check the parking lot for suspicious-looking people, and if you see anyone loitering nearby, don’t go to your vehicle.
Carry a whistle or other audible device, and if you feel threatened, use it. Before getting into your vehicle, look around and inside it. Once inside, lock the doors, and if you have to, use your horn to attract attention.
Always be aware of your surroundings.
NASSAU COUNTY POLICE
2. Set-asides for disabilityowned businesses, New York has created procurement set-asides in state contracts for women-owned and veteran-owned businesses. Extending this to include disability-owned businesses would ensure they have a fair chance to secure state contracts and grow.
3. Expand NYSID programs to include for-profits. New York State Industries for the Disabled generates millions of dollars in wages for people with disabilities through nonprofit partners. But this outdated restriction excludes forprofit businesses, perpetuating the false impression that only nonprofits will employ people with disabilities. Why exclude for-profit businesses owned by
People with differing abilities are a vast, often overlooked resource. They are ready, able and willing to contribute to our economy, bringing diverse perspectives, talents and innovations. Yet structural barriers have kept many from reaching their full potential.
John’s Crazy Socks has proven that when people with disabilities start businesses, they don’t just create jobs — they inspire others, spark change and strengthen their communities. New York state has both the resources and the responsibility to foster this kind of inclusive growth. Let’s build an economy that works for everyone. By embracing entrepreneurship for people with differing abilities, our state can show the nation what’s possible when opportunity is available to all.
Mark X. Cronin is a co-founder and president of John’s Crazy Socks, in Farmingdale.
MARK X. CRonin
FRAMewoRK by Tim Baker
At the Froehlich Family Lights, on Sherwood Drive — East Meadow
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