Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald 10-03-2024

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Passing the torch to the next generation

Students at Glen Head Elementary School gathered on Sept. 30 to celebrate the new students entering the school for the first time. Faculty and staff helped the students pass the ‘torch’ down the line, symbolically sparking off the new academic year. More photos, Page 10.

School districts explore AI

Focusing on how it can help, and hinder, education

Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries across the globe, and school districts across Long Island are no exception. Educators and administrators in the North Shore, Locust Valley, and Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School Districts are grappling with how to integrate AI into the classroom while managing its risks.

The North Shore School District is in its second year of actively exploring AI’s potential for enhancing learning, while simultaneously developing policies to address concerns around academic integrity and student well-being.

Chris Zublionis, superintendent of North Shore School District, said the district is enthusiastic about the potential of AI, but are proceeding cautiously.

“Teachers were concerned about academic integrity, whether the work students were submitting was original or AI-generated,” Zublionis said, noting that these concerns arose early in the 2022-23 school year, after the release of popular AI tools like ChatGPT. At the same time, educators saw the promise AI offered for personalizing learning and making it more accessible.

“AI has a lot of promise when it comes to differentiating instruction and making learning more accessible for students who may need additional support,” Zublionis said. However, he stressed that the district has not yet implemented any formal AI tools for students or teachers.

“We are still in the exploration stage, experimenting with what’s possible before putting anything into formal practice.”

One tool generating buzz among district lead-

Lithium battery moratorium extended briefly

The Town of Oyster Bay has temporarily extended its moratorium on lithium battery storage systems, halting the development of the contentious Oyster Shore Energy Storage project in Glenwood Landing, proposed by Jupiter Power.

At a recent town board meeting, officials voted unanimously to continue the six-month suspension originally enacted in April until a hearing can be held specifically on this issue where the board will vote on whether to end or extend the moratorium.

Lmental impact, and the project’s proximity to homes, schools, and Hempstead Harbor.

At the town board meeting, Elizabeth Faughnan, the deputy town attorney, provided a detailed explanation for the extension.

et’s wait before it’s too late, and let’s pause for a good cause; our health and safety.

The proposed facility, a 275-megawatt battery energy storage system, would replace the current Global Petroleum terminal. While Jupiter Power emphasizes the project’s potential to improve grid reliability and support renewable energy integration, it has drawn substantial pushback from Glenwood Landing and Glen Head residents, who expressed serious concerns about safety, environ-

Glenwood Landing

“The moratorium was adopted by Local Law 302 of 2024 as a result of a hearing that was held on Feb. 27,” Faughnan said. “That law included a provision that the moratorium could be extended by action of the town board. That moratorium is set to expire on Oct. 15.” Faughnan noted that the Nassau County Planning Commission, which must review the proposal as part of the town’s land use process, could not meet until after the moratorium’s expiration.

“Rather than have a lapse in the moratorium period, we’re here today to consider an extension to that moratorium for a period beginning Oct. 15, until such time as the public hearing can be held on the fifteenth, the planning commission can make

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Courtesy North Shore School District
CHRISTINE PANGECA Resident,

Blessing of the Animals

Districts working on formal approach to AI

ers is OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4.0, which can perform tasks such as solving complex algebraic equations step-by-step when presented with an image of a problem. Zublionis called the platform’s potential “amazing,” but he also emphasized that any AI-generated content must be scrutinized for accuracy.

“It’s like the internet—it’s not infallible, so you always have to approach it with a healthy skepticism.”

Zublionis acknowledged the risks associated with students using AI to complete assignments dishonestly. While the district employs AI-detection software such as Turnitin to flag potentially AI-generated writing, Zublionis stressed that the real solution lies in creating assignments that can’t simply be completed by a prompt.

“We’re looking to do more deliberate professional development on it and adopt policies at the district level,” he said.

Currently, North Shore High School is working on its own academic integrity policy related to AI, and the district plans to follow suit.

The superintendent also raised concerns about the potential misuse of AI in ways beyond academics, particularly in cyberbullying.

“The idea of students using AI to create deepfakes or other harmful content is very scary,” Zublionis said. He described how easy it is for AI programs to generate fake videos that could be used maliciously, adding that this issue has already surfaced in other parts of the country.

Despite these concerns, Zublionis said that he believes AI, when used responsibly, could help bridge educational gaps. He added that the district’s technology committee, composed of parents, educators, and administrators, is actively researching how AI could be safely integrated into the curriculum, with plans to present their findings to the board in January.

“For students who can’t afford tutors, AI has the potential to level the playing field,” Zublionis said. “It can provide support with homework and help make complex texts more accessible to students with different reading levels.”

A second committee, focused on social media, smartphones, and student well-being, is looking at how AI impacts life outside the classroom. Zublionis highlighted that the district is developing a technology white paper to formalize its stance on AI and inform future policy decisions.

“We can’t ignore this,” Zublionis said. “The wall between what happens in school and out of school is thinner than ever, so we need to address AI both academically and socially.”

Locust Valley and Oyster Bay-East Norwich school districts are also in the early stages of navigating AI’s role in education, though their approaches dif-

Superintendent Chris Zublionis emphasized that AI could be harmful to students, similar to social media.

fer from North Shore’s exploratory focus.

Ken Packert, Locust Valley’s executive director for administrative operations and technology, explained that AI has been quietly integrated into existing applications like Grammarly and IXL, platforms that provide real-time feedback and adapt to students’ individual needs.

“It’s not so much that we’re using AI directly in the form of ChatGPT, but rather, AI is built into the products we already use,” Packert said.

Packert said that he sees great potential in AI’s ability to tailor education to individual students’ interests and needs, including those with disabilities. However, he echoed concerns about privacy, security, and the ethical implications of relying too heavily on AI.

“There’s always the question of bias and misinformation—what are these suggestions based on and are they safe for our students?” he said.

At Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Superintendent Francesco Ianni emphasized that the district is still in the learning phase. The district is focused on providing educators with the necessary professional development to help students use AI responsibly and effectively.

“Right now, teachers are trying to figure out how to use AI in ways that enhance learning, rather than just as a tool for students to complete assignments,” Ianni said.

As AI continues to evolve, the challenge for school districts across the North Shore is to harness its potential while safeguarding academic integrity and student safety. For North Shore, Locust Valley, and Oyster Bay-East Norwich, the goal is to ensure that AI remains a tool for learning, not a crutch for shortcuts or a vehicle for harm.

“We’re working toward a future where AI enhances learning, but doesn’t replace it,” Zublionis concluded.”

Oyster gardening engages local community

The Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor just wrapped up its annual summer Oyster Gardening Program at the end of September.

The coalition began the program in 2022 with the goal of restoring Hempstead Harbor as a habitat for oysters. The program invites residents to come volunteer and help restore their local waterways by raising oysters in cages across four different locations.

“This is the third consecutive year of the oyster gardening program and its the second year of it being a harbor-wide program. This year we had around 100 volunteers across all four sites to come out and help clean the cages, clean the oysters, and measure their progress.” said Sarah Stromski, program manager.

Oysters are among the most beneficial animals in an ecosystem. As filter feeders, they remove nutrients, algae, and organic matter from the water which helps to improve the clarity of the water as well as removing any excess nutrients. Stromski says these are key reasons why they prioritize making Hempstead Harbor a suitable habitat for oysters.

“We planted about 80,000 oysters this year that we received from Cornell University,” Stromski said. “It helps to improve water quality, and when they grow out they create reefs which can create many habitats for other organisms, and by doing so it can increase the biodiversity of the harbor and ultimately the resiliency of the harbor over time.”

This program, intended to create the best habitat for oysters possible, also helps in bringing the community together. With four different locations for residents to volunteer across the harbor, this program is completely dependent on the members of the community, and with around 100 participants this past year, the program has created a habitat for both oysters and the community to enjoy.

“Its a harbor-wide program in two different towns in Nassau County. So its a true collaboration of environmentalism across the community, like we are all connected by the harbor and are interested in caring for it,” said Lisa Cashman, associate director. “From what I was able to observe its so multi-generational, Adults bring their teenage kids and participate, young kids, students from schools come down for educational opportunities, oysters really seem to have captured the imagination and excitement of people who live here, and they’re really there just seems to be a lot of energy around this program.”

The program planted 80,000 oysters this summer, with volunteers coming bi-weekly from the beginning of July to the end of September to monitor the growth of the oysters in the cages, before eventually planting them throughout the four sites.

“The oysters grew really fast this year so we were thankful for the volunteers who came to monitor and help set up the new cages that we needed to accommodate them all,” Cashman said. “The reason we raise them in the cages first is because we find that the bigger the oyster grows the better the chances they have of surviving at the bottom of the substrate that the harbor is on.”

The program will run again next summer from July to September. Anyone interested in learning more about the program and the coalition’s other work can visit CoalitionToSaveHempsteadHarbor.org.

Photos courtesy Coalition to Save Hempstead Around 100 volunteers dedicated their time and energy to helping the oyster program this summer.
This is the third consecutive year of the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor’s oyster program.
Oysters are natural filters, removing nitrogen from the water.

Elder Law Estate Planning Misconceptions

One of the most common and devastating misconceptions about elder law estate planning is that it is too late to save money from nursing home costs. On the contrary, there are crisis planning tools that may save substantial assets from being spent on nursing home costs, even after the client has already entered the nursing home. Almost always, if there are assets left, much can be saved. There are only three ways to pay for nursing home costs – your own assets, long-term care insurance (owned by less than five percent of the population), or Medicaid provided by the government.

Many people know about the “five-year look-back period” and assume nothing can be done without advance planning. The fiveyear look-back rule means that if you gave any gifts away within the last five years, when asking for Medicaid to pay for nursing home costs, the gift amount creates a penalty period, which results in a period of ineligibility for Medicaid coverage.

Despite the five-year look-back, New

York law allows people to protect assets from nursing home costs, even without pre-planning. For single applicants, you may be able to save about half of the assets through the “gift and loan” strategy. For married couples, where one spouse needs a nursing home, “spousal refusal” may protect substantial amounts of assets for the spouse at home. These techniques are discussed in detail at trustlaw.com, under “Practice Areas”, then “Medicaid Strategies”.

The five-year look-back rule does not affect eligibility of Medicaid home care, also known as “community” Medicaid. Currently, an applicant may transfer their assets out of their name and still qualify for home care in the next month.

Many assets, such as retirement accounts, rental properties and even the family home in certain cases, are exempt from Medicaid. The bottom line is that if someone you love is in failing health, the sooner you consult an elder law attorney the more you will likely be able to save assets.

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NEWS BRIEFS

Town officials gathered with members of the police department, representatives of

Mary’s High School, and Detective Jonathan Diller’s wife Stephanie to announce scholarship fund in the detective’s memory.

New scholarship in memory of Det. Diller

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato joined with New York Police Department officials and representatives from St. Mary’s High School to announce a scholarship fund in memory of Detective Jonathan Diller, who was murdered in the line of duty in March, leaving behind his wife Stephanie and a young child.

Saladino, alongside Stephane Diller, acknowledged Larry Weinberger, president of MGD Realty, for spearheading the scholarship initiative and contributing the first $5,000 to get it off the ground.

“The Town of Oyster Bay never forgets its hometown heroes, and Officer Diller sacrificed his life because of his bravery and undeterred commitment to serving the public and keeping us safe,” Saladino said. “He will forever be remembered as a hometown hero, and the Detective Jonathan Diller Scholarship Fund launched

today will ensure people will forever remember him.”

A 2010 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, Jonathan learned the importance of values, service, community and respect while achieving academic success. This well-rounded education was important to him and led him to a career in law enforcement. Stephanie and her family want others to have the same opportunity that Jonathan did at St. Mary’s, which led to the creation of this scholarship initiative.

Officials invited the public to help them reach the goal of $100,000 by attending a charitable fundraising event at Mulcahy’s, located at 3232 Railroad Ave in Wantagh, on Nov. 20 at 6:30pm, to help make this scholarship fund an even greater success. Local businesses are also invited to participate in the scholarship fund by calling MGD Realty at (516) 409-1800 in advance to make arrangements.

L et us K now

News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com

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Courtesy Town of Oyster Bay
St.
sea cliff/glen

I stand with you, working across party lines for commonsense solutions – from strengthening our border, and reinstating the SALT deduction, to protecting our air and water, I’ll always reject extremism and work to find solutions that make a difference for you and your family.

Endorsed by the Glen Cove and Nassau County PBAs

★ Secure the Border

★ Reinstate the SALT Deduction

★ Bringing Federal Dollars Back to Long Island

ANTHONY GRIMALDI

East Rockaway Senior Football

A RETURNING ALL-COUNTY selection, Grimaldi helped get the Rocks into the win column for the first time in 2024 on Sept. 21. He got East Rockaway’s 52-14 victory over Lawrence started with an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchddown and went on to make four more trips into the end zone. He had touchdown runs covering 45, 18, 75 and 1 yards and racked up 190 yards on the ground on 11 carries. He also leads the defense at linebacker.

GAMES TO WATCH

Friday, Oct. 4

Football: Seaford at Malverne

Football: V.S. South at Island Trees

Football: Wantagh at East Rockaway

Saturday, Oct. 5

Boys Soccer: Academy Charter at Uniondale

Boys Soccer: Seaford at Lawrence

Girls Soccer: Clarke at V.S. South

Girls Soccer: Uniondale at Malv/East Rockaway

Girls Soccer: Elmont at Freeport

Boys Soccer: Bellport at Kennedy

Football: Mepham at Carey

Football: New Hyde Park at Baldwin

Girls Volleyball: Plainedge at Elmont 11:45 a.m.

Girls Soccer: Lawrence at V.S. North 12:30 p.m.

Boys Soccer: V.S. Central at Mepham 2 p.m.

Football: MacArthur at Calhoun 2 p.m.

Football: Plainedge at North Shore 2 p.m.

Football: Oyster Bay at West Hempstead 2:30 p.m.

Football: Floral Park at Lynbrook 3 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Freeport 3 p.m.

Football: Hempstead at Uniondale 3 p.m.

Football: Massapequa at East Meadow 3 p.m.

Football: Long Beach at Glen Cove 6:30 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.

HERALD SPORTS

Storybook start for North Shore

It’s been a storybook start for the North Shore girls’ volleyball team.

Its new coach, Dani Bleiweiss, a 2018 North Shore graduate, has come in to lead the Vikings to a stunning 7-0 start.

Bleiweiss, who works as a marketing rep in Manhattan, replaced longtime coach Tracey Iacovelli, who had ruled the program for 23 years with 200-plus career wins.

Bleiweiss had been the assistant for the last two seasons, but this was her first crack at a high school head-coaching job. She has been a travel volleyball coach, too.

“It’s been great,’’ she said. “Six days a week is better than travel. You get so much time to teach the girls and connect with them and help them come their best self on court and off the court. It’s been a real good energy this season from all the girls. I’m really excited to give them everything I know so they can be the best they can be.’’

North Shore went 8-10 last season and suffered heavy losses to graduation, including top 50 Long Island player, Ava Difeo, and All-County Lindsay Fales. So the unbeaten start has been the biggest surprise in Nassau County.

Bleiweiss played at Cortland State, sharing the same alma-mater as Iacovelli. She’s being allowed to work shorter hours by her marketing firm to guide the Vikings as coach. She still lives in Glen Head.

“It was truly a pleasure working with Tracey the past two years and I hope to do even an ounce of what she has done for the North Shore program in all her years coaching,’’ Bleiweiss said. “I’m excited for what is to come.’’

Senior outside hitter Caroline Ledden and freshman Devyn Mandell have been the top weapons but the biggest lift comes at libero, where senior Anneliese Broccolo returned after missing last season because of brain surgery.

More than a year ago, Broccolo had surgery for a rare ailment, Brain Chiari Malformation, and was reduced to being the team manager as she recovered. Now Broccolo platoons at libero with returning All-

County Honorable mention Nora Solomon. Broccolo’s inspiring journey has been an immeasurable asset but she sees the whole unit as perfectly in sync. “From the beginning of the season and tryouts, the team clicked right away,’’ Broccolo said.

“All of our teammates are from different grades but we all have great teammate connection. That helps on the court and keeps our energy up. If we’re falling behind a bit, we can get the energy up.”

Broccolo is one of five seniors but the play of a freshman, Mandell, has been eye opening. She started last year as a middle blocker.

Mandell, who is top ten in blocks in

Nassau County with 15, may have saved North Shore from defeat in a game against Valley Stream North on Sept. 21.

North Shore was down 15-3 in the first set when she became to serve and reeled off a big streak of points. North Shore won the first set and the match.

Other seniors include Julianna Gaeta and middle blocker Olivia Bellocco. Junior setter Hailey Sanchez is also having a big impact. In a Sept. 24 win over Bethpage, Sanchez collected 13 assists.

“They work as a team,’’ Bleiweiss said. “Caroline and Devyn have their kills because of Hailey. She’s doing a great job this season.’’

Derrick Dingle/Herald
Senior outside hitter Caroline Ledden plays a vital offensive role for the Vikings, who entered October with a perfect 7-0 mark.

Voting primer: A guide to making sure you’re counted

With Election Day, Nov. 5, as well as early voting, Oct. 26 to Nov. 3, rapidly approaching, this guide offers essential information about voting in Nassau and Suffolk counties as well as details on voter eligibility, registration, voting procedures, and absentee voting.

Information for this guide was collected through the League of Women Voters of Nassau County and the Nassau and Suffolk County boards of elections.

Am I eligible to vote?

In order to be eligible to vote, you must:

■ Be a United States citizen.

■ Be at least 18 years old (you can pre-register at 16 or 17).

■ Live in the county, city, or village for at least 30 days before an election.

■ Not be incarcerated for a felony conviction

■ Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.

How do you vote in the general election?

In order to vote in a general election in the U.S., you must be registered before Election Day. To find your polling place in Nassau, go to NassauCountyNy. gov/566/Board-of-Elections. In Suffolk, SuffolkCountyNy.gov/Departments/BOE.

Where/how do I register?

You can register to vote by:

■ Filling out a voter registration form found on either county’s Board of Elections website or the New York State Board of Elections website (at least 25 days before the election)

■ Registering in person at some public agencies.

■ Visiting the Nassau County Board of Elections from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. You’ll receive a confirmation card within two to six weeks. If you don’t receive it, call (516) 571-2411 to check on your application.

There are three ways for voters to cast a ballot in this year’s elections:

■ In person, during early voting, at any one of the 28 early voting locations or on Election Day at your designated polling place.

■ By mail – By early mail ballot or by absentee ballot. To request a ballot, go to Eections.Ny.Gov/request-ballot.

■ For military and oversees voting, go to Elections. Ny.Gov/military-and-overseas-federal-voting.

Do I need to register every year?

No, you’re permanently registered once you’ve registered. However, you need to submit a new application if your name, address, or party changes. If you move, notify the County Board of Elections and re-register.

Should I register with one political party?

You are not obligated to join a political party, however, according to the League of Women’s Voters, “Declaring a party allows you to vote in that party’s primary election, which in New York State is open only to party members.” Enrolled party members can also sign nomination petitions. It’s also important to mention that registering with a party doesn’t mean you have to vote for that party’s candidates. You’re always free to vote for any candidate in general elections.

What is early voting?

Early voting allows people to cast their ballots before Election Day. Early voting also allows voters to go to locations that are closer, like public libraries, public buildings, or community centers. However,

these locations will be different from your assigned Election Day polling place.

When and where does early voting take place?

Hours are:

■ Most days: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

■ Oct. 28: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

■ Oct. 29 and 30: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Check each county’s Board of Elections website for specific locations or location changes.

How do I know where to vote on Election Day?

In order to know where to vote you must look up your polling place, which can be found by entering your county, first and last name, date of birth, and zip code on the New York State Poll Site Search website. This site also tracks voter registration and absentee ballots.

Linda Devin-Sheehan, a board member of the Suffolk League of Women Voters, at the voter registration drive on the Stony Brook University campus on Sept. 11.

Can I still vote if I won’t be able to go to a polling place?

Yes, you can vote by absentee ballot if you’re unable to vote in person due to:

■ Not being in the county or New York City on Election Day

■ Temporary or permanent illness or physical disability

■ Primary care duties for ill or physically disabled individuals

■ Being a patient or inmate in a Veterans’ Administration Hospital

■ Detention in jail/prison (awaiting trial, grand jury action, or serving time for a non-felony conviction).

What is an absentee ballot?

An absentee ballot allows you to cast your vote if you can’t make it to your polling place on Election Day. It’s the same ballot you would receive if you voted in person. However, you can fill it out at home and mail it back or drop it off at the County Board of Elections or at an early polling place.

How do I request an absentee ballot?

To request an absentee ballot you can:

■ Download and fill out the Absentee Ballot Application from the New York State Board of Elections website.

■ Send a letter by mail to: Nassau County Board of Elections at P.O. Box 9002, Mineola, NY 11501 or Suffolk County Board of Elections PO Box 700, Yaphank, NY 11980.

■ In the letter, you must include:

■ Your name and date of birth.

■ The address where you are registered.

■ The reason for the request.

Remember, the Nassau County Board of Elections will take absentee ballots up to 10 days before the election. Under normal circumstances, the Suffolk County Board of Elections will send out ballots between one and three days after receiving an application.

Anjolique Powell is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism Working Newsroom program for students and local media.

A facsimile of a New York state voter registration.
Photos courtesy Gabby Daniels

No decision yet on Jupiter Power’s proposal

the recommendation, and the town can adopt the new local law” she added.

Residents, many of whom have actively opposed the project since its introduction, welcomed the extension but remain steadfast in their objections. At the Tuesday town board meeting, residents voiced concerns about potential risks, including fire hazards, environmental contamination, and insufficient transparency from Jupiter Power.

Christine Pangeca, a Glenwood Landing resident, spoke at the most recent board meeting, emphasizing that while renewable energy was a laudable effort, it could not come at the expense of the residents of the area.

“It’s imperative to ensure that said promises do not come at the expense of our public health, safety, or environmental integrity,” Pangeca said. “Let’s wait before it’s too late, and let’s pause for a good cause; our health and safety.”

Pangeca also highlighted the potential long-term environmental risks, particularly the impact on Hempstead Harbor and Long Island’s aquifers.

“No long-term residential studies exist proving regular operations or the impact of disasters are safe for residents or sole source Long Island aquifer, communities or the environment,” she said. “In fact, studies are just commencing on the impact of lithium to drinking water, and we all know the harmful effects and environmental impacts of mining for battery metals, the toxic plumes from fires, exposures and thermal runways, along with their forever chemicals and the landfills we’ll have at the end of life for these facilities.”

Robert Mazzola, a resident of Glen Head and a representative of the Glen Head-Glenwood Landing Civic Council, called for an extension of the moratorium, cit-

52nd

52nd

Ju piter Power is committed to a comprehensive local community engagement process for the Oyster Shore Energy project, as with all our projects.

Senior associate for communications and public affairs, Jupiter Power

ing a lack of clear information and planning from Jupiter Power. He especially emphasized the need for longterm studies on the impact of a lithium battery storage unit on people and the environment.

“I’m here to reiterate our civic organization’s strongly support an extension of the town’s moratorium on these facilities,” Mazzola said. “We strongly believe that lithium battery facilities should not be placed in any community until local towns have the time to review long-term studies that show these facilities are not jeopardizing the health and safety of our neighbors, children, volunteer firefighters and environment.”

Residents have also expressed frustration over what they perceive as a lack of transparency from Jupiter Power. Pangeca noted that the company declined to attend a recent community town hall, leaving many questions unanswered.

Following the meeting, Maggie Glynn, senior associate for communications and public affairs at Jupiter, released a statement reaffirming the company’s focus on engaging with local communities and open transparency.

“Jupiter Power is committed to a comprehensive local community engagement process for the Oyster Shore Energy project, as with all of our projects,” the state-

Sea Cliff Mini Mart

Sea Cliff Mini Mart

ment read. “In May, Jupiter Power hosted two public open houses in Glenwood Landing and is planning another event later this year.”

The proposed Oyster Shore Energy Storage facility is part of a broader push to increase renewable energy storage capacity across New York, aligning with state efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. However, critics argue that the technology is still too new and unproven, with significant safety risks that need to be addressed before such projects are built near residential areas.

“I think we can all agree that we need renewable energy, but the only renewable energy currently before us is not safe or clean energy,” said Christina Kramer, president of Protect Our Coast Long Island New York, a nonprofit organization focused on safeguarding the coast and local environment. “Public health and safety standard impacts are directly attributable to battery storage, including toxicity and fire risks hazards associated with large scale lithium-ion batteries can be categorized into electrical, thermal and mechanical types.”

In the previous statement by Glynn, Jupiter also asserted that the project would pose no health or environmental risk to residents, and even claimed that the new storage unit could improve the area financially and environmentally.

“Oyster Shore Energy is an ambitious clean energy project that will accelerate the clean-up of a contaminated oil terminal and, if approved, could substantially reduce current environmental risks to Hempstead Harbor,” the statement read, although it did not explain how. “The project would create jobs and increase local government revenues relative to the current oil terminal.”

Saladino and the town board voted unanimously to temporarily extend the moratorium, until such time as the planning commission and the board can make an informed decision.

Sea Cliff Mini Mart

ANNIVERSARY

Managed by North Shore Kiwanis

Managed by North Shore Kiwanis

Sunday, October 6th (Rain or Shine) 10 am to 5 pm

Sunday, October 6th (Rain or Shine) 10 am to 5 pm

Managed by North Shore Kiwanis

Sunday, October 6th (Rain or Shine) 10 am to 5 pm

Enjoy the Picturesque Village of Sea Cliff at it’s 52nd Art and Craft Festival on Sea Cliff Avenue.

Enjoy the Picturesque Village of Sea Cliff at it’s 52nd Art and Craft Festival on Sea Cliff Avenue.

Enjoy the Picturesque Village of Sea Cliff at it’s 52nd Art and Craft Festival on Sea Cliff Avenue.

One of Long Island’s largest fairs over 200 local exhibitors and food vendors.

One of Long Island’s largest fairs over 200 local exhibitors and food vendors.

FREE ADMISSION

For the safety of your dog, children, and vendors, no dogs permitted *

One of Long Island’s largest fairs over 200 local exhibitors and food vendors.

FREE ADMISSION

*Except for service dogs

For the safety of your dog, children, and vendors, no dogs permitted *

FREE ADMISSION

*Except for service dogs

For the safety of your dog, children, and vendors, no dogs permitted.*

*Except for service dogs

Sea Cliff Mini-Mart Inc.

Celebrating 10 years of serving our community as The Safe Center!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2024

Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, NY

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS COST $250 SPONSORSHIPS AND TICKET PACKAGES AVAILABLE!

If you are unable to join us, please consider making a donation in honor of our 10th Anniversary!

Scan QR code, visit TSCLIGala.org, or call 516.465.4774 to donate or purchase tickets.

HERALD SCHOOLS

Passing the torch at Glen Head

Students, faculty, and staff at Glen Head Elementary School gathered on the blacktop for their annual Convocation Ceremony, where a paper torch was passed from fifth graders to the younger scholars, including a new generation of Pre-K students joining the event for the first time. This ceremony signifies a longstanding tradition of welcome at the school.

During the morning assembly, Principal Tom Sheehan addressed the students, faculty, and staff, expressing excitement for the upcoming school year. He invited K-5 students who were new to Glen Head to introduce themselves, as it is also his first year in the role. Sheehan emphasized that the 2024-25 school year would be a great one and that the school community is like a “family.”

The ceremony featured the fifth graders finding the younger students in kindergarten to participate in the torch-passing ritual, which culminated in the torch being “lit” as it was passed from sibling to sibling.

Teachers at Glen Head Elementary also performed a song titled “I Can Be Me!” showcasing their favorite pastimes. Dressed in attire reflecting their hobbies, the faculty acted out activities such as baking, making balloon animals, snorkeling, jumping rope, and playing pickleball with Sheehan, much to the delight of the students in attendance.

Students ‘lit’

Teachers sang a song titled ‘I

Photos courtesy North Shore School District
Glen Head Elementary School students gathered with faculty to pass the torch to the next generation of young learners.
a torch to symbolize welcoming their new classmates to Glen Head Elementary.
Can Be Me!’ as part of the ceremony.

North Shore student shines in math

North Shore Middle School Student Miranda Zhang was presented with the 2024 Young Women in Mathematics Award this summer.

Zhang was presented the award following her perfect score on the AMC 8 exam, which is a national math competition set to challenge students who are in eighth grade or younger. Kimberly Mattes, the North Shore Director of Mathematics K-12 said Zhang took the exam when she was in sixth grade and blew away expectations.

“The AMC8 is for eighth graders and younger but the content of the exam is really supposed to challenge eighth graders,” Mattes said. “ She took it as a sixth grader and got a perfect score, which is really impressive and hard to do, there are many high level eighth graders that would take this exam and not get a perfect score.”

mathematics at Stanford University. Mirzahani was known for achieving so much throughout mathematics at a young age. Mirzakhani was the first female honored with the Fields Medal, the most prestigious award in mathematics. She also was an International Mathematical Olympiad gold medalist with a perfect score.

The American Mathematics Competition is a series of three exams run by the Mathematics Association of America. The exams focus on problemsolving skills and content knowledge in middle and high school students. The AMC 8 exam is a 25 question, 40 minute, multiple choice exam that is designed to promote the development of competitive math problem solving skills.

Specifically, Zhang was given the Maryam Mirzakhani AMC 8 Award. The award is named after Maryam Mirzakhani, a former professor of

Zhang was one of 42 students nationwide to be recognized with the Young Women in Mathematics Award and the only student out of the 40 North Shore Middle School students to be recognized with the award. Mattes says that the fact she was in sixth grade doing all of this makes it even more impressive.

“Miranda’s 25 out of 25 puts her in the top 1% of test takes nationwide,”

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said Mattes. “The top 1% is anyone who got a 22 out of 25 or higher and on top of that sixth graders are eligible to be recognized if they received a 15 out of 25 on the exam.

Miranda is currently a seventh grade student and is continuing to try and exceed expectations in mathematics. She will be participating in the AMC 10 in November. The AMC 10 is the second

of the three national tests and is for tenth grade students and below.

“Miranda’s success reflects her dedication to learning both inside and outside of the classroom, as well as her remarkable intellect,” stated her North Shore Middle School math teacher Michelle Canavan. “This achievement is only a glimpse of the bright future that lies ahead for her.”

OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, November 17 at 1 PM

Photos courtesy North Shore School District
North Shore Middle School Assistant Principal Maram Mabrouk, left. Miranda Zhang, Director of Mathematics K-12 Kimberly Mattes and North Shore Middle School Principal Ryan O’Hara celebrate Zhang’s achievement
Mirana Zhang is the 2024 Young Women in Mathematics Award Winner

New store Dreams West opens in Sea Cliff

A sanctuary dedicated to fostering peace, love, and harmony, - that is the mission of Dreams West, the new store located on Sea Cliff Avenue, according to owner Aimee DiBartolomeo.

Dreams West is a new location primarily focused on creating a nurturing environment for people to come together and explore their spiritual journeys. The new store offers workshops, tarot readings, sound healing and many other events for the community to come and enjoy.

“The main point of opening the store was to give the people of the community a place to come and decompress,” DiBartolomeo said. “Life is so crazy,and we’re always busy running around doing things so this place offers somewhere to go to escape and enjoy the community, participate in workshops and bring an atmosphere and vibe to the community that everyone can enjoy.”

The origin for the idea came when the store Dreams East was permanently closed down. The store offered many of the same things that Dreams West is hoping to accomplish.

“I was a big fan of Dreams East when I was a kid,” DiBartolomeo said. “When it went out of business I felt like a part of me was missing. I wanted to bring it back to the town of Sea Cliff and hopefully bring it back a little better. I changed some things, updated the shop but I wanted to recreate that same vibe that me and my friends used to love when we

were kids.”

The store first opened the week of Sept. 22 and, according to DiBartolomeo, is already very busy, hosting workshops almost every night with the goal of trying to bring the community together to come and decompress.

“We have a lot of events coming up throughout the upcoming weeks,” said DiBartolomeo. “We are doing a sound healing event, a Course in Miracles book club event that meets here, kundalini yoga meets here every Monday, a blanket-making event, as well as workshops throughout the week, so we are really trying to open our store up and give something for everyone to come down and take part in.”

The store also sells merchandise and other items like crystals and incense, tarot cards, clothing and gift items as well as handmade unique items. The retail store is open Wednesdays through Sundays with all items available for in-store purchase only. DiBartolomeo says drew inspiration for in-store items from her memories of Dreams East when she was a kid.

“I remember going in and getting my first pair of birkenstocks when I was a kid,” DiBartolomeo said. “My friends and I would go in and look around the shop purchase items get a reading done and it really created some of my fonest memories, and I really wanted to bring it back with some refreshed items and services.”

The store will hold a ribbon cutting on Oct. 19 at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate its grand opening. There will be live music as well as new workshops for the public to come and try.

Courtesy Aimee DiBartolomo Dreams West hosts artistic workshops in addition to selling merchandise.

Gooden, residents combine for a winning walk

Community members in Nassau County laced up their walking shoes last weekend to join the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America for its annual Alzheimer’s Walk in the Park, held on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon in Eisenhower Park. The event, filled with community spirit, saw New York baseball icon Dwight Gooden participating in the opening ceremonies, signing autographs, and taking photos with walkers.

The walk, held at Field 6 of Eisenhower Park, was a free event open to all, with participants encouraged to raise funds either individually or as part of a team. Funds raised through the walk will support AFA’s programs and services for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and contribute to research for better treatments and a cure.

Gooden, a former Cy Young Award winner and World Series champion with the Mets and Yankees, served as the event’s honorary Alzheimer’s Ambassador.

“When I was invited to be an ambassador for this walk, I immediately said yes because I know about the impact that Alzheimer’s disease has on many families,” he said. “I’m grateful to have helped raise awareness and support families impacted by this disease.”

Participants who raised at least $100 had the opportunity to meet Gooden and receive an autographed baseball. Those who raised $250 or more enjoyed a professional photo opportunity with the baseball legend.

Sponsorship opportunities were also available for businesses and individuals who wanted to support the cause, contributing to the overall success of the event.

Alzheimer’s disease continues to be a pressing public health issue, with over 6.9 million Americans currently living with the disease — a number expected to more

The Nassau County community took part in the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s annual walk at Eisenhower Park on Sept. 28 — taking steps, and raising funds, for research into the deadly disease.

than double by 2060. In New York alone, approximately 410,000 residents, including an estimated 60,000 Long Islanders, are affected.

The funds raised from the walk will make a tremendous difference for families affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

“The funds and awareness raised will make a tremen-

dous difference for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses in their time of need,” Chuck Fuschillo, the foundation’s president and chief executive, said. “We are grateful to Dwight Gooden for serving as our honorary Alzheimer’s Ambassador for the event and invite everyone to help us strikeout Alzheimer’s.”

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Steve Aoki fans ‘get caked’ at Eisenhower Park

Nassau County welcomed world-renowned DJ Steve Aoki last weekend at its Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park — drawing a crowd of over 30,000 fans who came out for an energetic show that closed out the county’s summer concert series.

Aoki is a well-known music producer and entrepreneur — famous for his high-energy performances and crowd interaction. He’s

known for throwing cakes into the audience, crowdsurfing on inflatable rafts, and delivering electric dance music sets. Aoki has released numerous studio albums, including “Neon Future” and “Kolony,” collaborating with artists from different genres. His style of music makes him a versatile figure in the EDM scene.

In addition to his music career, Aoki runs his own

record label, Dim Mak, which has launched the careers of several major artists. He’s also involved in philanthropic efforts, notably through the Aoki Foundation, which supports brain research and other charitable causes. Aoki’s concerts are usually packed with high-octane visuals, lights, and sounds that create a festival-like atmosphere.

“30,000 people came out

last night Steve Aoki at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater in Eisenhower Park,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman wrote on his Facebook page. “Thank you to our sponsor NYU Langone Health. And thank you to our law enforcement and first responders for keeping everyone who attended safe during the concert.”

Justine Stefanelli/Herald
Legendary DJ, music producer and entrepreneur Steve Aoki took to the stage in Eisenhower Park last week — entertaining a package house at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre.
Over 30,000 fans packed into the fields around the theatre to watch the free show, sponsored by NYU Langone Health.

STEPPING OUT

Mandy Patinkin talks

‘The

Princess Bride’

A gourd-geous display:

Journey with jack-o’-lanterns

Spectacular

pumpkins light up the night for

the Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

As Halloween approaches, jack-o’-lanterns are making their appearance throughout our neighborhoods with their unique carvings once again. While we think of it as fall fun, in fact pumpkin carving dates back centuries as a way to ward off evil spirits with their spooky faces.

The beloved tradition gets a unique twist at the Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze, opening tomorrow at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. See pumpkins transformed into magnificent jack-o’lantern creations, illuminating a trail through the historic restored village for all to admire.

It all began in the Hudson Valley — at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson 19 years ago — conceived by the Westchester County cultural organization Historic Hudson Valley.

“About 20 years ago, we hit upon this idea of a display of jack-o’-lanterns, and we weren’t sure how people would respond to it. It was hugely popular. And so it has just expanded in a big way since then,” says Rob Schweitzer, Historic Hudson Valley’s vice president of communications and commerce.

• Friday through Sunday, Oct. 4-Nov. 3.

• Adult tickets start at $32; $10 children (ages 3-17)

• With limited capacity, entry is available only through advance online purchase of timed tickets or FLEX anytime tickets; no tickets are sold at the venue

• Purchase tickets at pumpkinblaze.org

Certainly a must-see during the season, the pumpkin trail is now in its fifth year on Long Island, with over 30 different installations. Over 7,000 jack-o’-lanterns carved by local artisans resulting in a larger-than-life themed pumpkin showcase — a mix of real and carvable foam — spanning a half-mile loop, enhanced with synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack for a fully immersive experience.

• Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage

“We have a team, 10 to 12 of us, that work together to make sure that we’re keeping the same consistency, the same quality, throughout the carvings,” Carol Hough, lead pumpkin carver, says.

Her team carves each week, swapping out old pumpkins with fresh ones. Carvers are creative with their tools to accommodate the high volume of pumpkins, using sheetrock knives and ice cream spades to get the job done, according to Hough.

Long Island history and culture are incorporated into the Blaze experience. Guests are welcomed by a 12-foot tall retro-style “Greetings from a Long Island” postcard made up of individually carved jack-o’-lanterns.

“What we like to do is really focus on the heritage of the location,” Schweitzer says.

Ever wonder what your favorite Long Island celebrity looked like as a pumpkin? The Blaze is the place to check out some pumpkin-face renderings of local personalities. Icons such as Billy Joel, Joan Jett, Jerry Seinfeld and Natalie Portman are on display.

“We have a Long Island Hall of Fame. These are large portraits, rendered in jack-o’-lanterns , of folks from Long Island that have done great things,” Schweitzer explains.

Among the locally themed installations, a functioning lighthouse replica of the Montauk Point Lighthouse, complete with a flashing beacon to light the way, is sure to attract attention. With history as a focus, it comes to no surprise that the Blaze would find its way to the historic village.

“We’ve looked at a lot of sites over the years and a lot of them have some good characteristics, but don’t have everything. Old Bethpage Village Restoration really had

everything,” Schweitzer says.

Of course, there are plenty of what one would consider Halloween staples that celebrate the spirit of the season, such as a 25-foot giant spider web and the Day of the Dead installation.

Hough is particularly fond of the Day of the Dead jack-o’-lantern tribute, among the new displays along this year’s trail.

“There are some skeletons and some sugar skulls. It’s really beautiful. I absolutely love it,” Hough says.

Other showstoppers include a thrilling pumpkin circus, a glowing Statue of Liberty, a pumpkin-filled Ferris wheel, and a planetarium. Plus, see a tribute to First Responders. This display involves carved jack-o’-lanterns depicting a firefighter heroically putting out a flame, honoring the bravery and dedication of our local heroes.

“The concept for that really came out of the early period of the pandemic, there was a lot of focus on First Responders and our healthcare workers and those on the front lines of dealing with the pandemic. It’s something that we’ve continued to celebrate,” says Schweitzer.

There’s so more to the trail than just carvings. Lighting and sound are integral to the Blaze experience. Each installation is depicted with an original score to create the perfect ambience.

Volunteers from local scout troops and high school honor societies are also involved, assisting in lighting the lanterns that line the path.

Also new this year, the Blaze is offering custom-made pumpkins to order. Surprise a special someone with a custom-carved pumpkin, displayed at the new Celebration Arch. Reservations are limited and must be made seven days in advance.

So carve out some time, there’s a pumpkin creation for everyone at the Blaze.

As Schweitzer says: “It’s really an event you can just go and relax and smile at. It genuinely is something that appeals to all ages.”

For an extra fall treat, stop by the Café Blaze for some yummy cider donuts and pumpkin beer. And check out the nightly pumpkin carving. It may inspire you to do create you own special seasonal décor at home.

One of Mandy Patinkin’s memorable roles — certainly one that lives on as beloved piece of pop culture — is his turn in the 1987 fantasy “The Princess Bride.” He played a man bent on revenge (“Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!”). It performed only so-so at the box office back then, but it’s come to be one of the most beloved movies of the 1980s. Relive all the fun — and Patinkin’s masterful portrayal of the Spanish swordsman — when the actor pops by Tilles Center for a special film screening, followed by a 45-minute conversation. His son Gideon Grody-Patinkin — who has contributed to the family legacy since he began filming his father and mother, actress-writer Kathryn Grody, during the pandemic and posting their interactions on TikTok — moderates.

Saturday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd. Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org.

Everclear

Everclear, one of the leading alternative rock bands to emerge from the ‘90s, led by vocalist-guitarist-founder Art Alexakis, is back on the road. The band is joined by special guests Marcy Playground and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack. The setlist for this tour includes all the hits from their extraordinary three decades-long catalog, spotlighting tracks off their album “Songs From An American Movie Vol. One,” to be released on vinyl later this year for the first time via Intervention Records. Since forming in 1992, Everclear has enjoyed a lengthy career by any measure, beginning with their major-label debut, 1995’s platinumselling album “Sparkle and Fade,” and its massive chart-topping hit “Santa Monica,” Everclear was soon a household name and catapulted into the masses.

Sunday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m. $70.50, $50.50, $30.50, $25.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

Photos courtesy Historic Hudson Valley Thousands of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns light up the night as the Halloween spirit is all a-glow, with Old Bethpage Village’s 19th century buildings and historic barns as a backdrop.

Tom Colicchio on ‘why he cooks’

Get an unprecedented look insights into the life of America’s top chef when Tom Colicchio brings his “Why I Cook” book tour to the Paramount stage, Saturday, oct. 12, 2 p.m. Part memoir-part cookbook, Colicchio’s newest book shares an exclusive look inside the mind and kitchen of the beloved restaurateur multipleJames Beard and Emmy Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and television personality. Colicchio cooked his first recipe at 13-years-old — a stuffed eggplant from an issue of Cuisine magazine that he picked up out of boredom — and it changed his life. Through 10 memoir chapters and 60 recipes, “Why I Cook” shares Tom’s personal reflections of more than 40 years behind the stove. From pre-dawn fishing excursions with his grandfather to running the flat-top at the snack shack of the local swim club, to finding his way as a young chef in New York City, Tom chronicles the dishes and memories that have shaped him as a person and chef.

Through these meaningful dishes, gorgeous recipe shots, and images from Tom’s childhood, “Why I Cook” is the most personal look into Tom’s life yet. He recounts the extraordinary personal journey that brought him from his working-class Italian background in Elizabeth, N.J., to the award-winning kitchens of New York City’s best restaurants, to the set of “Top Chef” and the stage of the Emmy Awards, among his many endeavors. $95, $65, $54, $35. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Traditional Classic Italian Dishes

Home of the Original Grandma Slice

• Full Bar

• Happy Hour 3:30 to 5:30

• Take Out and Delivery

• Outdoor Seating

• Farm to Table

• Catering

• Private Parties

• Event Space

Martini Monday $10 Martinis

Tequila Tuesday $5 Margaritas

Wine Wednesday $8 Wine/Glass

Ladies Night Thursday

Saturday and Sunday 12-5 Bottomless Mimosa/Spritzer

Oct. 9

Hempstead House tour

Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Wednesday, oct. 9, noon-1 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for another storybook adventure, Saturday, oct. 5, 10:30-11:30

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.

Bird walk

See some birds with the South Shore Audubon Society. All are welcome to join members for the next in its series of bird walks, at Point Lookout Town Park, Sunday, Oct. 6, starting at 9 a.m. Meet in the southeast corner of the large parking lot on the south side of Point Lookout Town Park and will walk east along the beach toward Jones Inlet. After the beach walk, everyone will return to the parking lot, and drive west on Lido Boulevard to Lido Beach Passive Nature Preserve to walk through the bay marsh. Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. No walk if rain. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit SSAudubon. org.

Having an event?

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program returns for a new season, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.

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

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

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

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

Capital Fools

Washington, D.C.’s premier political satire group Capitol Fools bring their musical parody show to the Adelphi University stage, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m. The Capitol Fools hold up a mirror to today’s crazy political culture, providing hilarious song parodies and reflections that continue to inspire laughter amid the contentious presidential election season. Former members of the Capitol Steps perform all their beloved bits, along with backward-talking spoonerisms, breakneck costume changes, over-the-top impressions and all-new song parodies reflecting today’s news headlines. $20. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/ pac.

Glass to 7 Years of Flavor, Passion & Community

Monday: 1/2 Priced Bottles of wine

$25 Per Person Bottomless Mussels

Tuesday:

$5 Margaritas

$2 Pineapple Tequila Shots

Wednesday: Whisky Flights From $15-$100 Thursday:

$5 Well Martinis

Monday - Friday Happy Hour 4PM-6PM

Monday - Thursday Prix Fix Specials

4 for Forty: Four-course meal for $40

Town imposes harvesting freeze on shellfish

In an effort to study and boost the local clam and oyster population, the Town of Oyster Bay approved a temporary 6-month shellfish harvesting moratorium on 1,850 acres of underwater land in Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor. These lands, previously leased and harvested by a commercial shellfish harvesting company, must be studied to understand the impact of decadeslong harvesting on the sea bottom while laying the groundwork for repopulating local waters with baby clams and oysters. Annually, the Town of Oyster Bay populates these waters with millions of baby shellfish.

“Friends of the Bay and local environmental groups have all asked for and helped us in this process. This temporary moratorium will help us strengthen the health of the harbor while not impacting any current shellfish harvesting by local baymen on the more than 4,000 acres they currently fish,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “Harvesting in public waters will continue as currently allowed, with no changes to access or regulations, ensuring that local baymen and recreational anglers/shellfish harvesters can continue their activities without any disruption.”

On Oct. 1 the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Environmental Resources will temporarily prevent

shellfish harvesting activities on 1,850 acres to comprehensively evaluate bay bottom conditions. Shellfish density and sediment surveys will provide the data-driven foundation for developing effective strategy for all harbor users.

Due to lease agreements first entered nearly 100 years ago, the Town of Oyster Bay has been unable to study these underwater lands during the lease period.

The temporary moratorium will provide the necessary time to collect scientific data on shellfish populations, sediment conditions, and overall ecosystem health—critical information that is currently unknown and essential for informed management. Similar moratoriums have been effectively used in other states, such as Florida, Louisiana, and Virginia, to protect marine resources and develop restoration strategies.

To obtain input from residents and environmental advocates regarding this temporary moratorium, the Town Board hosted a public hearing on Aug. 13. Friends of the Bay, a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization, and employees from the Department of Environmental Resources expressed support for such a temporary moratorium based on their extensive professional experience in the field.

DTHE GREAT BOOK GURU NEWS BRIEFS

A Twisted Tale

ear Great Book Guru, I heard recently there are some great books out that are based on Charles Dickens’s novels but set in present time. Sounds very interesting…are you familiar with them?

Lover of Dickens

Dear Lover of Dickens, Yes - I just finished “Demon Copperhead” by the awardwinning author Barbara Kingsolver, and it was great! Based on Dickens’s “David Copperfield,” this novel is set in present time Appalachia – Lee County, Virginia and many of the same issues Dickens’s addressed in 1800’s London are covered here.

harshly cruel man who abuses her and tortures Demon. She soon falls back into addiction and dies leaving Demon in the care of his stepfather who turns him over to a corrupt, dehumanizing foster care system.

Demon Copperhead - born Damon Fields - to a young drug addicted mother - tells his life story from birth to adulthood and quite a story it is. His first years are spent with his mother and although impoverished, the pair are relatively happy.

This somewhat secure existence comes to an end when she marries Stoner, a

Volunteers

to plant dune grass at TOBAY

The Town of Oyster Bay will host a fall ‘Dune Day’ initiative on Oct. 13 at TOBAY Beach, beginning at 10 a.m. The dune planting program, held annually in the spring, is being added this fall after a major storm washed away much of the TOBAY shoreline in advance of the summer. To save the summer season for town residents, officials replenished the beach with 33,000 tons of sand in advance of the summer.

“After we successfully rebuilt much of our shoreline to ensure our residents could enjoy their summer at TOBAY Beach, our town looked into securing grant funding for new dune grass so a fol-

Demon goes from one bad situation to the next when a sports injury causes him to become addicted to doctor-prescribed painkillers.

Along the way he encounters a few caring adults, but, for the most part, family, friends, and community fail him, and it is only through his own perseverance that he manages to survive.

Like Dickens’s David, our Demon fights many demons not of his making - but those created by failures of society and its institutions. A painful tale but a very worthwhile read and highly recommended!

Would you like to ask the Great Book Guru for a book suggestion? Contact her at annmdipietro@gmail.com.

low up planting program could take place in the fall to help further protect the new dunes that were constructe,” explained Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. The Dune Stabilization Project helps preserve the beach and barrier island as dunes along the south shore continue to face environmentally damaging storms that can have a significant impact on the beach.

To register in advance as a volunteer, residents can visit OysterBayTown.com/ volunteerform. For additional information, contact the Department of Environmental Resources at (516) 677-5943 or email Environmental@oysterbay-ny.gov.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED LOCAL LAW A-2024

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF BROOKVILLE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before and by the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Brookville, Nassau County, New York on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Hall located at 18 Horse Hill Road, Brookville, New York 11545.

The hearing will be on whether to enact proposed Local Law A-2024, “Noise,” which will amend Chapter 134, entitled “Noise,” of the Code of the Incorporated Village of Brookville to provide definitions for and clarifications of the existing regulations and to also provide for additional noise restrictions to ensure that the tranquility, enjoyment and environment of the Village will be maintained.

A copy of the proposed Local Law A-2024 is on file at the Village Hall located at 18 Horse Hill Road, Brookville, New York, where it may be reviewed between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. during usual business days until the time of the hearing. All interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard at said hearing.

Dated: September 25, 2024 By Order of the Board of Trustees Winsome Citarella Village Clerk/Treasurer 149331

LEGAL NOTICE

The annual meeting for the Brookville Cemetery and Plot Holders will be held Friday, October 18, 2024 5:45 pm Youngs Farm. 149190

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS INC. VILLAGE OF BROOKVILLE NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

SEALED PROPOSALS will be received by the Village Clerk of the Village of Brookville, at the office of the Village Clerk, located at 18 Horse Hill Road, Brookville, Long Island, New York,11545, until 11:00 o’clock a.m. (Prevailing Time) on October 17, 2024 at which time, they will be publicly opened and read aloud and the contract awarded as soon thereafter as practical for: SNOW REMOVALVILLAGE ROADS 2024 CONTRACT NO. SR2024

Instructions to bidders, specifications, proposal sheets and form of contract may be seen or procured at the office of the Village Engineer, LiRo Engineers Inc., Consulting Engineers, 235 E. Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, Long Island, New York on and after 12:00 o’clock noon, October 3, 2024. A nonrefundable fee of ($50.00) dollars made payable to the Village of Brookville will be required for a copy of the plans, specifications, proposal and form of contract. Each proposal must be accompanied by either a certified check on a solvent bank or trust company or bid bond from a surety company acceptable to the Village, in an amount equal to $500.00, made payable to the Village of Brookville as assurance that the Contract will be executed if awarded to such bidder. The Contractor will be required to comply with the provisions of the Labor Laws of the State of New York.

Worker’s Compensation and public liability and property insurance will be required. The successful bidder will be required to enter into a contract for the performance of the work

in accordance with a schedule of rates.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informality in any bid and to accept such bid or bids as the Village Board deems most favorable to the interest of the Village after all bids have been examined and checked.

BY ORDER OF THE VILLAGE BOARD

Village of Brookville, New York

Winsome Citarella

Village Clerk

DATED:October 3, 2024

Brookville, New York 149332

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matters:

Agency:Planning Board, Village of Sea Cliff

Date: October 16, 2024

Time:7:00 pm

Place:Village Hall, 300 Sea Cliff Avenue, Sea Cliff, New York

Subject:Application of John and Mary Leitner, 14 Foster Place, Sea Cliff, New York, for (a) site plan approval pursuant to Village Code Chapter 107 to demolish an existing dwelling and construct a new dwelling with related improvements, and (b) a permit pursuant to Chapter 64 to construct a retaining wall in excess of four (4) feet in height. Premises are designated as Section 21, Block 197, Lot 20 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map. At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters. All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, Village Hall, 300 Sea Cliff Avenue, Sea Cliff, New York, during regular business hours.

Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance at, or participation in, the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation.

Dated: September 30, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE PLANNING BOARD 149330 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. WALTER F. VON HOLT, III, et al, Defts. Index #607341/2022. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered October 23, 2023, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on October 22, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a Section 21, Block 94, Lot 5, 17. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. The sale will take place “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. JUDGE SCOTT H. SILLER, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys.

#101796 149042

OPINIONS

Your lawn may be killing you — and many other creatures

You know those little yellow flags stuck on lawns in your neighborhood? Think of them as tombstones.

Those markers signify a recent application of pesticides, a broad category of chemicals designed to kill insects, weeds and fungi. There’s some evidence that they can kill animals and people, too.

Roundup, one of the most common herbicides, has been banned or restricted in some states and countries due to fears of its impact on human health and the environment. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is listed by the World Health Organization as a probable carcinogen.

Pesticides like this one are being applied with abandon on Long Island’s lawns, endangering the Island’s only aquifer while threatening the health of its human residents as well as the birds, bees and household pets that share our biosphere.

“Several types of cancer, immune-

Aresponse deficiencies, neurological diseases and birth defects have been associated with exposure to lawn chemicals,” a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publication states.

Suffolk County registered by far the heaviest doses of pesticides used among New York counties in 2021 — 6.5 million pounds, according to the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation. Nassau ranked as the sixth most chemically doused county, with 1.6 million pounds of pesticides used to keep homeowners’ grass weed- and bug-free.

PSociety of the United States, which included Trepanier’s comment in a report last year.

“Rates of lymphoma in pets of pesticide users are significantly higher than occurrences in the pets of non-chemical users,” the Mid-America Research Council added.

esticides are being applied with abandon on Long Island’s yards.

In reporting on the DEC finding, Newsday observed, “Far too much pesticide is poured to attain lawns that could be mistaken for putting greens, with far too little concern for the environment, experts say.”

Research shows clear links between herbicide exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and bladder cancer in humans, Lauren Trepanier, professor of internal medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, says. Both of those cancers are also common in dogs, notes the Human

Pretty much no living things — except lawn grass — co-exist well with pesticides. Butterflies, lightning bugs and honeybees, along with every other type of insect, are killed by chemicals that are advertised as fatal to mosquitoes.

In fact, scientists say we’re in the throes of an “insect apocalypse.” And if present death rates continue, they add, there won’t be any insects left alive a century from now. That will be bad news not only for the bugs themselves, but also for birds, flowers and food. Insects are responsible for pollinating 75 percent of all flowering plants, including about onethird of the crops consumed by humans.

Birds are experiencing just as precipitous a population decline as bugs. A study published in 2019 by Science, a research journal, found that 3 billion North American birds have died off

since 1970 — a loss of nearly 30 percent of their total numbers.

Pesticides kill birds both directly and indirectly. Birds ingest poisonous chemicals when they mistake pesticide granules for food, the New York Audubon Society points out. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute adds, “Birds that eat insects are literally at a loss when insecticides cause a drop in the number of insect prey available, especially when they have young to feed.”

But here’s some good news: The damage pesticides are doing to suburban environments, and the entire planet, can be greatly mitigated if homeowners like those on Long Island make a simple choice. They can replace their lawns (which are pretty to look at but otherwise useless) with shrubs, trees and native plant species that are well adapted to the local climate and pests. And they can save lots of time and money as well if they give Mother Nature the chance to reproduce benignly.

Kevin J. Kelley was a congressional staff member in the 1980s, and is a retired journalist and journalism professor who worked for newspapers in New York, Vermont and Kenya and taught at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. He lives in Atlantic Beach.

The best of times, the worst of times for women

s women ascend, does misogyny spike?

Let’s start with a quiz: Exactly what part of their bodies are men willing to enlarge or remove or bleach or burn or exfoliate or liposuction or disfigure with waxes and curling irons and injections and dyes? How many guys spend their time and money putting fat in and taking fat out in a never-ending pursuit of physical perfection? Do they obsess about injecting fat into their thinning lips or sucking fat out of their expanding behinds?

The answer is, not that many, especially when compared with the number of girls and women who willingly undergo painful medical procedures to meet standards of beauty promulgated by social media and a hard-to-change culture in which men often decide how women should look. Some women say they were miserable growing up because boys called them flat-chested. Others say all the guys did was stare at their big breasts. Some wanted enhancements. Some wanted reductions. But the frame of reference often was the approval of

boys and men.

This is not a new story, but there are new threads.

Now, apparently, small breasts are “in.” According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2023, more than 76,000 American women had elective breast-reduction surgery, a 64 percent increase from 2019. Who sets the standard? Often the values come from men rather than the women themselves.

Influencers who have enormous power over our teenagers send messages subliminal and overt, saying: You are not OK as you are. Something needs fixing.

TI hope the increasing numbers of patients are seeking the surgery for sound reasons, not as a fashion statement.

hey are empowered like never before, and being attacked like never before.

The New York Times ran a story last week, “The Power (and Relief) of a Smaller Bosom,” reporting that the number of women seeking breast-reduction surgery has increased, especially among those under 30.

Why are more and more young girls choosing surgery?

To be clear: Breast reduction is often necessary. Ultimately, it is a decision between a woman and her doctor. It’s a big deal; the procedure can cause scarring and loss of sensation, and it requires anesthesia. For many teenagers and women, it greatly changes their life for the better, but results are not guaranteed.

Looking out at the political and cultural panorama at this time and date, I see women empowered in unprecedented ways. And perhaps because of that new power, they are being attacked, also in unprecedented ways. As women ascend, as we elect women to Congress and perhaps the White House, there is a companion piece: a significant movement to keep women down, to deny them their rights, especially reproductive freedom. Much of the misogynistic rhetoric begins at the top, with a presidential candidate and his acolytes who demand laws that control women’s bodies and choices.

When I was 24, married three years, I became pregnant, had a miscarriage and a D and C — dilation and curettage — at a local hospital. Emotionally, it was wrenching. But from a medical point of view, it went smoothly. The doctor met us at the hospital. He did the procedure and I went home. I was healthy enough to have two healthy children in the following years.

Today, because of draconian abortion bans passed by mostly male politicians

in a number of states, and the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed the right to abortion, women who miscarry risk bleeding to death or suffering for hours before they can access basic life-saving treatment. Doctors are afraid to treat them. These measures are antiwoman, archaic and cruel.

By an accident of the time in which I lived my reproductive years, I had a safe post-miscarriage D and C. Now, 50 years later, we have fallen back to restrictive practices controlled by politicians, led by Donald Trump.

These threads connect in a tapestry of what it feels like to be a girl or woman today.

We need to be strong within ourselves to reject any messaging that tells us our bodies need fixes and surgeries. We have to be fiercely committed to women’s freedom to choose if and when to have children.

Pay attention to the messaging targeting women. Don’t sign up for surgery that alters your body without thoughtful screening and counseling. Don’t go for shortcuts, or any other kind of cuts, to achieve someone else’s standard of beauty.

Support individuals, and vote for individuals who see the ascendancy of women as fulfilling the promise of democracy.

Copyright 2024 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

RANDI KREISS
KEVIN J. KELLEY

Even in a deep blue state, your vote matters

As the Nov. 5 election approaches, we urge every eligible Long Islander to exercise his or her fundamental right, and fulfill a crucial civic duty, by voting. The importance of registering to vote and casting your ballot cannot be overstated, especially in an election year when so much is at stake — from immigration policy to a woman’s right to choose.

While it’s easy to assume that New York state’s presidential electoral votes are a foregone conclusion for Vice President Kamala Harris — the state has not voted in the majority for a Republican presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan in 1984 — this election is about far more than just the race for the White House. Our state and local races have profound implications not only for our daily lives and communities, but also for the future of the country.

Take for instance the race in the 4th Congressional District, right here on the South Shore of Nassau County, where incumbent U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican, faces former Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen, a Democrat. Experts consider this race to be one of the — if not the — most competitive in the entire country. The outcome of this single race could determine which party controls the House of Representatives. Yes, you read that correctly: Your vote in this local race could have national ramifications,

LETTERS

Peter King on the ‘horse race’

To the Editor:

Re Peter King’s column last week, “After all the drama, it’s a dead heat”: After a list of “totally unexpected” events, Mr. King, seemingly surprised, declares the presidential campaign to be a “horse race.” It is not, however, despite these events but because of them that the race is too close to call. The issues that are on the ballot have been submerged by the media’s excessive focus on those that are not.

Mr. King’s call for voters to focus is correct, though his recitation of the issues omits many and misplaces others. Missing, for example, are abortion, gun legislation, disinformation, voter suppression/ballot diversion, Project 2025 and DeSantis-Blakeman-style personal militias. Crime is real, Mr. King says, an indisputable statement, but as the evidence shows, ought not to head the list.

I share Mr. King’s sentiment about living up to “the responsibilities and challenges of living in a democracy” which should begin

helping determine the makeup of the legislative body that decides both national and international policies.

And your influence doesn’t stop there. State Senate and Assembly races, as well as local elections, will shape policies that affect our schools, taxes, infrastructure, and quality of life. These are the decisions that impact us most directly, yet they often receive the least attention from voters.

The power to influence these outcomes is in your hands, but only if you’re registered and ready to vote. If you haven’t registered yet, or if you need to update your registration, visit vote.gov by the registration deadline, Oct. 26. Not sure if you’re registered? Vote.gov can tell you that, too. The userfriendly website simplifies the process, ensuring that you’re prepared to make your voice heard on Election Day. You can also register at the county Board of Elections, at 240 Old Country Road in Mineola.

For those who can’t make it to the polls on Nov. 5, New York offers several alternatives. Early voting runs from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3, providing ample opportunity to cast your ballot at your convenience. Early voting locations can be found at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.

If you’re unable to vote in person, absentee voting is an option. You can request an absentee ballot by Oct. 26, at elections.ny.gov/request-ballot, or in

person, at the county Board of Elections, and return it by mail (postmarked by Nov. 5), or in person, at a polling location, by 9 p.m. on Election Day.

Democracy thrives on participation. When voter turnout is low, a small minority ends up making decisions for the entire community. By registering and voting, you ensure that your interests and values are represented at all levels of our government. Moreover, voting is a hard-won right that generations before us fought to secure and expand. Participating in elections honors their sacrifices and continues the work of strengthening our democracy.

In these politically charged times, it’s easy to believe that our individual votes don’t matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. Close races are sometimes decided by handfuls of votes, and every ballot cast sends a message about the issues that matter to our community.

You can educate yourself on the local issues and the candidates by reading the Herald. In the coming weeks, we will publish interviews with all of the candidates that are seeking your vote, so that you can cast an informed one.

Make your voice heard. Register to vote, encourage your friends and family to do the same, and show up to cast your ballot. Whether you choose to vote early, by mail or on Election Day, what matters most is that you participate.

concert, are shaping our future, and no one is excused.
BRIAN KELLY

OPINIONS

When will we finally say, ‘Enough’?

Iwas a junior at Plainedge High School, in North Massapequa, in 2018, when 17 people died and 17 others were injured in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida.

After the shooting, we wore orange to school — the color for protesting gun violence — and staged a walkout in solidarity with the school. We ran a fundraiser through the National Honor Society, from Plainedge to Parkland, to help a grieving community over a thousand miles away. And yet, it didn’t seem like enough. What words do you have to offer, thoughts you have to think, when something so senseless happens to people your age?

That year, everything changed. When we returned to classes in the fall of 2018, the front doors at Plainedge High had been changed to fortify the exterior. We weren’t permitted to enter or leave through any entrance except the main one, and we carried I.D. cards at all times.

But as demonstrated earlier this

month at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, sometimes no level of security is enough. It wasn’t enough at the Covenant School in Nashville last spring; it wasn’t enough in Uvalde, Texas, the year before. The list of schools and communities tarnished by acts of violence against children goes on and on, and at some point, I think we all can’t help but wonder: How many more?

Many will argue that guns aren’t the problem in America, and that instead we have a mental health crisis. I agree — we do. But the two are not mutually exclusive.

Erus pandemic, 1 in 5 children had a diagnosed mental health disorder. After 2020, surveys showed that 71 percent of parents said the pandemic had taken a toll on their child’s mental health — and things haven’t gotten much better since.

verything changed at Plainedge High in 2018 — but security isn’t enough.

Gun violence, and deaths related to it, have been on the rise. In 2020, gun violence claimed more lives than it had during any other year on record — more than 45,000. In 2022 it was the leading cause of death among U.S. children and teens between ages 1 and 19. Guns are a problem. But so is mental health.

The “mental health crisis” has long been Republicans’ scapegoat — their explanation for school shootings — and yet the party has done almost nothing to address their supposed concerns.

According to the American Psychological Association, before the coronavi-

LETTERS

Congressman D’Esposito’s ‘last straw’

To the Editor:

Soon after Anthony D’Esposito was sworn into Congress, I wrote to him, suggesting that he take a leadership role by introducing legislation to require universal background checks to purchase guns, and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. I assumed that as a former police officer with direct knowledge of the frequency of gun violence and the understanding that the majority of his constituents favor gun control, he would consider my proposal.

I was wrong. In his response, D’Esposito circumvented the issue entirely. Obviously, he is more beholden to the NRA than to his constituents. That has not stopped him from asking for donations from me every day.

Now I read that, contrary to House of Representatives ethics rules, he hired his mistress and his fiancée’s daughter to positions in his local congressional office. That’s the last straw. I doubt he will resign, but certainly he should not be re-elected to Congress.

DOUGLAS MELZER Merrick

Is D’Esposito vulnerable to a House probe?

To the Editor:

It appears that the Herald may owe U.S. Rep Anthony D’Esposito and your readers a correction and an apology. Last week’s issue had a story with the headline “D’Esposito faces ethics probe over hiring.” It cited the House of Representatives’ code of conduct’s list of relatives who cannot be hired by anyone serving in the House. Neither a former fiancée (no longer a fiancée at time of hiring) nor an alleged mistress is on the list.

Why did the Herald have an incendiary headline that was contradicted in the sixth paragraph of the story?

Because D’Esposito’s holier-than-thou opponent, Laura Gillen, needed an opportunity to pontificate?

Gillen identifies as a Catholic who worked with Mother Theresa for about five minutes long ago. Gillen is proabortion because of her “own experience.” As she wrote in a Daily News op-ed piece in 2022, she had a medically necessary dilation and evacuation. Her experience was most unfortunate. But apparently she doesn’t know the difference between the termination of a human life through abortion and the removal of an already dead child.

Despite the fact that the data supports what we already know, 193 House Republicans voted against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided $2.35 billion to expand vital school mental health services; 210 voted against the American Rescue Plan Act, which provided $12 billion to address mental health needs arising from the pandemic; and 205 voted against the Mental Health Matters Act, which would provide grants for schools to hire more mental health experts and grow their mental health services.

America has a problem, and the longer we wait to address it, the more people will die. School shootings should have ended after Columbine, after Sandy Hook, after Oxford High School in Michigan. Students shouldn’t be afraid to go to school.

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is written in our Declaration of Independence, codifying the unalienable rights of all Americans. But as it turns

out, the children who have been senselessly murdered while their government stood by didn’t have those rights. Because if they did, they’d still be alive. Right?

Colt Gray, the 14-year-old charged with four murders for the shooting in Georgia, shouldn’t have had access to a gun. He displayed serious mental health concerns and had made threats in the past, and yet he carried out an act of extreme violence, with a weapon his father purchased for him.

The problem isn’t isolated to Georgia. Two weeks ago, right here on Long Island, a Bayville man was arrested because his 11-year-old son wandered out of his house carrying his father’s shotgun.

We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines and hope things will change. The time for thoughts and prayers has passed. What we need is decisive action — action that addresses both gun control and mental health, because either one without the other is no solution.

The safety of children, the preservation of their future, depends on our ability to enact meaningful reforms. The question is no longer how many more tragedies we can endure, but when we will finally say, “Enough.”

Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? jvallone@liherald.com.

As with her quick condemnation of D’Esposito for supposed violation of House ethics rules that do not apply, Gillen is ignorant of science and the law with regard to abortion. We do not need another addition to the idiocracy in D.C.

Gillen must not be elected. And the Herald apparently owes some apologies.

FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker
At the Touch-a-Truck event — Merrick
CHRISTOPHER M. KANE Rockville Centre
JORDAN VALLONE

Immaculate Tudor in Glen Head, NY

13 Cedar Lane, Glen Head, NY

Immaculate Tudor/Colonial in The Promenade section of Glen Head. With 4 spacious bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a finished basement, there’s plenty of room for everyone. Enjoy modern amenities like central air, gas heat, hardwood floors, granite countertops, and a master suite with a walk-in closet. The outdoor living space features a built-in BBQ grill with a gas line, perfect for entertaining. Plus, the finished basement provides versatile space for an office, home theater, or playroom. Don’t miss this opportunity to make this beautiful home yours. MLS# 3567603. $1,298,000.

Thomas Doyle

Real Estate Salesperson

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thomasdoyle@danielgale.com

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