Hitting the stage with a familiar fairy tale
Students at Seaford High School are set to perform ‘Peter and the Starcatcher,’ a prequel to ‘Peter Pan,’ on Nov. 22 and 23. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Sabrina Asadurian gives her all at international lacrosse tournament
By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
A lifelong passion for playing lacrosse has paved the way for Wantagh High School junior Sabrina Asadurian to compete in the Brogden Cup, an international lacrosse tournament for some of the best youth lacrosse players in the world.
The event took place the weekend of Oct. 25-27 at USA lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Maryland, where Asadurian competed as a defensive player on the USA Select U16 girls’ team, which is made up of 24 top players, all 16 and under, from across the United States.
According to a report from USA Lacrosse Magazine, the USA Select U16 and U18 boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams secured the Brogden Cup
for the fifth consecutive year with a flawless 16-0 record, defeating teams from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Ontario, and Japan. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy, is a group of six Native American nations with a rich lacrosse tradition.
Asadurian has played lacrosse since she was in the third grade, but she never would have believed that her years of playing would lead to this accomplishment.
“It was just such a great experience to be able to play and connect with players throughout the country,” Asadurian said.
Asadurian is a three-sport high school varsity athlete, playing point guard in basketball and libero in volleyball, in addition to lacrosse. She also plays lacrosse for the Long Island Jesters
He hopes to spur growth of Nassau Legion
By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Kerry Englander, a U.S. Navy veteran and longtime member of American Legion Post 1711 in Levittown, was appointed the Legion’s Nassau County commander in June. Representing nearly 30,000 veterans across 52 posts, he now oversees efforts to support those who served.
Englander, 79, joined Levittown Post 1711 in 2008, starting as historian before being named second vice commander. He became active in the Nassau County chapter of the American Legion in 2020, serving as vice commander of the second division, where he supervised 15 posts in central Nassau.
ISUNY Morrisville, where he strengthened his understanding of the organization’s mission.
t is so gratifying working with all the vets and vet services.
“It’s so gratifying working with all the vets and vet services,” Englander said. “Helping veterans — that’s what the American Legion is. It’s vets helping vets and the community. We served our country, and now we’re serving our community — simple as that.”
Helping veterans — that’s what the American Legion is.
CoMMANDER KERRy ENgl ANDER American Legion, Nassau County chapter
After three years in that role, he was promoted to adjutant. His journey toward leadership included training at American Legion College at
Englander’s commitment to aiding veterans was evident when he recently helped a fellow veteran with a staph infection transfer to the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook for specialized care.
“He’s rehabilitating there, awaiting his hip replacement,” Englander said, highlighting his hands-on approach.
Englander’s advocacy has also extended to pushing for the reopening of the Mitchel
Continued on page 5
Courtesy Seaford School District
Local businesses honored with Empire Awards
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
State Senator Steve Rhoads recently recognized several local businesses and leaders in the Wantagh, Seaford, Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow communities with the New York State Empire Award, celebrating their service, operational excellence, and community impact. This year’s recipients —Realty Advisors, Kwong Ming, Masters Collision, the Kaizen Centre for Health and Wellness, Worth Property Management, and The Barking Biscuit— have all made significant contributions to their communities through both professional and philanthropic efforts.
Realty Advisors recognized for longstanding community support
Realty Advisors, of Wantagh, led by Christopher Kaufman and Laura Dupkin Memisha, received the Empire Award for over 20 years of service and involvement in community initiatives. Known for their dependable client counsel, Realty Advisors supports the Wantagh Scholarship Fund, Mandalay Homeowners Association, and several local youth sports teams. Rhoads commended the firm’s professionalism and commitment to bettering the community.
Kwong Ming’s Barry Lee honored for culinary excellence and philanthropy
Barry Lee, owner of Kwong Ming in Wantagh, received the award for his long-standing role in the community. Kwong Ming, Long Island’s oldest Chinese restaurant, has served the community for over 60 years and supports youth programs in the area. Rhoads acknowledged Kwong Ming as a beloved institution and praised Lee’s contributions to the community.
Masters Collision recognized for community support and service
Masters Collision, a family-owned business in Seaford led by Dean Poupis, Jr., was recognized for its service and charitable contributions. Founded in 1971, the business is known for its customer care and community involvement, supporting the Seaford Lions and Project Thank-A-Cop, among others. Rhoads highlighted Masters Collision’s dedication, describing them as beacons of community spirit.
Dr. Tara O’Brien and the Kaizen Centre celebrated for mentorship and community impact
Dr. Tara O’Brien, founder of the Kaizen Centre for Health and Wellness in Bellmore, received the Empire Award for her 24 years of dedication to healthcare and community mentorship. Her office actively participates in Chamber of Commerce events and supports local talent development in healthcare. Rhoads noted Dr. O’Brien’s contributions as creating lasting change within the community.
Worth Property Management recognized for philanthropy and client support
Lynn Senko of Worth Property Management in East Meadow received the Empire Award for her commitment to service and philanthropy. Known for
transparent guidance, Senko’s team supports clients and engages in community projects, including contributions to Gift of Life, helping fund life-saving surgeries for children. Rhoads commended Worth Property Management for their community leadership and service.
The Barking Biscuit Celebrated for Leadership and Community Spirit
Ira and Hilary Reiter, owners of The Barking Biscuit in Merrick, were honored for their community engagement, including providing homemade treats for shelter dogs and volunteering. Rhoads recognized Ira’s leadership roles in the Merrick and Wantagh Chambers of Commerce as a testament to his visionary leadership and volunteerism.
Seaford’s stage stars to perform Peter Pan prequel
After the success of last year’s inaugural drama, Seaford High School thespians will be back on stage this fall, this time with “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
The show is a prequel to “Peter Pan” that explains several storylines such as how Peter Pan learned to fly and how Black Stache became Captain Hook. It features an ensemble cast of 14 studentactors from grades 9-12, plus four understudies, and many of the actors portray multiple characters. Senior Dylan Malone stars as Peter Pan, Olivia Irwin plays Molly and Emily Salcé is Black Stache.
“Being Peter Pan is pretty awesome,” Dylan said, who made his stage debut in “Clue” last year. “It’s a chance to express yourself and a chance to make people laugh.”
Olivia, appearing in her fourth Seaford show including musicals, added that the strength of the show will be a “very
strong cast.”
There is a minimal set as the audience will be asked to use their imaginations, just like Peter Pan does. Director Samantha Gates-Weber added that the show is suitable for audiences of all ages.
“It’s a comedy with some heart that the audience will love,” she said. “They will also appreciate the hard work of the cast, who strongly work together and are committed to their characters with creativity.”
Gates-Weber is supported by producer Shari Raduazzo.
Show times are Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Seaford High School auditorium. Tickets are $12 for students and $15 for adults and can be purchased online at https:// cur8.com/39909/project/125631. There is also a free open dress rehearsal for senior citizens on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 3 p.m.
The cast of ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ will have three performances of the drama on Nov. 22 and 23 at Seaford High School.
Courtesy office of State Sen. Steve Rhoads
Ira and Hilary Reiter, owners of The Barking Biscuit in Merrick, receive the New York State Empire Award from Senator Steve Rhoads, recognizing their community impact and leadership in local business.
Courtesy Seaford School District
Students meet the AP Capstone challenge
Seaford High School has been recognized by the College Board for its participation in the Advanced Placement Capstone program. During the 2023-2024 school year, a total of 22 juniors and seniors completed the requirements for the AP Capstone diploma.
The Class of 2024 had 19 students graduate with an AP Capstone diploma, which is earned when a student scores 3 or higher on his or her final AP Seminar and AP Research projects, as well as four additional AP exams. Of those graduates, 13 completed the requirements by the end of their junior year, and six met the standards senior year.
Approximately 21,000 students nationally earned the AP Capstone Diploma in the 2023-2024 school year. An additional 11,100 students earned the AP Seminar and Research certificate for scoring 3 or higher on the culminating projects in those two classes.
High school students typically take AP Seminar in 10th grade and AP Research in 11th grade. Unlike traditional AP subjects with a single end-of-year exam, Seminar and Research assessments are project based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations and individual essays completed throughout the year. Students are
encouraged to create research projects based on topics of personal interest, and assessed on critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management and presentation skills.
Among the current senior class, 16 students have already met the criteria for an AP Capstone diploma. They include Emma Baldwin, Carey-Jean Block, Daniela Brock, Ava Caruso, Ryan Jebaily, Patrick Kiernan, Dylan Malone, Nick Mancusi, Jack McKenny, Anastasia Perlegis, Emily Richardson, Matthew Sabatino, Joseph Sanfilippo, Umera Shahid, Joseph Tietz and Michael Villeck. Additional Class of 2025 graduates can earn the designation if they meet the requirements following the administration of May AP exams.
“We proudly recognize the achievements of our Seaford Scholars who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program,” Principal Nicole Schnabel said. “With the help of our dedicated teachers, Seaford’s AP Capstone students explored their passions through in-depth, thoughtful research as part of an impactful, multiyear experience. This meaningful college readiness program will serve our students well after high school and is just one of many ways that our scholars achieve greatness.”
Protecting Your Future
More than a dozen students from Seaford High School’s Class
ments by the end of their junior year to earn the
diploma.
Planning for Single Relatives Living Alone
If you have a son, daughter, sister, brother or parent living alone for whom you are responsible, and they unfortunately become incapacitated or die, apart from the emotional and medical burdens, you may have significant legal and financial troubles. A little planning in advance for these contingencies will go a long way in making any such dire situation much easier to handle.
If they rent, then make sure they notify their landlord, in writing, that you have their permission to access the apartment. Also get a key to their apartment or home or at least know where you can get one (such as from a neighbor).
A power of attorney will allow you to handle their legal and financial affairs during any period of disability. However, a power of attorney automatically ceases on death. Once someone dies, only the executor under the will may handle legal and financial affairs and it may take months and sometimes years to become appointed executor by the Surrogate’s Court. A properly created and funded living trust, on the
other hand, gives you immediate control of their affairs upon death.
A health care proxy and living will allows you to gain access to their medical records, confer with medical professionals and make medical decisions for them if they are unable to, including termination of life support should there be no meaningful existence and no hope of recovery.
You should know where they keep records of their assets in their home or apartment. One of the benefits of a properly funded trust is that it will have a list of assets appended to the trust making it easy to locate what the decedent owned. A list of their assets, and any named beneficiaries, is also helpful.
Forms to provide personal information, such as who to contact in the event of death (friends, relatives, professional advisors), computer passwords, funeral and burial wishes and who is to receive which personal items, may be found on our website, trustlaw.com, under “Online Forms” clicking on “Final Instructions”.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
• Medicaid FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com
Rhoads supports car wash fundraiser
State Senator Steve Rhoads visited the Mandalay Elementary School’s 5th Grade Car Wash. Rhoads, a Mandalay graduate himself, alongside the Wantagh Fire Department, brought a fire truck to support the 5th Grader’s efforts.
Courtesy Seaford School District
of 2025 completed the require-
prestigious Advanced Placement Capstone
Courtesy office of State Sen. Steve Rhoads
Englander hopes to help membership grow
Field commissary in Uniondale. In September, he joined other members of the American Legion, as well as Congressman Anthony D’Esposito and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, in urging the Department of Defense to repair the damaged facility. The commissary’s closure has forced local veterans to travel to Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn for discounted food.
“The veterans and current military need this facility, especially with the economy the way it is today,” Englander told the Herald at the rally. “I believe that if the military and veterans are putting this facility, it should be opened up.
Levittown Post 1711 supports veteran services through food drives, including monthly collections for local pantries. Englander said the post will also host a holiday food drive on Nov. 17 at ShopRite in Bethpage and Walmart in Levittown.
The Nassau County Legion chapter continues to advocate for more state funding to expand opportunities for Long Island students to attend Boys State, a prestigious program that immerses high school
juniors in government operations. Boys State has had many notable alumni throughout its 88-year history, including Neil Armstrong, Bruce Springsteen and Michael Jordan. Englander said that he sees this program as an essential way to teach leadership and civic responsibility.
Englander’s own leadership journey began with his military service. From 1966 to 1968, he served on the USS Talladega, a troop transport ship based in California, before ending his tour in Pearl Harbor, where he trained recruits. Starting as a boatswain’s mate, he fondly recalls early duties, including cooking for the chiefs.
“Everybody’s gotta start someplace,” he said with a laugh.
After his military service, Englander pursued a career in information technology with Con Edison and now runs a tax practice. He got married to his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth, and has a son, who is now 47, and a grandson, 11. His commitment to service, influenced by his family’s values and history, continues to shape his work with the Legion.
One of Englander’s proudest achievements as county commander has been the revival of the Nassau County oratorical contest, a constitutional speech competition for high school students. Contestants compete for up to $1,000 in scholarships by presenting an eight- to 10-minute speech on the U.S. Constitution, followed by a discourse on an assigned topic related to key amendments.
In his role as county commander, Englander remains focused on growing membership and strengthening the Legion’s community outreach. He values the mentorship of past county commanders, acknowledging their support as essential to his success.
“When you get into the county, you’re dealing with many posts,” he said. “The past commanders are critical to the making of a county commander … I couldn’t do it without them.”
For Englander, the American Legion is about more than honoring service — it’s about actively supporting veterans and their families. His leadership embodies the Legion’s core values of commitment, service and community.
nassau County american Legion Commander Kerry englander, of Levittown, shares some of his recent accomplishments and goals as the representative of the nearly 30,000 veterans in nassau County.
CONQUERING HEALTH CARE’S GREATEST OBSTACLES. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
Curing a rare heart disorder with a short life expectancy.
Performing a life-changing brain surgery without a single incision.
Helping a new mom give birth—and receive a new liver.
At Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital, the nation’s most brilliant minds come here to conquer health care’s greatest challenges. So that whatever comes through our doors: challenge accepted.
North Shore University Hospital
Daniel Offner/Herald
Student athletes talk sportsmanship and civility
School staff aim to keep sports constructive for community
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
The second annual Unity, Sportsmanship and Civility Summit was held at the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Brookside Education Center on Oct. 30, educating leading figures in high school sports on how to keep their athletic programs positive, on and off the field.
“It’s a day where you walk into each presentation room and you walk out with extreme pride and gratitude for what our coaches and athletes have done to make the community a better place,” Superintendent Michael Harrington said. “We look forward to continuing it and enhancing it.”
M y job is not to give them a new way of thinking — it’s to give them a whole new perspective.
MicHAEL WiLLEt Founder of Walk On Nation
Eric Caballero, director of athletics for the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and president of the High School Athletic Association Section 8, which oversees Nassau County high school sports, spearheaded the USC Summit with nine other athletic administrators from around the county.
The goal of the USC Summit is to focus on the three pillars of education-based athletics: Unity, sportsmanship, and civility.
“I think it’s really important we impress upon student athletes and coaches the importance of enjoying the process, and that entails winning with humility, taking defeat with dignity, and being positive role models, not only on the field, but in their community,” Caballero said.
The USC Summit, originally held in the spring this year, was met with overwhelming positive feedback, said Caballero. The annual tradition was rescheduled to take place at the beginning of the school year, instead of the end.
“They come here and they leave with something that makes them think about why they’re participating in athletics,” he said. “We felt that the message is important enough to make sure that we have it at the beginning of the year, as opposed to the end of the year. The message remains the same, but our workshops and presenters always change.”
Stacy Brief, an event organizer from the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, helped organize the USC Summit.
“This year’s USC Summit is really building upon the foundation that we’re trying to set,” Brief said. “This particular population of student-athletes is a group of young people who experience high demands and high pressures, whether that’s internal or external. We’re giving them attention, recognizing the position that they’re in, and offering them support so that
Speaker Mike Willet, founder of Walk On Nation, shared
be going through similar situations.
they can be their best person, not just the best athlete on the field.”
The event featured guest speakers, workshops, seminars, and other activities. Guest speakers included Bellmore-Merrick’s Board of Education President Nancy Kaplan, keynote speaker Mark Leinweaver and Michael Willet, founder of Walk On Nation.
Willet shared his struggles as a student-athlete to attendees who could be experiencing similar situations.
“I really centered my life around athletic identity,” Willet said. “There was a mentality of being a walk on — you can’t mess up, or you’re kicked off your team. It was a mindset.”
His presentation focused on athletic identity, inviting athletes to “prioritize themselves,” Willet said.
Willett also shared his thoughts on having a personal identity outside of being an athlete. When Willett faced a major leg injury, he had to deal with the shocking upheaval of his identity — both how he felt, and how he saw himself socially.
“I really had no idea who I was after,” he said. “You hear that you’re more than an athlete, but you never know what that means. I decided to help athletes understand who they are. I know there’s plenty of us
who are lost.”
The workshops gave student athletes the opportunity to discuss what role sports plays in their lives, and how that has affected them.
“Most of us wear our own obstacles: Looking for validation from others, fear of failure, lack of self-confidence,” Willet said. “My job is not to give them a new way of thinking — it’s to give them a whole new perspective, where they can decide if they are putting their confidence in someone else.”
Wellington C. Mepham High School senior athletes Leah Smith and Gabrielle Baken helped organize the event and promote it among their peers.
“We are here to bring everyone together as one in Section 8,” Smith said. “We do this to show our sportsmanship and learn about how we should be acting. We’re all learning together, doing a bunch of activities about how to treat each other if you’re winning or losing.”
“We’re all older now, and the underclassmen are joining the teams, so we can become strong leaders and show what good qualities are,” Baken said. “Even if not everyone gets an experience like today, we bring it back and they get to know what we learned, and we show them what it takes.”
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
his struggles as a student-athlete to attendees who could
HERALD SPORTS
Seaford defeats East Rockaway, 20-0
By TONY BELLISSIMO
tbellissimo@liherald.com
Hofstra University has become a home away from home for Seaford’s football program.
The Vikings punched their ticket to the Nassau Conference IV semifinals for a 13th consecutive year with a 20-0 victory at East Rockaway last Friday night in an openinground matchup between the No. 5 and 4 seeds.
Junior Mark Villeck had a pair of interceptions, senior Ayden Das had 15 tackles and junior Brian Falk made 10 stops, picked off a pass and rushed for 125 yards and three touchdowns as defending county champion Seaford avenged a 28-7 defeat on the same field three weeks prior.
“Our motto this week was “All In” and the kids delivered,” Seaford first-year coach Mike McHugh said. “You always know you’re in for a grind when you face East Rockaway and they beat us up pretty good last time. Our guys were really focused all week in practice and executed the gameplan.”
The Vikings (5-4) advanced to face top-seeded Plainedge (8-1) in the semifinals at Hofstra on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The Rocks finished 5-4.
“I’m proud of these kids,” East Rockaway head coach Russ Pajer said. “They worked hard and got better every game. We got the fourth seed, which was pretty impressive considering we began the season as the seven.”
The game-opening drive ended with Villeck’s first interception at the Seaford 16-yard line and two plays into the Vikings’ initial possession, Falk raced down the visiting sideline 78 yards for a touchdown. It was 7-0 with 2:35 remaining in the opening quarter after senior Max Kasparian’s extra point.
“Falk’s a great runner and once he saw a hole and cut back, he was gone,” Pajer said.
East Rockaway’s star back, senior Anthony Grimaldi, was limited throughout the game by a sprained foot suffered in its Oct. 18 victory over the Vikings in which he rumbled for 195 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries. He was limited to 11 touches in the rematch but still finished the campaign with more than 1,200 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns.
“Anthony had an incredible year and gutted it out as best he could,” Pajer said. “We used him sparingly the past two games and he still had 122 yards against Cold Spring Harbor and two touchdowns against West Hempstead.”
Senior tailback Antonio Buzzetta, who missed four games due to injury, led the Rocks Friday night with 87 yards. However, the offense was unable to get inside the red zone until the final drive of the game.
“We wanted the shutout,” said Das, who surpassed 100 tackles on the year. “It was an amazing game by our defense and offense. We knew we had to stop their running game.”
Seaford led 13-0 at halftime despite East Rockaway’s defense denying a pair of fourth-and-1 tries. Junior quarterback Michael Spinella orchestrated a 47-yard scoring drive late in the second quarter, connecting with Das for 26 yards and junior Brian Hennessey for 23 between a holding penalty to set up Falk’s 5-yard touchdown run.
Falk’s 2-yard run with 4:15 remaining in the fourth iced it.
“We’re excited to get back to Hofstra,” McHugh said. “Plainedge has one of the top programs in the county. We know we have to bring our ‘A’ game.”
MacArthur runs to impressive finish
By BRIAN KACHARABA sports@liherald.com
The MacArthur girls’ cross-country team enjoyed a perfect season that included some record-breaking performances, while the boys team continued to improve by leaps and bounds.
The girls’ team went undefeated to capture the Conference 2 and Division 2A championships and the boys’ 11 wins were good enough for second as both groups continued to ascend under first-year coach and former longtime assistant Matt Bocksel. The girls’ 13 victories were six better than last season and nine more than the fall of 2022, and the boys total was a stark difference from their 3-11 campaign last year after going winless the season before.
“They ran for each other,” Bocksel said of the girls’ team. “We had a couple of close races early in the season. We beat Calhoun, they were the defending conference champions, in our first race. It was a close one, but they just said, ‘No one is beating us.’ They wanted to prove that they were the best team.”
Sophomore Gemma Budek had record-setting performances leading up to her fourth-place finish at the Nov. 2 county championships. Her 15 minute, 40.3 second time in the 4,000-meter race at Bethpage on Oct. 16 broke the previous school record by over 40 seconds and then bested the school’s 5K all-time mark the following week by crossing the finish line seven seconds better in 18:55.6.
“She’s getting bonkers good,” Bocksel said. “Other coaches started texting me asking, ‘What’s going on
Paul Grassini/Herald
Sophomore Gemma Budek had record-setting performances leading up to her fourth-place finish at the Nov. 2 county championships.
with this girl?’ She’s just getting good.”
Freshman Isabella Reda also earned All-County status with a time of 20:41.4 at the county championships.
She won the 5K event at the fifth league meet on Oct. 8, a week after setting a personal best time of 20:13.5 while finishing third at Eisenhower Park.
Senior Angelina Widmer posted a 5K personalrecord time of 19:02.6 while winning the fourth league meet on Oct. 1 after opening the season with three straight runner-up finishes, but she missed the county championships due to injury. She was named All-Conference along with senior Summer Sayaves, junior Caitlin Kilian, and sophomores Niamh Cromie, Nicole Sofronis and Leah Fortunato.
Junior All-County runner Ethan Baloyo was the most consistent performer on the boys’ team with three victories and two third-place showings, including a personal-record 16:26.9 in the 5K race at Eisenhower Park on Oct. 23. He finished 13th in the county championships the following week as the boys’ team placed eighth.
“When you show up for two-and-a-half months, six days a week and you’re running 50 miles a week, you’re going to get better,” Bocksel said. “And Ethan saw that jump last fall where he became All-Conference. That consistency that Ethan showed over the summer is what had to his little breakout.”
Sophomore Elias Baloyo has a lot of Ethan’s traits and translated that into an All-Conference season that featured three top 10 finishes. He set a personal-record time of 17:46.5 in the 5K race at Eisenhower on Oct. 23.
Sophomore Logan Rodriguez started the season with five top five finishes and also became an All-Conference runner with juniors Jackson Smith and Jack Ruocchio.
Sue Grieco/Herald
Junior Brian Falk scored all three touchdowns last Friday night as fifth-seeded Seaford blanked No. 4 East Rockaway in the Conference IV playoffs.
Hofstra students star in election broadcast
By XIOMARA TRINIDAD PEREZ Herald Intern
The Herbert School of Communications, at Hofstra University, had transformed overnight into a news station. Students were busy writing scripts and reporting live results on election night, on a program called “Hofstra Votes Live.”
The multi-platform broadcast brought together students from across the Herbert School and the university. They began planning the program months before the election in order to deliver comprehensive, real-time coverage — all under the mentoring and guidance of Hofstra faculty members. The broadcast aired from 8 p.m. to midnight, and reached audiences on campus, on YouTube and on 88.7 FM WRHU, Radio Hofstra University.
The program featured coverage with both a regional and national perspective, and included live reports from watch parties such as those for Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and his Democratic challenger Laura Gillen, who ultimately defeated him. One of the standout moments was a live report from Vice President Kamala Harris’s watch party, at Howard University, in Washington, by student reporter Jake Epstein. Student anchors also interview guests such as former New York Gov. David Paterson on air.
The students gained hands-on experience in the fast-paced world of live news coverage, and learned about the behindthe-scenes work that goes into producing an important broadcast on a historic night. They also felt for themselves the excitement and intensity of covering a
presidential election.
“To be part of Hofstra Votes Live is a huge opportunity, and I feel so grateful being part of the team,” said Sarah Ng, a senior at Hofstra who served as one of the anchors of the national coverage.
“It’s a big production that the depart -
ment puts on every two years, and I’m really excited to see how it comes together. I’m both excited and nervous just because it’s four hours long — that’s like, that would be the longest I’ve ever been on air live.”
Days before the broadcast, student anchors like Ng took part in a special workshop hosted by WABC reporter Chanteé Lans, who shared some of the secrets of being a good anchor during a live broadcast.
In the past, “HVL” has covered presidential and midterm elections as well as Super Tuesday during the presidential primaries. Last year the broadcast won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Student Video Newscast for its coverage of the 2022 midterms.
“I’m really grateful, actually, to be one of the coordinating producers for ‘HVL’ for the 2024 presidential election,” junior Samantha Diamond said. “You know, seeing me as a freshman two years ago, I was one of the camera assistants. . . . And I was just, like, you know what? When I’m an upperclassmen and we do this again in two years, I want to be one of the leaders.”
In addition to the main “HVL” broadcast, students also produced a special edition of “Hofstra News Now” that aired the day before Election Day. The broadcast examined key issues in the election, including reproductive rights, foreign affairs and inflation.
Courtesy Diego Olivras
Regional anchors Michael Dent and Camryn Bowden reporting the news for ‘Hofstra Votes Live’ on election night.
Asadurian competes on U16 lacrosse team
Girls United Lacrosse Club’s 2026 Black Team. The club is a lacrosse travel program that focuses on developing strong student-athletes through training and coaching.
Jeff Speed, coach of the 2026 Jesters team, said he and his team are proud of Asadurian.
The USA tryouts are prestigious, he said, adding that Long Island is “a hot bed” for lacrosse players, especially in Wantagh, where Madison Alaimo and Madison Taylor were selected for the 2024 U20 women’s roster.
“There seems to be a legacy of good lacrosse players from Wantagh,” Speed said.
Asadurian said it’s exciting to follow in the footsteps of Alaimo and Taylor and expressed hope that she could one day reach their level and compete on the U20 women’s team.
Asadurian’s path to the international lacrosse tournament started with the first round of tryouts in June, followed by her selection to the national combine in August, a threeday event that took place at USA lacrosse headquarters in Maryland.
full-field game.
“I just really stayed positive, cheered my teammates on and just worked hard and did the best that I can do to just show the coaches that I am able to compete in pressure situations and adapt to challenges quickly and easily,” she said.
After the combine, Asadurian was selected as one of 24 players on the USA U16 team. She credited her coaches from the Jesters, as well as her high school coach Lauren Rupert, for supporting her throughout the process.
Speed described her as being humble, reliable and an overall great teammate. He said Asadurian found her “sweet spot” when she moved over from midfield to defense.
SabrIna aS adurIan Lacrosse team member
The most challenging aspect of the combine, she said, was the different types of lacrosse she had to play. She added that the combine put her in scenarios that required her to adapt quickly, whether it was adjusting to performing with new teammates or playing on a small-sided or
“She’s found a good amount of success and came up big for us in many games,” Speed said. “Sometimes defense is an underappreciated role, but she’s made a lot of impact plays over the years.”
Asadurian’s mother, Kim, said she is proud of her daughter’s accomplishments. Training for the competition, while balancing school and downtime, is a lot of hard work, she said, but it paid off in the end.
“It’s been a lot of work,” her mother said, “a lot of practice and time away and skipping meals, but totally been worth it. We’ve been supportive with whatever she wants to do since she was a little kid.”
Courtesy Kim Asadurian
Sabrina Asadurian, Wantagh High School junior and USA Select U16 girls’ lacrosse team member, competed in the Brogden Cup, an elite international youth tournament, last month in Sparks, Maryland.
Veterans Day Ceremony honors those who served
The Veterans Day ceremony at Wantagh American Legion Post 1273 was held on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, to honor and remember all veterans. The ceremony began promptly at 10:40 a.m., in keeping with the tradition of the WWI Armistice, marking the “11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month.”
Attending the event were local officials, including State Assemblyman David McDonough and County Legislator Michael Giangregorio. Boy Scout troops and members of Miss Wantagh also attended the ceremony.
The event took place at the American Legion Post 1273, located at 3484 Park Avenue, Wantagh, NY, with community members and local groups coming together to pay tribute to those who have served.
— Charles Shaw
Board of Ed. Meeting highlights improvements
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The Wantagh Board of Education meeting on Oct. 22 celebrated community contributions and provided updates on district improvements, from new safety initiatives to vibrant renovations.
At the meeting, Superintendent John McNamara began by recognizing the board members’ commitment, presenting each with a certificate of appreciation for their volunteer service to the district.
“We are very fortunate to have dedicated individuals that serve our schools,” McNamara said. “They’re volunteers who give up a tremendous amount of their time, all to improve our schools and provide a great experience for our students.”
Nassau County Police Officer Kevin Glenn received the Wantagh UFSD Community Partnership Award, highlighting his dedication to student and staff safety. Superintendent McNamara commended Officer Glenn for his swift response to school concerns and proac-
tive measures to create a secure environment. “It gives me peace of mind knowing that he’s just a text or phone call away,” McNamara said, presenting Glenn with a plaque to acknowledge his ongoing support.
Architect Michael Mark, president of Mark Design Studios Architecture, P.C., provided updates on the district’s capital projects. Over the summer, major renovations were completed, including vibrant bathroom makeovers at all five schools, featuring bright colors and durable materials for easy maintenance. Each school received unique designs, along with porcelain tile floors and glass-and-ceramic wall accents.
“We wanted each building to be unique,” Mark said of the bathrooms, “and kind of have its own flavor of what’s going on.”
Additional completed projects included new corridor ceilings and lights at the high school, middle school gymnasium floor renovations, and extensive masonry repairs district-wide to prevent water infiltration. Mark added that a new science lab at the middle school is
The Wantagh School District’s Oct. 22 Board of Education business meeting highlighted summer renovations and upcoming improvements across Wantagh schools.
nearing completion.
Looking ahead, Mark discussed plans for several upcoming projects, including the installation of serving lines at the district’s three elementary schools, slated for construction next summer following the bid process. He also previewed planned renovations to the high school cafeteria, promising bright colors and varied seating options, such as group
seating, counter seating, and outdoor areas.
“We’re really trying to provide something for everybody at the high school level,” Mark said.
Future projects also include updates to the high school library and media center, which will support a range of student needs and enhance the learning environment.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Wantagh veterans in attendance included Robert Pollack, left, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1967-1971, World War Two veteran Tom McTigue, and Vietnam Army vet Barry Stolzenberp.
Members of Miss Wantagh attended the Veterans Day ceremony at the Wantagh American Legion on Nov. 11.
John Stone performs Amazing Grace on the bagpipes during the ceremony.
Herald file photo
The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale
TRAILBLAZER AWARD & KEYNOTE SPEAKER
MICHAEL J. DOWLING
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NORTHWELL HEALTH
ACCOUNTING:
JOHN FITZGERALD
Managing Partner
Citrin Cooperman
GURJIT SINGH
Chief Information Officer
Prager Metis CPAs
DIANE L. WALSH
Chief Marketing Officer
Prager Metis CPAs
BANKING & FINANCE:
JOHN BURKE
Managing Director
Global Head of Business & Professional Services
Citi Commercial Bank
MICHELE DEAN
Chief Executive Officer
Suffolk Credit Union
STUART H. LUBOW
President & Chief Executive Officer
Dime Community Bank
DAVID A. PERLMUTTER
Managing Partner
Forest Hills Financial Group
MARK SANCHIONI
Senior Vice President & Chief Banking Officer
Ridgewood Savings Bank
JOSEPH TEDESCO
President & Chief Executive Officer Ocean Financial Federal Credit Union
BIOPHARMA:
PATRICIA ECKERT, CPA
Chief Financial Officer Enzo Biochem, Inc.
COMMUNICATIONS:
ANDREW RAINONE
Senior Vice President, Business Sales Optimum Business
EDUCATION:
MARIA CONZATTI, Ed.D.
Chief Administrative Officer Nassau Community College
CHRISTINE M. RIORDAN, Ph.D.
President Adelphi University
TIMOTHY E. SAMS, Ph.D.
President
SUNY Old Westbury
ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION:
LOUIS BEKOFSKY
Principal, Managing Partner VHB
WILLIAM MAXWELL
Vice President The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
BILLY HAUGLAND II
Chief Executive Officer Haugland Group LLC
ANDREW J. SOLANO
Managing Partner Emtec Consulting Engineers
GAS/UTILITIES:
CHRISTINA ARMENTANO
Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President Paraco
JOHN RHODES
Chief Executive Officer Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)
ROSS TURRINI
Chief Operating Officer, New York Gas National Grid
ENERGY:
JIM FLANNERY
Chief Operating Officer National Grid Ventures, US Northeast
HEALTHCARE:
MICHAEL GITMAN, MD President Long Island Jewish Medical Center
STACEY C. JACKSON-HARLEY
RN MA BSN
Chief Operating Officer
Harmony Healthcare
ANDREW MINTZ
Chief Executive Officer The Smilist
MICHAEL N. ROSENBLUT
President & Chief Executive Officer
Parker Jewish Institute For Healthcare and Rehabilitation
AMY SILVA-MAGALHAES
Chief Operating Officer
The Bristal Assisted Living
JON SENDACH, FACHE President North Shore University Hospital
AMIT SHAH, MD
Partner & Vascular Surgeon
PRINE Health
JOSEPH VERDIRAME
Chief Executive Officer
Alliance Homecare
HOSPITALITY:
MICHAEL LESSING
Chief Executive Officer Lessing's Hospitality Group
LEGAL:
NICOLE W. JOSEPH, MSc
Chief Operating Officer & Finance Director
CM Law PLLC
JULIE WYETZNER
Executive Director &
Chief Operating Officer
Cona Elder Law PLLC
MICHAEL H. SAHN
Managing Partner
Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano PLLC
HOWARD M. STEIN
Managing Partner & Co-Chair of the Real Estate Practice Group Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
NOT-FOR-PROFIT:
PHIL ANDREWS
President Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce
LISA BURCH, MPH
President & Chief Executive Officer
EPIC Long Island, Inc.
RANDELL M. BYNUM
Chief Executive Officer Girl Scouts of Nassau County
MATTHEW COHEN
President & Chief Executive Officer Long Island Association, Inc.
ERIKA FLORESKA
President Long Island Children's Museum
JEFFREY FRIEDMAN
Chief Executive Officer
CN Guidance and Counseling Services
DAN LLOYD
Chief Executive Officer & Founder Minority Millennials, Inc.
DIANE MANDERS
Interim Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of LI
JOHN MCGUIGAN
Chief Executive Officer
AHRC Suffolk
JEFFREY L. REYNOLDS, Ph.D.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Family and Children's Association
LUIS VAZQUEZ
President & Chief Executive Officer
Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
REAL ESTATE:
JOSEPH A. FARKAS
Chief Executive Officer & Founder Metropolitan Realty Associates LLC
RETAIL:
ROBERT KAY
Chief Executive Officer Lifetime Brands, Inc.
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
CHRIS R. VACCARO
President & Executive Officer
Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame
TECHNOLOGY:
AMY E. NEWMAN
Senior Vice President, Administration
Canon U.S.A, Inc.
TRANSPORTATION:
ROBERT FREE
Acting President
Long Island Rail Road
MARLON TAYLOR
President New York & Atlantic Railway
MICHAEL D. TORNABE
Chief Operating Officer
Guardian Bus Company
COREY J. MUIRHEAD
Executive Vice President
Guardian Bus Company
WASTE MANAGEMENT:
AZEEZ MOHAMMED
President & Chief Executive Officer
Reworld
*List still in formation
Nassau marks Veterans Day with moving ceremony
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Y
Nassau County veterans, families and community members gathered in Eisenhower Park on Nov. 10 to honor those who served on Veterans Day, paying tribute to local heroes whose courage and sacrifice have protected the United States’ freedoms and values. In a poignant ceremony led by the United Veterans Organization at the county’s veterans memorial in the park, speakers focused on respect, courage and resilience — and of course, the importance of Veterans Day and veteran service agencies.
ou didn’t ask for anything when you signed up to serve your country.
PAtRick RYDER
Commissioner Nassau County Police Department
“On Veterans Day, we veterans remember our service — we think about friends that we made, and some of the friends that we’ve lost,” Morris Miller, who’s on the UVO’s board of directors, said during the ceremony’s opening remarks. “We served with distinction. We served with honor. And even though many of us are older, greyer, out of shape — we would not hesitate
at a moment’s notice to serve our country, if asked.”
Following a convocation, given by Chaplain Eric Spinner of the United Veterans Organization, a Color Guard was presented by active servicemen and women, youth organizations, and various veteran organizations.
Following his convocation, Spinner offered remarks for those who are prisoners of war and those who are still list-
ed as missing in action.
“As you entered these grounds today, you may have noticed this small table in place,” Spinner said, referencing a display in front of the lectern. “This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly called POWs or MIAs — we call them brothers. They are unable to be with us at this time, and so we remember them.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, State Senator Steve Rhoads, State Assemblyman-elect Daniel Norber, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jen DeSena and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder all attended Sunday’s ceremony.
“We have enemies that hate our way of life, they hate our prosperity, they hate our spirit, they hate our love of country,” Blakeman said. “So today, we’re here to remember. May God bless our veterans, may God bless our active military, and may God bless America.”
Ryder said both veterans and police offers have a bond over the word “service.”
“And what does it mean — unconditional service,” he said. “You didn’t ask for anything when you signed up to
serve your country. You just went out to do it, and do it because you honored the flag, the constitution, the way of life here in the United States — that freedom we all get to enjoy.”
Among all of the speakers, perhaps no one is more involved directly with veteran affairs than Ralph Esposito, director of Nassau County’s Veterans Service Agency. There’s an office in East Meadow, right behind the main tower of the Nassau University Medical Center, which offers support, health care, food and other resources to veterans.
“I feed 1,650 people a month that are veterans,” Esposito said of the office he runs. “That should not be. Veterans should not be hungry. Our veterans shouldn’t have to sleep in the park. There’s a lot more to be done, and as long as I’m living, I want to fight to get it done. I promise you that.”
The United Veterans Organization held a Veterans Day ceremony at the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale on Sunday as well.
For more on veteran affairs and resources offered in Nassau County, visit NassauCountyNY.gov or call (516) 572-6565. Its headquarters are 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, Building ‘Q,’ East Meadow.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Morris Miller of the United Veterans Organization led Nassau County veterans and their families through a moving ceremony as Eisenhower Park on Sunday, reflecting on the importance of Veterans Day.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and State Senator Steve Rhoads carried a wreath to the POW-MIA memorial, and held their hands over their hearts during the presentation of ‘Taps.’
Light the night with sweet
LuminoCity unwraps a colorful world of wonder
By Danielle Schwab
The holiday season is quickly approaching, so bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and experience holiday magic at 14 acres of enchanting displays in Eisenhower Park.
Now in its fifth year, the popular holiday festival LuminoCity, which runs through Jan. 5, welcomes guests to a wonderland filled with giant lantern creations.
“It’s a really cool combination of light and art and a little sprinkle of holiday magic with this event,” John Baiata, LuminoCity’s onsite manager. Eisenhower Park is our signature event.”
All of the displays are new to Eisenhower Park this year.
The idea started with the founder Xiaoyi Chen, who grew up in China and was inspired by traditional Chinese lantern festivals as a child.
“She came to New York, went to art school here, and founded LuminoCity in 2018 with the idea to reimagine the traditional Chinese lantern festival into something that combined her acumen with the art world,” Baiata explains.
As you stroll along the paths, LuminoCity’s mascot, Lumi, lights you along the way. Visitors will see Lumi in various outfits as your glowing tour guide throughout your visit.
This year’s theme “Sweet Dreams,” stirs up a delightful blend of sugar and imagination into a candy-coated world of desserts and confections.
“Who doesn’t like a giant donut tunnel, or a forest made entirely of sweets?” asks Baiata. Kids have added their own “Sweet Dreams” to the walk-through as part of Lumi’s Utopia, in partnership with Long Island Children’s Museum.
“We hold an art contest for children of different age categories. They submit works of art with a pre-agreed theme — this year’s theme was Sweet Dreams, such as candy and sweets — and the museum and our founder picked the winners,” Baiata says.
LuminoCity’s team acquires kids’ 2-D artwork that is brought to life as a 3-D light display for all to enjoy.
“The best part is the children seeing, for the first time, their pieces of art come to life. There’s this visceral excitement and just a gushing pride that you see from them and their parents as well,” Baiata adds.
“Art enriches our lives in so many ways that we take for granted sometimes. This really reminds us that imagination and art are central to our purpose here.”
Other can’t-miss attractions include a 50-foot Christmas tree and a majestic ice castle, which is
• Now through Jan. 5; weekdays 4:30-9:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 4:30-10 p.m.
• Tickets priced $24-$32 per person, children 3 and under free
• Purchase tickets at luminocityfestival.com or on-site.
• Eisenhower Park , East Meadow
described as bigger than a residential home. And, of course, a lantern Santa Claus returns to spread holiday cheer .
“I think that it creates this sense of wonder and adventure because as you approach, you’re looking up and you’re just kind of awed,” Baiata says.
Unlike Old Saint Nick, this process certainly can’t be completed in just one night. With a team of 40 members, the spectacle has been months in the making.
“It’s a big production staff required to get this all done. And it’s not just the creation. It’s also the maintenance because we’re outdoors, so we are beholden to the elements,” Baiata adds.
For an exciting twist, the festival also offers theme nights. Check out the website for additional ways to join in the fun.
When it’s time for a break, seek out the food truck nearby, with tempting eats and treats.
Whether you have been before, or it’s your first time, LuminoCity’s Holiday Light festival promises a night of memory-making experiences with friends and family.
“One of the most precious things in children is seeing the wonder in their eyes. And you want to cultivate that sense of wonder with your children; not just your children, but also your inner child,” Baiata enthuses.
“For the families who have already made (our festival) a tradition, we’re so grateful.”
Madeleine Peyroux
The acclaimed jazz singer, songwriter and interpreter brings her tour to the Landmark stage, following spring’s release of “Let’s Walk,” her first album in six years. Peyroux is acclaimed for her dusky, lyrical style and affinity for reinterpreting classic jazz, blues, and folk standards. Her extraordinary journey is one of the music industry’s most compelling. Emerging in her teens, much like songbird Edith Piaf, Peyroux spent her teenage years busking the busy streets of Paris. Years later, Peyroux would cite Piaf as an influence on her music and record a rendition of the classic La Vie En Rose, soulfully capturing the tune’s romanticism and melancholy. Madeleine’s thirst for creative exploration is unfading and her willingness to face creative challenges remains as solid now as it was three decades ago.
Sunday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m. $70, $65, $58. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
‘Come
and play”… on Sesame Street
Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their friends from Sesame Street are coming to your neighborhood to say hello! At Sesame Street Live! Say Hello everyone’s invited to sing, dance and play alongside some of their favorite friends, all while you follow Elmo’s puppy, Tango, in a fun game of hide and seek. Elmo, his pals and other Muppets lead dances, songs, and games from the stage while you and your little ones participate in the audience. Join in lively dances, sing along to catchy tunes and interact with your favorite Muppets, As they say on Sesame Street: “Come and play, Everything’s A-Okay, Friendly neighbors there, That’s where we meet…”.
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Photos courtesy LuminoCity Eisenhower Park glitters throughout the holiday season with the arrival of LuminoCity.
Let’s Skate
Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, opening Saturday, Nov. 16, througj Jna. 7. Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades. Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.” Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.
Bingo at Temple B’nai Torah
Temple B’nai Torah hosts a fun-filled bingo session, every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and every Thursday, 7:15 -10 p.m. Prizes, progressive games and refreshments available. 2900 Jerusalem Ave., in Wantagh. For more information, call (516) 2212370.
Vendors wanted for Holiday Shopping Day
Congregation Beth Tikvah Sisterhood is seeking vendors for its Holiday Shopping Day on Sunday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The event will be held in a secure, heated indoor space. Vendors can rent space at reasonable rates to sell apparel, jewelry, housewares, collectibles, seasonal items, crafts, and more. 3710 Woodbine Ave. For more information or to inquire about selling, email CBTWantaghHolidayShop@ gmail.com.
Having an event?
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, Nov. 16, 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) 4849337.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media.
It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Vendors wanted for Giant Holiday Fair
Temple B’nai Torah, of Wantagh, is seeking vendors for the upcoming Holiday Vendor Fair, Sunday, Dec. 1. 1 at 2900 Jerusalem Ave. For vendor information, call Ben at (516) 322-8130 or email bencernese@ gmail.com.
Owl Prowl
Check out Sands Point Preserve’s native owls calling in the woods at night, with biologist and ranger Eric Powers, Friday, Nov. 15, 7-8:30 p.m. Learn how to identify owls by sight and sound, and attract these beneficial birds to your own backyard. Then head out to the woods for a very quiet guided night walk in search of owls and other nighttime wildlife. Families welcome. Spaces are limited and registration required. $24 adult, $12 child, 8+; $18 adult, $6.50 child, 8+ members. 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, PUBLIC COMMENT HEARING, DEADLINE FOR PETITIONS FOR PARTY STATUS, ISSUES CONFERENCE AND ADJUDICATORY HEARING
Applicant: D’Alessandro
Project 49 Brockmeyer Drive Massapequa, NY 11758
Joseph Enrico
Wetscape Consulting Inc.
d/b/a Ocean Consulting 262 Weidner Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572
Project Location: 2657 Peconic Avenue Seaford, NY
Town of Hempstead, Property Tax Map #
63/208/140-144
Water Course: Sunset Lagoon DEC Application: DEC
Project No.
1-2820-07087/0004
Project Description:
Applicant seeks a tidal wetlands permit pursuant to 6 NYCRR 661.9 and a variance from the development restrictions contained in 6 NYCRR 661.6, pursuant to 6 NYCRR 661.11, to subdivide an undersized lot into two lots of 5,188 sq ft and 5,325 sq ft and construct a single-family dwelling and a driveway on each lot. The project also includes removing and replacing 120 linear feet of existing nonfunctional bulkhead four feet landward of the existing bulkhead and 18 inches higher; constructing a new 30foot bulkhead landward of the MHW; and dredging a 10-linear-foor area via clamshell to -4 feet MLW, yielding approximately 25 cubic yards of spoil which will be placed landward of the bulkhead.
On April 18, 2024, the Department of Environmental Conservation (Department or DEC) issued a Notice of Complete Application to the applicant, which was published in the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB) on May 1, 2024. The Department issued a denial of the permit application on June 27, 2024 and the applicant requested a hearing on July 10, 2024. The Department revised the denial to address the applicant’s variance request, issuing a revised notice of denial on September 17, 2024. Applicant requested a hearing on denials of the variance request on October 7, 2024.
SEQRA Status: In its role as Lead Agency under SEQRA (ECL article 8 [State Environmental Quality Review Act]), Department staff determined the proposed project to be an unlisted action and issued a negative declaration on April 18, 2024
How to obtain application materials: Application documents and the revised notice of permit denial are available for review during normal business hours at the DEC Region 1 office. For further information, contact Tiffany Chiu, Esq. at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS DEC Region 1 Headquarters, 50 Circle Road, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11790, E-mail: tiffany.chiu@dec.ny.gov.
Written Comments:
Written comments concerning D’Alessandro Project’s tidal wetlands permit and variance applications and the Department’s revised notice of denial must be postmarked by December 10, 2024, and mailed to Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Elizabeth Phillips at the Department’s Office of Hearings and Mediation Services, 1st Floor, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY, 12233-1550, or emailed to ALJ Phillips at OHMS@dec.ny.gov by 12:00 p.m. on December 17, 2024. Please include D’Alessandro Project in the subject line.
Public Comment Hearing: December 17, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
To register to attend or speak at the public comment hearing, please visit: https://dec.ny.gov/regulat ory/hearings/hearingnotices
Language interpretation services shall be made available to persons with limited English proficiency, including American Sign Language, at no cost. Requests must be received 10 calendar days before the meeting, but DEC will make every effort to fulfill requests received closer to the hearing date. Requests can be directed to the NYSDEC Division of Communication, Education, and Engagement by mail (address: NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-4500), e-mail (language@dec.ny.gov), or phone (518) 402-8028. Issues Conference: December 17, 2024, 11:00 a.m.
Adjudicatory Hearing: December 17, 2024, 1:00 p.m. Participation in the issues conference and adjudicatory hearing is limited to the parties and any petitioner. To observe the proceedings, please visit: https://dec.ny.gov/regulat ory/hearings/hearingnotices
Filing Petitions for Party Status and Statement of Issues: Petitions for Party Status and Applicant’s Statement of Issues must be sent to the following individuals by mail, postmarked no later than December 3, 2024, and by email by 4:00 p.m. December 3, 2024:
Elizabeth Phillips
Administrative Law Judge Office of Hearings and Mediation Services 625 Broadway, 1st Floor Albany, NY 12233-1550
Elizabeth.Phillips@dec.ny.
gov Tiffany Chiu, Esq. Assistant Regional Attorney NYS DEC Region 1 SUNY at Stony Brook 50 Circle Road Stony Brook, New York 11790
Tiffany.chiu@dec.ny.gov
In addition, Petitions for Party Status must be sent to: Joseph Enrico Ocean Consulting 262 Weidner Ave Oceanside, NY 11572 oceancon@gmail.com
Response to Petitions for Party Status and Statement of Issues: Responses to the Petitions for Party Status from Department staff and the applicant, and Department’s responses to the applicant’s Statement of Issues must be sent by mail, postmarked no later than December 10, 2024, and by email by 4:00 p.m. December 10, 2024, to any party petitioning for party status and the parties listed above. Statutory and Regulatory Provisions: : This proceeding is being conducted according to ECL article 3, title 3 (General Functions), ECL article 25 (Tidal Wetlands), ECL article 70 (Uniform Procedures), 6 NYCRR part 621 (Uniform Procedures), part 624 (Permit Hearing Procedures), and part 661 (Tidal Wetlands). The Department’s permit hearing regulations may be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/re gs/2488.html, and a guide to permit hearing procedures may be found at https://dec.ny.gov/regulat ory/permitslicenses/environmentalpermits/guide-to-permithearings
For more information, please see: https://dec.ny.gov/regulat ory/hearings/hearingnotices.
Elizabeth Phillips Administrative Law Judge November 13, 2024 Albany, New York 149976
LEGAL NOTICE
Legal Notice for Fire District Election
Annual Election of the Wantagh Fire District December 10, 2024
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the annual election of the Wantagh Fire District shall be held on Tuesday December 10, 2024 beginning at 2:00 o’clock P.M., voting to be at the following polling places: Station No. 1 - 3470 Park Avenue, Wantagh, New York
Station No. 2 - 844
Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York
Station No. 3 - 2529
Neptune Avenue, Seaford, New York
Station No. 4 - 1191
Alken Avenue, Seaford, New York
Station No. 5 - 2895
Merrick Road, Wantagh, New York
The polls shall remain open until 9:00 o’clock p.m., or as much longer as necessary to enable the voters then present to cast their votes for the purpose of electing a Fire District Commissioner of said Fire District for a term of five years, commencing January 1, 2025, to succeed Commissioner William K. Field IV, whose term of office expires on December 31, 2024. Only residents registered to vote with the Nassau County Board of Elections on or before November 18, 2024 shall be eligible to vote.
Further notice is hereby given that nominations for the office of Fire Commissioner, for the previously mentioned position, shall be submitted in petition form subscribed to by at least twenty-five (25)-qualified voters of the Wantagh Fire District. Said petitions shall set forth the name of the candidate and their address and the office for which they are nominated. Such nominating petitions shall be filed with Kevin J. Regan, District Secretary, at Wantagh Fire District, 2045 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York on or before the 20th day of November 2024. Brendan J. Narell
Superintendent Wantagh Fire District
Aviso Legal para la Elección del Distrito de Bomberos
Elección Anual del Distrito de Bomberos de Wantagh
10 de diciembre de 2024
POR FAVOR TENGA EN CUENTA que la elección anual del Distrito de Bomberos de Wantagh se llevará a cabo el martes 10 de diciembre de 2024
a partir de las 2:00 p. m., votando en los siguientes lugares de votación:
Estación No. 1 - 3470
Park Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York
Estación No. 2 - 844
Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York
Estación No. 3 - 2529
Neptune Avenue, Seaford, Nueva York
Estación No. 4 - 1191
Alken Avenue, Seaford, Nueva York
Estación No. 5 - 2895
Merrick Road, Wantagh, Nueva York
Las urnas permanecerán abiertas hasta las 9:00 p.m., o tanto tiempo como sea necesario para permitir que los votantes presentes en ese momento emitan sus votos con el fin de elegir un Comisionado del Distrito de Bomberos de dicho Distrito de Bomberos por un período de cinco años, a partir del 1 de enero de 2025, para
Levittown’s House of Tires celebrates 65-year milestone
House of Tires and Auto Repair in Levittown celebrated an impressive 65th anniversary this year. Joining the business owners at their celebration was State Senator Steve Rhoads, who congratulated them for the hard work and dedication they contributed to the business’s enduring success.
Crime watCh
Petit LarCeny
A man was reported to have stolen a package from a residence on Mandalay Beach Road in Wantagh on Nov. 6.
arrests
Joy Davis, 51, of Amityville, was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Target on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on Nov. 1.
John Catalfomo, 43, of Mineola, was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Walmart on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow on Nov. 3.
Ana Fernandez, 56, of Valley Stream, was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Target on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on Nov. 4.
Dwi
Andrew Michael Razza, 23, of Merrick, was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated on Central Boulevard and Argyle Road in Merrick on Nov. 2.
CriminaL misChief
A glass window was reportedly damaged at Temple Bethel of Bellmore on Bellmore Road in North Bellmore on Oct. 31.
A frog statue and mailbox were reported damaged at Natural Beauty Fence on Sunrise Highway in Wantagh on Nov. 5.
A man reported that an unknown person damaged his front passenger door lock of his car while parked on Helene Street in Wantagh between Oct. 31. and Nov. 4.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
suceder al comisionado William K. Field IV, cuyo mandato vence el 31 de diciembre de 2024. Solo los residentes registrados para votar en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau el 18 de noviembre de 2024 o antes serán elegibles para votar.
Por la presente se da aviso adicional de que las nominaciones para el cargo de Comisionado de Bomberos, para el puesto mencionado anteriormente, se presentarán en forma de petición suscrita por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes calificados del
Distrito de Bomberos de Wantagh. En dichas peticiones se hará constar el nombre del candidato y su dirección y el cargo para el cual se postula. Dichas peticiones de nominación se presentarán ante Kevin J. Regan, distrito secretaria, en el distrito de bomberos de
Wantagh, 2045 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York, el 20 de noviembre de 2024 o antes. Brendan J. Narell Superintendente Distrito de Bomberos de Wantagh 149975
Courtesy office of State Sen. Steve Rhoads
Employment HERALD
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Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen
Assistant Business Administrator Position
The Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen is seeking an Assistant Business Administrator for an immediate opening. The successful candidate must possess a valid NYS SBA, SDBL, SDA, or SDL certification. The incumbent will assist the Assistant Superintendent for Business & Human Resources in all aspects of school business administration. The primary responsibilities include:
• Managing the District’s financial accounting system and procedures, processing accounting transactions, and preparing related month end/year end reports.
• Assisting in the preparation of the annual budget and related reports, responsible for grant recording and reporting.
• Managing the transportation process and responsible for the day-to-day transportation administration of the district.
• Maintain capital project files and ensure reporting of state aid forms on a timely basis for state aid. Coordinating all required reporting for audits and ST-3 filings. They assist in tuition billing, preparing cash flows as needed for necessary borrowings, develop regulations and processes to support Board of Education policies, assist in the supervision of certified and classified staff. Administrative experience and Certified Public Accountant Preferred; proficiency in Microsoft products is required, incumbent should be an independent thinker and motivated self-starter.
All interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to stayal@valleystream13.com or apply on OLAS. Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen is an equal opportunity employer and will hire without regard to
orientation, or disability.
EDITOR/REPORTER
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
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Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.
REQUIREMENTS:
Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.
POSITION DETAILS:
Flexible: Part-time or Full-time.
Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.
Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OFFICE COORDINATOR
To Handle Daily Office and Clerical Tasks at a Conservative Synagogue on the South Shore. 35 Hours per Week. Salary Ranges From $20-$24 per Hour Commensurate with Experience. Email Resume to: office@congbt.org or Call 516-785-2445 for more info
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours
Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary
Dealing with the postSandy bureaucracy
Sun-Filled Gracious Colonial
Q. I saw an article about auditing government by our state comptroller and wondered if you saw how he outlined waste and mishandling federal and state funds, in recovering from Superstorm Sandy. He cited gaps in program “oversight.” Were you aware of problems? We got funds from the New York Rising program. It was an ordeal we hope to never repeat. Like our neighbors, our house was raised, but they got more money without questions. We received a letter demanding $20,000 back, claiming funds were misused. Our neighbor built an illegal ground-floor family room with a wet bar, yet we were told we could only have storage, for example, and the state didn’t even say anything when they passed inspection. Did you see that people were treated differently, and is there any recourse?
A. Since the program has ended, I doubt that you can appeal. For 10 years after the storm I made many observations of the ways in which the officials at each level handled the specifics of insisting on everything from plastic laminate countertops versus quartz or granite, the waste of every property separately surveyed for groundwater depth, the use of the ground floor and the changes in whether you could have a window or door opening, and even whether you could have masonry steps when the program only allowed for wood steps, which were destined to need maintenance or replacement in a short period of time. There were many ways a design professional like me, working with the recipients of the funds, like you, could have helped to make the programs more efficient, safer, and less expensive for the government, but each time I tried to contact the fund management, my input was ignored. I met with the national head of FEMA while I was filming a documentary about disasters in Moore, Oklahoma, as well state legislators and our local New York Rising program director. In each case I got a business card and a “Shoot me an email and we’ll talk,” but never any follow-up.
I saw that it was a complete waste to ask homeowners to separately pay for groundwater testing on their property, for $1,000 to $2,500, in order to qualify for house-raising when an organized agency could have saved millions of dollars by getting testing done up and down entire blocks, mobilizing the testing company to come to a block once instead of randomly testing next-door neighbors’ properties a day apart. I was working with five neighbors at one time, and tried to get a state and local adviser to review procedures and applications in a single meeting, only to be told that one would meet on a Wednesday, the next the following week and squeeze another in by the month’s end. And, yes, I witnessed many differences in people’s treatment and how cases were handled, and I could not get an explanation when appealing on behalf of a homeowner. Perhaps the Homes and Community Renewal Agency can advise. Good luck!
©
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Aweek and a half removed from the conclusion of the profoundly exasperating 2024 election cycle, it is abundantly clear that the political temperature remains at an unprecedented high.
sCoTT M. DAVis
Constructive discourse seems nonexistent. Divisive rhetoric and finger-pointing have emerged as the standards of the day, and the pendulum has swung far away from working together across the political spectrum to build consensus for the greater good. This unsustainable climate is driving us down the dead-end road of acrimony and dysfunction.
We must all recognize this moment as a time for introspection and taking personal responsibility for the direction in which we move forward. As our emo-
opinions A call for tolerance and unity
tions settle, we should consider the legacy that we will leave for the next generation and reflect on what we can do to create a better path of promise for the future for those who follow.
The Town of Hempstead, commonly called America’s largest township, recently voted to impose a historic tax levy on its nearly 800,000 residents.
Town Supervisor Donald Clavin says the 12.1 percent levy is a necessary and “fiscally responsible” decision to help maintain the cost of administrative services such as health insurance, pensions and garbage removal.
Under the town’s proposed budget, residents of incorporated villages such as Freeport, Garden City and Rockville Centre would pay an extra $5 per year — while homeowners in unincorporated communities like Baldwin, Roosevelt and Uniondale would have to pay $65 extra annually. Such a stark contrast raises the question, why are some homeowners paying more taxes than others? Is everyone paying their fair share, or are there disparate tax burdens from one homeowner to the next? How can the town justify a mind-boggling 1,200 percent difference in tax payments between residents of villages and unincorporated hamlets?
Two months ago I wrote an op-ed for
In recognizing the magnitude of this moment in our political history, it is imperative to consider focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us. At our core, I believe we all share similar fundamental desires: to be able to live in an affordable, safe community where we, our families, and loved ones are treated with dignity and respect and can thrive, live authentically, and become the best versions of ourselves. We may have different customs, attend different religious institutions or celebrate in different ways, but the reality is this: We share more similarities than differences.
We must tamp down the divisive rhetoric that permeates our discourse.
ideals of tolerance and constructive problem-solving. Developing a willingness to listen and consider the possibility that an alternate way of thinking on an issue may have value is essential, and as a first step, I encourage everyone across the political spectrum to see how we can do better and contribute toward achieving this outcome.
seize on the work of forging a positive path for the next generation. Everyone is exhausted by the current political climate. We can and must do our part to work together, in order to give us all a better chance to live our best lives in a society where everyone is valued and protected.
Changing the toxic political climate starts with each one of us taking a long look in the mirror and embracing the
At this time of tremendous division, we must all renew our willingness to consider the legitimacy of differing perspectives and seek common ground on which reasonable people can begin to build a consensus. Start by focusing on something you can agree on and build from there. This isn’t an easy task, but it is a necessary one. We won’t always agree, but we must not always disagree. Even within our own families, we don’t concur on everything, but we move forward together.
With the holiday season fast approaching, now is an ideal time to
Our first task in this vital pursuit is tamping down the divisive rhetoric and intolerance that permeates our discourse. By focusing on understanding, empathy and bridge-building, we can pave the way for more united communities as we build a future that is inclusive, respectful of differences, and focused on creating solutions that benefit everyone.
Let’s come together — not as adversaries, but as neighbors and fellow citizens — and work toward a future in which our shared values and common goals guide us to a stronger and more resilient future. We are all better when we work together.
Scott M. Davis, of Rockville Centre, represents Nassau County’s 1st Legislative District.
The unequal burdens of a broken tax system
the Herald that explored the possibility of Baldwin becoming an incorporated village. Among many other responsibilities, village incorporation would give Baldwin the power to regulate its taxes, including generating much-needed revenue through sales and property taxes.
Many Baldwin residents reacted positively and with genuine curiosity to the essay, while others reflexively dismissed the idea for one primary reason — the age-old fear of higher taxes. But if our taxes are already increasing, why not welcome the opportunity to control them on our terms?
properties’ worth based on their market value. Assessment rolls list public information for the county’s residential and commercial properties. In Nassau, property assessments are managed by the Assessment Review Commission, a responsibility that is unique among counties in New York state.
Y our bill is way different depending on where in Nassau County you live.
The ugly truth is that whether you live in the Town of Hempstead or an unincorporated area of Nassau County, homeowners across Long Island face unequal tax burdens.
Before we go any further into tax disparities, we must note the fundamental difference between taxes and assessments. Taxes are fees outlined in budgets determined by school boards, town boards, county legislatures, village boards and special districts. Property taxes, in particular, have been described as the “lifeblood” of local governments. In Nassau County, roughly 60 percent of property tax revenue is earmarked to fund public schools, with the rest used to finance public services.
Assessments are calculations of
In 2021, the county comptroller’s office published an audit in which it called the county property assessment system fundamentally “broken.” Democratic and Republican lawmakers have sparred for decades over who is to blame and how to fix the problem. But little attention is paid to the disparate fiscal impact and hardship some Long Island property owners face as a result of flawed and failed policies.
Take the property assessment grievance system, for example. Each year, tax grievance firms flood our mailboxes with urgent notices promising to win homeowners big tax refunds. In Nassau County’s property assessment sweepstakes, however, there are clear winners and losers due to a practice known as “tax shifting.”
According to the comptroller’s audit, roughly 70 percent of property assessment grievances — also known as appeals or challenges — were granted reductions. Between 2012 and 2019, grievance firms billed residential prop-
erty owners over $500 million for their representation in reducing assessed values, the audit found.
But here’s the catch: When a property owner successfully appeals their assessment and gets a refund, the tax burden doesn’t disappear. Tax rates are adjusted, and the cost simply shifts to the next property owner who fails to grieve their assessment.
Nassau is the only county in the state that is both responsible for property assessment review and liable for taxpayer refunds. Whatever property tax revenue the county generates, the gains may likely be offset by grievance settlements. As one elected official previously put it, “A refund gets paid by taxpayers one way or another. The question is merely who pays.”
Historically, county and Town of Hempstead officials have made decisions — for example, to freeze taxes — that have proven more politically convenient than financially prudent. This is only the tip of the iceberg in highlighting an entrenched, flawed and, yes, broken tax system. To create a fairer and more equitable one, we need more tax literacy and transparency. Elected officials at every level of government must work diligently to revise broken policies that allow disparities to persist.
Karl A. Valere is chief of staff and senior policy adviser to Assemblyman Khaleel M. Anderson. He lives in Baldwin. Contact him at karlcaresnewyork@ gmail.com.
KARL A. VALERE
Herald editorial
Delivering quality journalism matters most
last week’s news that The Newark Star-Ledger will cease its print edition and become digitalonly in February offers an opportunity to reflect on how quality journalism best serves our communities today.
The Star-Ledger’s shift, along with similar moves by other newspapers in New Jersey, reflects the complex reality facing modern newsrooms. But rather than seeing this as a choice between print and digital, let’s focus on what research consistently shows: Different formats serve different purposes, and many readers benefit from both.
Print newspapers continue to command exceptional trust and engagement. Studies repeatedly demonstrate that readers retain information better from print, and advertisers see stronger results from print campaigns. There’s something uniquely focused about the experience of reading a physical newspaper — the thoughtful progression through its pages, the serendipitous discoveries, the natural hierarchy that helps readers understand what matters
letters
Affordable housing tops the list of L.I.’s problems
To the Editor:
I’m writing in response to the editorial “The Herald’s pact with you” (Oct. 31-Nov. 6), in which you ask, “What are the topics you care about?”
There are many problems affecting Nassau County, Long Island, New York state and the United States that I care about, but the one I find myself coming back to more than any other is housing, specifically the availability of affordable housing.
I live in Point Lookout, a community that has gentrified enormously since my parents bought a home here in 1957, for which they paid $17,500, taking a 10-year mortgage. It’s great for me, I guess, that my home has appreciated in value astronomically, but, in my opinion, not so good overall for the people of Long Island.
One of my daughters struggled to find somewhere to live on her own nearby, finally settling into part of a home in another Nassau County community, paying rent that’s at the very limit of what she can afford. And this is typical. As individuals and families struggle to pay their mortgages and property taxes, there are close to zero apartments and mixed-use developments being built.
In Long Beach, just down the road from Point Lookout, there are innumerable, mostly illegal apartments in homes, despite the periodic statements of various Long Beach officials
most. Digital platforms, meanwhile, excel at breaking news and interactive graphics.
The most successful news organizations today recognize that different stories, and different moments, call for different platforms.
At the Herald, we see firsthand how print and digital complement each other. Breaking news might first appear online, and then our print editions provide the context, analysis and depth that help readers truly understand issues affecting their communities. Each platform serves its purpose, and together they create a more informed community.
The future of news isn’t about choosing digital over print, or vice versa — it’s about delivering quality journalism through whatever channels best serve you, our readers. There’s no doubt that news will eventually be delivered by a technology that doesn’t even exist yet, and that’s OK.
Local newspapers, regardless of format, serve as champions of community achievements, watchdogs of public officials and chroniclers of the stories that
matter most to our readers. Whether you’re holding a printed page or scrolling on a screen, what matters most is the quality of the journalism you’re reading.
At the Herald, our commitment has remained unchanged for many decades: to provide trustworthy, impactful journalism that serves the people of Long Island. We’ll continue investing in both print and digital delivery, recognizing that our readers benefit from having choices in how they consume news. And, of course, we always want to hear from you about how we can serve you and your communities better.
The future of journalism depends not on the medium but on the continued support of readers who value quality local news. Whether you prefer print or digital, or both, your engagement helps ensure that professional journalism continues to thrive in our communities. Tell your friends and family to subscribe to their local newspapers, wherever in the world they live.
We look forward to being your trusted source of local news for years to come.
promising a crackdown on such apartments.
The opposition to building more housing on Long Island is fierce. Look what happened last year to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s attempt to encourage the construction of more housing throughout the state.
Local politicians rant and rave about how apartments and multi-unit developments near transit hubs will destroy the suburban character of Nassau County — as if developers were looking to build huge apartments in residential neighborhoods!
Fin our intensified max on here to have wholeheartedly Trumpist may be what the that Americans economic flict, afraid These the many the final watched
— while our young people and families who cannot afford to buy homes have almost no options for housing. Cowardly town, county and state politicians serve only their own self-interest in being re-elected, and do nothing to address this problem. And our young people, and others, continue to leave Long Island due to the lack of housing options.
MICHAEL CrAvEN Point Lookout
What comes next? How about our neglected unity?
For me, like so many Americans, the last six months have been a whirlwind of emotions, as arguably the most historic election in our nation’s history built momentum, intensified and eventually reached a climax on election night. While I’m not here to share my opinion on the outcome, the big question facing every citizen and resident of our country is: What next?
It can be tempting to see the outcome of the election as the ultimate refutation of the left — proof that Americans have rejected progressive values and policies and have wholeheartedly embraced modern Trumpist conservatism. While there may be some truth to this, I believe that what the result ultimately showed was that Americans are afraid. Afraid of economic disaster, afraid of global conflict, afraid of violence at home. These are reasonable fears. Even for the many Americans who lived through the final throes of the Cold War or watched the twin towers fall on Sept. 11,
2001, our country has never seemed more like a powder keg ready to explode.
Which is why, now more than ever, we need to come together not just as liberals and conservatives, but as Americans. The United States has always been strongest when we’ve been united, and our darkest moments come when we turn on one another and lay blame at our neighbors’ doorsteps.
As Abraham Lincoln famously said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” and those words are as true today as they were 166 years ago.
everything from political rivals being forced to work together in government — such as when Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson collaborated to create our financial system while simultaneously establishing Washington, D.C., as the nation’s capital — to having uncomfortable Thanksgiving dinners with relatives who have radically different political values.
m y dad will never forget the kind strangers far from home after the 9/11 attacks.
While conservatives may claim, rightly or wrongly, that progressives are softhearted dopes who focus on issues that don’t matter to real Americans, progressives may claim, rightly or wrongly, that conservatives are coldhearted dopes who focus on issues that don’t matter to real Americans. Perspective is everything, and trying to work together and understand not only what our differences are, but also why they exist, is the quintessential heart of the American experiment.
The intersection of our political and social culture has always been an uneasy compromise. This extends to
Letters
Not giving in to ‘our season of despair’
To the Editor:
I hope that Nov. 5, 2024, is not a date that will live in infamy, but I must express my justifiable concerns. I don’t fear the boogeyman in the closet. I fear a reality that may occur.
Hello, America: This is the time to say, “Oops, shoulda not done that.” This may be the season of our regret and despair. At the risk of sounding Cassandra-like, I fear for our democratic nation, I fear for our personal safety and I fear for our future.
Let’s start with our new leader, Donald Trump, awaiting sentencing on his criminal charges. How will the judicial system honor the decisions of the jurors? What will he do in the cases of the Capitol rioters? He could grant all or some of them pardons. What actions might he take on his first day in office? Which programs will he sign into law?
At risk are female reproductive rights, tariffs that could possibly raise the price of marketplace goods, more laws against vulnerable and targeted populations and the empowering of those who promote false science and other highly dubious theo-
ries. Many of us are concerned about what could happen to our health care and Social Security benefits. Will they change, possibly with decreases that will seriously impact an aging population? And, of course, there is the issue of border security, with its parallel implications of a ready labor market.
Like many of my fellow citizens, I hope that President-elect Trump doesn’t violate long-held democratic traditions and implement authoritarian governance.
I am worried about him using his platform to praise authoritarian leaders while demeaning our democratic allies. I am also concerned about him using pejorative and threatening language with his perceived enemies.
We who feel abandoned and in despair must stand strong, and must continue to make our voices heard through democratic means and processes. We must persist in speaking for the disenfranchised, so the liberties we have known and hope to preserve for future generations are not deserted and forgotten. This is our America — let us continue to carry the torch illuminating a better life for all, and not give in to our season of despair.
MIREILLE TAUb Freeport
The idea that people who disagree politically could do so without resorting to violence is what separated our country from nearly all others when we declared our independence. It is one of the most sacred responsibilities that we as Americans must honor and hold dear, or risk losing the dream of a more just, more equitable society as envisioned by our Founding Fathers.
So while it’s easy to feel emotional following this election, remember that we need to heal the nation’s wounds, not worsen them. Think next time before you gloat to a “libtard” about winning the election — or calling every conservative voter you know a fascist. Are you really saying it because you believe it, or because emotions are running high and you feel like you need to show the
world how strongly you hold your beliefs?
In the days after the Sept. 11 attacks, my father was in California, desperately trying to get back home to my family. With all flights grounded, he and a friend rented a car and tried to make a cross-country drive.
Running on fumes on a remote stretch of highway, they came to a gas station that, unfortunately, was out of business. Stranded and worried about their loved ones, my dad and his friend were lucky enough to be found by some locals in a pickup truck. The saviors had a spare five-gallon tank of gas for the dirt bikes in the bed of the truck.
My dad always talked about how, while thanking them, he explained how and his friend were New Yorkers trying to get home to their families. Without missing a beat, one of the men responded, “We’re all New Yorkers today.”
That is what makes America great, not rhetoric or political stunts or moral grandstanding. And that is what we need to keep hold of in the aftermath of this election: that no matter what, we are all Americans, and that we’re all stronger when we work together.
Will Sheeline is a senior reporter covering Glen Cove, Glen Head, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff. Comments? WSheeline@ liherald.com.
Framework by Tim Baker
Bellmore Girl Scout Troop 965 visits the Herald — Garden City
Giving Birth? Look No Further than the South Shore’s
Only High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care
Mothers looking for a hospital at which to give birth should consider the quality indicators used by U.S. News & World Report ® to determine institutions deemed High Performing for Maternity care.
Mount Sinai South Nassau is the only South Shore hospital to earn the rating of High Performing based on eight key measures:
• Reduced C-section delivery rates
• Low early elective delivery rates
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• Low episiotomy rates
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• Transparency on racial/ethnic disparities
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Learn more at southnassau.org/maternity, or call 877-SOUTH-NASSAU.