Tim Baker/Herald file photo While Valley Stream station riders on a recent day said they were mostly satisfied with their service, they scowled at the possibility of another fare increase.
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
With New York City’s new congestion pricing system now in place, Gov. Kathy Hochul rode the rails to Syosset last week, urging city-bound Long Island commuters to leave their cars at home and embrace “world-class” public transit.
On Long Island, the tolling program is expected to increase commuters’ reliance on the Long Island Rail Road. Weekday ridership climbed from about 77 percent of prepandemic levels in 2023 to roughly 80 percent last year.
Transit officials, meanwhile, are highlighting the improved service of the railway system, emphasizing a pro-public transit
message to court suburban commuters looking to avoid the $9 toll to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. LIRR President Rob Free boasted that a higher percentage of trains operated on time last year than ever before.
“Our 95.6 percent on-time performance in 2024 is our highest non-Covid year in the history that we’ve been tracking on-time performance,” Free said.
Three years of growth and growing pains
An analysis of LIRR data over the past three years, however, combined with riders’ firsthand accounts, paints a fuller — and undeniably more complicated — picture.
The number of late trains nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023, from 8,691 to 17,064. The
By AiNSLey MAr TiNez amartinez@liherald.com
About a dozen employees of the Lynbrook Starbucks, members of Starbucks Workers United, returned to work on Dec. 29 after taking part in a national five-day strike — but many members of the employee-led union say their appetite for negotiating higher pay and more stable work environments at the coffee company remain strong.
Liv Ryan, a 26-year-old Valley Stream resident and a five-year Starbucks employee who began organizing for the union in 2020, said that the organization has played pivotal roles in pay and workplace management since the store voted to unionize last February.
Ryan, a shift lead at the 839 Sunrise Highway location and a marketing delegate for the Starbucks union, said that accounts of previous management’s racially charged discipline and pay discrepancies at the Lyn -
brook store motivated her and other members of the staff to advocate for better conditions.
“The change after we unionized was significant,” Ryan said. “We went from having a really bad manager, who didn’t care about any worker, to now having a better manager who doesn’t target people for being pro-union.”
One event last year marked a turning point at which Ryan and others decided to go on strike. In February, when both a white employee and a Black employee wore union T-shirts underneath their jackets, the manager at the time called out only the Black employee, telling the employee to take it off, Ryan recounted.
“That day was crazy,” she said, adding, of the manager, “She kicked us out of the store mid-shift.”
Because Ryan is a union member, she was paid for the entire shift. But, Ryan said the union can make up for workers’
Continued on page 16
HERALD SchoolS
Valley Stream 24 builds IKEA furniture
Students in grades four through six in the Valley Stream District 24’s Challenge Program have been immersed in advanced coding and robotics by using 3D printing to design and create their own robots. Most recently, they applied their 21st-century skills, including coding, 3D printing, and architectural design, to build and design IKEA furniture, showcasing their creativity and problem-solving abilities.
“Our Challenge Program students had a unique and exciting opportunity to enhance their 21st-century skills by assembling their own IKEA furniture,” said Superintendent Unal Karakas. “This hands-on experience exemplifies our Vision 2030 initiative in action, fostering technological literacy and preparing students for the future by encouraging them to apply their skills to real-world projects.”
Students read blueprints to build and design desks, cabinets and other pieces of furniture. Challenge Program Teacher Risa Miller developed the idea after a recent Vision 2030 planning session, during which district staff came together to create innovative Vision 2030 pilot projects. Such programs align with the cornerstones of Vision 2030 by emphasizing technological skills, collaboration, real-world experience, social and emotional health and adaptive leadership, according to district officials.
–Juan Lasso
ADVERTORIAL
Fourth through sixth-grade students in the Valley Stream 24 School District’s Challenge Program recently engaged in coding and robotics, as well as designing IKEA furniture.
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Photos courtesy Valley Stream District 24 Valley Stream 24 students became builders of the iconic Swedish-inspired furniture.
Neighbors iN the News
A Q&A with Mayor Fare on Valley Stream Toys for Tots 2024
As the holiday season fades into memory and January 2025 settles in, Valley Stream residents once again rallied around their annual Toys for Tots drive this holiday season, collecting hundreds of toys for children who might otherwise go without. The culmination of this year’s effort—a caravan of fire trucks, a flatbed loaded with donations, and Santa Claus riding shotgun—was a vivid display of the community’s commitment to spreading holiday
cheer.
Mayor Fare, alongside the Valley Stream Fire Department, has become a central figure in this growing tradition. We spoke with him about the program’s evolution, the impact on recipients, and the sense of collective purpose it brings to the village each year.
Q: How does this event reflect Valley Stream’s sense of community during the holiday season?
Mayor Fare: It is certainly heartwarming to see the community participate and donate toys to children that otherwise would not have any gifts during the holiday season. The phrase “it is better to give than to receive” comes to mind. It’s a good feeling to put that new, unwrapped toy into the collection bins, knowing that it will brighten a child’s day, week, month, even year. Our community knows that, respects that, and wholeheartedly participates.
Q: Can you share how the Winterfest toy drive has evolved over the years?
Mayor Fare: Fortunately, it has grown exponentially and gotten bigger and better every year. Back in the beginning, we loaded toys into a Public Safety or Code Enforcement car and drove to the collection site. As years went by, the collections grew so much that we needed help from Valley Stream’s Volunteer Fire Department—not only for their fire trucks to transport the toys, but for the firefighters to help us pack, load, and unload all the donations. And now, for the last few years, we’ve had so many toys that we needed flatbed trucks from Northstar Collision to hold them all!
Q: Do you have an estimate of how many toys were col-
lected this year compared to previous years?
Mayor Fare: Our Toys for Tots collections have increased every year. While we have never counted every toy, the number of bins loaded onto the trucks says it all. A picture is worth a thousand words—just take a look at those photos!
Q: What kind of impact do you hope these donations will have on the children receiving them?
Mayor Fare: There is no doubt that for some of these children, the Toys for Tots program will be the only joy they experience during this holiday season. I’ve personally participated in some of the individual toy distributions, and the look on these children’s faces is priceless and heartwarming. They experience hope, joy, and happiness during what could be the most difficult time of their lives.
Q: How significant is the role of the Valley Stream Fire Department in making this event a success?
Mayor Fare: It is not an exaggeration to say that the Village of Valley Stream could not fully participate in the Marines Toys for Tots Campaign without the volunteers from the Valley Stream Fire Department and Northstar Collision!
Q: How can residents get
involved in supporting events like this in the future?
Mayor Fare: The collection bins are located all throughout the village. The Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce takes an active role in helping with this yearly campaign. Our village employees and staff are vital to the collection and delivery of all the toy bins. Our Recreation Department and even our official village Santa Claus participate and make this toy collection more successful every year. Residents can stay informed through our website, social media platforms, and Village Green household mailings. We always welcome participation and community spirit.
Q: What does this event mean to you personally, as Mayor and as a resident of Valley Stream?
Mayor Fare: You’ve heard me say this countless times: Nothing makes an elected official happier than community involvement and volunteerism. There are so many ways to get involved in our community and make your village a better place. To see the turnout of residents simply placing toys in the bins, to all of the staff and volunteers packing, loading, delivering, and unloading the toys, could melt anyone’s heart. We can all be proud of Valley Stream’s outreach programs—I know I am.
Franklin Square library’s teen programs
By RENEE DELORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com
The Franklin Square Public Library hosted a pinecone-painting take-andmake event for teens on Jan. 8, led by Teen Services Librarian Daphne Levy. Teen participants grabbed a craft kit, which included a pinecone, paint and glitter, and decorated their pinecone under the direction of Levy.
However, Levy said, the library hosts an array of teen events that allow teens to log community service hours, all while creating crafts and socializing with friends. Currently, the library is hosting a “Teens for Sick Teens” donation drive, where teens can donate new, unopened and unwrapped items to the Cohen Children’s Medical Center, which has multiple locations across Long Island.
According to Levy, a lot of teens in Franklin Square are required to log community service hours in order to graduate from high school. When she began assessing her library program list, she decided to pivot from regular teen programming and started hosting events specifically aimed toward helping teens achieve their community service goals.
Teen crafts are particularly common, she said, such as origami, ornament making, bookmark designing and gnome decorating. After crafts are complete, she continued, they are placed in a basket for the public to take home. She said she envisions the teen programming as an opportunity to share art and culture across the entire community. “I want it to be a passing down of arts from one generation to another,” she said. However, many events at the library involve learning new skills, helping seniors, donating supplies and collabo -
rating with local nonprofits, such as Howie’s Heart.
“I try to come up with different ways to get them involved and give back to the community,” Levy said. Many of the teens are too young to drive, but she said the library is a 15-minute walk from H. Frank Carey High School. The library has become a hub for teens in Franklin Square, she continued, and it is a safe place for them to hang out.
Levy credited Melinda Space, the library’s adult programmer, for her creative program ideas that utilize crafts
and baking to draw large crowds to the library. According to Levy, Space’s “Melinda Makes” adult program series is almost always at capacity with participants, and many more interested participants end up spilling over to a wait list. Space’s events inspire Levy to create her teen programs, which she adapts for their community service needs.
Levy said she is always looking for new ideas to bring to the library’s programming, and she encouraged teens and adults to share their ideas for future programs with her. “If any teen or adult has a skill they’d like to donate, come to the Franklin Square Public Library and donate it,” she said.
This month, Levy said there are a few upcoming teen events that will be hosted by the library. On Saturday, Jan. 25, there will be “Valentine’s Magnets” program for teens, grades 6 through 12, where participants can paint mini magnetic canvasses. There will also be a “Lunar New Year Appreciation Day” celebration where teens can make origami snakes and lanterns.
Additional information about upcoming events, and an approved list of items to donate for the “Teens for Sick Teens” donation drive, are listed on the library’s website, FranklinSquarePL.org.
Renee DeLorenzo/Herald
Brianna Baldwin, left, Sofia Campoli, Vincent Wu and Sabrina Martelli show off their painted pinecone crafts during a teen community service event at the Franklin Square Public Library on Jan. 8.
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K
To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
Laura Gillen sworn in as a Congresswoman
Tax and Medicaid Law Changes for 2025
For 2025, the exemptions for estate taxes rise to $7.16 million for New York estate taxes, and to $13.99 million for Federal estate taxes. The annual gift tax exclusion rises to $19,000. If your estate is, or may become, greater than the New York threshold, early intervention can avoid the hefty New York estate taxes, which start at over $600,000. Some of the techniques are (1) setting up two trusts, one for husband and one for wife, and using them to double the New York exemption, (2) gifting out so much of the estate so as to reduce it below the New York exemption, at least three years before the death of the donor, and (3) using the “Santa Clause” providing that the amount over the threshold be donated to a charity or charities of your choosing so as to reduce the estate to no more than the exemption.
For Medicaid, the house is an exempt asset so long as a spouse is residing there, up to $1.1 million of equity for 2025. Seeing as over 80% of nursing home residents do not have a spouse, it is better to plan ahead with
a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) to get the five year look-back for nursing facility care. In that case, the house would be protected by the trust rather than the unreliable spousal exemption. Unless your other assets have been protected by the MAPT, an individual may keep about $31,500 and a spouse at home can keep up to about $158,000.
The often-delayed imposition of the new two and a half year look-back for home care, is not on the horizon for 2025. Currently there is no look-back for home-care and you do not have to worry about getting home care until you actually need it. Nevertheless, this may change in the future so the MAPT remains as an important as a tool to qualify you for home care as well as protecting your assets from a nursing home. Assets should be moved into the MAPT years ahead of time if you want to be able to afford to stay in your own home and get home health aides for assistance with the activities of daily living, should the need arise.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
ELDER LAW ESTATE PLANNING SINCE 1991 trustlaw.com Trusts & Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com
Rockville Centre’s Laura Gillen took the oath of office administered by House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and officially was installed as the representative for the 4th Congressional District.
Gillen defeated incumbent Anthony D’Esposito in a rematch of the 2022 race for the two-year term.
A former Hempstead town supervisor, Gillen was joined by her family in Washington, D.C. for her swearing in on Jan. 6.
At freshmen orientation late last year, Gillen had the opportunity to connect with members of Congress from both parties, which she indicated would be essential to passing important legislation starting in January.
“I am honored that the people of New York’s Fourth Congressional District have entrusted me with the responsibili-
ty of representing them in Congress,” Gillen said in a statement after being sworn in.
“As we look ahead to this Congress, I am ready to get to work on the bipartisan priorities that Long Islanders care most about: lowering costs, giving hardworking Long Islanders a middle-class tax break by restoring the full SALT deduction, ensuring clean drinking water, and taking much-needed action to secure our border,” she said.
“I’ve always been guided by the principles of compromise and bipartisanship, and I look forward to working with anyone — Democrat or Republican — who is committed to working productively to deliver on the pressing issues that we face,” Gillen added.
–Jeffrey Bessen
Courtesy Office Congresswoman Laura Gillen
Speaker Mike Johnson, third from right swore Laura Gillen into office, third from left on Jan. 6. Owen Gillen, far left, Myles Gillen, Johnson, Chris Flanagan, Gillen, Austen Gillen and Laine Gillen.
LONG LIVE
Many ways to access great doctors? We have that. Simple mobile app? We have that, too. Convenient locations for primary, specialty and urgent care? Absolutely. On Long Island, you have options in health care. But at Catholic Health, we'd like to remind you to choose you first – because we did, too. Long Live You and Long Live Long Island™
LEiL a paz
Carey Senior Basketball
A FOUR-YEAR STARTER and two-time AllCounty selection, Paz reached a milestone Dec. 19 in Carey’s defeat to New Hyde Park. As part of her 18-point performance, she recorded her 1,000th career point, joining a short list of those in the program to accomplish the feat. Paz entered this week’s action leading all of Nassau County in scoring at a shade under 27 points per game. She hit for 30 or more points in half of Carey’s first 10 games.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, Jan. 16
Girls Basketball: South Side at Elmont 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: V.S. Central at Baldwin 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Mepham at MacArthur 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Elmont at South Side 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: MacArthur at East Meadow 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Jericho at Long Beach 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Garden City at Calhoun 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Bethpage at Hewlett 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 17
Boys Basketball: New Hyde Park at Sewanhaka 4:30 p.m.
Wrestling: Oceanside at Farmingdale 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Wantagh at V.S. South 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Plainedge at Seaford 5 p.m.
Girls Baskietball: Syosset at Uniondale 5 p.m.
Wrestling: MacArthur at Long Beach 6 p.m.
Wrestling: Mepham at Calhoun 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Lawrence at North Shore 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 18
Boys Basketball: Island Trees at Calhoun 12 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Herricks at East Meadow 12 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Hempstead at Oceanside 1 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Freeport at Syosset 1 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
HERALD SPORTS
Legagneur, O’Neil lead VSC victory
By TONY BELLiSSiMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
With the door to the Nassau Class AA boys’ basketball playoffs barely open, Long Beach played like there was no tomorrow Monday night and stayed within striking distance of Valley Stream Central until the closing minutes.
A pivotal foul call and subsequent technical with 2:40 remaining in regulation time helped the Eagles double their lead on the way to 65-54 Conference AAIII victory at Memorial Junior High.
Senior Jamin Legagneur’s traditional three-point play and pair of technical foul shots boosted Central’s lead from five to double digits and took all the wind out of the Marines’ sails. Legagneur scored a game-high 24 points and had 8 rebounds, and junior point guard Sean O’Neil added 21 points and 5 assists as the Eagles (9-3 overall, 5-2 in AA-III) won their fourth straight.
“We have great depth and we weathered some injuries earlier in the season,” Central head coach Mike Wimmer said. “We have a lot of guys who can score the ball and it’s a close-knit group. We have the pieces.”
Seniors Brody Schuh (21) and Matty Hayes (13) scored in double figures for Long Beach (4-8 overall, 2-5 in AA-III), which saw its playoff hopes take another punch.
“I don’t know if we would’ve won, but we had late momentum,” Marines head coach Scott Martin said. “Kids are playing hard and we did what we set out to do. We kept our turnovers down and stayed in the game the whole night. Central is a talented team that finishes strong. They can hurt you in many ways.”
Sophomores Jaiya (9) and Julian Vera combined for 15 points for the Eagles, who took the lead for good on Legagneur’s three-point play midway through the first quarter. O’Neil scored their final six points of the frame and the lead was 19-12 after eight minutes.
“We’re a hard-working team and feel we can go far,” said O’Neil, who averaged 19 points over the first dozen games. “We talk about winning the county champi-
Senior Jamin Legagneur exploded for 24 points in the Eagles’ 65-54 victory
Long Beach on Monday evening.
onship as that’s our goal, but we don’t lose focus on one game at a time. We’re looking forward to our rematches with Baldwin and Great Neck South.”
The Eagles dropped the first meeting with Baldwin, the four-time defending county champions down a classification this season due to enrollment, and took unbeaten Great Neck South to overtime.
Central led Long Beach by eight at halftime but the Marines hung tough behind Schuh, Hayes, sophomore Zach Brymer (8 points) and senior point guard Jamar Burns.
Schuh trimmed the deficit to 52-47 late in the fourth but the visitors couldn’t swing the lead in their favor.
“Our margin for error is down to zero,” Martin said. “We have to steal a couple of games against teams higher than us in the standings. It’s entirely possible. We’ve played everyone tough. Even if we don’t make it happen, I’m proud of these guys. Can’t say enough about their effort.”
Long Beach visits Jericho on Thursday. Central is back in action Friday at Baldwin.
Derrick Dingle/Herald
over
Live your faith and share it with others
The timeless values that create better prepared, more capable, and more confident young adults. An important part of your child’s program is the learning of values. This is often the most easily observable difference in a ‘Catholic school kid’.
While the specific order and organization of when these values are taught might differ from school-to-school, the values and the discipline to live them are enduring qualities and are taught consistently across all Catholic elementary schools.
The schedule below details how one of our schools creates a focus on two values in each in of the nine years of elementary and middle school.
Kindergarten – Courtesy and Respect: Learning the importance of politeness and good manners in dealing with others, as well as the need to respect one another, and personal and public property.
First Grade – Punctuality and Neatness: Being on time for school and with assignments and being neat in both school work and homework.
Second Grade – Kindness and Generosity: Understanding the need to reach out and help one another and realizing the joy in giving more than is expected.
Third Grade – Hard Work and Perseverance:
Recognizing the importance of diligence and a good work attitude, the satisfaction of doing our best and the need to keep trying despite obstacles.
Fourth Grade – Honesty and Responsibility: Being truthful and keeping our word, doing the right thing even when no one else is accepting the consequences of our actions meeting our obligations.
Fifth Grade – Patience and Discipline: Learning to be patient with ourselves ers, saying “yes” to the right things and the wrong things, and taking charge of selves by controlling our actions and Sixth Grade – Tolerance and Justice: Learning to accept and appreciate the ences in others and treating them with and fairness.
Seventh Grade – Thoughtfulness Compassion: Understanding the needs ing of others and treating them with and fairness.
Eighth Grade – Loyalty and Courage: about our relationships with others and willing to show it through our actions; the strength and will to do what is right when we’re afraid or it’s unpopular.
Officials address the State of the Region
By JEFFREY BESSEN, CAROLYN JAMES & MOHAMMAD RAFIQ
Special to the Herald
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer began with a joke. Matt Cohen, president and CEO of the Long Island Association, moderated a discussion among Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Richard Schaffer, president of the Long Island Supervisors Association. Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke about having an impact.
The ballroom at the Crest Hollow Country Club, in Woodbury, was filled with many appointed and elected government officials, along with many more movers and shakers, on Jan. 10 for the LIA’s annual State of the Region Breakfast.
This is a portion of what the elected leaders had to say.
Sen. Chuck Schumer
The former U.S. Senate majority leader, now the minority leader, began the morning with joke. The punch line of a tale about a woman being sentenced to four nights in jail for stealing a can of four peaches is her husband interrupting the proceeds by shouting, “She also stole a can of peas!”
The room filled with laughter, and then Schumer turned serious on several topics, including his hard work to attain his position in the Senate. He noted that despite the partisanship in Washington, Long Island elected leaders from both political parties are working together to bring federal money to the region.
“I’ll keep fighting for Long Island,” Schumer said, noting a $400 million Federal Emergency Management Agency grant for the Long Island Power Authority to strengthen the electrical power infrastructure.
Schumer said he was committed to reinstituting the deduction for state and local taxes, as should the entire state congressional delegation.
“We should be united in doing that, so that our people will stay here, new people will want to come here,” he said. “There is no reason for any member of the New York delegation shouldsettle for anything less than the full restitution of SALT with no cap.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul
The governor, who traveled to the event on the Long Island Rail Road, noted that the state would be investing $1.5 billion in the LIRR. The state is also allocating over $51 million for public safety on Long Island.
“We have to have the courage and vision to do more,” Hochul said of the issue of affordable housing.
She acknowledged the impact of climate change, from the wildfires in California to the fires in upstate New York in November, and from flooding in the Hudson Valley in July to flooding in Suffolk County in August.
“So, we have to be ready for this,” Hochul said. “We are the first genera-
tion to feel the ill effects of climate change, and we’re the last generation that can do something about it.”
She advocated for offshore wind power generation, saying it’s the way to go.
She also said she was motivated to help businesses big and small, because of the economic hard times she saw growing up. “No large business ever started as a large business — they all started small,” Hochul said, noting her mother’s small business to help displaced homemakers.
Since she became governor, she said, 53,000 jobs have been created on Long Island, and that in 2023 alone, 47,000 new businesses started here.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman
Blakeman touted his record as county executive.
“Nassau County was named by U.S. News & World Report as the safest county of all the United States of America,” he said, crediting officers of the county Police Department. “They do an outstanding job,” he said. “The men and women work very, very hard to keep us all safe.”
On the proposed Sands casino, Blakeman said the process is progressing, and he believes the county has the best application.
“I think it will generate a lot of jobs — we’re talking about potentially $5 billion in construction jobs,” he said. “We’re talking about revenue that will be spread out in various communities. I believe that, hopefully, we can get a favorable decision from the licensing board, and we’ll go full speed ahead.”
On affordable housing, Blakeman said, “We have 80-year-old sewers that need to be revitalized … and we need at least $100 million over the next five years to do that.”
County Executive Ed Romaine Romaine declared that “Amtrak is coming to Ronkonkoma,” and spoke about affordable housing. Referring to the state’s push to bring development to Nassau and Suffolk counties, Romaine said he agreed that Long Island would benefit from meeting the housing needs of lower-income residents, senior citizens and young people.
He quickly added a caveat, however. “We also need the infrastructure,
including sewers, to support these projects,” Romaine said, noting that there are 3,400 projects under consideration in Suffolk that can’t be built because the county doesn’t have the sewer capacity — and that is the major obstacle for almost every major project undertaken on Long Island.
Increasing affordable housing on Long Island, once a local and regional issue, is front and center in Albany, as the state — dangling lots of state dollars — urges counties, towns and villages to embrace its new housing initiative. He added that the measure has been greeted with mixed reviews, as local officials remain concerned that opting into the state program will undercut local controls like planning and zoning codes.
Romaine was visibly angry about the taxes that Suffolk residents pay on their home electric and heating bills. He promised to suspend those taxes, as well as the gasoline tax.
“We should make it more affordable for the average person to live here,” he said. If not, people will move off Long Island “like the rest of the state. (People) don’t just vote at the ballot box; they vote with their feet. New York lost (more) people than any other state. That’s a wake-up call.
Supervisor Richard Schaffer
Schaffer, the Town of Babylon supervisor and the Suffolk County Democratic chairman, noted his beginnings in the County Legislature, where he worked across the aisle in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“We’re not elected to come here and put on a show to make it into Newsday or make it onto News12,” Schaffer said. “We’re here to get things done.” He noted that that is his philosophy, and Romaine’s thinking as well.
“The stars have aligned, and not only do we have people who have known each other for a very long time, but also key, trust each other in order to do the right thing,” Schaffer added of his relationships with Romaine and Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter.
Tim Baker/Herald photos
LIA President and CEO Matt Cohen, far right, moderated the panel discussion, which included Long Island Supervisors Association
President Richard Schaffer, far left, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer noted that restoring the deduction for state and local taxes was a priority.
Gov. Kathy Hochul touched on a number of topics at the State of the Region event at the Crest Hollow Country Club.
HERALD SchoolS
V.S. 24 visits Nassau County Museum of Art
Sixth-grade students in the Valley Stream District 24 Challenge Program recently embarked on an enriching field trip to the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, during which they explored and analyzed the culture and history on display.
“Visiting the Nassau County Museum of Art offered our students meaningful opportunities to engage with and analyze artwork through a multidisciplinary lens,” said Superintendent Unal Karakas. “This enriching experience will inspire and motivate our students as they prepare to create their own artwork for the Olympics of Visual Arts competition later this year.”
Students explored the creations of a diverse array of artists, styles, time periods and geographies during an inspiring field trip with their art teachers and Challenge Program Teacher Risa Miller. Throughout the experience, they learned to reflect on their own unique life experiences, strengthen observation skills and develop visual literacy, communication skills, critical thinking, self-expression and tolerance. One museum exhibit, titled “Seeing Red,” guided students through the world of color theory and explained how colors affect perception, elicit different emotions and signify various symbolic qualities that impact the meaning of the artwork.
Students also had the special opportunity to meet with and interview renowned artist Louise Sloane, who has several works on display at the museum. Hearing from the acclaimed abstract artist impacted the students’ attitudes
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2025 4:00 - 8:00 PM
Woodmere Middle School (6-8) 1170 Peninsula Boulevard, Hewlett
George W. Hewlett High School (9-12) 60 Everit Avenue, Hewlett
toward learning and creativity as she described her creative perspective and approach to her craft. For example, when she repaints or makes changes in her artwork, she does not view these as mistakes but as a part of the process that make the work stronger.
“This experience inspired the students, who later reflected that they would try to remember Ms. Sloane’s perspective when they struggled to reach a goal or when they felt they had made mistakes,” said Miller. “Additionally, Sloane revealed that she expresses deeply personal feelings through her artwork and she gets very emotional as she paints.
I believe this will encourage students to embrace vulnerability and creativity, motivating them to find their unique voices in their art.”
This Spring, Challenge Program students will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and artistic abilities during the New York State Art Teachers Association’s Olympics of the Visual Arts.
–Juan Lasso
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025 4:00 - 8:00 PM
Courtesy Valley Stream District 24
Sixth-grade students in the Valley Stream 24 School District’s Challenge Program recently visited the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn.
Reviews of LIRR service remain mixed
surge, Free contends, resulted from the increase in post-pandemic service over the last two years amid landmarks like the opening of Grand Central Madison terminal in 2023.
“We operated over 77,000 more trains in 2023 than in 2022,” Free said. “We’ve operated a little over 316,000 trains in 2024, compared to 302,000 trains in 2023. That’s a huge lift.”
The new service into Midtown Manhattan brought with it a complete overhaul of the system’s train schedules. Some service lines and connections were cut, while others added more frequent service.
By the end of November 2024, the number of late trains for the year dropped to 11,480, as disruptions eased — although the number of delays remained higher than in 2022.
LIRR’s own operations are main culprit for delays
Despite fears of commuter frustrations and confusion with the opening of the new terminal, the main cause of train delays in 2023 and 2024 wasn’t passenger-related interruptions. Instead, it was train operations — issues like scheduling conflicts, slow boarding and late departures. These were problems largely within the transit agency’s control that ate into the time passengers needed to board and disembark.
Other problems, like delays caused by train door malfunctions in an aging fleet, were up 79 percent in the first half of 2024, compared with the same period in 2023. And the much-needed upkeep of the LIRR’s ailing infrastructure, from signal repairs to track maintenance, has also been a major contributor to train delays over the past two years.
For his part, Free said that a “heightened focus on infrastructure maintenance” has helped, cutting switch failures by 31 percent in 2024, with further work focusing on improving safety and efficiency planned for this year — even if that means more delays.
Historic on-time rate, but average delays stay the same
LIRR trains are more punctual overall, but the average delay of a late train hasn’t gotten any shorter. Rather, wait times have held steady — between 11 and 12 minutes — over the past three years.
Given what he described as an “explosion” of service since the beginning of 2023, Free views this consistency in lateness as a sign of a functioning system. In the nation’s largest transit system, with lines of service so “interconnected that one hiccup on one of our branches can have systemwide impacts on our total operation, the on-time performance we are achieving is nothing short of a miracle,” he said.
Still, critics point out that the data on train delays misses a key detail: the agency’s “on or close to schedule” standard allows for a grace period of up to six minutes. Delays under six minutes aren’t counted, masking a significant portion of minor setbacks that can still disrupt commuters’ plans.
Data
According to state data, while the LIRR achieved a record 95.6 percent on-time performance in 2024, train delays remain higher than they were in 2022 due to operational issues, infrastructure maintenance, and the impact of increased service volume.
Riders report frustrations with uncounted delays and missed connections.
Riders like Sasha Hanson, who commutes from Valley Stream to her interior design job at Stonehill Taylor in Manhattan, contends that these unofficial holdups can be just as vexing when they cause missed connections, particularly at Jamaica Station.
“It gets obnoxious, especially when transfer delays hit at the last minute— usually right as you’re getting off the train,” Hanson said. “It’s not like you can avoid it ahead of time on your commute.”
Rider Kelly Doherty, an Island Park resident, argues that overall timing has improved since the installation of Grand Central Madison, “except the switch in Jamaica.”
Following the elimination of scheduled connections, the “trains won’t wait for you” at Jamaica, opting to get off at Valley Stream to return home.
Free agrees that “the amount of trains that we operate through this terminal is a huge impediment to our operation,” saddled with speed switches installed “at the turn of the century.”
“We are looking to improve this situation by putting in higher speed switches, lengthening the platform, and installing a new signal system among other capacity improvements,” he said.
Riders
give LIRR high marks — but not for fares
Despite delays, commuters interviewed at the Valley Stream station rated LIRR service as satisfactory overall, echoing last fall’s MTA survey, which found 76 percent of nearly 22,000 commuters surveyed were satisfied overall with their service. Yet those interviewed at the Valley Stream who spoke well of
the railway also balked at the idea of higher fares.
“I don’t think fares should increase because it’s costing me a lot of money just to get to school,” said Raya Adiva, a Valley Stream resident and high school senior who depends on the LIRR to get to school in the city.
Adiva is irked that despite Rosedale station being only a 9-minute car ride away from the Valley Stream station, LIRR commuters shell out $6 more for peak tickets to Penn Station from Valley Stream.
The specter of more expensive fares looms over commuters as the MTA Board approves a $19.9 billion budget for 2025, which includes plans for a potential 4 percent hike in fares and tolls.
“What’s important to keep in mind is that the price of a monthly ticket is still cheaper now than it was in 2019,” said Free. “The way we institute fares is predictable, so our customers know when it’s coming. We’ve done an incredible job of maintaining cost and giving people good value for their money.”
Free declined to speculate on whether the increase is imminent or reveal how it might affect LIRR ticket prices. Still, MTA officials have continued to defend their policy of incremental fare hikes every two years—a practice adopted in 2010 to keep pace with inflation and prevent surprise fare hikes for riders.
A new fare increase “is adding on to the strain of just trying to get to work in the morning,” said Hanson. “It’s the same ripple effect of everything getting more and more expensive.”
Wrapper Illustration by Juan Lasso/Herald
Tim Baker/Herald
STEPPING OUT
Savor the moment in your cozy kitchen
Let those chef skills take center stage on wintry day
By Karen Bloom
Settle in for some comfy winter nesting during these frigid days. And, of course, it’s certainly time to refocus on a healthier eating now that we’re finished with those weeks of festive over-indulgence.
January is the ideal time to reset and get into the kitchen and work on some “Top Chef” skills. It’s not that difficult with some great comforting — healthy — foods to warm the heart and soul.
Experiment with new culinary creations that incorporate bold flavors for delicious results. Nothing pleases the senses quite like a hearty dish on a cold evening. Try adding these recipes to your repertoire.
Country Stew
A classic stick-to-your-ribs stew is the ideal project for a chilly weekend. A terrific winter warmer-upper, serve with a hearty bread or corn bread.
• 5 pounds bone-in short ribs, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• 1 1/3 cups Zinfandel wine
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 6 large potatoes, washed, peeled and quartered
• 1/2 pound small fresh mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen whole green beans
• 1 can (16 ounces) peeled whole tomatoes, undrained
Dredge ribs in flour to coat; reserve leftover flour. Heat oil in 8-quart Dutch oven on moderate heat. Add half of ribs and brown on all sides. Once browned, remove ribs. Repeat instructions for remaining ribs.Stir in the reserved flour. While stirring, add 1 cup water and wine and stir until thickened.Return ribs to the pan. Add onion, garlic, salt, pepper and bouillon and bring to a boil. Cover and lower heat to simmer for about 1 hour, or until ribs are tender. Remove ribs with slotted spoon and cover with foil to keep warm. Add potatoes, mushrooms and beans. Simmer 20 to 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add ribs and tomatoes with liquid, and heat through. Use slotted spoon to remove meat and vegetables to large serving platter. Remove gravy to serving container and serve with ribs. Makes 6 servings.
Campanelle with Prosciutto and Peas
Settle in with a warming, welcoming bowl of pasta, especially tasty on a winter’s niight.
• 12 ounces uncooked campanelle pasta
• 1 tablespoon Bertolli Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
• Alfredo sauce
• 4 ounces Fontina cheese, shredded
• 6 eggs
Dave Atell
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
In pot of salted water, cook pasta 2 minutes less than directed on package. Drain pasta.
In large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and shallots. Cook 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Add wine; cook 3-4 minutes, or until most liquid has evaporated. Stir in peas, prosciutto, Alfredo sauce and cheese. Add pasta; toss gently. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes to coat pasta with sauce.
In saucepan, bring water to boil and add eggs. Cook 6 minutes. Transfer eggs to ice water and cool before peeling.
Top each serving with soft-set egg and black pepper.
Note: Gouda or Gruyere can be substituted for Fontina. Unpeeled, cooked eggs can be stored in refrigerator up to one week.
Alfredo Sauce:
• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan
• Pasta cooking water, as needed
In a saucepan or skillet, warm the butter and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Add the Parmesan and stir until melted.
Toss to combine, thinning with pasta water if necessary.
Lentil, Kale and Sausage Soup
A rustic soup loaded with lentils and kale can be flavorful centerpiece to healthy, satisfying meal. This filling soup is packed with vegetables and has a hint of heat from the sausage, giving it a zesty warm, spicy flavor.
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed, or sausage of your choice
• 1 1/2 bunches (about 3/4 pound) kale, preferably Tuscan, stems removed, torn into bite-size pieces
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add celery and onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add lentils, broth, and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer, partially cover, and cook until lentils and vegetables are tender, 25 minutes.
Add kale and season with salt. Return soup to a rapid simmer, cover, and cook until kale wilts, about 5 minutes. Remove soup from heat, stir in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.
Serve this soup in individual bowls with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese on top and a crusty slice of bread to sop up the broth at the bottom of the bowl.
Note: Spinach or chard can be substitute for the kale in this recipe. The soup can be enhanced by adding a couple of thyme or rosemary sprigs as it simmers. If it’s too thick to your liking, more broth can be added.
Start the New Year off with some laughs from one of stand-up comedy’s best. An all-time-great joke writer, named one of the “25 Funniest People in America” by Entertainment Weekly, Dave Atell is most at home in comedy clubs. He built a loyal following by barnstorming the country with his brand of off-color “very adult” humor, and his audiences got even bigger after his cult-favorite travel show, “Insomniac.” Atell continues to be a presence on TV — including his hit Netflix specials “Hot Cross Buns” and “Bumping Mics” — while constantly writing new material and taking it on the road. Beginning his comedy career in the early ‘90s, Attell ascended through New York’s stand-up ranks alongside the likes of Louis C.K. and Jon Stewart. After a brief stint writing for SNL, Attell branched out on his own. When not on the road, Attell makes regular appearances at the Comedy Cellar in New York City. Sunday, Jan. 19, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
‘Majestic Melodies’
Old Westbury Gardens maybe closed for the season yet everyone is invited to escape winter’s chill with a special musical interlude in Westbury House’s delightful music room.“Majestic Melodies: An Evening of Piano and Song” pairs the dazzling vocals of Broadway’s Nathaniel Hackmann with the virtuosic talent of pianist Philip Edward Fisher. Hackmann, fresh off his celebrated role as Biff Tannen in “Back to the Future: The Musical,” which just finished its Broadway run, is a powerhouse performer. His commanding stage presence thrills audiences both on Broadway and in concert halls worldwide. He’s joined by Fisher, an accomplished pianist praised for his refined style and exceptional versatility.
Saturday, Jan. 18, 4 p.m. $50; OWG members receive 20 percent discount. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury. For more information and tickets, visit oldwestburygardens.org.
Country Stew Campanelle with Prosciutto and Peas Lentil, Kale and Sausage Soup
Acrobats of Cirque-tacular
See a new take on circus-style thrills when the Acrobats of Cirque-tacular visits the Landmark stage, Saturday, Jan. 25 , at 2 p.m. Cirque-tacular features one dazzling circus feat after another in a highenergy, family-friendly flurry of fun. Indulge your curiosity and celebrate your senses as this troupe of acrobats, aerialists and circus specialty artists bend, twist, flip, and fly into everyone’ hearts. Repeatedly praised by critics, for their “mind-boggling artistry and athleticism” and their “great feats of daring at the extreme edges of human capability,” their acts have reached millions live and millions more through appearances on most major television networks. Cirque-tacular’s performers — an ever-changing cast of elite aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, specialty acts and world-record holders from Broadway and Las Vegas stages — are hailed as “mesmerizing”, “incredible”, and “truly impressive.” The Acrobats of Cirque-tacular bound from one breathtaking, death-defying feat of acrobatic daredevilry to another. Musclepopping, mind-boggling artistry and athleticism charm and awe the audience.
The performers are revered as cuttingedge leaders of the new American vaudeville movement. Cirque-tacular’s entertainers have shared the stage with a who’s who of A-list celebrities. They leave no stone unturned to test the limits of human mind and body. The fun of their show is doubled with explosive music that complements the performance and act. $38. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Zumba
The Village of Valley Stream hosts Zumba at Valley Stream Community Center in Arthur J. Hendrickson Park, starting Thursday, Jan. 23, 6 p.m. Attendees must register. There are no refunds or make-up classes. For more information, visit vsrec.org or call (516) 8258571. 123 W. Merrick Road.
VSCHSD Board meeting
Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Education meets, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Junior High School. 320 Fletcher Ave. For more information call (516) 872-5628 or visit vschsd. org.
American Legion Post 854 meets
Valley Stream American Legion Post 854 holds their regular monthly meeting, Thursday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m. 51 Roosevelt Ave. For more information, call (516) 7919791 or visit AmericanLegion845. com.
District 13 Board meeting
Valley Stream District 13 Board of Education holds their regular board meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m., at Wheeler Avenue School auditorium, 1 Wheeler Ave. West. For more information call (516) 568-6140 or visit ValleyStream13. com.
Let Freedom Ring with MLK
Visit Long Island Children’s Museum for a workshop honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., Monday, Jan. 20, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Families will learn about MLK beyond his “I Have a Dream” speech and gain a better understanding of his impact on the civil rights movement. Also participate in a gallery walk of images from that era and then create a bell to “let freedom ring.”
The program is part of the AdvoKids monthly series that focuses on teaching kids how to advocate for themselves and others and teaching adults how to support their kids’ advocacy efforts. For ages 5 and up. $4 with admission, $3 members. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. Visit licm.org or call (516) 224-5800 for more.
Grace Church Thrift Shop
Grace United Methodist Church’s thrift shop is open every Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Find adult and children’s clothing and accessories, including shoes, coats, and pocketbooks. Browse the special table replete with jewelry, electronics, household and kitchen items, art, and more. 21 S. Franklin Ave.
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Open House
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education (CTE) high school, is opening its doors to all students with a passion for a hands-on career. Come and get a “Taste of Tech” at an open house at Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. Following an introduction to the school led by administrators, there will be self-guided tours of the facility.
Additional open house sessions are offered in February. Interested students and their families can register for the Open House at nassauboces.org/ barrytech or call (516) 622-6812 for more information. 1196 Prospect Ave., Westbury.
Valley
Stream village meeting
The Village of Valley Stream holds their regular Board of Trustees meeting, Monday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m., at Village Hall. 123 S. Central Ave. For more information, visit Vsvny.org or call (516) 872-4159.
District 30 Board meets
Valley Stream District 30 Board of Education meets, Monday, Jan. 27, 8 p.m. 99 Shaw Ave. For more information call (516) 434-3600 or visit ValleyStream30.com.
In concert
British-born country rocker
Albert Lee performs, Saturday, Jan. 18, 8 p.m., at My Father’s Place supper club. He started his career during the emerging rock ‘n’ roll scene of ‘60s London, when he swapped bands with the likes of Jimmy Page and Chris Farlowe. After moving to the U.S. and assimilating himself into the country music scene, Albert quickly garnered a reputation as one of the fastest guitar players in the business. He recorded a number of solo albums, and won a Grammy in 2002 for his contribution on “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”
He continues to tour, playing his signature Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar. My Father’s Place at The Roslyn, 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. For tickets/info, visit MyFathersPlace.com or call (516) 580-0887.
Having an event?
Feb. 28
Silver Threads Paint Party
Village of Valley Stream holds their annual Silver Threads Paint Party art classes for the village’s Silver Thread members starting Friday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Valley Stream Community Center in Arthur J. Hendrickson Park, 123 W. Merrick Road. Members must register. Class fee is $5 on the day of class. For more information, visit vsrec.org or call (516) 825-8571.
Candlelight Yoga
Village of Valley Stream hosts candlelight yoga at the Valley Stream Community Center in Arthur J. Hendrickson Park, starting Wednesday, Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m. Attendees must register. There are no refunds or makeup classes. For more information, visit vsrec.org or call (516) 825-8571. 123 W. Merrick Road.
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, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. Opens Jan. 18, on view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Musical Explorers
Long Island Children’s Museum continues its Musical Explorers! Series, with a performance by a Jazz at Lincoln Center ensemble on the museum’s stage, Sunday and Monday, Jan. 19-20, noon and 2 p.m. Charles Turner (vocals), Summer Camargo (trumpet), David Drake (piano), Brandi Disterheft (bass) and David Hawkins (drums) present “Louis Armstrong’s Great Migration.” The concert, especially created for young audiences, underscores the deep connection between this American musical genre, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement. $5 with museum admission; $10 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. Visit licm.org or call (516) 224-5800 for tickets and information.
TONY AWARD® WINNER JAMES MONROE IGLEHART IS “ A KNOCKOUT LOUIS ARMSTRONG! ”
Nassau Chamber group begins workshops
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce has launched a series of workshops to strengthen small businesses and address common challenges entrepreneurs face in an increasingly digital economy across the region. The first one was Tuesday, and there are six more, scheduled for Thursday and on Jan. 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29.
“This is really all about supporting small businesses and their positive impact across the board in Nassau County,” the council’s president, Frank Camarano Jr., said. “The chambers are our workers on the ground, in every community, hand in hand with the folks that live there. Now, while it’s great having so many — it really is — they’re obviously smaller, so the available resources are harder for them to tap into, and it all gets spread out. Also, each voice, individually, is sometimes hard to hear, yet combined — what a difference. That’s where we come in, to support them, of course, and make up for as many missing pieces as we can along the way.
“There’s this saying, ‘When something is done correctly, it looks like nothing has been done at all,’” Camarano continued. “No fanfare, just a lot of work. It’s the chamber way. It’s our way.”
“The workshops are paid for through
a grant made possible by County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Legislature,” the council’s second vice president, Joseph Garcia, said. “It shows they understand the hardships small businesses have faced as we endured and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The initiative stems from a survey of local chambers and small business owners, identifying areas where support is needed the most. Three specialized workshops have been developed, covering financial management, marketing and communications and computer systems. Each session will focus on practical, hands-on training to equip participants with the skills necessary to adapt and thrive.
address website optimization, cybersecurity best practices and implementing business software, along with guidance on system backup and recovery procedures.
“The goal of this first round of workshops is to provide the type of support usually reserved for big, multi-milliondollar companies and franchises,” Garcia said. “Bringing this to small businesses of all types in Nassau County will pay dividends for our business owners, our county, in additional sales taxes, and strengthen our communities.”
The financial management workshop will explore topics such as tax planning, cash flow management and strategies for acquiring capital. Attendees will also learn bookkeeping fundamentals and techniques for preparing and analyzing financial statements.
The marketing and communications workshop will help businesses develop effective social media strategies, implement online marketing techniques and optimize their e-commerce operations. The computer systems workshop will
The workshops are divided into three zones based on location: In Zone One, north of Route 25, they will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Roslyn. In Zone Two, south of Route 25 and west of the Meadowbrook Parkway, they will take place at American Legion Post 44, in Malverne; and in Zone Three, south of Route 25 and east of the Meadowbrook, will be held at American Legion Post 1066, in Massapequa. The Herald is presenting on marketing in Zone One on Jan. 21.
Each zone will host three separate workgroups on different nights, for a total of nine workgroups. Businesses are encouraged, but not required, to
attend the workgroups in their zone, and cannot participate in the same workgroup across multiple zones.
This workshop series is part of the council’s broader efforts to support Nassau County’s small businesses as they navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic economic landscape.
In February, the council will expand its resources by relocating its offices to Nassau Community College. The move will enhance its capacity to serve the business community through additional workshops, collaborative programs with college faculty and enhanced hands-on business education experiences, and provide internship opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with local enterprises.
“We are grateful to Nassau Community College President Maria P. Conzatti and Jerry Kornbluth, along with their dedicated staff, for their partnership in this initiative,” Gary Slavin, treasurer of the council, added. “This collaboration will create valuable opportunities for both our small business community and the college’s students.”
“With the massive support of County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Legislature, and not just financially, we are all getting it done together,” Camarano said. “We are very proud, and extremely thankful.”
For more information or to register, visit ncchambers.org.
FRANk CAmARANO JR.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff AGAINST KEVIN VALENTINE, JAMISE VALENTINE, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 21, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 11, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 106 Munro Boulevard, Valley Stream, NY 11581. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, in the County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 39 Block 58 Lot 4. Approximate amount of judgment $597,704.86 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #606687/2023. William J. Garry, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 23-000429 83818 150861
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-BNC1, Plaintiff, vs. MICHAEL R. HIGGINS; IF LIVING, AND IF HE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 7, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 9 Jasper Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 458 and Lot 156. Approximate amount of judgment is $577,472.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #608825/2018.
Geri Friedman, Esq., Referee
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 150897
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A MR. COOPER, -againstCHARLES BROCKINGTON, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on April 16, 2024, wherein NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A MR. COOPER is the Plaintiff and CHARLES BROCKINGTON, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 13, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 8 GREENLAWN BOULEVARD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580; and the following tax map identification: 003700575-00 - 00029. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 610699/2018. Janine T. Lynam, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 150907
LEGAL NOTICE
CASE NO. 21527
RESOLUTION NO. 6-2025
Adopted: January 7, 2025
Councilmember Ryder offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS
AND THE REPEAL OF CERTAIN OTHER LOCATIONS, WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY, SET ASIDE AS PARKING SPACES FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 1281-2024, adopted December 10, 2024, a public hearing was duly held on the 7th day of January, 2025, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:
BALDWIN
MADISON AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 125 feet west of the west curbline of Grand Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-536/24)
EAST MEADOW
GREEN VALLEY ROADwest side, starting at a point 260 feet north of the north curbline of Peters Avenue, north for distance of 20 feet.
(TH-553/24)
ELMONT
HUNNEWELL AVENUEeast side, starting at a point 161 feet south of the south curbline of Russell Street, south for a distance of 18 feet.
(TH-519/24)
FRANKLIN SQUARE
JAMES STREET, west side, starting at a point 256 feet north of the north curbline of Benris Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-521/24)
McKINLEY AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 124 feet south of the south curbline of Garfield Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-534/24)
WILLOW ROAD - north side, starting at a point 491 feet west of the west curbline of Birch Street, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-551/24)
UNIONDALE
BRAXTON STREET - north side, starting at a point 45 feet east of the east curbline of Ruxton Place, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-508/24)
NEWPORT ROAD - east side, starting at a point 152 feet north of the north curbline of Braxton Street, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-533/24)
GOODRICH STREETnorth side, starting at a point 466 feet east of the east curbline of Chester Street, east for a distance of 19 feet.
(TH-539/24)
(NR) VALLEY STREAM
AMHERST AVENUEnorth side, starting at a point 193 feet east of the east curbline of Ocean Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-546/24) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons: BELLMORE EAST ALDER ROADsouth side, starting at a point 167 feet east of the east curbline of Bellmore Avenue, east for a distance of 22 feet.
(TH-129/939/28/93)(TH-514/24)
FRANKLIN SQUARE
ROSEGOLD STREETsouth side, starting at a point 69 feet west of the west curbline of Randolph Avenue, west for a distance of 19 feet.
(TH-311/14 - 10/01/14)
(TH-526/24)
UNIONDALE ORCHARD PLACE - south side, starting at a point 246 feet east of the east curbline of Amsterdam Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-176/24 - 6/04/24)
(TH-542/24) (NR) VALLEY STREAM WYNGATE DRIVE - west side, starting at a point 54 feet south of the south curbline of Bretton Road, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-364/17 - 11/28/17) (TH-516/24) ; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once in a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead, and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting.
The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Goosby and adopted upon roll call as follows: AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) 150972
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL POSTPONEMENT OF NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MICHAEL WOLKOW, ESQ., AS TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE ESTATE OF MOHAMMAD ALFATIAN A/K/A MOHAMMAD ALFATIAN A/K/A MOHAMMED ALFATIAN A/K/A MOHAMMED IMAD ALFATIAN; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF MOHAMMAD ALFATIAN A/K/A MOHAMMAD AL-FATIAN A/K/A MOHAMMED ALFATIAN A/K/A MOHAMMED IMAD ALFATIAN; ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 25, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, on January 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM, premises known as 11 STATE STREET, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 37, Block: 621, Lot: 11. Approximate amount of judgment is $776,961.60 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 014491/2013. Prior sale was scheduled for January 8, 2025. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee.
For Sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.
BRIAN J. DAVIS, Esq., Referee
Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 151006
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: DJSV Limited Liability Company LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 9/9/24. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom
process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 76 S Montgomery Street, Valley Stream, NY11580 Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 150556
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-HE1, ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiffagainst - WILHELMENA KELLY, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on October 5, 2017. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 23rd day of January, 2025 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at North Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York. Premises known as 1369 Carole Ct, Valley Stream, NY 11580-1515. (Section: 37, Block: 660, Lot: 8) Approximate amount of lien $740,829.84 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 003133/2015. Anthony W. Russo, Esq., Referee. Stein, Wiener & Roth LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 315 Westbury, NY 11590 Tel. 516-742-1212
KELLY-69943
For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: November 13, 2024
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. Auction Locations are subject to change. 150604
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF THE CWABS INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-BC2, Plaintiffagainst - CASSANDRA N. CEAN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on November 29, 2018. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 24th day of January, 2025 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.
Premises known as 76 Southgate Road, Valley Stream, (Town of Hempstead) NY 11581. (SBL#: 39-540-15)
Approximate amount of lien $1,104,538.81 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 005943/2012. Richard C. Lunenfeld, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409
For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: December 1, 2024
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale.
150608
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-KS2,
-againstRONALD AUGUSTIN, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on August 3, 2023, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-KS2 is the Plaintiff and RONALD AUGUSTIN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 28, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 235 DOGWOOD ROAD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580; and the following tax map identification: 37-541-43.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 606069/2021. Scott H. Siller, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 150649
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED NOTEHOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2005-4, RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSET-BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2005-4, -againstDOLORES CARTER, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on October 28, 2024, wherein HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR
Leonard J. Lehrman’s autobiography, ‘Continuator: the autobiography of a Socially-Conscious, Cosmopolitan Composer,’ chronicles his prolific career in music, cultural advocacy, and education.
Courtesy Leonard Lehrman
Valley Stream composer’s
life in music is now in print
Leonard J. Lehrman, a prolific composer, conductor, and translator, has released his autobiography, “Continuator: The Autobiography of a SociallyConscious, Cosmopolitan Composer.”
Published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc., the book offers an in-depth look at Lehrman’s extensive career in music, his influences, and his contributions to cultural preservation and advocacy.
In his memoir, Lehrman explores the interplay between tradition and innovation that has defined his work. A multilingual artist and translator, Lehrman has created an expansive body of work that includes 12 operas, seven musicals, and nearly 250 other vocal and instrumental pieces. His compositions draw on texts by writers such as William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, and Bertolt Brecht, among others, spanning 11 languages.
Lehrman’s career has been shaped by formal training at Harvard, Cornell and Indiana University, and mentorships with notable figures such as Nadia Boulanger and Boris Goldovsky. His professional milestones include being the first Jewish conductor of “Fiddler on the Roof” in Berlin and performing Yiddish music at the Bayreuth Wagner Festival. Lehrman also adapted and completed unfinished works by Marc Blitzstein, including “Idiots First,” which earned the first Off-Broadway Opera Award, and “Sacco and Vanzetti,” a Pulitzer Prize nominee.
The memoir also highlights Lehrman’s collaborations with composers such as Leonard Bernstein, who referred to him as “Marc’s dybbuk.” Lehrman and his wife, soprano and actress Helene Williams, his frequent collaborator, have performed over 700 concerts celebrating historical figures and themes, including performances on four continents.
Lehrman’s autobiography offers a comprehensive account of his musical achievements, academic endeavors, and cultural advocacy. His leadership roles include serving as the first president of the Long Island Composers Alliance, conducting significant choral performances, and establishing educational initiatives such as a course in Jewish opera at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
Central to Lehrman’s legacy is his enduring partnership with Williams. For over two decades, the couple have nurtured their shared devotion to opera and classical music while collaborating on performances around the world. Together they have also run Court Street Music, their home-turned-music school in Valley Stream, for 25 years. At Court Street Music, they mentor students of all ages in NYSSMA coaching, vocal technique, composition, and music theory.
–Juan Lasso
Public Notices
THE REGISTERED NOTEHOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2005-4, RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN
ASSET-BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2005-4 is the Plaintiff and DOLORES CARTER, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY
SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100
SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 29, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1650 GREENWAY BOULEVARD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580; and the following tax map identification: 37-640-13. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT VALLEY
STREAM, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 608512/2019. Karl C. Seman, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in
accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 150651
Area Starbucks employees push for higher wages
rights laws that Long Island municipalities lack: like New York City’s Fair Work Week, which guarantees weekly hours.
“Long Island, compared to the rest of New York state, is a sad, sad worker’s hell,” she said.
Despite Starbucks’ public claims of a $3 billion investment in what it calls the “Partner Experience” over the past three years, including competitive pay and benefits, Ryan said she believes the company’s promises to its employees, who are known as partners, fall short. While its pay and benefits package — which includes health care and a 401(k) — are considered competitive in the fast-food industry, Ryan argues that the conditions tied to those benefits, such as strict eligibility requirements and the practice of reducing employees’ hours, are often used to prevent them from actually receiving them.
Since 2023, Ryan has made about $23 an hour as a shift supervisor.
She described the toll her job has taken on her body — that after five years of working on her feet, she suffers from sciatica and tendinitis. “Because of the shaking, my elbows and my right leg always hurt at the end of the day,” she said.
As of last May 2024, seven Starbucks locations on Long Island had voted to join the union.
During the strike last month, more than 300 stores in 43 states shut down, as employees protested what they called the company’s failure to present an acceptable economic package during contract negotiations.
About a dozen workers gathered at the Starbucks in the Gallery at Westbury Plaza, on Old Country in Garden City, on Dec. 22, two days before the work action began. They chanted “No Contract, No Coffee!” and held signs reading, “Starbucks Customers Support Workers Rights to Unionize.”
Sara Kelly, executive vice president and chief partner officer at Starbucks Corporate Headquarters in Seattle, emphasized that the vast majority of the company’s stores remained open and continued serving customers during the December strike.
“We are ready to continue negotiations when the union comes back to the
■ 2280 N. Ocean Ave., Farmingville
■ Gallery at Westbury Plaza
914 Old Country Road, Garden City
■ 184 7th St., Garden City
■ 839 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook
■ Massapequa Village Square
4301 Merrick Road, Massapequa
■ 1143 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh
■ 379 Glen Cove Road, Westbury
bargaining table,” she stated in a press release.
Starbucks pays an average of over $18 per hour, Kelly said, with benefits such as health care, free college tuition, paid family leave and company stock grants — benefits she said no other retailer matches.
According to Kelly, employees who work at least 20 hours a week earn an average of $30 an hour when benefits are factored in.
Kelly also addressed Starbucks Workers United’s proposal for a 64 percent increase in the company’s starting wage, from around $17.50 per hour to $28.70, calling it unsustainable given Starbucks’ continuous investments in its benefits package.
“These proposals are not sustainable, especially when the investments we continually make to our total benefits package are the hallmarks of what differentiates us as an employer,” she said.
As negotiations between Starbucks and the union continue, Ryan and her Lynbrook coworkers have said they want to go back to the drawing board and ask for better compensation and working conditions.
“Starbucks has lost its way,” Ryan said, noting the disparity between the pay of frontline workers and the compensation of the company’s corporate executives. “It’s frustrating, because we’re the ones doing all the labor, but the company makes most of the profit.”
Courtesy Anna Carron
Starbucks employees at the store in the Gallery at Westbury Plaza on Dec. 22.
ContinueD from PaGe 1
Help Wanted
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 $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
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
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778
Email: info@bellautoschool.com
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K
To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
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 $16.50 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 $34,320 + 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
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 $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours
Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes
Two For One Deal
TAre foreign-made cabinets a bargain or a bad idea?
Q. I am being told that I can buy new kitchen cabinets much cheaper from a Chinese company than the local cabinet companies. I have been shopping around, and cabinets are quite expensive for my small kitchen, around $35,000. The imported kitchen from China is much less, around $18,000, and looks very nice, a similar style. What can you tell me about whether I am getting a good deal or whether the cabinets are poorly made?
A.This is a timely yet touchy subject, with so much uncertainty about what direction product costs will go in the near future. I receive 32 industry publications per month, and I have just learned that the U.S. Commerce Department issued a ruling in July that China was found to be skirting United States import duties by producing cabinet components in China, but then further processing the products in Vietnam and Malaysia, so the cabinetry did not appear to come from China.
Even though this latest judgment pertains specifically to solid wood and engineered-wood products, which is most of what cabinetry is made of, it also includes drawer fronts and doors, which may have been produced elsewhere and assembled in any one of those countries or the U.S. While the components’ foreign production and later assembly saved money, the cabinet door is closing on whether you will save money in the near future.
When I speak to cabinetmakers, assemblers and installers locally, I get a mix of opinions about the quality of the products. First are the components: Many raw materials are hard to trace with imported cabinets, so the type of wood can vary. Because U.S. industry standards are often much higher, the amount of warping and twisting in foreign wood can be greater due to less quality control in the humidity and curing of the solid wood components. The same is true of “engineered” wood products, which come in various types of panels such as wood strips, like plywood, or from glued sawdust pressed together under high pressure. The sawdust and the glues come from unknown origins, and some glue may be made from animal processes, which can lead to a terrible smell as the panel ages.
Then there is the connecting of components, which may be only glued or stapled. Better products have interlocking dovetailed joints. Sometimes what you don’t see is what makes the difference.
While more expensive American-made products are made with higher quality control, it won’t be long before all products go up in price. Price increases notoriously happen at the end of January each year, but with the looming possibility of higher tariffs, you may discover that the old saying, “He that will not when he may, when he will he shall have nay” is accurate. Waiting for a bargain may not save you anything, and you get what you pay for. And “The dissatisfaction of poor quality lingers long after the excitement of a cheaper price has been forgotten.” Good luck!
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
Ask The Architect
Monte
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Let’s put politics aside and just save lives
In politics, disagreements are inevitable. They’re part of a system designed to encourage debate and foster diverse perspectives. But some issues transcend politics — or at least they should.
The fight to equip our first responders with life-saving epinephrine autoinjectors, or EpiPens, is one of those issues. And yet, despite its life-or-death implications, my legislation to mandate EpiPens in Nassau County police vehicles has been stonewalled by County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Republican leaders in the Legislature.
I introduced this bill inspired by stories like that of Georgina Cornago, whose son Gio died tragically in 2013 of an allergic reaction. Georgina has turned her unimaginable pain into a relentless mission to prevent others from suffering the same loss. Through her foundation, Love for Giovanni, she’s educated countless people about the dangers of food allergies, advocated for epinephrine accessibility and helped save lives. Her story has touched the hearts of many, including mine.
NCornago’s advocacy has already borne fruit. In 2019, thanks to her tireless efforts, New York passed Gio’s Law, which allows first responders like police officers to carry epinephrine. But her mission is far from over. On a national stage, she continues to push for epinephrine to be as ubiquitous as AEDs, ensuring that no child — or parent — is left defenseless against anaphylaxis. Yet here in Nassau County, where Gio’s story began, we’ve failed to honor his legacy by failing to act.
Anaphylaxis doesn’t care about your socioeconomic status, your neighborhood or your political affiliation. It can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. A child at a birthday party accidentally eating the wrong cake. A teenager at a school event who doesn’t realize there are peanuts in the dessert. A parent walking in the park. Seconds can mean the difference between life and death, and police officers, often the first on the scene of an emergency, can administer epinephrine quickly.
lives and the peace of mind it offers families. Training officers to use the devices takes less than 30 minutes. Nassau police officers already carry Narcan to combat opioid overdoses, and equipping them with EpiPens is a logical, lifesaving next step.
assau County police should carry potentially lifesaving EpiPens.
Cornago has said time and again, “Every second counts.” Yet here we are, wasting months on partisan bickering while lives hang in the balance. Neighboring Suffolk County has already implemented similar measures, demonstrating both the feasibility and necessity of such a program.
So why are Nassau Republicans blocking this bill? The answer escapes me, and I suspect it escapes the parents who worry every day about their children’s safety. This obstructionism isn’t just shortsighted — it’s morally indefensible.
standard. Imagine a Nassau County in which every patrol car carries the tools to save a life. Imagine the relief parents would feel knowing their local police officers are equipped to protect their children from anaphylaxis. This is an achievable goal, and it starts with passing this legislation.
Cornago’s advocacy has shown us what’s possible when determination meets compassion. She’s organized events like Trunk or Treat to create safe spaces for kids with allergies. She’s worked to install public signs in parks, raising awareness of food allergies. She’s even helped educate school districts about the need for accessible EpiPens. Her efforts have saved lives. Now it’s time for the County Legislature to do its part.
At just $100 per EpiPen thanks to a new price cap on the drug — a cost that could be reduced through bulk purchasing — the cost of implementing this program is negligible, especially when weighed against the potential to save
AIt’s time for us to focus on what truly matters: protecting our community. For years, Cornago has been fighting to ensure that no other family has to endure the loss she suffered. Her dedication should inspire us all. Yet instead of supporting her mission, some in the Legislature seem more intent on scoring political points.
Imagine a world in which Gio’s Law isn’t just a state initiative but a national
To my Republican colleagues, I say, listen to Georgina. Listen to the countless parents who’ve written, called and pleaded for action. Listen to the doctors and first responders who know what’s at stake. This is not about politics; it’s about saving lives.
Let’s not allow bureaucracy and partisanship to stand in the way of progress. We owe it to Gio’s memory, to Georgina’s tireless efforts, and to every Nassau County family to act now. Passing this legislation is not just the right thing to do — it’s the only thing to do.
Seth I. Koslow represents Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District.
Bipartisanship is the way forward
s I look back on my first few weeks as a congresswoman, I have been guided at every turn by the promise I made on the campaign trail: I will always put Long Island first. When I first decided to run for Congress, I knew the mission was simple: to listen to the concerns of my constituents and to work across the aisle whenever possible to deliver real results for Nassau County. Long Islanders have made it clear that they want action on securing our borders and overhauling our broken immigration system. Its shortcomings are the results of decades of inaction, despite our congressional responsibility to fix these gaps. I said my Day One priority would be fixing immigration and keeping Americans safe, and I meant it.
That’s why my very first act in office was crossing party lines to vote for the Laken Riley Act, to prevent future tragedies, protect our communities and
deter crime. This bill gives the Department of Homeland Security the ability to detain those who commit certain crimes while here without legal rights if they have not otherwise been detained. While we work on more comprehensive solutions to address immigration and the border crisis, we must give law enforcement officials the tools to deter crime and protect our communities. I have been clear that these comprehensive solutions must start with securing our southern border, a priority shared by many of my constituents. We must hire more border patrol officers, erect physical barriers where necessary, and ensure that law enforcement has the resources to crack down on fentanyl trafficking. While we secure our southern border, we must also be focused on streamlining our asylum process and protecting pathways to legal immigration for hardworking, eligible people who will contribute to our economy.
Nassau County residents have been clear: They want solutions, not partisanship.
counting on Congress to tackle the costof-living crisis. That starts with giving the middle class a tax break by reinstating the deduction for state and local taxes and doing away with the unfair double taxation that is hurting so many of us. In my first week in office, I wrote to House and Senate leadership calling for immediate negotiations to reinstate the SALT deduction in any upcoming tax package. I’ve been clear: We must get this done for New Yorkers, and I look forward to working with my SALT Caucus colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver this much-needed middle-class tax relief.
ing compromise to every day of my service representing the 4th District. With the pressing issues we face, it is more important than ever that we reject extremism and work to deliver results on the shared values and priorities that matter most.
Nassau County residents have been clear: They want problems solved, not partisanship. I’ll always prioritize effective governance and policies that directly enhance our communities over party loyalty or political extremism. I will work with anyone, from either party, to deliver what is best for Nassau County.
Second, in every corner of the district, I’ve heard from hardworking Long Islanders of every background who are
I’ve always been guided by the principles of compromise and bipartisanship. As Hempstead town supervisor, I reached across the aisle to revitalize our infrastructure, reduce taxes and pass anti-corruption reforms. I worked every day with the Town Board’s Republican majority to deliver on the issues that mattered most, while taking aim at government waste and promoting transparency. I’ll bring that same mindset of bridging political differences and find-
As I’ve met more of my new congressional colleagues of both parties, I’m hopeful that the productive relationships we’re building enable thoughtful legislation that advances our shared values. America is diverse in creed, thought and background, but we all strive for the same things: lower costs, access to health care, good jobs, and a better future for our children. There is so much more that unites us than divides us, and if Congress can focus on our shared priorities, we can deliver not only for our constituents, but for all Americans.
Laura Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
LAURA GILLEN
sETH I. KosLoW
Abandoning fact-checking is dangerous
Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook, Instagram and Threads, announced a significant policy shift last week: It will no longer employ independent fact-checkers to monitor and flag false content on its platforms.
While the company says it will continue to remove illegal activity, hate speech and explicit material, the abandonment of fact-checking signals an alarming retreat from the fight against misinformation and disinformation. The decision isn’t just a step backward — it is a surrender that carries grave consequences for the future of public discourse, democracy and social cohesion.
We have seen the potential for misinformation to destabilize our society. From conspiracy theories about election fraud to false narratives about coronavirus vaccines, unchecked falsehoods have exacerbated a public health crisis, deepened our political polarization and even been the cause of violence.
Meta’s platforms have often been central to the spread of such misinformation, because its algorithms often promote and prioritize it. The company’s decision to abandon fact-checking signals that it is no longer willing to bear the responsibility of combating this dangerous trend, leaving a vacuum that bad actors at home and abroad are likely to exploit.
The announcement comes at a time when public trust in crucial institutions like the courts and the media is already at a historic low. By stepping away from fact-checking, Meta is essentially declaring that truth is a relative concept in the digital age. This dangerous idea has dire implications.
If platforms as influential as Facebook and Instagram refuse to differentiate between fact and fiction, the lines between credible information and out-
and-out lies and conspiracy theories will blur even further. This will inevitably empower those who benefit from sowing chaos and confusion, whether they are political extremists, foreign actors, or profit-driven disinformation peddlers.
The broader context of Meta’s decision is equally troubling. Over the past few years, tech companies have faced increasing scrutiny and pressure from both ends of the political spectrum. Some conservatives have accused platforms of censorship, particularly in high-profile cases like Facebook’s suspension of then President Donald Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Republicans in Congress and conservative courts have cast social media moderation as government overreach and an attack on free speech.
But Meta’s retreat from fact-checking is not a victory for free speech; it is a capitulation to chaos. Free speech thrives in an environment where truth and accountability prevail. Local newspapers, which are committed to objective journalism, continue to fact-check and be a source of fairness and truth, but platforms without that commitment become echo chambers for lies, propaganda and hate. The removal of guardrails does not level the playing field; it tilts it in favor of those who manipulate information for power or profit.
This creates a toxic environment in which hate speech and antisemitism flourish, as recent trends have shown. Marginalized groups, often the primary targets of such rhetoric, will bear the brunt of the harm.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish global human rights organization, stated that it is “deeply concerned” about the decision.
“This reckless move disregards the immense responsibility social media companies bear in protecting vulnerable
‘The Postal Service continues to adapt and innovate’
To the Editor:
Last week, the U.S. Postal Service held a meeting with the Long Island Postal Customer Council, a gathering that brought together local commercial mailers, business partners and industry professionals.
The spotlight of the meeting was the Postal Service’s 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America. This ambitious initiative aims to modernize the postal network, enhance service across all mail and shipping categories, and restore long-term financial sustainability. Attendees had the opportunity to understand how this plan has been positively impacting businesses across Long Island.
part of the Delivering for America plan, the
communities and mitigating the spread of harmful and dangerous ideologies,” the center said in a statement. “History has repeatedly shown that online hate does not remain confined to the digital realm — it manifests in tragic offline consequences.”
By abandoning its responsibility to curb misinformation, Meta risks alienating users and advertisers who value trustworthy, safe online spaces. In a world where lies often spread faster than truth, elections can be swayed by disinformation campaigns, public health initiatives can be derailed by conspiracy theories and trust in scientific and journalistic institutions can erode beyond repair.
The question of who bears responsibility for curbing misinformation in the digital age is complex, but Meta’s decision sets a dangerous precedent. If one of the most influential companies in the world believes it can abdicate this responsibility without consequences, other platforms are likely to follow. This may well create a domino effect in which the internet devolves into a freefor-all of unchecked falsehoods and extremism.
We must demand better. Governments and regulators must step in where companies such as Meta have stepped back, enforcing stricter rules about misinformation and holding platforms accountable for the content they amplify. Nongovernmental organizations and independent watchdogs must also play a role in promoting digital literacy and factchecking.
Meta’s retreat from that crucial responsibility is more than a corporate decision; it is a warning sign. If we fail to act, the world Meta is helping to create could be one in which truth, accountability and even democracy itself are the casualties.
opinions
Safety and affordability must be Nassau’s priorities
as county executive, I have refused to make Nassau a sanctuary county, held the line on taxes even as inflation went through the roof, and brought a common-sense approach to important issues that affect Nassau families. The recent awards our county has received, including being named the safest county in America by U.S. News & World Report and the best county to live in New york by Niche magazine, are a testament to those unwavering principles.
Earning the distinction of being the best New york county to live in can be directly attributed to our safe neighborhoods, world-class programs and facilities, and strong economic opportunities. We are committed to
building on this success in the years to come while protecting our residents’ quality of life from extremist politicians in Albany.
being named the safest county in America reflects the hard work of law enforcement, the strength of our emergencyresponse teams, and our investments in public safety. An increased police presence in Nassau County communities is crucial to maintaining that safety. Since taking office, I have sworn in 291 new police officers and 147 new correction officers and deputy sheriffs.
BTraining Village to ensure that our police officers continue to receive toptier training to protect and serve Nassau families.
eing named the safest county in America reflects the hard work of law enforcement.
While some local governments across the nation are defunding their police, the County Legislature and my office are investing in law enforcement while providing the best training, tools and resources to effectively protect residents and their families. We plan to go further by building a state-of-the-art Police
Letters
Service has introduced several new products and services aimed at helping businesses thrive. From USPS Ground Advantage, a ground shipping solution that provides an affordable and reliable way to send packages in the U.S., to USPS Connect Local, which gives small to medium-sized businesses access to low-cost, sameday/next-day package delivery to local customers in their neighborhood.
We’re giving businesses of all sizes the benefits of USPS’s optimized network.
USPS offers transparent pricing with no hidden surcharges, and Informed Delivery, a free service that gives customers a preview of mail and packages scheduled to arrive soon, and the ability to set package tracking notifications and schedule email reminders for important mail pieces.
At the meeting, satisfied industry partners and business professionals shared their experiences, highlighting how the Postal Service has enabled them to connect affordably with their customers — especially during a period in which business costs are continually escalating.
As the Postal Service continues to adapt and innovate, it remains a trusted partner for businesses on Long Island and across the nation.
The Press Club of Long Island, the local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, believes that Nassau County’s decision to replace Newsday with the New york Post as its official paper is a disservice to residents.
The decision is also an attack on a free press, viewed by political observers and journalists as punishing Newsday for its watchdog coverage, the essence of journalism’s mission.
Public notices are meant to inform, but fewer readers of the Post in this region mean fewer people will see them. Newsday’s strong local readership and deep connection to Long Island ensure that critical information reaches the community. The Post, with limited ties to Nassau County, lacks the local insight and audience necessary to fulfill this responsibility.
This shift jeopardizes transparency and public engagement. Residents deserve a publication that reflects their needs and understands their community.
Protecting public safety also means protecting our residents from the emerging threat of drones. The county utilizes an advanced system that is well ahead of the curve in detecting and tracking drones. I have granted authorization to the Nassau County Police Department to neutralize drones that threaten the public, ensuring the safety of residents. I am also demanding that the federal government share advanced drone-mitigation technology with local police so that we can redirect drones and effectively control our airspace.
As we celebrate all of our achievements, we must also remain vigilant against policies that could undermine our progress. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Clean
Slate law is a pro-criminal, misguided policy that allows criminals to have their records sealed after committing serious crimes. This law undermines the safety of residents by allowing criminals to avoid accountability, and making it harder for law enforcement to track repeat offenders. I encourage you to contact the governor and your state legislators to tell them that it is wrong! From Clean Slate to cashless bail and sanctuary laws, New york state is headed in the wrong direction, while Nassau County is headed in the right direction. It continues to thrive as the safest and best place to live because of our unwavering commitment to public safety and quality of life. As we face challenges, we must remain vigilant and proactive. Together we can safeguard our communities from misguided policies and enhance the quality of life for all Nassau families. Let us champion what is right for our communities, a safe and prosperous Nassau County for generations to come.
Bruce Blakeman is the county executive.
Framework courtesy Kevin Kelley
In the distance, the Himalayas’ Annapurna range — Nepal
BrUCe a . BLakeman
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