Skylar Mondelli and Gabriel Avitabile have worked hard to excel as Wantagh High School students, which has paid off big time in their senior year. With a weighted grade point average of 108.526, Mondelli will be the class of 2025 valedictorian, while Avitabile will be its salutatorian with a 108.293 GPA.
Achieving the title of valedictorian has been a goal for Mondelli since she was a Wantagh Middle School student. Around that time, her mother Continued
Chabad fundraiser clears $420,000 for 2025 programs
By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
The Chabad of Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh recently held its fifth annual Be a Match — Spark the Light fundraising campaign, bringing in more than $420,000 to benefit community members in need.
“We live in a great community, the people are very generous and charitable,” Rabbi Shimon Kramer, the Chabad’s director, said.
Kramer and his wife, Chanie, organized the fundraiser, which was held Dec. 17-19, to cover the cost of the Chabad center’s operations for 2025.
The fundraiser attracted almost 500 donors, who contributed to the three-day campaign.
“It’s not only the amount that was given, we’re also impressed by the amount of people who gave it in three days for charity,” Kramer said. “It’s a great feeling to know that there are so many friends out there that value the importance of being here for others during this holiday season.”
The Chabad center is a nonprofit dedicated to helping community members through spiritual guidance, education and social services around the clock, from finding doctors and hospitals to connecting people with financial advisors.
The initial goal of the event was to raise $300,000 within the threeday period, but two families, Alan and Tatyana Forman, and Eliezer and Yetta Putter,
matched each donation. Alan Forman is a Bellmore-based entrepreneur who founded Altronix, a global electronics manufacturing company.
“We’re very, very grateful that the community got together and everybody contributed in whatever they had,” he said. “We’re glad that it went the way it went.”
Forman said he was motivated to combat hunger in the local community and to support Chabad’s educational programs.
“His school is unparalleled,” he said. “The enrichment and the education and the socialization and the values that they’re taught definitely will pay
Courtesy Wantagh High School
Skylar Mondelli and Gabriel Avitabile are Wantagh High School’s class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian.
Embrace the New Year with Seaford library events
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The New Year is a time for fresh starts, and the Seaford Public Library is here to help residents embrace 2025 with a variety of engaging programs and activities. Whether your goal is to learn something new, meet like-minded neighbors, or simply have fun, the library offers a diverse lineup of events to suit all interests. From crafting and cooking to enlightening discussions, January’s schedule is packed with opportunities to enrich your year. Attending library events is a great way to connect with your community and discover new hobbies. The Seaford Public Library is more than just books—it’s a vibrant hub for creativity, learning, and interaction. Check out some of the exciting programs coming up this month and make it a resolution to participate in at least one.
Exploring American bandstand
Take a step back into the golden age of music television with historian Jo Ann Tufo as she presents “The History of American Bandstand” on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m. This lively presentation highlights the young dancers who became overnight sensations and the global musical acts that graced the show’s stage under host Dick Clark. Register online to reserve your spot for this entertaining and informative talk.
Snowman ceramic craft
Unleash your inner artist at this winter-themed craft workshop on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 1 p.m. Led by Rosemarie Attard, participants will paint a charming snowman ceramic to brighten up their homes during the cold season. The cost is $12, and all materials will be provided. Online registration begins Jan. 4.
Taxpayers forum
Homeowners, don’t miss this practical workshop hosted by Receiver Jeanine C. Driscoll on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m. Learn the step-by-step process of grieving your property tax assessment and get answers to your questions about taxes. Seating is limited, and registration is required via email or phone.
Chicken pot pie workshop
There’s nothing like a hearty homemade dish to warm you up in winter. On Thursday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., join the Baking Coach for a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn to make a delicious chicken pot pie from scratch. The cost is $5, and online registration begins Jan. 11.
Book discussion: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Dive into Shelby Van Pelt’s acclaimed novel, Remarkably Bright Creatures, about a widow’s unlikely friendship with a Pacific octopus and her quest for closure
The Seaford Public Library is hosting a variety of events in January to kick off 2025. From book discussions to lectures on the golden age of television, there’s something for everyone at the library.
after her son’s long-ago disappearance. Librarian Eric Wasserman will lead the discussion on Monday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. Copies of the book are available at the reference desk for registrants.
Tech help sessions
Got a new gadget over the holidays? On Monday, Jan. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m., and Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m., bring your iPhone, iPad, Android device, or laptop to
the library for one-on-one tech help from teen volunteer Henry Terjesen. Limited spots are available, so be sure to register early.
Start 2025 with creativity, learning, and connection at the Seaford Public Library. With something for everyone, this month’s events are a perfect way to make the most of your community. For more information, visit seafordlibrary.org or call 516-221-1334.
Herald file photo
HERALD neighbors
Celebrating Hanukkah at Beth Tikvah
Congregation Beth Tikvah, in Wantagh, came alive with warmth and joy as it hosted a heartwarming Hanukkah celebration on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Organized by the Men’s Club, the event brought together congregants, families, friends, and community members in a shared spirit of togetherness. Rabbi Moshe Weisblum led a memorable menorah lighting ceremony, filling the room with light and meaning. The outstanding CBT band filled the air with music, and laughter echoed through the halls as everyone enjoyed dancing, delicious food and drinks, gifts, games, and the playful antics of the Hanukkah clown. It was an unforgettable evening, full of community, celebration, and the true spirit of the holiday.
Photos courtesy Ab Roher
Rabbi Weisblum, center, and Religious School Director Dalia Ross, third from right, with Hebrew School students who made chocolate menorahs in preparation for Hanukkah.
Rabbi Moshe Weisblum, far left, with members of the Congregation Beth Tikvah Band.
Congregants gathered for the outdoor menorah lighting.
Protecting Your Future
A Forgotten American Treasure
Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac appeared from 1732 to 1758.
Amongst other information, it provided pithy sayings and proverbs, many of which have withstood the test of time.
“An empty bag cannot stand upright.”
“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom a good one.”
“Anoint a villain and he’ll stab you: stab him and he’ll anoint you.”
“An old young man will be a young old man.”
“Don’t think to hunt two hares with one dog.”
“Eat few suppers and you’ll need few medicines.”
“Great almsgiving, lessens no man’s living.”
“Happy’s the wooing that’s not long a doing.”
“He that lies down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”
“If your riches are yours, why don’t you take them with you to the other world.”
“Lost time is never found again.”
“The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?”
“They who have nothing to trouble them, will be troubled at nothing.”
“The sleeping fox catches no poultry.”
“The tongue is ever turning to the aching tooth.”
“When you’re good to others, you are best to yourself.”
“Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion.”
Editor’s Note: The filing requirement under the Corporate Transparency Act (last week’s column) has been suspended by the courts until further notice.
100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success
Other offices in Huntington • Melville • Islandia
An elderly man and woman died after their car struck a utility pole on Loring
Levittown on Jan. 5.
Car accident in Levittown claims two lives
An 89-year-old man and his 88-yearold passenger died following a singlevehicle crash in Levittown on Sunday, Jan. 5, according to Nassau County police.
The accident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. when the man was driving a 2001 Ford Taurus south on Loring Road. Police said the vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and the passenger was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, where she later died.
The investigation is ongoing.
Crime watCh
Petit LarCeNy
A man was reported to have stolen a package from a residence on Lufberry Avenue in Wantagh on Dec. 24.
Two men were reported to have stolen items from a Stop and Shop on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on Dec. 27.
Levittown on Dec. 19.
Alberto Gomez, 62, of Levittown, was arrested for shoplifting at a Macys on Old Country Road in East garden City on Dec. 28.
Dwi
EDITOR/REPORTER
Christine Waters, 55, of Plainview, was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at a WalMart on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow on Dec. 29.
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 is looking for...
To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a
Erin Alvelo, 47, of North Baldwin, was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated on Merrick Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow on Dec. 22.
arrests
Ryan McNaughton, 26, of Levittown, was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at at Target on Hempstead Turnpike in
Margaret McDermott, 57, of Massapequa, was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at a Target on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on Dec. 22.
Elaine Spano, 73, of North Bellmore, was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at JC Penney on Old Country Road in East Garden City.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
— Charles Shaw
Courtesy John Scalesi
Road in
Seaford’s future leaders tapped for regional conference
Young leaders are the backbone of Seaford High School’s thriving student life, and a quintet of sophomores will soon get the chance to strengthen their leadership skills. Michael Gagliano, Hannah Gerace, Calleigh Harten, Jamie Klein and Sydney McEntee were selected to attend the 2025 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership conference.
The 10th graders will attend HOBY’s New York Metro seminar from June 6-8 at Adelphi University. They were selected from more than 20 students nominated by Seaford High School teachers.
“I’ve heard good things from people who have been to HOBY,” said Jamie, who wants to bring back the knowledge she gains to be a stronger leader in school and also teach others leadership skills.
“I’m really excited to have been selected for this,” added Sydney. “It’s a great opportunity for our generation to learn how to be better leaders.”
The five HOBY ambassadors are very active in clubs and athletics in Seaford. Michael is on the cross country, winter track and spring track teams, while Sydney plays basketball and runs tracks, and also is a member of Best Buddies, the Dance Club and Key Club. Hannah is president of the Student Alliance, stage manager on the Stage Crew, and member of the muralists, National Art Honor Society and Color Guard. Jamie is in the Student Alliance, Books and Bagels, muralists, National Art Honor Society and plays flute in the marching band, and Calleigh is in student council and plays softball.
Students are chosen to attend the HOBY conference as sophomores, because they typically take on leadership positions during their junior and senior years.
“I’m looking forward to collaborating with other student leaders and combining our qualities together,” Calleigh said. “I’m looking to take away more ways to promote other students and want to be a leader and inspire them.”
Michael wants to make a positive impact in the school through his involvement in different activities, and looks forward to HOBY as a way of gaining leadership skills that will help him now and in the future.
Hannah added that becoming a stronger leader is way to grow her character, make her a role model for other students and allow her to help more people.
“It will be exciting to talk to new people,” she said about the chance to interact with aspiring students lead-
ers from other high schools.
After being nominated by teachers, the finalists were interviewed by a panel of students and staff. That included juniors and seniors who attended the 2023 and 2024 HOBY conferences, as well as building administrators, guidance counselors and the sophomore class advisers. Candidates were asked to reflect on the qualities that make them a good leader and share ideas on how they would make their school better.
Courtesy Seaford School District
Seaford High School sophomores, from left, Calleigh Harten, Sydney McEntee, Michael Gagliano, Jamie Klein and Hannah Gerace were selected to attend the 2025 HOBY leadership conference.
HERALD SPORTS
Hofstra wrestling begins exciting new era
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
Hofstra wrestling alum Jamie Franco is now leading the program where he thrived on the mats as a student-athlete looking to raise it to new heights.
Franco, a three-time NCAA Championship qualifier at Hofstra in the early 2010s, was named the Pride’s 13th- head coach on July 1, 2024 replacing Dennis Papadatos after he took an administrative role in the university’s athletic department. It marks another return home for Franco, who served as an assistant coach under Papadatos from 2016 to 2023 before spending a season on the wrestling staff at Columbia University last year.
“I always wanted to be a head coach and to be able to get this opportunity was a dream come true for me,” said Franco, who won 75 matches at Hofstra including a conference title at 133 pounds in 2013. “To come back to my alma mater and get my first head coaching gig at Hofstra was really special.”
After graduating Hofstra in 2014 with a business degree, Franco was operations manager of the famed Longo and Weidman MMA Training Center in Garden City where Hofstra wrestling legend Chris Weidman trained when he held a UFC middleweight title from 2013 to 2015. Franco maintains a close relationship with Weidman and recently brought his longtime trainer Ray Longo in a cross training session with the wrestlers.
“I think it’s always good to get these guys training outside of just wrestling to make them physically and mentally tougher,” Franco said.
Franco inherited a roster with plenty of former Long Island high school wrestling standouts including 133-pound Ryan Arbeit, who won a county title for Wantagh in 2022. The redshirt freshman was voted a team captain in October along with Massapequa High School product Chase Liardi, Justin Hoyle of Maple Valley, Wash and Ross McFarland of Pennellville, N.Y.
Two of Arbeit’s former Wantagh teammates are also on the Hofstra roster including red-shirt junior Mat Rogers, who won a New York State Championship in 2020 and Joe Russo, who was sidelined last season after joining the Pride from Nassau Community College. Russo was sidelined at the beginning of the season with an injury, but Franco is hoping he can make a contribution as the dual meet schedule heats up.
The Nassau County South Shore presence on the Hofstra mats also includes 165-pound redshirt junior Eric Shindel, who was an All-County wrestler at JFK High School in Bellmore in 2020 and 2021.
Fellow 165-pounder Kyle Mosher, who won a New York State title with South Side High School in Rockville Centre, joined the Pride this season as a graduate student after competing as an undergraduate student
at Columbia under Franco.
“He is looking really good early in the season so we’re looking to keep building on it,” said Franco of Mosher, who placed eighth in the 30-team Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 7. “He’s on everyone’s radar now.
Franco recorded his first dual meet win as Hofstra head coach with a 21-12 victory against Duke at home on Nov. 16. The Pride entered the new year at 4-3 and will next be in action on Jan. 9 with an Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) road match at Binghamton. The Pride then has home matches in the Mack Sports Complex scheduled Jan. 26 against Penn starting at noon and Feb. 2 versus Franklin & Marshall at 4 p.m.
The Pride will look to make some noise at the EIWA Championships at Lehigh on March 7-8 and qualify at least three of four wrestlers for the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia from March 20-22.
“The guys are growing every week,” Franco said. “I think we’re going to see a more gritty team for us in the EIWAs so I feel like we’re going to get a bunch of placers there this year.”
Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications Massapequa native Chase Liardi is one of Hofstra’s captains.
Ross McFarland and the Pride are looking to make noise under new coach Jamie Franco, a Hofstra wrestling alumn.
Top 2 seniors reflect on their time at WHS
always told her to “keep her eye on the prize,” which she has applied throughout her high school studies.
“I was just glad that all the hard work I put into it ended up paying off,” Mondelli said.
By the end of the school year, Mondelli said she will have taken 12 Advanced Placement classes, including AP Biology and AP Chemistry, two courses that have had an impact on her future career. With a focus on science, Mondelli hopes to become a nurse anesthetist, and credited the district’s teachers for making the classes engaging for her.
“(The teachers) really focused on the specific topics,” Mondelli said. “I felt very prepared for my AP exam. I just like the intricate details of the course.”
Avitabile also credited his teachers for his success at Wantagh, adding that they have always been helpful and supportive.
“They always make sure you understand the lesson, so you take something away from it,” Avitabile said.
Paul Guzzone, the high school’s principal, said Mondelli and Avitabile are model students, which extends beyond their GPA. Their commitment to extracurricular activities, while remaining humble about their accomplishments, is what makes them exemplary students, Guzzone added.
“They’re just so humble and so driven, and they’re just perfect models of what we hope for all our students to kind of strive to be,” Guzzone said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be at the podium with them on graduation.”
For Avitabile, becoming salutatorian was a culmination of everything he’d done throughout his high school years. Since freshman year, he’s taken 12 AP courses, which includes an AP Physics course he took last school year. The difficult material, he said, made the course enjoyable.
“I like problem solving,” Avitabile said. “It’s like a real challenge for you to figure out the problem.”
Isity spring track and swimming for two years and is currently involved in varsity volleyball.
Aside from coursework, Mondelli and Avitabile have been busy with several clubs. Mondelli is the co-vice president of Health Occupations Students of America, as well as president of the Wantagh Foundation for Furthering the Sciences. She’s also a member of Key Club, a trustee for the National Honor Society, vice president of the World Language Honor Society and a member of Science National Honor Society and National English Honor Society.
the hard work I put into it ended up paying off.
Becoming salutatorian, he said, showed that all the late nights studying were worth it. After graduating, Avitabile said he hopes to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.
Skylar MondellI Wantagh High School valedictorian
Avitabile is treasurer of Fashion Club and Portfolio Development, and is in national, math, English and world language honor societies. He’s also president of the World Food Club and Art Club, which was a fun experience, he said.
dation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth through educational support and community programs.
Avitabile is a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where he helps raise money for blood cancer research. He’s also a member of the St. Francis de Chantal Youth Group in Wantagh, where he participates in fundraisers and soup kitchens for the church.
For Avitabile, it’s important not to underestimate the small tasks one can accomplish each day.
“Focus on what you’re passionate about and what your specific skill set is, and don’t worry if other people might be better than you in certain areas you know,” Avitabile said. “Just focus on what you like and what you want to do.”
As for sports, Mondelli said she’s been a three-sport varsity athlete since freshman year of high school. She’s a four-year athlete for varsity volleyball and spring track, and played varsity basketball from freshman to junior year, and this year she started varsity winter track.
Avitabile said he participated in var-
“I have a passion for art,” Avitabile said. “The communities that we have in that club are really strong. We all just do the projects together, and it’s just great.”
Outside of school, the two students have worked to uplift their community. Since freshman year, Mondelli has participated with the Shooting Stars Foun-
Both Mondelli and Avitabile will receive their AP capstone, and are working on their Seal of Biliteracy, a national recognition awarded to high school students who demonstrate proficiency in two or more languages. Both students said their time at Wantagh High School has been positive and are looking forward to walking at graduation as the valedictorian and salutatorian.
“I wouldn’t want to be at any other school,” Mondelli said. “I’m being honest. I feel like the perfect community was built in the school.”
NUMC launches colorectal and reflux clinics
By JORDAN VALLONE
jvallone@liherald.com
Nassau University Medical Center has launched two specialty clinics to expand access to vital care for the community.
These new clinics have the potential to serve thousands of patients to help detect both common and life-threatening conditions.
MEg AN RyAN President, chief executive Nassau University Medical Center
The Colorectal Screening Clinic, now open on Monday mornings, focuses on early detection and prevention of conditions such as colon cancer. The clinic, located on the first floor with NUMC’s other surgical clinics, performs endoscopies under sedation by appointment. Colon cancer affects approximately 150,000 people annually in the United States, with one-third of cases resulting in death. Early screenings are key to improving survival rates. For appointments, call (516) 572-6703.
The new Reflux Clinic operates Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings
on the hospital’s sixth floor. Under the leadership of Dr. Venkatesh, the clinic provides diagnosis, treatment, and longterm support for patients experiencing acid reflux and related conditions. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can lead to serious complications such as esophageal cancer if untreated. Patients with frequent reflux symptoms are encouraged to seek care. Appointments can be scheduled at (516) 572-6703.
“These new clinics have the potential to serve thousands of patients to help detect both common and life-threatening conditions,” said Megan Ryan, president, chief executive, and chief legal officer of Nassau Health Care Corporation. “NUMC is joining the fight against colon cancer with this new capability, and as so many struggle with maintaining a healthy diet, conditions affecting the digestive tract are on the rise. These
new services are yet another example of NUMC’s continuing efforts to increase its capabilities for our growing patient population.”
The hospital has also enhanced its services with a new Community Outreach Center, launched in August, and expanded evening hours for general, pediatric, and women’s health clinics on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m.
Future leaders blossom at Seaford Harbor
They’re called the Leaders of Tomorrow, but 11 fourth graders at Seaford Harbor Elementary School are showing their leadership skills today. The new club, advised by teacher Marina Massa, is focused on several initiatives, including community service and promoting awareness of the Seaford Scholar traits.
Students from each fourth grade class were chosen for the club following an application process. The goal is to build a foundation in elementary school that prepares them for leadership opportunities at the secondary level, such as the middle school’s Teen Leaders Care and the high school’s Brackett Leadership Team.
Leaders of Tomorrow members are responsible for teaching others about the Seaford Scholar traits. It began in November, when the trait of the month was communicator. Students made presentations that they shared with fellow fourth graders. In December, which focused on being mindful, they showed their digital presentations to kindergartners.
In small groups, members of Leaders of Tomorrow visited other classes to present digital slides made in Canva as well as facilitate discussions about the trait and lead
hands-on activities. December featured belly breathing, a gratitude circle and mindful coloring. Anastasia Stambolis said the emphasis is to teach their peers how to incorporate the Seaford Scholar traits into their daily lives.
As the club grows, the students hope to bring their presentations to first and second grade classes, as well.
“It’s nice teaching the kids, seeing the younger students listen to and having them understand what you’re talking about,” Evie Banoff said.
Sean Kitt added that being a member of Leaders of Tomorrow is about setting a good example for other students in the building.
“Their role is valuable,” Massa said, “because they’re teaching the traits that we want all of our students to graduate with. The Leaders of Tomorrow are definitely being looked up to.”
The club will also do community service projects, and their first initiative was a hurricane relief drive.
“It was important for us to create a leadership opportunity at the Harbor School for our students,”
Principal Jennifer Bisulca said.
“Leadership is a true hallmark of the Seaford student and we knew that it would draw a great interest.”
Photos courtesy NUMC
Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow has launched two new specialty clinics for colorectal screenings and reflux treatment.
Courtesy Seaford School District
Seaford Harbor Elementary School Leaders of Tomorrow members Anastasia Stambolis and Sean Kitt made digital presentations about the Seaford Scholar trait of the month to help educate other students.
A new era at Nassau University Medical Center
Megan Ryan, Dr. Grace Ting and Shannon Costello enter top leadership roles as 2025 begins
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Nassau University Medical Center will begin 2025 with women holding its three top leadership positions.
IThe East Meadow-based hospital’s board of directors appointed Megan Ryan as president and chief executive, Dr. Grace Ting as chief medical officer and Shannon Costello as chief nursing officer during its Dec. 5 meeting. All three executives previously served in these roles on an interim basis and have extensive experience at NUMC.
think it’s still going to be a year of transition and growth.
MEg AN RyAN
President
and
chief executive
Nassau University Medical Center
In a December interview with the Herald, the leaders discussed their long-standing connections to the hospital, their career journeys at NUMC, and their visions for the institution as they formally step into their administrative roles.
Their backgrounds
Ryan, an accomplished attorney in the private sector who is admitted to the New York State Bar Association and the U.S. Supreme Court Association, began her career in health care as the chief compliance officer for the Nassau Queens Performing Provider System, before becoming general counsel at NUMC seven years ago. Prior to working at NUMC, Ryan served as an inhouse corporate counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. She was named interim president and chief executive in January of 2024, a position she helped the hospital flourish in, until her appointment in December. Ryan will continue serving as general counsel.
Ting began her career at NUMC as an attending physician in the hospital’s emergency department, later becoming one of the associate directors for operations in the emergency department. Having served on various committees, Ting was named NUMC’s interim chief medical officer in 2022.
Costello, both an executive vice president and the chief nursing officer, started her professional career as a critical care nurse at NUMC in 2006. Through that position, she discovered a passion for teaching and education, she said, which led to her role as a critical care nurse educator in 2018, in which she oversaw multiple units at the hospital including the intensive care unit, special procedures unit and burn unit, among many others. Costello was named NUMC’s deputy nursing officer in January of last year and promoted to the interim chief nursing officer in May.
What
working at
NUMC has meant to them
Before she was a registered nurse, Costello said she completed her clinical rotations while still in nursing school at NUMC.
“This is where I learned to love nursing,” she said, “and this is where I learned about the mission of the hospital and the values here. I got to experience the work first hand and all the wonderful people that work here. And that’s what led me, after graduation, to seek an opportunity here.”
NUMC is Nassau County’s only public hospital, which serves as a safety net for medical care, providing services for the uninsured and vulnerable patients. The hospital provides care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
“I was lucky enough to be one of the first student groups, first out of school, that they allowed to work in critical care,” Costello said. “And I had a wonderful experience in terms of being educated and being taught in that very specialized area of nursing.”
NUMC is a teaching hospital, Costello said, but it also provides services that you won’t see in other facilities. From a water birthing suites in the hospital’s maternity ward, to being a regional leader in hyperbaric medicine, Costello said NUMC is a vital institution.
“What drew me here was the mission of the hospital,” Ting said, “in serving our patients, the people that can’t afford to pay, as a doctor in the emergency department. That is a really integral part of what we do.”
There’s a camaraderie among NUMC’s staff, Ting added.
“We work really heard and we develop relationships,” she said. “You go
The hospital’s administration, she said, is poised to help NUMC succeed. “These are all people that have their hearts in this place,” Ryan said, “and they’re experts in their field.
NUMC’s future
Ryan said her goals have always been clear: She wants to work with New York state as a partner in health care. For the first time in years, NUMC’s staff rallied in Albany last March with local legislators, advocating for the funding it needs to thrive.
The hospital employees 3,600 employees, Ryan said, and she feels both a commitment to them and the broader Long Island community. Looking ahead, hospital departments are working on sustainability plans, Ryan said, so the administration at NUMC can best assess needs across the board and roll out plans to help every part of the hospital succeed.
NUMC has named new department heads in different health care sectors, is getting its finances in order with its chief financial executive, Perry Sham, and working on increasing its visibility and outreach in the communities it serves.
home, and the next day you come in and you’re happy, and I was happy to come in.”
The appointments come at a crucial time for NUMC, which has faced years of financial instability and management challenges. Under Ryan’s interim leadership over the past year, the hospital has made significant strides in strengthening both its financial position and quality of care. Over the last five years, the hospital has not received hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding that it needs to survive.
“Our reputation hasn’t been very good and it’s unfair,” Ting said. “We’re trying to change the culture — change our reputation. I think we’re doing that. Our scores are better, our quality is better. We have real leadership, and yet we’re having so much trouble receiving funding from the state.”
Ryan said she took a “leap of faith” entering health care, but said her role really began to change at NUMC after the coronavirus pandemic. “I wasn’t the lawyer that was writing contracts or reviewing things or telling people no,” she said. “I was you know, doing the fundraising, and then I was going to all the different floors to see what they needed. I will be the first to say I’m not clinical — I leave the clinical stuff to the clinicians — but it was nice to work together.”
Her leadership role at NUMC has really cemented the belief that the hospital’s role in Nassau County is vital.
“I get frustrated when people are like ‘it’s a poor person’s hospital,’” she said. “As a Catholic, I love our mission. We treat everyone, regardless of their ability to pay — it is a saintly thing to do. It is a moral thing to do.”
“I think it’s still going to be a year of transition and growth,” Ryan said of 2025. “There is a lot of work to be done.”
“The team that has been assembly by Megan over this last year — everyone is invested,” Costello said. “Everyone is dedicated to this facility and to the mission of the hospital. It’s all of us working together, and we all have the same goals in mind.”
At a glance: NUMC leadership
Megan Ryan:
■ Named president and chief executive
■ First woman to lead Nassau Health Care Corporation
■ Served for nearly a decade as general counsel and interim president and chief executive since January
Dr. Grace Ting:
■ Veteran NUMC physician named chief medical officer
■ Previously served in the role on interim basis
Shannon Costello
■ Appointed chief nursing officer
■ Experienced nurse leader who had been serving in position on an interim basis
Tim Baker/Herald Nassau University Medical Center is kicking off the New Year with three women holding top leadership positions. From left, Shannon Costello, the chief nursing officer, Dr. Grace Ting, the chief medical officer, and Megan Ryan, the president and chief executive, were appointed to their positions at a Dec. 5 board meeting.
Fundraiser will support initiatives in 2025
everybody back — our society is going to thrive.”
Forman’s wife supported the center’s initiative to provide clothing for women undergoing cancer treatments.
By using a donor-matching system, each dollar contributed by a community member would be functionally tripled, supporting crucial programs and services that strengthen the Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh communities.
“When you donate, you become the match that sparks the light,” Kramer said in a news release.
“We found that crowdfunding is very powerful,” he added. “A donor likes to see that other people are giving according to whatever they’re able to give. They’re incentivized to match donations, and other people are encouraged to donate when they know that their donation is being maximized.”
Chabad’s educational program, which teaches about 100 preschool students, needs funding for several initiatives and projects in the upcoming year.
Kramer said he would like to see a new playground built for infants, toddlers and young people in the center’s Alan and Tatyana Forman JELC Preschool and for participants in Camp Gan Israel, a program that offers safe spaces for young children to develop their physical and social skills, accord-
ing to a news release provided by the center.
“Thanks to these campaigns, we built a beautiful facility,” Kramer said. “We added many more classrooms because of tremendous growth.”
“We need a second playground that’s going to be catered to the younger children, infants and toddlers, and to triple
fortable environment for those undergoing breast cancer treatments, as well as a new lounge for educators involved in the center’s many education programs.
For students, the center offers scholarships for the Alan and Tatyana Forman JELC Preschool, Ckids After School Program, Chabad Hebrew School, and Camp Gan Israel of Merrick — allowing more young people to receive an education in the Jewish way of life.
“To educate a child when they’re young has an impact on them for their entire future,” Chanie Kramer said.
“I can honestly say, from a financial point of view, this is the greatest investment one can make,” Rabbi Kramer said. “Their investment triples within three days. You’re investing in children, investing in people who need food, people who need special clothing, people who need it. There’s no loss.”
the size of the food pantry,” the rabbi added.
The Chabad also serves the community through the Bernard Pechter Kosher Food Pantry, which distributes food to the hungry every Thursday.
In addition, the Chabad, partnering with the Cindy Knoll Circle of Hope Dress for Recovery, will provide a com-
The Chabad accepts donations yearround — although further donations will not be matched, but will continue to support the center and its work in helping the community.
“Everybody should consider doing their part in helping those less fortunate,” Kramer said.
For more information, visit ChabadJewishLife.org/match or call the center at (516) 833-3057 ext. 0. The Chabad is at 2174 Hewlett Ave., Merrick.
Courtesy Chabad of Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh
the Chabad of merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh celebrated a successful end-of-year fundraiser, collecting $420,000 for its 2025 programs. above, a celebration of Hanukkah on dec. 25 featured a parade, and the Chabad honored some of its key donors.
Nominate a student under 16 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.
We want to hear about the extraordinary young individuals who are driving change in their communities.
The award will be presented at the 2025 LI Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island powered by Reworld in February. Your nomination could inspire countless others to follow in their footsteps!
Submit a nomination of approximately 200 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?
Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.
STEPPING OUT
Step inside an epic adventure with Anna, Elsa and the Madrigal clan moments on ice
By Karen Bloom
Welcome the New Year in true Disney style. The latest Disney ice extravaganza arrives at UBS Arena in Elmont ready to enchant families once again. This time around the spotlight is on two of the newest tales — beloved by Disneyphiles in the Disney canon: “Frozen” and “Encanto.” Audiences can share in the special joy of these captivating adventures when Disney On Ice’s glides into UBS Arena, now through Jan. 12.
Families will be transported into two of Disney’s most popular films as the world of Anna, Elsa, Mirabel, and the Madrigal family unfolds up close. These adored characters are, of course, joined by Mickey and his crew. Along with Minnie, Donald and Goofy, audiences will sing-along to everyone’s favorite songs interpreted through world-class skating, aerial acrobatics and dynamic special effects.
• Now through Sunday, Jan.12; times vary
• Tickets start at $35, pre-show character experience also available for a fee; purchase at ticketmaster.com or disneyonice.com or in person at box office
• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
As always, the atmosphere is electric from the get-go. From the opening segment with Mickey and the gang, we quickly arrive in Arendelle to the delight of all the “Annas” and “Elsas” in the audience. Olaf, the lovable snowman who likes warm hugs and all things summer, narrates the story everyone knows so well. Artful skating (what could be more fitting?) transports families to the snowy kingdom to be a part of Anna’s adventure to find Elsa, whose icy powers unleashed an eternal winter. Kristoff and Sven take audiences along as they encounter wintry conditions in a race to bring back summer.
Elsa’s solo segment skated to “Let It Go” is among the highlights of the show’s first half. “It’s a big moment,” says Rebekah Johnson, who — off ice at this point — is exhilarated by the audience response.
At age 19, Johnson is experiencing the Disney magic for the first time as a performer. She joined the cast in September as an ensemble skater and couldn’t be happier.
Skating since she was two-years-old, the St. Paul, Minn.-based Johnson says “I always knew I was meant to be a show skater.”
Like her many castmates, she’s embraced Disney from a young age.
“I’ve always loved the princesses and ‘Frozen’,” she enthuses. “I’ve dreamed about skating for Disney for so long.”
From her first Disney On Ice experience as a young child to revisiting the spectacle as a teenager more recently, she knew this was where she belonged.
“When I saw the show again, I thought ‘this is so cool.’ I still dreamed about being a princess.”
While Johnson is not quite there yet, she’s relishing every moment as the youngest member of the cast and every moment on ice.
“I’ve wanted to skate for Disney for so long,” she continues. “It’s all very surreal, but it’s real!”
After a very Frozen adventure, the show’s second half takes everyone to a vibrant town in the mountains of Colombia where we meet the Madrigals, that extraordinary family who live in
Yacht Rock Revue
The kings of ‘70s tribute hit the road with an authentic throwback to the era. Yacht Rock Revue, hailed by Rolling Stone as the “world’s premier soft-rock party band,” invites listeners on a nostalgic voyage through the ‘70s and’80s sun-soaked melodies. The Atlantabased 10-piece ensemble blends impeccable musicianship with a deep reverence for the genre. Their original album “Escape Artist” is a bold homage to this iconic sound. YRR continues to captivate audiences nationwide with their infectious energy and unabashedly joyous performances. Since their humble beginnings in 2007, YRR has emerged as pivotal in revitalizing yacht rock, sharing stages with icons and garnering a devoted following of “Anchorheads.” Whether performing in intimate venues or rocking arenas, their concerts promise an immersive musical journey that celebrates the timeless allure of smooth grooves.
Friday and Saturday, Jan.10-11, 8 p.m. $55, $40, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
a magical casita in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. Mirabel tells the tale of her amazing family and her journey to save the casita — her enchanted family home — alongside her sisters: Isabela, whose perfection radiates with her ability to make plants grow and flowers bloom with every step, and Luisa, with the gift of super strength that she uses to help her village move buildings and reroute rivers.
For the first time live, everyone can witness Tia Pepa, who can control the weather with her emotions; her husband Felix; their daughter Dolores, with her gift to hear; and Bruno, the mysterious and misunderstood Madrigal family member whose visions foretold the future.
“I’m especially partial to ‘Encanto,” Johnson says. “It’s so upbeat, high energy, that everyone [in the audience] gets so exited.”
And, of course, We Don’t Talk About Bruno.
Here audiences especially respond to the aerial segment, which showcases the skaters’ acrobatic skills above the ice, along with plenty of ice dancing.
“It looks magical,” Johnson says.
And that’s the timeless Disney mantra: “Anything can happen if you just believe.”
In the end, audiences leave with the understanding that everyone has their own gifts, magical or not, and being true to yourself and loving those around you is what makes you special.
Or as Johnson puts it: “Magic is inside all of us.”
At the end, special appearance from Mulan and Li Shang, Belle and Prince Adam, Ariel and Eric, Aladdin and Jasmine, Miguel from Coco, and Moana celebrate that iconic Disney “magic” in a rousing finale.
Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment
Smooth Dre’s Rhythmic Odyssey
Experience the pulse of Brooklyn hip-hop with Smooth Dre and his crew. A renowned figure in Brooklyn, he’s carved a niche in the hip-hop world with his unique style and profound lyrical narratives. Known for blending classic beats with rich, contemporary rhythms, Smooth Dre delivers music that resonates with authenticity and depth. His journey from underground circuits to mainstream stages has been marked by a steadfast dedication to his craft and an unwavering commitment to his roots. Smooth Dre’s influence extends beyond music; he is a cultural icon who embodies the spirit of hip-hop in every aspect of his life. Dive into a night of relentless beats and lyrical storytelling with Smooth Dre, a maestro of urban soundscapes, with his friends.
Saturday, Jan. 11, 8 p.m. $70. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or madisontheatreny.org.
Photos: Dreams do come true when the royal sisters of Arendelle are joined by the Madrigal family in a ice spectacle that fully brings both films to life.
THE Your Neighborhood
Dave Atell
Jan. 19
Start the New Year off with some laughs from one of stand-up comedy’s best, when Dave Atell visits the Paramount stage, Sunday, Jan. 19, 8 p.m. An all-timegreat joke writer, named one of the “25 Funniest People in America” by Entertainment Weekly, 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 has headed several shows of his own. “Insomniac” followed Attell on late-night trips, tracking down and interviewing anyone who wasn’t asleep for some reason (usually either night workers or drunk people), while “Dave’s Old Porn...well, you can Google that one yourself.” When not on the road, Attell makes regular appearances at the Comedy Cellar in New York City. $59.50, $49.50, $44.50, $39.50, $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Reading Wonderland
Seaford Public Library hosts its 10th annual “Walking into a Reading Wonderland” adult winter reading program Jan. 6-Feb. 22. Adults 18 and older can register online or at the library starting Jan. 6. Participants can submit weekly book reviews online or in-person for a chance to win gift certificates to local restaurants, with grand prizes including a Kindle Fire HD 10. Winners will be announced on Feb. 24. For details, visit seafordlibrary.org. 2234 Jackson Ave.
Icebreaker Marathon
Start off the New Year on the right foot with a series of races at Eisenhower Park, Saturday, Jan. 25. The Icebreaker marathon, half marathon and 5K are slated to begin around 9 a.m. in the park’s Field 2, near Parking Lot 2. To register and for more information, visit EliteFeats. com/25icebreaker.
Bingo at Temple B’nai Torah
Temple B’nai Torah hosts a fun-filled bingo session, every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and every Thursday, 7:15 -10 p.m. Prizes, progressive games and refreshments available. 2900 Jerusalem Ave., in Wantagh. For more information, call (516) 2212370.
In concert
Plaza Theatricals’ welcomes the New Year, with an Elvis tribute, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2:30 p.m. Ritchie Santa performs “Elvis Is In The House,” keeping the King’s legacy alive. Santa often shares how, even 47 years after his passing, Elvis connects people who might never have met otherwise. See the show at 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
Wantagh BOE meets
Wantagh Board of Education holds its business meetings, Thursdays, Jan. 23 and Feb. 6, 8 p.m., at Wantagh High School. 3297 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh. For more information, visit wantaghschool.org.
Game time
Enjoy Mah Jongg and Canasta every Thursday, noon-4 p.m., at Congregation Beth Tikvah. $5 contribution, no outside food, as snacks and drinks will be supplied. Bring your games and cards, lessons available. 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh. For more info, email mahjonggCBT@ yahoo.com or call (516) 7852445.
Krew 4 Kieran
Support Kieran Meekins, an 11-year-old with cerebral palsy, at a fundraiser, Thursday, Jan. 11, at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall. Proceeds will help cover costs for Kieran’s trip to Arizona for life-changing VSEL stem cell treatment. The event includes raffles, food, and entertainment. Tickets are $100 plus fees, which can be purchased at tinyurl.com/Krew4-Kieran. For more information or sponsorship opportunities, email krew4kieran@gmail.com. Donations can also be made at the event or via Venmo @ foundation 343. 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh.
Intro to blues harmonica workshop
Long Island Harmonica Club teaches the fundamentals of the 10 hole Diatonic harmonica, at Wantagh Public Library, Saturday, Jan. 11, 3 p.m. Learn the basics, from playing single notes and chords to 12-bar progression. This is a hands-on workshop and everyone will receive a free Honner Harmonica! Registration reqired. For more information, visit wantaghlibrary.org. 3285 Park Ave.
Musical seasons
Sands Point Preserve’s reserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for the 2025 unique chamber music series, “Four Seasons in Music,” Sunday, Jan. 12, 3 p.m. The duoJalal ensemble-in-residence led by Kathryn Lockwood on viola, with percussionist Yousif Sheronick, violinists Deborah Buck and Emma Frucht and cellist Caroline Stinson presents a German flavored. Celebrating Germany’s rich history of extraordinary composers, including Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Brahms, to the less traditional, this concert will warm you up on a winter afternoon.
A reception follows.
$56, $45 members. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For tickets and information, visit sandspointpreserveconservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
Having an event?
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) 6226812 for more information. 1196 Prospect Ave., Westbury.
Adam Ferrara performs at Governor’s Comedian and podcaster Adam Ferrara takes to the stage at Governor’s Comedy Club, Friday, Jan. 17, 8 p.m.; also Saturday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m. General admission for both shows is $25. For more information, visit govs..com.
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.
NEW YORK’S WRONGEST RUNNING COMEDY!
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 follow-up 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.
Fit As AFiddle
Jan. 11
Visit Long Island Children’s Museum to celebrate Family Fit Lifestyle Month, Saturday, Jan. 11, noon-2 p.m. Families can make a take-home custom fitness game to get in tip top shape by having fun, at the drop-in program. For ages 3 and up. Free with admission. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES
2016-CTT, -against-
JOHN DELISA A/K/A JOHN F. DELISA A/K/A JOHN F. DE LISA, 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 January 9, 2024, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT is the Plaintiff and JOHN DELISA A/K/A
JOHN F. DELISA A/K/A JOHN F. DE LISA, 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 3, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 3014 VALENTINE PLACE, WANTAGH, NY 11793; and the following tax map identification: 56-263-427.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT WANTAGH, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 608335/2018. Jane P. Shrenkel, 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. 150754
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 21st day of January, 2025, at 7:00
o’clock in the evening of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at the following locations:
EAST MEADOW EAST
MEADOW AVENUE (TH 554/24) West SideNO
STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 30 feet south of a point opposite the south curbline of Park Avenue, south for a distance of 80 feet.
LEVITTOWN
BALSAM LANE (TH 560/24) North Side - NO
STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the west curbline of Wantagh Avenue, west for a distance of 50 feet.
MERRICK
MERRICK AVENUE (TH 555/24) West Side - NO
PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 189 feet south of the south curbline of Horatio Avenue, then south for a distance of 51 feet.
ROOSEVELT
HOWARD AVENUE (TH 566/24) North Side - NO
PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 252 feet west of the west curbline of John Place, west for a distance of 32 feet.
SEAFORD
WAVERLY AVENUE (TH 550/24) South Side - NO
STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 78 feet east curbline of Seaford Avenue, east for a distance of 160 feet.
WAVERLY AVENUE (TH 550/24) South Side - NO
STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 66 feet west of a point opposite the west curbline Locust Avenue, west for a distance of 150 feet.
UNIONDALE
DURYEA AVENUE (TH 575/24) East Side - NO
PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 21 feet north of the north curbline of Jerusalem Avenue, then north for a distance of 72 feet.
ALSO, to REPEAL from Section 202-1 “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” from the following location: EAST MEADOW
NEWBRIDGE AVENUE (TH 718/74) West Side -NO
STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 18 feet north of a point opposite the north curbline of Park Avenue, south for a distance of 130 feet.
(Adopted 1/7/75) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: January 7, 2025
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 150882
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Hall Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 21st day of January, 2025, at 7:00 o’clock in the evening of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 192-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead by the insertion of two locations into subdivision “N” thereof, in relation to gross weight restrictions upon commercial vehicles using certain town highways, as follows: “N” - LEVITTOWN TAILOR LANE - between Jerusalem Avenue and Constable Lane. (TH-571/24) COOPERSMITH ROADbetween Jerusalem Avenue and Tailor Lane. (TH-571/24)
The proposed local law is on file in the office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Hempstead, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, where same may be inspected during office hours.
ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: January 7, 2025
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 150884
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 21st day of January, 2025, at 7:00 o’clock in the evening of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Chapter 202 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at the following location: SEAFORD
LOCUST AVENUE (TH 562/24) South Side -
Section 202-4 ONE HOUR PARKING 8AM TO 6PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS - starting at a point 177 feet west of the west curbline of Guildford Park Drive, west for a distance of 252 feet.
LOCUST AVENUE (TH 562/24) South SideONE HOUR PARKING 8AM TO 6PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS - starting at a point 23 feet west of the curbline of Corral Path, east for a distance of 139 feet.
ALSO, to REPEAL from Chapter 202 “REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking from the following locations: EAST MEADOW EAST MEADOW AVENUE (TH 213/19)West SideSection 202-24 TWO HOUR PARKING 9AM TO 5PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS - starting at a point 20 feet north of a point opposite the north curbline of Park Avenue, north for a distance of 40 feet.
(Adopted 7/2/19)
SEAFORD
LOCUST AVENUE (TH 541/04 South SideSection 202-4 ONE HOUR PARKING 8AM TO 6PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS - starting at a point 238 feet west of the west curbline of Guildford Park Drive, west to the east curbline of Corral Path.
(Adopted 2/22/05)
WANTAGH ISLAND ROAD (TH 479/72) South SideSection 202-10 NO PARKING 7AM TO 1PM
SUNDAYS - starting from a point 30 feet west of the west curbline of Vestry Road, west for a distance of 148 feet.
(Adopted 4/3/73) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: January 7, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 150881
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: KJ SOCIAL, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 11/21/2024. 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: 3497 Stratford Road, Wantagh, NY 11793. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 150444
News briefs
PSEG Long Island volunteers donated over 500
company’s Employee Outreach Council annual
to local
PSEG employees donate toys to children
PSEG Long Island employees donated more than 500 toys and gifts this holiday season through the company’s annual Employee Outreach Council toy drive. The donations, which included dolls, board games, action figures, and sporting equipment, were distributed to children and families through community organizations. Nassau County recipients included the Hempstead Hispanic Civic Association, Christ Apostolic
Wantagh lions deliver Christmas treats
Wantagh Lions Club members Don Hagen, Joe D’Amelio, and Larry Lamendola delivered desserts from Iavarone in Wantagh to the U.S. Coast Guard Station Fire Island on Christmas Eve. The sweet gesture was a way to thank those who keep the community safe while working through the holiday season.
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR SG MORTGAGE SECURITIES BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FRE2, Plaintiff - againstSUZANNE M. BRADY, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on March 15, 2019. 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 Wantagh, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York. Premises known as 3677 Smith Street, Wantagh, NY 11793. (SBL#: 57-89-105) Approximate amount of lien $614,197.89 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 010340/2015.
Church WOSEM in Elmont, the Mary Brennan INN Soup Kitchen and Center for Transformative Change Resource Center in Hempstead, and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Inwood.
PSEG Long Island stated that community service is a key part of its mission.
— Charles Shaw
John G. Kennedy, 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: November 20, 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. 150606
Courtesy PSEG Long Island
toys
children through the
drive.
Courtesy Larry lamendola
EMPLOYMENT
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
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
HomesHERALD
Spectacular Center Hall Colonial
My meeting with a
president, and what might have been
Thank you, Jimmy Carter.
When I was a student in Florence, Italy, in 1979, I was invited to a fellow student’s home in Munich. There I was awakened by loud noises out in the street, and watched a huge truck with giant arms and claws that was lifting several odd-shaped bins from two street corners at the same time.
My friend explained that this was something called “recycling.” The truck was gathering separated bins of brown, green and clear glass and paper, all at the same time. I was intrigued, and further investigated this new idea, writing six pages of notes. After I returned to the U.S., I hand-wrote that six-page letter to the president of the United States, Jimmy Carter.
Then a strange thing happened. Our office secretary in Monroe, Michigan, came to my desk and said that a man named William Ruckleshaus, chairman of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, was on the phone, and wanted to speak to me. He explained that President Carter had received my letter and wanted to meet. I was 22 years old.
Because it was election time, the president was doing town hall meetings across the country, and selected a high school near my home in Toledo, Ohio. I was sent a special pass to give to Secret Service agents, and on Oct. 25, 1980, at 9:42 am, in a crowded gymnasium, I presented my pass to a tall Marine-like agent who seemed to be aware of the arrangement. He didn’t hesitate. I was walked behind a backdrop by two agents, down a hallway and seated in a classroom.
In walked President Carter, and he came over, shook my hand and sat in a school desk next to me. He was holding my letter on recycling, and we discussed the many specific things he was interested in implementing, starting with government, to reduce waste in the United States. I kept answering, “Yes, Mr. President,” and he kept saying, “Call me Jimmy.”
As we talked, he smiled that big Jimmy Carter grin, and I kept thinking he was too genuinely sincere, too nice to be the president, too down-to-earth — and how surreal the moment was. But the most surreal of all was when he asked me if I would come to Washington, D.C., and work with him to implement this program from the White House. I immediately answered, “Yes, Mr. President,” still unable to call him Jimmy. Then he smiled at me one more time and said, “Of course, I have to get re-elected.”
He lost to Ronald Reagan, and the rest is history. I always wonder how my life would have been, working with the president, overseeing a new program that never materialized. I wouldn’t have crossed paths with the young lady who has shared my life for 43 years, never enjoyed the two daughters we raised or the grandchildren we fuss over, might not have opened my own architectural practice, moved to Long Island or started writing a column for the Herald. I wonder. Thank you, Jimmy Carter!
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.
STEMWARE, CRYSTAL FROM Macy's Water, Wine, Champagne. 6 each. Original Boxes. Never Used. $95. (516)225-9191 SERVICES
Cable/TV/Wiring
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069
Electricians
E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.
Exterminating
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Home Improvement
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076
CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641
DO YOU KNOW what's in your water?
Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728
PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496
Miscellaneous
GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391
Plumbing
PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. Family Plumbing. 516-599-1011.
Telephone Services
CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682
Satellite/TV Equipment
DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Health & Fitness
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY US-
ERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719
Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-855-399-2582
HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060
Legal Services
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider
Telecommunications
AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803
Autos Wanted
AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$.
TTY:
Once again, there’s a New Yorker in the White House
When Donald Trump is inaugurated as our 47th president the week after next, he will (once again) be the only president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt who is a born-and-bred New Yorker. Despite his recent relocation to Florida, where he has presided from Mar-a-Lago like an overlord, Trump has never escaped his New York roots. This is important to New York and Long Island. I say this not because of any native-son pride, but because downstate New York has unique issues and challenges that can be best understood and addressed by a true New Yorker. Like me, Trump grew up in Queens, but that’s where the geographic comparison ends. He was raised in very upscale Jamaica Estates. I grew up in very bluecollar Sunnyside. Same time; different stations. Of course, that didn’t stop
Trump from implying to people in Washington that he and I grew up together. So much so that non-New York members of Congress would ask me, “What kind of guy was he growing up?” And my misleading non-answer would always be, “Same as he is today.”
WDespite the very different economic aspects of our upbringings, Trump and I, in many ways, spoke the same language. I distinctly remember when he invited me to the White House in February 2017, a few weeks after his inauguration, for a routine billsigning ceremony. As we spoke for just a few minutes, he gave a big smile and said, “It’s great to hear that New York accent down here.”
anti-MS-13 efforts succeeded in crushing the gang’s reign of terror in Nassau and Suffolk counties.)
e’ll need President Trump’s support and cooperation to address critical issues.
Probably the most relaxed I ever saw Trump was when he invited me to join him at ringside for a night of UFC fights at Madison Square Garden in November 2019. The loud fullhouse crowd chanting “USA!” and giving him thumbs ups was a stark contrast to the Ukraine impeachment proceedings against him that were under way at the same time in Washington.
This year, his giant rallies at Madison Square Garden and the Nassau Coliseum were major parts of his winning campaign.
Executive Bruce Blakeman, county Republican Party Chairman Joe Cairo and former Congressman Lee Zeldin. Trump’s brother Robert lived in Garden City for many years until he died in 2020. On a somber note, I was there last March when Trump came to the funeral home in Massapequa to comfort the family of murdered NYPD hero Jonathan Diller.
Several times when I was talking with him on Air Force One, when he was flying to Long Island to address the MS-13 murder spree, I felt as if I were speaking with just another guy on a Queens street corner, and had to keep reminding myself that I was talking to the president of the United States. (His
Trump also had friendships with Long Islanders such as former U.S. Sen. Al D’Amato, from his years in Washington, and Joe Mondello, who was Trump’s attorney in several business transactions and was later appointed ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago by Trump. More recently, the president-elect has formed close friendships with County
Over the next several years, New York will need the support and cooperation of President Trump to address critical issues, including illegal immigration, crime and drugs, health care for those who continue to be affected by the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, aging infrastructure, congested traffic and high taxes. We will especially need him to fight off anti-New York elements in the Republican Party who have too often in the past clearly demonstrated their geographic bias. Together, whether Republican or Democrat, New Yorkers should work to find common ground with the president to make New York great again.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
The challenge of being president in challenging times
We are entering a new year, in which there will be many challenges for all of us. But the biggest ones will be for President-elect Donald Trump, who is about to embark on a historic second term. We know what he will do on Inauguration Day, but the real question is what kind of president he will be when the history of his second term is written.
Trump made many promises to voters, and there is no doubt that he will fulfill many of them. Voters were clearly concerned about the immigration challenges at the borders, and Trump has pledged to close them down and begin a program of mass deportations. Many voters were unhappy with the way our government works, and for better or worse, there will be changes. The proposed appointees to the Trump cabinet are in most cases total unknowns when it comes to government experience. Thinking that his new
team will be able to function effectively is a big wish that may or may not come true. Many of the proposed cabinet members have never run any type of business, and in some cases their only qualification is that Trump likes them. That could be a recipe for disaster.
Thinking that Trump’s new team will be able to function effectively is a big wish.
Aside from the promise to shut down the borders, the big Trump pledge was that he would do something about the high cost of things like eggs and other household needs. In the weeks since the election, he has made it clear that cutting down on such things as grocery costs is too difficult to accomplish.
Much of his presidency will be defined on Jan. 20, when he will sign a number of executive orders. Some may win broad public acceptance, but others may lead Trump voters to question whether they were the reason they supported him. The pledge to pardon Jan. 6 rioters pleased a small segment of the population, but freeing convicted thugs would send the wrong message in a country that prides itself on law and order.
Trump has pledged to dramatically
cut energy costs by embarking on massive oil and gas drilling programs. Whether that can have any effect is questionable, because the country experienced record oil and gas drilling in 2024, and creating extra product doesn’t mean that prices will go down. We consumers know from experience that the oil and gas producers don’t give any discounts to motorists or homeowners.
Some Trump voters have expressed a desire for our country to curtail any overseas relationships and to once again make the United States into an isolationist country. We went through that experience in the 1930s, when Adolf Hitler was beginning to map out his plan to control Europe and the rest of the world. Since those dark days, we, our friends and supporters have created NATO, and our country has assured our allies that we will defend them if any of our enemies attack them. Obviously, that means China or Russia.
There is no doubt that the Trump presidency will bring about many changes in the way our nation functions. History shows that every president makes some type of imprint on the
country. In many cases, he spends a lot of time trying to erase his predecessor’s accomplishments, and Trump will devote a substantial amount of time to doing exactly that.
In the run-up to Jan. 20, he has talked about a takeover of Greenland and a seizure of the Panama Canal. Greenland still has strong ties to Denmark, which we can be sure isn’t in the mood to give up a land mass rich in precious minerals and other raw materials. Panama controls the canal under a treaty entered into by President Jimmy Carter. Serious attempts to seize the canal would raise questions around the world about America’s written word.
Four years go by fast, and as the clock ticks, historians assess the accomplishments and mistakes of every president. We hope there will be many positive changes from a Trump administration, and that America will be a better place after his tenure ends. That’s my wish for 2025 and beyond, and, I’m sure, everyone’s hope.
Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
Feeling under siege? Combat the chaos.
are you still emotionally shaken by the violent, seemingly random acts that occurred shortly before we turned the calendar and again on New Year’s Day?
On Dec. 22, a woman was burned alive on a Brooklyn subway train. On New Year’s Eve, a man was critically injured when he was pushed into the path of an oncoming subway train in Manhattan.
On Jan. 1, the year just hours old, we awoke to the news of multiple deaths and dozens of injuries when a pickup truck plowed into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Later that morning, a Tesla Cybertruck detonated outside a Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven others. And four gunmen opened fire outside a nightclub in Queens that night, injuring 10.
When these kinds of headlines intrude into our lives, we may feel as though the world is unraveling. The ripple effects are profound: Lives are lost or forever changed, public spaces are emptied, and once-reliable joys like festivals, parades and football bowl games are relegated to the realm of unimportance.
This sense of being constantly on edge is exhausting. But amid the grief and uncertainty, there are ways to process our emotions, respond constructively, and help ourselves and others find solace and strength.
What should we do?
When violence or tragedy strikes, the
letters
Advocating for child care in New York
To the Editor:
The year ahead will be filled with uncertainty and opportunity. Our leaders in New York must create the conditions necessary for every child to thrive, while safeguarding our state’s safety net.
We must demand full funding for our child care and public education systems, ensure that every family has a home and access to health care, guarantee clean air and safe environments, and protect every immigrant. We must demand that our state takes a bold position and does not waver from it. Most important, we must demand that the ultra-wealthy and extremely profitable corporations pay their fair share, because that’s the key to funding the essential services that help everyone succeed.
For too long, corporate politicians and their wealthy donors have put their interests ahead of the needs of our public schools, child care and working families. It’s time for a change. Here’s what we’re fighting for to make this
first imperative is safety. Avoiding highrisk situations and being vigilant in public spaces are more important than ever.
We must also safeguard our emotional and psychological well-being. Start with staying informed, but not letting yourself be overwhelmed. The 24-hour news cycle has a way of amplifying fear, and while information is crucial, it’s equally important to recognize when it’s time to step back. Be selective about your sources of information, and balance the hard truths of current events with stories that remind you of the good in humanity.
It’s also essential to strengthen our communities. Feeling under siege isolates us, making us retreat into individual fear. But fear is best countered collectively. Reach out to neighbors, join local groups or participate in civic events that promote unity.
Advocate for solutions. Moments of crisis are not always random acts of chaos; they are often symptoms of systemic issues, whether it’s gun violence, mental health crises or deep societal divisions. Supporting policies and groups that address these root causes — and working constructively with people whose opinions differ on the issues — is one way to reclaim a sense of agency in a world that feels out of control.
How should we feel?
The emotions stirred by these tragedies are complex and valid. There’s fear, anger, sadness and sometimes even guilt
— guilt over feeling powerless or for wanting to escape the constant barrage of bad news. It’s important to allow yourself to feel these emotions without judgment.
Be resilient. Focus on what you can control. Small, deliberate acts — reaching out to a friend, writing to a policymaker or simply stepping outside for a walk — can help restore a sense of balance. While we may not be able to prevent every tragedy, we can control how we respond to them.
How can we help?
Be present. Show up for others. Simple gestures, such as offering an attentive ear or a comforting word, are appreciated. Help the people who are directly affected. Donate to relief funds, volunteer at community centers or contribute to organizations addressing the systemic causes of violence and instability.
Share stories of courage, kindness and resilience. Elevate these stories — not in an effort to persuade others to ignore the pain, but to remind you and them that even in the darkest moments, light filters through.
Feeling under siege doesn’t mean we are powerless. It means that we are called to action — both in our personal lives and in our communities. We are called to care for one another, to demand better from our leaders, and to work toward a future in which safety and joy are not fleeting privileges but shared realities.
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
Letters
happen:
■ Tax the ultra-wealthy and corporations. New York has the public dollars we need, but only when we pass legislation that makes millionaires, billionaires and highly profitable corporations pay their fair share. The Invest in Our New York campaign shows how we can raise revenue to support our schools, affordable child care and working families. By ensuring fair taxation, we will finally provide the support our kids, educators, and child-care workers have needed for far too long.
■ A fairer, stronger future for all. Every child needs access to a highquality education, no matter their background. But we can’t make that happen without a state budget that prioritizes equity. The Invest in Our New York campaign offers a blueprint for raising the public dollars needed to fund our education and child-care programs. It’s time for a state budget that focuses on the well-being of all New Yorkers — not just the wealthiest.
Your voice is crucial to making these changes a reality. Join us for Child Care Advocacy Day, on Jan. 28, and AQE Advocacy Day, on Feb. 4. Together we can ensure that the 2025 budget prioritizes public education,
early care and learning, and universal child care, so that all of New York’s children have the resources they need to succeed.
Let’s make 2025 the year we secure a more just and equitable future for every New Yorker.
Re Peter king’s column, “Like many other devotees, I’ll miss ‘Blue Bloods’ dearly (Dec. 19-25): I agree with you, Mr. king: “Blue Bloods” will be missed. It was very well acted and written. What really bothers me is that CBS would not reconsider, despite strong ratings and even stronger outcry about the show ending.
How about another network taking the show, or even better, HBO? It would have worked. It’s a shame that it ended its run this way.
TONY GIAMETTA Oceanside
It’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.
Framework by Alexis Morledge
At Blarney Castle — but did he kiss the stone? — County Cork, Ireland
