Wantagh Herald 10-24-2024

Michael Rechter/Herald

Thousands gathered at Jones Beach State Park last Sunday to take part in the American Cancer Society’s Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

Hoping to end breast cancer Thousands gather at Jones Beach for annual Strides walk

By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com

Thousands gathered at Jones Beach State Park last Sunday to take part in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, which aimed to raise awareness of the disease and raise funds for breast cancer research.

The event marked its 31st year, and participants made their way west on the park’s boardwalk, adorned in pink. The event, sponsored by Teachers Federal Credit Union, is one of the largest fundraisers organized by the American Cancer Society, a nationwide organization that is dedicated to eliminating cancer and improving the lives of those affected by it.

According to Liz Wellinghorst, director of

regional integrated marketing for the society’s northeast region, park officials and police estimated that around 77,000 attendees took part in the event, and matched last year’s total of around $2.3 million in funds raised.

“This event was brought about so that people who have an affinity for the issue of breast cancer can have the opportunity to get together and raise awareness and celebrate their own cancer journeys,” Katie Goepfrich-Schafer, executive director of the society’s Long Island chapter, said.

The money walkers raised will help fund the society’s research programs and patientsupport services, which include transportation programs and Hope Lodge communi -

This weekend, focus will be on mental health

By Josie Racette Intern

Thousands of Long Islanders are expected to gather at Jones Beach on Oct. 27 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk — a growing event raising awareness and reducing the stigma around mental health, while supporting survivors of suicide loss.

The foundation, with chapters in all 50 states, organizes more than 400 walks in September and October and holds the international survivor of suicide loss day every November to increase awareness.

press, the event had so far raised over $377,000.

“Half of what we raise stays right here on Long Island, and we are able to use that money to give free educational mental health awareness and suicide prevention programs in community groups, in schools (and) in corporations,” Ann Morrison-Pacella, the Long Island chapter’s executive director, said. “It also allows us to fund the initiatives that we do for suicide loss survivors.”

W e want people to come to the walk and know that they are not alone.

ANN

MoRRiSoNPACEll A Executive director

Long Island chapter, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

For the Long Island chapter, the Jones Beach walk has grown throughout the last decade, expecting more than 3,000 participants for this year’s event. The walk is also one of the top three fundraisers held by the foundation, which hopes to raise a minimum of $575,000 this year. As the Herald went to

The remaining half goes toward national services, including research grants, development of new programs and advocacy efforts across the country, according to Morrison-Pacella.

The Long Island walk first took place in Westbury Gardens in 2007, which could not handle the large number of participants, so the event was brought to Jones Beach a few years later, with its access to ample ConTinued on PAge 5

Team scores big for breast cancer awareness

By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com

The Wantagh Girls Varsity Soccer team turned their Oct. 1 game against North Shore into a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, raising around $700 for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Senior captains Juliana Cerasi and Lyla Ingrilli organized the event, with support from the whole team.

They both did this. They jumped on board and were just very excited to plan it all.

KATHy CERASi

Juliana Cerasi’s mother

“They both did this. They jumped on board and were just very excited to plan it all,” said Kathy Cerasi, Juliana’s mother.

Kathy explained that Juliana was motivated by her grandmother’s battle with breast cancer. “The inspiration behind all of this is my mother-in-law had breast cancer, and my youngest is very close to her grandmother, and she kind of wanted to do something,” Kathy said. “Obviously, it’s for everybody, but that’s where all her drive came from for this, so it was really nice,”

The players designed black T-shirts with the word “fight” and set up a donation box at the game. They also decorated the field with balloons, ribbons, and played with pink hair bands. Before the match, Juliana and Lyla gave a speech dedicating the game to the American Cancer Society. The North Shore team participated by wearing pink ribbons.

In 2024, an estimated 19,160 women in New York will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. While breast cancer primarily affects

women, men can also be diagnosed. More than 4 million breast cancer survivors live in the U.S., including over 150,000 individuals with metastatic breast cancer.

The death rate from breast cancer has dropped 42% between 1989 and 2021, thanks to earlier detection and advances in treatment, according to the cancer society. Despite this, Black women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women, with the disparity doubling for women under 50. Breast cancer, according to the cancer society, has also surpassed lung cancer

as the leading cause of cancer death among Black women.

“I was very proud of her,” Kathy said of her daughter. “She’s always been a very thoughtful and caring person. She’s not just an athlete in school, she’s also very thoughtful and wanting to help others. So, I just love it.”

Since 1993, the American Cancer Society has invested more than $600 million in breast cancer research. They offer 24/7 support through their helpline at 800-227-2345. For more information on breast cancer, visit cancer.org.

Courtesy Kathy Cerasi

The Wantagh girls varsity soccer team huddled during the game, which also served as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness.

Card show draws enthusiasts to Temple B’nai Torah

A collectible card show took place at Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh on Oct. 13, drawing card enthusiasts from around the area.

The event featured several vendors selling baseball, football, and trading cards, offering collectors the chance to browse a wide selection of items. In addition to popular sports cards, trading cards from other genres were also available.

Vendors offered a wide selection of cards, appealing to both casual fans and serious collectors looking to buy, sell, or trade.

— Charles Shaw

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

Collectors attended the Giant Collectible Card Show at Temple B’nai Torah on Oct. 13. The event featured several vendors selling baseball, football, and trading cards.

Spencer Starr, right, buying Pokemon cards from Greg Silverman.

Chai Redner, left, and Luke Fischetti show cards they bought during the collectible card show.

Jessica Sholl, of Shollpoke llc, shows off a large collection of Pokemon cards for sale.

Hundreds of valuable, collectible cards were on display during the Giant Collectible Card Show at Temple B’nai Torah on Oct. 13.

Will Piniero, left, with Alyssa D’Angelo of D’Angelo Sports showing packs of cards.

Iaverone Bros. celebrates new location in Garden City

Iaverone Bros. marked the grand opening of their new market on 7th Street in Garden City with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Several generations of the Iaverone family attended, along with Town of Hempstead officials. The family business has provided gourmet Italian foods to New Yorkers since 1927.

State Sen. Steve Rhoads helps Seaford scout earn his merit badge

State Senator Steve Rhoads met with George Krant, a Wantagh Fire Department Explorer and member of Seaford Boy Scout Troop 689, to assist him in earning a merit badge and discuss the responsibilities of a state senator. Rhoads highlighted his focus on affordability, tax relief, public safety, and supporting first responders. He also spoke about the importance of connecting with local organizations and youth. Rhoads expressed appreciation for Krant’s involvement in the community.

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Walk aims to reduce mental health stigma

parking.

The foundation’s message focuses primarily on the importance of mental health, while attempting to remove the stigma surrounding it.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 50 percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75 percent by age 24. Each year, one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness, and one in 20 experience serious mental illness. Those suffering from mental illness are not alone, which is another message the foundation wants to stress.

“We’ve seen a lot more people attending (the walk) because they are either struggling themselves or they are supporting someone who is, so to me that is where the hope is,” Morrison-Pacella said. “We want people to come to the walk and know that they are not alone.”

Hope is another feeling Morrison-Pacella said she wants to promote with the Long Island Out of the Darkness walk. People who lost a friend or loved one to suicide may have lost hope in the battle against mental health, but the walk’s participants are there to make connections and honor them.

“I have many near and dear to my heart with a history of depression and mental illness, so this walk and this community mean the world to me,” Alyssa Arndt, a Long Island chapter volunteer who helped plan the Oct. 27 walk, said.

Arndt, a Seaford resident and art teacher, lost her great uncle and a close high school friend to suicide. She said that both suicides left her feeling helpless, heartbroken, shocked and saddened, but joining the walk’s Team Tornado nine years ago with her husband, Jeremy, has helped her cope.

Her husband, who lost his older cousin to suicide, has been an active participant in the walk for more

Last year’s participants gathered at the out of the darkness

suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

than a decade, using the event to raise awareness of mental health and suicide.

“The stigma behind mental health has shifted from something taboo to something mainstream,” he said. “The more we, as a society, can openly have conversations about mental health and advocate for the proper resources and support, (the more) we will continue to save lives.”

According to the foundation, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., with the use of firearms accounting for about 55 percent of all suicide deaths. In 2022, suicide rates were highest among people over 85 years old, with the number growing exponentially in that age group since 2019. However, the rates for people between 15 and 24 have declined from 15.15 to 13.62 suicides per 100,000 individuals in that

same time frame.

The increased awareness of mental health and suicide among young adults is believed to be the reason for the lower suicide rate for that age group. Younger generations also use social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to help remove the stigma around mental health. In addition, college students attend these walks all across the country, creating teams to raise money.

“An event like this is important because we are trying to change the way people think about mental health,” Morrison-Pacella said. “We want people to understand that our mental health is just as important as our physical health.”

For more information about the Out of the Darkness Community Walk, visit afsp.org.

Courtesy American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Community Walk at Jones Beach, showing support for

GIANNA VENTURA

East Meadow Junior Field Hockey

AN HONORABLE MENTION ALL-COUNTY in 2023 after scoring 12 goals and setting up 6 others in her first varsity field hockey season, Ventura ranks among Nassau’s leading offensive weapons this fall and has helped the 11-1 Jets to a conference title. A right wing forward, she has 20 goals and 13 assists through a dozen games. She scored at least one goal in all but one game and has eight multi-goal performances including one hat trick.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Oct. 24

Field Hockey: Sewanhaka District at East Meadow 5 p.m.

Football: G.N. South at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Boys Volleyball: Lawrence at Calhoun 5:45 p.m.

Girls Volleyball: South Side at Lynbrook 6:45 p.m.

Girls Volleyball: V.S. North at Malverne 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 25

Field Hockey: North Shore at Clarke 5 p.m.

Football: Plainedge at Island Trees 5 p.m.

Football: Massapequa at Westbury 5 p.m.

Football: Floral Park at Hewlett 6 p.m.

Football: Kennedy at Mineola 6 p.m.

Football: Carle Place at West Hempstead 6 p.m.

Football: Wantagh at Seaford 6 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Farmingdale 6:30 p.m.

Football: Freeport at Port Washington 6:30 p.m.

Football: Floral Park at Lynbrook 3 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Freeport 3 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Football: Mepham at Sewanhaka 11 a.m.

Football: Carey at New Hyde Park 11 a.m.

Football: Garden City at Elmont 1 p.m.

Football: V.S. North at Lynbrook 3 p.m.

Football: V.S. Central at East Meadow 3 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

Wantagh falls shy of playoffs

By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

While the Wantagh boys’ soccer season fell just short for a repeat playoff berth, longtime coach Tom Liguori takes plenty of pride from the 2024 team.

For the second straight season, Wantagh played for a spot in the postseason in the final match with last year’s team punching the program’s first playoff appearance since 2017 in dramatic fashion on a goal with just 30 seconds remaining against Friends Academy. The 2024 fortunes didn’t line up the same with the Warriors falling to Lynbrook in the regular season finale on Oct. 16, but Liguori was proud of the cohesion shown throughout the fall.

“The team really rallied together and showed how much they cared for one another, “ Liguori said. “So many players of various ages and levels of experience stepped up and showed different leadership qualities to help our team compete until the very end.”

Wantagh finished 5-7-1 in Conference A1, three points behind Lynbrook. The Warriors defeated Lynbrook 3-1 in the first meeting between the teams Sept. 19 which sparked the start of four wins in five matches to put Wantagh in postseason contention down the stretch,

Junior Nico Petrocelli had a stand-out season for the Warriors setting up the offense in the central midfield. He tallied two assists in Wantagh’s 6-5 win against Clarke on Sept. 12.

“His vision is unmatched, and you can see him planning his next move even before he receives the ball, Liguori said

of Petrocelli. “He is a quiet leader but always leads by example and on the field he is a true competitor.”

Liguori also credited senior Logan Rivera for living up to the “Warrior” moniker by playing all over the field in his varsity tenure. on the field over the last two seasons. Rivera was “one of the fiercest competitors” on the roster, according to Liguori, scoring some key goals down the stretch to keep Wantagh in the playoff reach until the end including finding the net in a 1-0 victory against Clarke on Oct. 6.

The Warriors had a number of contributions throughout the 2024 campaign from players who will return next season including juniors Josh Henriques (midfield) and Gianluca Stornello along with freshman midfielder Justin Pabon, who registered three goals.

Sophomore Luka Sumberac and freshman Alex Jung split time in net throughout the season. Sumberac eventually emerged as the starting goalkeeper and recorded four saves in a1-0 shutout of Valley Stream North on Oct. 1 in which Stornello headed in the lone goal off a corner kick from Petrocelli.

The Warriors graduate just three seniors and Liguori hopes the experience and growth of the 2024 team will pay dividends for 2025. He said the team chemistry on and off the field is special to watch, which will help boost its chances for a successful run next fall.

“We are fortunate to have such great kids who are exemplary in the classroom and on the soccer field,” said Liguori,

who played for the Warriors during the program’s last state championship in 1992. “As coaches we are grateful for

their commitment. Their respect for the program’s traditions and history was remarkable.”

Michelle Ebel/Herald Wantagh’s Matthew D’Amico, right, battled with Bethpage’s Thomas Smith for possession during a Conference A1 matchup Oct. 14.

Pharmaceutical take-back event scheduled for Oct. 26

Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Reworld will host a pharmaceutical take-back event in Levittown on Oct. 26, as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The event will be held at the Town of Hempstead L2 Parking Field, at 90 Division Ave., in Levittown, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents can safely dispose of expired or unused prescription medications to prevent misuse and protect the local environment.

“These pharmaceutical take back events are a convenient and free way to make sure that old prescription drugs do not wind up in the wrong hands or harm our environment,” Clavin said in a news release. “I encourage all of our residents to take advantage of this and thank our partners for their commitment to protecting the Town of Hempstead.”

The Levittown event will be a drivethrough operation, allowing residents to drop off their medications without leaving their vehicles, according to the release. No proof of residency is required. Improperly disposing of prescription drugs, such as flushing them down the drain, can lead to contaminants entering the water supply and soil, the release stated.

“Pharmaceuticals that are improperly disposed of can have devastating impacts on our water supply and the ecosystems

Where to bring unused meds

A pharmaceutical take-back event will be held on Oct. 26 at the Town of Hempstead L2 Parking Field at 90 Division Ave., in Levittown, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents can safely dispose of expired or unused prescription medications through a drivethrough service, no proof of residency required. Envelopes with instructions for future disposal will be provided to attendees.

we rely on,” Dawn Harmon, Director of Long Island Market for Reworld, stated in the release, “which is why programs like this are so essential.”

In addition to collecting medications, Reworld will provide envelopes with instructions for future pharmaceutical disposal. After the event, the release states that Nassau County police officers will transport the collected pharmaceuticals to a Reworld facility for safe disposal.

— Charles Shaw

Levittown’s Navaeh Motes honored at youth recognition award ceremony

New York State Senator Steve Rhoads joined Assemblyman John Mikulin, Legislator Tom McKevitt, and Legislator John Ferretti for the Levittown Community Council Youth Recognition Award Ceremony on Sept. 23. Navaeh Motes, a young volunteer, received special recognition for her service and contributions to the Levittown community. Senator Rhoads, along with the other officials, praised her dedication and commitment to helping others, highlighting the importance of fostering community-minded values in the next generation.

Courtesy Office of State Sen. Steve Rhoads

Located in Rockville Centre, Molloy University is home to one of the premier NCAA Division II athletic programs in the East Coast Conference. Molloy is expanding its athletic offerings by introducing sprint football as its 23rd intercollegiate sport. The Lions will proudly compete as the newest member of the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL), with the inaugural season kicking off in fall 2024.

Beth Tikvah hosts a festive pre-Sukkot celebration

Congregation Beth Tikvah, in Wantagh, held a Pre-Sukkot Celebration on Sunday, Oct. 13.

The Men’s Club of Congregation Beth Tikvah constructed a sukkah for the community. Sukkot is an agricultural festival that originally was considered a thanksgiving for the fruit harvest. This year, the week-long Jewish holiday that celebrates the fall harvest began the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 16 and runs through the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 25.

— Charles Shaw

Photos courtesy Dave Kamlet

The Men’s Club was proud of their Sukkah construction.

Courtesy Ab Roher Congregants, Hebrew School children and guests enjoyed the festivities.

The Sisterhood decorated the Sukkah.

Courtesy Ab Roher

Congregation Beth Tikvah Band provided entertainment for the celebration.

Annual walk raises money for research

ties, where patients stay free during cancer treatments.

The walk drew people from across the South Shore and all over the country. Julie Allegretti, of Seaford, who has taken part each year since 2002, said she has known several people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer — a neighbor, a relative and a coworker.

If I didn’t have the support that I had, I don’t think I would have been in the place that I am right now.

JennIfer Castle

Breast cancer survivor

“Everything that I’ve done always ties back into somebody being affected, or knowing somebody that’s been affected by breast cancer,” Allegretti said.

This year, she was part of a team called the Beautiful Butterflies, and said she hoped to continue raising money to help advance research in breast cancer. Over the past five years, she said, the various teams she has joined for the event have raised over $12,000.

Jennifer Castle, of East Meadow, a recent breast cancer survivor, was taking part in her first Strides walk, having been diagnosed in March. Her Team Castle was made up of friends and family.

“I think it’s just important that people understand that the only way that research is going to get better over the years is by not only participating in the walk and being there for your loved ones, but the donations are really important too,” Castle said.

After her diagnosis, she recounted, she underwent a lumpectomy and node removal to prevent the cancer from spreading. Over the summer she had four rounds of chemotherapy as well as

cold capping, in which a head cap freezes hair follicles to prevent the hair loss that results from chemo. Castle kept 80 percent of her hair, she said, which made the experience less traumatic for her and her four children.

“Being able to see Mommy not losing her hair made it easier on everybody, including myself,” she said.

Castle added that having a strong support system is critical for anyone who is being treated for cancer. “If I didn’t have the support that I had,” she said, “I don’t think I would have been in the place that I am right now.”

For years, fundraisers such as the Strides walk have helped advance breast cancer research and treatment, according to Goepfrich-Schafer. Since 2013, she said, there have been many breakthroughs, including biomarker immunotherapy treatment, which uses the body’s own signals to help the immune system target cancer cells.

“I’ve seen cancers that had terrible outcomes 10, 15 years ago that are now treatable today,” Goepfrich-Schafer said.

According to the American Cancer Society website, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and that women between ages 40 and 44 “have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.”

Goepfrich-Schafer said she encourages women to go for those screenings when they’re of age, because early detection is crucial to surviving the disease.

She has been with the organization for 15 years, and has helped organize the Long Island Strides walk since 2013. Over the years, she has heard survivors sharing their stories on the boardwalk, bonding with those who walk to help raise awareness.

“It really just does an amazing job of bringing the community together,” Goepfrich-Schafer said.

For more information on breast cancer and the American Cancer Society, visit its website, cancer. org.

Michael Rechter/Herald photos

participants in the american Cancer Society’s Strides a gainst Breast Cancer Walk started at the east Bathhouse and walked along the boardwalk to raise awareness of breast cancer and to raise money for research.

nurses delilah Storm, far left, Homyra raaf, Judith Storm and Sofia najmi walked on behalf of new York Cancer and Blood Specialists, in Bethpage.

dr. Lesley rechter with her husband, Jeff. Lesley said she is a 26-year breast cancer survivor, and has raised over $20,000 per year at the event in recent years.

Bridget Shields, of freeport, is a two-year breast cancer survivor.

Hundreds attend Herald Senior Health Expo

Oceanside’s O’Connell Gardens hosts fourth highly anticipated event in series of 2024 gatherings

By Alexa Anderwkavich

The O’Connell Gardens in Oceanside welcomed eager attendees for the Herald’s Senior Health & Beyond Expo, produced by RichnerLIVE, on October 10 — the fourth in a series of exciting Expos for 2024.

The Expo is a community-loved event where diverse businesses and innovative services share their products and refined knowledge with Long Islanders.

“We are so thrilled with the turnout today — over 400 attendees!” stated Amy Amato, Executive Director at RichnerLIVE. “It offers valuable opportunities for companies and guests to learn, engage, and access essential screenings, benefitting both attendees and businesses. And we are so excited to expand this expo to Suffolk next month on Nov. 3.”

Over 45 vendors offering health, wellness, and personal care insights filled the hall. They provided guidance on enhancing lifestyle through new products and programs, as well as advice on senior living arrangements, financial security, and more.

Guests received free flu and COVID vaccines, courtesy of Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation and free COVID test kits from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s office.

Before noon, guests sat down for a panel discussion to hear experts discuss various topics, including consumer assistance programs and preparing for winter, advanced care directives, Medicaid asset protection trusts and estate planning, and the FCA Ombudsman Program. Guests also experienced an incredible segment from Mae Caime, CEO of aMAEzing Midlife & Beyond, called “Ageless Attitude,” — which got the crowd stretching and in motion!

“Never disappoints!” Caime said. “I love getting the crowd moving and grooving!”

Attendees received a goody bag — courtesy of Giftbag Sponsors Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Beach Terrace Care Center and Oceanside Care Center — filled with the special-event section, keepsakes and vital take-home information. At the end, the first 150 attendees also received a free to-go lunch provided by O’Connell Gardens and raffles winners were announced!

The Expo was made possible thanks to Silver Sponsors New York Department of Public Service, Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Centerlight Healthcare PACE and Long Beach Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (Cassena Care).

Guests and vendors are looking forward to the fifth and final expo of the year, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Suffolk Y JCC, at 74 Hauppauge Road in Commack, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pablo Rendon and team of the Parker Jewish Institute for Healthcare and Rehabilitation.

Alison Fenech, of the Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, at the podium.

NYS Department of Public Service Utility Consumer Program Specialist Xenia Vega, right, and Jill Wasser.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Guests of the Expo enjoying their mindset, movement, and magic class guided by Mae Caime.

Speaker Daniel Miller, of Miller and Miller Law Group, with his wife.

A representative of the Oceanside Care Center with a vendor display.

Mae Caime, event host and CEO of aMAEzing Midlife and Beyond.

Kim Accardi and a colleague from FCA NYS Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman program.

A representative of Beach Terrace Care Center at its exhibitor table.

A representative of Silver Lining Home Care.

Project 2025 pushes controversial policies

By JENNA ZAZZA & LORI SAXENA Special to the Herald

Written by the conservative Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 is a 922-page book detailing overhauls of the executive branch and proposing what some consider as radical policy changes regarding the economy, culture, education and healthcare.

The controversial plans have Democrats in a tizzy, the Trump campaign distancing themselves from the ideas and saying they would embrace the mandate’s demise.

The Project would decimate the working and middle classes.

JOhN RIZZO Economist

Some of the project’s more significant policies include eliminating the Department of Education, transforming the Department of Health and Human Service into an antiabortionfocused “Department of Life,” and increasing the president’s control over independent agencies like the Department of Justice.

Despite Trump rejecting the project, six of his former Cabinet secretaries and over 140 people who played a role in the project also worked in his administration, according to a CNN report.

It’s clear that Project 2025 is an election year buzzword. It has both opponents and proponents. At its core, the initiative seeks to reshape the federal government, but its impact extends to the local level.

In the plans forward, the Heritage Foundation notes: “Every hour the Left directs federal policy and elite institutions, our sovereignty, our Constitution, our families, and our freedom are a step closer to disappearing. Conservatives have just two years and one shot to get this right. With enemies at home and abroad, there is no margin for error. Time is running short. If we fail, the fight for the very idea of America may be lost.”

The economy

The mandate criticizes the Federal Reserve’s monetary policies, recommending a major reform of the agency. Even with major reform, the project argues the Federal Reserve, also known as The Fed, would still cause “inflationary and recessionary cycles.” The report calls for abolish it outright, replacing it with either a free-banking system or reimplementing the gold standard.

A free-banking system allows banks to issue their own notes without government oversight or regulation. The gold standard system fixes the value of currency to a specified amount of gold. Up until 1970, the U.S. operated under the gold standard.

“A gold standard imposes very tight constraints on the government to spend,

The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 is a touchstone of controversy, proposing major changes to national policies.

especially in times of crisis like Covid,” said Stephanie Kelton, an economy and public policy professor at Stony Brook University. “This is why countries always go off the gold standard. There is a lot of economic instability in the gold standard.”

Kelton is a former chief economist on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee.

The project claims that the gold standard offers a more stable and less inflationary economy. It asserts that the gold standard will deter the government from arbitrarily issuing more money since a hard asset must back the dollars.

“When we were on a gold standard, the economy would have big booms and big crashes,” Kelton said. “You could say that it was stable if you look over a long period of time like a century or 50 years, but within that period of time, prices are crashing.”

According to economists, a free-banking system isn’t ideal either.

“We saw what unregulated banks did in 2008. It caused a great recession,”

John Rizzo, former Long Island Association chief economist, said. “If anything, we need more regulation not less.”

Long Island is among the top areas in New York state that was hit the hardest by the 2008 financial crisis. The state experienced the most subprime loans with either none or low documentation per 1,000 housing units, according to a report released by the state comptroller.

Long Island also had the most foreclosures, with one every 500 households or less, according to the same report. Congress created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to prevent another great recession and housing finance

bubble. Project 2025 also calls to eliminate the CFPB.

“A bunch of lending activity took place that never should have taken place. Banks steered people into buying homes that they couldn’t afford,” Kelton said. “So if we eliminate the CFPB, it just makes it more likely that something like that can and would happen again.”

Long Island’s unemployment rate is increasing, namely in Babylon town which follows the state rate of 4.9 by only 0.5 points, according to the state’s Department of Labor statistics. The entire region lags behind the state by 1.1 points. Unemployment insurance is also declining. As the rates climb, housing prices are too. The median sale price of a single-family home is nearly $800,000, up 11 percent from last year.

“The housing crisis nearly brought the global economy to its knees, it did, in fact,” Kelton said. “We need people whose job it is to watch out for stuff like this and to intervene and take action on behalf of consumers because, in many cases, people didn’t understand the risks they were taking.”

Project 2025 also proposes peeling back worker pay and protections, making fewer workers eligible for time-anda-half overtime pay by lowering the threshold, and permitting children to work in “hazardous jobs.”

“[The project] is an extreme antiworker agenda that’s more or less designed to allow employers to use and abuse workers as they see fit, pay them as little as possible, offer limited protections, unions, wages, benefits– the whole thing,” Kelton said.

All economists contacted for com-

ment had similar negative perspectives on the project’s economic plans.

The proposed income tax reform simplifies the system to a 15 percent rate for those earning up to about $168,000 and 30 percent for higher earners could have significant implications for Long Island’s middle-income residents. With median individual incomes of around $54,000 in Nassau County and $49,000 in Suffolk County, a large portion of Long Islanders would fall into the lower tax bracket, according to Census Bureau data.

However, many households are already struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and transportation, according to a report by United Way of Long Island. Nearly 30 percent of households in Nassau and Suffolk County face financial hardship despite the region’s relatively low poverty rate of 6 percent.

“It’s blatantly in favor of large corporations and the 15 percent and 30 percent would have a devastating effect on lower and middle-income individuals’ financial situation and overall on the economy,” Rizzo said. “There will be an adverse impact on small businesses that account for 90 percent of the business on Long Island and the middle class. In fact there wouldn’t be a middle class any longer. The Project would decimate the working and middle classes.”

Jenna Zazza and Lori Saxena are reporters with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.

Courtesy George Giokas

Justice of the Supreme Court 2024 JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

Andrew Crecca

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 59

Legal career: Andrew Crecca, a figure in Suffolk County’s judicial system for nearly two decades, is looking to take on the state Supreme Court, next.

Appointed as administrative judge for Suffolk County, the 10th Judicial District of the Supreme Court in 2020, Crecca currently oversees operations. This role follows his tenure as supervising judge for matrimonial matters in the same court, from 2013 to 2020.

Crecca’s judicial career began in 2005 when he was elected to the county court in Suffolk. He has since served as an acting justice of the Suffolk Supreme Court from 2007 to 2010 and was elected as a justice of the Supreme Court in 2011, a position he will hold until 2024.

Along with his courtroom duties, Crecca has presided over the Integrated Domestic Violence Court in Suffolk County since 2007. He also served in the Suffolk Legislature.

James F. Matthews

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: James F. Matthews, a candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court in the 10th Judicial District, has over 40 years of legal experience.

Since 2015, he has served as an Acting County Court Judge in Suffolk County, presiding over civil and criminal cases, including business law disputes, personal injury matters and criminal trials.

He has also been an adjunct professor of law at Touro Law School His public service career includes a decade as Northport village attorney and nearly two decades as Huntington town attorney, responsible for municipal law, litigation and land use.

Matthews spent over 30 years in private practice, handling corporate and commercial law, litigation, and personal injury cases. He has a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law and a bachelor’s from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Alfred C. Graf

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 66

Legal career: A Suffolk County District Court judge since 2018, Alfred Graf is now aiming for the state Supreme Court.

Born and raised on Long Island, Graf graduated from Farmingdale High School in 1976. He enlisted in the Navy that same year and rose to the rank of Operations Specialist Third Class Petty Officer. He received an honorable discharge four years later.

Graf earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from SUNY Plattsburgh and his law degree from Touro Law School. His professional experience includes serving as a NYPD officer. He has also worked as an alternative education schoolteacher and as an attorney with his own private firm.

His political experience includes serving two terms as supervisor of the upstate Town of Brighton and was an assemblyman from 2011 to 20118 representing A.D. 5 in Suffolk.

Terence P. Murphy

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: Terence Murphy was elected to serve as a Nassau County Court judge in 2014. He previously served as a Nassau County District Court judge where he presided over the Veterans Treatment Court from 2010 through 2014. He is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association.

Murphy is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served 26.5 years active and military service and was deployed to Bosnia, Iraq and Kuwait. His active duty experience began in 1973 with enlistment after high school. Murphy served as legal adviser to multiple commanders.

Paul E. Hennings

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 63

Legal career: Paul Hennings is a resident of Suffolk County and has served as a District Court judge since 2019 and Acting County Court judge since 2022. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Providence College in 1983 and went on to earn his law degree at Catholic University Law School three years later. After law school, he joined the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office where he was an assistant district attorney until 1989.

Hennings began his career in private practice in civil litigation, trials and appeals in State and Federal Courts. He first served as an associate with Wortman, Furmuso, Kelly (1989 to 1996). Then he joined the law office of Ted M. Toboias, until 2005. He then joined Devitt, Spellman and Barrett, LLP where he practiced as lead attorney until 2008. He then became a partner at Lawrence, Worden, Rainis, and Bard LLP.

Deanna D. Panico

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: Deanna Panico is a partner at Bee Ready Fishbein Hatter & Donovan, LLP. She has been in private practice since 2011, specializing in employment law. Panico was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2011, the U.S. Eastern District of New York in 2012, the U.S. Southern District of New York in 2016, and the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in 2014.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University in 2007 and her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 2010.

Paul Hensley

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 63

Legal career: Paul Hensley was a judge for the district court of Suffolk County in New York. He was appointed to the court in 2002, elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2008. Hensley lost the 2014 election. Before his judicial appointment, Hensley served as a principal law clerk. His current titles are County Court judge, District Court judge and acting Supreme Court justice. Hensley has served as an acting Suffolk County Court judge since 2006, and was a law clerk for County Court Judge James Hudson from January 2001 until July 2002. From January 1999 to January 2001, Hensley was a law clerk for State Supreme Court Justice Leonard B. Austin. From March 1998 until January 1999, he worked as an assistant Huntington Town attorney.

Before that, Hensley worked for the Robert Plan Corp., and also served as a Suffolk County assistant district attorney. He received his law degree from SUNY Buffalo.

Gregg Roth

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Legal career: Gregg Roth is an attorney with over 30 years of experience in many sectors of law, including civil rights law, employment law, personal injury law, social security disability law and workers’ compensation law.

Roth received his law degree at Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law in 1993, and has been a member of the New York State Bar since 1994. He has served as a state principal law clerk for the past 11 years, and previously was the associate director for Drug Court programs February 2011 to April 2014.

An extremely accomplished legal professional for decades, according to people who know him, he’s been crossendorsed by the Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties in Nassau County as a nominee for the New York State’s Supreme Court.

Ryan E. Cronin

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties

Age: 43

Legal career: Ryan Cronin is a practicing attorney from Garden City. He received his law degree from the Washington University School of Law in 2008. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Loyola College. He was the Democratic candidate for Senate District 6 in 2012 and 2016, losing both times to incumbent Republican Kemp Hannon. He ran for Nassau County Comptroller in 2021 and lost to Republican Elaine Phillips. During his campaigns, Cronin focused on issues such as community safety, justice reform and access to legal resources. He emphasized a commitment to fairness and integrity in the judicial process.

2nd District Court Judge Family Court Judge 2024 JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

Chris J. Coschignano

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 60

Legal career: Chris J. Coschignano is a seasoned attorney and a candidate for family court judge, practicing law since 1990. As a member and partner at his firm — Sahn Ward — he specializes in zoning and land use planning, real estate law, municipal law, economic development, and family law. His extensive experience includes managing complex zoning projects on Long Island, earning recognition for smart growth initiatives. He served as a councilman for the Town of Oyster Bay from 2001 to 2017 and has held various municipal roles since 1995, including counsel to the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

Coschignano is active in community service, serving on multiple boards, including the Nassau County Bar Association and the Touro Law Center. He co-founded the St. Edward the Confessor Church’s Annual Summer Festival and coaches youth ice hockey. A recipient of numerous awards, he is committed to public service and education

Veronica Renta Irwin

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 50

Legal career: Judge Veronica Renta Irwin, currently serving on the Nassau County District Court, is running for re-election in the 2nd District.

Renta Irwin completed her early education at Brentwood High School before earning her degree from SUNY Albany and graduating from Hofstra Law School in 1999.

Starting her legal career in private practice, she founded her own firm, Irwin & Streiner, LLC, in Great Neck in 2001, focusing on personal ijury, guardianship and constitutional violations. Renta Irwin also has experience as principal law clerk for Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Sharon M.J. Gianelli from 2020 to 2024. She has also been involved in various legal organizations, including theLong Island Hispanic Bar Association, where is a past president, and as a board member of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association. She also teaches at the School of Law at Hofstra University.

Andrea C. Phoenix

Democrat

Age: 59

Legal career: Phoenix has served as a Nassau County District Court judge in the Tenth Judicial District since 2007, where she presides over the Nassau County Mental Health Court and the Drug Treatment Court. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University, a master’s degree in communication and education from The Ohio State University, and a J.D. from the Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law.

Before her election, Phoenix practiced family law in private practice from 1992 to 2006 and was a staff attorney with Nassau Suffolk Law Services. She has led the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York and the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, and she served on the New York State Unified Court System Family Violence Task Force.

She is also involved with the Amistad Black Bar Association, Theodore Roosevelt American Inn of Court, and community groups, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and The Links, Incorporated.

Lisa Daniels

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 58

Legal career: Lisa Daniels has over 25 years of legal experience, focusing on family litigation and guardianship cases.

Daniels holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a Brooklyn Law School law degree She has been an adjunct professor, teaching family law and litigation at Hofstra University and Queens College from 1997 to 2001. Daniels is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Children and the Law and serves on its legislation subcommittees. She is also a member of the Nassau County Bar Association Family Court Advisory Committee. Daniels ran for county legislator in 2013 and eight years later. In 1998, Daniels founded her law firm, addressing a wide range of family law issues, such as juvenile delinquency actions, abuse and neglect matters. She is listed on the New York State Court Part 36 Fiduciary List, serving as a court examiner, evaluator and guardian for incapacitated individuals.

Joseph Nocella Jr.

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 60

Legal career: Joseph Nocella Jr. currently serves as a Nassau County District Court judge, having been elected to the position for the 2023 to 2028 term. County Executive Bruce Blakeman initially appointed him to the court in 2022.

Before becoming a judge, Nocella served as the town attorney for Hempstead from 2021 to 2022 and as chief of staff to the Hempstead Town Supervisor from 2020 to 2021.

From 2017 to 2020, he was the town attorney for Oyster Bay. Within Nassau County government, Nocella has an extensive background, including positions as Counsel to the Office of Housing & Community Development from 2014 to 2017, Managing Attorney in the County Attorney’s Office from 2011 to 2014, and Counsel to both the County Executive and the Nassau County Legislature from 2006 to 2008 and again from 2010 to 2011.

Sean Wright

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 54

Legal career: Sean Wright, a longtime Valley Stream resident, is running for District Court Judge in the 2nd District, bringing decades of legal experience and community service to his campaign.

Wright has spent more than seven years as a prosecutor for Valley Stream, where he handled ticket and building violation cases. Inn 2011 when he became a Hempstead Town attorney and worked as an arbitrator for both Queens and Nassau County. He has served as treasurer for the Friends of Bridge, a substance abuse counseling center, and has volunteered as an attorney adviser for High School Mock Trial, where he helped teacha new generation of legal minds. His dedication to local youth extended to the sports field as an assistant coach for the Valley Stream Green Hornets.

In 2016, Wright was appointed to the Valley Stream village board by Mayor Ed Fare after the resignation of Virginia ClavinHiggins

County Court Judge

Jeffrey A. Goodstein

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 57

Legal career: Jeffrey A. Goodstein is running for Nassau County Court Judge. Goodstein has served as an acting justice of the Nassau County Supreme Court in the 10th Judicial District since 2012, appointed by Chief Administrative Judge A. Gail Prudenti. He also holds a position as a judge in the New York Court of Claims, appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2012 and reappointed in 2014. Goodstein earned his law degree from Touro Law School and has served in various legal capacities throughout his career. He is also an adjunct professor at St. John’s University School of Law.

On the issues:

Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican and former NYPD detective, won the district in the 2022 midterm elections defeating Laura Gillen, and flipping the seat from Democratic to the GOP control for the first time in 25 years.

He said he is working hard noting as there are 75,000 more Democrats in the district than Republicans.

4th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Anthony D’Esposito Party: Republican

D’Esposito’s platform continues to emphasize affordability, increased funding for local schools, and opposes “cashless bail” policies, which he says have contributed to rising crime. He also suports eliminating the cap on state and local tax deductions.

D’Esposito noted his work to retun money to the district for water cleanup in Hempstead village and to mitigate flooding in low-lying South Shore communities, a majority of the district, including his hometown of Island Park. Along with partnering with local elected officials to make the communities more sustainable, considering the damage the area suffered after

Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

He said he is opposed to a federal ban on abortion.

On immigration he supported the House bill known as H.R. 2 that addressed issues regarding immigration and border security, including by imposing limits to asylum eligibility, but points to the Democratic-led Senate that did not put the measure up for a vote.

D’Esposito said he prioritizes public safety and said he strongly support Israel and Ukraine.

His re-election bid has been overshadowed by an ethics complaint.

A Democratic action committee has accused him of hiring his fiancée’s daughter and a woman he allegedly had a personal relationship with for taxpayer-funded positions in his district office.

The allegations have prompted calls for an expedited investigation, though D’Esposito has denied any wrongdoing and views it as a personal, private matter.

Laura Gillen is mounting a campaign centered on supporting middle-class families, defending women’s rights, and tackling pressing social justice issues.

As a former Town of Hempstead Supervisor, Gillen made history in 2017 as the first Democrat to hold the office in over a century. Her tenure was marked by key accomplishments, including passing transparency reforms, modernizing the town’s digital infrastructure, and allocating over $59 million to repair local roads. She lost her re-election bid in 2019, but remained an active figure in Nassau County politics.

On the issues:

wake the Supreme Court overturning Roe V. Wade. She criticized D’Esposito’s support for anti-abortion policies, arguing that his stance is out of touch with the values of Long Island voters. She said she stands strong stand against the rise of antisemitism, particularly in the wake of increasing incidents in schools, synagogues and on social media. Her action plan is aimed at combating hate, which includes leveraging federal resources to improve safety in schools, providing more protection for synagogues, and increasing oversight of social media platforms to prevent the spread of hateful content.

Gillen has made it clear that her campaign is focused on delivering for Long Island families. She has emphasized her commitment to reinstating the State and Local Tax deduction, a key economic issue for many county residents.

Gillen is a staunch advocate for reproductive rights, vowing to fight for the restoration of legal abortion in the

On the issues:

Steve Rhoads is a familiar face in the 5th State Senate District.

A former Nassau County Legislator, Rhoads was first elected to the state senate in 2022, defeating the incumbent John Brooks.

Affordability is a major problem heading into this year’s election, Rhoads said.

As a mother of four, Gillen said she brings a personal connection, emphasizing that she understands the challenges facing families in her district. She believes that her bipartisan approach as town supervisor, where she worked with a GOP-majority board, demonstrates her ability to get things done while staying true to her principles.

Congressional District 4 includes the South Shore Nassau County communities from the western county border to Seaford.

electiOn ‘24

Senate DiStrict 5

“As a state government, as long as we continue to make New York state unaffordable and uncompetitive for businesses and for residents, we’re going to continue to suffer — and that has to change,” he said. “What I’ve been doing over the course of the last two years is trying to promote polices and legislation that will actually address those issues of affordability, of taxes.”

Rhoads has been an outspoken opponent of the state’s cashless bail system, advocating for “common sense” discretion for judges to decide which offenders should be kept on bail.

He expressed concerns for environmental issues impacting the district, including Grumman — the former energy plant in Bethpage — that’s a known source of toxic pollutants.

Rhoads said New York needs to find solutions that make sense for its residents.

“I view what’s happening today to be sort of a common sense versus chaos issue,” he said. “I’m up there in Albany fighting for common sense solutions that don’t favor one party or the other. People want common sense solutions to the solve the real world problems that they’re facing every day.”

On the issues:

Lisa Lin is a first time candidate, a Merrick resident, and the supervising court attorney in the Queens County Criminal Court. Lin said she is deeply engaged in her community, and believes she possesses the knowledge and experience needed to lead the 5th State Senate District to a brighter future.

Lin has taken a strong stance on protecting women’s access to reproductive health care, ensuring affordability for future generations, protecting the environment and keeping communities safe.

Nassau County’s always been safe, Lin said, but it need to stay that way. “It’s not just about being reactive, it’s about being proactive,” she said. “We should talk about how get opportunities to people and address mental health and mental illnesses, drug abuse and substance addiction, so that they don’t end up in the system in the first place.”

Lin is supportive of Prop 1, which

would codify an Equal Rights Amendment into the state’s constitution. “All of these protections in that amendment are things that New York already protects, but now it’s just making it a constitutional right,” she said.

At first nervous to get out on the campaign trail, Lin said she’s felt empowered over the last few months. “I feel like I am 100 percent one of the people in the community,” she said. “I have two little kids, and I just want a better and brighter future for them. That’s exactly why I’m running.”

Laura Gillen Party: Democrat

Lisa Lin Party: Democrat

Steven D. Rhoads Party: Republican, Conservative

GENERAL ELECTION Candidates

Democratic Electors

Amendment to Protect Against Unequal Treatment

This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

A “YES” vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.

A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.

Enmienda para Proteger Contra el Trato Desigual Esta propuesta protegería contra el trato desigual basado en la etnicidad, el origen nacional, la edad, la discapacidad y el sexo, incluida la orientación sexual, la identidad de género y el embarazo. También protege contra el trato desigual basado en la salud y la autonomía reproductiva.

Un voto “SÍ” coloca estas protecciones en la Constitución del Estado de Nueva York. Un voto “NO” deja estas protecciones fuera de la Constitución del Estado.

Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente

Kamala D. Harris (For President)

Republican Electors

This is not an actual by your edition of the Herald. Specifi Herald may be found at LIHerald.com

Tim Walz (For Vice President)

Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente

Donald J. Trump (For President)

JD Vance (For Vice President)

Representative in Congress District 4

Representante en el Congreso Distrito 4

Laura Gillen (D,CS)

United States Senator

Senador Estatal, Distrito

Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D, WF)

Diane Sare (L)

Vote for One (1)

Anthony D’Esposito (R,C)

Vote for One (1)

Michael D. Sapraicone (R,C)

Member

Ellen Lederer DeFrancesco

Hempstead

Miembro Kevan

Justice Juez de la James Gregg Deanna Terence

Miembro de

State

Senador Estatal, Lisa Lin

ELECTIon’24

actual ballot, but a composite of several sample ballots so as to reflect all the districts within the communities covered Specific candidates for individual communities are identified in blue. Complete reporting on candidates running in districts covered by the LIHerald.com under the Elections ’24 tab. For election results after the polls close Tuesday night, go to LIHerald.com

Senator District 5

Estatal, Distrito 5

Lin (D)

Vote for One (1)

Steve Rhoads (R,C)

Member of Assembly District 14

de la Asamblea Distrito 14

Lederer DeFrancesco (D)

Vote for One (1)

David McDonough (R,C)

Hempstead Council Member District 5

del Concejo de Hempstead, Distrito 5

Kevan Abrahams (D)

Vote for One (1)

Christopher Schneider (R,C)

Justice of the Supreme Court

la Corte Suprema (Vote for up to Eight) (8)

F. Matthews, Jr. (D,R,C)

Roth (D,R,C)

Deanna D. Panico (D,R,C)

Terence P. Murphy (D,R,C)

Alfred C. Graf (D,R,C)

Paul E. Hennings (D,R,C)

Paul M. Hensley (D,R,C)

Andrew A. Crecca (D,R,C)

Our Menu is available online at www.elisasrestaurant.com

County Court Judge

Juez del Tribunal del Condado

Jeffrey A. Goodstein(D,R,C)

Family Court Judge

Lisa Daniels (D,R,C)

Chris J. Coschignano (D,R,C)

Joseph Nocella, Jr. (D,R,C)

District Court Judge District 2

Juez del Tribunal de Distrito

Andrea C. Phoenix (D,R,C)

Veronica Renta Irwin (D,R,C)

Vote for Four (4)

Ryan E. Cronin (D,R,C)

Sean Wright (D,R,C)

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Lisa Lin, advocating for proactive solutions

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Lisa Lin is a Merrick resident, a mom of two and an attorney — but she’s also a first-time Democratic candidate, running for the 5th State Senate District seat.

A graduate of John Jay College, where she worked with justice-involved youth to help reintegrate them into their communities through job training and educational programs, Lin went on to graduate from St. John’s University School of Law. For the last decade, she’s continued to work in public service, and is currently the supervising court attorney in Queens County Criminal Court.

Some priorities of Lin’s, if she is elected on Nov. 5, include protecting women’s access to reproductive health care, public safety and environmental protection measures.

Asked about Prop 1 on the ballot, which seeks to expand and codify an Equal Rights Amendment in the state Constitution, Lin said she feels there’s a lot of “fear” surrounding what it entails. It includes mention of pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.

Because of the 2022 Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, she said this is what the federal government wants — for the people, in each state, to decide. “All of these protections in that amendment are things that New York already protects, and now it’s just making it a constitutional right,” she said.

Lin said it’s time New York “gets serious” about public safety. Nassau County was recently named the safest place to live, according to a U.S. News & World Report, and she said it is imperative it stays that way.

“But in addition to that, it’s not just about being reactive — it’s about being proactive,” she said. “We

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

Lisa Lin is a first-time candidate and an attorney who lives in Merrick. If elected, she hopes to bring proactive solutions to the district that address the many concerns of its residents.

should talk about how get opportunities to people and address mental health and mental illnesses, drug abuse and substance addiction, so that they don’t end up in the system in the first place.”

In terms of the environment, Lin said, it’s impor-

tant that money is actually coming into the district, and seeing where funding can be directed accordingly. “There’s so much money that’s out there in Albany that is being underutilized by us in Nassau County, when it’s us who need it the most,” she said.

On the topic of affordability, Lin said that affordable housing developments could be tremendously helpful. Originally from Queens, she does not want to disrupt the suburban life that district residents love, but hopes to find solutions that could make affordable housing work. Through a state initiative called the Smart Growth Program, the City of Glen Cove was able to obtain $400 million in funding to build affordable housing units, she said.

“We have to have the money and those opportunities, so we can look into places in the community where we can build affordable housing,” she said. “It’s not just for young families or young people — it’s for senior citizens who are on a fixed income, and veterans.”

Lin said that being on the campaign trail for the last few months has been empowering — and has reinforced why she is running for public office.

“I feel like I am 100 percent one of the people in the community,” she said. “I have two little kids, and I just want a better and brighter future for them. That’s exactly why I’m running.”

Steve Rhoads, a ‘common sense’ candidate

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Steve Rhoads is a familiar face in the 5th State Senate District. A former Nassau County legislator for the 19th district, Rhoads took on his current position in 2022, winning the seat over the Democratic incumbent, John Brooks.

Rhoads’s legislative priorities this election cycle haven’t changed much, he told Herald reporters during a Roundtable interview, and a main point of concern for him is affordability. He was critical of the state’s cost of living and business climate.

“Right now, whether it’s our seniors, young people — everyone seems to have their New York exit plan,” Rhoads said. “As a state government, as long as we continue to make New York state unaffordable and uncompetitive for businesses and for residents, we’re going to continue to suffer — and that has to change. What I’ve been doing over the course of the last two years is trying to promote polices and legislation that will actually address those issues of affordability, of taxes.”

He called for “common sense” surrounding the issue of bail reform and cashless bail in New York, which has allowed many repeat offenders to be released from jail without paying bail. Rhoads opposed Prop 1 being put on the state ballot this year, which seeks to

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

State Sen. Steve Rhoads, the incumbent in the 5th District, addressed key issues affecting Nassau County, including affordability and crime, at a Herald Roundtable.

expand the Equal Rights Amendment in New York’s Constitution. The proposition includes mention of pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, gender identity and gender expression.

He voted against it, he said, not because he doesn’t believe in protecting a woman’s access to abortion, but because he believes the bill is poorly drafted, and there are potential First Amendment violations to consider.

Rhoads said that the proposal’s passage could take autonomy away from health care organizations, like Catholic Health, which could be punished for violating the state Constitution if it refuses to support abortion care.

“You have parental rights considerations,” he added. “If a school refuses to allow a transgender male access to a girls’ bathroom, or to be able to play in girls’ sports, is that school district now

violating the state Constitution?”

New York, Rhoads said, has extremely liberal abortion policies. “So the idea that abortion is somehow in jeopardy in the state of New York is a fallacy,” he said.

Rhoads also said he worries that the legislation “creates more questions than answers.”

Another issue in the 5th District? Nassau University Medical Center, in East Meadow, the county’s only public hospital, which boasts a Level 1 trauma center, a burn center and other vital resources. The hospital has lost millions of dollars in state funding since 2019, and Rhoads has been an outspoken advocate for ensuring that it gets the money it needs to stay open, and to sustain its 2,600 health care workers.

As a Republican, Rhoads is in the minority in the State Legislature, and said that one-party rule, regardless of the party, doesn’t solve any problems. Conflict, he said, is sometimes a good thing, because it forces people to work together.

“That’s not what we’re seeing in Albany right now,” he said.

In general, Rhoads said, New York needs to find solutions that make sense for its residents. “I’m up there in Albany fighting for common-sense solutions that don’t favor one party or the other,” he said. “People want common-sense solutions to solve the real-world problems that they’re facing every day.”

The incumbent representative for Assembly District 14 has been in office for 22 years, working closely with county, state and federal officials.

On the issues:

McDonough prioritizes helping individual members of the community. His office organizes several community drives to deliver supplies to people in need. These drives collect toys, coats, school supplies, pet food, and most recently, hurricane relief for those affected by Hurricane Helene and Milton.

Assembly District 14

David McDonough Party: Republican

“I have a big sign in my office: ‘help someone today,’ that’s our motto,” McDonough said.

He has secured grants to fund local law enforcement and safety projects, including the installation of speed cameras on Northern State Parkway and the Long Island Expressway.

In the Assembly, McDonough is a part of several committees to improve the

quality of life in Nassau County.

“I’m on the Education Committee, the Transportation Committee, the Consumer Affairs Committee and I chair a task force on the Public Safety Committee,” McDonough said.

“I’m responsible for us changing the education law for over 500,000 students in high schools,” McDonough said.

He worked with Democrats to pass a bill that makes all schools — public and private — obligated to report instances of sexual assault and abuse.

McDonough wants to address the affordability crisis in Nassau County. He hopes to work with banks to lower the mortgage rates, correlating with the federal reserve’s rate cut.

If McDonough wins reelection, McDonough offers time-tested strategies that have supported Assembly District 14 for the past 22 years.

“Get it done — That’s my policy,” McDonough said.

Ellen LedererDeFrancesco is running for office for the first time to address key concerns for Assembly District 14 residents and create a cleaner, more affordable future, she said.

Lederer-DeFrancesco, 54, has lived in Oceanside for 14 years with her two teenage daughters, her two rescue dogs and her husband, an Air Force veteran. She has two master’s degrees and a doctoral degree in education, teaching young people for seven years.

On the issues:

Ellen LedererDeFrancesco Party: Democrat

“I am running because my opponent has been in office for over 22 years and no longer goes to Albany,” Lederer-DeFrancesco said. “We pay for him to stay at home and collect a paycheck — we have no representation.”

Lederer-DeFrancesco hinks that some of the most important problems in her district are the high cost of living, air and water quality, and women’s

Assembly District 14 includes Bellmore, Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh.

reproductive rights.

“We all deserve better,” she said. “We deserve to have somebody up there who is fighting for us.”

To help make life in A.D. 14 more affordable, LedererDeFrancesco said she ound an opportunity to reduce utility bills by taking electric and water companies into public ownership.

She supports Prop 1, which would revise the first amendment to the state constitution to protect the civil rights of people based on their pregnancy status.

Lederer-DeFrancesco aspires to work with local Republicans to achieve her policy goals. To voters and policy makers across the aisle, LedererDeFrancesco has a message: “We are more alike than we are different,” she said.

Lederer-DeFrancesco said she is advocating for women to make their voices heard in this election.

Hempstead CounCil member distriCt 5 eleCtion ‘24

Chris Schneider, the newly appointed Town of Hempstead Councilman for the 5th District, is running in the November special election to continue his decades-long commitment to public service.

He was unanimously appointed to the board in August after the death of Chris Carini in July.

A Seaford resident and Wantagh High School graduate, Schneider’s career in government began in 2002, with roles in the Nassau County Legislature and the New York State Senate. He also held a senior leadership position at the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Schneider, 45, said replacing Carini was bittersweet, as Carini had been a close friend and collaborator for years. on the issues:

One of Carini’s legacies that Schneider is eager to support is the town’s Quality of Life Task Force, which addresses community issues such as

graffiti and illegal ads.

Schneider said he plans to expand and strengthen the task force, as he believes preserving a community’s appearance has a direct impact on residents’ quality of life.

Schneider has also represented Seaford on the Nassau County Police Commissioner’s Community Council since 2022, advocating for school safety, monitoring illegal smoke shops, and ensuring police stay responsive to community concerns. He supports the town’s efforts to remain fiscally responsible and says he is committed to finding ways to “do more with less” amid rising costs.

He emphasizes the importance of communication and accessibility. He has connected with local civic leaders, fire departments, clergy, and veterans’ organizations to understand their needs and ensure he’s available to address community concerns.

“I’m accessible if they have a problem,” he said.

Former Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams is returning to politics with a clear focus on making the Town of Hempstead more affordable for all residents. on the issues:

The Democrat and Freeport resident, sees affordability as the town’s most pressing issue.

Abrahams, 50, served in the Nassau County Legislature for over two decades, where he said he helped stabilize the county’s finances and spearheaded infrastructure projects.

His time in office focused on keeping parks safe, maintaining roads, and ensuring that communities thrived. Now, his top priority is addressing the rising cost of living in Hempstead, particularly the lack of affordable housing for young people and middleaged families.

He expressed concern about the town’s recent $2 million tax levy increase, arguing that rising fees for services like pool passes, parking

permits, and sports leagues are unfairly burdening residents. He has vowed to scrutinize any proposed tax hikes and fiscal decisions to ensure they benefit taxpayers.

Abrahams also highlighted the importance of infrastructure, noting his past work in mitigating flooding in Freeport. He plans to focus on maintaining town roads and improving drainage systems to prevent flooding and disrepair.

He also said he wants to ensure that residents have access to essential services, like safe roads, well-maintained parks, and reliable public safety. His campaign aims to provide an alternative voice on the Town Board, advocating for policies that lower costs for residents.

“We cannot have a blind eye to what we do in the town, in regards to the increasing of tax or park fees or anything along those lines,” he said. “We have to lessen the burden, not add to it.”

Kevan Abrahams

Party: Democrat

Chris Schneider Party: Republican

Counselmanic District 5 includes Bellmore, Freeport, Leittown, Lido Beacg Point Lookout and Seaford.

Town approves preliminary 2025 budget

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Town of Hempstead residents are expecting to pay more taxes next year — $5 more for those who live in villages, and $65 more for those who live in unincorporated areas.

The Town Board approved the preliminary 2025 budget on Oct. 1, adopting a $549 million spending plan, an increase of 4.9 percent. The tax levy will increase from $346 million to $389 million — a jump of over 12 percent that will far exceed the state tax cap of roughly 2 percent.

Town Comptroller John Mastromarino stated at a budget hearing on Oct. 15 that the town has managed to postpone tax increases over the past few years by utilizing reserve funds. But, he said, those funds are now running low, which is necessitating the tax increase.

“The town hasn’t had a tax increase in four years,” Mastromarino said. During that time, he added, the cost of living across the country increased by almost 28 percent, “and what we were doing was utilizing the reserves to protect our taxpayers,” Mastromarino said.

“The reserves were used, the taxpayers were protected, and it’s now at a point where we just can’t do it anymore,” he said.

Mastromarino said that the town used $22 million of reserve funds.

Where your tax dollars could go

School districts: 64 percent

Nassau County: 14 percent

Special districts: 10 percent

Villages: 7 percent

Towns: 4 percent

Cities: 1 percent

Before the budget hearing, community members rallied outside Town Hall, organized by members of the Nassau County Legislature’s Democratic caucus, who oppose the proposed tax increases. They accused the board of lacking transparency and failing to adequately inform the public about budgetary changes.

Attendees highlighted the already high cost of living that many residents are struggling with as they face the need to find additional funds to meet their tax obligations.

Former County Legislator Kevan Abrahams, who is challenging Republican Town Councilman Christopher Schneider to serve the balance of the term of Christopher Carini, who died in July,

Estate Planning for the Estranged Child (Part Two)

Last week, we wrote about having compassion for the estranged son or daughter married to the narcissist when considering leaving an inheritance. But what about leaving an inheritance to the estranged child who is not in this situation.

The reasons for estrangement are as different as are families. As Tolstoy famously remarked, “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”.

One of the keys to resolving what to leave the estranged child is determining who in the family are they estranged from and for how long and for what reasons (if known). Sometimes they are estranged from only one parent and the other parent does not wish to see that child disinherited. Sometimes they are estranged from the parents but not their siblings — or some but not all of their siblings. It’s complicated. Often, hope springs eternal that the estranged son or daughter will come back into the fold.

In cases like these we like to use a technique

we call “Schedule A”. Generally, in a trust or a will, you will find the dispositive provisions, i.e. who you are leaving it to and in what amounts, somewhere in the middle of the document.

When you amend the trust, or prepare a codicil to the will, you may legally change your wishes. Nevertheless, all of the parties can see what it was before and what the change was. For example, if you left someone out and now you are putting them back in, they will clearly see that they were left out before, and vice versa!

To avoid the hurt, confusion and possible litigation that these emotionally fraught situations may engender, we recommend using a “Schedule A” to the trust. Here, in the body of the trust we state that the wishes are provided in “Schedule A” annexed hereto which may be replaced from time to time with the same formalities as the execution of the trust. Now, when a change is made we destroy the old “Schedule A” replacing with the new one avoiding hurt feelings and misunderstandings.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

spoke at the rally.

“There’s no transparency — there’s no visibility,” Abrahams said of the board’s budgeting process. “They try to do this in the cloak of darkness and they’re trying to squeak it past you. It’s called a sneaky weasel tax.”

In a letter about the budget proposal distributed among those who attended the hearing, Town Supervisor Donald Clavin stated that the spending plan was “fiscally responsible” and would enhance the town’s quality of life.

“Residents love the Town of Hemp -

Town Supervisor Donald Clavin addressed board members during a budget hearing on Oct. 15, at which they discussed the preliminary 2025 budget of $549 million.

stead, and for many good reasons,” Clavin wrote. “Our beaches, parks, and nature preserves are second to none. We have some of the finest restaurants, shops, and small businesses around. Our schools, athletic programs, community organizations, senior centers, and other public resources are among the best in the nation.

“This superlative quality-of-life experience paired with top-notch government services is what continues to make Hempstead Town a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” he added.

Hernesto Galdamez/Herald

STEPPING OUT

Get your scare on with Halloween-inspired shindig

Ghoul out with some festive merrymaking

By Karen Bloom

The countdown is now on to spooking and assorted revelry. The signs of that festive day are all around us as all those ghouls, witches and wizards look forward to Oct. 31.

So throw on a costume and act like a kid — with or without the kids. Transform your house into a spooky (or mildy spooky lair) with party tricks and Halloween treats. Set the scene with a mad scientist-themed sweets table and carry it home with a crazy good menu featuring frightfully yummy appetizers, some mocktails for the kids (and non-drinkers in your crowd) and, of course, treats.

Dress up the details: Many folks can’t wait to dress up for a Halloween party, but that’s not so for everyone. Don’t make costumes mandatory. Instead offer a table of accessories that anyone can borrow and use to alter their appearance. Goofy glasses, strange hats, adhesive mustaches, or masks can be fun.

Have fun with Halloween cuisine. Cookie cutters can turn sandwiches, desserts, biscuits — just about anything — into different shapes. Foods also can be made a tad more spooky simply by renaming them or presenting them in interesting containers. Beverages can be offered in jugs or old bottles and labeled “potions.”

Try these tricked-out treats for same tasty spooking.

Witches Finger Sandwiches

Entice guests into your lair with some witchy fingers

• 1 (11-oz.) can refrigerated breadsticks

• 6 small slices pepperoni

• 12 (2/3-oz.) slices cheese

• 3/4 cup finely shredded lettuce

Heat oven to 375°F. Separate dough into 12 strips. Place flat on ungreased cookie sheet; do not twist. With sharp knife or kitchen scissors, cut 2 small triangles from one end of each dough strip to form a point that resembles a fingertip. Lightly score breadsticks in center to resemble knuckles. Cut each pepperoni slice into 2 pointed ovals to resemble 2 fingernails. Place 1 pepperoni piece on each breadstick.

Bake at 375°F. for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. If necessary, reapply “fingernails” with small dot of ketchup.

puffs to resemble ghosts onto the remaining baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven until dried and firm, about 1 hour. Turn off the oven, close the door, and cool until completely dried, about 1 hour more.

Dip the tip of a toothpick into melted chocolate and dot chocolate “eyes” on each of the ghosts.

Spiderweb Cheesecake

Snare your guests with some spider web cheesecake. Use your favorite 9” cheesecake recipe.

Topping:

• 1/3 cup heavy cream

• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

• 1/3 cup milk, cream, sour cream or ricotta cheese

Web:

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chunks or chips

First, make your favorite 9” cheesecake, one using a graham cracker crust. Add 1/4 cup black cocoa to the crust, before pressing it into the pan. Bake the cake as directed; remove from the oven, and let it cool.

To make the topping: Whip the heavy cream with the sugar just until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the sour cream just until combined.

Spread the topping over the cooled cheesecake.

Rock the Dock

Ambrosia, John Ford Coley and Peter Beckett (The Voice of Player), come together for a magical night performing all of their 1970s and ‘80s Billboard Top 40 Hits, on the Tilles Center stage, Yacht Rock the Dock shines the spotlight on the original artists, with Elliot Lurie, as they reinvigorate their many beloved tunes. Enjoy Ambrosia’s everlasting hits including “How Much I Feel,” “You’re the Only Woman” and “Biggest Part of Me.” John Ford Coley, most known as half of the Grammy-nominated duo England Dan and John Ford Coley, performs many memorable hits, including “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” “Love Is The Answer” and “Nights Are Forever Without You.” These songs are the soundtrack to a generation.Today’s so-called smooth yacht rock music scene would not be yacht rock without the contributions of these Grammy winning artists.

Friday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

‘Old Time Rock’

Split each breadstick. Cut each cheese slice into strips and place in breadstick, overlapping strips. Top each with lettuce. If desired, serve with mustard, mayonnaise or ketchup. Serve warm or cold. Note: Place leftover small triangular dough pieces on cookie sheet; bake until crisp. Use as croutons or nibblers.

Spooky Bones and Ghosts

Chase the demons away with a few “bones.”

• 2 large egg whites

• 2 drops fresh lemon juice, or more to taste

• 7 tablespoons white sugar, or more to taste

• 2 chocolate chips, melted, or as needed

Preheat oven to 225°F. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats.

Whisk eggs whites and lemon juice together in a bowl until thick, white, and foamy. Add sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking constantly, until meringue is shiny, thick, and holds its shape.

Transfer meringue to a piping bag. Pipe 12 bone shapes onto a prepared baking sheet. Pipe 12

To make the chocolate web: Heat the cream until it begins to simmer, then pour it over the chocolate and stir. The chocolate will begin to form one mass. Keep stirring until all the chocolate has melted — the cream should be hot enough to melt all the chocolate. If not, reheat briefly.

Transfer the melted chocolate to a piping bag fitted with a small tip (or a zip-top bag with one corner cut to form a 1/8” opening). Pipe one central dot onto the cream topping, then six concentric circles around the dot, spaced 1/2” apart.

Beginning with the center circle, gently pull a toothpick through all the circles toward the outer edge. Wipe the toothpick clean and repeat, moving clockwise and dragging the toothpick through at every eighth segment of the circle to complete the web pattern.

Peter Lemongello, Jr., the son of Long Island’s legendary star, returns to the Landmark stage. He takes his audience on a nostalgic musical journey from the 1960s through the’ 80s with his “Old Time Rock ‘N Roll” show. Accompanied by his eight-piece band, Peter delivers an engaging performance that evokes pure emotion. He continues to honor his father’s legacy — Peter Lemongello was the first artist to sell over a million albums on TV, through an innovative TV commercial campaign that paved the way for music video infomercials and MTV. A special highlight is Peter Jr.’s heartfelt tribute to his father, performing the hit “Do I Love You,” written by Paul Anka, which his Dad debuted on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.”

Friday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or by contacting Gene DiNapoli at (917) 567-5842.

Witches Finger Sandwiches Spooky Bones and Ghosts Spiderweb Cheesecake

America

The perennial classic rock favorite is back on the road again as founding member Dewey Bunnell celebrates the band’s 54rd anniversary, appearing on the Tilles Center stage, Saturday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. Billed as “Ride On Tour 2024, will draw on the band’s deep catalog of hits including signature song “A Horse With No Name,” a Number One hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1972. Bunnell and America’s co-founder Gerry Beckley (along with former band mate Dan Peek), who met in high school in London in the late 1960s, quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of that tune. Forty plus years later, these friends continue to make music together (although Beckley has now retired from touring) thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. Yet beyond their impressive catalog of hits, listeners discovered there was always much more to America than surface perceptions. The combination of Beckley’s melodic pop rock and Bunnell’s use of folk-jazz elements, slinky Latin-leaning rhythms and impressionistic lyric imagery contrasted well with Peek’s more traditional country-rock leanings and highly personal lyrics.

On their way to becoming a global household name, America’s journey found them exploring a wide variety of musical terrain. Their best-known tunes, including “I Need You,” “Ventura Highway,” “Don’t Cross The River,” “Tin Man,” “Lonely People,” and “Sister Golden Hair” were beloved as cornerstones of 1970s Top 40 and FM rock radio. From their formative years, America has been a band capable of transcending borders with its uplifting music and positive message. Embracing a rainbow of divergent cultures, America’s audiences continue to grow, comprising a loyal legion of first, second and third generation fans, all bearing testament to the group’s enduring appeal. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Dog Days Weekend

Enjoy the glorious grounds of Old Westbury Gardens with your pooch (leashed of course), Saturday and Sunday, oct. 2627, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. With dog parade and costume contest on Sunday, 3-5 p.m. Prizes awarded to best dog costumes, including Prettiest, Most Handsome, Most Original, Best Duo or Group, Funniest. Costume contest participants must register. Advance ticket purchase for weekend events required. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information, visit oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, Nov. 2, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.

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

Vendors need for giant holiday fair

Temple B’nai Torah, of Wantagh, is seeking vendors for the upcoming Holiday Vendor Fair, Sunday, dec. 1. 2900 Jerusalem Ave. For vendor information, call Ben at (516) 322-8130 or email bencernese@gmail.com

Game time

Enjoy Mah Jongg and Canasta, every Thursday, noon to 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 information, email mahjonggCBT@yahoo.com or call (516) 785-2445.

Country Fair

Christ Lutheran Church invites all to their 28th annual Country Fair, Friday and Saturday, oct. 25-26 With raffles, handmade items, jewelry, desserts and more. 3384 Island Road, Wantagh. For more, call (516) 221-3286 or email church@clcwantagh.org.

Freaky 5K

John Theissen Children’s Foundation hosts its annual Freaky 5K run, Sunday, oct. 27 It starts at 8:30 a.m. in the Town of Hempstead parking lot behind 1869 Wantagh Ave. For more information, visit jtcf.org.

‘The

Birthday Party’

Looking for something to do this Halloween season that isn’t just for kids? Visit Sands Point Preserve for an exclusive, immersive theatrical production, “The Birthday Party,” held in a secluded opulent mansion, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19, Oct. 25, Oct. 31, and Nov. 1. For those who attended Archie’s last “Birthday Party,” rest assured, there are new surprises in store.

Guests will be blindfolded and escorted to a secret location on the property, Villa Vanitas, to celebrate the enigmatic Lord Archibald Axel Von Finkelshorn Chatterton’s 30th birthday. He is a witless charmer on the cusp of a life-changing revelation, and everyone’s invited to witness his journey on a night that promises to be unforgettable and delightfully unpredictable. Cocktail attire preferred. $175 per person. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.

Bingo at Temple B’nai Torah

Temple B’nai Torah hosts a fun-filled bingo session, every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and every Thursday, 7:15 -10 p.m. Prizes, progressive games and refreshments available. 2900 Jerusalem Ave., in Wantagh. For more information, call (516) 2212370.

Vendors wanted for Holiday Shopping Day

Congregation Beth Tikvah Sisterhood is seeking vendors for its Holiday Shopping Day on Sunday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The event will be held in a secure, heated indoor space. Vendors can rent space at reasonable rates to sell apparel, jewelry, housewares, collectibles, seasonal items, crafts, and more. 3710 Woodbine Ave. For more information or to inquire about selling, email CBTWantaghHolidayShop@ gmail.com.

Having an event?

Spooky Fest is back

A Halloween experience not to be missed, Spooky Fest is an outdoor adventure perfect for families, whether you want to be scared — or prefer seasonal fun of the non-scary kind. Join in the fun at the Center for Science, Teaching and Learning, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout October. Along the way in the updated and beautifully lit up Enchanted Walk you will see dinosaurs, aliens and friendly witches, costumed characters and more, including the Mystical Garden. Get your fortune told, make a craft and dance with the Halloween DJ, along with face painting and the Amazing Glow tent.

For those who want a scare, venture into the Haunted Woods, where zombies and dinosaurs hang out. Admission starts at $22. 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre. Visit CSTL.org for call (516) 7640045 for more information.

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

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media. It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

On stage

See Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” presented by Nassau Community College Theater and Dance Department, opening Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 29-30, 7;30 p.m. Delve into the lives of Arkádina, a famous — but fading — actress, and that of her lover, Trigórin, a well-known author. They arrive at her brother Sórin’s country estate for the summer, just as son Konstantín is staging an experimental new play he’s written and directed, starring his girlfriend, Nína.

Chekhov’s first successful naturalist play follows the lives of young artists as they navigate life. Thematically, it’s a study of the arts and the artist, the lack of real satisfaction to be found there, the pretense and mediocrity that pervade the practice, and yet the power and mystery that are possible. $12; NCC students free $10 veterans,

Public Notices

Crime watCh

Man arrested for allegedly stalking teen

and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor. Publisher: Richner Communications, Inc., Stuart Richner, 2 ENDO BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530. Editor: CHARLES SHAW, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530. Managing Editor: JEFF BESSEN, 2 ENDO BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530.

10. Owner: Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530; Clifford Richner, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530; Stuart Richner, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530.

11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of

LEGAL NOTICE SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU ACTION TO FORECLOSE A TAX LIEN INDEX NO.: 606860/2023, CHRISTIANA TRUST AS CUSTODIAN FOR GSRANZ LLC, Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, LEGATEES, DEVISEES AND/OR REPRESENTATIVES OF LEA ELLEN DEMAILLE AND ALL PERSONS THAT MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY REFERRED TO IN THE COMPLAINT BY, THROUGH OR UNDER ANY OF THE FOREGOING (THE AFORESAID UNKNOWN HEIRS, LEGATEES, DEVISEES AND/OR REPRESENTATIVES BEING ALL SUCH HEIRS, LEGATEES, DEVISEES AND/OR REPRESENTATIVES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFICALLY NAMED AS A DEFENDANT HEREINTHE IDENTITY AND ADDRESSES OF ALL THE FOREGOING NOT BEING KNOWN TO PLAINTIFF), Defendants. PREMISES SUBJECT TO TAX LIEN: 1701 Cornelius Ave., Wantagh, NY 11793, Section 56, Block 267, Lot 196. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with the summons, to

Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None.

12 Not applicable.

13. Publication Title: WANTAGH HERALD.

14. Issue Date for Circulation

Data Below: OCTOBER 1, 2024

15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: a. Total No. Copies: Average No. Copies

Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 3000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 2500.

b. Paid Circulation (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 11 Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 10. (2) Mailed

In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 379; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 393. (3) Paid

Distribution Outside the Mails including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, and Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 992; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 813. (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies

serve notice of appearance, on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exc1usive of the date of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York), and in case of failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the subject property. NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the tax lien holder who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the tax lien holder will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (TAX LIEN HOLDER) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0.

c. Total Paid Distribution:

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1382; Actual No.

Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1216.

d. Free or Nominal Rate

Distribution( by Mail and Outside the Mail) : (1) Free or Nominal Rate OutsideCounty as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 612; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 489. (2)Free or Nominal In-County as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 167; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0 (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other classes Mailed Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 200; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 250 e. Total Free or Nominal Rate

Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 979; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 739 f. Total Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 2361

Dated: September 23, 2024. Michael Ehrenreich, Attorney for Plaintiff, 555 Willow Ave., Cedarhurst, NY, (516) 942-4216. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON.

CONRAD D. SINGER of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated September 12, 2024. Such order and the Complaint in this action are filed in the office of the Nassau County Clerk, in Mineola, NY. The object of this action is to foreclose a tax lien on the premises identified above. 149188 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF MASTR ASSET BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2006-AM3, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-AM3. Plaintiff, Against JANE JOFFE A/K/A JANE C. JOFFE, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 03/28/2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North

Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1955. g. Copies Not Distributed: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 639; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 545 h. Total: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 3000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 2500.

i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation:

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 58.53%; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 62.20%.

16. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the OCTOBER 24, 2024, issue of this publication.

17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: /s/Stuart Richner, Owner; Date: October 1, 2023. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material information requested on the form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties). 1275300

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 11/14/2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2 Radial Lane, Levittown, New York 11756, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Levittown, in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, State of New York.

Section 51 Block 392 Lot 1

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $858,645.04 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 605696/2018 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.

Karl C. Seman, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 9/9/24 File Number: 18-302173 SH 149396

A Levittown man has been arrested for allegedly stalking a 16-year-old girl, the Nassau County Police Department announced.

Justin Sullivan, 26, of Albatross Road, was charged with stalking after allegedly following the girl over a week-long period in early October.

According to police, Sullivan followed the girl while driving a 2013 gray Nissan Rogue as she walked home from school near Wantagh Avenue and Old Jerusalem Avenue. He allegedly drove past the girl

multiple times on five different days, waving and laughing at her. On Oct. 10, he was spotted parked in front of her house. Following an investigation, Sullivan was arrested at his home without incident. He is scheduled to be arraigned in First District Court, Hempstead, on Oct. 16.

Police urge anyone with similar experiences to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911. All tips remain anonymous. — Charles Shaw

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU CITIBANK, N.A. AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2016-3, Plaintiff AGAINST ANDRE HUNTER, TERRI HUNTER, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 12, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 7, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1360 Oakfield Avenue, Wantagh, NY 11793. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at North Bellmore, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, and State of New York, Section 56, Block 477, Lot 8. Approximate amount of judgment $670,771.73 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #002557/2017. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221

16-006604 82524

149376

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB,

D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST GINA CIPOLLA, ROBERT CIPOLLA, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 2, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 18, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 19 Whisper Lane, Wantagh, NY 11793. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Wantagh, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 51, Block 359, Lot 14. Approximate amount of judgment $350,842.70 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #613262/2019. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Oscar A. Preito, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 19-003740 82667 149468

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Sealed proposals to provide for the painting of the apparatus bays for the Wantagh Fire District

Fire Station #2 which is located at 844 Wantagh Avenue Wantagh, New York. Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Wantagh Fire District at the District Administration Building located at 2045 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793 on or before November 11th 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Then at said office and time, will be publicly opened and read aloud, in accordance with Section 103 of Article 5-a of the General Municipal Law. The information for bidders, general requirements of contract, form of proposal and specifications may be obtained at the office of the District Superintendent, located at 2045 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793. The specifications will be available after October 28th 2024. Walkthrough of the project location may be arranged by contacting the district supervisor William Breslin at (516) 315-2877.

The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Wantagh Fire District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York or its duly appointed representative reserves the right to waive any informalities in or reject any or all proposals or any part of any proposal or to accept that proposal or any part of that proposal which in its judgment is for the best interest of the said fire district.

No proposal shall be withdrawn pending the decision of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Wantagh Fire District and said proposal price shall be in effective for a period not less than sixty (90) days from date of proposal opening. Note: return sealed envelopes to be marked “STATION 2 APPARATUS BAY PAINTING PROJECT” Brendan J. Narell

Superintendent

Dated: October 16th 2024 149611

LEGAL NOTICE A non-profit religious organization located in Merrick, NY is seeking sealed bids for sales and installation of security related enhancements. The project includes obtaining and installation of:

1.Physical access control equipment (card readers, door strikes, panic bars), to enable remote lock release capability that is compatible with our current systems for selected interior doors.

2.Doorbell / buzzer compatible with our existing physical access control equipment to enable remote release of entry lock for one interior office.

3. Acquire and install additional highdefinition security cameras compatible with our existing video surveillance system. Selection criteria will be based on knowledge and demonstrated experience with security cameras and access control systems, adherence to projected work schedules, prior experience, references, and cost. Bids will be accepted for either individual items listed above or any combination of those items. Specifications and bid requirements can be obtained by contacting us at bidstbame@gmail.com. All firms who intend to bid and are interested in receiving the bid requirements must provide the following information in your email request: firm name, owners’ names, business address, primary contact, telephone, fax, and email address by no later than 5:00pm Friday November 22, 2024. Bids will be accepted until 5:00pm on Friday December 20, 2024. Work is to commence by Monday, January 13, 2025 and be completed by March 31, 2025. 149578

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department.

Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.

Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

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.

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Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!

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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 mhinman@liherald.com

EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable

Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.

REQUIREMENTS: Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.

POSITION DETAILS: Flexible: Part-time or Full-time. Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.

Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com

JOURNEYMAN

COMMERCIAL/ RESIDENTIAL

Electrical Services. Traveling/ Valid License Required. 7-10yrs. Experience. $28-$34/ hourly. 516-739-3425, hrdepartment@valenteelectric.com

co. fncl statements. Perform fncl modeling/valutn of acqstn targets. Reqs: BS finc., bsns, or econ+ 2

exp fincl pln’g and anlys, fincl mgmt, accntng, or

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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

Medical Reception/Accounts

Receivable

Part Time- back-office work. Rockville Centre. Must be friendly, well-spoken. Computer literacy necessary. Back office includes collections/account receivable, verifying insurance and researching claims and some billing. Must be flexible (days/evenings). $18-$19/ Hourly. Email resume drsmnw@optonline.net or fax resume 516-763-4218.

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

&

Victorian Colonial Fixer-Upper

What can we do with our Helene-damaged home?

Q. Our home in Asheville, North Carolina, was damaged by Hurricane Helene. The insurance company was contacted, and several busy contractors have looked at the property as they passed by. One commented that many homes need to be completely rebuilt, because they’re missing parts that protect them from hurricanes, such as “tecos.” What are tecos, and why do they make a difference? Can they be added without tearing our house down? This may push us to just sell, as is, and move on, at a large loss. What can we do?

A. . First, Teco is a brand name for metal connectors that hold lumber building parts together, giving any home greater resistance to being pulled apart by wind. Unfortunately, the company went out of business in the 1990s. It’s a brand name, not a generic term — it’s like saying Kleenex instead of facial tissue.

But the name stuck, and is often used by people who have no idea that you can’t get a Teco anymore, but it’s easier than saying joist hanger or connector.

The most-used brand today is Simpson, which is far more sophisticated, for a much wider variety of engineered connections. The key word is “engineered,” and I emphasize it because most users of these products often use the wrong connectors for the wrong purposes. For example, your home, if it’s not completely in splinters, can be saved, but you have to use the right connectors, utilizing manufacturer charts and selecting the right ones based on wind resistance calculations. I’m sure I just lost most readers, because almost nobody actually calculates, or desires to respect, the right use of the right connector, so people go to the store and buy a box of what looks best, what is most available or what costs the least.

While filming the documentary “Hell or High Water,” which never got released due to lack of funding, I got to meet with officials, from (the equivalent of) the mayor to the head of the building department in Moore, Oklahoma, after third-graders were killed in their concrete elementary school by the fastest winds ever recorded, 313 miles per hour. The neighborhood was gone. People were rebuilding. I questioned why building permits were issued and yet nobody was using the connectors to reconstruct. The superintendent of the building department answered with frustration, knowing that it’s a code requirement, that “most people can’t afford the cost of the connectors.” Nine years later, I saw an article about the state of Oklahoma now strictly enforcing connector requirements.

You don’t have to walk away from your home. The base and top of the wall studs, the roof rafter connections and the corner hold-downs can be retrofitted, which will give you additional wind resistance of approximately 30 mph, and as a nationally certified damage assessor, I have seen firsthand that the right connectors save property and lives. Good

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INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Ac-

Don’t

miss your chance — get out and vote

as we approach a pivotal election that portends high political drama, there’s never been a better time to stress the importance of voting. Every vote counts, and participation is more than a right — it’s a crucial responsibility that shapes this nation’s democracy.

This is not about whom to vote for. It’s about making the most of the privilege of voting.

Early voting is now underway in parts of the country, and in the state of Georgia, the turnout has already made headlines. On the first day of early voting, more than 300,000 Georgians cast their ballots — more than double the number who voted that day in 2020.

That could signal the beginning of another record turnout for the presidential election. Four years ago, both eventual President Joe Biden and the incumbent, Donald Trump, garnered the most votes ever in a presidential election. Biden won with some 81 million.

The heightened enthusiasm, to put it most politely, for next month’s election underscores why every eligible voter should make his or her voice heard.

This year, Election Day falls on Nov. 5, but early voting provides flexibility for those who may not be able to vote on that day. In New York, early voting gets under way this Saturday and ends on Nov. 3.

Early voting gives voters the chance to skip the long lines and cast their ballots at a time and place that is convenient for them. It’s a safeguard against last-minute emergencies or unforeseen obstacles that might occur on Election Day.

The surge in early voting is a promising sign for democracy, but it also sends a larger message about civic engagement in today’s highly charged political climate. Voting is one of the most direct ways individuals can influence the policies that shape their lives.

Whether the issues voters are focused on are health care, education, the economy, social justice or abortion access, the winning candidates, and measures on the

New York state elections are all about the major parties

To the Editor:

As New York voters prepare for the Nov. 5 elections, it is apparent that candidate choices are limited now more than ever. The Herald Roundtable articles, for example, are limited to coverage of Democratic and Republican candidates. The anti-democratic impact of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s electoral “reforms” has become abundantly clear

■ Oyster Bay Ice Rink

E arly voting locations

1001 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714

■ Elmont Public Library 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont, NY 11003

■ Floral Park Recreation Center 124 Stewart Ave., Floral Park, NY 11001

■ Freeport Recreation Center 130 East Merrick Rd., Freeport, NY 11520

■ St. Paul’s Recreation Center 295 Stewart Ave., Garden City, NY 11530

■ Glen Cove City Hall 9 Glen St., Glen Cove, NY 11542

■ Great Neck House 14 Arrandale Ave., Great Neck NY 11023

■ Hempstead Rec. Center/Kennedy Park 335 Greenwich St., Hempstead, NY 11550

■ Hofstra University 1000 Fulton Ave., Hempstead, NY 11549

■ Hicksville Levittown Hall 201 Levittown Pkwy., Hicksville NY 11801

■ South Shore Jewish Center 191 Long Beach Rd., Island Park, NY 11558

■ Lawrence Country Club 101 Causeway, Lawrence, NY 11559

■ Long Beach City Hall 1 West Chester St., Long Beach, NY 11561

■ Massapequa Town Hall South 977 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa, NY 11758

■ Temple Beth Am 2377 Merrick Ave., Merrick NY 11566

■ Nassau County Board of Elections 240 Old Country Rd., Mineola NY 11501

■ Michael J. Tully Park 1801 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040

■ Plainview Mid-Island Y JCC 45 Manetto Hill Rd., Plainview, NY 11803

■ Port Washington Library 1 Library Dr., Port Washington, NY 11050

■ Rockville Centre Recreation Center 111 N. Oceanside Rd., Rockville Centre, NY 11570

■ Gayle Community Center 53 Orchard St., Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

■ Syosset Public Library 225 S. Oyster Bay Rd., Syosset NY 11791

■ Valley Stream Presbyterian Church 130 S. Central Ave., Valley Stream, NY 11580

■ St. Francis De Chantal Church 1309 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh, NY 11793

■ West Hempstead Public Library 500 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead NY 11552

■ Yes We Can Community Center 141 Garden St., Westbury, NY 11590

■ Williston Park American Legion 730 Willis Ave., Williston Park, NY 11596

ballot, will help determine the future of those issues. By casting your vote, you become part of the collective decisionmaking process that steers the direction of the country.

For those who feel disillusioned or disengaged, it’s important to remember that democracy works best when it’s fully inclusive. Every election offers the opportunity to hold public officials accountable, to approve or reject ballot measures, and to influence the future of local, state and national policies.

When large numbers of people opt out of the process, fewer voices shape the policies that affect everyone. Voting is a way to speak up, even when the system feels

letters

with this year’s elections in our state. Having made it virtually impossible for independent third-party candidates to appear on the ballot, drastically changing longstanding ballot access laws and regulations in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, this fall we find ourselves with only Democrats and Republicans listed on our ballots. In a manner similar to what Republicans have done elsewhere, New York Democrats have suppressed the vote and stifled meaningful political debate on the issues that face us all. We urge Gov. Kathy Hochul

imperfect or frustrating. By casting your vote — whether early or on Election Day— you are exercising a power that should never be taken for granted. “My vote doesn’t matter” is simply not the case. So if you can’t vote on a busy Tuesday, Nov. 5, make a plan to do so between now and the Sunday before Election Day. Or take advantage of the time you still have to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. Be part of the conversation, have a say in the issues that matter to you, and help ensure a future that reflects the will of all Americans.

Voting isn’t just a privilege; it’s a duty that upholds the foundation of our democracy. Your voice matters. Let it be heard.

and the State Legislature to reverse these draconian changes to our election law as soon as possible. New Yorkers deserve more voter choice, more democracy.

Thanks to the Cuomo “reforms,” New York is the only state to have just two candidates for president appearing on the ballot. This has happened in only one other state in the past 40 years, Oklahoma. Many voters now feel faced with two unsatisfactory choices: a candidate who is engaged in sowing pernicious and deadly seeds of ethnic and ideological conflict, and another who

opinions Fentanyl is taking too many lives

the other day, I was browsing my LinkedIn feed and came across an illustration that caught my eye. There were three glass jars, all the same size, each containing a black ball. The first jar’s ball filled the jar. The second jar’s ball was smaller, and the third was tiny. A caption read, “People tend to believe that grief shrinks over time.”

Underneath was another set of jars, increasing from small to large. This time the balls were the same size, filling the first jar entirely, and as the jars grew larger, it was as if the jar was growing around the ball. The caption read, “What really happens is that we grow around our grief.”

Grief is universal. Some grieve when a favorite restaurant closes, while others mourn a pet or a relationship. But what about a parent grieving the loss of a child? As a father of two daughters, I can’t fathom losing one of them. The thought gives me a pit in my stomach. I can only imagine the pain becoming part of me, like an organ or an appendage.

In theory, I agree with the illustra-

supports wars and continuing our nation’s complicity in an ongoing genocide.

The Green Party urges all progressive voters to write in “Jill Stein” in this year’s election. Don’t stay home, and don’t waste your vote!

JIM BRoWN

Chair,

Green

Party of Nassau County Island Park

Kremer summed up Trump, but there’s more

To the Editor:

In his oct. 10-16 column, “A historic election for all the wrong reasons,” Jerry Kremer presents several compelling reasons to reject Donald Trump’s “desperate campaign” for president.

But voters should consider other factors as well. Conservatives, in particular, ought to ask whether Trump adheres to three principles they surely hold dear: family values, law and order, and patriotism.

Do Republican parents really want their children to view this potential president as a role model? Should kids

tion’s message. It offers context to the unfathomable. But what if your child were murdered? Would that change things? What if the murder were preventable? I hope to never find out. Unfortunately, it’s a reality for many families, especially because of fentanyl.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of fentanyl. Most likely, you know someone who has died from it or has been affected in some way. Kids are dying, and families are being torn apart. You might be mistaken if you think it’s not happening in your neighborhood.

iHere are some sobering facts from the CDC:

■ Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.

■ In 2022, it caused more than 73,800 preventable deaths.

n my years of recovery work, I’ve attended too many wakes and funerals.

Many associate overdoses with rock stars or homeless junkies, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Your child doesn’t need to be a drug addict to die from fentanyl poisoning — it’s everywhere. Complacency is fentanyl’s greatest ally. It’s being found in drugs like marijuana. Unless drugs are prescribed by a doctor or come from a reputable dispensary, you’re playing Russian roulette.

Consider that scene in “The Deer Hunter”: Your child is Christopher Walken, the gun he’s holding to his head is the party your child is attending, and the lone bullet is that Xanax laced with fentanyl that they’re trying for the first time.

seek to emulate a philanderer and a vulgarian incapable of telling the truth?

How do those professing to “back the blue” square that stance with support for a convicted felon? Is someone charged with racketeering and 51 other criminal offenses a credible champion of the rule of law?

Are red-white-and-blue all-Americans oK with a candidate who orchestrated the attempted overthrow of the country’s constitutional order? Does denigrating members of the U.S. armed forces demonstrate love of country?

Trump defiles all three of the values most Americans regard as sacrosanct.

This is not to say that Kamala Harris is without personal flaws of her own. She’s imperfect, both as a candidate and a human being. Besides, voters should be assessing a candidate’s policy positions, not only his or her personal behavior. And Harris’s record and her proposals can be fairly criticized from a conservative perspective.

But character does matter. And on that score, Donald Trump is utterly unqualified to hold the nation’s highest office.

KEvIN J. KELLEY Atlantic Beach

■ Accidental overdose is now the second-leading cause of death among young people.

In Texas, law enforcement has seized over 505 million lethal doses of fentanyl. That’s enough to kill every person in the U.S. It’s simple math: Fentanyl = death.

In my profession, I facilitate free Narcan training. Narcan reverses opioid overdoses. It saves lives.

People often ask, “Why would a drug dealer want to kill their clients?” The answer is simple: fentanyl is cheap and highly addictive. That translates to higher profits and return customers: high risk but high reward.

In my almost 15 years of recovery, I’ve attended too many wakes and funerals for kids and adults. There’s an expression in recovery: Sometimes you have to step over the bodies. That should be reserved for battlefields, yet we live on a battlefield where fentanyl is a weapon of mass destruction.

I serve on a Community Prevention

Coalition working to educate our kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. It includes school administrators, social workers, police officers, local merchants, and parents who have lost loved ones to fentanyl. We focus on combating the spread of this deadly drug through our communities.

Grief shouldn’t be part of a parent’s job description, yet it often is. While it’s impossible to avoid all grief, we can reduce the chances of preventable loss. We must act to effect change. You don’t have to be a crusader, but sitting on our hands isn’t an option. We can spread awareness to prevent more fentanyl poisonings.

A mentor once told me, “If you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem.” Here’s the call to action: Join your local community coalition. Get trained to administer Narcan. Talk to your kids about substance dangers. Write to local officials about their plans for the opioid crisis, and consult professionals about prevention strategies. Pick one action, and you’ll be part of the solution. A community that works together always wins.

Jason Mayo is a certified recovery peer advocate at a nonprofit community recovery and outreach center on Long Island. He is a contributing writer for The Sober Curator, has written for the Forbes Business Council and is the author of the children’s books “Do Witches Make Fishes?” and “The Boy and the Billy Goat.”

Election Letters to the Editor policy

In the interest of fairness and transparency during the election season, we will not publish letters in the Oct. 31-Nov. 6 issue, the final one before Election Day, that criticize a candidate or a specific issue. This is to ensure that no last-minute submissions are published without sufficient opportunity for rebuttal. Readers are encouraged to send letters to execeditor@liherald.com.

Framework by Tim Baker

A crisp, patriotic day in Eisenhower Park - East Meadow

Jason maYo

Law school bonds formed decades ago are still strong

Few possessions in life are more valuable than lasting friendships. I’ve been more than blessed with friendships that began almost 60 years ago, when I was a student at Notre Dame Law School, and remain strong all these decades later. That was clear when we got together again at Notre Dame last week.

I entered Notre Dame in 1965. From my home in Queens to the campus in South Bend, Indiana, was about 800 miles by car. In life experience, the distance was light years. I had no clue what to expect. My life up to then had been almost entirely confined to Queens, where I grew up; Brooklyn, where I went to high school and college; and Manhattan, where I was born, and where, during my last two years of college, I worked loading and unloading trucks and freight cars at the Railway Express Terminal on 10th Avenue. My out-of-state ventures had been limited to New Jersey: a two-week summer rental when I was 9, a handful of one-day visits to relatives and two nights at Palisades Amusement Park. In

New York, I took the ferry once to Staten Island, made the occasional trip to Jones Beach and journeyed to the Bronx for a handful of Yankees games and once to watch the football Giants practice at Fordham. I had never eaten in an actual restaurant, my dining experience limited to White Castle and pizza joints.

The Notre Dame campus was as impressive as advertised, with its famed Golden Dome glistening in the Indiana sun and more trees and manicured grass than I’d seen anywhere except Central Park. The law school was a three-story Gothic structure that radiated seriousness of purpose. I opted to live in Fisher Hall, the graduate student dorm, rather than an off-campus apartment mainly for convenience: It was a two-minute walk from the law school and next door to the dining hall.

had gone away to college, and I had no idea what dorm life was like.

C atching up with four longtime, far-flung friends from Notre Dame.

We were all willing to work together and help one another out — very different from the cutthroat competition at many law schools. That was a great defense against the dean of the law school, who took pride in the number of first-year students who flunked out or bailed out. His welcoming greeting to us had set the tone: “Look at the man on your left and the man on your right. Before long, one of you won’t be here. And damned be he who first cries, ‘Enough, enough!’”

Fortunately, the six of us survived the dean’s first-semester bloodletting, with Ward and Weiss doing exceptionally well and the rest of us doing well enough.

Rosemary, who was a student at neighboring St. Mary’s, during my first semester, and her becoming an integral part of our group. We got married at the start of my final semester before graduation.

After graduation, everyone did well: Manning in Chicago, Ward in Maine, Curtin in New Jersey, Weiss in St. Louis and Bonenberger in West Virginia. Though we were many miles apart, we stayed in close contact over the years, including at five-year class reunions, even holding weekly Zoom meetings during Covid.

Then, last summer, Manning, who was in many ways our magnet, died, and we decided to have our own minireunion. So last week we were together again in South Bend.

Most important, the law students living around me in Fisher Hall were great guys. Dick Manning, Tom Curtin, Tom Ward, Charlie Weiss and Lanny Bonenberger became lifelong friends. For the most part we all had similar upbringings, Catholic school-educated. Every one of us except Ward, whose father was a doctor, was the first in our family to go to college. And every one of the others

Why

For the past year, politicians and political commentators have described the upcoming election as the most consequential in American history. To be realistic, all elections have consequences, but there is no doubt that this one will have a dramatic impact on my family, and countless others, for years to come. With less than two weeks to go until Nov. 5, I am weary from the back-and-forth discussions I have had with family members, friends, neighbors, and political allies and adversaries. Happily, all of those talks have been cordial, and it has been worthwhile to listen to all opinions. These exchanges have better prepared me to explain why I will vote for Kamala Harris for president. Before explaining the basis for my vote, I need to rebut some of the arguments that I have heard from supporters of Donald Trump. Some have made the claim that Harris is “anti-Israel.”

Sometime in the spring of our first year, there was a climactic power struggle between the dean and the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, president of the university, over the starting date for the law school in the fall. Their grand compromise was to give the dean his starting date, but to throw the law students off campus. It was my first experience as collateral damage! But the six of us found a house to rent in South Bend, and our friendships grew stronger than ever. Adding to all this was my meeting

There were changes. Fisher Hall and the house we rented have been demolished. The law school building is many times larger than it was. But among us, nothing had changed. We walked the campus, reliving good memories, retelling old stories, talking about our children and grandchildren. We were thankful for our bonds of friendship, which had been forged in another century and have grown only stronger over seven decades. A great gift.

Go, Irish!

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

I’m voting for Kamala Harris

They point to the fact that then-President Trump moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, but they have not offered any proof that as a candidate, Harris has failed to support Israel. She has shown her unhappiness with its prime minister, but Benjamin Netanyahu is not Israel.

itrust her, and believe she is the best choice for challenges both at home and abroad.

Three months into the election madness, some people tell me they “don’t know enough about Kamala.” I view that as an excuse not to vote for a woman. My response to them is, “Where does Trump stand on abortion, child care tax cuts, more housing opportunities for people of modest means and tax breaks for middleincome families?”

I frequently hear people describe the vice president as “too liberal.” They reference her former support for Medicare for All and her past opposition to fracking. Harris has modified her positions on a number of issues, as has Trump’s vice presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, who is now in lockstep with Trump — after once calling him a “Hitler.”

I choose Harris over Trump for a

number of reasons. I trust her, and believe that she will be an honest president. I don’t believe that she will make private deals with campaign donors, or craft laws that will favor a handful of wealthy donors like Elon Musk. Above all, she won’t lie, lie and lie some more at every opportunity.

Thanks to President Biden’s hard work, America has the respect of world leaders once again. NATO is once more a united force in Europe, and the only firewall we have against Russia and Vladimir Putin. Harris will be a strong supporter of NATO and Ukraine. That will make our country safer. She will uphold our alliances with Asian nations and oppose China’s efforts to harm Taiwan.

Harris will appoint qualified people to major positions in her cabinet, and has pledged to seek bipartisan advice on key issues. There are countless thought leaders in America who would gladly give their time to the government if they thought their views would be respected. Above all, she will not sell out the nation to domestic or foreign

interests.

Harris will protect a woman’s right to choose. She has pledged to reinstate Roe v. Wade, and will appoint judges to the Supreme Court who will protect women’s rights. She will appoint an attorney general who will follow the Constitution, and be the people’s lawyer and not the president’s lap dog. Harris will maintain our support for Israel. She has seen the powerful support that Biden has provided, including his latest pledge to give Israel guided missiles and U.S. military support to back them up. She will honor those commitments.

Rather than recite the reasons why I do not support Trump, I’ll defer to America’s top generals, who have called him dangerous and unfit to be commander in chief. To add to their opposition, I could further quote all of Trump’s former cabinet members who oppose his re-election.

Enough said.

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.

JERRY KREMER