Former E.R. fire chief dies at 77
The U.S. Air Force honored Robert Smillie, a veteran and a former East Rockaway fire chief, at a service on Monday, a day after the Fire Department paid tribute to him.
Board approves stricter rules on illegal housing
By AINSlEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
At its meeting on Feb. 18, the Lynbrook village board voted to increase fines and introduce stricter penalties for illegal alterations to one- and two-family homes, moves aimed at curbing illegal housing conversions and overoccupancy in residential areas.
Under the revised regulations, property owners who violate occupancy laws will face fines ranging from $6,000 to $12,000 for a first offense, an increase from the previous $4,500 minimum fine.
illegally converted into a threefamily dwelling will face fines, lose its certificate of occupancy and be required revert to single-family use.
“The loss of a certificate of occupancy following a conviction for illegal over-occupancy is serious business,” Village Attorney Thomas Atkinson said. Without a certificate of occupancy, no one can occupy a home, making it difficult to sell or lease the property.
T he board feels overwhelmingly that this is a positive step forward to combat illegal over-occupancies within the village.
Love, Ava Project continues to grow Nonprofit honors late teen’s
By KEPHERD DANIEl kdaniel@liherald.com
What began as a small family tradition over a decade ago is now a full-fledged nonprofit, touching the lives of countless families.
East Rockaway native Brianna O’Hagan is the founder of the Love, Ava Project, created to memorialize the late Oceanside teen Ava Salonia.
“I’ve always wanted to put a name on what I did and kind of expand it, and to be able to do some other things with the foundation, not just only during the holiday season,” O’Hagan, 32, the general manager of the gastro pub EGP Oceanside, said.
spirit with year-round giving
Twelve years ago, O’Hagan set out to teach her younger siblings the true meaning of the holiday season. Inspired by others who volunteered for various causes, she organized a small toy drive, donating gifts to the Cancer Center for Kids at NYU Langone in Mineola. Her goal was to show her siblings that the holidays weren’t just about receiving, but also about giving. Over the years, the effort expanded to include athletic programs, local businesses, and an Adopt-a-Family initiative, in several surrounding communities. Each year, EGP Oceanside dedicates a day to benefit a local family facing challenges. The event started as a way to bring people together, and evolved into
Subsequent violations will be subject to fines of $12,000 to $40,000, depending on the severity of the infraction. In addition to the monetary penalties, the new guidelines include provisions for revoking a property’s legal nonconforming use, or grandfathered, status.
THoMAS ATKINSoN Village attorney
For example, a legal twofamily home found to have been
The new measures aim to address the growing concern over illegal housing conversions in the village, particularly basement or attic apartments that have been created without proper permits.
After World War II, the village allowed conversions of one-family homes to two-family occupancy to address a housing shortage, deeming them legal non-conforming homes.
In recent years, Mayor Alan Beach said the village has
Continued on page 4
Bill Kelly/Herald
Former E.R. fire chief dies at 77
The U.S. Air Force honored Robert Smillie, a veteran and a former East Rockaway fire chief, at a service on Monday, a day after the Fire Department paid tribute to him.
Board approves stricter rules on illegal housing
By AINSlEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
At its meeting on Feb. 18, the Lynbrook village board voted to increase fines and introduce stricter penalties for illegal alterations to one- and two-family homes, moves aimed at curbing illegal housing conversions and overoccupancy in residential areas.
Under the revised regulations, property owners who violate occupancy laws will face fines ranging from $6,000 to $12,000 for a first offense, an increase from the previous $4,500 minimum fine.
illegally converted into a threefamily dwelling will face fines, lose its certificate of occupancy and be required revert to single-family use.
“The loss of a certificate of occupancy following a conviction for illegal over-occupancy is serious business,” Village Attorney Thomas Atkinson said. Without a certificate of occupancy, no one can occupy a home, making it difficult to sell or lease the property.
T he board feels overwhelmingly that this is a positive step forward to combat illegal over-occupancies within the village.
Love, Ava Project continues to grow Nonprofit honors late teen’s spirit with
By KEPHERD DANIEl kdaniel@liherald.com
What began as a small family tradition over a decade ago is now a full-fledged nonprofit, touching the lives of countless families.
East Rockaway native Brianna O’Hagan is the founder of the Love, Ava Project, created to memorialize the late Oceanside teen Ava Salonia.
“I’ve always wanted to put a name on what I did and kind of expand it, and to be able to do some other things with the foundation, not just only during the holiday season,” O’Hagan, 32, the general manager of the gastro pub EGP Oceanside, said.
year-round giving
Twelve years ago, O’Hagan set out to teach her younger siblings the true meaning of the holiday season. Inspired by others who volunteered for various causes, she organized a small toy drive, donating gifts to the Cancer Center for Kids at NYU Langone in Mineola. Her goal was to show her siblings that the holidays weren’t just about receiving, but also about giving. Over the years, the effort expanded to include athletic programs, local businesses, and an Adopt-a-Family initiative, in several surrounding communities. Each year, EGP Oceanside dedicates a day to benefit a local family facing challenges. The event started as a way to bring people together, and evolved into
Subsequent violations will be subject to fines of $12,000 to $40,000, depending on the severity of the infraction. In addition to the monetary penalties, the new guidelines include provisions for revoking a property’s legal nonconforming use, or grandfathered, status.
THoMAS ATKINSoN Village attorney
For example, a legal twofamily home found to have been
The new measures aim to address the growing concern over illegal housing conversions in the village, particularly basement or attic apartments that have been created without proper permits.
After World War II, the village allowed conversions of one-family homes to two-family occupancy to address a housing shortage, deeming them legal non-conforming homes.
In recent years, Mayor Alan Beach said the village has
Continued on page 4
Bill Kelly/Herald
Kiwanis Club celebrates women’s achievements
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Kiwanis Club of Lynbrook is hosting an event to honor the achievements and contributions of women on March 3.
The event will take place at the Lynbrook Library, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Story Time Room.
The celebration will feature a line-up of guest speakers, including Councilwoman Laura Ryder, who will share her experiences, along with several members of the Kiwanis Club who will speak about their personal paths to success.
The event is free and open to the public, with refreshments and a raffle to add to the festivities of highlighting the diverse journeys and accomplishments of women in Lynbrook.
Sue Burgher, president of the Kiwanis Club of Lynbrook, designed the event to encapsulate women in the community and reflect on their achievements.
“This event is not about honoring specific people,” Burgher explained. “It’s about celebrating all women and their contributions to our community and the world. It’s about sharing our stories, supporting one another, and celebrating what it means to be a woman.”
Burgher’s vision for the evening is to offer an open platform where women from different backgrounds and experiences can come together and share their journeys.
In addition to her work with the Kiwanis Club, Burgher is a public health and education professor at CUNY and a hospital administrator.
She said she remains committed to both public service and community engagement.
“Success for me is not about titles or accolades. It’s about being a good role model,” Burgher said. “All the other stuff, like the degrees and the titles, that’s secondary. Because when I die, I want to be remembered as having a legacy.”
While the Kiwanis Club’s Women’s History Month event will focus on honor-
gained traction across the U.S., with communities and schools celebrating Women’s History Week every year during the week of March 8, which coincided with International Women’s Day.
In 1987, after lobbying from the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9, which officially declared the month of March as Women’s History Month.
The following year, the first national Women’s History Month was celebrated. Since then, every year has had a theme, chosen by the National Women’s History Alliance, to reflect the diverse contributions of women in various fields and historical contexts.
ing the contributions of women, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of community involvement and advocacy, she said.
“We want women to be reminded of their own strength and value,” she said.
“This is an opportunity to share wisdom, network and inspire others.”
Women’s History Month originated in the women’s history movement of the 1970s.
Initially, it was celebrated as Women’s History Week, starting in Sonoma County, California, where a school district organized a week-long celebration in 1978 to highlight the significant achievements of women. The idea quickly
The theme for Women’s History Month 2025 is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” highlighting the impactful role of women in education, mentorship, and leadership across generations.
For Burgher, the Women’s History Month celebration is a testament to the power of community and the importance of amplifying voices.
“It’s telling my story. It’s empowering women,” Burgher said. “It’s making sure I’m a role model for my daughter and my granddaughter. It is just a wonderful privilege to be a woman.”
For more information on the event or to stay updated on future Kiwanis Club activities, email kiwanislynbrook@ gmail.com.
Courtesy Councilwoman Laura Ryder
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Lynbrook Kiwanis Club is hosting an event to honor the achievements and contributions of women on March 3.
Councilwoman Laura Ryder, who will speak at the event, attended the Kiwanis installation dinner on Oct. 22.
East Rockaway High School hosts career fair
East Rockaway High School hosted its annual Future Fair in the high school gym, providing students in grades 9-12 with an opportunity to explore post-high school options on Feb. 14.
Representatives from colleges, trade schools, places of employment, the military, law enforcement, and healthcare organizations attended the event, offering insights into various career paths and summer employment opportunities.
The Future Fair featured a diverse array of participants, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy and Hofstra University’s ROTC Program for students interested in military service.
Local employment and training opportunities were also highlighted, such as the Lifeguard Training Program, Rolling River Day Camp and TSA at JFK Airport.
Additionally, students had the chance to connect with representatives from healthcare
institutions like Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, as well as local colleges, including Adelphi University and Molloy University.
Law enforcement agencies such as the Nassau County 4th Precinct, New York State Troopers and the East Rockaway Fire Department were also in attendance, providing students with information about careers in public service.
To help students make the most of the event, the East Rockaway counseling department provided question guides tailored to each grade level, ensuring a structured and purposeful experience. Freshmen were encouraged to explore different opportunities and discover their interests, while sophomores were guided to start thinking about their future and ways to prepare. Juniors focused on narrowing their interests and gathering specific information for college or career planning, and seniors used the fair to collect final details and prepare for their next steps.
— Ainsley Martinez
News briefs
Lynbrook North Middle raises funds for California wildfire victims
The North Middle School community in the Lynbrook School District gives support to those affected by the wildfires in California throughout the month of February.
Members of the Student Council, advised by co-chairs Jocelyn Roslewicz and Shannon Ticas, are fundraising by selling purple bracelets that sport messages of positivity.
They are coordinating with the P.S. I Love You Foundation in Altadena, CA, to support needed mental health resources. The fundraiser will run through Feb. 28 and will be sold from room 218 after school.
— Ainsley Martinez
Members of the Lynbrook North Middle School Student Council are fundraising to benefit those affected by the California wildfires through a bracelet sale.
Photos courtesy of East Rockaway Union Free School District
East Rockaway High School hosted its annual Future Fair in the high school gym on Feb. 14. The career fair highlighted public service entities and local organizations.
Students were able to ask questions to employers, and see jobs available in the market.
Courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools
Village hikes fines to discourage illegal housing
uncovered instances of owners moving out of their converted two-family homes and renting them out entirely.
“It becomes a cash cow for them, because now it becomes a rental property as a two-family home,” Beach said. “Then they try to make the basement or another area of the house into a threefamily home, and that becomes very dangerous.”
These alterations lead to overcrowded homes, which can present safety hazards and strain local sanitation, police and fire services.
“It just starts getting bigger and bigger and bigger, and then it’s just total disrespect to the neighbors,” Beach said.
Village officials emphasized that while many properties in the area are already zoned as legal two-family homes, problems arise when their owners illegally expand their occupancy. The creation of multiple-rental units can overwhelm a neighborhood and reduce property values.
“This is a proactive step by the village board to combat illegal over-occupancy,” Atkinson said.
Since court cases typically take some time, tenants who are renting illegal units will in most cases be allowed to complete their leases, but homeowners will not be able to renew them.
The new rules will be enforced
the Lynbrook village board has increased fines and introduced stricter penalties for illegal housing.
left, michael Habert, mayor alan Beach, deputy mayor michael Hawxhurst and trustee ann marie
on feb. 18.
through a combination of complaintdriven reports and inspections by the village’s Building Department.
Property owners who wish to correct illegal alterations can apply for permits to do so.
The Pursuit of Excellence
“Being forced to work, and forced to be your best, will breed in you...a hundred virtues which the idle will never know.” — Charles Kingsley
A few years ago, your writer was contacted, as an accomplished alumnus, by McGill University in Montreal, asking for a one-word answer on my experience at the university. I answered “excellence”. It was there that I learned what excellence looked like. Before you can emulate it, you have to see it.
Prior to grade inflation, you had to do a modicum of extra work to get from a “C” to a “B”. But you had to do an extraordinary amount of work to get from a “B” to an “A”.
Your writer was hoping to gain early acceptance to law school -- awarded to only ten students. Not only did that mean A’s across the board, but the A’s also had to be in the most difficult subjects, as the A’s themselves were weighted. One of the courses was “Anthropology 101”. Fifty percent of the grade was based on the essay portion for which your writer received a “B” grade. Not being easily
deterred, I asked the professor if I might read a couple of “A” papers. She agreed to that and also agreed to my request that if I submitted another essay she would grade that one instead. The new essay I submitted received an “A” grade. Once I had seen what an “A” paper looked like, in other words what “excellence” looked like, I was able to emulate it.
When I applied to the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) for a Masters degree in law, LSE accepted me, on the condition that I receive my McGill Law degree with honors. In my final exams at LSE, the answer to one of the questions was in a footnote. They expected you to not only know the course materials, but the footnotes too.
Here at Ettinger Law Firm, we strive for excellence in the same way. Nothing is overlooked in a constant quest to be as good as we possibly can. From our staff, to our furnishings, fixtures and equipment, to the vendors we choose to work with, to the services we deliver, we work to improve every single day. Striving for excellence is its own reward.
516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com
The village has opted not to implement a rental registration law, despite having considered the measure in the past. Without such a law, officials will continue to address illegal alterations by way of building inspections and
enforcement actions.
For more information on the new regulations or to report a possible code violation, residents can contact the village Building Department.
What is illegal housing?
illegal housing refers to residential units, or alterations to them, that do not comply with local zoning laws, building codes or occupancy regulations. they include:
■ Unpermitted conversions: When a property is altered without the proper permits — for example, converting a single-family home into a multi-family dwelling, or adding unauthorized basement or attic apartments.
■ Over-occupancy: Exceeding the allowable number of residents in a dwelling,
which can create safety hazards. fines for violating housing laws in Lynbrook:
■ First offense: Fines range from $6,000 to $12,000 (increased from the previous $4,500 minimum fine).
■ Subsequent offenses: Fines range from $12,000 to $40,000, depending on the severity of the violation. additionally, properties found in violation may lose their certificate of occupancy, making it difficult to rent or sell the property.
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/lynbrook or www.liherald.com/eastrockaway
■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: lyn-ereditor@liherald.com
■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 265 E-mail: lyn-ereditor@liherald.com
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■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460
■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643
■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com
Courtesy Village of Lynbrook
trustees robert Boccio, far
reardon voted on the measure
HERALD SPORTS
West Hempstead cruises into semifinals
By MARC BERMAN sports@liherald.com
West Hempstead’s journey for a repeat is off to a sterling start but the Rams know it only gets tougher.
After winning the Class B Nassau County and Long Island boys’ basketball championships last season, West Hempstead has moved up to the tougher Class A.
Hosting much-improved Lynbrook on Feb. 20 in the quarterfinals, West Hempstead rolled to a 70-44 behind 18 points and 14 rebounds from star forward Isaiah Blunt.
Third-seeded West Hempstead notched 17 steals en route to the victory as it took a 20-8 lead after one quarter and 35-16 at halftime. Lynbrook’s renaissance season ended at 11-11.
“On offense, we really shared the basketball,’’ West Hempstead head coach Eric Rubin said. “We stressed it doesn’t matter who scores as long as we score. We may have forced one shot all game. For a high school team, that’s really good.’’
It sets up a massive showdown
against Valley Stream North in the semifinals on March 5 at Farmingdale State College at 8 p.m. West Hempstead lost by 1 point to the Spartans in midJanuary.
Rubin admits this competition isn’t quite as comfortable as Class B. “It’s a challenge we’re looking forward to,’’ Rubin said. “We’ll see how good we are.’’
Along with Blunt’s superior game, Evan Wilson added 17 points and Alex Davis13. “I thought our defense was incredible,’’ Rubin said. “We were very intense. We wanted to put pressure on them. It was nice to see.’’
West Hempstead will need Blunt, who will play college ball, to play against Valley Stream North as he did versus Lynbrook. “He might’ve had his best game of the season,’’ Rubin said. “He was a beat on the boards, shared the basketball well. Whenever we needed him, he scored a basket.”
West Hempstead moved to 14-7 - cochampions of League 8 with Cold Spring Harbor.
Meanwhile, Lynbrook had nothing to be ashamed of during a robust 2024-25
campaign in which it doubled its victory total from last season, beat everyone in its conference at least once and notched its first playoff win since 2019 when it took out. Island Trees on Feb. 14.
“The future is definitely bright,’’ head coach Brian Donaldson said. “We return 13 guys from this year’s team. Hopefully we can build upon the success we had this year.’’
The sixth-seeded Owls just couldn’t keep up with West Hempstead. Lynbrook was led by Ismar Purisic with 11 points.
“They did a great job getting out in transition,” Donaldson said. “They’re a super quick team. They were able to get a lot of steals and attack in transition off turnovers.’’
Lynbrook’s improvement was shown mostly on defense. Last season the Owls ranked 53 out of 59 teams in points per game. In 2024-25, Lynbrook was ranked 7th.
They will lose seniors Michael Werzinger and Purisic to graduation. “We had strong senior leadership and we’ll miss them both on the court and off the court,’’ Donaldson said.
10th anniversary at herjc
Eric Dunetz/Herald
Senior Ismar Purisic’s 11 points led Lynbrook in its Class A playoff quarterfinal defeat at West Hempstead.
“The Vacant Space Revival Program qualified us for on-bill credits that really help me manage costs.”
—George Karatzas, James Cress Florist, Smithtown
Unoccupied business spaces are an opportunity to help bring vitality to downtown areas. For George Karatzas, owner of James Cress Florist, staying downtown was a priority, but costs were prohibitive. Then George applied for our Vacant Space Revival Program, which has provided $2,462 in bill credits to help offset his overhead.* And Smithtown continues to have a business that brings warmth and charm to the area. It’s a beautiful thing to see come together—just like George’s floral arrangements.
*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
First in a month-long series of interviews with influential area women in honor of Women’s History Month. Stacey Feldman is the executive director of the Marion and Aaran Gural JCC.
Herald: Tell me about yourself.
Stacey Feldman: When I was in college, I studied advertising and marketing and after being on a trip to Israel I realized that I wanted to work for the Jewish community. I loved trying to understand what made people buy a brand or why a certain color was successful, product placement, all of that really interests me and then after being in Israel, I realized that the Jewish community needed me more. I wanted to sell being an active member of the Jewish community. I’m doing this since 1990, I started working part-time teaching Hebrew school and from there I moved to New York and became the Teen Director at the Mid-Island Y JCC, worked for Hadassah and Young Judea and then was blessed to have worked for UJA Federation. From UJA is how I ended up working in the Five Towns and ultimately becoming the Executive Director here
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
at the Gural JCC, in 2023. I love building the community and bringing them together, there are so many types of people and they all come together under one roof.
Herald: What do you do? Why?
Feldman: We have four sites that serve this wonderful community. Everyone knows that we’re the little blue house on Grove Avenue that helps people. In 2017, we purchased Temple Israel, Lawrence so that is what we refer to as the Harrison-Kerr Family Campus. That’s the site where we have the senior center and we operate the largest early childhood center in the community with about 350 kids and a staff of almost 90. In the summer of 2023, in partnership with the Leon Mayer Fund took over the operation of the Mark Ramer Chesed Center, in Hewlett. That is a 3,500 square foot facility of new goods so that a family in need can get linens, new clothing, new house wares and appliances. Our fourth site is the S.H.O.P, in Cedarhurst (Sustenance Hope Opportunities Place) and that is
where we operate the largest kosher food pantry on Long Island, serving over 800 families. We offer a variety of social work support services from that location sand the whole agency.
Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what keeps you going and inspires you?
StAcEy FELDMAN
Feldman: What challenges me currently is never wanting to say no, but for financial reasons sometimes we have to say no. What I grapple with is wanting to serve more and more people on what is a non-profit budget. What keeps me going is the ability now to build a full-service Jewish community center in this area. We’ve been working out of the site on Grove for almost 42 years and it’s exciting to address all of the needs in the community for recreation, socialization, a pool and serving all members of the community.
Herald: What have been the proudest moments in your life?
Feldman: I’m very proud of my fami-
ly, and having a son who just graduated college a year ago, a daughter that just entered college and having a loving and supporting husband. My family gives me the support that I need to work long nights and hours, so without the support from them I wouldn’t be able to do this work. I think our proudest moment professionally is finally working in partnership with Nassau County to find a location so that we can really expand services. We are very excited to build a whole new center that the community can participate in.
Herald: What advice do you have for others? What work is left to be done?
Feldman: My advice to anybody is to follow your passion, work is not work is you are passionate about it. You will enjoy coming to work everyday is you enjoy the work. Whether it’s on a volunteer level, if you can’t do professionally what you’re passionate about then find time to give back and get involved in a non-profit you enjoy. There is always work to be done, as women we’re nurturing and we’re caring, empathetic, we don’t want to leave any stone unturned so we’re always looking for new opportunities.
Feldman leads a JCC that’s all about community Ellis leads the fight for LGBTQ representation
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
For over a decade, Long Island native Sarah Kate Ellis has led GLAAD, the world’s most influential LGBTQ media advocacy organization. Under her leadership, GLAAD has evolved from a media watchdog into a driving force for cultural change, shaping representation and acceptance of LGBTQ people in media, entertainment, and politics. In an interview, Ellis shares her journey, challenges, and vision for the future.
Herald: How did you get where you are?
Ellis began her career in media, working for major publishing houses like Condé Nast and Time Inc. She quickly discovered her passion for storytelling.
“I loved media instantly,” she said. “I loved telling stories and seeing the power of storytelling and how it can really bring people together.”
However, her family set her on the path toward advocacy.
“My wife and I got pregnant at the exact same time by accident, if that could be,” Ellis said. “It wasn’t planned. We were just trying to start a family. And I think that led more to my advocacy work.”
As digital media transformed the industry, Ellis sought a new challenge. When the opportunity arose to lead
GLAAD, she saw it as a way to combine her passion for media with her commitment to the LGBTQ community.
“I got to do what I love—media advocacy—but for my community,” she said.
“When I started at GLAAD, it was really to modernize the organization based on the changing media ecosystem.”
Now, after 11 years at the helm, Ellis remains committed to ensuring GLAAD continues to be a powerful voice for LGBTQ representation.
Herald: What are your daily responsibilities?
“The media ecosystem has yet again dramatically shifted,” she says. “The average American spends 12 hours a day consuming media. So we’ve never had a larger opportunity ahead of us.”
However, reaching audiences has become more complex.
Ellis: “I really do two key things at the organization,” she says. “One is drive the strategy on how we’re going to build acceptance in the United States and globally for LGBTQ people. The other significant part of my job is fundraising. To do all the work, you need funding.”
One of her key initiatives was establishing the GLAAD Media Institute, which serves as the organization’s think tank, advisory, and education arm. She also launched a rapid response team to address media coverage and public narratives around LGBTQ issues.
Ellis believes GLAAD’s work is more critical than ever as media consumption habits change.
“The biggest challenge is how do we reach people when it’s so delineated?” she asks. “That’s one of the challenges I’m facing now—how do I reach folks in a compelling way that touches them and moves them?”
Herald: What are your memorable achievements?
Over the years, Ellis has celebrated many victories, both personal and professional.
“From a personal perspective, it’s my family, my wife and our kids,” she says.
“I’m so proud of my kids. They’re 16 now. They were 4 when I started at GLAAD, so that’s kind of mind-blowing.”
In her work, she is particularly proud of partnerships that have expanded LGBTQ inclusion.
“Here I am at the Super Bowl. We host an NFL-partnered Super Bowl event for the LGBTQ community,” Ellis says. “If you ever said to me 10 years ago that GLAAD and the NFL logo
would be together and working together, I would have never believed you. But here we are.”
She is also proud of GLAAD’s presence at the World Economic Forum, ensuring LGBTQ issues remain part of global discussions.
“If we’re not there speaking on behalf of LGBTQ people, we are left out of the conversation,” she says. “I was proud to be the first LGBTQ organization to get a white badge from the World Economic Forum.”
Herald: What advice can you offer the next generation?
Ellis: “I think my advice is to work hard and with your head up, because everybody says put your head down and work hard,” she said. “But I think you have to keep your head up, stay aware of what’s going on.”
She believes that in an increasingly virtual world, making personal connections is essential.
“I think we’ve become such an isolated society, and people think that we can do things on Zoom, but proximity to power and meeting people and engaging with people personally advances so much more at a rapid pace than meeting on Zoom.”
Both interviews, with Stacey Feldman and Sarah Kate Ellis, continue at liherald.com.
East Rockaway native leads a growing, giving nonprofit
a platform for giving back.
“We were used to receiving and expecting gifts during the holidays,” O’Hagan recalls, “but I wanted my siblings to understand that it’s equally important to give back.”
The inspiration behind Love, Ava O’Hagan met 16-year-old Ava Salonia, who was a recipient of the Adopt-a-Family program, when she was battling leukemia. Despite her struggle, Ava dedicated herself to spreading kindness. She made bags for hospital patients and nurses, signing each one, “Love, Ava.”
She died in August 2023, and afterward, O’Hagan received a poignant memento — a stamp bearing Ava’s signature — from her mother, Jessica Salonia.
Determined to honor Ava’s legacy, O’Hagan asked Ava’s mother for permission to name the charity after her. With her blessing, the Love, Ava Project was born — a foundation dedicated to holiday giving and year-round community support.
“I was shocked at first, but also extremely happy,” Jessica of O’Hagan’s effort. “Brianna loved my daughter in such a special way. She was always there for Ava, even when she was in the hospital. If Ava wanted to play video games, Brianna was just a text away. She took her in like a little sister and did whatever needed to be done.”
Building a lasting legacy
Establishing the Love, Ava Project as a nonprofit required collaboration and dedication. Brianna worked with her father, local businesses and community leaders to navigate the legal and logistical process. She credits former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito for providing her with office space in Island Park. She also acknowledges people like Joe Cibellis and Brian Driscoll, both members of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce and the Oceanside Community Warriors, who are also board members of the foundation, for their support.
“Working with Brianna, a young lady like that, to care and give so much back to the community is inspirational, to say the least,” Cibellis said.
The organization now focuses not only on holiday toy drives but also on a range of initiatives that address the diverse needs of the community. One partnership is with the Barrier Brewery, in Oceanside, which rebranded its Amber beer Ava’s Amber. A portion of its sales are donated to the foundation.
There are also plans for a backpack drive — sparked by a generous donation from the Oceanside Costco — to provide underprivileged and hospitalized children with the tools they need for school. Future events like a Christmas in July fundraiser are also in the works, and promise to bring even more awareness and support to the cause.
The Love, Ava Project’s first “act of kindness” was creating a special experi-
Courtesy Brianna O’Hagan
Brianna o’Hagan, right, and wearing the Love ava project shirt, has been helping those in need on the South Shore for years, and now will be able to do more, with an official nonprofit dedicated to the late oceanside teen ava Salonia.
ence for an East Rockaway resident named Mia Mednick who had been in a hospital for a year, and wasn’t expected to survive past August, but ended up being cancer-free by September.
Mia’s wish was to attend the Z100 Jingle Ball concert at Madison Square Garden in December. Her mother had posted on Facebook looking for help — not asking for a handout, but hoping to find a less expensive and less stressful, way for her daughter, who was dealing with severe side effects from her cancer treatments, to attend.
The Love, Ava Project was able to make Mia’s wish come true, raising money to provide transportation for her and a friend to attend the concert and contacting the Garden to request special arrangements. Mia and her friend were escorted to their seats and treated to snacks. The foundation also teamed up with Crystal Beauty Salon, in Island Park, whose owner, Aida Sokol volunteered to do Mia and her friend’s hair and makeup before the event.
“This is something that can uplift and give (Ava’s family) a little bit of hope and comfort, knowing that Ava’s not going to be forgotten,” O’Hagan said. “The more donations I receive, the more I can do.”
Looking to the future
O’Hagan and her team of over a dozen are working on initiatives to support families throughout the year. Through the Love, Ava Project, she is ensuring that Ava’s legacy of compassion endures, bringing hope and joy to families in need, one gift or one act of kindness at a time.
“You never know what someone is going through,” Jessica Salonia said. “Ava endured the worst thing a child could go through, and yet she never stopped being kind. If she could still find ways to brighten other people’s days while she was in pain, then we all can do our part to spread kindness.”
For more information on how to support the foundation, visit theloveavaproject.com.
East Rockaway High School kicks off Rock Rivalry
East Rockaway High School’s longstanding tradition of Rock Rivalry began Feb. 13, with the highly anticipated Quiz Bowl.
Held in the school auditorium, the event set the stage for a season of friendly competition among the classes, a tradition that has been celebrated since 1936.
Rock Rivalry is a unique intra-school contest that fosters school spirit, camaraderie and creativity. The multi-event competition includes the Quiz Bowl, a volleyball game, Sports Night, and the muchanticipated “Entrance”—a spectacular showcase of murals, refreshment stands, costumes, and original 30-minute musical skits.
Each class competes for points throughout the events, with the ultimate goal of winning the coveted silver cup.
The Quiz Bowl itself is a test of academic prowess, with students answering
questions from various subject areas studied in school.
The auditorium was filled with energy as students cheered on their classmates, creating a lively and competitive atmosphere. This year, the junior class dominated the competition, earning a decisive victory and setting themselves up as strong contenders for the rest of Rock Rivalry.
With the Quiz Bowl complete, the excitement now shifts to the upcoming Rock Rivalry events.
As students prepare for the remaining competitions, the anticipation builds for the grand finale, where colorful murals, intricate backdrops, and entertaining skits will take center stage.
— Ainsley Martinez
Photos courtesy of East Rockaway Union Free School District
East Rockaway High School’s Rock Rivalry tradition began Feb. 13, with the highly anticipated Quiz Bowl. The freshman team answered trivia questions on a variety of subjects.
Freshmen in the audience cheer on their classmates.
The Quiz Bowl was held in East Rockaway High School’s auditorium.
Seniors faced the pressure during the 2025 Quiz Bowl, but in the end lost to the juniors.
The junior team celebrates their win. Each class competes for points throughout the events to win the silver cup.
Gillen: Medicaid cuts could ‘devastate’ L.I.
By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com
Congressional Republicans have recently directed the committee on Energy and Commerce, which oversees Medicaid, to cut its budget by at least $880 billion. These cuts would result in millions of Americans losing their health coverage, while providing tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy.
According to Nate Jackson, NY Director of Protect our Care, these cuts would hurt Long Island families, jeopardize funding for hospitals and strain the state health care budget.
Children, new mothers, seniors and people with disabilities across Nassau and Suffolk counties rely on Medicaid to cover essential health care costs.
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat who represents a majority of the South Shore of Nassau County, and Assemblywoman Michelle Solages joined health care advocates on Feb. 19 to oppose the cuts, and to commit to working to protect Long Islanders’ access to health care.
“The Republican plan to slash Medicaid would devastate Long Island,” Gillen said. “It would mean higher health care costs, hospital funding in limbo, longer wait times to access care for tens of thousands of Long Islanders, and a dramatic decrease in access to vital mental health care.
“We need to be working to protect and strengthen access to health care, not ripping it away from seniors, children and veterans on Long Island who count on Medicaid to access the lifesaving care that they need,” she added, calling for nonpartisan support.
“When we’re talking about an essential service, it’s health care,” said Solages, a member of the Assembly’s Health
Committee. “When we talk about cutting dollars for hospitals, for nursing homes, we’re cutting people to the bone. And so we have to be realistic about what we need to fund. Tax breaks for billionaires is not what Long Island needs.”
Solages discussed the need for health care funding, referring to two Long Island nursing homes that are slated to
close and Nassau University Medical Center, the county’s public hospital, which is in desperate need of financial support.
“We’re talking about people’s lives,” she said. “This is not like a pothole. This is about people’s prescription drugs, their health care, and we’ve got to get realistic in this country about what’s important. People’s premiums have increased. They’re deciding whether to buy food or prescription drugs, and other essential services — rent — and the American people are crying out for relief.”
Cynthia Ngombe, a health care advocate with the Healthcare Education Project, explained that cuts to Medicaid “would shift costs for health coverage to states, putting more pressure not only on the state Medicaid budget, but on other key areas of spending such as education and public safety.”
“Medicaid is under attack from Washington, D.C.,” Ngombe added. “Federal cuts would slash critical services that keep New Yorkers healthy and our communities safe, in areas like maternal health, mental health and the emergency room. All New Yorkers would be impacted, but our Black, Latino and low-income, including rural communities, would be hit hardest by our Medicaid cuts. Access to quality health care is a right. It’s New Yorkers’ top priority.”
Madison Gusler/Herald
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, center, was joined by, from left, Cynthia Ngombe, of the Healthcare Education Project; Assemblywoman Michelle Solages; health care worker Claire Leon; and Nate Jackson, of Protect Our Care, to discuss Medicaid funding.
Presented by:
Trump attempts to end congestion pricing
By Jordan Vallone & luke Feeney of the Herald
The Trump administration has rescinded its approval of New York City’s congestion pricing program, in an attempt to halt the initiative.
The program, which began on Jan. 5, imposes a $9 toll on vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and generate revenue for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman noted his support for the federal government’s decision at a Feb. 19 news conference in Mineola. Blakeman recalled President Trump pledging to end congestion pricing at a rally last October.
“President Trump is fulfilling a promise that he made at Madison Square Garden during (his) campaign,” Blakeman said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul argued that regardless of anyone’s stance on congestion pricing, the decision is an attack on New York’s sovereignty as a state.
“New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years,” she said at a news conference at Grand Central Terminal, also on Feb. 19, response to the administration’s move, “and we sure as hell won’t start now.”
Janno Lieber, chief executive and chairman of the MTA, said that a lawsuit had already been filed to keep
According to a letter sent to Hochul from the federal transportation office, Duffy rescinded the government’s approval of the plan under the federal Value Pricing Pilot Program, an initiative established to explore the potential of various pricing strategies in reducing traffic congestion. Managed by the Federal Highway Administration, the program allows state and
local governments to implement pilot projects that test the effectiveness of tolls and other pricing mechanisms in managing roadway usage and alleviating congestion. The congestion-pricing plan was developed under the VPPP.
The MTA, Hochul said, was prepared for a challenge, and she expressed confidence in the lawsuit it filed to counteract the decision.
“If in some world (the administration is) successful, the next time you’re stuck in traffic, the next time your train is delayed, the next time you’re in a flooded station because infrastructure repairs were not made, I want you to think of this,” the governor said. “We know where the blame goes.”
The Town of Hempstead had filed a lawsuit against the MTA and the state in opposition to the congestionpricing plan. Supervisor Don Clavin praised the decision by the Trump administration, arguing that congestion pricing is nothing more than “a money grab and a slap in the face to working-class commuters.”
State Sen. Alexis Weik, a Republican who represents portions of Nassau and Suffolk counties, also supported the administration’s decision.
“I’m glad to see that President Trump is supportive of New Yorkers,” Weik said in a statement emailed to the Herald, “because their governor is not. This is a win for New York.”
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, a fellow Republican who represents communities in Nassau, echoed Weik’s sentiments, and was critical of Hochul’s efforts to keep congestion pricing in place.
“Rather than continuing to pursue her unlawful ‘commuter tax,’” Rhoads told Herald reporters, “the governor should suspend these tolls immediately and take swift action to put commuters’ interests first instead of her own.”
Luke Feeney/Herald
The federal government is seeking to halt New York City’s controversial congestion pricing program. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman spoke in support of President Trump’s efforts on Feb. 19.
STEPPING OUT
Images courtesy Robert Graham Carter Family Collection Untitled (Two Young Teens With Empty Chat Bubbles), c. 1970s, pencil and pastel on paper, is an open-ended composition, depicting race relations.
Above: If Der Be Angels Then Some Must Look Me, c. 2000s, wood and acrylic, examines spirituality by highlighting the divine beauty of the everyday..
art Painting the bigger picture
Robert Graham Carter reflects:
A
life lived through
By Danielle Schwab
Within the everyday experience, there’s a deeper story to be told. For visual artist Robert Graham Carter, his art unearths the stories of the African American experience through the individuals and environments he depicts, bringing larger narratives to the surface.
Now on display at the Heckscher Museum of Art, visitors can explore over 22 figurative paintings, sculptures and drawings that explore his reflections on childhood, spirituality, the black church, and societal inequities. The exhibition, “Robert Graham Carter: The Art of Reflection,” celebrates not only his talents but his involvement with Long Island’s art scene — particularly the Heckscher, where Carter made history in 1973 as the first African American artist to receive a solo show.
Born in Louisville, Ky. in 1938, Carter witnessed firsthand life during the Jim Crow South. Later, he went to the University of Louisville with many internationally known artists today such as Sam Gilliam, Bob Thompson and Kenneth Young.
“They actually formed an arts collective called the Gallery Enterprises when they were in college. This collective was important because the city was recently desegregated. There were socially not that many opportunities for artists to exhibit their work if they were artists of color,” guest curator Sarah Battle says. “The Gallery Enterprises created those spaces.”
• Now through May 25
• Open Thursday through Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
• Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington
• Visit Heckscher.org or call (631) 380-3230 for information on related programming
Carter became known for his striking figurative art — often in mixed mediums —that depicted his life experience as an African American man while drawing inspiration from the people around him.
“He’s going to showcase a memory, or illustrate people — everyday people — in his life that he either wants people to be thinking about, to elevate, or just to offer another perspective on the topic at hand,” Battle, research curator at Louisville’s Speed Art Museum, explains.
Drawing influence from his upbringing, Carter’s works balance personal and universal truths, with a focus on topics that connect to the experiences of African Americans. His art addresses the joy and importance of family, the legacy of segregation, the charm of childhood, the spiritual and corporal force that is the Black church, and the impression of Blackface on American culture.
“Figures are the carriers of my thoughts, messages, or ideas, they are my stories,” Carter explained in an email. “For me, it’s the best way to tell the story or to give value or a sense of texture to a meeting or setting.”
In his untitled pencil and pastel drawing from the 1970s, Carter shows his mastery through his depiction of two children, one white child and one African American child with empty thought bubbles above their head as they gaze at each other.
“This piece inspired the education team at the Hecksher to create an activity for people to think about the sorts of conversations these two children could be thinking or saying to each
other, and what sorts of ways these conversations might have changed over time,” Battle says.
Carter also found a niche in using wood in his creations.
“It started with me being attracted to the brightness of the paint and the subdued quality of the wood,” Carter went on in his email. “I thought color placed against this kind of texture and tone would stand out. If you had a bright blue or bright red against a dull gray, the gray would make the color even stronger.”
His use of texture is on full display in his “If Der Be Angels, Den Sum Mus Look Like Me, 2000s,” where Carter postulates spiritual inclusivity within the religious narrative.
“This piece is of an angel. The wings of the angel are made up of these wood slits. They’re painted in bright colors that make it appear that the wings are very full and threedimensional,” Battle says.
“They’re just layers of these wood pieces that create such beautiful interiors or beautiful figures.”
Carter moved to Long Island in 1968 and joined Nassau Community College where he taught in the art department for over 50 years. Archival itemsl such as newspaper clippings and letters included in the exhibit show the impact of his identity as an educator and artist in the local art scene — and throughout the country.
“When I retired, a formal written notice was required. In my notice, I wrote an anecdote ‘I explained the problem, and no one understood it. I explained the problem again, and no one understood it. I explained it a third time, and I understood it.’ It’s a short gimmicky way of saying I am bettered for having taught others,” Carter further explained.
His legacy of creating and inspiring art here and beyond is a testament to his enduring craft.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the local arts community if they don’t know his work already, to see a number of great examples, as well as draw more national attention to his living legacy,” Battle adds.
“This exhibition not only offers visitors a chance to see art made throughout Carter’s career, but it also makes space to honor his living legacy as an artist educator. This solo show highlights some of his early influences in Louisville, Kentucky as well as his impact on artists in Nassau County and beyond.”
Jim Messina
He has plenty of stories to tell — with more to come. An undisputed expert in the fine art of making hit music, Jim Messina’s legacy of musical genius spans five decades, three super groups, a vibrant solo career and scores of producing and engineering credits. a musician whose career has shaped the sound of multiple generations. From his start with Buffalo Springfield to defining the Country Rock genre with Poco and then forming the iconic duo Loggins & Messina, his influence on music is undeniable. With hits spanning over five decades, he’s a true craftsman of his art. Now touring with a talented band, Messina performs songs from every stage of his career: Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Loggins & Messina, and his solo projects. ouring the country and playing sold-out shows, Jim says that he’s enjoying discovering who he is, where he’s been and — most significantly — where he’s going.
Friday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m. $69, $59, $49. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Kevin James
You know him, you love him, and now you can catch Kevin James when his “Owls Don’t Walk” tour arrives here. As only Kevin can, he covers a range of topics from motivating children to put down their video games, to why he doesn’t trust technology, and how many tater tots he can fit in his mouth. James sure has come a long way since his early days on the local comedy scene. After being discovered at the 1996 Montreal Comedy Festival, he signed a development deal to create his own sitcom. “The King of Queens” premiered in 1998 and ran for nine seasons, earning him an Emmy nomination. From there, his acting career blew up — in film and TV.
Sunday, March 2, 7:30 p.m. $99.50, $79.50, $69.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY. com.
To the right: Proud Queen, Tribute To My Wife, 1995, wood and acrylic, underscores the versatility of his form.
THE Your Neighborhood
The Joni Project
The Joni Project visits the Tilles Center stage, Thursday, March 20, 7:30 p.m., to celebrate the iconic Joni Mitchell. The musically sophisticated band is fronted by Long Island’s remarkable multi-instrumentalist and singer Katie Pearlman, who impressively plays Joni’s songs in their original open guitar tunings, and also includes jazz and jam band mainstays Dave Berg (guitar), Dan Ehrlich (bass), Alan Lerner (drums), Mark Mancini (keyboards), Steve Finklestein (percussion), Premik Russell Tubbs (saxophone and flute) and Victoria Faiella (backing vocals). Collectively, they’ve performed with members of the Grateful Dead, The Band, The Doors, the Neville Brothers, and many others.
Together, they bring fresh interpretation to Joni’s legendary tunes from their many eras and genres —particularly from the time of her stunning and dynamic collaboration with Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny and Michael Brecker. But The Joni Project celebrates it all - from Both Sides Now, Big Yellow Taxi, Chelsea Morning and Help Me, to Raised on Robbery and Free Man in Paris! Perlman faithfully performs in true Joni style, her tunings remain as fresh today as they were when first performed. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter. org or (516) 299-3100.
On stage
Adelphi University
Performing Arts students present the musical adaptation of “The Spitfire Grill,” now through Sunday, March 2. Based on the 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff, this is a heartwarming and inspirational musical tale of redemption, perseverance and family. It follows a troubled young parolee yearning for a fresh start who follows her dreams to Wisconsin, based on a page from an old travel book, only to find a small town with a gritty heart aching with longing and regret.
Unexpectedly discovering the healing power of community while working at the Spitfire Grill, Percy reawakens the entire town’s capacity for rebirth, forgiveness and hope. Set to a melodic folk-inspired score, it’s a joyous celebration of human kindness.
$30. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi. edu/pac.
West End Elementary Science Fair
West End Elementary students showcase their research and projects at the science fair, Thursday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m. 30 Clark Ave. For more information, visit LynbrookSchools.org.
Lynbrook Village Board Meeting
Residents are invited to meet with village officials and address concerns, Monday, March 10, 7 p.m. at Village Hall. One Columbus Drive. For more information, visit LynbrookVillage.net.
East Rockaway Board of Education Meeting
East Rockaway High School Board of Education meets, Tuesday, March 11.The meeting is open to the public to discuss developments in East Rockaway schools, at 7 p.m. 443 Ocean Ave. For more information, visit EastRockawaySchools.org.
Catch up with Kiwanis
Lynbrook Kiwanis Club meets twice monthly. Meetings are held the first Thursday of each mont, 6:30 p.m., at Lynbrook Library; the third Thursday, at 7 p.m., at Savino’s, 88 Atlantic Ave. For more information, visit Facebook. com/KiwanisLynbrook.
Kiwanis meet-up
Kiwanis Club of Lynbrook hosts a celebration of women, Monday March 3, 7 p.m., at Lynbrook Public Library. Guest speakers, light refreshments, and raffle. 56 Eldert St. For more, email kiwanislynbrook@gmail.com.
Youth Baseball Clinic
Students in grades K-6 can play baseball with Lynbrook High School players, coaching staff and Lynbrook Diamond Club, Saturday, March 1, 1-2:15 p.m., at Lynbrook High School Gymnasium. Check in at the gym. $30. 9 Union Ave. To register, visit TinyURL.com/ DiamondClubClinic2025.
Art Explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, March 1, noon-3 p.m. Kids and their adult partners talk about and make art together. While there, enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum. org to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Bingo
Stop by St. Mary’s Maris/Stella Knights of Columbus, every Thursday, 7 p.m. for bingo. With $2,000 cash prizes this week, food from Vincents Restaurant, coffee, snacks, and more. For more information, call (516) 887-2228. 78 Hempstead Ave.
Family theater
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday, Feb. 28,10:15 a.m., noon, 6:15 p.m.; Sunday, March 2, 2 p.m.; also Wednesday and Thursday, March 5-6,10:15 a.m. and noon. It is 3017 in this futuristic, musical retelling of “Cinderella.” She’s now a space engineer looking to revolutionize space travel. When the Prince holds a space parade, Cinderella saves it by helping fix the Prince’s spaceship and show the Prince her new hyper warp speed engine. But first, she’ll have to keep her evil stepmother from throwing a wrench in her plans! $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Having an event?
In concert
Jupiter String Quartet returns to Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m. The intimate group of violinists Nelson Lee and Meg Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel (Meg’s older sister), and cellist Daniel McDonough (Meg’s husband, Liz’s brotherin-law) are brought together by ties both familial and musical.
The ensemble brings its well-honed musical chemistry to three works shaped by bold musicality and deeply meaningful thematic inspirations, including Warmth from Other Suns by Carlos Simon; String Quartet No. 3, Glitter, Doom, Shards, Memory by Shulamit; and String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Op. 130 with the Grosse Fuge by Ludwig van Beethoven. Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Best of Broadway: ‘Looking Forward, Looking Back’
Adelphi University Performing Arts students celebrate the music that shaped Broadway during their semi-annual Best of Broadway concert, Sunday, March 9, 4 p.m. The talented students bring to life the magic of Broadway with music from classic and contemporary musicals. This edition includes selections from celebrated composers and lyricists, including Kander and Ebb, Alan Menken, Jason Robert Brown, and many more! This event will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
NEW
Town officials sue FAA over
plane
noise, low-level
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jen DeSena last week announced the filing of a joint federal lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration on behalf of more than a million residents living near Kennedy and LaGuardia airports.
The primary culprit for the lawsuit is JFK’s Runway 22L, a path having an influx of planes flying below the federally regulated 3,000-foot restriction, with communities experiencing a 70 percent increase in plane sightings, according to the towns’ legal research.
Attorney Nick Rigano, who represents the towns, said the lawsuit seeks to have the FAA reduce usage of certain flight paths, and conduct an environmental review of the impacts of low-flying aircrafts.
Rigano said that runway 22L allows more planes to fly at once, and its efficiency leads to overused.
“It’s all about operational issues. It has nothing to do with their consideration of residents at all,” Rigano said.
In 2023, there was a 50 percent increase in arrivals on 22L.
This surge in air traffic has led to rising noise levels, with more than 388,000 noise complaints filed in 2023, a significant increase over previous years.
“Legal action is always a last resort, but our cause is just,” DeSena said. “We are committed to making sure that the FAA hears our residents and that we finally address the overwhelming impacts these flight paths are having on their daily lives.”
According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s 2023 Fly Quiet Program Annual Report, data showed an improvement in noise levels compared to 2022.
The program uses stages to refer to different levels of aircraft noise, with Stage 3 being the loudest and Stage 5+
flying
the quietest, based on the aircraft’s engine and design.
The number of Stage 5 and Stage 5+ aircraft increased by 3 percent in 2023, but Stage 3, which generates the most noise, remained relatively stable, rising just 1 percent.
A flight procedure designed to reduce noise, by directing aircraft to approach the runway at an angle instead of directly lining up with it, was used for 5.4 percent of arrivals on Runway 22L.
As noted in the lawsuit, a 2022 Government Accountability Office report highlighted “inadequate community engagement” and insufficient environmental impact assessments for flight path changes. The report also revealed that only 30 percent of new flight path systems underwent thorough environmental reviews.
The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that aircraft flying below 3,000 feet contribute significantly to air pollution, releasing harmful toxins like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and sulfur dioxide, especially during takeoff and landing. Studies show that communities along these flight paths, including Valley Stream, Hempstead, Inwood and West Hempstead, have higher than normal rates of asthma, stomach cancer and prostate cancer, which are linked to exposure to aircraft emissions.
Town officials pointed to new air traffic control systems and satellite-based navigation systems that have contributed to the increase in flights and a decrease in altitude for many aircraft.
The lawsuit comes after the FAA failed to respond to a previous petition filed by the municipalities, whose representatives met at the same house for a press conference on July 3. Floral Park resident Don Monroe, whose home is where the news conference for the announcement took place, noted how the air traffic noise impacts his life.
“Sometimes I have to stop mid-conversation because the planes are so loud,” Monroe said.
Ainsley Martinez/Herald
Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jen DeSena announced the filing of a joint lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration on Feb. 19.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF VILLAGE TREASURER’S SALE FOR TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE IN THE VILLAGE OF LYNBROOK, NEW YORK
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Real Property Tax Law, the Village Law of the State of New York, the Village Code of the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, and pursuant to a Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lynbrook, Nassau County, New York, adopted at a meeting held on the 13th day of January, 2025, the Treasurer of said Village will sell pursuant to Village Code §222-27(B) to the Village of Lynbrook, in the manner prescribed by law, on the 13th day of March 2025 at 10:00 A.M., each of the following parcels of real estate upon which Village taxes remain unpaid as will be sufficient to discharge the taxes, interest and charges thereon which may be due at the time of the sale. Such interest in real estate will be sold subject to any unpaid assessment thereon levied by said Village and any unpaid lien purchased and held by said Village, and all liens on property included in this sale are sold subject to the provisions of any federal or state law. The following is a list of lots, pieces and parcels of real estate to be sold, and the total amount of the taxes, interest and charges thereon: PARCEL_ID LOCATION BILL_BALANCE
1-3-1
10-4-2 12 CHARLES ST 6,677.75 11-2-2A 270 -272 MERRICK RD 6,597.34 12-1-7 179 DENTON AVE 1,225.74
12-1-8&.131 163 DENTON AVE 13,329.62
12-3-12 33 PARK PL 6,360.95
12-3-13 35 PARK PL 5,304.96
13-2-4&5 14 MERRICK RD 69,016.58
18-4-6.8-11
LEGAL NOTICE
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF EAST ROCKAWAY ELECTION NOTICE
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
GIORDANO, VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR 1291383
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the provisions of the Election Law of the State of New York that the Office of two (2) Village Trustees and one (1) Village Justice to be filled at the Village Election to be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the following polling location.
Charles Formont Senior Citizen Center 6 James Street, East Rockaway
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the following is a true and correct list of the names and addresses of all those who have been duly nominated for the office of Village Trustee and Village Justice by certificate or petition of nomination duly filed with the Village Clerk in accordance with the provisions of the Election Law, and the office and term of such offices for which they have been so nominated.
PRIDE PARTY Office and Term Place of residence
Stephanie Paul Trustee 86 Garfield Place
One (1) year term East Rockaway, NY 11518
Anthony J. Santino Trustee 7 Rose Lane
One (1) year term East Rockaway, NY 11518
Richard Braverman Village Justice 1 Mallow Road
Four (4) year term East Rockaway, NY 11518 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, New York. Theresa Gaffney
Village Clerk-Treasurer
Published: February 20, 2025 151862
LEGAL NOTICE
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF EAST ROCKAWAY PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to the provisions of Article 14, Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York, and a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, Nassau County, duly adopted at the Regular Meeting of such Board held on February 10, 2025, I, the undersigned Treasurer of the said Village, will sell at Public Auction in the manner provided by law on the 19th day of March, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Public Meeting Room of the Board of Trustees in the Village Hall, 376 Atlantic AVE, East Rockaway, New York, so much of each of the following parcels of real estate upon which Village Taxes for the year 2024/25 remain unpaid as will be sufficient to discharge the tax, fees, interest and charges which may be due thereon at the time of such sale and shall conduct the same from day to day until the sale is completed.
The Purchaser or Purchasers at such Tax Sale will be required to pay the amount of their respective bids to the undersigned Treasurer within ten (10) days after the sale pursuant to the provisions the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York.
The following is a statement of the real estate hereinbefore mentioned as shown and described on the Official Tax Map of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, New York, duly adopted, approved and filed as provided by law, a copy of which is on file and available for inspection in the Office of the Village Clerk of said Village upon which taxes are unpaid together with the amount of tax, fees, interest and charges to March 19th, 2025.
NAME OF OWNER OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY AMOUNT OF TAX, OCCUPANT AS IT AS IT APPEARS ON THE FEES, INTEREST APPEARS ON OFFICIAL TAX MAP AND CHARGES ASSESSMENT ROLL THE VILLAGE BY:
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU MATRIX FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION, Plaintiff AGAINST MICHAEL HEALEY, KATHLEEN ROSE HEALEY, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 19, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 12, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 65 Highland Boulevard, Lynbrook, NY 11563. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37 Block 135 Lots 18, 19 and 20. Approximate amount of judgment $488,553.62 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #615187/2023. Joshua D. Brookstein, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 23-001000 84245 151402
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff AGAINST GEORGE R. ERCOLE JR A/K/A GEORGE ERCOLE, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 4, 2017, 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 March 11, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 169 SPENCER AVENUE, LYNBROOK, NY 11563. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of
Public Notices
New York, Section 38, Block 441, Lot 232. Approximate amount of judgment $367,743.07 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #008271/2009. Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-002974 84088 151400
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPPLEMENTAL
SUMMONS IN TAX
LIEN FORECLOSURESUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU - PAPIO DEVELOPMENT CORP, Plaintiff, NERI BACHRACH A/K/A NERI BACHARACH, et. al., Defendants. Index No. 613674/23. To the above named Defendants -YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action within twenty days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service or within thirty days after service is completed if the summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Plaintiffs designate Nassau County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the county in which the property, with respect to which a judgment is sought, is situated. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to the Order of the Hon. R. Bruce Cozzens, J.S.C., dated January 15, 2025. The object of this action is to quiet title and declare Plaintiff the record holder and owner of a real property located at School District 29 Section 42 Block 107 Lots 183, 286, 384, and 385 and is also known as 76 Waverly Avenue, East Rockaway, New York, 11518, and bar the defendants from all claims and interests in the property.
Dated: February 4, 2025 BRONSTER, LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff Papio Development Corp. By: Leonid Krechmer, Esq. 156 West 56th Street, Suite 703 New York, NY 10019
(212) 558-9300 151555
To
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON TRUST, NA, SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO CITIBANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE F/B/O HOLDERS OF STRUCTURED ASSET MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS II INC., BEAR STEARNS ALT-A TRUST 2007-3, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-3, Plaintiff AGAINST SONIA F. GARNES AKA SONIA GARNES, ORLANDO FINDLAYTER INDIVIDUALLY AND AS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF YVETTE FINDLAYTER, ET AL., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 23, 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 March 26, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 67 Lawrence Avenue, Lynbrook, NY 11563. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 54, Lot 219. Approximate amount of judgment
$516,776.20 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #003213/2017. George Esernio, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-000730 84416 151655
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
VILLAGE OF EAST ROCKAWAY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, Nassau County, New York, will hold a Public Hearing at the Village Hall, 376 Atlantic Avenue, East Rockaway, NY on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 8:00 PM on the following application: #04-2025 Application of Edward & Phyllis Palleschi, Owners, requesting a variance of:
“Section 288-8
Building height. B. of the Village Zoning Code to construct a 3car garage with a height of 18 feet, where a maximum of 15 feet is permitted.
“Section 288-7 Uses. B. (2) of the Village Zoning Code to construct a pavilion with an area of 840 square feet, where a maximum of 120 square feet is permitted.
“Section 288-7 Uses. B. (2) of the Village Zoning Code to construct a pavilion with a height of 14 feet, where a maximum of 9 Ω feet is permitted.
“Section 288-7 Uses. B. (2) of the Village Zoning Code to construct a pool cabana with a height of 13 1/6 feet, where a maximum of 9 Ω feet is permitted.
“Section 288-109
Swimming pools. F. (11) (a) of the Village Zoning Code to construct a pool cabana with a volume of 1,147 cubic feet, where a maximum of 700 cubic feet is permitted.
“Section 288-109 Swimming pools. F. (11) (a) of the Village Zoning Code to construct a pool cabana with a height of 13 1/6 feet, where a maximum of 7 Ω feet is permitted.
“Section 288-12 Rear yards. of the Village Zoning Code to construct a batting cage with a rear yard setback of 4 feet, where a minimum of 25 feet is required.
“ Section 288-7 Uses. B. (2) of the Village Zoning Code to construct a batting cage with an area of 840 square feet, where a maximum of 120 square feet is permitted.
“Section 288-7 Uses. B. (2) of the Village Zoning Code to construct a batting cage with a height of 12 feet, where a maximum of 9 Ω feet is permitted.
The premises are located at 33 Judith Court, as described on the Official Tax Map as Section 7, Block 114, Lot 30.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all interested parties will have the opportunity to be heard at the aforesaid time and place.
BY ORDER OF the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway.
Terrence Riecker
Superintendent Department of Buildings
Dated: February 27, 2025 151863
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AN AD CALL
516-569-4000 x 232
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook on February 18, 2025 enacted Local Law #1 of 2025 amending the Village Code Chapter 252-202 (Penalties for Offenses) with modifications which consist of an increase in the fine schedule and the loss of a certificate of occupancy for properties in violation of the over-occupancy law.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JOHN GIORDANO, VILLAGE
ADMINISTRATOR LYNBROOK 151860
AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AN AD CALL
516-569-4000 x 232
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF WORKSHOP NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a WORKSHOP on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 5:30 P.M. in the Board Room at the Village Hall, One Columbus Drive, Lynbrook, NY 11563, to review the following case(s): #1020 - John Ruggiero, 28A New Street, Lynbrook, BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, Ginger Fuentes, Chair Person of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Brian Stanton, Superintendent, Department of Buildings Lynbrook Publish 1X 151861
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com
At the Nassau Community College Legislative Breakfast Assemblyman
State Sen. Siela Bynoe, NCC Board of Trustees
Administrative Officer Maria Conzatti, and State Sens. Jack
and Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.
Legislators meet at NCC to talk state funding needs
The need for increased state funding for community colleges was on the menu at the annual Nassau Community College Legislative Breakfast as staff members, including NCC Chief Administrative Officer Maria Conzatti and other college leaders met with and other college leaders met with state elected and appointed officials on Feb. 7.
Held on the NCC campus in Garden City, the event featured remarks from college leadership, students, administrators and elected officials.
Along with Conzatti speakers included Jorge L. Gardyn, chairman of the NCC Board of Trustees; Jerry Kornbluth, NCC’s vice president of community and
government relations and Jessialy Avilez, president of the NCC Student Government Association.
Nassau Community College serves 14,000 full-time, part-time and continuing education students, awards 67 associate degrees and 25 certificates on its 225-acre campus. Through on-campus and online offerings, the college educates local and international students, and boasts 168,000 alumni. Since 1959, NCC has earned a nationwide reputation for academic excellence and ease of transferability to fouryear schools.
— Jeffrey Bessen
Students celebrate with a sweet send-off for break
Centre Avenue School students and staff came together for a lively and lighthearted assembly to celebrate before heading into winter break. A classic pie-throwing spectacle brought joy and laughter to the entire school community.
Photos courtesy of East Rockaway Union Free
Centre Avenue School students and staff came together on Feb. 14 for a classic pie-throwing spectacle that raised money for those in need in the East Rockaway Schools community.
Four dedicated staff members, including Principal Ms. Calia Kelly, volunteered to take part in the fun, allowing students the opportunity to throw whipped cream pies in their faces.
The chance to be a pie thrower was determined through a raffle, with students purchasing tickets for a chance to throw a pie.
Eight students were selected to participate, much to the delight of their peers. The funds raised from the raffle were directed toward helping those in need within the East Rockaway Schools community, reinforcing the school’s commitment to kindness and generosity.
— Ainsley
Martinez
Courtesy NCC
Ed Ra, left,
Chairman Jorge L. Gardyn, NCC Chief
Martins, Steve Rhoads,
School District
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Is this a good time to build?
Q. We have been planning a large renovation of our home but have put off construction for the past two years due to family circumstances. Now, as we’re ready to move forward, we’re wondering, with everything going on right now, is this a good time to build?
A. It is a good time to build. There are obviously many factors involved in choosing when to start, including costs, permits, the right fit for a contractor relationship, the logistics of where to go while work is being done, where to store things — it’s a long list. But there are many reasons not to hesitate, assuming you have all the necessary plans, approvals and money.
The labor force has been shrinking for many years — especially skilled labor and the workers that skilled laborers need to do a job. Associated Builders and Contractors, a nationally recognized industry trade association, began reporting in January 2024 that an additional 504,000 workers would be needed just to complete current construction in the United States. This year, the association is reporting that 454,000 more workers will be needed. Where will they come from, considering that there are fewer people going into constructionrelated fields?
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The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, which (at least for now) compiles reports on local economics, stated last October that “it remains difficult to find workers with certain skills in some industries such as technology, manufacturing and construction.” As I meet on construction sites, I talk with contractors who are all voicing their frustration that they need trained and skilled workers. Since that problem is getting worse, you may use it as the biggest reason to move ahead sooner than later.
Material prices are predicted to rise as well. One contractor blamed the cost of copper for the higher price of bathroom construction. We compared the cost, seven years ago, of rough plumbing going up, then, from $3,500 to $4,500 dollars. Last week we discussed the cost for the same work, just for supply and installation of the piping, without the fixtures, at $9,500 on average. Lumber from our neighbors to the north and steel from overseas are going up. Typically, by the end of January each year, material prices increase slightly. This year those increases were noticeably greater.
Holding off on your construction job probably isn’t a good idea, based on history. When the economy is booming, prices rise because of supply and demand. When things slow down, manufacturers and trades may have to charge even more just to keep the workforce they gave raises to when things were better or even just to stay in business, to cover their expenses to meet overhead costs. This answer isn’t intended to cause panic, but the statistics are right in front of you, on your smartphone, to follow trends and realize that nobody is going to work for less, and it may be hard to find materials or labor at the prices you hoped for. Good luck!
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opinions Government must be efficient, coherent and transparent
Throughout my career in public service, I’ve steadfastly championed government efficiency, easing the burden on taxpayers, and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. It’s critical that we continue to examine all levels of government for potential savings, and hold our agencies to the highest standards.
As Hempstead town supervisor, I rooted out waste and corruption, enabling the town to cut taxes, but I did this with transparency and in a deliberative fashion. This is what the American people expect and deserve.
While I support efforts to rein in government spending and waste, I’m deeply concerned by the impact of some of the recent funding freezes and firings that will hurt Long Islanders and throw vital services into chaos.
Just days ago, nearly 20 percent of the World Trade Center Health Program’s staff was abruptly terminated due to staffing cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services. Eliminat-
Like any resident of Oyster Bay, I’ve always had a fascination with our hometown president, Theodore Roosevelt. He seemed like such a larger-than-life character, a writer who was a soldier, a hunter who was a politician, and a statesman who truly cared for, and understood the needs of, the common man.
ing staff members who are working to ensure that 9/11 first responders and survivors receive the care they deserve is outrageous. This is a family matter on Long Island: Every one of us likely knows someone who was impacted by the Sept. 11 attacks. Nearly 7,000 of my constituents in the 4th Congressional District are eligible for the health program, including those who helped our nation when we needed it most.
EThe idea that our government would ever abandon these heroes is unthinkable. I’m glad that President Trump’s administration listened to the New York delegation’s bipartisan outrage and is now rehiring affected staff and working to undo these errors. This is a priority for Long Islanders and all New Yorkers.
leagues to urge the National Institutes of Health to reverse their planned cuts to research institutions across New York state, including Hofstra and Adelphi universities.
fforts to rein in spending in Washington are producing too much chaos.
I’m also closely tracking the developments around federal grant funding freezes. Already we have heard that proposed cuts will have drastic impacts on the universities and nonprofits that are carrying out groundbreaking research and providing critical services on Long Island. I recently joined a bipartisan group of my New York delegation col-
These cuts threaten our progress on lifesaving medical research, and make it harder for Long Islanders suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses to participate in clinical trials that could save lives. I’m glad the administration reversed course on the indiscriminate federal funding freeze proposed earlier this year, which I warned could directly impact our law enforcement agencies’ ability to carry out their jobs and threaten public safety in our communities. I remain concerned, however, about cuts to grant programs, including those for services for survivors of domestic violence and for veterans, and for other nonprofits on Long Island doing important work.
Long Islanders have also raised concerns about the potential cuts to Medicaid, which would have a devastating effect on Nassau County. Last week I heard from many health care organizations and hospitals in my district, and
joined health care advocates for a roundtable discussion of the drastic impacts that Medicaid cuts would have here. More than 100,000 of my constituents, including children and nursing home residents currently covered by Medicaid, could lose access to health care, and costs would rise for tens of thousands more Long Islanders.
We need to protect and strengthen access to health care, not rip it away from seniors, children and veterans on Long Island who rely on Medicaid. This is a bipartisan priority for residents threatened by these cuts. I’ll continue the fight to ensure continued access to health care, and I’m calling on my Republican colleagues to join me in that cause.
The administration has publicly stated that if mistakes are made during its cuts, they’ll be corrected. The White House and its allies in Congress should stand by that promise. They should seek to avoid frenzied mistakes going forward. I agree that we must tighten the belt of government and ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are being utilized efficiently and effectively, but our nation deserves transparency and organized, lawful action instead of the current chaos.
Laura Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
Destroying Roosevelt’s legacy
executive branch to keep moneyed interests out of politics, despite pushback from members of his own cabinet and party.
Which is why it is so disappointing that the new presidential administration seems so invested in tearing down everything that Roosevelt achieved. And no, that’s not hyperbole. President Trump has said numerous times that America was richest during the Gilded Age, from about 1870 to the 1890s, and that he hopes to bring us back to that level of prosperity. Except that prosperity was a lie, built on the backs of working-class employees who slaved away for limited wages and had no protections, while that generation’s top 1 percent got richer and richer. Roosevelt saw the damage this corrupt system was doing to the country, and earned the nickname “Trustbuster” for his fearlessness in breaking up the early monopolies. He used the power of the
Contrast that with Trump, who, rather than regulating big businesses, has invited them into his cabinet, and even more terrifying, into the country’s inner record system. Elon Musk, the J.P. Morgan of the 21st century, has been given the keys to the castle and is currently ransacking our public records, from Social Security to Medicaid and more.
Furthermore, Trump has signed one executive order after another weakening regulatory agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission — which was created in response to the Roosevelt administration’s lawsuit against Morgan’s monopoly. Rather than working to make big business more civicminded and protect regular Americans from its excesses, Trump is enabling the worst aspects of capitalism in this country, enriching the few at the expense of the many.
once other methods of diplomacy had been exhausted. TR’s embrace of “soft” power, and its importance in foreign relations, was a hallmark of U.S. foreign policy for much of the last century.
p resident Trump seems hell-bent on tearing down everything T.R. achieved.
Trump, on the other hand, appears to be more easily herded than any previous president, let alone Roosevelt. His administration’s shameful aboutface on Ukraine shows his inability to see the benefit of supporting a free, democratic nation unjustly invaded by Russia’s oligarchic president, Vladimir Putin. That, and Trump’s apparent sycophancy toward Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un and other autocrats, contrasts sadly with Roosevelt’s ability to play the autocrats of his age against one another without forsaking American honor and dignity.
similar organizations is a fundamental aspect of our soft power, which offers another, often more elegant, solution to global threats than simply sending in our military.
Roosevelt was also famous as a diplomat, with his best known-quote describing his approach to foreign policy, to “speak softly and carry a big stick.” That meant maintaining a strong military presence, but only using it as a threat
Trump’s attempted destruction of USAID and similar agencies shows a further lack of understanding of soft power, and the limitations businessmen can have when switching to public service. Not everything needs to be profitable to be useful, despite what Trump and Musk may say. USAID not only saves lives, but also reaffirms the fundamental belief among Americans, our allies and even our enemies that we are a country of fundamentally good people. The goodwill we earn internationally from this and
But what would really break Roosevelt’s heart is Trump’s apparent disregard for our nation’s natural beauty and the extraordinary people who steward it. Roosevelt was known as a conservationist, and protected roughly 230 million acres of public land during his presidency, including 150 national forests and more than 40 federal bird sanctuaries. Trump, meanwhile, has gutted our National Park Service and the United States Forest Service — founded by Roosevelt — and has repeated made clear his desire to open public land to oil drilling while deregulating environmental restrictions that big businesses face. His refusal to acknowledge the role humans play in climate change and his unwillingness to hold oil, coal and similar industries accountable would, I have no doubt, make the Bull Moose apoplectic.
I’ve spent countless hours poring over biographies, watching documentaries and listening to podcasts about Roosevelt. While I obviously never met him, and have never met Trump, I can say with certainty that Trump is no Teddy Roosevelt.
Will Sheeline is an editor covering Glen Head, Locust Valley, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff. Comments? WSheeline@liherald.com.
WiLL
sHEELinE
LAURA A. GiLLEn
Established 1994
Incorporating East Rockaway Observer Lynbrook News, Lynbrook USA
Ainsley MArtinez
Vice
2
Fax: (516) 569-4942
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There should never be a legal excuse for rape
imagine going to a party with friends, or attending your high school reunion or a wedding. You see a lot of familiar faces, and some new ones. Everyone is having a good time sharing memories, and you drink into the night.
HERALD
By the end, you realize you’ve had too much to drink. Walking doesn’t come as easy, and your words are a bit slurred. No worries. It’s nothing that others haven’t done before. You take precautions, don’t drive. Surely you’ll get home safe.
Except you don’t.
Instead, you are sexually assaulted or raped. The evening before is a blur and you can’t quite put the pieces together, but you know something went horribly wrong. You go to the police to file a report, but suddenly you’re the one being interrogated. Officers start asking you if you had any alcohol or drugs last night, and they may even give you a Breathalyzer test. But that shouldn’t matter, right? Someone committed a crime — full stop.
In New York state, however, there is no law in place that protects survivors of sexual assault if they were voluntarily intoxicated during the crime.
It seems absurd that this is not already law in a state as progressive as New York, especially when compared with conservative states like Alabama and South Carolina, which have laws in place protecting sexual assault survivors who are voluntarily intoxicated.
The bill before the New York State Assembly (A.101), sponsored by dozens
letters
Whither civil discourse?
To the Editor:
of elected officials, aims to amend the law “to allow sex crimes charges to be brought in cases where the victim had become voluntarily intoxicated if a reasonable person in the defendant’s position should have known that the victim was incapable of giving consent due to intoxication.” It has languished in the Assembly since a similar bill was introduced in the State Senate by then Sen. Alessandra Biaggi in 2020, and passed two years later.
“Voluntarily” is the crucial word.
Those who oppose the law are afraid the language will allow for false accusations involving voluntary intoxication among consenting adults, specifically if someone regrets the decisions they made the night before and claims they were not in their normal mental state to give consent.
But advocates argue that those extreme and uncommon situations diminish the seriousness of sexual assault and rape, no matter the situation, and have presented cases to support their cause. We agree with those advocates. There is never an excuse for rape or sexual assault — nor for victim blaming or victim shaming.
In 2017, choreographer Bijan Williams, who worked with high-profile entertainers Beyonce and Jay-Z, was arrested on charges of rape and false imprisonment when a 17-year-old girl called 911 and accused him of raping her in a Manhattan hotel room. Williams was 34 old at the time, and both were under the influence of alcohol. Williams pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of sup-
Re last week’s editorial, “In civil discourse, everyone deserves respect”: Those of us who agree must realize that this is a contested proposition, currently facing open challenge by those who declare it an invalid premise. To many, “respect” is a virtue only when it is a synonym for obedience, when “persuasion” may include violence, and “disagreement” is a tool useful for exposing enemies, not for discussion but for vicious doxxing.
Various history months face official obliteration, propaganda terms like Gulf of America, “gender ideology” and “patriotic history” are being devised, their use enforced by lawsuit.
Coerced conformity to stereotype attempts to erase individual expression. Our president claims kingship, uses the royal “we,” disparages diversity. Few such bigots are convertible, so our resolve must be keep them from power through our majority of votes.
James Russell Lowell, in 1873, described our situation: “I have always been of the mind that in a
plying a minor with alcohol, and the rest of the case was dropped.
In 2021, The Washington Post published, “A Minnesota man can’t be charged with felony rape because the woman chose to drink beforehand, court rules.” The headline stemmed from a 2017 case in which a woman consumed several shots of alcohol and a prescription pill before accompanying an unknown man who invited her to a party. She was raped, but because she was intoxicated voluntarily, and the state law only protected those who were mentally incapacitated due to intoxication administered by someone without a person’s consent, the man was not charged.
Victim blaming is all too common for survivors of sexual assault and rape, and while the scars may be invisible, they run deep.
Survivors of sexual assault are 10 times more likely to attempt suicide, according to 2020 research by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Others are plagued by a lifetime of psychological and emotional issues that interfere with their ability to handle everyday activities like holding a steady job.
While criminals walk away with a relative slap on the wrist, survivors continue to suffer from the crimes perpetrated against them, and in many cases they are relegated to carrying the shame heaped on them by society.
Our elected leaders in Albany must pass A.101 now, and close the voluntary intoxication loophole.
opinions University leaders should not remain neutral
after the congressional hearings that challenged university presidents on campus activism amid allegations of antisemitism, many institutions adopted policies of “institutional neutrality.” Boards of trustees resolved that they would not comment on political issues such as international conflicts, investments in certain countries, and policies proposed by elected officials. Many of the resolutions cited principles enunciated by the University of Chicago. according to the Chicago principles, university leaders should not engage in speech that would appear to infringe on others’ speech. The university should be a protected, neutral place for the expression of all ideas, a safe space for “strong disagreement, independent judgment, and the questioning of stubborn assumptions.”
(“Report on the University’s Role in Political and Social action,” University of Chicago, 1967.)
There are good reasons for this. When a board or president issues a statement, it can stifle contrary views; it can suppress debate. This would violate the university’s responsibility to foster
critical thinking. Making statements about some issues, but not others, could indicate that some deserve comment but others do not.
But the Kalven Report, which affirmed the University of Chicago’s mission of free inquiry and independence, did not prohibit leaders from commenting on public policies that would affect institutional autonomy and the freedom of scholars to pursue truth no matter where that pursuit may lead. So, “no” to taking partisan positions, but “yes” to evaluating proposals such as those in the much-discussed Project 2025, prepared by the Heritage Foundation, that infringe on the purposes of education.
tand it is the home for critical thinking and critics who ask “why?” and “why not?” in these ways, a university is as much about the advancement of ethical character and engaged citizenship as it is about preparation for careers and commerce.
he muchdiscussed Project 25 infringes on the purposes of education.
i agree with these principles. neutrality does not mean silence. a campus president should not remain silent in the face of proposals that would undermine free speech. a university president has an obligation to question proposals that would undercut quality controls. it is the responsibility of a president and the board to protect the university as the home of critics even as it is not itself a voice of criticism.
a university has three fundamental roles. it is the creator of new knowledge as well as of new professionals. it is the curator of knowledge in all its forms.
Letters
democracy, manners are the only effective weapon against the Bowie knife.” Resolute in manners, wary, registered to vote.
BRian Kelly Rockville Centre
Which of these presidents
doesn’t belong?
To the editor:
Re Peter King’s column last week, “Recalling the presidents i’ve met”: Former Congressman King continues his attempt to gaslight Herald readers by including the current occupier of the White House on his list of former U.S. presidents he’s collaborated with over the last several decades. a s if Donald Trump’s attack on U.S. democracy and scorched-earth approach is comparable to the political ideology of any former president, Republican or Democrat. King attempts to gloss over Trump’s abhorrent behavior by reminiscing about an invitation King’s grandchildren received to visit the White House. Why is King trying to normalize the first 30 days of this chaotic presidency by recalling mundane details about
Trump — and including him on a list of former presidents who, by contrast, had a very clear and unwavering love for this republic? Why omit mention of Trump’s flurry of nonsensical executive orders, blanket pardons of the criminals who attacked our Capitol, mass firings of federal employees, attempted eviscerations of the Cia and the FBi, elimination of the Department of education, and countless threats of retribution against perceived enemies?
Because normalization of outrageous tactics is a tool of MaGa’s propaganda machine — much like the Third Reich systematically rationalized its attacks on the free press and takeover of the military as necessary evils in order to take control of an ailing and dysfunctional government. MaGa’s use of this tactic is deceptive and dangerous, and King seems to be a willing cog in the wheel.
a t the very least, in the interest of standing up for his former constituents, King should question Trump’s blatant surrender of our government systems — which include our personal and private information — to e lon Musk, under the guise of DOGe, and acknowledge that it is (at the very least) an overstep by an administration that is suddenly in the hands of an unsanctioned group of non-elected private citizens.
across the country, governors and state legislators promote policies that proscribe what subjects can be taught and what books can be read. Project 2025 is a “blueprint” for multiple changes in federal policy related to knowledge and expertise. it alleges, without evidence, a radical leftwing bias in university teaching. at the same time, it would require a selective teaching of american history by omitting mention of race and slavery. it also would substitute religious belief for scientific evidence, including weather forecasting and study of the environment. it would substitute political tests for professional expertise, stifling critical thinking and free speech.
The Project calls for the abolition of the U.S. Department of education, and reclassifying federal scientists as political appointees. it would turn over consumer protections from predatory proprietary schools to the states and retract the “borrower-defense” provisions of the federal loan system put in place to protect students from for-profit schools
Framework
and lenders.
Project 2025 also calls for eliminating Head Start; overhauling the educational accreditation system, reducing its political neutrality; and rolling back Title iX protections for sexual assault survivors and lGBTQ students. it calls for prosecuting all government agencies, colleges, corporations and other private employers that maintain diversity policies.
Public education was established to ensure an informed citizenry, essential to a functioning democracy. Project 2025 would deny freedoms in favor of authoritarian dictates. instead of supporting public education, it would allow for the banning of books and restrictions on independent inquiry.
Project 2025 should be studied and debated. We should affirm the purpose and benefits of education to society and the individual. Project 2025 limits rights, opposes inconvenient history and science, and would impose biased views. We can be passionate in the defense of academic values without becoming politically partisan. Only by advocating for freedom of inquiry and free speech will we preserve them, and our democracy. On this, university leaders should not be neutral.
Dr. Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author of “Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate,” Rowman & Littlefield, 2024.
by Tim Baker
not even Trump’s supporters voted for elon Musk. Congressman, it’s never too late to say, “ i misjudged him.” i t’s never too late to say, “ i was wrong.” a nd it’s
never too late to hold someone accountable.
The indie and R&B cover band Salvee performing at Sparkle on Stage — Freeport
roBert a . sCott
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