Massapequa Herald 03_04_2025

HERALD Massapequa

Northwell nurses hold rally demanding fair contract and adequate staffing

By CAROLYN JAMES

cjames@liherald.com

Members of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) at Northwell Health/ South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore gathered outside the hospital last week to demand that Northwell negotiate a fair contract. The nurses and their union leaders have been pushing for months for improved staffing, higher wages, and better benefits to help recruit and retain nurses and ensure quality care.

“It is crucial that nurses have adequate staffing to protect both patients and the community,” said Joanne DeAntonio, president of the local union.

Nurses have raised concerns about the challenges of understaffing, especially during breaks when managers cannot meet minimum staffing standards. A July/August 2024 poll found that nurses reported lacking break coverage on more than 61 percent of shifts.

Union members voted 99 percent in favor of authorizing a strike unless a fair contract

is reached. Marie Boyle, a nurse for five decades and a member of the union’s board, said striking is a last resort. However, the vote gives elected nurse leaders the authority to submit a 10-day strike notice to management, though negotiations will continue. Over 900 nurses could strike if no tentative agreement is reached.

“Of course,” Boyle said, “the goal is to settle.”

Entry-level nurses earn $99,000 annually. Northwell has offered a 2 percent raise, which Boyle said does not keep pace with inflation.

However, Boyle emphasized that the issue goes beyond money.

“The real goal is to secure a contract that encourages young nurses to stay in the profession,” she said. “We’re losing bright, young nurses because the job is too difficult, and maintaining adequate staffing is a challenge.”

Some nurses are concerned that staffing

could affect their ability to provide

their licenses.

Oyster Bay board OKs Polar Plunge at TOBAY Beach

By MIKE POLANSKY correspondent

The annual Oyster Bay “Polar Plunge” will take place at TOBAY Beach on Saturday, March 29.

The event, which benefits the Special Olympics, was approved at the recent town board meeting, led by Supervisor Joseph Saladino, who has participated every year since taking office in 2017. He is expected to take part again this year.

Donations and sponsorships are encouraged at all levels. Participants who raise $150 will receive the official 2025 Polar Plunge hoodie. Those who raise $500 by March 7 will be able to sponsor a local Special Olympics New York athlete, with their name featured on the back of the official Plunge hoodies.

Fundraisers who collect $1,000 for the event will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt to acknowledge their support. Additionally, those who raise $2,500 will receive an exclusive Polar Plunge Snuggie in recognition of their fundraising achievements.

All proceeds from the event benefit Special Olympics New York, supporting year-round sports training and competi -

tion for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The funds provide these athletes with opportunities at no cost to them or their families, while also raising awareness of intellectual disabilities in New York.

Registration for the Polar Plunge will begin at 9 a.m. on March 29, with the plunge scheduled to start at 11 a.m.

The Oyster Bay Polar Plunge is part of a series of 10 events across the state, led by the Rochester Polar Plunge on February 2. The Oyster Bay event, initiated in 2014, has been held annually at TOBAY Beach, except for March 2020, when it was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In other business at the February 25 meeting, the town board:

•Authorized a “Hometown Heroes Program” to honor all Town of Oyster Bay veterans and active-duty personnel who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces or the National Guard.

•Approved two Town of Oyster Bay car shows at TOBAY Beach, scheduled for April 27 (rain date May 3) and September 28 (rain date October 5).

•Authorized the “Shootout

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Carolyn James/Herald

Ryan Stanton of the LI Federation of Labor, left, and S.C. Leg. Sam Gonzalez, right, stand in support of nurses at rally. At left union officials Joanne DeAntonio, NYSNA President Nancy Hagans and Jenna Kuhn-Plaza address their members.

Northwell nurses vote to approve a strike for a fair contract

nurses and retain experienced staff. As a Level 1 trauma center, the hospital’s level of care is vital to a broader community. We’ll continue to speak up until we get the fair contract that nurses and this community deserve.”

Northwell/South Shore became a Level 1 trauma center in August 2024. It treats patients with high acuity from hospitals across the region, including Mather Hospital and Peconic Bay Medical Center.

“We know Northwell can afford to invest in their nurses,” said Jenna KuhnPlaza. “If they can spend hundreds of millions on building expansions, they can certainly afford to invest in a fair contract that supports quality patient care. Northwell is one of the largest employers on Long Island, yet instead of supporting nurses and safe patient care, they’ve ignored and bullied the voices of the nurses who care for the community.”

At the rally, state Assemblyman Sam Gonzalez, D-9th District, voiced his support. “I am a union man,” he said to the enthusiastic crowd. “I’m here to support those who deserve a contract and serve our communities.”

Ryan Stanton, executive director of the Long Island Federation of Labor, told the nurses their work is essential. “You don’t do this to become millionaires,” he said. “I see how you often have to leave your families to help others.”

In response to the union members’ statements, Northwell provided the following response:

“South Shore University Hospital has met with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) for 11 sessions since starting negotiations on November 22, 2024. We continue to bargain in good faith for a successor contract to the one that will expire on February 28. South Shore University Hospital is aware of the strike authorization vote. We respect our team members’ decision to participate in this vote. We are also proud of the longstanding excellent care our dedicated nurses provide and that our patients and community have come to trust.”

The statement added, “We remain optimistic that an agreement can be reached and look forward to respectful and productive negotiations, including at our session on February 26. Our goal always is to reach an agreement that continues to provide our valued nurses with competitive compensation, benefits and a safe, supportive working environment. “

Nurses from Northwell/Huntington Hospital also expressed solidarity with their South Shore counterparts. NYSNA nurses at Northwell/Huntington Hospital and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital are currently in active contract negotiations on Long Island. Stanton said over 2,500 NYSNA nurses at the three hospitals are united for quality care for all Long Island patients.

After 40 years of serving as your trusted financial advisor, I am excited to share an important update about my practice. I have joined Lebenthal Financial Services, Inc., an independent broker-dealer based in Jericho, NY, to better serve my clients with expanded resources and greater flexibility.

My commitment remains the same, guided by these core principles:

Understanding your unique financial goals

Researching and recommending the best solutions

Providing ongoing guidance to help you achieve financial success

By joining Lebenthal, I now have:

Access to a wider range of financial products and services

Financial planning services at no additional cost

Greater flexibility to select the most suitable solutions for you

A broader array of investment options to diversify and strengthen your portfolio

I look forward to this next chapter and continuing to help you achieve your financial goals. Contact Me: 516-606-5752 | Email Me: GSlavin@lebenthal.com Learn More: lebenthalfinancial.com | lebenthal.com

Facts In Focus

1. Nurses Demand Fair Contract: Members of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) at Northwell Health/South Shore University Hospital are pushing for better staffing, improved wages, and benefits to recruit and retain nurses. They argue these changes are necessary to ensure quality care and protect patient safety.

2. Strike Authorization: Over 99% of union members voted to authorize a strike unless a fair contract is reached. The vote grants nurse leaders the authority to submit a 10-day strike notice to management, though negotiations will continue. Over 900 nurses could strike if no agreement is reached.

3. Concerns Over Staffing and Break Coverage: Nurses report issues with understaffing, particularly during breaks when coverage is often lacking. A poll conducted in July/August 2024 revealed that over 61% of shifts lacked break coverage, leading to concerns about patient safety and nurse burnout.

4. Challenges Beyond Wages: While Northwell has offered a 2% raise, which nurses argue doesn’t keep up with inflation, union leaders stress that the main issue is ensuring sustainable staffing levels and creating a work environment that encourages young nurses to stay in the profession.

5. Support and Solidarity: The nurses received support from local political figures, including Assemblyman Sam Gonzalez, and fellow nurses from Northwell/Huntington Hospital, who are also in active contract negotiations. Over 2,500 NYSNA nurses across three Long Island hospitals are united in their fight for quality patient care.

GARY SLAVIN

Carolyn James/Herald

Above: Nurses applaud comments supporting their call for a fair contract.

Below: Supporters hold sign at the rally

Memoir recalls Babylon’s glory days in basketball Panthers’ 1974-75 season was pure magic, author says

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

When memories from childhood linger for decades, they often find a way to spill onto the page, yearning to be shared and appreciated. For Tom McKeown, those memories of a historic year at Babylon High School flowed effortlessly into his new book, “This is Panther Country: A Memoir of Youth, Underdog Spirit, and Basketball Glory.”

The memoir recounts the 197475 Babylon Panthers’ journey to the first-ever Long Island Basketball Championship under the leadership of visionary coach Roy Koelbel and star player Glenn Vickers. The Panthers faced both on- and off-court challenges, but each obstacle they overcame brought them one step closer to the elusive title. A highlight of their remarkable season was a fierce trilogy of games against the formidable Amityville team, who had their own championship dreams.

McKewon, who was 13 that year and an 8th grader in the district, remembers the sense of pride he felt as he and others were able to “hang out” with the older athletes. He also vividly recalls the struggles, and triumphs during that remarkable season, along with a snapshot of the time and community pride that surrounded the Panthers’ victory. It recounts how the small town high school rose above adversity to defeat some of the best teams of the year, including Amityville.

The Panthers, playing in League

5, competed in 23 games from November 1974 to March 1975, three of which were against Amityville. The last game in that trilogy was during the playoffs and went to triple overtime. McKeown titles that chapter, “ The Thrilla with the Villa.”

But McKeown’s memoir goes beyond the basketball court. It provides a glimpse into the culture and lives of the young athletes, making it more than just a sports story. It’s about perseverance, teamwork, and how those values united the entire town.

To ensure accuracy, McKeown reached out to several of the players, coaches and his family members who lived through the season. “Nobody remembers everything exactly,” he said.

Filled with memories and tributes to the people who shaped the Panthers’ journey, McKeown’s memoir will resonate with anyone who values underdog victories. The upcoming event provides an opportunity to revisit those memories and join a lively discussion about the people and times that made the 1974-75 season so special.

McKeown is a successful technology entrepreneur who founded and sold the software company TrenData. He is married and has two children. He enjoys reminiscing about his time growing up in Babylon and now spends his time working with other entrepreneurs and playing golf.

The Babylon Historical Society is located at 117 W. Main St. For more information, call 631-669-1756.

1974-75 Babylon Panthers Championship Varsity Roster

Coach: Roy Koelbel - Ass’t Coach: Don Bartsch

#42 Junior Glenn Vickers Forward

#1 Senior Gervais Barger Guard

#34 Senior Stanley Davis Guard

#22 Senior Charles (Chuck) Farley Guard

#32 Junior Barry Davis Center

#40 Sophomore Steven Farley Forward

#30 Freshman Brian Vickers Forward

#52 Freshman Chris Brust Center

#14 Senior Mike Fischer Guard

#12 Sophomore James Feeney Guard

N/A Sophomore Greg Berger Guard

Divine Beauty, a women’s spiritual retreat, scheduled in Amityville Saturday, March 15

Science of Spirituality will be hosting a Women’s Retreat on Saturday, March 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Learn how to face life’s challenges by finding your center of inner strength, peace and love through meditation. The program will include a complimentary vegetarian lunch. Come for discussion, sisterhood, meditation and friendship.

Featured workshops include Meditation, Beautify Your Life with Emo-

tional Wellness with Ekta Kohli Portillo, LCSW; Yoga for Health and Inner Harmony with Ferlaisa Gomez, ALM, RYT; and Vegan Bites for One or More with Rosanna Jimenez, CHHC. To register, email infotristate@sos. org For more information, call (631) 8227979.

Science of Spirituality Meditation Center is located at 79 County Line Road, Amityville.

Author Tom McKeown

Coach Roy Koelbel

Star player Glenn Vickers

Oyster Bay Town recognizes P’edge Superinendent Dr. Edward Salina

Plainedge Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Edward A. Salina Jr. was recently named New York State Superintendent of the Year by the New York State Association for Computers and Technology in Education. This honor recognizes a Superintendent who has not only embraced technology but has used it to improve education and student learning experience.

The Oyster Bay Town Board recently recognized Dr. Salina saying his innovative approach to integrating technology in the classroom sets a high standard for educators across the state. He received a citation of recognition from the Town Board.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and North Hempstead Supervisor Jen DeSena at the 2023 Polar Plunge

Oyster Bay Town Board approves 2025 Polar Plunge

credit/Town of

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Lou Imbroto invite residents to be “Freezin’ for a Reason” on Saturday, March 29 at TOBAY Beach.

CONTINUED FROM COVER

for Soldiers” lacrosse event at John J. Burns Park in Massapequa on July 10.

•Approved the Special Olympics Spring Games at Plainedge High School on May 3 (rain date May 4).

•Authorized the town’s Summer

Pool Safety Class at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa on July 8.

The next town board meeting is Tues., March 11, 10 a.m., Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay..

■ WEB SITE: www.massapequapost.com / www.liherald.com/Babylon

■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: cjames@liherald.com

■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 329 E-mail: cjames@liherald.com

■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@massapequapost.com ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com

■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com

E-mail: legalnotices@massapequapost.com

Photo

Oyster Bay

Mike Polansky/Herald

Photo Courtesy/Town of Oyster Bay

Dr. Edward Salina is shown front row, fourth from left, receiving a proclamation from the Town from Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino as board members look on.

Oyster Bay’s special One-Stop Passport weekend

Looking to get away? Make an appointment today at Town Hall North in Oyster Bay or at Town Hall South in Massapequa to apply for your passport. Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca recently announced that his office will be offering a special onestop Passport Weekend on Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both locations.

“Residents looking to apply for a new passport are invited to visit Town Hall during Passport Weekend to receive assistance,” said LaMarca. “We can help you with organizing your documents, obtaining a photo and submitting the documents for approval.”

Requirements for applying for a passport include: One 2x2 color photograph with a clear view of the applicant’s face against a plain white or light colored background and photos will be available for $10 at both Town Halls North and South during Passport Weekend; Proof of U.S. Citizenship that includes previously issued undamaged U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth, Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship; and Proof of Identity with a Naturalization Certificate, Valid Driver’s License (cannot have been issued or renewed in the last

six months), Current Government ID (city, state or federal) or Current Military ID (military and dependents).

This service does not apply to Adult Renewals unless your Passport is expired for 5+ years.

Town Hall North is located at 54 Au-

Durso running pet food drive for LI Cares

NYS Assemblyman Michael Durso, in coordination with Long Island Cares, is inviting the community to participate in his annual Pet Food Drive to help families keep their pets out of shelters and remain at home where they belong.

Durso is asking residents, community organizations and pet lovers to donate unopened bags of dog and cat food, canned pet food and pet supplies. All items collected will be donated to Baxter’s Pet Pantry, operated by Long Island Cares, which provides free pet food and pet supplies to pet-owning families in need throughout Long Island.

Donations can be dropped off through April 4 at Durso’s district office at 512 Park Blvd. in Massapequa Park or at various other locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties including:

drey Avenue in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South is located at 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa. Passport appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and during this special Passport Weekend. For appointments in Oyster Bay, please call (516) 624-6324. For appointments in Massapequa, please call (516) 797-7962.

Petco 5500 Sunrise Hwy, Massapequa; Babylon Public Library 24 S Carll Ave, Babylon; North Babylon Public Library 815 Deer Park Ave, North Babylon; West Babylon Public Library 211 109, West Babylon or West Islip Public Library 3 Higbie Lane, West Islip.

In addition, students at the following schools can bring in donations: Massapequa High School, Massapequa; Bayview Elementary School, West Islip; Manetuck Elementary School, West Islip; Oquenock Elementary School, West Islip; Beach Street Middle School, West Islip Udall Road Middle School, West Islip; West Islip High School, West Islip and Paul J Bellow Elementary School, West Islip

For more information, call Durso’s district office at 516-541-4598.

For information on passport requirements and processing times, as well as instructions for passport renewals, please visit travel.state.gov.

Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame scholarship applications now open

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame scholarship applications are now open. The scholarships are for $1,000 and for Long Island graduating high school seniors pursuing a career in music and/or the performing arts, Applications are due Friday, May 16.

To download an application, visit limusichalloffame.org/scholarshipsgrants/.

For more information, call (631) 689-5888.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Parrish-Brown removes stigma around trauma

By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com

Continuing a month-long series of interviews with influential area women in honor of Women’s History Month.

Shanell Parrish-Brown is an attorney, author, professor, consultant, speaker and thought leader.

Herald: Tell me about yourself.

Shanell Parrish-Brown: I’m a child of domestic violence. My father was incarcerated for the early years of my life and came home with many issues that affected our family structure. But he gave me a gift. He would force me to read high-level texts, and it created my love of vocabulary.

I’ve always been a writer. So in 2017, I wrote a novel called “Gifts in Brown Paper Packages.” I didn’t set out initially to write a novel I would publish. In fact, what I set out to do, at the encouragement of my therapist, was process some childhood experiences that this therapist thought I should be talking about in our sessions. Those are things that certainly shaped me, but I didn’t want to be defined in that way. So my writing changed that.

Herald: What do you do? Why?

Parrish-Brown: I run a business where I publish literary work, and I provide programming and education consulting for all audiences. I’m a resilience builder. I teach a course at Fordham University about trauma and family violence, which features my novel as one of the reference materials.

My premise is that if we’re not interacting with our youth from a traumainformed place, we can recognize that kids who are acting out are likely responding to trauma. If we’re not interacting with children from that perspective, they get lost. Mental health challenges in children, like suicidal ideation, have only been exacerbated. We really should be addressing these issues on every single level.

get the press that it needs. I’m also running a business as an independent consultant, and working with government systems is difficult. But I keep going, and I stay in the work. I continue to put myself in spaces where I can meet people and share my work. I do calls with anyone who’s interested in hearing about the work I’m doing, even if they can’t hire me. It puts me in a place where I have opportunities to spread awareness.

Herald: What have been the proudest moments in your life?

Parrish-Brown: Some of my proudest moments come out of my classroom. It’s every single time I leave a class, and a student comes up to me asking if they can hug me.

nated with them. We have more similarities as a human race, and trauma doesn’t have a Zip code.

Herald: What advice would you offer? What work is left to be done?

Parrish-Brown: We need more trauma awareness. It’s a prerequisite to action. What we don’t know, or don’t seek to know, gives people the ability to keep their heads in the sand.

One of my goals is to open a resilience institute. It’s really about validating the need for us as a society to be promenading and dialoging around resilience, and that’s what I want to capture.

Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what keeps you going/inspires you?

Parrish-Brown: The biggest challenge in my work is access. We have to normalize awareness of trauma, because it’s an area that doesn’t really

One of my proudest moments came from a two-hour resilience workshop I did in South Bronx. It was a Spanishspeaking audience, and I don’t speak Spanish, so I had an interpreter. These parents had tears in their eyes after leaving the session. They were fully engaged and telling me what I said reso-

Why are we not teaching about trauma? Many of my students say I’m the first person to inform them about it. Talking about it helps people realize their own experience with trauma. I’ll have students pouring out themselves in their papers, and I can sit down and ask them if they’re seeing someone about it. That’s why I want a platform and the ability to raise awareness around this work.

To learn more about Shanell ParrishBrown’s work, visit her website, SPBrownWrites.com.

Lauren Wagner leads Long Island Arts Alliance

By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

Herald: Tell me about yourself.

Wagner: I’m Lauren Wagner, an arts advocate, nonprofit leader and champion for the creative sector. I lead Long Island Arts Alliance, where I work to ensure the arts are recognized, supported and celebrated as essential to our communities. With a background in arts administration and museum studies, I’m passionate about connecting the arts with education, economic growth and community development.

Herald: What do you do? Why?

keeps you going/inspires you?

Wagner: One of the biggest challenges has been fighting the perception that the arts are expendable. Time and again, I’ve seen arts funding slashed, despite the undeniable impact of the creative sector. What keeps me going is knowing that when we equip organizations with the right tools — data, advocacy and visibility — they can thrive. Seeing the arts make a real difference in communities, in schools and in people’s lives fuels my passion.

Wagner: I lead Long Island Arts Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the arts through advocacy, education and resources. I do this work because I believe the arts are not just about creativity — they’re about economic prosperity, community identity and shaping the future. The arts are often overlooked when funding decisions are made, and I’m committed to changing that narrative.

Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what

Herald: What have been the proudest moments in your life?

Wagner: Professionally, one of my proudest moments was leading Long Island’s first-ever economic impact study on the arts. Providing hard data that proves the arts are a powerful economic engine — and watching organizations use that data to secure funding — has been incredibly rewarding. Personally, my proudest moments are raising my two young sons and instilling in them a love for creativity and learning.

Herald: What advice would you offer? What work is left to be done?

are

Wagner: My advice? Advocate relentlessly. The arts need champions who won’t accept being sidelined. And never separate numbers from stories — data alone doesn’t inspire, and stories without facts don’t drive action.

There’s still so much work ahead. We need stronger arts education policies,

more equitable funding, and continued efforts to make the arts a priority in economic development. But I believe that with the right strategy, the right voices and the right advocacy, we can get there.

For more information, visit LongIslandArtsAlliance.org.

SHANELL PARRISH-BROwN

LAUREN w AGNER

Courtesy Long Island Arts Alliance

Lauren Wagner, executive director of the Long Island Arts Alliance, said she believes the arts

worth fighting for. She spoke to the Huntington Arts Coalition in 2023.

LONG LIVE

Ernest B. Olson of Massapequa, well-known football and lacrosse coach and LI Hall of Famer, at 70

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com

Ernest B. Olson, a well-known lacrosse and football coach at the high school and collegiate levels, died Dec. 31, 2024, at the age of 70.

Born Sept. 1, 1954, to Noelita Galloway and Ernest Olson, he grew up in Massapequa with four siblings. He attended Massapequa High School, where he competed in both football and lacrosse. He continued to play both sports at Nassau Community College, where he was a quarterback in football. In lacrosse, he was the crease attackman and part of back-to-back national championship teams. He later transferred to SUNY Cortland, where he captained the lacrosse team and set the lead scoring record. Olson played a key role in the Red Dragons’ 1975 NCAA Division II National Championship run. He earned a degree in Recreation from Cortland in 1976.

“Coaching was his whole life really,” said his brother Tim. “He was known for the big bags of candy he’d always bring for players on game-day bus trips.”

Olson returned to Nassau Community College in 1978 as an assistant lacrosse coach under Rich Speckmann, helping the team win national championships in 1978 and 1980. He later spent two years as an assistant at Garden City High School before joining C.W. Post’s coaching staff in 1984. Olson then coached at Hofstra University, where he became renowned as a goalie coach, mentoring 10 All-

America goalies.

“Every player loved him,” Tim Olson said.

Olson’s success caught the attention of the University of North Carolina, and he joined their coaching staff for the 1988 and 1989 seasons. The Tar Heels repeated as ACC champions and advanced to the NCAA tournament’s quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.

Though he enjoyed success in North Carolina, Olson returned home to Long Island and rejoined Hofstra’s staff. He then took a full-time position as defensive coordinator for lacrosse and football at St. John’s University. When St. John’s dropped its lacrosse program before the 1996 season, Olson moved to Massapequa High School, where he helped the team win three consecutive Nassau County Class A titles from 1999 to 2001.

In 2004, he Olson returned to the collegiate ranks as defensive coordinator at Molloy College, leading the team to a Division II ECAC championship in 2005. He concluded his career as the defensive coordinator and goalie coach at Adelphi University, where the Panthers posted a 30-6 record and reached the Division II semifinals in 2013. That year, Olson was inducted into the Long Island Metro Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame.

“Even when he retired from coaching, he never stopped loving the game,” Tim Olson said. “He always talked about his players’ accomplishments and had something positive to say about them.”

In addition to his coaching career,

Olson provided private lessons, worked as a bartender for over 20 years at Sidekicks in Massapequa Park, and owned The Evening Post restaurant for about a decade.

His niece, Casey Butler, described him as someone who “lived his life to the absolute fullest.”

He was especially close to his nieces, nephews, and more than 10 godchildren. “He was always there for me and even got my kids their first computer,” Tim Olson said.

In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, traveling, and golfing. “He was pretty good at golf and would go once a week with his friends,” Tim Olson said.

Olson was known for his warm, charismatic presence. “Everybody loved him,” Tim Olson said. “When my wife and I visited him in North Carolina, we couldn’t pay for anything. People found out I was Coach Olson’s brother, and they insisted on covering the bill.”

He is predeceased by his parents, Noelita Galloway and Ernest Olson. Olson is survived by his siblings: Timothy Olson of Amityville; Donna Swantek of Sutton, New Hampshire; Deborah Bernardini and her husband, Rich, of Jensen Beach, Florida; and Patrick Olson and his wife, Christine, of Long Beach. He also leaves behind nieces and nephews: Kimberly Ezen and husband Paul of Sutton, New Hampshire; Brittany Swantek of Manchester, New Hampshire; Brian Olson and his wife, Crystal, of Island Park; Kevin Olson and his wife, Iris, of

Massapequa and sister-in-law Lori Olson of Massapequa Park. He is also survived by over 10 godchildren and many friends.

He reposed at Massapequa Funeral Home, South Chapel, 4980 Merrick Road, Massapequa Park, on Jan. 6, 2025. A religious service was held at the funeral home and cremation was private.

Winter book drive a success at Birch Lane Elementary

The books kept coming in as students showed their giving spirit at Birch Lane Elementary School in Massapequa for the annual Book Fairies collection recently. More than 1,500 new and gently used books were donated during the two-week drive.

The books will be donated to the Long Islandbased nonprofit organization that provides reading materials to under-resourced communities. The Book Fairies collection has been an annual winter tradition at Birch Lane for several years. It is organized by student government, under the direction of advisors Meghan Reedy and Allison Rifkin.

Students were asked to look through their book shelves at home and donate any children’s books they no longer read. Additionally, several families purchased new items at the recent Scholastic book fair to donate to the drive.

“It makes me feel really good because I want kids to read,” fifth grade Emma Leek said about the success of the book drive. She added that when kids have more books, they become better readers and spellers.

Student government members made fliers to hang around the school and also promoted the book drive through word of mouth. As books were donated, the student leaders sorted them by category and then boxed them up. The drive helped fulfill the group’s community service mission.

Ernest B. Olson

Island Park; Daniel Bernardini of New York, NY; Andrew Bernardini of New York, NY; Courtney Bernardini of Jensen Beach, Florida; Casey Butler and her husband, Kevin, of Oakdale; TJ Olson of

Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

Birch Lane Elementary’s student book drive was led by advisors Allison Rifkin, left, and Meghan Reedy, right.

WI Class of ‘75 holding reunion CRIME WATCH

2 SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN TOBAY BEACH VANDALIZING

Oyster Bay: The Seventh Squad reports an arrest for criminal mischief that occurred on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 3:40 p.m. in Massapequa.

According to detectives, officers were called to TOBAY Beach for graffiti damages done to the Boatyard Restaurant, men and women’s bathrooms, concession stand, Surf Shack restaurant, west bathhouse, and the 9/11 Memorial Wall. These locations had been spray painted causing damages of approximately $3,500.

After a thorough investigation, a male juvenile and Tayyab Muhammad, 20, of 55 Juniper Street, South Farmingdale were arrested on February 23, 2025 without incident.

Muhammad is charged with Criminal Mischief 2nd degree and Making Graffiti. He was to be arraigned at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.

The juvenile was charged with Criminal Mischief 2nd degree and Making Graffiti. He was to be arraigned at the Youth Section of First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.

LARCENIES

Massapequa Park: The Nassau County’s Seventh Squad reported the details of a larceny that occurred on Fri., February 21, at 1:57 p.m. Detectives said the victim, a 34-year-old female, was notified that a package was delivered but

when she returned home the package was missing. She checked her security cameras and observed the package being removed from her front porch.

The suuspect was seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, dark colored sweatpants and white colored sneakers.

Police are asking that anyone with information to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.

The West Islip High School Class of 1975 is holding a class reunion July 19 at Captain Bill’s restaurant in Bay Shore.

For details, visit/join the organization’s Facebook page: West Islip High School Class of 1975 Or call 516-456-3207 and leave a message.

Announcing the Future Leaders in Public Service award

The GRA Future Leaders in Public Service Scholarship will be awarded to exceptional students seeking degrees in government relations, public affairs, public service, advocacy, lobbying, public policy, public administration, or a similar field. Four $1,500 scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic excellence; demonstrated leadership and service to community; a desire to work

in public service, government relations, advocacy, or a similar field; and demonstrated financial need.

Applicants must be a GRA Future Leader member in good standing to be considered.

The deadline for filing is March 21.For more information, go online to: www.GRAssociation.org for more information.

If the funeral home you preplanned with is no longer what you had in mind,the prearrangements may be transferred to us. Please call us—we can help.

massapequafuneralhome.com

Tayyab Muhammad

Massapequa HS Career Fair inspires students

Massapequa High School students gained insight into a wide range of professions at the annual Career Fair recently. During the two-hour event, students visited tables representing more than 40 schools, businesses and professional organizations.

This year’s event also included career panels. Students attended presentations on apprenticeships, engineering and manufacturing, and nursing. These presentations allowed students to gain insight into those fields while also getting answers to their specific questions.

In the gymnasium, students had the opportunity to chat with various professionals, including several Massapequa alumni. There were representatives from the armed forces, construction trades, education, emergency services, financial firms, technology companies and more. Students could also learn about BOCES programs and Massapequa’s career and technical education classes that would help them further their interests.

“The goal is for them to get exposed to as many different career opportunities and pathways after high school as possible,” said Denise DeLury, Massapequa’s school-to-career coordinator. “Instead of going on a website, the Career Fair allows them to talk to someone who’s actually in the field and doing the work.”

This was the 15th year of the Career Fair. It was open to all secondary schools in the district with ninth graders from Ames Campus business classes and students from Berner Middle School technology classes also attending.

DeLury added the event reflected careers with different post-secondary education requirements. Students were encouraged to “talk to everybody, because you never know what spark you might get,” she said.

All photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District.

Above: Ninth graders from business classes at the Ames Campus, joined by School-to-Career Coordinator Denise DeLury, second from left, and business education teacher Christine Poggioli, fourth from left.

Schools Superintendent William Brennan greeted students at the annual fair.

Students could learn about a wide range of professions at the fair Mike Todisco of Apprenticeship Connections & Consulting Corp spoke at one of the career panels about the value of internships and apprenticeships.

Blakeman makes his case

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com

Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced his plans to run for a second four-year term at a campaign kickoff event on Feb. 24. His opponent will be County Legislator Seth Koslow, a Democrat.

Over the past three and a half years, Blakeman and his team have taken pride in protecting residents’ money by reversing tax hikes he said were implemented by the prior administration.

“We have an amazing team of very competent, caring people, and they’re smart and they have common sense,” Blakeman said.

Initiatives he has implemented include signing an executive order to ensure that Nassau does not become a sanctuary county, and doesn’t spend residents’ tax dollars on services for those coming to the U.S. illegally.

“We’re spending our resources, our money on Nassau County residents, on our parks, our highways, our schools, in the hiring of cops,” Blakeman said. “We’re not going to be the ones who take people in who haven’t been vetted. We see the criminal activity they’ve been engaged in, so it was the right decision to make.”

Blakeman has also banned the wearing of masks in public, except for those

who wear them for health or religious reasons. He said that this initiative was to cut down on crimes, including antisemitic crime.

Additionally, Blakeman signed an executive order to protect women and girls in sports by preventing biological males from competing on their teams and from being permitted in their lock-

now. We’ve gotten back to the things our parents and our grandparents taught us, the values that have made this a great county and a great nation.”

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena spoke about Blakeman’s unwavering support for her communities. “I have called him many times, and he has helped me without fail,” DeSena said. “When we had overwhelming floods hurting our neighbors in Manhasset, I called Bruce, and he and the Department of Public Works cleared the sump that gave our residents relief. When our Jewish brothers and sisters were scared after that Oct. 7 terrorist attack, I called Bruce, and he sent the police to protect them. Bruce loves Nassau County, and we are safer and better with him as Nassau County executive.” Koslow, who has served as a county legislator for a little over a year, is a lifelong Nassau resident. He said that he was looking to bringing the transparency, honesty and responsiveness he is known for to the county executive’s office.

er rooms.

Recalling his last campaign, he said that the one thing he wanted everyone to know was that he believed that when it comes to government, a new administration needed to return the county back to normalcy and common sense.

“And we did that,” he said. “We’ve gotten back to our American values

“I may be relatively new to politics compared to lifelong politician Bruce Blakeman,” Koslow said, “but I know one thing for sure, which is that putting politics over public safety is a disgrace, and it should disqualify anyone from leading a county of over 1.3 million people.”

Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald

There was a celebratory mood at Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s re-election kickoff rally at American Legion Post 1066 in Massapequa on Feb. 24.

Reworld Honors Long Island’s Champions At Herald Sustainability Awards Gala

STAFF REPORT

Last week Reworld™ celebrated several of Long Island’s sustainability leaders, educators, and community advocates as part of its ongoing efforts to empower community and environmental advocacy initiatives and to raise awareness of sustainability locally. The honors were presented during the recent Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island powered by Reworld, held at the Heritage Club at Bethpage. The event provided a platform to recognize individuals and organizations making significant contributions to advancing sustainable policies, protecting natural resources, educating future generations, and implementing community-driven initiatives to improve the region’s environmental landscape. In addition to honoring established community programs, Reworld also awarded two local students with $2,500 in prizes for their inspirational efforts to enhance quality of life in the region and encourage sustainability for generations to come.

“Our work helps Long Island communities reduce environmental impact while creating new opportunities for sustainability,” said Dawn Harmon, Director, Long Island Market, Reworld.

“Through our Long Island facilities, we eliminate the need for additional landfill space and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are so proud to support those leading the way in sustainability on Long Island and beyond.”

Among those honored were Don X. Clavin, Jr., Hempstead Town Supervisor, and Rich Schaffer, Babylon Town Supervisor, for their leadership in environmental policy. John D. Cameron, Jr., P.E., of IMEG, was recognized for his contributions as an environmental engineering leader. Randi Shubin Dresner of Island Harvest was acknowledged for her efforts in sustainable community leadership. Organizations such as the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Seatuck Environmental Association, and Cornell

Cooperative Extension Nassau County were highlighted for their community impact in sustainability. Leaders like Eric Swenson of the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, Robert Weltner of Operation SPLASH, and the Rotary Environmental Action Coalition of Huntington (REACH) were also celebrated for their dedication to environmental preservation.

Additionally, educators Jennifer Lasher and Lissette Pellegrino from Barnum Woods Elementary School were honored as environmental stewards in education. Stony Brook

University’s Esther Poon was honored along with two younger student honorees who were recognized for their outstanding commitment to sustainability. Louisiana State University freshman and 11-year-old Joseph Petraro received the award for his dedication to a range of community empowerment programs through Joe’s Be Kind Campaign, such as Clean Wells for Humanity which addresses global water scarcity. Desiree Mohammadi, a student at South Woods Middle School who is 12 years old, was honored for developing Seeds of Hope, an initiative that donates thousands of seeds to be planted at community gardens across Long Island to combat food insecurity sustainably.

As the presenting sponsor, Reworld is committed to supporting those at the forefront of environmental progress. With four facilities in Westbury, West Babylon, East Northport, and Ronkonkoma, the company processes two-thirds of Long Island’s waste, recycling 60,000 tons of metals and generating enough electricity to power thousands of homes each year. Through its efforts, Reworld™ reduces the need for landfill expansion, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and helps local communities adopt sustainable waste solutions.

Beyond this event, Reworld remains committed to fostering sustainability throughout Long Island with year-round programs that engage local schools, nonprofit organizations, and municipal partners.Through educational initiatives, community cleanups, and environmental awareness campaigns, Reworld continues to support the next generation of sustainability advocates while strengthening the region’s commitment to a cleaner, greener future.

For more information about Reworld and its initiatives that support various community empowerment and environmental programs fostering positive change locally and globally, please visit www.reworldwaste.com.

To view more pictures please visit www. richnerlive.com.

Holden Leeds/HERALD

Azeez Mohammed, CEO of Reworld delivers welcoming remarks.

Jason Thomas/HERALD

Reworld Lead Community Relations Specialist, Maureen Early (left), with honoree president and CEO Randi Shubin Dresner of Island Harvest (center) and Reworld Long Island Market Director, Dawn Harmon.

Holden Leeds/HERALD

Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin, Jr. addresses the audience after receiving his award.

NCPD wellness center focus is mental health

By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com

The Nassau County Police Department unveiled a new wellness center at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 26. The center aims to support the mental health and well-being of law enforcement personnel and county employees by providing a place to relax, de-stress and connect with mental health resources.

Joining department members at police headquarters in Mineola for the ceremony were County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, District Attorney Anne Donnelly, Police Benevolent Association President Tommy Shevlin, and county legislators John Ferretti and Thomas McKevitt.

The wellness center, according to Blakeman, will serve as a safe space in which law enforcement personnel and county employees can address mental health and wellness concerns. It connects members with resources such as the employee assistance program, peer support and police chaplains.

Blakeman acknowledged that while mental health struggles, particularly suicide, were once stigmatized, open discussions are now helping those in distress find the support and therapy they need.

“This center is going to focus on keeping everybody in law enforcement in Nassau County well and healthy,”

Charles Shaw/Herald

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman cut the ribbon, alongside law enforcement officials and local leaders, to mark the opening of the Nassau County Police Department’s new wellness center on Feb. 26.

Blakeman said. “And that’s what we want to do.”

The center will function as a resource hub where officers and county employees can seek guidance and support. While there will be no clinicians on-site, trained staff will be on hand to talk and connect members with wellness services. Ryder highlighted the

Presented by:

role of peer support, which offers immediate assistance to officers after traumatic incidents, such as the death of a child or a homicide scene.

“We always recognize the fallen,” Ryder said. “But there are a lot of people who get damaged along the way and don’t get recognized. Today we’re doing that.”

According to Ryder, the facility, a former museum, offers couches, massage chairs and televisions, and at atmosphere in which those feeling stressed can relax, have a cup of coffee and seek guidance.

Donnelly said it was a privilege to attend the center’s opening, and recognized its role in supporting those exposed to trauma. She noted its importance for law enforcement officers who must recount difficult experiences — and for assistant district attorneys who may need support after reviewing crime scene photos.

“The most important thing I believe we can do is care for those who care for us, and that’s the men and women of our Nassau County Police Department,” Donnelly said.

Detective Sgt. Michelle CliffordMarin will lead the center, a role that holds deep personal significance for her. Her brother, Nassau police officer Steven Clifford, died by suicide in 2017, at age 35, after serving in law enforcement for 12 years.

Clifford-Marin said that leading the project is an honor, and that it would be a privilege to help anyone who walks in to achieve a healthy mind, body and soul.

“We want everyone to be healthy,” she said, “and we want everyone to get the help they need, if they do need any help, to prevent additional tragedies like my brother.”

HERALD SPORTS

Plainedge’s Nieto, Downes win state titles

By MARC BERMAN sports@liherald.com

The fourth time was the charm for Plainedge senior wrestler Luke Nieto, who finally won a state individual championship last Saturday night at Albany’s MVP Arena.

Nieto’s Division II state title in the 152pound category was culmination of a distinguished career for the North Massapequa wrestling power. Nieto qualified for the state tournament all four years.

Freshman year, Nieto didn’t place at states. As a sophomore, Nieto finished fifth and as a junior last season he was runner-up, losing in the finals to a grappler he had beaten previously.

Now Nieto has seized the biggest prize and became part of Plainedge history. With Devin Downes also winning a state championship at 190 pounds, Plainedge boasted two state individual champions for the first time in its history.

“It’s huge to have two guys in one year,’’ Plainedge coach Rob Shaver said. “It’s tough to have one. To have two is pretty amazing.’’ Nieto was ecstatic, admitting his disappointment in not winning it all his first three tries.

“When I first won it, it didn’t feel real,’’ Nieto said. “I know all the hard work and the things that happened where I almost wanted to quit and give up on the sport. All those hard times, but I kept going through it. The reason I kept going was something good was going to happen. I knew my time was going to come. ‘’

In The Finals, Nieto outscored Liam English

of Berne Knox Westerlo (Albany County), 4-2. Nieto bolted to a 4-0 lead and then fought off a late rally. Nieto had cruised in his first three state matches by technical fall (when a match is stopped after 15-point lead).

For his senior year, Nieto, who has a wrestling scholarship to LIU, went up two weight classes - from 138 to 152. He ate a healthier diet of rice and ground beef.

“This year, I decided not to cut weight,’’ Nieto said. “I worked out a lot more, lifting at least four times a week and eating healthier and more clean.’’

As for Downes, he won his second straight state title as a junior, meaning a three-peat in 2026 is possible. Downes also moved up in weight class to 190. He won states at 170 in 2024.

In the finals, before 3,000 fans at the downtown Albany arena, Downes won 10-1 over Trent True of Holland Patten (Oneida County). Downes had beaten True earlier this season at the prestigious Eastern States Classic.

“Devin did a great job taking him down quickly,’’ Shaver said. “He did a really good job of jumping all over him. He had beaten him before and didn’t give him any hope. That was the key to the match.’’

In the earlier rounds, Downes posted two pins and a technical fall. Coming off its second straight Nassau County title, Plainedge qualified six wrestlers to states with only Kyle Carter being the other one to place - sixth at 145.

It was a banner year for Shaver, who led the football team to the Nassau Conference IV championship game at Hofstra.

taking the 152-pound crown.

Farmingdale’s playoff run ends in semifinals

By TONY BELLISSIMO

tbellissimo@liherald.com

Senior guard Jake Mangio was back in action for Farmingdale’s boys’ basketball team Sunday evening, but the Dalers were unable to overcome the hot shooting of No. 1 seed Port Washington.

The Vikings advanced to their third straight county title game with a 54-43 victory in a Nassau Class AAA semifinal at Farmingdale State College. Port drained eight three-pointers and displayed the type of balance the Dalers showed Feb. 20 when they upset Hempstead in the quarterfinals without an injured Mangio.

Senior Cole Reyes had 17 points and senior Ryan Shanahan chipped in 11 to lead the Vikings, who seek their first county championship since 1947. They lost each of the past two county finals to Baldwin. This time they’ll face No. 2 East Meadow, looking for its first-ever Nassau crown, on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the same site.

Mangio, who rolled his left ankle in practice Feb. 19 and was in a walking

boot when fifth-seeded Farmingdale’s defense smothered Hempstead in a 43-31 win the following day, returned and led all scorers with 20 points, matching his average for the season.

“We had an outstanding group of seniors who wanted to get here and go even further,” Dalers head coach Jim Pastier said. “You’ve got to give Port all the credit. The hit every open shot.”

Farmingdale (13-8), which allowed zero three-pointers in the quarterfinal win and only one first-half field goal, held Hempstead to a single point in the second quarter and led 20-8 at halftime. Senior Erik Kubelka and junior Ben Mear each had 10 points and senior JJ Collins and junior Mateo Morales each had eight.

“You find out what teams are about when adversity hits,” Pastier said. “Our defense was special against Hempstead and everyone chipped in offensively to pick up the slack with Jake out.”

The Dalers scored the first two baskets of the semis but quickly trailed Port 14-6 after the opening frame. The Vikings hit a trio of 3s in the quarter,

including two by Reyes, and Pastier didn’t hesitate to bring Mangio off the bench.

“I was taking a wait-and-see approach,” Pastier said. “Jake wasn’t 100 percent, but you couldn’t tell with how well he played.”

Mangio scored 10 points in the second quarter and Collins added two baskets, but the Dalers only managed to cut the margin to 27-20 by halftime.

Moranles and Collins were both in foul trouble early in the third quarter and the Vikings stretched their lead to 46-30 entering the fourth. Junior Chase Kovar scored all eight of his points in the third and Port was on its way.

“It’s a hungry group that was pretty young the past two seasons when we lost in the finals,” Port Washington head coach Sean Dooley said. “No matter who we’re playing, we just want to have a great week of practice and play our best Saturday.”

Junior Mateo Morales had eight points as part of a balanced effort for the Dalers in their quarterfinal win over Hempstead.

with Deals!

Massapequa’s Ames program promotes mental health support

In advance of P.S. I Love You Day, an initiative to eradicate the stigma around mental health, social worker Kim Hession educated students about suicide awareness at Massapequa High School’s Ames Campus.

During their math classes, ninth graders attended presentations in the library recently. Hession introduced Signs of Suicide, an evidencebased prevention program by MindWise Innovations designed for middle school and high school students. They watched three videos featuring different scenarios, then discussed the effectiveness of the strategies that were used to support the person dealing with depression or suicidal thoughts.

Hession taught students about the ACT technique, which stands for acknowledge, care and tell to assist any -

one who might be showing risk factors. The goal of the presentations, she explained, was to provide the students with the skills and tools to intervene on behalf of a peer who is struggling. She noted that friends often see the warning signs before adults do, and that early intervention can make a big difference.

“We want our students to be in a position to know how to act,” Hession said. “They’re often the first to notice the signs and symptoms of distress in a peer. They’re very intuitive but they don’t always know what to do.”

Hession, who has been leading the SOS workshop for a few years, provided students with crisis hotline information and also asked them to fill out short surveys about if they needed a professional to talk to at school.

O’bay invites artists to Art in the Park May 17

Town of Oyster Bay officials are inviting local artists and artisans to participate in a special day of creativity and community at Art in the Park.

The event will take place on Saturday, May 17, at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park & Beach in Oyster Bay, offering a special platform for talented individuals to display and sell their handcrafted creations. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 9.

“Art in the Park provides an incredible opportunity for local artists and artisans to showcase their best work, connect with the community, and gain recognition,” said Councilman Tom Hand.

Artists and artisans must be 18 years or older and can only display and sell original, handcrafted pieces. Commercial or mass-produced items

will not be permitted. Participants are responsible for supplying their own 10x10 canopy and any additional equipment needed for their space. Full details, including associated costs, are outlined in the application available online.

Organized by the Town’s Department of Community & Youth Services, Cultural and Performing Arts Division, Art in the Park celebrates a diverse range of handcrafted works, including ceramics, watercolors, glass, jewelry, wood, leather, sculptures, and more.

To apply, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com/capa or contact the Cultural and Performing Arts Division at (516) 797-7932 for more information.

Social worker Kim Hession, with ninth graders, from left, Nico Rodriguez, Alex Steiger, Owen Lavey, Nicholas Catania and Austin VanRoten, at suicide prevention seminar

Many Felines Find a Game of Fetch quite Fetching

Although fetching is more commonly associated with dogs, a study by Mikel Delgado from Purdue University and colleagues found that 4 in 10 pet cats also engage in the behavior. The findings were published in the PLOS ONE journal on September 4, 2024.

While dogs are known for fetching, some cats also participate in the activity, which may stem from their natural hunting instincts. However, it remains unclear how domestication shaped this behavior into the play we see in pets today. To explore this, the researchers analyzed data from online surveys conducted between 2015 and 2023, which asked cat and dog owners about their pets’ fetching habits.

Pets, Pets, Pets...

JOANNE ANDERSON

Among the more than 8,000 cat owners surveyed, 41% reported that their cat would sometimes, frequently, or always retrieve toys or objects. This figure is significantly higher than previous estimates. The study found that cats are more likely to engage in fetching if they are active, playful, and live indoors. Although fetching is observed in cats of all breeds, it is more common in Burmese, Siamese, and Tonkinese cats— breeds descended from cats domesticated early in East Asia, which are genetically distinct from other breeds.

Of the nearly 74,000 dog owners surveyed, 78% reported that their dogs would sometimes, frequently, or always fetch objects such as sticks and balls. Dogs that engage in fetching also tend to score higher on overall trainability. Breeds that herd or hunt, like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, and English Cocker Spaniels, are particularly likely to fetch. Fetching is less common in female dogs, older dogs, and those with health issues.

This study is the first to estimate how common fetching behavior is in dogs, and it also highlights that fetching is more common in cats than previously thought. The authors noted, “Although fetching shows many similarities to natural hunting behavior, the results suggest that it is more closely related to play than predation.”

Over centuries of domestication, humans have selected for juvenile behaviors that persist into adulthood. This may also apply to playful fetching, a behavior that could have originally helped wild animals learn to hunt and retrieve.

The authors concluded, “Although cats and dogs are vastly different in many aspects of their behavior and in how they became companion animals, we find it fascinating that so many of them share this interesting behavior—fetching! We hope our study will encourage

further exploration of how fetching is related to play, hunting, and social interactions in both cats and dogs.”

Fabulous Fetchers: At Last Hope Animal Rescue, many adopters take pride in how well their pets play fetch, but there are two standouts.

Seth’s story is particularly unique. In 2020, during COVID, Last Hope received a call from the Brooklyn Animal Care Center (ACC) about a cat surrendered there with a microchip that traced back to the organization. Although we had no record of the cat, we went to retrieve him. To our surprise, the shelter brought out a purebred Bengal—a breed known for its agility and ability to use its paws like hands. After some investigation, we learned that the cat’s owner had surrendered him when moving to Atlanta. Seth was an exceptional fetcher, capable of jumping and retrieving toys thrown up to eight feet in the air. Ironically, he was adopted by a woman in Brooklyn.

In 2015, Remington, a Shepherd mix, was living with a wealthy family in Kentucky. Every day, he roamed their vast property and swam alongside their kayak. Remington was particularly skilled at fetching objects tossed from the kayak and swimming to retrieve them. However, the neighbor’s chickens proved too tempting, and the family feared for his safety. A young couple from Long Island adopted him from Last Hope, where he became his dad’s running partner and hiked miles with the family.

Dogs for Adoption at Last Hope Animal Rescue 3300 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh

Bear is an adorable, three-month-old Lab mix who already knows how to sit on command—fetch should be easy for him to learn.

Nibble is a ten-month-old Collie/Shepherd mix, a lover-boy with a herding instinct. Given his background, he should excel at learning fetch.

For more information, call (631) 946-9528.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The following are a list of public meetings and special events for the coming week: Please note: All meetings are subject to change without notice.

THURSDAY, MARCH 6

•Massapequa School District Board of Education Meeting: 8 p.m., Board Room, 4925 Merrick Rd., Massapequa.

•Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals: 7 p.m., Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay. For more information, call (516) 624-6333.

•The Long Island Dahlia Society: 9 a.m., Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Highway, Great River. All are welcome. Come and learn how to care for your dahlias. Tubers will be available for sale starting in April. For more information, call (631)-972-8829 (leave message) or visit longislanddahlia.org

FRIDAY, MARCH 7

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569

SATURDAY, MARCH 8

• The Long Island Dahlia Society: 9 a.m., Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Highway., Great River. All are welcome. Come and learn how to care for your dahlias. Tubers will be available for sale starting in April. For more information call (631)-972-8829 (leave message) or visit longislanddahlia.org

SUNDAY, MARCH 9

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569.

MONDAY, MARCH 10

•Massapequa Fire District Regular Monthly Meeting: 7:30 p.m., District Administration Building, 1 Brooklyn Ave., Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 798-9849.

TUESDAY, MARCH 11

•Plainedge School District Board of Education Meeting: 7:30 p.m., Innovation Learning Center, Plainedge High School, 241 Wyngate Dr., Massapequa.

•Town of Oyster Bay Town Board Meeting: 10 a.m., Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay. For more information, call (516) 624-6380.

•Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown. Free weekly, in-person meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631)-332-0552 or Jill at (516)-220-7808. All calls are confidential.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12

•Farmingdale School District Board of Education Meeting: 8 p.m., Welden E. Howitt Middle School, 70 Vancott Ave., Farmingdale. For more information, call (516) 434-5140.

• Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free weekly, virtual meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631)-332-0552 or Jill at (516)-2207808. All calls are confidential.

• The Long Island Dahlia Society: 9 a.m., Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Highway., Great River. All are welcome. Come and learn how to care for your dahlias. Tubers will be available for sale starting in April. For more information call (631)-972-8829 (leave message) or visit longislanddahlia.org

Calendar items are printed for non-profit organizations, as space permits, or when an event, service or information is being sponsored by a profit-making organization without charge to readers. Submit items to us at Richner Communications, attn: Beacon Editor, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530; or email: dconsola@liherald.com at least two - three weeks prior to the publication date in which the item must appear. Sorry, but open-ended requests without the specific dates of the events are not acceptable. While we make every attempt to accommodate each request, we cannot guarantee publication of any items. For more information, call 516-569-4000.

Seth, a Bengal cat, playing his sky high game of fetch.

BEAR- 3 month old male Lab mix puppy

NIBBLE- 10 month old male Collie/ Shepherd pup

STEPPING OUT

Feasts, floats, festivities

Get ready for Carnival at Long Island Children’s Museum

By Danielle Schwab

Bring the family to join in the good times when the Children’s Museum opens its doors to Carnival this weekend.

As a globally cherished cultural celebration, Carnival honors the unique traditions and diverse identities of each community it touches. Especially significant to Caribbean and Latin American cultures, it’s a vibrant cultural showcase of creativity and self-expression. These themes are woven into every aspect of the museum’s festivities, with the support of New York Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, to make this occasion truly special.

“The holiday is a great entry point of learning for our community and for families. It’s so vibrant and colorful and just a happy event. So it’s fun to give opportunities for people to really celebrate,” Aimee Terzulli, the museum’s vice president for programs and visitor experience, says.

Everyone can get moving to the sounds of drums with Samba and Salsa music guided by the dancers of the Brazilian Sama Novo troupe. Towering “Jumbie” stilt walkers, rooted as a symbol of spirit guardians, bring the magic to life as an iconic part of the Carnival

Louisiana Calling

From the deep roots tag team of Cajun slide guitar phenom Sonny Landreth and legendary New Orleans Latin-Americana rockers the Iguanas comes a mind-blowing musical trip through the scenic soundscape of the bayou. Still wet from crawling out of the swamps, this cross-pollinated confection will be both savory and sweet. Louisiana’s calling — here’s your chance to answer. Landreth’s unique spin on guitar playing has made him legendary. This Louisiana based Blues guitar wizard’s slide playing is distinctive and unlike anything else you’ve ever heard. He simultaneously plays slide and fingers the fret board producing a sound that is often said to resemble many instruments playing at once. His music encompasses Mississippi Delta blues, zydeco and Southern rock. He’s joined by The Iguanas, a fixture of the New Orleans music scene for over two decades.

Saturday, March 8, 8 p.m. $79, $69, $59. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

headpieces or even get their faces painted in elaborate designs to stand out in the crowd as they make their rounds through the museum.

“Costumes are often deep-rooted in cultural themes but are also a symbol of freedom and liberation, they often can mimic animals,” Terzulli says.

Guests can also create flags to show their cultural pride and represent the many countries that celebrate Carnival.

Before the parade kicks off, everyone will have a chance to decorate themed floats and even meet some very special party guests.

“We’ll have our animal specialists showing certain animals that are part of our collection and show them how some of these animals are connected to certain float themes, typically in the Caribbean or in Latin America,” Terzulli adds.

life celebration.

Plus, a special

• Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9

• Performances at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

• $17 museum admission, $16 seniors 65 and older

True to Carnival’s festive spirit, a King and Queen will be crowned to lead the crowd with energy and flair. But don’t worry, there’s a role for everyone — both kids and adults — to involve everyone, according to Terzulli.

Colin Jost

Plus, a special performance from the fourth and fifth graders at Elmont’s Dutch Broadway School will get feet jumping to the beat.

• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800

• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City

“It’s about communities really coming together and celebrating different talents and roles that they have.“ she says. “Families that can learn together have tremendous value when you come together to learn something new.”

Although the holiday is celebrated at various times during the year, hosting it in March provides the perfect opportunity to embrace the changing seasons.

“In March, we’re still not quite in spring so it’s a great way to spend time with your family indoors in a very celebratory way,” Terzulli reminds everyone.

“The students have created lessons in different dances that are involved like reggae and calypso, typical for Caribbean culture,” Terzulli explains. “Generation to generation learning is powerful. We want kids teaching other kids.”

Caribbean culture,” Terzulli explains. “Generation

The event is part of a series of cultural festivals the museum is hosting to invite Long Island communities to learn and celebrate together.

“We want people to know about each other and celebrate all the great similarities and differences that make our cultures vibrant and alive here,” Terzulli says.

Live … from Long Island … it’s Colin Jost! From Saturday Night Live to standup to his appearances in film, other TV ventures and even authoring a memoir, Jost is seemingly everywhere. He is currently in the middle of his 11th season as SNL’s “Weekend Update” co-anchor, and his 20th as an SNL writer. His accolades are many: five Writers Guild Awards, two Peabody Awards and 15 Emmy nominations for his writing on “SNL.” Among other endeavors, Jost debuted “A Very Punchable Face” in 2020, His memoir is a series of essays that documents pivotal moments in Jost’s life, including growing up in Staten Island in a family of firefighters, commuting three hours a day to high school, attending Harvard while Facebook was created and more.

will tempt visitors, including Haitian beignets,

Need some fuel after all that dancing? Delicious treats — both sweet and savory — will tempt visitors, including Haitian beignets, marinades, tropical juices, and cocoa bread. And naturally, no Carnival would be complete without a massive parade to ring in the holiday. Families can create wearable crafts such as beaded whistles and feathery

Photo on bottom: Be sure to create a parade-worthy headdress and design a whistle to toot some Carnival spirit.

Thursday, March 13, 8 and 10 p.m.

$129.50, $119.50, $89.50, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Photos courtesy LICM

Photo on top left: Towering stilt walkers, known as Jumbies, are an iconic Carnival element.

Photo on top right: Ron DeFrancesco, Sama Novo director, creates the beats.

Anthony Rodia

Anthony Rodia is back with his “Laugh Til It Hurts” tour, on the Paramount stage, Friday, March 15, 7:30 and 10 p.m.; also Saturday, March 16, 7 and 9:30 p.m. His allnew routine is refreshingly genuine and quick witted! A first-generation Italian-American from Westchester, Rodia’s comedy pulls from his razorsharp observations on marriage, parenthood, road rage, and everything else worthy of a rant. He came out of the womb making people laugh. In his 20s he tried a few open mics, but ultimately took a different career path as a finance manager of a luxury car dealership. In 2019, Rodia returned to comedy and left his day job to become a full-time stand-up comic. He hit the ground running and performed 100 shows in just nine months, and within three years gained a massive fan base online and around the country. In a short time, Anthony gained over 900,000 social media followers and his YouTube videos have amassed over 22 million views.

Rodia’s comedy pulls from his real life and razor-sharp observations on marriage, parenthood, road rage, and everything else worthy of a rant. With the onset of quarantine, he made the most of a captive audience, delivering a staggering 86 weekly videos. “Road Rage Wednesday” became a fan favorite, but his Uncle Vinny and Zia Lucia characters transformed into a phenomenon. They are the crazy uncle and aunt you love but can’t be out in public with, who speak their minds (whether you asked for it or not). $89.50, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Massapequa Coin Club

The Massapequa Coin Club invites all to a Coin, Currency and Collectible Show, Saturday, March 8, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. ,at Elks Lodge #2162. Admission is free and includes door prizes, parking, exhibits and the Young Numismatists Program all day. For more information, call Tony at (631) 521-4554, Mike at (631) 332-7970, or email mcccoinshow@gmail.com. 2162 Veterans Blvd., Massapequa.

Explore Town of Oyster Bay museums

Step back in time to the Revolutionary War at Raynham Hall or visit Theodore Roosevelt’s “Summer White House” at Sagamore Hill, no matter what you choose there’s plenty to explore in the Town of Oyster Bay. To view a listing of the variety of museums and preserves, visit oysterbaytoday. com or call (516) 624-6384.

Crafts and Cocktails

Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day at the Whaling Museum , Thursday, March 13, 6:30 p.m. Untangle the ancient history and maritime uses of decorative knotwork. Discover the origins of the style of Celtic illustration and learn the important uses knots have on a ship. Sip an Irish Coffee while you weave your own Turk’s Head Knot trivet to take home. $35, $25 for members. To register, visit shorturl.at/sLGT4. For more information, call (631) 367-3418. 301 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor.

Acting Workshop

Join Broadway, television and film actor Rob Bartlett for an acting workshop, at Farmingdale Public Library, Tuesday, March 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m. It involves character creation, scene and monologue work, and exercises in cold-reading and audition techniques.To register and for more information, call (516) 249-9090. 116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale.

Community Service Starry Night Sticker Poster

Plainedge Public Library offers teens a half hour of community service credit for contributing to a mosaic sticker poster, Sunday, March 9, through May 25. The poster when completed will hang in the YA department. Next time you are at the library, stop by the YA desk to grab some square stickers to add to the large, coded grid. The result will depict Vincent Van Gogh’s famous painting.1060 Hicksville Road, N. Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 7354133.

Movie matinee

Farmingdale Public Library shows “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” starring Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, Tuesday, March 11, 10 a.m.noon. and 1:30 p.m-4

p.m. After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife. There is no registration required for this program. 116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale. For more information, please call (516) 249-9090.

Massapequa Chamber Scholarship

Members’ children or grandchildren can apply for a scholarship of $500. Open to Massapequa High School students and those from Massapequa who attend another public or private schools outside of Massapequa. Massapequa High School students should apply through their guidance office. Other students should go online to tinyurl.com/5n8cse63 to download an application. There will be one scholarship awarded to one winner.

Intermediate Microsoft Word class

Massapequa Public Library offers a hands-on class that will teach you more about the world’s most popular word processing program, Thursday, March 13, 6:30 p.m. Attendees learn more about formatting and using columns, tables, headers, footers, bullets and much more. A prerequisite of having taken an Introduction to Microsoft Word or equivalent is required. To register and for more information, call Joseph Nunziata at (516) 799-0770 or email jnunziata@ massapequalibrary.org. 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park.

LIMEHOF Music Documentary Film Festival taking submissions

The inaugural Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame Music Documentary Film Festival is set to launch Aug. 8-10. LIMEHOF is currently open to submissions up until Thurs., May 1. To learn more about entering, visit shorturl.at/ VqmkM or call (631) 689-5888.

Having an event?

Golden Tones Chorus

The Town of Oyster Bay is seeking members for its Golden Tones Entertainment Group. The senior chorus is a social group open to town residents over the age of 60 who have an interest in singing, dancing or entertaining. Meetings are held every Friday at the North Massapequa Community Center, at 214 North Albany Ave., N. Massapequa. There are two planned shows, a spring show and a holiday show. Senior citizens interested in joining the Golden Tones should call (516) 797-7916 for more information.

Art Explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, March 8, noon-3 p.m. Kids and their adult partners talk about and make art together. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum.org to register or call (516) 484-9337.

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 follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/ Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.

Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Local artists invited to Art in the Park

Local artists and artisans are invited to participate in a day of creativity and community at Art in the Park, set to take place, Saturday, May 17, at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and Beach in Oyster Bay. Application deadline is Friday, May 9. Artists and artisans must be 18 years or older and can only display and sell original, handcrafted pieces. Participants are responsible for supplying their own 10x10 canopy and any additional equipment needed for their space. Full details, including associated costs, are outlined in the application available online. To apply, visit oysterbaytown.com/capa or call the Cultural and Performing Arts Division at (516) 797-7932.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE TRUST AGREEMENT FOR THE STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST SERIES 2004-BNC2, Plaintiff AGAINST JOHN MIONE, JR., TERESA MIONE, DIANA TERRITO, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 7, 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 18, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 9 SUZANNE B CT, MASSAPEQUA, NY 11758. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Massapequa, Town Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 65, Block 190, Lot 57. Approximate amount of judgment $750,801.48 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #612457/2017.

Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221

17-006153 84246

25-116 2/12, 19, 26, 3/5

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬-LIMETIME ENTERTAINMENT, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 11/13/2024. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to:280 N Cottage Street Valley Stream NY 11580

Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity.

25-118. 2/12, 19, 26 3/5, 12, 19

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF MASSAPEQUA PARK NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE OF SALE OF TAX LIENS FOR UNPAID VILLAGE TAXES

NOTICE OF TAX LIEN SALE OF VILLAGE OF MASSAPEQUA PARK, NEW YORK IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT, in pursuance of the provisions of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York and of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Inc. Village of Massapequa Park, Nassau County, New York passed at a meeting thereof held on February 10, 2025, I, CHRISTOPHER R. BRIGGS, Village Treasurer of said Village of Massapequa Park, will sell at public auction in the manner provided by law on the 13th day of March, 2025 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning in the Court Room in the Municipal Building in said Village of Massapequa Park so much of

each of the following parcels of real estate upon which Village Taxes remain unpaid as will be sufficient to discharge the taxes, fees, interest and charges which may be due thereon respectively at the time of such sale and which shall continue the same from day to day until the said sale shall be completed.

Each purchaser at such tax sale shall pay the amount of his bid to the Village Treasurer within ten days after the sale. Upon such payment, the Treasurer shall give to the purchaser a certificate in writing describing the real property purchased and the sum paid therefore. Each such certificate shall be presumptive evidence that the sale and all proceedings prior thereto, including the assessment of the land and the levying of the tax were regular and according to the provisions of this section and of all laws relating thereto.

If any purchaser at any sale of lands for unpaid taxes made pursuant to the provision of this section, neglects or refuses to pay the amount of his bid within the time prescribed, the Village Treasurer may state an account against such purchaser and may recover the same with costs from such purchaser by an action brought in the name of the Village Treasurer, or such Village Treasurer may cancel such sale to such purchaser and the parcel so sold shall be deemed to have been purchased by the Village.

IMPORTANT

THE NAME OF THE OWNERS SHOWN ON THIS LIST MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE NAMES

Public Notices

OF THE PERSONS OWNING THE PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT. SUCH NAMES HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE ASSESSMENT ROLLS PREPARED AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2025, AND FREQUENTLY DIFFER FROM THE NAMES OF THE OWNERS AT THE TIME OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE NOTICE. IT MAY ALSO BE THAT SUCH OWNERS ARE NOMINAL ONLY AND ANOTHER PERSON IS ACTUALLY THE BENEFICIAL OWNER.

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE LIENS TO BE SOLD TOGETHER WITH A STATEMENT OF THE AMOUNT OF THE TAX FEES, INTEREST AND CHARGES THEREON, TO WIT: TAX LIEN SALE –MARCH 13, 2025 @ 10 AM 2024/2025 UNPAID TAXES UNPAID TAXES/FEES Section 53, Block 96, Lot 2599, 2600, 2601 Jeremiah Lyons $ 2,627.10 212 May Place Massapequa Park, NY 11762 25-119 2/19, 26, 3/5

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA0370-25-104187 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Bar/Tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 195 Main Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at JS24 Corp. 25-120 2/26, 3/5

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA0340-25-105045 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 3453 Merrick Road, Wantagh, NY 11793, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Sonig Pizza Corp. 25-126. 3/5, 12

INCORPORAT -

ED VILLAGE OF MASSAPEQUA PARK NASSAU COUNTY1 NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the provision of the State of New York that a Public Hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals in the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Village Hall, 151 Front Street, Massapequa Park, New York 11762 for the following purposes:

Case No. 4483 & 4484 To consider the variance applications of Mr. Anthony Oliva, 115 Jackson Avenue, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 Parcel A and Parcel B to consider subdividing an existing 80' X 100' lot and give 20 feet to adjacent 40' X 100' lot creating two (2) 60' X 100' lots and build two (2) new homes in violation of Village Code. Such proposal is in violation of the following Village Codes:

Chapter 345-28 (F) Certificate of Occupancy: After December 29, 1999, the minimum lot area to be erected or altered shall, as stated in the existing law of 345-28, have a

minimum lot area of 8000 square feet, and each lot shall have at least 80 feet in front and rear and shall be at least 100 feet in depth on both sides.

Chapter 345-28 (Al) Lot and Building Area: Areas of Lots and Buildings. For buildings hereafter erected, the minimum lot area for each dwelling house, exclusive of accessory buildings, garages, porches, or other buildings appurtenant thereto, shall be as follows: Residential Districts: In Residential A Districts and except as otherwise provided in the Residential AA Districts, the minimum lot area shall be 8,000 square feet, and each lot shall have at least 80 feet in the front and rear and shall be a least 100 feet in depth on both sides.

Chapter 345-29 (A,B) Area Standards in Residential A District Generally: Every building hereafter erected or structurally altered in Residential A District shall be on a lot having the area, frontage and depth on both sides provided in 345-28 (Al) Issuance of Building Permits. No building permit shall be issued, and no building shall be erected on a plot of less than 8,000 square feet as set forth herein, nor when the issuance of the same shall leave remaining a plot immediately adjacent less in size than required by this chapter.

Creating two (2) new lots of 60' X 100' adjacent to each other deficient in front and rear width by 20 feet.

Please note that the balance of parcels located on the street are the following: seven (7) are 60' X 100' and one (1) is 40' X 100'.

Case No. 4485 To

consider the variance application of Mr. John Walsh, 171 Willow Street, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 to erect pool pavers to the north of the pool without the required setback in violation of Village Code. Such proposal is in violation of Chapter 345-41 (H, J) Pools, Walkways, Distances, which states: An unobstructed walk area of not less than 24 inches wide shall be provided to extend entirely around pools below grade. Also, no portion of a pool, including walkways, pump, filters, showers, accessories, or pool water disinfectants shall be located at a distance less than five (5) feet from any side or rear property lines or building setback line. Proposed pool pavers to go right up to and along the north property line with a zero (0) foot setback, deficient by five (5) feet.

Case No. 4486 To consider the variance application of Mrs. Nicole Strohmenger, 54 Clark Boulevard, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 for a proposed second story deck with stairs to grade and maintain two (2) sheds without the required setbacks all in violation of Village Code.

Such proposals are in violation of the following Village Codes:

Chapter 345-27 (D) Height Restrictions which states: Any walking surface of all external stairways, decks, porticos or similar structures erected or constructed or renovated shall not exceed five (5) feet in height above the grade level of the real property.

Existing raised wood deck with stairs to grade, the walking surface is shown to

be eight (8) feet ten (10) inches above the natural grade level, three (3) feet ten (10) inches higher than code allows.

Chapter 345-43 (B) Sheds which states: All sheds on a residential property shall be a minimum of two (2) feet from rear and either side property lines.

Existing small metal shed is located at the northeast house foundation right up against fence line with a zero (0) foot setback and the wood shed located in the southwest corner yard is located zero point eight (0.8) feet from west property line and one point four (1.4) feet from south property line. Case No. 4487 To consider the variance application of Mr. Charles Focarazzo, 259 First Avenue, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 for proposed inground swimming pool and pavers to be installed without the required setback in violation of Village Code. Such proposal is in violation of Chapter 345-41 (H, J) Pools, Walkways, Distances, which states: An unobstructed walk area of not less than 24 inches wide shall be provided to extend entirely around pools below grade. Also, no portion of a pool, including walkways, pump, filters, showers, accessories, or pool water disinfectants shall be located at a distance less than five (5) feet from any side or rear property lines or building setback line. Proposed pool to be located five (5) feet from side and rear property lines, and pavers to be laid with a zero (0) feet setback from same property lines.

By order of the Zoning Board of Appeals February 27, 2025 25-125. 3/5

Help Wanted

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

A Hamptons Delight

TYes, keep those pipes warm

Q. We just got over a lot of repairs from a burst pipe under our kitchen sink. The pipes under the sink are back in the outside wall, with insulation around them, but I’m wondering why they said it was still a good idea to let the water drip, even run a little when it gets cold out. It seems wasteful, and I wasn’t sure why they told me that. Is it because they’re not confident in the repairs, or does everybody have to run their water in the winter when pipes could freeze?

A. The work was not repaired correctly and should be redone before it gets too late to get anybody to return to the “scene of the crime.”

Water freezes, and supplyline water that’s buried in outside walls and not kept warm will turn to ice.

Several years ago, a client, who had work done in the summer, called the following winter to say he had no running water in his bathroom sink. The sink was on an exterior wall, but the rationale the installers used for where they put the insulation was that a roof from below came up to meet the outside wall behind the sink. They told the owner that the roof protected the pipe because of how far the sink was set in from the walls below, set back the way it was designed. They cut open the back of the finished sink cabinet and exposed the pipe, telling the owner that he just needed to let the water trickle and keep the cabinet doors open all the time in the winter. I was called after they told the owner that was a bad design. He was very frustrated by the time we spoke, because the plumber and contractor had already returned several times and this was their final answer.

The simple solution, which worked for him and will work for you, is that supply pipes need to be to the warm side of insulation. I saw that the coldand hot-water supply pipes were completely enclosed with insulation. I removed the insulation from the warm side and only kept the full thickness of insulation on the cold side. The roof cavity behind the wall, in drawings that are called building sections, showed that the roof was to be insulated directly behind the wall to create a full barrier of insulation. Because there was now a gaping hole at the back of the cabinet, sloppily cut, I was able to peer in with a mirror and see that there was no insulation in the roof space where it met the wall behind the sinks. None. Once the water supply lines were moved into the cabinet, under the sink, by the plumber, who fortunately did stand behind their work and did return, there was never a problem again.

Locate pipes neatly in the back of the sink cabinet, to the warm side of a fully insulated wall and there should be no more problems. Good luck!

2025 Monte Leeper

are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in

Stuff HERALD

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

***MASONRY & CONSTRUCTION*** EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS!

GIUSEPPE MUCCIACCIARO

SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS!

Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry

Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464 Wanted To Buy

FREON WANTED Certified buyer looking for R12, R22 & more! Call Peter at 312-500-4275

We Do Pavers, Cultured Stone, Concrete, Bluestone, Blacktop, Fireplace, Patio, Waterproofing, Walkways, Pool Work. Lic#H2204320000 Family Operation Over 40Years. 516-238-6287

Cable/TV/Wiring

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069

Electricians

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

Exterminating

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Handyman

PAINTING &

HANDYMAN SERVICE

Tired of calling a contractor & they don't call back? I will call you back the same day!

917-822-0225 Ricky

Specializing in carpentry, bathrooms, kitchens, sheetrock, flooring, electric, plumbing. Over 25 yrs exp.Lic/Ins H3805150000

Home Improvement

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076

CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641

DO YOU KNOW what's in your water? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728

PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496

Home Improvement

WIREMAN / CABLEMAN: TVs Mounted. Phone, TV, Computer Wires, HD Antennas, Starlink Dishes, Stereos Installed And Serviced. FREE Estimates. Lic#54264-RE And Ins. Call Dave 631-667-9473(WIRE), 516-353-1118(TEXT)

Miscellaneous

GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Pow-

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719

Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-855-399-2582

HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060

Legal Services

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your

code to connect with the closest provider

opinions

Yankees? Mets? Might they meet up in October?

spring training has begun. Another baseball season is on the way. The French-born cultural historian Jacques Barzun said that “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.”

That was certainly true for my generation. The golden age of baseball in New York, from 1947 to 1956, saw New York’s teams — the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants — win nine World Series and seven pennants among them during that 10-year span. The other 13 major league teams combined for one World Series and three pennants during those years. A subway series, with both World Series teams being from New York, became the expected norm. It was almost taken for granted. During the offseason months of mid-

Everybody has a wish list. I’d like to win the lottery, or take some exotic trip that’s on my bucket list. There are jobs that I would love to have, and there are jobs I wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. The worst job I can imagine, the one I would dread having, is being in the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. At the beginning of any Congress member’s career, there is the battle to get your party’s nomination, and then feeling the honor of being the party’s choice. You battle through the drudgery of a campaign and, if you’re lucky, you have the joy of being elected or re-elected. You celebrate with your friends and family, and then, on Jan. 1, you arrive in Washington, preparing for the challenge of being a member of the House.

In today’s Congress, being a majority member is anything but fun. You may have all kinds of ideas about how to help the people back home, but if

October through late February in those years, there would be hot stove league discussions of how our teams would do in the upcoming season, and arguments over whose players were better: Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays or Duke Snider; Roy Campanella or Yogi Berra; Pee Wee Reese or Phil Rizzuto.

is a rivalry missed not just in the five boroughs, but on Long Island, with its plethora of Mets and Yankees fans.

W

Much of that interest lessened when the Dodgers and Giants were hijacked to California after the 1957 season. While there was a rebirth of excitement when the Mets arrived for the 1962 season, it has never been quite the same as during the glory years. Sure, the Mets had their World Series wins in 1969 and 1986, as did the Yankees in 1977 and 1978, and again during the Joe Torre years, at the turn of the century, and under Joe Girardi, in 2009, but except for the 2000 World Series — which the Yankees won — the Yankees and Mets have not faced one another in the World Series. That intraNew York rivalry has not been there. It

e Mets fans, so used to having our hearts broken, believe this is our year.

All that could change with both teams now filled with superstars, led by Aaron Judge of the Yankees, who is accumulating home run titles and Most Valuable Player awards, and the Mets making their own run for superstar glory. This winter they hired Juan Soto, perhaps baseball’s most explosive hitter, away from the Yankees with a $750 million contract over the next 15 years.

The Mets already had Francisco Lindor, who finished second in the voting for National League MVP last season, and slugger Pete Alonso, who is second only to Judge in total home runs over the past six seasons, and is poised to become the Mets’ all-time home run leader.

Last year the Yankees won the American League pennant before falling short against the Dodgers in the World

Series. Before the season, there were low expectations for the Mets. Then, after playing mediocre baseball for most of the regular season, they had an unexpected late-season surge, and actually made it to the National League Championship Series, which they lost to the Dodgers.

This preseason, things are looking very different. Both teams are considered strong contenders to win their league championships. The debates over the teams’ players have already begun, but instead of Mantle vs. Snider or Mays, it’s Judge vs. Soto.

We Mets fans, so used to having our hearts broken over the years, now genuinely believe this is our year to supplant the Yankees as New York’s No. 1 team and win it all in the World Series — and that New York’s baseball rivalry is back. Barring the unexpected, 2025 should be a season for metropolitan-area baseball fans to enjoy and remember.

Play ball!

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

Here’s a job I’d turn down

your wish list doesn’t coincide with the priorities of your party leader, you can forget about your plan. It’s hard enough being away from your family for weeks at a time, but being told to fall in line and follow party dictates, or else, is a bitter pill to swallow.

Let’s talk about the Washington scene as it currently exists. An unelected multi-billionaire named Elon Musk is ignoring the duly elected officials whose job it is to create the budgets that fund our federal agencies. The Constitution says that the Congress is a separate body from the Executive, but in this case an appointee of the Executive is calling all the shots.

Being a member of the House majority sounds great. Believe me, it’s not.

As a representative of scores or even hundreds of thousands of constituents, you’re the one they turn to when they have a federal problem. For example, a decorated military veteran comes seeking your help after being fired from a federal job he held for 10 years. You can hold his hand, but you can’t get him back his paycheck to feed his family and pay his mortgage.

As a well-informed public official, you follow the media to find out what

they know that you don’t know. The latest reports say that your party leadership has proposed making $800 billion in Medicaid cuts to help pay for a tax cut for the rich. Those cuts will decimate the safety net that your constituents rely on to survive, and will affect more than 90 million people nationwide. You can threaten to vote against the package, but there are more nightmares coming.

You may be able to join a handful of other members to get some changes made to the Medicaid cuts, but there are more crazy slashes being proposed. The far-right members have suggested that every person with a student loan pay an additional $200 per month. That mean-spirited idea would affect 45 million Americans. How do you stop that?

Do you remember the state-andlocal-tax proposal that hit suburban homeowners hard when it was included in President Trump’s 2017 budget? Despite his support for eliminating the SALT cap, there has been very little discussion about that benefit in recent weeks. You want a complete repeal of the cap, but it’s out of your hands.

As we enter the final stages of the budget debate, I can’t help recalling the story of the late Assemblyman Lou Wolfe, of upstate Plattsburgh. Wolfe was part of a narrow majority. He enjoyed both Democratic and Conservative Party support. He was asked to vote on a multi-billion-dollar social program. His party leaders promised him financial support in the general election, and assured him he would be “protected.” Came November, Lou lost because of his “bad” vote.

It’s possible that by the time you read this, all of the budget misgivings of the few conscience-driven members will be satisfied. All they have to do at that point is to go home and explain the mass layoffs, the tax cuts for the rich and the hidden program cuts that were buried in the spending plan they voted for. But remember, they had the promise from the leaders that they had nothing to worry about. Oh, the joy of being in the majority.

Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

Massapequa

HERALD

Ira

Long Island loses a civil rights pioneer

the death of Hazel Dukes, at age 92, last weekend marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in civil rights leadership, with special significance for Long Island. While Dukes will be remembered nationally for her tenure as president of the NAACP from 1990 to 1992, and for her remarkable 48-year leadership of the NAACP New York State Conference from 1977 until her death, her deep connections to Long Island communities deserve particular attention.

Born in Montgomery, Alabama, where she was a neighbor of Rosa Parks, Dukes moved to New York in 1955. She lived in Roslyn Heights for decades, building a life and career that influenced civil rights efforts across the state and the nation.

Named president of the NAACP’s Great Neck, Port Washington, Manhasset and Roslyn branch in 1969, Dukes quickly emerged as a powerful voice opposing housing discrimination on Long Island. She was instrumental in bringing landmark housing discrimination lawsuits that challenged the entrenched patterns of segregation in Nassau County’s suburbs. These legal actions targeted discriminatory practic-

letters

es that kept minority families out of certain neighborhoods, even after the Fair Housing Act of 1968 had made such discrimination illegal.

On Long Island, she worked for the federal Head Start program and became one of the first Black employees in the Nassau County attorney’s office. She also served with the county’s Economic Opportunity Commission, addressing poverty and inequality from within the system. She was the first Black vice chairwoman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee, which gave her a platform to advocate for integrated housing throughout Nassau County. She also served on the Democratic National Committee from 1976 to 1982.

Dukes’ own educational journey illustrates her belief in education as a path to opportunity. She studied at Nassau Community College before earning a degree in business administration from Adelphi University in Garden City in 1978. Her local educational experience strengthened her advocacy for quality education for all communities.

What makes Dukes’ Long Island connection so significant is that she addressed civil rights not as an abstract

Advice from PSEG L.I.: Beware of scammers

To the Editor:

National Consumer Protection Week, observed through March 8, offers an important reminder for consumers to stay alert against fraudulent schemes that prey on our vulnerability. Recent guidance from PSEG Long Island has shed light on the alarming tactics employed by scammers, and we believe it is essential that our community take note of these warnings.

Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to trick unsuspecting customers. They frequently impersonate reputable companies, such as PSEG L.I., using advanced phone spoofing technology that displays familiar numbers on caller ID. In many cases, these fraudsters call with an urgent demand for immediate payment, falsely claiming that failure to comply will result in an immediate power shutoff. This tactic is designed to induce panic and force quick decisions without proper verification.

It is crucial for consumers to know that PSEG Long Island never requests payments through external web-based electronic services, prepaid debit cards or even Bitcoin. The only approved payment methods are those offered through our secure channels, such as My Account, the mobile app, or text messaging. Additionally, any request for a deposit in relation to priority meter installations is fraudulent, because we do not require a deposit for such services.

If anyone receives an unexpected call or email threatening an imminent power shutoff while

concept, but rather as lived reality in suburban America. While much of the civil rights movement focused on urban centers or the South, she recognized that segregation and opportunity gaps were just as widespread — if sometimes less visible — in prosperous suburban communities like those across Long Island.

Her nearly five decades leading the NAACP’s New York State Conference allowed her to maintain consistent focus on issues affecting communities like ours. That persistence brought meaningful change to institutional practices and policies that had limited opportunities for minority residents.

As we look at Long Island today, we see both the progress Dukes helped achieve and the challenges we continue to face in creating truly equal opportunity. The diversity of our communities has increased, but disparities in housing, education and economic opportunity persist.

In the years ahead, let’s be sure to honor Dukes’ legacy by making Long Island — and the entire country — a place where discrimination is not tolerated, and where everyone has an equal shot at prosperity.

demanding payment, it is imperative to pause, take a step back, and verify the authenticity of the communication. Instead of responding immediately, customers should contact PSEG Long Island using the phone number found on their billing statement, (800) 490-0025. This simple step can prevent a great

deal of financial loss and stress. As we have honored National Consumer Protection Week, we have urged all community members to share this important information with friends, family and neighbors. Together, by remaining vigilant and verifying every unexpected request for payment, we can

ICE partnership targets criminals to keep Nassau safe

when violence and criminality threaten public safety, local governments must step up and do their part to keep their communities secure. As Nassau County executive, I believe that our recent partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is essential to combating dangerous threats to county residents. Under our new program, 10 Nassau county detectives have been appointed for cross-designation and embedding with ICE. These officers will work hand in hand with our federal partners to target and pursue illegal migrants who are engaged in criminal activities in our neighborhoods. The county is also making jail cells available to ICE to detain these criminals for up to 72 hours, after which they will be relocated out of the county or deported.

My decision to implement this program is a necessary response to the serious public safety concerns we all face. Nassau County isn’t a sanctuary county,

but our residents have repeatedly been targeted by violent acts by illegal migrants.

There have been many examples in just the past couple of years. On Oct. 16, 2024, an illegal migrant from Honduras allegedly raped a 5-year-old girl, a Nassau County resident. Not even a month later, six illegal migrants from Chile and Venezuela burglarized a local jewelry store using saws and advanced technology. A county judge was forced to release five of the criminals because of bail reform, and they escaped accountability by fleeing the county.

ito wipe out the entire population of Long Island.

The crimes being committed by illegal migrants are completely unacceptable to me and my administration. We need to bring law and order to our streets, and our partnership with ICE is just one crucial step toward achieving that goal.

t will mirror similar ones nationwide that target terrorism, gang violence and illegal drugs.

Last February, an illegal migrant stole a pro-Israel flag from a porch in Hewlett and brutally assaulted the homeowner who confronted him.

In January 2023, eight illegal migrants who were part of a South American drug ring were arrested in connection with a string of burglaries and larcenies that targeted high-end homes and businesses across the county. Later that year, another illegal migrant was arrested on the North Shore for carrying three kilograms of pure fentanyl, which authorities say would be enough

Letters

safeguard our community from falling victim to these scams.

Staying informed and cautious not only protects our finances, but also strengthens community trust. Every action contributes to defeating these scams and preserving our service reliability.

PSEG LONG ISLANd

Trump disrespects Teddy Roosevelt

To the Editor:

Will Sheeline was absolutely correct in his column last week, “ d estroying Roosevelt’s legacy.” President Trump’s promised “golden age” is intended to recreate Mark Twain’s: golden for those having the gold, the gilt-edge securities, gold mines and gold $Trump cryptocoin.

Today’s golden children feel their glory has been stolen, and want it back, with interest, and with punishment for the thieves. But the demands go far beyond T.R.’s trust-busting and conservation crimes to include F d R’s New deal “larceny.” Taft-Hartley, Social Security, and the rest of those alphabet agencies are being undone because they’re seen as obstacles to the promised land of corporate “free markets and personal responsibility,” as The Washington Post’s Jeff Bezos puts it.

Trump’s last-term hero was the genocidal, court-defying Andrew Jackson. This time it’s the empire-building colonialist William McKinley. This last is unfair to McKinley, but is how the ignorant Trump sees him.

BRIAN KELLy Rockville Centre

Chainsaws aren’t toys, Elon

To the Editor:

How will we calculate the number of lives Elon Musk will take with his comical “chainsaw massacre”?

What will the death count be in the United States, and around the world, from the withholding of food, drinking water, medical supplies and treatment, vaccinations, and emergency services for natural and manmade disasters?

From the removal of the guardians of public safety from food, drugs, diseases, fire, air pollution and workplace dangers?

From the debasement of services to our military veterans and the politicization of the military? From the disabling of the alliances and treaties that have kept a troubled world from World War III since 1945?

From the abatement of research in health, climate, defense, agriculture and countless other areas of vast public

Public safety has been, and always will be, one of my top priorities. I am proud to say that I have hired nearly 300 new police officers during my time in office. That effort has helped us maintain our standing as the safest county in the United States, an honor bestowed on us by U.S. News & World Report.

The county’s partnership with ICE will further bolster public safety by mirroring similar partnerships that are implemented nationwide to tackle issues like terrorism, gang violence and illegal drugs. In Nassau County’s case, I believe that working with federal officials to stop dangerous criminals is the best thing we can do to protect our streets.

I want to reassure our residents that this program will only target criminals

who are illegal migrants. It is not designed to target law-abiding waiters, busboys, landscapers, service station workers and others who are not criminals, even if they may not be in the U.S. legally. Individuals will only be scrutinized if they are suspected of committing crimes that are separate and apart from their immigration status.

Cruel rumors have been spread about this program targeting and detaining immigrant children. I want to state emphatically that these are false and deceitful lies. Our partnership with ICE will not target children or include raids on schools, churches or communities. Victims and witnesses who report crimes or call 911 for emergency services will not be asked about their immigration status.

As we move forward, it is vital to acknowledge that Nassau County takes pride in its rich cultural diversity. Lawabiding residents should not be concerned about this program. Its primary goal is to safeguard our communities and ensure that those who break the law are held accountable and eliminated as threats. We are committed to a safe and secure county for all its residents, and this program is a critical step in that ongoing mission.

Bruce Blakeman is Nassau County executive.

Framework by Tim Baker

interest? From the defunding of early child care and education at every level, up through university and graduate studies — the very keys to hope and advancement that mitigate against social class ossifying into a caste system in which crime is the only outlet for deprivation?

Perhaps the cost will be incalculable,

but it is the responsibility of our remaining non-MAGA media to report these casualties and not to relate what’s going on simply as a streamlining of government costs against the whining of a few disgruntled former sucklers at the public teat.

GENE J. MANN Bayville

An avian get-together in Brady Park — Massapequa Park

BrUCe BLakeman

Learn