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Jules Roberts and Charlotte Rathjen hug each other before the red team is announced the winners of the 109th annual South Side High School Red and Blue competition. Story, more photos Pages 14 and 15.
By XIoMARA TRINIDAD PEREZ Herald Intern
The Rockville Centre St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee hosted its third annual Backyard Breakfast, in partnership with Backyard Players & Friends, at the organization’s storefront headquarters on North Long Beach Road, on March 2. The Backyard Players embraced the Irish spirit at breakfast, with walls adorned in festive decorations and St. Patrick’s Day hats. The aroma of fresh coffee and pancakes filled the air as guests of all ages feasted on pancakes, eggs, sausage and bacon, coffee and juice. There was a table filled with raffle prizes, and
all proceeds from the raffle will benefit the committee’s chosen charities — SIBS Place, the Remember Nolan Project and the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust — as well as the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, set for March 22.
The Front Porch Market at Backyard Players, which features arts and crafts made by the players, also offered a range of St. Patrick’s Daythemed merchandise and arts and crafts available for purchase, with funds going to the organization.
The parade’s grand marshal, Suzanne Murphy Sullivan, greeted guests as they arrived. “It’s a great community event, because when people
By KElSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
The Rockville Centre Education Foundation’s 2025 Gala, set for April 26, will honor two exceptional individuals whose contributions to the community have had a profound impact on both the local business landscape and the field of education.
This year’s honorees, Lisa Umansky and Melissa Rice, are celebrated for their dedication, innovation, and commitment to the betterment of Rockville Centre.
lisa Umansky: Gala Honoree
worked tirelessly in support of fellow small businesses, ensuring that Rockville Centre thrives.
I ’ve always believed in a strong
relationship between the business community and the school district.
“I’m honored and thrilled to be this year’s Rockville Centre Education Foundation Gala honoree,” Umansky said. “I’ve always believed in a strong relationship between the business community and the school district, and I think it’s a win-win for the entire community.”
lISA UMANSKy Owner, Polka Dot Pound Cake bakery
Lisa Umansky, owner of the beloved Polka Dot Pound Cake in Rockville Centre, has made a lasting mark on the local community as a passionate small business owner and dedicated civic leader. A long-time member and past president of the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce from 2023 to 2024, Umansky has
For years, Umansky has been a steadfast supporter of the Foundation, as well as the South Side High School drama program, and has provided a platform for local high school musicians to showcase their talents. Her unwavering dedication to the success of these initiatives has helped solidify her role as a true community champion. Also, Umansky was named “Rockville Centre’s 2018 Businessperson of the Year” by the Nassau Council of ChamContinued on page 11
More than 700 people attended a live budget briefing with Reps. Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi at Hofstra University that focused on the potentially harmful effects of the partisan budget reconciliation bill passed by the House of Representatives on Feb. 25.
Suozzi opened the March 1 briefing with a detailed PowerPoint, explaining that Congress has yet to pass a full budget for fiscal year 2025 and is currently relying on temporary “Continuing Resolutions,” the latest of which expires on March 14.
He emphasized that the reconciliation bill, which sets the federal government’s spending and revenue for the next decade, would create massive deficits by cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans while slashing critical programs.
“I support cutting waste, fraud, and abuse, but this bill will slash essential funding for hospitals, nursing homes, environmental projects, clean air and water initiatives, school lunches, and more,” Suozzi said in a news release after the event. “Let’s use a scalpel, not a chainsaw — pass a bipartisan budget and do it the right way.”
All Democratic members of Congress, including Suozzi and Gillen, voted against the bill, along with one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
“This briefing was a crucial opportu-
The possible impacts of the federal bill passed last month was discussed by Reps. Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi, as well as other leaders, at Hofstra University.
nity for Long Islanders to learn more about the budget process and hear from local experts on how the proposed budget would impact our communities,” Gillen said in the release. “This budget would rip thousands of people from their healthcare, gut programs that my constituents rely on, and raise costs for working families. I’ll always work across the aisle when it means delivering results for Long Island, but I won’t support a bill that’s bad for Nassau County.”
The event also featured speakers such as Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health, the largest employer in the state, Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation
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Voters, Randi Shubin Dresner, CEO of Island Harvest, and Stanfort Perry, CEO of AHRC Nassau. Each highlighted the potential damage the proposed budget cuts could do to their sectors.
“I’ve been through budget battles before, and they’re tough. But budgets are not just about numbers; they’re about people’s lives,” Dowling said in the release. “Decency must be part of the process. You can make tough decisions, but when you combine bad numbers with indecency and a lack of humanity, it makes everything worse.”
Tighe noted the environmental risks posed by the budget.
“The proposed cuts threaten the prog-
ress we’ve made in cleaning up our air and water and advancing affordable clean energy,” she said in the release. Clean air and water should not be partisan issues. All Americans deserve access to stable, homegrown energy that isn’t subject to the volatile cost of fossil fuels.”
Shubin Dresner expressed concern about the impact on food security programs.
“Island Harvest has $2 million in funding currently frozen, putting 17 critical programs at risk,” she said in the release. “You can’t solve a budget crisis by cutting support for the most vulnerable.”
Perry emphasized the dangers of proposed cuts to Medicaid services for people with disabilities.
“We cannot endure these cuts,” he said in the release. “When agencies like AHRC Nassau can’t provide the care people with disabilities need, they end up in hospitals or nursing homes. This isn’t fiscal responsibility—it’s harming those who need help the most.”
“These issues matter to our community, and people are paying attention,” Suozzi stated in the release. “Over 700 Long Islanders came today to learn how Washington’s decisions affect their lives. I’m proud of my community, and I will continue to fight for the programs and services Long Island depends on.”
–Jeffrey Bessen
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By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
In an ambitious project that began in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Mount Sinai South Nassau has unveiled its new, cutting-edge emergency department, ushering the hospital into a new era of patient care and community service.
Mount Sinai South Nassau has opened the Fennessy Family Emergency Department, in the newly constructed Feil Family Pavilion, continuing the expansion to meet the acute and emergency medical needs of the South Shore of Long Island.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 left Long Beach Medical Center underwater, and ultimately forced it into bankruptcy. In a bold move during bankruptcy court proceedings, Mount Sinai South Nassau emerged as the sole hospital to take advantage of critical FEMA funding, being the only hospital to show up in bankruptcy court. They used part of the $470 million in FEMA funds to build the medical arts pavilion in Long Beach. The facility was rebuilt and reopened, with the medical arts pavilion completed in June 2023. The project was part of a broader reconstruction effort that also included the current emergency department renovation at the main hospital location.
“This really started with Sandy,” Joe Calderone, Mount Sinai’s senior vice president of corporate communications, said.
Strategic Investment and Innovative Funding
The new emergency department, part of a larger multi-project initiative that includes the Medical Arts Pavilion in Long Beach and a central utility plant, benefited from between $160-$172 million in FEMA funding. The decision not to rebuild a hospital in Long Beach was driven by safety concerns — Long Beach had been under a gubernatorial evacuation order during Sandy, and the hospital’s new location, further inland, promised a safer alternative.
“By 2014, we had gotten together and thought about what we wanted the facility to look like for the next 20 to 50 years,” Dr. Adhi Sharma, the hospital’s current president, said. “And part of that was adding this entire wing, but also understanding the emergency department at the time was undersized for the capacity that was needed to serve the communities that we serve. The vision then was to build an ED that would be welcoming to patients and families who accommodate family members.”
Doubling in size from 15,000 to 30,000 square feet, the revamped emergency department now boasts 50 exam rooms featuring hard walls instead of traditional curtains, ensuring greater privacy and enhanced infection control. The design improvements, many of which were influenced by lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic, include the installation of sliding glass doors to improve safety and airflow.
“We learned a lot during Covid, and these design changes reflect our commitment to the health and safety of both patients and staff,” Dr. Sharma said.
The new ED is a cornerstone of a new four-story, 100,000-square-foot Feil Family patient pavilion that will include nine new operating rooms and 40 new critical care suites set to open later this Spring. The new ED will be able to see approximately 80,000 patients annually. The new ED features centralized nursing stations for direct oversight of patient rooms, bedside triage, and a state-of-the art trauma unit with an adjoining radiology bay.
In addition to the enhanced exam rooms, the new facility includes an upgraded triage area designed to streamline patient flow, ensuring those with minor issues are seen quickly and efficiently, and a state-ofthe-art trauma room, featuring four bays capable of accommodating up to eight patients. The trauma room is equipped to handle severe injuries and medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest.
Also, two new critical care floors — each with 20 private rooms and dedicated family accommodations — are set to open in April and June, respectively. These upgrades replace outdated bays with modern, spacious rooms that enhance patient care and comfort.
Additionally, nine new operating rooms are scheduled to open in August, with these rooms being significantly larger than their predecessors. With operating
spaces ranging from 600 to 1,000 square feet, they are designed to accommodate advanced surgical equipment and procedures, positioning the hospital to perform more complex surgeries.
Hospital leadership expressed confidence that the expansion will reduce patient wait times and improve overall emergency care efficiency, thanks in part to an innovative triage system that deploys providers immediately upon the patients’ arrival. The new department is designed to accommodate a diverse range of patient needs — from pediatric to geriatric care, as well as specialized areas like behavioral health, which now benefits from a separate, dedicated space to provide a more therapeutic environment.
“What we’re building for the community, all the different aspects of the community’s needs, whether it’s behavioral health, pediatrics or geriatrics or even trauma care,” Dr. Jay Itzkowitz, the hospital’s department chair for emergency medicine, said. “We’re increasing our capacity to care for more patients, reducing wait times by having a provider in triage. More nursing at the front end to see the patients being brought in quicker with more efficient emergency care. We now have state-of-the-art equipment, additional treatment rooms, and dedicated teams of medical professionals made up of doctors and nurses caring for the patients from the moment they get in until the moment they’re ready to go. More importantly, for the community, we’re bringing more services to the hospital.”
The project has not only modernized the hospital’s infrastructure but also positioned Mount Sinai South Nassau as a leading facility capable of serving thousand in its area. Joe Fennessy, former board chairman and donor, whose family name now adorns the emergency department, expressed pride in the project.
“It’s not just about bricks and mortar — it’s about ensuring that every individual receives the highest quality of care,” Fennessy said.
On Feb. 25, an Old Mill Court resident reported an acquaintance attempted to strike them with their vehicle on Feb. 22.
On Feb. 25, an Old Mill Court resident reported an acquaintance posted harassing messages about them on their social media account.
On Feb. 25, a Hendrickson Avenue resident reported someone altered two checked he mailed through the U.S. Post Office.
On Feb. 25, Jessica Vita, 27, of East Rockaway, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after an investigation at The Dirty Taco.
On Feb. 26, Yan Xu, 36, of Long Island City, was arrested and charged with possession of a forged instrument and false personation after an investigation at Citizens Bank.
On March 1, Poseidon Dorismond,
22, of Middletown, was arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree and Harassment in the Second Degree after an investigation on N. Village Avenue.
On March 1, Christopher Rodriguez, 35, of Flushing, was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and vehicle and traffic law offenses after an investigation on Merrick Road.
On Feb. 27, police responded to a large disturbance on the Demott Avenue walkbridge, where about 40 juveniles were found drinking illegally and causing a commotion. As officers arrived, some juveniles threw full beer cans at them and their vehicles before fleeing into Hempstead Lake State Park. Six teens, ages 16 and 17, were later issued appearance tickets for violating park hours, while a younger juvenile could not be ticketed. Security footage is being reviewed to identify more suspects, and the investigation is ongoing.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
The Rockville Centre Fire Department is always looking for help in serving our community. If you live here or in any one of the adjacent communities and are interested in joining or just
Feb. 23 – Mar. 2
General Alarms – 4
Still Alarms – 10
Rescue – 2
Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 58
Mutual Aid Fire – 1
Mutual Aid Rescue – 0
Mutual Aid Ambulance – 0
Total – 75
have questions, please visit any firehouse on Sunday mornings and speak with one of the officers or call (516) 6789320. For emergencies dial 911 or (516) 766-0400.
Year To Date
General Alarms – 85
Still Alarms – 48
Rescue – 25
Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 493
Mutual Aid Fire – 11
Mutual Aid Rescue – 0
Mutual Aid Ambulance – 2
Total – 664
Many ways to access great doctors? We have that. Simple mobile app? We have that, too. Convenient locations for primary, specialty and urgent care? Absolutely. On Long Island, you have options in health care. But at Catholic Health, we'd like to remind you to choose you first – because we did, too. Long Live You and Long Live Long Island™
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.
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?
arts 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.
think of the parade, they think of that actual day and everything that goes on in town,” Sullivan said. “This is a real family event. You can see this from the young people (to the) older people, so that’s what makes it so special.”
Ellen White, a former grand marshal of the parade and the president of Backyard Players, first opened the organization’s doors to host the breakfast three years ago.
“Ellen White, of the Backyard Players, has been instrumental,” Jackie Kerr, president of the parade committee, said, “offering up their facility for us to utilize, and the Backyard Players are wonderful with helping, serving the people. It’s an amazing event.”
Backyard Players is an arts-based nonprofit that supports neurodiverse teens and young adults through classes in art, music and cooking. Its programs focus on teaching social skills, and it hosts year-round fundraisers, including Love Nana, at which baby clothes are collected for families in need.
The breakfast gave the Backyard Players the opportunity to cook and serve guests, sharing their talents while supporting the fundraiser.
“This pancake breakfast is really a fun event,” one guest, Nancy O’Reilly, said. “It’s great for the community, and also for the kids who participate in Backyard Players here, and they’re doing a great job being servers.”
“I think it’s a great event,” said another guest, Matt Lombardi, who brought his children. “I live right around the block from here, so it’s very easy for me to come down and take my kids to breakfast and support. It’s good to see the younger generation out, too, and getting in the spirit.”
The parade committee works all year round to raise funds for three selected charities at a number of events, including the breakfast. Each year, they select one national, one Irish and one locally focused charity on which to focus their fundraising efforts.
SIBSPlace, based in Rockville Centre, supports children coping with the lifethreatening illness of a sibling or parent. The Remember Nolan Project,
founded in honor of Nolan Burch by his parents, TJ and Kim, aims to help young adults recognize and prevent the dangers associated with hazing, after Nolan died in 2014. The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust works to bring the bodies of loved ones who died abroad back to Ireland, in honor of Kevin Bell, whose family and friends raised so much money to return his body to Ireland from New York in 2013 that they founded the organization with the leftover funds.
The money raised at the annual breakfast also makes Rockville Centre’s annual parade possible. The parade began in 1997 and, according to the committee’s website, has become “one of the best-attended and supported parades outside of New York City.”
This year’s parade, on March 22, will kick off at noon. For more information on the committee’s mission, visit RVCStPatrick.com.
While making sure the morning ran smoothly, ellen White, right, had time to stop and see naginder Singh.
The St. Patrick’s Parade Committee of Rockville Centre was joined by the community on the night of Feb. 28 to light the tall tree outside of Village Hall. The green lights and shamrocks around the tree symbolize the start of March, which brings St. Patrick’s Day and the beloved “parade that cares and shares.”
Mayor Francis Murray, village trustee Katie Conlon, Legislator Scott Davis and representatives from SIBSPlace joined the neighborhood at the tree lighting to bring in the celebrations of March, which highlights the Irish heritage of many in the community, as well as Women’s History Month. Many people from the community came to “light up RVC green,” and the tree will be lit up for the duration of the month.
The village is preparing for its big parade on March 22 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the three local charities the parade is supporting this year — SIBSPlace, the Remember Nolan Project and the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
–Kelsie Radziski
“Elder Law Estate Planning” is an area of law that combines features of both elder law (disability planning) and estate planning (death planning) and relates mostly to the needs of the middle class. Estate planning was formerly only for the wealthy, who wanted to shelter their assets from taxes and pass more on to their heirs. But today estate planning is also needed by the middle class who often have assets exceeding one million dollars, especially when you consider life insurance in the mix.
Estate planning with trusts became popular starting in 1991 when AARP published “A Consumer Report on Probate” concluding that probate should be avoided and trusts should be used to transfer assets to heirs without the expense and delay of probate, a court proceeding on death. Trusts are also widely used today to avoid guardianship proceedings on disability, protect privacy, and reduce the chance of a will contest in court.
& Estates
As the population aged, life expectancies increased, and the cost of care skyrocketed, the field of elder law emerged in the late 1980’s to help people protect assets from the cost of long-term care by using Medicaid asset protection strategies.
We have been practicing “elder law estate planning” together for over thirty-five years to address these needs:
• Getting your assets to your heirs, with the least amount of court costs, taxes and legal fees possible.
• Keeping your assets in the bloodline for your grandchildren and protecting those assets from your children’s divorces, lawsuits and creditors.
• Protecting your assets from the costs of long-term care and qualifying you for government benefits to pay for your home care or facility care.
• Avoiding guardianship proceedings if you become disabled and probate court proceedings on death.
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.
bers of Commerce for her invaluable efforts.
“Lisa has always been a supporter of the Foundation,” Jean Harris, vice president of the Education Foundation, said, “but more importantly she understands the benefits of commerce and community working together.”
The story of Polka Dot Pound Cake is just as rich and warm as the baked goods it creates. After relocating to Rockville Centre in 1993 and spending time raising her two daughters, Umansky began sharing her baked goods at local farmers’ markets. Over the course of several years, Umansky’s business grew from a small side endeavor to a beloved bakery.
When Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012, Umansky saw an opportunity to open a full-fledged bakery, and in 2013, Polka Dot Pound Cake opened its doors on Long Beach Road. Along with her husband, Paul Umansky, who joined the business in 2013, she transformed her passion for baking into a thriving business.
In 2016, Umansky expanded her business’s reach by partnering with Old Westbury Gardens to operate Café in the Woods, offering event catering services. By 2019, she expanded once again, adding a café and event space to the bakery. The success of Polka Dot Pound Cake is a testament to Umansky’s unwavering dedication to both her craft and the community she loves.
Melissa Rice, a teacher at Floyd B. Watson Elementary School in Rockville Centre, is the recipient of the 2025 Ruth Fins Award, an honor recognizing an individual who exemplifies the spirit of dedication, advocacy, and belief in the transformative power of education. Rice’s career spanned over two decades, during which she has had a profound impact on her students, colleagues, and the broader educational landscape in Rockville Centre.
Throughout her 23-year teaching career, Rice has remained steadfast in her commitment to fostering creativity and excellence in the classroom. Her
innovative approach to curriculum design, coupled with her ability to inspire students of all abilities, has earned her widespread recognition and admiration.
“I used to try and say that teaching was just my job,” Rice said, “but teaching, particularly in RVC, is who I am at my core. I have been incredibly blessed to work amongst the best of the best and to teach hundreds of children that I will love forever.”
In addition to her work in the classroom, Rice has been an active participant in the Rockville Centre Education Foundation, using grants to create dynamic and engaging learning experiences for her students. These grants have enabled her to bring innovative educational projects to life, enriching the classroom environment and sparking curiosity in students.
Rice’s influence extends far beyond the classroom — her compassion, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the success of her students has left a lasting imprint on Rockville Centre.
“Melissa Rice takes advantage of what the Foundation has to offer,” Harris said. “She is a repeat grant recipient who brings innovation to education while enhancing student learning.”
Outside of her teaching career, Rice is also a proud mother. Together with her husband, Mike, they raise two dynamic daughters who are an integral part of the Rockville Centre community. Their family’s commitment to education and community service reflects the values that Rice has instilled in her students throughout her career.
This year’s Ruth Fins Award is named in honor of Ruth Fins, a tireless advocate for public education in Rockville Centre, and Rice embodies the same spirit of dedication and belief in the power of education to change lives.
“The Rockville Centre Education Foundation has made so many of my educational endeavors come to fruition,” she said, “and I am incredibly humbled and proud to be recognized at this year’s gala.”
For more information on the Education Foundation and their Benefit Gala, visit RVCEdFoundation.org.
Learn
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
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.
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-
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
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.
“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.”
By KELSIE RADZISKI & XIOMARA TRINIDAD PEREZ kradziski@liherald.com
The red team is back on top after winning the 109th Red and Blue competition. The three-day event saw a variety of activities that highlighted both teams’ talent and teamwork.
In their skit titled “A REDmillion Dreams,” the red team brought the crowd to the world of the 2017 movie musical, “The Greatest Showman.” Team captains, Grace Iacobellis and Lana Jewett, played the leading roles in the team’s skit, where the two girls are magically transported from their bedroom into the movie’s circus world. The skit introduced the audience to a story where a mayor threatens to shut down the circus, but the girls help by discovering unique talents and acts to save it. These talents were brought to life through the team’s vibrant dance routines, with performers portraying tigers, clowns, weightlifters, gymnasts and tap dancers. Ultimately, the girls succeed in saving the circus and come back home.
The blue team’s skit, “BLUE Breaks the Internet,” brought video games to life as team captains Julia Clarke and Sofia Leszczynski ended up in the Wreck-It Ralph video game from the 2012 movie. They danced through different video games, from frolicking in Sugar Rush to racing in Mario Kart, and the stakes got higher in Guitar Hero and Tomb Raider, with the final tap dance being a celebration of winning the games. By the end, the girls learned that it’s not all about winning — it’s about teaming up and having fun. In the end, they made it out of the game in time for their graduation. Both skits highlighted the teams’ love for the Red and Blue competition and the importance of friendship and supporting each other.
During the tumbling routines, both
ConTinued froM PreViouS PAge
teams showcased a level of skill and elegance as they did elaborate gymnastic stunts, with the red team taking the win.
The blue team dominated the relay events on Friday night. They quickly dressed and undressed in firefighter gear during the fireman relay, efficiently passed a basketball up and down the line of girls in the concentration relay and flew backwards between cones on their scooters during the scooter relay, all showing off their commitment to teamwork and coordination. The final relay of the night, the floor hockey game, ended in a tie after both teams showed off their strong defense abilities.
The red team took came back with a vengeance on Saturday night, winning all four relays. The team proudly showcased their diverse talents in basketball, and the Superstar relay saw them just barely take the win after running through an elaborate obstacle course. The momentum continued as they triumphed in the Tug of War and Volleyball games, further solidifying their dominance. Each time the red team was declared the victor, their students erupted in cheers, celebrating their success with infectious energy and pride.
Both teams showed courage, commitment and talent throughout the entire competition. However, the red team took the win by only one point, with the final score being 51-50.
By XIOMARA TRINIDAD PEREZ Herald Intern
This year marks the 75th anniversary of one of the deadliest train collisions in Rockville Centre’s history. On the night of Feb. 17, 1950, two trains collided on the tracks of Rockville Centre station, near Banks Avenue, killing at least 29 people and injuring more than 100 in what was, at the time, one of the deadliest accidents in the history of the Long Island Railroad.
Around 10:35 p.m., a 12-car eastbound passenger train carrying approximately 800 passengers ran through a red signal light and collided with a westbound train near Banks Avenue, according to reports from the Long Island News and the Owl.
The tragedy affected people from all over Long Island and New York City.
“It wasn’t just Rockville Centre people,” Debbie Fehringer, a member of the Rockville Centre Historical Society, said. “This is where the accident happened, of course, but the train had passengers coming from Brooklyn, and this train was stopping at every stop along the way to Amityville. So you had residents from all over.”
The tragic crash took place on a newly installed one-way gauntlet track, which had been added two years before the tragedy, as part of a grade crossing elimination program aimed at improv -
Around 29 people were killed, and more than 100 others were killed, during one of the LIRR’s deadliest accidents in Rockville Centre 75 years ago, on Feb. 17, 1950.
ing safety.
“The man who was initially blamed for [the collision], he was exonerated in the end,” Fehringer said. “Because it was really found that the type of track should not have been there at all. Where two trains going both directions shared the tracks and had to watch for signals. As you know, just prior to that, 1949, Rockville Centre started the South shore grade elimination process, where the whole LIRR was getting raised off
the tracks.”
The man who Fehringer was referring to was Jacob Kieferm, a motorman on the eastbound train, who was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter following the crash. During the trial, he stated that he had fainted just before the collision occurred. However, that September, a jury found Kiefer not guilty, as reported in “Railroad Wrecks,” by Edgar A. Haine. A month later, the Long Island Railroad
announced that nearly $1.2 million in settlements had been reached with the families of those who perished in the crash.
Passengers like Maureen Patten, 18 at the time, recalled the shock and horror of being in that crash. Patten usually sat in one of the first two cars, which made getting a bus home more convenient; however, that night she decided to ride in the third car, as she was meeting Peter Stewart, whom she would marry five years later, for a date.
Patten remembered the impact and crashing sound. She waited for the lights to come on and an opportunity to get out of the tilted train car and was finally able to jump to safety. Stewart stood on a grassy hill nearby, she recalled, he was relieved to see her. Sirens of ambulances and fire trucks filled the air.
“We didn’t realize the impact of what had happened,” Patten told the Herald in 2019. “We were just happy to see each other, and we left before we saw any of the terrible things.”
Larry Penner, a transportation historian, advocate and writer who worked for the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration for 31 years, told the Herald back in 2019 that the LIRR raised the Babylon branch and other lines in the 1950s while also removing many grade-level crossings, resulting in safer overall operations.
The kids of the St. Agnes and Fr. Joseph O’Connell Knights of Columbus Councils competed in the district free throw championship on March 1.
St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Council #2548, of Rockville Centre, and Fr. Joseph O’Connell Knights of Columbus Council #3481, of Oceanside, squared off on March 1 to determine who will represent District 19 in the Nassau County Championships.
Fourteen athletes competed in 7 age/ gender groups. In the 9-year-old groups, the winners were Charlie Latushkin and Maeve Quigley, both from St. Agnes. In the 10-year-old
groups, the winners were Declan Driscoll from Fr. O’Connell and Lily Wassenbergh from St. Agnes. In the 11-year-old groups, Jackson Hachemeister and Savannah Olsen, both from Fr. O’Connell, won. Timmy Williams, 12, from St. Agnes, and Christian DeCandio, 13, from Fr. O’Connell, also won.
The champions will compete against champions from other county districts at the championship on March 16 at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity High School.
By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com
Amy Baron has been providing psychotherapy in Long Beach and the surrounding areas for over 12 years, and her practice includes trained therapists from around the area, including Rockville Centre. Since the pandemic, says there has been a significant rise in individuals reaching out for support with anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting challenges, difficulty adjusting to changing life circumstances and a desire to increase self-esteem and feel more fulfilled.
of help they can get, and, ultimately, that help is out there.
Q: Can you tell us about your connection to the community?
With her Heal and Grow Psychotherapy Group, she aims to ensure people know what kind
Amy Baron: I was born and raised in Oceanside and later raised my children in Baldwin before moving to Long Beach about 12 years ago. When I settled here, I opened my private practice to provide psychotherapy to Long Beach and surrounding towns. Many of our therapists also have strong ties to the area too. Elena Montemurro grew up in Oceanside and Rockville Centre, Marja Ganesh lives in Baldwin, and Emily Magni was raised in Merrick, where she currently resides.
Throughout our time in practice, we have worked closely with local schools and medical providers to better support the mental health needs of our clients. Having such strong connections to Long Beach and surrounding communities allows us to understand the unique challenges people face and offer more integrated care.
Q: What trends do you see in people seeking help?
Baron: One key trend I’ve noticed is a sharp increase in parents seeking therapy for their children and teens. Many families are struggling with the stress of changing dynamics, and there’s been a greater recognition of the importance of early intervention. I am seeing a rise in school and social anxiety which we have successfully helped our clients navigate and manage. Additionally, there’s been a noticeable rise in couples and families coming in for help to resolve conflict, improve communication and strengthen their relationships.
Another interesting shift is the growing number of people who, in the past, might have been resistant to seeking therapy—particularly men and those in first responder professions. There’s been a reduction in the stigma around mental health, and people are becoming more
open to reaching out for support, recognizing the value of therapy in addressing their challenges and improving relationships and overall well-being.
Q: Are there any hurdles people face in seeking help?
Baron: While more people are reaching out for therapy, there are significant barriers. Many don’t realize how difficult it can be to find a therapist until they begin the search. Many therapists do not have availability and have long waiting lists. Another challenge is that many therapists only offer telehealth sessions. While virtual therapy is convenient and has its place, there are many situations where in-person therapy is essential for providing effective care. Being physically present in the same room creates a unique dynamic that fosters connection and a deeper therapeutic process, which can be difficult to replicate on a screen. I firmly believe that the experience of sitting together in a shared space has a profound impact that cannot always be achieved through virtual sessions.
Additionally, many therapists opt to work with self-pay clients only, rather than accepting insurance. This can make therapy financially inaccessible for many people who rely on
insurance to cover their mental health care.
Q: What is your practice doing to ensure people get the help they need?
Baron: In response to the overwhelming demand for mental health services, Heal and Grow Psychotherapy Group is undergoing a significant expansion. We’ve recently moved to a larger office on Park Avenue and welcomed several new therapists specializing in various areas, including child and adolescent therapy, marriage and family counseling, adult therapy, and parenting support. We will be offering group therapy sessions covering an array of topics and will host special events and workshops designed to provide valuable tools, education, and support for individuals, couples, and families.
To accommodate busy schedules, we’ve extended our hours to include more evening and weekend appointment times. For clients unable to attend in person, we continue to offer telehealth. And to make therapy more financially accessible we work with numerous insurance plans in and out of network and handle all paperwork and claim submission.
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.”
Celebrate all month long with a feast! Let us take care of the cooking while you enjoy the festivities.
March Irish Feast Special $199
½ Tray Corned Beef & Cabbage
½ Tray Shepherd’s Pie
½ Tray Beef Stew Freshly Baked Soda Bread
Individual trays also available! Please note, a minimum of 2 days notice is required.
Limited availability – Pre-order now!
Pietro’s of East Meadow
Call to Order: (516) 794-8820
Enjoy our festive Irish-inspired menu, available all month long:
Potato Leek Soup – Creamy potato and leek soup ($10.95)
Irish Nachos – Thick-cut fries with crispy bacon, Irish cheddar, and whiskey sauce ($14.95)
Shepherd’s Pie – Ground beef, carrots, onions, and peas in savory brown gravy, topped with broiled mashed potatoes ($18.95)
Fish & Chips – Fresh battered cod, served with steak fries and homemade tartar sauce ($21.95)
Corned Beef & Cabbage – Served with boiled potatoes, roasted carrots, and mustard cream sauce ($25.95)
Guinness Beef Stew – Slow-cooked beef with carrots, onions, celery, and mashed potatoes, topped with crispy parsnips ($26.95)
Baileys Bread Pudding – Warm bread pudding with vanilla custard and Baileys ice cream ($11.95)
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
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.
• 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.
“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.”
“The students teaching other kids.”
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
“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 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.
Thursday, March 13, 8 and 10 p.m.
Photo on bottom: Be sure to create a parade-worthy headdress and design a whistle to toot some
$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.
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.
Rockville Centre Civic Association meeting
Long Island Blues Society presents the Duke Robillard Trio and Long Island’s BFS Trio at My Father’s Place, Saturday, March 8, 8-10 p.m. Duke Robillard, the founder of Roomful of Blues, brings his band back to Long Island for an exceptional night of blues. My Father’s Place at The Roslyn, 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. For tickets/information, visit MyFathersPlace.com or call (516) 580-0887.
Come to Rockville Centre
Public Library for a showing of “Wicked,” Friday, March 7, 2-4 p.m. Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. For more information, visit RVCLibrary.org. 221 N. Village Ave. In concert
Village of Rockville Centre Civic Association meets, Tuesday, March 11, 7 p.m., at Rockville Centre Public Library. Cookies and refreshments are served to attendees as they discuss how to make Rockville Centre an even better place to live. For more information, email rvc.civic@ gmail.com. 221 N. Village Ave.
Pot of Gold 3x2 Mile
Long Island Roadrunner Club holds its annual Pot of Gold mile relay event, Sunday, March 16, in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. The race kicks off at parking field 2 at 8:30 a.m. With multiple runners slated to participate on teams, this event is sure to be filled with a lot of St. Patrick’s Day luck and spirit. For more, visit EliteFeats.com.
Join in the annual RVC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday, March 22, with a 12 p.m. kickoff, on Sunrise Hwy between North Long Beach Road and North Forest Avenues. Suzanne Murphy Sullivan, lifelong resident of Rockville Centre and Director of Community Development for the Village, is this year’s Grand Marshal. For more information, visit RVCStPatrick.com.
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday, March 7,-10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, March 8, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; also Wednesday and Thursday, March 12-13,10:15 a.m. and noon. It is 3017 in this futuristic, musical retelling of “Cinderella.” She’s now a space engineer looking to revolutionize space travel. When the Prince holds a space parade, Cinderella saves ithe day.
But first, she’ll have to keep her evil stepmother from throwing a wrench in her plans! $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
The Oceanside Chorale is looking for new members to sing in its “Opera or Popera” concert Sunday, June 8. Voices are needed in all sections. Rehearsals are Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., the Fulton Avenue School in Oceanside. For further information call Frank at (516) 764-2787, email fxdefontes@ hotmail.com or oceansidechorale. com. 3252 Fulton Ave.
Nassau BOCES GC Tech, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education high school, is opening its doors to all students with a passion for a hands-on career. Come and get a “Taste of Tech” at an open house at the campus in Levittown, Wednesday, March 12, 6-7:30 p.m. Nassau BOCES GC Tech prepares students for a future in the workforce by providing them with the skills, knowledge and professional qualities they will need to be successful in their chosen career fields.
The school boasts a new spa where aspiring estheticians learn skin care and massage techniques. There is also a newly revamped auto shop. Prospective students and families from Nassau County are invited to tour the GC Tech campus at 150 Abbey Lane, and to meet with expert teachers, counselors and administrators. Register for an open house at nassauboces. org/gctech or call the school for more information at (516) 604-4200.
Best of Broadway: ‘Looking
Adelphi University
Performing Arts students celebrate the music that shaped Broadway during their semi-annual Best of Broadway concert, Sunday, March 9, 4 p.m. The talented students bring to life the magic of Broadway with music from classic and contemporary musicals. This edition includes selections from celebrated composers and lyricists, including Kander and Ebb, Alan Menken, Jason Robert Brown, and many more! This event will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi. edu/pac.
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.
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum. org.
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, March 9, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
6,
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU
Mortgage Assets Management, LLC,, Plaintiff AGAINST Nassau County Public Administrator, as Limited Administrator of the Estate of Yolande E. BayardGaston a/k/a Yolande Gaston; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 17, 2023 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 24, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1180 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 38 Block 105 Lot 153. Approximate amount of judgment
$506,388.47 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 607221/2017. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Peter Kramer, Esq., Referee- 516-510-4020 LOGS Legal Group LLP
f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: February 5, 2025 151729
LEGAL NOTICE BUDGET HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN in accordance with New York Village Law 5-508(3) that on March 27, 2025, at the Eugene J. Murray Village Hall, One College Place, Rockville Centre, New York, at 6:00 pm, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Rockville Centre will commence a public hearing to consider the adoption of the budget of the Village of Rockville Centre for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2025 and ending May 31, 2026.
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that a copy of the tentative budget and a copy of the Property Tax Exemption Impact Report are available at the office of the Village Clerk at the Municipal Building of the Village of Rockville Centre, One College Place, Rockville Centre, New York, where they may be inspected by any interested persons during office hours. The said budget proposes payment of compensation to members of the Board of Trustees as follows:
Mayor $110,000.00, Deputy Mayor $33,000, each other Trustee of the Village $21,500.00.
DATED: Rockville Centre, New York March 3, 2025
By Order of the Board of Trustees
Nancy Howard, Village Clerk-Treasurer 151989
LEGAL NOTICE Public Notice to Bidders
Sealed Bids will be received by the Purchasing Department of the Village of Rockville Centre One College Place, Room 204, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 for the matter stated below until 11:00am prevailing time on March 6, 2025 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. The
contract will be awarded as soon thereafter as practicable for: PURCHASE (one) 2021 Pre-Owned FORD EXPEDITION for Building Department, Equivalent or Better Bid No. 2503B1(1142)
The contract documents and specifications can be examined on the Village’s website at www.rvcny.gov. Follow the link to the Purchasing Department. All questions should be directed to the Purchasing Department. Please contact Lisa Strazzeri via email only at Lstrazzeri@rvcny.us. Questions must be submitted no later than March 13, 2025. Award of Contract will be made to the lowest responsible bidder in accordance with applicable provisions of the law. The Village reserves the right to reject all bids, or make such determination as in the best interests of the Village, as provided by law.
Purchasing Department
Lisa Strazzeri Purchasing Agent 516-678-9213 151988
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWMBS, INC., CHL MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH TRUST 2007-7 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-7, Pltf. vs. CHARLOTTE M. PARKER, et al Deft. Index #611609-2023. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered February 4, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100
Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on April 8, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a 77 Maple Avenue, Unit #202, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. The real property above described is a Unit shown on the Plans of a Condominium prepared and certified by Russell Lewis and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on the 18th day of December, 2006, as Map No. CA-228 defined in the Declaration of Condominium entitled The Berkshire Condominium made by Pulte Homes of New York, Inc. under Article 9-B of the New York Real Property Law dated the 30th day of November, 2006 and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on the 18th day of December, 2006 in Liber 12210 of Conveyances at Page 73. Situate and being a part of a Condominium in the Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County and State of NY, known and designated as Residential Unit No. 202 together with 1/24th undivided interest in the Common Elements of the Condominium hereinafter described as the same is defined in the Declaration of the Condominium hereinafter referred to. Approximate amount of judgment is $574,803.62 plus cost and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. JUDGE SCOTT H. SILLER, Referee. HILL WALLACK LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 261 Madison Avenue, 9th Floor, Ste. 940, New York, NY. File No. 20292-2037#102153 152005
John Beaulieu, a Long Island native, died on Feb. 17 at the age of 82. Known by his loved ones as “Jack,” he was born on Dec. 19, 1942, in Oceanside.
After attending Farmingdale College and serving in the National Reserves, Jack joined his father, Frank Sr., and brother, Frank Jr., in the family construction business in Oceanside. Several years later, he and his brother opened a John Deere dealership in Hauppauge. Jack returned to construction in the 1990s, but his career was cut short by an accident that left him a double amputee and almost cost him his life.
Following a long recovery, Jack was frequently asked by doctors to help inspire injured patients about life as an amputee. He began handcycling and eventually participated in marathons in New York City, Boston, Alaska and other locations nationwide. Jack and his friends brought handcycles to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., to share with wounded veterans and teach them the sport.
From handcycling, Jack transitioned to wheelchair tennis. He competed in tournaments in Queens, New Jersey, and Florida, where he and his wife Nancy had a second home. Teaching and competing in tennis became Jack’s passion, and he dedicated most of his time to the sport up until the end of his life. He was an advocate for disabled athletes and a mentor to many of his teammates. Recently, Jack and the Wheelchair Sports Federation, of which he was a member, succeeded in dedicating a pickleball court for wheelchair players in Wantagh.
Jack was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Nancy, with whom he shared 60 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they built a beautiful life and a loving family. He was a proud father to three daughters — Kathy Henderson,
John Beaulieu, an advocate for the disabled community, died on Feb. 17 at the age of 82.
Diane Davis and Amy Gage.
Jack’s life was defined by his kindness, generosity and unwavering dedication to his family and friends. His advocacy for the disabled community was an inspiration. He will be remembered for his warm smile, his wisdom and his ability to make everyone around him feel valued and loved.
Jack’s legacy lives on through his wife, daughters and seven cherished grandchildren — Sophie, Ellie, Kaitlin, Jackson, Ryan, Benjamin and Juliana. He is the dear brother of Joan Varney, and Carol Burch. He was preceded in death by his brother, Frank.
As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate the remarkable life he lived and the many ways he touched our hearts. His memory will forever remain a source of comfort and inspiration.
A mass of Christian burial was held on Feb. 25 at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre.
The Village of Rockville Centre announced at the village meeting on March 3 that it is proud to celebrate Women’s History Month, a time to honor the extraordinary achievements and contributions of women of all races, classes and ethnic backgrounds. Recognized since 1987, this month highlights the critical role women have played in shaping the nation’s history, culture and progress.
The 2025 national theme for Women’s History Month, “Moving Forward Together: Women Educating and Inspiring Generations,” celebrates the collective strength and influence of women dedicated to education, mentorship and
leadership. In alignment with this theme, Rockville Centre is proud to recognize the women who have played a vital role in the community’s success.
The village, Baxley pointed out, is home to a remarkable group of women leading essential departments within the village, as well as serving in leadership roles. These employees’ daily work “keep[s] our village running and thriving on a daily basis,” Baxley said.
“Trustee [Katie] Conlon and I, representing the entire board, are proud to work with the women of this village,” Baxley said, “and we are proud to recognize their service and dedication during this women’s history month.”
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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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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
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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!
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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.
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.
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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-
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
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 demanding payment, it is imperative to pause, take a
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.
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 safeguard our community from falling victim to these scams. Staying informed and cautious not only protects our finances, but also strengthens community trust. Every
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
action contributes to defeating these scams and preserving our service reliability.
PSEG LONG ISLANd
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 re-create Mark Twain’s: golden for those having the gold, the gilt-edge securities, gold mines and gold $Trump crypto-coin.
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 d eal “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
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
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 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 nonMAGA 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
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.
In the biographical notes accompanying U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen’s column, “Government must be efficient, coherent and transparent,” in
last week’s issue, the congresswoman was mistakenly identified as Laura Curran. The Herald regrets the error.
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