HERALD UNIONDALE
Sacret Heart students receive NYIT grants
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Three students from Sacred Heart Academy were named recipients of New York Institute of Technology MiniResearch Grant Awards on Feb. 15, allowing them to pursue their civics projects with $300 stipends.
Junior Katherine Mazaroski and sophomores Isabella Cabrera and Sameera Rampertab created ambitious STEM projects as part of their AP Science seminar at Sacred Heart, an all-girls Catholic school in Hempstead.
TMazaroski called her project “Challenging Barriers for Diverse Clinical Participants with Traditional vs. Online Recruitment Strategies.”
hese grants help a lot.
STEPHEN SuLLivAN Director of research, Sacred Heart Academy
Mazaroski and the team of Cabrera and Rampertab were each awarded grants. NYIT’s Mini-Research Grant program is in its eighth year of supporting high school students’ research with stipends that cover the costs of tools, materials and other expenses. It is open to students in the metropolitan area, and attracts about 200 applicants a year. The program awards grants for 25 projects per discipline in engineering, physical therapy, computer science and biochemistry.
“I did a lot of research over the summer this year on clinical trials and how, because of recent technology, they’ve been able to use online multi-marketplaces,” she explained. She explored the best methods for sampling participants for clinical trials to avoid skewed results, because, Mazaroski said, common strategies — such as sourcing a small number of subjects from sites like Reddit and Craigslist — will yield a group of people that may not be a good representation of the general public.
“It’s really imperative that you have diversity in clinical trials, because of the distinct biological differences between individuals of different geographical, racial or gender groups,” she said.
Mazaroski won a grant from NYIT last year for a project comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for lumbar
Continued on page 5
Photos courtesy Stephen Sullivan Sameera Rampertab tested peers’ memory, blood pressure and heart rate to study the effectiveness of mindfulness exercises.
Katherine Mazaroski’s project focused on the importance of correcting statistical bias in data collection.
Stay Connected this Year:
Nicks
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Olena Nicks was elected to represent the 2nd Nassau County legislative district on Feb. 25. Nicks, a democrat, defeated Republican candidate Karin Campbell 1,974 to 294.
A special election was held to decide who would succeed Siela Bynoe after her ascent to the state senate. The 2nd district includes Carle Place, New Cassel, Westbury, as well as sections of Hempstead, Uniondale, Hicksville and Jericho.
Nicks has already taken her oath of office and will be officially sworn in on March 10.
“I think that this is a great opportunity for the residents of district two,” she said. “My predecessor was a very fearless fighter, and with me coming in, I have the tenacity to really stand up for what I believe in and what the district needs.”
Nicks’ immediate priorities will be to examine responses to homelessness in the district and to work with the legislature to issue refunds for overpriced red light tickets.
“Public safety is everything,” Nicks said. “Everyone wants to be safe. Everyone wants to be able to have a roof over their head and food on the table. And those are the issues that I’m going to be most focused on.”
As Nicks steps into office, she is resigning from her role in the Uniondale Public Library as a trustee and reducing her role at the Uniondale Fire
Department, where she has served for 14 years.
Deborah Mabry, president of the board of the Uniondale Public Library, worked closely with Nicks.
“She’s a very community oriented, committed individual,” Mabry said. “She had a really good following with voters. A majority of people know of her and of her work and of her commitment to the community, which is why I think so many people came out to vote for her.”
“I think that the community will be well represented,” she added. “She will fight for those issues that are truly important. I have no fear that she’s the right person for the job.”
Nicks, a lifelong Uniondale resident and community member, developed an interest in politics several years ago when she noticed that Uniondale and nearby neighborhoods were underserved for their size and population.
“I saw a deficit in representation, and also a lack of responsiveness when it came to the Uniondale community.”
Nicks previously attempted to run for town clerk in 2021 and town supervisor in 2023. Now, her long term goals include pushing for larger investments in youth programs, small businesses and public safety.
“Nassau County has got a fighter within me,” Nicks said. “I’m going to make sure that the current Blakeman administration is held accountable, that we are doing things by the books, and most importantly, that we are putting the people first.”
Courtesy Olena Nicks
Olena Nicks has been elected as the new Nassau County Legislator for L.D. 2, which includes representing her hometown of Uniondale.
Empowering young people through Black History Month
By LYLE MARL BULADO Correspondent
California Avenue School students, faculty, and families joined together Friday morning to honor Black History Month with a powerful celebration of Black excellence, culture, and education.
The Feb. 28 event highlighted the legacy of historically Black colleges and universities and showcased student performances through music, dance, spoken word, and theater.
The program featured a diverse lineup, including a theatrical production titled Black Excellence: A Legacy of Greatness, a duet of Lift Every Voice, and energetic performances by the school’s cheerleaders, chorus, band, and step team. A special pre-K rendition of The World Is a Rainbow set the tone for a day filled with unity and pride.
For many, the celebration was not just a performance but also a learning experience. Nadra Lipka, a special education teacher and one of the event organizers, emphasized the importance of preserving Black history and making it accessible to students.
“Black history is not just about Black people or those from Africa,” Lipka said. “It’s world history. Growing up, I did not feel empowered as a Black female, but as an educator, because I prized myself on learning, now I am empowered. It’s not just about slavery; it’s the resilience that came with it.”
Fellow organizer and special education teacher Keturah Lee echoed this sentiment, underscoring the significance of teaching history through art.
“It’s about knowledge, power, strength, and resilience,” Lee said. “The students are learning, but they’re learning through dance, music, and performance — without having to open a textbook. Sometimes, the truth isn’t even in the textbooks, so it’s up to us to make sure they experience history firsthand.”
For Lee, the event was a deeply emotional moment.
“I woke up at 3:30 this morning, super anxious, but it was all worth it,” she said. “Seeing how the students, parents, teachers, and administration received this — it was exactly what we wanted. It was a masterpiece.”
The event also ignited interest in Historically Black Colleges and Universities among students. Many walked away with a deeper appreciation for these institutions and their impact on Black leadership and success.
Dylan Pickett, a student performer, said the celebration reinforced his decision to attend an HBCU.
“Yes, I want to go to Howard University,” he said. “A lot of successful people went there. When they said so many athletes walked those halls, I knew I wanted to be one of them too.”
Naomi Arevalo, an elementary student, shared a similar perspective.
“I always knew about HBCUs, but this event inspired me even more,” she said. “If influential people could go there, all the kids here can too.”
B lack history is not just about Black people or those from Africa. It’s world history.
NADRA LipkA special education teacher
Beyond the performances and historical lessons, the celebration was a testament to the strength and vibrancy of Black culture. Students envisioned what future Black History Month events could look like, emphasizing music, dance, and community engagement.
“I’d like to see everyone gathered together with all Black music — hip-hop, soul, jazz —just a big party,” Pickett said. “With steppers, dancers, and cheerleaders doing all Black dances and
songs.”
From the youngest pre-K singers to student actors and step team members, the event was a powerful reminder of the importance of education, representation, and cultural pride.
“This was about more than just a performance,” Lipka said. “It was about making sure our students feel empowered, educated, and proud of who they are.”
singing
Lyle Mark Bulado/Herald photos
Pre-K students performed ‘The World Is a Rainbow’ as the California Avenue School showcased student performances through music, dance, spoken word, and theater.
Students, cheerleaders and performers at the California Avenue School’s Black History Month event.
The California Avenue School’s student chorus team highlighted their vocal talents.
Black History Month-themed Career Day
The inaugural Black History Monththemed Career Day at Hempstead High School had students ready to ask questions of the more than 70 businesspeople that volunteered their time to mentor and answer questions.
Among those attending the Feb. 27 event were newly elected State Sen. Siela Bynoe, and Assemblyman Noah Burroughs, Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. and Board of Education President Victor Pratt, who is a successful deejay.
“This year’s Black History Month’s theme was Africans Americans and Labor, which highlighted how we helped to build this country,” Pratt said in a news release. “What better way to understand our role than by connecting it to our students fulfilling their aspirations of college and employment. We also hope we give them ideas about pursuing careers they might not have thought of.”
Bynoe, who spoke to multiple classes, shared her passion for helping people be able to afford to buy a home of their own. She also spoke about how she got involved in politics when someone suggested she run for school board.
“I won,” Bynoe said in the release, who also is a former village trustee, Nassau County legislator and assemblywoman before becoming the first Black woman state senator from Long Island. “If you’re interested in running for office, I’d encourage you to get to know
your elected officials. Learn about what they do and keep in contact.”
Village of Hempstead Parks Department Supt. Yolanda Hutcherson, is the village’s first Black woman in that position. She is also a social worker.
“I would advise the students to have a career in mind but also to be open to other opportunities,” Hutcherson said in the release, who was having a conversation with Ed-Myrline Colin, a senior,
who visited her station.
“I came to get information on careers, but now I really want to take advantage of this networking opportunity,” Colin state.
There was a morning and an afternoon session and many speakers were invited into classes to speak, as well as those who spoke to individual students at the stations with advice or information.
— Jeffrey Bessen
California Avenue School recognized by Apple
Steve Jobs died before the current crop of California Avenue School students were born, however his spirit of curiosity, learning and pushing the envelope has been incorporated into the Uniondale elementary school.
California Avenue as named an Apple Distinguished School and had more than 20 school districts visit on Tuesday to learn how the school has integrated technology into its instructional practices to enhance the educational opportunities of students.
The Apple Distinguished School honors are awarded in three-year terms.
California Avenue School has been awarded this distinction twice. The school was recognized for the 2021-2024 term and now again for the 2024-2027 term.
Representatives from Apple will also be there to recognize the achievement and what the school does with tech to benefit its students. There were tours of different classrooms to demonstrate the technology integration in practice.
An Apple Distinguished School is one that uses Apple technology to create innovative learning environments.
— Jeffrey Bessen
Courtesy Hempstead Schools
Village of Hempstead Parks and Recreation Supt. Yolanda Hutcherson, left, discusses career options with Hempstead High School senior Ed-Myrline Colin.
State Sen. Siela Bynoe, spoke to Hempstead High students in several classes. Above, talking to an English honors class.
At Hempstead High School’s Black History Month-themed Career Day, State Sen. Siela Bynoe, left, Assemblyman Noah Burroughs and Board of Education President Victor Pratt mentored students.
Courtesy Uniondale schools
California Avenue School third graders Jeremiah Persuad, left, and Dylan Pickett work with the technology that has earned their school recognition from Apple.
Researching health and wellness at Sacred Heart
spinal stenosis, making her one of the program’s rare consecutive winners.
Cabrera and Rampertab’s joint project is titled “Combating Stress (The Silent Killer): Evaluating the Protective Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation on Explicit Memory, Blood Pressure, and Pulse Rate Through Increased Hippocampal Theta Waves and Acetylcholine Release and Cortisol Reduction.”
“We evaluated the protective mechanisms of mindfulness meditation on explicit memory,” Rampertab said. “In this project, we use the NYIT grant to purchase a blood pressure monitor and a serene brain EEG headband to monitor the beta waves.”
“This is significant for aiding Alzheimer’s patients,” Cabrera said. “Findings also suggest that decreased cortisol and anxiety levels from mindfulness meditation promote better health outcomes for hypertensive patients.”
I did a lot of research over the summer this year on clinical trials and how, because of recent technology, they’ve been able to use online multimarketplaces.
KatherIne MazarosKI grant recipient
The pair asked schoolmates to practice different mindfulness exercises, such as journaling and meditation, and measured their brain waves, pulse, blood pressure and memory compared with their normal state.
“We’re really grateful that NYIT sponsored this, because we think that this is a very important study that needs to be done,” she added.
Stephen Sullivan, Sacred Heart’s director of research, works with students to make their projects happen.
“These grants help a lot,” he said. “It’s really a nice program to encourage work that is done in the schools, mentored by schoolbased faculty.”
The school has a strong track record in the mini-grant program, bringing home 13 grants in six years. “Every year we submitted, we have won grants,” Sullivan said. “Most years we win two grants, and last year we won three.”
The Board of Trustee Monthly Meeting Dates for the Academic School Year for 2024/2025 Hempstead/Uniondale campus All meetings will be held at the Uniondale Middle School: 100 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard
New York 11553 10/31/2024 5:30 p.m. Uniondale 11/21/2024 5:30 p.m. Uniondale 12/19/2024 5:30 p.m. Uniondale 01/30/2025 5:30 p.m. Uniondale 02/27/2025 5:30 p.m. Uniondale 03/27/2025 5:30 p.m. Uniondale 04/24/2025 5:30 p.m. Uniondale 05/29/2025 5:30 p.m. Uniondale 06/26/2025 5:30 p.m. Uniondale 07/24/2025 5:30 p.m. Uniondale
Courtesy Stephen Sullivan
Sacred Heart Academy sophomores Isabella Cabrera, left, and Sameera Rampertab and junior Katherine Mazaroski were named recipients of New York Institute of Technology Mini-Research Grand Awards.
Senior-led East Meadow beats Uniondale
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Experience and chemistry are the two biggest reasons East Meadow’s boys’ basketball team is one win away from making program history.
The second-seeded Jets exploded to a 14-point lead late in the second quarter and never looked back on the way to knocking off No. 3 Uniondale, 55-42, in a Class AAA semifinal Sunday night at Farmingdale State College.
“We have eight seniors on this team and we’ve been playing together since elementary school at Barnum Woods,” said Isaiah Perkins, who scored a gamehigh 21 points as East Meadow won its 16th straight and advanced to face topseeded Port Washington in the county final Saturday at 8 p.m. at Farmingdale State. “We’ve been dreaming of a championship since we were freshmen. “That’s been our goal and we’re as close as ever attaining it,” he added.
East Meadow has never won a county title while Port Washington, which defeated No. 5 Farmingdale in the other semifinal, last captured a crown in the 1946-47 season.
“Uniondale is a great team but
they’re young and we brought a lot of energy,” said Perkins, who scored eight points in the second quarter to lead the Jets to a 29-18 halftime advantage.
Point guard Will Casseus added 14 points, Nick DeStefano 8 and Mazin Ibrahem 7 for the Jets, who improved to 19-3. Sophomore Dylan Hickman led the Knights (15-6) with 13 points. Freshman Mori Toney added 10 points and classmates Jayden Barrows and Jayden Oden chipped in 7 apiece.
“It was a phenomenal season for such a young team,” Uniondale head coach Jazz Styles said. “A lot of the mistakes we made tonight can be attributed to youth. Kudos to East Meadow. They’re all seniors and they executed well.”
The Jets, who squeaked past Syosset in the quarterfinals Feb. 20 despite a subpar shooting performance, led Uniondale 12-10 after the first quarter before exploding for 19 points in the second to lead by 11 at the half. Perkins (two), Casseus and Ibrahem all hit 3’s in the second.
“It was a complete effort,” East Meadow head coach Tom Rottkamp said. “The key is our defensive energy, contesting shots, disrupting passing
lanes and grabbing rebounds. All season long we’ve focused on having defensive energy to win games.”
East Meadow’s largest lead was 38-23 midway through the third. The Knights, behind Toney, got to within 40-32 by the end of the quarter but were never within single digits again after Perkins opened the fourth with a rare four-point play.
Izaiah Richards and Brendan Cronin
keyed the Jets’ effort on the boards against the 6-foot-7 Barrows and 6-4 Oden.
The last time East Meadow tasted defeat was Dec. 18 at home against Port Washington. The Jets won the rematch Jan. 28.
“They’re a very good team,” Rottkamp said. “They’re disciplined and don’t make many mistakes. It’s going to be a tough game but we’ll be prepared.”
Erik Lee/Herald photos
Freshman Mori Toney had 10 points for the Knights in Sunday night’s Class AAA semifinal loss to East Meadow.
Uniondale’s Jayden Oden went to the finger roll between East Meadow’s Mazin Ibrahem, left, and Izaiah Richards.
Reworld Honors Long Island’s Champions At Herald Sustainability Awards Gala
STAFF REPORT
Last week Reworld™ celebrated several of Long Island’s sustainability leaders, educators, and community advocates as part of its ongoing efforts to empower community and environmental advocacy initiatives and to raise awareness of sustainability locally. The honors were presented during the recent Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island powered by Reworld, held at the Heritage Club at Bethpage. The event provided a platform to recognize individuals and organizations making significant contributions to advancing sustainable policies, protecting natural resources, educating future generations, and implementing community-driven initiatives to improve the region’s environmental landscape. In addition to honoring established community programs, Reworld also awarded two local students with $2,500 in prizes for their inspirational efforts to enhance quality of life in the region and encourage sustainability for generations to come.
“Our work helps Long Island communities reduce environmental impact while creating new opportunities for sustainability,” said Dawn Harmon, Director, Long Island Market, Reworld.
“Through our Long Island facilities, we eliminate the need for additional landfill space and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are so proud to support those leading the way in sustainability on Long Island and beyond.”
Among those honored were Don X. Clavin, Jr., Hempstead Town Supervisor, and Rich Schaffer, Babylon Town Supervisor, for their leadership in environmental policy. John D. Cameron, Jr., P.E., of IMEG, was recognized for his contributions as an environmental engineering leader. Randi Shubin Dresner of Island Harvest was acknowledged for her efforts in sustainable community leadership. Organizations such as the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Seatuck Environmental Association, and Cornell
Cooperative Extension Nassau County were highlighted for their community impact in sustainability. Leaders like Eric Swenson of the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, Robert Weltner of Operation SPLASH, and the Rotary Environmental Action Coalition of Huntington (REACH) were also celebrated for their dedication to environmental preservation.
Additionally, educators Jennifer Lasher and Lissette Pellegrino from Barnum Woods Elementary School were honored as environmental stewards in education. Stony Brook
University’s Esther Poon was honored along with two younger student honorees who were recognized for their outstanding commitment to sustainability. Louisiana State University freshman and 11-year-old Joseph Petraro received the award for his dedication to a range of community empowerment programs through Joe’s Be Kind Campaign, such as Clean Wells for Humanity which addresses global water scarcity. Desiree Mohammadi, a student at South Woods Middle School who is 12 years old, was honored for developing Seeds of Hope, an initiative that donates thousands of seeds to be planted at community gardens across Long Island to combat food insecurity sustainably.
As the presenting sponsor, Reworld is committed to supporting those at the forefront of environmental progress. With four facilities in Westbury, West Babylon, East Northport, and Ronkonkoma, the company processes two-thirds of Long Island’s waste, recycling 60,000 tons of metals and generating enough electricity to power thousands of homes each year. Through its efforts, Reworld™ reduces the need for landfill expansion, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and helps local communities adopt sustainable waste solutions.
Beyond this event, Reworld remains committed to fostering sustainability throughout Long Island with year-round programs that engage local schools, nonprofit organizations, and municipal partners.Through educational initiatives, community cleanups, and environmental awareness campaigns, Reworld continues to support the next generation of sustainability advocates while strengthening the region’s commitment to a cleaner, greener future.
For more information about Reworld and its initiatives that support various community empowerment and environmental programs fostering positive change locally and globally, please visit www.reworldwaste.com.
To view more pictures please visit www. richnerlive.com.
Holden Leeds/HERALD
Azeez Mohammed, CEO of Reworld delivers welcoming remarks.
Jason Thomas/HERALD
Reworld Lead Community Relations Specialist, Maureen Early (left), with honoree president and CEO Randi Shubin Dresner of Island Harvest (center) and Reworld Long Island Market Director, Dawn Harmon.
Holden Leeds/HERALD
Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin, Jr. addresses the audience after receiving his award.
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Parrish-Brown removes stigma around trauma
By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Continuing a month-long series of interviews with influential area women in honor of Women’s History Month.
Shanell Parrish-Brown is an attorney, author, professor, consultant, speaker and thought leader.
Herald: Tell me about yourself.
Shanell Parrish-Brown: I’m a child of domestic violence. My father was incarcerated for the early years of my life and came home with many issues that affected our family structure. But he gave me a gift. He would force me to read high-level texts, and it created my love of vocabulary.
I’ve always been a writer. So in 2017, I wrote a novel called “Gifts in Brown Paper Packages.” I didn’t set out initially to write a novel I would publish. In fact, what I set out to do, at the encouragement of my therapist, was process some childhood experiences that this therapist thought I should be talking about in our sessions. Those are things that certainly shaped me, but I didn’t want to be defined in that way. So my writing changed that.
Herald: What do you do? Why?
Parrish-Brown: I run a business where I publish literary work, and I provide programming and education consulting for all audiences. I’m a resilience builder. I teach a course at Fordham University about trauma and family violence, which features my novel as one of the reference materials.
My premise is that if we’re not interacting with our youth from a traumainformed place, we can recognize that kids who are acting out are likely responding to trauma. If we’re not interacting with children from that perspective, they get lost. Mental health challenges in children, like suicidal ideation, have only been exacerbated. We really should be addressing these issues on every single level.
get the press that it needs. I’m also running a business as an independent consultant, and working with government systems is difficult. But I keep going, and I stay in the work. I continue to put myself in spaces where I can meet people and share my work. I do calls with anyone who’s interested in hearing about the work I’m doing, even if they can’t hire me. It puts me in a place where I have opportunities to spread awareness.
Herald: What have been the proudest moments in your life?
Parrish-Brown: Some of my proudest moments come out of my classroom. It’s every single time I leave a class, and a student comes up to me asking if they can hug me.
nated with them. We have more similarities as a human race, and trauma doesn’t have a Zip code.
Herald: What advice would you offer? What work is left to be done?
Parrish-Brown: We need more trauma awareness. It’s a prerequisite to action. What we don’t know, or don’t seek to know, gives people the ability to keep their heads in the sand.
One of my goals is to open a resilience institute. It’s really about validating the need for us as a society to be promenading and dialoging around resilience, and that’s what I want to capture.
Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what keeps you going/inspires you?
Parrish-Brown: The biggest challenge in my work is access. We have to normalize awareness of trauma, because it’s an area that doesn’t really
One of my proudest moments came from a two-hour resilience workshop I did in South Bronx. It was a Spanishspeaking audience, and I don’t speak Spanish, so I had an interpreter. These parents had tears in their eyes after leaving the session. They were fully engaged and telling me what I said reso-
Why are we not teaching about trauma? Many of my students say I’m the first person to inform them about it. Talking about it helps people realize their own experience with trauma. I’ll have students pouring out themselves in their papers, and I can sit down and ask them if they’re seeing someone about it. That’s why I want a platform and the ability to raise awareness around this work.
To learn more about Shanell ParrishBrown’s work, visit her website, SPBrownWrites.com.
Lauren Wagner leads Long Island Arts Alliance
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Herald: Tell me about yourself.
Wagner: I’m Lauren Wagner, an arts advocate, nonprofit leader and champion for the creative sector. I lead Long Island Arts Alliance, where I work to ensure the arts are recognized, supported and celebrated as essential to our communities. With a background in arts administration and museum studies, I’m passionate about connecting the arts with education, economic growth and community development.
Herald: What do you do? Why?
keeps you going/inspires you?
Wagner: One of the biggest challenges has been fighting the perception that the arts are expendable. Time and again, I’ve seen arts funding slashed, despite the undeniable impact of the creative sector. What keeps me going is knowing that when we equip organizations with the right tools — data, advocacy and visibility — they can thrive. Seeing the arts make a real difference in communities, in schools and in people’s lives fuels my passion.
Wagner: I lead Long Island Arts Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the arts through advocacy, education and resources. I do this work because I believe the arts are not just about creativity — they’re about economic prosperity, community identity and shaping the future. The arts are often overlooked when funding decisions are made, and I’m committed to changing that narrative.
Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what
Herald: What have been the proudest moments in your life?
Wagner: Professionally, one of my proudest moments was leading Long Island’s first-ever economic impact study on the arts. Providing hard data that proves the arts are a powerful economic engine — and watching organizations use that data to secure funding — has been incredibly rewarding. Personally, my proudest moments are raising my two young sons and instilling in them a love for creativity and learning.
Herald: What advice would you offer? What work is left to be done?
are
Wagner: My advice? Advocate relentlessly. The arts need champions who won’t accept being sidelined. And never separate numbers from stories — data alone doesn’t inspire, and stories without facts don’t drive action.
There’s still so much work ahead. We need stronger arts education policies,
more equitable funding, and continued efforts to make the arts a priority in economic development. But I believe that with the right strategy, the right voices and the right advocacy, we can get there.
For more information, visit LongIslandArtsAlliance.org.
SHANELL PARRISH-BROwN
LAUREN wAGNER
Courtesy Long Island Arts Alliance
Lauren Wagner, executive director of the Long Island Arts Alliance, said she believes the arts
worth fighting for. She spoke to the Huntington Arts Coalition in 2023.
Blakeman makes his case for re-election
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
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
There was a celebratory mood at Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s re-election kickoff rally at American Legion Post 1066 in Massapequa on Feb. 24.
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.”
NUMC, state leaders rally for critical funding
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Health care leaders and state officials rallied in Albany on Feb. 25, pushing for crucial state funding for the Nassau University Medical Center, the East Meadow-based hospital that is overseen by the Nassau Health Care Corporation.
During the rally, which took place in the Capitol Building, Megan Ryan, the corporation’s president, chief executive and chief legal officer, joined State Sen. Steve Rhoads and other legislators to press the State Legislature to include funding for the hospital in its 2025-26 budget.
“Nassau University Medical Center serves as a critical lifeline for the most vulnerable populations in Nassau County and is an irreplaceable part of Long Island’s healthcare network,” Rhoads, a Republican whose district includes NUMC, said at the rally. “Nearly 90 percent of their patients are Medicare, Medicaid or have no ability to pay. As a result, it relies upon state funding to survive. However, since 2019, NUMC has been denied hundreds of millions of dollars of state funding received by safety net hospitals in other areas.”
Rhoads cited the hospital’s Level 1 trauma center, its burn center for local first responders and those injured in fire-related incidents, and its newly established cardiac catheterization lab as crucially important elements in Nassau County and Long Island’s health care system.
“While hospitals in Westchester, Brooklyn and the Bronx have received funding, NUMC continues to be overlooked,” he added. “It is imperative that the governor and legislative leaders put politics aside, step up, and do the right thing for the people.”
The hospital said it applied for every state funding opportunity available in 2024 and 2025, but has received no state aid. Through a Medicare waiver, which the state was recently awarded, $2.2 billion will be distributed over the course of four years to public hospitals in New York City and Westchester County, but provides no support or funding to NUMC.
“We’re asking to be treated fairly — that shouldn’t be a politically charged or partisan issue,” Ryan said. “The state has a legal responsibility to provide NUMC with aid to fulfill its mission as a safety net hospital.”
Ryan called on leaders in the State Senate and Assembly to “come together” and include “unrestricted aid for NUMC in this year’s budget.”
“Anything less risks creating a health care crisis in Nassau County,” she said.
Assemblyman Ed Ra, a Republican whose district includes parts of East Meadow, said, “This is truly a failure to prioritize the health-care needs of our region. Nassau residents contribute their tax dollars to New York state just like every other region, and it’s only right that those dollars are reinvested in their health care.”
Assemblyman John Mikulin, a
Republican whose district also represents East Meadow, added, “Nassau County needs Nassau University Medical Center. NUMC must receive the state aid necessary to ensure families in need have access to the medical treatment and care they deserve.”
NUMC is Long Island’s largest safety net public hospital and serves all patients, regardless of their ability to pay for health care services.
The health care corporation also oversees the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale.
NUMC boasts a Level 1 trauma center, and serves more than 270,000 patients a year, with 67,000 emergency room visits. More than 60 percent of the hospital’s patients are women, and 70 percent are racial minorities. The health care system relies on funding, and since 2017, the state has slashed its allocations from $190 million to zero dollars in 2024.
The health care corporation is currently suing the state for its alleged failure to comply with federal Medicare reimbursement laws, claiming the state orchestrated a ruse to withhold Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments that the hospital was entitled to Regarding the lawsuit, which was announced in late-2024, and accusations against the state, Gordon Tepper, a spokesman for Gov. Kathy Hochul, said: “We are continuing to work with Nassau County on an appropriate solution for the future of NUMC. Our concerns are the fiscal health of the hospital and patient care. Everything else is just noise.”
Despite the lack of state funding, the
health care corporation’s financial sustainability plan, which was rolled out in late-2023, has allowed the hospital to make significant financial improvements.
Last year, NUMC reported an increase in its cash reserves, an uptick in revenue and a decrease in its operating expenses. NUMC has also expanded its clinical services, revamping a multitude of patient areas, and received the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission, a nonprofit organization that evaluates and accredits health care organizations and programs nationwide.
CALL tO ACtiON
State officials, health care leaders rallied in Albany on Feb. 25 urging:
•State Legislature to include NUMC funding in 2025-26 budget
•Equal treatment with other regional safety net hospitals
•Support for this ‘irreplaceable part of Long Island’s healthcare network’
Courtesy Office of State Sen. Steve Rhoads Health care leaders and state officials rallied in Albany on Feb. 25, calling for the restoration of state funding for Nassau University Medical Center.
Herald file photo
Nassau University Medical Center boasts a Level 1 trauma center, and serves more than 270,000 patients a year, with 67,000 emergency room visits. About 90 percent of its patients are on Medicaid or Medicare.
Learn
NCPD wellness center focus is mental health
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The Nassau County Police Department unveiled a new wellness center at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 26. The center aims to support the mental health and well-being of law enforcement personnel and county employees by providing a place to relax, de-stress and connect with mental health resources.
Joining department members at police headquarters in Mineola for the ceremony were County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, District Attorney Anne Donnelly, Police Benevolent Association President Tommy Shevlin, and county legislators John Ferretti and Thomas McKevitt.
The wellness center, according to Blakeman, will serve as a safe space in which law enforcement personnel and county employees can address mental health and wellness concerns. It connects members with resources such as the employee assistance program, peer support and police chaplains.
Blakeman acknowledged that while mental health struggles, particularly suicide, were once stigmatized, open discussions are now helping those in distress find the support and therapy they need.
“This center is going to focus on keeping everybody in law enforcement in Nassau County well and healthy,”
Charles Shaw/Herald
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman cut the ribbon, alongside law enforcement officials and local leaders, to mark the opening of the Nassau County Police Department’s new wellness center on Feb. 26.
Blakeman said. “And that’s what we want to do.”
The center will function as a resource hub where officers and county employees can seek guidance and support. While there will be no clinicians on-site, trained staff will be on hand to talk and connect members with wellness services. Ryder highlighted the
Presented by:
role of peer support, which offers immediate assistance to officers after traumatic incidents, such as the death of a child or a homicide scene.
“We always recognize the fallen,” Ryder said. “But there are a lot of people who get damaged along the way and don’t get recognized. Today we’re doing that.”
According to Ryder, the facility, a former museum, offers couches, massage chairs and televisions, and at atmosphere in which those feeling stressed can relax, have a cup of coffee and seek guidance.
Donnelly said it was a privilege to attend the center’s opening, and recognized its role in supporting those exposed to trauma. She noted its importance for law enforcement officers who must recount difficult experiences — and for assistant district attorneys who may need support after reviewing crime scene photos.
“The most important thing I believe we can do is care for those who care for us, and that’s the men and women of our Nassau County Police Department,” Donnelly said.
Detective Sgt. Michelle CliffordMarin will lead the center, a role that holds deep personal significance for her. Her brother, Nassau police officer Steven Clifford, died by suicide in 2017, at age 35, after serving in law enforcement for 12 years.
Clifford-Marin said that leading the project is an honor, and that it would be a privilege to help anyone who walks in to achieve a healthy mind, body and soul.
“We want everyone to be healthy,” she said, “and we want everyone to get the help they need, if they do need any help, to prevent additional tragedies like my brother.”
with Deals!
STEPPING OUT
Feasts, floats, festivities
Get ready for Carnival at Long Island Children’s Museum
By Danielle Schwab
Bring the family to join in the good times when the Children’s Museum opens its doors to Carnival this weekend.
As a globally cherished cultural celebration, Carnival honors the unique traditions and diverse identities of each community it touches. Especially significant to Caribbean and Latin American cultures, it’s a vibrant cultural showcase of creativity and self-expression. These themes are woven into every aspect of the museum’s festivities, with the support of New York Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, to make this occasion truly special.
“The holiday is a great entry point of learning for our community and for families. It’s so vibrant and colorful and just a happy event. So it’s fun to give opportunities for people to really celebrate,” Aimee Terzulli, the museum’s vice president for programs and visitor experience, says.
Everyone can get moving to the sounds of drums with Samba and Salsa music guided by the dancers of the Brazilian Sama Novo troupe. Towering “Jumbie” stilt walkers, rooted as a symbol of spirit guardians, bring the magic to life as an iconic part of the Carnival
Louisiana Calling
From the deep roots tag team of Cajun slide guitar phenom Sonny Landreth and legendary New Orleans Latin-Americana rockers the Iguanas comes a mind-blowing musical trip through the scenic soundscape of the bayou. Still wet from crawling out of the swamps, this cross-pollinated confection will be both savory and sweet. Louisiana’s calling — here’s your chance to answer. Landreth’s unique spin on guitar playing has made him legendary. This Louisiana based Blues guitar wizard’s slide playing is distinctive and unlike anything else you’ve ever heard. He simultaneously plays slide and fingers the fret board producing a sound that is often said to resemble many instruments playing at once. His music encompasses Mississippi Delta blues, zydeco and Southern rock. He’s joined by The Iguanas, a fixture of the New Orleans music scene for over two decades.
Saturday, March 8, 8 p.m. $79, $69, $59. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
headpieces or even get their faces painted in elaborate designs to stand out in the crowd as they make their rounds through the museum.
“Costumes are often deep-rooted in cultural themes but are also a symbol of freedom and liberation, they often can mimic animals,” Terzulli says.
Guests can also create flags to show their cultural pride and represent the many countries that celebrate Carnival.
Before the parade kicks off, everyone will have a chance to decorate themed floats and even meet some very special party guests.
“We’ll have our animal specialists showing certain animals that are part of our collection and show them how some of these animals are connected to certain float themes, typically in the Caribbean or in Latin America,” Terzulli adds.
life celebration.
• 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.
Photos courtesy LICM
Photo on top left: Towering stilt walkers, known as Jumbies, are an iconic Carnival element.
Photo on top right: Ron DeFrancesco, Sama Novo director, creates the beats.
Carnival spirit.
Neighborhood
THE
Anthony Rodia
Anthony Rodia is back with his “Laugh Til It Hurts” tour, on the Paramount stage, Friday, March 15, 7:30 and 10 p.m.; also Saturday, March 16, 7 and 9:30 p.m. His allnew routine is refreshingly genuine and quick witted! A first-generation Italian-American from Westchester, Rodia’s comedy pulls from his razorsharp observations on marriage, parenthood, road rage, and everything else worthy of a rant. He came out of the womb making people laugh. In his 20s he tried a few open mics, but ultimately took a different career path as a finance manager of a luxury car dealership. In 2019, Rodia returned to comedy and left his day job to become a full-time stand-up comic. He hit the ground running and performed 100 shows in just nine months, and within three years gained a massive fan base online and around the country. In a short time, Anthony gained over 900,000 social media followers and his YouTube videos have amassed over 22 million views.
Rodia’s comedy pulls from his real life and razor-sharp observations on marriage, parenthood, road rage, and everything else worthy of a rant. With the onset of quarantine, he made the most of a captive audience, delivering a staggering 86 weekly videos. “Road Rage Wednesday” became a fan favorite, but his Uncle Vinny and Zia Lucia characters transformed into a phenomenon. They are the crazy uncle and aunt you love but can’t be out in public with, who speak their minds (whether you asked for it or not). $89.50, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
In concert
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.
Slingo: Women Artists
Play name that tune by female artists and see if you have it on your Bingo board, Wednesday, March 12, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Uniondale Public Library. Prizes will be awarded. Registration required. 400 Uniondale Ave. For more information, visit UniondaleLibrary. org or call (516) 489-2220.
Insurance 101
Learn the basics and more on auto, home and life insurance from financial professional Nickeisha K. Frazer, Tuesday, March 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Uniondale Public Library, Sign up is under way. 400 Uniondale Ave. For more information, visit UniondaleLibrary. org or call (516) 489-2220.
Art Explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, March 8, noon-3 p.m. Kids and their adult partners talk about and make art together. While there, enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum.org to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Best of Broadway: ‘Looking Forward, Looking Back’ Adelphi University Performing Arts students celebrate the music that shaped Broadway during their semi-annual Best of Broadway concert, Sunday, March 9, 4 p.m. The talented students bring to life the magic of Broadway with music from classic and contemporary musicals.
This edition includes selections from celebrated composers and lyricists, including Kander and Ebb, Alan Menken, Jason Robert Brown, and many more! It will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
Become An Author
Tenaria Drummond-Smith, the founder of Awesome Women On The Move, discusses her book “Author-Preneur Blueprint: My Personal Nuggets for Becoming A Bestselling Author,” Saturday, March 15, 2- 3:30 p.m., at Uniondale Public Library,. Sign up is under way. 400 Uniondale Ave. For more information, visit UniondaleLibrary.org or call (516) 489-2220.
On Toni Morrison
Sign up is under way for a discussion on the impact of Toni Morrison on American literature as well as her influence on younger writers led by Hedda Marcus, a facilitator for the AntiRacism Project of Long Island, Thursday, March 6, 7-8:30 p.m., at Uniondale Public Library. 400 Uniondale Ave. For more information, visit UniondaleLibrary.org or call (516) 489-2220.
Learn CPR
Registration is now open for an American Red Cross class to learn hands-only cardio pulmonary resuscitation, Monday, March 10, 7-8:30 p.m., at Uniondale Public Library. 400 Uniondale Ave. For more information, visit UniondaleLibrary.org or call (516) 489-2220.
Nassau BOCES GC Tech Open House
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.
Having an event?
Family
theater
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. The Prince holds a space parade and she saves it by helping fix the Prince’s spaceship, also showing the Prince her new hyper warp speed engine. But first, she’ll have to keep her evil stepmother from throwing a wrench in her plans! $11 with museum admission, $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts.
The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Hempstead House tour
March 9
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.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT:
NASSAU COUNTY.
L&L ASSOCIATES
HOLDING CORP, Pltf.
vs. RAYMOND R. PRILLER, if he be living, if he be dead, his respective heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successor in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by, or through RAYMOND R. PRILLER, if he be dead, whether by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, including any right, title or interest in and to the real property described in the complaint herein, all of who and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiffs, et al Defts. Index #614732/2023.
Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered January 27, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of the Nassau County Courhouse, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 14, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a Section 34, Block 523, Lot 410-412. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the sale.
LINDA S. AGNEW, Referee., LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #102093 151573
In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on January 22, 2025, I, Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on March 24, 2025 at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Ct. Dr., Mineola, NY 11501, at 02:00 PM the premises described as follows: 617 Wellelein Road Uniondale, NY 11553
SBL #: 36-140-19
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.
The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 011317/2011 in the amount of $700,140.60 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 151731
LEGAL NOTICE
of judgment $356,173.08 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #609626/2019. Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-091851-F00 84534 151808
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff AGAINST MICHAEL MCKENZIE AKA
p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Northeasterly side of Park Avenue, distant 132.39 feet
Northwesterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Northeasterly side of Park Avenue with the Northwesterly side of Smith Street; being a plot 100 feet by 60 feet by 100 feet by 60 feet. Section: 50 Block: 419 Lot:17
Said premises known as 791 PARK AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NY 11553
How Long Island could be impacted by federal budget bill
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.
organization leaders at Hofstra University on March 1.
LEGAL NOTICE
STATE OF NEW YORK
SUPREME COURT:
COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016
SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, v. MICHAEL CARROLL, ET AL, Defendants.
NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Citibank N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Cheryl A. Glenn, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 22, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 2, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 781 Union Drive, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, at Uniondale, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 50, Block: 370, Lot: 23. Approximate amount
MICHAEL L. MCKENZIE, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 27, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 27, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 674 Henry Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 119, Lot 552-556. Approximate amount of judgment $518,021.92 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #611774/2017. John G. Kennedy, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-003000 84514 151810
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff -againstPIERRE LISSADE, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 17, 2024 and entered on May 28, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 28, 2025 at 2:00
Approximate amount of lien $353,209.87 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 601597/2020.
JANE SHRENKEL, ESQ., Referee
David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 7777.045 {* UNIONDALE*} 151793
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, successor in interest to Bank of America National Association, as Trustee, successor by merger to LaSalle Bank National Association, as Trustee for Merrill Lynch First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-3, Plaintiff AGAINST The Estate of Virginia Yearby, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 14, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 27, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises
“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 opportunity 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 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
known as 709 Nostrand Avenue, Uniondale, NY 11553.
All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of North Hempstead at Uniondale, County of Nassau and State of
New York, Section: 50, Block: 359, Lot: 1. Approximate amount of judgment $519,361.71 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #607294/2023. For sale information, please contact XOME at
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 progress 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
www.Xome.com or call (844) 400-9633. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-072713-F02 84372 151804
File photos
The possible impacts of the federal bill passed last month was discussed by Reps. Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi and several business and
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Yes, keep those pipes warm
Q. We just got over a lot of repairs from a burst pipe under our kitchen sink. The pipes under the sink are back in the outside wall, with insulation around them, but I’m wondering why they said it was still a good idea to let the water drip, even run a little when it gets cold out. It seems wasteful, and I wasn’t sure why they told me that. Is it because they’re not confident in the repairs, or does everybody have to run their water in the winter when pipes could freeze?
A. The work was not repaired correctly and should be redone before it gets too late to get anybody to return to the “scene of the crime.”
Water freezes, and supplyline water that’s buried in outside walls and not kept warm will turn to ice.
Several years ago, a client, who had work done in the summer, called the following winter to say he had no running water in his bathroom sink. The sink was on an exterior wall, but the rationale the installers used for where they put the insulation was that a roof from below came up to meet the outside wall behind the sink. They told the owner that the roof protected the pipe because of how far the sink was set in from the walls below, set back the way it was designed. They cut open the back of the finished sink cabinet and exposed the pipe, telling the owner that he just needed to let the water trickle and keep the cabinet doors open all the time in the winter. I was called after they told the owner that was a bad design. He was very frustrated by the time we spoke, because the plumber and contractor had already returned several times and this was their final answer.
The simple solution, which worked for him and will work for you, is that supply pipes need to be to the warm side of insulation. I saw that the coldand hot-water supply pipes were completely enclosed with insulation. I removed the insulation from the warm side and only kept the full thickness of insulation on the cold side. The roof cavity behind the wall, in drawings that are called building sections, showed that the roof was to be insulated directly behind the wall to create a full barrier of insulation. Because there was now a gaping hole at the back of the cabinet, sloppily cut, I was able to peer in with a mirror and see that there was no insulation in the roof space where it met the wall behind the sinks. None. Once the water supply lines were moved into the cabinet, under the sink, by the plumber, who fortunately did stand behind their work and did return, there was never a problem again.
Locate pipes neatly in the back of the sink cabinet, to the warm side of a fully insulated wall and there should be no more problems. Good luck!
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Yankees? Mets? Might they meet up in October?
spring training has begun. Another baseball season is on the way. The French-born cultural historian Jacques Barzun said that “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.”
That was certainly true for my generation. The golden age of baseball in New York, from 1947 to 1956, saw New York’s teams — the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants — win nine World Series and seven pennants among them during that 10-year span. The other 13 major league teams combined for one World Series and three pennants during those years. A subway series, with both World Series teams being from New York, became the expected norm. It was almost taken for granted. During the offseason months of mid-
Everybody has a wish list. I’d like to win the lottery, or take some exotic trip that’s on my bucket list. There are jobs that I would love to have, and there are jobs I wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. The worst job I can imagine, the one I would dread having, is being in the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. At the beginning of any Congress member’s career, there is the battle to get your party’s nomination, and then feeling the honor of being the party’s choice. You battle through the drudgery of a campaign and, if you’re lucky, you have the joy of being elected or re-elected. You celebrate with your friends and family, and then, on Jan. 1, you arrive in Washington, preparing for the challenge of being a member of the House.
In today’s Congress, being a majority member is anything but fun. You may have all kinds of ideas about how to help the people back home, but if
October through late February in those years, there would be hot stove league discussions of how our teams would do in the upcoming season, and arguments over whose players were better: Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays or Duke Snider; Roy Campanella or Yogi Berra; Pee Wee Reese or Phil Rizzuto.
is a rivalry missed not just in the five boroughs, but on Long Island, with its plethora of Mets and Yankees fans.
W
Much of that interest lessened when the Dodgers and Giants were hijacked to California after the 1957 season. While there was a rebirth of excitement when the Mets arrived for the 1962 season, it has never been quite the same as during the glory years. Sure, the Mets had their World Series wins in 1969 and 1986, as did the Yankees in 1977 and 1978, and again during the Joe Torre years, at the turn of the century, and under Joe Girardi, in 2009, but except for the 2000 World Series — which the Yankees won — the Yankees and Mets have not faced one another in the World Series. That intraNew York rivalry has not been there. It
e Mets fans, so used to having our hearts broken, believe this is our year.
All that could change with both teams now filled with superstars, led by Aaron Judge of the Yankees, who is accumulating home run titles and Most Valuable Player awards, and the Mets making their own run for superstar glory. This winter they hired Juan Soto, perhaps baseball’s most explosive hitter, away from the Yankees with a $750 million contract over the next 15 years.
The Mets already had Francisco Lindor, who finished second in the voting for National League MVP last season, and slugger Pete Alonso, who is second only to Judge in total home runs over the past six seasons, and is poised to become the Mets’ all-time home run leader.
Last year the Yankees won the American League pennant before falling short against the Dodgers in the World
Series. Before the season, there were low expectations for the Mets. Then, after playing mediocre baseball for most of the regular season, they had an unexpected late-season surge, and actually made it to the National League Championship Series, which they lost to the Dodgers.
This preseason, things are looking very different. Both teams are considered strong contenders to win their league championships. The debates over the teams’ players have already begun, but instead of Mantle vs. Snider or Mays, it’s Judge vs. Soto.
We Mets fans, so used to having our hearts broken over the years, now genuinely believe this is our year to supplant the Yankees as New York’s No. 1 team and win it all in the World Series — and that New York’s baseball rivalry is back. Barring the unexpected, 2025 should be a season for metropolitan-area baseball fans to enjoy and remember.
Play ball!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Here’s a job I’d turn down
your wish list doesn’t coincide with the priorities of your party leader, you can forget about your plan. It’s hard enough being away from your family for weeks at a time, but being told to fall in line and follow party dictates, or else, is a bitter pill to swallow.
Let’s talk about the Washington scene as it currently exists. An unelected multi-billionaire named Elon Musk is ignoring the duly elected officials whose job it is to create the budgets that fund our federal agencies. The Constitution says that the Congress is a separate body from the Executive, but in this case an appointee of the Executive is calling all the shots.
B
eing 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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Long Island loses a civil rights pioneer
the death of Hazel Dukes, at age 92, last weekend marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in civil rights leadership, with special significance for Long Island. While Dukes will be remembered nationally for her tenure as president of the NAACP from 1990 to 1992, and for her remarkable 48-year leadership of the NAACP New York State Conference from 1977 until her death, her deep connections to Long Island communities deserve particular attention.
Born in Montgomery, Alabama, where she was a neighbor of Rosa Parks, Dukes moved to New York in 1955. She lived in Roslyn Heights for decades, building a life and career that influenced civil rights efforts across the state and the nation.
Named president of the NAACP’s Great Neck, Port Washington, Manhasset and Roslyn branch in 1969, Dukes quickly emerged as a powerful voice opposing housing discrimination on Long Island. She was instrumental in bringing landmark housing discrimination lawsuits that challenged the entrenched patterns of segregation in Nassau County’s suburbs. These legal actions targeted discriminatory practic-
letters
es that kept minority families out of certain neighborhoods, even after the Fair Housing Act of 1968 had made such discrimination illegal.
On Long Island, she worked for the federal Head Start program and became one of the first Black employees in the Nassau County attorney’s office. She also served with the county’s Economic Opportunity Commission, addressing poverty and inequality from within the system. She was the first Black vice chairwoman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee, which gave her a platform to advocate for integrated housing throughout Nassau County. She also served on the Democratic National Committee from 1976 to 1982.
Dukes’ own educational journey illustrates her belief in education as a path to opportunity. She studied at Nassau Community College before earning a degree in business administration from Adelphi University in Garden City in 1978. Her local educational experience strengthened her advocacy for quality education for all communities.
What makes Dukes’ Long Island connection so significant is that she addressed civil rights not as an abstract
Advice from PSEG L.I.: beware of scammers
To the Editor:
National Consumer Protection Week, observed through March 8, offers an important reminder for consumers to stay alert against fraudulent schemes that prey on our vulnerability. Recent guidance from PSEG Long Island has shed light on the alarming tactics employed by scammers, and we believe it is essential that our community take note of these warnings.
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to trick unsuspecting customers. They frequently impersonate reputable companies, such as PSEG L.I., using advanced phone spoofing technology that displays familiar numbers on caller ID. In many cases, these fraudsters call with an urgent demand for immediate payment, falsely claiming that failure to comply will result in an immediate power shutoff. This tactic is designed to induce panic and force quick decisions without proper verification.
It is crucial for consumers to know that PSEG Long Island never requests payments through external web-based electronic services, prepaid debit cards or even Bitcoin. The only approved payment methods are those offered through our secure channels, such as My Account, the mobile app, or text messaging. Additionally, any request for a deposit in relation to priority meter installations is fraudulent, because we do not require a deposit for such services.
If anyone receives an unexpected call or email threatening an imminent power shutoff while 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
ICE partnership targets criminals to keep Nassau safe
when violence and criminality threaten public safety, local governments must step up and do their part to keep their communities secure. As Nassau County executive, I believe that our recent partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is essential to combating dangerous threats to county residents. Under our new program, 10 Nassau county detectives have been appointed for cross-designation and embedding with ICE. These officers will work hand in hand with our federal partners to target and pursue illegal migrants who are engaged in criminal activities in our neighborhoods. The county is also making jail cells available to ICE to detain these criminals for up to 72 hours, after which they will be relocated out of the county or deported.
My decision to implement this program is a necessary response to the serious public safety concerns we all face. Nassau County isn’t a sanctuary county,
but our residents have repeatedly been targeted by violent acts by illegal migrants.
There have been many examples in just the past couple of years. On Oct. 16, 2024, an illegal migrant from Honduras allegedly raped a 5-year-old girl, a Nassau County resident. Not even a month later, six illegal migrants from Chile and Venezuela burglarized a local jewelry store using saws and advanced technology. A county judge was forced to release five of the criminals because of bail reform, and they escaped accountability by fleeing the county.
ito wipe out the entire population of Long Island.
The crimes being committed by illegal migrants are completely unacceptable to me and my administration. We need to bring law and order to our streets, and our partnership with ICE is just one crucial step toward achieving that goal.
t will mirror similar ones nationwide that target terrorism, gang violence and illegal drugs.
Last February, an illegal migrant stole a pro-Israel flag from a porch in Hewlett and brutally assaulted the homeowner who confronted him.
In January 2023, eight illegal migrants who were part of a South American drug ring were arrested in connection with a string of burglaries and larcenies that targeted high-end homes and businesses across the county. Later that year, another illegal migrant was arrested on the North Shore for carrying three kilograms of pure fentanyl, which authorities say would be enough
Letters
action contributes to defeating these scams and preserving our service reliability.
PSEG LONG ISLANd
Trump disrespects Teddy Roosevelt
To the Editor:
Will Sheeline was absolutely correct in his column last week, “ d estroying Roosevelt’s legacy.” President Trump’s promised “golden age” is intended to 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
Chainsaws aren’t toys, Elon
To the Editor:
How will we calculate the number of lives Elon Musk will take with his comical “chainsaw massacre”?
What will the death count be in the United States, and around the world, from the withholding of food, drinking water, medical supplies and treatment, vaccinations, and emergency services for natural and manmade disasters? From the removal of the guardians of public safety from food, drugs, diseases, fire, air pollution and workplace dangers?
From the debasement of services to our military veterans and the politicization of the military? From the disabling of the alliances and treaties that have kept a troubled world from World War III since 1945?
From the abatement of research in health, climate, defense, agriculture and countless other areas of vast public 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.
Framework by Tim Baker
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.
An avian get-together in Brady Park — Massapequa Park
BrUCe BLakeman
Lifesaving Heart Care Close to Home
In 1993, Anita Rothenberg of Valley Stream was first admitted to Mount Sinai South Nassau’s ER in Oceanside and treated for a heart attack at the age of 37. She recovered, raised a family and worked as a teacher on Long Island for the next 29 years. Then, in November of 2022, an angiogram showed three blocked arteries. She underwent triple bypass surgery a few days later at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in Manhattan and completed her cardiac rehabilitation close to home at Mount Sinai South Nassau.
Mount Sinai South Nassau o ers comprehensive heart care for Long Islanders, and has received the following ratings and quality awards:
• Rated High Performing in heart attack and heart failure from U.S. News & World Report ® for 2024-2025
• Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention™
• Healthgrades Coronary Intervention Excellence Award™
• Healthgrades Five-Star Recipient for Coronary Interventional Procedures
• Named among the top five percent in the nation for Coronary Interventional Procedures by Healthgrades
L ea r n mo r e a t mountsinai.org/southnassauheart