Kepherd Daniel/Herald Doctors at Mount Sinai South Nassau gathered on Feb. 7 as a part of the hospital’s “Go Red for Women Day,” and listened to Anita Rothenberg detail her battle with heart disease.
The focus was on heart health at Mount Sinai South Nassau
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Mount Sinai South Nassau celebrated “Go Red for Women Day” on Feb. 7, when heart disease survivor Anita Rothenberg joined hospital staff members and visitors to promote heart health and prevention of cardiovascular disease in women.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S., hospital officials said.
The annual event featured a compelling personal story from Rothenberg, 70, of Valley Stream, and expert insights from Dr. Pilar Stevens-Haynes, a cardiologist with Mount Sinai Heart.
A survivor’s story
Rothenberg’s battle with heart disease began unexpectedly in 1993 at age 37, despite leading an active lifestyle as a nursery school teacher and mother of two young sons.
“I wasn’t feeling good for a while, but as
we all know as women, we put everything before ourselves,” Rothenberg said.
She described experiencing persistent fatigue and low energy levels but never suspected a heart attack due to the common misconception that pre-menopausal women are less susceptible. Her wake-up call came when she felt extremely ill one day and decided to visit the ER at South Nassau.
“I had to drive them (the boys) to school,” she recalled. “My energy level was not the same, but I never would have thought about a heart attack because it used to be said that prior to menopause, women didn’t get heart attacks. But one day, I just didn’t feel well. I told my husband, and we came into the ER at South Nassau. I was having a heart attack.”
Rothenberg became a long-term patient of a cardiologist affiliated with the hospital, diligently managing her health with medication, diet and exercise for more than three decades.
“It was scary,” Rothenberg’s husband,
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Lions Club welcomes its new members
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
In the Valley Stream Lion’s Club, a long-crouching lion is beginning to roar back to life. After years of declining membership, mirroring a broader trend in the downturn of some traditional service clubs across the village, the organization is showing signs of revival.
President Jim Zabatta welcomed new members Amrit Singh, Don Pupke, Liz Nigro, Carl Mirabile, Ed Guerrero, Eleanor Cattry and Su Deep Roy to its volunteering corps.
Is traditional volunteerism in Valley Stream vanishing?
e count on the community to support our functions such as food drives,
JIM
Volunteerism has long been a cornerstone of life in Valley Stream, with organizations spanning from veteran groups to cultural arts initiatives. But increasingly, these groups are finding themselves struggling to fill volunteer rosters, as the number of active members continues to dwindle.
The Valley Stream Lions Club, once a dominant force in local charity and service, has for some time now been facing an existential challenge. Zabatta, who has served in nearly every leadership capacity within the club, said the membership numbers have dropped precipitously from the 50 attendees that once filled its meetings to just 12 active volunteers in 2023. This year, membership levels have grown to 20 Lions, a far cry from what it was in the club’s heyday but a positive new direction. Zabatta says that the club routinely encourages its current volunteers to come to meetings with a friend or acquaintance in tow. He also says The Valley Stream Lions Club has adjusted its expectations, reducing its meeting frequency from three times per
VALLEY STREAM
HERALD
Kepherd Daniel/Herald Doctors at Mount Sinai South Nassau gathered on Feb. 7 as a part of the hospital’s “Go Red for Women Day,” and listened to Anita Rothenberg detail her battle with heart disease.
The focus was on heart health at Mount Sinai South Nassau
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Mount Sinai South Nassau celebrated “Go Red for Women Day” on Feb. 7, when heart disease survivor Anita Rothenberg joined hospital staff members and visitors to promote heart health and prevention of cardiovascular disease in women.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S., hospital officials said.
The annual event featured a compelling personal story from Rothenberg, 70, of Valley Stream, and expert insights from Dr. Pilar Stevens-Haynes, a cardiologist with Mount Sinai Heart.
A survivor’s story
Rothenberg’s battle with heart disease began unexpectedly in 1993 at age 37, despite leading an active lifestyle as a nursery school teacher and mother of two young sons.
“I wasn’t feeling good for a while, but as
we all know as women, we put everything before ourselves,” Rothenberg said.
She described experiencing persistent fatigue and low energy levels but never suspected a heart attack due to the common misconception that pre-menopausal women are less susceptible. Her wake-up call came when she felt extremely ill one day and decided to visit the ER at South Nassau.
“I had to drive them (the boys) to school,” she recalled. “My energy level was not the same, but I never would have thought about a heart attack because it used to be said that prior to menopause, women didn’t get heart attacks. But one day, I just didn’t feel well. I told my husband, and we came into the ER at South Nassau. I was having a heart attack.”
Rothenberg became a long-term patient of a cardiologist affiliated with the hospital, diligently managing her health with medication, diet and exercise for more than three decades.
“It was scary,” Rothenberg’s husband,
Welcoming New Patients
Hearing Aids for Every Budget
Most Insurances Accepted Complimentary Cleaning for New Patients 215
Lions Club welcomes its new members
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
In the Valley Stream Lion’s Club, a long-crouching lion is beginning to roar back to life. After years of declining membership, mirroring a broader trend in the downturn of some traditional service clubs across the village, the organization is showing signs of revival.
President Jim Zabatta welcomed new members Amrit Singh, Don Pupke, Liz Nigro, Carl Mirabile, Ed Guerrero, Eleanor Cattry and Su Deep Roy to its volunteering corps.
Volunteerism has long been a cornerstone of life in Valley Stream, with organizations spanning from veteran groups to cultural arts initiatives. But increasingly, these groups are finding themselves struggling to fill volunteer rosters, as the number of active members continues to dwindle.
Is traditional volunteerism in Valley Stream vanishing?
JIM ZABAttA Vice President, Valley Stream Lions
The Valley Stream Lions Club, once a dominant force in local charity and service, has for some time now been facing an existential challenge. Zabatta, who has served in nearly every leadership capacity within the club, said the membership numbers have dropped precipitously from the 50 attendees that once filled its meetings to just 12 active volunteers in 2023. This year, membership levels have grown to 20 Lions, a far cry from what it was in the club’s heyday but a positive new direction. Zabatta says that the club routinely encourages its current volunteers to come to meetings with a friend or acquaintance in tow. He also says The Valley Stream Lions Club has adjusted its expectations, reducing its meeting frequency from three times per CoNtiNueD oN pAGe 10
Top 3 things to know about trustee challenger
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
He is a familiar lone challenger to United Community
He built a career in public service
Bonelli has spent over a decade working in various city services, using his information technology and engineering background to improve efficiency and transparency. His career highlights include modernizing accident reporting for the New York City sanitation department, updating IT systems at the Conflicts of Interest Board, and managing network operations for the NYPD pension fund. He wants to bring an optimizer’s eye-view to the functioning of Village Hall.
He claims the powerful United Community Party political machine has bred rampant cronyism and corruption that undermine the effectiveness of village government.
“We don’t have advocacy for the residents in Valley Stream whose incorporated village has disgracefully prioritized the interests of family members by hiring them,” he said. “Many of these same employees work for the UCP campaigns.”
Party domination at Village Hall. And he has, once again, stepped into the village political arena. Anthony Bonelli will face off against Trustee Sharon Daly for Sean Wright’s seat in a special election on March 18. The
He has experience as a board trustee
Bonelli served as a trustee on the Valley Stream District 13 Board of Education, a position he won in 2021 after multiple attempts. He decidedly lost his re-election bid in 2024 to Sarah Sabatino. His role in education governance has given him firsthand experience in budgeting and policy making.
He believes in fiscal responsibility
Bonelli’s campaign prioritizes financial prudence and government transparency. He proposes austerity measures to improve the village’s fiscal health and has been a fierce critic of the village’s languishing credit rating history.
As per Education Law, Section 3635, the District must legally provide transportation for District children in grades K-6 attending private/parochial schools. Kindergarten children must be five (5) years of age as of December 1st, 2025.
• The parent must submit a written request for transportation each year and include the child’s name, date of birth, grade, and school.����
• The request must be submitted to the Transportation Department of Valley Stream School District Thirteen at 585 N. Corona Ave., Valley Stream, NY 11580����on or before APRIL 1st 2025 for the school year beginning September 2025.
If your child qualifies for transportation, please be sure that your request is submitted on time. Applications received after April 1st will not be considered except for new residents who are required by law to apply within (30) thirty days after establishing residence in the District.
Visit the Valley Stream 13 website for additional information/ application: www.valleystream13.com
62-year-old former Valley Stream District 13 trustee and retired public service professional is campaigning on themes of transparency, quality of life, and accountability. Here’s what you need to know about him:
professional, is challenging
Sharon
for a special election on March 18, campaigning on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and government accountability, with a focus on reducing cronyism and improving village services.
Alice Moreno/Herald
Anthony Bonelli, a former District 13 trustee and public service
Trustee
Daly
Top 3 things to know about the Lunar New Year
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
At a nondescript, quiet table at the Green Acres Mall, volunteer Mary Zhu carefully folded origami
Crafting Lotus Flowers: A Symbol of Renewal
Participants of all ages were welcomed to create lotus flowers, a deeply symbolic element in Asian culture. The lotus represents purity, enlightenment, and resilience, as it grows beautifully despite emerging from muddy waters. “Lotus flowers have a special character,” noted Zhu. “They grow in a dirty environment, but they come out very pure.” In the context of the Lunar New Year, the craft symbolizes a fresh start and personal growth — aptly mirroring the transformative themes of the animal the year is named after.
paper into a shimmering rose-pink lotus flower. It was an informal Lunar New Year event led by the Traditional Cultural Reviving Center on February 22, offering attendees hands-on experience in the art of crafting the iconic flower. The celebration sought to
welcome the Year of the Snake with a flair for creativity, and community engagement. Here are the top three things to know about the event:
The Year of the Snake: Wisdom and Rebirth A Community Celebration of Cultural Heritage
The event marked the arrival of the Year of the Snake, which in Chinese astrology represents intelligence, intuition, and adaptability. Snakes are often associated with rebirth due to their ability to shed their skin, making this year a time of renewal and strategic decision-making. The celebration encouraged attendees to embrace change and new opportunities in the year ahead. The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle, noted volunteer George Li, with each year assigned to a different animal. Every 60 years, a combination of the 12 animals and the five elements repeats. This year, 2025, is specifically the Year of the Wood Snake. The Wood Snake encourages adaptability and long-term planning, fostering stability and progress. It is a time to balance introspection with action, creating opportunities for self-improvement. Those born under the Wood Snake are often seen as intelligent, patient, and strategic, combining practicality with creativity to achieve success.
The Traditional Culture Reviving Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and restoring traditional cultures, with a particular focus on classical Chinese dance and other performing arts.
Volunteers agreed that by engaging in this hands-on craft, families and individuals connected with the deeper meanings of the Lunar New Year, promoting cultural understanding and strengthening community ties.
Lunar New Year is celebrated by over 1.5 billion people worldwide. It is observed primarily in countries with significant Chinese populations, such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Virginia Maloney/Herald photos
Over 1.5 billion people worldwide and observed primarily in countries celebrate lunar New Year with significant Chinese populations.
Last year, the Lunar Year celebrated the year of the dragon. This year, the cosmic spotlight shines on the snake.
Blakeman vs. Koslow for county executive
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
A large crowd showed for the kickoff to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s re-election campaign.
The American Legion Post 1066 in Massapequa was packed on Monday with a number of Nassau County officials in attendance including Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino who asked the crowd if they’re ready to send a strong message across Nassau County and across America.
Saladino said that the last time the Democrats had control of Nassau County, they hiked taxes and crime soared through the roof, but Blakeman changed all of that.
“We love our families, we love our country, and we have a saying here in Massapequa, we stand for the American flag and we kneel for God,” Saladino said.
Blakeman has been serving for 3.5 years since he defeated incumbent Laura Curran in 2021. He is looking to serve for another four years and this race is said to be one of the closest watched races in 2025.
“I’m here to support Bruce, keep Nassau red and keep it safe and more affordable for the middle class,” county resident Amber Anderson said.
Other supporters included American Legion Post 2736 of East Meadow members Frank Salamino and Carl Hager, who both said that Blakeman is a “good guy.”
“Bruce Blakeman is a real gentleman,” said Hager. The crowd cheered loudly as Blakeman stepped up to the podium and spoke of his accomplishments from lowering the crime rate and taxes, banning masks that supposedly led to hate crimes, prohibiting men from
Incumbent Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced that he is running for
on Feb. 24.
playing on women’s teams and supporting the police.
“We’re not defunding the police, we’re growing the police,” said Blakeman, who also lauded that he signed an executive order that prohibited the county from becoming a sanctuary place.
His expected opponent, Democratic County Legislator Seth Koslow, noted his opposition to Blakeman’s record.
“Under Bruce Blakeman, Nassau taxpayers are pay-
The Pursuit of Excellence
“Being forced to work, and forced to be your best, will breed in you...a hundred virtues which the idle will never know.” — Charles Kingsley
A few years ago, your writer was contacted, as an accomplished alumnus, by McGill University in Montreal, asking for a one-word answer on my experience at the university. I answered “excellence”. It was there that I learned what excellence looked like. Before you can emulate it, you have to see it.
Prior to grade inflation, you had to do a modicum of extra work to get from a “C” to a “B”. But you had to do an extraordinary amount of work to get from a “B” to an “A”.
Your writer was hoping to gain early acceptance to law school -- awarded to only ten students. Not only did that mean A’s across the board, but the A’s also had to be in the most difficult subjects, as the A’s themselves were weighted. One of the courses was “Anthropology 101”. Fifty percent of the grade was based on the essay portion for which your writer received a “B” grade. Not being easily
deterred, I asked the professor if I might read a couple of “A” papers. She agreed to that and also agreed to my request that if I submitted another essay she would grade that one instead. The new essay I submitted received an “A” grade. Once I had seen what an “A” paper looked like, in other words what “excellence” looked like, I was able to emulate it.
When I applied to the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) for a Masters degree in law, LSE accepted me, on the condition that I receive my McGill Law degree with honors. In my final exams at LSE, the answer to one of the questions was in a footnote. They expected you to not only know the course materials, but the footnotes too.
Here at Ettinger Law Firm, we strive for excellence in the same way. Nothing is overlooked in a constant quest to be as good as we possibly can. From our staff, to our furnishings, fixtures and equipment, to the vendors we choose to work with, to the services we deliver, we work to improve every single day. Striving for excellence is its own reward.
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ing more and getting less,” Koslow said in a statement. “Taxes are higher, crime is rising, and millions in illegal fees have not been refunded. Instead of helping hardworking families, he is using taxpayer dollars to line the pockets of his political donors and party cronies. Nassau County deserves better. I will fight to put money back where it belongs, in the hands of taxpayers, and ensure our county is safe, affordable, and wellrun for everyone.”
News brief Forest Road students become inventors
On Feb. 12, sixth graders at Forest Road School in Valley Stream District 30 became inventors during a special visit from the Long Island Children’s Museum.LICM outreach program director Jennifer Henriquez led the culminating activity, “Spirit of Invention,” in which students were tasked with creating their own futuristic inventions using an assortment of recycled materials. Some of the inventions included an “un-toaster.”
–Juan Lasso
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Courtesy Valley Stream District 30
Sixth graders at Forest Road School in Valley Stream District 30 became inventors.
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
re-election in Massapequa
Town officials sue FAA over plane noise
Hempstead, North Hempstead join forces to take on federal agency, focusing on JFK’s Runway 22L
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jen DeSena last week announced the filing of a joint federal lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration on behalf of more than a million residents living near Kennedy and LaGuardia airports.
The primary culprit for the lawsuit is JFK’s Runway 22L, a path having an influx of planes flying below the federally regulated 3,000-foot restriction, with communities experiencing a 70 percent increase in plane sightings, according to the towns’ legal research.
Attorney Nick Rigano, who represents the towns, said the lawsuit seeks to have the FAA reduce usage of certain flight paths, and conduct an environmental review of the impacts of low-flying aircrafts.
Rigano said that runway 22L allows more planes to fly at once, and its efficiency leads to overused.
“It’s all about operational issues. It has nothing to do with their consideration of residents at all,” Rigano said.
In 2023, there was a 50 percent increase in arrivals on 22L.
This surge in air traffic has led to rising noise levels, with more than 388,000 noise complaints filed in 2023, a significant increase over previous years.
“Legal action is always a last resort, but our cause is just,” DeSena said. “We are committed to making sure that the FAA hears our residents and that we finally address the overwhelming impacts these flight paths are having on their daily lives.”
According to the Port Authority of New York and
Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jen DeSena announced the filing of a joint lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration on Feb. 19.
New Jersey’s 2023 Fly Quiet Program Annual Report, data showed an improvement in noise levels compared to 2022.
The program uses stages to refer to different levels of aircraft noise, with Stage 3 being the loudest and Stage 5+ the quietest, based on the aircraft’s engine and design.
The number of Stage 5 and Stage 5+ aircraft increased by 3 percent in 2023, but Stage 3, which generates the most noise, remained relatively stable, rising
just 1 percent.
A flight procedure designed to reduce noise, by directing aircraft to approach the runway at an angle instead of directly lining up with it, was used for 5.4 percent of arrivals on Runway 22L.
As noted in the lawsuit, a 2022 Government Accountability Office report highlighted “inadequate community engagement” and insufficient environmental impact assessments for flight path changes. The report also revealed that only 30 percent of new flight path systems underwent thorough environmental reviews.
The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that aircraft flying below 3,000 feet contribute significantly to air pollution, releasing harmful toxins like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and sulfur dioxide, especially during takeoff and landing. Studies show that communities along these flight paths, including Valley Stream, Hempstead, Inwood and West Hempstead, have higher than normal rates of asthma, stomach cancer and prostate cancer, which are linked to exposure to aircraft emissions.
Town officials pointed to new air traffic control systems and satellite-based navigation systems that have contributed to the increase in flights and a decrease in altitude for many aircraft.
The lawsuit comes after the FAA failed to respond to a previous petition filed by the municipalities, whose representatives met at the same house for a press conference on July 3. Floral Park resident Don Monroe, whose home is where the news conference for the announcement took place, noted how the air traffic noise impacts his life.
“Sometimes I have to stop mid-conversation because the planes are so loud,” Monroe said.
Ainsley Martinez/Herald
“The
—George Karatzas, James Cress Florist, Smithtown
Unoccupied business spaces are an opportunity to help bring vitality to downtown areas. For George Karatzas, owner of James Cress Florist, staying downtown was a priority, but costs were prohibitive. Then George applied for our Vacant Space Revival Program, which has provided $2,462 in bill credits to help offset his overhead.* And Smithtown continues to have a business that brings warmth and charm to the area. It’s a beautiful thing to see come together—just like George’s floral arrangements.
*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project. psegliny.com/businessfirst
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Feldman leads a JCC that’s all about community
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
First in a month-long series of interviews with influential area women in honor of Women’s History Month. Stacey Feldman is the executive director of the Marion and Aaran Gural JCC.
Herald: Tell me about yourself. Stacey Feldman: When I was in college, I studied advertising and marketing and after being on a trip to Israel I realized that I wanted to work for the Jewish community. I loved trying to understand what made people buy a brand or why a certain color was successful, product placement, all of that really interests me and then after being in Israel, I realized that the Jewish community needed me more. I wanted to sell being an active member of the Jewish community. I’m doing this since 1990, I started working part-time teaching Hebrew school and from there I moved to New York and became the Teen Director at the Mid-Island Y JCC, worked for Hadassah and Young Judea and then was blessed to have worked for UJA Federation. From UJA is how I ended up working in the Five Towns and ultimately becoming the Executive Director here
at the Gural JCC, in 2023. I love building the community and bringing them together, there are so many types of people and they all come together under one roof.
Herald: What do you do? Why?
Feldman: We have four sites that serve this wonderful community. Everyone knows that we’re the little blue house on Grove Avenue that helps people. In 2017, we purchased Temple Israel, Lawrence so that is what we refer to as the Harrison-Kerr Family Campus. That’s the site where we have the senior center and we operate the largest early childhood center in the community with about 350 kids and a staff of almost 90. In the summer of 2023, in partnership with the Leon Mayer Fund took over the operation of the Mark Ramer Chesed Center, in Hewlett. That is a 3,500 square foot facility of new goods so that a family in need can get linens, new clothing, new house wares and appliances. Our fourth site is the S.H.O.P, in Cedarhurst (Sustenance Hope Opportunities Place) and that is
where we operate the largest kosher food pantry on Long Island, serving over 800 families. We offer a variety of social work support services from that location sand the whole agency.
Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what keeps you going and inspires you?
Feldman: What challenges me currently is never wanting to say no, but for financial reasons sometimes we have to say no. What I grapple with is wanting to serve more and more people on what is a non-profit budget. What keeps me going is the ability now to build a full-service Jewish community center in this area. We’ve been working out of the site on Grove for almost 42 years and it’s exciting to address all of the needs in the community for recreation, socialization, a pool and serving all members of the community.
Herald: What have been the proudest moments in your life?
Feldman: I’m very proud of my fami-
ly, and having a son who just graduated college a year ago, a daughter that just entered college and having a loving and supporting husband. My family gives me the support that I need to work long nights and hours, so without the support from them I wouldn’t be able to do this work. I think our proudest moment professionally is finally working in partnership with Nassau County to find a location so that we can really expand services. We are very excited to build a whole new center that the community can participate in.
Herald: What advice do you have for others? What work is left to be done?
Feldman: My advice to anybody is to follow your passion, work is not work is you are passionate about it. You will enjoy coming to work everyday is you enjoy the work. Whether it’s on a volunteer level, if you can’t do professionally what you’re passionate about then find time to give back and get involved in a non-profit you enjoy. There is always work to be done, as women we’re nurturing and we’re caring, empathetic, we don’t want to leave any stone unturned so we’re always looking for new opportunities.
Ellis leads the fight for LGBTQ representation
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
For over a decade, Long Island native Sarah Kate Ellis has led GLAAD, the world’s most influential LGBTQ media advocacy organization. Under her leadership, GLAAD has evolved from a media watchdog into a driving force for cultural change, shaping representation and acceptance of LGBTQ people in media, entertainment, and politics. In an interview, Ellis shares her journey, challenges, and vision for the future.
Herald: How did you get where you are?
Ellis began her career in media, working for major publishing houses like Condé Nast and Time Inc. She quickly discovered her passion for storytelling.
“I loved media instantly,” she said. “I loved telling stories and seeing the power of storytelling and how it can really bring people together.”
However, her family set her on the path toward advocacy.
“My wife and I got pregnant at the exact same time by accident, if that could be,” Ellis said. “It wasn’t planned. We were just trying to start a family. And I think that led more to my advocacy work.”
As digital media transformed the industry, Ellis sought a new challenge. When the opportunity arose to lead
GLAAD, she saw it as a way to combine her passion for media with her commitment to the LGBTQ community.
“I got to do what I love—media advocacy—but for my community,” she said.
“When I started at GLAAD, it was really to modernize the organization based on the changing media ecosystem.”
Now, after 11 years at the helm, Ellis remains committed to ensuring GLAAD continues to be a powerful voice for LGBTQ representation.
Herald: What are your daily responsibilities?
“The media ecosystem has yet again dramatically shifted,” she says. “The average American spends 12 hours a day consuming media. So we’ve never had a larger opportunity ahead of us.”
However, reaching audiences has become more complex.
Ellis: “I really do two key things at the organization,” she says. “One is drive the strategy on how we’re going to build acceptance in the United States and globally for LGBTQ people. The other significant part of my job is fundraising. To do all the work, you need funding.”
One of her key initiatives was establishing the GLAAD Media Institute, which serves as the organization’s think tank, advisory, and education arm. She also launched a rapid response team to address media coverage and public narratives around LGBTQ issues.
Ellis believes GLAAD’s work is more critical than ever as media consumption habits change.
“The biggest challenge is how do we reach people when it’s so delineated?” she asks. “That’s one of the challenges I’m facing now—how do I reach folks in a compelling way that touches them and moves them?”
Herald: What are your memorable achievements?
Over the years, Ellis has celebrated many victories, both personal and professional.
“From a personal perspective, it’s my family, my wife and our kids,” she says. “I’m so proud of my kids. They’re 16 now. They were 4 when I started at GLAAD, so that’s kind of mind-blowing.”
In her work, she is particularly proud of partnerships that have expanded LGBTQ inclusion.
“Here I am at the Super Bowl. We host an NFL-partnered Super Bowl event for the LGBTQ community,” Ellis says. “If you ever said to me 10 years ago that GLAAD and the NFL logo
would be together and working together, I would have never believed you. But here we are.”
She is also proud of GLAAD’s presence at the World Economic Forum, ensuring LGBTQ issues remain part of global discussions.
“If we’re not there speaking on behalf of LGBTQ people, we are left out of the conversation,” she says. “I was proud to be the first LGBTQ organization to get a white badge from the World Economic Forum.”
Herald: What advice can you offer the next generation?
Ellis: “I think my advice is to work hard and with your head up, because everybody says put your head down and work hard,” she said. “But I think you have to keep your head up, stay aware of what’s going on.”
She believes that in an increasingly virtual world, making personal connections is essential.
“I think we’ve become such an isolated society, and people think that we can do things on Zoom, but proximity to power and meeting people and engaging with people personally advances so much more at a rapid pace than meeting on Zoom.”
Both interviews, with Stacey Feldman and Sarah Kate Ellis, continue at liherald.com.
StAcEy FELDMAN
SARAH KAtE ELLIS
MSSN observes ‘Go Red for Women Day’
Robert, said. “I was young myself with kids, and I just I didn’t know what to do — how to handle the kids, how to take care of my life. It was an emotional roller coaster, and it was just so frightening.”
In 2022, Rothenberg faced another frightening health episode when she passed out due to a lack of oxygen to her heart. This led to the discovery of three major blocked arteries that required triple bypass surgery at Mount Sinai Heart in Manhattan.
“I cannot say enough about the institution here — the doctors, the nursing staff, everything that I went through,” Rothenberg expressed.
She was seen by Athanasios Smyrlis, MD, a board certified cardiologist who specializes in invasive cardiology. He diagnosed Ms. Rothenberg with ischemia—a condition that deprives the heart of adequate blood flow caused by a blocked coronary artery—and performed an angiogram, which revealed three blocked arteries.
She emphasized the importance of listening to one’s body and seeking medical attention even for subtle symptoms, noting that her experience lacked the classic crushing chest pain often associated with heart attacks.
“I just didn’t feel right,” Rothenberg said. “So I’m telling my women friends in their 30s, 40s, and 50s — do what you have to do, don’t question yourself.”
He diagnosed Ms. Rothenberg with ischemia—a condition that deprives the heart of adequate blood flow caused by a blocked coronary artery—and performed an angiogram, which revealed three blocked
We’re seeing younger and younger people present with heart disease.
DR. PilaR StevenS-HayneS
Cardiologist,
Mount Sinai Heart
arteries.
A few days later, Rothenberg was at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in Manhattan for triple bypass surgery performed by cardiovascular surgeon Robin Varghese, MD, Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
“I feel like I am grateful because I have a success story, and I want other people to learn from it,” she added.
Recognizing symptoms
Dr. Stevens-Haynes addressed the common misconceptions surrounding heart disease symptoms in women.
“The biggest thing that we get in women is usually indigestion or fatigue, and so you’re not really thinking it’s cardiac,” she explained.
The cardiologist highlighted that both men and women can experience atypical symptoms, and the dramatic portrayals of heart attacks on TV often mislead people into underestimating their risk. Early intervention can significantly improve recovery outcomes, as the heart muscle’s health is directly affected
by how quickly treatment is administered. StevensHaynes also discussed the increasing prevalence of heart disease in younger populations, attributing it to lifestyle factors and dietary habits.
“We’re seeing younger and younger people present with heart disease,” she said. “It’s no longer a disease of people in their 70s or 80s.”
Preventive measures and community engagement
Stevens-Haynes stressed the importance of knowing personal and family health history, understanding risk factors, and staying informed about one’s health metrics.
“Know your numbers,” she advised, encouraging regular check-ups and awareness of cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Mount Sinai’s commitment to women’s cardiac care was also highlighted, with specialized programs focusing on heart health from pre-conception through postpregnancy, particularly targeting high-risk groups such as minority women.
“While one in every 31 American women dies from breast cancer, one in every three dies of heart disease,” Dana Sanneman, the hospital’s vice president of public affairs, said. “Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease.”
The event is part of a series planned throughout February, with upcoming blood pressure screening events at local libraries. Community members are encouraged to follow the hospital’s Facebook page for more information and to participate in these vital health initiatives.
Lions are determined to make a comeback
month to once, and those meetings lasting no more than an hour. Like many other organizations, it is grappling with a deepening divide between older volunteers, who grew up with service as a social norm, and younger generations, for whom volunteering must meet a different set of expectations.
It’s not just the Lions. Groups from the Valley Stream Civilian Patrol to the Valley Stream Historical Society have suffered from a noticeable lack of fresh blood. As Valley Stream’s volunteer members age out or take a step back from their regular duties, the pressure to recruit younger volunteers becomes more urgent.
Can tradition and change coexist?
For Generation Z, volunteer work increasingly needs to be flexible, impactful, and aligned with causes that resonate on a personal level. Issues such as climate change, social justice, and grassroots activism often take precedence over the more traditional volunteer roles, which are often perceived as rigid or bureaucratic. “Younger people want to see immediate impact,” said Zabatta in 2023. “They’re not as interested in long-standing, organizational structures.”
DoSomething Strategic, the social impact consultancy arm of DoSomething.org, surveyed over 1,300 Gen Z and Gen Alpha individuals to understand what drives their engagement with volunteerism. The findings were clear: 93
percent of Gen Z respondents prioritize community impact as their primary motivation, rejecting the notion of volunteering as a transactional exchange. While 83 percent still value traditional, in-person service, many also seek flexible and accessible opportunities— including micro-volunteering, skillbased contributions, virtual options, and mutual aid efforts.
This shift in priorities has led some groups to rethink their approach, moving towards more spontaneous, causedriven efforts. But others, like the Lions Club, remain committed to balancing their historic traditions with the evolving needs of the community. And the Lions, argued Zabatta, rely on the community’s enduring support as much as it has come to rely on Lions for their
engagement and contributions.
“We count on the community to support our functions such as food drives, our flea market, and our up-and-coming arts & crafts fair,” he said.
The Lion’s Club is also a longtime donor to other cause-worthy organizations from the Holy Name of Mary Outreach Program to the ANCHOR program fund.
Alice Moreno/Herald after years of declining membership, the Valley Stream Lions Club is making a slow but steady comeback by adapting to changing volunteer expectations, recruiting new members, and balancing its historic mission with evolving community needs.
HERALD SchoolS
A celebration of literature at Clear Stream Avenue School
On Feb. 5, students at Clear Stream Avenue School in Valley Stream District 30 celebrated World Read Aloud Day with a book fair.
World Read Aloud Day is a global initiative that encourages people of all ages to come together and share the magic of stories through reading aloud. Students in each grade had a variety of books to choose from as they carefully selected their favorite stories.
–Juan Lasso
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Photos courtesy Valley Stream District 30
On Feb. 5, students at Clear Stream Avenue School in Valley Stream District 30 celebrated World Read Aloud Day with a book fair.
Clear Stream students stretched their literary muscles.
Clear Stream students were spoiled for choice when it came to reading options.
Gillen: Medicaid cuts could ‘devastate’ L.I.
By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com
Congressional Republicans have recently directed the committee on Energy and Commerce, which oversees Medicaid, to cut its budget by at least $880 billion. These cuts would result in millions of Americans losing their health coverage, while providing tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy.
According to Nate Jackson, NY Director of Protect our Care, these cuts would hurt Long Island families, jeopardize funding for hospitals and strain the state health care budget.
Children, new mothers, seniors and people with disabilities across Nassau and Suffolk counties rely on Medicaid to cover essential health care costs.
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat who represents a majority of the South Shore of Nassau County, and Assemblywoman Michelle Solages joined health care advocates on Feb. 19 to oppose the cuts, and to commit to working to protect Long Islanders’ access to health care.
“The Republican plan to slash Medicaid would devastate Long Island,” Gillen said. “It would mean higher health care costs, hospital funding in limbo, longer wait times to access care for tens of thousands of Long Islanders, and a dramatic decrease in access to vital mental health care.
“We need to be working to protect and strengthen access to health care, not ripping it away from seniors, children and veterans on Long Island who count on Medicaid to access the lifesaving care that they need,” she added, calling for nonpartisan support.
“When we’re talking about an essential service, it’s health care,” said Solages, a member of the Assembly’s Health
Committee. “When we talk about cutting dollars for hospitals, for nursing homes, we’re cutting people to the bone. And so we have to be realistic about what we need to fund. Tax breaks for billionaires is not what Long Island needs.”
Solages discussed the need for health care funding, referring to two Long Island nursing homes that are slated to
close and Nassau University Medical Center, the county’s public hospital, which is in desperate need of financial support.
“We’re talking about people’s lives,” she said. “This is not like a pothole. This is about people’s prescription drugs, their health care, and we’ve got to get realistic in this country about what’s important. People’s premiums have increased. They’re deciding whether to buy food or prescription drugs, and other essential services — rent — and the American people are crying out for relief.”
Cynthia Ngombe, a health care advocate with the Healthcare Education Project, explained that cuts to Medicaid “would shift costs for health coverage to states, putting more pressure not only on the state Medicaid budget, but on other key areas of spending such as education and public safety.”
“Medicaid is under attack from Washington, D.C.,” Ngombe added. “Federal cuts would slash critical services that keep New Yorkers healthy and our communities safe, in areas like maternal health, mental health and the emergency room. All New Yorkers would be impacted, but our Black, Latino and low-income, including rural communities, would be hit hardest by our Medicaid cuts. Access to quality health care is a right. It’s New Yorkers’ top priority.”
Madison Gusler/Herald
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, center, was joined by, from left, Cynthia Ngombe, of the Healthcare Education Project; Assemblywoman Michelle Solages; health care worker Claire Leon; and Nate Jackson, of Protect Our Care, to discuss Medicaid funding.
Presented by:
Trump attempts to end congestion pricing
By Jordan Vallone & luke Feeney of the Herald
The Trump administration has rescinded its approval of New York City’s congestion pricing program, in an attempt to halt the initiative.
The program, which began on Jan. 5, imposes a $9 toll on vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and generate revenue for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman noted his support for the federal government’s decision at a Feb. 19 news conference in Mineola. Blakeman recalled President Trump pledging to end congestion pricing at a rally last October.
“President Trump is fulfilling a promise that he made at Madison Square Garden during (his) campaign,” Blakeman said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul argued that regardless of anyone’s stance on congestion pricing, the decision is an attack on New York’s sovereignty as a state.
“New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years,” she said at a news conference at Grand Central Terminal, also on Feb. 19, response to the administration’s move, “and we sure as hell won’t start now.”
Janno Lieber, chief executive and chairman of the MTA, said that a lawsuit had already been filed to keep
According to a letter sent to Hochul from the federal transportation office, Duffy rescinded the government’s approval of the plan under the federal Value Pricing Pilot Program, an initiative established to explore the potential of various pricing strategies in reducing traffic congestion. Managed by the Federal Highway Administration, the program allows state and
local governments to implement pilot projects that test the effectiveness of tolls and other pricing mechanisms in managing roadway usage and alleviating congestion. The congestion-pricing plan was developed under the VPPP.
The MTA, Hochul said, was prepared for a challenge, and she expressed confidence in the lawsuit it filed to counteract the decision.
“If in some world (the administration is) successful, the next time you’re stuck in traffic, the next time your train is delayed, the next time you’re in a flooded station because infrastructure repairs were not made, I want you to think of this,” the governor said. “We know where the blame goes.”
The Town of Hempstead had filed a lawsuit against the MTA and the state in opposition to the congestionpricing plan. Supervisor Don Clavin praised the decision by the Trump administration, arguing that congestion pricing is nothing more than “a money grab and a slap in the face to working-class commuters.”
State Sen. Alexis Weik, a Republican who represents portions of Nassau and Suffolk counties, also supported the administration’s decision.
“I’m glad to see that President Trump is supportive of New Yorkers,” Weik said in a statement emailed to the Herald, “because their governor is not. This is a win for New York.”
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, a fellow Republican who represents communities in Nassau, echoed Weik’s sentiments, and was critical of Hochul’s efforts to keep congestion pricing in place.
“Rather than continuing to pursue her unlawful ‘commuter tax,’” Rhoads told Herald reporters, “the governor should suspend these tolls immediately and take swift action to put commuters’ interests first instead of her own.”
Luke Feeney/Herald
The federal government is seeking to halt New York City’s controversial congestion pricing program. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman spoke in support of President Trump’s efforts on Feb. 19.
STEPPING OUT
courtesy Robert
(Two Young Teens
c. 1970s, pencil and pastel on paper, is an open-ended composition, depicting race relations.
Above: If Der Be Angels Then Some Must Look Me, c. 2000s, wood and acrylic, examines spirituality by highlighting the divine beauty of the everyday..
Painting the bigger picture
Robert Graham Carter reflects: A life lived through art
By Danielle Schwab
Within the everyday experience, there’s a deeper story to be told. For visual artist Robert Graham Carter, his art unearths the stories of the African American experience through the individuals and environments he depicts, bringing larger narratives to the surface.
Now on display at the Heckscher Museum of Art, visitors can explore over 22 figurative paintings, sculptures and drawings that explore his reflections on childhood, spirituality, the black church, and societal inequities. The exhibition, “Robert Graham Carter: The Art of Reflection,” celebrates not only his talents but his involvement with Long Island’s art scene — particularly the Heckscher, where Carter made history in 1973 as the first African American artist to receive a solo show.
Born in Louisville, Ky. in 1938, Carter witnessed firsthand life during the Jim Crow South. Later, he went to the University of Louisville with many internationally known artists today such as Sam Gilliam, Bob Thompson and Kenneth Young.
“They actually formed an arts collective called the Gallery Enterprises when they were in college. This collective was important because the city was recently desegregated. There were socially not that many opportunities for artists to exhibit their work if they were artists of color,” guest curator Sarah Battle says. “The Gallery Enterprises created those spaces.”
• Now through May 25
• Open Thursday through Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
• Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington
• Visit Heckscher.org or call (631) 380-3230 for information on related programming
Carter became known for his striking figurative art — often in mixed mediums —that depicted his life experience as an African American man while drawing inspiration from the people around him.
“He’s going to showcase a memory, or illustrate people — everyday people — in his life that he either wants people to be thinking about, to elevate, or just to offer another perspective on the topic at hand,” Battle, research curator at Louisville’s Speed Art Museum, explains.
Drawing influence from his upbringing, Carter’s works balance personal and universal truths, with a focus on topics that connect to the experiences of African Americans. His art addresses the joy and importance of family, the legacy of segregation, the charm of childhood, the spiritual and corporal force that is the Black church, and the impression of Blackface on American culture.
“Figures are the carriers of my thoughts, messages, or ideas, they are my stories,” Carter explained in an email. “For me, it’s the best way to tell the story or to give value or a sense of texture to a meeting or setting.”
In his untitled pencil and pastel drawing from the 1970s, Carter shows his mastery through his depiction of two children, one white child and one African American child with empty thought bubbles above their head as they gaze at each other.
“This piece inspired the education team at the Hecksher to create an activity for people to think about the sorts of conversations these two children could be thinking or saying to each
other, and what sorts of ways these conversations might have changed over time,” Battle says.
Carter also found a niche in using wood in his creations.
“It started with me being attracted to the brightness of the paint and the subdued quality of the wood,” Carter went on in his email. “I thought color placed against this kind of texture and tone would stand out. If you had a bright blue or bright red against a dull gray, the gray would make the color even stronger.”
His use of texture is on full display in his “If Der Be Angels, Den Sum Mus Look Like Me, 2000s,” where Carter postulates spiritual inclusivity within the religious narrative.
“This piece is of an angel. The wings of the angel are made up of these wood slits. They’re painted in bright colors that make it appear that the wings are very full and threedimensional,” Battle says.
“They’re just layers of these wood pieces that create such beautiful interiors or beautiful figures.”
Carter moved to Long Island in 1968 and joined Nassau Community College where he taught in the art department for over 50 years. Archival itemsl such as newspaper clippings and letters included in the exhibit show the impact of his identity as an educator and artist in the local art scene — and throughout the country.
“When I retired, a formal written notice was required. In my notice, I wrote an anecdote ‘I explained the problem, and no one understood it. I explained the problem again, and no one understood it. I explained it a third time, and I understood it.’ It’s a short gimmicky way of saying I am bettered for having taught others,” Carter further explained.
His legacy of creating and inspiring art here and beyond is a testament to his enduring craft.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the local arts community if they don’t know his work already, to see a number of great examples, as well as draw more national attention to his living legacy,” Battle adds.
“This exhibition not only offers visitors a chance to see art made throughout Carter’s career, but it also makes space to honor his living legacy as an artist educator. This solo show highlights some of his early influences in Louisville, Kentucky as well as his impact on artists in Nassau County and beyond.”
Jim Messina
He has plenty of stories to tell — with more to come. An undisputed expert in the fine art of making hit music, Jim Messina’s legacy of musical genius spans five decades, three super groups, a vibrant solo career and scores of producing and engineering credits. a musician whose career has shaped the sound of multiple generations. From his start with Buffalo Springfield to defining the Country Rock genre with Poco and then forming the iconic duo Loggins & Messina, his influence on music is undeniable. With hits spanning over five decades, he’s a true craftsman of his art. Now touring with a talented band, Messina performs songs from every stage of his career: Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Loggins & Messina, and his solo projects. ouring the country and playing sold-out shows, Jim says that he’s enjoying discovering who he is, where he’s been and — most significantly — where he’s going.
Friday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m. $69, $59, $49. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Kevin James
You know him, you love him, and now you can catch Kevin James when his “Owls Don’t Walk” tour arrives here. As only Kevin can, he covers a range of topics from motivating children to put down their video games, to why he doesn’t trust technology, and how many tater tots he can fit in his mouth. James sure has come a long way since his early days on the local comedy scene. After being discovered at the 1996 Montreal Comedy Festival, he signed a development deal to create his own sitcom. “The King of Queens” premiered in 1998 and ran for nine seasons, earning him an Emmy nomination. From there, his acting career blew up — in film and TV.
Sunday, March 2, 7:30 p.m. $99.50, $79.50, $69.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY. com.
Images
Graham Carter Family Collection Untitled
With Empty Chat Bubbles),
To the right: Proud Queen, Tribute To My Wife, 1995, wood and acrylic, underscores the versatility of his form.
THE Your Neighborhood
The Joni Project
The Joni Project visits the Tilles Center stage, Thursday, March 20, 7:30 p.m., to celebrate the iconic Joni Mitchell. The musically sophisticated band is fronted by Long Island’s remarkable multi-instrumentalist and singer Katie Pearlman, who impressively plays Joni’s songs in their original open guitar tunings, and also includes jazz and jam band mainstays Dave Berg (guitar), Dan Ehrlich (bass), Alan Lerner (drums), Mark Mancini (keyboards), Steve Finklestein (percussion), Premik Russell Tubbs (saxophone and flute) and Victoria Faiella (backing vocals). Collectively, they’ve performed with members of the Grateful Dead, The Band, The Doors, the Neville Brothers, and many others.
Together, they bring fresh interpretation to Joni’s legendary tunes from their many eras and genres —particularly from the time of her stunning and dynamic collaboration with Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny and Michael Brecker. But The Joni Project celebrates it all - from Both Sides Now, Big Yellow Taxi, Chelsea Morning and Help Me, to Raised on Robbery and Free Man in Paris! Perlman faithfully performs in true Joni style, her tunings remain as fresh today as they were when first performed. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter. org or (516) 299-3100. March 20
On stage
Adelphi University
Performing Arts students present the musical adaptation of “The Spitfire Grill,” now through Sunday, March 2. Based on the 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff, this is a heartwarming and inspirational musical tale of redemption, perseverance and family. It follows a troubled young parolee yearning for a fresh start who follows her dreams to Wisconsin, based on a page from an old travel book, only to find a small town with a gritty heart aching with longing and regret. Unexpectedly discovering the healing power of community while working at the Spitfire Grill, Percy reawakens the entire town’s capacity fo
Set to a melodic folk-inspired score, it’s a joyous celebration of human kindness. $30, with discounts available for seniors, students Adelphi alumni and staff. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
In concert
The influential proto-punk/garage band The Dictators performs at My Father’s Place, Sunday, March 2, 7-9 p.m. My Father’s Place at The Roslyn, 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. For tickets/ information, visit MyFathersPlace. com or call (516) 580-0887.
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 also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
Grace Church Thrift Shop
Grace United Methodist Church’s thrift shop is open every Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Find adult and children’s clothing and accessories, including shoes, coats, and pocket books. Browse the special table replete with jewelry, elect ronics, household and kitchen items, art, and more. 21 S. Franklin Ave.
Family theater
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday, Feb. 28,10:15 a.m., noon, 6:15 p.m.; Sunday, March 2, 2 p.m.; also Wednesday and Thursday, March 5-6,10:15 a.m. and noon. It is 3017 in this futuristic, musical retelling of “Cinderella.” She’s now a space engineer looking to revolutionize space travel. When the Prince holds a space parade, Cinderella saves it by helping fix the Prince’s spaceship. and show him her new hyper warp speed engine. But first, she’ll have to keep her evil stepmother from throwing a wrench in her plans! $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Cardio Kickboxing
The Village of Valley Stream hosts cardio kickboxing at the Valley Stream Community Center in Arthur J. Hendrickson Park, Tuesday, March 4, 6:30 p.m. Attendees must register. There are no refunds or makeup classes. 123 W. Merrick Road. For more information, visit Vsrec.org or call (516) 825-8571.
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, along with 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?
Feb. 28
Silver Threads Paint Party
Village of Valley Stream holds their annual Silver Threads Paint Party art classes for the village’s Silver Thread members starting Friday, Feb. 28, 1 p.m. at the Valley Stream Community Center in Arthur J. Hendrickson Park, 123 W. Merrick Road. Members must register. Class fee is $5 on the day of class. For more information, visit vsrec.org or call (516) 825-8571.
Zumba
The Village of Valley Stream hosts Zumba at the Valley Stream Community Center in Arthur J. Hendrickson Park, Thursday, March 6, starting at 6 p.m. Attendees must register. There are no refunds or make-up classes. For more information, visit Vsrec.org or call (516) 825-8571. 123 W. Merrick Road.
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.
NEW YORK’S WRONGEST RUNNING COMEDY!
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum. org.
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.
February 27, 2025 —
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notices
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007-WM1, ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, -againstOMONUWA OMOGUN, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on September 30, 2024, wherein HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007-WM1, ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH
CERTIFICATES is the Plaintiff and OMONUWA OMOGUN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 11, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2 WALLACE COURT, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580; and the following tax map identification: 37-33602-38.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 001570/2016. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION
OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 151429
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ADELADE MOORE A/K/A ADELAIDE MOORE, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 20, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM, premises known as 31 PENINSULA BOULEVARD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11581. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 39, Block: 467, Lot: 17. Approximate amount of judgment is $435,213.79 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 612619/2023. 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, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee. For Sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.
MARIA SIDERIS, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 151421
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. MARTIN SILVERMAN, ET AL,
Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
THAT
In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on April 12, 2023, I, Martin Dehler, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on March 20, 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: 934 Park Lane Valley Stream, NY 11581
SBL No.: 39-556 -23
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York. The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 011866/2008 in the amount of $1,344,180.23 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 151571
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS-SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAUCARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC, Plaintiff, -against-
CLAUDIA S. ROSENTHAL AKA
CLAUDIA S. BROCHMAN, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF EILEEN ROSENTHAL AKA
EILEEN G. ROSENTHAL; MELISSA F. ROSENTHAL AKA
MELISSA F. STEINBERG, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF EILEEN ROSENTHAL AKA
EILEEN G. ROSENTHAL; ANY AND
ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF EILEEN ROSENTHAL AKA EILEEN G. ROSENTHAL; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; CAPITAL ONE, NA FKA CAPITAL ONE BANK (USA), N.A.; MICHAEL NEUMANN; “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #10,” said names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, intended to be possible tenants or occupants of the premises, or corporations, persons, or other entities having or claiming a lien upon the mortgaged premises, DefendantsIndex No. 607851/2024 Plaintiff Designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Nassau County. To the above named DefendantsYOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated December 10, 2024. NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME - If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the
mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Jeffrey A. Goldstein, A.J.S.C. Dated: December 10, 2024 Filed: January 10, 2025. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 47 Southgate Road, Valley Stream, NY 11581. Dated: October 16, 2024 Filed: February 2, 2025 Greenspoon Marder LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Monica G. Christie, Esq., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105 P: (212) 524-5000 F: (212) 524-5050 No Service by fax) Service purposes only: Trade Centre South 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 P: (888) 491-1120 F: (954) 343-6982 151561
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, TRUSTEE FOR LEHMAN BROTHERSSTRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST-SAIL 2005-3, Plaintiff, Against LILIANA VELASQUEZ, RICHIE VASQUEZ, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 09/30/2008, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y.
11501 on 3/27/2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 158 Cochran Place, Valley Stream, New York 11581, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village Of Valley Stream, Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau And State Of New York. Section 39 Block 479 Lot 26
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $444,277.42 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 021795/07 Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 Dated: 2/10/2025 File Number: 32665 CA 151736
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU LONGBRIDGE FINANCIAL, LLC, -againstANTHONY A. BARBERA III, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TOR THE ESTATE OF GLORIA BARBERA, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 3, 2025, wherein LONGBRIDGE FINANCIAL, LLC is the Plaintiff and ANTHONY A. BARBERA III, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TOR THE ESTATE OF GLORIA BARBERA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME
COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 24, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1297 SOUTH STREET, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580; and the following tax map identification: 35-518-40. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT NORTH VALLEY STREAM, UNINCORPORATED AREA, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 616669/2019. Steven Cohn, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 151738
PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU ELM CAPITAL LLC v. CARLA GIORDANI, et al. (Index No. 606525/2024) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on January 22, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 20th day of March, 2025 at 2:00 PM (“Rain or Shine”): All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being, and identified on the land tax map of the County of Nassau in the State of New York as Section 39, Block 511, Lot 7. Said premises are known as 1115 Furth Rd., Valley Stream, NY 11581. The approximate amount of the lien is $25,128.17 plus interest and costs.
ALL CHECKS MUST BE MADE PAYABLE DIRECTLY TO DAVID S. ZEIDMAN, ESQ., AS REFEREE. THE REFEREE WILL NOT ACCEPT THIRD PARTY CHECKS OR CASH. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Referee will cancel the foreclosure auction.
David S. Zeidman, Esq., Referee
Joseph Ehrenreich, Esq., Attorney for Plaintiff; Tel. 833-993-0100. 151645
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST CARMEN COREAS, DANIEL COREAS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 30, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 24, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 34 East Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37 Block 192 and Lot 8. Approximate amount of judgment $596,120.29 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #605700/2023. Referee’s phone number: 516-510-4020
Peter L. Kramer, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-000154 84517 151661
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Stream (the “Village”), situated in the County of Nassau, in the State
Public Notices
of New York, has adopted, on February 24 2025, pursuant to the Local Finance Law of New York, a bond resolution which:
(1) authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Village to finance the costs of replacement of the HVAC system at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library, and authorizes the issuance of up to $550,000 aggregate principal amount of serial bonds to finance such purpose; and (2) states the estimated maximum total costs of replacement of such HVAC system be not in excess of $550,000, states that such costs will be financed with the issuance of obligations authorized in the bond resolution and sets forth the plan of financing of such cost of the purpose; and (3) determines the period of probable usefulness to be fifteen (15) years; and (4) determines that the maximum maturity of such serial bonds will be in excess of five (5) years; and (5) delegates the Village Treasurer the power to prescribe the terms, form and contents of such serial bonds and to authorize the issuance of, and to prescribe the terms, form and contents of any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of such serial bonds or renewals thereof, and to issue, sell and deliver such serial bonds and such bond anticipation notes; and (6) states that the validity of such serial bonds or any of such bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of such serial bonds may be contested only if: (a) such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which the Village is not authorized to expend money, or (b) the provisions of law which should be complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty (20) days after the date of such publication, or (c) if such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution of New York. Such resolution is subject to a permissive
referendum under the provisions of Article 9 of the Village Law and petitions protesting such resolution and requesting that it be submitted to the electors of the Village of Valley Stream for their approval or disapproval, may be filed with the Village Clerk at any time within thirty (30) days after the date of the adoption of such resolution.
By order of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Stream, New York.
Dated: February 27, 2025
JAMES J. HUNTER
Village Clerk
Village of Valley Stream, New York 151890
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Stream (the “Village”), situated in the County of Nassau, in the State of New York, has adopted, on February 24, 2025, pursuant to the Local Finance Law of New York, a bond resolution which:
(1) authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Village to finance the costs of reconstruction of various streets in the Village, and authorizes the issuance of up to $1,100,000 aggregate principal amount of serial bonds to finance such purpose; and (2) states the estimated maximum total costs of reconstruction of various streets in the Village to be not in excess of $1,100,000, states that such costs will be financed with the issuance of obligations authorized in the bond resolution and sets forth the plan of financing of such cost of the purpose; and (3) determines the period of probable usefulness to be fifteen (15) years; and (4) determines that the maximum maturity of such serial bonds will be in excess of five (5) years; and (5) delegates the Village Treasurer the power to prescribe the terms, form and contents of such serial bonds and to authorize the issuance of, and to prescribe the terms, form and contents of any bond anticipation notes issued in
anticipation of the issuance of such serial bonds or renewals thereof, and to issue, sell and deliver such serial bonds and such bond anticipation notes; and (6) states that the validity of such serial bonds or any of such bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of such serial bonds may be contested only if: (a) such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which the Village is not authorized to expend money, or (b) the provisions of law which should be complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty (20) days after the date of such publication, or (c) if such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution of New York. Such resolution is subject to a permissive referendum under the provisions of Article 9 of the Village Law and petitions protesting such resolution and requesting that it be submitted to the electors of the Village of Valley Stream for their approval or disapproval, may be filed with the Village Clerk at any time within thirty (30) days after the date of the adoption of such resolution.
By order of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Stream, New York. Dated: February 27, 2025
JAMES J. HUNTER
Village Clerk
Village of Valley Stream, New York 151891
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Stream (the “Village”), situated in the County of Nassau, in the State of New York, has adopted, on February 24, 2025, pursuant to the Local Finance Law of New York, a bond resolution which: (1) authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Village to finance the costs of fire department equipment, and authorizes the issuance of up to $300,000 aggregate principal amount of serial bonds to finance such purpose; and
(2) states the estimated maximum total costs of such fire department equipment to be not in excess of $300,000, states that such costs will be financed with the issuance of obligations authorized in the bond resolution and sets forth the plan of financing of such cost of the purpose; and (3) determines the period of probable usefulness to be five (5) years; and (4) determines that the maximum maturity of such serial bonds will be in excess of five (5) years; and (5) delegates the Village Treasurer the power to prescribe the terms, form and contents of such serial bonds and to authorize the issuance of, and to prescribe the terms, form and contents of any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of such serial bonds or renewals thereof, and to issue, sell and deliver such serial bonds and such bond anticipation notes; and (6) states that the validity of such serial bonds or any of such bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of such serial bonds may be contested only if: (a) such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which the Village is not authorized to expend money, or (b) the provisions of law which should be complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty (20) days after the date of such publication, or (c) if such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution of New York.
Such resolution is subject to a permissive referendum under the provisions of Article 9 of the Village Law and petitions protesting such resolution and requesting that it be submitted to the electors of the Village of Valley Stream for their approval or disapproval, may be filed with the Village Clerk at any time within thirty (30) days after the date of the adoption of such resolution.
By order of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Stream, New York.
Dated: February 27, 2025
JAMES J. HUNTER
Village Clerk
Village of Valley Stream, New York 151892
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Stream (the “Village”), situated in the County of Nassau, in the State of New York, has adopted, on February 24, 2025, pursuant to the Local Finance Law of New York, a bond resolution which:
(1) authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Village to finance the costs of replacement of the HVAC system at Village Hall, and authorizes the issuance of up to $930,000 aggregate principal amount of serial bonds to finance such purpose; and (2) states the estimated maximum total costs of replacement of such HVAC system be not in excess of $930,000, states that such costs will be financed with the issuance of obligations authorized in the bond resolution and sets forth the plan of financing of such cost of the purpose; and (3) determines the period of probable usefulness to be fifteen (15) years; and (4) determines that the maximum maturity of such serial bonds will be in excess of five (5) years; and (5) delegates the Village Treasurer the power to prescribe the terms, form and contents of such serial bonds and to authorize the issuance of, and to prescribe the terms, form and contents of any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of such serial bonds or renewals thereof, and to issue, sell and deliver such serial bonds and such bond anticipation notes; and (6) states that the validity of such serial bonds or any of such bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of such serial bonds may be contested only if: (a) such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for
which the Village is not authorized to expend money, or (b) the provisions of law which should be complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty (20) days after the date of such publication, or (c) if such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution of New York. Such resolution is subject to a permissive referendum under the provisions of Article 9 of the Village Law and petitions protesting such resolution and requesting that it be submitted to the electors of the Village of Valley Stream for their approval or disapproval, may be filed with the Village Clerk at any time within thirty (30) days after the date of the adoption of such resolution. By order of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Stream, New York. Dated: February 27, 2025
JAMES J. HUNTER
Village Clerk Village of Valley Stream, New York 151889
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 3/5/2025 at 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 130/25. - 132/25. NR VALLEY STREAMValley Stream Green Acres LLC, Variance in off-street parking in conjunction with Green Acres Mall (Demolish portion of existing building & parking garage) (Construct Shoprite supermarket); Special exception to use part of premises for outdoor dining (proposed restaurant); Install six (6) wall signs
for retail stores on “North walls” of existing building which is not the tenant space; Install one illuminated wall sign (North facing) for retail store on existing building which is not the tenant space; Install two (2) illuminated wall signs for retail stores on “West wall” of existing building which is not the tenant space; Install one (West facing) wall sign, overall size 70 sq. ft.; Install two (2) wall signs for retail stores on “North East wall” of existing building which is not the tenant space; Install five (5) wall signs for retail stores on “East wall” of existing building which is not the tenant space; Install one illuminated wall sign for retail store on “North West wall” of existing building which is not the tenant space; Install 2nd doublefaced, directional sign, not permitted; Install 3rd double-faced, directional sign, not permitted; Install illuminated, detached ground sign, overall size 105 sq. ft. (Green Acres Mall), S/E cor. Sunrise Hwy. & Green Acres Rd., a/k/a 2034 Green Acres Rd. 133/25. NR VALLEY STREAM - SWY Entertainment Corp., d/b/a Launch Family Entertainment, Special exception to use part of premises for place of public assembly & amusement (proposed Launch trampoline park)., S/E cor. Sunrise Hwy. & Green Acres Rd., a/k/a 2034 Green Acres Rd. (Green Acres Mall)
ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Valley Stream within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the
call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.
151823
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Stream (the “Village”), situated in the County of Nassau, in the State of New York, has adopted, on February 24, 2025, pursuant to the Local Finance Law of New York, a bond resolution which: (1) authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Village to finance the costs of various vehicle fleet additions, and authorizes the issuance of up to $280,000 aggregate principal amount of serial bonds to finance such purpose; and (2) states the estimated maximum total costs of such acquisition to be not in excess of $280,000, states that such costs will be financed with the issuance of obligations authorized in the bond resolution and sets forth the plan of financing of such cost of the purpose; and (3) determines the period of probable usefulness to be five (5) years; and (4) determines that the maximum maturity of such notes will be in excess of five (5) years; and (5) delegates the Village Treasurer the power to prescribe the terms, form and contents of such serial bonds and to authorize the issuance of, and to prescribe the terms, form and contents of any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of such serial bonds or renewals thereof, and to issue, sell and deliver such serial bonds and such bond anticipation notes; and (6) states that the validity of such serial bonds or any of such bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of such serial bonds may be contested only if: (a) such obligations are authorized for an
HERALD SCHOOLS
William Buck enjoys cultural celebration
Students at William L. Buck School in Valley Stream District 24 kicked off 2025 with enthusiasm and a celebration of culture, community, and new beginnings. The school recently hosted a New Year’s cultural celebration, providing students with an opportunity to set personal goals for the year ahead while sharing their diverse backgrounds and aspirations for the future.
“This event was a wonderful opportunity for our students to come together, embrace the start of a new year, and celebrate the rich cultures and backgrounds that make up the Valley Stream 24 community,” said Superintendent Unal Karakas. “As we continue hosting Family Forums in our district, events like this allow students and their families to share not only dishes from their cultures but also stories, traditions, and a deeper appreciation for the diversity that makes our district so special.”
“Our families brought in dishes that represented their cultures, creating a wonderful opportunity to share traditions and personal stories,” said Principal Michael DeBlasio. “Food has a unique way of bringing people together, and this celebration was a meaningful reminder of the unity and connection we share as a community.”
The event featured food, music, dancing, and a strong sense of community spirit. Students created and displayed vision boards to showcase their goals and what they look forward to most in 2025. Third through sixth grade students, along with their families, contributed a variety of foods and snacks, representing the many heritages that enrich the school district community.
–Juan Lasso
Public Notices
object or purpose for which the Village is not authorized to expend money, or (b) the provisions of law which should be complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty (20) days after the date of such publication, or (c) if such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution of New York.
Such resolution is subject to a permissive referendum under the provisions of Article 9 of the Village Law and petitions protesting such resolution and requesting that it be submitted to the electors of the Village
of Valley Stream for their approval or disapproval, may be filed with the Village Clerk at any time within thirty (30) days after the date of the adoption of such resolution.
By order of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Stream, New York.
Dated: February 27, 2025
JAMES J. HUNTER
Village Clerk Village of Valley Stream, New York 151888
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Trustee for Securitized Asset Back Receivables
LLC 2005-FR5
Mortgage PassThrough Certificates, Series 2005-FR5, Plaintiff AGAINST Anthony J. Graziano, et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 1, 2016, 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 41 Higbie Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected,
situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 37., Block: 574, Lot: 5. Approximate amount of judgment
$531,155.02 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #005364/2013. For sale information, please contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844) 400-9633. Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-059283-F00 84371 151802
Photos courtesy Valley Stream District 24
William L. Buck School recently held a Family Forum cultural celebration to ring in the New Year.
William L. Buck School celebrated the melting pot of cultures at William L. Buck.
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour.
Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30
Updated 2 Family
Is this a good time to
build?
Q. We have been planning a large renovation of our home but have put off construction for the past two years due to family circumstances. Now, as we’re ready to move forward, we’re wondering, with everything going on right now, is this a good time to build?
A. It is a good time to build. There are obviously many factors involved in choosing when to start, including costs, permits, the right fit for a contractor relationship, the logistics of where to go while work is being done, where to store things — it’s a long list. But there are many reasons not to hesitate, assuming you have all the necessary plans, approvals and money.
The labor force has been shrinking for many years — especially skilled labor and the workers that skilled laborers need to do a job. Associated Builders and Contractors, a nationally recognized industry trade association, began reporting in January 2024 that an additional 504,000 workers would be needed just to complete current construction in the United States. This year, the association is reporting that 454,000 more workers will be needed. Where will they come from, considering that there are fewer people going into constructionrelated fields?
The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, which (at least for now) compiles reports on local economics, stated last October that “it remains difficult to find workers with certain skills in some industries such as technology, manufacturing and construction.” As I meet on construction sites, I talk with contractors who are all voicing their frustration that they need trained and skilled workers. Since that problem is getting worse, you may use it as the biggest reason to move ahead sooner than later.
Material prices are predicted to rise as well. One contractor blamed the cost of copper for the higher price of bathroom construction. We compared the cost, seven years ago, of rough plumbing going up, then, from $3,500 to $4,500 dollars. Last week we discussed the cost for the same work, just for supply and installation of the piping, without the fixtures, at $9,500 on average. Lumber from our neighbors to the north and steel from overseas are going up. Typically, by the end of January each year, material prices increase slightly. This year those increases were noticeably greater.
Holding off on your construction job probably isn’t a good idea, based on history. When the economy is booming, prices rise because of supply and demand. When things slow down, manufacturers and trades may have to charge even more just to keep the workforce they gave raises to when things were better or even just to stay in business, to cover their expenses to meet overhead costs. This answer isn’t intended to cause panic, but the statistics are right in front of you, on your smartphone, to follow trends and realize that nobody is going to work for less, and it may be hard to find materials or labor at the prices you hoped for. Good luck!
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opinions Government must be efficient, coherent and transparent
Throughout my career in public service, I’ve steadfastly championed government efficiency, easing the burden on taxpayers, and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. It’s critical that we continue to examine all levels of government for potential savings, and hold our agencies to the highest standards. As Hempstead town supervisor, I rooted out waste and corruption, enabling the town to cut taxes, but I did this with transparency and in a deliberative fashion. This is what the American people expect and deserve.
While I support efforts to rein in government spending and waste, I’m deeply concerned by the impact of some of the recent funding freezes and firings that will hurt Long Islanders and throw vital services into chaos.
Just days ago, nearly 20 percent of the World Trade Center Health Program’s staff was abruptly terminated due to staffing cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services. Eliminat-
Like any resident of Oyster Bay, I’ve always had a fascination with our hometown president, Theodore Roosevelt. He seemed like such a larger-than-life character, a writer who was a soldier, a hunter who was a politician, and a statesman who truly cared for, and understood the needs of, the common man.
ing staff members who are working to ensure that 9/11 first responders and survivors receive the care they deserve is outrageous. This is a family matter on Long Island: Every one of us likely knows someone who was impacted by the Sept. 11 attacks. Nearly 7,000 of my constituents in the 4th Congressional District are eligible for the health program, including those who helped our nation when we needed it most.
EThe idea that our government would ever abandon these heroes is unthinkable. I’m glad that President Trump’s administration listened to the New York delegation’s bipartisan outrage and is now rehiring affected staff and working to undo these errors. This is a priority for Long Islanders and all New Yorkers.
leagues to urge the National Institutes of Health to reverse their planned cuts to research institutions across New York state, including Hofstra and Adelphi universities.
fforts to rein in spending in Washington are producing too much chaos.
I’m also closely tracking the developments around federal grant funding freezes. Already we have heard that proposed cuts will have drastic impacts on the universities and nonprofits that are carrying out groundbreaking research and providing critical services on Long Island. I recently joined a bipartisan group of my New York delegation col-
These cuts threaten our progress on lifesaving medical research, and make it harder for Long Islanders suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses to participate in clinical trials that could save lives. I’m glad the administration reversed course on the indiscriminate federal funding freeze proposed earlier this year, which I warned could directly impact our law enforcement agencies’ ability to carry out their jobs and threaten public safety in our communities. I remain concerned, however, about cuts to grant programs, including those for services for survivors of domestic violence and for veterans, and for other nonprofits on Long Island doing important work.
Long Islanders have also raised concerns about the potential cuts to Medicaid, which would have a devastating effect on Nassau County. Last week I heard from many health care organizations and hospitals in my district, and
joined health care advocates for a roundtable discussion of the drastic impacts that Medicaid cuts would have here. More than 100,000 of my constituents, including children and nursing home residents currently covered by Medicaid, could lose access to health care, and costs would rise for tens of thousands more Long Islanders.
We need to protect and strengthen access to health care, not rip it away from seniors, children and veterans on Long Island who rely on Medicaid. This is a bipartisan priority for residents threatened by these cuts. I’ll continue the fight to ensure continued access to health care, and I’m calling on my Republican colleagues to join me in that cause.
The administration has publicly stated that if mistakes are made during its cuts, they’ll be corrected. The White House and its allies in Congress should stand by that promise. They should seek to avoid frenzied mistakes going forward. I agree that we must tighten the belt of government and ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are being utilized efficiently and effectively, but our nation deserves transparency and organized, lawful action instead of the current chaos.
Laura Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
Destroying Roosevelt’s legacy
executive branch to keep moneyed interests out of politics, despite pushback from members of his own cabinet and party.
Which is why it is so disappointing that the new presidential administration seems so invested in tearing down everything that Roosevelt achieved. And no, that’s not hyperbole. President Trump has said numerous times that America was richest during the Gilded Age, from about 1870 to the 1890s, and that he hopes to bring us back to that level of prosperity. Except that prosperity was a lie, built on the backs of working-class employees who slaved away for limited wages and had no protections, while that generation’s top 1 percent got richer and richer. Roosevelt saw the damage this corrupt system was doing to the country, and earned the nickname “Trustbuster” for his fearlessness in breaking up the early monopolies. He used the power of the
Contrast that with Trump, who, rather than regulating big businesses, has invited them into his cabinet, and even more terrifying, into the country’s inner record system. Elon Musk, the J.P. Morgan of the 21st century, has been given the keys to the castle and is currently ransacking our public records, from Social Security to Medicaid and more.
Furthermore, Trump has signed one executive order after another weakening regulatory agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission — which was created in response to the Roosevelt administration’s lawsuit against Morgan’s monopoly. Rather than working to make big business more civicminded and protect regular Americans from its excesses, Trump is enabling the worst aspects of capitalism in this country, enriching the few at the expense of the many.
once other methods of diplomacy had been exhausted. TR’s embrace of “soft” power, and its importance in foreign relations, was a hallmark of U.S. foreign policy for much of the last century.
p resident Trump seems hell-bent on tearing down everything T.R. achieved.
Trump, on the other hand, appears to be more easily herded than any previous president, let alone Roosevelt. His administration’s shameful aboutface on Ukraine shows his inability to see the benefit of supporting a free, democratic nation unjustly invaded by Russia’s oligarchic president, Vladimir Putin. That, and Trump’s apparent sycophancy toward Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un and other autocrats, contrasts sadly with Roosevelt’s ability to play the autocrats of his age against one another without forsaking American honor and dignity.
similar organizations is a fundamental aspect of our soft power, which offers another, often more elegant, solution to global threats than simply sending in our military.
Roosevelt was also famous as a diplomat, with his best known-quote describing his approach to foreign policy, to “speak softly and carry a big stick.” That meant maintaining a strong military presence, but only using it as a threat
Trump’s attempted destruction of USAID and similar agencies shows a further lack of understanding of soft power, and the limitations businessmen can have when switching to public service. Not everything needs to be profitable to be useful, despite what Trump and Musk may say. USAID not only saves lives, but also reaffirms the fundamental belief among Americans, our allies and even our enemies that we are a country of fundamentally good people. The goodwill we earn internationally from this and
But what would really break Roosevelt’s heart is Trump’s apparent disregard for our nation’s natural beauty and the extraordinary people who steward it. Roosevelt was known as a conservationist, and protected roughly 230 million acres of public land during his presidency, including 150 national forests and more than 40 federal bird sanctuaries. Trump, meanwhile, has gutted our National Park Service and the United States Forest Service — founded by Roosevelt — and has repeated made clear his desire to open public land to oil drilling while deregulating environmental restrictions that big businesses face. His refusal to acknowledge the role humans play in climate change and his unwillingness to hold oil, coal and similar industries accountable would, I have no doubt, make the Bull Moose apoplectic.
I’ve spent countless hours poring over biographies, watching documentaries and listening to podcasts about Roosevelt. While I obviously never met him, and have never met Trump, I can say with certainty that Trump is no Teddy Roosevelt.
Will Sheeline is an editor covering Glen Head, Locust Valley, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff. Comments? WSheeline@liherald.com.
WiLL sHEELinE
LAURA A. GiLLEn
There should never be a legal excuse for rape
imagine going to a party with friends, or attending your high school reunion or a wedding. You see a lot of familiar faces, and some new ones. Everyone is having a good time sharing memories, and you drink into the night.
By the end, you realize you’ve had too much to drink. Walking doesn’t come as easy, and your words are a bit slurred. No worries. It’s nothing that others haven’t done before. You take precautions, don’t drive. Surely you’ll get home safe.
Except you don’t.
Instead, you are sexually assaulted or raped. The evening before is a blur and you can’t quite put the pieces together, but you know something went horribly wrong. You go to the police to file a report, but suddenly you’re the one being interrogated. Officers start asking you if you had any alcohol or drugs last night, and they may even give you a Breathalyzer test. But that shouldn’t matter, right? Someone committed a crime — full stop.
In New York state, however, there is no law in place that protects survivors of sexual assault if they were voluntarily intoxicated during the crime.
It seems absurd that this is not already law in a state as progressive as New York, especially when compared with conservative states like Alabama and South Carolina, which have laws in place protecting sexual assault survivors who are voluntarily intoxicated.
The bill before the New York State Assembly (A.101), sponsored by dozens
letters
Whither civil discourse?
To the Editor:
of elected officials, aims to amend the law “to allow sex crimes charges to be brought in cases where the victim had become voluntarily intoxicated if a reasonable person in the defendant’s position should have known that the victim was incapable of giving consent due to intoxication.” It has languished in the Assembly since a similar bill was introduced in the State Senate by then Sen. Alessandra Biaggi in 2020, and passed two years later.
“Voluntarily” is the crucial word.
Those who oppose the law are afraid the language will allow for false accusations involving voluntary intoxication among consenting adults, specifically if someone regrets the decisions they made the night before and claims they were not in their normal mental state to give consent.
But advocates argue that those extreme and uncommon situations diminish the seriousness of sexual assault and rape, no matter the situation, and have presented cases to support their cause. We agree with those advocates. There is never an excuse for rape or sexual assault — nor for victim blaming or victim shaming.
In 2017, choreographer Bijan Williams, who worked with high-profile entertainers Beyonce and Jay-Z, was arrested on charges of rape and false imprisonment when a 17-year-old girl called 911 and accused him of raping her in a Manhattan hotel room. Williams was 34 old at the time, and both were under the influence of alcohol. Williams pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of sup-
Re last week’s editorial, “In civil discourse, everyone deserves respect”: Those of us who agree must realize that this is a contested proposition, currently facing open challenge by those who declare it an invalid premise. To many, “respect” is a virtue only when it is a synonym for obedience, when “persuasion” may include violence, and “disagreement” is a tool useful for exposing enemies, not for discussion but for vicious doxxing.
Various history months face official obliteration, propaganda terms like Gulf of America, “gender ideology” and “patriotic history” are being devised, their use enforced by lawsuit.
Coerced conformity to stereotype attempts to erase individual expression. Our president claims kingship, uses the royal “we,” disparages diversity. Few such bigots are convertible, so our resolve must be keep them from power through our majority of votes.
James Russell Lowell, in 1873, described our situation: “I have always been of the mind that in
plying a minor with alcohol, and the rest of the case was dropped.
In 2021, The Washington Post published, “A Minnesota man can’t be charged with felony rape because the woman chose to drink beforehand, court rules.” The headline stemmed from a 2017 case in which a woman consumed several shots of alcohol and a prescription pill before accompanying an unknown man who invited her to a party. She was raped, but because she was intoxicated voluntarily, and the state law only protected those who were mentally incapacitated due to intoxication administered by someone without a person’s consent, the man was not charged.
Victim blaming is all too common for survivors of sexual assault and rape, and while the scars may be invisible, they run deep.
Survivors of sexual assault are 10 times more likely to attempt suicide, according to 2020 research by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Others are plagued by a lifetime of psychological and emotional issues that interfere with their ability to handle everyday activities like holding a steady job.
While criminals walk away with a relative slap on the wrist, survivors continue to suffer from the crimes perpetrated against them, and in many cases they are relegated to carrying the shame heaped on them by society.
Our elected leaders in Albany must pass A.101 now, and close the voluntary intoxication loophole.
opinions
Turning N.Y.’s yellow buses green could cost billions
new york in 2022 told school districts they would be barred from purchasing gasoline- or diesel-powered buses after 2027, and instead would have to buy electric buses at more than double the cost. “The purchase of new electric buses will help grow the market,” officials later pledged, “which will in turn help reduce prices.”
Unfortunately for taxpayers, those reductions aren’t materializing — in part because state officials put the prices, and future increases, on cruise control.
The state Office of General Services, which negotiates contracts on which local districts are expected to piggyback, reached a five-year deal in December 2022 with nine bus dealers, and tied the price schedule to the federal Producer Price index for “truck and bus bodies.” That’s notable on its own because the index doesn’t reflect changes in battery or electric motor costs — the components that make electric buses so costly.
new york’s arrangement left school bus prices rising automatically. a handful of bus models were added to the
price schedule in the first year after getting state Department of Transportation approvals, but nothing has changed since — except for the price hikes, which totaled 3.7 percent over the past 12 months. inflation-related provisions are common in government procurement, especially in multi-year deals. But it’s remarkable that the state hasn’t been able to woo more players into the market or work out lower prices.
slooking specifically at the OGS prices for the ubiquitous Type C buses (which make up two-thirds of school buses statewide), five manufacturers with electric models are listed. That’s more than the three listed for gasoline or diesel buses, and should have set the stage for greater competition and downward pressure on prices. What’s more, OGS reserved the right to negotiate lower prices or rebid the contracts altogether “in the event of a decrease in market price.”
the added cost of buying electric buses instead of replacing them — is on track to total more than $9 billion by 2035, when state law requires districts to park the last of the fuel-burning units. and it’s become increasingly clear that the total cost of compliance will be far larger.
tate officials, in classic Albany form, never issued any cost estimate.
sel buses long after 2027.
So far, the agency hasn’t, and the price gap between gasoline/diesel and electric units is widening. in January 2024, the lowest price for a 46-seat Type C bus was $134,353, compared with $388,265 for electric, a difference of $253,912. This year, the premium is up to $263,360. That premium alone — that is,
Letters
democracy, manners are the only effective weapon against the Bowie knife.” Resolute in manners, wary, registered to vote.
BRian Kelly Rockville Centre
Which of these presidents doesn’t belong?
To the editor:
Re Peter King’s column last week, “Recalling the presidents i’ve met”: Former Congressman King continues his attempt to gaslight Herald readers by including the current occupier of the White House on his list of former U.S. presidents he’s collaborated with over the last several decades. a s if Donald Trump’s attack on U.S. democracy and scorched-earth approach is comparable to the political ideology of any former president, Republican or Democrat. King attempts to gloss over Trump’s abhorrent behavior by reminiscing about an invitation King’s grandchildren received to visit the White House. Why is King trying to normalize the first 30 days of this chaotic presidency by recalling mundane details about
Trump — and including him on a list of former presidents who, by contrast, had a very clear and unwavering love for this republic? Why omit mention of Trump’s flurry of nonsensical executive orders, blanket pardons of the criminals who attacked our Capitol, mass firings of federal employees, attempted eviscerations of the Cia and the FBi, elimination of the Department of education, and countless threats of retribution against perceived enemies? Because normalization of outrageous tactics is a tool of MaGa’s propaganda machine — much like the Third Reich systematically rationalized its attacks on the free press and takeover of the military as necessary evils in order to take control of an ailing and dysfunctional government. MaGa’s use of this tactic is deceptive and dangerous, and King seems to be a willing cog in the wheel.
a t the very least, in the interest of standing up for his former constituents, King should question Trump’s blatant surrender of our government systems — which include our personal and private information — to e lon Musk, under the guise of DOGe, and acknowledge that it is (at the very least) an overstep by an administration that is suddenly in the hands of an unsanctioned group of non-elected private citizens.
Despite the fact that it’s the largest unfunded mandate in a generation, state officials, in classic albany form, never issued any cost estimate for the electric bus policy before approving it as part of the 2023 state budget.
last October, the State education Department found that at least 42 percent of districts “will need some electric service update or upgrade to meet their bus charging needs,” while just 3 percent said they won’t. another 39 percent haven’t yet made an assessment.
State officials still haven’t estimated the total added grid-related costs, but some districts face costs in the tens of millions of dollars as they contemplate necessary substation upgrades and additional or upgraded distribution lines, or potentially relocating their bus depots. and since distribution-level upgrades must be planned (and approved by the state utility regulator) years in advance, school districts will likely need to keep buying gas and die-
Districts face other major sources of uncertainty. instead of gasoline or diesel, they will buy more electricity, the cost of which is poised to rise as the state prematurely shutters natural gasfired power plants. The administration of Gov. Kathy Hochul has indicated that the per-mile costs of electricity will be lower than fuel, but has otherwise been mum on the subject.
Most school districts will use bonds to pay for their bus upgrades, and financing costs have surged since the electric bus mandate was adopted. Schools are counting on state and federal incentives to defray their costs. These include one-time proceeds from the 2022 environmental Bond act, as well as various federal incentives sure to come under scrutiny as the feds grapple with ballooning debt costs and the potential expiration of parts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs act.
in this last case, Hochul and state lawmakers are likely to blame congressional Republicans and the Trump administration for forcing them to postpone the electric bus mandate. But it’s difficult for albany to blame Washington for a policy’s cost and feasibility problems when albany didn’t first determine the policy’s cost or feasibility.
Ken Girardin is director of research at the Empire Center for Public Policy. He can be reached at ken@empirecenter.org.
Framework by Tim Baker
not even Trump’s supporters voted for elon Musk.
Congressman, it’s never too late to say, “ i misjudged him.” i t’s never too late to say, “ i was wrong.” a nd it’s
never too late to hold someone accountable.
The indie and R&B cover band Salvee performing at Sparkle on Stage — Freeport
elizaBeTH MURPHy Franklin Square
ken Girardin
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:
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