GREAT NECK NEWS 2024_01_12 by The Island 360

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Friday, January 12, 2024

Vol. 99, No. 2

SCHOOLS & EDUCATION

SUOZZI TOUTS RECORD, HITS PILIP ON DEBATES

SOUTH SHORE’S KOPEL NEW PRESIDING OFFICER

PAGES 19-26

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Adhami not listed on permit as home owner

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

Mother of GOP councilman the only signature on G.N. Estates permit BY C A M E RY N O A K ES North Hempstead Town Councilman David Adhami’s mother was recently the sole signer of a Village of Great Neck Estates building permit that asked for the signatures of all owners of a home in which he has said he resides. When reached by phone, Adhami told Blank Slate Media that he owns two homes – one in Merrick and one in Great Neck – but that the Merrick home is not his “primary residence.” He said the Great Neck home he owns is his domicile. A town councilman in North Hempstead is required to reside in the town. If Adhami was not eligible to serve under the requirement the Republican party’s current 4-3 majority would be threatened. Blank Slate Media reported in November that Adhami, a lawyer with a Great Neck practice, signed a notarized Town of Hempstead Buildings Department document that said “David Adhami, being duly sworn, deposes and says: that he or she resides” at the address in Merrick. The notarized application signed by Adhami goes on to say that the applications and plansand “all the statements herein contained are true to deponent’s own knowledge.” When asked by Blank Slate Me-

dia why he signed the affidavit for the Town of Hempstead Building Department in October 2021 stating that he lived in Merrick and did not sign the building permit application for his home in Great Neck despite the forms requiring all owners to sign, Adhami responded by saying that he lives in Great Neck. Adhami referred the reporter to his comments in a story from the North Shore Leader, which called the questions about where Adhami lives a “misfired smear campaign’ by North Hempstead Democrats.” Maureen Daly, the author of the article, was previously Adhami’s campaign treasurer in 2017 when he ran for the Nassau County Legislature in 2017, according to her LinkedIn profile. “I mean there’s nothing more to say,” Adhami said to Blank Slate Media Friday afternoon. “What you’re writing is a political hit job, why don’t you put that in your paper?” In an affidavit of property ownership signed and notarized in September 2023 at a home on Ash Drive in Great Neck, Mitra Mirjani – Adhami’s mother – is the only name listed and the only person to sign the application. The affidavit states “All owners must sign either as owner or applicant.” Continued on Page 34

PHOTO COURTESY OF KAREN RUBIN

The Town of North Hempstead held an inauguration ceremony for its newly-elected officials on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Town Republicans ax 6 Bosworth-era employees BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y The North Hempstead Town Board Tuesday night voted to terminate multiple town employees who have been working for the municipality since at least the Judi Bosworth administration. Tuesday night’s meeting was the ﬁrst meeting this century where Town Republicans hold a majority on the seven-member town board with four seats. Democrat Christine Liu was not in attendance Tuesday

night due to a sickness, officials said. Rich Nicolello, the former Nassau County Legislature presiding officer, was also officially hired Tuesday night to be the North Hempstead town attorney. He replaces John Chiara and will earn an annual salary of $185,000, $4,215 more than what Chiara made. The terminations include Deputy Commissioner of Parks and Recreation John Darcy, Commissioner of Public Safety Shawn Brown, Chief Research Assistant Jeanine Dillon,

Administrative Assistant to the Town Board Rebecca Cheng and Public Information Officer Gordon Tepper. Mitchell Pitnick, the secretary to the commissioner of finance, resigned from the town and Planning Commissioner Michael Levine retired, according to the resolution. Tuesday’s terminations and resignations come just over two years after Republican Supervisor Jennifer DeSena’s first meeting as head of the town after defeating Town Clerk Continued on Page 35

The Great Neck News, Friday, January 12, 2024

Very Juice coming Nicolello named to Great Neck Plaza town attorney Middle Neck Road location opening in village in Spring

Republicans add meeting dates to calendar

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES

BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y

A new food establishment Very Juice will be coming to the Village of Great Neck Plaza this spring, serving up healthy dishes on Middle Neck Road. “It’s basically a clean way to eat lunch, breakfast and some people enjoy having it for dinner also,” store owner Mindel Chaya Aranoff said. The village’s board of trustees approved a conditional-use permit Wednesday night for incoming business Very Juice, a franchise health food establishment that serves more than just juice. Alongside a diverse selection of juices, the kosher restaurant also serves smoothies, salads, paninis and much more. Very Juice is a casual dining experience, with customers ordering at the counter and being able to enjoy their meal in the restaurant or take it to-go. The franchise encompasses three other locations, including two in Brooklyn and one in Lawrence. Aranoff operates the Very Juice located in Lawrence and will be opening the franchise’s fourth location in Great Neck Plaza at 32 Middle Neck Road. She said she has been operating the Lawrence location for a year and a half, and that she plans to split her time between both locations. The incoming Very Juice will be located on Middle Neck Road where Bare Burger was previously located. Aranoff said the setup of the restaurant will remain the same as Bare Burger, with renovations exclusive to aesthetics. Very Juice will be open six days a week and closed on Saturdays, starting to serve customers early in the morning and through the late afternoon. Aranoff said her goal is to open the Great Neck Plaza Very Juice after Passover, aiming for early May. In other news, the board OK’d a local law that would allow the village to exceed the real property tax cap – a formality preceding the village’s adoption of a 2024-2025 budget. The law passed Wednesday night does not determine that the board will be exceeding the tax cap, rather it per-

Former Nassau County Presiding Officer Rich Nicolello was officially named North Hempstead Town Attorney Tuesday night in a shortened meeting that also saw Town Republicans add meeting dates to the town’s calendar. Due to inclement weather, the 30 minutes of public comments and public hearings on Tuesday night’s agenda were continued to the next meeting in light of the inclement weather and the town requesting residents to stay off the roads. Democratic Council Member Robert Troiano said during the vote to appoint Nicolello that he is excited to work with him again. “I had the pleasure of working with Rich in the county Legislature when we were both legislators,” said Troiano, who after his first stint serving on the town board was a county legislator from 2011 to 2014. “When I heard the news that Rich might be joining us, my fingers were crossed and when that was confirmed I was really excited.” Republican Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said she is thrilled after 28 years serving the county Nicolello will serve the town, the same one

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The Great Neck Plaza Board of Trustees approved a permit to bring in new business Very Juice to Middle Neck Road. mits them to do so later on if necessary. Village Clerk-Treasurer Patricia O’Byrne said the village had adopted such a law every year for the past eight years just in case it is necessary to exceed the tax cap despite never actually exceeding it. She said the tax cap is set at 2%. If the village’s adopted budget does not go over the tax cap, O’Byrne said the board will then vote to repeal the law that permits them to do so. “So we just do this in case when we adopt our budget we end up having to go over the tax cap,” O’Byrne said. The board also is discussing changes to its commercial filming fees which Mayor Ted Rosen said is due to an increase in filming requests in the village.

No vote was taken on the filming fees nor any discussion on what the board would be implementing, but it will be discussed further and potentially face a vote at the board’s next meeting. The village will be hosting a discussion panel on Jan. 11 titled “United Against Hate,” which will focus on uniting the community in standing against hatred and bigotry. The panel will begin at 7:30 p.m. and be held at the village hall. Rosen said community members are invited to attend but will have to RSVP due to limited space. He said additional information about the event and registering to attend will be announced soon. The Great Neck Plaza Board of Trustees will convene again at 7 p.m. on Jan. 17.

he began his law career as a deputy town attorney in 1986. Nicolello thanked the board for the appointment and added he is excited to continue working with each of the council members as he had done during his time in the Legislature. “I truly am looking forward to continue working with you and working for the town in this new capacity,” Nicolello said Tuesday night. Nicolello replaces John Chiara, who was appointed in January 2022 after he was the deputy county executive for compliance with Democrat Laura Curran’s administration and then appointed as acting county attorney. Nicolello will earn $185,000 a year, according to the town. In other news, Town Republicans amended the 2024 calendar to add 10:00 a.m. meetings on Thursday, Feb. 15, and Tuesdays, Oct. 8, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10. DeSena said the amendment was to create new slots for specifically public hearings and not make the board, town employees and members of the public stay at town hall close to or after midnight in the event meetings–which start at 7 p.m.–run for hours. Continued on Page 34

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North Hempstead Town Attorney Rich Nicolello.

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The Great Neck News, Friday, January 12, 2024

Suozzi touts ability to get things done Slams GOP opponent Mazi Pilip for not presenting views on issues, agreeing to only 1 debate BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Democrat Tom Suozzi said he offers New York’s 3rd Congressional District voters a candidate with a proven track record who will help fix the country’s problem by working across the aisle to seek out common ground solutions. “Everybody’s got these nagging feelings in the back of their head about all these problems that are happening,” Suozzi said in an interview with Blank Slate Media. “They’re wondering ‘Is the world really changed?’ and they look to the Congress and they’re like ‘OK, what are you doing to help us?’” Suozzi said in an hour-long interview he offers specific solutions to problems that he is willing to discuss publicly while his Republican opponent, Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip, has failed to explain her positions or agree to more than one debate. The lone debate agreed to by Pilip, he said, is with News Channel 12 five days before election day and five days after early voting has begun, and will not be seen by Queens voters who make up about 20% of the vote. The two candidates are running in a special election on Feb. 13 to finish out the term of Republican Rep. George Santos. He was expelled from Congress in December after he was found to have repeatedly lied to voters – later indicted on 21 federal charges and found to have committed numerous violations by the House Ethics Committee. Suozzi, who was elected to Congress three times from 2016 to 2020, did not run for re-elec-

Suozzi said he is running for his 3rd Congressional District seat because he believes in public service and wants to use his experience to heal the divide within the country. The former congressman was present at the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection but said divisions in Congress have grown even worse in the aftermath of the insurrection. Recounting the threat he and fellow members of Congress felt on Jan. 6, Suozzi denounced recent claims by former President Trump and Republican members of Congress who have downplayed the seriousness of an orchestrated attack intended to block the transfer of power to a new president “Anybody who tries to make that day less than it was is lying,” Suozzi said. “That was an attack on the Capitol. It was scary. It was dangerous. And the whole time I was thinking to myself we have to get back, we have to get back, we have to vote tonight. People cannot wake up tomorrow morning and we have not certiﬁed this election, otherwise, they will have won.’” He noted that he along with the other members of Congress did return to certify the elecSCREENSHOT BY BLANK SLATE MEDIA tion win of Joe Biden over former President Donald Trump. Suozzi, a former member of the Problem Democratic candidate Tom Suozzi sat down with Blank Slate Media’s Steven Blank for Solvers Caucus focused on reaching across the an hour-long one-on-one interview to discuss his campaign in the special election for aisle, said the challenge of government is ﬁndNew York’s Third Congressional District. ing common ground with those you disagree with. “When you work with other people, it He previously served two terms as Nassau tion in 2022 to make an unsuccessful challenge against Gov. Kathy Hochul in the Democratic County Executive and four terms as the mayor doesn’t mean you agree with them on everyContinued on Page 35 of Glen Cove. primary.

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The Great Neck News, Friday, January 12, 2024

No tax hike in $6.3M R. Gardens budget BY C A M E RY N O A K ES For another year, the Village of Russell Gardens will not be raising taxes on its residents. The Russell Gardens Board of Trustees adopted its $3.6 million budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year Thursday night, which includes no increase in property taxes. The proposed budget includes $1,670,727 in property taxes to be collected by the village in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The total budget is increasing by nearly 60% from last year, rising by $1,348,383 from the 2023-2024 budget set at $2,270,147. Notable increases from last year’s budget include expenditures on legal counsel, which is jumping from $43,000 to $75,000 – a $32,000 increase – in the newly adopted budget. Deputy Mayor Lawrence Chaleff said the village is increasing its budget expenditures for legal counsel as it is seeking to modify various components of its code and draft formalized policies and procedures that require the counsel’s advice. Changes to the village’s code include modifications to its zoning and the addition of laws, the deputy mayor said. “So we decided that would be probably better for us to up the budget a little bit based on what we’re expecting,” Chaleff said. “Based on the discussions that we’ve had and based on what we’re anticipating, that’s roughly the number that’s been thrown out,” Chaleff said. While the village is budgeting $75,000 for legal counsel in the upcoming fiscal year, Chaleff said it is not written in stone that the village will spend that entire amount.

The budget for truck equipment is increasing from $135,000 for the current fiscal year to $503,585 – a 273% increase. This $368,586 jump from one year to the next is due in part to the village purchasing a new street sweeper. Chaleff said the village will be replacing its street sweeper, which is about 20 years old, through funds in the village’s reserves. The new sweeper will cost about $294,000, Chaleff said. The deputy mayor said the old sweeper would be traded in and the village was quoted to receive about $30,000 in return. The village is expected to receive the new sweeper in March or April, Chaleff said. The village’s budget for street repairs in 2024-2025 is increasing by $1,250,492, with $1,400,000 appropriated in the new budget. This 161% increase is attributed to the village’s street repair project anticipated to begin this year. Chaleff said the proposed capital improvement project to repave all of the village’s roads is being funded through the village’s reserves. The village is still working with engineers on the road repaving project, Chaleff said, but he hopes to begin the project in the summer. While the overall 2024-2025 budget is inPHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS creasing compared to the current fiscal year The Village of Russell Gardens Board of Trustees adopted is 2024-2024 budget Thurs- with many budgetary line item increases, the village is also cutting back expenses in certain day night that features no tax increase. areas. This includes a $36,119 decrease in software maintenance and an $11,000 decrease in The deputy mayor said for the current budOther notable increases for expenditures in truck equipment repair expenses. get year, the village has spent about $17,000 on the village’s 2024-2025 budget are for its truck The Village of Russell Gardens Board of legal counsel to date. equipment and street repairs. Trustees will convene again at 8 p.m. on Feb. 1.

G.N. Estates updates G.N. declares April 7 health plan for staffers David Kufeld Day BY C A M E RY N O A K ES The Village of Great Neck Estates approved a new health benefit and vacation plan for its non-union employees, which shortens the number of years required for employees to receive 50% of their health premium paid. Employees who work for the village for at least 20 years will be entitled to the health benefits plan and 20 vacation days each year. The decision was made at the Great Neck Estates Board of Trustees meeting Monday night. Warner said to offset the costs for the village

associated with the new benefits plan, new employees will be asked to contribute 20% of the costs of the health insurance premium coverage. “We thought this was the fairest thing to do to the village and the fairest thing to do to our non-union employees,” Warner said. The updated health benefits are for the village’s full-time, non-union employees, which includes its office staff, police dispatchers and parking enforcement officers. Excluded are its Police Department members and public works employees because both departments are unionized and have separate contracts. Continued on Page 40

PHOTO BY JANELLE CLAUSEN

Great Neck Estates village hall.

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES The Village of Great Neck established April 7 as David Kufeld Day to honor the former professional basketball player and Great Neck resident. Kufeld is an American-Israeli trailblazer in basketball who became the first Orthodox Jewish NBA player when he was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1980. The Jewish Sports Heritage Association, a nonprofit focused on education about Jewish athletes and their contributions to the sports world, requested April 7 to be declared David Kufeld Day to coincide with their sixth annual induction ceremony. The organization will be inducting Kufeld at the ceremony. The Village of Great Neck will be providing a proclamation to Kufeld at the ceremony. The decision to declare the honorary day was made at the Great Neck Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 2. Also decided at the meeting was to replace fire lane signs at 481-497 Middle Neck Road after the original signs disappeared. In 2018, village clerk-treasurer Abraham Cohan said the board voted to establish the area as a fire zone due to the narrow access way. Making it a fire zone would prevent vehicles from being able to park on that section of the street to ensure large emergency vehicles could access the area if needed. Cohan said the signs are for the “health and

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The Great Neck Village Hall, before burning down in a fire in 2022. the benefit” of the residents and businesses in the area. The clerk said the signs indicating it was a fire zone were placed after the vote from the board, but went missing this past summer. He said it was not known what happened to the signs. The board determined that the signs were still needed, Cohan said, and voted for the Department of Public Works to replace the signs. Continued on Page 34

The Great Neck News, Friday, January 12, 2024

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Kopel county’s new presiding officer Legislature GOP majority picks Lawrence Republican to replace Richard Nicolello BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y

PHOTO COURTESY OF NASSAU COUNTY

Nassau County Presiding Officer Howard Kopel speaks after being sworn in on Friday, Jan. 5.

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Nassau County Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) of the county’s 7th Legislative District has been named the Legislature’s presiding officer. Kopel, who has served as the deputy presiding officer since 2018, replaces ex-Legislator Rich Nicolello, who did not seek re-election in November after serving the county for over two decades. Nicolello, of New Hyde Park, has since been named the North Hempstead town attorney. Filling out the rest of the leadership positions include East Meadow’s Tom McKevitt as deputy presiding officer and Levittown’s John Ferretti as the alternate deputy presiding officer. “As we begin a new legislative term, I want to welcome all the new legislators from both sides of the aisle and emphasize that while we might disagree on some things, we will be able to work together on many more to create a better government for the residents of Nassau County,” Kopel said after being sworn in Jan. 5 at the Peter J. Schmitt Legislative Chamber. “I look forward to our first official legislative meeting and roll-

ing our sleeves up to start getting work done.” On the Democratic side, the minority caucus will be headed by Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove) of the county’s 11th Legislative District. The 12-year legislator replaced Kevan Abrahams, who served as the caucus’ leader since 2012 but stepped down after not seeking re-election in November. County Republicans maintained their 12-7 majority this election cycle in the Legislature, which has five new representatives. Former Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss, a Republican, won the election for the 9th District, replacing Nicolello; Republican Patrick Mullaney won the election for the 4th District; Republican Samantha Goetz defeated Democrat Josh Lafazan for the 18th District; Democrat Scott Davis won the election for the 1st District; and Democrat Seth Koslow won the election for the 5th District. Professionally, Kopel owns a national title insurance and settlement business in Valley Stream. He was reelected to his eighth two-year term in November to represent his district, which includes the Five Towns and some of the surrounding areas.

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2 police unions and King endorse Pilip BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip (R-Great Neck)—the Republican candidate for New York’s 3rd Congressional District—announced that she has received endorsements from two law enforcement associations and former Republican Congressman Peter King. Pilip is running against Democratic candidate Tom Suozzi, who held the seat for six years, in a special election on Tuesday, Feb. 13, to replace George Santos. The Nassau County Police Detectives and Sherriff ’s Correction Officers Benevolent Associations endorsed Pilip, who said she has made it a top priority in her two years as county legislator to support law enforcement. “Crime and public safety are some of the top issues I hear about as I spend time with residents across the district. It’s undeniable that there has been a sharp increase across our state over the last few years as more and more progressive policies have been instituted by Albany, like ‘cashless bail,’” Pilip said in a statement. “As congresswoman, I will continue to ‘back the blue’ as I fight to support and expand law enforcement.” King, 79, served in the U.S. House of Congress representing the 3rd and then 2nd Congressional Districts from 1993 to 2021. King also asked the Suozzi campaign to stop running a TV advertisement that used his likeness, which he called “misleading.”

“The Suozzi campaign is sending the false message to the voters of the 3rd Congressional District that I support his bid for Congress,” King said in a statement. “The truth is that from the very beginning I have endorsed Legislator Pilip in this race. I believe she is the ﬁghter that the district and the American people need, and I believe that in Congress she will stand up to extremists and make sure we secure our southern border, ﬁx the economy, and support our law enforcement.” The Suozzi campaign said the advertisement in question was paid for by the House Majority PAC, which focuses on electing Democrats to the House of Representatives. The advertisement, which shows pictures of Suozzi and King while a narrator says Suozzi has worked “with both parties”, says it was paid for by the PAC and not authorized by the candidate or any of his committees. “We don’t expect Peter King to endorse Tom Suozzi, but Tom and Rep. King have long worked together on bipartisan priorities including, the State and Local Tax deduction (SALT), cleanup of the Bethpage plume, universal background checks on gun purchases, and an immigration “grand compromise”, among other things,” said Suozzi for Congress senior adviser Kim Devlin in a statement to Blank Slate Media. Devlin went on to say Suozzi is willing to work across the aisle and “that’s why the voters in Nassau and Queens know he will have their back in Congress.”

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Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip (R-Great Neck).

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Washington D.C. isn’t working for us. I will work day and night with both parties to deliver for the people to make living here more affordable, safer, and better. I delivered for this district before, and I will do it again by putting you ahead of partisanship. Let’s reject the nonsense and get back to work.

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10 The Great Neck News, Friday, January 12, 2024

Saying goodbye to Manhasset’s ‘Mr. V’ BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” Those are the words of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, some of which were shared many times by Mark van Schenkhof with his students throughout his 20-year career in Manhasset. However, the fruit for van Schenkhof was more than just sweet, it gave him a lifetime’s worth of love from those he taught and those who knew him. The Manhasset High School choir director and teacher died earlier this month on New Year’s Day. The 68-year-old had a six-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a nervous system disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease that weakens muscles and impairs physical function. He died at his Port Washington home comforted by his wife of 29 years, Carol, while in hospice care. Van Schenkhof, otherwise known as “Mr. V” to his students, leaves behind a lasting legacy to the hundreds of students he taught throughout his career, many of whom have shared personal memories of the beloved teacher online. Born in Patterson, N.J., on March 10, 1955, Mark van Schoenkhof attended both Ridgefield and West Milford High Schools, according to his obituary. His journey into formal training began when he was offered a full-voice scholarship to Julliard in New York City, changing his intended plan to become a math major, which in his words was the only subject he was good at. During his time at Manhasset, van Schenkof and his choirs traveled across the country and the world to share their talents, including performances at the United Nations, the White House,

PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIE LAVIN

Mark van Schenkhof, of Port Washington. Trinity Church in Manhattan and the Vatican. But the most revered location he and his teachings went to can’t be found on a map: the hearts of all those he loved. “He imparted valuable life lessons to each of his students that we will use for our entire life,” said Gabriella Stein, a former student in the symphonic choir and select ensemble and a close friend of van Schenkhof. She told Blank Slate Media, “whether it was a personalized birthday message with a recording of him singing ‘Happy Birthday’ or a college recommendation letter

uniquely tailored for the student and school, Mr. V always displayed extra effort to make every student feel special and important.” Aside from his musical expertise, one that was forged from attending the Manhattan School of Music after Julliard and the many parishes he worked at, students remember the lessons they say transcended the classroom. It comes as no surprise that so many of van Schenkhof’s students and friends shared the generosity he showed them and raised $79,000 last fall to help him and his family with the costs of

his illness. Julie Lavin, another former student and Manhasset graduate in 2005, said van Schenkhof and his wife Carol were both forever grateful for the care they were shown these past months. “As former students of Manhasset High School, we were all so lucky to have him as a mentor in our lives and his memory and many lessons will live on,” Lavin said at the news of his death. In a previous interview with Blank Slate Media, Lavin described her late teacher as somewhat of a philosopher due to his often sharing Aristotle’s quotes. “That was his thing. It wasn’t just music, it was life lessons he would give you,” Lavin said. Van Schenkhof first started working in the district at Manhasset Middle School in 1999, moving to the high school two years later. He was the commencement speaker in 2005, the only class that were students of his for six years, two years at the middle school and four at the high school. Aside from his work in the district, van Schenkhof was also the organist and choir director for Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Carlton Avenue in Port Washington in 2001. The church held a concert to celebrate van Schenkhof’s music ministry in 2021. Upon hearing that van Schenkhof’s battle with ALS was worsening, Lavin, classmate Kate Aitken and Sandra Baskin, a retired Manhasset teacher who was van Schenkhof’s pianist, started the GoFundMe in late August last year. The page includes a 25-minute tribute from former students to their teacher, many of whom have gone into the music field themselves due to van Schenkhof. Continued on Page 40

Feinstein eyes high Schechter files $35M suit against ex-CFO maternal mortality rates BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES

The Schechter School of Long Island in Williston Park has filed a $35 million notice of claim against David Ostrove, its former chief financial officer who in 2022 was charged with stealing millions from the school, according to documents. The notice, filed Wednesday in Suffolk County Supreme Court, alleges that Ostrove, of West Islip stole approximately $11.7 million from the private school–$3.3 million more than what he was accused of stealing by law enforcement at the time of his arrest. The school learned of Ostrove’s alleged theft when PayPal’s fraud department alerted the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in April 2022 of suspicious activities. The ex-school official used his position “as a trusted school officer and financial director to steal and line his pockets with millions of dollars from school coffers,” the school’s notice, filed by Uniondale-based attorney Douglas Nadjari, said. Ostrove’s attorneys, Manhattan-based Ralph Franco Jr. and Todd Spodek, told Newsday they were committed to defending Ostrove, who is due in court on Feb. 20 for the criminal trial. “We are dedicated to clearing David’s good name,” Spodek said in a statement. “We will request that all other litigation be stayed pending the outcome of the criminal trial.” Ostrove, who spent 11 years at the school

A task force from Northwell Health’s The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research’s Institute of Health System Science has recommended a series of initiatives to bolster maternal health and combat high maternal mortality rates through new goals, funding and new interventional programs nationwide. “Losing a parent during childbirth has staggering life-long effects on families and communities,” Feinstein Institute Director Karina Davidson said. “New approaches to tackle the root causes of maternal morbidity and mortality rates are needed urgently.” The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research is the research entity of Northwell Health and includes 50 research labs, 3,000 clinical research studies and 5,000 researchers and staff. According to the Feinstein Institute, the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate – or deaths due to pregnancy or childbirth – of developed nations globally. They say this disproportionately affects Black women and other minority groups who experience worse maternal health outcomes. The Feinstein Institute is calling the current situation a pressing maternal health crisis that is exacerbated by socioeconomic disparities, racial inequalities, violence, trauma and underlying health conditions. Continued on Page 40

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

A former employee from West Islip man allegedly stole more than $11 million from the Schechter School of Long Island. and served as its chief financial and technology officer and director of operations, allegedly used the school’s PayPal and Stripe accounts to transfer funds into a personal PayPal account between March 2014 and April 2022, officials said. Ostrove then transferred the funds into various other bank accounts that had him listed as the sole account holder, according to the DA. Continued on Page 40

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FEINSTEIN INSTITUTES FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH AT NORTHWELL HEALTH

Feinstein Institute Director Karina Davidson led a team of experts to evaluate maternal mortality data in order to recommend solutions to combat high death rates and disparities.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

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Opinion

OUR VIEWS

Pilip needs to take part in more debates

emocrat Tom Suozzi is pressing Republican Mazi Melesa Pilip to appear in more than one debate before New York’s 3rd Congressional District special election on Feb. 13. This seems like a good idea given the reason for the election – the expulsion of Republican Congressman George Santos from the House after he was elected to represent the 3rd District by lying to Nassau and Queens voters about almost everything involving himself. Santos went on to be charged 23 times by federal prosecutors and accused of numerous violations that may have included federal crimes by the House Ethics Committee. Another good reason for Pilip to debate Suozzi more than once is that little is known about her views on national issues. She is currently scheduled to only debate Suozzi on New Channel 12 five days before the election, after voting has already started, in a telecast that voters in Queens will not be able to see. Pilip had served just two years in the Nassau County Legislature before being picked by the county Republican Party to oppose Suozzi, who served eight years as county executive and six as the congressman for the 3rd district. Unlike Suozzi, Pilip has issued no policy statements and had generally used generic Republican talking points in the early days of the campaign. These have included her promise to “secure the border, support the police & stop the extreme agenda of Biden & The Squad,” as she said in one tweet. Or that she will focus “on the economy, fighting inflation, securing our borders, creating jobs and protecting our communities,” as she said in another tweet. She has also pledged her full support of Israel in its war with Hamas without explaining what that means. Nor has she been challenged faceto-face to explain her views by Suozzi or debate moderators. Suozzi’s campaign has been questioning Pilip’s stances on a national abortion ban after she told Jewish Insider in an interview weeks ago it was a “very personal decision.” “I am a religious person, I have sev-

en children, so I am pro-life,” Pilip told Jewish Insider. “However, I’m not going to push my own beliefs on any woman. Therefore, I’m not going to support a national abortion ban.” Does that mean Pilip would support codifying Roe v. Wade to allow abortions based on viability or 15 weeks as has been proposed by some Republican officials or even six weeks as Florida has approved? Many voters would certainly like the answer to that. Suozzi’s campaign is also calling for her to address her stance on assault weapons and whether or not she voted for President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Also unanswered are Pilip’s views on the many criminal charges faced by Trump in his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. Do voters only need to know her biography as an Orthodox Jew who emigrated with her family from Ethiopia to Israel, served as a gunsmith in an Israeli Defense Forces paratrooper unit and attended the University of Haifa and Tel Avis University? We don’t think so. Another reason why Pilip should participate in one debate are the high stakes in the election. With Republicans holding a narrow edge in the House, the election between Suozzi and Pilip could determine control of that body at a time that funding of Israel, Ukraine, the Far East and the southern border is at stake. Perhaps even more important is what that control could mean to the next presidential election and even the fate of democracy in the United States. More than two-thirds of House Republicans voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election in a bid to overturn the results — at a time when Democrats controlled that body. The Suozzi campaign said he has accepted invitations from three other television networks: NBC 4 New York/ Telemundo 47, WABC and NY-1/WNYC. The League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset said it could not hold a candidate forum because Pilip did not respond to their request. Bill Cutrone, president of the Lakev-

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ille Estates Civic Association, initially announced that Pilip would appear in a debate with Suozzi on Jan. 11 at Clinton G. Martin Park in New Hyde Park. But he was later told there had been “miscommunication” between him and the Pilip team and Suozzi would appear alone in a meet-and-greet. The association represents 18,000 homeowners in communities such as New Hyde Park, Manhasset Hills, Herricks and Garden City Park. NewsdayTV said last week it was in discussions with both campaigns for a possible debate event later this month. Brian Devine, who has taken a leave as director of communications for Republican North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennnifer DeSena to serve as a spokesman for Pilip’s campaign, said the GOP’s candidate had declined offers from those networks because of scheduling conflicts. That’s not good enough. We would like Devine to explain what was more important to the Pilip campaign than participating in debates to help voters learn where she stands on the issues and how she will handle herself when those positions are challenged. Nassau Republicans said they subjected Pilip to extensive scrutiny, including by three outside research firms, before making her their choice. Party leaders said they had done so to avoid backing another nominee like Santos, who they endorsed in both 2020 in an unsuccessful race against Suozzi and the 2022 election when he defeated

REPORTERS Brandon Duffy, Cameryn Oakes COLUMNIST Karen Rubin ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Stacy Shaughnessy, Melissa Spitalnick, Wendy Kates, Barbara Kaplan ART DIRECTOR Yvonne Farley

Democrat Robert Zimmerman. “Having reviewed those records, we feel comfortable that they have done a complete background check,” Joseph Cairo Jr., the Nassau Republican chairman, told The New York Times. “We know everything we need to know about Mazi.” So should voters. It is also not clear if the GOP’s background checks included her views on issues. In 2022, the party selected Santos after he attended the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6 that led to an assault on the Capitol intended to overturn the presidential election and then claimed to have given financial assistance to those who participated in the attack. Word of advice to the Nassau County Republican Party: A person who supports overturning a presidential election might not have a problem with violating campaign finance laws — a charge Santos now faces. Trump, who orchestrated the assault on the Capitol, has set a bad example for Pilip by refusing to participate in every Republican Party presidential debate and forum this year. Two of Trump’s challengers, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, have accused Trump of “cowardice” in refusing to square off with other candidates. But Trump continues to dominate the Republican field. There is another very good way for

voters to learn the views of Pilip and Suozzi – in interviews with local newspapers. Blank Slate Media spoke to Suozzi on Tuesday morning via Zoom with no preconditions. A story appears this week in all six editions of the paper as well as its website, theisland360.com. A recording of the debate can also be viewed on the company’s YouTube account, which can be reached via the website. Blank Slate Media has extended an invitation to Pilip’s campaign under the same circumstances. She accepted our invitation when running for re-election to the Legislature. We hope she accepts now. The campaigns for both Suozzi and Pilip are expected to spend millions in advertising in newspapers, direct mail, cable television and social media. This is a legitimate way to campaign. But what’s missing from those messages is an opportunity for the other side to respond and fact-check what is being said. Nassau and Queens voters and officials in the last New York 3rd District election became a national laughingstock after newspapers reported on all of Santos’ lies after his election. They should now insist that they know in advance who the candidates are and where they stand on the issues. There is too much at stake for the district and the country for a candidate to provide anything less than full disclosure.

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

OUR TOWN

How to be cool in seven easy steps

any of my younger patients ask questions about how to become cool or more attractive to the opposite sex. These questions are often asked by sensitive, quiet teens who have been bullied in the past. Outside of discussing the overall impact that bullying had on them, it’s hard to come up with an answer to the question: “How do I become cool?” There are many examples of cool cats. My generation had Marlon Brando, a guy who looked like an angel but acted like a devil. Since he was an actor he probably acted his way into coolness. Nowadays the younger generation would say Snoop Dog is cool, but he acts that way probably because he’s stoned half the time. Snoop Dog makes for a bad role model so we can’t use him. Well, after giving this question some thought, this is what I have come up with. Here are the seven things you can do to become cooler and more attractive to the opposite sex: It may not sound “cool” but one way to be more attractive and therefore cool is to greet people with a

nice smile. First impressions are half the battle in the game of cool and a nice smile is disarming to others. Make sure you spend some time figuring out what looks cool to wear. Do some shopping, spend some money on yourself. Never under estimate the power of fashion. Begin conversations by asking the other person how they’re doing. This is an easy thing to learn and a good ice breaker. Ask and listen to what they say. People will automatically say “Just fine,” but undoubtedly this is a statement of denial and follow up with the query “What have you been up to lately?” Many, many students and young adults tell me that education has no real value and is impractical. Much of the value of education is not apparent. The primary value of school learning is that it teaches you vocabulary and proper diction and others instinctively size you up by the way you speak and by the words you use. So read newspapers, novels and nonfiction and as you get smarter you are becoming more attractive to others. Develop a passion for something. Whether you become a stamp collector, a golfer or a puppet maker, if

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town

you develop a passion for something, you will meet many like-minded people and coolness does not even come into the formula. Do as many interesting things as you can. When you go on adventures, travel, go to the movies or take a bike ride, you’re learning new things and thus will be able to tell stories to those you know. About 90% of verbal communication is body language. The sound of your voice, the volume with which you speak, your eye contact, and the animated way you move your hands

and body as you speak makes all the time will come soon enough. difference. If you want to be cooler, you can do what I said. Dress better, greet folks with a smile, develop a passion for something, do more reading, and pay attention to your body language. All of this may not convert you into Marlon Brando, but it will make you more attractive. Kids who are naturally quiet and sensitive are the ones who often will get bullied and are not a part of the cool group. If you’re the quiet type, and are not getting invited to all those weekend parties, it pays to remember that the world is run by the quiet types. The quiet ones who spend more time alone, reading, studying and just plain thinking about stuff. Creativity and all the new ideas in the arts and in industry never come out of the minds of the cool guys but instead come out of the minds of the quiet introspective ones. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Mark Zuckerberg PHOTO BY TOM FERRARO are good examples of quiet types who spend time alone thinking things over. So be proud of yourself. You Everyone wants to be cool and may feel lonely right now, but your admired by others.

ON THE RIGHT

Working Families Party’s delusional ideologues

he renown political philosopher Hannah Arendt described ideologues as people who dismiss reality outside of the mind and attempt to establish “a functioning world of no sense.” Arendt’s take on ideologues aptly depicts the radical leftists who head up New York’s Working Families Party. The leaders of the WFP live in ideological bubbles. The policies they expect their nominees for state office to support and to enact in Albany are not only ludicrous but would not be in the best interests of their constituents. The WFP, for example, calls for undocumented migrants to receive health insurance coverage and the right to vote in state and local elections. The party also expects their candidates to oppose the expansion of charter schools and to oppose any additional financial aid to those alternative public schools. The fact that charter school students, most of whom are minorities, are significantly outperforming public school kids in math and reading scores doesn’t

matter. But the WFP’s latest demand takes the cake. Their “Invest In Our New York Project” proposes so-called tax reforms which would raise about $40 billion annually. The WFP claims its plan “would raise taxes on New York’s richest through a progressive income tax, and increased corporate tax, and a set of reforms targeting other forms of wealth.” Forty billion in new taxes? Obviously, WFP ideologues are blind to the following facts: New York’s top earners, 1.5% of tax filers, presently pay the highest combined state and local taxes in the nation. Their tax payments generate approximately 46% of the state’s total personal income tax revenue. To avoid state income taxes and various other taxes (i.e., inheritance taxes), many are moving to low-tax states like Florida. E.J. McMahon of the Empire Center for Public Policy pointed out that “between 2010 and 2020, New York’s share of taxpayers who earn more than $1 million annually declined from 12% to a record low of 8.9%.”

GEORGE J. MARLIN On The Right State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has determined that tax filers earning more than $1 million “left at a rate four times higher in 2020 than in 2019. That slowed in 2021 to just double the pre-COVID rate.” That’s not all. The wealthiest are not the only ones giving up on New York. The New York Times reported that “the people leaving New York at the fastest rate were families mak-

ing between $32,000 and $65,000. A disproportionately high share of these movers were Black and Hispanic. They were followed by people earning $104,000 to $172,000 a year, an above average income in many parts of the country, but a modest one in New York City.” The out-migration of upperclass, middle-class, and workingclass folks explains why New York’s population has declined more than any other state’s in the nation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, New York’s population loss between July 2022 and July 2023, was 102,000. Since 2020, the population has dropped 631,000. New York City has taken a big hit. Between April 2020 and July 2022, the Big Apple’s population declined by 5.3%—over 500,000 left town. The biggest population loss, 100,000, was in the city’s wealthiest borough—Manhattan. Because the numbers of households with children are declining at a rapid pace, the city’s population is also getting older. In 2022, the state comptroller has noted that “out of all occupied households in the city,

only 25.4 percent of them had related children, down 5.9 percentage points from 2010. This drop was larger than the 3.9 percentage point drop than the nation’s shared experience during the same time period.” Analyzing these trends, E.J. Antoni of the Heritage Foundation concluded “the flood of New Yorkers searching for tax havens is completely overwhelming the number of people born in the state, causing the total population (in both absolute and percentage terms) to drop faster than anywhere else—another ignominious first place finish.” Let’s review. Wealthy people are leaving because taxes are too high. Middle-class and working-class people are leaving because the cost of living is too high and the quality of life is declining. And what does the WFP want to do? Tax anything that moves, increase regulatory burdens and wreck charter schools. WFP ideologues will never understand that their prescriptions will not revive New York but will create conditions that only hasten the exodus of long suffering taxpayers.

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14 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

E A R T H M AT T E R S

Learning to co-exist in Nassau with the coyote

n unsettling image of a coyote carcass marked the end of 2023 for me. This wild creature was struck by a car and killed in my neighborhood. Distinct features confirmed quickly that this was the alpha female of a breeding couple I’ve been observing. This eerie discovery set the stage for a somber New Year’s Eve for me. I have to admit, it took me by surprise how deeply affected I was by this image I received by email. I’ve been tracking these animals locally for a couple of years now, but I didn’t realize how deeply I cared for this individual. As part of the Long Island Coyote Study Group, I’ve been collecting scat for DNA and nutrition analysis, as well as gathering images and videos from camera traps. From a safe distance I’ve enjoyed learning about their family dynamics and feeding habits. You should never attempt to befriend a coyote. With their Canine features they may remind you of your dog, but they’re not to be tamed or trained. When people make the mistake of feeding them, they quickly grow bold. In fact, naturalists and wildlife experts know that a “fed coyote is a dead coyote.” They become problem animals and aggressive if they see us as part of the

food chain. If you’re feeding your pets outside, please stop. All cats should be kept indoors. Secure your trash and compost piles. Instead coyotes promise to fill an ecological niche left vacant here by eradication of wolves. They seem to have a particular appetite for dumpster-diving racoons. The Eastern Coyote has incorporated up to 25% wolf DNA in it’s genome and is therefore larger than their western relatives and can weigh up to 50 lbs. Adaptable and creative, coyotes have outsmarted us humans in our attempts to eradicate the wild. This mesocarnivore is thriving in the midst of human made extinction crisis. Despite targeted killings they have now settled in all the United States, except Hawaii. Like us humans, coyotes get hit, injured and killed by cars. Of course, I knew that busy roads are a major threat to these animals. And this time of year, the yearlings disperse as parents prepare to mate again and often exhibit risky behaviors. In fact, in February 2020 a wandering coyote was struck just steps away from where this female died. But this particular hit-and-run shook me to the core. I burst into tears at the sight of this killed coyote female. I remembered video

HILDUR PALSDOTTIR Earth Matters

footage of her caring for her offspring. I wondered how her partner dealt with her loss. I felt kinship. Observing this family of coyotes, I had apparently started to care. Not just scientifically, but sincerely. Surely, this past year of devastating losses and tragedies from wars and terror didn’t stop my tears. But this image of a coyote roadkill was what burst open the floodgates. It was as if I needed permission from the wild to express my feelings fully. This past year pained by human-

made terror was the hottest year on record. In June, we experienced ominous orange skies while suffocating air pollution brought by winds from wildfires in Canada left a sour taste on our tongues. I’ll never forget the end of the day on June 6 when the rising moon could not be discerned from the setting sun. Is this what our Long Island sunsets will look like if we don’t respond appropriately to human-made pollution? You can ask residents of New Delhi. The air quality we experienced June 6 is their “new normal.” Nevertheless, it seems that “business as usual” just continues, as if nothing out of the ordinary happened this past year. Meanwhile, everything is at stake. A well intentioned colleague warned that I must not get attached like this to the animals I’m observing. Wildlife biologists are supposed to remain detached. I wondered why? My favorite poet, the recently deceased Mary Oliver wrote that: “Attention is the beginning of devotion.” I’m increasingly convinced that the real solutions to the climate crisis are spiritual in nature. The climate crisis isn’t just a pollution problem, but a symptom of broken relationships. We must first pay attention in order to repair relationships. We must learn to care for each other and across species. Forests and ocean organ-

isms exhale our inhales, we must with gratitude reconnect with the wild and learn to care for nature in its entirety. We must observe the laws of nature if we plan to remain part of the magnificent fauna still living here on Earth. Like all wild and domesticated creatures on Earth we humans are limited by planetary boundaries. Our bodies are held here by gravity, we depend on natural resources, clean air and water. We’ve violated most of the planetary limitations that define our existence and yet we seem to think that with our technological advancement we can conquer nature. When natural catastrophes strike, we aren’t superior to any other wild or domesticated creature. We are simply part of nature. Going to the Moon or Mars will NOT save us. Right here on Earth we are blessed with the perfect conditions for our lives, the right distance to the Sun and we still have access to breathable air. In June, we were at the mercy of nature, wind and time for skies to clear again. We can’t cure natural resource extraction with environmental degradation. We have to slow down, pay attention and learn how to care deeply for the wild to repair our role in the ecosystem. To learn how to co-exist with coyotes visit https://seatuck.org/coyotes/

VIEW POINT

Defending democracy after Jan. 6 insurrection

resident Biden, in his first speech of the 2024 campaign, marked the three-year anniversary since the Jan. 6 insurrection and made it clear that this election is about democracy. “Whether democracy is still America’s sacred cause is the most urgent question of our time, and it’s what the 2024 election is all about. Democracy is on the ballot, Biden said. “Your freedom is on the ballot Without democracy, no progress is possible. Think about it. The alternative to democracy is dictatorship — the rule of one, not the rule of ‘We the People.’ Democracy means having the freedom to speak your mind, to be who you are, to be who you want to be. Democracy is about being able to bring about peaceful change. Democracy — democracy is how we’ve opened the doors of opportunity wider and wider with each successive generation, notwithstanding our mistakes,” he declared. “But if democracy falls, we’ll lose that freedom. We’ll lose the power of ‘We the People’ to shape our destiny. If you doubt me, look around the world. Travel with me as I meet with other heads of state throughout the world.” In contrast, Trump’s first campaign speech, and every one after that, committed himself to “retribution, revenge,” weaponizing the Department of Justice to persecute anyone who looks like they are doing well against him, to literally tear up the Constitution, execute the Insurrection Act, and being dictator (for the first day). Mimicking the rhetoric of Hitler, he has called asylum seekers “ver-

min” who are “poisoning the blood of our nation.” And by promising to pardon the Jan. 6 insurrectionists (“hostages”) suggesting that his own top military general be executed (for showing loyalty to the Constitution instead of him), he has weaponized and routinized political intimidation – giving the OK to his followers – in his campaign to take power. But unlike Trump’s first term, where he bumbled about and initially had people around him who knew their oath to uphold the Constitution and provided some guardrails to derail his worst impulses, he has a plan – Project 2025 – and assembled a ruthless but competent team to do what his own incompetency could not: make him dictator. “Hear me clearly,” Biden declared. “I’ll say what Donald Trump won’t. Political violence is never, ever acceptable in the United States political system — never, never, never. It has no place in a democracy. None. You can’t be pro-insurrectionist and pro-American.” Meanwhile, Trump goads and baits the very democratic institutions he attempted to destroy and has declared he would fully destroy if he regains the levers of power. He has learned after a lifetime of criminal activity how to manipulate the judicial system. He believes his hand-picked Supreme Court justices and those bought and paid for by Leo Leonard and Harlan Crow, will conveniently set aside the plain language of the 14th Amendment that bars anyone who has taken the oath of office who engages or supports insurrection to ever holding

KAREN RUBIN View Point

office again in order to keep their guy on the ballot. Actually, Biden and the Democrats have the best chance of winning in 2024 if Trump is the Republican candidate because he is a proven top vote getter for Democrats. But that is no reason to establish a precedent that one man can be above the law, immune from accountability, as if a king, a tyrant, a dictator, a despot. Tom Suozzi, who is running in NY03’s special election on February 13 to return to Congress, told the Rally for Democracy, “Keep fighting for what we know is right, so the greatest country in the world, the best hope for the world, is saved.” © Karen Rubin/news-photosfeatures.com Long Island activists marked the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 Insur-

rection with declarations to stand up to preserve democracy against those who would install an autocrat, to be engaged in the political process and most of all, vote. “Jan. 6 was a wake-up call how fragile democracy is. We didn’t want the day to go by without showing up in nonviolent support of democracy,” said Rachel Klein of Engage Long Island that organized a Rally to Defend Democracy on the steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola. People are justifiably concerned – climate disasters, women’s reproductive freedom, gun violence epidemic, the border crisis, the Mideast War and Ukraine, Dr. Eve Krief told the rally. “It’s overwhelming, but none of these issues will matter if we don’t have democracy with which to raise our voices. We have to focus, dig deep. It can feel like the weight of world is on our shoulders. But if our democracy fails, democracies around the world will crumble. We are doing this for ourselves, our children’s futures and the world. We have to defend democracy. We can’t let democracy die on our watch.” The headliner was Tom Suozzi, who is running in NY-03’s special election on February 13 to return to Congress where he served for six years, filling the vacancy left by the disgraced, expelled fraudster George Santos, and take back the seat from Republicans. Suozzi was in Congress – in the gallery – as a violent mob invaded the Capitol on Jan. 6. “You don’t understand how powerful you are, how important being here today is,” Suozzi said. “Keep fighting for what

we know is right, so the greatest country in the world, the best hope for the world, is saved.” NY-03’s special election on Feb 13 is key to weakening the Republican majority, which has kept a stranglehold on advancing the sacred cause of democracy — everything from voting rights, women’s reproductive rights, climate change, gun violence prevention, and aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the border. The House GOP now threatens to shut down government unless Biden goes along with cruel anti-immigrant policies. If Mike Johnson — one of the leaders of the House effort to stop the Electoral Vote count and install Trump instead of Biden as president — remains speaker on Jan. 6, 2025, it is highly likely he will orchestrate replacing Biden electors with Trump’s or whoever the Republican candidate is – especially if there is no accountability for Trump and the congressional insurrectionists. And the Trump Supreme Court justices, who have demonstrated that they will twist the Constitution to achieve extremist ends, would likely back whatever keeps Republicans in power. The first tests of whether one of fundamental foundations of democracy will hold will come soon: will Justice Clarence Thomas, whose wife Ginni was engaged in the Jan. 6insurrection plot, recuse himself? Will this so-called “originalist” super majority on the court follow the plain language of the 14th Amendment and find Trump ineligible to ever again hold federal office or will they clear the path for a self-declared dictator wannabe?

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

FROM THE DESK OF JACK MARTINS

No decongestant wanted here in Nassau County

ome politicians give out “candy.” Some give out “medicine.” That’s the nature of politics. But what’s unacceptable is giving people medicine and telling them it’s candy. That’s what Gov. Hochul’s doing with congestion pricing. As is often the case with problematic legislation, the plan’s sponsors are concealing the real objective. Instead they appeal to us with noble causes and promises of feel-good results. In this case we’ve been told the new tolls will discourage vehicle usage and ease midtown congestion while compelling commuters to make greater use of mass transit. Our transit system will be flushed with cash, gas emissions will be reduced, our air will be cleaner, and New York will be a green leader. We’ll be more energy independent and less reliant on foreign oil, all of which underscores the larger message that together we can preserve our planet. It sounds great and to be clear these are worthy objectives that both sides of the aisle should get behind, except – as to this congestion pricing plan — none

of it is true. In fact, it won’t be achieved because congestion reduction isn’t even the goal. This is a fabricated narrative designed to dress up a controversial money grab, one that is desperately needed to bolster the ailing and notoriously inefficient Metropolitan Transportation Authority. But don’t take my word for it. A simple perusal of the plan’s official budget predictions indicates that they expect absolutely no decline in traffic. On the contrary, they’re counting on traffic to remain the same or increase to meet their budgetary needs. So, while we’re hoping for a greener environment with better mass transit alternatives, Hochul and her advisers are hoping for greener bank accounts. Additionally, you have only to look beyond revenue projections at actual budget allocations for further confirmation. You’ll discover that the bulk of this tolling revenue is already earmarked for the MTA’s Capital Program, which has a current funding shortfall approaching $1 billion. And that’s just a part of their shocking $48 billion in overall debt. To

JACK MARTINS

New York State Senator make matters clearer, not a penny of this revenue will be used to lower fares on subways, buses, or railroads – the very usage it supposedly seeks to encourage. That begs the question: if the intention was to promote the use of mass transit, wouldn’t they use this funding windfall to lower fares and make mass transit more accessible to a greater number of com-

muters? That would do the most good for the most people and make sense. We could get into the weeds on why congestion pricing is otherwise questionable. It unfairly penalize trades, like construction workers who must bring equipment to work. It discourages emergency service workers from choosing Manhattan over other borough assignments. The zone’s residents will be tolled for unavoidable trips like doctors or groceries. And there’s the economic reality that every good and service will cost us more, everything from cab rides to food deliveries to Amazon packages. Companies don’t quietly absorb losses. They pass them on to consumers. So, in addition to paying tolls, we’ll be subject to a higher cost of living. But the laws of marketing work in government as they do elsewhere. If a product is needed, good, and costeffective, people will utilize it. Likewise, if mass transit is needed, good and costeffective, we can popularize it. The MTA never achieves the cost-effective component because too many private interests are at stake. Rather than address this

elephant in the room, our leaders will once again try to tax their way out of a problem. In the end, the MTA gets a new funding source. We get the same traffic, same pollution, and same fares, except now we all pay extra for it. Such far-reaching legislation demands honest debate from those who must abide by it. But honest is the operative word because misrepresenting intentions is cynical. False promises do more than advance questionable policy, they break the public’s trust in government. And we just can’t afford that right now. The real key to going green is to make green the obvious choice. It’s high time we give it a try, but congestion pricing is not a sincere attempt. That would require a non-political audit of the MTA to establish real assessments on how to achieve green goals. And therein lies the rub. Just once, I’d like my counterparts in government to give it to us straight. If the governor and the MTA want congestion pricing so badly, tell us the truth about why. At least we’d know we’re being force-fed a heaping tablespoon of bad medicine.

READERS WRITE

Why I as a Democrat won’t vote for Tom Suozzi

am a Democrat. With no exception I have always voted Democratic in the past. But for the upcoming special election for NY Congressional District 3, due to the current circumstances in Israel I will not vote for the Democrat-

ic candidate Tom Suozzi. In 2016 Mr. Suozzi got elected to Congress and was re-elected in 2018 and 2020. He “retired” from Congress to run for the Democratic nomination (his second attempt) for governor of New York in 2022, but he didn’t win

his party’s nomination in the primary. When first elected to Congress, Suozzi’s very first speech was pushing for a Palestinian state in the West Bank of the Jordan River, otherwise known as Judea and Samaria. After the massacre and abduction

of thousands of Israelis by some of the neighbors from Gaza, a microcosm of the Judea and Samaria, I believe it is absolutely insane to send such a zealot to Congress. In the aftermath of the massacre by the Gazans, Israel need not be

pressured by Congress for creation of another explosive entity protruding inward on its borders longing for “the river to the sea.” Carrie E. Rubinoff Great Neck

The ‘Lone Ranger’ returns to Manorhaven

lthough I’ve been out of office since July 2020, my interest and deep concern for the wellbeing of our village have never diminished. After seeing the chaotic change in our village government, I am sorry that I left my position on our Manorhaven Board of Trustees back then for winters in Florida. After returning to Manorhaven in April 2023, I was appalled at the happenings at the May Board of Trustees meeting with all the dissension among the members of our local government. I explained this in my Port Washington Times article, “Manorhaven, Who’s on 1st, What’s on 2nd…” in their June/ July issue. The actions at this meeting seemed closer to a scene from the movie, “Animal House” with John Belushi back in the late ’70s. The B.O.T. meetings after May continued to be interrupted by comments from people in attendance without being recognized by the mayor to properly address the Board in the manner followed by our residents for years. The topic of construction in our small village has led to much of the controversy at these meetings. The two biggest contentious building projects during my tenure as Trustee, 22 Sagamore Hill Drive on Manhasset Isle (7-variances) and 59 Orchard Beach Blvd. are and

should be continually monitored by all of our elected village officials and superintendent of buildings. The presence of unacceptable levels of tetrachloroethene, a volatile organic compound, in 4 of 5 groundwater test wells at 22 Sagamore Hill Drive should be monitored by the village as well as the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in years to come with new residents moving into these apartments in the near future. The owner of 5 Sagamore Hill Drive spent almost 14 years doing the right thing to clear up the chemical hazards on his property for possible future development with the state Department of Environmental Conversation and Nassau County Board of Health continually monitoring (Brownfield Cleanup Program). The continuing saga of the on/off construction at 59 Orchard Beach Blvd. still leaves a lot of questions in the minds of residents in that waterfront community. During my tenure as trustee 20162020, I along with then Trustee Popeleski and our entire board voted in favor of the Stop Work Order issued by our superintendent of buildings because of questionable differences between the original and final building plans. It appeared that these issues would eventually be decided in a court of law. When I returned home in April 2023, I

was told by a neighbor that 59 Orchard Beach Blvd. was once again under construction. Assuming that this issue had been resolved, I asked Mayor Popeleski at our Board of Trustees meeting when he and the trustees had voted to once again allow construction and neither he nor the trustees were able to give me an answer which I imagine would be in the minutes from the meeting. In July 2023, a new face with an inquiring mind, Jeff Stone, was appointed as the new Trustee after beating both of his incumbent opponents by over 100 votes. Now enter the “Lone Ranger”! Being a brand new village trustee as well as a governmental official in the State of New York, Jeff began asking questions which began to create tension among the four other members on the board. (Port Washington Times, October 6, 2023) When I met Jeff at the May 2023 Board of Trustees meeting, he told me he was running for trustee on a pledge to end chaos in our village government as well as pushing for open government and transparency in our village. T his immediately brought me back to my running for trustee in 2016 with the hope of improving the living conditions in our wonderful Village (Port Washington News, “Ken Cares in Retrospect”,

January 28, 2020) I recently learned that the existing buildings at Haven Marina, 20 Matinecock Ave., had been demolished with plans for a new apartment complex by supposedly the same builder(s) from 22 Sagamore Hill Drive and 59 Orchard Beach Blvd. It is quite ironic that during the moratorium on building along the waterfront in the C-1 District, that then Trustee Popeleski and I and our entire Board of Trustees assured the residents of Manhasset Isle that there would not be any construction along Matinecock Avenue. My letter to the Editor of Port Washington News, October 23, 2023, explained the purpose of the “Building Overlay District”, B.O.L.D. for Mixed Use/ Live Work Apartments, Chapter 155.20.1 of the Manorhaven Village Code. If the proposed builder at 20 Matinecock Ave. is planning to build under “B.O.L.D.”, then they should surely conduct proper soil and groundwater testing along this waterfront property that was a working marina for over 50 years with various toxic chemicals being stored and used there during that time. Chpt. 155-20.1C(3) explicitly states “All existing industrial uses, auto body shops, auto repair shops, hardware stores, dry cleaners/laundromats and

any uses where toxic chemicals are stored shall not be permitted as part of BOLD.” Accordingly, under the B.O.L.D section, all proposed new projects using B.O.L.D. shall be subject to site plan review procedures before the Board of Trustees. I would hope and expect that our Village officials will closely monitor this project while also relying on the expertise of the state Department of Environmental Conversation and Nassau County Department of Health for guidance pertaining to possible chemical hazards just as they had successfully conducted for 14 years at 5 Sagamore Hill Drive. I truly hope that Trustee Jeff Stone continues to ask questions and make inquiries into the daily operation of our Village as the future of our wonderful waterfront village deserves nothing less. The residents on Manhasset Isle and Orchard Beach Boulevard need to take a serious look at the residents running for office in June 2024 and bring back a working, viable village government similar to the Board of Trustees that I was so proud to be a major part of. Show that you care! Ken Kraft Former Trustee 2016-2020 Manorhaven

16 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

READERS WRITE

Little Sister You died in my childhood even before the day had begun. I remember. Petals falling into the silence and its midnight, where my longings could not be persuaded to follow. Falling into the dreams I could not keep. Falling into the bejeweled stars that remain unknown you closed your beautiful eyes surrounded by constellations. You always found the perfect hiding place, how I look for you in everything I see. You are always here and far away. So many petals, I gather them to take home. The burden is sweet, that is why I am crying. Stephen Cipot Garden City Park

I set.

In praise of Northwell hospitals would like to offer praise for Northwell Health hospitals, which is Long Island Jewish in New Hyde Park and North Shore University Hospital in Manhas-

This is because my wife and myself have been treated both and transported by their ambulances. I myself did spend a total of two weeks in November of last year for blood clots and had knee replacement two months prior. The treatment I received at Long Island Jewish was excellent and that was due to good doctors and nurses who showed

much concern and kindness for my wellbeing. The tests I was given by their technicians also showed concern and understanding on how I was feeling. They told me not to worry because I was in good hands. Now my wife Eva had broken her arm two weeks ago and had surgery last night [ January 4th.] at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. She was given the most excellent care by her doctor, Gregory Doubs who did the surgery and who showed much concern for my wife’s well-being and healing.

Let me also mention that I was successfully treated at North Shore University Hospital six years ago for an aggressive prostate cancer. Let me finally point out that both my wife and myself are senior citizens and are over seventy years old. You see senior citizens like us are quite fearful when we get sick or get hurt but at Northwell Health hospitals these fears are eliminated. Thank you Northwell Health for caring. Frederick Robert Bedell Jr. Bellerose

Why I support Israel and it’s war against Hamas

srael was created over 77 years ago as a result of the United States and their Allies’ victory over the Axis enemy. The Israeli State was created as a negotiated settlement, a guarantee of a Jewish homeland protected from former extermination. Israel was guaranteed secure safe borders, North, South, East and West. Since its creation, Israel has had to combat local wars on its multiple borders. The attack on

Oct. 7 was a heinous crime against humanity. Israel swore this time to secure its borders in the South by entering Gaza and routing out Hamas, its army, weaponry and leadership. To this end, many have suffered. 130 plus Israeli hostages still remain in the hands of Hamas. Hamas soldiers and leaders have not been removed as a requirement for peace. Palestinian people have suffered gravely. My solution for ceasefire and peace is to

return the 130+hostages and to guarantee the safe transportation of Hamas soldiers and their leaders to a place beyond the borders of Israel to never again inflict the savage raping, and decapitations of over 2000 Israelis. If Hamas is really concerned about the Palestinian people suffering further, they will recognize Israel’s right to secure borders and agree to leave to resettle far beyond the borders of Israel. That is my suggestion to bring about a peace-

ful ceasefire and to once again achieve a secure border for Israel. Have you ever considered that Biden is the best President that Israel has had, while his possible opponent might just turn his back on secured borders for Israel for some economic reward for his own benefit? Charles Schneider Manhasset

Delays continue despite MTA’s large capital investment

he MTA invested $11.6 billion in direct costs for the construction of the Long Island Rail Road East Side Access to Grand Central Madison. Part of the scope of work involved upgrading the Harold Interlocking and signals west of the Woodside Station. This cost over $1 billion. (These capital assets were previously updated in 1991 at a cost of over $100 million.)

The most recent work included upgrading and expansion of the signal system to accommodate new LIRR service to Grand Central Madison. How disappointing that less than one year later, there was another round of signal problems west of the Woodside Station. This resulted in service delays on Saturday night, Dec. 30. There was no service in or out of either Grand Central Madison or Penn

So I Settled On A Pencil I see my name in print whenever I look at my Social Security card. I’d rather it be noticed in the bright lights on a theatre marquee on Broadway, but to some, that’s hard. I had dreams of being a ballplayer, but the hardball at ninety miles per scared the hell out of me. I tried golf. Hitting a ball from a stationary tee. That’s a game that can cause insanity. So, I settled on a pencil. Never knew how fast words could flow. It’s easy to write a novel and get published or write a Broadway show. All together now! Ho! Ho! Ho! Van Gogh should have been a writer. He knew about pain that writers endure Like “It’s great but it won’t sell. Too bad you’re not George Bernard Shaw.” In his fifties he got noticed. Pygmalion was finally understood. All people had to do was listen to his words. They were really good. “Got anymore?” he was asked. He calmly answered “sure.” Years of sweat had accumulated so many stories and, they were all in his bureau drawer. As for me, I’m approaching fifty. Maybe sixty, seventy or ninety. Who counts anymore? My brain’s alive with thoughts. Rejection? Let me count the ways…forevermore. What do I write? Who knows? Over that I have no control. Where the ideas come from? Who the hell knows? Maybe from God. Then I’m on a roll. Feels so good, just to get it out. The epitome of being free. To put out thoughts for the world to see, but in reality, I’m doing it for me. That’s why I settled on a pencil. Never knew how fast words could flow. It’s easy to write a novel and get published or write a Broadway show. All together now! Ho! Ho! Ho! Alvin H. Goldberg Great Neck

Station for one hour around 10 p.m.. This rep- Our New Year’s resolution is for new LIRR resents the most recent in a series of failures President Robert Free to do better in 2024. on the part of the LIRR to maintain consisLarry Penner tent safe and reliable service 24/7 on the Port Great Neck Washington, Oyster Bay, Main Line and all 11 Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, hisbranches. torian and writer who previously served as a former Once again, the LIRR left coal in the stockings of commuters this holiday season. So Director for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 Office of Operations and Program Management. much for any decent on-time performance.

The true meaning of meritocracy in America I read Rebecca Sassouni’s response to my letter to the editor from two weeks ago calling for an alternative to DEI consisting of tolerance, individualism, meritocracy, and equality. She characterizes the third of these pillars as “the so-called neutral meritocracy.” I am not sure exactly what she imagines that I meant to warrant that description. However, based on the writings of others who have critiqued meritocracy using similar language, I suspect that she may think that I believe that meritocracy is achieved by simply eliminating affirmative action and otherwise maintaining the status quo. This could not be further from the truth. Perhaps I should have provided more detail on this point in my original letter. While our society is more meritocratic than most that have existed throughout history, we still have no shortage of work to do toward fully realizing this ideal. Let’s start with two of the other non-meritbased criteria used in college admissions that were discussed in oral arguments before the Supreme Court in the Students for Fair Admissions

cases: legacies and preferences for the children of wealthy donors. Both of these need to go. There is also a clear preference by the most selective colleges for students from private high schools over those from public high schools. This should also be eliminated. Removing these criteria could create countless opportunities for deserving students of all races who have been unjustly rejected under the current system. Meritocracy encompasses not just admissions but also the ability to actually enroll and earn a degree. That means tackling the skyrocketing cost of college tuition. While the causes of this problem are numerous, one major factor is the administrative industrial complex, including but not limited to the diversity industrial complex. Every time that another DEI bureaucrat is hired at a salary in the richest 1% to chastise students from middle-class and working-class backgrounds for their supposed privilege, it makes college that much more expensive for students struggling to afford it. Continued on Page 39

BLANK SLATE MEDIA January 12, 2024

YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING WWW.THEISLAND360.COM

Screening of Kenny Vance film to be followed by Q&A

There will be a special screening of “Heart & Soul: A Kenny Vance Film” at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook Village, 97 Main St. in Stony Brook, on Jan. 20 from 7-9 pm. The ﬁlm will be followed by a Q&A with LIMEHOF inductee Kenny Vance moderated by the Sound of Film’s Radio Host Tom Needham. The event requires a special ticket purchase. For tickets and details on this and upcoming events please visithttps://www.limusichalloﬀame.org/museum/

About Kenny Vance

Kenny Vance is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer who was an original founding member of Jay and the Americans. His career spans from the 1950s to today, including music supervision of films, solo album projects, and TV and live performances with his group, Kenny Vance & The Planotones. Vance grew up hanging around the famous Brill Building, New York’s creative and business center for songwriting and recording, and started his first vocal group, the Harbor Lites, with two friends at 15. He then co-founded another group and auditioned for Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who signed them to United Artists Records, naming the group Jay and the Americans. Jay and the Americans released fifteen albums, with many singles hitting the Top 10. Their first hit, “She Cried,” was released in 1962. The group was the opening act for not onlyThe Beatles‘ first US performance, but also forThe Rolling Stones‘ first US performance, at Carnegie Hall. They also appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In the 1970s and ’80s, Vance’s career expanded to include session work, producing, and writing music for movies. He was the music supervisor for movies including “Animal House,” “Eddie and the Cruisers,” and “American Hot Wax. ” “The Animal House” soundtrack sold over 1 million copies and the “Eddie and theCruisers” soundtrack album sold triple Platinum. Vance contributed music for many other films and became the musical director of Saturday Night Livefor the 1980-1981 season. PHOTO COURTESY OF LIMEHOF IN 1992, Vance re-formed the group Kenny Vance and The Planotones from American Hot Film screening of “Heart & Soul: A Kenny Vance Film” at Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame on Jan. 20 at 7 pm. Wax. In 1999, Vance created the soundtrack for Kenny Vance & The Planotones continue Generations.” Kenny Vance was inducted into the Long Island the film “Looking For an Echo,”whose title song In 2002, Jay & the Americans were induct- Music Hall of Fame. has since become known as “the anthem of to perform to audiences nationwide, including headlining the 2018 PBS special, “Doo-Wop ed into the Vocal Hall of Fame, and in 2007, Doo-Wop.”

18 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

An insiders view of book bans at library The Friends of the Port Washington Public Library presents a special program: “An Insider’s View of the Legal Battle Against Book Banning,” Sunday, Jan. 21, at 2:30 p.m. in the Lapham Meeting Room and on Zoom. The program features Michael Bamberger and FOL Board Member Rebecca Hughes Parker, both attorneys at global law ﬁrm Dentons. They are on the legal team seeking to overturn the Arkansas law that allows criminal charges against librarians and booksellers. They will discuss the status of that case and other state laws around the country that are resulting in book bans and legal threats to libraries. Michael Bamberger, senior counsel at Dentons, is one of the nation’s leading First Amendment lawyers, having appeared before the Supreme Court and nine federal courts of appeal. He also is general counsel to the Book Industry Study Group. Rebecca Hughes Parker, a Port resident, is an attorney in Dentons’ litigation and Dispute Resolution practice, with a focus on media, First Amendment and data privacy/ cybersecurity law. Before entering the legal profession, she was an award-winning news producer. Please note: This event was rescheduled from November. Those who previously

registered for this event must please register again for the new date at pwpl.org/ events.For information on the FOL emailfol@pwpl.org.

Local artist’s mixed media collages at library Great Neck local artist Warren Mintz will be displaying his Mixed Media Collages in the Great Neck Library Lower-Level Art Gallery at

159 Bayview Avenue in Great Neck from Jan. 8 to Jan. 26. A reception will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ART BY WARREN MINTZ

Leading First Amendment attorney Michael Bamberger

MORE UNBUBBLIEVAB LE THAN EVER!

According to artist Warren Mintz, the creative environment of collage can be explored in terms of three aspects. The ﬁrst is the discovery of possible backgrounds. The second is the stage of cutting in which items are gathered. The choice of items can focus on subject matter, color, shape, and size. The cutting stage produces hundreds of items. The third aspect is assembly in which the background and the cuttings are brought together and possible arrangements are explored. This process leads to the creation of a visual reality in which the viewer is invited to join. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@ greatnecklibrary.org.

Blank Slate Media welcomes your submissions. Please e-mail them to news@theisland360.com

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20 Guide to Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

What’s behind runaway youths BY K E LL E E B A R R E T T Young people in crisis come from every sort of background and living situation. Many end up homeless, ﬂeeing unsafe situations or being asked to leave their home for one reason or another. The one thing these youth have in common is the need for a safe place to call home. Misconceptions about homeless youth, such as thinking that these kids have a choice, often stand in the way of them getting help. The reality is that no child would ever choose to be homeless. Some are unwelcome at home because of their sexual orientation or sexual identity. Others’ primary or extended families can’t aﬀord to care for them or there is parental substance use, neglect, violence, and other forms of abuse in the home. Still other children have mental health, developmental and behavioral issues that their families are unable to handle. Fortunately, Family and Children’s Association provides life saving assistance for homeless youth in Nassau County. FCA’s Nassau Haven residence provides emergency shelter for youth between 10-20 years old with 12 beds available. The length of stay varies by age, with a limit of 60 days. If needed, an extension can be granted with the approval of the Nassau County Youth Board. Nassau Haven operates 24 hours, 7 days a week at all times. FCA’s Walkabout is a 10-bed residence that offers longer term transitional housing to runaway youth, who may stay up to 24 months. The goal for both of FCA’s programs is to reunite families whenever possible. While addressing the immediate need for shelter, FCA’s programs also provide vital wrap around services. Walkabout’s program includes a mix of

PHOTO COURTESY OF FCA

Kellee Barrett, Family and Children’s Association structure and independence for teens. Residents must attend school and work, or volunteer as a means to support a successful transition to independent living. Undocumented children, who may not be able to get a job, can go to school with scholarship help from FCA to prepare them for employment. Independent living skills ranging from how to change a light bulb to managing money are an important part of the program as well.

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Youth living at Walkabout receive an allowance from their paychecks, but a portion of their earnings are secured in a personal bank account, building a nest egg to help them achieve independence. Nassau Haven residents receive case management services to address their immediate needs. FCA schedules doctor appointments, helps them obtain health insurance, and secures the basic documentation needed to enroll in the local school district. The staff at both Nassau Haven and Walkabout cook for residents, provide clothing and address other emergency needs. Social workers who work with runaway and homeless youth report that increased numbers of young people they serve come from other states. Many of these youth have made a connection on social media with a promise of work, romance and opportunity that instead led them to sex trafficking and other forms of abuse. Even if they have managed to make it to a shelter, many continue to communicate with the person who betrayed their trust, as it is the only connection that they have. Nassau Haven and Walkabout seek to reestablish that trust that has been lost by providing a space that exudes the comfort and safety of a stable home and a caring, professional staff. The immediate sense of relief is palpable when kids arrive. For youth who have experienced adverse situations, having a stable, caring adult makes all the difference. The staff respects boundaries and lets the kids come to them. Children who were hopeless regain hope. Those who didn’t attend school start earning good grades, and begin caring about themselves and their futures’ again. Continued community outreach is imperative so people are aware of available resources and safe

places for youth. Nassau Haven and Suffolk County’s Hope for Youth can be reached by 24/7/365 by text. Nassau Haven has social media accounts. Schools, libraries, places of worship, clinics and community organizations, and word of mouth play a significant role as well. It is key to meet prospective clients where they gather and educate them as to how to get help. Funding for these programs has remained at the same level over the last 30 years despite the everchanging cultural and technological shifts. While so much more could be done with better funding, Long Island’s not-for-profits do an amazing job at helping our neighbors. Important Resources for Family and Youth Nassau County Family and Children’s Association Nassau Haven 516- 221-1310 (phone) 516-427-9354 (text) Suffolk County Hope for Youth Emergency Phone: 631-782-6596 or call or text 516-659-0923 Hope for Youth is a Family and Youth Services Supported Program Huntington Youth Bureau, Youth Development Research Institute, Inc. Emergency Phone: 631-549-8700 Nassau Haven and Hope for Youth are certified by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services as a shelter for runaway and homeless youth. Services are provided in accordance with the New York State Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. Kellee Barrett, LCSW, is an Assistant Vice President, at Family and Children’s Association in Garden City.

• PAGE 9

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024 • Guide to Schools & Education

• PAGE • PAGE 9 9

How to to pay for college How toto pay for college How pay for college How pay for college How to pay for college

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• PAGE 9

How to pay fo

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22 Guide to Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

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tudents entering high school have two different paths they can choose: public or private. Attending a public high school in the United States generally comes with few out-ofpocket costs because the running of the school is subsidized by local property taxes. In Canada, public secondary schools are free to Canadian residents, but most charge tuition fees for international students. Private schools charge tuition because they likely do not receive any oversight or assistance from government agencies. As a result, private high schools may be able to set their own curricula, policies and costs of attendance. Tuitions to attend private high schools vary greatly. Secular schools may cost more than Catholic and other religious schools. Also, location can affect the cost of attendance. According to U.S. News & World Report, Connecticut is home to the most expensive private schools, with private high school there costing twice the national average. Wisconsin is the lowest for private high school, with that tuition being half the national average. As of March 2023, Education Data Initiative reported the average tuition at a private high school in the U.S. came in at $15,645 per year. Private high schools in New England tend to cost more than schools in other parts of the country.

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024 • Guide to Schools & Education

Extracurricular activities for non-athletes

igh school sports garner signiﬁcant attention in communities that want to support their student-athletes. But what about students who aren’t inclined to compete on the ﬁeld or in the gym? There are many more non-athletes than athletes, and the following are some extracurricular activities that might appeal to students who aren’t interested in sports.

Physical activities Just because kids aren’t interested in traditional scholastic sports doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy breaking a sweat or being part of a team. Local community programs may offer club skiing teams, rowing clubs, hiking clubs, and other physical activities that are not affiliated with a school. Such options are great opportunities for kids to engage in physical activity and meet fellow fitness enthusiasts. One option kids may want to consider is a local recreational pickleball league. Pickleball has exploded in popularity in recent years and many communities now host competitive leagues for people of all ages. Students who don’t want to compete in scholastic sports can still find a wealth of extracurricular activities that align with their interests and even others that may stoke newfound passions.

Theater

Volunteering

School theater programs faced signiﬁcant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, when indoor gatherings were limited if not outright restricted and students were forced to adapt to remote learning. But since COVID-related restrictions were lifted, many theater programs are back in full swing. In fact, the Educational Theatre AssociationTM notes that its programs were present in roughly 5,000 schools during the 2021-22 school year. Theater programs can expose kids to the performing arts but also teach youngsters who aren’t interested in performing about backstage components, including set design and even script writing

Volunteering is another potential extracurricular activity high school students might want to consider. Volunteering can expose children to potential career paths and introduce them to people from all walks of life. The vast majority of nonproﬁt organizations welcome and need volunteers, so students should be able to ﬁnd an organization with a mission that aligns with their values. Schools also may sponsor volunteer programs, and that can be a great way for students to engage with their school community.

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Clubs High schools are home to clubs that cater to all sorts of interests. Foreign language clubs, gaming clubs, book clubs, and debate clubs are just some of the many non-sportsrelated clubs students can join to participate more fully in campus life.

Herricks Public Schools Universal Pre-K Applications Subject to approval of grant funding from New York State, residents of Herricks Public Schools with eligible 4 year olds (age 4 on/before December 1, 2024) may apply for free full day pre-kindergarten classes for the 2024-2025 school year. Selection will be done by lottery.

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Application forms must be received no later than February 9, 2024. Applications can be found on the district website: www.herricks.org (under Parents tab/Universal Pre-K). All applicants must be residents of the Herricks School District.

PAGE 4 • 24 Guide to Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

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enior year of high school can be a whirlwind of activity. The early months are spent wrapping up standardized testing and applying to college. Since many colleges and universities ask for midyear transcripts for students to aid with class placement and/or make final admissions decisions, students also need to maintain their studies and grades throughout the fall and winter.

Come the spring, when graduating seniors have already picked a college, students with their eyes on the finish line may feel like pulling back a bit. According to Southern New Hampshire University, the term “senioritis” refers to a common condition reflecting a lack of motivation by students who are reaching the end of their coursework. While it occurs in high school seniors and college seniors, those in trade schools or other programs also can experience senioritis. Students hope that they can simply coast until the end of school. It’s important not to let senioritis set in to the point that students’ academic futures are suddenly compromised. • Consider the repercussions. According to the University of the People, many colleges have a policy that incoming freshmen must maintain a certain GPA to become students at their institutions. Letting grades slip can ruin chances of attending the school you worked hard to get into, even if you’ve already been accepted. Dartmouth College, for example, notes that they reserve the right to rescind an offer if “the student’s final academic record has lowered significantly.” A similar policy is enforced by Stanford University.

“Senioritis” “Senioritis” refers to a common condition reflecting a lack of motivation by students who are reaching the end of their coursework.

• Schedule breaks. Take advantage of time off from school and on the weekends to engage in fun activities. Respites from school work can help you return to studies fresh and ready to engage anew. • Plan your senior courses wisely. Work with your guidance counselor to schedule courses throughout your time at school so your senior year schedule features few rigorous classes and includes more enjoyable electives. • Hold each other accountable. Get together with a close group of classmates to inspire one another to continue to study and maintain good grades. Accountability to another person can serve as motivation. • Ask for help and support. It’s common for seniors to want to slack off if they’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed. If various factors in your life are causing you anxiety, reach out to your parents and friends for help. • Establish strong habits. Learning to stay focused even throughout the spring of senior year can help set the course for good habits that spill over into college, like time management and focus. Avoiding a case of senioritis can be challenging, but it is in students’ best interests to stay focused on their work until they don their caps and gowns.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024 • Guide to Schools & Education

26 Guide to Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

Fri 1/12

Sat 1/13

WOZ, 2/14, Something's Cursed, Things Left Unsaid, The Meatbees, No Conditions

Featured

Editor's Voice

Sands Point Preserve brings Japanese-themed chamber music to Hempstead House in January

@ 6:30pm VFW Post # 7277, 191 Veterans Blvd, Massapequa

@ 3pm / $40-$50 Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point. info@sandspointpreserve.org, 516-571-7901

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The January concert celebrates the Japanese ikigai, a Japanese concept that helps us �nd purpose and ful�lment with a focus on the reason for living.

Featured Forest Bathing @ 2pm / $35-$40 Take a meditative For‐ est Bathing walk, led by certi�ed guide Linda Lombardo. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point. info@sandspoint preserve.org, 516-5717901

Governor Kathy Hochul to Keynote Temple Beth-El’s Historic MLK Service @ 7pm Temple Beth-El of Great Neck's annual MLK Shabbat service fea‐ tures Governor Kathy Hochul as keynote speaker. Temple BethEl of Great Neck, 5 Old Mill Road, Great Neck. fschildt@tbegreat neck.org, 516-458-1496 badcoandbeyond: BadCo & Beyond Show

BonJourney @ 8pm The Argyle Theatre at Babylon Village, 34 W Main St, Babylon

Sun 1/14

Featured

@ 7pm The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

Tue 1/16

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Featured

Kelli Baker & PJ LaMariana LIVE at The Homestead @ 8pm The Homestead, 107 South St, Oyster Bay

@ 2pm / $69.99 On Sunday January @ 9pm 14th at 2pm, join world Mulcahy's Pub and Concert @ 8pm Hall, 3232 Railroad Ave, Wan‐ The Paramount, 370 New York famous Dharma Yoga Psychic Night tagh Ave, Huntington Master Guru, Sri @ 6pm / $91.06 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Dharma Mittra, founder Psychic Night with of Dharma Yoga at Josephine Ghiringhelli. Buddha Jams Yoga Join us Tuesday, Janu‐ Buddha Jams Yoga, ary 16th 6:00 PM at 192 Glen Street, Glen Your Mother's House Cove. jason@buddha for this extraordinary jams.com, 516-548event. Your Mother's 7168 House, 2349 Jericho Turnpike, Garden City The Toby Tobias Park. ymhouse2019@ Ensemble: SongBreak gmail.com, 516-493with Toby Tobias and 9030 Claudia Jacobs Dancing with The Stars @ 2pm Paramount - Huntington NY

Fri 1/19

The Art of Giving Day!

Join Living Legend Dharma Yoga Mas‐ //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ter Sri Dharma Mit‐ ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////tra at Buddha Jams Mike DelGuidice: on Sunday Jan 14th Crack The Sky @ The Mulcahy's Pub & @ 8pm Columbus Hall, 186 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola

Featured

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Sunday Jan 14th

Concert Hall

Walt Whitman Birthplace Asso‐ ciation, 246 Old Walt Whitman Rd, Huntington Station

@ 8pm Tilles Center - Krasnoff Theater, 720 Northern Blvd, Brookville

WIFS - LI Luncheon @ 12pm Be a part of women supporting women in 2024! Meet fellow women business lead‐ ers, network with women business own‐ ers and celebrate our successes together. Uncle Bacala's, 2370 Jericho Turnpike, Gar‐ den City Park. kath leen.reynolds@proc fopartners.com

Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken @ 8pm NYCB Theatre At West‐ bury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd, Westbury

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@ 8pm / $19.50-$39.50 The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Hunting‐ ton Pakho Chau

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Thu 1/18

@ 8pm UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Belmont Park

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Hofstra Pride Mens Basketball vs. Hampton Pirates Mens Basketball @ 7pm Mack Sports Complex, Hofstra University, Hempstead

Teddy Kumpel and Nome Sane? at Still Partners @ 8pm Still Partners, 225 Sea Cliff Ave, Sea Cliff

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Featured

90s vs 2000s Dance Party @ 9pm / $10

Mulcahy's Pub and Concert //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Mon 1/15

Hall, 3232 Railroad Avenue, Wantagh

Wed 1/17 Baldwin Eagles Winter Skills 1st/2nd Grade

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Craig Ferguson: The Fancy Rascal Tour

Calendar information is pro‐ vided by event organizers. All events are subject to change @ 8pm / $35-$75 or cancellation. This publica‐ @ 7:30pm / $45-$5450 The Paramount, 370 tion is not responsible for the Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic New York Ave, Hunting‐ accuracy of the information Ave, Brooklyn contained in this calendar. ton //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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Business&RealEstate

Protecting home while there or away As I am writing this week’s column our first snow of the winter is happening, hooray! Now that our weather is getting a bit colder as winter should be, I think back to 15-20 years ago when I was showing clients some homes on the North Shore of Long Island. It had been extremely frigid during that week. We approached the home and opened the screen door and with my very acute hearing, I heard something that I always feared and dreaded during the winter season, the unfortunate gushing sound of water inside someone’s home. As I opened the door it was the shock of seeing it streaming down from the ceiling and several feet of water on the floor. I immediately called the person in charge and said that they had better call a plumber ASAP as the home was being flooded. It was a sad situation for my clients but for me too, as they were seriously interested in purchasing that specific home. We both felt bad, but unfortunately, that home wasn’t going to work for them. But years later, meeting my clients who had purchased another home from me, we had laughs thinking back and retelling the story of that moment in

time. Oil had been about $4.50 per gallon at that time, so I think the homeowner might have been trying to save money, turning down their thermostat way too low, or possibly their furnace malfunctioned. Ever since then and in past columns I had written, I warned people who were going away for any length of time to either drain the water from their boiler, water heater and all house pipes, so in the event of severely cold temperatures, there wouldn’t be any damage. So don’t be penny-wise and poundfoolish! Keep your thermostat set at no lower than 55 degrees which should eliminate any major issues. However, the north side of your home is where it is the coldest and where the least amount of sun/warmth is (the sun comes up in the east, goes south, and then sets in the west). So any pipes located on that side of the home should be well insulation. However, you can purchase special wiring that can be wrapped around those exposed pipes and plugged into an outlet; whether inside or especially outside to prevent them from freezing. Technology is significantly advanced today so that you can be anywhere in the world and can control

PHILIP A. RAICES Real Estate Watch

almost everything in your home from your cell. It enables you to virtually observe anyone on your property, adjust your heat, and lighting, and even be made aware if you have a leak, which will call your plumber in an emergency to come over and do the repair; to a blaze that will alert and notify your local fire department. When planning to build your new dream home, you can easily create a complete and comprehensive plan to install the most up-to-date technology

devices/cameras to keep your home safe from thieves, (will call the police) water damage, save on energy with free electricity (solar panels) as well as the standard protection detectors from fire, heat and carbon monoxide. In some communities radon can be an issue so there are detectors to keep you aware of any potential issues that might arise. In New York State and Massachusetts, there has been legislation that has mandated fire sprinklers in all 1, 2, and 3-story buildings. Construction of new 1 and 2-family homes is also required to provide buyers the mandatory option of installing a fire sprinkler system. Only California and Maryland mandate fire sprinkler systems in all new construction. However, some states have permitted municipalities to mandate them. On Jan. 1, 2011, Maryland began enforcing a law that required all new 1 and 2-family homes to have fire sprinklers. The State Fire Marshal even wanted pre-existing homes to have sprinklers installed too! Here is a link to see the requirements in the other 48 states (https://www.nahb.org). Planning your vacation should be a happy, enjoyable, and fun time. But for some, preventive maintenance and care

in your home aren’t always at the forefront of your mind. Have you checked your insurance policy lately to see what amount of coverage you have? Most homes’ values have increased substantially over the last 3 years, but have you increased your replacement cost coverage lately? It would be prudent to pull out your policy and go over it with your insurance broker to make sure what limits of liability and damage coverage you have that is sufficiently adequate with today’s replacement costs. However, I have now conveyed to you some pertinent and crucial information that you can take advantage of; and I hope you as current and future homeowners will be cognizant of, to save you a lot of money, time, effort, stress, and aggravation to safeguard you home in the future. Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. For a 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email:Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate. Comor viahttps://WWW.Li-RealEstate. Com

TECH The “Internet of Things” and Smart Clothing You’ve probably heard of the Internet of things, but thought, “what does it mean to me?” To answer that exciting question, let’s first understand the term itself:

the future is now

The Internet of things (IoT) is the interconnection, via the internet, of computing devices into everyday objects giving them the ability to send and receive data.

IT Peace of Mind for Your Business to Thrive!

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The Great Neck News, Friday, January 12, 2024

Recent Real Estate Sales in

29 Briarfield Drive, Great Neck

926 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck

5 bd, 3 ba, Sold On: 11/5/23, Sold Price: $1,650,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Great Neck

3 bd, 4 ba, Sold On: 11/6/23, Sold Price: $1,950,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Great Neck

7 Cherry Brook, Great Neck

79 Beverly Road, Great Neck

3 bd, 3 ba, Sold On: 11/6/23, Sold Price: $840,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Manhasset

5 bd, 3 ba, Sold On: 11/7/23, Sold Price: $1,500,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Great Neck

Editor’s note: Homes shown here were recently sold in Great Neck by a variety of real estate agencies. This information about the home and the photos were obtained through the Zillow.com. The homes are presented solely based on the fact that they were recently sold in Great Neck and are believed by Blank Slate Media to be of interest to our readers.

34 The Great Neck News, Friday, January 12, 2024

Adhami not listed as home owner on permit Continued from Page 1 The affidavit signed by Mirjani goes on to say that she is the “owner(s) of the property described in this application.” Mirjani signed her name throughout the permit application as the owner of the property on a Hold Harmless Agreement, the application itself and a Machinery Operation Compliance Agreement. Adhami’s name never appears in any of the 10 documents associated with the permit and application. The building permit, which was issued on Oct. 24, was for work involving the removal and repaving of a cement walkway in the front of the property. Adhami, a Republican, was elected in 2021 to a four-year term to represent the town’s 5th District, which includes Great Neck, Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Gardens, Kensington, Kings Point, Saddle Rock, Thomaston, the Plandomes, parts of Manhasset and other incorporated areas. The North Shore Leader reported that it received exclusive access to Adhami’s tax returns, which they said that Adhami lists his Great Neck address on his tax returns. “I live in Great Neck,” Adhami told the North Shore Leader. “I grewup in Great Neck. My daughter goes to school in Great Neck. My entire family lives in Great Neck. I went to high school in Great Neck. I played on the Great Neck South football, wrestling and lacrosse teams in high school.” Blank Slate Media asked Adhami if he would share his tax returns with the publication, which he said he would consider. Adhami did not provide his tax returns by the time of

publication nor confirmed his decision on whether or not he would send them. Property records show Adhami and his wife, Shireen Rashidi, purchased a home in Merrick in 2021. The two signed the deed for the property on Aug. 21, 2021, records show. In a permit signed in October 2021, the town issued Adhami a permit for a solar panel to be installed on the roof of a home he owns in Merrick by Sunrun, a San Francisco-based company that provides energy storage products primarily for residential customers. As part of the permit process, Adhami signed a notarized Hempstead Buildings Department Affidavit of Property Owner that says David Adhami “being duly sworn, deposes and says: That he or she resides” at the given Merrick address. The application signed by Adhami goes on to say that “to make application for a permit to perform said work in the foregoing application and accompanying plans, and all the statements herein contained are true to deponent’s own knowledge.” A spokesperson for the Town of Hempstead said the town does not have a path of recourse if someone lies on a signed affidavit. They said matters of the sort would be handled by the Nassau County’s District Attorney’s office. Adhami was first confronted about the Merrick affidavit by Great Neck resident Nina Gordon during the public comments portion of the Nov. 2 North Hempstead Town Board meeting. “It appears a fraud is being perpetrated on the residents of North Hempstead and I would appreciate

an explanation of how and why this is allowed to continue,” Gordon said. Adhami told Gordon during the November meeting that he does own a home in Merrick but that he does not live there and resides in Great Neck. The Leader also said Gordon and fellow Democrats on the town board demanded that Adhami resign or the Town would hire an “investigator.” But a recording of the meeting shows that neither Gordon nor any of the Democratic Town Board members at the meeting–Robert Troiano, Peter Zuckerman, Veronica Lurvey or Mariann Dalimonte–demanded that Adhami resign or that the town hire an investigator into the matter. In 2010, the Great Neck property was sold by Adhami’s parents to him, his sister and Mirjani, according to Nassau County property records. Adhami’s wife also posted on Facebook to an unknown group in 2020 that she and her husband were looking for leads on houses, but does not mention Merrick specifically. “Hi Everyone, my husband and I are looking to move into the neighborhood,” the post said. “We are searching Zillow but I was wondering if anyone has any leads. Ideally, we are looking for a home with a dock, three bedrooms two baths and close to the Chabad.” In a previous statement to Blank Slate Media, Nassau County Republican Committee counsel John Ryan said Adhami’s “domicile was in the district,” which he termed the “exclusive geographic test of elective office” in the Town of North Hempstead. “It is the location at which he and his family celebrate anniversaries and observe family birthdays,” Ryan previously said. “His school-aged child

DOCUMENTS SCANNED BY BLANK SLATE MEDIA

An affidavit for a building permit in the Village of Great Neck Estates shows David Adhami’s mother signing as the owner of the house the town councilmember says is his residence. attends school in Great Neck and he and his family belong to Beth Hadassah (The Iranian Jewish Center) on Steamboat Rd. Any suggestion that Dave Adhami’s domicile is anywhere but in the Council District that he represents is either malicious or downright stupid.” The North Hempstead Town Code defines a resident of the town as someone who resides in the town and has done so for the previous three months.

New York State’s election law defines residency as the place where someone has a permanent home they always intend to return. Adhami, who ran for Nassau County legislator in 2017, is a registered voter in Great Neck, according to state Board of Election records. Since being elected in 2021, all political contributions made by Adhami have been made from his home Great Neck, according to New York State Board of Election records.

Great Neck declares April 7 David Kufeld Day Continued from Page 4 The signs have been ordered and upon arrival, which is estimated to be within the next two weeks, they will installed immediately, Cohan said. The board also discussed the request by Everfresh Supermarket to maintain its food delivery ramp for

a storage food facility, which exceeds the business’ allowed setback. The ramp is located at the exterior of the property. It currently leads to a pod but will connect delivery trucks to a food storage building once constructed. Cohan said the business is locat-

ed in an incentive-use zone, meaning that they can build more than what is allowed within the code by contributing to the community benefit fund for the village. The business is paying about $40,000 to the fund to keep a ramp beyond the building’s permitted set-

back. Cohan said the board is also asking for additional signage that states the food storage building is owned by the supermarket. The clerk said the board agreed on the community benefit fund contribution and that the ramp would be

able to remain. While the board came to an agreement, no vote was taken. The resolutions associated with the supermarket’s request will be presented at the board’s next meeting. The Great Neck Board of Trustees will convene again on Jan. 16.

Republicans add morning meets for hearings Continued from Page 2 “We have added several daytime hearings so that we can get through town business in a more efficient way,” DeSena said. DeSena went on to say that she is in favor of adding more dates in the summer months as well if necessary, which could be held in the evening. Troiano, who works for the Nassau County Board of Elections and

serves as president of the Westbury Board of Education, said the board is “changing the rules in the middle of the game” and that he will have to leave work to make the morning meetings. “When I made the decision to run for town council, all the meetings were planned out and had been that way for decades so I could accommodate that,” said Troiano, who noted he’s the only

board member who works for an employer. Democrat Mariann Dalimonte said that she has heard complaints from residents over the timing of board of zoning appeals, which are held on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., and that she would have liked to hear from the public–who were asked to stay home Tuesday night amid inclement weather. Republican Ed Scott said there

are workers–specifically police officers and paid firefighters–who cannot make meetings at night and the board can “get a feel” for what works best by trying different meeting times. DeSena added that the earlier meetings prevent staff from staying at work all day and that something needs to be done. “We can’t please everyone but it’s up to us to do something,” De-

Sena said. “We’ve got to take a step forward and try to improve the length of our meetings and make them more reasonable.” In unrelated town news, the public hearing to consider the expansion of the Hillside Islamic Center in North New Hyde Park will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. The next regular meeting of the North Hempstead Town Board will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

The Great Neck News, Friday, January 12, 2024

Town Republicans ax 6 Bosworth-era staffers Continued from Page 1 Wayne Wink in an election. Bosworth had chosen not to run for re-election. At the meeting, Democrats, who held a 4-3 majority, approved a personnel resolution that moved six employees from the supervisor’s office when Bosworth was in office to apolitical town positions. Included in that Jan. 6, 2022 resolution was Jennifer Eberhardt, who moved from the supervisor’s office to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Sagar Mehta, who moved from the supervisor’s office to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Julie Schoch, who moved from the supervisor’s office to become secretary to the town board, Dillon, who was Bosworth’s chief of staff and became chief research assistant for the town, Pitnick, who moved from the supervisor’s office to the secretary to the commissioner of finance and Rachel Brinn, who moved from the supervisor’s office to the a secretary for the town board. As of Tuesday night, all six of those employees are no longer working for the town. Eberhardt and Schoch left North Hempstead in 2022 and Mehta and Brinn left in November. Democratic Council Member Mariann Dalimonte – who voted against the resolutions to terminate Darcy, Brown, Dillon, Pitnick, Cheng and Tepper – asked DeSena to clarify who is left in the communication department following Cheng and Tepper’s

terminations. DeSena said communications associate Michael Anderson was still in the department and that the spokesperson for the supervisor’s office, Brian Devine, is currently on a leave of absence from the town. Devine is currently the communications director for the campaign of Nassau Couty Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip (R-Great Neck), who is the Republican candidate running in a special election on Feb. 13 to represent the 3rd Congressional District. Dalimonte also thanked former Democratic Council Member Veronica Lurvey for emailing Deputy Supervisor Joseph Scalero to retract his original email terminating the aforementioned employees on Dec. 27. According to town law, unless otherwise stated employees serve at the pleasure of the Town Board, which approves terminations, resignations and retirements through resolutions at a public meeting. DeSena and Republican town councilmembers were unable to make personnel changes similar to Tuesday night because they did not have the majority votes to do so. DeSena is one member of the Town Board, which has the power to conduct business with a quorum during public meetings. The town supervisor cannot appoint staff of her choosing without a majority vote. The terminated employees were given notice by Scalero that their

PHOTO COURTESY OF DESENA

North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. terms would end on Dec. 31 before the matter. It is unclear at this time if or when clarifying the next day they would be terminated by board action Tuesday the newly vacant positions will be night, according to someone close to filled or if some of the positions will

cease entirely. The next regular North Hempstead Town Board meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Suozzi touts ability to work across party lines Continued from Page 3 thing,” Suozzi said. “A lot of people I don’t agree with on things, but I’ll work with them if they really want to solve a problem to try and find common ground to solve the particular issue.” He said what is fueling division are self-righteous pursuits as individuals in Congress push for solutions they believe are right without seeking compromise. His campaign slogan is “Let’s fix this,” which he said refers to combatting divisions in the country by uniting together to address issues. “Whether it’s their home prices or prescription drugs or health insurance or the immigration crisis or climate change or guns or the threat to reproductive choice or Israel or Ukraine, it’s all broken, it’s all part of the same dysfunction that exists that people are not sitting down and working to solve the problem,” Suozzi said. The Democratic candidate said he is pro-law enforcement, supports the right to an abortion, stricter gun laws and bolstering affordability. Suozzi, who has a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood, said he supports a national codification of Roe

v. Wade and securing the right to an abortion. He said he also supports bans on assault weapons and the implementation of universal background checks. “Every single thing you can think of to try and reduce gun violence in our country, I’ve signed onto that legislation,” Suozzi said. He said he worked with former Republican Rep. Peter King to develop an immigration plan that would fix the current crisis on the border that was published as an op-ed in New York Times. To bolster affordability, Suozzi advocated for “cool downtowns” that would include building mixed-use buildings that included apartments surrounding train stations. While many local officials have advocated against such development due to pushback against urbanization, Suozzi said cool downtowns will still preserve the community’s environment and would only impact 5% of the land in Nassau County. Suozzi, who recently visited Israel in support of the country, said he supported Biden’s immediate response to the Oct. 7 attack and applauded his strong support of Israel. He said he advocates for a two-

state solution for Israel and the Palestinians and following Israel’s defeat of Hamas Gaza should be governed by a group that cares for the citizens. Suozzi said he also supports continued aid to Ukraine, denouncing Republicans in Congress who have opposed the funds.

“We can’t be isolationists. We can’t ignore that there is this real threat taking place to democracy in the world right now.”

— Tom Suozzi

DEMOCRAT

“We can’t be isolationists,” Suozzi said. “We can’t ignore that there is this real threat taking place to democracy in the world right now.” He said his opponent’s platform is not clear, with little transparency on her voting history and her political

positions. “She can say all the things she says in these little tweets and sound bites to her own people in structured environments, but we don’t really know what she’s standing for,” Suozzi said. He said the Republican Party is pandering to the far right, suggesting an explanation for Pilip’s lack of transparency and lack of hardline stance on issues. “We really don’t know what she would do about anything because she hasn’t told us anything about what she stands for,” Suozzi said. What we do know, Suozzi said, is that the Conservative Party backs her. “She says, ‘Well, I’m not an extremist, I’m not like that,’ well, how do we know?” Suozzi said. “You won’t debate, you won’t tell us what your position is and you say that you agree with the Conservative Party. We have to assume you’re in favor of all of these things.” In the wake of the Santos debacle, Suozzi said it is important for candidates to have transparency. He said this is why debates are important, but Pilip has only agreed to attend one debate despite many requests.

Brian Devine, a spokesperson for Pilip’s campaign, said she is trying to accommodate debates amid her busy schedule. He said she is prioritizing community events where she can speak directly with voters. In response to issues Pilip has supported in her campaign – reducing taxes, securing the border, supporting police, fighting inflation and creating jobs – Suozzi said he would push these issues, too, and he has in his career. Suozzi said he has never been a favorite of the Democratic establishment but was picked by the party to run in the special election because he has shown his ability to win and defeat Nassau County’s Republican machine. “I’ve been around for a long time,” Suozzi said. “I’m not perfect – nobody is – but you know that you can trust me to work on behalf of the people. That I’ll stand up to the extremists, whether it’s the far right or even some people on the far left in my party, that I’ll fight for the people on the issues that they care about…I’ll work with anybody to try to solve problems and make people’s lives better, as I have throughout my entire career.”

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A nonprofit organization in Nassau County is seeking sealed bids for the sale and installation of Door Hardening/ Replacing, a PA system,Security Cameras and Cybersecurity assessment. Selection criteria will be based on knowledge of security, adherence to projected work schedule, prior experience, references, and cost. Please email ariel@lihagn. org for project specifications and bid requirements. All interested vendors must provide primary contact, phone and email address.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Lipinsky eyes fundraising record at Polar Plunge Great Neck resident Erin Lipinsky will be “Freezin’ for a Reason” at the annual Polar Plunge and this year marks his 10thanniversary participating in the Plunge. Last year, Lipinsky raised $28,000, making him the top individual fundraiser of the event. Plunging for the 10thyear in a row, Erin’s

goal, as it is every year, is to break the previous year’s record. The event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 3 at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington. Erin has been a longtime member of the Great Neck Spirits Basketball Team for Special Olympics NY.

Join Lipinsky as he makes his 10thplunge, and others who support Special Olympics New York every year by raising funds from family and friends—and then splashing into winter waters. The Polar Plunge supports year-round sports training and competition and health and

inclusion programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Special Olympics NY community. This year, make sure you’re freezin’ for a reason! You can donate or take the plunge yourself. For more information please visit: http:// events.nyso.org/goto/erin2024

Hochul to keynote Officials celebrate opening Beth-El’s MLK service of ‘The Park’ at UBS Arena New York Governor Kathy Hochul will be the keynote speaker at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck’s annual interfaith service honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. The MLK Erev Shabbat service is a time-honored tradition at Temple Beth-El, ever since the reverend spoke at the synagogue in the 1960s. Dr. King’s meaningful—and still relevant—words from his civil rights speech continue to resonate with us. “Since then, we have proudly joined with Great Neck’s Black community each year to reaﬃrm its shared commitment to Dr. King’s vision for our society and for humanity,” said Temple Beth-El Rabbi A. Brian Stoller. “We are deeply grateful to our past president Roger Tilles for arranging for Gov. Hochul to speak to our congregation and for his ongoing dedication to making our annual MLK Shabbat service a meaningful experience for our community.” New York State’s 57th and ﬁrst female governor began her career in public service on her local town board, prior to serving as Erie County clerk, congresswoman for New York’s 26th Congressional

District and then lieutenant governor. “Gov. Hochul has been a leader in speaking out against antisemitism during this time of anxiety for the Jewish people,” said Stoller. “In recent months, the governor has condemned anti-Jewish rhetoric and threats against Jewish students on college campuses, expressed her strong support for the State of Israel and stood ﬁrmly with the Jewish community and our need for security in the wake of a shooting incident at a synagogue in Albany (in which, thankfully, no one was hurt). We are honored to welcome her to Temple Beth-El.” The governor will join the list of distinguished civic leaders who have ad-

Gov. Kathy Hochul will be the keynote speaker at Temple Beth-El’s historic MLK Service on Friday, Jan. 12.

dressed this high-proﬁle gathering throughout the years, including Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, John Lewis, Calvin Butts and, most recently, New York Attorney General Letitia James. Led by Stoller, Rabbi Megan Brumer and Cantor Adam Davis, this year’s service will include inspirational music performed by an interfaith BlackJewish choir featuring Dr. Nigel Gretton and the Shir Appeal ensemble from Tufts University, readings from Dr. King’s inspirational speeches and remarks from community leaders. Temple Beth-El members Nina Koppelman and Ellen Meyerson will also be honored for their work as representatives to the Anti-Defamation League and their leadership in educating the community about antisemitism. The entire community is welcome to share this very special occasion at the peninsula’s ﬁrst synagogue, located at 5 Old Mill Road in Great Neck. For everyone’s safety, no bags or backpacks will be permitted. Please allow time for parking and to pass through security. To learn more, call 516-4870900, visit www.tbegreatneck.org or email info@ tbegreatneck.org.

Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D – Elmont) joined with New York Islanders owners Jon Ledecky, John Collins, and Lou Lamoriello, as well as state Sen. Leroy Comrie, state Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, and their colleagues in government in celebrating the grand opening of The Park at UBS Arena in Elmont on Friday, Dec. 29. During the event, Solages and his son Gabriel explored The Park’s amenities, which include carnival games, shops, and two outdoor pond hockey rinks that will host public skate ses-

sions, ice skating instruction for youngsters, pond hockey tournaments, and pre-game/show skating events. “The Park represents another important step forward in elevating UBS Arena as a multifaceted hub of sports, commerce, and entertainment for all ages that beneﬁts Elmont and the entirety of Nassau County,” Solages said. “It was a pleasure to be a part of this grand opening celebration, and I am thankful to the New York Islanders for their continued commitment to making Long Island a destination for professional sports.”

Roslyn Water to get grant for infrastructure improvements The Roslyn Water District is excited to announce that it has been awarded a New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement Act grant of up to $3 million. The grant funding will be used to install Granular Activated Carbon water treatment filters at the RWD’s Plant 5 water treatment facility. The grant was secured thanks to District officials’ advocacy and passion for protecting their community’s water. “Everything we do here at the Roslyn Water District centers around providing our community with the highest-quality water possible,” said RWD Chairman Michael Kosinski. “We submitted our application for this grant in an effort to advocate for our residents to New York State and we are pleased to see that our efforts have proven successful. We look forward to using this funding to further improve our ability to service the RWD community.” This project represents the most recent step forward in the RWD’s work to steadily improve the district’s infrastructure. Last year, district officials cut the ribbon to the Plant 8 treatment facility in Roslyn Estates, adding another location at which the district can treat and distribute water.

In 2022, renovations were completed at the District’s Birch Drive Station, a project that was also funded by a New York State grant. “Our District has made tremendous strides in our infrastructure improvements over the last several years,” said RWD Commissioner William Costigan. “These GAC vessels will provide an invaluable service to the Roslyn Water District for years to come. We are excited to complete the installation process.” Since 2015, the WIIA grant program has awarded over $2 billion to water providers and municipalities throughout New York State to make various upgrades to their water infrastructure. With this most recent round of grant funding, the RWD will be able to make the necessary improvements at Plant 5 while protecting residents’ wallets. “We do everything we can to keep the cost of water treatment as low as possible for the betterment of our community,” said RWD Commissioner Dr. Sanford Klein. “Applying for grant funding is a great way for us to save our residents money. We thank New York State for its help in bringing these upgrades to our District.”

READERS WRITE

The true meaning of meritocracy in America Continued from Page 16 We should also consider protecting a student’s right to choose their own food and housing. If landlords and businesses in the local community can provide better options at a lower price, then students shouldn’t be forced to shell out additional money to the school. Perhaps even more importantly, though, meritocracy should extend to the K-12 level as well as higher education. We should guarantee

that students who qualify for gifted programs in elementary school or honors courses in high school can pursue those opportunities without regard to the zip code where they live or their parents’ income. This should be a legally protected right, just like the right of special education students to have their needs met. We should also consider changes to how school districts are funded so that lower-income communities have adequate

financial resources to ensure that their students’ needs are met, even if they collect less in property taxes. These are some of the ways that we might pursue greater equality of opportunity without treating people differently on account of their race, gender, or any other accident of birth. This is not about slapping the word “meritocracy” on the current system and pretending that everything is fine but rather about finding ways

to make our society genuinely more meritocratic. The above proposals are the ideas of one person, and I don’t doubt that others will have many worthy recommendations that may not have occurred to me. I hope that you will join me in exploring how we can best structure our society to be fair to everyone. David Golub Mineola

40 The Great Neck News, Friday, January 12, 2024

Feinstein eyes high maternal mortality rates Continued from Page 10 Davidson led a team of scientists and national experts to form a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention independent task force. Their research was conducted throughout the country to find actionable solutions to combat high maternal mortality rates. The panel’s goal is to reduce preventable maternal deaths by at least 50%, as well as eliminate racial and ethnic disparities over the next 10 years. “Research funding targeted to major public health issues is in the best interest of the country,” Kevin J. Tracey, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes and Karches Family

Distinguished Chair in Medical Research, said. “Dr. Davidson’s participation with the NIH is important for new research and interventions to improve maternal health.” The task force’s recommendations include the call for a “Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Prevention Moonshot” program. This recommendation includes the setting of new goals to improve maternal health, establishing new interventional programs nationwide and guiding funding. The panel calls to develop a new multilevel life course research framework intended to increase understanding of societal, community and interpersonal influences on maternal

outcomes. Also recommended are a research study development and data collection that focuses on inclusivity, funding and improving interventional studies intended to improve maternal health outcomes and expand Medicaid coverage to include maternal, newborn and mental health services for up to a year. “We are confident that the panel’s recommendations will encourage researchers and change-makers nationwide to address and alleviate this crisis,” Davidson said. The team’s findings and recommendations were announced in a paper titled “Maternal Mortality Is Preventable: A National Institutes

of Health Pathways to Prevention Panel Report Transforming the Prevention Paradigm” published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. The task force’s research included existing data on maternal morbidity prevalence, prevention strategies and intervention approaches. The Feinstein Institute said that this research and subsequent recommendations are crucial in working towards maternal health outcome improvements. They added that the task force is assured that bolstering resources and pushing forward in securing equity will be instrumental in combatting negative maternal health outcomes.

Schechter files $35M suit against ex-CFO Continued from Page 10 Prosecutors said Ostrove opened a PayPal account named “Solomon Schechter Day School of Nassau County” in January 2013 before moving funds through his personal PayPal account and sending them to Bank of America and TD Bank accounts in his name. Ostrove’s alleged scheme began March 24, 2014, when he took $33,000 from his PayPal account and moved it to his Bank

of American account, which had a balance of over $1.1 million, prosecutors said. The next day, Ostrove wired $29,500 to buy a 1965 Ford Mustang, according to documents. Additional purchases allegedly made by Ostrove include two Mercedes Benz cars for his wife and daughter, a 2021 Lincoln Navigator and collectible coins. The funds in question were also used to finance his daughter’s college tuition,

make home equity payments on his West Islip home and purchase and renovate five homes on Fire Island that gave Ostrove over $600,000 in rental income, according to documents. Suffolk County DA Investigator Paul Rauseo said of the $10.4 million total that Ostrove was in charge of for the school, only $1.55 million reached Schechter. “David Ostrove is the epitome of a faith-

less servant who deceived his superiors and the institution that trusted him, a fraudster who cheated the parents and benefactors with whom he broke bread, a charlatan who swindled the students he was supposed to help obtain an education based on Torah principles,” Rauseo said in an affidavit. Ostrove was fired from Schechter, which is seeking at least $35.1 million for damages, in July 2022 following his arrest.

G.N. Estates updates health plan for staffers Continued from Page 4 Great Neck Estates was one of the only villages that did not provide this type of health benefits plan before passing the new plan Monday night, according to Warner. The board also approved other various resolutions Monday night, including an appointment of a chairman on the village’s Board of Zoning Appeals and the time and location of

polling for its March election. The Great Neck Estates Board of Trustees approved the appointment of David Eshagoff, which was made by the mayor. He will be taking over the post of former Chairman Jerry Siegelman. The village’s election on March 19 will be held at the village hall from noon until 9 p.m. In other news, the village discussed the vil-

lage’s property assessment, with one resident calling for a new assessment to fix over and under-valuations. Warner said that he does not believe there is an issue with the village’s property assessment despite residents saying they believe there is and he does not see a reason for a reassessment. The mayor said the village’s assessment

is rated at 100% by the state and he does not think spending money on a reassessment is necessary. “There are always going to be mistakes and errors, you can’t make every property exact, but my feeling is that we do an excellent job with that,” Warner said. The Great Nek Estates Board of Trustees will convene again at 8 p.m. on Feb. 12.

Saying goodbye to Manhasset’s ‘Mr. V’ Continued from Page 10 Aitken said she came into middle school knowing she loved to sing but was convinced it was something she wasn’t very good at. However, under van Schenkhof’s tutelage, she learned from him if you have a voice and are willing to use it, you can sing. And if you keep working at it, you can be great. “That growth mindset and the importance of trusting in passion and perseverance to conquer obstacles are lessons I still turn to today every time I’m facing a new challenge or feel out of my depth,” Aitken said in a statement to Blank Slate Media. Aitken went on to say her former teacher cared more about his students being good people as opposed to just being good singers. “He emphasized that basic human values of respect, generosity, and collaboration were foundational to everything else, including artistic achievement,” Aitken said. Baskin said the most outstanding memory

she has of her former colleague was walking into Manhasset High School’s cafeteria in 2019 ahead of a rehearsal. Except to van Schenkhof’s surprise, it was filled with over 100 Manhasset alumni who returned to the high school to put on a reunion concert. The July 2019 event featured solo acts and choral performances, each conducted by van Schenkhof himself. Baskin said the night’s final performance of “Hallelujah” vibrated through out the auditorium with the love they had for van Schenkhof. “This is the power of music, and that along with his life lessons will forever stay in all of our hearts,” Baskin said in a statement to Blank Slate Media. Another former colleague of van Schenkhof, Joseph D’Angelo, shared a story about meeting van Schenkhof when he was new to the district. He was curious why D’Angelo— who worked in the district from 1978 to 2010—was frequently mentioned by students

and so respected by them. Van Schenkhof asked D’Angelo, who both taught and served in other positions in the district, what his “secret” was, to which D’Angelo said he already knew the answer. “All you have to do is love the kids, and if you love and respect them, they’re going to love and respect you,” D’Angelo said. “And he laughed and said, ‘I knew that.’” D’Angelo also described the impact his former colleague had on his students, speaking about his wanting to increase the number of athletes in the choir program during a time when it wasn’t common. D’Angelo said that over time, due in part to van Schenkhof’s “magnetic and strong” personality, the choir started to include students who played lacrosse and football. “I have never known a man with more courage than Mark van Schenkhof,” D’Angelo said. “The way he faced this disease, the way he encountered it is remarkable to me. It’s still remarkable when I think about it.”

in addition to his wife Carol, van Schenkhof is survived by his brother Ronald van Schenkhof and sister Jessica Price as well as nieces and nephews. A memorial Celebration of Life will occur on Sunday, March 3, at 1 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Church on 9 Carlton Ave, in Port Washington, Friends can visit his wife Carol on Friday, Jan. 12, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the St. Cecilia Room in the lower level of the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the scholarship fund at Manhasset High School as “Funds for the Mark van Schenkhof Scholarship Fund,” St. Stephen’s Church, Hospice Care Network at 99 Sunnyside Blvd. in Woodbury or the ALS Foundation of Greater New York. As Aristotle once said, “See if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also to those who need it so much.” For Mark Athanasius van Schenkhof, consider your heart stretched.

The Great Neck News, Friday, January 12, 2024

▼ LEGALS ▼ LEGALS GN

Notice of Formation of Sold Buy Barbara LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 202312-13. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Barbara Ventura: 674 Plato Street Franklin Square NY 11010. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of Rich Eye Productions. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 202307-27. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Ronald Anderson: 318 Midwood Street 1 Brooklyn NY 11225. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of Deja Vu Gowns LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 202401-05. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Sara Willig: 186 Wanser Ave Inwood NY 11096. Purpose: Any lawful purpose NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR WAMU MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2003AR10, Plaintiff, vs. AMINA KHORDIPOUR A/K/A MINA KHORDIPOUR, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 18, 2017 and an Order Appointing a Successor Referee to Conduct the Sale duly entered on November 8, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 22, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 14 Farmers Road, Kings Point a/k/a Great Neck, NY 11024. 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 Kings Point, Great Neck, Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 1, Block 156 and Lot 10. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,593,910.81 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 012764/2012. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale. Cristina Prieto, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff

ADVERTISE HERE

516.307.1045

Invitation to Bidders BOARD OF EDUCATION Great Neck Union Free School District The Board of Education of the Great Neck Union Free School District (hereinafter “the School District”), in accordance with Section 103 of Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law, hereby invites reputable and qualified bidders to submit sealed bids for the provision of labor, materials, and services for the following: Coach Bus Services for Athletic Trips, Field Trips & Other Events (Bid # 2023-24-19) Bid specifications may be obtained from the School District’s Purchasing Office, which is located in the Phipps Administration Building, 345 Lakeville Road, Great Neck, New York, 11020, Monday through Friday, excluding school holidays, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., or by contacting the purchasing agent via email (jmartin@greatneck.k12.ny.us) or phone (516-441-4070). Bid submissions will be received by the School District, at the same address, until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 2, at which time and place they will be opened and read aloud. There will be no discussion at the time of bid opening. Bids submitted after this time and date will not be considered. Incomplete bids may not be considered. The School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, reject any or all bids, and/or make a full or partial award. The School District further reserves the right to consider experience, service, and reputation in connection with the services to be rendered. In addition, the School District reserves the right to consider the financial responsibility and specific qualifications of the prospective bidders, as set forth in the bid specifications, in its evaluation of the bids and award of the contracts.

Invitation to Bidders BOARD OF EDUCATION Great Neck Union Free School District The Board of Education of the Great Neck Union Free School District (hereinafter “the School District”), in accordance with Section 103 of Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law, hereby invites reputable and qualified bidders to submit sealed bids for the provision of labor, materials, and services for the following: Video Encoder/Converter Project (Bid # 2023-24-21) Bid specifications may be obtained from the School District’s Purchasing Office, which is located in the Phipps Administration Building, 345 Lakeville Road, Great Neck, New York, 11020, Monday through Friday, excluding school holidays, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., or by contacting the purchasing agent via email (jmartin@greatneck.k12.ny.us) or phone (516-441-4070). Bid submissions will be received by the School District, at the same address, until 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 2, at which time and place they will be opened and read aloud. There will be no discussion at the time of bid opening. Bids submitted after this time and date will not be considered. Incomplete bids may not be considered. The School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, reject any or all bids, and/or make a full or partial award. The School District further reserves the right to consider experience, service, and reputation in connection with the services to be rendered. In addition, the School District reserves the right to consider the financial responsibility and specific qualifications of the prospective bidders, as set forth in the bid specifications, in its evaluation of the bids and award of the contracts.

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42 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

Business&RealEstate

McGrath named v.p. at Educational Bus

Dawn McGrath

Dawn McGrath, a resident of Lindenhurst, NY, has been promoted to Vice President of Operations at Educational Bus Transportation, which provides student transportation services to a number of school districts in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. McGrath previously served as assistant vice president of operations. “Throughout her long career in student transportation, Dawn has demonstrated a commitment to excellence on the job backed by unwavering dedication to the districts served by Educational Bus Transportation,” stated Educational Bus Transportation CEO John Corr. “She is admired and respected by

her colleagues and recognized throughout the industry for making student safety a top priority. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Dawn on this most recent career achievement and thank her for her many years of service.” McGrath began her career with Educational Bus Transportation in 1988 as a driver before eventually assuming her most recent title. Among her many accomplishments, McGrath is a recipient of The Golden Merit Award from the National School Transportation Association. One of the highest honors in the school transportation industry, The Golden Merit Award recognizes school

transportation professionals for their outstanding achievements in service and safety. According to Corr, McGrath will now report directly to Tim Flood, Executive Vice President of The Trans Group, which counts Educational Bus Transportation as a member organization. In her new post, McGrath will oversee Educational Bus Transportation’s day-to-day operations on Long Island and control the daily operation of all transportation contracts, in compliance with the policies of the contracting agencies and in conformance with company policies and procedures. The vice president of operations po-

sition at Educational Bus Transportation was previously held by Patti Royce, who will now serve as vice president of global routing initiatives, overseeing a multiyear transition of routing programs. Educational Bus Transportation is a member of The Trans Group, LLC (Spring Valley, NY), which provides transportation to hundreds of thousands of passengers annually in lower New York State and Long Island. With more than 1,400 vehicles and over 2000 employees, The Trans Group is actively involved in the school bus industry on the state and federal level. More information is available at www.thetransgroup.com.

SUNY O. Westbury names biz school dean The State University of New York at Old Westbury has announced that Dr. Shalei Simms has been named dean of its School of Business. Simms had served as the acting dean since the summer 2021. “Over the past more than two years, Dr. Simms has provided tremendous leadership and vision for the School of Business,” said Dr. Dorothy Escribano, interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University. “Most notably, she and her colleagues in the School of Business prepared for and executed the application and site visit that resulted last summer in our campus having earned accreditation from AACSB International, the world’s most prestigious accrediting body for schools of business.”

As dean, Simms leads a school of business that serves more than 700 students studying in undergraduate degree programs centered in Accounting,Business Administration,Finance and Marketing, five-year programs in Accounting and Accounting/Taxation,and graduate programs in Accounting,Forensic Accounting, and Taxation. “The business faculty at SUNY Old Westbury has been preparing students for careers in business for more than 45 years,” said Simms. “I am proud to work with my colleagues as we pursue our mission to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and values to think critically, communicate effectively, and act responsibly in the constantly changing landscape of business today.”

Prior to her work as dean, Simms had served the University in a variety of roles, including as director of graduate programs for the School of Business, as a tenured faculty member within the Management, Marketing and Finance Department, as vice-chair of the campus’ Faculty Senate and as interim assistant vice president of academic affairs. While serving in Academic Affairs the breadth of her service included oversight responsibilities for educational pipeline initiatives, extramurally funded academic programming and administrative supports for applied learning. Earlier this year, she was recognized by Long Island Business News with its “Diversity in Business Award”

for “actively supporting the growth of diversity and equality in the Long Island community.” She currently sits on the board of directors for the Teachers Federal Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in the country, and is a former member of the Board of Managers of the Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA. She presents her “From Idea to Action” and “Level-up” workshop series to potential small business entrepreneurs and provides individual consulting to small business owners. Simms holds a Ph.D. from Rutgers University and a B.A. from Wesleyan University. She is a member of the Academy of Management, Management Faculty of Color Association and Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUNY OLD WESTBURY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Dr. Shalei Simms

COMMUNITY NEWS

10 GoHealth Urgent Care centers offer late-night hours Responding to community needs, Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care has expanded its late-night services, now with 10 locations providing expanded hours from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Over the last 18 months, Northwell Health-GoHealth has evaluated the expansion of its late-night hours in Roslyn, one of the first centers to stay open until midnight. The Roslyn center began to see an influx of late-night visits, improving access to care for nearby residents. That initiative prompted an analysis of other communities that would benefit from expanded hours. Northwell Health-GoHealth has since expanded hours at additional centers, including Mineola on Long Island, and Bulls Head in Staten Island most recently, in December. “By extending our hours, we are increasing our delivery of care, when and where our community needs it most,” said Vivek Taparia, regional president. “Sore throats, fevers, coughs and minor injuries that require x-rays, sutures or other expert PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH-GOHEALTH URGENT CARE healthcare services don’t wait for a convenient time to occur. With our late-night hours, we are caring for patients up until Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care has expanded midnight, helping families avoid the emergency room or waitits late-night services ing until the next day for medical attention.”

The complete list of Northwell Health-GoHealth centers that are open until midnight now includes: Dongan Hills, 1700 Hylan Blvd (Staten Island) East 96th, 175 E 96th St (Manhattan) Forest Hills at 68th Ave, 102-29 Queens Blvd (Queens) Roslyn, 1033 Northern Blvd (Long Island) Lynbrook, 683 Sunrise Hwy (Long Island) Levittown, 3631 Hempstead Turnpike (Long Island) Elwood, 1912 Jericho Turnpike (Long Island) Bay Shore, 603 E Main St (Long Island) Bulls Head, 1445 Richmond Ave, Ste E (Staten Island) Mineola, 50 E Jericho Turnpike (Long Island) Additionally, a new center opening in Yaphank in early 2024 will also stay open until midnight. To help patients access any necessary ongoing or follow-up treatment, the centers’ providers can make priority referrals to top Northwell Health specialists. Patients seeking care can be seen quickly and easily by walking into any of Northwell Health-GoHealth’s 59 centers or by going online to save a spot and pre-register. For details about all Northwell Health-GoHealth locations, visit https://www.gohealthuc.com/northwell

SPORTS

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 12, 2024

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SKY IS THE LIMIT Roslyn gymnast Riley Green seeks county title as sophomore

BY M I C H A E L J . L E W I S It is a statement startling in its uniqueness. You hardly ever hear someone say what Riley Green just did. But it really shouldn’t be. For decades now, outstanding high school athletes have seen grades 9-12 as a stepping stone. The prep years are where legends begin to get made, where the cement and granite of a career get laid, and shine begins to emerge. There has always been, for 99.95 of athletes, the dream of getting into college on a scholarship and continuing their career there. Doesn’t matter the sport, doesn’t matter if there’s a professional league to aspire to after college: the goal is always the same: Get four more years out of your body and continue doing what you love. That’s why the questioner is fairly stunned by the answer when Green, a sophomore standout on the Roslyn gymnastics team, is asked where she wants to go to college, and if she’s started to get recruiting letters. “I don’t want to do competitive gymnastics anymore after this,” Green said before a recent practice. “If there’s a club team where I end up going, maybe I’d do that. But that’s it.” Green’s further explanation makes perfect sense, especially for a 15-year-old who’s had a litany of injuries in a mat career that’s been going on for half her life. “It’s normally every girl’s dream to compete in college or the Olympics, but I’ve realized over time that I might want to live the life of a normal college student,” Green added. “I’m not sure I’d want to spend all those hours in the gym, the huge number of hours you need to compete at that level. “I just don’t think I’m going to go down that road.” It’s a refreshing answer for a kid who, as dedicated as she is to her sport, acknowledges that there are other things in life. Green, 15, has just begun her sophomore season as a Bulldog, but is already making her mark. She missed most of her freshman season thanks to a scary injury suffered one day before high school practice started last fall. Green was practicing at her club facility, Hot Shots of Plainview, when she was dismounting off the uneven

PHOTO COURTESY OF RILEY GREEN

Roslyn sophomore Riley Green placed fourth in counties on uneven bars last season, and looks to do better in 2024. bars and over-rotated, slamming her back and head on the ground. Green suffered a concussion and was then diagnosed with a stress fracture in her back, her most serious injury of her career, she said.

“I was really disappointed because everyone has said how high school gymnastics is so fun, and a completely different environment with the support and the cheering,” Green said. “But I knew I had to give my body a

chance to rest and recover.” After sitting out most of the 2022-23 season, Green was medically cleared to do only one event, the uneven bars, her best. And she made the most of that chance, placing fourth in

the Nassau County meet and qualifying for states, where she finished 13th. None of that was a surprise to Roslyn coach Stephanie Orfini. “What makes her so great is she’s just such a consistent athlete,” Orfini said. “She doesn’t ever give away deductions; her toes are always pointed properly, her legs are always straight. It’s just very hard to do what she does, every time.” Green is humbled and almost embarrassed to say that what she hears most from opposing gymnasts and coaches is ‘wow, your technique is beautiful and unmatched.'” “It’s a very nice compliment and it comes from doing gymnastics for so long that a lot of it comes naturally now,” Green said. “You have to work to keep it.” Green’s gymnastics journey started when she was a toddler, as the coaches at Little Gym told mom Karen that her kid is showing very impressive skill for a child her age. Green began competitive gymnastics around age 8, and while she’s had other injuries along the way, she’s loved the sport ever since. “My mom films all my matches but can’t watch,” Green said, laughing. “She says ‘I can film it, but I can’t bear to look at it. And I tell her ‘Mom, if you’re scared, imagine how I feel!” Healthy enough to compete in all events this season, Green is looking to get back to states, possibly win counties, and perhaps get a state medal in the uneven bars, her best event. “She’s been working on more difficult bar routines, and add a harder dismount, and doing things at higher levels,” Orfini said. “She has a real chance to win something at counties and beyond.” With a few years of gymnastics left, Green said she’s thought about a career in sports psychology. As an elite athlete she’s had plenty of time to think about the pressures kids like her face, and she wants to help. “I know how hard it can be on you mentally, always trying to be at your best and having to face competition all the time,” Green said. “I think I’d like to be someone who can talk to kids and help them through it.”

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44 The Great Neck News, Friday, January 12, 2024

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