Manhasset 2023_05_26

GUIDE TO SUMMER

PAGES 21-32

HEARING TO BE HELD ON M-L FIRE PLAN

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A legend that began in Manhasset

Football, lax star Jim Brown dies at 87

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Jim Brown, who began a career on the fields of Manhasset that would lead him to acclaim as one of the greatest football players and then go on to become a movie actor and civil rights activist, died Thursday in his Los Angeles home. He was 87.

His wife, Monique, announced Brown’s passing in an Instagram post on Friday afternoon.

“To the world, he was an activist, actor, and football star,” Monique said. “To our family, he was a loving and wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.”

Brown’s former NFL team, the Cleveland Browns, paid tribute to the

former star on social media.

“It’s impossible to describe the profound love and gratitude we feel for having the opportunity to be a small piece of Jim’s incredible life and legacy,” the team said in a statement on Twitter. “We mourn his passing, but celebrate the indelible light he brought to the world.”

Brown moved to Great Neck with his teenage mother before moving to Manhasset where he played five sports during the early 1950s, earning 13 varsity letters.

In 2013, Brown was honored in Manhasset as an Allstate “Hometown Hall of Famer” and as the namesake of the newly-reopened multi-purpose field

Continued on Page 43

Manhasset must have mascot plan by ‘25

BY BRANDON DUFFY

The state Education Department last week released an 11-page document providing additional guidelines for public school districts that need to change their Native American mascots, team names and logos.

The release comes after New York’s Board of Regents unanimously voted to

ban the use of Native American mascots, team names, logos and depictions April 18.

The resolution means affected districts–including Manhasset and Sewanhaka–are required to “identify a plan to eliminate all use of the prohibited name, work, or mascot within a reasonable time, which shall be by no later than the end of the 2024-25 school year,” accord-

ing to officials.

Districts that do not make necessary changes according to the guidelines may have state aid withheld, which the State Department called a “last resort.”

“Speaking for myself as a tribal leader and as an indigenous person, the message that is being sent by this is that we’re not a symbol, we’re not a mascot, we’re not history,” said Germain Smith,

secretary for the Shinnecock Indian Nation General Council, in a statement.

“We’re real people that are still here and still exist”

Districts must submit applications for capital construction projects, which can be funded through building aid from the state, the memo said.

Extensions may be granted for districts that are unable to eliminate Na-

tive American names, mascots or logos by the June 30, 2025 deadline from the state “upon a showing of good cause,” which the state defined as approximately 75% of necessary work already completed to adhere to the guidelines.

“Although rebranding might not be easy for communities, the harm that the continued use of team names, mascots, Continued on Page 48

PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. LACROSSE HALL OF FAME

Manhasset’s Jim Brown (right, leaning down) is considered the best football and best lacrosse player ever by many experts.

GOPers vote against expelling Rep. Santos

Send allegations to House Ethics Committee instead

to “move rapidly” on the resolution.

D’Esposito has made his desire to have Santos expelled from the House to McCarthy, according to the congressman’s communications director, Matt Capp.

Aside from the House Ethics Committee’s continued probe and decision on how to handle Garcia’s resolution, the Republican congressman faces a federal indictment that could land him in prison for 20 years, if convicted of top charges, officials said.

Santos pleaded not guilty to the 13-count indictment, which includes seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements to Congress, last week.

Santos described the indictment and probe into his personal, professional and financial background as a “witch hunt,” according to the Associated Press.

“Any time the federal government comes after you it’s a serious case,” Murray said, according to the Associated Press. “We have to take this seriously.”

His next court appearance is scheduled for June 30, according to NBC News.

Opposition to M-L’s ambulance unit

Traffic study decision may delay vote

BY BRANDON DUFFY

A vote to determine whether or not the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire and Water District can move forward with building an $11.7 million ambulance unit on Cumberland Avenue in Lake Success may be delayed following a meeting Tuesday night in Manhasset.

The district held a public meeting at the department’s company #2 firehouse at 2 Community Drive East in Manhasset where members of the public disapproved of the proposed location for the district to build a sixth firehouse, one solely dedicated to the ambulance unit.

If approved, the district would build a two-story, 5,168-square-foot building that has four bays total, three for the unit’s ambulances and one for the first response vehicle.

Among the many objections for the proposed building in Lake Success was the lack of a traffic study, which Commissioner Steve Flynn said he and the two other commissioners, Mark Sauvigne and Brian Morris, said they are open to.

A decision to move forward with a traffic study on the area where the ambulance unit would be built, which

would delay the June 6 vote, would be determined at the next board of commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 30 at 4:00 p.m., Morris told Blank Slate Media.

“I feel like this project is getting rammed down our throats,” Great Neck’s Adrienne Vaultz said during the public portion of the meeting. “They are not considering our quality of life or the safety of our children.”

Currently, the fire department’s ambulance unit has been sharing space with company #3 in Great Neck since 1988 in a building originally built for one company, Capt. Lee Genser said Tuesday night.

“Tonight comes down to safety, efficiency and EMS. The patient comes first,” Genser said. “Everything revolves around the patient that we’re dispatched to take care of. Want we want to do is be the most efficient we can to respond to and treat that patient.”

The fire department is part of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire and Water District, which owns the proposed land and takes in all of Manhasset except for Plandome, half of Great Neck and some of northern New Hyde Park.

Continued on Page 42

BY ROBERT PELAEZ

House Republicans blocked a resolution aimed at expelling U.S. Rep. George Santos on Wednesday, a week after the newly-elected congressman pleaded not guilty to a 13-count federal indictment.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia presented the resolution to expel Santos from Congress on Tuesday, but the measure failed to pass in a 221-204 party-line vote in which all Republicans voted no. The expulsion of any member of Congress would require a two-thirds majority vote.

U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (RIsland Park), who represents New York’s 4th Congressional District, said he supported expelling Santos from Congress but said referring Santos to the House

Ethics Committee was a more effective way to remove Santos since not enough Republicans would vote in support the resolution to expel him.

“Since we don’t yet have the needed 2/3 supermajority to expel Santos, the quickest way to rid this institution of this stain is to refer this issue to the House Ethics Committee,” D’Esposito said in a statement. “I expect the bipartisan House Ethics Committee to move quickly, and take the necessary action to rid the House of Representatives of this scourge on our government.”

Republican officials referred the resolution to the House Ethics Committee, which has been probing Santos’ campaign and financial background since March. House Speaker Kervin McCarthy said on Tuesday he wants the committee

Steven

The indictment was followed by Santos confessing to forging two stolen checks in Brazil 15 years ago. Court documents in Brazil that were first reported by the New York Times said Santos, 19 at the time, used a fake name and the stolen checks to purchase a pair of sneakers, among other goods from a store in Niterói, located outside of Rio de Janeiro.

Two years later, Santos confessed to the crime and was later charged, according to the Times. He previously disputed those claims, telling the New York Post, “I am not a criminal here- not here or in Brazil or any jurisdiction in the world.”

Santos agreed to pay 24,000 reais, or close to $5,000, to the shopkeeper and other charities, according to the Associated Press.

Santos has 30 days to pay the settlement, at which time the case will be dismissed, according to the Washington Post.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Sue Tabakin 516-307-1045

CLASSIFIED

: Deborah Flynn 516-307-1045 x218

Herald Courier: Brandon Duffy 516-307-1045 x215 • bduffy@theisland360.com

Manhasset Times: Robert Pelaez 516-307-1045 x203 • rpelaez@theisland360.com

Roslyn Times: Cameryn Oakes 516-307-1045 x214 • coakes@theisland360.com

Williston Times: Brandon Duffy 516-307-1045 x215 • bduffy@theisland360.com

Port Washington Times: Cameryn Oakes 516-307-1045 x214 • coakes@theisland360.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Rep. George Santos.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MANHASSET-LAKEVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

A rendering of the proposed ambulance unit for the ManhassetLakeville Fire Department.

Kramer to grand marshal P.W. parade

U.S. Army veteran from Manhasset, will join American Legion Post No. 509 on Memorial Day

BY ROBERT PELAEZ

A pair of local veterans will serve as grand marshals for Memorial Day parades in the Town of North Hempstead starting on Saturday.

Port Washington American Legion Post No. 509, selected World War II Marine Corps Veteran Martin (Marty) Kramer to serve as the grand marshal for the post’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29.

Kramer, when informed of being selected as grand marshal, said, ”My time in the Marine Corps was quite memorable and I would certainly do it again.”

Kramer and his wife of 67 years, Margot, currently live in Manhasset. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Campus Drive and will proceed down Port Washington Boulevard and Main Street to the Sousa Memorial Bandshell.

A Memorial Day commemorative service will take place at the bandshell following the parade.

Retired Navy Torpedoman Third Class Jim Morehead will serve as the grand marshal for Great Neck’s 97th Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 29, at 9:30 a.m. Morehead, who has served on the Great Neck Memorial Day Parade Committee for more than 25 years, first enlisted in the Navy in 1952.

After his basic training, he reported to the USS Picking ship in Newport, R.I.

In April 1953, his ship was dispatched to the North Korean Coast.

Great Neck will also honor former residents Lt. Col. Martha Raye and First Sergeant John H. Starkins. Raye, an honorary Special Forces member, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Bill Clinton in 1963.

Harkins was a recipient of the Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor.

The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Susquehanna Avenue and South Middle Neck Road, ending up at the Village Green. Following the parade, a Memorial Day ceremony will take place at the Village Green before the veterans and color guards from the Vigilant and Alert fire departments march to All Saints Church.

Louise McCann, a retired U.S. Army master sergeant and chair of the Great Neck Memorial Day Parade Committee, stressed the importance of Great Neck holding its parade on Memorial Day.

“Great Neck has always had our parade on Memorial Day because it’s not about barbeques or sales at the mall,” McCann told Blank Slate Media. “It is to thank God and honor the 1.5 million Americans who died protecting our country.”

Floral Park will be designated as a Purple Heart Village and honor wounded veterans who received a Purple Heart military decoration.

The designation as a Purple Heart Village means a municipality recognizes the sacrifice of people who have served their country, particularly those who are Purple Heart recipients and their families, according to village officials.

Ruben Pratts, a representative of the National Military Order of the Purple Heart, will be the guest speaker at the event.

The Floral Park parade will take place Monday, May 29, at 10 a.m. The parade will start on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Plainfield Avenue before turning north onto Plainfield, west onto Jericho Turnpike and south onto South Tyson Avenue before turning onto Tulip Avenue.

The parade will end at Veterans Memorial Park, where the village’s Memorial Day ceremony will begin at 11 a.m.

The Village of New Hyde Park will be hosting its Memorial Day Parade Saturday, May 27, at 10 a.m.

The parade will begin on Hillside Boulevard before turning east onto Jericho Turnpike, north onto New Hyde Park Road, west onto Lincoln Avenue and finishing at Memorial Park.

A wreath ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. before the Memorial Day Ceremony starts at 11 a.m.

The Manhasset-Lakeville Fire/Water District Board of Commissioners, the

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 509

Port Washington American Legion 2023 Memorial Day Parade grand marshal Martin “Marty” Kramer.

Continued on Page 48

Manhasset man, nephew plead guilty

Admit their businesses obtained hundreds of thousands in fraudulent pandemic relief loans

BY ROBERT PELAEZ

Manhasset Hills resident William Felcon pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars in pandemic relief loans on Tuesday, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Felcon and his nephew, Thomas A. Felcon of Howard Beach, received federal loans for their companies beginning in April 2020 through June 2021, officials said.

William Felcon owns A L One Inc., classified as a single-family housing construction business online, and A L One Consulting Inc., officials said. Both companies are located in New Hyde Park.

Thomas A. Felcon aided both New Hyde Park companies with the hiring, supervision and payment of subcontractors while also controlling The Nebula Group and GPT Property Consultants Inc, according to officials.

William Felcon will be sentenced to 50 hours of community service on July 25 after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree grand larceny, officials said.

Thomas A. Felcon will be sentenced to six months in jail and three years of probation on August 15 after pleading

guilty to attempted grand larceny in the second degree, according to officials.

William Felcon will forfeit $175,000 seized from the corporate accounts he

was in control of and an additional $36,000 out of pocket to pay back the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The companies Thomas A. Felcon

NHP man 2nd on LI to receive tremor fix

BY BRANDON DUFFY

A New Hyde Park man is nine months away from living tremor free after suffering from essential tremors for more than three decades.

Murray Bocian, 76, is one of 10 million Americans who suffer from the movement disorder that affects both hands and arms when performing actions and standing still.

Bocian is also the second person in Long Island and North Shore University Hospital to receive a new treatment that eliminated the shaking in one half of his body, an experience he reflected on Wednesday afternoon in Manhasset.

“For me, it’s nothing short of a miracle,” said Bocian. “I inherited these tremors from my mother. It started about 30 years ago, but for the last five years it’s been increasingly difficult. I couldn’t eat or drink without spilling – I had to rely on a baby’s sippy cup because I couldn’t hold

onto a glass.”

Prior to the treatment, Bocian was unable to complete simple tests that required drawing a straight line and drawing

a line through a spiral without touching the walls. Not only was Bocian able to complete both tests with ease

Continued on Page 42

oversaw will forfeit roughly $650,000 which will be paid back to the Small Business Association and cover the $409,000 stolen from the Paycheck Pro-

tection Program established during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.

“While New York businesses were in dire need of financial support during the pandemic, William and Thomas Felcon defrauded the system and obtained loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration by lying on their applications,” Bragg said in a statement.

“We will not allow public programs to be raided and used as a personal piggybank for greedy individuals and companies.”

Efforts to reach officials for further comment were unavailing.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office launched a wiretap investigation in October 2020 until June 2021, officials said.

The wiretap investigation was prompted by law enforcement officials noticing suspect financial transactions by various drywall construction companies based in New York City, the office said.

The two entered not-guilty pleas and were released on their own recognizance in late 2022.

William Felcon’s attorney Murray Richman said in December his client “is a really good man,” but told Newsday this week that Felcon “was drawn into it by others” and “he’s a sickly man.”

Lack of laws halt plans for stop sign cameras

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Due to a lack of police presence and an overwhelming number of people failing to stop at stop signs, some villages are looking for alternatives to deter such behavior – the most popular one being the installation of stop sign cameras.

But as laws do no explicitly permit municipalities to install such cameras, some villages have halted plans to do so.

Stop For Kids is a local organization that installs 24/7 AI-powered cameras at stop signs to cite drivers who fail to stop.

The organization was founded by Kamran Barelli, a former Saddle Rock trustee, whose wife and young child were struck by a car that had failed to stop at a stop sign.

The New York State DMV grants Stop For Kids access to license plates in order to run them and issue violations captured by their cameras, with the option to issue warnings.

The village then directly collects the money from citations. The village pays fees to Stop For Kids.

Cameras from the organization have been installed in Saddle Rock, the only village in Nassau County to implement them so far, but conversations about implementing them in other neighborhoods have increased.

Efforts to contact Saddle Rock May Dan Levy for comment were unavailing.

Roslyn Estates Mayor Paul Peters said he was initially interested in installing the stop sign cameras as the village is heavily impacted by commuters who try to avoid major intersections such as at Old Northern Boulevard and Mineola Avenue.

Continued on Page 42

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

A Manhasset Hills man and his nephew pleaded guilty to obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars in pandemic relief loans, officials announced Tuesday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH

Dr. Albert Fenoy, left, Murray Bocian, Beth Bocian and Daniel Bocian, right, at North Shore University Hospital.

PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

Villages consider stop sign cameras as a method to deter drivers who fail to stop.

New Port LIRR schedule same as the old

Latest

timetable does not include more trains to Penn Station called for by riders on branch

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Long Island Rail Road implemented a new timetable schedule Monday. Despite pushback from riders along the Port Washington Branch and demands for changes, the timetable for this branch includes no substantial differences.

The LIRR implemented a new timetable Feb. 27 that included service to Grand Central Madison. This additional service meant trains are now split between Grand Central and Penn Station, in turn greatly reducing the number of trains going to Penn Station that are deferred to Grand Central instead.

For many Penn Station commuters, this change is detrimental to their schedules.

This includes local commuter activist and Penn Station commuter Ariana Parasco, who said the new schedule prevents her from being able to arrive at work by 9 a.m. without having to leave her home an hour earlier than she used to. She said that is impossible for her to balance child care.

A new timetable is now running from May 22Sept. 4 for the summer. But all train departures and arrivals along the Port Washington branch have stayed nearly the same.

The differences between train arrivals and departures is a matter of minutes, some arriving sooner and others later.

This fails to address the real problems of the schedule, Port Washington resident and commut-

er activist Ian Rasmussen said. The real changes needed to alleviate these issues, are much more difficult to implement, he said.

Rasmussen, a Penn Station commuter, said he has found the trains he commutes on are much

1 killed, 7 injured in Williston Park house fire

Kashmira Patel in multiple reports. The cause of death is still being investigated, Uttaro said.

All eight people were members of the same family, Uttaro said. The seven survivors were released by the hospitals after being treated for smoke inhalation.

A 911 call for an active fire at 252 Lafayette St. was made shortly after 3 a.m. with the Garden City Park Fire Department responding first to the scene within 10 minutes in what was a fully involved fire, Uttaro said.

Seven people self-evacuated before telling first responders about one more person trapped in the house, Uttaro said.

officials.

First responders attempted to enter the home to rescue the victim but had to withdraw due to the worsening conditions, Uttaro said.

BY BRANDON DUFFY

A 60-year-old woman died and seven others were taken to area hospitals for smoke inha-

lation after a fire destroyed a five-bedroom, split-level home in Williston Park Tuesday morning, Nassau County Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said.

The victim was identified as

“Firefighters and police tried to make entry as best they can, but the conditions were too severe to make a safe entry, be able to get in and make some type of rescue,” Uttaro said.

A downed power line partially covered the front walkway Continued on Page 42

busier than those running to and from Grand Central around similar times.

To address this, the MTA has added additional cars to certain trains, including the 5:52 p.m. train out of Penn Station. But Rasmussen compared this

to buying a bigger belt when you gain weight: it is not actually addressing the issue at the source.

“The number of people who they thought were going to go to Grand Central instead of Penn Station is way off,” Rasmussen said. “It’s very difficult to change that.

Despite the difference in ridership, trains do not reflect this, according to Rasmussen.

During a.m. peak travel times, nine trains run to Penn Station and six go to Grand Central Madison. This equates to a 60-40 split of trains running to Penn and Grand Central.

During p.m. peak travel times, trains are equally traveling from Penn Station and Grand Central with 10 each.

“There’s this massive imbalance in terms of the demand vs. the service,” Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said the 5:52 p.m. train out of Penn is so crowded that people stand in the aisles and tickets are not collected. In comparison, he said the train that leaves Grand Central at 6:08 does not reach the same ridership level.

In screenshots provided by Rasmussen from the MTA Train Time app, which provides information on the number of riders on each train, on May 3 approximately 939 riders left Penn Station at 5:52 p.m. and 507 commuters left Grand Central at 6:08 p.m.

The Penn Station train had more than 40% of the cars at over 81% capacity, while none of the Grand Central train cars exceeded 81%.

Continued on Page 11

PHOTO COURTESY OF @LIFIREBUFF VIA INSTAGRAM

A fire in Williston Park at a five-bedroom split-level home on Lafayette Street killed one woman and injured seven others the morning of May 23, according to

PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

Commuters from Port Washington arriving at Penn Station the morning of April 10.

Nassau Legislature votes 17-1 for Sands casino lease

BY ROBERT PELAEZ

The Nassau County Legislature approved a resolution for Las Vegas Sands to construct a $4 billion entertainment center, headlined by a casino, at the site of the Nassau Coliseum Monday.

The 99-year lease agreement passed 17-1, with Democratic Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton the only opposing vote. Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) recused himself from the vote because of a conflict of interest with a relative’s employ-

Republican-controlled Legislature for their work in helping to arrange an entertainment destination in Nassau County.

“The approval granted today by the Nassau County Legislature is an important step in our company’s efforts to secure a New York gaming license and ultimately develop a world-class hospitality, entertainment and gaming destination,” Goldstein said in a statement. “We thank County Executive Blakeman for his vision, leadership, dedication, and commitment to Nassau County residents and taxpayers. We appreciate and

Blakeman in late April, had already received approval from the Legislature’s Rules Committee earlier this month. Sands Vice President Ron Reese told Blank Slate Media in January that the $4 billion resort includes a casino, hotel, live entertainment venue, community centers, restaurants and more.

It will be constructed at the site of the Coliseum and the surrounding 72 acres known as the Nassau Hub. The fate of the Coliseum has yet to be decided by the Sands team, which has full control over its fate, according to Blakeman.

Reese also said the hotel would have at least 800 rooms and the live performance venue would have a 5,000-7,500 seat capacity. Blakeman said the agreement includes a “workforce housing” component regardless of whether or not Sands obtains a gaming license, though there would not be a housing project or development.

When the casino opens, Blakeman said, Nassau is guaranteed $25 million in revenue with escalation costs. That figure increases to $50 million a year with escalation costs once the operation has been running for three years.

SUNY campuses considered for asylum-seekers

BY CAMERYN OAKES

As New York State receives a growing number of refugees seeking asylum, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she is looking at the SUNY system as a potential housing solution to address the influx. But this will not include SUNY Old Westbury.

Michael Kinane, vice president of communications and college relations at SUNY Old Westbury, told Blank Slate that while the campus was assessed Friday by a request from the governor, it will not be utilized for housing asylum seekers.

State Sen. Jack Martins initially told News 12 Friday that state inspectors would be sent to the campus.

welcoming undocumented immigrants and told News 12 that he opposes New York State’s sanctuary status.

”Now communities like ours, like here in Nassau County and elsewhere in New York State, have to deal with the realities of migrants being shipped into our communities without the resources we need to deal with them, without knowing who they are and quite frankly, potentially putting us all at risk,” Martins told News 12.

While SUNY Old Westbury will no longer be consider, State Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-Westbury) said that he would be open-minded to any reasonable suggestion to address an influx of migrants seeking asylum.

ment related to the proposal.

Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Robert Goldstein praised the work of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the

are greatly honored by the near-unanimous support that the lease transfer received today from the Nassau County Legislature.”

The lease agreement, announced by

Blakeman said the result of the Legislature’s vote on the casino shows that the agreement between Nassau and Las Vegas Sands is one that will benefit the community.

Continued on Page 36

Blank Slate Media contacted Martins’ office but could not speak with him before publication.

Martins, a Nassau Republican, has historically opposed

NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island Farmer’s Market

Lavine said he estimates New York has received well over 50,000 asylum seekers, and “more will be coming.” Because of this, he said something must be done to address the impact on local communities.

Continued on Page 36

Dates: June 14 June 28

July 12 July 26

August 9 August 23 September 6 September 20

October 4 October 18

Time: 10 am – 3 pm

Location:

Santos’ top aide resigns, calls it ‘honor’ to quit congressman

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Embattled Rep. George Santos’ communications director Naysa Woomer resigned from her position and said she was “honored” to do so, according to her resignation email obtained by Scripps News.

“With respect for my colleagues, the people of New York, and most importantly, myself, I am honored to tender my resignation,” Woomer said in her resignation email.

She added that “you never took one point of professional advice given,” presumably speaking directly to Santos.

Woomer’s resignation comes amid the representative’s 13-count federal indictment, including wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and making materially false statements to Congress, to which he pleaded not guilty to on May 10.

Santos faced House expulsion Wednesday as representatives voted on the matter, but was saved by Republicans who voted along party lines and forced the vote to be

decided by the House Ethics Committee instead. Republicans who voted against expulsion include Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park).

The resignation also immediately followed a May 17 video by O’Keefe Media Group that included Woomer stating she hopes Santos gets removed from Congress. In the video, based on a phone call between Woomer and an undercover reporter, she adds that Santos is “not a good person.”

Woomer began working in Santo’s congressional office in January at the start of his term. She previously was employed as a communications specialist for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and as a communications director for the Massachusetts Republican Party.

Efforts to contact Woomer were unavailing.

Blank Slate Media was not able to confirm Woomer’s resignation with Santo’s office. Efforts to reach his office were unavailing.

Newsday reported that Santos’ press secretary Gabrielle Lipsky confirmed Woomer’s resignation.

Lavine opposes ‘anti-Israel’ bill in Assembly

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Nassau Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-North Shore) is speaking out against a proposed bill in the New York State Assembly that would prohibit not-for-profit corporations from supporting Israel’s settlement activity as an example of demagoguery

Assembly Bill A6943, also known as the “Not on our dime!: Ending New York funding of Israeli settler violence act,” is being sponsored by Assemblymember Zohran Kwame Mamdani (D-Astoria) and co-sponsored by Assemblymembers Sarahana Shrestha (D-Esopus), Phara Souffrant Forrest (D-Fort Greene) and Marcela Mitaynes (D-Sunset Park).

If passed, it would allow the New York State attorney general and private individuals

to sue for damages anyone that sends money to Israel, Lavine said.

“The bill is designed to punish those who are sending money or providing help to establish the settlements on the West Bank,” Lavine said. “That is however a ruse.”

He provided an example that if he were to donate to the Jewish National Fund, which supports not-for-profits in Israel, that means anyone could sue him for upwards of $1 million.

Lavine compared the bill’s allowance for anyone to sue others for monetarily supporting Israel to Texas’ law that allows individuals to file civil lawsuits against those involved in providing or assisting in an abortion.

“These private rights of action are very dangerous precedents to set,” Lavine said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SANTOS CAMPAIGN

Republican U.S. Rep. George Santos.

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Herricks agrees to contract with union

Board appoints Salerno, Blady as elementary school assistant principals in the district

BY BRANDON DUFFY

The Herricks Board of Education appointed two new assistant principals in the district and approved a labor agreement with the district’s food service unit, the second of its kind this month.

Daniel Salerno was named the assistant principal at Searingtown Elementary School in the upcoming school year. Previously, Salerno was assistant principal of New Lane Elementary School in Selden. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree from Hofstra University, where he completed his observation hours in the district at Denton Avenue Middle School.

Melissa Blady, the current math and technology curriculum coordinator for elementary schools, will become the assistant principal at Center Street Elementary School.

The board agreed to a new contract with the United Public Service Employees Union, which represents the district’s food service unit.

During its May 4 meeting, the board reached a new three-year agreement with the Herricks Teachers’ Association, the district’s local affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers.

Board President Jim Gounaris thanked the association for their hard work and dedication during discussions, which were finalized on April 26.

“I want to acknowledge the hard work by the HTA president, vice president and negotiating team,” Gounaris said during the May 4 meeting.

of Education President Jim Gounaris, left, Teachers’ Association President Nidya Degliomini, middle, and Superintendent Tony Sinanis pose after the board approved a new three-year agreement during the May 4 meeting.

“For meeting with us, understanding concerns and issues the district is facing and recognizing how much we appreciate the hard work they do every day in our classrooms and what they do for all our

Officer killed by COVID memorialized

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Detective Charles “Chuck” Vroom, who was assigned to the 3rd Precinct in Williston Park, was one of four officers who had bronze plaques dedicated to them Thursday at the Nassau County police memorial wall.

Vroom died on Sept. 12, 2021, due to complications of COVID-19. He was 52 years old and was with the department for 17 years. He is survived by his son, Sean and was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective.

Vroom was honored alongside Hector Nunez, a 16-year officer based at the 5th Precinct in Elmont who also died in 2021 due to complications from COVID-19. He was 42 years old.

Detective Matthew Perlungher, 50, and Officer Robert Negri, 56, who died from illnesses related to search and rescue efforts after the Sept. 11 attacks, were also honored.

The four will join 40 other officers who have died in the line of duty since 1925 on the memorial in front of the county’s police headquarters in Mineola.

On May 13, the officers were added to the New York state memorial in Albany and the national police memorial in Washington, D.C.

students.”

Association President Nidya Degliomini said she was thrilled to reach the milestone, especially in light of the struggles the COVID-19 pandemic

brought to the district.

“We want to thank the board and superintendent [Tony Sinanis] for working with us to reach this major goal,” Degliomini said. “We see this as a welcome road to many future successes.”

In unrelated district news, Gounaris and Trustee Henry Zanetti thanked the community for reelecting them during the May 16 election and passing the $134.7 million budget for the next school year.

Gounaris defeated challenger Bhajan Ratra to defend his trustee seat for another three-year term, securing 79.81% of the total vote. Zanetti, who ran unopposed, secured re-election with 863 total votes.

Gounaris added to previous comments made by Trustee Brian Hassan, who advised residents not to believe everything on social media and that if they have questions about the district to reach out directly.

The president said he read things that were untrue and clarified that the board and superintendent had 12 different events so that residents could understand in detail the proposed budget.

“We wanted to make sure we extended ourselves so that everybody had an opportunity to ask questions,” Gounaris said.

Gounaris said he saw and read things online, specifically in a WhatsApp chat used by district residents, that were “the furthest thing from the truth.”

The next Herricks Board of Education meeting will be June 8.

N. Hills incumbents unopposed in June

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Village of North Hills will be hosting an election this June with all the incumbents running unopposed.

The election will be held from noon to 9 p.m. June 20 at the North Hills village hall at One Shelter Rock Road.

The four offices up for election are the mayor, two trustees and the village justice. All officers serve four-year terms.

Mayor Marvin Natiss, Trustee and Deputy Mayor Dennis Sgambati, Trustee Gail Cohen and Village

Justice Jerome Reisman are running again for their current seats.

Natiss will be running for his sixth term on the board. Sgambati was initially appointed to fill a vacancy on the board and is seeking his sixth reelection. Cohen is running for her fourth term.

Reisman was appointed as the village justice in December 2018 to fill a vacancy and was elected for his current term in June 2019. This would be his second election but he is seeking a third term.

All candidates are running under the Homeowner Party.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOUNARIS

Herricks Board

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NASSAU COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT Officer Charles “Chuck” Vroom.

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F.P. woman charged with DWI in NHP crash

BY BRANDON DUFFY

A Floral Park woman was charged last week with driving while intoxicated after a crash in New Hyde Park that injured fi ve people, herself included, police said.

Dilmeet Kaur, 21, was driving a 2019 BMW X3 northbound on Lakeville Road in New Hyde Park when she crashed into a 2004 Nissan SUV traveling southbound, police said.

The Nissan had two female passengers, who were transported to the hospital to treat their injuries, police said. The driver suffered a

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Continued from Page 5

Rasmussen said the way to alleviate the issues would be to reroute some trains from Grand Central that have low ridership to Penn Station.

Another issue Rasmussen identified with the schedule is the large gap of time between the 5:07 p.m. train and the 5:52 p.m. train that leave Penn Station and arrive in Port Washington.

Th 45-minute wait is at a prime time for Port Washington commuters leaving work and leads to crowded trains.

Rasmussen said his wife, who also commutes in and out of Penn Station, typically catches the 5:02 train but at times has missed it by a matter of minutes due to subway delays. In those instances, she has to wait, sitting on

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the terminal floor, until the next train comes in 45 minutes.

Parasco echoed this concern and said that the most immediate need for Penn Station commuters is re-establishing half-hourly service during the peak travel times.

While these are solutions Rasmussen and Parasco have proposed, nothing of the like has been implemented.

Parasco said she is not surprised by the lack of changes and said she has seen too much apathy on the part of community members who are affected but not acting upon their frustrations.

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“My message to all of our communities from the beginning is ‘We have to make noise, we have to be loud, we have to be active on social media, we need to be persistent,’” Parasco said.

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broken hand and injuries to her arm and the passenger suff ered a lower leg compound fracture and fractured femur in her right leg, police said.

The BMW had three total passengers, who were all transported to a local hospital to be treated for minor injuries, police said.

The New Hyde Park Fire Department and ManhassetLakeville Fire Department responded to the scene to assist victims in the incident.

Kaur was charged with vehicular assault in the second degree, assault in the second and third degrees and driving while intoxicated, police said.

New Port LIRR schedule same as old

“I’ve found that the community at large is apt to complain but not really follow through with meaningful action.”

In the meantime, Rasmussen and Parasco, alongside government officials and other local commuter activists, are working to draft a letter to the Long Island Rail Road to share the community’s top concerns with the train schedules.

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But Parasco said that she and Rasmussen can’t do it on their own and need the community to step up to help them in this fight that involves much more than just them.

“Without the community, we can’t actually effect change,” Parasco said.

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136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550

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136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550

We are a full service general contractor providing everything from small repairs to full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter

We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.

We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.

We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.

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Vinny Muldoon - Owner and Garden City

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Owner and Garden City Resident

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NASSAU COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Dilmeet Kaur, 21, of Floral Park.

LIU to establish center to study the presidency

Long Island University announced it will establish The Center for the Study of the Presidency, an academic offering housed at The Roosevelt School on its Brookville campus exclusively devoted to fostering historic passion and civic engagement about the most powerful office in the United States of America.

The center will offer a cross-section of leading voices – journalists, historians, and White House veterans – promote scholarship and host programming related to current events and Presidential history including conferences, high-profile lectures, seminars, book prizes and interactive online learning platforms.

The center will reach an international audience while serving as the leading educational resource for LIU’s local constituencies in greater New York City and on Long Island.

The Center will further complement research activities at LIU, which is among the top seven percent of research universities nationwide.

“The Roosevelt School at Long Island University and the Center for the Study of Presidency are committed to doing everything we can to encourage all Americans to do their duty. Our freedoms come with responsibilities, and we all must live up to them,” professor Tweed Roosevelt, chairman of the LIU Roosevelt School and great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt said.

“The establishment of the Center for the Study of the Presidency solidi-

fies our commitment to lead in civic education and provide a forum for our students to further study the foundation and evolution of our country,” Long Island University President Kimberly R. Cline said. “Through these initiatives, we can educate and inspire the next generation of our nation’s leaders as they learn lessons from history to shape solutions for America’s future.”

The center will build on the strong foundation of public service engage-

ment at LIU’s Roosevelt School, which prepares students for careers in international relations, diplomacy, leadership, service, and policy-making at multinational corporations, foundations, think tanks, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies.

“Long Island University’s steadfast commitment to the creation of the newly formed Center for the Study of the Presidency will enable scholars, researchers and students the ability to

research each of the American presidents, learn from their policy-making decisions, and cultivate policy for future presidential administrations. The Society of Presidential Descendants wholeheartedly supports this important initiative and will be actively involved in its success,” added Massee McKinley, vice president and chief of staff of The Society of Presidential Descendants and great-great nephew of President William McKinley and great-great-grandson of President Grover Cleveland.

In addition to serving as home to the interactive “White House Experience,” the Roosevelt School has partnered with the Museum of Democracy to serve as the permanent home to the nation’s largest private collection of presidential memorabilia, featuring more than one million pieces of American presidential history ranging from President Washington to the present day.

The university received a prestigious grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation for the museum’s first exhibit “Hail to the Chief! Electing the American President,” which is now on display in the historic LIU Roosevelt House.

“There is no better home for our collection of Presidential memorabilia than Long Island University,” said Austin Wright, chairman, Museum of Democracy. “With the new Center for the Study of the Presidency, students will have unparalleled access to learning opportunities, historical objects, and

thought leaders to further their education about our collective past and prepare them for the future.”

The Roosevelt School is named in honor of the Roosevelt family and inspired by the legacies in diplomacy, conservation, and social justice of President Theodore Roosevelt, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

The Roosevelt School includes:

The Theodore Roosevelt Institute, a nexus for public seminars, research, and educational programs to develop leaders and advance policy while promoting the legacy of President Roosevelt;The Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis, which conducts independent polling, empirical research, and analysis on a wide range of public issues;The Global Service Institute, brings together world leaders, dynamic thinkers, and top analysts to empower service innovation and education for a sustainable world;The White House Experience, which recreates and evokes the iconic environments within the White House; and The Society of Presidential Descendants, which includes direct descendants of one or more United States presidents who support the study of the presidency and advocate for civic engagement. Last year, the Society’s inaugural gala was headlined by leading presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin.

For more information on LIU’s Roosevelt School, visit our website.

County medical society membership meeting

The Nassau County Medical Society hosted its Spring 2023 Membership Meeting at the Mill River Club on May 16 at 6 o’clock in the evening.

Members throughout Nassau County joined us for an evening of drinks, dinner, and reports from the

leaders at our organizations such as NCMS President Dr. David Podwall and NAM President Daniel Nicoll.

MSSNY President Paul A. Pipia attended the event and updated our membership on MSSNY’s continued efforts to bring about reform in policy and legislation to better the field

of medicine for physicians and their patients.

When we come together, it is our duty to inform our members of the actions that they can take to evolve the profession for those currently practicing and future doctors who have yet to begin their practice.

Doctors Robert Schreiber, Joel Portnoy, and Bernadette Riley reported on the members who have passed away, the members who have joined our organization, and the way that our members can become more involved in the academy’s efforts to promote the education of our physi-

cians.

The legacy of the Society and the Academy is to honor those who have dedicated their entire lives to medicine and support those who are starting their careers to deliver the highest quality of patient care.

In the spirit of lifelong learning, our guest speaker and NYIT alumnus, Dr. Mike (Mikhail Varshavski), spoke about his journey in social media and how he used his voice to promote the pressing health issues that affected patients and debunk misinformation on the web that is consumed by a vast majority of Americans.

Varshavski stressed the importance of being a human first and a doctor second. Words cannot express the impact that Varshavski’s talk had on our members who will move forward and continue to deliver humanity in medicine.

The Nassau County Medical Society and the Nassau Academy of Medicine have been advocating for physicians for over the past 100 years, and we aim to serve as a resource for the entire Nassau County community.

Thank you to all those who made our membership meeting a success. We encourage all physicians to learn more about our organizations and how their involvement can activate positive change.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY

The Oval Office located inside The White House Experience at Long Island University.

Picture of the NCMS and NAM Board with guest speaker Doctor Mike, Mikhail Varshavski.

OUR VIEWS Editorial Cartoon

Asylum-seekers a test of who we are

Nearly 10 million Ukrainians crossed the Polish-Ukranian border after Russia launched an unprovoked attack against their homeland in February 2022.

They were met with information booths, volunteer translators and free coffee.

About 1.5 million of the refugees decided to stay in Poland where they were housed wherever there was space including people’s homes.

In Warsaw, the nation’s capital, the city’s population of 1.8 million – a little more than Nassau County — grew by 15%, or about 270,000 people.

Kraków’s population rose by 23%, Gdańsk’s by 34%

Compare this with the fierce opposition to some of the asylum seekers being bused to nearby suburban counties by New York City, which is straining under an influx of about 50,000 migrants in the past year.

While Poles invited Ukranians into their own homes, some New Yorkers don’t want asylum-seekers fleeing human rights abuses who have legally entered the country housed in gymnasiums or motels.

Some leaders and residents in Rockland and Orange counties vowed to do everything they could to prevent New York City Mayor Eric Adams from sending the migrants north even with the city footing the bill for housing in hotels for four months.

Both counties and Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency before two busloads of migrants arrived in Newburgh in Orange County.

Riverhead Town in Suffolk County last week became the latest GOP-led municipality to issue an executive order preventing New York City from sending asylum-seekers to them. The city sought to rent two motels and a public shelter.

State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola) last week expressed concerns after Hochul announced she is considering using state properties, including state University of New York and City University of New York campuses, to temporarily house asylum-seekers over this

summer. This included SUNY Old Westbury, which Martins said was not under consideration.

”Now communities like ours, like here in Nassau County and elsewhere in New York State, have to deal with the realities of migrants being shipped into our communities without the resources we need to deal with them, without knowing who they are and quite frankly, potentially putting us all at risk,” Martins told News 12.

This is hardly consistent with Emma Lazarus’ words on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”

Or President Ronald Reagan’s “Shining City upon a Hill” welcoming those from around the world.

But Martins’ concern about public safety was not new to him and other asylum opponents.

As far back as 2015, Martins opposed allowing Syrian refugees fleeing from a civil war that claimed the lives of more than 350,000 people to come to the United States based on safety concerns.

“My friends, when the political posturing ends, the simple question remains: Could the influx of Syrian refugees pose a terrorist threat to our nation? The honest answer is yes.” he said.

More than 6.7 million Syrians would ultimately be taken in by other nations in Europe and the Middle East.

Martins later ended a failed bid for Nassau County executive against Laura Curran in 2017 with a mailer sent on his behalf with a photo showing three shirtless Latino men covered in tattoos, which turned out to have been taken in Latin America. The headline said “Meet Your New Neighbors.”

The text beneath the headline said Laura Curran “will roll out the welcome mat for violent gangs like MS13,” adding that “Laura Curran: She’s MS-13s choice for County Executive.”

This was consistent with President Trump, whose 2016 campaign for president began with an attack on

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Mexicans coming here illegally, and continued during his presidency in overtly racist ways.

In a discussion about protecting immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and African countries as part of a bipartisan immigration deal, he said “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?”

Trump then suggested that the United States should instead bring more people from countries such as Norway.

But the safety concerns have never materialized.

During Curran’s one term, Nassau County was not taken over by Central American gangs and the leadership of MS-13 was arrested, found guilty of crimes and sent to jail. In fact, Nassau was twice voted the safest county in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.

There are differences between the Ukranians refugees and the asylumseekers.

There is no doubt that the Ukrainians faced immediate danger from the Russian military raining down rockets and other instruments of war on both the Ukrainian army and residents.

The asylum-seekers — including women and children — are traveling up to 2,500 miles, many on foot, to claim they are subject to robbery, beat-

ings, rape and death from drug dealers, gangs and other very bad actors in their failed Latin American states.

Unlike many other migrants, the asylum-seekers have the legal right to enter the United States under U.S. and international law. Their reasons for entering the country are then investigated and evaluated.

Asylum-seekers are given a court date and social services mostly through charities, but so far are prohibited by federal law from seeking employment until their status is determined.

Could some asylum-seekers simply be trying to enter the United States for financial reasons? Yes. And if found that they do not qualify, they will be sent back to their countries.

Unfortunately, this is part of a failed immigration system in which the review process now takes four years.

In recent months, tens of thousands of migrants have arrived in New York City, many on bus trips arranged by the governors of border states such as Texas.

President Biden introduced legislation that would overhaul the immigration system, increasing border security and providing citizenship to 11 million undocumented immigrants.

But Republicans have uniformly opposed the proposals and are even less likely to support the legislation at

a time when they are seeking large cuts to government programs.

The Biden administration is also working to allow migrants to file asylum claims in Latin America rather than entering the United States. It has made $350 million in federal grants available to local governments dealing with the arrival of migrants. New York received $30 million.

But that is a small fraction of the $2 billion Adams estimates the surge in migrants is costing New York City.

Adams, who has gained notoriety for harshly and publicly criticizing the Biden administration for not doing enough, said New York and other cities should receive more money and the migrants should be granted exemptions to allow them to work. He is right.

He is also right when he says that incoming migrants should be spread around the country.

“We got 108,000 cities and towns and villages,” Adams said. “Why aren’t we spreading this out throughout the entire country?”

Adams is right about this as well, but Hochul also has a major responsibility. Many places in upstate New York have suffered large population declines and with some financial assistance could more easily house the migrants.

Continued on Page 16

Should we consider AI-generated images art?

“Should we consider AI-generated images art?”asks Adam Hencz in an article he penned for Artland Magazine.

Although not in direct response to Hencz’s query, writer and artist Molly Crabapple and Marisa Mazria Katz, executive director of the Center for Artistic Inquiry and Reporting, issued an open letter on May 2 calling on artists, publishers, journalists, editors, and journalism union leaders to take a pledge for human values against the use of generative-AI images to replace human-made art.

I reached out to Crabapple and Katz to learn more. They agree to allow me to incorporate portions of their open letter into this week’s column, which I have formatted retrospectively as a Q & A.

I cite their letter liberally, so as not to distort or contaminate the essence of their critical message and call to action. I also add some of my own thoughts on the matter.

What is missing with AI?

“Since the earliest days of print journalism, illustration has been used to elucidate and add perspective to stories. And even today, the illustrator’s art still speaks to something not just intimately connected to the news, but intrinsically human about the story itself. The unique interpretive and narrative

confluence of art and text, of human writer and human illustrator” with the advent of AI technology, “is now at risk of extinction.”

What leads you to this conclusion?

AI technology can create highly polished replicas of what are generally hand-drawn illustrations. They can complete the work exponentially faster than the human hand can create it, “because no human illustrator can work quickly or cheaply enough to compete with these robot replacements.

If this technology is left unchecked, it will radically reshape the field of journalism.” Consequently, only a small number of elite of artists can stay in business, “their work selling as a kind of luxury status symbol.”

Why does this matter?

“AI purports to have the capability to create art, but it will never be able to do so satisfactorily because its algorithms can only create variations of art that already exists. It creates only ersatz versions of illustrations having no actual insight, wit, or originality.”

Does AI take the heart out of art?

I am reminded of the work of Devon Rodriguez. He is a twenty-something street artist from the South Bronx who has gained notoriety drawing portraits of subway riders and catching their reactions on film. You may have

seen him on social media platforms such as TikTok or Instagram, where he has generated millions of followers.

Rodriguez films the process of his drawing portraits of strangers and then handing over the finished product to the unsuspecting subject, who is seated directly across from him on the subway. When he completes each portrait, he signs it, stands up, and reaches over to present the unexpected gift to his previously unaware “model.”

At first, many of the subjects are cautious, suspicious about why he is approaching them.

One individual noticed him glanc-

ing up at her while he was sketching. She later told him, “You were starting to creep me out.” When he attempts to hand over the portrait, some initially wave him off anticipating trouble. He draws people of all backgrounds, genders, religions, politics, ages, colors, shapes, and sizes.

When each piece is completed and he hands the portrait over, he says with a beaming smile, “Here, I drew you.”

When his subjects finally relent and tentatively take hold of the drawing, suspicion turns to widening smiles, sometimes accompanied by genuine surprise and tears of gratitude and joy. Most of the subway riders he draws cannot believe that a perfect stranger would create something so wonderful and present it to them out of the blue.

Rodriguez typically ends the encounter by saying, “You can keep it.” It brings a tear to my eye every time. He makes people’s day with his spontaneous gift of art. The transformation in their facial expressions in less than 10 seconds is something to behold. It is as real as real can be. There’s nothing artificial about it. A heartfelt connection is made. Viewers like me can feel the connection in our core, even from a distance.

In our deeply divided nation, Rodriguez offers a micro-lesson on how

art can connect people, one by one, despite their differences.

It is possible that some may see Rodriguez’s subway art as gimmicky in contrast to a piece hanging in the Louvre or MoMA. For me, Rodriguez is a precious public example of how important the heart and sensitivity of the artist is in producing their work and getting out their message. Each artist does it in their own way. Banksy paints and runs. Rodriguez gets in your face.

In stark contrast, as the open letter states, “Generative AI art is vampirical, feasting on past generations of artwork even as it sucks the lifeblood from living artists. Over time, this will impoverish our visual culture. Consumers will be trained to accept this art-looking art, but the ingenuity, the personal vision, the individual sensibility, the humanity will be missing.”

Can machines can create aesthetics that are considered novel and original?

“As the debate around AI art continues,” Hencz ponders, “the ultimate decision on whether machines can create aesthetics that are considered novel and original seems to still rest within the hands of us humans.”

Hear, hear!

To see the open letter in its entirety:https://artisticinquiry.org/AIOpen-Letter

Republicans can’t duck the abortion issue

There is that old expression that the light at the end of the tunnel may be a train coming from the opposite direction. That is the message that I would send to the political leaders in 22 states and the Republican majority in the House of Representatives on the issue of abortion.

While the majority of American citizens favor retaining a woman’s right to an abortion, these politicians and most of the potential Republican candidates for president, continue to move blindly towards either an outright abortion ban or one so unreasonable, that it defies logic.

Somehow, the results of votes taken in Wisconsin and other states, have not caught the attention of the zealots who sit up nights trying to think up another penalty for people involved in the abortion process.

Up to the present, the very bad abortion laws passed penalize the doctors, the patients, the neighbor who drove the patient to the clinic

and the person who got an abortion pill in the mail. No doubt, there are many more restrictions yet to be invented that will make you scratch your head.

One person seems to have figured it out that there is a train coming from the opposite direction that will take its toll on the Republicans, is Congresswoman Nancy Mace (RSC).

Mrs. Mace keeps warning her colleagues that they are making a monumental mistake and will pay a big price in 2024 if they continue to ignore the will of the public on this hot issue. Somehow, her warnings continue to fall on deaf ears and they will pay a price next year during the national elections.

To date, a handful of Republicans have announced their intentions to run for president and each and every one has found a way to dodge giving a full answer to any questions about abortion.

They all start out saying that

they are pro-life and then say that the matter should be handled by the states. It is interesting to watch them cringe in front of a TV camera when pushed for a more specific answer.

Some favor a ban but are not sure for how long. Others say we will

follow the will of the people.

The next pending declared candidate for president, Florida Governor DeSantis, favored a six-week ban, which every woman in America pro or con, will tell you is an unrealistic number. As a married man and the father of four daughters, I can tell you that most women have no idea whether they are pregnant or not within six weeks.

I know that DeSantis is playing to the neo-conservative faction of his party, but if he wins a primary what is he going to tell the moderate women in America when he is in a general election? DeSantis has shown himself to be an artful dodger when he talks to the Florida media, but he faces a much more probing media crowd outside of the Sunshine State.

What is comical is the recent change of tone on the part of former President Trump. He has switched from pro-choice to pro-life and now bashes DeSantis for his six-week ban.

No one should forget the fact that

Mr. Trump put three pro-life judges on the Supreme Court and thanks to them the Roe v. Wade decision was overturned. These same three told a Senate Committee that they would always follow precedent but in the Roe case, they threw precedent out the window.

I often wonder what happens when the three Trump justices have their brown bag lunch and the subject of abortion comes up. As a result of their decision in the now famous Dobbs case, Republicans all over the country are taking it on the chin.

There is a Democratic Senate thanks to their decision and the House almost went Republican, all because of the Dobbs case.

Each week there is another press report that the Republican Party is looking for a middle road on this issue so they can be prepared for next year’s election. That train has already left the station and they will all have to live with the consequences of the Dobbs fiasco.

JERRY KREMER Kremer’s Corner

The amusement parks are open for business and booming. We have Adventureland in Farmingdale, and for those unafraid to embark on a journey, you can always head to Coney Island. Kids and adults of all ages are drawn to them like bees to honey. But why is that? After all, when you watch anyone ride on a roller coaster, they all scream so loud it’s like they have just stared death in the face.

But thrill-seeking is certainly not limited to amusements parks. In fact, “the need for speed” is common and not limited to “Top Gun” adventures in film. The need to face anxiety-producing situations and survive them is one of the reasons people travel to foreign lands. Going on a trip overseas is thrilling but also harrowing and exhausting. A friend of mine just got back from a trip to Italy and the first things she said was: “Gee, it’s good to be home.”

New York Times once did a series on NASCAR and asked me to comment on the sport. As I did my research I became aware that NASCAR was all about the rush of confronting death and coming out alive.

As every athlete enters the arena, they feel the anxiety of competition and hope to overcome this apprehension by winning. Gladiators did it in Roman times, but all athletes are playing the same game, the game of facing up to their fear and surviving the challenge. After all , isn’t that why they use terms like “sudden death playoffs?” The thrill of victory always stands adjacent to the agony of defeat.

Later on, other psychoanalysts such as Helen Deutsche and Otto Fenichel picked up on this theme and labeled it counterphobia, or the tendency to enter fearful situations in order to master and control them as a way of managing repressed childhood anxieties. This theory of defense is very helpful in explaining why athletes refuse to retire.

Many adults seek out frightening scenarios through sports. Mountain climbing puts your life at risk as does cycling, boxing, surfing, snowboarding and waterskiing. Sports are riveting enough to draw crowds who are satisfied simply with the vicarious thrill of watching someone flirt with death.

NASCAR, Formula One, and drag racing are all based upon the thrill of facing death and surviving it. Bob Lipsyte, the award-winning sports writer for The

EARTH MATTERS

May 13 this year was selected by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology as Global Big Day. Birders all over the globe responded by heading out to the forests, jungles, beaches and grasslands to locate 7,463 species of birds.

The United States leads in numbers of checklists and birders, with 45,000 birders turning in 71,000 checklists, locating 727 species of birds, a large chunk of the close to 900 species endemic to the US.

The abundance of birds in the tropics meant that a much smaller group of dedicated birders in Columbia managed to top the species finds, with 1,433 species, followed by Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, and India.

Every contribution was important. Botswana and the Congo, with just 7 checklists each, managed to identify over 200 species of birds in each country. The 143,000 checklists submitted on ebird.org in 24 hours shattered last year’s world record of

132,000 checklists.

Birders here in Nassau County did their part, submitting 112 checklists with 166 species on Big Day. Suffolk and New York City birders were equally hard at work with each county tallying around 150 species. New York State birders together identified 259 species, with Nassau and Suffolk leading the pack.

I headed out of my usual stomping grounds to Alley Pond Park in Queens. We managed to locate 54 species, though it was frustrating birding, where we heard many more birds than we saw. Aided by the free Merlin app from Cornell and hard-acquired knowledge, we could reliably identify most of the calls.

If you use Merlin, regard what it tells you with a grain of salt- it hears human voices as Great Horned Owls, can be fooled by Mockingbirds, and is confused by overlapping calls. That said, it can also point you to what might be in your vicinity to verify vi-

JENNIFER WILSON-PINES Earth Matters

sually.

High numbers flagged by ebird. org were 11 Wood Thrush. This park is a prime breeding spot for these lovely birds which have the most melodic song of all birds (in my humble opinion). That lovely song can be

You may be surprised to know that Sigmund Freud briefly touched upon this dynamic when he said that athletes repeatedly compete in order to obtain trophies, which serve to remind them that they faced up to their fears and overcame them. However, since the drive to face up to the fear and survive it is unconscious, the athlete is destined to be like Sisyphus, and endlessly push the boulder up the hill only to have it fall back down again.

They are unaware of what their drive to compete is all about and so are destined to be like Sisyphus and keep on competing long after their financial needs are met. You can see this compulsion to compete in Tiger Woods whose body has been ravaged by injury and yet he keeps on pushing that boulder up the mountain.

This counterphobic behavior, be it an amusement park ride, a trip to a foreign country or being a weekend warrior is considered to be a highly adaptive defense. It provides us with thrills, adventures, excitement and even an ever-so-brief awareness that we are finally conquerors of all of those childhood anxieties and insecurities that once plagued us and made us afraid of the dark.

Thrill-seeking and why we like to do it Global Big Day 2023 special for bird watchers

heard by searching for YouTube videos or on the Merlin app.

Since this date was picked as the peak of spring migration, we were focused on the beautiful warblers migrating from the south in full breeding colors. We managed to spot or identify the songs of 17 species of warblers, almost half the 35 species that can be observed in New York.

That 35 species includes several species are very tough to find because of their sneaky habits, or because they are found in limited numbers, or in small geographic areas.

But warblers aren’t the only birds heading for their breeding grounds. Thrushes, tanagers, buntings, sparrows, and a variety of shorebirds are also winging north. The habitat dictates what birds are likely to be found.

Most shorebirds will be along the Atlantic beaches, but certain species like ponds. Many songbirds are feeding on caterpillars in the treetops,

leading to a phenomenon known as “warbler neck” from craning to see tiny birds flitting 100 feet overhead.

But some prefer the low thickets where they can be singing a few feet away while being completely hidden. A caveat at this time of year is that birds exhausted from flying over the ocean will land anywhere it looks like they can find food, regardless of whether it’s their preferred habitat.

In addition to being fun, Big Day provides scientists with a snapshot of numbers and locations of thousands of bird species worldwide.

Added to the Christmas Bird Count and the newly introduced October Big Day, a big picture of the movement, migration routes and whether species are gaining, stable or declining can be teased out.

You don’t have to be a gonzo birder to participate in any of these events, you just need a free ebird account and a place to observe birds to contribute to citizen science.

Asylum-seekers a test of who we are

Continued from Page 14

Hochul, Adams and the state Legislature could also help by doing more to address New York’s housing shortage, which is exacerbating the migrant crisis as well as driving people out of the state.

The response by suburban counties around New York to Adams’ own

version of dispersing the migrant population shows why this won’t be easy.

State Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-Westbury) offered a sensible response to Hochul’s consideration of SUNY and CUNY campuses.

He said he understood SUNY Old Westbury was not being consid-

ered as an option but if that were to change, he would be open-minded to any reasonable suggestion to address an influx of migrants seeking asylum.

Lavine said he estimates New York has received well over 50,000 asylum seekers and “more will be coming.” Because of this, he said something must be done to address

the impact on local communities.

Many in the United States have prided themselves on our country welcoming immigrants to our shores, fueling our economic growth and serving as an example to the world of our goodness and generosity.

But that feeling has not always been shared by everyone. There have

notable exceptions such as the country’s failure to allow Jews fleeing Hitler into the United States. The motto was “America First.” And millions perished.

The asylum-seekers, like our immigration policy overall, are now a test of our ability to solve problems. And a statement of who we are.

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town

PHOTO BY TOM FERRARO

Kids on swings, courage faces risk

Ican see why the Nassau County legislators – casting the most consequential vote of their political lives – voted 17-1 to transfer the lease for the 72-acre Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum tract (the Hub) to Las Vegas Sands, which is proposing to build a “world-class” casino, hotel, spa, entertainment and convention complex.

Presiding Officer Richard J. Nicolello summed it up best after four hours of testimony and vigorous public comment for and against, pointing out the unlikelihood of a non-casino developer coming in, having to pay off the existing leaseholder $100 million owed from a 2015 renovation, the millions of dollars it would cost to remove the existing structure and the millions more to develop.

The property itself would have to be of sufficient intensity, density to justify development, which always was the problem, in order to generate the income to justify all that expense. Pathetically, it seems only gambling can provide sufficient profit.

If we approve the lease transfer, the most important thing it gives Sands is the opportunity to apply for a gaming license – it’s not guaranteed because there are upward of 10 competing for three downstate. But regardless, the Sands is our development partner, willing to invest billions in the property even without casino.

We still get development, the economic activity of thousands of jobs, community benefit payments.

If Sands does get the casino license – it is part of a billion-dollar resort – we get the direct payments, tens of millions of dollars in rent, taxes on tickets, hotel occupancy entertainment. We get convention

space, get visitors who come for more than one day, who are likely to go off and see other things.

“The county has tried for more than 30 years to develop this site and failed. We have a once-in-ageneration opportunity to partner with an entity that wants to invest billions without a cent from the county. If we say no, [a casino] will still be built, but all the economic activity will go to New York City, the county gets nothing but a failed arena and parking lot on 72 acres.”

Most significantly, this is far from being a done deal. As Sands’ environmental consultant, VBH, the public will have several opportunities to raise issues during the state’s mandated Environmental Review Process, likely to be led by the Town of Hempstead’s board.

Also, Sands is not assured of winning a casino license from New York State’s Gaming Commission – it is one of 10 competing for a downstate slot. A key factor in winning approval is community support or opposition, so expect the opponents, including Say No to the Casino organization, to be vocal.

So the biggest question is, given the amount of money that Sands is throwing around in anticipation of reaping $2 billion in profits a year based on gambling receipts, if the casino falls through, can Sands resell the lease without the county having a say? That issue was left unanswered.

What made me most skeptical was the testimony of Maurice Chalmers, director of the county’s Office of Legislative Budget Review, who said that the project would have a $3.7 billion economic impact on the county.

“It’s simple math,” he said –he took the Sands’ projections of

(union) workers during construction, 12,000, multiplied by wages. OK, then what will the economic impact be once the project is open, with and without the casino? He couldn’t say. And what would be the economic cost – lost home values, diversion of revenue from local shops and restaurants, increased costs for policing, emergency services, infrastructure wear-and-tear? That’s fiduciary malpractice, and that should have been enough to table the vote until those answers were provided.

His big economic argument, though was that under the prior lease, over the past 10 years, the county collected $23.7 million; under the new lease, the county gets $54 million “unconditionally” right off the bat, plus other surety fees totaling $67,750,000 (two to three times the total of the past 10 years).

Then, when the project is open, the county will earn as much as $7.9 million a year (without a casino), but with a casino, $96,300,000 (after year four).

This includes public safety pay-

ments of $900,000 (non-casino) or $1.8 million (casino) – money going directly to the Nassau County Police Department, which Commissioner Ryder described as a “partner” in combating crime that might arise.

It also includes community benefits payment of $2 million (noncasino) or $4 million (casino), and base rent of $5 million (non-casino) or $10 million (casino).

You can see why the legislators would swoon to have this massive an investment without a dollar of taxpayer money – and why they would be rooting for Sands to win the coveted casino license.

But to get these massive amounts of revenue – the $2 billion – means “north” of 20,000 “guests” a day, 24/7, exacerbating already congested roads, drunk driving, air pollution, crime, addiction (gambling, drug, alcohol). And where does that $2 billion actually come from?

“Casinos don’t create wealth, they extract wealth from where they are,” Monica Kiely of Say No to the Casino Civic Association, asserted. “The money Sands generates will come from gambling losses, mainly from Nassau County residents. If this were such a wonderful deal, why come in here and give upfront payments to so many groups?”

The opponents – chiefly residents of Uniondale, Westbury, East Meadow, and Garden City — also raised concern over the decline in their home value.

They objected that the wider public was not actively engaged in the process (opponents charged that the Nassau County Planning Commission did not hold the mandated public hearings).

On the other hand, Sands did a brilliant job of wooing local cham-

FROM THE DESK OF JOE TOES

Last week, the Pulitzer Prize Board announced the 2023 winners of its coveted and prestigious awards for excellence in journalism.

Among the recipients were staff for the Wall Street Journal, who received recognition in the category of Investigative Reporting for bringing to light officials at federal agencies who bought and sold shares in companies they regulated.

The seven-part series reviews trades reported by approximately 12,000 senior career employees, political staff, and presidential appointees.

The series details the inconsistencies in conflict-of-interest policies across government agencies and how much of this activity, while technically disclosed, is never made available to

the public.

The breadth of data is meaningful, and the anecdotal examples lead to the conclusion that there is more here than just an appearance of impropriety.

This is not the first time government officials charged with safeguarding the public’s interest have been accused of this unethical behavior.

In 2011, Peter Schweizer published, “Throw Them All Out,” which chronicled in great detail the existence of “crony capitalism” and its “corrosive effect on politics, our economy and our character.”

JOE TOES Security Traders Association

Mr. Schweizer’s work focused heavily on trades by congressional members during the mid-2000s financial crisis and proved to be the catalyst for Congress passing the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act (STOCK Act)in 2012.

bers of commerce and business groups like the Long Island Hispanic Chamber, organizations like EAC and the NAACP-NY, and colleges (40,000 college and high school students border the project) — actually partnering with Nassau Community College on workforce and new hospitality management courses (how much money exactly?).

Hofstra University’s counsel, on the other hand, stood up to oppose the vote, at least until its lawsuit against the project is decided. They also are promising millions in community benefits payments to Uniondale, Hempstead and East Meadow.

It certainly didn’t hurt for Las Vegas Sands to hire former New York Gov. David Patterson as senior vice president.

And while the legislators and proponents were extolling this as the deal of the century that can’t be passed up, it was also noted that there are four (or five) other billiondollar developments underway, with another on the way.

And Gov. Kathy Hochul has been to Long Island multiple times to talk up investments in turning the island, once the Cradle of Aviation and center for defense manufacturing, into a Life Sciences and Clean Energy (offshore wind! Solar!) corridor.

But I can see why the legislators were unwilling to delay the vote, given the precarious economy (the Republican-caused debt crisis that could spark a collapse in investment). They didn’t want to take any chance that Sands would withdraw, as Amazon did in the face of community opposition to its New York City headquarters.

It remains for officials and residents alike to be vigilant in making sure Las Vegas Sands deals honestly.

Legislators place bet on Sands casino Stock trading in D.C.: Much more needed

While the STOCK Act applies to all federal officials, it is not equally administered. Federal agencies like the FDA, FCC, IRS and others have discretion on what is demanded among their staff. The absence of uniformity has created a lack of confidence on the rule’s efficacy to instill public trust that government officials who are privy to material and nonpublic information will not use that knowledge to benefit themselves at our expense.

More needs to be done in order to ensure that there are no occurrences nor the appearance of insider trading by government employees.

Legislation currently being considered in Congress ranges from an all-out ban on trading to a “more of everything” approach. This means

more uniformity in the administration of conflicts-of-interest policies across federal agencies, more resources to the Office of Government Ethics, more education so the public can understand the difference between discretionary trades executed by a financial advisor versus trades executed directly by the employee, and more transparency in the form of public disclosure on trading activity by federal employees.

Occurrences or appearances of insider trading erode the public trust in government and undermine our democracy by destroying the reputations of the government and its institutions.

Joe Toes, a Manhasset resident, is president & CEO Security Traders Association

KAREN RUBIN View Point

READERS WRITE

Honoring those who gave their lives to protect us

Memorial Day is a time to remember all those who gave their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy today and not just a day for sales in stores or having barbecues with family and friends. It is a time to remember those freedoms come with great personal sacrifice for those who leave families, jobs and friends to serve the greater good.

I know that for a fact. I served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era and was proud to have done so. Today I am Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council #5911 in Douglaston, a member of the American Legion Post #103 in Douglaston, a member of Our Lady of the Snows in Floral Park and also a past member of the Catholic War Vet-

erans post #1979 in Glen Oaks Village.

As such I believe in volunteering and I hope I am serving the greater good. So please honor Memorial Day by attending parades in your local communities and saluting those who serve our country, including the men and women in the military, police officers, firefighters, first responders and our doctors and nurses. Please fly

the American Flag from home and office if you can.

If you know a veteran, call them to say thank you for serving our country and keeping us safe from tyranny. May God bless America!

Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Bellerose

Congratulations to Great Neck school board voters

Congratulations to Great Neck for electing the two most-qualified candidates to the Board of Education and for overwhelmingly approving the budgets for the school district and library.

It’s obvious that the voters learned their lesson as to what happens when they vote for a candidate with zero experience and zero qualifications (i.e., George Santos).

I was also gratified to see that the citizens of Great Neck prioritized substance and knowledge over rhetoric and fear-mongering.

The candidate forums provided an excellent contrast between candidates that knew and understood the issues at hand and those that made unsubstantiated claims about the role of the Board of Education.

As President Rebecca Sassouni pointed out multiple times, the Board of Education is not involved

in determining curriculum or deciding which books students should read.

A candidate for any elected office needs to know the duties and responsibilities of the office for which they are running.

I have two suggestions for future candidate forums: (i) they should only be held in person – this way voters will be able to see which candidates can think on their feet and properly articulate their posi-

tions, and which candidates are reading canned responses and have the ability to shut off their cameras when not speaking, and (ii) the candidates should not be provided questions in advance of the forums.

Congratulations again to Rebecca Sassouni and Joanne Chan and all of Great Neck.

Steven Khadavi Great Neck

Harmful malpractice bills increase doctors’ premiums

New York State Legislature is again considering legislation (A.6696/S.6636) that would exponentially expand damages awardable in wrongful death lawsuits.

This bill is very nearly the same as one that was—thankfully—vetoed by Governor Hochul last January. The physicians at the Nassau County Medical Society and throughout the state of New York, under MSSNY, worked tirelessly to have this bill vetoed, and this issue is now resurfacing.

As doctors, we have great sympathy for the grieving families of our patients, and we understand that this legislation seeks to help them.

However, any legislation to expand costly lawsuits must be balanced to help prevent the enormous adverse impact this bill would have on our healthcare system.

Had the aforementioned bill been signed into law, it would have made it even more dif-

ficult for our struggling community hospitals and medical practices to continue to provide needed patient care.

While the new bill purports to respond to the governor’s veto, it, in fact, does not.

Gov. Hochul identified several reasons for vetoing the earlier bill, including that it “would increase already high insurance burdens on families and small businesses and further strain already-distressed healthcare workers and institutions” which would be “particularly challenging for struggling hospitals in underserved communities.”

Furthermore, the governor articulated her concerns that the bill “passed without a serious evaluation of the impact of these massive changes on the economy, small businesses, in-

dividuals, and the State’s complex health care system.”

The bill does not address these concerns.

It would continue to enable the awards of new categories of damages that multiple actuarial studies show will lead to a nearly 40% growth in liability costs, which would be on top of the already unaffordable costs facing our physicians and hospitals.

Studies from Diederich Healthcare show that from 2019-2021, New York had the highest cumulative medical liability payouts of any state in the country, $1.4 billion, nearly twice as much as the 2nd highest state (Florida) and the 3rd highest state (Pennsylvania). It also had the highest per capita liability payment, 33% more than the 2nd highest state,

Pennsylvania. And it far exceeds states like California and Texas, which New York is competing with to retain and attract and retain the best and brightest physicians.

We just completed a Budget cycle where significant steps were taken to address the stability of our various community healthcare providers, particularly those providing needed care in our undeserved areas. Yet this legislation would undermine the positive steps the Legislature has taken to protect access to care. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express my concerns.

I urge the state Legislature to work towards the adoption of truly balanced legislation that can expand the rights of grieving families, while at the same time preserving our patients’ ability to continue to receive needed healthcare in our communities.

Dr. David Podwall Nassau County Medical Society President

A casino is wrong, reckless for Nassau County

On Monday, May 22, the Nassau County Legislature is likely to vote in favor of handing over the lease of the 70+ acre Nassau Coliseum site to Las Vegas Sands. This is a reckless and irresponsible move.

Since the LVS proposal was announced in January, the legislators have neglected to do any independent analyses of the revenue projections, and have not accounted for any of the real, quantifiable negative impacts that communities across Nassau County will surely face if the casino is built.

If the legislators had done even some quick back-of-the-envelope math, they would have identified several red flags right away.

LVS has promised the county about $60m in annual payments. That represents only 1.4% of Nassau County’s $3.8B budget. Why give LVS the keys to our county for a mere 1.4%?

Plus, research shows that when a casino moves in, property values decline by 3-10%; the county’s depressed property tax base will signifi-

cantly offset, if not erase, LVS’ payments.

Erecting a $4 billion structure whose operations will strain our transportation infrastructure, expose residents to increases in crime and gambling addiction, and depress surrounding area property values, all for a mirage of a 1.4% bump, seems like a wildly inefficient idea.

And studies show that casinos actually impede economic growth in the communities they invade. Patrons are enticed to stay in the windowless, timeless casino until their tour bus leaves, or they empty their pockets, whichever comes first. When casinos move into communities similar to ours, they pull sales, and employees, from surrounding businesses, especially the small ones.

LVS is projecting an astronomical $2B in revenue per year from the casino. That translates into at least 20,000+ patrons per day, 365 days a year. Our already strained infrastructure cannot handle that increase. Why should we all sit in even more traffic so LVS can rake in their billions?

To drive patrons in such astounding numbers to the casino, they will lure in the most vulnerable among us with an inundation of predatory marketing messages — messages that we, and our children, will be exposed to.

A lion’s share of LVS’ spoils will be squeezed from the pockets of Nassau residents who will gamble under the false hope of a big win. Some will develop gambling addictions — rates of gambling addictions rise in direct correlation to proximity to a casino.

The unions will enjoy short-term employment to build the casino if it’s approved. But, in 18-24 months of work, the unions will have built a $4 billion home for hundreds of slot machines that are designed and honed to be as addictive as possible.

Unions will be needed to build whatever we choose to put there, let’s champion a project that can generate revenue for the county while benefiting the community.

Long Island has a rich tradition of innova-

tion and engineering. Charles Lindbergh took off on his trans-continental flight a stone’s throw from the HUB. The capsule that landed on the moon was designed and built a few miles down the road at Grumman. We can do better than a casino.

We can’t rely on the hope that the New York State Gaming Commission will choose not to award Sands one of the three casino licenses. We need to make our voices heard loud and clear that a casino is wrong for Nassau County.

Allison

O’Brien Silva Manhasset Allison O’Brien Silva lives in Manhasset with her husband and three girls. She grew up in East Meadow, just across Hempstead Turnpike from the Nassau Coliseum. She is one of the organizers of the Say NO to the Casino Civic Association.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING

Exihibit to open June 4 at the Gold Coast Arts Center

The Gold Coast Arts Center celebrates Graffiti & Beyond, an intriguing exhibition of work by international and American artists from different backgrounds and stages in their careers, working in various styles whose roots began in graffiti art.

Since hip-hop and graffiti emerged as an art form in the early ’70s, this movement has grown into a global phenomenon, driving innovations in music, fashion, technology and the visual and performing arts. The opening reception will take place on Sunday, June 4 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Gold Coast Arts Center in Great Neck.

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip-hop, the exhibition Graffiti and Beyond captures the extraordinary influence street art has had on contemporary art.

Works by artists in this exhibition help us to understand the evolution of graffiti. Although the artists are known as “graf writers” and have strong roots in graffiti art, the works of art on view

defy the rules. With a tremendous sense of movement and color, compositions combine freestyle and hand-painted aesthetics.

Graffiti and Beyond is an intriguing exhibition of work by artists from different backgrounds and stages in their careers. Artists featured in this exhibit are:

Lenny Achanwas born in Brooklyn, New York in 1976. Achan believes that art in all forms is a powerful vehicle for disruptive innovation and his work exists to influence the positive change of mental models in the world today.

His work takes complex relationships between nature, mathematics, and our visual sense, and translates them into simple messages that are more easily understood. He focuses on socioeconomic, political and cultural issues, and his art achieves connectivity to wide spectrum audiences by camouflaging self-taught mixed media techniques of street and graffiti art to develop contemporary fine art pieces.

Véronique Barrillotwas born in

1969 in Lyon, France. In 2012, she switched careers from the corporate to the art world. 2015 was a pivotal year for her as she began to develop her remarkable ability to work on two images simultaneously within a single painting.

As an example, in her process known as Double Vision, she is able to paint a picture of Salvador Dali and Abraham Lincoln combining them as a single image, where you can see one image close up and another at a distance. She is the only artist currently working in this technique.

Chris RWK paintings frequently cite past conceptions of popular culture embedded in his psyche’s cache. Drawing influences from his childhood derived from nostalgic pop culture, ChrisRWK’s work creates a sense of familiarity from the initial form and the coloring to the personality of his artwork and characters.

ChrisRWK’s works frequently reveal everyday musings and people that one might pass by without a second glance.

Crash is a graffiti artist best known for his three-dimensional representation of lettering. Born John Matos in the Bronx he began spray painting on subway trains in his early teens, working alongside other pioneering American Graffiti artists. He has completed several public commissions, including the design of the Spectacolor Billboard in Times Square in 1981, and mural installations for the Musee d’art Moderne de la Villa de Paris in 1984.

Luis “Zimad” Lamboy began his career in the late 1970s as a graffiti and street artist, which has heavily influenced his style and global brand. As a self-taught artist, he began to combine his skills with formal training in design to develop the unique and contemporary style he is best known for today.

Today, his clients include many major brands such as Nike, MTV, Modello, Lions Gate Films, Jacob & Co. and State Farm as well as many private clients and celebrities. He has appeared in dozens of documentaries and has been

interviewed and invited to participate in shows and projects all over the world.

Tats Cru, Inc. is a group ofBronxbasedgraffitiartists turned professional muralists.Tats Cru, aka “The Mural Kings”, started making their mark some four decades ago –– way before many understood the true impact they would have on Urban Culture.

In so many ways, this team of artists would redefine what it meant to be a part of life in New York City. The current members of TATS CRU areBio,BG183,Nicer,Crash, Daze,HOWandNOSM. TATS CRU was founded by Brim, Bio, BG183 and Nicer. The artwork of Bio, BG183 and Nicer will be featured in this exhibition.

Graffiti & Beyond exhibition is curated by Gold Coast Arts Gallery Director Jude Amsel. For more information on this exhibition please visit https://goldcoastarts.org/art-gallery/graffiti-andbeyond/, or call (516) 829-2570. The Gold Coast Arts Center is located at 113 Middle Neck Road, in Great Neck, NY.

IMAGE COURTESY OF GOLD COAST ARTS

Celebrating film, Broadway music at preserve

The Northwinds Symphonic Band will perform an indoor concert at Sands Point Preserve on June 11 at 3 p.m. The concert will feature a host of treasured music from the big screen to the Broadway stage.

The music comes to Sands Point Preserve with conductor Helen P. Bauer and associate conductor Brandon Bromsey at the podium.

They have programmed an afternoon

of music from “West Side Story,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Lion King,” and a medley of symphonic marches from prolific composer John Williams.

For this concert, Long Island composer Ray Osnato has transcribed and arranged two pieces from Max Steiner’s original score from the movie “King Kong.”

The band will also showcase three Gershwin classics, performed by Broadway actress Karen Murphy, and feature two pieces where percussion instruments take center stage: one starring a typewriter and the other, a virtuoso performance on xylophone.

Consider bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy on the Preserve’s majestic grounds before the concert. The indoor concert will take

place rain or shine.

Tickets for the concert are $10 per person, and non-members must pay a $15 parking fee. Tickets are available on the day of the performance, cash only. For more information, visit sandspointpreserveconservancy.org, or call 516-571-7901. The Sands Point Preserve is located at 127 Middle Neck Road in Sands Point, New York.

Town reopening pools for summer

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the Town Board have announced the dates and fees for pools for the upcoming summer season.

This includes the outdoor pool facilities located at Clinton G. Martin Park, Manorhaven Beach Park, Martin “Bunky” Reid Park, and Whitney Pond Park which will be open to Town residents.

“Summertime is almost upon us, and before you know it, residents will soon begin visiting our community pools daily,” DeSena said. “Town pool memberships offer families and senior citizens access to many great amenities at our pools, so I encourage everyone to come out and take advantage of early bird registration, and look forward to having some fun in the sun!”

Clinton G. Martin Park:

Open to Special Park District Residents Only

Pool opens Saturday, June 17

Open daily Saturday, June 17 – Friday, August 18 at 11 a.m. through 8 p.m.

Open daily Saturday, August 19 – Monday, September 4 at 11 a.m. through 7 p.m.

You can register in advance now through Saturday, June 16. Hours include: Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Early Bird registration ends June 10. From Saturday, June 17 through Friday, August 18 residents can register from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; beginning Saturday, August 19 through Monday, September 4 residents can register from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All registration must be done in person at the pool. Cash payment will not be accepted.

No registration will be available on Saturday, May 27, 2023

Early Bird and Regular Fees:

Family: $215 Early Bird; $248 Regular Rate

Couple: $182 Early Bird; $210 Regular Rate

Individual: $115 Early Bird; $132 Regular Rate

Youth: $100 Early Bird; $112 Regular Rate

Senior (60+): $50 Early Bird; $60 Regular Rate

Senior Couple: $100 Early Bird; $112 Regular Rate

Disable/Volunteer/Veteran: $82 Early Bird; $94 Regular Rate

Disabled/Volunteer/Veteran Family: $187 Early Bird; $215 Regular Rate

Disabled/Volunteer/Veteran Couple: $154 Early Bird; $177 Regular Rate

Nanny: $100 Early Bird; $112 Regular Rate

5 Visit Pass (Residents of the Special Park District Only): $55

Daily District Resident Fees:

Adult: $11

Teen: $8

Child: $7

Senior: $6

Disabled/Volunteer/Veteran: $6

Non-Resident Guest: $14 (All guests must be accompanied by a member.)

Manorhaven Beach Park

Pool opens Saturday, June 17

Open daily Saturday, June 17 – Friday, August 18 at 11 a.m. through 8 p.m.

Open daily Saturday, August 19 – Monday, September 4 at 11 a.m. through 7 p.m.

You can register in advance now through Friday, June 16. Hours include: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

From Saturday, June 17 through Friday, August 18 residents can register from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; beginning Saturday, August 19 through Monday, September 4 residents can register from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Early Bird registration ends June 10. All registration must be done in person at the pool. No registration will be available on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Early Bird and Regular Fees:

Family: $280 Early Bird; $322 Regular Rate

Couple: $230 Early Bird; $265 Regular Rate

Individual: $145 Early Bird; $167 Regular Rate

Youth: $100 Early Bird; $115 Regular Rate

Senior: $50 Early Bird; $60 Regular Rate

Senior Couple: $100 Early Bird; $115 Regular Rate

Disable/Volunteer/Veteran: $85 Early Bird; $98 Regular Rate

Disabled/Volunteer/Veteran Family: $255 Early Bird; $294 Regular Rate

Disabled/Volunteer/Veteran Couple: $205 Early Bird; $236 Regular Rate

Nanny: $130 Early Bird; $150 Regular Rate

Daily Fees:

Adult: $11

Teen: $8

Child: $7

Senior: $6

Disabled/Volunteer/Veteran: $6

Guest: $14 (All guests must be accompanied by a member.)

Income-qualified residents are eligible for reduced fees to the pool at Manorhaven Beach Park. This includes 60% off facility membership. For more information about eligibility requirements and to obtain an application, please visit: www.northhempsteadny.gov/reducedfee.

Whitney Pond Park

Pool opens Saturday, June 24

Open daily Saturday, June 24 – Friday, August 18 at 11 a.m. through 7 p.m.

You can register at the pool office beginning Monday, June 19 daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Membership:

Family: $100

Couple: $80

Individual: $50

Youth: $45

Senior: $35

Senior Couple: $45

Disable/Volunteer/Veteran: $35

Disabled/Volunteer/Veteran Family: $85

Disabled/Volunteer/Veteran Couple: $45

Nanny: $45

Daily Fees (Residents):

Adult: $8

Teen: $6

Child: $5

Senior: $4

Disabled/Volunteer/Veteran: $4

Daily Fees (Guests and Non-Residents):

Adult: $12

Teen: $9

Child: $7

Senior: $5

Disabled/Volunteer/Veteran: $5

Income-qualified residents are eligible for reduced fees to the pool at Whitney Pond Park. This includes 60% off facility membership. For more information about eligibility requirements and to obtain an application, please visit: www.northhempsteadny.gov/reducedfee.

Martin “Bunky” Reid Park

Pool opens Saturday, June 24

Open daily Saturday, June 24 – Monday September 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

No Fees – Residents Only

For all pool facilities, no outside food deliveries will be allowed and no food will be allowed on the pool deck. Food will be allowed in designated areas only.

The Town is also seeking staff to join the North Hempstead team at its aquatic facilities. Lifeguards positions are available throughout the summer. Please call 311 or 516-869-6311 or email parks@northhempsteadny.gov for more information.

Manhasset Al Fresco kicks off June 4

This summer, the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce will host its 3rd “Manhasset Al Fresco,” a series of six evenings out on the town for outdoor dining, shopping and live entertainment on Plandome Road.

The event will allow for road closures for pedestrians and outdoor dining on Plandome Road and is scheduled to take place throughout the summer, beginning June, alternating between South Plandome Road and North Plandome Road.

The kickoff night on Sunday, June 4th will encompass businesses on South Plandome Road, with the following event June 25th featuring businesses on North Plandome Road.

South Plandome Road will be closed to traffic from Park Avenue to Dennis Street/Northern Blvd:

Sunday June 4, 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Sunday July 9, 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday August 12, 6p.m.-9:30 p.m. Movie Night

(Movie Night Rain Date August 13)

North Plandome Road will be closed to traffic from Hillside Avenue to Colonial Parkway:

Sunday June 25, 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Sunday July 23, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.

Sunday September 10, 3:30-7:30 p.m.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, the chamber will be able to add to the festivities, there will be entertainment and appearances by local talent, in addition to the outdoor dining and shopping.

Some of the live entertainment includes John Byrnes Band, Glenn Strange, Hat Trixx, Porch Light and more. Elite Automotive Repair will host the best car show in town for all the South Plandome Rd Manhasset Al Frescos.

The chamber encourages all to come out to support this great community event and support our local businesses. The Manhasset community is invited to stroll on Plandome Road in a safe and festive atmosphere.

The first Manhasset Al Fresco event kicks off on South Plandome Road, Sunday June 4 from 4-8 p.m. with performances by John Byrnes Band & Glenn Strange. Elite Auto & Repair will once again host the best Car Show in town, you won’t want to miss it!

Outdoor dining options include Herb & Olive, Villa Milano, Buttercooky Bakery & Cafe, and For Five Coffee.Cirque Central Entertainment will serve Iced Tea provided by Serendipitea out of a life-size Martini Glass! Manhasset Rotary and Gift of Life have teamed up for “Shoot for a Heart” in collaboration with Manhasset Lacrosse, to fundraise to Save a Heart. Gift of Life provides lifesaving surgery to a child in need, so come by to support and save a life!

On June 4, the chamber has organized a “Build A Buddy” fundraiser for Manhasset Beautification. Partial proceeds from the $25 Buddy Kits will be donated to the chamber.

Some of the stuffed buddies include a Panda, a Red Panda, Unicorn, Tricertops, a Friendly Dragon and more. Pre-order now on www.shopmanhasset.com and pick up at Manhasset Al Fresco! Want to order but can’t come on June 4th, you can pick up your ordered kit from Shop Manhasset after the event.

The overall idea of beautification is to keep Manhasset and Plandome Road looking good for both businesses and our residential community. While first impressions are very important, beautification means our total concern for the physical and human quality we pass on to our children and the future here in Manhasset.

The chamber is looking for additional sponsorships to ensure that beautification continues.

With the generous donations the Chamber decorates Plandome Road with seasonal flower baskets for our residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy for all seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter and the holiday season. Visit www.manhassetchamber.com for sponsorship and donation opportunities for both campaigns. Sponsorships for Hanging Baskets $150, Planters $300 and Beautification $50 include name recognition on Manhasset Chamber website.

Some other highlights of this year’s Al Fresco is the August Al Fresco movie night, featured movie will be decided based on Most Voted by Residents, so stay tuned for voting info on Instagram @shopmanhasset.

The Sept. 10 event will take place on North Plandome Road, and will consist of A Mixology Roslyn Fashion Show!

The chamber will be bringing back the Can You Escape? Van and will be adding a Video Game Truck this Summer!North Plandome Outdoor Dining options include Gino’s Pizzeria, Greens Irish Pub, Pita Station and Publicans.

Manhasset Al Fresco is sponsored in part by the Town of North Hempstead’s Lift Up Local initiative to support local businesses following the coronavirus.

The Chamber is proud to bring it back again this Summer, with the assistance of Shop Manhasset’s Antonietta Manzi, and Co-President of the Chamber.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Chamber is able to fund this event and make this year better than last! This event helps bring up the community’s spirit as well as drive business to our local shops to lift up local.

The event is hosted by The Manhasset Chamber of Commerce, who’s mission is to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life of our community and to promote the general welfare and prosperity of its member businesses.

Manhasset Al Fresco was also made possible with the cooperation of the Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Association, Nassau County Police District, and the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department.

Event Sponsors include Gift of Life International, COMPASS Traci Conway Clinton Team, Irene Rallis Douglas Elliman, Nancy Morris Agency — State Farm. Platinum Sponsors include Americana Manhasset, St Francis Hospital | Catholic Health, Chase Home Lending, Manhasset Living Magazine, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, Nassau Speech & Language Center LLC, North Shore Dental Group, Tadler Law LLP, Showcase Kitchens. Gold Sponsors include Kristin Purcell Team COMPASS, The Forbes Team COMPASS, Morici & Morici Law. Silver Sponsors includeBK Lounge Inc, Community Reformed Church Manhasset, Coldwell Banker American Homes Manhasset, Viscardi Corp.

Any local business that would like to participate in the event may contact Antonietta Manzi at ShopManhasset@gmail.com

Visit https://www.shopmanhasset.com/manhasset-al-fresco-2023 for full event details and follow @manhassetchamber and @shopmanhasset.

PHOTO BY MACK S. BRADLEY

Outdoor dining and entertainment on Plandome Road.

Beautiful sites to see across North America

The vastness of North America means there's no shortage of places to visit and sights to see. Individuals who have caught the travel bug could spend much of their lives traversing the continent and still not see everything North America has to offer. But that doesn't mean they can't try.

Summer vacation season provides a great opportunity for individuals or families to pack up the car and hit the open road or even book a flight to any of North America's idyllic locales. If a trip is on tap, travelers may want to check out these special sites throughout North America.

· Glacier National Park: Located in the northwestern region of Montana, Glacier Nation Park is adjacent to the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Glacier National Park features more than 700 miles of trails, making it an ideal spot for avid hikers. Melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes are just a handful of the features visitors to Glacier National Park can take in.

· Old Montreal: One of Canada's oldest cities, Montreal is a sight to behold, and Old Montreal can give visitors the impression that they're stepping back in time. The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal has been known to take visitors' breath away, and the Place d'Armes can be a great place to people watch and take in some stunning architecture.

· Mexico City: The Federal District in Mexico City features one of the world's largest cathedrals and it's home to Palacio de Bellas Artes, a stunning cultural center

built in the early decades of the twentieth century that features a large theater, a concert hall and the National Museum of Architecture. Visitors who want to take in some older sites can visit the Plaza de Tres Culturas, which features centuriesold Aztec pyramids, and the Church of Santiago Tlatelolco, which was built as a symbol of the Spanish conquest in 1521.

· Page, Arizona: The Grand Canyon may garner the bulk of the Arizona tourism glory, but the state in the southwestern region of the United States is home to many more breathtaking sites. Page is one such place travelers won't want to miss. Visitors can take in the world's largest known natural bridge at Rainbow Bridge National Monument. More adventurous types can navigate their way through curvy rocks in Upper Antelope Canyon.

· Samaná Province: It's often overlooked that the Dominican Republic is part of North America. But nature lovers likely don't take that proximity for granted. Much of the Dominican Republic is stunning to behold, and Samaná Province certainly fits that bill. Samaná has a rich history as a popular sixteenth century hideout for pirates. Seclusion is still part of the appeal of Samaná, which boasts wild beaches, coconut plantations and rainforests among its many awe-inspiring attractions.

There's no bad time to take a trip, but summer provides a perfect opportunity to take in some stunning locales across North America.

TheFun

Over 15 STEM activities and make & take projects weekly, 3 science stations per day, plus games, challenges, silly songs and all the friendship & fun of camp! Our energetic, professional educators make STEM learning fun

2023 Camp Themes

BioBot & Roller Coaster Camp

Build your own BioBot Explorer and discover the physics of coasters and games. Discover the science behind bubble magic, flashing lights, arachnids, insects and your own motorized bowl-o-rama.

Rescue Robot Myster y Camp

Build a search and rescue robot and solve the myster y of the missing MiniBot. This camp includes building your own electric alarm and turbo air machine, spinning gyro tops and more!

Artemis Moon Mission Camp

Rocket into space & discover NASA’s mission to explore the moon while building your ver y own LT V. Explore planets, dr y ice comets, rocks and minerals, encounter aliens and more!

Glen Cove Great Neck

Colds might not be as common in summer as they are in winter, but anyone who has ever had a cold when the weather outside is warm and inviting knows just how unpleasant a runny nose, sore throat and lack of energy can be when everyone else seems to be outside soaking up the sun. Indeed, there's no substitute for feeling fit and healthy in summer.

A healthy summer is one when individuals avoid illness and make the most of a time of year when no one wants to battle colds or other issues that affect their well-being. The following are a handful of strategies that can help people enjoy a healthy summer.

· Protect your skin from the sun. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends individuals apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher before going outside. Sunscreen should then be reapplied as necessary and especially after swimming or excessive sweating. The American Cancer Society notes that sunburn that blisters can increase risk for skin cancer, but sunburns affect short-term health as well. Studies have shown that sunburn adversely affects immune system response, which could make people more vulnerable to viruses like COVID-19 or the common cold.

· Limit alcohol consumption. Social schedules tend to fill up in summer, as seemingly everyone wants to host a backyard barbecue. The party vibe synonymous with summer leads to increased opportunities to drink alcohol, but excessive amounts of alcohol and summer sun are a

bad combination. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, hot summer days increase fluid loss through perspiration, while alcohol contributes to fluid loss through an increased need to urinate. Significant fluid loss can lead to dehydration and heat stroke.

· Eat the right foods. Summer is not typically as hectic a time of year as other seasons, particularly for parents accustomed to driving kids from one activity to another during the school year. But come summer, weekends filled with social engagements and a greater desire to be active outdoors can prove exhausting. The CDC notes that a diet filled with colorful fruits and vegetables supports muscles, strengthens bones and boosts immunity. That can make it easier to handle a physically active summer regimen and ensure that the immune system is in better position to fight off anything that may want to get in the way of summer fun.

· Get adequate sleep. What's better than a midday summertime nap? The answer to that is better sleep overnight. Adults should aspire to get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night, which can fortify their immune system and ensure they don't miss out on any summertime fun. According to the Mayo Clinic, sleep deprivation can lead to decreased production of proteins known as cytokines, which are vital to fighting infection and inflammation.

A healthy summer makes for a more enjoyable summer. By embracing various immuneboosting strategies, individuals can make this summer even more fun.

The Great Neck Farmers Market is a collaborative project of the Deep Roots Farmers Market and the Great Neck Park District

When summertime temperatures are hot and climbing, people look for ways to cool off. Trips to the beach or a pool often top the list of ideas, but water parks also make for great places to spend a hot summer day.

Water parks may be stand-alone facilities in town or components of larger amusement parks. They often feature a combination of wading pools, slides, lazy rivers, and splash zones to cater to visitors of all ages. Water parks can be great family fun for those who do their homework and prepare for visits accordingly. Certain tips can make the experience that much more enjoyable.

1. Pack light. Belongings can be tricky when it comes to water parks because most items cannot get wet. Leaving them beside rides also leaves you vulnerable to theft. Bring only the essentials and plan to stash car keys, mobile phones and minimal cash in lockers. Lockers in many modern facilities are paid for with your credit card and work by entering a selfgenerated code. This way there are no keys or locks to worry about.

2. Bring three bags. Bring a backpack or a tote bag that is filled with a change of clothes. Unless you dry off for the last hour by walking around the park, you likely will not want to get in your vehicle in your swimsuit. Leave the clothes in the aforementioned locker. Stash a plastic shopping bag or garbage bag inside the backpack, as it can hold wet swimsuits

and other damp items after you've changed. Bring a mesh or breathable shoulder bag that can hold a few essentials, like towels and water bottles. The mesh will enable air flow so that you don't end up with a sopping, mildew-riddled towel by the end of the day.

3. Wear comfortable swim gear. It's hard to get out of the sun at a water park, so covering up is key. A rash guard or swim shirt can be paired with swim trunks or one- or two-piece swimsuits. Avoid any swimsuits that have flimsy straps, as they're more likely to come undone while crashing

through waves or during high speed water slide excursions.

4. Plan locker trips strategically. Aim to visit your locker at least two or three times if you're spending a full day at the water park. This gives you chances to reapply sunscreen (which you should always wear at the park)

and grab a few dollars for snacks and beverages. Remember to stay hydrated while out in the sun, even if you are in the water most of the time.

5. Utilize water shoes. Water park pavement can get hot and slippery. Water shoes are ideal so that you do not injure your feet. Many rides prohibit flip flops, but secured water shoes are allowed.

6. Arrive early. Try to get to the water park shortly after it opens. Crowds will be sizable on hot days. You don't want to waste all of your time waiting in line for rides. Plus, the earlier in the day you arrive, the less steamy and the greater chance you will find parking near the entrance.

7. If budget allows, rent a cabana. Some parks rent cabanas. A cabana can be a family's home base and a place to cool off and relax. For an extra cost, some cabanas come with food service.

8. Have extra adults on hand. When the kids outnumber the adults, it can be tricky keeping eyes on everyone, especially in larger attractions like wave pools. Plus, there's bound to be some kids who are more adventurous than others. An extra adult or two can wait with children who do not want to go on particular slides or other rides.

Water parks are entertaining ways to cool off on hot days. Following certain tips can make visits even more fun.

Gaskell’s West African Kora musical event

The music of the West African Kora comes to the Great Neck Library!

The performance will take place at the Great Neck Library at 159 Bayview Ave. in Great Neck on Sunday, June 4 at 2:30 p.m. in the Main Building’s Community Room.

Sean Gaskell will give a performance and educational demonstration on the kora, an ancient 21-stringed harp from West Africa, He will feature traditional songs that are the heart and soul of the kora’s musical repertoire.

Gaskell first heard the kora performed live in 2006. That performance by Kane Mathis, who would become his first teacher, inspired him to immerse himself in the music of the kora and travel to its homeland in West Africa.

The kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots, often called Jalis or Jelis.

Many songs tell stories of war, hardship, love, and loss, all while presenting the history and fabric of Mande society, from which the instrument originates. Visits to Brikama, Gambia, and West Africa provided Gaskell the opportunity to study the kora under the instruction of Moriba Kuyateh and his father, the late Malamini Jobarteh.

Gaskell has presented adult, youth, and family programs at over 350 libraries and a multitude of K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and assisted living facilities throughout the United States and Canada. Learn more about Sean at his website: www.seangaskell.com.

Registration is required for this event. Great Neck Library cardholders and residents have priority for seating. Sign up online, in-person, or via phone.

This program is for all ages! Please register for each person attending. Non-residents are welcome as walk-ins as space allows. For more information, please contact the Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.

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Sean Gaskell

The 90's Band @ 7pm Salt Shack, 100 Ocean Pkwy, Babylon

Cuthbert Live: Solo at Allegria Hotel @ 7:30pm ALLEGRIA HOTEL, 80 W Broadway, Long Beach

Cedric the Entertainer @ 8pm Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn

Nate Charlie Music @ 9pm

The Wine Cellar on Main, 70 Main St, Northport

Agent 137: 18th Annual Drum and Bass BBQMemorial Day Weekend (Strife’s going away party!) @ 12pm Cedar Creek Park, Unnamed Road, Wantagh

New York Liberty vs. Connecticut Sun @ 1pm / $30-$1100 Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn

Thursday Jun 1st

Colin Jost @ 8pm / $39.50-$89.50

The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

Colin Jost originally joined the show as a writer in 2005 and became a co-head writer in 2012. Jost has also co-anchored “Weekend Up‐date” alongside fellow cast member Michael Che since 2014. Jost has won �ve Writers Guild Awards, two Peabody Awards, and has been nominated for 12 Emmy Awards for his writing on SNL.

Belmont Park, 2150 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont

North Hempstead's Memorial Day Commemoration and Fireworks @ 6:30pm / $10

Dan and Claudia Zanes @ 2pm / $25

Tilles Center - Krasnoff Theater, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville

One Day Open House for 'WWI: The Home Front – Our Community Takes Action Exhibition' @ 11:30am / $12

Exhibition: WWI: The Home Front – Our Com‐munity Takes Action Open House: Saturday, May 27. No tour, wan‐der at your leisure from 11:30 until 2:30, last en‐try 1:45 pm. Cow Neck Peninsula Historical So‐ciety, 336 Port Wash‐ington Boulevard, Port Washington. info@cow neck.org, 516-365-9074

Benny Mikula: Great South Bay Brewery @ 2pm Great South Bay Brewery, 25 Drexel Dr, Bay Shore

Krisi Ardito live at Lilly's of Long Beach @ 7pm Lilly's of Long Beach, 954 W Beech St, Long Beach

Nicolls Road @ 11:30pm

Nutty Irishman, 323 Main St, Farmingdale

The Town of North Hempstead's Memorial Day Commemoration and Fireworks Extrava‐ganza will be held at North Hempstead Beach Park on Satur‐day, May 27, with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m. North Hemp‐stead Beach Park, 175 West Shore Road, Port Washington. feedback @northhemp steadny.gov, 516-8696311

Forest Park Runners

Classic 4 Mile Road and Trail Race @ 10am / $35

Victory Field Track located at the corner of Woodhaven Blvd & Myrtle Avenue, Woodhaven

Michelle Jameson: Catchers Fish house @ 12pm Catchers �sh house, 301 Woodcleft Ave, Freeport

Bobcat @ 12pm Five Ocean, 5 New York Ave, Long Beach

Jewish Learning Series @ 12:30pm

Join the Mid Island Y JCC and a host of guest presenters for interesting and relevant lec‐tures and discussions related to Judaism and Jewish Culture.

Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview

The Airborne Toxic Event @ 8pm / $25-$55

The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

Orlin & Cohen Beach Volleyball League @ 6pm May 30th - Aug 31st Beach volleyball league for coed 6-player teams North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 West Shore Road, Port Washington. eevb@op tonline.net, 631-3551293

Wed 5/31

Dan Reardon @ 6pm Sunset Club Old Tappan Beach, Glen Cove

SYJCC Golf Outing Event

@ 9am / $2800

Annual Golf outing to support the Suffolk Y JCC. The Muttontown Club, 5933 Northern Boulevard, East Nor‐wich. jwertheimer@ syjcc.org, 631-4629800

GARDEN DAYS: Plant Sale Preview Party! @ 6:30pm / $80 JOIN US FOR A CA‐SUAL EVENING PARTY HOSTED BY THE CRAWLEY COMMITTEE Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury. tickets@ oldwestburygar dens.org, 516-333-0048

Social Singles

@ 6:30pm

Join us at the Mid-Is‐land Y JCC for ongoing social programming for singles ages 55+ to connect with one an‐other. Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview

Krisi Ardito live at Mannino's in Commack @ 6:30pm

Mannino's Italian Kitchen and Lounge, 2158 Jericho Turnpike, Commack

Thu 6/01

MS & HS Fundamentals: Grades 7-12 @ 12am / $180

Jun 1st - Jun 29th

Savage Wrestling Academy, 403 Oakwood Rd, Huntington. 570709-9105

Belmont Park Admission @ 1pm / $5

The Boss Project: A Bruce Springsteen Tribute @ 6pm My Father's Place, 3 Pratt Blvd, Glen Cove

Graztopia Live@Long Beach Brewery @ 6pm Long Beach Brewing Company, 3350A Lawson Blvd, Ocean‐side

Tom Rush & Loudon Wainwright III @ 8pm / $49

An evening with two legendary singer song‐writers �lled with storytelling, the sweet melancholy of ballads and the passion of gritty blues. Jeanne Rimsky Theater, 232 Main Street, Port Washington. boxof�ce @landmarkonmain street.org, 516-7676444

Back To The Eighties with Jessie's Girl @ 8pm / $20-$45

The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Hunting‐ton

Warped Tour Band @ 9pm / $15 Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall, 3232 Railroad Avenue, Wantagh

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Girl Scouts wrong take on Memorial Day event

Ihave been working with the American Legion of Great Neck for over 20 years honoring our Fallen Veterans. Every Memorial Day, I invite both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to meet in All Saints Cemetery of Great Neck to place American flags at the final resting place of the 130 veterans buried there.

It has always been my honor and privilege to do this for the men and women who have sacrificed for us.

Until this year there has never been an issue or a problem.

The Girl Scouts of Nassau County Council has asked the Great Neck Girl Scouts not to participate in the annual

placing due to ongoing litigation between the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. at the National level.

This ceremony is not about the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts. The Memorial Day flag placing is about honoring our Fallen Veterans and it has been a tradition that began at the end of the Civil

War. Is this what has become of our society? The choice to honor our veterans is now being determined by lawyers?

I think it is a deplorable decision of the Girl Scout Council to mandate that Girl Scouts not participate in this. Is this how the Girl Scouts choose to honor

America’s Fallen Veterans?

When I participate by placing American Flags in the cemetery, I do not do it as a Boy Scout, but as an American Citizen thanking our Veterans for their service.

Daniel Panetta Great Neck

Fare evasion cost MTA nearly $700M in 2022

After taking one year to complete, the MTA finally released its 120page Blue Ribbon Panel report on fare evasion. The findings were worse than the previously reported $500 million fare evasion in 2022. The report revealed that the losses were greater than thought. It turns out that in 2022, the MTA lost $315 million in bus, $285 million in subway, $44 million in commuter rail and $46 million in bridge and tunnel crossings revenue for a total of

$690 million. If your business lost $690 million per year to shoplifters, stockholders or in this case commuters and taxpayers, you might want to fire those in charge and hire a new management team.

Just as significant, MTA operating agencies including NYC Transit bus, subway and Staten Island Railway, MTA Bus, Long Island and Metro North Rail Roads continue to fail in significantly reducing excessive employee overtime. This has grown to over $1 billion annually. Future

employee pensions continue to be calculated based on the final year’s base salary inflated by overtime. Contrast this with federal employees pensions. They are calculated based on the average of last three years of employment. There is no overtime added to the formula. Pensions for a majority of other government and private sector employers are not inflated by overtime, but usually based upon straight salary.

Albany’s “New York Buy America

Act” and Washington’s “Buy America” requirements add to project costs. This impacts the ability of MTA to get the best bang for the buck when spending $1.8billion in grant funding every year from the Federal Transit Administration.

Commuters and taxpayers have to wonder why each new generation of MTA management year after year never seem to be able to deal with controlling fare evasion, excessive overtime, inflated pensions and onerous procurement rules.

Successful leadership could resolve these challenges and deliver over $1 billion worth of annual savings.

Larry Penner Great Neck

Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously served as a former Director for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.

A thank you to Great Neck School District voters

Great Neck Board of Education

President Rebecca Sassouni decisively defeated challenger Niloufar Tabari, in a hotly contested race for trustee and the school budget passed by a wide margin on Tuesday.

Sassouni received 4,008 votes compared to Tabari’s 2,686. {6,694 is the actual total. I think 6,700 is close enough.}

District resident Joanne Chan also defeated Aili Zhang in the race for a vacant seat previously held by Trustee Jeff Shi, who did not run for re-election this year. Chan received 4,011 votes while Zhang received 2,620.

—I am honored to have been re-elected by a greater than two-to-one margin to a third term, to serve on the Great Neck Public Schools Board of Education. I write by way of gratitude and relief for the resounding mandate in support of my re-election.

Thank you to the nearly 6,700 voters who voted, whether in-person or by absentee ballot. Whether you are one of the 4,008 who voted for me or not, I will continue to endeavor to represent all of Great Neck’s stakeholders fairly, and to ensure that Great Neck remains a preeminent place to educate all Great Neck students.

I offer gratitude to those who submitted letters of support to this newspaper, and acknowledge the role of the Island Now for running those letters, online and in print editions, and for your coverage of the local school board election by sending a reporter to the Reach Out America Forum held on Sunday, May 7, as well as, by assigning reporters to interview candidates.

Even so, your cover story headline Re: May 19, 2023 “Sassouni easily beats Tabari in Ed Board race” while numerically accurate regarding the outcome, given the clear mandate I received, belies that. Since public forums did not occur, the victory was hard won.

The “easy” victory was won by my willingness to answer to the public, and by the efforts of dozens of dedicated vol-

unteers in support of my re-election, in support of the Great Neck Public Schools, and ultimately, thousands of voters who rallied to protect this precious jewel in our community.

Voters and readers would do well to note that two relatively unknown candidates, without known track records, who declined invitations by the League of Women Voters and Reach Out America to engage in any public forum, somehow managed to garner in excess of 2,600 votes apiece. Of note, the approximately 2,600 number of votes each received appear to correlate to the 2,261 number of votes cast against the annual operating budget this year.

The losing candidates addressed groups in houses of worship, private Zooms, on recorded Instagram and Facebook posts, or answered questions with canned scripts, which included banal calls for “transparency” in the budget and calls to change curriculum.

As the only incumbent in the race, I repeatedly noted the strange inconsistency of their calls for transparency. Because my opponent refused to face off in public, both the public and I were denied transparency to hear, evaluate and hold accountable her viewpoints.

(Ultimately, recordings of her public comments at a Board of Education meeting last year, social media campaign, foreign language flyers, and recordings of nonpublic events brought these to the surface, in lieu of traditional public forums or the news media.)

Moreover, with regard to the district’s annual operating budget, I found it odd that candidates who had not made an effort to attend either United Parent Teacher Council or Board of Education meetings to learn about the budget process prior to its adoption, were questioning its transparency. Certainly, concerns regarding the budget could have been posed prior to adoption, as well as to the Assistant Superintendent for Business any time.

The two losing candidates also made other claims which betrayed fundamen-

tal misconceptions regarding the role of a trustee of a board of education. Their claims, and the number of votes they received, indicate that a concerning number of voters shared in the misconceptions and conflations of issues: The losing candidates referred to trustees’ roles in changing curriculum as auditors of the budget and as proxies for special interest groups, whether due to the ages of their children, athletics, special education status, or professional degrees. In point of fact, the law in NYS does not require much beyond being 18 years of age and a literate resident to run for Board of Ed.

In my opinion, albeit as one who also personally has multiple subjective perspectives, it is not useful to think of trustees as tokens. The notion that a Board of Education trustee is an advocate for only one part of the student body, or staff, or only one side of town, one professional portfolio, age group, or demographic is yet another misconception which must also be debunked. I reject it categorically.

Once elected, all five trustees to the Board of education are fiduciaries to oversee the superintendent, policies and budget of the entire district — irrespective of our own ages, our parental status, professional degrees, zip codes, ethnicities, or any other idiosyncratic factors.

I can only write and speak for myself in my personal capacity here. My own children have recently graduated from the public schools. When I ran for re-election, I withstood some amount of personal indignities (among them, being tailgated, harassed, told to “go back,” labeled a “groomer,” a “pedocrat,” a “pedophile” and “Lucifer, and other painfully preposterous ad hominem comments).

I withstood these for the purpose of preserving public education here in Great Neck. More specifically, to continue the Board of Education’s current task of hiring and onboarding the next superintendent of schools.

I, also, fundamentally believe every single child enrolled in the district, irrespective of their immutable personal characteristics, is deserving of protec-

tion and a Great Neck education. On this point, your May 19, 2023 article requires further clarification: the $40,400 reported as a per pupil cost is actually an oversimplification, and at best an average. In reality, given the wide range of Great Neck’s learners, this average does not elucidate the unique costs of supporting special education, academic intervention services, transportation, English Language learners, students in poverty, and more.

I shared all the foregoing to preserve a record for your readership, and because I care. I cared about winning, to be sure. I also care about process, public education, and children: This year, again, the public was deprived of the opportunity to have a public forum for candidates seeking public office to discuss these.

Nevertheless, I am gladdened by the victory. One might even say that contested elections, are good for democracy, as they keep incumbents (including myself) on their toes. Certainly, the large number of votes cast indicate that Great Neck is a place where voters care deeply about education and values.

A quorum of the Board waited to certify election results on the night of the election, but could not even do so until nearly 4 a.m. the following morning of May 17. There, too, the losing candidates asserted their rights, this time to challenge every single absentee ballot.

I cared about the process enough to have stayed with some Board members at Phipps until nearly 4 a.m. (even though the machine count indicated the absentee ballots would not have made a difference in the outcome) to certify this year’s election results.

I care about the process of education enough to withstand being called vile names, in multiple languages, in person and on the internet.

Yet for all our care regarding education and values, and the large number of votes cast, in my personal opinion, voters and Great Neck’s children deserve better. Great Neck voters have always supported education and the plethora of options available here in our community.

Because my seat was contested, I had the gratifying opportunity to speak to many of you about your stories. It was a privilege to hear excited high school students and parents speak about voting for their first time in this election It was a pleasure to meet many residents and to be engaged with so many local grassroots volunteers who care deeply about public education, whether for the arts and music, the literature, the sciences, athletics, special education, preschool, or adult learning opportunities, or home values here due to the Great Neck Public Schools. I also heard quite a few pained stories of disappointments with individual situations involving certain families. From all these many many interactions, as well as your votes, I learned others care deeply, too.

No person or institution is perfect. We must always strive for continual growth and improvement lest we stagnate. Challenge can be helpful insofar as it can help an organization or individuals grow. However, I think it is time for a call to intellectual modesty. Perhaps, students, families, and educators, could all benefit from a little more space to engage with texts and one another without resorting to polemics.

How about if adults model interrogating texts instead of one another? How about if we express intellectual curiosity about one another’s beliefs instead of casting doubt on the school system as a whole, the role of trustees, or heaven forbid, one another as neighbors, parents, and educators.

It is my honor to serve on your behalf as an unpaid public official as one of five resident stewards of our schools, for all, without fear or favor. Knowing that both the process and the outcome, which supported my re-election, the election of Joanne Chan, and the passage of the district budget was good for Great Neck- whether difficult or easy- makes it worthwhile.

Rebecca Sassouni Great Neck

Nassau Legislature OKs Sands lease for casino

Continued from Page 6

“The overwhelming bipartisan approval of lease terms with the Sands by the county Legislature affirms that Nassau County has made the right decision,” Blakeman said in a statement. “This is the first hurdle overcome to provide a world-class entertainment center with a luxury spa and hotel, creating thousands of jobs and economic prosperity for Nassau County. I am very pleased with the vote.”.

The county, Blakeman said, will receive $54 million from Sands, whether or not the project is

constructed or not. Lease amendments made on Monday night include an additional $10 million for Uniondale and East Meadow and an extra $5 million from the Town of Hempstead.

The next steps for Sands include obtaining a gaming license from the state’s licensing board, receiving zoning approvals from the Town of Hempstead, backing from community groups and environmental impact studies.

The Sands proposal has caught the ire of some residents, including the non-partisan “Say No to the Casino Civic Association.” The group,

in a statement, expressed disappointment in the Legislature’s vote on the lease agreement but said the fight to prevent a casino from coming to Nassau County is not over.

“Tonight’s vote is only the first step in the casino siting process. It is not a fait accompli,” according to the statement. “As the process moves forward, we are confident that community opposition from our group and others will be successful in preventing the Las Vegas Sands from building a casino at the heart of our county.”

The group held a rally outside the legisla-

tive building Sunday to urge legislators to vote against the proposal.

Goldstein said the Sands team will look forward to working with all community stakeholders to develop a project beneficial to the community.

“We have held over 300 community meetings and are proud of the widespread coalition we have built with our new neighbors across Long Island,” Goldstein said. “We are grateful for the trust they have placed in us and look forward to continuing to collaborate with the community.”

SUNY campuses eyed by gov for asylum seekers Assembly ‘Anti-Israel’ bill opposed by Lavine

Continued from Page 6

He said that asylum seekers are subject to “intense hatred” by his colleagues in government, but that the “hatred is never going to help solve whatever issue these folks will present.”

“It’s our obligation and it’s our legal requirement to house them and process them,” Lavine said.

He said the current political climate and conversations about refugees are comparable to the Jewish refugees of the 1930s who were escaping genocide.

The political movement during the 1930s referred to as “America First” prioritized the interests of the United States over foreign issues and was a leading policy for the United States’ refusal to join

World War II.

Lavine said this movement effectively prevented Jewish refugees from seeking asylum in the United States and led to their murder during the Holocaust.

He said that while 90 years have passed since then, the same issues are arising with the current migrant crisis.

“I think it’s time that we all do everything we can to promote humanitarian efforts to try to help people who come here because if they don’t, their lives are in danger,” Lavine said. “Let us hope we learned a lesson in the 1930s. I am positive that some of my colleagues have not learned that lesson.”

Continued from Page 8

Lavine said that while this bill is “pretending” to be one that will alleviate tensions in the Middle East, it will instead make things worse.

“The Palestinians have been victimized enough by politicians over the years, unfor-

tunately, but this is in no way going to help mitigate whatever tensions exist in the Middle East,” Lavine.

He called the bill an example of demagoguery, or political action that appeals to prejudices instead of rationality, referring to it as “antiIsrael.”

Lavine said it is being introduced for the bill sponsors to “make a splash at the expense of the Palestinians and also at the expense of anyone who contributes to any charities that are involved in Israel.”

He said this bill is “dead on arrival,” as it was determined immediately that the measure would not be passed by the majority.

Regardless, Lavine said he is still speaking out against the bill as it is time for political leaders to stand up against this sort of action, whether it is coming from what he identified as the Trump faction or the “so-called socialists.”

State inspectors were sent to SUNY Old Westbury to assess its viability to house asylum seekers, but was ultimately determined not to.

Assemblymember Charles Lavine condemns a bill proposed that would would prohibit not-for-profit corporations to monetarily support Israel.

Vincent Smith students show talents

The Vincent Smith School lobby was transformed into a gallery of creativity and expression Wednesday evening, as students from grades 1-12 displayed their artwork at the school’s annual art fair.

The annual event is both a showcase and a judged competition that includes prizes awarded this year by professional artist Dawn Herlihy Reilly.

Art teacher Lauren Bourguet chose the theme, “The Fundamentals of Subject Matter,” to encapsulate four subject matters: portraits, landscapes, still lives, and abstracts.

The students were proud to share their artwork with their peers, parents, teachers, and visitors. Some of them explained the inspiration and meaning behind their creations, which were the results of specific themes the students explored during the school year.

Artist Alma Thomas, the first black woman to have her art featured in the White House

Collection, was the inspiration for the mosaic abstracts, where the students painted a watercolor base then created a second overlay with tempera.

In other works, the students used an unconventional tool—a marble—to create non-objective art inspired by Wassily Kandisky.

For the theme, “Paint Brush Still Life,” students delved into the work of contemporary artist Jim Dine. They noted the relationship between light and shadow, using pencil pressures and smudging to create delicate shadows.

A favorite exhibit was the wall of dinosaurs inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “Pez Dispenser.”

Students used newspapers, paint, oil pastels, and crayons to create their striking and thoughtprovoking canvas poetry. The visitors were impressed by the variety and quality of the artwork.

The highlight of the event was the awards ceremony, where the best artworks from the

Lower and Upper schools were recognized and rewarded.

Judge Dawn Herlihy Reilly awarded first place for the Upper School to Olivia Lam for her landscape and First Place for the Lower School to Massimo Bica for his King Dinosaur.

Dawn Reilly is an award-winning photographer whose work has been shown at numerous art festivals and museums like the Long Island Photo Gallery, Long Island Museum, Pierro Gallery, and private collections.

As the Head of School John Baldi noted, “The school art fair is an annual favorite for families and students. We’re very proud of all of them, and we’re especially grateful to our art teacher, Ms. Bourguet, who inspires them to develop their artistic potential and to delve more deeply into the meaning and complexity of the artwork they study. Her hard work and effort have certainly paid off in a wonderful display of our students’ creativity.”

“We have seen so-called ‘populists’ enflame people’s passions and appeal to their base instincts, and that is one of the reasons why antisemitic incidents are at an appalling level, along with hatred of everyone who is ‘the other,’” Lavine said. “It’s about time we take a stand against this sort of base appeal towards people’s prejudices. We will be doomed if we don’t.”

He said getting residents involved in this action starts with knowledge in order to make the public aware of the issues at hand.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VINCENT SMITH SCHOOL Olivia Lam with her award-winning landscape

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUNY OLD WESTBURY

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF ASSEMBLYMEMBER CHARLES LAVINE

Business&RealEstate

Aftermath of the pandemic bailouts

Looking back to 2020, earning income to pay your mortgages and other expenses from your rental properties during the pandemic was a challenge for pretty much everyone. There was a ban on tenant evictions and late fees while tenants weren’t required to pay any rent. There was also mortgage assistance for landlords who had lost their tenant income so as to be able to pay their mortgages via the federal Corona Virus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and its successor, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

In addition, there were EIDL (economic injury disaster loans) for self-employed individuals, as well as PPP Loans (Paycheck Protection Plan) assistance monies for employees. Many of these loans became grants and didn’t have to be paid back. Unfortunately, some were not able to take advantage of the programs, because they didn’t apply, didn’t fill out the applications properly, or the available money was exhausted.

As reported by Bloomberg Financial, CNBC, and NBC News, $80 billion was stolen out of the $800 billion earmarked from the PPP program, and in addition, $90-$400 billion was stolen from the unemployment relief program, (there is no accountability to know the exact amounts taken) at least half from international scammers. Lastly, another $80 billion was

believed to have been pilfered from the EIDL program. There was nobody watching the money with the fox guarding the hen house and no checks and balances were initiated as our tax money went out the window!

The landlords and tenants who received assistance monies were able to stay afloat. The law also put a stay on foreclosures of all federally backed mortgage loans, e.g. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on multi-family properties starting from March 18, 2020, for a period of 60 days, and provided 180 days of forbearance for borrowers who were directly affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

The federal mortgage and relief programs were initially supposed to end on Dec. 31, 2020, but President Biden extended the foreclosure moratorium for federally guaranteed mortgages through June 30, 2021. Borrowers who entered forbearance on or before June 30, 2020, would receive up to six months of additional mortgage payment forbearance in three-month increments. Probably due to the high costs of mortgages and related expenses, states like New York and California and some local governments had also issued orders related to mortgage forbearance and foreclosure prohibitions in relation to the Corona Virus. But the

PHILIP A. RAICES

Real Estate Watch

details and degree of relief available varied greatly depending on the state and municipality.

We hadn’t experienced an event such as this since the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918, so we really weren’t as prepared as we could have been. Our previous president was advised as early as December 2019 by Peter Navarro, his economic trade adviser, that there was a virus in Wuhan, China, causing severe sickness and deaths. This information was circulated via the National Security Council widely around the White House and federal agencies.

By late January, alarm bells were ringing, but the situation was downplayed. By March, as the pandemic came and grew like a Tsunami, people were getting sick and dying. Our economy began faltering and becoming severely affected by supply chain shortages, due to the shutdown of China and most other economies as well as other major disruptions, and we were told not to go to work.

The fast-tracked programs were successful in that they were able to keep our economy and a majority of our citizens above water. The real dilemma was that an excessive amount of money was put out into the market. But if more checks and balances were initially thought-out and planned there could have been less money stolen and more available for those who desperately needed it. Inflation became the overriding issue and was the result of the excessive outlay of money that was mostly digitally sent out to banks to keep them solvent as well as a portion that was actually printed.

The lowest interest rates on record became a windfall for those able to borrow at such reduced costs that inflation began to occur with all the spending that was occurring with the limited supplies. It was a basic supply-demand economics situation; low supply and high demand equaled higher prices and the inflation that goes along with it.

My professional opinion is that rates should have been increased slowly as far back as 2021, when Fed Chair Jerome Powell first noticed inflation rearing its ugly head, saying it was transitional and would eventually subside. And we know the end of that story.

Although there was a short-term lull in real estate from March 2020 through the end of May 2020, it came back like a roaring lion afterward, due to the historic low interest rates and the demand backup, benefiting all those who were qualified to purchase. In turn, this fueled the immense increase in prices of 42% since the beginning of the pandemic through today and caused the lowest inventory levels on record that are still occurring.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 40 years of experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.) as well as the new “Green Industry” Certification for eco-friendly construction and upgrades. For a “FREE” 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.Com or via https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com

Phishing: A Real and Present Danger to Small Business

Phishing is a form of cyber fraud that uses bogus emails in order to lure victims to part with something of value, such as passwords and credit cards. It does this by mimicking a trusted sender, convincing an employee to click a link. This immediately installs malware like viruses and ransomware to the company’s network where it can access invaluable data.

Sandwire Technology Group fights back on behalf of its clients, small and midsize businesses (SMBs), with limited budgets. Our CyberSafe stack serves as a defensive shield, featuring:

• Email/data backup to retrieve and restore data

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• Employee training with phishing tests and educational videos

Phishing emails are becoming increasingly difficult to spot, a trend that sees no end. Today, nearly every major data breach begins with a successful attack. Is your company protected?

Recent Real Estate Sales in

Opposition to M-L ambulance plan

The district serves approximately 45,000 customers within a service area of 10.2 square miles, according to its website.

In 2022, the ambulance unit was dispatched to 1,230 calls, Genser said

Current issues with sharing a space with Company #3 include double stacking vehicles in the department’s bay, inadequate space for vehicles and first responders to move around the apparatus floor during emergencies, limited office space and bunk

space for first responders doing an overnight shift, Genser said.

The ambulance unit currently has one bay at the company for two ambulances. The unit’s third is stored at a different location and the first response vehicle is kept in the parking lot, which leaves the medication inside it susceptible to outside elements if not taken care of properly, Genser said.

The anticipated maximum project cost is $11,706,044 for the total project, according to the district.

Sauvigne responded to many concerns over unexpected increases to the cost by clarifying that the district would need to issue another vote to spend more than the current amount on the June ballot.

“If we got out to bid and the costs come in higher, I’m telling you right now we are not moving forward with the project,” Sauvigne said. “We’re going to do something that is financially correct.”

Anticipated hard costs of the project, which account for the physical materials, labor and equipment that go into the construction of the building,

Lack of laws halt plans for cameras

Continued from Page 4

With increased traffic running through the village, Peters said they have had issues of drivers failing to stop at stop signs.

“We have people who are running stop signs in the mornings, like at 7:30, 8 o’clock in the morning, at 40 miles an hour, past where kids are waiting for the school bus,” Peters said.

He said this is exacerbated due to the lack of police presence in the village.

“[Installing stop sign cameras] is a way of enforcing the law without waiting for the police, which we’ve accepted it’s just not going to happen, they just have too much else to do,” Peters said.

The mayor said his objective is to make the streets safe for kids, not with the intention to collect money from offenders.

Demo cameras were installed in Roslyn Estates from April 27-May 1 collecting data on drivers’ habits at stop signs.

At some locations, the cameras detected that less than 3% of cars came to a complete stop before the stop sign line. About 27%-40% came to a rolling stop, and 55%-75% failed to

stop entirely.

But Peters said they have chosen not to go forward with the cameras at this moment as their village attorney determined it to be illegal.

Based on input from mayors in his constituency, District 7 state Sen. Jack Martins has introduced a bill that would make it legal for

municipalities to implement stop sign cameras.

He said he has received a large, unsolicited amount of support from local mayors wanting the stop sign camera legislation, which he said “speaks volumes” to the desire and need for it in communities.

Martins echoed the concerns of Peters, saying that the local law enforcement presence is not up to par for what many residents would like. He said stop sign cameras provide communities with the tools for greater enforcement of the law and public safety.

“If people knew there was a police officer at a stop sign, they would stop,” Martins said. “So having the ability for a local municipality, through the board, to make those decisions I think is important – especially where people do have a history of going through stop signs, not stopping completely.”

The bill proposed by Martins has not been voted on yet, and needs to be passed by both the state senate and assembly. As it still faces committee, Martins said he is unsure when it will voted on.

NHP man 2nd on LI to receive tremor fix

Continued from Page 4

minutes after his treatment, but he also held out his hands Wednesday, showing his right hand staying completely still.

Bocian underwent a non-surgery procedure — one his wife, Beth, found called “HIFU,” or highintensity focused ultrasound.

The treatment, only available on Long Island at North Shore, lasted two hours and put Bocian in an MRI scanner before deploying highly focused sound waves that interacted with specific brain tissue to eliminate tremors, leaving the surrounding

areas intact and unharmed.

“Before this procedure became available, patients would have to rely on medication and/ or surgery to help relieve their tremors,” said Dr. Albert Fenoy, director of functional neurosurgery. “When we met Murray, we knew he would be a great candidate for HIFU.”

Bocian said he was grateful for both the treatment and the staff at North Shore, but jokingly complained about needing to wait nine months before getting treatment on the right side of his brain to treat the tremors in his left hand.

“I wish I could back go in tomorrow,” Bocian said.

Bocian’s family is also appreciative of the work done at North Shore.

“We’re about to celebrate our 56th wedding anniversary in August,” said Beth, a retired Northwell nurse. “And this has affected us to the point that I couldn’t even hold my husband’s hand because of the shaking. Now, I see a lot more handholding in our future. We consider this to be a miracle.”

is $9,590,544.

Soft costs for the project, which may include consulting fees, interior equipment or furniture, amount to $2,115,500.

Sauvigne said that if approved, the project would not cause taxes to exceed the 2% state-mandated tax cap in the next fiscal year.

A state grant of $1 million was secured by state Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti (D-Port Washington) in 2022 and goes toward the approximate $3.5 million that has already been allotted for the project in reserve funds, Sauvigne said.

If the vote is not delayed, the district’s vote will be at the department’s Company #2 firehouse on 2 Community Drive East, Manhasset from noon to 9:00 p.m.

Woman, 60, dies in W.P. fire

Continued from Page 5

to the house, Uttaro said.

The first engine to respond to the scene and try to get water on the fire was dealing with a faulty fire hydrant before a second engine could quickly find a working hydrant and provide a water supply, Uttaro said.

Over 60 firefighters responded to the scene. It took about 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control, Uttaro said. Additional responding departments came from Floral Park, South Floral Park, Garden City, New Hyde Park, Mineola, Williston Park, Franklin Square and West Hempstead.

No first responders were injured on the scene.

The seven people inside the home were sent to either Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park or Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow for varying degrees of smoke inhalation before being released, Uttaro said.

Investigations are currently ongoing to determine the cause of the fire and the cause of death of the victim, said Uttaro, a resident of the village and trustee on the board.

“I arrived probably 15 minutes after the call and it was a very heavy volume of fire throughout the entire house,” he said.

“[Installing stop sign cameras] is a way of enforcing the law without waiting for the police, which we’ve accepted it’s just not going to happen, they just have too much else to do.”

— Roslyn Estates Mayor Paul Peters

Nassau takes pride in Jim Brown’s legacy

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

It’s a part of the speech during the opening days of practice every year for Coach Jay Iaquinta, the leader of Manhasset High School football team.

While his players are starting to learn the playbook and get familiar with each other again, he points to the field and tells them a little history.

“I say ‘hey, boys, do you know who practiced on this field and wore the same Manhasset uniform you’re wearing?’” Iaquinta recalled on Saturday. “Jim Brown, the greatest football player ever.”

“Some of them seem to know who he was, but a lot of them look at me and don’t know,” Iaquinta said.

Manhasset Head Lacrosse Coach Keith Cromwell does a similar thing at the start of each season his team plays and also gets “a few kids” who know who he is.

It’s been more than 70 years since the kid from the Spinney Hill neighborhood of Manhasset started his legendary sports career, but the stories of Jim Brown’s greatness have been passed down from generation to generation.

And as great a football player as he was, considered by many to be the best ever, it may be only here in Manhasset where his lacrosse legacy is just as, if not more, important and treasured.

During Brown’s high school days from 194953, he set the standard for what a well-rounded high school athlete could be.

He won an unfathomable 13 varsity letters in his career, with time on the basketball court (he averaged 38 points per game as a senior) and even the baseball diamond complementing his incredible skill in football and lacrosse (legend has it that Yankees Manager Casey Stengel saw him play baseball once and offered him a pro contract.)

And as good as Brown was in football, eventually going to Syracuse University and becoming an All-American, his skills in the stick-and-ball sport of lacrosse shone just as brightly.

“He was great at everything he did, but everyone I ever talked to who saw him play said he was just unstoppable in lacrosse,” remembers Alan Lowe, Manhasset’s lacrosse coach from 1974-2006. “Just his speed, his strength, and his quickness in getting the ball from his stick into a shooting motion and scoring. He was so, so strong.”

How unstoppable was Brown on the lacrosse field? The U.S.A. Lacrosse Hall of Fame archivist Joe Finn confirmed that after Brown’s playing career, the rules of the sport were changed because of him.

Prior to parts of Brown’s lacrosse career it was legal for players to cradle their stick against their

chest while running with the ball, making it very difficult for defenders to take it away.

Because Brown was so strong and powerful, it was almost impossible to strip him of the ball.

“He was so strong, who was going to get it from him?” Finn said with a chuckle.

After Brown’s career the NCAA and U.S.A. Lacrosse changed the rule and forced players to keep the arm, stick and ball in motion at all times, giving opponents more of a chance to poke it away.

Bobby Anastasia, a Manhasset sports historian, recalled that three local white businessmen, Ken Molloy, Tom O’Connell, and football coach Ed Walsh, for whom the Manhasset H.S. field is named, took Brown under their wing and tried to guide him as best they could.

“It’s known that Ken pulled some strings to make sure Jim got to go to school in Manhasset,” Anastasia recalled. “And Jim throughout his life always showed appreciation for all the help he got from these local men.”

Indeed, it’s often forgotten in the Brown legend that he wasn’t given a scholarship to Syracuse in 1953, but that Molloy and others paid his way to the upstate New York school, until his immense talent earned him a free ride starting as a sophomore.

Cromwell, who said that he met Brown as a member of the professional Long Island Lizards a

Jim Brown, football great, dies at 87

decade ago, added that it’s “humbling” to walk by Brown’s jersey in the school weight room and see that the origin of the Manhasset lacrosse dynasty began with the best ever.

“It’s humbling and it’s mesmerizing to know he started here,” said Cromwell, himself a former college and pro star. “The idea that the best athlete maybe ever from Long Island was here on this grass is a big inspiration to kids.”

Maybe the current Manhasset athlete best equipped to speak about Brown is senior Matt Cargiulo.

Cargiulo, headed to University of Massachusetts on scholarship in a few months, was the quarterback on the gridiron last fall and is a key member of the Indians lacrosse team that won the state championship last spring and may do so again over the next few weeks.

“He’s an icon for Manhasset athletes, absolutely,” Cargiulo said a day after Brown died. “I’ve seen some clips of him on YouTube and he was just amazing. As a football player, what I noticed was just how athletic he was, and how tough he was when he hit people.

“His legacy will never be forgotten by the athletes here.”

honor among running backs.

Coming off an MVP season in 1965, Brown stunned the football by announcing his retirement to pursue an acting career.

He would go on to appear in more than 30 movies including “The Dirty Dozen,” Any Given Sunday,” and “He Got Game.”

When the modern civil rights movement gained momentum in the 1950s, few elite athletes spoke out on racial issues. Brown was an exception.

Working to promote economic development in Cleveland’s Black neighborhoods while playing for the Browns,he founded the Negro Industrial and Economic Union (later known as the Black Economic Union) as a vehicle to create jobs. It facilitated loans to Black businessmen in poor areas..

In June 1967, Brown invited other leading black athletes, most notably Bill Russelland Lew Alcindor (the future Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), to the office of his Economic Union to hear Muhammad Ali after Ali had been stripped of his heavyweight boxing title and faced imprisonment for refusing to be drafted in protest over the Vietnam War.

The meeting is viewed as a watershed for the development of racial awareness among athletes, Brown and the others at the session publicly voiced their support for Ali.

In 1988, he founded Amer-I-Can, an organization that offers personal development for young African-Americans. Brown also participated in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s and helped create a business preparedness organization called the Negro Industrial Economic Union, according to www.cleveland.com.

Continued from Page 1

at Manhasset Valley Park.

The son of a domestic, Brown grew up on the Great Neck side of Lee Road before moving to Manhasset, and his mother had to “use a little bit of trickery” to make sure her son could attend school in Manhasset, he said.

“Manhasset was a very rich community, a very affluent community, and at no time did we worry about racism and prejudice,” Brown said a decade ago when he was honored. “This was an example of how people should be treated.”

He was supported by the mostly white Manhasset community.

When Syracuse University declined to offer him a scholarship, Manhasset attorney Ken Molloy organized fundraisers in the local community to pay for Brown’s first year of college.

Brown became an all-American at Syracuse in football and lacrosse and also competed in basketball and baseball, and ran track.

In his final regular season game against Colgate, he scored six touchdowns, kicked seven extra points and rushed for 197 yards.

Brown was then drafted sixth by the Cleveland Browns.

For nine seasons from 1957-65 with the Cleveland Browns Brown did not miss a single game because of injury, retiring on his own terms after

winning the NFL’s MVP award for the third time in his career.

He was named to nine Pro Bowls and led the league in rushing each year except 1962, in which he finished 478 yards behind Green Bay’s Jim Taylor.

“All you can do is grab, hold, hang on and wait for help,”Sam Huff, the Hall of Fame middle linebacker for the Giants and the Washington team now known as the Commanders, once told Time magazine.

To celebrate the league’s 100th season, the NFL announced its “All-Time Team”, a roster of 100 players and 10 coaches named the greatest in their respective positions. Brown earned the highest

Brown’s legacy would be tarnished more than a half-dozen arrests, in most cases when women accused him of violent behavior.

“I can definitely get angry, and I have taken that anger out inappropriately in the past,” Brown told Sports Illustrated in an interview at the jail. “But I have done so with both men and women.”

But in death, Brown’s achievements far outweighed his failings in an outpouring of love and respect online.

“We lost a hero today. Rest in Paradise to the legend Jim Brown,” said basketball great LeBron James, who grew up south of Cleveland in Akron. “I hope every Black athlete takes the time to educate themselves about this incredible man and what he did to change all of our lives. We all stand on your shoulders Jim Brown.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ISLAND 360 ARCHIVES

Jim Brown speaks to Manhasset students in 2013 ahead of the new multi-purpose field at Manhasset Valley Park being named in his honor.

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We are looking for an energetic, self-starter with good communication skills to market these products as an advertising account executive.

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To apply, email a resume and cover letter to sblank@theisland360.com. Or call Steven Blank at 516.203.6440

REPORTER WANTED

BLANK SLATE MEDIA, the publisher of 6 award-winning weekly newspapers and website is seeking one or more people to assist our reporting staff in covering government meetings and community events.

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Or call Steven Blank at 516.203.6440

ANNOUNCEMENTS NOVENAS/PRAYERS

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED MOTHER

Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven. Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me herein and show me here you are my Mother.

Oh Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (say three times). Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (say three times). Amen. This prayer is never known to fail and is to be said for 3 consecutive days. In Gratitude (M.T.F.)

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Spring Fest at Clark Botanic Town celebrates Good Deed awardees

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Council Members Dennis Walsh and Veronica Lurvey joined the Chabad of Mineola for the 29th Annual Good Deed Awards on May 10.

The Good Deed Awards, which are presented by the National Committee

for Furtherance of Jewish Education of Nassau County, recognize teenagers for their significant achievements, excellence, effectiveness, and creativity as positive role models in their community.

This year’s ceremony recognized 23 youth honorees for their outstanding contributions.

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Council Member Mariann Dalimonte joined hundreds of visitors at the Annual Clark Garden Spring Fest on May 6.

The festival served as the kick-off of the spring season, with many family-friendly activities including nature hikes around the garden, lawn games, educational programs, arts & crafts, a live animal show, and more.

The festival also highlighted the Butterfly Effect exhibit. The exhibit was created by over 2,700 talented students of North Hempstead.

Holocaust Center gives awards

Town officials join Rabbi Perl and the Chabad of Mineola for the 29th Annual Good Deed Awards.

Officials attend SHAI Mother’s Day

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Council Member Veronica Lurvey, and Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava attended the SHAI (Sephardic Heritage Alliance Inc.) Mother’s Day celebration on May 15.

The day was filled with food, fun, and friends at the Great Neck Social Center. Since its inception in 1992, SHAI has organized diverse events and programs geared toward keeping the family and the Persian-Jewish community together.

North Hempstead Council Members Peter Zuckerman and Veronica Lurvey attended the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County’s 2023 Annual Upstander Awards held at Westbury Manor on May 15.

The Friedlander Upstander Award is presented to middle and high school students who have proven themselves to be upstanders in communities across Long Island. The event also raised money to support the HMTC’s educational programming.

Add some love to your home

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the Town Board would like to remind residents about dogs up for adoption at the town’s animal shelter. This month’s featured pups include Pumba and Whiskey.

Pumba is a 3-year-old English bulldog mix who was surrendered to us when the owner’s living situation changed and could not take care of him anymore.

Pumba is the perfect name for him because this boy is quite the character! He is a goofy and playful guy that absolutely loves to be around people. Pumba is a pup who doesn’t know his own size and wants to be all over you to shower you with love!

Due to his strength and his tendency to get a bit mouthy when excited and happy we are not recommending him to live with young children. Pumba does not seem to get along with other animals and is recommended to be the only dog in the home.

Whiskey is a 1.5-year-old German Shepherd whose family surrendered him when they couldn’t care for him anymore. He can be a bit aloof at first, more interested in the exciting sights around him, but he comes around and starts to enjoy petting and affection. He has learned his commands and will be extra attentive when treats are involved.

Town officials celebrate Mother’s Day with member of the SHAI organization.

Whiskey lived with children in the home but was protective of the home from strangers; we are seeking a family with dog experience familiar with this type of behavior trait. Whiskey gets along with all people he meets and enjoys canine

companions.

The North Hempstead Animal Shelter is located at 75 Marino Ave. in Port Washington and is open Monday through Friday (except holidays) 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment to visit or for more information on a featured dog, please call 311 or 516869-6311.

Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, left, and Council Member Mariann Dalimonte with students and their designs from “The Butterfly Effect” exhibit.

Council Member Peter Zuckerman and Council Member Veronica Lurvey celebrate the 2023 Friedlander Upstander Award honorees.

PHOTO BY MAGGIE TUMINO MILLS Pumba is available at the North Hempstead Animal Shelter.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Town of North Hempstead -

Board of Zoning Appeals

Pursuant to the provisions of the Code of the Town of North Hempstead, NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the Board of Zoning Appeals of said Town will meet at Town Hall, 220 Plandome Road, Manhasset, New York, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 to consider any matters that may properly be heard by said Board, and will hold a public hearing on said date to consider applications and appeals. The following cases will be called at said public hearing starting at 10:00am.

APPEAL #21393 - Larry Karantzios; 44 West Drive, Manhasset; Section 3, Block 85, Lot 132; Zoned: Residence-B Variance from §70-100.2(a)(2) to legalize fencing that is located in a front yard (not permitted)

Plans are available for public viewing at https://northhempsteadny.gov/ bza.  Persons interested in viewing the full file may do so by any time before the scheduled hearing by contacting the BZA department via e-mail at BZAdept@northhempsteadny. gov.  Additionally, the public may view the live stream of this meeting at https://northhempsteadny.gov/ townboardlive. Any member of the public is able to attend and participate in a BZA hearing by appearing on the scheduled date and time.  Comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker. Written comments are accepted by email up to 60 minutes prior to the hearing. Timely comment submissions will be made part of the record.

DAVID MAMMINA, R.A., Chairman; Board of Zoning Appeals

LEGALS

Plan for mascot change has ‘25 deadline

Continued from Page 1

or logos connected to indigenous peoples has on indigenous and non-indigenous peoples, including students, is well established,” the memo said.

Plaques, trophies and other “legacy or memorial items” are deemed historical artifacts and do not need to be changed or removed, officials said.

Sewanhaka Superintendent James Grossane said during an April Board of Education meeting that the nearly 90-year-old mural in the high school’s cafeteria can remain unchanged.

Within an application for an extension, the school district must provide an explanation and timeline of actions the district has taken to adhere to the guidelines and commitment from the president of the Board of Education to meet an agreed-upon deadline, according to the State Department.

The history of Manhasset’s “Indian” mascot is traced back to the Matinecock Indian Tribe, a group that occupied a majority of the Town of North Hempstead.

The Matinecocks were forcibly removed from the territory, with Manhasset keeping the “Indian” mascot name along

with having an orange feather attached to the “M” in their logo and calling their newspaper “Indian Ink.” Sewanhaka High School has used the “Indian” mascot since 1929 when the Sewanhaka Central High School District was built and has a school newspaper

called “The Chieftain” and a yearbook called “Totem.”

Grossane announced the district is creating a committee to move forward with changing the school’s name and mascot during a board of trustees meeting.

“We have established the parameters for creating a committee to discuss the requirements from the New York State Education Department to change the mascot of Sewanhaka High School from its current name of the Indians to determine a new mascot and nickname,” Grossane said during the meeting. “We will surely be contacting current students, parents and alumni to form the committee and move forward with the task.”

The superintendent added there are funds set aside in the current budget to help begin the transition, which does not need to be completely fulfilled until next year. Grossane gave a rough estimate that updating the uniforms for grades seven to 12 would be approximately $200,000 and that the scoreboard and turf would need to be changed.

Possible capital projects that will need to replaced in light of the new guidelines for each district include new uniforms, football field end zones and midfield logo, scoreboard modifications, wrestling mats, gym floors, signage, wall padding and banners.

Kramer to serve as grand marshal in parade

Continued from Page 3

Officers of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department and the Manhasset American Legion Post 304 are sponsoring the Manhasset Memorial Day Parade and Service.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 29, and will run along Plandome Road from Plandome Court to Memorial Place. A total of 25 organizations and six bands are scheduled to march, including fire trucks from the Manhasset-Lakeville and Plandome Fire Departments.

The American Legion will place a wreath at the Gold Star Monument on Plandome Road and will also place American flags on the graves of veterans in local cemeteries with the help of Boy Scout Troop 97.

The parade will finish at Mary Jane Davies Green. Chaplain Lionel Mailloux

of Manhasset Post 304 will read the Roll Call of Deceased Veterans of the past year. Performances of the National Anthem, Amazing Grace and Taps will be performed and four students from Manhasset High School and St. Mary’s High School will be honored.

The Williston Park American Legion Post 144 will host the annual Memorial Day Service and Parade starting at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 29, at the post’s grounds on 730 Willis Ave.

The parade will begin at the post and head to Princeton St., west to Broad Street, south to Hillside Ave., west on Hillside Ave., north on Park Ave. then east on Center St., and turning south on Willis Ave. terminating at Village Hall. The parade route was modified due to construction.

A brief service will be held following the parade.

The Mineola Fire Department and Boy Scouts Troop 45 will put on the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29, at 11 a.m.

The parade route will start at the corner of Union Street and Westbury Avenue before heading west on Westbury to Roslyn Road, north on Roslyn to Jericho, west on Jericho to Marcellus and south on Marcellus to Memorial Park.

A brief ceremony will be held at Memorial Park following the parade.

East Williston will be holding its 44th annual Memorial Day 5K Race on Monday, May 29, at 8:30 a.m. followed by the Little Tykes’ Race. The village’s Memorial Day Parade will then take place at 11:15 a.m. immediately followed by a ceremony at noon on the Village Green.

The Town of North Hempstead will be holding a Memorial Day Com-

COMMUNITY NEWS

memoration and Fireworks Extravaganza at North Hempstead Beach Park on Saturday, May 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The fireworks will begin around 9:15 p.m. and food trucks will be present at the event. The event, while free, will charge $10 for parking except for veterans and active duty military. Music from Decadia featuring songs from the ‘80s to today will also be playing during the event.

“Memorial Day serves as an opportunity to honor the members of our Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms,” Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said in a statement. “I urge all who attend to take the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by these brave men and women for our country.”

Manhasset Great Neck EOC to hold spring gala

To celebrate the advent of summer, the Manhasset Great Neck EOC will be holding its Annual Gala Fundraiser on Thursday, June 1 at Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck.Festivities will start with an Open Bar from 6-6:45 PM, followed by dinner at 7 PM.

The EOC is a terrific and very special organization that is recognized by everyone in the Manhasset and Great Neck communities – residents, business owners and public officials alike. Gala activities will include a Silent Auction and Raffles.

Tickets are $125 per person.

This year the EOC will honor the following supporters:

Gina Sillitti, state Assemblywoman, Assembly District 16

Kimberly Corcoran-Galante, Town of North Hempstead Commissioner of Community Services

Robert Pascucci, CEO JOBCO Incorporated/JMI Management Company Inc

David Gallo, president Georgica Green Ventures

Ann Liverman, First Baptist Church, Great Neck

Carol Faucette, First Baptist Church, Great Neck

Desiree Woodson, Chairwoman of the EOC’s Board of Directors, notes that “we have always been poised to service the youth of the community in so many ways.

Aside from our Head Start and Summer Programs, we have a Thursday mentoring and life coaching program, tutoring program for middle and high school students and have established a program for youth with disabilities, entitled Purposeful Development. We are very excited about our future.”

For Gala Reservations, you may purchase tickets online at www.mgneoc.com/events or make checks payable to: The Manhasset/Neck EOC and mail to the EOC at 65 High Street, Manhasset, NY 11030.

Again, tickets are $125 per person.

For Journal Ads, please contact Stephanie Chenault at 516-627-6385 for additional information and reservations.

PHOTO BY SAMUELE PETRUCCELLI

Manhasset Secondary School hallway.

Lavine sponsors abortion rights legislation

State Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) is sponsoring new legislation to protect abortion rights.

The New York Santoro Provider Protection Act of 2023 (A6904) comes as more and more states are passing their own legislation restricting women’s reproductive rights in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s repudiation of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision and as a court battle rages over access to the abortion drug mifepristone.

The bill is named after Santoro, who died from an unsafe abortion in 1964, and whose death inspired abortion rights activists.

It provides protection for women seeking abortions and related medical services, whether or not they reside in

New York. In addition, it aims to prevent harm from unsafe and unregulated abortions and to mitigate the disproportionate impact of abortion bans on indigent women and women of color.

A key component of the legislation is funding for those who are lowincome and who may need to travel across one or more states to receive access to care.

“New York must continue to be a national leader in protecting women’s reproductive rights — which are human rights,” Lavine said. “We will not sit passively as states with authoritarian governments enact laws suppressing freedom as they work to restrict or outright ban abortion.”

The New York Santoro Provider Protection Act of 2023 will provide:

Spelling bee winner Liu honored by town

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Council Member Veronica Lurvey, and the Town Board recently proudly welcomed Great Neck North Middle School student Brian Liu to Town Hall on May 2.

Officials recognized him for his outstanding performance at the ScholarSkills Long Island Spell-

A Telehealth Shield Provision: The bill allows New York medical providers to provide telemedicine abortion services to patients outside New York

and shields providers from extraterritorial lawsuits and abortion-related prosecutions.

A Travel Program: The bill creates a not-for-profit corporation that would accept public funds and private donations to fund travel and lodging for pregnant women seeking to access abortion services in New York, with the funds administered by the Department of Health. The public-private partnership fund will provide financial assistance for travel and abortion services to women from states where abortions are either illegal or unavailable, regardless of geography or economic means.

Immunity: Immunity from suits would extend to private individuals or entities acting under contracts with DOH to provide abortion services and

to common carriers.

Defense and Indemnification: Recipients of a certificate of immunity from the N.Y. DOH would be entitled to a legal defense and indemnification through an amendment to Section 17 of the Public Officer’s Law (Defense and Indemnification of State Officers and Employees). If the provider were sued or indicted, the State would defend them at its cost (but using available pro bono counsel where possible).

Health Insurance: To the extent permitted by law, the program will seek to obtain reimbursement from the patient’s health insurance.

Lavine is a founding member of the New York State Bipartisan Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus and serves as chair of the Judiciary Committee

ing Bee. Brian competed against 47 students from Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties to earn first place in the spelling bee.

He will now be representing Long Island in the Scripps National Spelling Bee which takes place in Washington D.C. from May 30 through June 1.

Garden Rewards grants for homeowners

Long Island homeowners looking to play a role in reducing stormwater runoff, which is one of the leading causes of nitrogen pollution in our waterways, will soon be eligible for grants to help cover the cost and maintenance of runoff mitigation projects on their property.

The Long Island Regional Planning Council, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and NEIWPCC, is introducing the Long Island Garden Rewards Program which will provide up to $500 to offset the expense of installing green infrastructure on their properties including rain barrels, native plantings, and rain gardens.

“The quality of our surface waters, and of our drinking water beneath us, is threatened by excess nitrogen pollution created by stormwater runoff,” stated John Cameron, LIRPC chairman. “While municipalities on every level are addressing stormwater runoff and nitrogen pollution, the Long Island Regional Planning Council saw the need to encourage homeowners to become a part of the solution in their own small but significant way.”

Excess nitrogen causes toxic algal blooms that lead to low oxygen conditions, fish kills, harmful algal blooms, degraded wetlands and marine habitats. Nitrogen also contaminates the groundwater, which is the sole source of Long Island’s drinking water supply

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “DEC is committed to protecting Long Island water quality in partnership with the Long Island Regional Planning Council, NEIWPCC, and Nassau and Suffolk counties. Reducing nitrogen pollution is critical to improving water quality, protecting groundwater, and strengthening the longterm health of marine life. DEC encourages homeowners to take part in the Long Island Garden Rewards Program

and talk to neighbors about how green infrastructure can reduce runoff and protect the environment.”

“It has been great working with LIRPC and NYSDEC to build out this program, and I’m excited for this launch!” said Courtney Botelho, NEIWPCC Environmental Analyst. “The program offers Long Island residents a hands-on opportunity to meaningfully contribute to local water quality improvements right from their yards.”

Under the Long Island Garden Rewards Program, homeowners can receive a maximum of $500 to help cover the cost of their projects.

Rain Barrels: Rain Barrels reduce stormwater runoff by collecting and storing rainwater for homeowners to later use in their yards and gardens, also helping conserve water consumption. Barrels must be a minimum of 50 gallons and are required to have mosquito netting or screening. Reimbursement of up to $125 for each barrel will be provided for purchase, up to $500 maximum.

Native Plantings : Native plants are heartier and more resilient to local climate conditions. Native plant plantings can reduce water usage, reduce fertilizer and pesticide usage, and promote biodiversity. These native plants help promote a healthy ecosystem and are more resistant to local weather.

Rain Gardens : Rain gardens collect rainwater from roofs, driveways and other surfaces and allow that rain to soak into the ground. Rain gardens can filter stormwater before it reaches local waterways, mitigate flooding caused by pavement and enhance your yard with low maintenance landscaping. To be eligible, a rain garden must be a minimum of 20 square feet, use native plants and be maintained for at least three years.

For more information on the Long Island Garden Rewards visit: www.lirpc.org/garden-rewards-program.

Council Member Robert Troiano, left, Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava, Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Brian Liu, Council Member Veronica Lurvey, and Council Member Peter Zuckerman.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF CHARLES LAVINE

SAFE AT HOME

Port

Washington’s

Anthony Iurio perfecting baseball rarity

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

It is the most audacious play on the baseball field. One no one ever sees coming.

The runner dances off third base, shaking his legs and arms and watching the pitcher like a meteorologist studying the Doppler radar. The batter stands waiting for the pitch, as the catcher thinks about what to call.

Then, suddenly, the runner is off as soon as the pitcher goes into his windup, and a few seconds later, he slides across home just before the catcher can apply the tag.

Everyone in the stadium roars. Both benches are stunned. And a steal of home, that rarity in the sport, has just happened.

Only a few great baserunners in the history of the game have been good at stealing home. Jackie Robinson, Ty Cobb, players who were legends in their time.

Anthony Iurio wants to be like those guys one day. In at least one respect, he’s getting there.

The Port Washington Schreiber High School junior outfielder has recorded two swipes of home this season, his breakout year as he became a star and led the Vikings to a terrific spring.

The 5-foot-10 junior batted .473 and powered the Schreiber offense, but what really gets his eyes twinkling and his mouth moving as fast as his feet is talking about baserunning. And stealing home.

“It’s just the most exciting thing that can happen out there,” said Iurio (pronounced I-OREO). “Nobody is expecting it, and when it works and you get back to the dugout, everyone is so pumped up.”

Now to be totally truthful, Iurio hasn’t accomplished a “straight” steal of home in 2023, when he takes off at the pitcher’s first motion and gets there before the catcher can tag him out. One of his steals, against Herricks, occurred when Iurio noticed the catcher was tossing it back to the

pitcher very slowly, and on one lazy throw he raced down the third base line and scored before the pitcher could get it back to the plate.

His other theft of home occurred against East Meadow, on a slow pickoff throw by the pitcher to the first baseman. Iurio took off immediately and slid in safely.

“He’s one of the best baserunners I’ve ever seen, anywhere,” Schreiber coach Matt Holzer said. “He’s fast, but it’s more his instincts and baseball IQ are so good. He knows exactly when to take the risk and when not to. He’s got a green light from us all the time.”

“I’ll try to steal on anyone,” Iurio said. “I have no fear of making an out. I feel like if I get caught stealing, it’s something wrong that I did.”

It’s not just Iurio’s wheels that powered Schreiber to a 15-7 season, a campaign that ended on May 17 when the Vikes lost their playoff series to Oceanside.

In addition to the .473 batting average, Iurio smacked six doubles, with one homer and 19 RBIs. He drove in six runs in an early-season game against Herricks, a performance that gave him confidence he could succeed on the varsity level after Iurio hit .182 as a sophomore.

“Before the game Coach Holzer took me aside and just said, “stay back, and look for the away pitch,'” and I did and had a great game,” Iurio said.

Both Holzer and Iurio say the junior’s confidence took off after that series. Iurio stopped trying to pull everything and started spraying liners to all fields. A lot of that success came with experience, but also Iurio knew that to hit good varsity pitching, he had to change his approach a bit.

He also has learned to use his instincts from another sport while patrolling center field. Iurio was a top wide receiver for the Vikings football squad last fall.

“I’m reading where the ball is going as a wide receiver, same thing as baseball,” Iurio said. “You have to

have good hands and good instincts in both.”

Iurio comes from an athletic family, as dad Edward Iurio played hockey at the University of Rhode Island. Iurio said he asked his parents re-

peatedly as a kid to put him in travel baseball, but “my Mom thought I had too much going on, so I should wait a little.”After starring with the Port Washington Legends as a kid, he now plays for Level Up travel squad and is

hoping a strong summer will get him looks from college coaches.

“There’s not many holes in his game,” Holzer said. “He just has to keep working hard, maybe get a little stronger, and he’ll be even better.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCHREIBER H.S.

Port Washington Schreiber High School center fielder Anthony Iurio was a big reason the Vikings went 15-7 this season.

Herricks 7th grade artist recognized Herricks senior Lau honored

Herricks Middle School

seventh grader Laura Kopcinski had her artwork highlighted as part of Nassau County Parks Department Arbor Day celebration.

The artwork featuring a tree was selected by Deputy Director of Parks John Darcy. Kopcinski’s art became the design on t-shirts worn by park volunteers, many of whom are Herricks High School student volunteers.

“We are very proud of Laura on this honor,” says Herricks Director of Fine and Performing Arts Anissa Arnold. “Congratulations to Laura and to her art teacher Cindy Perotti for fostering her artistic growth.”

Herricks seventh grader Laura Kopcinski’s artwork was featured as part of Nassau County Parks Department Arbor Day celebration.

Herricks High School

senior Carolyn Lau was recently honored as one of 20 Long Island Scholar Artists at the Tilles Center for Performing Arts. Her profile was featured in an issue of Newsday, which highlighted her musical and academic successes.

The Scholar-Artist Awards program sponsored by the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) and presented by the New York Community Bank Foundation and Newsday, recognizes students as “the best of the best” on Long Island in both academics and in the arts.

Carolyn began playing the flute in third grade and currently studies flute at the Juilliard PreCollege with Carol Wincenc. She

has performed as a soloist with several orchestras as winner of their concerto competitions. Carolyn is a two-time National Young Arts Classical Music award winner and one of four flutists selected nationwide to serve as coprincipal flute for Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYOUSA) European Concert Tour.

In addition, Carolyn has taken rigorous coursework and AP classes achieving a GPA of 4.226. She will be attending Harvard University in the fall.

The district is very proud of Carolyn and wishes her continued success in all her endeavors.

Manhasset Memorial Day Parade and Service

The Manhasset-Lakeville Fire/Water District Board of Commissioners, the Officers of Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, and Manhasset Post 304 of the American Legion are sponsoring the 2023 Manhasset Memorial Day Parade and Service.

All Manhasset residents, their families and friends are invited to join in this remembrance of the great sacrifices of our American heroes.

Flag Planting

Post 304 and Boy Scout Troop 97 will place American flags on the graves of veterans in local cemeteries and will participate with other American Legion posts in decorating the graves at the Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn. Post 304 has also donated American flags which will be placed on the street light poles along Plandome Road.

The Parade

The Memorial Day Parade begins promptly at 10 a.m. The route of the parade will be along Plandome Road from Plandome Court to Memorial Place with excellent public viewing along the entire length. Twenty-five organizations and six bands are scheduled to march. The parade will include fire trucks from the Manhasset-Lakeville and Plandome Fire Departments. During the parade the American Legion will place a wreath at the Gold Star Monument on Plandome Road.

Parade Line-up

Those planning to march in the parade are expected to be present, ready to march, in their designated assembly areas no later than 9:30 a.m.

ASSEMBLY AREA AND ORDER OF MARCH

Memorial Day Parade, May 29, 2023

First Division:

Assembly – Plandome Court South facing west

(starting at junction with Plandome Road)

American Legion Commander

First Division Commander

American Legion Colors

American Legion Post 304 Banner

American Legion Members

Marine Corps League

Inisfada Gaelic Pipe Band

American Legion Vehicles

Poppy Queen Vehicle

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 304

American Legion Auxiliary Vehicle

B. Second Division:

Assembly – Plandome Court

Second Division Commander

NYPD Pipe Band

Boy Scouts of America:

Troop 97, Troop 71

Cub Scout Pack 3, Cub Scout Pack 101

Girl Scouts of America:

Junior Troops

Brownie Troops

Daisy Troops

C: Third Division

Assembly – Bourndale Road North, facing west (starting at the junction with Plandome Road)

Third Division Commander

Manhasset High School Band

Manhasset PAL Baseball & Softball League Manhasset PAL Lacrosse

Manhasset Soccer Club Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations

Coalition for a Safer Manhasset

Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer

D: Fourth Division

Assembly — Bourndale Road North, facing west (starting at the junction with Chester Drive)

Fourth Division Commander

North Shore Nursery School

Rotary ClubKiwanis Club

Knights of Columbus

St. Mary’s Rosary Society

St. Mary’s High School

St. Mary’s Elementary School

North Shore Right to Life Committee

North Riding Chapter, NSDAR

Guild of St. Francis Hospital

Manhasset Association of Chinese Americans

E: Fifth Division Assembly — Heights Road, facing west (starting at junction with Plandome Court)

Pipe & Drum Band

Plandome Fire Department

F: Sixth Division

Assembly – Summit Drive, facing east (start at junction with Plandome Road)

NCPD Pipe & Drum

Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department

Memorial Service

The parade will conclude at Mary Jane Davies Green where the Memorial Service will be held. The program will begin with our National Anthem led by soloist Carys Hyland.

Chaplain Lionel Mailloux of Manhasset Post 304 will read the Roll Call of Deceased Veterans of the past year. Taps will be rendered by two members of the Manhasset High School Band as the American Flag is brought to full mast. A bagpiper will play Amazing Grace as a wreath is placed before the Gold Star Monument. School Awards will be presented to four young men and women from Manhasset High School and St. Mary’s High School.

Commander Iacono will address the true meaning of Memorial Day. Catherine Lau will lead the audience in singing God Bless America. The service will conclude with a performance by the Manhasset High School Band. Bearers of floral tributes will then proceed to the monument at Memorial Field.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HERRICKS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

PHOTO COURTESY OF HERRICKS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Herricks High School senior Carolyn Lau was recently honored as a Long Island Scholar Artist.