MANHATTAN TIMES 2024_05_24.

GUIDE TO SUMMER

PAGES 21-28

CRITICS RALLY AGAINST BLAKEMAN ‘MILITIA’

PAGE 3

Manhasset passes $111.3M district budget

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Newcomers Marianna Bruno and Maria Pescatore narrowly defeated Eileen Bauer for seats on the Manhasset Board of Education on Tuesday night and residents approved the district’s $111.3 million budget with more than 69% of the vote.

Bruno received 864 votes, followed by Pescatore with 912 votes and Bauer with 843 votes.

Bruno and Pescatore will replace Vice President Jill Pullano and Trustee Erin Royce. Both did not run for reelection.

Newcomers Bruno, Pescatore elected to ed board, defeat Bauer See additional school elections news PAGE 4

Bruno and Pescatore will both serve three-year terms ending on June 30, 2027.

The $111,286,207 budget, a 3.3% increase from the current school year, includes a 2.68% tax levy increase, which falls within the district’s allowable tax levy cap.

The budget passed with 1,129 votes in favor and 500 votes against.

The budget includes more than a dozen staff cuts, primarily of teaching assistants. This previously garnered pushback from students, parents and teaching assistants who have advocat-

ed for their necessity, but was ultimately approved by a majority of voters.

Bruno, who has four children in the school district, is a healthcare professional and patient advocate. She said in this role she oversees a multi-million dollar budget, team management and policy oversight.

She campaigned on academic excellence, resource transparency and budget oversight.

Pescatore previously worked in construction management, where she oversaw budgets, bidding processes, and business operations. She has three children who attend district schools.

She said her involvement in the school district so far would allow her to bring an “insider perspective” to the school board. Responsibility and accountability are the values driving her vision as a school board trustee, she said.

At a candidate forum preceding the election, the two elected trustees stressed the importance of staff retention, greater budget oversight, and expanding alternative post-graduation options.

BLAKEMAN TRANS BAN STRUCK DOWN

PAGE 6

MUNSEY PARK GARDEN

Munsey Park Elementary School hosted a ribbon cutting to unveil its new garden. It was established in collaboration with Planet Manhasset and Manhasset School Community Association.

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Newcomer Sandra Alvarez defeated Trustee Adam Block, incumbents Nanette Melkonian and Adam Smith were re-elected to the Port Washington Board of Education, the district’s $194.5 million tax-cap piercing budget was approved with more than 70% of the vote on Tuesday.

With a 4.55% tax increase that exceeds the tax cap by 1.16%, the budget was approved with 2,932

votes in favor and 1,245 votes against. The budget required a 60% vote in favor since it exceeded the tax cap.

Voters also passed a proposition to use $4,055,000 from the district’s capital reserve fund for districtwide improvements to its incoming electrical service.

The proposition garnered 3,183 votes of approval, or 79.4% of the total votes, and 826 votes against it.

Eight candidates ran in the district’s trustee race. These included

incumbents Smith, Block, and Melkonian and challengers Alvarez, Michael Bitalvo, Teodora Choolfaian, Joseph Delerme, and Beth Weisburd. Alvarez received 1,817 votes, Melkonian received 1,693 votes and Smith received 2,074 votes. Block received 1,591, losing to Melkonian by 102 votes. They were followed by Weisburd with 1,070 votes, Bitalvo with 856, Delerme with 594 votes and Choolfaianreceiving with 434.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MANHASSET SCHOOL DISTRICT

Plandome Manor backs landscaping plan

Board OKs decision despite concerns about Leeds Pond

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Plandome Manor Board of Trustees upheld the Design Review Board’s decision to approve a landscaping plan opposed by a local resident organization concerned about neighboring Leeds Pond.

The Design Review Board approved the application by the homeowners, New York Islanders center Bowie Horvat and his wife Holly Horvat, for landscaping and to close a curb cut on Plandome Road.

A resident coalition, Save Leeds Pond, was formed in response to the Horvat’s property development. The group has pushed back against the developments due to the environmental impacts they said it would have on the neighboring pond.

Leeds Pond, part of Nassau County’s 35-acre Leeds Pond Preserve, overlooks Manhasset Bay and covers approximately 21.4 acres with a tribu-

tary watershed area of around 2.275 acres.

The Design Review Board appealed to the Board of Trustees in affirming the decision, which village attorney John Farrell said is required under the code.

On March 5, the Plandome Manor Board of Trustees discussed an appeal to the Design Review Board’s decision to greenlight the application.

Farrell said the board upheld the landscape approval because they deemed the Design Review Board considered all aspects needed to make its decision.

He said other issues raised at the March 5 meeting, such as impacts on Leeds Pond, were not within the scope of the Design Review Board’s consideration.

Farrell said the decision would be sent to the resident coalition, which has filed lawsuits against the development. He said they will then have

four months to file a lawsuit against the Design Review Board’s decision if they choose.

Plandome Manor Mayor Barbara Donno has previously stressed that the project has full approval from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which is the authoritative body on wetlands like Leeds Pond.

“All necessary precautions and measures have been taken to adhere to the guidelines and regulations set forth by the DEC, ensuring the environmental sustainability and integrity of the area,” Donno wrote in a letter posted to the village website.

In July, the Village of Plandome Manor’s Zoning Board approved the Borvat’s proposal to place 350 cubic yards of site fill in the backyard, which opponents contend would have negative environmental impacts on the nearby Leeds Pond.

The Horvats originally proposed Continued on Page 38

TO REACH US

Herricks passes $141M budget

Bono, Quraishi elected to ed board

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Maria Bono, a former teacher and active PTA member, defeated incumbent Trustee Brian Hassan with 63% of the vote, Northwell physician Shaheda Quraishi defeated five challengers for seats on the Herricks Board of Education and a $141 million budget was approved with 63% of the 2,590 votes on Tuesday.

Hassan, who lost his seat to Bono, received 874 votes. Challengers Eric Lo, Ravinder Ratra, Russell Stuart, and Surendra Gupta lost to Quraishi, receiving 569 votes, 473 votes, 288 votes, and 184 votes, respectively.

Bono, who won election to the board with 1,502 votes, is a former New York City school teacher. She has lived in Albertson for 22 years. Bono has three children who have graduated from the district and one who is currently a 10th grader.

Residents approved the 20242025 budget with a 1,632 to 958 margin.

The $141,710,364 2024-2025 budget represents a 5.2% increase from the 2023-2024 budget of $134,719,970.

The tax levy increase is 2.38%, which is within the state tax cap.

Board members said the largerthan-usual budget increase was due in part to the cost of settling child

sex abuse claims against the district.

When the board adopted the proposed 2024-2025 budget, the district’s original state aid projection was $27 million. According to the administration, state aid will provide around 20% of total district revenues in the 2024-2025 budget.

Rutkoske said the district willreceive $100,000 more in state aid under the recently approved state budget than under Gov. Kathy Hochul’s initial proposal.

“I also feel it’s important that people on the board, that there’s a turnaround and new blood,” Bono previously told Blank Slate Media. “Currently, we have five members that have been there for 12 years, plus. And none of them have children on the board and I think that’s important as well in order to be relevant and be able to connect with the community.”

Bono later acknowledged that she misspoke and one member has been there for only seven years.

Bono said she has been highly involved in the district for 20 years, including acting as the president of nearly every district PTA at some point.

“I’m grateful for all the support I received from the Herricks community. I am humbled by how many people came out to vote for me. I

Continued on Page 40

516-307-1045 x215 • therzlich@theisland360.com

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

Roslyn Times: Taylor Herzlich 516-307-1045 x215 • therzlich@theisland360.com

Williston Times: Taylor Herzlich 516-307-1045 x215 • therzlich@theisland360.com

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

PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Plandome Manor Board of Trustees voted to uphold a Design Review Board decision concerning a property garnering pushback by a resident coaltion seeking to preserve the neighboring pond.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CANDIDATES

Residents elected Maria Bono (left) and Shaheda Quraishi (right) to the Herricks Board of Education.

Coalition criticizes Blakeman’s ‘militia’

Concerned Citizens call county executive Nassau’s ‘Don Quixote,’ plagued with imaginary problems

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Nassau residents are pushing back against County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s recent actions and failures to deliver on campaign promises that some described as fearmongering and attempts to grab the spotlight.

“It seems like it’s all about trying out for Fox News. It’s all about getting those few minutes on Fox News,” Concerned Citizens of NY-03 member Jody Kass said. “But he’s used our tax dollars to get himself these cameos so maybe they’ll get noticed by Donald Trump. That’s what it looks like to a lot of people.”

They described his focus as directed toward mirages of problems, like that of Don Quixote, which has deterred his vision from the real issues of Nassau County – mainly his establishment of a resident emergency deputy sheriff group.

“Bruce Blakeman is Nassau County’s Don Quixote,” Concerned Citizens of NY-03 member Emily Raphael said, comparing the county executive to the fictional character who fought imaginary foes along his quest.

The rally on the steps of the county legislature building Monday was hosted by Concerned Citizens of NY-03, an organization formed to oust former Rep. George Santos from Congress. Since his removal from office, the organization has shifted focus to good governance overall.

Efforts to reach Blakeman were unavailing.

The list of Blakeman’s undelivered promises included the reduction of fees for red light violations. Red light violations in Nassau County

are set at $150, which Blakeman has previously denounced, compared to neighboring Suffolk County and New York City, where tickets are capped at $50.

Other undelivered promises noted by Kass included fixing the county assessment system, lowering taxes and addressing the opioid crisis.

“He hasn’t done any of those things,” Kass said. “Why? He probably just simply hasn’t had the time because he’s fixing imaginary problems. And while he’s creating these imaginary problems, new issues keep emerging.”

Kass identified Blakeman’s actions as a “troubling pattern” of pledging to deliver to the needs of the county yet focusing on polarizing issues.

“If Bruce Blakeman can’t do the job because he’s stuck in a quagmire of his imagination, then the Legislature, Comptroller (Elaine) Phillips and the inspector general must act and they must act now to check these wasteful, inappropriate and dangerous actions,” Kass said.

The main issue at hand was the establishment of the resident sheriff group, commonly called Blakeman’s “militia” by the rallying residents.

“There’s simply no need for a militia – except in Blakeman’s imagination,” Raphael said. “We’re not living in a fairy tale where Blakeman can magically take gun-owning citizens, dub them his knights and fight his way to eternal glory.”

The emergency special deputy sheriffs are a group of gun-owning residents who

Kass and Emily Raphael speak against Nassau County Executive

man’s emergency special deputy sheriff program and call for him to

paign promises. Continued on Page 37

PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

Jody

Bruce Blake-

deliver on cam-

Old World Quality Corp.

Manhasset candidates talk budget challenges

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BY CAMERYN OAKES

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The three newcomer candidates running for the Manhasset Board of Education identified issues like staff retention and fiscal responsibility within the district at a forum Wednesday, all identifying a passion to take these on if elected to the board.

Eileen Bauer, Marianna Bruno and Maria Pescatore are all running for two open seats on the board of education. The two seats are left by Vice President Jill Pullano and Trustee Erin Royce who are not seeking re-election.

The three answered community questions during a forum Wednesday hosted by the League of Women Voters of Port WashingtonManhasset.

Bauer, a 16-year resident of Manhasset, has two children in the Manhasset School District. She worked in directed consumer marketing, working for companies like Saks 5th Avenue and Coach. She has been a teacher for the past 14 years where she has taught classrooms including English language learners and special education students.

If elected, Bauer said she would focus on fostering excellence for students and staff, fiscal responsibility and greater transparency.

“I’m running for the Manhasset school board because I believe that my unique background will allow me to offer workable solutions that tackle the ever-evolving challenges and the changing landscapes of our schools today,” Bauer said.

Bruno, who has four children in the school district, is a healthcare professional and patient advocate. She said in this role she oversees a multi-million dollar budget, team management and policy oversight.

Bruno’s three campaign focus points are academic excellence, resource transparency and budget oversight.

“If elected, I will continue to do what I’ve done since day one: champion for all of our children, work tirelessly to ensure the best educational experience possible,” Pescatore said.

Bruno said staff retention is one of the biggest challenges the district is facing, saying it should be a focus on not only keeping top talent but also drawing them in to join the district.

Bauer and Pescatore agreed, with Bauer saying that finding a solution requires a deeper analysis.

“There’s some digging to be done into looking why we’re not potentially retaining that talent and to see what we need to do from the top down to make sure that our teachers are inspired, that they are happy and that they are doing the very best they can every day because that will translate into our students being happy students, successful students and learning in a way that is exciting to them,” Bauer said.

Pescatore echoed that staff retention is an issue that affects everyone in the district from the top down.

One resident posed that a potential reason for the turnover is a poor relationship with the school’s administration.

Pescatore said through conversations with staff she has found a disconnect, and resolutions can be sought through listening to employees.

Bauer said while she is not informed of the root of the issue, it is the board’s responsibility to find out and address it. Bruno said the root of the issue can be sought out through candid conversations.

Bauer said another district challenge is its budget, which needs finer attention to make budgetary changes.

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“I am truly passionate about making an impact wherever I can,” Bruno said.

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Pescatore previously worked in construction management, where she oversaw budgets, bidding process and business operations. She has three children attending district schools.

Pescatore said her involvement in the school district so far would lend her to bring an “insider perspective” to the ed board. She said responsibility and accountability are the values

In light of the district’s budget that cuts 14 teaching assistant positions, Bruno said more budget cuts are to be expected next year and will require a more holistic view to mitigate effects.

Bruno and Pescatore said the district needs to monitor the impact of removing those teaching assistants over the next year to mitigate student impacts.

All candidates said a deeper analysis needs to be taken of the budget next year to plan for future financial stresses.

Continued on Page 38

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MANHASSET SCHOOL DISTRICT

Three newcomers with involvement in the district’s SCA are running for the two open seats on the Manhasset Board of Education.

Blakeman trans ban loses in court

Justice says right to enact such laws reserved with legislatures, not county executives

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

A New York judge struck down Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s order banning transgender girl and women athletes from practicing on girls’ and women’s teams at county facilities May 10 following a lawsuit filed by a Massapequa women’s roller derby league.

State Supreme Court Justice Francis Ricigliano ruled that the county executive did not have the authority to issue such an order in a 13-page decision. The ruling said the right to enact such a law is reserved for legislative bodies.

“Lack of courage from a judge who didn’t want to decide the case on its merits,” Blakeman said in a statement. “Unfortunately, girls and women are hurt by the court.”

Blakeman told The New York Times that he would appeal the judge’s decision. Blakeman signed his executive order into effect on Feb. 22, forcing transgender girls and women athletes to compete in the leagues that correlate with their sex assigned at birth at county facilities, meaning boys’ and men’s teams or co-ed teams. The executive order did not affect transgender boys and men, since Blakeman said there is no fairness issue when transgender boy and men athletes compete on boys’ and men’s teams.

The order was challenged by the

Protestors rally in front of the Nassau County Legislative Building in opposition to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s ban on transgender women and girl athletes from competing on female sports teams.

New York Civil Liberties Union and Long Island Roller Robels in a lawsuit they filed March 11 against Blakeman.

“We are gratified the court has struck down a harmful policy that belongs in the dustbin of history,” NYCLU staff attorney Gabriella Larios said in a statement. “The ruling deals a serious blow to County Executive Blakeman’s attempt to score

cheap political points by peddling harmful stereotypes about transgender women and girls.”

The suit called Blakeman’s executive order “discriminatory” and “unlawful,” arguing that it violated New York’s Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law as well as guidance from the state Education Department.

TheNew York State Education Department prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. When it comes to gender-segregated physical activities, the state guidelines say: “Students should be allowed to participate in a manner most consistent with their gender identity without penalty.”

The Long Island Roller Rebels currently have at least one league member who would be prohibitedfrom participating in their league under the executive order, according to the lawsuit.

The Roller Rebels have historically used Nassau County facilities for their events, including outdoor skating rinks at Eisenhower Park and Cedar Creek Park, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also states that as an inclusive women’s league, the Roller Rebels do not inquire about players’ sex assigned at birth, which they would be required to do under the order.

The Roller Rebels would be denied permits to use Nassau County facilities for their events if they did not begin inquiring about players’ sex assigned at birth under the executive order. The league hosts games, practices andannual charity games.

“Today’s decision is a victory for those who believe that transgender people have the right to participate in sports just like everyone else. It sends a strong

message that transphobic discrimination cannot stand,” Long Island Roller Rebels President Curly Fry said in a statement. “As a league welcoming trans women and committed to providing a safe space for everyone to be their full selves, County Executive Blakeman’s order tried to punish us just because we believe in inclusion and stand against transphobia.”

After Blakeman signed the executive order in February,New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a ceaseand-desist letterto Blakeman demanding that he rescind the order.

“We have no room for hate or bigotry in New York,” James said. “This executive order is transphobic and blatantly illegal.”

In response, Blakeman and the Floral Park parents of a 16-year-old girls’ volleyball playerfiled a federal lawsuit against James. The suit argued that the county has a constitutional right to protect women and girls from unfair competition and personal injury.

District Court Judge Nusrat Choudhury dismissed Blakeman’s lawsuit against the attorney general in April on the grounds that the county executive could not prevent James from challenging the executive order.

James called the May 10 decision a “major victory” on X, formerly known as Twitter.

PHOTO BY KAREN RUBIN

T:12.45"

D’Esposito hit on GOP plans for Medicaid, SS Suozzi backs Keiserman in bid for state Senate primary

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03) endorsed state Senate District 7 Democratic candidate Kim Keiserman, a Port Washington resident campaigning for greater school funding, reproductive rights and lowering taxes.

Keiserman faces fellow Democrat Brad Schwartz in the race to replace state Sen. Jack Martins, a Republican, who is running for reelection.

“Kim Keiserman has been a tireless fighter for Long Islanders, taking on tough challenges and working to strengthen our community,”

Suozzi said in a statement. “She’s a refreshing voice for Nassau County, focused on increasing affordability, delivering for our public schools, and keeping us safe because she truly cares about the people she’s running to represent. She has my full endorsement in this race.”

Keiserman said Suozzi’s endorsement

comes as an honor.

“Congressman Suozzi is a proven leader who knows how to work together to find common ground and get things done for the people he represents,” Keiserman said in a statement. “His laser focus on solutions-based legislating is the kind of model I hope to emulate in the State Senate.”

Keiserman and Schwartz are the only Democrats running in the race, and the winner of the primary will face off against Martins – the only Republican running.

Schwartz, who ran in the 2018 race but dropped out before the primary against former state Sen. Anna Kaplan, is a former television editor and producer with a Ph.D in public policy.

The district, which includes much of the North Shore and the Town of Oyster Bay as far east as Woodbury, is currently represented by Martins, who flipped the district red in 2022.

Suozzi joins a long list of fellow Long Island Democrats who have backed Keiserman in her race for state Senate.

Keiserman has garnered endorsements by many local Democratic leaders present and past, including former Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth, former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Nassau County and New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs, state Assemblymember

Continued on Page 36

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Nassau County residents and non-profit advocacy groups demanded Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) denounce a Republican Study Committee budget proposal that includes cuts to Medicaid and a possible rise in the Social Security age requirement.

The RSC budget proposal includes a $4.5 trillion cut in federal spending for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program over 10 years with the use of block grants.

These block grants would cap federal funding at a certain amount for states’ Medicaid costs despite actual costs, according to the Georgetown Center for Children and Family.

The budget document also suggests making “modest adjustments to the retirement age for future retirees to account for increases in life expectancy,”

though the exact changes to the Social Security age requirement are not specified in the document.

“Rep. D’Esposito, you’ve been silent long enough,” said Dylan Wheeler, the District 4 director for non-profit watchdog Empire State Voices. “Speak up for the people of Long Island. Speak up for your constituents and speak out against this horrendous budget.”

D’Esposito, who is not a member of the RSC, said he would not support Medicaid or Social Security cuts.

“Empire State Voices and their progressive allies lie to voters about my record as a scare tactic,” D’Esposito told Blank Slate Media in a statement, “but I have been clear since my first day in Congress that I will reject any attempts by either party to cut Medicaid or Social Security and that promise still stands.”

Continued on Page 42

THE JONES FUND FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE POOR 2024 GRANT PROGRAM NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY

(NOFA)

The Trustees of the Jones Fund for the Support of the Poor are requesting applications for its 2024 Grant Program from eligible and qualified IRC 501(c)(3) approved charitable organizations to further its mission of affording support to the poor, in the form of food, shelter, clothing and warmth, and providing support for educational programs striving to prevent the transmission of generational poverty among the underserved and underprivileged, exclusively in the Towns of North Hempstead, New York and Oyster Bay, New York as intended by the Last Will and Testament of Samuel Jones dated February 23, 1836, and as approved by the Trustees of the Jones Fund for the Support of the Poor. Program funds for the 2024 grant year will be in the form of grants totaling up to the maximum amount of $150,000.00, collectively, or such greater amount, if any, as may be determined by the Trustees of the Jones Fund for the Support of the Poor, in their sole and absolute discretion. This and any future grant program offered by the Jones Fund for the Support of the Poor is and shall be subject to the availability of funds and resources. Program funds will be awarded on a competitive basis.

All applications must be received by the Trustees of the Jones Fund for the Support of the Poor at PO Box 350, Jericho, New York 11753 or by email at TheJonesFund1836@gmail.com on or before June 30, 2024. Interested applicants can obtain further information and application packages by calling James McGahan or Dina Selearis at 516-681-3100 or sending an email to TheJonesFund1836@gmail.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KEISERMAN’S CAMPAIGN, OFFICE OF TOME SUOZZI

Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03) endorsed state Senate District 7 Democratic candidate Kim Keiserman.

Port candidates debate school budget

Recently elected members Alvarez, Melkonian, Smith support tax cap override approved Tuesday

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Port Washington School District budget was a focal point at the Board of Education forum Thursday night where candidates talked about the financial pressures the district faces and offered solutions to combat what they foresee as a continuing issue.

Port Washington residents will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on the district’s budget of $194.5 million, which includesa 4.55% tax increase that exceeds the tax cap by 1.16%. This requires a 60% approval vote to pass.

“This year, under the pressure of inflation and stagnant state aid, we have delivered a student-centered budget with a focus on excellence that invests in our future,” Board President Adam Smith said.

Also on the ballot are three seats on the Board of Education.

Smith, Trustee Adam Block and Trustee Nanette Melkonian are all running to be re-elected for another three-year term.

Challenging the three incumbents are Sandra Alvarez, Michael Bitalvo, Teodora Choolfaian, Joseph Delerme and Beth Weisburd.

Block said what differentiates Port from other school districts facing the same financial stressors is its use of reserves. He said Port opted not to use high amounts of reserve funds as other districts have.

Smith said with the rollover budget from last year there was a $5 million gap in funding. To bridge this, he said $2 million in cuts were made, $1 million of reserves used and $2

million in taxes increased to balance the budget and maintain the district’s standard.

Melkonian said the district also does not have the same level of reserves compared to other districts, which she attributed to estab-

Palestinian group rallies by Blakeman’s office

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Community members rallied outside the Nassau County Executive Building in Mineola Saturday to observe the anniversary of the Nakba, or the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Palestine War, and demand County Executive Bruce Blakeman stop his support of Israeli settlements.

Protesters also called on Blakeman to disband his citizen militia.

Nakba in Arabic means “catastrophe” and it refers to the “permanent displacement of more than half of the Palestinian population” after the Arab-Israeli war, according to the United Nations.

At least 150 Long Islanders gathered outside of the legislative building, where Blakeman’s office is located, for nearly three hours to sing songs, repeat a series of chants and give speeches at an event organized by the PALI Coalition, said Farhana Islam, co-founder of Muslims for Progress.

The PALI Coalition is a group of Long Islandbased Palestinian and Muslim organizations calling for Palestinian liberation, which Islam said consists of an immediate ceasefire and then a long-term peace agreement that would lift the siege on Gaza, provide Palestinians with full mobility on the West Bank and allow Palestinians to have self-sovereignty.

“The pro-Palestinian community has been targeting Blakeman because of his open support

of Israeli settlements. As sitting Nassau County executive in Long Island, he has taken active steps to legitimize illegal, internationally recognized Israeli settlements,” Islam said. “[He’s] been praising them as a vibrant community, not recognizing any settler violence.”

Blakeman showed up at JFK Airport to send off a Long Island native who was catching a flight to Israel to rejoin the Israeli Defense Force soon after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks. The county executive also pushed fund-raisers for the Israelis on his social media. Islam cited both of these acts as examples of Blakeman’s support of Israel. Palestinian members of the community are also worried about Blakeman’s citizen militia, Islam said.

A Nassau County ad with a March 31 application deadline called for county property or business owners, specifically former law enforcement and military veterans, to apply for an emergency sheriff position. Blakeman has not yet disclosed how many individuals applied to the program.

Nassau County Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove) said she received multiple reports that the special deputy sheriffs have been secretly training at night at the county police academy in Garden City.

A spokesman for Blakeman did not confirm or deny to Blank Slate Media whether special deputy sheriff training has begun, but News12 reported that seven Nassau residents have com-

lishing tax increases in prior years within the caps.

Smith said four other districts on Long Island are proposing to pierce the cap, but all in a range of about 9%-13%. He said this puts Port

Washington closer to the districts staying within the cap.

One resident asked whether taxes would be raised by $200, which Alvarez clarified would be a $200 tax increase based on the property assessment of a $1.1 million home.

“We can discuss the numbers, the differences between the numbers, but really more important than – that discussion is going to happen – next week the budget [vote] is going to happen on Tuesday and we need to pass the budget,” Alvarez said.

Weisburd said she finds it concerning the district’s budget has risen by about $20 million over the past two years. She said during her six years on the board, the budget has risen by $18 million.

She said this is in tandem with her calculations that the district has underspent its budgets by about $7.8 million on average over the past three years.

“I am here because I didn’t see the kind of scrutiny in this budget season, and in quite frankly the last two, that I’ve seen before,” Weisburd said. “The numbers, these high numbers, this is not something new. It’s not something we’ve never seen before.”

Delerme said a solution to financial issues is mobilizing as a community to advocate for more foundation aid from the state. He said if elected he would be active in advocating for state funding.

“If we’re concerned about this conversation now, next year is going to be an even more

Continued on Page 38

Hochul gives $127M

to LI law enforcement

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Gov. Kathy Hochul is awarding more than $2 million to six local police departments in the Town of North Hempstead and another nearly $3.2 million to Nassau County law enforcement agencies.

“Public safety is my top priority, and we are continuing to make record investments in law enforcement so they have the resources they need to protect our communities,” Hochul said in a statement. “By investing in the latest technology and equipment, we’re responding to the requests of law enforcement agencies as they look to safeguard the future of our state.”

The governor is awarding $127 million in total to various law enforcement agencies throughout Long Island.

These funds are intended to aid in purchasing new technology and equipment to prevent and solve crimes, modernize departments and bolster public safety.

The local agencies granted money include the police departments of Old Westbury, Garden City, Kings Point, Lake Success, Floral Park and Great Neck Estates.

The Old Westbury Police Department is slated to receive the most amount of funds from the governor in the Town of North Hempstead, established at $704,000.

“We’re thrilled to get that kind of money,” Old Westbury Chief of Police Stuart Cameron said. “There’s always technology that we want

to add to the Police Department, but if we can do it at no cost to the village residents, that’s even better.”

Cameron said Old Westbury will be using the funds to purchase body cameras, additions to the department’s fixed license plate reader

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CANDIDATES

Pictured In clockwise order, starting from the top left corner, Port Washington Trustee Adam Block, Trustee Nanette Melkonian, President Adam Smith, Joe Delerme, Michael Bitalvo, Sandra Alvarez, Teodora Choolfaian, Beth Weisburd.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Gov. Kathy Hochul.

JCC raises $1.55M for those in need

Comedian Jim Gaffigan performs at annual Eat. Bid. Laugh! fundraiser for BASICS Fund

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center raised more than $1.55 million for scholarships and funds that will go toward community members in need through community donations at its annual Eat. Bid. Laugh! event.

“It is amazing to see the unbridled generosity of spirit from Sid Jacobson JCC families and members of our community, who make it a priority to come out for this wonderful event year after year,” David Levy, JCC board member and event co-chair, said. “We are so blessed to have so many wonderful participating restaurants and sponsors to ensure Eat. Bid. Laugh! is fun and filling while raising funds necessary to ensure Camp Kehilla and BASICS Scholarships can continue to thrive and be resources for so many families in need.”

The Sid Jacobson JCC event at the Garden City Hotel drew in a crowd of more than 500 members of the Jewish community center, celebrating an annual tradition that has been held over the past 25 years.

Hundreds of Long Islanders came to laugh at a performance by comedian Jim Gaffigan, enjoy dozens of local restaurants’ cuisines and

donate to the Kehilla Scholarships and the JCC’s Sheldon A. Sinett BASICS Fund.

The Kehilla Scholarships go toward children up through young adults with special needs so they can attend the JCC’s Camp Kehilla at Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds in Wheatley Heights.

BASICS is an incubator fund designated for social service programs developed by the Sid Jacobson JCC. Programs include the JCC’s Camp Kehilla, Nancy Marks Cancer Wellness Center, Program Without Walls and Community Needs Bank.

Food was provided by 25 local restaurants, which included Kyma, Louie’s Prime Steak and Seafood, Dirty Taco and Tequila, La Bussola and Opus Mediterranean Steakhouse.

“The months of hard work and dedication by our staff and volunteers did not go unnoticed and made the entire evening go seamlessly,” Levy said.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan

“William, you were always my hero. I wanted to be just like you, but I didn't play football or basketball like 'The Will', just didn't have your touch. I enjoyed watching you and was always proud to be your brother. Never does a day go by that I do not think of you. What would it be like to be able to call you. I have told my daughters about you letting me drive Mom and Dad’s new car around Tarboro although I was only 14 years old. October 2, 1970, Daddy’s birthday and the day that changed my life. You were my hero before Nam and you are still and one day I hope to walk with you again. I Love you. Mike”

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE FAUST

perform at the Sid Jacobson JCC’s Eat. Bid. Laugh! event on May 9.

Women’s Health Care of Garden City committed to personalized care

By John L. Gomes, MD

John L. Gomes, MD, founded Women’s Health Care of Garden City in 1995. It has remained an independent private practice, providing personalized obstetrical and gynecological services.

He employs the technical advances of conventional medicine with an integrative approach to navigate women through difficult pregnancies into the menopausal years. He treats a wide variety of OB/GYN conditions and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.

All tests are conveniently done on the premises, and a dedicated, compassionate staff is on call 24/7.

He is committed to excellence in patient communication, education and support, as many patients come with anxiety associated with past experiences and future concerns.

Dr. Gomes received his undergraduate degree from Brown University, and his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University.

He is both Board Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Women’s Health Care of Garden City is located at 1000 Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Garden City.

JCC’s Eat. Bid. Laugh! raises $1.55M

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center raised more than $1.55 million for scholarships and funds that will go toward community members in need through community donations at its annual Eat. Bid. Laugh! event.

“It is amazing to see the unbridled generosity of spirit from Sid Jacobson JCC families and members of our community, who make it a priority to come

out for this wonderful event year after year,” David Levy, JCC board member and event cochair, said. “We are so blessed to have so many wonderful participating restaurants and sponsors to ensure Eat. Bid. Laugh! is fun and filling while raising funds necessary to ensure Camp Kehilla and BASICS Scholarships can continue to thrive and be resources for so many families in need.”

The Sid Jacobson JCC event at the Garden City Hotel drew in a crowd of more than 500 mem-

BY STEPHANIE FAUST

Comedian Jim Gaffigan performed at the Sid Jacobson JCC’s Eat. Bid. Laugh! event on May 9.

bers of the Jewish community center, celebrating an annual tradition that has been held over the past 25 years.

Hundreds of Long Islanders came to laugh at a performance by comedian Jim Gaffigan, enjoy dozens of local restaurants’ cuisines and donate to the Kehilla Scholarships and the JCC’s Sheldon A. Sinett BASICS Fund.

The Kehilla Scholarships go toward children up through young adults with special needs so they can attend the JCC’s Camp Kehilla at Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds in Wheatley Heights.

BASICS is an incubator fund designated for social service programs developed by the Sid Jacobson JCC. Programs include the JCC’s Camp Kehilla, Nancy Marks Cancer Wellness Center, Program Without Walls and Community Needs Bank.

Food was provided by 25 local restaurants, which included Kyma, Louie’s Prime Steak and Seafood, Dirty Taco and Tequila, La Bussola and Opus Mediterranean Steakhouse.

“The months of hard work and dedication by our staff and volunteers did not go unnoticed and made the entire evening go seamlessly,” Levy said.

Hochul gives $127M to LI law enforcement

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Gov. Kathy Hochul is awarding more than $2 million to six local police departments in the Town of North Hempstead and another nearly $3.2 million to Nassau County law enforcement agencies.

“Public safety is my top priority, and we are continuing to make record investments in law enforcement so they have the resources they need to protect our communities,” Hochul said in a statement. “By investing in the latest technology and equipment, we’re responding to the requests of law enforcement agencies as they look to safeguard the future of our state.”

The governor is awarding $127 million in total to various law enforcement agencies throughout Long Island.

These funds are intended to aid in purchasing new technology and equipment to prevent and solve crimes, modernize departments and bolster public safety.

The local agencies granted money include the police departments of Old Westbury, Garden City, Kings Point, Lake Success, Floral Park and Great Neck Estates.

The Old Westbury Police Department is slated to receive the most amount of funds from the governor in the Town of North Hempstead, established at $704,000.

“We’re thrilled to get that kind of money,” Old Westbury Chief of Police Stuart Cameron said. “There’s always technology that we want to add to the Police Department, but if we can do it at no cost to the village residents, that’s even better.”

Cameron said Old Westbury will be using the funds to purchase body cameras, additions to the department’s fixed license plate reader network and in-car videos that also work as mobile license plate readers for police vehicles.

Cameron said the Old Westbury Police Department has been effective in decreasing crime over the past year since he joined in January 2023, including what he described as substantial cuts to residential burglaries and car thefts. What aided in these crime reductions was the Old Westbury Police Department’s use of technology, Cameron said, and the funds from the governor will aid these efforts even more.

The second highest funding is being granted to the Village of Garden City Police Department at $465,000, with the Village of Kings Point Police Department next withU an allotment of $455,000.

The other police departments being awarded in North Hempstead include Lake Success with $297,324, Floral Park with $203,900 and Great Neck Estates with $120,000.

PHOTO

Ponzi scheme gets Glen Cove man 7 1/2 years

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Former investment broker Rand Heckler of Glen Cove was sentenced to up to 7 1/2 half years in prison Wednesday for defrauding friends and clients out of more than $1 million through a Ponzi scheme, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said.

The 67-year-old pleaded guilty in April 2023 to two felonies: grand larceny in the second degree and scheme to defraud in the first degree.

“This defendant executed a classicPonzischeme, promising his friends and neighbors high-value investments, using money from new investors to pay earlier ones, and ultimately stealing a total of more than $1 million from several victims,” Donnelly said.

Efforts to reach Michael Finkelstein, the defendant’s lawyer, were unavailing.

The court issued Heckler a restitution balance to pay victims back $919,160, close to the total stolen. Some $48,000 was seized from the defendant’s bank account.

“Having a trusted financial adviser is essential to making safe and smart investments,” Donnelly said. “Rand Heckler used the trust of friends and neighbors against them only to enrich himself.”

Heckler first set his scheme in motion in 2015, when he recommended that a friend and the friend’s son invest in a hedge fund of stocks that he was managing, Donnelly said. It was believed that the offer was only going to be open to a group of his closest 15 to 20 friends.

Between December 2015 and January 2020, victims wrote him 24 checks totaling $755,159.

“Heckler lived large off of his victims’ funds,” Donnelly said.

The defendant spent the money on his mortgage, a country club membership, credit card payments and dry cleaning and phone bills.

Heckler showed investors statements with the name of the stock and the hedge fund’s current value, as well as fake receipts confirming the trades and purchases of stocks, Donnelly said.

In January 2020, the friend’s son, who has power of attorney for his father, asked the defendant for $100,000 from his father’s account, some of which was slated to go toward his children’s trust fund.

The requested money was wired directly into the bank account of the son, who was told the funds came from the sale of the stock.

But in May 2020, the Nassau County District Attorney’s office discovered the money wired into the account was actually from another victim of the scheme.

The defendant’s neighbor went to the bank in February 2020 with the defendant. She believed she was wiring a life insurance payment from her dead husband into the hedge fund to receive monthly dividend payments, Donnelly said.

In addition to defrauding neighbors and friends, Heckler cold-called residents of other states to convince them to invest in the fraudulent hedge fund.

In total, he stole $1,004,159 from four victims, the DA said.

Honoring those who died serving nation OUR VIEWS Editorial Cartoon Opinion

On Monday, our nation will observe Memorial Day.

In Nassau County, an air show will take place at Jones Beach, village parades will honor fallen service members and those who served, and a “Commemoration and Fireworks Extravaganza” will be hosted by North Hempstead at the town’s beach park.

“Our Memorial Day celebrations are always a great way to kick off the summer season with family and friends. We’ve got delicious food, music and dancing, and one of Long Island’s most dazzling fireworks displays,” said North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena in a statement.

Some question whether the fireworks display, family barbecues and Memorial Day sales are a proper way to honor those who died serving this country.

But we believe it is. Celebrating the freedoms that those who served protected is one way for us to observe this occasion.

In her statement, DeSena rightly asked residents not to forget that Memorial Day was also “the nation’s solemn attempt to remember and honor the U.S. servicemen and women who gave their lives for our country and our ideals.”

We would ask that we go further and consider the ideals that the servicemen and women died for.

In President Lincoln’s words at Gettysburg, the Union soldiers gave “the last full measure of devotion” so this nation could survive.

Lincoln spoke those words in 1863, five years before the first Memorial Day was proclaimed to honor the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. But not the Confederate soldiers. This was not a small distinction.

Lincoln’s words in the Gettysburg Address also expressed the ideals upon which this nation was founded: “the proposition that all men are created equal.”

The nation’s first Republican president concluded by expressing the

meaning of Memorial Day.

“We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,” he concluded.

Lincoln’s words have a special meaning in 2024. We live at a time when this nation is more politically divided than ever since the Civil War. And, in our view, our democracy appears to hang in the balance.

The presumptive nominee of one of the nation’s two main political parties in 2024 refused to take part in the peaceful transfer of power in 2020 for the first time in the nation’s history.

Like the rule of law, the peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of our democracy that ensures we have, in Lincoln’s words, a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Former President Donald Trump instead called the election rigged and orchestrated an attack on the U.S. Capitol intended to prevent Joe Biden from taking office.

Some in the mob attacked the police and threatened the lives of Republican Vice President Mike Pence and Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Some even carried Confederate flags – something never seen in the Capitol during the Civil War.

We recognize that many Trump supporters reading this believe the election was stolen and that we are mere partisans defending Biden.

But as the late U.S. Sen. Patrick Moynihan said, “Facts are stubborn things.”

Claims of election wrongdoing in 2020 were rejected in more than 60 court cases heard in state and federal courts by judges appointed by Democrats and Republicans, including Trump.

A group of conservatives, including former federal judges, examined every fraud and miscount claim by Trump and concluded that they “failed to present evidence of fraud or inaccurate results significant enough

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to invalidate the results.”

Christopher Krebs, a longtime Republican and former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, called the 2020 presidential election “the most secure in American history.”

During the current campaign, Trump has again indicated he will not accept the results of the 2024 presidential election if he loses.

He has also refused to rule out violence if he were to lose in November.

“It always depends on the fairness of the election,” he said in an interview late last month.

Whether you like his policies or not, the presumptive Democrat, Biden, has never made a similar threat.

Trump has also expressed hostility to the U.S. justice system, attacking judges, prosecutors and FBI agents. This includes three of the four judges presiding over state and federal cases against him.

He has also said he would use the Justice Department to target political opponents, including Biden.

Sadly, he is supported by Republicans seeking to be his vice presi-

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COLUMNIST Karen Rubin

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

dential pick, MAGA Republicans and even Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson.

They all ventured to Manhattan last week to attack the judge presiding over the election interference and hush money case against Trump and the prosecutor who brought the charges.

Not over the outcome of the case—that has yet to be decided by a jury of Trump’s peers—but for bringing the case in the first place and presiding in an appropriate manner over it.

We now learn that an upsidedown U.S. flag — a symbol of the “Stop the Steal” movement flew over the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. only days after the Trump-inspired insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.

Alito is currently participating in two Jan. 6 cases against Trump.

Trump has also threatened to muzzle press organizations that are critical of him and expressed support for members of an autocratic alliance that is led by China and includes Russia, North Korea, and Iran. He said he wanted to be a dictator on day one.

Stacy Shaughnessy, Melissa Spitalnick, Barbara Kaplan, Bill Lucano, Angela Shirian

ART DIRECTOR

Yvonne Farley

On Monday, Trump’s social media account shared a video referencing a “unified Reich” in a post about how the country will change if he becomes president again.

The German phrase “reich” refers to an empire but also carries the connotation of Adolf Hitler’s “Third Reich,” another name for his Nazi regime.

To their credit, Johnson and other Republican members of Congress, after months of delay, approved military funding for Ukraine in its war with Russia as well as Israel and Taiwan.

But can we expect Republicans in Congress to continue their support of democracies like Ukraine if Trump wins in November?

Republican and Democratic elected officials and candidates for office in Nassau County will stand before people assembled over the Memorial Day weekend and speak about their respect for those who died protecting this country and its ideals.

But do they mean it? Do they believe what Lincoln said at Gettysburg?

The coming election season will allow us to find out.

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Who will win the next presidential election?

The runup to the 2024 presidential election is upon us and it’s by no means clear whether Biden or Trump will triumph. The debates will be of interest, the polls will be watched and in November we the people will decide who will run the country for the next four years.

I have met many politicians over the course of my life, including Donald Trump, and they all have talent, social skills, and a group of trusted advisers who provide feedback and support. It may be that many of these politicians have not read Niccolo Machiavelli’s “The Prince,” but there is not doubt that their speech writers and chief of staffs have. Here’s why.

In the 16th century Niccolo Machiavelli was the chief adviser to the Medici family and other monarchs who ran the principalities of Italy. His treatise about statecraft was written in 1532 and it is still considered to be a masterpiece of rhetoric, the foundation of modern politics and a major philosophical work on the nature of power.

I will outline six of the major tenets of his book:

1) The character of a leader: A king, a prince, a leader or a president needs to have three elements, including a moral gentle sense coupled with the cunning of a fox and the ferocity of a lion. When Machiavelli discusses this, he refers back to the ascension of Achilles, who was said to be raised

by Chiron, the centaur who was half man and half horse. Machiavelli uses this as a metaphor to suggest that a leader needs to be open to both his human side and his beastly side. The use of this Greek myth is reminiscent of Remus and Romulus, the founders of Rome, who were said to be suckled by a she-wolf. What this means for any modern day politician is that you had better be human but use some of our more base instincts, including deceit and aggression.

2) The power of persuasion: Machiavelli instructed Medici and other monarchs on the art of rhetoric or the ability to excite, exhort and rouse the crowds. He taught them how to use catchy slogans, metaphors and the use of beautiful and vivid words to make clear what he wanted to say. In modern times, John F. Kennedy was a master of rhetoric (“Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country”) as was Ronald Reagan (“Make America great again!”) Speech making is an essential ingredient to win any election.

3) Virtue vs. luck: Machiavelli talks at length about the cultivation of virtue and the importance of fortune or luck. He is not defining virtue in a moral sense but rather as having talent or ability, which he encourages the prince to develop. Machiavelli also suggests that luck or fortune is a huge factor in success accounting for nearly half of all

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town

victories. There is an ancient credo in Korea that success derives from three things: luck, hard work and genius and of these three, luck is the most crucial.

4) The relative nature of honesty: Machiavelli writes “honesty is a priority over self-interest unless security is at stake.” This statement is often why Machiavelli is criticized for embracing the philosophy that the means justifies the ends. However, many years ago I learned why dishonesty and deception are so crucial. Since I was about 14 years old my father had a close friend who I would often see on weekends and play golf with at the club. He was good looking, charming, well-dressed, and kind and I was told his occupation was a travel agent. I grew up believing this. About 10 years ago I lost track of

him and I asked a mutual friend who was in politics about where my old friend was. My political friend said to me “Hey, Tom, don’t you realize who he is? He’s a CIA operative and he’s overseas at the moment.” Deception is a necessary part of statecraft and power.

5) Live among your subjects: In 16th CCCCentury Italy, there was much shifting of power among European nations and within the principalities of Italy. Machiavelli advised his monarchs to move to the principality that had just been captured. He realized that the ruler needs good luck and diligence to hold on to a land that has just been captured. In order to remain in power in the new land one has to move there so that when trouble is spotted, it can be quickly remedied. To ignore minor problems means that they will grow and lead to ruin. This is a simple tenet I have frequently observed with some of my patients who own businesses. With success comes money and the temptation to take your foot off the pedal, relax and ignore the business. To do this is to invite problems and even failure.

6) How to handle a land filled with insolence, quarrels and thievery.: Machiavelli believed that it was sometimes necessary to take cruel and unusual measures in order to restore order and peace. He hired Remirro de Orco, a barbaric and unscrupulous po-

lice chief to a recently acquired principality that was corrupt and leaderless. Remirro de Orco quickly restored order and peace. This story is eerily similar to the way Mayor Rudy Giuliani cleaned up New York City when it was filled with graffiti, turnstile jumpers and squeegeemen. He hired Police Chief Bill Bratton, who quickly established a zero tolerance policy on these minor crimes, and within a year made New York City livable again.

So there you have it. If you want to learn more about how our political system works, you could not do better than to read “The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli. It was written in the 16th century, but his practical, realistic advice on how to win an election and hold power still applies. And the politician who follows Machiavelli’s treatise will have an edge.

How to write a book and not look stupid

These days there are so many books being written about politics that your head could spin. I don’t know anybody who reads a lot of them, but there are people out there who are fanatical readers. One book that is garnering lots of attention is one written by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. In her book she speaks freely about killing her hunting dog and also about shooting a goat that was bothering her for some unexplained reason. When the book’s contents were reported by the media, there was an immediate uproar from animal lovers and the general public. Why would any public figure reveal that she shot a dog because he was acting out or was not trainable?

It seems that the governor, who is auditioning to be President Trump’s running mate, wanted to show him that she was a decisive person and wasn’t afraid to kill an animal that had disrupted her hunting outing for some privileged friends. Gov.

Noem’s revelations have created a constant flow of media stories and each day she has a new excuse as to why she shot her “annoying dog.”

The Noem publishing effort and the many follow-up stories are a good example of the pitfalls of writing a book without any consideration about what the consequences are of revealing negative things about events that occurred during your life. There is no doubt that every author wants their book to be noticed and possibly quoted, but if you write things that may upset the outside world, you are asking for trouble. There is also another danger when you rush to get your book published just to please some high-profile player such as Mr. Trump.

Which brings me to a discussion about the first book I wrote titled “Winning Albany, Untold Stories About the Famous and Not So Famous.” Unlike Gov. Noem, who was anxious to get her story out, it took me two years to get my book

JERRY KREMER Kremer’s Corner

written and published. What took so long? First of all, unless you have a ghost writer and a major publisher, it takes time to collect your thoughts and decide what

you want to talk about and what you think is relevant to your story.

When you self-publish as I did, you start out by searching for a company that has experience in helping people tell their story and get it out in the public domain. Once I finished the book, I thought that my masterpiece could be in print in a matter of one or two months. Within a few short weeks after my draft was in the hands of the publisher, it was sent back to me looking like one of my old high school term papers, full of red marks and comments.

The writer who reviews your manuscript raises multiple issues and asks for photographs of the people who were mentioned. As many of them were dead, getting their pictures was a great challenge and took time. I succeeded in getting a number of photos from the families of the deceased so that helped move the process along.

The next challenge is the artwork.

What kind of cover would you like? Who or what should be featured on the cover?

Did you write the summary to be used on the inside flap at the back of the book?

And lastly, what is your title of the book? The real killer is choosing a title. Your publisher wants a title that will attract readers. To get the right title I asked at least six people, including my wife Suzan, for their opinions about the best title before it was agreed upon.

I have walked you through the trauma of writing a book and self-publishing, which means you are involved in each and every detail of getting your story told and you have plenty of time to think about what is appropriate in your book. Gov. Noem didn’t have to do any of these things. She was in a rush to tell her story and had a publisher anxious to get the book in print. She would have been better off to do it like I did. That way you don’t tell stories that make you look so stupid.

PHOTO BY TOM FERRARO

Precautionary principle for a safer world

If you knew that an item you wanted for your home or your children had potentially serious health effects or caused harm to the environment, you would probably think twice before buying it.

Or if there was a possibility that you could be seriously harmed by engaging in a new activity, you may decide not to take the risk. It’s an old rule, known as “better safe than sorry,” and something every parent knows and teaches their child.

In the world of environmental health, this rule is known as the Precautionary Principle. Developed and formally established by an international group of scientists, lawyers, and policymakers at a conference in Racine, Wis., in 1998, the principle is stated as follows:

“When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.”

The 32 authors hoped that decision makers would be guided by this principle when considering the production, use and release of toxic substances, the exploitation of natural resources, the changing climate, and worldwide contamination

with nuclear materials. They believed that existing environmental regulations had failed to protect human health and the environment, leading to damage of such magnitude and seriousness that governments, corporations, individuals and communities should adopt a precautionary approach to all human endeavors.

In this context, the proponent of an activity, rather than the public (or an individual), should bear the burden of proof and act to prevent harm when there is clear evidence that harm is not only possible but likely.

Twenty-six years later, there is still much controversy surrounding this idea of how we regulate potentially harmful environmental exposures, and every country has a slightly different take on it. The European Union has probably done the most to incorporate the Precautionary Principle into its regulatory bodies and here in the United States we generally use a risk-benefit model, but that is also controversial at the highest levels.

So, how might the current state of regulation affect you? It might surprise you to know that many of the products that line the shelves of supermarkets, big-box stores, hardware stores and drugstores contain ingredients that govern-

PATTI WOOD Earth Matters

ment studies have shown to cause cancer, disrupt endocrine systems, impact normal neurological development or otherwise contribute to serious illness. But proving beyond a reasonable doubt that an individual’s exposure to a chemical was the single factor in developing disease is virtually impossible.

Formaldehyde is a good example. If you’re old enough, you might remember it from science class, when specimens were preserved in jars of formaldehyde. Form-

aldehyde-preserved animals are actually still purchased for and shipped to schools across the U.S. for dissection.

The companies that sell them recommend that students wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, chemical splash goggles, and aprons to protect themselves from formaldehyde exposure.

The National Science Teachers Association recommends proper ventilation in order to reduce exposure to potentially hazardous vapors released from formaldehyde during dissection. It also strongly advises against dissection of formaldehydepreserved animals in middle schools as children at are greater risk from exposure. But it is not banned for use in schools.

Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical with a strong odor that is used primarily in building materials such as particleboard, plywood and other pressed-wood products. But it’s also used in your no-iron shirt, in paints and stains, glues, cosmetics, hair straighteners, dishwashing liquids and fabric softeners.

To determine the safety of chemicals and drugs, we use laboratory studies of rodents which are perfect models for studying impacts on human populations because they are so physiologically similar. There are no substances which have

been shown to cause cancer in these animals that do not cause cancer in humans. Formaldehyde causes cancer in lab animals and has been designated a probable human carcinogen by the EPA.

And yet products with formaldehyde continue to be sold to unsuspecting consumers. In the black community, hairstraightening products are very popular, and almost all of them contain formaldehyde.

But just last week, the Food and Drug Administration announced it was delaying its announcement of a proposed ban on formaldehyde in these products, despite overwhelming evidence that it has caused hormonally driven cancers in women who used them.

This is why the Precautionary Principle should be engaged. This is where we need to insist that strong evidence of harm should be the trigger for federal regulatory action, not absolute proof.

It’s not the job of cancer survivors to prove that the product they used was hazardous. It’s the job of the product manufacturer to prove that the products they put on store shelves are safe.

As Benjamin Franklin once wisely observed, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

What was the ultimate sacrifice made for?

At Memorial Day commemorations, it is inevitable that speakers will declare that the 1.3 million who have died fighting in America’s wars, from the Revolution to Afghanistan made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms, our democracy, our Rule of Law and “equal justice.”

“For generations, stretching back to the formation of our country, these courageous people answered duty’s call, willing to give their lives for that which we all hold dear,” President Biden declared in his 2023 Memorial Day Proclamation. ”They fought for our Independence. They defended our democracy. They sacrificed for our freedom. And today, as they lie in eternal peace, we continue to live by the light of liberty that they so bravely kept burning bright around the world.”

The pain of loss, he said, “is wrapped around the knowledge that your loved one was part of something bigger than any of us; that they chose a life of mission and purpose; and that they dared all, risked all, and gave all to preserve and defend an idea unlike any other in human history: the United States of America.

No one ever says those who were sacrificed in America’s wars died to make a leader be more re-electable, more powerful, more able to act with impunity and shut down any dissent, as in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Not that they died to fill the pockets of arms dealers and industrialists, as in World War I.

Not that they died to sell news-

papers, as Hearst and Pulitzer did to goad the US into the Spanish American War, prompting the phrase, “Yellow Journalism.”

Not that they died for some jingoistic slogan or for the sheer, mere, glory of some monarch, dictator or even for god.

No, we are told they made the ultimate sacrifice gloriously, preserving our freedom, our ideals, our values against those who would enslave us.

In the not so distant past, it would have been easier to delineate those ideals and values. Still, there might be an argument from Blacks who fought for the Union and their freedom, and Blacks who returned from “saving the world for democracy” in World War II who were beaten to put them back in their place in the Jim Crow South.

And now the legacy of the 1.3 million who have fallen to preserve our “American way of life” is even more debatable, tenuous at best.

You have a Supreme Court Justice waving the nation’s flag upside down to show his solidarity with a deadly insurrection, an attempted coup, a violation of every facet and aspect of the oath to protect and defend the Constitution and faithfully execute the laws of the United States, and another Supreme Court Justice whose wife was an active participant in the insurrection.

You have judges literally obstructing justice and interfering in an election — even willing to clear the path for an insurrectionist to become President, in violation of the 14th amend-

humans. (Have you heard the latest?

A bill to repeal “no fault divorce” so women will be trapped in abusive marriages, another bill to allow 12 year olds to marry or be married off, proposed bans on abortion medication, contraception, overturning Red Flag laws that keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers; proposed legislation to monitor pregnant women, ban their travel out of state.)

Most egregious is the uneven way laws are enforced, whether it is in marijuana prosecutions or voting offenses, or how police are still murdering innocent people.

change” in government documents.

ment — by deliberately stalling, failing to apply law, as they swear, “without fear or favor.”

You have legislators actively challenging an independent judicial process to review evidence and render judgment, nullifying any semblance of “Rule of Law” that is so fundamental to “democracy” and our cherished “freedom.”

You have Legislatures suppressing access to ballots and subverting election results. You have a judge that has overturned protections for election workers at polling places to be free of intimidation.

You have legislators and courts stripping away the rights, freedom, liberty, autonomy and personhood of every female in the country, relegating every woman to less than whole citizens, less than whole sentient adult

Free protest? Texas Governor Greg Abbott just pardoned a man who gunned down a protester for George Floyd criminal justice, while bills are pending to allow protesters to be mowed down by motorists, as in Charlottesville, VA. Meanwhile, you have Trump and others vowing to call out the National Guard against protests they don’t like, while insisting that January 6 insurrectionists are “hostages” who should be pardoned and freed to do it again.

Freedom of ideas? Not when you have people openly wielding assault weapons at Town Halls, at rallies or marches, in front of polling places (but not at the Supreme Court, the NRA convention or any Trump rally), or boards that regulate public schools banning history, books and speech.

Free speech? Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed laws making it illegal to discuss history, gender identity, and even to use the term” climate

And what of the Rule of Law that depends on no man being above it? Well look at the campaign Trump and his minions have waged to delegitimize and nullify the judicial process. Memorial Day is typically when serving in the military is glorified (how else to get people to make the ultimate sacrifice?). But on this Memorial Day, it is worth remembering that Trump, who is desperate to reclaim the role of Commander-in-Chief (to stay out of prison) called those killed in battle and those who suffered as prisoners of war or lifetime injuries, “losers” and “suckers,” repeatedly disparaged the intelligence of service members, asked that wounded veterans be kept out of his military parades, couldn’t bear to “sacrifice” having his hairdo mussed by rain to visit the graves of Americans buried in France, and said of Senator John McCain, “He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured.”

And yet these Make America Great Again (?) cultists, these Republican politicians who have chosen to follow Trump as their leader without question, who has proclaimed he will be a dictator (if only for a day) and seek retribution against political enemies, will no doubt be marching in their hometown Memorial Day parades, wearing and waving the biggest flags, and claiming to be more patriotic than any one else.

So what did the 1.3 million who have died in America’s wars sacrifice their lives for?

KAREN RUBIN

Yea or nay to gas leaf blowers? That is the question

The first gas leaf blowers were developed with two-stroke engines and are still used to this very day. According to Fortune magazine, engines of this type are “extremely reliable, maneuverable, lightweight, yet powerful and inexpensive” but they are also “the dirtiest engines on the face of the Earth.”

Operating a commercial leaf blower for just one hour emits smog-forming pollution comparable to driving a new passenger car about 1,100 miles, roughly the distance from Los Angeles to Denver, for more than 15 hours of driving. (California Air Resources Board)

In the 1970s when gas leaf blowers were introduced in the U.S., they were already being banned by places like Carmel, Calif., due to the noise and emissions impact on the environment, and here we are today.

A devastating assault on our lungs, nature and the planet, gas leaf blowers, running on a mix of the combustion of oil and gas, unleash carcinogenic and volatile organic compounds including, but not limited to carbon monoxide, methane, benzene, butadiene, and formaldehyde. The soot on our windowsills and dust in our homes are not benign.

Not only does the gas leaf blower it-

self create intense pollution, but the wind force from it spreads all materials that are on the ground. Pesticides, yard chemicals, mold, leaf litter, dirt, pee and poop from domestic animals and outdoor wildlife are kicked up into the air where particles can trigger asthma attacks, severe allergies, COPD symptoms, headaches, eye and throat irritation, and the list goes on. Folks, it doesn’t stop here. Insects create droppings as well. People also spit on the ground. Think about the bacteria, viruses, and disease spores we are inhaling.

To top it off the petroleum (fossil fuel) from the gas blowers form invisible bubbles that are suspended in the air. These bubbles hold onto toxic substances, and the climate is holding down more toxins now than ever before due to ozone depletion. Along with this changing atmosphere comes the evolution of new viruses.

Let’s not forget about cancer due to inhaling the gas, and cancer won’t forget about us. Often triggered by environmental conditions that may persist as cells divide is a chemical modification of DNA or other molecules called methylation that breaks down immunity.

The Respiratory Health Association states: “The engines on gas-powered leaf blowers create air pollution that can

GARY FELDMAN

The Real Deal

cause significant impact to the lungs. A combination of chemicals that contribute to ground-level ozone, as well as fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) can be inhaled by people using the equipment as well as people nearby. Even short-term exposure to particle pollution and ozone-forming chemicals generated by the machines has been proven to cause or contribute to health concerns like asthma, heart attacks, cardiovascular disease, COPD, and early death.”

READERS WRITE

Humans of all ages, nature, and not to forget our beloved pets, are suffering needlessly for this excess spewing of gas.

Leaf blowers also hurt our gardens and trees. They burn and dehydrate the plants and other greenery, disrupt seeds, and disturb natural mulch.

Debris blown off property and into the street most often winds up back onto the freshly blown site or neighboring landscapes. Material is rarely moved into a pile where it can be collected and taken to a compost pile for proper recycling.

Now to focus on noise pollution created by gas leaf blowers. Decibel levels for general daytime noise should be less than 55 dB. The typical gas-powered leaf blower measures 70-75 dB at 50 feet and louder at any closer distance. This can permanently damage hearing especially with ongoing exposure. The nosiest gas leaf blowers average about 80 to 90 decibels, and some emit sound levels in excess of 95 dB, especially dangerous to the operator.

A study published in the Journal of Environmental and Toxicological Studies explored the characteristics of sound from gas-powered leaf blowers, stating they have been found to have low-frequency components that allow the sound to travel long distances and penetrate building

walls.

Gas-powered leaf blowers are the most inappropriately and overused landscape tool. If possible, rake your yard and use the leaf litter to add nutrients to your own soil by composting them. The leaves also provide welcome habitats for important pollinators. Before you choose a landscaping company ask which type of leaf blower they use, and let them know that you are looking for a company that uses battery-powered blowers, and non-toxic chemicals.

There are ordinances limiting or banning the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in hundreds upon hundreds of communities nationally. Demand that our municipal leadership passes an ordinance for the safety of all, and one that is adhered to.

Gas-Powered or Battery-Powered Leaf Blowers: Which is your choice and why?

Share your comments with The Island 360 so as a community we can stand strong together.

Gary Feldman was an innovator in the nutritional supplement retail field with a first-of-its-kind catalog of all vegetarian name-brand supplements and cruelty-free personal care products, and did extensive research for customers. He is continuing ed instructor.

It’s time to enforce infractions on Plandome Road

Inever thought I would find myself writing a letter to the editor, but the anarchic nature of current-day Plandome Road (specifically the northern half) has piqued my frustration.

Plandome Road is rapidly approaching the point of no return from a Mad Max-style thoroughfare dominated by havoc and chaos, so much so that I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing monster trucks laden with gigantic amps, guitar players and fireworks bulldozing

everything in their path….laughing their way all the way past the 6th Precinct.

Hyperbole aside, the number of double-parking and U-turns on Plandome Road is at an all-time high.

Plandome Road has essentially become a six-lane road—two parking strips, two double-parking strips, and two very narrow lanes for actual drivers (and U-turners) to try and maneuver. It is unlikely that we will see another parking lot constructed in Manhasset, so there is

only one answer to this, and that is enforcement from the Nassau County Police Department.

I certainly understand that patrol officers cannot, and should not, be stationed 24/7 on Plandome Road, ticketing every driver malfeasance that they witness. However, they do have a responsibility to maintain some sort of order in Manhasset’s downtown, and they have been resoundingly negligent in that regard.

Pedestrian safety is obviously a major concern for residents throughout our community. The evidence for that is plainly seen in the prolific rise in stop signs at every intersection throughout every village and unincorporated street in Manhasset. It is time to shift our focus to our downtown.

I am sure my message here will anger about 50% of Manhasset’s residents, which is fine. To the other half, though, I implore you to contact the 6th Precinct

and even our local elected officials to urge for increased enforcement of the double-parking and U-Turning on Plandome Road.

Otherwise, this problem will only persist and deteriorate as time drags on, making Plandome Road impossible to navigate during peak traffic hours, or, worse, someone actually gets hurt.

New LIRR M9 cars are the end of the MTA story

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority announcement that the Long Island Rail Road’s $734 million procurement of 202 new M9 train cars awarded to Kawasaki Rail Car in 2013 is finally complete is not the end of this story. All of this new equipment was supposed to be delivered before initiating the new LIRR East Side Access service to Grand Central Madison. Delivery and ac-

ceptance of the last car almost five years late leaves a number of unanswered questions. .

What was the cost for the LIRR to return 100 M3 cars that had been mothballed several years ago back into service? What about daily maintenance and operating costs keeping this retired equipment returned to passenger service?

Due to a shortage of equipment re-

sulting in periodic overcrowding, how many ten-car trains had to be run with eight cars?

The LIRR has had to keep its own independent engineering project management oversight firm, engineering, procurement, and other payroll employees assigned to this project for 60 months beyond the originally forecasted project completion date.

What has this cost the LIRR? Has the

LIRR submitted delay claims to Kawasaki Rail Car, for reimbursement of these costs? Why should commuters and taxpayers be stuck with the tab?

What is the current status of the purchase of additional new LIRR cars? Will the LIRR do a “lessons learned” from this car procurement? Perhaps this will benefit the upcoming M9A car procurement.

The LIRR 1960’s motto “Line of the Dashing Dan” in 2023 continues to be

“Line of the Slow Moving Sloth” when it comes to purchasing new rail cars. .

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.

Stop after-school stealing in Long Island’s elite suburbs

It’s 3:00 p.m. Do you know where your teenagers are?

Since when is stealing from neighborhood stores an acceptable after-school activity? Parents, these are the same suburban stores you shop in. These are the stores your neighbors shop in. Do you have sufficient insight into the activities your kids are engaged in after

swiping your American Express card for their daily burger and fries lunch accompanied by a black-and-white shake?

Since when is “stealing for kicks” an acceptable after-school activity? We’re not talking about low budget items like candy or cookies but stealing off store shelves just for the sake of stealing. Wellto-do kids from local families seem to

know they can get away with it. They show no fear and they show no remorse. Their strategy? They show up en masse surrounding the store aisles. They sit cross-legged on the floor in the back of the aisles and refuse to budge. They trash talk mentally disabled store employees. Some teens anyway. Certainly, not yours.

Clean-cut kids, with chiseled grins and boyish smiles are stealing. The pretty girls, too. Parents, please open your eyes and open a dialogue with your teens. Otherwise, the next wake-up call you receive may be from a police officer after they’ve handcuffed your son or daughter. Yes, the girls are guilty of this behavior, too, according to local merchants.

And if you still aren’t inclined to act, consider how you will explain a police record or community service on an elite college application. Some things in life can’t be fixed even with excellent SAT scores.

Judy Shore Rosenthal Great Neck

Mike Anderson Manhasset

Political violence has no place in a democracy

Which was worse, the riot at the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, or the violent protests that recently took place at Columbia and other institutions of higher education throughout the country? A recent editorial claims that it is clear-cut that the former was far worse. The Jan. 6 riot was a direct attack on the seat of one of our three branches of government, and in that respect it was indeed worse. However, that is one of several axes on which the two events can be compared.

The Jan. 6 riot happened in one place and involved a relatively small number of people, while the pro-Hamas protests involved much larger numbers

of people and took place in numerous locations throughout the country. The Jan. 6 riot was put down in a matter of hours, while the pro-Hamas protests were allowed to continue for weeks. None of our major institutions held negotiations with the Jan. 6 rioters or made concessions to attempt to placate them. The same cannot be said for those who occupied college and university campuses. For all the talk of the supposed whiteness of the Jan. 6 rioters, they did not target a group of their fellow citizens on the basis of their race, religion, or ethnicity in the way that Jewish students have been targeted over the past few weeks.

We could attempt to determine how

much weight to give each of these axes and reach a conclusion as to which was worse overall, but I believe that this misses a more important point. Both of our major parties have problems with ignoring, downplaying, or even justifying political violence when it comes from their own side. This is not unique to these two instances but includes other cases of political violence such as the riots on several campuses after the inauguration of Donald Trump in 2017, the violence in Charlottesville later that year, and the Black Lives Matter riots in 2020. On neither side are the problems so minor as to deserve to be treated as negligible in comparison to what exists on the other side.

We are fortunate enough to live in a society that has given us greater peace and freedom than most that have existed throughout history. A major component of how this is achieved is by giving us freedom of expression by peaceful means while taking political violence off the table as a way of settling disputes between citizens. We have many ways of pushing for change that are protected by the Constitution. We can vote, raise our voices in peaceful protest, sign petitions, call our elected officials, and write letters to the editor.

However, we cannot be allowed to threaten our fellow citizens, occupy shared spaces and deprive others of their use, break into buildings, or poke

a Jewish student in the eye with the pole of a Palestinian flag, landing her in the hospital, as happened at Yale. The prohibition on political violence must be viewpoint-neutral and apply to all equally, no matter how worthy or unworthy their cause. The First Amendment requires no less.

Our democracy will remain under threat so long as political violence is tolerated by either of our major parties. We ought to provide a resounding electoral victory to whichever party is first to do the right thing and adopt a policy of zero tolerance for political violence.

My friend, Peter Dejana, and what he meant to all of us

In a world so polarized and divided, it is a breath of fresh air to meet a man like Peter Dejana, who passed away last week at the age of 84.

Peter would refer to me as “my rabbi.” He was interested in learning about my family and Judaism. He appreciated our large family and enjoyed meeting our children. We discussed how the Talmud analyzed ideas and how Judaism seemed to defy mortality.

The Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation consistently sponsored Chabad’s annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting celebration at Bar Beach.

This speaks volumes about the kind of person Peter was and the kind of person Jeri is. Again, in our crazy world of labels and divisiveness, this is special! We’d have a better world if we had more people like this.

“It’s all in the name,” says the Talmud.

I found two key meanings to the word Dejana: 1. Given by G-d; 2. To take action. Peter seamlessly combined both. He was clearly gifted by G-d with extraordinary gifts of smarts, talent and strength of character.

At the same time, nothing was given to him, nor did things come easy to him. He took action. Which is exactly the Torah’s approach to success: It’s all a gift; but because G-d loves us, He empowers us to be His partner in actualizing those gifts. So, you must take action; if you do nothing, nothing happens.

One of his innovative businesses, of which he took special pride, was airport snow removal.

He invented mighty machinery to accomplish this difficult task in the quickest time possible, and he was proud to discuss this with me.

These conversations left an impression on me, as they highlighted one of

the most important life lessons: When life sends you “snow”—coldness and treachery—don’t be afraid.

Gather all inner might you can muster, plow through the proverbial snow, the negativity and challenge, and you’ll be ready to “take off” and reach even greater heights.

No one accomplishes great things, or even reaches their own capacity, without

first facing real challenge and overcoming it. That’s just the way G-d made things. And the wisdom in it is quite evident.

Peter’s life was exactly that. He faced plenty of “snow”that needed to be overcome, including the tragic, untimely losses of his brother and his son.

On top of his very humble beginnings. But he kept on plowing forward, and he certainly “took off”and achieved great things.

Story: A wealthy miser arrived at the pearly gates but was refused entry. In desperation, he pulled out his checkbook and asked: “OK, how much?” To which the angel replied: “Here, we don’t accept checks, only receipts.”

Peter Dejana was surely welcomed to his heavenly reward with open arms, escorted by truckloads of receipts for the vast number of generous gifts he made to such a diverse group of organizations and individuals.

Irises and Open Sky

And that kindness and generosity does not end now. It will continue, perhaps indefinitely, through The Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation. The soul of this giant man returns home, having accomplished its mission par excellence, while overcoming many an obstacle in the process.

The greater the person the greater the loss. I know this is an extremely sad time for Jeri, Tyler, and April. It’s also a sad time for all those who knew and loved him. I include myself in that group. I found myself shedding a tear when I first received Jean-Marie’s email about his passing. I send my deepest condolences to the family. This loss will hurt a lot because it is indeed a great loss. Welcome home, Peter. You’ll be missed. Rest in peace.

One day years ago

I discovered the most wonderful irises, The deepest purple and some yellow— Swimming in their own vivid pools of current, White clouds and illuminating sky. Seeing them, tears of joy fill my eyes.

Author’s note: Greetings from Munich, and a belated Happy Mother’s Day. I’ll come back to Munich, but let’s say Regein means rules in German.

Both my grandmothers loved to rise really early to tend gardens. The selection was grand, flowers, fruit trees—pear, apricot, crabapple; vegetables, and rabbits galore munched on the bounty, impossible to keep at bay.

My grandmother toiled, of course, on hands and knees at ground level. I rose early, too, but didn’t like to soil my hands or knees.

One spring morning, I looked down at a patch of irises and said, “Look, grandma, they are pretty, aren’t they?”

“That they are, honey,” was the expected reply, as well as something else. “But don’t be so sure you see everything from where you are.” She patted the ground next to her and offered a trowel to help out. “Set yourself here on God’s green earth and see how things work.”

It took a confusing minute to grasp what she meant. Then I lay on the grass and looked up at the irises. Something unexpected happened that made all the difference. Thus I began my exploration of soil, rocks, and earth.

Then, my babysitter from across the street was a geology major at the Colorado School of Mines and started to explain the idea of geologic time and a changing earth.

I was hooked. By then, I lived down the street from Mike Shannon’s mother, who lived in a little house like ours—he was the great St. Louis Cardinal ball player (1964 and ’67 World Series!).

All the local kids loved it when he’d visit, at the time professional players made normal amounts of money.

In Munich, I was on the way to the Nazi Documentation Center, a modern five-story building with an extensive archive in the basement, when I passed a small, well-tended garden with a patch of irises that brought back an old memory.

The thought of my grandmother’s lesson reached me and brought tears to my eyes. Her melodious voice still sounds good. How I’ve lost track of the time. I composed my tribute poem that night.

Munich is an efficient, clean, modern city of several million. Its transportation system is unparalleled. Most citizens use it, and there are no traffic

jams anywhere on the streets. Its system of buses, trams, subways, and trains is inexpensive, finely tuned, on time, and safe at all hours. Everything runs on time. Connections are a breeze and seamless.

Munich was extensively bombed and destroyed in WWII. It was where Hitler founded his Nazi movement. It was where he and his Nazi party in 1923 staged the first attempted coup d’état at Odeonsplatz with leaders of Bavaria, but he was wounded and thrown in prison where he wrote “Mein Kampf.”

Munich is known for its massive Nazi rallies as the headquarters of both the Nazi party and the SS— the brutal instrument of terror and death.

Hitler was released early from prison because even at that time a good part of the Bavarian establishment and judiciary were sympathetic to his coolaid brand of making Germany great again nationalism.

His Nazi party was still a fringe annoyance, however, and barely received several percent of the votes throughout Germany until the depression hit hard and society began to fray. People became desperate. Hitler offered easy dualistic answers to complicated problems.

Hitler was proficient at reading the social currents and at manipulating opinion and the media. That was his military job during WWI, he learned the lessons well. There are rules to garnering and sway-

ing public opinion, he capitalized his moment during the depression.

I hope to return to what I learned in Munich in a future essay.

Let me end by saying that a great-grandfather and his small family needed to flee from what is now Slovenia/Hungary in 1926, well before Hitler came to power (…the national borders were always pretty fluid).

The poisonous seeds of hate run very deep, and like the soil, there are rules to nurturing anything, including hate. My rules are this. We must learn from history. History repeats itself, as Falkner said: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”

Civil society is fragile. Hate is nurtured and this must be understood in order that the worst forms of evil are avoided in the future—hopefully. All forms of hate are destructive and inhumane: antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and gays, misogyny, and racism. My grandmother taught me about soil. That it is rich and bountiful.

Stephen Cipot Garden City Park

David Golub Mineola

Rabbi Shalom M Paltiel Chabad of Port Washington

YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING

North Hempstead to host ‘Commemoration’ and Fireworks

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, the Town Board, and the Veteran’s Advisory Committee have announced the 40th anniversary of the town’s Memorial Day Commemoration and Fireworks Extravaganza. Festivities will be held at North Hempstead Beach Park on Saturday, May 25, with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“Our Memorial Day celebrations are always a great way to kick off the summer season with family and friends. We’ve got delicious food, music and dancing, and one of Long Island’s most dazzling fireworks displays,” said DeSena. “But let’s not forget the holiday’s true meaning. It’s our nation’s solemn attempt to remember and honor the U.S. servicemen and women who gave their lives for our country and our ideals. All of us, coming together from every faith and background to honor those sacrifices, is just about the most beautiful moment on North Hempstead’s yearly calendar.”

This year, the Memorial Day Commemoration and Fireworks Extravaganza will also feature musical entertainment from The Ronald Reagans, an 80s vs. 90s show. Gates open at 3 p.m., and the program will start at 6:30 p.m.

Fireworks will begin approximately at 9:15 p.m. Food will be available for purchase via onsite food trucks, including Dom’s Chicken Finger Truck, Filthy Pig BBQ, Monarch Foods, Mama Mia What A Taco, Sausage Kings, Pupusas City, and Smusht Ice Cream.

Vehicles will be charged a $10 parking fee (cash only). When the lot is full, free overflow parking will be available, and a free shuttle bus will transport you to the park.

No drop-offs or walk-ins are allowed. Attendees are urged to leave dogs at home due to noise sensitivity; however, service dogs are welcome. Additionally, drones are prohibited from the fireworks show. The Nassau County Police Department will be on hand and will confiscate all drones.

The town also announced free parking for veterans and active-duty military for the Annual Memorial Day Commemoration and Fireworks Extravaganza. These free parking passes are available only with proof of ID and will be issued at the following locations:

Clinton G. Martin Park – 1601 Marcus Avenue, New Hyde Park

Office of the Town Clerk – 200 Plandome Road, Manhasset

North Hempstead “Yes We Can” Community Center – 141 Garden Street, Westbury

Michael J. Tully Park – 1801 Evergreen Avenue, New Hyde Park

The Veterans’ parking pass applies only while the main lot at North Hempstead Beach Park is open. Otherwise, free overflow parking with a free shuttle will be available.

North Hempstead Beach Park is located at 175 W Shore Rd, Port Washington. For more information, please visit www.northhempsteadny.gov or call 311 or (516) 869-6311. Memorial Day.

Legends of Airpower WWII Warbirds at Jones Beach

This Memorial Day weekend kicks off the American Airpower Museum’s summer with its “Legends of Airpower WWII Warbirds” and its performance in the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Jones Beach Air Show.

AAM’s legendary warbirds, including the WWII B-25 Mitchell bomber, North American P51D Mustang, Grumman TBM-3E Avenger Torpedo Bomber, and Curtiss P-40M Warhawk “Flying Tiger,” will take to the skies over Republic Airport on Friday, May 24, (practice day) plus Saturday to Sunday, May 25/26, for the Jones Beach Air Show.

Additional aircraft will be in the air, including AAM’s WWII North American AT-6 Trainers, Vietnam-era AT-28D Nomad, and our Cold Warera L-39 Jet Fighter/Trainers.

Military aviation enthusiasts will not miss AAM’s WWII C-47 80th Anniversary D-Day Living History Experience, as WWII Airborne reenactors interact with our visitors on Saturday, May 25th. Throughout the weekend, visitors will be enthralled as US Navy Blue Angels, USAF A-10 “Warthogs,” and the ever-popular Skytypers take off and return at Republic. Blue Angels practice on May 24 too!

B-25 Mitchell Bomber; AAM’s North American P-51D Mustang; AAM’s Grumman TBM3E Avenger; and Curtiss P-40M Warhawk “Flying Tiger”

“To honor the men and women of the ‘Greatest Generation’ who built, maintained and piloted the iconic warbirds of yesteryear, in a bold defense of freedom during WWII, as well as active-duty military, reservists and the national guard, who continue this mission today,” Clyman said.

He said public support strengthens AAM’s mission to educate the next generation about American military aviation history, and will also help maintain the Museum’s iconic aircraft. “Help keep ‘em flying,” he added.

Watch AAM’s awe-inspiring aircraft take off to perform practice flybys over Republic all day Friday, May 24th. Get up close and personal with these historic bombers and fighters of yesteryear!

Then join us at AAM to catch even more aerial action on Saturday and Sunday as our war-

So, if you’re not going to Jones Beach, there is simply no better place to be than on AAM’s ramp, right off New Highway. Witness hours of awe-inspiring aviation action as our warbirds and US military aircraft take off and land from our flight line on Saturday and Sunday. You won’t be able to get much closer than that!

birds lift off to perform in the air show! Flight experiences are also available each day on one of AAM’s AT-6 Texans, plus our red WACO Biplane! Park for free in AAM’s lot or along New Highway. Food and Ice Cream trucks are available onsite. AAM is also open Monday, Memorial Day, closing at 4:00 p.m.

According to AAM President Jeff Clyman, the goal for this three-day extravaganza is two-fold.

As a special promotion, every paying Museum guest (18 and over) Friday through Monday is entitled to win a Cockpit USA “made in the USA” leather flight jacket. Cockpit USA, sponsor of the American Airpower Museum, is an official supplier to the United States Air Force of A-2 leather flight jackets! Various genuine leather flight jackets and other militaria specially priced and on sale all weekend, can be purchased at AAM’s gift shop!

Museum hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday 4:00 p.m.). Tickets and preregistration not required. Regular admission is $15 for Adults, $12 for Seniors and Veterans and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale (631) 293-6398, www. americanairpowermuseum.org

‘Jukebox Saturday Night’ with Gay Men’s Chorus

As it marks its “sweet 16th” season of performances, the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus is firing up the Wurlitzer for its “Jukebox Saturday Night” pride concert series.

Concerts are set for Friday, June 7 (8 p.m.) at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, 50 Cathedral Avenue in Garden City; Saturday, June 8 (8 p.m.) at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook at 380 Nicolls Road in Setauket/E. Setauket, and Sunday, June 9 (5:30 p.m., immediately after Long Island Pride) at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington.

present a musical journey through the glory days of vinyl, starting with the 1950s and concluding at the turn of the 21st century.

Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase at the door or online at http://www. ligmc.org/concerts.

During those performances, LIGMC will

“As the men of LIGMC delved into this season’s set list, one word seemed to tie it all together, and ‘fun’ was the word,” said LIGMC artistic director Jeanette Cooper. “Whether it was one of their favorite classics or a new song that captured their attention, there’s no doubt that everyone is having a blast preparing. All this hard work is leading up to a night of music that will have you singing along and tapping your toes to the music of our ‘Jukebox Saturday Night’ concerts!”

Highlights of the first half of LIGMC’s 16th season include a sold-out “Going Platinum” drag brunch at VFW Post 433 in Sayville, with more major milestones soon to follow.

Sound of Aztec Two-Step 2.0

The iconic career of the enduring folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel will be chronicled in an entertaining music and multimedia stage show presented by Aztec Two-Step 2.0 at Landmark on Main Street’s Jeanne Rimsky Theater (232 Main St., Port Washington, 516-767-6444, landmarkonmainstreet.org) on Friday, May 31. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show may be purchased online or at the box office.

The music in The Simon & Garfunkel Songbook show

speaks for itself and is anchored by Rex Fowler (acoustic guitar, harmonica, lead vocals), co-founder of the renowned folk-rock duo Aztec Two-Step whose self-titled debut on Elektra and three subsequent albums on RCA were staples of progressive FM and college radio and helped to usher the music of the 1960s into the 1970s and beyond.

His wife, Dodie Pettit, an original cast member of the acclaimed Broadway musical The Phantom of the Opera, joins Fowler on lead guitar,

keyboards, and vocals. Multiinstrumentalist Steven Roues and drummer-percussionist Peter Hohmeister round out the band.

The Simon & Garfunkel Songbook show also features rare early video footage of Simon & Garfunkel assembled by Tony Traguardo — a music archivist, podcaster, radio show host on WCWP, and a founding board member of the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame — who serves as the show’s narrator and emcee.

Locally, Traguardo is best known as a librarian who also programs and hosts the SoundSwap series at the Port Washington Public Library.

He also edited Fowler’s recently published memoir entitled “See, It Was Like This …”

The storyline for the Simon & Garfunkel Songbook show was created by the late Pete Fornatale, a pioneer of progressive FM radio in New York and author of Simon & Garfunkel’s Bookends, a book about the making of the duo’s classic 1968 album.

LIGMC has been named the community grand marshal of 34th Long Island Pride Parade and will have the high honor of leading the parade through Huntington upon its scheduled noon step-off on Sunday, June 9. LIGMC is set to cap off the 2024 Pride season by opening Northport Pridefest, which runs from 12:30 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 15.

“For the last 16 years, LIGMC has used the universal language of music to bring the LGBTQ+ community together, spread joy, and promote understanding. Being named Community Grand Marshal of Long Island Pride 2024 is a tremendous honor for our members and a gratifying recognition of all who made this day possible,” said Bill McCarthy, president of the LIGMC Board of Directors. “Our ‘Jukebox Saturday Night’ concerts are sure to be a fitting and joyful continuation of this proud tradition, and we can’t wait for opening night so you can enjoy the show right along with us.”

PHOTO BY AAM

American icon Barbie presented by Rick Feingold

Great Neck Library is having a lecture titled “Barbie: An American Icon presented by Rick Feingold” on Tuesday, May 28 at 2:00 p.m. in the Station Branch at 26 Great Neck Road, 2nd Level in Great Neck.

In the 1950s, children could only play with baby dolls. There were no adult dolls. Then, Ruth Handler decided to invent a doll with adult features. The doll named Barbie was a “Teenage fashion model.”

Barbie could be dressed in a variety of fashion outfits, and she lived in a “Dreamhouse.” She had a boyfriend named Ken, and drove a Corvette convertible. Barbie’s careers included being a doctor, astronaut, pilot, and even a matador. Learn how the world’s most loved doll came to be.

Rick Feingold teaches American Business History at Bergen Community College and holds an MBA from Penn State University and a degree in History from Rutgers University.

Registration is not required. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@ greatnecklibrary.org.

Barbie

Shireinu Choir of Long Island at Queens College

For the second year in a row, the Queens College Center for Jewish Studies is presenting the annual concert of the Shireinu Choir of Long Island, the largest mixed-voice Jewish choir in the Greater Metropolitan Area.

Cantor Raphael Frieder, a world-renowned singer in both the religious and secular worlds, is a featured soloist. The concert will be held on Sunday, June 9, at 3 p.m. at Lefrak Concert Hall at Queens College.

“Our program this year will incorporate selections in Hebrew, Yiddish and English and will take the audience on a musical journey spanning centuries,” said Deborah Tartell, founding musical director and conductor.

While some of the selections are based on liturgical texts, attendees will also recognize the timeless “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen as well as songs from Gilbert & Sullivan with a Yiddish twist.

A small group of female singers will share a heartfelt rendition of “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables.” Featured musicians are Sharon Kahn Bernstein, Joe Brady, Andrew Denise, Deanna Stecker, and Guy Brewer, who has served as accompanist for the Shireinu Choir of Long Island since 2021.

Highlighting the program is the beautiful tenor voice of Cantor Raphael Frieder in Kurt

Weill’s piece “Kiddush.” Written in 1950, Weill’s composition is the first synagogue piece to be written in an American popular style, combining Blues and Broadway pop harmonies.

Many will recognize Frieder as the cantor in the movie “Keeping the Faith” as well as the Amazon series “Hunters.” He served as cantor at Temple Israel of Great Neck for over 30 years and is currently the interim director of the H. L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

The Shireinu Choir of Long Island was formed in 2017 to celebrate Jewish culture through music and song.

The group has performed at the prestigious North American Jewish Choral Festival for three consecutive years. It has been invited to sing the National Anthem at Citifield and aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid.

The Queens College Center for Jewish Studies serves as a bridge between the university and the Queens-Long Island community. It sponsors a wide range of lectures and cultural events throughout the year.

Tickets to the concert are $25 and available through the Kupferberg Center website or by calling the box office at 718-933-8080. (Fees may apply.) For additional information on the Shireinu Choir of Long Island, visit our website.

Shireinu Choir of Long Island will present their annual concert Sunday, June 9, at 3:00 p.m. at Lefrak Concert Hall, Queens College

Vacations are a great way to escape the daily grind and relax while making memories. According to a recent survey from Nationwide Travel Insurance, U.S. consumers are optimistic about travel plans throughout 2024. Ninety-one percent said they have plans to travel domestically, and 50 percent had international trips on the horizon. Also, 40 percent intended to travel more than they did in 2023.

A large percentage of those traveling will be doing so as families. School breaks make summer a great time for families to get away, although savvy family travelers also buck the trends and opt to travel when the crowds may be lighter. Certain vacations and activities are best geared toward family vacationers. Explore these ideas before booking a vacation.

· Stay at an all-inclusive resort. Whether you stay on domestic soil or travel abroad, an all-inclusive resort is a fine option for families. That's because once the trip is booked and paid for, all of the food, most of the beverages and many amenities are all handled. That means families can simply check in and start having fun. All-inclusive resorts may feature board games, water sports, movie nights, and even kids-only dance clubs.

· Play miniature golf. Miniature golf games and warm summer evenings are a perfect match. Most resort towns have at least one mini golf course to test skills on the small-scale links. During times when the weather may not be ideal, indoor mini golf can be an entertaining diversion.

· Set up camp. Campsites and RV parks offer a bevy of activities for active families. Not only is there the excitement of sleeping away from home and next to nature, but certain campsites also serve as small, self-contained resorts with offerings like pools, hot tubs, golf courses, tennis courts, or boating options as part of their featured amenities.

· Take a sight-seeing tour. Check the local travel guides to see which type of entertaining or educational tours are available nearby. There are trolley tours, boat tours, bike tours, and walking tours that present the area sights in an informative light. The benefit of a tour is that all the work is removed and all tourists have to do is show up and enjoy the experience.

· Spend a day swimming. Plenty of family vacations revolve around time around the pool or along the coast. Swimming doesn't require much gear, and as long as the weather is amenable, it's possible to while away the hours for most of the day. Even after sundown, the beach can be a go-to spot for bonfires, music and fun. Remember to lather on the sunblock so that sunburns do not derail vacation plans.

· Explore the thrills and attractions. Plan a family vacation a stone's throw away from an amusement park so that everyone can get their hearts racing on roller coasters and other fast-paced amusements. Theme parks have various rides that are geared toward different age groups.

Families can enjoy many recreational pursuits while on vacation this summer.

Human encounters with ticks are skyrocketing as climate change and other factors expand their territory and swell their numbers. New York is home to about 30 tick types, including the blacklegged (deer) tick, which spreads Lyme Disease.

As spring warmth draws New Yorkers out of their houses and into the green, tick nymphs will be waiting, arms outstretched, hoping to find their next meal from a human host.

“Most outdoorsy people are rightly wary of the tiny arthropods, which despite their painless bites can transmit more than a dozen harmful diseases,” says Michael Green, associate medical director at Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care.

Dr. Green shared his tips on how to prevent bites and handle the ones that do happen to keep us active outdoors:

Before you go: Learn about the types of ticks in the area and the diseases they carry. Ticks can be tiny and extremely hard to find. Unfed nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed and unfed adults are more like a sesame seed or an apple seed. Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, can transmit several diseases, including Lyme disease.

They cause the most problems in spring, summer, and fall in the Northeast, Upper Midwest and mid-Atlantic. Aggressive lone star ticks are common in the South and East and feed from early spring through late fall. Their irritating bites can cause a variety of diseases and are associated with Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to milk and meat that can be life-threatening. American dog ticks, also known as wood ticks, are common east of the Rockies. They bite in the spring and summer and can spread tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.How to protect yourself outside: If you’re outside regularly, use an insect repellent containing DEET to prevent ticks from getting on your body.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control also recommends treating outerwear, boots and camping gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, which is an insecticide and repellent that doesn’t affect people when it is dry.

You can buy permethrin-treated gear through some retailers, or you can apply it to clothing and gear yourself, but you must follow strict safety precautions. The CDC offers landscaping tips that discourage ticks, such as putting decks, patios and play structures in sunny areas and creating a three-foot buffer of gravel or woodchips between woods and recreational areas. Choose light-colored outdoor clothing to make it easier to spot any ticks that have latched on. Finally, once outdoors, keep pant legs tucked into socks and shirts tucked into waistbands to avoid giving a hitchhiking tick direct access to your skin.Keep ticks out of your immediate environment: As soon as you’re inside, drop your clothes in the dryer and run it on high heat for at least ten minutes.

High, dry heat kills ticks because they are sensitive to arid environments. Damp clothes may need even more time in the dryer. If the clothes need washing first, use hot water. In the meantime, promptly perform a thorough tick check of everyone who was outside. Check for ticks on children, paying special attention to hiding places such as in and around hair, in and behind ears, in body folds such as the groin, armpits and the back of knees, in the belly button and around the waist. If there is no other adult to help with your own check, use a hand mirror or a full-length mirror to make sure you’ve thoroughly checked your body.

Once clear, jump in the shower to rinse off any unattached ticks.

Don’t forget pets: Pets can carry ticks to you and are susceptible to some tick-borne diseases, too. Talk to your veterinarian before using pesticides and re-

skin, causing infection.

Don’t crush the tick or attempt to burn it or coat it with nail polish remover or ointment. Place the tick in a sealed bag or jar in case a physician needs to identify it. You can also take photos of the tick on a light-colored background and next to a reference item, such as a ruler, coin or pin. Finally, swab the area with rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining bacteria.

Cover the area with a bandage and wash your hands.

pellents around pets. Check for ticks daily on pets that spend time outdoors in tick habitat – especially in and around the ears, around the eyelids, around the tail, under the collar, under the front legs, between the back legs and between the toes. Remove any ticks immediately and consult your veterinarian. Tick removal: If you find a tick, remove it immediately.

The longer it is embedded, the greater the chance it can transmit diseases. While some tick diseases can be transmitted in minutes, the bacteria that causes Lyme lives in the tick’s midgut and isn’t usually transmitted until the tick has fed for 36 hours or more, Dr. Green said. Put on gloves if you have them and get a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a specialty tick removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out using pressure that is firm but not crushing. Do not twist or jerk, which may cause mouth parts to detach and remain in the

Consulting a healthcare provider: Removing a tick promptly makes problems less likely. Diagnosis and treatment are based on a variety of factors, including the type of tick, tick-borne diseases prevalent in New York, how long the tick was attached and patient symptoms. The CDC does not recommend taking antibiotics in every case. In New York, your provider may recommend a single prophylactic dose of the antibiotic doxycycline to lower your risk of infection, in the appropriate circumstance.

You should also come in if any of the following symptoms arise within 30 days: a red bull’s-eye rash at the bite site, a significant, expanding rash near or away from the bite, flu-like symptoms including a fever, chills, headache or nausea, swollen lymph nodes, weakness, fatigue, joint pain or swelling and facial paralysis.

Talk with a clinician if you can’t remove all parts of the tick or if the site becomes painful, changes color or starts to ooze. Bringing the tick or photos of the tick can help your provider develop a treatment plan. Ticks and their diseases can be worrisome, but knowledge and skilled health providers can help people manage their risk. “Northwell Health-GoHealth is proud to help patients continue to enjoy the outdoors as part of a happy, healthy life,” Dr. Green said.

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Summer entertaining season provides ample opportunities to soak up some sun and have some fun with family and friends. Backyard barbecues and other get-togethers at home are even more fun when hosts ensure they have certain must-have items for summer soirees.

· Fire features: The days when summer hosts only needed a few extra lawn chairs and some burgers and hot dogs on the grill for a backyard barbecue are long gone. Though those items still have a place at backyard barbecues, summer parties have taken a step up. Fire features, whether it's a standalone fire pit, one built into a patio or a gas-powered fire table, are now wildly popular. Fire features provide a welcome place to relax and converse with guests after the sun goes down. And much to kids' delight, a fire feature also paves the way for some postmeal s'mores.

· Insulated wine cooler: Coolers are great places to store water, soda, beer, seltzers, and other popular beverages. But what about wine? An insulated wine cooler ensures wine stays properly cooled but doesn't get too cold, which can happen when wine is stored in a more traditional cooler filled with ice. Bottles are simply placed in the insulated cooler (much like canned beverages slide easily into can koozies), and the bottle can be kept on the table much like you would for formal dinners indoors. Hosts can go the

extra mile by pairing insulated wine tumblers with their wine cooler.

· Games: Summer entertaining season might be all about relaxation, but games can up the fun factor at backyard gatherings. Cornhole is a wildly popular game, and customized cornhole boards can help hosts come across as party professionals. Ladder toss, bocce and wiffle ball are some additional games that can make the festivities more fun. Hosts who don't have a pool also can invest in an inflatable pool big enough to fit all the kids who will be coming to the party.

· Outdoor storage cabinet: Hosts can save themselves the stress and effort of walking in and out for dinnerware and other table accessories by investing in a sturdy outdoor storage cabinet. As meal time draws near, hosts will appreciate that all the plates, napkins, utensils, and placemats are already outside. The top of the storage cabinet can double as a small but convenient buffet station for sides that aren't being cooked over an open flame.

· Projector and screen: A projector and screen can really up the ante on summer entertaining, turning a backyard barbecue into a great place to watch a game or cuddle up after dinner for a movie night under the stars. Projectors and screens won't bust the budget, but those who have more to spend may want to consider an outdoor television. Outdoor televisions are built to handle the glare of the summer sun, but a retractable awning may be a good safety net for hosts who plan to spend many a weekend afternoon outside watching games or movies with family and friends.

These are just a handful of items that can up the ante on traditional backyard barbecues. Homeowners should know that there's no limit to the number of items that can make summer entertaining season more special.

A warm breeze on a summer day embodies the spirit of this beloved season for millions of people. Seen by many as a season to relax and recharge, summer, not coincidentally, goes hand in hand with leisure.

With more time on their hands due to vacations from school and work and less hectic activity schedules, particularly for families that include school-aged children, individuals often find summer affords more time for leisure. With that in mind, people from all walks of life can consider these summertime leisure activities.

· Relax by the water: Whether it's a pool, lake or even the ocean, the water beckons each summer. Simply sitting on a beach or beside a lake or pool is a great way to pass the time without much stress. Nothing needs to be scheduled when relaxing poolside, lakeside or on a beach; simply enjoy some time to relax by the water.

· Paddleboarding: Paddleboarding is another leisurely way to spend a summer day. Paddleboarding requires physical exertion, so this might not be the ideal activity for those looking to relax without lifting a finger. However, paddleboarders typically take to the water when it's at its most calm, making this a great activity for those who want to capitalize on peaceful, serene summer vibes.

· Fishing: Few activities may be more relaxing than fishing. Though there are many different ways to fish, some of which require

considerable physical effort, casting a line and waiting for a fish to bite is a relaxing way to spend a day in nature. That might not seem like much to novices, but spending time in nature has been found to reduce stress and lower heart rates, which the U.S. Forest Service notes are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

· Read: Books make for great companions on warm summer afternoons. Reading is such a popular summer pastime that many bookstores set up displays featuring books that make for great beach reads, providing inspiration for individuals who aren't sure which book or books to dive into this summer. And much like other summertime leisure activities, reading has been linked to reducing stress. A 2009 study from researchers at the University of Sussex in England found that reading can reduce stress by as much as 68 percent.

· Visit a museum: On summer afternoons when it's raining or too hot outside or individuals simply want to spend some time indoors, a museum makes for the perfect place to visit. Museums do not typically draw crowds in summer, making this an ideal season to visit. Many offer discounted prices to individuals like seniors and students, so this is a great way to relax without breaking the bank. Summer is a season of leisure, and there are many activities that align with that spirit of relaxation.

Fri 5/24

Nate Charlie Music @ 6pm Dark Horse Tavern, 273 Main St, Farmingdale

Brooklyn Cyclones vs. Hudson Valley Renegades @ 7pm Maimonides Park, Brooklyn

THE ZOO @ Cherry Valley CC (Outdoor Lobster Party)

@ 7pm Cherry Valley Country Club, 28 Rockaway Ave,, Garden City

Lauren Jaimes @ 7pm Lilly's of Long Beach, 954 W Beech St, Long Beach

Drew Dunn: The Bro‐kerage in Bellmore @ 8pm Brokerage Comedy Club, 2797 Merrick Rd, Bellmore

Zach Adleman: Sam Dillon Quartet @ OuLala @ 8pm Oulala Café and Lounge, 428 Sunrise Hwy, Lynbrook

Lovesong The Band: Stage 317 @ 8pm 317 Main Street, 317 Main St, Farmingdale

The Benderz @ 10pm The Inn, 943 W Beech St, Long Beach

Rally for Rebecca 5K Walk, Run & Roll Plus Fun Run @ 9am / $15 Plainview Old Bethpage Middle School, 121 Central Park Rd, Plainview. events@elite feats.com

Bluey's Big Play - The Stage Show @ 3pm Kings Theatre, Brooklyn

Hey Lady @ 5pm Freeport Water Taxi, 211 Woodcleft Ave, Freeport Bingo Loco - World's Biggest Bingo Party @ 7pm / $35

We've �ipped the traditional game of bingo on its head and turned it into a 3-hour long in‐teractive stage show complete with dance-offs, rave rounds, lip sync battles and crazy prizes. Mulcahy's Long Island, 3232 Railroad Avenue, Wan‐tagh. hello@bingo-loco.com

Parliament Funkadelic feat. George Clinton @ 8pm / $49.50-$99.50 The Paramount, Huntington

DAVID PABON @ 10pm La Candela II, 205 Hempstead Tpke, West Hempstead

CITY MANAGER’S 10

MILE RACE TO REMEMBER

@ 9am / $35

Boardwalk at Laurelton Blvd, 98 Lauelton Blvd, Long Beach. events@ elitefeats.com

Frank Turner @ 6:30pm

The Paramount - Huntington, 370 New York Avenue, Hunting‐ton

The Memorial Day Freedom 5K Run @ 9am / $15

Chester A. Reese Veter‐ans Memorial Park, Malverne Gazebo, Malverne. events@elite feats.com

Flip Circus @ 7:30pm

Circus Vazquez - Walt Whitman Shops, Huntington Station

Exciting New Acting Workshop! @ 7pm

Ever dream of being on tv? In a movie? Gold Coast Arts Center, 113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck. info@gold coastarts.org, 516-8292570

New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers @ 7:10pm Citi Field, Flushing

Wed 5/29

AMC 07 Adult Wednes‐day Golf Clinic 10am @ 10am / $169

May 29th - Jun 26th

Eisenhower Park driving range, Eisenhower park, East Meadow. 516-222-2620

New York Liberty vs. Phoenix Mercury @ 7pm / $19-$1100 Barclays Center, Brooklyn

Honor Among Thieves @ 7:30pm Village Pub, 174 N Wellwood Ave, Lindenhurst

Joss Stone - Ellipsis Tour @ 8pm / $50.50$100.50

The Paramount, Hunt‐ington

Thu 5/30

South Shore Mall Carnival @ 5pm

May 30th - Jun 9th

Enjoy midway rides and games and favorite fair food for the whole fam‐ily. Admission and park‐ing are free. Visit the website for advance savings on unlimited ride wristbands and ride tickets. South Shore Mall, 1701 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore. 866-666-3247

A Bronx Tale @ 7:30pm The Argyle Theatre at Babylon Village, Babylon

Thursday May 30th

Herricks Community Fund Carnival @ 5pm

May 30th - Jun 2nd

Herricks Community Center, 999 Herricks Road, New Hyde Park. 866-666-3247

Enjoy a good time for a good cause at this family-friendly annual fundraiser sponsored by the not-for-pro�t Herricks Community Fund, with thrilling midway rides and games for all ages and classic carnival cuisine for every appetite.

Fri 5/31

We Are The Future Summit @ 9am / $80.50 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale

Daffodils in Watercolor Workshop with Eliz‐abeth Fusco Friday, May 31 | 10am -1pm @ 10am / $67.50-$75 Daffodils in Watercolor Workshop with Eliza‐beth Fusco Friday, May 31 | 10am -1pm Begin‐ner to Intermediate Lev‐els Adults and Teens 16+ $67.50 members | $75 nonmembers The Manes Education Cen‐ter at Nassau County Museum of Art, One Museum Drive, Roslyn. events@nassaumu seum.org, 516-4849337

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

Creatures of the Night: Evening Bat & Wildlife Walk @ 7:30pm / $17-$22

Join Ranger Eric Pow‐ers for a presentation and nighttime walk through the Preserve in search of Long Island’s only �ying mammal: the bat. Sands Point Pre‐serve, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point. info @sandspointpre serve.org, 516-5717901

Aztec Two-Step: The Simon & Garfunkel Songbook at Land‐mark on Main Street @ 8pm Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St, Port Washington Jared Sage Cowen @ 8pm J Pauls Terrace Cafe, 239 Mer‐rick Rd, Oceanside

The Wankers (British Pop Tribute) & Idolized (Billy Idol Tribute) @ 8pm / $10 Mulcahy's, Wantagh

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

Diamond Groove NY: Diamond Groove Rocks Repeal! @ 8pm Repeal XVIII, 30 New St, Hunt‐ington

Calendar information is pro‐vided by event organizers. All events are subject to change or cancellation. This publica‐tion is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in this calendar.

Birding at Udall’s Pond with Matt Klein in G.N.

The public is invited to meet outside the Main Library by Udall’s Pond and learn about local birdlife in a guided tour with resident birder Matt Klein.

Udall’s Pond is home to more than 37 bird species and several varieties of each, offering a fantastic viewing opportunity for new and sea-

soned bird watchers.

Klein is a lifelong resident of Great Neck, currently residing in Great Neck Estates where he leads the environmental commissioner for the village.

He has been birding for over 20 years, having discovered his passion for ornithology in his childhood friend’s

backyard near Baker Hill Elementary School.

Shortly thereafter, he borrowed his first birding book, “National Geographic Guide to Birding Hotspots of the United States,” from the Great Neck Library and became hooked. He often traveled long distances to “add” birds to his New York State list.

Matt said he enjoys all things nature and can be found exploring the many beautiful parks in Great Neck, usually with a camera in hand. You can follow Matt on Instagram @flying_objects_ at_rest.

The guided tour will be at Udall’s Pond at the Main Library, 159 Bayview Avenue, Great Neck, NY 11023, on Friday, May 31 at 4:30 p.m.

Please bring a pair of binoculars with you, or borrow a pair from our Library of Things! Registration is encouraged but not required. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.

Museum Ball honoring Dr. Harvey R. Manes

The Nassau County Museum of Art will hold its first Museum Ball in five years: Going All City is inspired by the current exhibition, Urban Art Evolution, which reveals the fascinating trajectory of 1980s street art to today’s widely collected works on view in galleries and museums around the world.

On June 8, NCMA’s most important fundraising event of the year will honor Dr. Harvey R. Manes.

Proceeds from this grand celebration support NCMA’s exhibitions, public programs, family and children’s activities, and programs for the neurodivergent community. Located on a magnificent 145-acre preserve and sculpture garden, the museum provides year-round cultural programs and nature exploration while conducting environmental conservation projects for the benefit of all Long Islanders.

The Gilded Age mansion is the site of three major exhibitions annually, and the museum welcomes more than 15,000 schoolchildren for grade-specific programs each year.

The event begins with a VIP Sponsor Experience at 6 – 7 p.m. In Gallery One, DuoJalal’s Kathryn Lockwood (violist) and Yousif Sheronick (percussionist) will perform a brief music program inspired by the exhibition’s works.

At 7 p..m, all guests are invited for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. At 8 p.m., guests enter the dinner tent, where a brief dance performance will follow. The live auction, dessert, and dancing follow.

According to NCMA Board President and Museum Ball Chair Angela Susan Anton, “We are excited to begin a new annual tradition of gathering our sponsors and community members to support NCMA through this magical event.”

A philanthropist, educator, and author, Manes has been a passionate collector of art for more than 40 years.

He is a longstanding Trustee of the Nassau County Museum of Art and its Exhibition and Acquisition Committee. He has lent numerous works from his collection to notable museums,

including the Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago), Heckscher Museum, Jewish Museum-NYC, NCMA, among others.

Through his generosity, NCMA’s Manes Center for Art and Education was completely renovated and is now a dynamic and inspiring learning environment. In this state-of-the-art facility, an outstanding faculty serves hundreds of students of all ages and abilities annually.

Manes is the founder of the Manes Peace Prize Foundation that has supported numerous individuals and organizations that promote peace through art and education.

Most recently, the Foundation awarded 32 awards to Nassau County public high school art students in a juried art competition currently on view in the Manes Center.

For more than 20 years, he was a clinical instructor of orthopedic surgery and taught surgery to numerous resident physicians at Nassau County University Hospital.

A pioneer in joint replacement surgery, he also served as a team physician at both the university and high school levels.

He earned his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law, where his dissertation on the law regarding fine art theft and fraud won the Entertainment Arts and Sports Law Society’s writing competition.

A prolific writer, he has authored several books, including “The Nobel Peace Prize and How it has Failed Us” and “Collecting Art: For Pleasure and Profit.”

Manes has four adult children and lives in New York City and Westhampton Beach, NY.

“The Nassau County Museum of Art is pleased to recognize Dr. Manes for his longstanding involvement and support for our exhibition and educational initiatives,” said Beth Horn, NCMA’s executive director, “His participation ensures an exciting future for the Museum and our service to the community.”

For information and to purchase tickets, journal ads, and sponsorships, see www.nassaumuseum.org and call 516.484.9337, extension 16.

Dr. Harvey Manes hosted more than 30 student artists from 15 Nassau County high schools on May 4, when they each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Manes Peace Prize Foundation. Two finalists received a grand prize in a juried competition. Several of the artists have donated their works to the Museum Ball Auction to support the Nassau County Museum of Art.

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

Baby Geese

COME NETWORK WITH NASSAU COUNTY’S TOP BUSINESS LEADERS 2024 HONOREES

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024 • 6PM LEONARD’S PALAZZO OF GREAT NECK

Jean-Marie Addeo Levantini

Senior Director, Ambulatory Care Garden City NYU Langone Health

Dr. Neva Alexander CEO/Founder Nevalliance Co-Director Ascend Long Island

Phil Andrews President

Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce

Bob Bernard

Senior Vice President, Debt & Equity Northmarq Capital

Adam Boll

Senior Vice President, Strategic Business Initiatives Northwell Health

Jerome J. Bost Director of External Affairs IBEW Local 1049

Lisa Burch, MPH CEO/President EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies

John Burke

Global Head of Business & Professional Services Citi Commercial Bank

Dr. Martin Cantor Director Long Island Center for Socio-Economic Policy

Mary Conway Founder/CEO MKC Strategies.

Dr. Maria P. Conzatti President Nassau Community College

Armando D’Accordo President CMIT Solutions

Roy DiMarco President RGD Marketing

Dr. James Dolan

Executive Director CEC Health Care

Jose Dominguez CEO American Red Cross Long Island

Robbie Donno Co-Founder Gift of Life International

George Duffy

Executive Director/CEO SCOPE Education Services

Andrea Elder-Howell Vice President, Legal Services PSEG Long Island

Cherly Fajardo

Senior Vice President ExpanseFT

Thomas Garry

Managing Partner Harris Beach PLLC

Louis C. Grassi, CPA, CFE

CEO

Grassi Advisory Group, Inc.

David Green Partner

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP

Jeffrey M. Kimmel

Managing Partner & CEO Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP

Adam Koblenz Member and Partner

Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano PLLC

Howard Kroplick Co-President Roslyn Landmark Society

Donna LaScala President Financial Planning Association of LI

Maqsood A. Malik President & CEO M&J Engineering P.C.

Nancy Marie-Thérèse Manigat, MBA, LCSW COO CN Guidance & Counseling

Services

Edna Mashaal

Founder, Managing Partner

Edna Mashaal Realty

David P. McKelvey Tax Partner Marcum LLP

Vinny Muldoon Owner

Old World Quality Corp.

Louis Panacciulli

President Mineola Chamber of Commerce

Michael Pfaff

President/Chief Business Officer Long Island Ducks

Michael Recco

President & CEO Friends For Life Home Care

Michael Reed, CCM

CEO and Managing Member Elite Construction Company of NY, LLC

Michael Rosenblutt

President/CEO

Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation

Josephine Savastano Chief Banking Officer New York

Frank Scalese CEO

Blue Ocean Wealth Solutions

Jeffrey Schwartzberg Co-Founder/Managing Principal

Premier Commercial Real Estate

Sheldon Shrenkel

CEO/ Executive Director Nassau County Industrial Development Agency

Howard M. Stein

Managing Partner

Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP

Mark Stempel

CEO/Licensed Real Estate Broker

Blue Island Homes

Linda Stuurman

President Last Hope Rescue

Katie Swanson Executive Director Bethany House

Sherry Tucker CEO WellLife Network

Luis Vasquez

President Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Devon Zappasodi, MSW Director PFY, A Division of Long Island

Business&RealEstate

Can’t buy a home, condo or co-op?

Millennials, Gen Z and Gen X are struggling to be first-time homeowners. But due to steep student loans, credit card debt and salary levels, they are unable to save enough for a down payment, let alone pay back the money they owe.

This has become particularly challenging over the last 10 years as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a paradigm shift not ever seen before. People were leaving large populated and crowded cities to escape being near other humans to reduce the possibility of becoming infected.

Those who could exit probably were in much better financial shape than most. They began gobbling up the available housing stock, on Long Island and across the U.S., causing prices to spike and escalate at an abnormal rate.

So as inventory was reduced year over year during the last four years, prices went in the opposite direction, up and up.

What also fueled this volatile environment were rates that were reduced to never-before-seen lows of 2.5%, as my daughter and son-in-law were lucky to take advantage of purchasing a new home.

As they say, luck is timing and that’s all it is. Sometimes being in the right place or knowing how to be in that right place at the right time creates your luck.

To add insult to injury there was the

physical and digital creation of excessive sums of currency by our government out of thin air, (not backed by anything but the good faith of the U.S. government) providing life-lines — or what I would call “giveaways” — to so many, who may or may not have needed that capital.

It surely created a perfect storm for our inflation problems. Everyone appeared to be flush with spendable dollars, and there began the supply chain issues of too many purchasers with money chasing a limited availability of goods.

So many were no longer in the employment arena, thereby not producing or handling goods and services. Everything began snowballing and spiraling out of control in an extremely destructive and chaotic situation.

Supply shortages occurred not only here in the U.S. but globally. People stopped working for a time and driving and traveling less and less. I remember reading in July 2020, that West Texas Crude, the benchmark for American oil prices, went to zero dollars and sellers had to pay the buyers to take it off their hands because there was nowhere to store it.

Moreover, I also remember purchasing gas out on the North Fork of Long Island for $1.97 per gallon and I am sure some of you did, too. Things sure did look quite bleak. But today with everyone back out driving, flying, and travel-

ing all over, crude oil is approaching $80 per barrel and who knows what the price will be by the time you read my column. It’s always about supply-demand economics. High demand with a lack of supply raises prices; low demand and excess supply lowers prices.

There are other paths that Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen X can take under the current economic conditions to improve their future without purchasing a home, condo, or coop. Look at other assets that are much less costly and will be a future hedge against inflation and the potential devaluation of the dollar going forward.

Hard assets are the name of the game. Educating oneself to have a solid safety net for your current dollars would be a very prudent course of action.

Throughout history, gold, silver, and other precious metals have been an excellent hedge against inflation. They have increasingly been used in the industrial production of cars and in their catalytic converters, computers, and many other components and processes. However, we now have crypto currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets that appear to be taking hold not only locally in the U.S. but also around the Globe.

China has outlawed Bitcoin, as I believe that it was a threat to their Renminbi (RMB), which is the official currency of China called the Yuan, the principle unit of account for that currency.

Doing your research and gaining the education and knowledge, will go a long way in ascertaining and determining where to invest your additional dollars compared to letting them sit in your bank, gaining very negligible interest.

With our current rate of inflation of 3.9% (closer to 8%+ when you factor in shelter, energy, and food costs into the equation), your loss is about 7.5% of purchasing power just this past year.

Not only that, you are paying income taxes on the measly interest that you are receiving, so you are in a losing position

as your money continues to lose its value year in and year out.

Even quality stocks that pay dividends will outshine your bank interest rates. By diversifying, there hopefully will be a day, when your future wealth will continue to accumulate to a point where homeownership will become a reality.

More importantly, if you have sufficient funds in your Roth or regular IRA or Pension Plan, as a first-time purchaser you can use that money to buy a home, also for continuing education and medical purposes.

You should seek out your financial planner or CPA to further discuss your options and some may be in a much stronger position to purchase. Lastly, some sellers will provide financing, to reduce and defer their capital gains taxes on the sale of their home.

If you need any assistance or advice or need recommendations for a CPA or CFP (Certified Financial Planner), call me for a consultation.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. 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.Comor via https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com

TECH

The “Internet of Things” and Smart Clothing

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

the future is now

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

We already monitor our home security via smart camera devices and troubleshoot appliance repairs by connecting directly to technical support. But there are even cooler IoT applications in the works!

“Soon, the Internet of Things will meet Gucci in the form of smart clothing. For example, swimwear can include UV sensors to prevent overexposure to harmful radiation. Smart footwear may improve your running technique or monitor the mobility of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Manufacturers might embed haptic feedback into textiles to correct your posture or improve your yoga pose. And don’t forget the accessories, such as the Ray-Ban Stories smart sunglasses (that provide a window to social media when the user is otherwise offline).” - William Diggin, Accenture

Let Sandwire Technology Group show your small business that the future is NOW.

IT SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS

PHILIP A. RAICES Real Estate Watch

Port Children Center, De Jana

Center joins the community in sending our heartfelt condolences to the family of Peter De Jana.

He was a man of great integrity and tremendous generosity. His passing leaves a big hole in the fabric of the PWCC.

Many of the programs we offer were expanded and supported by Mr. DeJana’s financial support of our Center.

As our mission is to help all parents who either live or work in Port Washington with childcare, we are profoundly appreciative of all the input that Mr. DeJana offered to help sustain the center through the last decade. May his family know that his generosity of spirit lives on at the Port Washington Children’s Center.

Nassau Republicans have a long history of patronage as a first governing principle, reliably filling county offices with relatives and talentless cronies of no particular ability or qualification.

This is remember the party of Mangano, Skelos and Margiotta, pols who define political corruption.

Now, the empty suit with the plastic smile, chastised for insecurely pasting his name in large gold leaf letters everywhere he shouldn’t, wants to arm his cronies in some semiofficial, semi-trained Brownshirt Brigade. What could possibly go wrong?

Eric Cashdan Sands Point

Suozzi endorses Keiserman’s bid

Continued from Page 8

Gina Sillitti, former state Sen. Anna Kaplan, Democratic National Committeeman Robert Zimmerman and Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton. Former Nassau Legislator Joshua Lafazan was previously in the state Senate District 7 race, running against Keiserman, but pulled out in March. In his announcement suspending his campaign, he extended his support for Keiserman in the race.

Lafazan was ousted from his seat in the Nassau County Legislature in November when he was defeated by his Republican opponent, Samantha Goetz.

Keiserman is an education consultant and serves as a commissioner for the North Hempstead Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and is the chairwoman of the Baxter Estates Planning Board.

She also is co-president of the Baxter’s Pond Foundation and president of the Port Washington Democratic Club. Her campaign platform encompasses advocating for reproductive rights, investing in public education, fostering gun safety legislation, lowering taxes and bolstering affordability, protecting the environment and standing up against bigotry.

Keiserman’s intent in running is to give Long Island a seat at the table at the state level to ensure their voices are heard, according to her campaign.

The primary election for party nominees is June 25. The general election will then be held on Nov. 5.

Ann Mergler Port Washington

Pro-Palestinian rally by Blakeman’s office

Continued from Page 9 pleted their deputy training.

“[The militia] came about just after the pro-Palestinian protests, so the militarization, the promotion of violence and the direction that he’s bringing the county is threatening to anybody who opposes him,” Islam said. “We’re hoping that he can backslide the militia, see if he can disband it and try to go back on that because it’s a direct threat to us as a community.”

She said the rally itself was “reverent” and “somber” as those gathered swayed to the beat of drums.

Though the rally was peaceful, one man began yelling profanities at the demonstrators before police officers escorted him away from the building, Islam said.

The demonstration comes during a time of tension between local Israeli and Palestinian communities, with pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian marches taking place across the island.

Just two weeks ago, dozens of Palestinian and Muslim community members spoke out at a Sewanhaka Central High School District meeting against what they called an offensive history lesson about Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Teacher Deirdre McIntyre used a document that prompted students to role play as an Israeli and a Palestinian at the Sewanhaka school May 2. Community members said the script included factual inaccuracies and Islamophobic stereotypes.

School administrators ended the meeting with promises to work together with members of the Palestinian community to foster a safe, inclusive environment. And some members of the board are following through on that promise to show up for the community, Islam said.

One school board member who

Hochul gives LI cops $127M

Continued from Page 9

network and in-car videos that also work as mobile license plate readers for police vehicles.

Cameron said the Old Westbury Police Department has been effective in decreasing crime over the past year since he joined in January 2023, including what he described as substantial cuts to residential burglaries and car thefts.

What aided in these crime reductions was the Old Westbury Police Department’s use of technology, Cameron said, and the funds from the governor will aid these efforts even more.

The second highest funding is being granted to the Village of Garden City Police Department at $465,000, with the Village of Kings Point Police Department next withU an allotment of $455,000.

The other police departments being awarded in North Hempstead include Lake Success with $297,324, Floral Park with $203,900 and Great Neck Estates with $120,000.

The governor is also granting $2,084,882 to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department and $1,089,500 to the Nassau County Police Department.

The law enforcement agencies were selected from 378 agencies that applied for the funds last fall. These subsequent funds were established within the 2025 state budget.

was present at the board meeting two weeks ago attended the rally wearing a sweatshirt that read “Palestine,” Islam said. “The school district has re-

sponded so well. We’re so pleased with their response and they’re walking the walk,” Islam said. “They [the board member] made a promise to show up and listen to

the community and they were actually there at the rally.”

Efforts to identify and speak with the board member were unavailing.

Group criticizes Blakeman’s ‘militia’

Continued from Page 3

would be deputized and deployed during declared emergencies.

Blakeman previously said at a press conference that the emergency special deputy sheriffs would be needed during an emergency, such as Superstorm Sandy. Raphael said armed residents were not what was needed during such an emergency, but rather power, food, blankets and gasoline when a political protest became violent.

“It doesn’t take much imagination to foresee the carnage that may follow,” resident Claudia Borecky said Residents presented a multitude of questions they had about the sheriff program, many of which have gone unanswered.

County Legislator Delia De-

Riggi-Whitton (D–Glen Cove) said many of these questions have also been asked by legislators and remain unanswered.

DeRiggi-Whitton said some aspects of the program are not founded in law, such as Blakeman’s proclamation that he can declare an emergency. She clarified that the sheriff can declare an emergency which is then approved by the governor.

Another aspect is the compensation of the residents, which was set at $150 a day. Deriggi-Whitton said the law permits payment of just $3 an hour and any other compensation would have to be approved by the Legislature, which has not been.

Kass said there are no plans for a lawsuit against the program as of now, but it is a possibility being

considered.

Multiple residents spoke fearfully about the resident sheriff organization, questioning what vetting and training process they would go through.

DeRiggi-Whitton defended her previous comparison of the armed citizen group to the Brownshirts of World War II, an early Nazi paramilitary organization comprised of former soldiers and street fighters. She said her comparison was a reflection of what multiple residents expressed to her.

Blakeman has denounced DeRiggi-Whitton’s comparison, demanding she apologize and resign from the county legislature. He said the comparison trivialized the Holocaust and was an offense to Jewish people.

“What happened in Europe

didn’t happen overnight,” DeRiggiWhitton said. “It was a gradual, slow progression. If [the resident sheriff group] is enough to remind people of it, I am more than happy to mention it and that it is causing anxiety.”

Kass said the special deputy sheriff organization is a “solution in search of a problem” and an example of his fearmongering tactics.

She argued that, in spite of Blakeman identifying a rising crime problem, Nassau County is one of the safest communities.

“It’s amusing to picture Blakeman on Don Quixote’s horse tilting at windmills, but let’s not participate in his delusion. It could be deadly,” Raphael said. “We’re not in La Mancha, we’re in Mineola and we don’t need this.

A total of 18 Nassau County agencies and 21 Suffolk County agencies were awarded funds by the governor.

As of May 13, Nassau County law enforcement agencies in total are receiving $8,804,373.

Examples of technology these funds can go toward include license plate readers, mobile and fixed camera systems, computer-aided dispatch systems, software, unmanned aerial vehicles, gunshot detection devices, and smart equipment for patrol vehicles and police officers.

According to the governor’s office, more than half of the total funds will be used for license plate readers on the island. Another 20% will go toward patrol vehicle equipment and 17% will be fore public safety camera systems.

COURTESY OF FARHANA ISLAM

Long Island residents rally for Palestinian rights outside Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s office.

Port candidates debate school budget

Continued from Page 9

drastic gap based on the projections that we are getting,” Delerme said.

Choolfaian said unions are capable of becoming “too powerful” and the district needs stronger negotiations to keep budgets in check.

Bitalvo said the financial situation can be blamed on Assistant Superintendent of Business Kathleen Manuel, adding that it is the board’s responsibility to hire and fire administration.

Multiple candidates stressed the importance of still supporting the budget, including Bitalvo and Weisburd who said a budget failure would make a worse situation.

One resident asked about the candidates’ opinions on funding special education, citing a diminishment of its funding recently.

Choolfaian read from a budget document she said she requested via FOIL from the school, citing areas where spending was diminished in the past year for special education services.

Smith said special education spending is complex and it is not the board’s job to divvy up the money in the budget. He said the administration presents budget recommendations and the Pupil and Personnel Department makes recommendations which the board then reviews.

Weisburd, who served on the board for six years, disagreed with Smith. She said trustees can question the budget and ensure funding is adequate for the programs.

All candidates expressed an interest in supporting special education students and funding associated programs, which Alvarez said should also set students up for success after graduation.

The incumbent board members cited examples of investing in special education, including the integrated co-teaching program, conducting an audit for pupil and personnel services, starting the Twilight program, and cutting the rate of non-graduates by half in about two years.

Another resident asked the candidates their stance on how the district can further support LGBTQ+ students.

Alvarez, who identified herself as a member of the queer community, said protecting LGBTQ+ students is of importance to her and has contributed to the district-wide equity team. Going forward more needs to be done, she said, specifically in promoting mental health and hiring more social workers and guidance counselors.

Choolfaian said that while things can always be better, she finds the current campus climate already welcoming and accepting of all stu-

dents. She said it is incumbent upon individuals to become engaged in their community to combat all forms of hate.

Block disagreed with Choolfaian, saying that it is the community’s, not students’, responsibility to foster a welcoming environment for everyone. He said ways the district can be better is through professional development to recognize students in need amid mistreatment and continuing to hire staff and administrators who foster a welcoming environment.

Delerme said this can also be achieved through community partnerships, which Smith provided an example of with local LGBTQ+ group Be The Rainbow hosting lessons for students.

“It’s great to hear that we’ve started to scratch the surface in terms of bringing in some of our community partners that can serve as school-based community partners,” Delerme said. “And there’s others as well to bring education, to bring awareness, to bring the dialogue so that it is a safe and inclusive community.”

Community members can vote for three trustees, the budget and a proposition to use capital reserve funds from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday in the Weber Middle School All Purpose Room.

Port passes budget, pierces tax cap

Continued from Page 1

Alvarez is a lifelong resident of Port Washington who runs a private youth athletics company on Long Island.

She is also the co-president of the school district’s Special Education Parent Teacher Association, treasurer for Parents Council and has served on various school committees.

She said she began attending Board of Education meetings three years ago after struggling to find adequate after-school programs for her child. In attending these meetings, she said she was introduced to a diverse array of concerns from other parents.

Alvarez said she ran for the Board of Education to increase community representation on the board and stress the importance of inclusivity.

She said while programs established recently by the board have been beneficial, they are vulnerable to cuts. Alvarez ran to preserve those programs, which she said are not adequately funded under the adopted budget.

Melkonian and her husband Matt moved to the area in 2000, with all three of their children passing through the Port Washington school district. She has spent time as an elementary, secondary and post-secondary special education teacher.

Melkonian said the philosophy that drives her actions on the board stems from two questions: What are we doing well and where can we grow?

An accomplishment Melkonian noted was the pupil personnel services audit to analyze services for students with disabilities and identify areas where further development is needed. She said she wants to work to implement those initiatives under her new term.

Melkonian identified priorities such as further growth in professional development for teachers and fostering safe and supportive climates on campus for students. She said strides have been made in these areas but looks to continue their progress.

Smith, who has lived in Port for the past 12 years, works for a New York-based real

estate investment and development firm. He also served on the board of Temple Beth Israel in Port Washington

He and his wife have three children who attend district schools.

Smith was elected to the board in 2021, alongside Block and Melkonian.

Achievements Smith said he was proud of during his tenure include the establishment of the CTE and Twilight programs, which he said have aided in increasing graduation rates as well as the establishment of after-school programs and the full funding of the integrated co-teaching program for special education.

Looking forward, Smith said he wants to continue the school district’s offerings in antisemitism education, develop consistency between classrooms and schools, modernize transportation and upgrade facilities.

The three elected board members will serve a three-year term on the Port Washington Board of Education which will conclude on June 30, 2027.

Continued from Page 4

The candidates also stressed that more needs to be done to aid students seeking alternative career paths and supporting students overall.

Pescatore, who said she has a child who is not on a track of higher education, said there needs to be more positive affirmation and opportunities for students who seek alternatives to college after graduation.

“I think it’s very important that kids feel comfortable in whatever career path they choose,” Pescatore said. “And they have to see that it’s not taboo or incorrect that they feel that they want to be an electrician, a mechanic, a body shop owner. Whatever that may be, we should continue encouraging that in addition to attending college.”

Bruno said conversations can be shifted in the schools to foster diverse post-grad opportunities and amplify exposure to these career paths. Examples she included were providing a wider array of trades at local career fairs and inviting local tradespeople to present at the schools.

“I think as they see it within their community and are exposed to it, it builds that comfort level and that confidence,” Bruno said.

Bauer agreed that more can be done for these students, adding that mental health services can also be amplified to ensure students feel accepted amid high academic competition. She said one way to offer this is through teachers’ connections with students to aid them in finding their right path.

Eligible voters can vote for two of the three candidates and the school district’s $111 million budget on May 21 from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.

Continued from Page 2

placing 500 cubic yards of fill in their backyard, but the zoning board lowered the amount to 350 cubic yards.

Village code allows up to 50 cubic yards of site fill, which is the use of soil, sand or other building materials to change the existing ground level of an area of land according to the code. The Horvat’s attorney said it is so their children can play in the backyard.

Save Leeds Pond filed a lawsuit challenging the Board of Zoning Appeal’s decision, which Farrell said has since been dismissed by the court. Farrell said the resident group did file a notice to appeal but no formal appeal has been submitted.

Herricks Spring Art Show at community center

On May 7, the Herricks Elementary and Middle School Spring Art Show went on display at the Herricks Community Center, showcasing artwork from over 200 talented Herricks student artists.

In preparation for the show, students were able to have a creative space where they could create and bring their projects to life.

They engaged in lessons about various artists, time periods, mediums, and techniques, among other things.

“There is no better feeling than watching a student’s face light up when they see their artwork on display for the first time,” said Center Street art teacher Doreen McDevitt.

The show kicked off with a gathering in the auditorium where each art teacher had the opportunity to share insight about the artwork on display.

Searingtown principal Diana DeGiorgio shared this inspiring message with our student artists during her introduction.

“I commend you for your courage in sharing your visions with the world. Your art is not just a reflection of who you are, but a gift that you can share with others and an opportunity to communicate in ways words cannot convey,” she said. “May you continue cultivating your creativity, knowing that your talents can move hearts and minds.”

After hearing about the artwork and feeling palpable anticipation, it was time for the official unveiling.

Parents and students proceeded to the second floor of the community center, where the halls were awash with color, creativity, and artistic expression—truly a sight to behold.

During the show, students and parents had a chance to visit the “Compliment Station,” where they could express their appreciation for the artwork on display.

District Director of Fine and Performing Arts Anissa Arnold closed out the night by recognizing the student artists and educators for their hard work and dedication.

“Congratulations to all of our artists along with their inspiring art teachers, Doreen McDevitt (Center Street), Jessica D’Angelo (Denton Avenue), Amanda Rodriguez (Searingtown), Kim Friedman (middle school), Cindy Perotti (middle school) and Diana Evans (Shelter Rock Academy),” she said. “I am so proud of our very talented students and the exceptional art teachers for all the beautiful work they produced this year!”

Everyone played a part in the Herricks Spring Art Show as students and family members were given the freedom to color banners that were placed around the exhibits.

Manhasset Memorial Day Parade G.N. Sewer District pump station plan nearing finish

The Manhasset-Lakeville Fire/ Water District Commissioners, Officers of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, and Manhasset Post 304 of the American Legion are sponsoring the Manhasset Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 27.

This is a community-led event, a testament to our shared values and commitment to honoring our American heroes.

The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. on Plandome Road, with excellent public viewing along the route. It

starts at Plandome Court and concludes at Memorial Place.

The Memorial ceremony will begin immediately following the parade’s conclusion at Mary Jane Davies Green Park on Plandome Road and Manhasset Avenue.

Twenty-five community organizations and six bands, including our very own Manhasset-Lakeville and Plandome Fire Departments, are scheduled to march. The public is invited to be a part of this meaningful event as we remember and honor our heroes.

The capital plan for upgrading and replacing the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District’s pump stations is almost complete. Six of the pump stations have been completed, and work is progressing on three more.

Most notably, work is visible at the Steamboat, Piccadilly, and Bayview pump stations.

The pump station nearest to completion is the Steamboat pump station, located on the periphery of the Village of Great Neck.

The pump station is on property owned by the Village of Kings Point and is adjacent to the Great Neck Park District’s Kings Point Park property.

This critical pump station receives flow from the Merchant Marine Academy, Steppingstone Park, the Village of Kings Point’s village hall and Police Department facilities, and the northern area of the Village of Great Neck. As a result of this pump station upgrade, no new areas will be serviced.

The existing Steamboat pump station, originally owned by the Village of Great Neck, was constructed around 1935, with the last upgrade performed in 1999.

The district took over ownership of this pump station in 2014 as part of its consolidation of the sewer system belonging to the Village of Great Neck.

“Our innovative approach to the construction required the use of heavy equipment to deliver and position prefabricated sections of the pump station, so there has been a lot of activity in the area recently,” said District Chairman Steve Reiter. “The good news is that these state-of-the-art construction methods have shortened the timeline for the construction, which is scheduled to be completed early this summer.”

Simultaneously, the district continues its work on the Piccadilly and Bayview pump stations, both of which are due for completion by early 2025.

Once the pump stations are completed, all three will add resiliency and capacity to the district’s entire collection system for decades to come.

State-of-the-art construction methods have shortened the timeline for the construction at the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District’s Steamboat pump station.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HERRICKS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Herricks elects Bono, Quraishi to ed board

look forward to continuing to serve the district on the Board of Education,” Bono said.

Quraishi, who won election to the board with 1,147 votes, previously said she believed her work experience was a perfect fit for the board.

“As a physician from Northwell, I am uniquely poised to help facilitate [the partnership between Northwell and Herricks],” Quraishi said. “The mental health needs of our students

is also a very, very big concern and I want to make sure we’re providing all the resources that we can to help our kids be the best that they can be.”

Quraishi is a lifelong Nassau County resident. She is no stranger to the district, having lived in the Herricks district for nearly 40 years. She has three children in the Herricks district: one in elementary school, one in middle school and one in high school.

The physician also works as an assistant professor at the Hofstra School

of Medicine. She said education is her favorite part of her job.

An issue top of mind for board members and residents alike is the cost of lawsuits filed against the Herricks district under the 2019 Child Victims Act, a law that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for child sex abuse survivors.

Some 21 lawsuits against Herricks were filed by former students who claimed they were abused between 1973 and 1991 by then-school psy-

chologist Vincent Festa. In the cases that went to trial, plaintiffs alleged thatthe district ignored initial reports of abusein the 1980s, thus permitting the abuse to ensue.

The district haspaid $1.1 million to settle four of the 21 claimsthus far. The board recentlyapproved the payment of up to $35 million in bondsto settle the remaining 17 claims against the district.

Notice of Formation of AMCPA Advisors LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/06/2024. Office location: Nassau. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Alex Mathew: 85-20 248th Street, Bellerose, NY 114260. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Town of North HempsteadBoard 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 5, 2024 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 #21532 - Petros & Alexandra Konidaris; 66 Quaker Ridge Road, Manhasset; Section 3, Block 145, Lot 94; Zoned: Residence-A Variance from §70-31.A to construct a garage addition that is too close to the side property line and with smaller than required total (aggregate) side yards.

APPEAL #21556 – Nicholas Nissorios; 85 Dover Rd., Manhasset; Section 3, Block 224, Lot 10; Zoned: Residence-A Variance from §70-29.B to construct a one-story addition that would make the house too big.

APPEAL #21563 – Anastasios Zoitas; 147 Aldershot Ln., Manhasset; Section 3, Block 231, Lot 1; Zoned: Residence-A Variances from §§ 70-30.C & 7030.B to legalize a covered porch converted to habitable space that is too close to the street (both primary and secondary front yard).

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

Blankets of Love donates to kidney transplant recipient

The Town of North Hempstead’s Project Independence group, known as Blankets of Love, has been hard at work making and donating blankets to those in need.

Most recently, this senior activity club collaborated on a heartwarming project for one of its members.

Jay Chagrin, a member currently recovering from a successful kidney transplant surgery, discovered he was the latest recipient of the group’s renowned kindness.

When fellow members learned that Chagrin had found a donor, they quickly rallied together to knit a blanket and lap blanket of his favorite colors. Each member crocheted a 10-inch by 10-inch square and then lovingly assembled the

various pieces together as a group.

“I’ve seen many of the works of art that ‘Blankets of Love’ creates, and it really is the time, effort, and kindness that sets them apart,” said Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. “It’s precisely that love of neighbor that makes The Town of North Hempstead a special place to live and the fact this all happened as the town celebrated Donate Life month makes it even more satisfying.”

Chagrin expressed his gratitude for his group’s donation and everyone involved in his kidney transplant.

“I was made aware of Renewal, a not-for-profit based in Brooklyn, just this past summer,” Chagrin said. “They coordinate kidney transplants with donors, recipients, even the transplant

team at the hospital and it was a wonderful experience. Everyone was very kind and caring. And while I haven’t met the donor, I’m very interested in doing so.”

Blankets of Love was formed by Project Independence members as a social group, allowing senior residents to come together and work collaboratively on meaningful and rewarding projects. The group has donated over 900 blankets, hats, shawls, and scarves to various nonprofits, including Catholic Health Mercy Hospital, the NYU Child Life Program, Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, EAC Meals on Wheels, NUMC Mothering Clinic, and the Gerald Ryan Outreach Center, among many, many others.

Lt. Gov. to aid Reach Out America fundraiser

Reach Out America will sponsor a fundraiser with the Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado as guest speaker.

“We are excited to welcome Lt. Gov. Delgado because he is actively involved in creating programs to encourage young people to work purposefully to serve their communities and is committed to combatting racism throughout the state.” ROA President Patty Katz said. “He is not only empathetic about the needs of

New Yorkers. He is a thoughtful and energetic problem solver who brings many skills to his office. We think it’s a great opportunity for Great Neckers to get to know more about him!” Delgado grew up in Schenectady, graduated from Colgate University with honors, and earned a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. He then went to law school at Harvard and served in Congress, representing the 19th Congressional District for two years

Herricks students

perform at Citi Field

The voices of Herricks fifth graders from Searingtown Elementary School filled Citi Field on May 12 as students had the honor of singing the National Anthem before the

The students were excited to re-

ceive the VIP treatment as they were led through the stadium’s tunnels onto the field for the performance.

After shaking off the pre-show jitters, they performed the anthem flawlessly and received enthusiastic applause from fans and players alike.

before becoming lieutenant governor in 2022.

Reach Out America is a progressive, grassroots, non-profit organization that promotes civic engagement through education and community connections.

Celebrating its 20th year as a Great Neck organization, ROA holds monthly meetings from September through May with guest speakers with expertise in various timely top-

ics.

“The Inn of Great Neck will provide a delicious brunch and is a comfortable venue for meeting and greeting!” fundraiser chairperson Harriet Becker said. “The cost will be $125 per person and for extra fun, there will be raffles for great prizes. Space is limited, so don’t miss out.” Checks should be made to “Reach Out America” and sent to ROA, 9 Cedar Drive, Great Neck, NY 11021.

Christine Liu helps make May

AAPI Heritage month in town

North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Christine Liu was proud to introduce legislation at North Hempstead’s latest Town Board meeting declaring the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

The resolution was unanimously approved.

“It is incumbent upon us as leaders in government to cultivate an inclusive and tolerant environment for everyone who calls the Town of North Hempstead home, and that certainly includes our Asian American community,” said Liu. “I am immensely proud to have introduced this resolution, and I am so appreciative that my colleagues supported me and all the members of North Hempstead’s Asian American community by unanimously passing my resolution. Together, we share the same vision. Let us all continue to promote the importance and power of education and collaboration to embrace each other and our cultural differences.”

Several constituents from the Asian American community from across the district attended the meeting. They expressed their profound gratitude to Liu for introducing a permanent resolution recognizing May as AAPI Heritage Month in North Hempstead.

“As a proud Chinese American and a resident of North Hempstead I stand before you tonight to wholeheartedly support the proposal to declare May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in our Town,” said resident Kevin Sun. “This special designation is not just a celebration of the AAPI community, it is a powerful affirmation of our Town’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and a respect for all cultures. It acknowledges the significant contributions that Asian American and Pacific Islanders have made to our community and our country as a whole.”

North Hempstead’s Blankets of Love group with their crocheted blankets that they donated to kidney transplant recipient Jay Chagrin

Mets game.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HERRICKS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Herricks fifth graders from Searingtown Elementary School perform the National Anthem prior to the Mets game at Citi Field on May 12.

Rose Zhang, left, and North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Christine Liu

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado

www.cprussocpa.com

GOP plan for SS, Medicaid cuts hit at protest

Continued from Page 8

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County residents, union members and advocacy groups including Make the Road Action, Social Security Works, Communication Workers of America and more marched along Seventh Street in Garden City before stopping outside of D’Esposito’s campaign office for a rally organized by Empire State Voices. Empire State Voices is a non-profit focused on fighting for fair economic policies and holding representatives accountable.

Marchers carried signs, sang songs and chanted phrases including “What do we want? D’Esposito out. When do we want it? Now” and “D’Esposito be afraid. Keep your hands off Medicaid.”

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“We’re not gonna stop coming out until we ensure he hears us and understands that we are paying attention to every move he’s making, every vote that he’s taking,” Empire State Voices Executive Director Maria Martinez said. “We want to make it clear, not only to him, but to also everyone out here in the community, these are the harmful things he’s been doing and he has a track record of siding with extremists.”

That need for awareness is why the non-profit sent a truck with a mobile billboard around Garden City that read “House Republicans JUST proposed raising the retirement age” and implored residents to call D’Esposito and tell the congressman to denounce the RSC budget.

A representative of the non-profit said the proposed RSC budget suggests raising the Social Security retirement age from 67 to 69 and making some of former President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts for the wealthy permanent.

• Great Neck News

Nassau County resident Yehobani Villalobos is a maintenance worker at a golf course who recently took on a second job as an Uber driver. He said it is becoming near impossible to afford living on Long Island.

• Williston Times

• New Hyde Park Herald Courier

“It is frightening to think that in the case of an emergency, Long Islanders like me might not have access to help from the government programs like Medicaid and food assistance despite working so hard for decades,” Villalobos said through a translator.

• Manhasset Times

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Michael Gendron, a Long Island board member of the Communications Workers of America, said raising the age of retirement is an unfair move by politicians who are not affected by the change to the same extent as labor workers.

(Courtesy of Empire State Voices)

• Roslyn Times

• Port Washington Times

“For the RSC’s friends and cronies on Wall Street, for their CEO pals in corporate America, these changes won’t change a damn thing about their retirement in their golden years with their golden parachutes,” Gendron said. “It is one thing to ask a lawyer or a hedge fund manager to work longer before retirement, but it is unreasonable and unconscionable to ask a plumber, a laborer, a nurse or home health aide to work later in life [because] the work they do takes a toll on their bodies.”

• Garden City News

The RSC document includes statements from RSC Chairman Kevin Hern that the budget does not cut benefits or raise premiums for Medicaid recipients and that retirement benefits will not be changed for any senior in or near retirement, though it does not specify what changes will take place for future Social Security recipients.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Protestors march outside of Rep. Anthony D’Esposito’s Garden City office.

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CHUN FOR THE DEFENSE Manhasset senior helps top-seeded girls lacrosse team

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

It was a split-second decision that set the stage for Madeleine Chun’s entire lacrosse career.

She was in middle school and at her first tryout/practice with a new club team. Her dad, Micky, had told Madeleine to tell the coach she was a midfielder, “because he always wanted me to be a middie. He thought I was fast.”

So when she got there, she looked around and saw the midfielders in one group, and the coach was telling them they would all do conditioning runs around the whole field.

“And I look over and see the defenders all just playing catch, throwing long passes to each other. I was pretty lazy, so when coach asked me what I was, I immediately said ‘I play defense!'”

A disinterest in running that day turned into a very wise choice for Chun’s lacrosse future.

Now a senior who patrols and controls the defensive side of the field for

Manhasset, the younger sister of former Manhasset boys standout Connor Chun helped her school win a state title in 2022 and has them primed for possibly another one.

Manhasset will compete in the Class C semifinals Wednesday against North Shore, and if it wins, it will go for a third straight Nassau crown on May 29th at 6 p.m. at Adelphi.

“Not only does Maddy lead by her play, but she is constantly communicating to her teammates and getting everyone on same page,” says firstyear Manhasset head coach Jackie Williams.”She goes 100 percent at all times. She brings a level of intensity to our team that raises everyone’s level of play.”

Chun’s longtime teammate, Shea Panzik, credited her friend’s attitude.

“She’s very aggressive, and works very hard, pushes herself every game and practice,” Panzik said. “She’s a good communicator and coach on the field.”

As an all-county defender in 2023,

Chun locked down the opponent’s best scorers and once they were covered by her, they stayed covered. Her instincts and knack for always being in the right place at the right time have endeared her to teammates.And just like off the field, where her words pour out rapidfire like water from a hydrant, Chun is the vocal leader on the field.

“She’s so communicative on the field and so supportive of all of us,” said fellow senior Nicole Giannakopoulos. “She’s always the first one to cheer up her teammates after a bad play.”But the player who will be taking her talents to New Hampshire this fall to play at Dartmouth said the confidence she’s playing with now took a long time to achieve.

“I didn’t expect myself to be so much of a leader,” Chun said. “Last year I relied on Alex Schneider and Alex Maliagros, to make plays and lead the defense.I had to emulate them and learn how to be a leader.”

Chun has clearly come to love lacrosse, but it wasn’t that way for a

while. She said that when Connor first took up the sport, their parents wanted Madeline to play, too.

“It was, ‘you’re getting a stick in your hand and gonna play whether you like it or not,'” she recalled with a chuckle.“

And it was horrible. Everyone was learning the game and doing what they were best at, and I was best at nothing. I was so, so bad,” she said.

Still, she slowly got better, and while seeing Connor succeed, she also began to love the sport.

“I really began to like it more when I started playing club, because I love meeting new people,” Chun said. “I felt like there was a whole bunch of nice, supportive people I can play with and we can all go through it together.”“And then you get better by experience; you go against these amazing players like (former North Shore and current Boston College player) Kylee Colbert and you are totally terrified but you play them and learn by trial and error what

works,” Chun said.

As Manhasset has rolled to a 10-4 record entering the Class C semifinals, Chun has helped manage a season of great upheaval for the team.

Williams, a former assistant, took over from Meghan Clarke (the reasons for Clarke’s departure are unclear; texts sent to Clarke were unanswered) just a few weeks before the season started, and Manhasset lost stalwart Mia LoPinto to a torn ACL early in the year.

“There’s been a lot of changes and we’ve had to have a lot of young players step up and they absolutely have, like Harper Lambert and Lily Acerra,” Chun said. “Lot of players have gotten bigger roles and it’s been so encouraging.”

Chun knows her career is coming to a close, but wants her and her mates to go out with another state crown.If that happens, well, she might even do some extra running.

PHOTO CREDIT BY KRISTIN PERFETTO

Maddie Chun, 29 in orange, pointing, is a senior defender for the top-seeded Manhasset girls lacrosse team.

and his Duke men’s lacrosse team fell to Maryland in the NCAA

A homecoming at Hofstra

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

Technically, the NCAA college lacrosse season doesn’t end for another week. But for Cal Girard, a former Manhasset star, some home cooking came early thanks to a wonderful confluence of the schedule.

Neither the Duke nor Notre Dame men’s lacrosse teams were playing a “home” game Saturday when their teams competed in NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.

But for Girard and 9 other players from both squads, it absolutely felt like one. With so many athletes from both teams having grown up in Manhasset and played there or for Mineola’s Chaminade High School, the amount of friends and family in the stands, and familiarity with the field, made it seem like home.

Girard, a freshman at Duke who won two state championships on Hofstra’s turf, getting to come back there was a small slice of heaven.

“It’s super exciting to get to go back, I can’t wait,” Girard said a few days before the game. “To grow up so close to Hofstra, and go to so many games there, and win the state titles there, it’s amazing to be able to play there again.”

The Saturday quarterfinals were a split decision for the locals. The octet of Chaminade players competing for No.1 seed Notre Dame enjoyed their homecoming immensely as the Fighting Irish advanced to the national semifinals with a 16-11 win over Georgetown. But No. 2 seed Duke saw a fourth-quarter lead slip away and fell to No. 7 Maryland, 14-11.

Duke’s team boasts two local players, with faceoff specialist Girard and sophomore Charles Balsamo, an attack.

As expected, Girard hasn’t gotten a ton of playing time this season since Duke boasts one of the best faceoff men in the country in Jake Naso, but he’s learned and managed to win 44 percent of his draws.

Balsamo has scored six goals and tallied eight assists in 18 games entering Saturday, and in the quarterfinal loss scored one goal and had an assist.

Three days before the game, Balsamo spoke excitedly about coming back to Hofstra, after an all-American career at Chaminade.

“I was talking to my teammates at breakfast today and I told them that a quarterfinal at Hofstra is like the mecca of college lacrosse,” he said. “At least it is to the Long Island guys. “To get to see so many classic games there as a kid, and then play on that field for (Chaminade), it’s such a thrill to get to come back here.”

How deep are the ties between Chaminade and Notre Dame? Besides the fact that eight ex-Flyers are on the Fighting Irish, Notre Dame’s graduation was scheduled for Saturday, May 18.

With the lacrosse team obviously in New York and unavailable to attend, Chaminade on Friday hosted a separate grad ceremony for the 25 Irish players who were missing their school commencement.

The synergy is very strong.

“It’s a lot of similarities between the

Big win in Ninja contest

On May 12, Alfio Charon, 10, of Manhasset, competed in the World Ninja Leagues’ Northeast Regional Championship in Hainesport, N.J.

This competition featured the top competitors from the 2023-2024 season of the World Ninja League from the tristate region (NY, NJ, PA, and top competitors from outside the region came as well).

Going into the event, Alfio was ranked number 1 in the “Mature Kids” Division (ages 9+10) for males and was placed in the number one position for the event, consisting of two courses. Alfio came in number 1 for each of the courses and number 1 overall.These competitorstrain locally on LI at the Grit Roslyn in Roslyn and the Freeport Ninja Academyin Freeport.Please contact Maria Charon at (917) 593-6087 or mcorsaro@gmail. comfor more information.

schools and (Chaminade Coach Jack) Moran and how well he prepares us for college and life,” Notre Dame sophomore Christian Alacqua said. “The chance to play for these two great programs has been amazing.”

Duke has plenty of good NCAA Tournament history at Hofstra; five years ago Saturday, in a game remembered very vividly by Balsamo, Girard and (less happily, Notre Dame’s Alacqua) the Blue Devils got an overtime goal from Jon Robinson to beat the Fighting Irish, 14-13 in this same round.

This year Duke and Notre Dame, who met in last year’s title game, could have met again in the championship.

But despite all the familiarity between the Chaminade players on Duke and Notre Dame, Balsamo was very adamant that there would be no catching up with buddies at Hofstra.

“No, no, absolutely not,” Balsamo said. “Maybe in the offseason, but right now we are sticking with our Duke blood. No talking to those other guys.”

Ex-Chaminade goalie Alex Zepf, who played two minutes Saturday in relief of exChaminade goalie Liam Entenmann, said the support he and his mates feel on Long Island goes a long way.

“We know how great the community of lacrosse fans and Chaminade fans are here, so getting to play at Hofstra is going to feel like a home game,” Zepf said. “We want to win the championship again and getting to play at Hofstra to try to get there is really special.”

Alfio competing at a qualifying event

PHOTO BY JAMES MAGUIRE/SKYBOX IMAGES

Manhasset product and former Chaminade star Charles Balsamo

quarterfinals at Hofstra Saturday.

PHOTO BY CARA MACK PHOTOGRAPHY