PORT WASHINGTON 2024_02_09

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Friday, February 9, 2024

Vol. 10, No. 6

Port WashingtonTimes MESITA

Port Washington

VALENTINE’S DINING & GIFTS

NORTHWELL OPENS NEW SURGICAL WING

PAGES 23-30

PAGE 2

CD3 hits polls to vote for Suozzi, Pilip

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POLAR PLUNGE

Nation watches special election for Santos seat amid fight over border and Ukraine

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES

ty’s Board of Elections website.

Nassau County polling locations on Voters began casting their ballots Election Day will be open from 6 a.m.-9 Saturday in the high-stakes special elec- p.m. Registered voters can find their astion to fill the seat in New York’s Third signed polling place through the state’s Congressional District left vacant by the Board of Election’s website.

Queens early voting and Election expulsion of Geroge Santos from the Day polling locations can be found on House of Representatives.

Former Democratic Congressman the New York City Board of Elections Tom Suozzi and Republican Nassau website.

The candidates: Suozzi v. Mazi County Legislator Mazi Pilip are facing Although an abbreviated campaign off in a Feb. 13 special election, which of about 10 weeks will could determine the pre-date the election, the balance of power in the race for New York’s Third House with Republicans See related Congressional District clinging to a tiny majorelection coverage has heated up between ity. the two candidates and Santos was tossed PAGES 3, 6, 20 drawn national attention out of Congress in Dewith the party divide in cember after he was found to have repeatedly lied to voters, Congress near an even split.

Suozzi, who describes himself as a then later indicted on 21 federal charges and found to have committed numerous middle-of-the-road Democrat, representviolations by the House Ethics Commit- ed the 3rd Congressional District over three terms in the House from January tee.

Early voting for New York’s Third 2017 to January 2023. He previously Congressional District, which encom- served as the Nassau County executive passes the western part of Long Island’s from 2002-2009 and the mayor of Glen North Shore and a section of northeast- Cove from 1994-2001 – the start of his ern Queens, began on Saturday and will political career.

Republican Pilip is a Nassau County run through Feb. 11, with Election Day legislator representing the county’s 10th scheduled for Feb. 13.

Polling locations and times vary, but District in her second term. She began a full list of the Nassau County early vot- serving in the position in 2022. ing locations can be found on the counContinued on Page 49

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIANN DALIMONTE

Council members Christine Liu, Mariann Dalimonte, David Adhami and Supervisor Jennifer DeSena with Erin Lipinsky, who raised the highest amount at $32,026.

Schools, GOP push back on state funding cuts

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Long Island Republicans and North Shore school districts are pushing back against the governor’s state aid proposal for 2025, which would change the way education funds are handed out for school budgets as enrollment declines statewide.

“Because we’re not cutting fat, folks, we’re cutting bone,” New York State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) warned at a rally opposing the

governor’s proposal.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025 budget proposal includes an allocation of $35.3 billion in state school aid.

This is an increase of $825 million from the prior budget, or a rise of 2.4%, amounting to the highest proposal for school funding in the state’s history.

The $825 million proposed increase from budget to budget encompasses a ​​$507 million rise in Foundation Aid – the state’s main education operating aid formula

based on equity. The remaining $318 million increase is attributed to all other school aid programs.

The state’s foundation aid has historically included a hold harmless protocol, which is a standard that ensures school districts either receive the same or more foundation aid from year to year regardless of enrollment.

But the protocol would be removed from this budget under Hochul’s proposal, which the state Continued on Page 48

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N. Shore unveils surgical tower $560M pavilion to expand patient care

BY JA S M I N E SELLARS

PHOTO BY NOAH MANSKAR

New Hyde Park’s Hillside Islamic Center during construction in 2017.

Islamic Center blasts town GOP rejection NHP mosque eyes legal action after plan struck down

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES The Hillside Islamic Center’s chairman said the mosque is consulting attorneys about legal recourse in response to the town board striking down its site plan proposal, claiming the town’s reasoning is unfounded and inhibits the ability to worship.

After more than seven months of public hearings, the Town of North Hempstead voted along party lines last Tuesday night to deny the Hillside Islamic Center’s expansion plan.

The town cited a “concern for safety” in its rejection of the plan because the center’s Friday’s services create traffic congestion in the neighborhood.

Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, chairman of the mosque’s Board of Trustees, said the center is talking to its attorneys about taking legal action following the decision, which will make wor-

shipping harder for the congregants.

He pointed out the proposal was compliant with the town’s code, did not require any variances and was put forward when there were not of unsafe incidents.

“We worry the council members’ “concern for safety” is not based on facts but is instead being used as pretext to deny this community the opportunity to support its congregation,” Bhuiyan said in a letter to Blank Slate Media last Thursday.

Bhuiyan said the town’s decision was based on speculations, not fact, leaving the mosque feeling treated unequally and violated.

The Hillside Islamic Center in New Hyde Park had proposed a plan to enlarge the existing mosque by building a third story on the two-story structure and increasing the square footage from 5,428 square feet to 6,600 square feet.

The proposal also included expanding the center’s parking lot onto the three surrounding parcels of land, which the mosque purchased, to provide 63 parking spaces. The expansion was intended to relieve congregation and ease traffic impacts on the neighborhood.

The town Republicans – Councilmembers Ed Scott, Dennis Walsh, David Adhami and Supervisor Jennifer DeSena – tied their negative vote to concerns for public safety and calls for more action to address the current issues at hand.

Democratic Councilmembers Robert Troiano and Christine Liu voted to accept the proposal, with Councilmember Mariann Dalimonte abstaining.

Liu, when explaining her vote to approve the proposal, said Town Attorney Richard Nicolello advised them Continued on Page 48

North Shore University Hospital unveiled its Petrocelli Surgical Pavilion Friday, a monumental $560 million, 288,000-square-foot tower that will be used for cardiac, neurosurgery and transplant programs.

“This is a proud moment for health care in the region,” Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell, stated in a press release.

“The Petrocelli Surgical Pavilion has been part of Northwell Health’s master plan for more than a decade.”

The new surgical pavilion was made possible by donors Attilio and Beverly Petrocelli, a Kings Point couple whom the center is named after, who have made contributions to projects and programs alike at North Shore University Hospital and Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park.

“Beverly and I feel that giving back to our hospital is one of the best ways we can help our community,” Attilio Petrocelli said in a press release. “It is so gratifying to know that this new pavilion will provide lifesaving, exceptional care to so

many patients.”

The surgical tower, developed and constructed by Skanska USA, includes 18 operating rooms, three hybrid rooms with advanced imaging capabilities and 132 intensive care rooms. The hybrid operating rooms combine traditional surgical settings with image-guided interventional suites, enabling highly complex surgical procedures.

“I think one of the biggest demands for North Shore University Hospital has been the ability to accept patient transfers from other hospitals who require ICU level care and complex surgeries,” Sendach said. “NSUH is the only hospital in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens that provides heart, lung and liver transplants, so it was important that this campus have the most sophisticated and newest ICU rooms and operating rooms.”

The tower’s completion, which is set to open Feb. 10, comes 70 years after the hospital’s initial opening in July 1953.

North Shore University Hospital, a Level I trauma center and quaternary care teaching hospital, Continued on Page 49

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH

Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling, with scissors, and Trustee Chair Margaret Crotty, right, surrounded by Northwell leaders and members of the Petrocelli family at the dedication of the $560 million Petrocelli Surgical Pavilion at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.

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The Port Washington Times, Friday, February 9, 2024

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Pilip opposes, Suozzi backs border deal Bipartisan bill to also secure aid for Ukraine, Israel rejected after Trump lobbies against approval

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES The Senate has unveiled a bipartisan national security deal that would bolster security at the southern border as well as deliver aid to Israel and Ukraine, but New York’s 3rd Congressional District candidate Mazi Pilip has joined fellow Republicans in opposing the bill.

Her Democratic opponent, Tom Suozzi, called Pilip’s stance an appeasement to GOP party extremists as the U.S. Senate prepared to take a vote that could kill the measure.

Former Congressman Suozzi and Nassau County District 10 Legislator Pilip are facing off in a Feb. 13 special election to finish out the term of Republican Rep. George Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, unveiled the national security deal Sunday which includes $118.28 billion to fund border security and aid to Israel and Ukraine.

More than $20 billion was apportioned to secure the country’s southern border. The package includes work authorization and asylum determinations, initiatives to combat drug and fentanyl trafficking and grants

other areas besieged by conflict.

In a statement Monday, Pilip called the deal a “nonstarter” that would legalize “the invasion currently happening at our southern border.”

“I do not support what amounts to the legalization of the invasion of our country,” Pilip said.

Suozzi called Pilip’s use of the word “invasion” to describe the crisis dangerous.

“She’s doing it because she’s consistently beholden to the national Republicans and like them she’s only interested in playing politics with people’s lives instead of working to solve problems,” Suozzi said.

Suozzi accused Pilip of siding with Republican extremists in opposition to the border deal, which has brought pushback from former President Donald Trump and far-right politicians like House Speaker Mike Johnson, who called the bill “dead on arrival.”

“Their mission is to play politics with people’s lives and coming out PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CANDIDATE against the Senate bipartisan border deal instead of trying to find a bipartisan compromise,” Suozzi said about Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip (R-Great Neck). the Republicans rejecting the comprotemporary emergency border shutThe package also includes $60.06 mise deal.

Pilip criticized the bill for not mitidown authority to the president when billion for Ukraine, $14.1 billion for overwhelmed with high numbers of Israel and $10 billion for humanitar- gating the negative effects the influx migrants. ian aid in Gaza, the West Bank and of migrants has had on New York’s 3rd

Congressional District but did not cite specific examples.

The agreement would provide federal funding to cities and states housing migrants, which Suozzi said is of importance in New York due to the influx that has arrived in New York City.

No migrants are currently being housed in Nassau County due to staunch opposition by GOP County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the backing of many legislators from both sides of the aisle, including Pilip.

Migrants are being housed in the Queens part of the district.

Pilip also opposed the lumping of aid to Israel and Ukraine in the deal to secure the border.

“All these pressing issues should be dealt with separately and swiftly,” Pilip said.

Suozzi applauded the bill for bolstering safety, securing the border and treating migrants fairly and humanely.

“If you’re going to solve problems, you have to be willing to negotiate in a bipartisan fashion across party lines,” Suozzi said. “You can’t let the dictates of your party interest and your political interest [stop] you from solving problems to get things done on behalf of the American people.”

Continued on Page 49

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The Port Washington Times, Friday, February 9, 2024

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Town Dems oppose hirings over exclusion

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES The Town of North Hempstead voted to hire a series of employees Tuesday night, including two deputy comptrollers and a commissioner for the Department of Public Works, but the board’s Democrats voted against the hirings after being left out of hiring conversations.

The town hired two deputy comptrollers – Michael Schlosser and Vivian Qian.

Also hired was Kristen DiStefano, who will serve as the commissioner for the Department of Public Works – a position that has been vacant for about five years. Hired alongside her was also a deputy commissioner.

The issue escalated upon Supervisor Jennifer DeSena saying an offer had been made to an applicant for town comptroller.

Democrat Councilmember Robert Troiano expressed surprise at the news, saying he was also not included in this hiring process.

“I represent a sixth of this town and they’re very concerned and interested in the town’s finances,” Troiano said. “And so they would expect that I would, before you made an offer, that I would have at least the opportunity to see a resume.”

Troiano criticized the supervisor for not being transparent in her hiring process and not fostering collaboration.

Tensions rose between Democrats and Republicans on the board as both sides provided examples of the other excluding them in hiring conversations, with Republican Councilmember Dennis Walsh talking loudly over Troiano at one point to prevent him from speaking.

Troiano also condemned that the job posi-

PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

CSEA Unit #7555 President Tom McDonough addresses the town board. tions for higher positions, like comptroller and commissioner of the department of public sorks, were not posted online. DeSena said job postings are not required, but Troiano said this limits the applicant pool.

The board’s Republicans all voted in favor of the hirings, with Democrats voting to approve some.

The Democrats voted to not hire two deputy comptrollers, the commissioner and deputy commissioner for the Department of Public Works, a public information officer, staff for communications and the finance department, and salary increases for two employees.

Troiano said he opposed the salary increases for the deputy supervisor and the director of fi-

nance because they were too great of increases.

The salary increases were for Deputy Supervisor Joseph Scalero for an annual salary of $190,000, and Director of Finance Paul Wood for an annual salary of $140,000.

In the end, all the employment proposals were approved with the four Republicans securing its passage.

The hiring of the two deputy comptrollers comes seven months after the town’s comptroller resigned unexpectedly and without reason in August.

DeSena blamed the resignation on an unsafe work environment being pulled between the council members.

Town board members and employees

blamed it on the supervisor for creating a working environment employees don’t want to work in, citing a trend of multiple town employees resigning.

Other hires Tuesday night included communications staff, staff to support the supervisor’s office, a deputy town attorney and a deputy town clerk.

CSEA Unit #7555 President Tom McDonough thanked the town for hiring these positions.

“We’ve been grossly understaffed since 1992,” McDonough said. “ And the town infrastructure shows that.”

The board also approved the town’s capital plan, which DeSena described as a working document. The plan spans five years and encompasses the town’s capital projects with milestones to provide timeframes of project progress.

McDonough criticized the plan, saying it excluded necessary projects.

The notable exclusions were of the Westbury workyard, which he said has had a temporary trailer without a bathroom, and not sufficient funding for ADA accessibility projects.

The board also unanimously voted for a secondary street name for a portion of New Cassel’s Prospect Avenue to honor local Bishop Lionel Harvey.

Harvey is the bishop of the First Baptist Cathedral of Westbury in New Cassel, whom members of the congregation called a unifying factor within the community and an advocate for New Cassel’s revitalization.

“This is a man that has unequivocally brought us together politically, biblically, personally, progressively, and he united not only the Continued on Page 49

Flower Hill approves Mineola’s personalized dead-end road surplus Starbucks alternative

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES The Village of Flower Hill Board of Trustees Monday night voted to designate the dead-end portion of Birch Lane as a surplus of the village and sell it to a surrounding homeowner, which will save the village money.

Mayor Randall Rosenbaum previously said the village was looking to sell the spot because it costs money for the village to maintain that section of the street and the current homeowner was also interested in purchasing it. He said it would save the village money by not having to maintain the stretch, such as repaving the street or plowing it to remove snow.

The board voted to declare the dead end of Birch Lane a surplus of the village and to sell it for its appraised value of $600,000.

Two homeowners live along the property for sale, which spans 215-225 Elderfields Road, both of whom are family members.

The village administrator said the property would be purchased by one of the surrounding homeowners.

A condition of the sale is that the homeowner buying the property must provide an easement for the other home located along the property.

The board also adopted a new security service policy in the wake of hiring its patrol services. Rosenbaum said it calls for the security companies to provide information, including their contact information, routes and schedules,

as well as a commitment to being unarmed and not engaging with “wrongdoers.”

The village launched its security services on Jan. 31, Rosenbaum said, which patrol the village every night from 10 p.m.-6 a.m.

“I have seen them go by my house many, many, many times on the camera,” Rosenbaum said. “I think they’ve been doing a pretty good job.”

The implementation of security patrols in the village came after a series of crimes and car break-ins occurred over a single weekend in early December that sparked calls from residents to bolster security in the village.

The mayor said that based on the security company’s GPS data, it appears they have patrolled every village road. The village receives nightly reports on the patrols based on GPS and incident reports.

With less than a week of patrol services, the mayor said they have already provided assistance to local police in the search for a missing minivan Sunday night.

The village is also seeking changes to its tree code, which Rosenbaum said clarifies issues the village has had with permits and enforcement.

“I think this kind of tightens everything up so there’s no questions,” Rosenbaum said.

A public hearing on the tree code changes will be held at a later date.

The Village of Flower Hill Board of Trustees will convene again at 7:30 p.m. on March 4.

BY M I C H A E L J .

LEWIS

different fields. For several decades, Josh Heydemann was a freelance cameraman Not every coffee shop and film producer, working on commercials, local TV news, owner grows up dreaming of and whatever job came up. beans and fresh roast.

But around 15 years ago, Some of them come to the as his career advancement got java world from completely harder and harder, he started

thinking of what other line of work he would enjoy.

And as fate would have it, a friend offered him a chance to get involved with a coffee distributorship, and like the day peanut butter met jelly, a new love story was born.

Continued on Page 44

PHOTO BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

New York Gourmet Coffee owner Josh Heydemann opened on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola last summer.

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The Port Washington Times, Friday, February 9, 2024

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Suozzi blasts Pilip as ‘unvetted, unprepared’ Uses public appearances to attack opponent for CD3 as GOP candidate keeps low campaign profile

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES As the campaign for New York’s Third Congressional District moves closer to Election Day, Democrat Tom Suozzi’s recent attacks against Republican Mazi Pilip’s public safety platform have criticized her for misleading voters in the race to replace a disgraced official.

“Mazi Pilip is hiding from the voters,” Suozzi said. “What’s worse she’s hiding where she stands on critical issues.”

Former Congressman Suozzi and Nassau County District 10 Legislator Pilip are facing off in a Feb. 13 special election to finish out the term of Republican Rep. George Santos. He was expelled from Congress in December after he was found to have repeatedly lied to voters, later indicted on 21 federal charges and found to have committed numerous violations by the House Ethics Committee.

Efforts to contact Pilip for comment were unavailing.

Suozzi said Pilip has misled voters on her public safety stances, using what he called “deceptive language.”

An example Suozzi provided was a recent interview with PIX11 in which Pilip said she supports an

The Democrat criticized Pilip for parroting NRA talking points, which call for enforcing current gun laws and advocating against new, stricter ones.

“The bottom line is that my opponent is unvetted, unprepared and will make things worse,” Suozzi said.

“And when it comes to gun safety, she’ll make us less safe.”

Suozzi, on the other hand, said he does endorse a semi-automatic weapons ban, touting his “F” rating by the NRA. A tenet of his campaign is to protect individuals from gun violence through regulatory measures.

He said his approach to diminishing crime and gun violence is “common sense solutions,” advocating for universal background checks, funding for state record sharing and PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES preventing gun possession by people on the terror watch list all while preAt a press conference Thrusday, former Rep. Tom Suozzi attacked serving second amendment rights. his opponent for misleading voters about her stance on gun regulaSuozzi has touted himself as being a middle-of-the-road Democrat tions and bans. who reaches across the aisle to find assault weapons ban. Suozzi pointed banned in the United States in 1994 solutions. While he supports a semiout at a news conference Thursday but the bill was not renewed after ex- automatic weapons ban, his stance that an automatic weapons ban al- piring in 2004. Many attempts have on public safety also encompasses ready exists and the current political been made to reinstate the ban or supporting law enforcement in an efdebate surrounding gun bans con- similar legislation, including one in- fort to reduce crime. cerns semi-automatic weapons. troduced in the Senate in 2023, but In the wake of Pilip’s statement, Semi-automatic weapons were none have been successful.

Suozzi condemned the Republican

for this action due to the current environment of being in a “post-Santos world” – one in which constituents have been lied to by their former representative.

“How is it possible that you could be so disrespectful of voters that you’re not being transparent?”

Suozzi questioned. “That you’re not telling people exactly where you stand? How you’re not giving the ladies and gentlemen of the media an opportunity to question you and to find out what’s really going on in your position” Suozzi continued comparing Pilip to Santos, equating her stance on gun safety to Santos’ wearing of an AR-15 pin and calling for it to be a national symbol.

“But she’s not even telling you that,” Suozzi said. “She’s trying to trick you.

Suozzi has been critical of Pilip’s unwillingness to debate during the short campaign period, calling her out for her lack of transparency and accountability.

“The only way our country is going to move forward is if people are forthright, transparent, give specific ideas and are willing to work across party lines to find solutions to the problems we face,” Suozzi said.

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14 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

Opinion

OUR VIEWS

Did town GOP treat Islamic Center fairly?

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ould the North Hempstead Town Council have rejected the Hillside Islamic Center’s expansion plans last week if they were made by a church or a synagogue or a Sikh temple?

That’s the uncomfortable question raised by the Town Council’s 4-2 vote along party lines to reject the center’s application to build a third floor and add 63 parking spaces to its facility along Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park.

The third story falls within the town building code, the Building Department had agreed on the allowable space and parking spots provided by the center and a traffic study by Greenman-Pederson said there were no traffic or safety concerns with the plans.

But the four Republican council members, including North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, opposed the center’s proposal, citing traffic and safety concerns.

Two Democratic council members — Robert Troiano and Christine Liu — voted to approve the proposal with Council member Mariann Dalimonte abstaining.

Troiano said he voted to approve the proposal as it was within the town’s building code and did not require any variances.

He had faith, he said, in the town’s Building Department, which had approved the plan, to ensure the construction was compliant and safe.

Dalimonte said she voted to abstain because she was “second-guessing” how to vote after Republican Town Council member David Adhami voted against the proposal.

Adhami, Dalimonte said, was closest to the issue since the center was part of his district before redistricting and he was heavily involved in the application process.

The Islamic Center’s proposal faced opposition from its surrounding neighbors with 16 residents who all opposed the expansion speaking during the public comment period.

Some residents cited concerns about mosque congregants parking illegally in surrounding areas, sometimes blocking neighbors’ driveways and parking in local

shopping center parking lots.

The neighbors said they were also concerned about public safety, saying congregants parking around the mosque would potentially prevent emergency vehicles from accessing the neighborhood’s narrow roads or block residents’ cars in their driveways.

Former civic association leader Marietta DiCamillo said the neighborhood was “too small, too busy, too residential, too narrow-streeted,” saying it is unable to support the current mosque let alone its proposed expansion.

“We live in the suburbs,” DiCamillo said, “and would like to maintain it.”

But this seemed to ignore the center’s plans to add 63 parking places intended to take congregants’ cars off local streets and the history of the Islamic Center.

“In the 18+ years that worshipers have been congregating at Hillside Islamic Center, there has never been a single traffic incident at the mosque, the adjacent parking lots or the adjacent streets,” Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, the center’s chairman of the Board of Trustees, said in a letter published in this week’s Blank Slate Media’s six newspapers. “There has never been a single complaint that emergency vehicles could not pass freely on the adjacent streets due to our worshipers coming to pray.”

This kind of resident opposition is common for almost all developments on the North Shore – whether for schools, churches, retail stores and residential development.

DiCamillo’s comments can be interpreted in different ways, but an antiMuslim bias was raised when one resident described congregants attending religious services on Friday afternoons as a “swarm.”

This is a word associated with insects, implying that these the congregants were less than human.

“We doubt that members of any religious organization, whether Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, in fact, any human would appreciate being described” as a “swarm,” Bhuiyan said.

Bhuiyan noted that there are several, much larger religious institutions in the area including Notre Dame, which takes

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up an entire block in New Hyde Park.

“We are certain the congregants do not “swarm” their neighbors or cause traffic and safety issues,” Bhuiyan said.

Bhuiyan’s concerns are supported by the history of the center – and the treatment of Muslims in the country in general.

The mosque at 300 Hillside Ave. took over an abandoned one-story building covered with grass in 2005.

Neighbors objected a few years later when the center purchased four homes from adjacent neighbors to expand the mosque’s parking lot and to the height of the four decorative minarets on the building.

The town’s Board of Zoning Appeals – in the face of resident opposition — rejected the mosque’s expansion plan in 2010, saying its proximity to homes conflicted with zoning rules.

But the center was able to move forward under a federal law that relaxes zoning restrictions for houses of worship in residential neighborhoods.

That law, the Religious Land Use and Institutional Persons Act, was passed unanimously by Congress in 2000.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, the approval followed “hearings in which Congress found that houses of worship, particularly those of minority religions and start-up churches, were disproportionately affected, and in fact often were actively discriminated against, by local

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

land use decisions.”

The Justice Department went on to say that “Congress further found that zoning authorities frequently were placing excessive burdens on the ability of congregations to exercise their faiths in violation of the Constitution.”

It is worth noting that this discrimination took place before 9/11 and the rise of anti-Islamic feelings in this country.

Then U.S. Rep. Peter King, a former Nassau County comptroller and Town of Hempstead councilman, frequently targeted Muslims as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.

He held hearings on Muslim “radicalization” in 2011 and said in 2016 he had pressured President-elect Donald Trump to implement a nationwide surveillance program directed at Muslim Americans.

Trump had campaigned on a ban of Muslims entering the country and would implement a six-month ban on people coming into the United States from six Muslim-majority countries upon being elected that was later stricken by federal courts.

A proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque two blocks from the site of the terrorist attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center also faced heated opposition before finally being approved in 2011.

Muslim Americans, as well as Jews, are now facing increased bias attacks

following Hamas’ barbarous attack on Israelis that killed 1,200 people and the taking of 240 hostages and Israel’s response in Gaza that has claimed the lives of 27,000 Palestinians.

Trump, who is now the prohibitive favorite to win the Republican presidential nomination, has vowed to bar refugees from Gaza and immediately expand his first-term Muslim travel ban if he wins a second term.

The war in Gaza and the future of Israel has also figured prominently in the race between former Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, and Republican Nassau County Legislator Mazi Malesa Pilip, in their race for George Santos’ 3rd Congressional seat.

So, is it a coincidence that the four town council members who voted against the Hillside Islamic Center are Republicans? Maybe. Maybe not.

We would just suggest that the Hillside Islamic Center not bring any further applications before the town board during a hotly contested congressional race.

In his letter to Blank Slate Media, Bhuiyan said DeSena had asked the Islamic center to meet with residents and community leaders to address any concerns in seeking approval a second time.

We, in turn, ask that DeSena and her fellow council members treat the Islamic Center the same way they would treat any other religious center the next time they come before the board with a proposal.

PRODUCTION MANAGER Rosemarie Palacios EDITORIAL DESIGNER Lorens Morris CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Deborah Flynn PUBLISHERS OF

Williston Times • Great Neck News Herald Courier • Roslyn Times Manhasset Times • Port Washington Times

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

15

OUR TOWN

The story behind Tea Magic of Williston Park

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e live in a confusing, dangerous, competitive and stressfilled world. So it is a great comfort to know that we can go to a local teahouse whose ethos is to slow down, relax and have some fun.

Welcome to Tea Magic, located at 74 Hillside Ave. in Williston Park. This charming place offers up teas, macarons, cakes, homemade ice cream and crepes in a pleasant atmosphere of pink and green.

Teahouses have a long history dating back to 200 A.D. originating with Buddhist monks who would drink tea to help them stay alert as they meditated. The Japanese refined this in what is known as the Tea Ceremony ritualized

by Sen Rikyu, an aesthete in the 16th century. The Tea Ceremony emphasizes the aesthetic ideals of simplicity, quietude, cleanliness and tranquility.

The teahouse has been incorporated into other parts of the world as well. One of my favorite moments while staying in London was having high tea at the Grosvenor’s House on Hyde Park with lots of those little scones with jam and finger sandwiches.

When I visited The American Club in Kohler, WI, I remember their lovely teahouse made of imported stained glass from England. That place was the ultimate expression of coziness and beauty.

But teahouses are subject to change as is everything else. The updated

teahouse proffers up fun, liveliness and cuteness — the kind of establishment Hello Kitty would frequent to have afternoon tea and dessert.

I went to Tea Magic this Saturday to interview the owner. There are three partners involved with this new enterprise. Sharon and Stanley were not there but Wen, the third partner, was.

Tea Magic in Williston Park is the third store for this group with the other two located in Manhattan at Columbia University and Lincoln Center.

The place was all green and pink and Wen described Tea Magic as kid friendly and family- oriented. The Tea Magic mascot is a cute little urchin called the Bubble Fairy, who can be seen on the walls. Like so many other Asiancreated iconic images, the Bubble Fairy is unassuming, playful and adorable. I asked Wen if there was a backstory to the Bubble Fairy and she said no, not yet.

Tea Magic has a party room and caters to kid from ages 5 to 17.The menu includes bubble tea (hot or cold), smoothies, homemade ice cream, macarons, and cakes like tiramisu, red velvet and crème Brule. Sounds good, don’t you think?

I asked Wen why she decided to open a store in Williston Park and she told me she lives locally and could see that Williston Park was a safe familyoriented community.

Years ago I interviewed the famous

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town

science fiction writer Jan Freidman in Hildebrandt’s just up the block and asked him to conjure up a story about the famous antique toy cyclist Henry Hildebrandt, who is hanging on the tightrope above the dining area in the restaurant. Well, I have no time to call up Jan, so I’m afraid I will have to make up a story myself. After all, all good fairies and toys and puppets deserve a magic story to make them come alive and wake up. So let’s give this one a shot: “Once upon a time, long, long ago in a land far, far away there lived a cute little girl in a pink-and-green dress whose name was Babette. She was walking home in the dark through a deep, dark woods after buying some delicious macarons in the bakery and was excited to bring them home and

surprise her twin sister Boba with them for it was their birthday.

As she skipped along the dirt pathway, she heard a sound to her right and stopped to listen more closely.

She could see no one in the woods for it was dark, but she heard a soft voice which said. “Hello, my pretty. Isn’t that a lovely pink-and-green dress you have on. …. …And my dear one, what is that in the bag you are carrying? May I take a peek?”

The little girl knew she was in grave danger but did not know what to do.

Her home was still far away, it was very dark and no one was around to help her. She boldly spoke up, “I don’t want to talk to you so go away, and you may not take a peek in the bag! These are surprise macarons for my sister Boba, for it is her birthday today.”

With those words the horrible monster jumped out of the dark and onto the path in front of the little girl. With this the girl smashed the monster on the head with her bag of cookies, killing the monster instantly. As the bag crushed down upon the monster’s skull, the macarons broke into a thousand tiny crumbs and scattered into the air like fairy dust.

As it turned out, all this happened close to the home of a toymaker who was sleeping peacefully at the time. The fairy dust fell upon the plush material the toymaker used to make his toys. The next day, he got up as usual and used

all of the magical material to finish his toys and for some reason he decided to now name all of his plush toys “Bubble Fairies.”

He was so happy when an American distributor bought them all and shipped them to stores just like the Tea Magic place in Williston Park. So now you can see the Bubble Fairy sitting happily upon the walls in Tea Magic. If you look carefully, you will discover that the Bubble Fairy has a secret, which is that every macaron on the counter (especially the pink-and- green ones) have the magic power to give little girls and little boys the courage to fight off monsters that come after them in the dark.”

The End… So go take your kids to Tea Magic, check out the Bubble Fairy and have some of those yummy macarons.

PHOTO BY TOM FERRARO

Come discover some magic in the new Manhattan-style bubble tea and dessert place in Williston.

ON THE RIGHT

The MTA is a mess at almost every level

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he MTA is a mess. It is plagued by incompetent management, never-ending project cost overruns, declining services and ridership, crumbling infrastructure, sweetheart union deals, and rampant fare and toll evasion.

One year ago, for example, the governor, local pols, and MTA bigwigs gave themselves high-fives at the opening of the new Grand Central Madison station.

They boasted they did a great job building that marvel of engineering.

What they failed to mention was that the plan to route LIRR commuter trains into Grand Central was approved in 2001 and was to be completed in 2009 at a cost of $4.3 billion.

But, thanks to MTA ineptness, the project was completed 13 years late and cost a staggering $13 billion.

The bungling of capital projects is not unusual for the MTA. Take the construction of the Second Avenue subway. On the drawing board since 1929, it was finally announced in 2004 that a piece of the plan, 8.5 miles

of track with 16 stations, would be completed by 2020.

Thirteen years later, after spending $4.6 billion, the MTA opened, to much hoopla, only 1.5 miles of the subway line.

The construction cost more than four times as much as similar new lines in Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, and Tokyo.

Another problem that impairs the MTA’s bottom line: fare and toll evaders.

The MTA has admitted that subway fare evasion (i.e.: people jumping over turnstiles) cost the agency $690 million in 2022. While the numbers for 2023 are not yet available, the MTA revealed that in the second quarter of 2023, 11% of commuters did not pay, and in the third quarter it jumped to 14%. The MTA expects the total 2023 figure will top $700 million.

What was the MTA solution to curtail turnstile evaders? New subway station “Fare Beater Gates”—that are not working as intended.

MTA Chairman Jannot Lieber, after conceding that there are flaws in the

GEORGE J. MARLIN On The Right gates installed at three stations, said, “We might, in retrospect, have chosen a different model.”

How lame is that?

Then there are the bridge and tunnel toll evaders. Newsday has reported that “drivers hid, obstructed, or otherwise

faked the recording of plates to sneak out of paying 224,000 tolls per month last year at MTA crossings.”

To offset huge cost overruns, rampant fair and toll evasion losses, the MTA’s Hail Mary pass to raise additional funds for much-needed improvements: congestion pricing.

Congestion pricing, which is scheduled to commence later this year, was not approved to help the environment. It was created to collect lots of money. The last thing the MTA wants is less traffic in Midtown Manhattan.

It is projected that the MTA will collect from drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street at least $1 billion annually. (A study released by Congressman Josh Gottheimer claims the take could hit $3 billion.)

A billion dollars in annual collections can pay principal and interest on about $15 billion in long-term borrowing.

And that money is sorely needed to maintain and upgrade the transit system, let alone finance boondoggles like the Second Avenue subway.

A report, released by Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on Feb. 1, 2024, “estimates repairs needed from 2025 through 2029, the period covering the MTA’s next capital program, to be released later this year, will cost at least $43 billion, not including the expansion and new priorities to address accessibility, resiliency, and sustainability.”

The report concluded: “With the urgent need to increase ridership, boost revenue, and secure its future, the MTA cannot afford delays in upgrades and repairs that will improve the transit system.”

Wishful thinking? Considering the MTA’s dismal record, I’m not optimistic the agency has the ability to address the comptroller’s recommendations in a timely or financially responsible fashion.

Ultimately, it is the commuters who will bear the brunt of the MTA’s incompetence. They will have to pay higher tolls and fares to endure worsening services, increasing transit delays and deteriorating infrastructure.

LETTERS POLICY Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten, and those longer than 750 words may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters must include the writer’s name and phone number for verification. Anonymously sent letters will not be printed. Letters must be received by Monday noon to appear in the next week’s paper. All letters become the property of Blank Slate Media LLC and may be republished in any format. Letters can be submitted online at theisland360.com/submit-opinion/ or mailed to Blank Slate Media, 22 Planting Field Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577.

16 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

E A R T H M AT T E R S

Health, environmental nightmare of synthetic turf

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hat better way for our kids to spend a Saturday afternoon than playing on a toxic plastic field filled with carcinogens and PFAS chemicals? Well, I suppose the fact that they can play even when it rains should be some consolation.

The delta between what the public knows and understands and what scientists know about some of our most serious environmental health issues is, frankly, frightening. So for those who were unaware of the issues surrounding synthetic turf, let me break it down into its basic parts.

Synthetic turf is a giant piece of plastic. You may have heard the news reports about tiny pieces of plastic that now are present in every drop of rain and every breath of air. There are tiny plastic pieces in every piece of fish, every chicken, every hot dog. There are tiny plastic pieces in every bottle of water, even the ones from Fiji.

Recently, scientists at Columbia and Rutgers University announced that they had discovered more than 240,000 microscopic pieces of plastic in a single plastic water bottle.

Considering that plastic is made from a combination of fossil fuels and chemicals, it’s hard to imagine that ingesting that much plastic won’t have any

impact on our health, but we don’t yet know for certain.

All we know is, cancers of the breast, prostate, melanoma of the skin, kidney and renal, uterine and pancreas are all on the rise, according to a report published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

Researchers around the world are calling for immediate action to end the production and use of all non-essential plastic. Now, some people may think that a giant plastic all-weather athletic field is an essential use, but I don’t.

Synthetic turf uses ground-up vehicle tires to cushion the surface. Up to 40,000 tires may be ground into tiny pieces to cushion a single field. Vehicle tires contain their own brew of toxic chemicals, including dozens proven to cause cancer. On hot days, which is typically when the field is in use, those chemicals volatilize (become airborne) and are inhaled by every athlete on the field. During strenuous play, respiration increases, and the amount of toxic chemicals inhaled increases as well.

The dust from the crumb rubber is displaced with every step, slide or fall.

(You can see the black dust trailing an athlete when they slide on a turf field).

That dust is inhaled by anyone close to the ground, like the goalie on a soccer

DOUG WOOD Earth Matters

team or an outfielder sliding to catch a pop fly.

What’s the impact of a young athlete inhaling black dust filled with toxic chemicals? Well, the illnesses caused by these chemicals can take years to develop, and by then it will be impossible to link the disease to a particular exposure.

But to many pediatricians and medical researchers, it seems insane to take that risk with our children.

Synthetic turf contains a range of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), those “forever” chemicals that have been in the news recently, not only

for their amazing and troubling persistence in the environment, but for their potential health effects. According to the National Institutes of Health, epidemiological studies (studies on people) have revealed links between exposure to some PFAS and a variety of health effects, including altered immune and thyroid function, liver disease, lipid and insulin dysregulation, kidney disease, adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes, and cancer.

Now, adverse reproductive and developmental problems are not things anyone wants for their children. And neither are any of the other potential health outcomes associated with exposure to these chemicals. If anything, we want to find every way we can to limit our children’s exposure to PFAS. Spending hours playing on a field filled with PFAS is not one of those ways.

And in case someone tries to tell you that “it’s only a tiny amount,” consider that the EPA’s lifetime drinking water exposure level for the most common types of PFAS is four parts per trillion. That’s equivalent to one drop in five Olympic swimming pools.

You can’t responsibly get rid of a giant plastic synthetic turf field when it wears out. Old fields are piling up on remote farms in Pennsylvania, where

the runoff from their toxic chemicals is contaminating local streams and rivers. Landfills may accept the fields for a price, and try to bury them, but eventually nature will have its way and the chemicals will leach into our environment, unless the landfill invests in some sort of giant plastic diaper to try to contain the toxins.

That’s enough for now. I didn’t even get to the heat issues for young athletes, or the unusual and serious non-contact injuries, or the fact that blood, urine and spit which are normally absorbed and neutralized by the microbes in grass fields need to be dealt with on turf fields by the use of disinfectant pesticides which add another layer of toxicity to the already toxic field.

Yes, synthetic turf fields look nice and can be used in any weather, so no children or parents are inconvenienced.

But bad weather is part of our world, and part of growing up is to understand that sometimes you will be inconvenienced by the weather.

Rather than burdening the earth and all future generations with tons of toxic material that will poison the world we live in, maybe it’s better to teach our children that taking care of the planet is more important than whether they can play baseball when it’s raining.

VIEW POINT

Your vote important to solving border crisis

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epublican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s flat statement that the hard-fought bipartisan border deal, entangled with aid desperately needed by Ukraine and Israel and humanitarian aid for Gazans, is “dead on arrival” because “Trump told me to kill it” is all the more reason why the special election for NY-03’s congressional seat is of national and even international importance.

Electing Democrat Tom Suozzi – with a proven record at working towards bipartisan solutions and cutting out the political gamesmanship – is crucial.

Suozzi’s election will further eat into the Republican Majority, with now just two votes that have been wielded to literally strangle government and use lives as hostages to force grossly unpopular policy. But it would also send a message to neighboring Republican congressmen who so far have talked a good game about being “reasonable” and “responsible” to their constituents while actually aiding and abetting the MAGA extremists that have captured their party.

The Long Island Republicans have shown that they have no actual moral center or actual policy positions but will do whatever keeps their party in power, and right now that means kowtowing to Trump and his MAGA extremists.

Suozzi’s Republican opponent, Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip, has demonstrated that she is a stooge for the party. Despite her attack ads showcasing the migrant crisis and saying over and over “it’s a problem,” she has just adopted Johnson’s line in opposing the

bipartisan immigration deal (without even seeing it).

But that is consistent during her extremely brief time as an elected official that her loyalty is not to constituents but to the Republican machine that “brung” her to the party.

She has no actual positions (or even understanding) of national issues, and on the extremely rare occasions she has been put in a position to answer questions, has actually flip-flopped on key issues like abortion, assault weapons ban, and whether or not “no man is above the law” and should be held to account.

She now says she would vote for Trump even if he is convicted but has refused to say whether she voted for Trump in 2016 or 2020, the rare times she has voted since becoming a citizen and registering to vote in 2012.

“This is a pretty good indication of what this race is about – I want bipartisan solutions and my opponent is taking Republican talking points from extremists,” Suozzi said during an online press conference.

“It’s incomprehensible to me that a candidate can claim that her No. 1 priority is securing the border yet takes a dead-on-arrival approach on the only compromise border bill that has had a chance of passing our Congress over the past 30 years,” said Suozzi, who offered a bipartisan “grand compromise” on immigration reform back in 2019 with then Republican Congressman Peter King of Nassau.

“Everyone agrees this is the toughest, fairest set of reforms in decades,”

KAREN RUBIN View Point

Suozzi said.

Actually, the bipartisan immigration deal gives Republicans what they have been clamoring for: it changes asylum laws, builds more wall, adds more detention beds, hastens the 10- year backlog to a matter of weeks before migrants claiming asylum can be deported by hiring immigration judges, border agents, and providing work permits for those allowed to come in. (80 percent who seek asylum are denied and deported, but presently that process can take 10 years.)

The bill would also provide funding for cities and states that are sheltering migrants and for the first time gives the President temporary emergency authority to shut down the border when the system is overwhelmed.

And while the bill does not address providing a path to citizenship or even

legal status for the DACA recipients or the millions of undocumented migrants currently living in the country, as Democrats have wanted, it does restore the path to citizenship for people who join the armed services that Trump had ended.

“By opposing this bill, [Mazi Pilip] is opposing funding to increase ICE detention capacity to 50,000, funding to hire hundreds ICE deportation officers, border patrol, US customs officials, asylum officers, increasing deportation flights, as well as a compromise that would provide $14 billion in aid to Israel and crucial aid to Ukraine to fend off Putin’s brutal invasion,” Suozzi said.

“People are tired of these political games that Mazi Pilip and her handlers are conducting.”

It makes Pilip’s attacks on Suozzi as the “liberal” single-handedly responsible for the border crisis all the more absurd and calculated.

Constituents, Suozzi said, “want common sense leadership and people coming together to get things done. I’ve built my entire career on getting things done, working across party lines in so many ways, including immigration.”

Women rallied for Tom Suozzi and reproductive rights in Pt Washington on first day of Early Voting (Feb. 3-11) before the special Election for Congress (NY-03) on Feb. 13. Among them: Congresswoman Grace Meng, former Nassau Executive Laura Curran, former Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and Planned Parenthood, Reproductive Freedom for All and Moms Demand Action

activists who have endorsed Suozzi. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com It’s part of the bigger issue of “good government” – something that Republicans have abandoned since Newt Gingrich’s 1996 “Contract on America,” when he instituted a policy of ”my way or the highway” — never compromising with Democrats, effectively disenfranchising more than half the country – and regularly using shutdowns, threats to crash the economy and impeachment as political weapons.

Mike Johnson is going further, abandoning national interest in favor of Trump’s political interest: he only flipflopped on demanding a congressional solution to immigration (using Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan as hostages) after Trump told him he needed to prolong the border crisis because it so inflames voters and to deny Biden “a victory.”

(Trump also wished for a recession before the 2024 election – something that a government shutdown and refusal to pass a budget could achieve.)

Even in this high-speed dash to the special election feb. 13, Mazi Pilip has flip-flopped on most issues that are most important to NY-03 constituents. She has waffled on women’s reproductive rights and her backing by Conservatives guarantees her vote for a national abortion ban. She reversed herself on “No Man is Above the Law” to now say she would vote for Trump even if he is convicted.

Early voting is underway until Feb. 11.

(See what is in the Bipartisan National Security Agreement)

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

17

MY TURN

Everyman, a poem about America in 2024

I

n these times of divisive politics, it is important to think about who we are, our relations to others, and the purpose of our lives. The original, anonymous 15th Century allegorical play represents an accounting of the life of Everyman, who represents all humankind, upon his death.

I am a patriot, who loves my nation and the ideals on which it stands.

I am an American who believes that my country has grown and developed through successive waves of immigrants who subscribe to our common values.

I am a citizen who strives to ensure the continued vitality of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

I am an educator who teaches critical thinking and independence of thought.

I am a leader who believes that, in all things, truth matters, integrity counts.

I am a veteran, and the son of a veteran, who knows that heroic figures are those who sacrifice for the common good.

I am a student of history and politics who knows the value of diplomacy and the role of the military in ensuring our nation’s security.

I am a father and grandfather who wants my family, and your family, and everyone’s family, to enjoy the fruits of democracy, the responsibilities of freedom, and the privileges of citizenship.

ROBERT A. SCOTT, Ph.D. I am an advocate of informed My Turn

and civil debate, and abhor how divisive politics has become.

I am a religious person who believes in tolerance and knows that you can be right without my being wrong.

I am a mourner who grieves for all those who have died in war and in poverty.

I am a father, a friend, a professional, a citizen.

I am your neighbor.

I am “everyman.”

And in the end, we are one.

By Robert A. Scott, President Emeritus, Adelphi University

Save democracy in United States. Vote Suozzi.

“But are there not many fascists in your country?”

“There are many who do not know they are fascists, but will find out when the time comes.”

Ernest Hemingway, For Whom The Bell Tolls, published in 1940.

This should be an easy choice.

Given the binary nature of our political establishment, a vote for Mazi Pilip is a vote for House GOP Chair Michael Johnson, who is connected to organizations that seek to tear down the wall between church and state, and has allied himself with lunatic fringe Pentecostal organizations that are as anti-democratic as they come.

These include one called “Answers

in Genesis” which advocates for a literal interpretation of the Bible and “Creation Science.” He detests pluralism, and he makes no apologies for it.

He voted against certifying the 2020 election, which in a normal political party would be immediately disqualifying.

But the GOP ceased being normal a long time ago.

In his own words: “People are curious. What does Mike Johnson think about any issue under the sun?’ I said, ‘Well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it.’ That’s my worldview. That’s what I believe.”

The Constitution? Not so much.

You want to be this guy’s enabler?

You want to empower him? Then go

ahead and vote for Pilip.

A vote for Mazi Pilip is a vote for Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert and a host of House GOP clowns who have defaced the dignity of the House of Representatives.

The ones who cowered in fear when the Capitol was under attack and later called the perpetrators “hostages.” You want that?

Pilip will have to side with these degenerates every time, and the nation will live with the consequences.

The 3rd Congressional District also needs to redeem itself from the Santos debacle. Job 1 is to rebuke the man who put him up for election, Nassau GOP Chair Joe Cairo.

Mr. Cairo is not only the Chair, which pays him $120,000 a year, but he also heads the OTB at a salary of $198,000 a year. Then he has his private law practice, which has had some, shall we say, ethical questions in the past.

To his credit, George Marlin, a regular contributor to this paper and who I agree with on nothing, has come out loud and clear against this self-dealing.

He walks the walk.

The Nassau GOP isn’t a political party. It’s a crime family. Stop voting for them. Wake up, damn it.

The other rebuke should be for yourselves. There are people who spend a lot of time complaining about government. They lose credibility when they’re

so politically apathetic they pull the lever for a walking joke like Santos.

A little more time spent on studying policy instead of your lease-end options or a store front expansion would be appreciated, folks. It’s only your country, after all.

Most of the people of the 3rd District are well educated, tolerant and believe in Democratic ideals. There is more civic literacy here than you give yourselves credit for. All you have to do is show up.

Please do so. You can’t compromise with monsters.

Donald Davret Roslyn

Puzzling opposition to Islamic Center expansion

T

he Town of North Hempstead recently denied Hillside Islamic Center’s request to expand our house of worship at 300 Hillside Avenue, NHP, from 2 to 3 stories, and to expand the existing parking lot to 3 adjacent properties we already own.

Reasons most cited are potential traffic and safety concerns for the surrounding community.

Council members Robert Troiano and Christine Liu voted to accept the proposal. Councilmember Mariann Dalimonte abstained. Council members Ed Scott, Dennis Walsh, David Adhami and Supervisor Jennifer DeSena voted no – citing their concerns about public safety and traffic.

After being members of the greater community for more than 18 years with no safety issues, and appearing for many public hearings to address concerns, we find the council persons’ no votes puzzling.

During these 18+ years, we have eagerly worked with concerned members of the community to address any concerns, and we will continue to do so.

We take exception to the resident who is reported to have said at the hearing, “We live with it every Friday after-

noon. It’s like we got a swarm.”

We doubt that members of any religious organization, whether Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, in fact, any human would appreciate being described in such a way. We sincerely hope council persons’ no votes were not based on the racist and bigoted comments of so-called neighbors who call God’s worshipers a “swarm.”

In the 18+ years that worshippers have been congregating at Hillside Islamic Center, there has never been a single traffic incident at the mosque, the adjacent parking lots, or the adjacent streets.

There has never been a single complaint that emergency vehicles could not pass freely on the adjacent streets due to our worshipers coming to pray.

Currently, to reduce traffic for our neighbors particularly on Fridays, we’ve disbursed worshipers into three services between 12:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.

We contract with separate venues, such as the Elk’s Lodge on Lakeville Rd, about a mile away. Added services and locations are made with the same sincere intention to reduce any burden of traffic on Friday afternoons. There is indeed no swarming.

We are perplexed that the council

members did not read the traffic study conducted by Greenman-Pedersen Inc. that clearly stated that there is no traffic or safety concern with the plans.

We worry the council members’ “concern for safety” is not based on facts but is insteadbeing used as pretext to deny this community the opportunity to support its congregation. Hillside Islamic Center at 300 Hillside Ave. in New Hyde Park.

There are several, much larger religious institutions on busy streets in the area. In fact, Notre Dame, along New Hyde Park Road, takes up an entire block, and we are certain the congregants do not “swarm” their neighbors or cause traffic and safety issues.

We do not seek a variance; the town building code allows three stories.

As it is, the building department concurs with our plan based on the allowable square feet and parking spots afforded by our properties.

With the added floor and parking, we could easily and safely accommodate more cars in the larger lot. This would alleviate street congestion and new curb cuts will easily handle the traffic flow, especially on 2nd and 3rd Streets.

For our neighbors who are sincerely

concerned for their quality of life, the additional parking lots will accommodate our community and take cars off of the streets.

We again note that the proposed 63 contiguous parking is for property we already own, a part of our application that was completely denied.

The location of our mosque at 300 Hillside Ave. was an abandoned onestory building covered with grass and weeds until we purchased it in 2005. We carefully maintain our property so that the entry point to New Hyde Park is as welcoming and beautiful as possible.

We offer five daily prayers, Sunday school, and afternoon classes four days a week, we are a vital religious community.

However, we’ve no plans for a full-time school.

As many of you know, our public schools, specifically NHP Memorial High School, are doing better and have become more diverse and attractive to families of every race, color, and ethnic background.

Our members have greatly contributed to these achievements, and we take pride in our children’s efforts.

Our members own more than 50 homes locally. Most are committed to

walking to our center for services—because our Prophet (peace be upon him) advised us to walk to a mosque because it is more virtuous.

In closing, we extend our sincerest gratitude and thanks to the many fine people who have lived here longer than us, who have helped us to feel very welcome.

And as believers who have firm faith in the Almighty One God and His infinite wisdom, the same God of Christians and Jews, we believe that He has better plans for us all and we will strive to achieve them.

Despite yet another setback after years of hard work and community effort, as Supervisor DeSena has requested, we will continue to meet with residents and community leaders to address any concerns – as we always have. Please step forward, we look forward to working with and welcoming you.

This is our community, we are proud to be here. We respect the right of everyone to pray and to worship, we only ask for the same simple courtesy.

Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan Hillside Islamic Center Chairman,Board of Trustees

18 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

READERS WRITE

Suozzi ready to represent us in Congress. Pilip is not.

T

om Suozzi is ready to represent us in Congress. Mazi Pilip is not.

That is the conclusion I reached watching how the Nassau County GOP – the same folks who asked us to trust George Santos – have handled her campaign.

When the announcement was made more than a month ago that she was the GOP candidate in this special election to erase the stain Santos left, Mazi was shielded from scrutiny from the press and constituents immediately.

Now, more than a month later, Mazi

has yet to hold a debate or a town hall.

Why is her party hiding her?

She only appears in highly curated events with a lockdown on observers and the free press. When she appeared in Whitestone at a GOP event, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman spoke about what Mazi has done in the Legislature, not the legislator herself; she basically rubberstamped everything he presented.

When she appeared for a press conference in Queens, she spoke for 4 minutes from a script, while Congressman

D’Esposito spoke for three times longer and answered the questions Mazi was asked from the press.

She has been seen being ushered out of view and earshot of questions multiple times in multiple towns across District 3 and Washington D.C., her spokespeople always answering “no comment.”

Why is her party hiding her? The only conclusion is they need to pull a Santos 2.0, because they know she is not up to the task of being our congresswoman.

If they allowed her out on her own, to

answer on her own, it would look worse than reading from scripted sheets of her Republican party bosses’ responses.

If Mazi is not ready to campaign on her own and her own party’s actions are showing us she is not ready for the job of Congresswoman, I am not prepared to go with subpar representation in Congress, again.

I hope residents of NY-3 won’t settle for subpar, either. We need someone who will hit the ground running and redeem NY-3 from being the laughingstock of America.

We need a representative who already knows the job, its requirements and processes.

We need a representative who already has an established network of relationships in Washington that extend across the aisle and into the White House.

We need Tom Suozzi, and I urge you to vote for him during early voting from February 3 -11 or on Special Election Day, Feb. 13.

Carl Schweitzer Great Neck

Tom Suozzi versus his CD3 opponent. You decide

I

reside in Congressional District 03 and I am voting for Tom Suozzi. A man, who in his three decades of fighting the good fight, has shown that he is a man of character and substance. Above all things Tom Suozzi has always delivered for his constituents.

I am voting for Tom Suozzi because: Unlike his opponent his platform is not built upon mudslinging and slandering his opponent.

Unlike his opponent he is running on his stellar reputation as a politician and not his biography and demographics.

Unlike his opponent, he has made

it clear that he supports and respects women’s right to have access to safe and legal abortion. His position is clear and not contradictory.

Unlike his opponent who is proposing to work with ICE to secure the borders and curtail the nonexistent flow of illegal drugs over the borders, he is willing to address the immigration crisis by working with others in Congress to pass the Tom Suozzi-Peter King Compromise, a comprehensive plan, that among other things, would secure and bring order to the crisis at the southern border.

Unlike his opponent he is willing to participate in debates, answer questions,

and make himself available to the press; he maintains an aura of transparency and is accessible to his constituents. He is not afraid to publicize his position on important issues.

Unlike his opponent who has spent a quiet two-year tenure on the Nassau Legislature, he has a rock-solid history of delivering for his constituents whether as Glen Cove mayor, Nassau County executive, or District 3 congressman for six years.

Unlike his opponent he will fight to protect Social Security and will not vote for cuts that would require seniors to pay more and retire later.

Unlike his opponent he will vote in favor of law enforcement jobs that will keep our communities safer.

Unlike his opponent he will not make a 22% deep cut to our veterans but rather his position will remain “Never Forget The Vet.” Unlike his opponent he isn’t handled by others. He can think and speak for himself.

Unlike his opponent his campaign address is in CD3, Glen Cove, NY and not in Alexandria, VA. Unlike his opponent he will show up to vote 97.9% of the time instead of ??% of the time, a number no one

knows because it is protected and not available as public information for constituents to access.

I’m showing up to vote for Tom Suozzi because I know, based on his past record, he will show up and represent my interests and he will go across the aisle, if necessary, to do the best for his constituents.

Please join me Feb 3-11 for early voting or Election Day Feb. 13, and show up for Tom Suozzi.

He has and will continue to be there for you!

Ellen Fricault Douglaston

Pilip meet-and-greet message: voters beware

A

s a conscientious voter, I do my best to keep an open mind and learn as much as I can about all candidates in an approaching election. This extends to elections where I already have a preferred candidate in mind, for there is always something to be learned, sometimes unexpected, from such explorations. For a local election, keeping an open mind includes seeking out events where I can meet and hear from the candidate in person.

In the case of Mazi Pilip, that historically has been difficult.

Events for her current campaign for Congress and her previous ones for Nassau County Legislature have been held mostly behind closed doors, in synagogues or private civic associations, and have rarely if ever been advertised openly to the general public.

However an opportunity finally appeared when a flyer was circulated for a “Meet and Greet” with Mazi Pilip to be held on Sunday, Feb. 4, at 4:45 p.m. at a dance school at 84 Middle Neck Road, in the center of town across from the Haagen Dazs ice cream shop. The flyer, in both English and Chinese, said nothing about “members only” or anything to indicate it was a closed event, so I decided I would go.

An inviting “Mazi Pilip”

sign on the sidewalk outside the entrance greeted me when I arrived at 4:45 p.m. sharp. I entered through the doorway

where I was welcomed warmly by a woman who appeared to be an official of whoever was the sponsoring organization. I

Public event flyer. (translation of Chinese by Carey Yan, wife of Weihua Yan, confirms no mention that the event was private.)

took a place near the back of the room and waited quietly as more attendees gradually filled the room, ultimately about 40-50 of them, mostly but not exclusively Asian-Americans.

After about 15 minutes, Pilip was ushered into the front of the room and the event began with introductory remarks by two unnamed people. Then Pilip spoke for about 10-12 minutes, after which the floor was opened up for questions from the audience.

A few hands went up including mine, but a gentleman from the front of the room was chosen first. His question was a rhetorical one: What was Tom Suozzi trying to “fix” re his campaign slogan “Let’s fix this!” and complaining that Suozzi’s 10-point plan was a copy of Pilip’s (not true — Suozzi’s plan was released weeks before Pilip’s — but never mind, I was there to learn).

At that point, now 25 minutes into the event, a large man in a suit came over to me and told me I had to leave. I asked why and he said “this is a private event.” I politely disputed him based on the flyer, but he reiterated his statement.

As I turned to go, I asked “is it because I’m white and not Asian-American”? He replied sarcastically “yeah, that’s why”. I asked him his name and he said “Lou.” I asked what was his ca-

pacity with Ms. Pilip’s campaign.

His cryptic reply: “3 gallons a minute.”

Then to my astonishment, he said “you’ve shown your true colors” and once again told me to leave. “Lou” was built like a pro football linebacker, so I wasn’t about to argue with him.

Prior to this exchange, I had not spoken a word or done anything to make myself noticed, but clearly Lou had sniffed me out as “not one of them.” As I walked back to my car, questions swirled surreally through my head: What country was I in? Had I stepped through a time/space warp of some kind?

What kind of American campaign would eject a silent, polite, non-protesting, and perfectly well-behaved citizen from a “meet and greet” for their candidate?

What kind of candidate wouldn’t proudly put forth their platform to ALL, supporters and non-supporters alike, and seek to communicate with people of all persuasions, as Tom Suozzi has done in actively seeking Republicans to come to his events which have been notable for their inclusiveness?

The right of free speech (including the right to remain silent) and the right of free and peaceful assembly are enshrined in our Constitution and part of

long-established norms of our democracy. What candidate who purports to represent all people in her district and who claims to promote “the American Dream” for all, would allow this?

Ms. Pilip, your staff’s behavior in this incident was un-American and antithetical to everything you claim to stand for.

“But are there not many fascists in your country?”

“There are many who do not know they are fascists but will find it out when the times comes.”

“But you cannot destroy them until they rebel?”

“No,” Robert Jordan said.

“We cannot destroy them. But we can educate the people so that they will fear fascism and recognize it as it appears and combat it.”

– Ernest Hemingway, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” I proudly cast my early vote for Tom Suozzi for Congress and urge the same from all voters who value their freedoms.

Oh…my intended question for Ms. Pilip, had I been able to ask it: Have you ever read the Constitution of the United States?

Robert Yamins Great Neck Letters Continued on Page 33

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

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Suozzi, Pilip together at PIX 11 forum

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Just days before early voting began for New York’s Third Congressional District special election, Republican Mazi Pilip and Democrat Tom Suozzi hashed out their stances, sometimes agreeing with one another while still delivering jabs at their opponent.

Former congressman Suozzi and Nassau County District 10 Legislator Pilip are facing off in a Feb. 13 special election to finish out the term of Republican Rep. George Santos, who was ex-

pelled from the House.

In a PIX11 forum hosted Tuesday night, Pilip and Suozzi were interviewed separately and asked questions regarding the district’s top issues.

PIX11 conducted a poll of constituents’ top issues, which found that immigration, economy and crime were the top three with abortion taking the fourth spot.

Pilip blamed Biden and Suozzi for opening the southern border and the ensuing migrant crisis.

Continued on Page 39

happening now!

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If not, be sure to add today!

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CANDIDATES

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, left, and Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip (RGreat Neck).

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BlankSlate MEDIA

County allocates $6.8M to fight opioid epidemic

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Nassau County will be disbursing some of its opioid lawsuit settlement funds to provide grants to local organizations in the fight against the drug epidemic, but Democrats are calling for more.

“The opioid settlement was a punitive judicial outcome with a very clear purpose,” Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D–Glen Cove) said. “We are losing people at an alarming rate, and many families across our County are continuing to suffer as

N E W H Y D E PA R K

Herald Courier Roslyn Times Great Neck News Williston Times Manhasset Times Port WashingtonTimes www.theisland360.com

22 Planting Field Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 Office: (516) 307-1045 Fax: (516) 307-1046 www.theisland360.com

PHOTO BY NOAH MANSKAR

The Nassau County Legislative Building.

their loved ones continue to struggle with addiction.”

Republican County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced Monday the county would be awarding $6.8 million of its opioid settlement funds, including $2.5 million to the Nassau University Medical Center to bolster its drug treatment program.

Nassau University Medical Center Interim President and CEO Megan Ryan said the money will be going to their patients, who numbered about 20,000 last year. She said these funds will help them provide care for even more patients.

The hospital has a chemical dependency unit, and the funds will go towardrenovating and establishing new rooms and services for patients.

“And it’s outdated so it will give it a nice facelift and will just make it nicer for our patients,” Ryan said.

The funds will also go towards a 24-hour central referral unit, which will assist patients experiencing medical emergencies or crises related to their drug use. Ryan said this will aid in streamlining the hospital services.

Nassau University Medical Center received opioid funds from the county last year for its programming, but Ryan said the additional funds are still needed by the hospital. Ryan said the center is grateful for the grant.

Continued on Page 39

BLANK SLATE MEDIA February 9, 2024

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

WHAT’S AT STAKE IN ‘24?

Presidential history Michael Beschloss will answer in discussion On Sunday, Feb. 18 at 3:00 p.m., Stephen C. Widom Cultural Arts at Emanuel will present a Video Conversation with Presidential historian Michael Beschloss, moderated by NY1 news anchor, host of Inside City Hall, and CNN political analyst, Errol Louis. Michael Beschloss’s dialogue with Errol Louis will focus on, “The United States Presidency—and What’s at Stake in 2024.”

Michael Beschloss is an award-winning historian, scholar of leadership and bestselling author of ten books — most recently the acclaimed New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Presidents of War. The New York Times Book Review calls “Presidents of War “[an] important book, superbly rendered.” The Financial Times says that the book “looks at leadership from every angle” and calls it “epic” and “magisterial.”

The historian Ron Chernow calls the book “monumental and profoundly important.” Tom Hanks says, “Once again, Beschloss captures our Presidents in terms both historic and human.”

The Charlotte Observer says, “Michael Beschloss knows more about America’s Presidents than perhaps anyone on earth.” Beschloss appears regularly on television as the NBC News Presidential Historian and contributor to the PBS NewsHour.

He has also been a contributing columnist to the New York Times. He has won an Emmy for his television work and received six honorary degrees and numerous other awards. He has the largest Twitter (now X) following of any American historian, in the neighborhood of 400,000.

Born in Chicago, Beschloss is an alumnus of Phillips Academy (Andover) and Williams College, where he studied under James MacGregor Burns, author of what remains the classic book on leadership.

At the Harvard Business School, Beschloss studied leadership in both the private and public sectors. He has served as a historian at the Smithsonian, a scholar at the Uni-

Presidential historian Michael Beschloss and NY1 News anchor Errol Louis. versity of Oxford, and a senior fellow of the Annenberg Foundation.

Among his earlier books are two volumes on Lyndon Johnson’s secret tapes; “The Conquerors,” about Franklin Roosevelt, Nazi Germany and the Holocaust; and “Presidential Courage.”

He was also co-author (with Caroline

Kennedy) of the number-one global bestseller “Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations about Life with John F. Kennedy.”

This program is funded by Andrew Joskow & Lisa Sockett.

Registration for this virtual event is $15.

For further information, to register and purchase a ticket online, go to:

https://www.scwculturalarts.org/sunday-series This event can be viewed through March 3. To purchase a ticket after 2:00 PM on February 18th, call 516.482.5701.

Please call 516.482.5701 if you have additional questions.

For more of “The Island Today” visit us online today at www.theisland360.com

22 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024 Fourth Friday and the UUCSR Social Justice Committee Present

THE SPACE RACE

FOURTHY FRIDA

Led by Rev. Israel Buffardi

Friday, February 23, 2024 Dinner: 6:00 PM Film: 7:00 PM

THE SPACE RACE is a feature length documentary film that weaves together the stories of black astronauts seeking to break the bonds of social injustice while reaching for the stars.

REGISTER AT uucsr.org/24Space or Contact Sharyn Esposito sesposito@uucsr.org or 516.472.2960 No Charge, Donations Accepted

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Best-selling author Mitch Albom talk at Beth Sholom Renowned, international-best-selling author Mitch Albom will speak about his newest book, “The Little Liar,” a powerful novel about the destruction of the Jewish community of Salonika, Greece, during the Holocaust, at Temple Beth Sholom of Roslyn Heights on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 PM. He tells this poignant story through the intertwined lives of three young survivors who are forever changed by the perils of deception and the grace of redemption.

Albom is the author of the #1 best-selling, inspirational memoir “Tuesdays with Morrie,”

and his latest book, “The Little Liar,” has become a New York Times best seller. The Temple has partnered with the William and Jerry Ungar Holocaust Lectureship Endowment at Queens College Center for Judaic Studies to bring Mitch Albom to the community.

General admission is $36 for one person and includes one book; general admission for two is $54 and includes one book.

Advance registration is required at tbsroslyn.org. Temple Beth Sholom is located at 401 Roslyn Road in Roslyn Heights; phone: 516-621-2288.

HYPER-LOCAL NEWS ANYTIME. ANYWHERE THEISLAND360.COM

dining & Name Newspaper gift guide January 2022

A Special Supplement to

Your local guide to dining, shopping and celebrating!

A BLANK SLATE MEDIA SPECIAL SECTION • FEBRUARY 9, 2024

24 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

Buying jewelry for

Your Valentine

Y

diamond being nearly white to graded down to yellow. The cut is the way the stone is fashioned.

Clarity informs consumers if the stone is flawless or has specs or scratches inside of it. Carat refers to the weight of the diamond.

ou can’t buy love, but on Valentine’s Day those in love certainly like to treat the special people in their lives to some lavish tokens of affection. According to the National Retail Federation’s Valentine’s Day Consumer Spending Survey, Americans spend an estimated $19 billion on gifts, flowers, dinners, and more come Valentine’s Day.

Diamonds and gemstones can form naturally or be manufactured in laboratories. Lab-created gemstones may look like natural gemstones but be of lesser value.

In addition to chocolates and flowers, jewelry is a popular Valentine’s Day gift. Since jewelry is often a personal taste, much like a fragrance, it can be challenging to find the perfect item. With so many different styles, colors and pieces, it’s no surprise that so many jewelry shoppers feel overwhelmed.

Some expert advice can make the process go more smoothly and ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.

Shop around and get referrals for reputable jewelry stores. You can consult the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged about a particular store. Many consumers are most comfortable purchasing jewelry made in-store so they can verify the merchandise and retailer.

Check for the appropriate markings on gold, silver and platinum jewelry that indicate their authenticity.

Make sure the jeweler will include certification or a grading report with the jewelry and your receipt.

The Federal Trade Commission suggests thinking before you shop. Since jewelry is a major purchase, shoppers should first establish a budget. Consider the gift recipient’s style and look at other jewelry he or she wears. The more informed you are before visiting the jewelry stores, the easier it will be to find a piece he or she will like and one that you can afford.

No matter how much research you do, realize that there’s a chance the jewelry you purchase will not prove the perfect fit. So make sure you understand the store’s return policy and if there is a charge to have rings or other items resized.

Take the time to become educated about diamonds and other gemstones. Diamonds’ value is based on four criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat (often referred to as “The 4 Cs”). Color ranges from the

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26 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

The various

Types of Chocolate

V

alentine’s Day is a popular time to indulge in sweets. In fact, according to Nielsen, more than 58 million pounds of chocolate candy will be sold during the week of Valentine’s Day. Chocolate wasn’t always the sugarsweetened dessert people consume today.

The history of chocolate dates back to 1900 BC, when Aztecs believed the cacao seeds were the gift of Quetzalcoatl, the god of wisdom. Chocolate was made into fermented beverages, and the cacao beans also were used as a form of currency because they held so much value.

According to the History Channel, some ancient civilizations considered chocolate to be a mood enhancer and aphrodisiac.

Chocolate was believed to have mystical properties and was revered so much that it was reserved for rulers, warriors and priests.

It was not until centuries later that edible chocolate became popular among the masses. Dutch chemist Coenraad Johannes van Houten invented the cocoa press, which could turn extrude cocoa butter, paving the way for the modern age of chocolate as a confectionary ingredient and gift.

Choosing the right type of chocolate may require gaining an understanding of various chocolate-related terms. · Cocoa powder: This is the unsweetened raw form of cocoa made from partially defatted chocolate liquor. Dutch-processed (alkalized) cocoa powder is milder and less acidic than natural cocoa powder. · Unsweetened chocolate: “Bitter” or “baking chocolate” are other names attributed to unsweetened chocolate. It is best used in baking when it can be combined with sugar and other ingredients.

It is also the base ingredient of most forms of chocolate, with the exception of white chocolate. · Dark chocolate: Chocolate that contains only chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, and lecithin is considered dark chocolate. No milk solids are added in.

The higher the percentage on the wrapper, the more bitter the chocolate. · Milk chocolate: In addition to dark chocolate ingredients, milk chocolate also contains dry milk solids or condensed milk. It is sweet and has a mild chocolate taste.

· Bittersweet and semi-sweet: These chocolates are milder than dark chocolate, but not as sweet as milk chocolate. Many chocolate manufacturers derive their own formulations for these types of chocolate, varying the amount of cocoa solids they include. · Couverture chocolate: An expensive chocolate, this is coveted by professional bakers or confectioners. It contains a high percent of cocoa butter and chocolate liquor, which helps it to melt evenly. It is ideal for tempering and can coat candies smoothly. · Ganache: Ganache is a whipped filling, glaze, icing, or sauce that is used in various desserts. It is made by heating cream and pouring over chocolate of any kind. When cooled, it is malleable but not runny, which is why ganache is often used in making candies or fillings. · Truffle: A chocolate truffle is made from a ball of ganache rolled in cocoa powder.

Truffles can be made from any variety of chocolate.

Chocolate is a favorite on Valentine’s Day, making it a perfect gift or dessert.

Planning your

F

Valentine’s Day proposal such as favorite flowers or a preferred restaurant. Restaurant reservations may be hard to come by on Valentine’s Day, so you may want to select a more private meal at home or something catered unless you want to share your proposal with a crowd.

ebruary 14 is a day dedicated to love. And for couples who are pondering their futures together, Valentine’s Day may seem tailor-made for wedding proposals. According to a survey of 1,000 married adults by James Allen, an online diamond and bridal jewelry retailer, people really love getting engaged on Valentine’s Day. Forty-three percent of Millennials report favoring Valentine’s Day for proposals — whether they’re doing the asking or being asked.

There are a few things to keep in mind when considering whether or not to pop the question on Valentine’s Day. Here are some ideas for planning the proposal.

Visit possible locations in advance

Make it your own

Have the ring at the ready

Even if the proposal is taking place on one of the most popular days of the year to get engaged, interject some personality into the occasion. Include important elements that are dear to the person to whom you are proposing,

Jewelry shops are in demand around Valentine’s Day, so be sure to choose and have the ring sized well in advance of the proposal. This ensures the ring will be ready in time. If the ring will be a surprise, get hints beforehand to

Think about where you would like to propose and visit those areas at different times of the day. Timing a proposal during sunset with the rays creating a warm glow on a park bench or on the incoming tide can make it more magical.

Adjust proposal area plans for busier crowds expected on Valentine’s Day.

understand your loved one’s design tastes. Consider bringing a friend along when shopping to offer support and advice.

Use chocolate to your advantage Boxes of chocolate are ubiquitous on Valentine’s Day. Nestle the ring inside of a box of truffles or another favorite confection and have the question “Will you marry me?” attached to the inside of the box.

Hire a photographer Work with a photographer to capture the moment, whether it’s a professional photographer or a friend enlisted for the task. This way you can be fully immersed in the moment as it unfolds, and then look back on the experience from a different perspective when the photos are printed.

Valentine’s Day is a popular time for wedding proposals. With a little planning, the occasion can be even more special.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

The most popular

V

Valentine’s Day Gifts

alentine’s Day sparks one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year. Though it might not inspire the masses quite like Black Friday, Valentine’s Day compels millions of people to find gifts for that special someone in their lives each February. In fact, the National Retail Federation’s Annual 2022 Valentine’s Day Spending Survey found that the average person expected to devote $175 to Valentine’s Day spending in 2022.

Any heartfelt gift can light up a sweetheart’s smile on Valentine’s Day, but certain items tend to be more popular than others on February 14. Though Valentine’s Day shoppers can always go their own way when shopping for their sweethearts, some of the more traditional gifts remain wildly popular. In its survey, the NRF found that these go-to gifts maintained their status as the most popular items for individuals to show their love for that special someone in 2022: • Candy: Fifty-six percent of survey respondents indicated they planned to buy candy for their sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. Though any candy can suffice, chocolates

a style for every taste and budget a style for every taste and budget

inside a heart-shaped box tend to be especially popular in mid-February.

• Greeting cards: Greeting cards will likely never go out of style, as 40 percent of respondents indicated they would give a card in 2022.

• Flowers: The appeal of a bouquet is undeniable, prompting 37 percent of shoppers to give flowers on Valentine’s Day. • A night out: A romantic night out is perhaps as meaningful as ever in a world still emerging from the pandemic. So it’s no surprise that 31 percent of respondents indicated they planned to take their sweethearts out for a night on the town in 2022.

• Jewelry: Though it might rank below the others on this list, jewelry remains a go-to gift on Valentine’s Day. And with total Valentine’s Day spending on jewelry estimated at more than $6 billion in 2022, this could be where most Valentine’s Day dollars go this February.

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28 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

Fall in love with these

Romantic films

S

tories of romance are as old as love itself.

That makes Valentine’s Day an ideal time to indulge in a romantic comedy or classic love story.

Plenty of films can be enjoyed while snuggled up with a sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. The following can serve as a romantic starting point for couples looking to cozy up with a good film, not to mention one another, this February.

• “Casablanca” (1942): Who hasn’t heard the line “Here’s looking at you, kid”? Set during World War II and starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, the film focuses on an American expatriate who must choose between love or helping a Czech resistance leader escape to fight the Germans.

• “Roman Holiday” (1953): Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn win audiences over in this romantic classic about a European princess who meets an American reporter one night in Rome.

He’s looking for a scoop, but ends up getting a much better reward.

• “Ghost” (1990): While a certain dance-heavy Patrick Swayze vehicle is renowned for its romantic elements, “Ghost” shows that love can continue even beyond the grave. And one especially memorable scene might just inspire couples to take up pottery.

• “Love and Basketball” (2000): Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan star in this story of two

neighborhood kids who aspire to be basketball stars. As they grow up, their skills develop and their relationship grows. However, when one’s stardom really skyrockets, it puts a strain on their love.

• “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001): In this modern telling of “Pride and Prejudice,” Renée Zellweger stars as Bridget, who is hopeless at love and falls for Hugh Grant’s lothario Daniel Cleaver. This unfolds as Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy is hiding his affections for Jones behind seeming indifference.

• “Love Actually” (2003): Featuring an ensemble cast, this movie tells the tales of eight very different couples who are providing glimpses into their love lives. The tales are loosely intermingled during the month leading up to Christmas in London.

• “The Fault in Our Stars” (2014): Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley star as two youngsters who meet in a cancer support group and fall for one another. A film about true love and heartbreak, this one is sure to require keeping a box of tissues on hand.

• “A Star is Born” (2018): Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga star in this remake of the classic film. Jackson, an alcoholic rock star, falls in love with an aspiring singer, Ally. As her fame begins to eclipse his, Jackson’s demons come resurface.

Alternatives to common

Valentine’s Day Gifts Millions of people are set to spend untold dollars on Valentine’s Day gifts or experiences this year. Data compiled

by InfographicPlaza.com indicates that individuals traditionally spend the most on jewelry, a night out, flowers, apparel, and gift cards on Valentine’s Day. Fifty-two percent of people who buy Valentine’s gifts will spend money on candy, particularly chocolate.

Though tried and true gifts never fail, those looking for something a little different this Valentine’s day can consider these alternatives.

Traditional: Candy/chocolate Alternative: Baked goods Bite-sized baked offerings can be a welcome change to boxed chocolates or chocolatecovered strawberries. Consider petit fours, which are tasty layered cakes about one to two inches in size. The popular franchise Nothing Bundt Cakes also offers Bundtinis®, which are slightly smaller than cupcakes and can be mixed and matched in a variety of cake flavors.

Traditional: Bouquet of a dozen red roses Alternative: Flowering plant Even well-maintained cut bouquets only last so long. A flowering plant can endure much longer. Beautiful interior flowering plants include African violets, Bromeliads, Orchids, Peace lilies, Amaryllis, Christmas cactuses, and Jasmines.

Traditional: Dinner out Alternative: Feed the needy Civic-minded sweethearts may appreciate the thought of donating the time and money they might normally spend on a restaurant meal by helping to ensure needy children and adults have access to hot meals.The Feeding America network is a nationwide network of food banks that secures and distributes meals. Individuals can learn more about volunteerism or how to make donations at feedingamerica.org/.

Traditional: Lingerie Alternative: Time spent together In a poll of more than 350 women, Business Insider discovered that lingerie was one of the gifts women did not want to receive on Valentine’s Day. In fact, 97 percent of respondents weren’t fans of receiving lingerie on Valentine’s Day. Spending time together doing something couples are passionate about may be more well-received.

Traditional: Stuffed animal Alternative: Adopted animal There are only so many stuffed animals, particularly fuzzy teddy bears, an adult can collect. Instead, why not adopt a shelter animal or donate to an animal rights organization? Before gifting a pet, confirm the recipient is on board with the idea. A pet is a years-long emotional and financial commitment that requires forethought and planning.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

29

Sweet cookies for your

V

Sweetheart

alentine’s Day presents an opportunity to shower loved ones with special gifts, including treats. Dessert is a significant component of Valentine’s Day, as chocolates and cakes are given and consumed in abundance.

French macarons are a great sweet for amateur bakers to add to their Valentine’s Day repertoire. Making macarons often is a labor of

Unique and romantic locales for the ideal

Valentine’s Day Getaway

T

here are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, from private dinners at home to a night out on the town at a trendy restaurant. Regardless of how couples celebrate their love for each other this February, romance is an essential ingredient on February 14.

Few things can set a romantic tone as well as a getaway. Whether it’s for a weekend getaway or a longer trip, these locales provide a unique and romantic setting for couples this February.

• Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles: Located on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, the Griffith Observatory has been the site of many a romantic Hollywood scene, including its recent appearance in the 2016 film “La La Land.”

• Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse, Old Saybrook, Connecticut: Constructed in 1886, the lighthouse is ideal for seafaring couples. Privately owned, the lighthouse can be seen on a rented boat for two. Given the New England temperatures in February, this romantic, charming lighthouse may not be for the feint of heart.

• Little Palm Island, Florida: Billed as the only private island resort in the United States, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa is located off the Florida Keys coastline. Guests arrive by seaplane or private boat, making for an ideal excursion for couples seeking a true getaway.

• Savannah, Georgia: Separated from South Carolina by the Savannah River, this coastal Georgia city features beautifully manicured parks, horse-drawn carriages and a historic district shaded by stunning oak trees. Couples in town for a romantic getaway won’t want to pass up on an opportunity to stroll the cobblestoned waterfront path along the river.

• Tofino, Vancouver Island, Canada: It’s not impossible to unwind in a candlelit tub with a view of the mighty Pacific Ocean in the district of Tofino on the west coast of Canada’s Vancouver Island. An acclaimed food scene makes Tofino the perfect place to enjoy a romantic dinner for two.

A romantic getaway can be just what couples need this Valentine’s Day. These are just a handful of the many places couples can consider as they seek to escape to a romantic locale this February.

French Macarons Make 20 macarons 100 grams powdered sugar 100 grams superfine almond flour 100 grams egg whites 100 grams granulated sugar Food coloring, if desired Vanilla buttercream filling 4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature 11⁄2 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Up to 2 tablespoons heavy cream Food coloring, if desired 1. Measure out all ingredients.

2. Sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour. Set aside.

3. Add 1 cup of water to your sauce pan or to the liner of your Instant Pot. 4. Heat the water over medium heat until steaming.

5. While the water is heating, add the egg and 3 tablespoons of the measured out sugar to the bowl you’ll be using for the double boiler.

6. Once the water is steaming, place the bowl over the steaming water and whisk until the egg whites are foamy and white. When they are foamy and white, remove the bowl from the pan or Instant Pot and set on a hot pad on the counter. Turn off the burner or Instant Pot. 7. Add the remaining sugar to the egg whites and mix using an electric hand mixture until the egg whites are white, glossy and can form stiff peaks.

8. Add the food coloring now if you’d like to color your macarons. Mix until combined.

9. Add the powdered sugar and almond flour to the bowl and mix with your mixer for 8 seconds. After the 8 seconds is up, use a silicone spatula to stir and smear the batter from the outside of the bowl towards the center. Turn the bowl as you do this

love, so offering a sweetheart a plate of these chewy, meringue-based cookies really shows you care. Vary the filling of choice depending on your beloved’s favorite flavors.

Enjoy this recipe for “French Macarons,” which utilizes the Swiss meringue method, courtesy of Karli Bitner and her “Cooking with Karli” blog. Weighing the ingredients produces more reliable results.

to make sure all of the batter gets stirred equally.

10. Do this until your batter thins and is able to drizzle a ribbon of batter for a few seconds without it breaking.

11. Transfer the batter to a piping bag equipped with a round piping tip.

12. Pipe equal circles onto a silicone or parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Make sure that your piping bag is straight up and down. Apply equal pressure and release pulling straight back up. Repeat with the remaining batter.

13. Bang the pan gently but firmly onto the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles.

14. Preheat oven to 300 F. 15. Allow the macarons to dry out as the oven preheats, for about 20 to 30 minutes. Your macarons should be dry to the touch before going into the oven.

16. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes at 300 F. The macarons should not turn brown.

17. Allow the macarons to cool completely on the pan.

18. When the macarons are completely cool, make your filling.

19. Make your filling by combining all ingredients using either a stand mixer or your electric hand mixer.

Slowly add in the heavy cream (you can substitute milk if you’d like) because you want a thick buttercream so it doesn’t squirt out while eating the macaron.

20. Once the buttercream is mixed together and your desired consistency, gently pipe some frosting onto the bottom side of one cookie and then sandwich the frosting with the bottom side of a second cookie to create your macaron.

21. Repeat with remaining cookies.

30 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

Adelphi celebrates Black History Month with events Adelphi University is celebrating Black History Month with a number of events spotlighting the accomplishments and achievements of black people in our community, around the world and throughout history. From art to music and lectures, learn about the many ways we are supporting change, progress and equity.

“Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and contributions of Black people worldwide and appreciate the struggle for justice, resiliency, and self-determination,” said Sentwali Bakari, Adelphi’s vice president for Student Affairs and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging. “I am proud of the events that we are hosting and hope our community members join us.”

This year’s events include: Our History, Our Pride: The Legacies Exhibition is open now — March 2 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Public Reception/Artist Talk on February 18 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Ruth S. Harley University Center, Adele and Herbert J. Klapper Art Gallery An art exhibition featuring the work of Ramona Candy. This exhibition is being held in honor of Black History Month by the Center for African, Black and Caribbean Studies.

The Leadership Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King: A Drum Major for Justice February 7 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Ruth S. Harley University Center, Multicultural Center, 3rd Floor Join the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging to learn about the legacy of Dr. Martin King Jr., presented by Dr. Sentwali Bakari, Vice President for Student Affairs and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging.

John Hope Franklin Distinguished Lecture: New York’s Caribbean State of Mind: Music, Migration, Race and the Making of Empire February 21 from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Ruth S. Harley University Center, Ballroom

Micah Oelze, PhD will sing, play his guitar, and talk about the Caribbean movers who turned their racial and political activism into song.

African American Read-in 2024 February 22, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Ruth S. Harley University Center, Room 201 During this event participants will read aloud the works of Black writers, essayists, poets, etc. Adelphi will supply books to read for those who would like participate.

Thriving on Campus February 27, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Multicultural Center (UC 301) This event will feature a panel of Black and African American professionals and students from the Adelphi community speaking on their experiences on campus and in higher education.

Find the full listing of upcoming events at adelphi.edu/black-history-month.

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Fri 2/09

Performing Arts, 37 W Main St, Bay Shore

Ride Waves Entertainment: CHRISTINE SWEENEY @ TAP ROOM JERICHO

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Sun 2/11

FAST Election Day Mini

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Gold Coast Arts present a Book Talk with Author Joseph Berger

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Almost Queen - A Tribute to QUEEN with Super Trans AM @ 8pm / $45 The Paramount - Hunt‐ ington, NY, 370 New York Ave, Huntington Mansour @ 9pm The Space at Westbury, 250 Post Ave, Westbury

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@ 12:30pm Join the Mid Island Y JCC and a host of guest presenters for in‐ teresting and relevant lectures and discussions related to Ju‐ daism and Jewish Culture. MidIsland Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview

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David H. Koch Theater, 63rd

@ 6:30pm

Sand City Brewing, 150 S Well‐ Street, New York City Gold Coast Arts //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// wood Ave, Lindenhurst //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Cinema Series ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Thu 2/15 Featured present Holy Frit!

Alvaro Torres & Jose Luis Rodriguez el Puma Grandes Amigos Live @ 8pm / $34.50$119.50 NYCB Theatre at West‐ bury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury

Mon 2/12 National Symphony Orchestra @ 8pm Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, 891 Seventh Avenue, New York City

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The Toby Tobias Ensem‐ ble @ The Last Word @ 7pm The Last Word, 13 Wall St, Huntington

Cuthbert Live: Solo at Insieme Wines

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Calendar information is pro‐

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Julia Pratt

Modi Rosenfeld

events are subject to change @ 8pm or cancellation. This publica‐ The Paramount, 370 tion is not responsible for the New York Ave, Hunting‐ accuracy of the information contained in this calendar. ton //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// @ 8pm The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

The best place to promote your events online and in print. Visit us @ https://theisland360.com/local-events/

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33

READERS WRITE

Special election offers a very clear choice for voters

T

he current special congressional election for the Third CD does not require rocket science but is actually very simple. Supporters

of President Biden — his massive immigration of illegals, his silence on the spreading crime, his massive deficits and resulting price hikes for food and fuel, his

feckless foreign policy of appeasement Those of us who want a return to represents the finest tradition of the — will vote for Tom Suozzi, who when a normal America should vote for Mazi American dream. he was a congressman, supported Biden Pilip, a legal immigrant, former Israeli Leonard Mansky policies 100 percent of the time. paratrooper, and county legislator who Roslyn

Tom Suozzi is the right choice to represent NY-03

I

endorse Tom Suozzi.

As a congressman, mayor, and Nassau County Executive he has represented a proud tradition of service. He championed: better healthcare, gun-safety

laws, cost reduction of prescription drugs, fair tax policy, and protection of our natural resources such as the Long Island Sound.

However, the challenge is with the voters in this special election

On Feb. 13, we now face include national controversies. We are challenged by a Republican Majority Congress which does not take action on immigration policies, and which holds hostage the aid to our

like Tom Suozzi who have a calm allies.

We are challenged by referen- voice and an open mind which most dums on a woman’s right to choose certainly will steer us to solutions. and a worker’s right to strike.

Janet Riger These national and local issues can be solved by representatives Great Neck

Who Congressional District 3 needs In Congress

W

hat we need right now is men and women in Congress who understand that Republicans and Democrats must work together, and compromise, to make our country better.

The House of Representatives has too many extremists who believe that it should be their way or no way, and are obstructing progress on too many important issues.

We who live in CD3 deserve to be

represented in Congress by a centrist politician who knows how to and wants to, work together with Democrats and Republicans.

Tom Suozzi is that person. He has a record of putting his constit-

uents first and working with both I’m voting for Suozzi for Congress in parties to accomplish his and our this special election, and I hope you do as well. goals.

That “let’s fix this” attitude is what we need for effective CongresPhyllis Kurland sional representation of all of us.

Port Washington

Why I’m voting for Tom Suozzi in special election

I

f we are to beat back efforts to weaken Social Security, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act (aka ACA and Obama Care) we need to elect Thomas Suozzi in the Congressional District 3.

As an 86-year-old with a history

of surviving three bouts of ovarian cancer and one of breast cancer, I FEAR the re-election of former President Trump, who when in office tried to eliminate ACA (defeated thanks to Sen. John McCain). If Donald Trump and Mazi Pilip are elected, she would

support the end of the ACA. If that happens the results would be a cap on insurance, which I would exceed, thus making me uninsurable or having to pay astronomical insurance premiums. You may be in the same situation.

Therefore, seniors, it’s imperaThe House of Representatives needs someone who is a champion tive that you vote for Tom Suozzi. for seniors in New York State, not He’ll support our quality- of-life isa person who lacks the tools for the sues. job. It’s so important that we preMadeline Maffetore serve our earned benefits, Social Security, Medicare and the ACA. Mineola

Tom Suozzi clearly the best candidate for NY-3

F

or constituents of the NY-03 Congressional district, the upcoming special election for congressperson is an important one, particularly after emerging from the chaos and embarrassment caused by George Santos.

Both Democrats and Republicans alike felt shocked, duped, hurt, angry, violated, and, most importantly, un-

represented in Congress.

Right now, this is not a Democrat or Republican Issue. It’s a moment for healing and restoring our district as an important and viable one that needs to be heard and represented.

When we have to make medical decisions for ourselves or our loved ones, we check out the doctor’s credentials and the extent of their experi-

ence with the particular illness.

I suggest we should be doing the same thing when voting for our NY 3rd Congressperson. We owe it to ourselves to have the most knowledgeable and experienced person as our representative in Congress.

For this election, that person is Tom Suozzi. He has done the job and done it well. He is very dedicated to

listening and hearing the views of his constiuents, Democrats and Republicans alike, and is then able to find common ground in order to responsibly represent us in Congress.

And isn’t that what our forefathers had in mind when establishing the structure and powers of Congress, that congresspeople represent their constituency, not their own needs?

It is up to us to be the NY 3rd District that we’ve always been by going out to vote either on the early voting days (Feb.3-11) or on the Special Election Day, Feb 13. I’m voting for Tom Suozzi who knows what to do starting on day one.

Andrea Katz Great Neck

Reject Pilip’s fear-mongering and flip-flopping

I

have never responded well to race-baiting. It’s a campaign that pokes at the worst instincts in us and makes us demonize people. I didn’t like it when Jack Martins used it to scare voters about “MS-13 moving next door,” I didn’t like it when Trump scared us about the caravans from Mexico (that never came) and I don’t like Mazi Pilip’s ads that use the same graphic from Martins’ racist campaign no less, ads that are intended to scare us about migrants sent to NYC by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

I’m not saying the southern border isn’t an issue. There’s no denying it is one of the biggest issues facing our country today. But Pilip’s job as a can-

didate for congresswoman is to sell me a solution. What she’s offering instead is fear-mongering, and it’s vile.

Fear is at the root of all bigotry, and fear is weaponized by politicians who have no popular policies to offer.

For someone who is campaigning to fight antisemitism (another form of bigotry and another of our country’s biggest issues) to traffic in such blatant race-baiting is a level of hypocrisy that shocks.

But the obvious hypocrisy doesn’t matter to Pilip. She’s fine with her GOP bosses putting up these racist ads. She touts fighting antisemitism while endorsing voting for Trump for president, a man who quotes Hitler and said there

were “very fine people on both sides” in Charlottesville’s neo-Nazi march.

No amount of pretzel logic can make it make sense.

Her view on women’s healthcare is another area in which she’s doing a flip-flop. When asked about her position on abortion, Pilip’s first reply to the press was a coy, “I’m not telling you right now.” What was she waiting for? Her party bosses to tell her what to say? Who doesn’t know what their position is on abortion in a post-Roe world? Pilip didn’t want to tell us.

She’s a candidate who praised the overturn of Roe, who is running on the Conservative Party line in this election (a party whose platform proudly pro-

motes a national abortion ban), and she has been running from the camera when asked if she will vote yes to codify Roe. Then, all of a sudden, she says “it’s a personal choice” and we’re supposed to believe she is someone who will protect women’s access to healthcare?

Sorry, but I was not buying it from the start, and I am not buying it now.

In a CNN interview (notably AFTER early voting and mail-in voting have started), Pilip stopped being coy and finally said she would not support codifying Roe. Now we know. And we know Tom Suozzi will.

I know Tom Suozzi and his policy positions. I know he has campaigned on solving the immigration crisis, like

he did before in Congress. He will not enable the party of national abortion bans or enable the man who asked the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.” Tom Suozzi is for freedom. Freedom to read what we like, freedom to be who we are, love who we want, freedom to make choices over our own healthcare.

And he’s also freefrom the racebaiting, fear-mongering tactics that drive us apart and demonize our neighbors.

I voted early for Tom Suozzi. I encourage you to do the same.

Nina Gordon Great Neck

34 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

READERS WRITE

Criticism of Mazi Pilip in CD 3 run is unjustified

R

ebecca Gilliar’s letter is ridiculous The letter left out Mazi’s excellent service as a legislator in the Nassau County Legislature.

Mazi also started the Nassau County Combating Antisemitism Task Force. Mazi Pilip is the real deal!

She has a great background for serving in Congress. We should also all praise Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip and County Executive Bruce Blakeman for calling for the resignation of the Hofstra University president for immorally equating Hamas’

atrocities to the IDF’s just war to stop Hamas.

This is exactly what our local and congressional officials need to do to stop the horrible antisemitism on our campuses.

Suozzi is a big part of the antisemitism problem. Suozzi wrote a public letter praising the Council on American Islamic Relations.

The U.S. government named CAIR as a conspirator that funneled money to Hamas!

CAIR’s Executive Director Nihad Awad said that he was “happy” about

Hamas’ Oct. 7 atrocities, said that Hamas’ burning Jewish babies and raping and murdering Jewish women was just “self-defense.”

CAIR’s Executive Director also said that Israel “does NOT have a right to self-defense.”And that’s the same CAIR that Suozzi praises.

Suozzi handlers are distributing antisemitic flyers in the Muslim parts of our district, telling people not to vote for the Jewish candidate Mazi.

Why hasn’t Suozzi stopped his antisemitic flyers??

The timing has become more

critical than ever before. We need to elect as our Congresswoman Mazi who combats antisemitism. We need to defeat Suozzi who praises both the Hamas terrorist funders and Hamas supporters.

By the way, what Gilliar is attempting to do to portray about Mazi’s serving the IDF is misleading. All women in Israel do not have to serve in the army. They can be excused for many different reasons, e.g., religious reasons, family reasons, or do alternative service such as teaching.

The women who serve in the Is-

raeli military, including Mazi Pilip, have shown that they are brave and willing to put their lives on the line to combat terrorists.

Hundreds of Israeli women soldiers have been killed in the line of duty. We need an excellent legislator and fighter like Mazi Pilip to be our congresswoman. We don’t need a Suozzi, who praises terrorist funders.

Mr. Suozzi, “fooled me once shame on you; fool me twice shame on me.”

Jennifer Levi Great Neck

Why I’m a Republican who’s voting for Tom Suozzi

I

’m a Republican who’s voting for Tom Suozzi. Like many, I’m sick and tired of the hyperpartisanship in Congress. Tom’s unwavering commitment to reaching across the aisle stands out and is essential in this increasingly toxic political landscape.

Suozzi has consistently demonstrated an independent mindset, never hesitating to challenge far-left members of his own party. On Israel, in particular, he condemned members of “the Squad” for using antisemitic remarks, stood up to party leadership

to get emergency Iron Dome funding passed, and even used his inaugural speech as a member of Congress to condemn the UN for its anti-Israel stance. We need more outspoken, proIsrael Democrats in Washington.

In this current political climate,

where bipartisan support for Israel is crucial, having pro-Israel Democrats is more important than ever. Tom Suozzi’s track record aligns with this need, making him a valuable candidate who is willing to vote across party lines. I hope you consider support-

ing Tom Suozzi in the Feb. 13 special election, recognizing the importance of having strong pro-Israel voices within the Democratic party.

David Scheiner Hicksville

No doubt that Suozzi a strong supporter of Israel

I

sit on the national boards of three major Zionist Organizations, and as such am sensitive to and meticulous about examining the records of candidates for elected office regarding Israel and the Jewish community.

Having done so repeatedly over the years for Tom Suozzi, I can unhesitatingly and enthusiastically vote for him in the upcoming special election.

He has long been a vocal and vehe-

ment supporter of Israel and has spoken out loudly and persistently about terrorist organizations and antisemitism. One does not have to be Jewish to be a reliable ally to Israel and the concerns of constituents.

So, feeling confident about Suozzi’s extensive record on those issues, I can focus on other aspects of the candidates and issues in this race.

Souzzi has deep experience in the

workings of Congress and is unafraid to reach across the aisle to try to move things forward, something which the Republican Congress has not been able to do as it is held hostage by the far right.

He characterizes himself as a problem solver and that is what is desperately needed now.

Mazi Pilip doesn’t have a record to analyze but there have been a few dis-

turbing things in her campaign.

When first chosen she said that no citizen should own an AR-15 rifle and that there were circumstances which would justify the termination of a pregnancy.

Almost immediately after, she began espousing the opposite positions- clearly being told to toe the Republican line.

She continues to evade debates and to be whisked off stages after repeating

a few generic statements and doesn’t dig deeply on any issue. Nor does she address local concerns.

As a new and inexperienced representative, I fear that she would simply continue to do as she is told. To best serve the needs of District 3 and the nation, vote Suozzi.

Shelley Sherman Great Neck

Pilip has the served community, Suozzi hasn’t

A

ction talks louder than words. You cannot rely on what any politician claims on what they shall do after they get elected.

In the upcoming special election for NY CD3, between the old-time politician Tom Suozzi and the Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip, you may wish to look at their histories and previous accomplishments.

Pilip has a short history of serving the community. Yet she had two years of dedicated work and attention to her constituents.

However, from his history, it seems that Mr. Suozzi’s political goals supersede the safety of his campaign audience and his duty of servicing his constituents.

Jay Jacobs, New York Democratic Chairman, who has endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s bid for re-election, accused Suozzi of “abusing the system” during the gubernatorial primaries, according to the SPECTRUM NEWS article: Rep. Suozzi, running for governor, cast few in-person votes.

“It’s one thing to say that you’re

doing your job. It’s quite another to be out campaigning, and you know, gaming the system to get your job done” according to the article.

Congress enacted oProxy voting” early on during the coronavirus pandemic.

That was intended to allow the members of Congress to quarantine and another person to vote on their behalf.

The act was for safeguarding against the spread of disease. It certainly was not intended to be abused for other purposes, avoiding attending the Congress sessions and instead use the opportunity for going on campaign trails for a new office.

“Of the 125 roll call votes in the House since Jan. 10, Suozzi voted by proxy 118 times, according to a Spectrum News 1 analysis” the article mentions.

Suozzi’s use of proxy voting to free up time for campaigning seems egocentric and is unwarranted.

The embedded video (https:// spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2022/04/20/rep—

suozzi—running-for-governor— cast-few-in-person-house-votes) enumerates the dates when Mr. Suozzi has gone on campaign trails addressing large audiences during the pandemic.

If the spread of coronavirus was a true concern of Mr. Suozzi for not attending the sessions of the Congress, he shouldn’t have gone campaigning gathering large audiences and potentially causing further spread of disease.

Evidently, Mr. Suozzi’s political goals supersede the safety of his campaign audience and his duty of servicing his constituents.

The Wikipedia page on Tom Suozzi reconciles the assertion of Suozzi’s “gaming the system” made by the Democratic Chair, Jay Jacobs.

In 1993 Suozzi started as the mayor of Glen Cove.

Later on as the county executive, under his administration, Nassau County became the highest taxed county in the nation.

In 2006, while functioning as the Nassau County executive, he ran

against Elliot Spitzer in the hopes of getting the Democratic nomination for governor of New York. Suozzi had no success and lost the nomination.

In 2009, after not being able to get nominated for governor, he ran for his re-election as the county executive. Suozzi did not have success and lost his position to Ed Mangano.

In 2013, he claimed that Mangano was “presiding over a decline in the county,” and ran against Mangano. Again, Suozzi didn’t have success and lost to Mangano with a wider margin than the previous time.

In 2016 he got elected to Congress and was reelected in 2018 and 2020. In 2022 Suozzi “retired” from Congress to run again for the Democratic nomination for governor of New York. Suozzi did not have success again for even getting nominated for NYS governor, seemingly the dream job.

After Congress expelled George Santos, Suozzi decided to go after the “old job”which he had “retired” from, NY Congressional District 3.

This is the very same job which

he clearly exhibited having no interest in holding onto —- he was absent 118 out 125 times of the voting sessions.

Instead of dedication to his constituents, Suozzi went on campaign trails while neglecting the spread of coronavirus which was a major concern. This clearly demonstrates his lack of dedication and now he wants the job back!?

Nonetheless, it takes a lot for a party chairman to assert “gaming the system” about the party’s long-time politician and invalidating him.

Vote for Mazi Pilip. She is a true public servant.

During her tenure as the Nassau County legislator, Mazi Pilip has shown true dedication to her constituents. Unlike Suozzi, with no exceptions, she had voted for lowering taxes.

Gary Giltner Great Neck Letters Continued on Page 40

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

Business&RealEstate

35

Big isn’t always better in finding a broker Part I On June 3, 2015 I received a call from a gentleman who was inquiring about assisting him in tracking down a rental for August for his client. His client was coming to New York for a project he was involved with, but he was clandestine and very secretive about the project.

I thought maybe this was something illegal or possibly something dealing with the stock market or a financial project.

Maybe it was like one of these Nigerian scams, where they have $20 million that they want you to deposit and I would get paid a percentage. But then again, this person’s client was going to be living somewhere on Long Island, so I figured this wasn’t one of those scams, but I needed more of an explanation to understand the specifics.

He continued to describe what his client needed. A home, preferably on the North Shore’s Gold Coast with a pool, waterfront or water view. It had to have a tennis court and a place to potentially land a helicopter to pick him up to go to NYC. Most critical was his mandatory request for a tub within the owner’s ensuite bathroom (not a shower). I asked him why and at the time he was mum about explaining why this was crucial for him to consider renting.

He needed a home with at least five to six bedrooms and at least 3 1/2 to four

bathrooms, 6,000-7,000 interior square feet on at least one to two acres with the utmost maximum privacy as possible. He had a budget of around $35,000 for the month. I conveyed to him that I would begin our search and told him to expect to hopefully receive emails that day. I prefer not to mention his name right now.

I would personally handle the search for this client (and not my assistant at that time), as I thought that it sounded like a very successful and established individual and appeared to be a quite serious inquiry.

I dealt with it with expediency to make sure that I found a place with all his specific requirements to satisfy his needs and wants. It was the most highend rental that I had ever dealt with for a single-family home outside of a triplex that I rented on West 72nd St in Manhattan back in 1999 for $42,000 per month.

I searched our MLS and sent the associate several choices that I felt would work. He picked out only one that closely matched what his client might consider.

I set up the appointment and went with the associate to go take a look. Unfortunately, almost everything worked, except there was no tub in the owner’s suite.

I now totally understood that his client was adamant about the tub and wouldn’t settle for anything less.

I happened to find someone I knew who was selling his home in Kings Point.

PHILIP A. RAICES Real Estate Watch

I made a call to him to see if he would consider renting it out from Aug. 1-31.

He was open to that idea since he told me that he was going to California for the entire month. He also realized that there was quite a lot of money involved for only one month, which would pay a good portion of his taxes for an entire year.

This assuredly sparked his interest. He had thought at the time that he wouldn’t sell his home that quickly, so it made a lot of sense to entertain the idea of renting. We made an appointment and visited the home by the water.

The associate thoroughly enjoyed the property as well as the interior. Everything met his demands, including the tub. After discussing it with the associate, I let him know that we were looking for a needle in a haystack and found it and wasn’t sure when the next place would surface as we both had a deadline to find something.

After some discussion, I was authorized to present an offer of $35,000. The owner, whom I had known for many years, said, “I will think about it and let you know. He couldn’t accept our offer, understandably, because his wife wasn’t home as he needed to discuss it with her.

I was a little concerned, but we felt the offer at full price was so good, how could they turn it down? The very next day the owner called me and said, tell your client that if he wants it he will have to pay $45,000 for the month.

I called the associate and told him what the counteroffer was and that was very disturbing to him as well as to me.

I thought that the owner became very greedy, knowing that the home was perfect for the associate’s client and figured he would pay the price. Well, to my dismay, it didn’t work out for either party and we moved on to find the next suitable location.

The good news for me was that the associate and his client decided that they were going to work with me exclusively,

due to the way I was determined to find a home and had been making the most concerted effort, with care and concern, compared to all the other agents from larger companies that they were working with.

In addition, I believe they must have checked my credentials and reviews via the Internet, in order to have come to that decision to work only with me. That was a very satisfying moment in time knowing that I was the one they chose over everyone else.

It was sort of a David vs. Goliath scenario, although I hadn’t won the war just yet. I now knew it was do or die and that I had to absolutely find that elusive rental.

I have a certain amount of space in my weekly columns as per my editor, so come back next week to hear the end of my story and the person to whom I rented the home.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. For a 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email:Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate.Comor viahttps://WWW. Li-RealEstate.Com My New Electronic signature/Bio/Reviews to save to your Cell/PC contacts: https://onetapconnect.com/turnkeyrealestate-philraices

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Suozzi, Pilip at PIX11 forum

Continued from Page 20 “We have millions coming to this country, illegal, we don’t know if they are criminals, we don’t know if they are terrorists, unvetted migrants coming in and it’s really, we are in a serious issue,” Pilip said. “We don’t have no plan, no place for them.”

Boththe Suozzi and Pilip called for the Place your ad Slate in print and online with Place your ad in print with the Blank Media closing of the southern border but proand Litmor Advertising group.

BlankPublications Slate Media and Litmor Publications Advertising group. vided different solutions to the issue.

Your ad will appear in all 11 of our hyper-local, award winning community newspapers and Your ad will appear in all 11 of our hyper-local, Suozzi said the border needs to be Post your ad yourself by going to https://classifieds.theisland360.com award-winning community newspapers. closed temporarily to stop the incoming Contact migrants for a period of time, calling for Debbie Flynn Contact Debbie Flynn a bipartisan solution to address the isClassified Advertising Classified Advertising Manager sue.821 Franklin Avenue, Suite 208 Manager 22 Planting Field Rd, 516-307-1045 Ext. 218 516-307-1045 Ext. 218 Garden City,proposed NY 11530 a solution to the Roslyn Heights, 11577 He has (516) 294-8900 www.gcnews.com dflynn@theisland360.com www.theisland360.com dflynn@theisland360.com crisis in a previous op-ed he wrote with Peter King, calling for a migrant processing facility to be built at the border akin to Ellis Island.

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While calling for stricter asylumseeking standards, Pilip also said immigration processing needs to be streamGreat coverage for retirees. lined and foster a path to citizenship.

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the border with bolstered security measures, Suozzi expressed his support for such a deal.

The national security deal lumping the three issues together was applauded

by Suozzi for its bipartisan compromises.

“It can’t be my way or the highway,” Suozzi said. “People have got to work together to solve these problems and a bipartisan compromise is the only way to move forward.”

Pilip, on the other hand, said all three issues in the national security bill should be done separately.

While Suozzi said both aid to Israel and Ukraine should be unconditional, Pilip advocated for unconditional support for Israel yet not for Ukraine. She said the United States should be supporting Ukraine but it is necessary to know how Ukraine is spending the money first.

In the wake of three American soldiers being killed in Jordan by a drone strike linked to Iran, Pilip was asked whether the United States should attack Iran.

Her response danced around the question, not saying whether it should or should not be done but that it should be thought over in depth.

Suozzi called Iran a “bad actor” but that a military response should be deciphered by military professionals and personnel. Although he did not advocate for a military response, he said troops should remain in the region.

Suozzi said a main focus of his campaign is the SALT program, which Pilip said she is also in favor of reintroducing, but the Democrat questioned why other Long Island Representatives, who are all Republicans, have said the same and yet not done anything.

“I did it three times in the House of Representatives,” Suozzi said. “They haven’t done it once. They’re in the majority – pass it.”

When asked if he would raise taxes on the wealthy to support the middle class, Suozzi said he would make a deal to bring back SALT by increasing taxes on the top rate for individuals making more than $400,000 annually.

Suozzi said if elected, he would seek out long-term budget deals but would seek out solutions to avoid government shutdowns.

Pilip echoed these sentiments, saying she would work for a “good deal” when drafting the budget, which will face votes in March and will include the newly elected congress member.

Suozzi criticized the current federal government for not addressing the real issues of the American people, citing examples of its dysfunction.

“Something’s wrong with our country,” Suozzi said. “And people are sick and tired of people just pointing fingers at each other instead of trying to work together.”

He touted his bipartisan efforts when previously serving as a congressman, saying that he would continue to seek out solutions while working across the aisle if elected to serve in his former post.

“Every problem we face in the country and in the world is complicated.

Nothing is simple,” Suozzi said. “And to solve problems you can’t solve them in an environment of fear and anger with everybody just attacking each other.”

Suozzi attacked his Republican opponent, saying that unlike him she does not have specific ideas to back her policy stances.

“She is just using Republican talk points, going to Republican rallies and not talking to the people directly,” Souzzi said.

He went on to question why Pilip has not engaged in debates or forums, especially so in the wake of Santos and the issues of transparency and blatant lies to constituents that contributed to his expulsion from the House.

With a presidential election coming this November, Pilip said she would support the Republican candidate even if it is Donald Trump, but not if he is convicted of a crime he has been indicted for.

“He was a great candidate, a great president,” Pilip said. “He did great things for America. He improved our economy.”

Suozzi said if he wins in February, he would also run in November to take hold of the seat for a full term.

$6.8M allocated in opioid fight Continued from Page 20 “So having this money here it’s super important, it’s great, it’s very, very needed,” Ryan said.

Another $2 million will be granted to Catholic Health to create a a mental and behavioral health program at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre, $1.8 million for an opioid public service campaign and $500,000 for Nassau County Police to advance its fentanyl testing technology.

The county executive also said he would commit to spending $60 million for drug treatment, prevention and education over the next four

years.

Nassau County was awarded more than $92.5 million in opioid lawsuit settlement money.

DeRiggi-Whitton said the opioid grant announcement by Blakeman was a “disappointment” as it only brings the county’s spending of the money nearly to $7 million after what she called two years of delays.

She has long advocated for the continued disbursement of the county’s opioid settlement funds, which was a pivotal component of her reelection campaign last year.

The minority leader has called for the full funding promised to these or-

ganizations and for additional funding to be allocated. ​​“To have just paid about one-seventh of our opioid funding more than two years later is an insult to every family that continues to struggle with the opioid epidemic. This money cannot be used for anything else other than addressing opioid addiction, and I feel Nassau must begin distributing this funding at a pace that meets the urgency of this crisis,” she said.

“Unfortunately, this administration has yet to demonstrate through its actions a true understanding of the needs of those who are seeking treatment,” DeRiggi-Whitton concluded.

39

40 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

READERS WRITE

Make Your Website and Social Media Work For You: INTRODUCING

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Experience counts — vote Suozzi, not Mazi

A

t this time we are at a very important crossroads. For the past two years, both Democrats and Republicans in District 3 were cheated out of representation and a voice. We do not have the latitude to make that same mistake again. We need someone knowledgeable and experienced to represent us and help deal with our issues. We do not need someone who is an empty suit, we need a seasoned politician. We need someone who offers us hope and positivity.

Tom Suozzi has done it before and when in Congress was able to find common ground across

the aisles. He knows how Washington, D.C., operates and is a strong supporter of Israel. Suozzi can and is willing to debate, speak up, support and fight for us. Why would you vote for someone who does not have the experience and wherewithal needed for such an important position??

We do not need Santos the Second. Please vote for Tom Suozzi. Vote for hope. Our lives and freedoms depend upon it.

Eileen Birns Great Neck

Why Suozzi is fit to address college antisemitism

Blank Slate Media has partnered with LocalEdge, the digital division of Hearst Publications, to answer all of your website and social media needs.

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F

rom the perspective of a Jewish college student, Tom Suozzi is the best candidate to address the rampant antisemitism flooding campuses. We need a strong voice within the Democratic Party to combat antisemitism among young people, and his election would hamper the rampant anti-Zionist and antisemitic radical voices in the far-left sect of the party.

When in office, Suozzi has protected the Jewish community through bipartisan legislation; we need someone who is willing to work across party lines to get things done for the community.

Jewish college students in the district need

someone who is not merely releasing statements condemning antisemitism across campuses but one who will actively legislate solutions.

NY-3 should not take for granted that there is an experienced former congressman running and that he has the tools and knowledge to hit the ground running once elected.

We need someone whom we know we can trust to get the job done quickly and without distractions.

I ask that you consider voting for Tom Suozzi in the Feb. 13 special election.

Ella Shakin Great Neck

Vote for Suozzi to protect democracy and our kids

F

or the upcoming Congressional District 3 special election on Feb 13, it is crucial that we elect a competent candidate who will work to preserve and protect our democracy and fundamental rights for future generations, respect religious differences, and has a proven track record of working across the aisle to get things done for our community.

Born in Europe and raised in several continents, I have a real appreciation for the opportunities I received here, which allowed me to go to graduate school, run a successful IT consulting business and climb the corporate ladder.

I have even appreciated paying my taxes, as I view taxes crucial to the running of our government, alongside the voting privileges I received, when becoming a US citizen in 2008.

I fear these opportunities, so fundamental to what it means to be an American, are being eroded. I see many of our rights and institutions under unnecessary GOP attack, and that the GOP lead House of Representatives is incompetent at passing critical laws.

It’s therefore even more crucial that we carefully choose who we elect to send to Congress, where the laws are made and ratified through debate and bi-partisanship and not through partisan armlocking by an ever-growing number of GOP puppets. Let’s not elect another Santos 2.0.

A case in point is the current bi-partisan Immigration bill that promises to quickly process those truly needing asylum and send back those individuals who do not.

After 35 years of inaction by Congress to fix

our immigration system, we are now on the precipice of passing bipartisan, ground-breaking legislation that will secure our border, while also addressing critical needs in Israel and Ukraine.

However, this effort by congress is at risk of not passing — and Suozzi’s opponent is perfectly fine with it not passing. This is especially alarming as she seems to not have learned from her own experiences when she was airlifted out of Somalia to Israel.

A set of missions that were quickly shut down, leaving the majority of Ethiopian and Somali Jews behind. This glaring example shows that no matter what is at stake, she will tow the party line.

Having met, talked and debated with Tom Suozzi, I know he supports and respects our differences and will protect the rights of future generations.

His family’s immigrant story has made him especially sensitive to discrimination. His platform offers real solutions to solve both local and national issues, such as protecting our environment, supporting reproductive rights, instituting gun safety measures, reducing the cost of living through a variety of initiatives and being a strong voice for innovation and educational excellence.

I therefore invite you to join me in voting for Tom Suozzi, as someone who cares about our American Democracy, our children and their future. Polls are open – vote now or on election day Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Sabine Margolis Great Neck

PW

The Port Washington Times, Friday, February 9, 2024

41

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14 Lynn Road, Port Washington

3 bd, 1 ba, Sold On:1/4/24, Sold Price: $875,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Port Washington

4 bd, 3 ba, Sold On: 12/14/23, Sold Price: $1,550,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Port Washington

60 Summit Road, Port Washington

7 Orchard Street, Port Washington

3 bd, 3 ba, Sold On: 12/12/23, Sold Price: $1,720,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Port Washington

4 bd, 4 ba, Sold On: 11/29/23, Sold Price: $1,615,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Port Washington

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

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42 The Port Washington Times, Friday, February 9, 2024

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43

44 The Port Washington Times, Friday, February 9, 2024

▼ LEGALS

PW

▼ LEGALS

PW

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SSNY designated as agent of upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to ACE OF SWORDS LLC: 272 Plandome Road Manhasset NY 11030. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of FaithSound. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/22/2023. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY should mail process to Vespfree Giles: 28 Roger Drive.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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PW

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A personalized Starbucks alternative Continued from Page 4 After a decade of selling coffee online through a warehouse location in Bay Shore, and then through farmer’s markets in Roslyn (at Christopher Morley Park) and Rockville Centre, Heydemann decided he was ready to enter the physical retail space, and found a location he really liked.

Opened last June, New York Gourmet Coffee, located at 99 Jericho Turnpike in Mineola, is a spot that offers a more personalized experience than the Starbucks a block away.

“I like to say I’m a legal drug pusher,” the cheerful Heydemann said. “Coffee moves all of us, it keeps us going. But coffee is also messy, just like life is.”

As Heydemann sees it, every cup of Joe you have at Starbucks is going

to be the same, whether you’re in Des Moines, San Francisco or Hempstead.

And that’s fine for some people.

But he wants to give customers a different vibe, as he sells a whopping 163 flavors of their favorite “legal drug,” along with pastries, lemonade and other treats.

“If you’re happy at Starbucks, that’s great, enjoy,” Heydemann said on a recent morning inside his shop.

“But our coffee is better. And we have items they won’t touch.”

As an example, Heydemann cites frozen coffee ice cubes. Unlike when you order iced coffee at a Starbucks or a Dunkin’, at NYGC the coffee isn’t diluted by the ice, it’s enhanced since the cubes are flavored.

Heydemann can go into great detail about his passion, discussing the

various parts of the world where the second most-commodity (behind oil) is grown the best.

He said he buys his beans from different parts of the world and has them roasted in Brooklyn “before we do our magic with them here.”

He said since opening last summer “the build has been slow.”

“For years at the farmer’s markets my customers would say “we love your coffee, you should get a store!” he recalled. “And so I collected all these email addresses and told everyone when we were opening, and where.

“But did they come?” he asks with a rueful smile. “They did not.”

Still, his online business, at www.newyorkgourmetcoffee.com, is booming, and Heydemann said he re-

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tains about 80 percent of customers who order online, with many getting regular shipments.

He said NYGC will deliver anywhere on Long Island, for free, and his internet sales quickly surpassed his wholesale sales within one year of the site’s existence.

Now, after a long slog through zoning boards and other red tape (he’s still a bit peeved that the town wouldn’t let him offer drive-thru service, saying locals complain about Starbucks’ drive-up window causing major traffic problems), he’s open for business and excited to sell his product to customers who may like their drink a little differently.

“I’m changing the world for the better, one cup of coffee at a time,” he said.

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PW

The Port Washington Times, Friday, February 9, 2024

45

COMMUNITY NEWS

Drainage pipe upgrades BREAKING: The SOUPer Bowl Champs are … underway in Port An important stormwater drainage upgrade is underway in Port Washington, Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D – Glen Cove) said last week.

Earlier this week, Contractor D.F. Stone Contracting, Ltd. embarked upon repair/mitigation measures for a 48” diameter drainage pipe beginning east of Irma Avenue and continuing west of Hillview Avenue in Port Washington.

Specifically, the project entails the areas of Irma Avenue between Mullon Avenue and Lannon Place; Hillview Avenue between Mullon Avenue and Mallon Place; Jeanette Drive between Irma Avenue and Annette Drive; and Mullon Avenue between Hillview Avenue and the dead-end of Mullon Avenue.

Officials at the Department of Public Works

said that the project required diversion of Baxter’s Brook and other stormwater from the Irma Avenue retaining basin. Noise-reducing barriers were erected to buffer residents from the noise created by continuous, around-the-clock pumping necessary to complete the project.

“At a time when it seems the intensity and frequency of rainstorm are constantly on the rise, it is so important for Nassau County to invest in regular improvements and repairs to its drainage infrastructure – especially on the Port Washington peninsula,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “I am very glad we were able to bring this project to Port Washington, and I will continue to keep a close eye on critical infrastructure issues in our district and across the County.”

Upcoming events at the Port Washington Library Lunar New Year 2024, Sun. 02/18 from 1:15 – 4:15 pm, Lapham Meeting Room. Get ready to ring in 2024’s Lunar New Year as we celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Dragon.

Introduction to 3D Design, Wed. 02/21 @ 6:30pm, Hagedorn Meeting Room. Learn how to design simple 3D printable objects using Tinkercad. Anyone 8 and up is welcome. An adult must accompany participants under 11. Registration starts February 7.

Small Business Workshop: Marketing Strategies, Wed. 02/21 @ 7:00pm, Lapham Meeting Room. Business owners or startups can benefit from this session, which focuses on developing a marketing plan, market research, pricing, advertising, internet marketing, and tracking results. Presented by the Long Island chapter of SCORE. Homebrew Music, Thurs. 02/22 @ 7:00pm, Lapham Meeting Room. The series aims to unite music enthusiasts and showcase talented local artists within our Library community. These informal monthly gatherings feature live performances by group members, with one performer taking on the role of host and headliner while showcasing other highly skilled local musicians.

Sandwiched In: Edmonia “Wildfire” Lewis & Henry Ossawa Tanner, Fri. 02/23 @ 12:00pm, Lapham Meeting Room. As part of the Library’s celebration of Black History Month, join award-winning teacher and art historian Dennis Raverty as he explores the lives and work of sculptor Edmonia Lewis and painter Henry Ossawa Tanner. Examine the sacred themes and exploration of the black identity in their work. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

SoundSwap: David Bennett Cohen, Fri. 2/23 @ 7:30pm, Lapham Meeting Room. Pianist and songwriter David Bennett Cohen’s blues, folk, and boogie-woogie career began over fifty years ago as a member of Country Joe and the Fish. Hear David perform songs, including some from his most recent album, Seems Like a Good Time for the Blues, which has received universal rave reviews.

Adventures in Classic Readings, Mon. 02/26 @ 6:30pm, Mezzanine Meeting Room. This month’s selection is The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish. Copies of the book will be available at the Information Desk. All registrants will receive a complimentary copy of the book provided by the Friends of the Library’s Ruth D. Bogen Memorial Fund (while supplies last).

College Funding, Tues. 02/27 @ 7:00pm, Lapham Meeting Room. Teens and their parents are invited to learn how to build a college funding plan and how to educate their teens on the various tools available. Additional topics include student loans and the cost of a four-year degree. Registration begins February 13.

Fiction Book Club, Tues. 02/27 @ 7:30pm, Mezzanine Meeting Room. This month’s selection is The Fraud by Zadie Smith. Copies of the books can be found at the Information Desk and on Libby.

Registration required.

Meet Author Mark Chiusano, Wed. 02/28 @ 7:00pm, Lapham Meeting Room. Join author and former Newsday columnist Mark Chiusano as he discusses his new book The Fabulist: The Lying, Hustling, Grifting, Stealing, and Very American Legend of George Santos. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration is required, and priority will go to Port Washington cardholders. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Art Lecture with Thomas Germano: The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism, Thurs. 02/29 @ 3:00pm, Lapham Meeting Room. Explore a new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (February 25-July 28, 2024) showcasing multimedia works by Black artists. Their work depicts daily life in growing cities like NYC’s Harlem and others across the United States during the 1920s–40s, the early decades of the Great Migration when millions of African Americans left the segregated South.

Weekly Community Meetups: Tuesdays — 3 to 6 p.m. • Chess Wednesdays — 6 to 8:30 p.m. • Needlecraft BYOP (Bring your Own Project) Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Thursdays — 12 to 3 p.m. • Mahjong Fridays – 2 to 5 p.m. • Scrabble For the complete listing of PWPL’s events, visit PWPL.org/events

PHOTO BY CYNTHIA LITTMAN

Servers were busy at SOUPer Bowl.

The Port Washington Chamber of Commerce SOUPer Bowl is always a welcome respite from the cold winter weather.

This year was no exception as the day was chilly but the spirit inside the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church was warm and bright.

SOUPer Bowl, in its seventeenth year, has turned into one of the premiere foodie events on Long Island!

Hundreds of enthusiastic and hungry visitors attended and all received a warm, filling and tasty lunch and a fun-filled afternoon.

It was held on Feb. 3 from 12 PM to 3 PM. Those who came were offered samples of soups from twelve of Port Washington’s best restaurants and markets and then cast their ballots for the 2024 SOUPer Bowl Champ.

Many of the people who came to taste the soups said all the soups were so good that they had a hard time picking the best. Obviously, the participating restaurants took pride in their offering and all came away winners.

Chamber president Debbie Greco Cohen was very pleased with the success of the event and asked everyone to reserve February 1, 2025 (the first Saturday in February) for Port Washington’s SOUPer Bowl XVIII. The 2024 SOUPer Bowl Champs are: People’s Choice 1. Finn MacCools — Wild Mushroom, Taro Root and Barley Soup 2. Sullivan’s Quay — Potato Leek Soup 3. Port Washington Diner — Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Kids’ Choice 1. Port Washington Diner — Greek Lemon Chicken Soup 2. Sullivan’s Quay — Potato Leek Soup 3. Ikedo Ramen — Miso Soup The participating restaurants will surely be seeing an increase in soup orders. They were: Ayhan’s Mediterranean Marketplace Ayhan’s Shish Kebab Cactus Café Finn MacCool’s Ikedo Ramen Margarita’s Café Mesita Port Washington Diner Sullivan’s Quay The Wild Goose Toscanini Yummy Gyro

The community-minded sponsors who make the event possible are: COMMISSIONER sponsors Amy Rosenberg & Alexis Siegel — The A Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Bayside Tax & Wealth and Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty.

HEAD COACH sponsors Anton Media Group, Blank Slate Media, Catholic Health Services – St. Francis Hospital, Kiwanis Club of Manhasset-Port Washington, Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group, Phyllis Realmuto – Daniel Gale Sotheby’s, PW College Consulting, Sheehan Accountants & Advisors, and Wildwood & Soundview Garden Apartments.

ASSISTANT COACH sponsors are Dawn Serignese – Daniel Gale Sotheby’s, Dr. & Mrs. W.R. Haagenson, Kathy Levinson – Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Knights of Columbus of Port Washington Council 1227, Lorber/HoffmanREGroup – Your Key to Real Estate, N2 Design + Architecture, Phillips General Insurance – Justine Lennon, Port Jewish Center, RSNS/ Gan Shalom Nursery School, SDK Heiberger LLP, Smusht and Twin Pines Thrift Shop.

FAN sponsors are Amy Bass, Daniel D. Donatelli, Esq., Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Elaine Phillips — County Comptroller, Delux Worldwide Transportation, Gina Sillitti — NYS Assembly Member, Jeffrey Stone — Douglas Elliman, Jeffrey Stone — Manorhaven Trustee, Jennifer DeSena -Town Supervisor, Kenneth S. Magida, Esq., Lisa Donatelli, LRES, CBR — Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Long Island Builders LLC, Mariann Dalimonte — Town Council Member, Marianne Bortone Prince, Mesita, Paumanok Port Washington Lodge #855, Masons, Port Washington Adult Activities Center, Port Washington Calendar, Project HELP Long Island, Reyes Brothers Remodeling, Sound Private Wealth, Strategic Planning & Communications, The Nicholas Center – Port Provides, Tori’s Place, VFW Henderson-Marino Post 1819 The Chamber offers special thanks to the hard working committee members and volunteers and to the Town of North Hempstead, and gratefully acknowledges the support and cooperation of all the participating restaurants, the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, Anton Media Group, Blank Slate Media, Chief Graphix and GRPHXstudio.

46 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

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48 The Port Washington Times, Friday, February 9, 2024

PW

Schools, GOP push back on state funds Continued from Page 1 budget director said would free up funds for high-need districts at a time when many school districts are flush with surplus funds as enrollment drops.

Impacted school districts include Manhasset, where the district’s superintendent said the drop in foundation aid and inflationary pressures would pose challenges in the budget for the next school year.

Under the proposal to remove the state’s save harmless initiative, Superintendent Gaurav Passi said Manhasset would face a decrease of $629,000 in its foundation aid.

The net losses for the district in total state aid, Passi said, amount to $511,000 – a 9.8% decrease.

“A half a million dollar reduction in state aid, coupled with significant increases in pension costs and retiree health care costs and very few retirements compound an already very challenging environment,” Passi said.

According to data from the governor’s proposal, Manhasset is projected to receive an 8.43% increase in total state aid, amounting to $5,692,716.

Some North Shore school districts would also see a drop in their overall state aid, including Port Washington, Mineola and New Hyde Park-Garden City Park.

Passi, who said he had consulted Martins on the issue, asked the community to write letters to the governor, Martins and state Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti.

The school district drafted its own letter to the public officials about its concerns, advocating against the proposed decrease in state aid as it is “too much to bear.”

Long Island Republicans held a rally last week opposing the governor’s proposal for school aid, saying it cuts $23 million in aid to Nassau County schools.

Martins advocated at the rally for the state to fund at least 20% of school districts’ budgets, saying some districts in his constituency do not

SCHOOL STATE AID PROPOSAL District

Total Proposed for 2024-2025

Total Allotted Aid 2023-24

New York State

$34,751,452,252

$33,926,740,628

$824,711,624

2.43%

New York City

$13,300,434,186

$12,958,875,429

$341,558,757

2.64%

Long Island

$4,984,410,160

$4,834,196,685

$147,213,475

3.04%

Suffolk

$2,966,109,394

$2,913,072,211

$53,037,183

1.82%

Nassau

$2,018,300,766

$1,924,124,474

$94,176,292

4.89% 4.69%

East Williston

Change in Total Aid

% Change in Total Aid

$7,676,177

$7,332,203

$343,974

Floral Park-Bellerose

$10,898,246

$10,381,986

$516,260

4.97%

Great Neck

$15,289,918

$14,751,440

$538,478

3.65%

Herricks

$28,664,174

$26,893,394

$1,440,180

6.58%

Manhasset

$5,692,716

$5,250,148

$442,568

8.43%

Mineola

$14,982,616

$15,077,368

($94,752)

-0.063%

NHP-GCP

$11,912,975

$12,172,663

($259,688)

-2.36%

North Shore

$10,101,212

$9,586,428

$514,784

5.37%

Port Washington

$20,858,822

$20,986,130

($127,308)

-0.61%

Roslyn

$12,455,214

$11,305,205

$1,150,099

10.17%

Sewanhaka

$72,925,547

$71,797,524

$1,128,023

1.57%

Source: State of New York 2024-25 Executive Budget Proposal • Compiled by Arielle Martinez and Anastasia Valeeva

GRAPHIC BY ROSE PALACIOS

North Shore school district’s proposed state aid for the 2024-2025 year under Gov. Hochul’s proposed budget. meet that minimum.

Martins and New York 3rd Congressional District candidate Mazi Pilip have opposed the governor’s proposal in light of her allocation of $2.4 billion to address the current migrant crisis.

Republicans argue that the funding for the migrant crisis is directly affecting school funding.

Blank Slate Media requested comment from Martins on the issue but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

An op-ed written by state Division of Budget Director Blake Washington applauds the governor’s investment in schools and says her funding of schools is unprecedented.

“Instead of asking the question, ‘how much

more money are our schools getting?’ it should be ‘why do we have a formula that forces us to pay for students that don’t exist?’” Washington wrote. “These are the hard conversations where the governor is trying to inject common sense as we engage with districts, families, the Legislature, and stakeholders in this upcoming budget.

Only then can we find real, sustainable solutions that New York taxpayers rely on while also ensuring our teachers get the resources they need to educate the next generation of New Yorkers.”

He praised the governor was for her full funding of the state’s foundation aid formula – the first since its establishment 15 years ago.

“Simply put, no governor in New York State

Islamic Center blasts town GOP vote Continued from Page 2 that rejecting the application might be considered discriminatory.

Nicolello denied saying the vote could be considered discriminatory, calling it an “inaccurate summary.”

Legal questions surrounding the proposal were discussed during an executive session called during the public hearing.

“Religious freedom is a very important tenant of our society,” said Kathleen Deegan Dickson, the center’s attorney, at the hearing. “Local governments have a right, have an obligation to not make the practice of one’s religion more burdensome. We’re trying to make the practice of their religion less burdensome not only for themselves but for the neighborhood.”

Bhuiyan expressed confusion over the decision in his letter to Blank Slate Media.

“After being members of the greater community for more than 18 years with no safety issues and appearing for many public hearings to address concerns, we find the council persons’ no votes puzzling,” Bhuiyan said. “During these 18-plus years, we have eagerly worked with concerned members of the community to address any concerns, and we will continue to do so.”

The proposal faced opposition from its surrounding neighbors throughout the public hear-

ing process, with 16 residents speaking Tuesday night who all opposed the expansion and urged the board to vote “no.”

Many of the concerns of the residents focused on the mosque’s Friday services when it hosts the most congregants during its afternoon prayer session and the traffic congestion that it causes.

“We live with it every Friday afternoon,” neighboring resident Joe D’Amico said. “It’s like we get a swarm.”

Bhuiyan denounced the “swarm” claims made by the neighbor, saying they are discriminatory and not a true depiction of events at the mosque.

“We doubt that members of any religious organization, whether Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, in fact, any human would appreciate being described in such a way,” Bhuiyan said.

“We sincerely hope council persons’ no votes were not based on the racist and bigoted comments of so-called neighbors who call God’s worshipers a ‘swarm.’”

One of the main issues expressed by residents was mosque congregants parking illegally in surrounding areas, sometimes blocking neighbors’ driveways and parking in local shopping center parking lots.

Residents said they were also concerned about public safety, with the congregants’ park-

ing potentially preventing emergency vehicles from accessing the neighborhood’s narrow roads or blocking residents’ cars in their driveways.

Bhuiyan countered these claims, saying that there has not been a traffic incident nor a complaint that emergency vehicles could not pass through the streets surrounding the mosque.

He added that the mosque’s traffic safety study confirmed there are no traffic or safety concerns with their stricken proposal.

Some residents at the decisive public hearing expressed unease that the mosque is drawing in congregants from outside the community, specifically from Queens. Bhuiyan said that congregants reside in more than 50 homes in the neighborhood, and those members have been asked to walk to prayer services to ease traffic congestion.

The Islamic Center has also made steps to address the concerns of their neighbors, such as adding a Friday prayer service to spread out the arrival and departure of congregants, offering some services at a secondary location at the Elks Lodge and hiring an outside security company to police parking throughout the neighborhood.

Bhuiyan said the mosque also began letting congregants park on the center’s dirt lots adjacent to the mosque during Friday services without a permit. Residents then reported them

history has invested more in education than Gov. Hochul,” Washington writes.

The New York State aid formula for schools is based on factors that evaluate enrollment, student need and district wealth.

Washington said the hold harmless initiative disregards district wealth, student needs or population changes and opposes the foundation aid formula as it limits state resources for highneed or growing school districts.

“Investing in this manner ensures that the state of New York prioritizes its resources to the districts that need it most,” Washington wrote.

He said that school districts are receiving funds “faster than they can actually spend it,” attributing this claim to “exponential increases” over this period of time that have boosted district reserves.

Washington said statewide fund balances have increased by $2.7 billion in the past three years, amounting to $10.5 billion, or 24% of districts’ budgets. Districts now have surplus reserves of almost $1 billion, Washington said, which exceeds statutory limits.

“At a time of record cash on hand for most districts, common sense dictates that the Executive Budget begin a conversation around how to address this difficult question in the long term, while at the same time allowing the state to continue its investments in the many other services that New York families rely upon,” Washington wrote. “Taxpayers should expect no less.”

He said schools have seen an increase of $20 billion in aid over the past three years, attributed to the state’s budget and $13 billion in federal aid.

Washington said New York spends more than $26,500 per pupil, which exceeds the national average by about 85%.

Coupled with this is a 10% drop in school enrollment since 2014, Washington said.

“At a time when hard decisions are required to close a significant budget gap, these factors must be part of the equation,” Washington wrote.

to the town for violations.

“First they want good for the community, at the same time they want to make Hillside Islamic Center’s life miserable,” Bhuiyan said.

With many resident complaints focused on the traffic issues caused by the mosque’s congregants, Bhuiyan said the site plan proposal was aimed at addressing those issues by providing more parking to lessen congestion and additional curb cuts to enhance traffic flow.

Deegan-Dickson told the board that the site plan proposal was not designed to expand the congregation, but rather to accommodate the size of its current makeup.

Bhuiyan expanded upon this, affirming there are no plans to begin a full-time school at the mosque. It currently provides five daily prayers, Sunday school and afternoon classes four days a week.

Despite the disapproval of its site plan, Bhuiyan said the mosque will continue working with its neighbors to resolve any issues and listen to their concerns.

“Please step forward, we look forward to working with and welcoming you,” Bhuiyan said.

The chairman thanked the community members who pre-date the mosque’s establishment and who have helped them feel welcome in the neighborhood.

“This is our community, we are proud to be here,” Bhuiyan said. “We respect the right of everyone to pray and to worship. We only ask for the same simple courtesy.”

PW

The Port Washington Times, Friday, February 9, 2024

Suozzi, Mazi vote begins for CD3 Continued from Page 1 Prior to her political career, Pilip, who was born in Ethiopia before immigrating to Israel at the age of 12 where she served as a gunsmith in the Israeli Defense Force.

The campaign has brought an emphasis on transparency by the Democrat, who said it stems from being in a “post-Santos world.” This references the series of lies told by the former congressman and the distrust his constituents had for the novice politician.

This push for transparency has bled into Suozzi’s repeated calls for debates with his opponent, but the Republican has accepted only one.

He has been critical of his opponent and her lack of willingness to debate or hold public forums throughout the campaign.

While the candidates have singled out similar issues for their campaigns to address, the two have differed in their solutions.

Suozzi’s 10-point plan includes addressing inflation and rising prices, tackling the influx of migrants by securing the border and streamlining processing, protecting the environment and bolstering public safety.

Pilip’s 10- point plan includes fixing President Biden’s “failing economy,” securing the southern border, getting tough on crime and conserving suburban environments.

Both candidates advocate for the reintroduction of the state and local tax deduction program known as SALT as well as for full backing of Israel in the fight against Hamas.

Suozzi and Pilip had also both expressed

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CANDIDATES

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, left, and Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip (RGreat Neck). their support of reproductive rights, but Pilip in a recent interview with CNN agreed with the Supreme Court’s decision to undo Roe v. Wade and did not respond to whether or not she would seek to codify the ruling. She has previously said she does not support a federal ban on abortions.

While both candidates have advocated for the securing of the United States border, they have differed on other issues concerning immigration

and in their support of the recently proposed bipartisan National Security Agreement, hammered out by Senate Democrats and Republicans.

In a PIX11 interview, Suozzi said the border needs to be closed temporarily to stop the incoming migrants for a period of time, calling for a bipartisan answer to address the issue. He said a path to citizenship is important.

He had proposed a solution to the crisis in

N. Shore unveils $560M surgical tower Continued from Page 2 said in a press release the investment made

by Northwell Health is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to its patients.

The hospital serves beyond the Long Island and New York City Metro area, with approximately 40% of the hospital’s patients living in Queens and an additional 5% traveling over 100 miles for specialized care.

“The impetus to move on this project was to expand North Shore University Hospital’s critical care and operating room capacity,” Jon Sendach, executive director and deputy regional executive director of Northwell’s Central Region, said. “The purpose of that was to provide increased space to take care of the region’s sickest patients.”

The new project will also serve as the new home for the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital, providing a special entrance for

cardiac patients and their families.

“Every known procedure that can be done in cardiac surgery, including heart and lung transplant, is done at the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital,” Alan Hartman, senior vice president and executive director of Cardiothoracic Services at Northwell, said.“But now, in the Petrocelli Surgical Pavilion, the new home of the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital, advanced cardiac procedures will be done in a facility that has the splendor, space and cutting-edge technology that reflects the very procedures this building was built for.”

Northwell Health also serves as a teaching hospital for the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, providing a variety of residency programs, postgraduate training programs and

fellowships to train future clinicians.

Following the opening of the new surgical tower, Sendach said that “students of varying types will have the chance to participate in educational opportunities here.”

In addition to the Petrocellis, other donors for the surgical pavilion include Sandra Atlas Bass, Arlene and Arthur Levine, Clifford and Randi Lane, Rahat and S. Zaki Hossain, Pamela and Laurence Tarica, Flora and Frank Lalezarian, Jodi and Robert Rosenthal, Linda and Seth Horowitz of the G. & B. Horowitz Family Foundation, and the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation.

“It took guile and determination to see this massive project through to completion,” Dowling said. “I want to personally thank everyone who made this investment in the health and longevity of New Yorkers possible. It is a true achievement.”

Pilip opposes, Suozzi backs border deal Continued from Page 3 The Democrat called the bipartisan effort the “toughest and fairest” reform on border security the country has seen in decades.

Pilip said she was not surprised Suozzi approved of the deal, saying it is another example of his siding with President Biden on immigration policies.

In her campaign Pilip continues to blame the current migrant issue on Biden and Suozzi, who she claimed created the crisis back when he was the congressman for the 3d CD. Pilip has labeled him “Sanctuary Tom Suozzi” throughout

the race.

Pilip said she doubts the deal will be able to pass a vote in the Senate.

Suozzi said the differences between him and his opponent on the bill is illustrative of the race overall. He said his campaign has focused on achieving bipartisan solutions, as evident in the national security deal, whereas he accused Pilip of relying on Republican talking points rooted in party extremism.

“So my opponent in this race, Mazi Pilip, shows everyday that she’ll go to Congress to contribute to the problems that exist, not solve

them,” Suozzi said.

He accused Republicans who oppose the bill of appeasing Trump, who has been vocal on social media about criticizing the measure as a “death wish” for the GOP because it could help Biden defeat him in the presidential election.

“This is not about a victory for Joe Biden,” Suozzi said. “This is about a victory for the American people to see their government actually work on behalf of the people.”

Early voting in the district’s special election, which is Election Day.

49

a previous op-ed he wrote with former U.S. Rep. Peter King for a migrant processing facility to be built at the border akin to Ellis Island to streamline processing and keep the border secure.

In the same forum with PIX11, Pilip said a wall needs to be built, more border agents need to be hired and asylum standards to be made more strict.

While calling for stricter asylum-seeking standards, Pilip also said immigration processing must be streamlined and foster a path to citizenship.

But Pilip called the new Senate proposal a “nonstarter” that fails to secure the border and disagreed with the lumping in of aid to Israel and Ukraine as part of the act. She referred to the deal as “the legalization of the invasion of our country.”

Suozzi, who applauded the deal in its bipartisan efforts and expressed his support, criticized Pilip for what he called a parroting of the Republican Party’s extremists who oppose the deal.

He said this is done to appease former President Donald Trump, who opposes the measure to prevent a re-election win for President Joseph Biden, but ultimately harms the American people.

Pilip in the PIX11 interview said she would support Trump if he is the Republican nominee in the November presidential election, but not if he is convicted of any of the criminal charges he faces.

The Republican then said in a later interview with CNN that the 91-count indictment against Trump is politically motivated and she does not believe he is guilty of the crimes.

With the special election just nine months before another election for the same office in November, Suozzi said that if he wins, he will run again for his old seat.

Dems slam town hirings Continued from Page 4 Baptist faith but all faiths,” Leslie Davis said. “He is a true representation of what it is to be a leader and a role model.”

The street’s secondary name “Bishop Lionel Harvey Way” will span from from Garden Street to Urban Avenue.

In other news, about 50 New Hyde Park residents attended the meeting’s public comment period to express their grievances with alleged squatters in their neighborhood.

Multiple residents spoke about the harassment they have faced by the individuals occupying the foreclosed and boarded-up home, sharing incidents of them yelling at neighbors and threatening violence.

The residents asked the board to help them address the issue, saying that they had been ignored by many of the members and not extended any help.

“We feel very stuck,” resident Jerry Jacob said.

Walsh said that the neighbors have an upcoming court case to address the issue, and that will be the beginning of the resolution. He said the town will then respond appropriately after a court decision is issued.

The Town of North Hempstead board will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Feb. 15.

50 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 9, 2024

SPORTS WWW.THEISLAND360.COM

NO WALK IN THE PARK

Schreiber soph stars in racewalking

PHOTO CREDIT: JEREMIAH POPE

Schreiber High School sophomore Samantha Benson-Tyler has the third-fastest racewalk time among high school runners this indoor season.

BY M I C H A E L J . L E W I S It looks at first glance like a Monty Python sketch, or something else from the comedy world.

A group of runners gather up at the starting line to begin a race. It could be a sprint, it could be a longer distance event, no one knows. But at the beginning, it looks like any other track beginning.

Then, the pistol goes off and the competitors … walk. Quickly. Their feet stay on the ground, their hips stay level, and they’re all trying very very hard not to run. Running is frowned upon. Walking quickly without moving too too fast, that’s the goal.

In a pack, it looks bizarre, like a dozen people trying hard to find the nearest bathroom. But it is in fact an Olympic sport, called racewalk, and at Port Washington’s Schreiber High School, there’s a girl who’s one of the top three scholastic athletes in America doing it.

Samantha Benson-Tyler knows how it looks. Her friends get very con-

fused watching her do it, and even her teammates on the Vikings track and field team are kinda puzzled by it.

But for three years now, this has become the sophomore’s passion, and wow is it ever paying off. In December Benson-Tyler recorded the top racewalk time in high school meets in the country, clocking a 7:04 in the 1,500 racewalk at a conference meet.

She’s since been surpassed by two other runners, but heading into this week’s county championships, Benson-Tyler has already quailed for the national championships, coming off a fifth-place finish at the New Balance indoor Nationals last season.

Not bad for a kid who two years ago had no idea racewalk was a sport, or how to do it.

“Coach (Jeremiah) Pope came up to me in eighth grade and said we needed points in some other events, and would I try racewalk,” BensonTyler said after a recent practice. “And of course I wasn’t going to say no, so I tried it and had no idea what I was doing. But I finished one race and I

thought, ‘OK, I can learn how to do this.’”

Pope said he and Benson-Tyler “pretty much taught each other” the mechanics and basics of the event.

“We did our own research on technique and form, and watched some videos,” Pope said. “Once I saw her potential, I knew we could do something great in this event.”

In the beginning, Benston-Tyler laughs, she got “carded” a lot, which in racewalk means officials come up to competitors and tell them their feet aren’t staying put on the ground, or that their knees are bent (also not allowed).

Three cards in one race (the 1,500 is 7.5 times around a track) means you’re disqualified.

Eventually, Benson-Tyler learned the odd mechanics of racewalk, and the major benefits of a product called Biofreeze, which, when applied before a race, can soothe aching shins and ankles.

But asked how she started to get better, she laughed and admitted “I’m

really not sure!”

Her work ethic clearly played a part, and Pope praised his athlete for having a fantastic work ethic and a willingness to learn.

Benson-Tyler said among the many challenges of racewalk are pacing yourself, and learning to go faster while keeping your form.

The natural tendency when trying to make up ground is to lift your feet of it, and it takes supreme concentration to refrain.

“I’ll make some mistakes caused by being really tired,” she admitted.

“You just get better at learning when to push and when not to.”

Benson-Tyler does other events for Schreiber, including the 800 meters and the 400 hurdles. But racewalk is where she (pun intended) found her stride.

As a freshman she won the county indoor meet in 7:46, then got fifth at New Balance indoors and fourth at New Balance outdoor nationals.

She continued to improve and as a result follows her rivals online regu-

larly, checking their times and thinking how she can get better.

The other racewalkers are encouraging of each other, she said, since they’re the only ones who truly understand their event.

“It’s a bunch of us at all the meets doing it, and it’s a lot more supportive than other events, a really good environment,” Benson-Tyler said.

Pope said he thinks Benson-Tyler has a great shot at being a state, and a national champ in 2024, and if it doesn’t happen she still has two more chances at it.

In the meantime, Benson-Tyler will keep on walking. Fast, but not too fast.

“It’s kinda funny when you’re out there and you hear people yelling from the stands ‘Isn’t she running?

How is this walking?’” Benson-Tyler said with a laugh. “And my friends have no idea, but when I told them I had the fastest time (in the country), they thought that was cool.”

PW

The Port Washington Times, Friday, February 9, 2024

Two Condos available at the Harborview Port Washington.

100 Harbor View Drive, Port Washington – Apt 521 $698,000 • 1 BD • 1 BA • 1 HB Tastefully updated 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath offering an open floor plan. Large balcony with breathtaking views of the Golf Course and sunsets. The most desirable 55+ community on the North Shore. 24/7 concierge.

100 Harbor View Drive, Port Washington – Apt 411 $1,025,000 • 2 BD • 2 BA • 1 HB Stunning and hard to find — Move in Ready 2 bedroom condo PLUS wrap terrace at the Harborview. This perfect 2 bedroom, 2.5-bathroom designer apartment boasts a fabulous living space, with enormous South facing windows, light all day long, and open views. This home has been renovated and is turn-key.

Honesty + Integrity + Professionalism = Proven Results.

MARK LEVENTHAL Founding agent of Compass Long Island Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker mark.leventhal@compass.com M: 516.330.8001 | O: 516.517.4751 Mark Leventhal is a real estate agent affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage. 1468 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, NY 11030.

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52 The Port Washington Times, Friday, February 9, 2024

PW

grand opening eur opean decorative arts company F I N E

A N T I Q U E S

We are pleased to announce our new location in historic port washington located in the 1914 Bayles corner Landmark building Please stop by and see our collection of fine antiques

299 Main Street, Port Washington, New York, 11050 516-621-8300 / 516-643-1538 / EuroDecArt@gmail.com / Eurodecart.com Member of Art & Antique Dealers League of America Founded 1926