Port Washington 2024_06_07

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Port North tables Oasis development

Village officials face backlash, threat of lawsuit at project’s public hearing

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

The Village of Port Washington North board tabled its decision to approve or deny an application by New Oasis Development LLC to use about seven acres of land for a senior living community after public opposition and threat of a lawsuit surfaced at a public hearing Thursday night.

The site proposal includes the construction of 44 townhouse units and a clubhouse south of Radcliff Avenue and northwest of Valley Road, located in the village’s apartment zone. All but five of these townhouse properties will be designated senior housing. The five exempt properties can be sold to any buyer on their first sale, and from then on will be senior housing for any future sales.

Every seat was filled and some audience members were left standing during the public hearing at Village Hall. Some Port North residents attended the meeting but a large majority of the audience consisted of Port Washington residents from unincorporated areas who said they live closest to where this plan is being proposed.

“This is a project that I know some people have some concerns with,” Mayor Robert Weitzner said. “I don’t want anyone here thinking because

you live in the Town of North Hempstead and you don’t vote for myself or trustees, that you feel that you are at a disadvantage. I am assuring you tonight that you are not. You are a part of this process.”

But many Port Washington residents in attendance said they felt they were left out of a large part of the process. Many complained that they were not aware of the housing application, which has been in the works for more than a decade, until very recently.

The village Planning Board first approved the subdivision of the property in 2008. But this approval was put on hold due to litigation between the adjoining property owner and the village, said Andrea Tsoukalas Curto, a partner at the firm representing Oasis.

Since 2008 the housing application approval process has been a slow-moving one, she said. Approvals from the sewer and water district, for example, took time, Tsoukalas Curto said.

The village Planning Board recently approved the site plan. It now awaits a decision from the Village Board.

Tensions boiled over at the public hearing when Jon Brooks, an envi-

People walk down the craft fair on lower Main Street for Port Washington’s 32nd-annual Harborfest. See story on page 3. Continued on

Serra Provisions pizza oven reopens with permit

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Pizza has returned to Manorhaven’s Serra Provisions, ending a battle over permits between the Italian establishment and the village government that resulted in the pizza oven

closing last month.

“It feels good,” owner Jesse Olson said. “Obviously our business suffered financially from losing the oven, but we made other adjustments that now are part of the mix as well.”

Serra Provisions shut down its

pizza oven in April after the village more than a year.

Olson decided to close his pizza oven to bring the issue to an end. The village was not responsible for shutting it down.

PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

3 candidates challenge Manorhaven board

Trio push for more transparency, seek mayoral, trustee seats

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Three candidates are challenging Manorhaven’s mayor and two of its trustees in an election June 18, with the trio running on a platform to foster greater transparency in the village’s government.

Trustee Jeff Stone is running against Mayor John Popeleski for the mayoral seat.

Residents Nancy Rozakis and Robert Swerdlow are running against Trustee Monica Ildefonso and Deputy Mayor Harry Farina.

Stone, Rozakis and Swerdlow are all running under the Manorhaven Residents Party.

“We’re just committed to our com-

munity and to improving the quality of life for the people that have been here and make up the strength of the community,” Rozakis said.

Residents will be able to vote for one of the two mayoral candidates and any two of the four trustee candidates.

Stone and Popeleski have clashed over transparency in the village, with Stone calling for more and Popeleski touting what he called the village’s most transparent government.

Popeleski joined the board as a trustee in 2016 and was elected mayor in 2022.

He said he is seeking another term as mayor to continue the projects he has been working on and bring some

to fruition.

Stone, a local mental health and substance abuse advocate and a licensed real estate agent, was elected to the board as a trustee in June 2023.

He said he is running for mayor to establish an open and transparent government, rebuild fiscal responsibility and foster integrity and honesty through “clear and strong government.”

Ildefonso, a Manorhaven resident of more than 35 years, is running for her second term on the Board of Trustees. She was first elected in 2022 alongside Popeleski and Farina under The People’s Working Party.

She also serves as a trustee for the

Continued on Page 34

TO REACH US

Booze skimming charge in town hire

Commissioner allegedly tied to scheme

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Town of North Hempstead’s newly hired commissioner of public safety was allegedly involved in an alcohol skimming scheme while a New York City sheriff, according to The City publication.

One resident questioned the town board’s hiring of Derek Skuzenski as the town’s commissioner of public safety in May with an annual salary of $140,000.

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jenniffer DeSena declined to comment on the public safety commissioner because it is a personnel issue. but his hiring.

“I can say that Mr. Skuzenski was vetted and cleared by New York City,” DeSena said. “And he is a Town of North Hempstead resident.”

According to The City, Skuzenski was one of the dozen Department of Finance sheriffs allegedly involved in a scheme where they drank liquor confiscated during pandemic bar raids.

The bottles were stored in a storage container in Long Island City, with boxes blocking surveillance cameras. The Department of Investigation said the alcohol was then used for “personal use or gain,” The City reported.

The City obtained the investigative file on the incident via a Free-

dom of Information Law request.

Skuzenski was one of the 12 sheriffs suspended for 30 days without pay due to their involvement, according to The City.

The Department of Investigations substantiated the evidence, but the Queens District Attorney declined to prosecute the case, The City reported.

The District Attorney spokesperson said they did not have “legally sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges” after an investigation, The City reported.

The City reported that Skuzenski resigned before his internal disciplinary case was presented to an administrative law judge.

North Hempstead spokesperson Umberto Mignardi said the town conducted its “customary due diligence” in hiring Skuzenski. This included checking employment records, calling references and interviewing Skuzenski multiple times.

Mignardi said his letters of recommendation were impressive and that the town felt comfortable hiring him at the time of his employment.

“At no time did we note any cause for concern,” Mignardi said, also mentioning Skuzenski’s recent promotion from lieutenant to chief. “Nonetheless, we do take any allegations about town employees

Continued on Page 35

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

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

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

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

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CANDIDATES, VILLAGE OF MANORHAVEN

Three challengers are running against Manorhaven’s mayor and two trustees in the village election this month.

PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, left, defended hiring of new public safety commissioner.

Thousands gather for 32nd Harborfest

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Hundreds of people gathered Sunday at Port Washington’s 32ndannual Harborfest not just for presummer entertainment but also to engage with the community and appreciate Port’s natural environment.

Harborfest – hosted by the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce and the Town of North Hempstead – started as a week of environmental awareness with lectures that evolved into the festival as it is today, according to Bobbie Polay, executive director of the Chamber.

Polay said the event began at a time when the harbor was in a poor environmental state and Harborfest was intended to draw attention to its preservation and health.

“But it became a festival to celebrate Port Washington’s inherent nautical heritage,” Polay said, referencing the festival’s transformation from a week of education to a weekend of celebration.

Hundreds of Port Washington community members and those from beyond gathered along lower Main Street and onto the Town Dock for Harborfest.

The sun beamed down on people as they walked up and down the fair – stopping to look at vendors that

A group of girls performs at the 32nd-annual Harborfest in front of a crowd of attendees.

caught their eyes, engaging with the local organizations at their booths on the harbor and grabbing a bite to eat from one of the many local establishments.

Even sunscreen was offered at the entrance to the festival to save the shoulders and faces of attendees who forgot their own.

The same luck was not apparent for those seeking the popular pickle on a stick, though, which sold out halfway through the day.

The craft fair included dozens of vendors from throughout Long Island, selling a variety of goods like golf pins, crocheted stuffed animals, jewelry, dog collars and ceramic din-

nerware.

An array of local restaurants and food establishments joined in on the Port Washington festival, including newly opened Mesita selling chips and guacamole, Ayhan’s chicken sandwich and Smusht’s smushteenies – a miniature version of their popular ice cream cookie sandwiches.

Featured on the Town Dock parking lot along with the food court were a plethora of local organizations, from Port Washington businesses, elected officials and political candidates, fire department companies and the Chamber of Commerce. which co-hosted the event.

Throughout the day’s seven hours of festivities were a series of performances from local artists, singing popular songs like “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and dancing to famed musical show tunes.

And for the first time in its 32 years, Harborfest included a Saturday night concert to spread the festival over two days.

While the festival’s mission is to honor Port’s harbor, Polay said it goes beyond that. She said it’s also a day when the community can come out and engage with their neighbors and local businesses and organizations.

Polay said she was thrilled with the outcome of the 32nd Harborfest, as she watched people with smiles across their faces walk around the festival.

“This is what Port Washington is all about,” Polay said.

PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

Dems back, GOPers slam Trump ruling

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito says 34 felony charges part of ‘witch hunt,’ blasts DA Alvin Bragg

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Public officials’ reactions to the historic conviction of former President Donald Trump Thursday fell along party lines.

A New York jury found the controversial businessman-turned-politician guilty on 34 felony counts Thursday, making him the first former U.S. president and likely major-party presidential nominee to be convicted of a crime.

“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” Trump said after the conviction Thursday. “The real verdict is gonna be Nov. 5 [Election Day] by the people and they know what happened here.”

Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in a scheme to silence her story of an alleged sexual encounter prior to the 2016 presidential election.

The 34 counts consisted of 11 related to invoices from Trump’s then-personal counsel Michael Cohen, who paid Daniels the hush money; 11 related to checks signed by Trump or the use of his business’ funds to repay Cohen; and 12 related to accounting records of the reimbursements in Trump’s books.

The former president claimed he was an “innocent man” targeted by the Biden administration and a “Soros-backed DA,” referencing progressive Jewish billionaire George Soros who is often invoked in antisemitic right-wing conspiracy theories.

President Joe Biden slammed Trump’s comments.

“It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, and it’s irrespon-

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sible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict,” he said.

“The American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed. Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself,” Biden said. “After five weeks, the jury reached a unanimous verdict. They found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts.”

He also noted that the charges were heard in state, not federal court.

Republican officials, from the House Speaker to Long Island representatives, echoed Trump’s sentiments of a rigged trial.

“The weaponization of our justice system has been a hallmark of the Biden Administration, and the decision today is further evidence that Democrats will stop at nothing to silence dissent and crush their political opponents,” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson said it was a “shameful day in American history” and called the trial a “purely political exercise” in a post on X.

Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman also decried the conviction.

“I think this is the biggest miscarriage of justice that I have witnessed in my life,” Blakeman said. “As a lawyer, I can’t see any basis for a conviction.”

The county executive is facing his own set of controversies, including an upset among Nassau residents and legislators over his proposed citizen militia, an unsuccessful attempted ban on transgender women and girl athletes and his attacks on Hofstra President Susan Poser, accusing her of colluding with competing casinos to derail a con-

tentious Las Vegas Sands proposal at the Nassau Coliseum.

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) said the trial was unfair and politically motivated.

“The corrupt District Attorney of Manhattan, Alvin Bragg, and his left wing allies have completed their shameful witch hunt against President Trump by railroading a conviction through a partisan New York court in an attempt to help Joe Biden’s failing campaign,” D’Esposito said.“I have testified in court against countless convicts during my time as an NYPD Detective, and it is clear to me that Democrats are so afraid of engaging in a fair fight against President Trump that they continue to weaponize the justice system in an attempt to stop him.”

The Republican congressman, who is running for re-election in NY-04, endorsed Trump in February.

Trump recently returned the favor, endorsing D’Esposito on May 26 in a social media post.

“Congressman Anthony D’Esposito is a fantastic and highly effective representative for the people of New York’s 4th Congressional District,” Trump wrote in a social media post. “A retired NYPD police detective, Anthony is working hard to Uphold the Rule of Law, Create Jobs and Lower Inflation, Secure the Border, and Support our Incredible Military and Police Officers. Anthony D’Esposito has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg denied Republican claims of a rigged trial.

“While this defendant may be unlike any

Continued on Page 35

Flower Hill swears in village administrator

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Village of Flower Hill Monday night swore in its new village administrator, Marla Wolfson, who previously served as the village clerk and treasurer for eight years in the Village of Roslyn Harbor.

Wolfson is taking over the role from Ronnie Shatzkamer, who retired at the end of May from the position after more than 15 years.

Shatzkamer was not present at the meeting Monday night, but Mayor Randall Rosenbaum read a tribute to her in honor of her retirement.

“Throughout Flower Hill’s history there have been many dedicated individuals who have proudly and tirelessly kept it running like a well-oiled machine, individuals who have reminded us that the people make the place and why Flower Hill is such a special place to live, work and play,” Rosenbaum said. “Among those individuals is Ronnie Shatzkamer.”

Rosenbaum said Shatzkamer always served as village administrator with “immense pride and utmost care.”

He listed her many accomplishments, which included guiding the village through natural disasters and the pandemic, securing multiple grants and overseeing major projects that aided in the streamlining of the village’s government and strengthened services.

Shatzkamer walked out of the last Board of Trustees meeting after the board refused to hold

a vote on whether or not to establish retirement benefits for employees.

She said she was offended by the board’s actions. The mayor said the board found it inappropriate as it would change her terms of employment just a month before her retirement.

The board also discussed amending its code chapter for the definitions of tennis courts and other courts to expand the definition to include basketball courts, pickleball courts and those alike. The current code includes elevated courts and tennis courts.

Building Superintendent Peter Albinski said these are only permitted in R1 residential zoned areas in the village.

Rosenbaum described the amendment as “housekeeping.”

The board did not vote on amending the law because it was the first public hearing held on the change. Rosenbaum said the public hearing will possibly be continued at the next meeting.

The board approved the village abstract, which included the cost of fixing two car windows.

Rosenbaum said the windows were broken on the same day by Highway Department employees when the edge trimmer flung up rocks that struck the car windows. He said this is a common occurrence.

The mayor made humor of the situation, saying no windows had been broken under the

Continued on Page 34

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHITE HOUSE

Former President Donald Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts Thursday.

AN EXPERIENCED ADMINISTRATION YOU CAN TRUST

VOTE ROW B

With nearly 18 years of combined experience on the Manorhaven Village Board, John, Harry and Monica bring the expertise needed for effective leadership. They are committed to maintaining transparency and keeping open lines of communication with residents. Reelecting them ensures continued progress on key initiatives that have reduced taxpayer burden and improved quality of life. For reliable and experienced governance and an administration you can trust, vote John Popeleski for Mayor, and Harry Farina and Monica Ildefonso for Trustees.

Nearly 8 years in Village government, John Popeleski has diligently managed the budget and reduced taxpayer burden by cutting wasteful spending, securing grants, and restructuring the investment portfolio yielding higher returns.

Expertise in public water and sewer systems, leading key infrastructure projects such as a sewer maintenance program, new generator installation, and a new office trailer for the Department of Public Works.

POPELESKI

Prioritized village cleanliness and completed phase one of the preserve trail project. Plans to continue pursuing grants and initiate a tax restructuring plan upon re-election.

Seeking a third term as Trustee, Harry Farina has been a Manorhaven resident for 20 years and a lifelong Port Washington resident with over 40 years of owning a local business.

Working to solve parking and overcrowding issues in the Village.

He chairs the Manorhaven Tree Committee and is committed to ongoing community improvements.

VOTE ROW B

Running for a second term as Trustee, Monica Ildefonso has been a Manorhaven resident for 36 years and a longtime Port Washington resident. Active in community organizations like the Port Washington Community Action Center.

Represents the Village at Business Improvement District meetings and serves as a liaison with the Spanish-speaking community.

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 6AM - 9PM

Suozzi lauds Biden of border action

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

President Joe Biden’s executive order that places temporary holds on asylum-seeking migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border elicited mixed reactions from officials Tuesday, with Democrats praising the act and Republicans calling it “too little, too late.”

The order caps the number of migrants seeking asylum at 2,500 per day and calls for the border to be closed to asylum seekers when the limit is exceeded. Since daily totals are above 2,500 entries per day, the restrictions could go into effect immediately.

“[People at the U.S.-Mexico border] don’t have time for the games played in Washington and neither do the American people, so today, I am moving past Republican obstruction and using the executive authorities available to me as president to do what I can on my own to address the border,” Biden said during a press conference.

The president said the border is not a “political issue to be weaponized” and criticized Republican members of Congress for their inability to pass a bipartisan border bill introduced earlier this year, which Republicans said was not strong enough.

Republican senators scuttled a bipartisan border deal in February that was called the toughest in a generation after former President Donald Trump expressed opposition. House Speaker Mike Johnson said that legislation was required before he considered a fund-

port of the executive order.

“The system is broken, and the president has to take this action because the Congress has failed to act,” Suozzi said.

we have a debate coming up in three weeks.

Speaker Mike Johnson agreed, calling Biden’s move “window dressing” at a news conference Tuesday morning.

ing bill for Ukraine, Israel, and the Far East.

Under Biden’s executive order, migrants can still seek asylum through legal routes, such as booking an appointment with a border official.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (CD-3) spoke out in sup-

The congressman said millions of asylumseeking cases have been “backlogged,” taking up to eight years to be adjudicated, and a large majority of the cases are denied.

Suozzi said only 9% of asylum cases in the first quarter of 2024 and 13% of cases in all of 2023 were granted.

The Glen Cove Democrat, who won the 3rd Congressional District seat of disgraced former Rep. George Santos in a special election in February, echoed Biden’s criticisms of Congress.

“Now it’s time for the Republicans in Congress to step up and pass, right now, laws to secure the border,” Suozzi said. “President Biden has taken this action. Now, the GOP needs to stop acting out. No more excuses.”

The Democrats for Border Security Task Force publicly supported the order, saying they “commend” the president for bringing “order to the border.”

Republicans criticized Biden’s order, saying it is still not strong enough and that it comes after too much delay.

“After nearly four years of his failed weak leadership – pathetic leadership – Crooked Joe Biden is pretending to finally do something about the border,” Trump said in a video posted to his social media site, Truth Social. “But in fact, it’s all about show, because he knows

“If he was concerned about the border, he would have done this a long time ago,” Johnson said.

Other Republicans shared this concern over Biden’s bold, election-year move.

“President Joe Biden’s reversal of President Donald Trump’s effective border security executive orders led to the current migrant crisis plaguing our nation, and Biden’s new election-season stunt is too little, too late,” Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (CD-4) said in a statement. “House Republicans passed our H.R. 2 comprehensive border security plan over a year ago, and if President Biden was serious about seeking solutions to the border crisis he fomented, he would support our Republican legislation and reinstate all of President Trump’s 64 border security executive orders.”

The Island Park representative, who is running for re-election, publicly endorsed Trump in February. Trump endorsed D’Esposito in a social media post last week.

Biden said the executive order will remain in place until the number of asylum-seeking migrants illegally crossing the border decreases.

The American Civil Liberties Union said it will challenge the executive order in court, just as it successfully challenged Trump’s asylum-blocking policy during his presidency.

N O I N T E R E S T

I F P A I D I N F U L L

W I T H I N 1 8 M O N T H S

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHITE HOUSE

President Joe Biden issued an executive order Tuesday placing temporary holds on asylum-seeking migrants.

T:12.45"

B:12.45"

Ravens to fly at Sewanhaka High

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Sewanhaka High School officials announced May 28 the mascot will be changing from Indians to Ravens to comply with a New York State mandate that requires schools to replace Native American mascot imagery by next June.

The announcement follows a yearlong process involving a committee of 34 alumni, students, faculty and community members tasked with deciding on a new school mascot.

“I know this is an announcement that everyone’s been waiting for. I’ve received many, many texts and emails and phone calls,” Principal Nichole Allen said. “The desire of the committee was to honor the traditions of Sewanhaka and pay homage to the Native American culture for which we are named.”

The raven was chosen from a large group of community suggestions, which included Aviators and Wolves, because of its ties to native culture, Allen said. The raven was often invoked during healing rituals and it represents metamorphosis, transformation, clarity, health and harmony, the principal said.

The committee first met in August 2023 with a marketing representative who sent a survey to com-

munity members asking for mascot suggestions. The initial survey received more than 500 responses.

The committee met multiple times, narrowing the 500 responses

down to just two. Community members voted between the final two options, Ravens and Wolves, and results were tallied on May 24.

Sewanhaka is not the only high

school on Long Island racing to replace native imagery before the June 30, 2025, deadline. Manhasset students and community members are still awaiting a de-

cision on a new mascot for Manhasset High School, which officials previously said would be announced by the end of the 2023-2024 school year. The school is choosing from three options: Eagles, Mavericks or Manhasset, also called “Set.”

“This was a decision that was, in fact, imposed upon us,” Interim Superintendent Thomas Dolan said, “Because of that, we were able to reach out to some of our elected officials.”

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages (D-Elmont), a Sewanhaka district alum, secured $200,000 in grants for renovations at the school, such as changing the mascot logo on the football turf and basketball court.

“The work that will go into the rebranding of the school as the Sewanhaka Ravens has begun in some subtle ways, but over the next few weeks and months, the school community will see this new emblem adorned in numerous other spaces,” Dolan said.

Officials presented mockups of new logos at the May 28 board meeting, which maintain the same school colors of purple and gold and depict ravens from a front-profile with wings spread and a side-profile.

“We honor those students and alumni who attended as Indians, and we welcome those who will now be known as the Ravens,” Dolan said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FUTURE ENGINEERS

PAKISTAN

Panelists blast colleges on antisemitism

state and city universities to defund antisemitic campus clubs.

He said legislation has been introduced that would prevent students from receiving funds from the state’s Tuition Assis tance Program or expel students who commit hate crimes.

ment of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism when reviewing discrimination complaints that concern federally funded programs.

A forum on antisemitism on college campuses featured a panel of local officials.

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Great Neck Mayor Pedram Bral said he is concerned about his children going to college and that he is “done” with the universities amid campus protests against the war in Gaza, but that he still believes they should be able to attend these schools.

“But they should never stop our children or discourage our children from striving higher and going to Harvard,” Bral said. “Not only that, I think we should really encourage them.”

Bral shared these comments in a forum Thursday night which promoted a flier that asked “Should Jewish students pursue higher education despite violence on campus?” and “Can enacting new laws help reduce these violent incidents?”

The forum was criticized before panelists convened Thursday night at Congregation Kol Israel Achim in Great Neck, with one resident saying it was intended to platform Republican politicians – the only political party represented on the panel –and to incite fear.

Panelists include Nassau County District 10 Legislator Mazi Pilip (NY-10), Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04), state Sen. Jack Martins, Village of Great Neck Mayor Bral and Stand With Us Northeast Director Avi Posnick.

It was framed around whether Jewish students should pursue higher education, which was not asked outright to the panelists. Attendees submitted questions to the panelists.

Some panelists, like Bral, addressed the question despite not being asked.

Pilip said the events of Oct. 7 and the proceeding months have been difficult for the Jewish community, which have been exacerbated by protests occurring nationwide on college campuses.

Martins said university leaders failed to protect students amid these protests.

He said there are plans to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak at a joint Congressional session within the next two months. He said he was texting House Speaker Mike Johnson about this moments before the forum.

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“In order to change the trajectory, we have to differentiate between free speech and hate speech,” Bral said. “Until we do that, this thing can continue for a long time. Differentiate between hate speech and free speech. Stop the hate speech, allow the free speech and I think we’ll be okay.”

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Bral said students need to be educated on the issues before arriving and be “brainwashed.”

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Pilip echoed this, saying they need to be taught the “real facts” of the issue and provided a greater breadth of knowledge on the Holocaust.

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Panelists offered a variety of solutions to combat antisemitism on college campuses and in general.

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D’Esposito said the first step in combatting antisemitism is holding discussions. He attributed the growing conversations on the topic to there being a Republican majority in Congress, citing the hearings with university presidents on antisemitism on campuses.

Martins called for antisemitism to be included in colleges’ required diversity, equity and inclusion training, which he said is not provided.

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But overall, the panelists called for the broader community to unite to combat antisemitism.

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Before and after making these comments, D’Esposito said the forum was not political.

The politicians said antisemitism on college campuses can also be combatted through legislation.

Martins said the state government has the ability to defund state and city universities and their programs if they do not take action to combat antisemitism. He also called for making hate crimes bail ineligible and

“It’s very simple, and I think we’ve learned this lesson time and again through history, and that is that evil grows when good people remain silent,” Martins said. “We see things happening in this world time and again, whether it’s outside of the U.S., whether it’s here, whether it’s on our campuses, whether it’s in our communities, and we have a responsibility to act, we have a responsibility to respond and we have, first and foremost, the responsibility to make sure in this particular case that our chil dren, our students, professors have a safe place when they go to school.

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endorses Port activist as Dem state Senate candidate in upcoming primary election

Keiserman gets Planned Parenthood nod PAC

BY CAMERYN OAKES

State Senate District 7 Democratic candidate Kim Keiserman, a Port Washington resident campaigning for greater school funding, reproductive rights and lowering taxes, has been endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes Political Action Committee.

“At a time when our health, rights, and freedoms are being relentlessly attacked around the country – we need state leaders who will advance bold policies and further New York’s legacy as a leader in the fight to protect and expand reproductive autonomy,” Robin Chappelle Golston, Chair of the Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes PAC, said in a release.

Chappelle Golston said Keiserman would be an “enthusiastic champion” of reproductive health care and defend reproductive rights.

“I am deeply honored to receive this endorsement, which is personal to me as a longtime fighter for reproductive freedom,” Keiserman said in a release. “I look forward to championing initiatives that expand access to reproductive services and medication, defend reproductive autonomy, and work to ensure the New York Equal Rights Amendment is successfully ratified this November.”

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

Keiserman and Schwartz are the only Democrats in the race, and the primary winner will

Political Action Committee’s endorsement of Keiserman comes a week after Everytown for Gun Safety’s endorsement.

Keiserman has also garnered endorsements from a slew of local Democratic leaders of the past and present.

This includes Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Nassau County and New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs, state Assemblymember Gina Sillitti, former state Sen. Anna Kaplan, Democratic National Committeeman Robert Zimmerman and Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton.

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

She also is co-president of the Baxter’s Pond Foundation and president of the Port Washington Democratic Club.

Her campaign platform encompasses advocating for reproductive rights, investing in public education, fostering gun safety legislation, lowering taxes and bolstering affordability, protecting the environment and standing up against bigotry.

face off against Martins.

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

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

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

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

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State Senate District 7 Democratic candidate Kim Keiserman was endorsed last week by Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes Political Action Committee.

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Nassau officials join attack on rule of law

Two Nassau County Republicans condemned former President Donald Trump’s conviction last week on all 34 counts of falsifying records as part of a scheme to cover up a sexual encounter with a porn star that threatened to derail his 2016 presidential campaign.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Rep. Anthony D’Esposito were not alone. They joined a solid block of national Republican leaders who rushed to defend the GOP’s 2024 standard bearer.

That was not surprising, but it was disappointing. And dangerous.

The Republicans, who have traditionally run as protectors of law and order, joined Trump in attacking without merit the verdict and, by inference, New York’s legal system — from Justice Juan Merchan and his family, to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and to even the jurors.

The attack on the verdict and those who participated in it threaten the rule of law, a major pillar of our democracy.

Blakeman had criticized Bragg in April 2023 for indicting Trump on the felony charges – five days before the sealed indictment was opened and him not knowing the contents.

The county executive, who served as the Nassau County Republican Party’s liaison to the 2020 Trump presidential campaign, called the expected indictment a “political and malicious prosecution.”

Blakeman’s opinion did not change last week after a Manhattan jury of Trump’s peers that his legal team helped select found the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee guilty of all 34 felony charges.

“I think this is the biggest miscarriage of justice that I have witnessed in my life,” said Blakeman, who campaigned for county executive as a protector of law and order. “As a lawyer, I can’t see any basis for a conviction.”

D’Esposito (R-Island Park) sidestepped Trump’s expected indictment in 2023.

“While our office continues to monitor the situation, Congressman D’Esposito’s focus remains on delivering meaningful tax relief to New Yorkers and fighting for safe streets,” spokesman Matt

Capp said at the time.

But D’Esposito, who is running for re-election against former Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen, was far more critical of the verdict last week than Blakeman.

“The corrupt district attorney of Manhattan, Alvin Bragg, and his left-wing allies have completed their shameful witch hunt against President Trump by railroading a conviction through a partisan New York court in an attempt to help Joe Biden’s failing campaign,” D’Esposito said.

“I have testified in court against countless convicts during my time as an NYPD Detective, and it is clear to me that Democrats are so afraid of engaging in a fair fight against President Trump that they continue to weaponize the justice system in an attempt to stop him,” he went on to say.

This statement should be of great concern to voters for a candidate whose seat could determine which party controls the House of Representatives.

D’Esposito is making serious allegations with no proof and little regard for the truth while standing the truth on its head. The Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of interfering with the outcome of the 2016 election.

Where is the evidence that Bragg is “corrupt?” The former detective doesn’t say.

Who are Bragg’s “left-wing allies?”

Same answer.

The investigation into the hush-money payments began in 2018 under Bragg’s predecessor, Cyrus Vance, and was conducted by New York City police, the FBI, and Trump’s own Justice Department.

Trump was then indicted by a grand jury, and a jury of 12 New Yorkers found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of a crime commonly prosecuted in New York.

How is this a “witch hunt?”

How was the conviction railroaded “through a partisan New York court” to help the Democratic presidential campaign after a five-week trial conducted in public in which Trump was granted more leniency than perhaps any other defendant?

And exactly how are Democrats weaponizing the justice system?

This week a federal trial began against President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.

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And Robert Menendez, a Democratic U.S. senator from New Jersey, is also in federal court facing bribery charges.

D’Esposito’s fact-free attack on New York’s legal system – from the DA to the judge to the jurors – and his defense of a convicted felon should raise large red flags about his qualifications to serve in the House as well as his time as a New York City policeman.

Like those of his Republican colleagues, they also raise questions about D’Esposito’s motivation.

The Republican congressman endorsed Trump in February. In a social media post, Trump returned the favor, endorsing D’Esposito last week. This is no small thing for Republican candidates across the country.

In his endorsement, Trump said, “Anthony is working hard to Uphold the Rule of Law.” We beg to differ.

D’Esposito’s comments, like those of other Republicans in the House and Senate, echo those made by Trump during the trial and following the verdict last week.

In his comments after the verdict, Trump falsely claimed the trial was “rigged,” the judge was “conflicted” and “corrupt” and called the DA “Soros backed.”

This is a reference to George Soros, a Jewish philanthropist who backs liberal causes and has been the whipping boy of right-wing extremists and antisemites.

Trump went on to claim “We didn’t do anything wrong” despite a unanimous verdict from the 12 jurors on all 34 counts of the indictment.

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He also claimed the verdict was “done by the Biden administration,” even though it took place in state court where President Joe Biden has no authority.

Biden slammed Trump’s comments.

“It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, and it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict,” he said.

“The American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed. Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself,” he said. “After five weeks, the jury reached a unanimous verdict. They found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts.”

Biden is right

Republican officials, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, echoed Trump’s words.

“The weaponization of our justice system has been a hallmark of the Biden administration, and the decision today is further evidence that Democrats will stop at nothing to silence dissent and crush their political opponents,” Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson went on to call for the U.S. Supreme Court to “step in,” adding “I know many of them personally.” These are not comforting words to anyone who believes no one is above the law.

The House speaker had been among a contingent of Republican legislators and vice presidential hopefuls who made a pilgrimage to the courthouse in Manhattan during the trial to express their outrage with the trial.

D’Esposito and Blakeman are now marching in lockstep with Trump.

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Yvonne Farley

The hush-money conviction did not happen in a vacuum. Trump was found liable for sexual assault in a civil suit in May 2023 brought by writer E. Jean Carroll and ordered to pay an $83 million judgment for slandering Carroll in March.

The slander verdict came after a New York judge ordered Trump to pay more than $450 million for fraud committed by his businesses.

And then there are the 54 remaining felony charges in a state case and two federal cases in which he is accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election and unlawfully taking classified secrets.

Trump said three days before the 2016 presidential election that his thenDemocratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, should be disqualified because she was under FBI investigation.

“We could very well have a sitting president under felony indictment and ultimately a criminal trial,” Trump said at the 2016 rally. “It would grind government to a halt.” He also called for Clinton to be locked up, apparently skipping the part of her being charged and convicted.

This weekend, Trump denied ever calling for Clinton to be locked up in 2016. Multiple videos showed that he did. Several times. In public.

By the logic Trump applied to Clinton back in 2016 — not to mention every other candidate who has run for office — he should withdraw from the 2024 presidential election.

And if he refuses, Republicans like Blakeman and D’Esposito should show respect for the law and demand Trump resign.

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The art of self-discipline, Response Cost

Many patients ask me: “How do I stop procrastinating?”

The tendency for all humans to procrastinate, postpone, avoid, put off and forget what they know they ought to do is exceedingly common. And the result of procrastination is a failure to achieve their dreams.

Most of the things people procrastinate about include eating the proper diet, exercising on a regular basis, failing to make nerve-racking phone calls and delaying plans to travel to all the bucket list destinations you have longed to see.

There are many causes of procrastination. You might feel too tired to exercise or maybe you don’t have enough time. You may feel too anxious to make that phone call out of fear you may hear the word ‘no’. You may feel too weak-willed to resist that piece of cake, candy or bowl of ice cream.

The primary cause of procrastination is our ability to make up excuses on the spot. I once heard an expert on alcoholism say that the alcoholic can find many excuses to have a drink. It may be time to celebrate or because they are anxious or lonely and need some comfort in the form of Southern Comfort. It may be raining outside or maybe it’s sunny. Any old excuse will do.

If you look at all these conflicts you can describe them as a battle between will power and laziness, the right way vs. the wrong way, the choice between taking the hard path vs. the easy path. Everyone knows the easy path is comfortable and more fun, and the hard path is arduous, longer, scarier and more painful.

The problem with the easy path is it doesn’t get you anywhere. It’s the bridge to nowhere, to weight gain, to flabbiness and to failure. Whereas the hard path usually leads to better looks, better health, more money, more power and more pride. And the hard path is the road far less traveled.

Well, I bring you good news. There is a technique created by those who call themselves behavior modifiers that actually works very well in these matters of procrastination. Whether you are guilty of a sin of omission (not doing something you should do like exercising) or a sin of commission (doing something you should not do like having ice cream), there is a tool that works wonders and its called “Response Cost.”

I will explain how Response Cost works, but it’s important to understand why it works. It works because it removes the idea of will power, which apparently weakens as we age.

Response Cost is surprisingly simple. Let’s take the need to lose weight

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town

as an example. You have tried all the diets in the world and yet the weight does not come off and you give up on the diet. With the Response Cost technique you would list the foods you should not be eating. This almost invariably relates to sweets like ice cream, soda, cookies, cakes, donuts or candy. All the things that taste so good.

After the list is written down, you agree to penalize yourself a certain dollar amount that you will then have to give to your spouse or place in the poor box at church or synagogue if you eat any sweets that day. Usually $20 is a good number, but you may choose more or less. You then agree to do this for a minimum of 90 days.

This can be written down so that you will recall the date and it’s good to put a bowl on the table with $20 visible as a good reminder of the deal.

The tool is effective for many reasons. It gives you freedom to eat the sweets if you want, but when confronted with the realization that it will cost you an extra $20 if you do, one tends to be able to resist the temptation pretty well. Will power does not come into the equation anymore, just cold hard cash.

You need to agree to the regiment for at least 90 days in order to begin to see the results. The new habit may then become functionally autonomous, but if not you can renew the contract for anther 90 days.

This can be done for behaviors

that involve things you must not do like eating sweets, but it can also be done for things you need to do like making those phone calls, finishing the dissertation or novel or exercising each day. When you make those lists and contract to act each day, make sure you are reasonable. You are not going to be able to run 10 miles a day. Start with a 15-minute walk instead and increase the task over time. If you are a salesperson, you will not be able to make 20 cold calls per day. Keep it reasonable.

Response Cost is a good technique for anyone who has suffered from the dreaded disease of procrastination, that common human trait that causes weight gain, flabby muscles, a small bank account and, worst of all, shame.

How does one find the willpower to choose correctly?

There must be a better way to run this ship

In a matter of hours or days, the New York State legislature will have adjourned for the year. In its final days, it will pass upwards of 500 or more bills that will land in the lap of Gov. Kathy and that is the problem worthy of discussion.

I served in the State Assembly for 23 years and during that time I was the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. During an average year as many as 4,000 bills were sent to the committee, because they all had a cost for the residents of the state. In the final hours of the session, we would review hundreds and hundreds of bills, then send many to the floor for a vote.

This year there is a rush to get the session over because there are primary election contests and the members are anxious to go home. Because of that rush, some of the bills that would have an impact on some businesses or individuals get passed, without the kind of deliberation they deserve.

I love the legislative process and am proud to have served in government, but somehow the system needs to be changed so that a multitude of bills that become law get some further serious debate. There are 150 members in the Assembly and there are quite a few who are capable of understanding most of bills that come before the House. But there are also many new members, who don’t have the experience to digest so many issues in such a short period of time.

Because of the flurry of last-minute legislating, some of the bills contain items that even the sharpest eye could miss. I remember an occasion when we received a 700-page bill making changes in the titles of executives working for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Every page looked the same, except on page 601, there was a change in the salary of the MTA Chairman. As committee chair, I stopped the bill from passing without further discussion.

JERRY KREMER Kremer’s Corner

Another issue that arises in the final hours is the role of legislative staff. Both the Senate and the Assembly have a large number of professional staff. Their job is to evaluate all bills that are

under consideration and provide a critique of the contents. These people do a very good job, but sometimes because the staff member is new, they suggest holding up a bill over an issue that had been resolved by a previous staff member.

The next issue that should be resolved relates to how long the Legislature should be in session. Can the business of the people be done in just five months? Should the Legislature have longer sessions so that there is more time for evaluating bills? It may not be a popular suggestion, but it seems with the volume of bills it may be time for holding split sessions, one in the early part of the year and another in September.

Another issue for discussion is whether there should be public hearings on the key bills that are often rushed through at the last minute. Many of the major bills that pass are very carefully vetted, but some could

use additional discussion at a public hearing. Frequently bills that pass could use modifications that would make them more effective and a public hearing could make for better legislating.

The last issue is transparency. The legislative leaders make it a point to promptly provide information on major bills that pass. But it is also important that there be more information provided on any bill that has passed which imposes a cost on any business, local government or individuals. Because of the volume of bills this type of summary can’t be done overnight, but in time it could be made available.

Some of these suggestions will not make me popular with the Assembly members, but there have to be changes made in the current way we legislate. Making changes in deep- rooted practices is like trying to turn an aircraft carrier around, but it is worth the effort.

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The plastic nightmare continues worldwide

The worldwide scourge of plastic as a human health issue is reaching epic proportions. Not only have tiny pieces of plastic been found in human placentas, but last week a new study reported the presence of plastic particles in testicles. If that makes you squirm in your chair, it should.

We’re witnessing a historic decline in sperm counts in males, and the remnants of plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic diapers, plastic food packaging, synthetic fabric clothing, and vehicle tires that are showing up in our most sensitive organs may be partly to blame.

It stands to reason, of course. As we’ve written before in these pages, all plastic items, from your plastic laundry detergent bottle to the wrapping of your favorite candy bar, are made from a mixture of chemicals and fossil fuels. Many of those chemicals are known to be toxic to humans. Some cause cancer, some disrupt the endocrine system, mimicking or interfering with the body’s hormones in ways that have serious implications.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs, are particularly worrisome for children. In a little body that has been contaminated with tiny bits of plastic, some of which contain chemicals that mimic hormones, all kinds of chaos can result. A growing number of studies are suggesting that EDCs can contribute to

early puberty (especially in girls), as well as obesity and diabetes.

Prenatal exposure to EDCs can affect fetal neurodevelopment resulting in attention deficit disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and cognitive and behavioral dysfunction. The most susceptible time frame begins during the third trimester of pregnancy and continues through the first two years of life. Do pregnant women know this?

To be fair to the plastic industry, the pieces of plastic that we ingest from eating fish or hot dogs or tofu and the plastic that we inhale whenever we breathe are not our only source of EDCs.

These same chemical toxins can be found in cosmetics, food and beverage packaging, toys, carpet, pesticides, building materials, personal care products, cleaning products, clothes, and cooking pans. So why am I picking on plastic?

Epidemiologists studying toxic chemicals look for “pathways.” In other words, how does an exposure actually occur? Exactly how does the toxin find its way into the body? Some pathways are more direct than others. In the case of plastic, it couldn’t really be more direct. We eat it. We drink it. And we breathe it.

Every day. According to a study by the World Wildlife Fund, the average adult consumes about 2,000 tiny pieces of plastic each week, which is roughly the

DOUG WOOD Earth Matters

equivalent of eating a credit card. More recently, researchers at Columbia University found an average of 240,000 microscopic pieces of plastic in every 16-ounce bottle of water they tested.

So we know exactly how we’re being exposed to plastic and the chemicals that it contains.

And yet, the use of plastic is expanding. Plastic is the last, desperate lifeboat for the oil and gas industry as the world eschews the use of fossil fuels for energy.

Researchers at the University of California Santa Barbara estimate that global annual plastic production will rise 22%

by 2050 and plastic pollution will jump 62% during that time.

Industry experts predict that 25 years from now, the world will be producing three times as much plastic as it does today.

I have to wonder about the testicles of the men (and the placentas of pregnant women) who sit on the boards of the petrochemical industries and devise new ways to increase the production of plastic while they simultaneously thwart government regulation at every step.

Is it that they don’t believe the science? Do they think they know better? Or do they have some secret way of avoiding the personal plastic contamination that the rest of the world is being subjected to?

I also wonder what people are thinking when I see them stocking up on shrink-wrapped plastic bottles of water ahead of a long summer weekend or putting their kitchen garbage out in neat white plastic bags. Do they not realize their bodies are being polluted with plastic, and they are unwittingly contributing? Or are they just busy with their lives, hoping and expecting that the government is regulating all the dangerous things in the world and that they can concentrate on living.

Well, that is the way it’s supposed to be. It’s not supposed to be the responsi-

bility of every individual in the world to navigate the obstacle course of life, trying to reduce their exposure to all the different toxins in the environment that can cause harm. That’s the government’s job. And it’s what legislation and regulations are for.

Right now, as I write this, an army of oil and gas industry lobbyists is busy in Albany trying to stop a bill that would limit single-use plastic production.

The Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act would save taxpayers and municipalities money, force polluting companies to pay for the cost of their packaging waste, get many of the most toxic chemicals and substances out of packaging (such as lead, PFAS, formaldehyde, cadmium, and many more), and require companies to reduce single-use packaging by 50% over 12 years.

The industry is claiming this will cost jobs, and that the legislation isn’t necessary.

Well, if your state representatives start talking about defeating “job-killing” legislation or opposing “unnecessary” regulations, think about the plastic floating around inside your brain, your lungs, your heart, your eyeballs or your testicles, and then decide if you think tough government regulations on plastic pollution and toxic chemicals is a good thing or not.

Treat gun violence as the public health crisis it is

June 7 is Gun Violence Awareness Day – absurd on its face that we aren’t made aware enough by daily headlines more tragic and outrageous than the day before. Perhaps it means to be sensitive on that day instead of numb to the evidence of pervasive, ubiquitous gun violence that is uniquely American.

It comes just after Memorial Day when we honor and mourn the 1.3 million who died in America’s wars – for the freedoms we enjoy today, we like to say. Paramount among them for a minority of Americans is the right to have a gun. But over 660,000 have died (more than in America’s deadliest war, the Civil War) just since Republicans let the Assault Weapons Ban lapse in 2004. In that time, the number of weapons of war increased exponentially to 24.6 million (one in 20) in the civilian population.

The ChristoFascist majority Supreme Court has decided guns have more rights than children to live (guns the No. 1 killer), more rights than women have over their body, more rights than Blacks have to vote, overturning centuries of precedent and law to declare an individual’s virtually unregulated “right” to carry a gun (Second Amendment says “well-regulated militia” and “arms” not “firearms” or “guns”).

The rate of gun violence has exploded, increasing the number of gun deaths a year from an unimaginable 33,000 to the mind-blowing 48,830 in 2021 with 116 killed each day. t

Even more horrifying is the number of mass shootings, directly correlated to the number of assault weapons: 273 in

2014, increasing to 690 in 2021.

While we tend to focus only on the dead, millions of Americans live with physical, mental and emotional injuries after surviving a gun assault, costing the nation $557 billion a year in medical care not to mention lost productivity. And what about the orphans and widowed?

What should outrage every American is that the assault weapons exponentially murder random innocents – not like those pesky handguns that are used in gang violence and intentional killings. Schoolchildren in Columbine, Sandy Hook, Parkland, Uvalde are now forced to “learn” in prison-like “secure” settings. People watching a July 4th parade, attending a concert, shopping at the mall, going to a movie or nightclub, church or synagogue are potential targets.

On the other hand, the Brady Campaign estimates that during the 10 years the ban was in effect, mass shooting fatalities were 70% less likely to occur, but after the ban expired, mass shootings in which six or more people were killed increased by 347%.

The ubiquity of guns also factors into the 1,000 killed by police each year (13% higher rate in states with permitless concealed carry laws, with unarmed Black people three times more likely to be killed by police) because they can claim they feared for their life.

And Stand Your Ground Laws in so many of the states with the most permissive gun laws (permitless and open carry) are having tragic consequences, where the perpetrator knows to shoot first and kill in order to claim self-defense. Indeed, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott just pardoned a

and voting. Here’s what needs to be done:

Manufacturers:

Ban assault weapons, high-capacity ammo, bump stocks for civilian use, mechanisms that turn guns into machine guns, and ghost guns. Give a deadline and institute a buy-back program.

End the unprecedented exemption for product liability.

Require the $28 billion guns and ammo industry to pay into a Victims Compensation Fund to defray the $597 billion/year that gun violence costs society.

helps recompense law enforcement. No online purchases of guns or ammo.

Gun Owners:

Gun owners must be certified as having gone through training and knowing laws regarding safe storage, licensed to carry and registered as the owner of that specific gun (just as for a car), renewed every five years, and insured.

Universal background check, national registry.

man who murdered a Black Lives Matter protester who was said to be carrying an AK-47 style gun (and pushing his fiancee’s wheelchair), because “Stand Your Ground” law “cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive district attorney.”

Tell me how we as a society stand for this? How we allow our “culture” to be defined by guns? How is that acceptable?

The Biden administration has been successful in passing some of the most significant gun violence prevention regulations in 30 years. And last fall, the ATF issued a long overdue rule expanding background checks to more gun sales, which Republican gun extremists in Congress want to overturn. Now the Supreme Court majority may well rule in Rahimi that Red Flag laws are unconstitutional.

If we are to end the scourge of gun violence, guns should be regulated at least as much as women’s reproductive rights

Require gun manufacturers to build in Smart ID so that a gun stolen from a house, car, soldier or police officer cannot be used by a criminal. (FBI crime data indicates one gun is stolen from a car every nine minutes.)

Institute advertising/marketing controls just as the government did for Big Tobacco.

Retailers:

Require all guns to be sold by a licensed retailer who is required to do background check and register ownership of that gun, including guns that otherwise would be traded, sold or gifted among family or friends. Retailers would have to pay fines or if multiple incidents, lose license.

Regulate WHERE, HOW and WHO can sell guns.

Harden penalties for retailers who do not do proper background checks or allow straw purchases (criminal penalty if gun improperly sold used in a crime; loss of retail license, fines.)

Put a hefty tax on purchase of guns, ammo and gun paraphernalia, which

Red Flag laws to prevent anyone who is adjudicated a threat to self or others from possessing a gun.

Tax license, registration, guns and ammunition and supplies — money goes to Victims Fund;

Civil and criminal penalties for failing to safely store weapons, ammunition; severity increases if gun used in violent crime. If guns are going to be everywhere, there has to be accountability: Negligent homicide for anyone whose gun is used in murder, felony prosecution for anyone whose gun is used in crime, including parents, guardians of minor who uses gun.

Stand Your Ground defense? Prove actual mortal threat and no way to mitigate.

We may think because we live in New York State which, in spite of the Supreme Court, still has some sensible gun control (and safest big cities in the country), but that really depends on who is governor and in the Legislature’s majority.

See also: https://www.preventioninstitute.org/focus-areas/preventing-violence-and-reducing-injury/preventingviolence-advocacy

VIEW POINT

KAREN RUBIN

View Point

L.I.G.H.T. for Charity: Long Island Cares helps many

L.I.G.H.T. FOR CHARITY™ (‘Long Island Giving Help Together For Charity’) is my column where I shine a light on a different Long Island-based charity each month. For this column, I focus on Long Island Cares, which is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving hungry and food-insecure populations throughout Long Island.

Long Island Cares was founded in 1980 by the late singer-songwriter Harry Chapin with a budget of just $75,000. As more people on Long Island experienced food insecurity, it became clear that more work was needed on a broader scale to address the needs of the hungry.

Long Island Cares provides food

pantries and soup kitchens for those in need, distributing over 14 million pounds of food (equivalent to 11.5 million meals) to the over 230,000 people facing hunger on Long Island each year. Dealing with hunger is only one of several problems facing those battling food insecurity. Long Island Cares also offers a wide variety of other important services such as job training, job placement, outreach to the homeless, and veterans’ service programs.

Long Island Cares also operates a specialized youth program. Through this program, Long Island Cares created a unique mobile food truck program, which travels throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties, delivering

Jeff Stone is a man of the people

Ihave known Jeff Stone for about seven years. In these years, I have found him to be trustworthy, hard-working, caring, honest, and ready to help anyone, no matter if he is at a Kiwanis outing or anything else

— Jeff is a man of the people. I am honored to support him as a candidate for Mayor for the people of Manorhaven.

Carol Dunphy Port Washington

Jeff Stone will be an amazing mayor

Jeff Stone is an honest, upstanding gentleman who gives of himself unconditionally. Since our first meeting four years ago at Toms Point, I have been impressed with his devotion and concern for people, especially their mental and physical well/being. He is the ultimate volunteer, as no task is too

daunting for Jeff to undertake. Jeff will be an amazing Mayor of Manorhaven, bringing his integrity, intelligence and foresight to the town. Cast your vote for Jeff Stone on June 18th at the Village Hall.

Patricia Mulholland Port Washington

Manorhaven needs fresh faces on board

Once again, Manorhaven is having a mayoral election. What is so important about this one is the ability to put the past behind and start over with a new team with new ideas. The Jeff Stone team represents are new faces with no baggage, no favors owed and a willingness to seek solutions that

benefit all residents. To make this point, I collected signatures for Jeff Stone and his team. I found a yard sign for the other candidate in front of my house without even the courtesy to ask.

Pat Valente Port Washington

KAYLA DONNENFELD

Shining a L.I.G.H.T. for Charity

READERS WRITE

over 65,000 food-insecure Long Island kids and their families healthy breakfast options. The service has also been extended to cater to veterans, seniors and Long Island’s homeless population to ensure these vulnerable populations also have access to nutritious meals.

Long Island Cares also operates Baxter’s Pet Panty to ensure all members of the family — including pets — have enough to eat. Baxter’s Pet Panty operates by appointment only, Monday-Friday at 161 North Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst. Interested individuals can make an appointment by calling (631) 991-8106.

Recognizing that ending hunger is not something that food banks can do

on their own, Long Island Cares created the Chapin Center for Public Policy, which advocates for long-term public policy solutions at the local, state and federal levels. The Chapin Center facilitates advocacy through letters, petitions, providing legislative testimony and by serving on public policy committees. Additionally, the Chapin Center provides education through local newspapers, social media platform updates, and advocacy training sessions. If you’d like to help Long Island Cares, you can do so by donating funds, hosting a food drive, or attending a fundraising event. For more information, please visit Long Island Cares’s website at https://www.licares.org/.

Stone for Manorhaven mayor

Ihave known Jeff and Ginny Stone for many years and have enjoyed as well as learned from our many conversations. Jeff is a principled gentleman who gives freely of his time to many quality-of-life organizations dealing with addiction and mental health issues. He is also a dedicated member of the International Kiwanis Society.

As a public servant, Jeff also makes his contribution as a member of The Manorhaven Board of Trustees where his sense of right and wrong and desire for justice serves the community very well indeed.

Jeff would bring this plus his tireless work ethic to the office of mayor and I support him in his pursuit of this position.

Fred C. Capobianco Port Washington

School board elections and Islamophobia on Long Island

Having lived on Long Island for nearly three decades and volunteered for various initiatives, I recently had the privilege of advising Muslim candidates running for school and library boards across Long Island.

These candidates were nothing short of exceptional—highly talented, professional, and deeply committed to giving back to their communities. One candidate was even a valedictorian of the very school district they sought to serve.

Their passion and dedication inspired me to support their campaigns. However, I was deeply shocked to learn that five out of the seven candidates faced targeted attacks and harassment simply because of their faith.

Islamophobia reared its ugly head in our own neighborhoods, with candidates receiving hate messages and, in one disturbing instance, a candidate’s fence was ripped out just two days before the May 21 elections. Remarkably, she still won her seat.

The recent attack on the Melville Islamic Center, coupled with the antiMuslim bigotry seen during the school board elections, raises an immediate concern that more needs to be done on Long Island.

Islamophobia is not just an isolat-

ed issue but a pervasive problem that threatens the very fabric of our society. When qualified and dedicated individuals are targeted for their faith, it undermines our community values and the principles of equality and justice that we strive to uphold.

It creates a climate of fear and division, discouraging others from stepping forward to serve and contribute to the common good.

Despite the fact that 100,000 Muslims call Long Island their home, there isn’t a single Muslim elected to serve in the county Legislature.

The bias against Muslim candidates makes it exceedingly difficult for them to run for office. This blatant bigotry is unacceptable and highlights the systemic barriers that prevent equal representation in our local government.

The impact of Islamophobia extends beyond the immediate victims. It fosters an environment of intolerance and ignorance, eroding trust and cohesion within our communities.

It teaches our children the wrong lessons about diversity and respect, perpetuating cycles of prejudice and discrimination. If left unchecked, such hatred can escalate into more severe forms of violence and exclusion, threatening the peace and stability of our society.

We must not only condemn all

forms of hate but actively confront and dismantle them whenever and wherever they appear.

Our elected officials must do more to protect and support Muslims who are being repeatedly targeted. They must implement policies and initiatives that promote inclusivity and safeguard the rights of all citizens, regardless of their faith.

As members of this community, we have a responsibility to stand up against Islamophobia and all forms of discrimination. We must speak out, educate others, and foster a culture of acceptance and mutual respect. By doing so, we can ensure that our neighborhoods remain safe, welcoming, and vibrant places for everyone.

We cannot allow fear and prejudice to undermine the spirit of volunteerism and community service. It’s time for all of us to stand up, speak out, and demand better from our leaders and from ourselves.

Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive Long Island where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Ali Z. Mohammed Woodbury

The writer is a long term resident of Long Island and served as a trustee of Long Island Power Authority

A place for women to help women in Nassau

Imoved to this Long Island suburb from Manhattan eight years ago. In the midst of all the greenery and walks along the beautiful harbor, I can still feel lonely and isolated.

I would like to change that – for myself – and other women who may feel as I do. My experience in supporting women through various life transitions has taught me to treasure the small group and its incredible power.

My own life has included many transitions.

My two-decade career on Wall Street was nonstop, I made industry friends all over the world. Then running the Principle Quest Foundation for 12 years was another joyful journey. Then I retired (again).

My own experiences over 40-plus years taught

You don’t have to be a Bronx resident to appreciate and enjoy all the borough offers. Several retired friends and I periodically visit various Bronx locations. My wife and I also do the same on our own separate trips. Our senior Metro Card discount $1.35 fare offers both a subway ride and free transfer to one of many NYC Transit buses in the Bronx.

Every year, we make several visits to both City Island for great seafood and Arthur Avenue for tasty Italian meals and incredible

desserts. After eating, we take a relaxing walk along City Island or Arthur Avenues. City Island reminds us of life in a small upstate town. Arthur Avenue is like Little Italy in downtown Manhattan.

There are also visits to the Bronx Botanical Gardens for the holiday train show and the Bronx Zoo. We also enjoy walking around Riverdale Park with its great Hudson River views. There are visits to Yankee Stadium. When sitting in Great Neck Steppingstone Park’s Pier, we can see the Bronx. Too bad

Iagree with Donald Trump. The presidential election was stolen. Hillary should have been president in 2016. Most of the presidential polls had predicted a Hillary Clinton victory ranging from 70% to the New York Times’ 85%. But then how did Trump manage to win?

In the 2020 presidential election, Trump claimed it was stolen from him. What does that have to do with the 2016 presidential election result? “I just want to find 11,780 votes.” Trump could have made that claim because he knew how it was done since there was a high probability that he had successfully pulled it off in the previous 2016 presidential election. All he had to do was flip three states to become president.

Three states that Trump flipped in 2016, when compared to 2012, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, flipped right back to the Democrats and Biden in 2020. The Democrat and Republican presidential nominees’ percentage of votes and the percentage margin of victory or (loss)for each of those three years are shown below:

The above chart shows the relatively high percentage margin of victory for those three states in 2012 covering President Obama’s victory. Overall, President Obama won by almost 5 million votes. In 2016, although Hillary Clinton received almost 2.9 million more votes than Trump, she lost the presidency and the electoral votes due to losing the above three states. In each of those states, the percentage margin was less than 1%. The electoral count in 2016 for the two candidates was as follows:

Trump 304

Clinton 227

Difference 77

The electoral votes of those three states were as follows:

Michigan 16

Pennsylvania 20

Wisconsin 10

Total 46

Assuming Clinton could have won those states, the electoral count would have been:

Clinton 273

Trump 258

Difference 15

Since 270 electoral votes is needed to claim victory, Clinton would have won. Analyzing the numbers shows that there is a good possibility that the numbers could have been manipulated or controlled in not only the 2016 presidential election but also in the 2020 presidential election with both favoring Donald Trump.

For example, in 2012, President Obama had almost 5 million more total votes than Mitt Romney. Obama’s margin of victory in

me so much about how a group works, the importance of feeling safe, and how important it was to not go past my own capabilities. In my view gurus are not actually helpful because, in fact, each woman has the answers inside herself, if only someone could listen without giving advice or trying to “fix” her. We honor a covenant of confidentiality and learn from hearing the other women’s stories. That’s why on June 11 at the First Congregational Church of Manhasset, I am hosting a small group to explore the possibility of a local gathering making a real difference.

there is no ferry connection to the Bronx. It would probably take less than 20 minutes instead of an hour or more by public transportation via Manhattan.

While working for the Federal Transit Administration, I visited dozens of MTA NYC Transit subway, Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority bus, MetroNorth Rail Road and MTA Bus (former Liberty Lines Bronx Express and New York Bus private NYCDOT franchised bus operators) depots, yards, shops, stations and rode many of the routes.

Charlotte Beyer Port Washington cbbeyer@gmail.com

This gave me an excellent understanding of the Bronx public transportation network. I always used mass transit when visiting. At the end of the day, regardless if you live in the Bronx, another NYC borough, Nassau or Westchester County, we are all neighbors. We have more in common than what may divide us. Our economic success and enjoyment of what life has to offer is interdependent.

the three states Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan was 5.38%, 6.94% and a whopping 9.46% respectively.

In 2016, although Clinton lost, her total votes exceeded Trump’s total by almost 3 million votes. Nevertheless, Trump won in those three states by margins of 0.23%, 0.72% and 0.77%, which by itself only shows that the votes were very close.

However, when we look at the results for the 2020 presidential election, we see that President Biden received more than 7 million total votes than Trump, but check out the margin differences in each of those three states comparing these 2020 numbers to those from 2012 as shown above.

In Michigan, the margin of victory dropped from 9.46% to 2.78%.

In Pennsylvania, the margin of victory dropped from 5.38% to 1.17%.

In Wisconsin, the margin of victory dropped from 6.94% to a minimal 0.62%.

These reductions took place despite the fact, to repeat, that Biden’s margin of victory of 7 million votes in 2020 was 2 million more than Obama’s margin of victory of 5 million votes.

Once again, these lower percentages in the three states in 2016 and 2020 for Clinton and Biden, respectively, by themselves mean little. But sometimes in investigations by the police or others, something that is interpreted one way at the moment, when subsequently looked at can generate a totally different conclusion.

Once again we focus in on Georgia, where Trump lost the vote in 2020 by 11,779 votes, when he said to the Georgia Secretary of State, Republican Brad Raffensberger, ” I just

want to find 11,780 votes.”

This insinuates that there apparently was a way to manipulate the vote count, and if that’s the case in Georgia, the same could be true in other states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, not only for 2020 but also for 2016. To repeat, if you’ve done it already, to do it again is a lot easier since you already know how to do it. Numbers do tell stories. It’s a matter of how the numbers are looked at and by whom. Where are the accounting firms when you need them?

Putting all that aside, it’s possible that Trump can win the 2024 presidential election despite having lost one legal case and having three other legal cases unresolved. If he is victorious, the three unresolved cases would suddenly disappear. Can you imagine if we attempted to do anything similar? The judge would say, “Go directly to jail. Do not pass Go.” Is there anything that can be done to assure that his legal cases get resolved before he takes office and attempts to destroy democracy?

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This Golden Rule should also be applied in politics. In the event that Trump is victorious, to ensure that Trump’s legal cases get resolved before he takes office, Vice President Kamala Harris should do what Trump wanted his Vice President Pence to do. Do not certify the election result until those cases are resolved. And if Trump loses some of the legal cases and is sentenced to jail, then it will be one less problem or one more problem that our current democracy will have to solve.

Alvin Goldberg Great Neck

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YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING

Cedamarmere to host day of the arts

of at

The 3rd annual Summer Celebration of the Arts at Cedarmere, the former estate of William Cullen Bryant in Roslyn on Saturday, will be held on June 8 from 4:30 to 7:00 pm (rain date, Sunday, June 9th).

The event will feature contemporary dance, live world beat music, art installations, paintings, spoken word, and an interactive dance jam in the sunken garden, all inspired by the theme “Water”.

Pack a picnic supper and come enjoy the beautiful historic grounds and landscape of Cedarmere.

Explore the pond, gardens, and trails, and take in the sunset over Hempstead Harbor. This year’s event will premiere new nature-inspired works choreographed by Nancy Brier, set to a new musical composition by Edgar “Bass Monk” Patterson Mills and new original poetry written by senior residents of Sea Cliff.

New site-specific sculptures by John Cino and a water-inspired art exhibit by Firefly Studios of Northport will also be on display.

sing a water song and display wam-

Carl Safina, an author, eco-activist, and drummer, will host the event. Tecumseh Ceasar, a cultural representative of the Montauketts, will sing a water song and display wampum carvings.

Bring a picnic supper and remember to carry out all trash as no garbage facilities will be available. Some chairs will be provided.

This family-friendly event is made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and additional support from the Chris Crosby Foundation.

rary dance, live world beat music, art jam

senior residents of Sea Cliff.

Wednesday Jun 12th

Silk Scarf Painting in Hot Batik Workshop with Oksana Danziger Friday, June 7, 10am-1:30p @ 10am / $81-$90

Silk Scarf Painting in Hot Batik Workshop with Oksana Danziger Friday, June 7, 10am1:30pm Adults and Teens 16+ Location:

The Manes Art Educa‐tion Center $81 mem‐bers | $90 non-members Manes Education Cen‐ter at Nassau County Museum of Art, One Museum Drive, Roslyn. events@nassaumu seum.org, 516-4849337

The Rocket Man Show @ 8pm / $30-$65

The Paramount, Huntington

Sat 6/08

LIFE CENTER OF LONG ISLAND 5K RUN/WALK

4 LIFE @ 8:45am / Free-$30 3340 Merrick Rd, Seaford

4th Annual Empire State Ride Long Island & Street Fair @ 7am / $25

Join us for a beautiful day of cycling and a post ride Street Fair in support of cancer re‐search at the 4th annual Empire State Ride Long Island on June 8, 2024! Downtown Oyster Bay, 1 Shore Avenue, Oyster Bay. esrlongisland@ roswellpark.org, 833465-1730

Empire Safety Council Driver Safety Course @ 10:30am

A check or money order in the amount of $30, payable to Empire Safety Council, is due at time of in person registration. 195 Mar‐cellus Rd, 195 Marcel‐lus Road, Mineola. 516746-8488

3rd Annual Exotics & Classics Car Show

(bene�tting Shriners' Hospitals for Children) @ 9am

Judged car show with trophies given in multi‐ple categories. Fundraising event for Shriner's Hospitals for Children. Port Washing‐ton LIRR Train Station, South Bayles AVenue, Port Washington. adam_bernstein@opti mum.net, 516-458-9666

Deep Roots Farmers Market at Village Square June 8th @ 9am

Deep Roots Farmers Market at VILLAGE SQUARE Saturday June 8th, 9AM-1PM. (Greek Festival is at Garvies Point) Village Square, 100 Village Square, Glen Cove. info @deeprootsfarmersmar ket.com, 516-318-5487

Crisis Crayons @ Nostalgia @ 7pm

Nostalgia, 380 N Wantagh Ave, Bethpage

Lovesong The Band: Salt Shack @ 7pm Salt Shack, 100 Ocean Pkwy, Babylon

James Hunter @ 8pm

Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury South

Appetite for Destruction @ 8pm / $20 The Paramount, Huntington

Summer Celebration of the arts @ 4:30pm / $20

Contemporary Dance, Live Music, Sculpture, Art Installation, and Spoken Word converge at Cedarmere Cedarmere Park, 225 Bryant Avenue, Roslyn. synergydancecollec tiveny@gmail.com, 516672-3842

Sun 6/09

Great Neck Farmers Market @ 10am

Shop small and shop local at the Great Neck Farmers Market Fire‐�ghters Park, 30 Grace Avenue, Great Neck. info@deeprootsfarmers market.com, 516-3185487

Nate Bargatze: The Be Funny Tour @ 7pm / $33.75-$93.75 UBS Arena, Belmont Park

New Perspectives in Wildlife Photography @ 7:30pm

Port Washington Public Library, 1 Library Drive, Port Washington

Dr. Ivan Rothman will present "New Perspectives in Wildlife Photog‐raphy”. Dr. Rothman’s presentation is about the celebration of wildlife in southern Africa.

Turtle Time @ 1pm Do you like turtles? 1450 Tanglewood Rd, 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre. helpdesk@cstl.org, 516-764-0045

'Concert Against Hate' feat The Toby Tobias Ensemble @ 7pm

Temple Or Elohim, A Commu‐nity Reform Congregation, 18 Tobie Ln, Jericho

Krush The Band NY @ 8pm The Inn, 943 W Beech St, Long Beach

Mon 6/10

FAST Sports - After Camp Club - Week 1 (6/10-6/13) @ 1pm / $160 Jun 10th - Jun 13th

Childs World Nursery, Middle Neck Road, Port Washington. 516-801-3533

ICC Twenty20 World Cup - Pakistan vs Canada @ 10:30am Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

Aventura - Cerrando Ciclos @ 8pm / $61-$201 UBS Arena, Belmont Park

Wed 6/12

Nate Charlie Music @ 7pm The Local, 7 Depot Pl, Babylon

New York Mets vs. Miami Marlins @ 7:10pm Citi Field, Flushing A Bronx Tale @ 7:30pm The Argyle Theatre at Babylon Village, Babylon

Thu 6/13

Tessa Bailey Author Event @ 6:30pm / Free Join us for this special author event. Tessa Bailey will discuss her latest novel Fangirl Down with a book sale and signing to follow. Books may be pur‐chased at this event. Mineola Memorial Li‐brary, 195 Marcellus Road, Mineola Tue 6/11

Kelli Baker ft. PJ LaMariana LIVE on the Shoreline Cruise @ 5pm Shoreline Trading CompanyLive Sunset Cruise, 99 Maple Ave, Bay Shore

Cuthbert Live: Solo John Mayer Night @ 7pm Beginnings, 1986 Park St, At‐lantic Beach

Hasan Minhaj: Off With His Head @ 8pm / $49.50-$99.50 The Paramount, Huntington

Fri 6/14

Mad Agnes Show @ 7:30pm Our Times Coffeehouse, 38 Old Country Rd, Garden City

Back To The Eighties with Jessie's Girl @ 8pm / $25-$45 The Paramount, Huntington

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

Lecture, flute recital on French Impressionism

Great Neck Library is having a special Sunday musical performance French Impressionism in Music, Art & Literature: lecture and Flute Recital.

It will be held at the Main Library Community Room at 159 Bayview Ave. in Great Neck on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

Caryn Block will present a live performance and discuss the flute composers of the Impressionist period, their lasting contributions, and 20thcentury contemporary works for solo flute influenced by this school.

Through viewing art prints and listening to live flute per-

formances of such works as Debussy’s “Syrinx” based on themyth of Pan, Honegger’s “Danse de la Chèvre,” Jacque Ibert’s “Pièce,” and two works by Caryn Block, “Dream,”based on a Greek myth as depicted in a poem by Edith Wharton, and“Garden Music,”based on paintings by Robert Zakanitch, along with short impressionist works for the piano, a portrait of impressionism in art and music will be painted for the audience.

Block is an accomplished Flutist, conductor, and music director of the critically acclaimed Encore Chamber Players. Her award-winning music has been performed both regionally and nationally.

Registration is required. Great Neck cardholders and residents have priority for seating. Sign up online, in person, or via phone. Non-residents are welcome as walkins, as space allows. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary. org.

Health

Caryn Block

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

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

Jean-Marie Addeo Levantini

Senior Director, Ambulatory Care Garden City NYU Langone Health

Dr. Neva Alexander

CEO & Founder Nevalliance Co-Director Ascend Long Island

Phil Andrews

President Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce

Bob Bernard

Senior Vice President, Debt & Equity Northmarq Capital

Adam Boll

Senior Vice President, Strategic Business Initiatives Northwell Health

Jerome J. Bost

Director of External Affairs IBEW Local 1049

Lisa Burch, MPH

CEO & President EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies

John Burke

Global Head, Business & Professional Services, Managing Director Citi Commercial Bank

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

Mary Conway CEO & Founder MKC Strategies

Dr. Maria P. Conzatti Chief Administrative Officer Nassau Community College

Armando D’Accordo President CMIT Solutions of South Nassau

Roy DiMarco

President & Founder RGD Marketing

Dr. James R. Dolan, Jr.

Executive Director CEC Health Care

Jose Dominguez CEO American Red Cross Long Island

George Duffy

Executive Director & CEO SCOPE Education Services

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

Cherly Fajardo

Senior Vice President ExpanseFT

Sari Friedman, Esq.

Managing Partner Long Island

Friedman & Friedman, PLLC Attorneys at Law

Thomas J. Garry

Office Managing Partner Harris Beach PLLC

Louis C. Grassi, CPA, CFE

CEO

Grassi Advisory Group, Inc.

David Green, Esq.

Partner

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP

Jeffrey M. Kimmel

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

Adam H. Koblenz, Esq. Member & Partner

Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano PLLC

Howard Kroplick Co-President

Roslyn Landmark Society

Donna LaScala President Financial Planning Association of LI

Maqsood A. Malik

Founder, President & CEO M&J Engineering P.C.

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

Services

Edna Mashaal

Founder & Managing Partner

Edna Mashaal Realty

David P. McKelvey, CPA Tax Partner Marcum LLP

Vinny Muldoon Owner Old World Quality Corp.

Louis M. Panacciulli

President Mineola Chamber of Commerce

Michael Pfaff

President & Chief Business Officer Long Island Ducks

Michael Recco

President & CEO Friends For Life Home Care

Michael Reed, CCM CEO & Managing Member Elite Construction Company of NY, LLC

Michael N. Rosenblut

President & CEO

Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation

Josephine Savastano Chief Banking Officer New York

Frank Scalese CEO

Blue Ocean Wealth Solutions

JB (Jeff) Schwartzberg Co-Founder & Managing Principal Premier Commercial Real Estate

Sheldon L. Shrenkel

CEO & Executive Director Nassau County Industrial Development Agency

Howard M. Stein

Managing Partner Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP

Mark Stempel CEO & Co-Founder Blue Island Homes

Linda Stuurman

President Last Hope Rescue, Inc.

Katie Swanson

Executive Director Bethany House

Sherry Tucker CEO WellLife Network Inc.

Luis Vasquez

President & CEO Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

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

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Stop by the community of your choice between 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Take advantage of our spring savings special this weekend only!

Join us at any of The Bristal communities for a festive spring weekend. Take a tour, view our beautifully appointed apartments, meet our team and learn more about The Bristal’s amenities and lifestyle.

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Business&RealEstate

Does education lead to homeownership?

Over the years a defining factor for the majority of homebuyers has been location, location and the school district. This was understandable, especially if you already had or planned on having children in the future.

Today’s high prices of homes, condos and co-ops dictate who has the wherewithal to afford to move to a highly rated school system. Moreover, the availability and diversification of Special Education programs is another asset to consider when choosing a town.

This is a dilemma for many who want the best education for their children, but may be limited due to high interest rates and prices as well as their defined budgets and qualifications to be approved for a mortgage.

Paying high rents as opposed to buying to be in better schools is a trade-off in reducing your future wealth, but temporarily may be worth it in exchange for a better learning environment and opportunities for your kids.

Unfortunately, those with higher paying jobs or lucrative businesses have an advantage and are in a more beneficial position to purchase and choose better school systems.

The price of public education has escalated over the last decade to an unprecedented average level of $36,523 per student for the 11 school districts in the Town of North Hempstead, up an estimated $1,000 plus from the previous year as

reported in last week’s Blank Slate Media.

Since approximately 65% of your real estate taxes are related to your school taxes, there appears to be no end in site.

The majority of school budgets passed as education is still a priority for voters and their families as the most important and worthwhile facet and commodity of a topnotch community I need to change direction for a moment to provide some explanation. My personal and professional opinion: if you are currently residing in a school system that needs improvement, there is only one path that you must take as a homeowner.

It should be an utmost priority for you to be as involved as possible in your schools and the programs they offer that will be of the greatest benefit to your children’s education. There is power in numbers and the more proactive you are in participating in all meetings with school administrators, the greater the likelihood that changes will occur.

To start, this can be accomplished at home by setting ground rules at an early age as to what you expect of your children as far as doing their daily homework, studying and most important after-school activities to keep them healthier, building strong character qualities and teamwork.

Sacrificing some of their free time and becoming disciplined will assist them in their future development and advancement later on in life. Consistent conditioning and guidance will reap the rewards in

their future endeavors.

Increasing the scholastic scores in math, science and English will raise the statistics and profile of that school.

Hopefully, this will also lead to better grades, going on to higher education and a successful career and/or business. You as a parent are a critical and crucial component in order to have a successful outcome.

The end result could lead to opportunities that would not normally be available without an education. A society is stronger and more successful when a family structure is solid and complete.

But what we are experiencing today is

a divergence from what is truly needed. It does start and begin with how the parents guide, teach and bring their children up, while simultaneously, the teachers and the school system also come into play.

This should be somewhat of a seamless process, but it is easier said than done. The bi-product of a quality school district are higher and more stable real estate prices. There is a correlation between towns having higher home prices and appreciation and their statistically stronger scoring schools.

If you are lucky and fortunate and born with the ability to be creative, have natural talents and ideas that most do not, this will potentially enable you to be successful without any more than a high school or college education.

Although this is not the norm, college may or may not be a necessity for everyone, especially with todays’ exorbitant costs. Succumbing to student debt for the foreseeable future may not be in the cards for many going forward.

This unfortunately has been a detriment to homeownership. I believe college is no longer a guarantee for a better job, as there are many educated unemployed people with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

Today, the bare minimum requirement for many companies is earning a Master’s Degree to get your foot in the door to compete for a higher paying position in corporate America. Twenty-plus

years ago, both my daughter and son, only earned undergraduate degrees.

Fast forward to today when both would have needed a minimum of a Master’s Degree to be considered entrance into their very ambitious professions. Competition is fierce and even having a Ph.D may soon be the standard to secure a higher paying position. However, today opting or dropping out of college and becoming an entrepreneur can start with just one single idea as some notable individuals have had.

Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Bill Gates of Microsoft, Steve Jobs of Apple, dropped out of Harvard to start their massively successful corporations.

Even Sergey Brin and Larry Page dropped out of their P.hD programs at Stanford University to start Google. However, Michael Dell of Dell Computers started his company in his college dorm room at the University of Texas.

The bottom line is the higher scoring school district, generally the better the education and the stronger the housing prices will be and the greater appreciation over the long run.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. For a free 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 6474289 or by email:Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate. Comor via https://WWW.Li-RealEstate. Com

Phishing: A Real and Present Danger to Small Business

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

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

• Email/data backup to retrieve and restore data

• Spam filtration, secure email platform

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven anti-phishing software

• Dark web monitoring/credential exposure protection

• Employee training with phishing tests and educational videos

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

Is your company protected?

SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS

PHILIP A. RAICES Real Estate Watch

Lecture on the fate of art in Nazi Germany

Dictators of both the left and the right persecuted modern art in the early 20th century.

Join the Great Neck Library in part 2 of this 3-part series, Art Under the Dictators and Under the Democrat, as we explore the reasons for both its unpopularity with the demagogues and its eventual triumph in America during the postwar period.

An international faculty of distinguished modernists taught at the Bauhaus School of Art and Design in liberal Germany during the 1920s, but Hitler organized modern art seized from museums into his “Degenerate

Art Exhibit” of 1936, which ridiculed modernism as an unhygienic symptom of miscegenation that needs to be outlawed.

As a result, most of Central Europe’s best artists, designers, and architects moved to the United States.

Presenter Dennis Raverty is a speaker, author, and art historian who, for decades, has delighted audiences with lively presentations at libraries, churches, synagogues, hostels, and business lunches on a variety of topics in the history of art, from the Italian Renaissance to the Harlem Renaissance.

His articles and criticism have appeared in Art Journal, Art in America, The International Review of African American Art, Art Criticism, The New Art Examiner, Prospects: An Annual of American Studies, Source: Notes in the History of Art, and Art Papers, where he was a contributing editor.

He authored four entries for the most recent edition of the Grove Encyclopedia of American Art, published by Oxford University Press (2011).

The Fate of Art in Nazi Germany lecture will be at the Main Library Community Room at 159 Bayview Ave. in Great Neck on Tuesday, June 11 at 2:00 p.m. Registration is not required.

First come, first seated. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.

Dr. Tom Ferraro has specialized in sport psychology for 20 years and works in the fields of golf, tennis, soccer, baseball, football, wrestling, lacrosse, figure skating, gymnastics, softball, fencing and more. He has helped professional teams, Olympians and elite young athletes learn how to manage the intense pressure of competitive sports. He appears on both TV and radio and has sport psychology columns in 5 different newspapers and has been featured in The New York Times, Wall street Journal and the London Times. Golf Digest includes him in their list of top mental game gurus in America. For a consultation see below:

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Recent Real Estate Sales in

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52 South Road, Sands Point

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Serra Provisions reopens pizza oven, lands permit

Continued from Page 1

His decision to close the pizza oven was met with disappointment from the community and anger directed toward the village over losing a beloved local cuisine.

But that anger has now shifted to rejoicing as the community embraces Serra Provisions’ pizza return.

This month Olson met with Manorhaven officials to find a resolution to the issue, which Mayor John Popeleski said was achieved through submitting all the proper paperwork. The Manorhaven Board of Trustees granted them approval to use the oven at its May 22 meeting.

Popeleski said he is a strong supporter of small businesses and was glad to be able to assist in allowing the pizza oven to resume operations in Manorhaven so that it could serve pizza.

Serra Provisions opened on 7 Sintsink Drive East in Manorhaven in November 2021. About six months later, the business installed a pizza oven to expand its menu.

Olson said the decision to start

6

selling pizza was made to cater to its growing customer base and offer food options that were better for dinner meals. He said pizza was the best option to limit the amount of construction that would be needed.

While the owners admitted they had installed the pizza oven without village approval, they did seek approval from the Nassau County Fire Marshal, which determined there were no fire hazards. They said the failure to go through the village for approval was an oversight.

Popeleski previously said at the root of this issue was safety, saying that bypassing the required permits posed a risk to the public without proper oversight.

Olson denied accusations that he refused to work with the village government, contending he consistently sought clarification on the permit process and provided all the documents that were requested.

He said he also emailed the mayor multiple times but never received a response.

Olson said he had already submit-

vie for 3 seats in Manorhaven

Continued from Page 2

Chilean Charity of America, a role she’s been in for 10 years, and has been a leader of the Spanish-speaking community. She is also a 36-yearlong trustee of the Port Washington Community Action Center.

In an email, Ildefonso said she is running for another term to maintain what the board has accomplished.

As trustee for Manorhaven, Ildefonso is also the village’s representative at Port Washington Business Improvement District meetings.

Ildefonso described herself as a liaison between the village and the Spanish-speaking community, saying she is looking forward to continuing to serve Manorhaven.

Farina is running for his third term on the board. He was first elected to the board in 2020.

Efforts to reach Farina were unavailing.

Rozakis has been a 32-year resident of Port Washington but moved into Manorhaven last summer.

A band leader and jazz musician, Rozakis also performs under her stage name “Nancy Valentine.”

She described herself as a troubleshooter who is seeking to tackle various issues in the village. She said her bid for trustee is inspired by an aspiration to perform a good deed and serve the community.

“I felt that I had to do something,” Rozakis said.

One issue Rozakis identified is a lack of integrity and honesty in the Village Hall.

She provided an example of this issue in the development of large projects in the village, saying many times residents are not informed until after their approval.

“The

— Nancy Rozakis CANDIDATE

FOR TRUSTEE

Rozakis said this issue can be addressed through the formation of committees for residents to engage with the village government more.

She said this would lead to a more informative and transparent village government, championing the unheard residents.

Rozakis said there is a sense of helplessness in the community, something she said she, too, has experienced and a feeling that they are left out of the village’s development.

Another platform Rozakis is campaigning on is responsible budgeting to ensure taxes are used “wisely” by the village.

“The idea of Manorhaven, of Port Washington, is to nurture the family spirit and it’s been very difficult for families to stay here with the rising rates of rent and purchasing of homes,” Rozakis said.

Swerdlow, a client services specialist in the audio/video technology industry, has been a Manorhaven resident for more than seven years.

He has served as a volunteer baseball coach and commissioner and sat on the Board of Directors for Three Village Baseball and Softball.

According to the Manorhaven Residents Party campaign card, Swerdlow is also a supporter of open government and transparency for the benefit of residents. It states he is “committed to helping all residents have a voice in Manorhaven, including rental communities.”

Efforts to reach Swerdlow were unavailing.

The Village of Manorhaven will hold the election from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. June 18. Polling will occur at Village Hall, 33 Manorhaven Blvd.

ted permit applications for his business, and to resolve this issue he just resubmitted the same ones again. Olson, who said his permits were stamped by the village with a date from three years ago, said a village employee told him the original documents were likely lost by the village.

He said issues have persisted throughout the process of opening his business and after, which he chalked up to turnover in the village’s Building Department.

Olson said the dispute between him and the village was rooted in politics, noting that a resolution to the issue came just weeks before the village’s election.

But Olson said he has now moved on from it and is looking to conduct business as usual.

The Port Washington Business Improvement District presenting a grant to Serra Provisions in 2022.

Flower Hill swears in village administrator

Continued from Page 4

supervision of Highways Superintendent Richard Falcones until this day when two were broken.

Rosenbaum said this is potentially an expense the village is not required to pay, but Collins said it may not be wise to deny paying for their replacement due to public perceptions.

The board ultimately OK’d paying for the broken car windows.

The board also discussed the possibility of restricting construction on the weekends to diminish noise, especially during the coming summer months. Albinski said it is one of the only villages that permits it.

Rosenbaum said a law change would be proposed at the next meeting to consider holding a public hearing about the issue.

The board also approved a fireworks permit for North Hempstead Country Club for events on June 22 and June 28.

The June 22 show will be for a private wedding at the country club. The June 28 fireworks show is to celebrate the Fourth of July. Both are scheduled for 9:30 p.m.

The board waived the fees for the Fourth of July fireworks show since it is for the public, but issued a $2,500 fee for the private show.

The Flower Hill Board of Trustees will convene again July 1 for its next meeting.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, PUBLIC DOMAIN Flower Hill Village Hall in the Village of Flower Hill on May 26, 2023.

Port North tables development decision

Continued from Page 1

ronmental attorney representing a group of neighbors who live near the proposed housing community, threatened to sue the board depending on their decision to approve or deny the site plan.

Brooks, co-chair of the New York State Bar Association Environmental Business Transactions Committee, slammed the housing proposal. He said the review processes initially conducted in 2008 are outdated and the site plan does not comply with the New York State Green Amendment.

“First of all, the presumption that this was going to be approved at this meeting is inappropriate and the threat of litigation to intimidate and to create a stir is unfortunate,” Trustee Matthew Kepke said.

Port Washington residents urged the mayor and board to table the decision. They argued the housing plan will worsen traffic and overcrowding conditions throughout the hamlet and have a negative environmental impact.

“I am not a resident, but this does affect the entire town of Port Washington because what you build here flows down into the rest, which is so crowded already,” one resident said. “What I’ve been reading is that this parcel of land was deeded to the village for parkland use.”

Brooks backed resident claims that the land was meant to be kept as open space by the village.

Village Attorney Stuart Besen denied these claims. He said the land was never set aside for parkland. The approximately seven acres of land included in the housing application was left to the village with no conditions by Mill Pond Acres, a condo complex in Port North, the attorney said.

The mayor said the village does have plans to build a fully accessible 4.75-acre playground and park near Channel Drive, along with a new village hall and parking lot. The plans include sensory stations for children with autism and a quarter-mile walking path.

One resident said she was “perturbed” by the mayor’s use of “buzz words” like “children

Trump’s historic conviction

Continued from Page 4

other in American history, we arrived at this trial, and ultimately today at this verdict, in the same manner as every other case that comes through the courtroom doors – by following the facts and the law and doing so without fear or favor,” Bragg said.

Democrat officials are praising the results of the trial. While Republicans repeated phrases like “rigged trial” and the “weaponization” of the justice system, Democrats Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Attorney Letitia James repeated the same phrase that “no one is above the law.”

“The clear evidence presented in this case warranted a guilty verdict on all 34 counts,” Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (DGlen Cove) said in a statement. “Yesterday’s decision is an example of our system working in a fair and honest way.”

Yet the communications director of the Biden campaign, Michael Tyler, said the threat Trump poses to American democracy and freedoms “has never been greater.”

with autism.”

Many residents said traffic on the roads in Port Washington is a big issue.

“The overabundance of people that are coming in [is a problem],” Port Washington North resident Pam Monfort said. “You might say it’s only 44 units. We all look at it as a potential 88 cars that are going to come up into our area.”

Tsoukalas Curto said the housing density in the Oasis application is just a fraction of the density permitted under village law.

The mayor said the lot could house 120 units, but instead the application has been restricted to just 44 units.

One community member said she lives near the area where Oasis is proposing a senior housing community. She said she sees deer giving birth and hawks flying overhead in the greenery that would have to be cut down to make room for the townhouses.

“If you pull those trees down now, that’s permanent. It’s done. You can’t put a 100-year tree back,” the Port Washington resident said. “This village has really good income streams, from the wealthy residents and some shops… there is not a financial need that is dire, not even a need, in this community and I think 3,000 people [living nearby] would appreciate being given the choice.”

Booze skimming question in town hire

very seriously and we investigated these reporter’s claims.”

He said the town was not aware before the initial reporting by The City publication.

While Mignardi said the town is further investigating the issue, he said Suzenski’s actions were never substantiated previously.

At the public portion of the town meeting, another resident complained about the town’s decision not to fly the pride flag for the entire month of June,

The resident asked the board if the pride flag, which represents the LGBTQ+ community, would be flown for the entire month after being raised just moments before the meeting Tuesday night.

For the first time in years, DeSena said it won’t. Instead, DeSena said the flag will fly for a few days.

DeSena said the flag wouldn’t fly for the full month to create continuity with other recog-

nized holidays, which have a shorter duration. She compared it to Organ Donation Month in April when the flag associated with it was not flown for the entire month.

She said the town flag pole is primarily for the American and POW/MIA flags.

DeSena said in flying the pride flag for a few days it still recognizes Pride Month for the LGBTQ+ community.

The resident who asked the question disagreed and said it should fly the whole month. She said she was not happy with the decision.

Town Councilmember Mariann Dalimonte agreed with the resident. She said it has flown for the entire month for the last three years.

Town Councilmember Dennis Walsh defended the decision.

“Shouldn’t it be consistent with what everybody else gets?” Walsh asked.

In other news, the board approved various resolutions Tuesday night.

These included paying $2.5 million for a personal injury lawsuit settlement, awarding a

bid for lot reconstruction at Tully Park in New Hyde Park, and establishing an agreement with a veterinarian for a voucher program to spay and neuter cats.

The board did discuss a resolution authorizing a memorandum of understanding with the Long Island Rail Road but opted to table the decision until July.

The memorandum would permit the Long Island Rail Road to conduct a survey at the Port Washington station to determine changes needed.

Dalimonte asked to table the decision after multiple residents contacted her hours before the meeting to question the resolution. She suggested a community meeting to inform residents before a decision is made.

The North Hempstead Town Board will convene again at 10 a.m. on June 11 for its public hearings.

“Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain. But today’s verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality,” Tyler said. “There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box.”

Some are hoping the conviction results in blue votes come November.

“Over the last two years, House Republicans have pushed a radical agenda that seeks to defund law enforcement and endanger Americans,” House Majority PAC President Mike Smith said in a statement. “By standing with a now-convicted criminal, House Republicans are doubling down on their extremism – and it will cost them the House in November.”

Now that the jury delivered a guilty verdict, Trump awaits sentencing in July, at which point he will officially be a convicted felon.

Judge Juan Merchan will decide his sentencing. It could include fines, probation, or even prison time, though Trump was convicted of the least serious felonies under state law and has no prior criminal record.

Trump can appeal the sentence. But even if he does not appeal, the former president can still run for office as a convicted felon. And if he is sentenced to time in prison, he can still campaign behind bars.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Village of Port Washington North Mayor Robert Weitzner speaks to community members at a public hearing Thursday night.

in the best interest of the School District

LEGALS

LEGALS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 1452 of the Real Property Tax Law and a resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Port Washington North on April 9, 2024, that the Treasurer of said Village will sell at public auction in the manner provided by law on the 17th day of June 2024 at 12:00 noon, at the Village Hall, 3 Pleasant Avenue, Port Washington, New York 11050, the following parcels of real estate to discharge taxes and assessments for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2024, fees, interest and charges which may be due thereon at the time of such sale:

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that on all such taxes five percent interest for the first month after July 1, 2023 will be required and an additional one percent for each month or fraction thereof after August 1, 2023 will be required until said taxes and accrued interest are paid in full. In addition to said interest, also required is the payment of costs and expenses, including postage, an administrative charge of $1.00, and the cost of each publication if not paid five days prior to publication.

Dated: May 16, 2024

Notice of Formation of SB Land LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/28/2024. 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 The LLC: 42 Guilford Rd, Pt. Washington, NY 11050. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Historical Society, Mill Pond Model Yacht Club meet

BY JOAN DEMEO LAGER

Visitors to the Spring Fling at the historic Thomas Dodge Homestead got an extra treat this year. The Mill Pond Model Yacht Club joined forces with the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society, opening their doors and getting their boats sailing on the Pond on a beautiful day with a nice breeze.

Charles Dodge was one of seven generations of the Dodge Family that lived at the c. 1721 Homestead. He was a founding father of the Mill Pond Yacht Club in 1898.

Over 125 years later, participants and onlookers continued to enjoy model boat sailing on the pond.

Bobby Black, the current Commodore of the Club, who built and refitted many of the model yachts, made several Class Model Yachts and a smaller model available for the festivities.

The boats were rigged, had their keels put

on, the masts and sails and rigging were installed, the batteries were charged, and the motors were checked. They were moved from the Clubhouse on rolling cradles down to the Pond’s launching area.

People from all over joined in the fun, from model yacht racers in New Jersey to those sailing in Eisenhower Park, Schreiber alumni from Manhattan, people who used to race in the prestigious model yacht races in the past, and local residents who were delighted to see the boats sailing again.

Many tried their hand at handling the boats, and with some practice, the novices were able to get the hang of steering the yachts. One past member even adopted an unfinished yacht to complete to get more boats out sailing.

All the traditional Spring Fling activities were also taking place across the street at the Homestead on this active day.

There was a tour of the Dodge House itself,

another given by the beekeeper at the hives, and a walking tour around the Mill Pond, telling tales of time gone by.

Visitors sang along to the Front Porch Players’ folk music while they enjoyed homemade cookies and shopped for jewelry and attic treasures. Good old-fashioned fun was certainly had by all.

And it’s continuing! People, young and old, have been gathering at the Mill Pond Model Yacht Club to sail on Sundays after 11 am.

This will continue into early summer when the Pond gets choked by weeds, with a plan to resume sailing in late summer. Boats are available to use, and Bobby Black and crew will be available to give lessons.

As a point of interest, Black has been licensed as a USCG 200-ton master, captain — all oceans, Red Cross instructor trainer, and founder of windsurfing schools.

ReWild LI, water district to host garden tour

Following the overwhelming success of past years’ events and the Port Washington Peninsula’s focus on water conservation, the Port Washington Water District will once again join forces with ReWild Long Island to bring the Port Washington community its third annual Sustainable Garden Tour on June 15.

The tour will showcase beautiful, low water, earth-friendly landscapes around Port Washington.

The event serves as an important component of the PWWD’s Do It For Port! campaign, which engages the community in dialogue and action around drinking water conservation and protection.

“Your yard can be beautiful and sustainable,” said Raju Rajan, President of the Board at ReWild Long Island. “That’s the new thinking—you don’t need to have a conventional yard just to fit in! Feel free to come on the Garden Tour and take home other people’s good ideas. The tour keeps growing each year, and we cannot wait to see everyone come out on June 15!”

Residents will feast their senses on biodiverse and sustainable gardens that feature bird and pollinator-friendly native plants, strategies to reduce your lawn footprint, composting, organic fruits and vegetables, smart sprinklers and more. Guests will pick up ideas to create a great-looking garden that uses less water and fewer chemicals while saving time and money.

The PWWD is excited to be one of the tour’s stops for the first time this year, having planted a water-wise native garden at its headquarters this spring with help from a grant from ReWild Long Island.

“Our annual Sustainable Garden Tour is one of the most exciting times of the year for us, as it gives us a fun way to connect with our community while promoting environmental conservation,” said PWWD Commissioner Mindy Germain. “Our first two tours were tremendous successes, which further emphasizes

that the Port Washington community truly cares about its environment. With over 100 residents attending the event last year, we are looking forward to seeing just as much enthusiasm from our community to Do It For Port

this year.”

The 2024 Sustainable Garden Tour will begin at 9:00 a.m., and parking details and directions will be issued upon registration. To register for the tour, please visit www.pwwd.

org/gardentour2024. Residents are encouraged to visit www. rewildlongisland.org to learn more about sustainable gardening, upcoming activities and ways to get involved.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS BAIN

Model yachts racing

Port Washington Water District Commissioner Mindy Germain, third from right, and ReWild Long Island President of the Board Raju Rajan, third from left, were proud to see over 100 residents participate during 2023 Sustainable Garden Tour and hope to see similar success this year.

▼ EMPLOYMENT, SITUATION WANTED, MARKETPLACE

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Any verbal cancellations must be approved by a supervisor. There are no refunds on cancelled advertising. An advertising credit only will be issued.

Publisher's notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Publisher’s notice: All employment advertising herin is subject to section 296 of the human rights law which makes it illegal to advertise any preference based on religion, sex, familial status, arrest record, national origin, color, age, or disability. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for employment which is in violation of the law. Employment opportunities advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

SCOPE Education Services is now hiring for the 2024–2025 school year in all of the Before and After School Programs located in the Garden City Elementary Schools!

We are looking for energetic applicants who love working with children! Looking to fill multiple Director, Assistant Director, Group Leader and Substitute positions. All positions are part time and can accommodate flexible schedules.

Competitive Wages • Signing Bonus Referral Bonus • Scholarship Program

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SHINING IN DEFEAT

Roslyn boys tennis team 2nd best despite tragic loss of 2

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

It was a season whose purpose was known from the start.

“Win it for the boys.”

The Roslyn boys tennis team has had to deal with so much trauma over the past 14 months after losing team members Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz in a car accident on May 3, 2023.

And so from the start of this year, seniors Justin Sherman and Cayden Shen recalled Wednesday, everyone on the Bulldogs squad had all the motivation it needed.

And at Hofstra University Wednesday in the Large Schools team championship against Syosset, and backed by dozens of family and alumni, Roslyn tried to complete a magical season.

Unfortunately, the juggernaut Syosset program proved to be just a touch better. Winning two singles matches and three doubles tilts, the Braves captured their seventh Nassau title in the past nine years, beating Roslyn 5-2.

“It’s a great rivalry because we push each other and each team wants to do better,” said Roslyn coach Kerriann Jannotte-Hinkley. “I don’t want to speak for their team, but I feel that the way we usually feel is that if we can’t win (the county title), we’re happy it’s them winning it.”

For Roslyn, this season was all about starting to feel whole again. Junior Ethan Solop, the No. 1 singles player, was in the crash that killed Hassenbein and Falkowitz and suffered a serious leg injury.

But he came back healthy this season and dominated, winning all but one singles match. Wednesday, he cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Syosset’s Nikhil Shah.

“On and off the court, he’s the toughest kid I’ve ever met in my life,” Roslyn senior Justin Sherman said. “He’s an inspiration to us all, how well he’s come back and played, and just how strong he is.”

Roslyn entered the title match off a close 4-3 win over Herricks on Tuesday in the semifinals, and when Solop won easily, followed shortly by the second doubles team of Brian Toh and Kyle Law grabbing a win, it looked like the Bulldogs might pull it off.

After all, Roslyn (14-3) had defeated Syosset in a team match earlier this season, so it knew it could be done.

But Syosset was able to rally to win at fourth doubles and third doubles, taking the lead, and Roslyn wasn’t able to recover.

“They just had a little more firepower to-

day,” said Jannotte-Hinkley. “But I’m so proud of our group of seniors, six altogether, five of them in the starting lineup. They’re really special kids who had a great season.”

A sign of the culture Jannotte-Hinkley has built was seen in the alumni at the match, all staying connected to the program. The 2011 Roslyn team returned to the school and hit with the current squad, helping mentor them and keeping them connected to the program.

“They just had a little more firepower today...I’m so proud of our group of seniors, six altogether, five of them in the starting lineup. They’re really special kids who had a great season.”

— Kerriann

Jannotte-Hinkley

ROSLYN COACH

“She’s incredible in that she keeps the former players connected and is always there for the (current) team,” said Roslyn athletics director Mike Brostowski. “We’re very luicky to have her, and these great kids who come through the program.”

For Roslyn senior Cayden Shen, the entire season has felt like a battle, but he’s thrilled at how well his team fought.

“We know everyone’s gunning for us, and we were motivated to win as much as possible this season for Ethan and Drew,” Shen said. “We knew everyone on the team was going to battle, and today we battled but just came up a little bit short.”

Syosset advanced to play Commack in the Long Island Championship on June 3, with the winner advancing to states.

Three local singles players are competing in the state singles competition, which started on May 31: Roslyn’s Solop, Herricks’ Samarth Deepudass, and Manhasset’s Maxim Golubenko are all vying for a state title.

PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL J. LEWIS

Roslyn No. 2 singles player Bartek Dziedziach prepares to serve during the May 29 county championship match vs. Syosset, at Hofstra.

SPORTS

COMEBACK FALLS SHORT

Manhasset girls’ slow start costs team 6th straight title

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

The powerful scent of déjà vu permeated Motomed Field at Adelphi University Thursday afternoon.

Manhasset girls lacrosse coach Jackie Williams felt it. So did senior defender Maddy Chun. Many of the spectators surely experienced it as well.

For the second year in a row, Manhasset was down big near the end of a county championship game. And for the second year in a row, a miraculous comeback was about to be complete.

In 2023, ‘Set was down 12-9 with six minutes to go against North Shore before rallying to tie in the final minute and winning in overtime, 13-12. That win gave the best lacrosse program in Nassau a fifth straight county crown.

And now, here, one year later, history was repeating itself. In a game played over two days due to a lightning storm stopping play midway through the third quarter Wednesday night, Manhasset had again dug itself a big hole.

This time it was Wantagh, knocked out of

the playoffs by Manhasset three straight years, that had the major upper hand. The Warriors led 11-7 with five minutes to go, and it looked like Manhasset’s dominant streak in Class C would end.

Yet here it came, the comeback that its fans had been waiting for.

Holly Newman ripped a high shot into the twine to make it 11-8, with 4:38 left. Then Newman scored again off a draw-control win by Lauren Perfetto, making it 11-9. Then fellow senior Shea Panzik scored a museum-quality goal, racing through the Wantagh defense and blasting a low shot past goalie Amanda Copppola, making the score 11-10 with 1:43 to go.

It was all setting up so perfectly, even more so when Wantagh was called for a penalty with 82 seconds remaining, giving Manhasset an extra-man chance and a golden opportunity to tie the game.

“I felt like it was all set up to be a repeat of last year,” Chun said afterward. “At least, I was trying to feel that.”

With its fans roaring, though, the comeback fell just short.

Manhasset committed a turnover on a pass with about:40 left, and Wantagh ran out the clock and won the county title, 11-10.

For Manhasset, the deficits it had to erase all game were just too much to overcome.

“It seems like we keep getting in these situations where the girls start off slow and dig themselves a hole, and it takes an (end of) quarter speech or a halftime speech to get them going,” Williams said. “We have come back a lot this year, but it’s hard to keep digging out.”

Manhasset (11-6) started slowly Wednesday night, falling behind 7-2 at halftime as Wantagh repeatedly ran set plays through the Manhasset defense to get open looks.

“We had a lot of miscommunications, honestly,” Chun said. “They had a really good twoman game down low, setting picks, and there were things we didn’t recognize in time to stop them.”

Manhasset had beaten Wantagh 11-10 earlier this season, so when a comeback started midway through the third quarter, all seemed OK. Manhasset scored three goals in the span of 59 seconds to cut the deficit to 7-5.

But that’s when Mother Nature stepped in; thunder and lightning began, and the game was stopped with 6:56 left in the third.

The delay annoyed Williams and Manhasset, who were already bothered that the original game start time of 6 p.m. was moved back two hours a few days earlier to accommodate Wantagh parents who wanted to watch their school’s boys LIC played earlier that day.

“It definitely stopped our momentum, but we told the girls we had to re-focus and be ready to come out strong (Thursday),” Williams said.

Unfortunately, the Warriors again got the jump, stretching its lead to 11-7 before the big Manhasset comeback.

Newman led Manhasset with three goals, while Perfetto, Nicole Giannakopoulos and Harper Lambert each scored twice.

The game was a tough way to end their careers for the Manhasset seniors.

“Super proud of our group and how hard we fought all year,” Chun said. “I have total confidence the young players who were so great this year will be back here next year and doing great things.”

PHOTO BY KRISTIN PERFETTO

Manhasset girls lacrosse sophomore Harper Lambert (in white) looks to make a move during the team’s semifinal win over North Shore.

WHEATLEY BEST ON LI

Defeat Babylon for title, but lose to Spackenkill in regionals

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

There’s not a lot of chatter around the Quinn family breakfast table on certain days.

Those are the days when Connor Quinn, ace of The Wheatley School baseball team, pitches. Hurlers are notoriously cranky and moody when it’s their turn to throw, so Connor’s brother Casey, a sophomore outfielder, and their parents are well aware of the routine on game days.

“We don’t say much to him at all; just leave him alone and let him get ready,” Casey Quinn said with a laugh. “Let him get right and just get ready for the day.”

That routine has been working for years, and it sure as heck worked on May 30 for the brother duo that powered the Wildcats to a Long Island championship.

Connor Quinn was his usual masterful self on the mound, throwing a complete game and allowing just one run and two hits while striking out eight, and he and Casey combined to reach base all seven times they came up.

That, some timely hitting by others and

some solid defense, powered Wheatley to a 3-1 win over Suffolk County champ Babylon and a Long Island championship.

It is the Wildcat’s first LIC since 2021 and the first under second-year head coach David Burke.

The win advanced Wheatley to the Class B regionals on June 1 against Spackenkill (Dutchess Co.) in Saugerties, but that’s where their fabulous season ended. Section IX’s Spackenkill jumped out to an 8-0 lead and won, 8-3.

“These kids buy into what I’ve asked them to, which is to have a great work ethic, come to the field every day committed to getting better,” Burke said a few minutes after a joyous dogpile on the mound following the LIC.

“I told them the other day that this was our 63rd (practice or game) together, and they couldn’t believe it. They have so much fun together that it doesn’t feel like a long season.”

Quinn, headed to SUNY-Brockport to play next season, kept the Babylon hitters off balance all day. He struck out five batters in the second and third innings, starting off most hitters with off-speed pitches.

“Just work backward, start them off with strikes, and get ahead in the count,” Connor Quinn said. “And I knew our offense would get going.”

That offense was able to get going in the third inning. Casey Quinn, who had a single and two walks, started off with an infield dribbler down third, which he beat out, and advanced to third on a wild throw to first.

After scoring on a balk, Connor Quinn (a single and three walks on the day) walked, and after a hit by pitch, senior Danny Gillette poked a single into right for a 2-0 Wheatley lead. A sacrifice fly by Anthony Saulino made it 3-0, and that was more than enough for Quinn.

He allowed only one extra-base hit, a triple in the first inning from Aidan Kistner, and wasn’t scored upon until the sixth.

The defense behind Quinn was stellar; in a strange sequence in the fifth inning, Wheatley recorded all three outs at third base.

“I know the defense will be there; all year, they’ve been great,” Connor Quinn said. “Going into the playoffs I knew every game could be my last one of my career here, so it’s

so great that we get to keep playing at least one more time.”

In the Class B regional game Spackenkill jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third inning, scoring five runs in the third off Wheatley starter Andrew Asaro, and stretched it to 8-0 in the fifth.

The Wildcats staged a rally in the sixth, getting three runs off an RBI single from Anthony Saulino and a two-run base hit from Noah Filorillo.

“We had a hard time catching up to his fastball. He was really good,” Burke said of Spackenkill starter Dan Collins, who threw a no-hitter until the fifth. “And they’re a really good club. They attacked us and got timely hits.”

Still, Burke emphasized the positive, noting seven of the nine Wheatley lineup regulars return next season.

“It was a great year, and obviously, we wanted to go (to the state semis), but we accomplished a lot, and I’m really proud of all of them,” Burke said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHEATLEY SCHOOL

Wheatley senior first baseman Danny Gillette is one of the big reasons the Wildcats won the LI Championship in Class B last week.

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