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PIKE TREE SERVICE

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Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa

Manetta honored by Sons of Italy

Page 3

Three sets of twins celebrate Sweet 16 Page 10

Carolyn James/Herald

Rising Tide sweeps ASD elections

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

approved the school budget 740 to 621.

THE LIRR began service again Tuesday following a three-day strike.

LIRR and MTA strike a deal

Service ramped up again Tuesday

By BRIAN KACHARABA and CAROLYN JAMES Herald reporters

The three-day Long Island Rail Road strike ended late Monday after five unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a tentative agreement following several days of negotiations, officials announced at an evening news conference.

Union and MTA representatives announced the deal after negotiations resumed in the afternoon and continued into the night, ending the work stoppage that had halted service and caused widespread travel disruptions across Long Island and in New York City.

“We have good news tonight,” Kevin Sexton, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and spokesman for the Long Island Railroad Bargaining Coalition, said. “We’re pleased to announce that the parties have reached an agreement.”

Sexton said that details of the agreement would not be released immediately, citing the need for member review ahead of ratification votes. However, public radio station WYNC reported that the four-year deal includes retroactive pay and expires in July 2027.

The Rising Tide team of candidates running for four seats on the Amityville School Board won a resounding victory on Tuesday, defeating their opponents in a contest that drew a great deal of interest and debate in the weeks leading up to the board of trustees and school budget votes.

Rising Tide candidates elected included, Angel Davenport, 811 votes; Cheryl Quintyne-Best 807 votes; Michael McDonald, 761 votes and Equasia Yard-Jean, 785 votes.

They defeated the Tide Turners’ candidates Donelle Cronin, 745 votes; Wendy Canestro 712 votes, Stephannie Andrews 685 votes and Chris Papile, 685 votes.

“God is good,” said YardJean moments after the results were announced at Amityville’s Northeast School shortly after midnight Tuesday. “Now it’s time to get to work on this district, not only talking about it but doing it,” said Davenport. “We are a cohesive unit and will bring the community back together to. the schools.”

Amityville voters also

Over the past several weeks Amityville school district residents weighed competing arguments over taxes, classroom spending and the district’s future, while candidates for the Board of Education sparred over transparency, leadership and priorities for students.

In Copiague, voters approved the school district budget by a vote of 422 to 214. Incumbent trustees Brian J. Sales and Ledy Torres, who were running for reelection and were unopposed were reelected 465 voters and 425 votes respectively.

Residents in every other school district the Town of Babylon, including Babylon, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon and Wyandanch also approved their district budgets, as well as West Islip voters.

The results are expected to shape not only next year’s budget, but also the direction of the district as it faces mounting financial pressures and evolving expectations from parents and taxpayers alike.

Recognizing Northeast Elementary School’s everyday heroes

Northeast Elementary School in Amityville recently honored two important groups who play a vital role in the school community: its dedicated kitchen staff and its strong leadership.

In recognition of School Lunch Hero Day, students and staff celebrated the hardworking members of the school’s cafeteria team. Students crafted a colorful poster to show their appreciation and presented the staff with tasty cookies as a token of gratitude. These individuals ensure that students receive nutritious meals each day while creating a welcoming and supportive environment in the

lunchroom.

The school community also marked School Principals’ Day by recognizing Principal Pauline Collins for her ongoing leadership and commitment. Educators honored Collins with a beautiful arrangement of flowers in appreciation of the care, guidance and support she provides to both students and staff, helping to foster a positive and inclusive school environment.

Through these celebrations, Northeast highlighted the importance of recognizing those who contribute to student success each day, both in and beyond the classroom.

commitment.

Northeast also celebrated School Principals’ Day by recognizing Principal Pauline Collins for her ongoing leadership and

Courtesy Amityville school district

On May 1, students and staff at Northeast Elementary School in Amityville celebrated the hardworking members of the school’s cafeteria team in recognition of School Lunch Hero Day. Pictured: Kitchen staff members Charlene Wolk, Dolly Grayson and Jarrett Jordon Thompson with students Ethan Yanzaguano Tapia and Alessandra Tobar-Melgar.

Manetta honored with Golden Lion Award for Community Leadership

The Town of Babylon has announced that Councilman Anthony Manetta has received the Golden Lion Award from the Sons and Daughters of Italy New York State Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc. The honor was presented at the 41st Annual Golden Lion Awards Dinner held in April at the Garden City Hotel.

The Golden Lion Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership, service, and a commitment to strengthening their communities. Manetta was honored alongside other civic leaders for his continued public service in the Town of Babylon.

“Councilman Manetta’s commitment to our community is second to none,” said Supervisor Rich Schaffer.

“Whether it’s supporting local organizations, advancing economic development, or working to improve the quality of life for our residents, Anthony leads with integrity and purpose. This recognition is well deserved.”

Since joining the Town Board, Manetta has focused on initiatives supporting neighborhoods, small businesses, and resident services, while maintaining a strong connection to the community.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the New York State Sons and Daughters of Italy for recog-

Rotary and Kiwanis members team up

nizing the Town of Babylon’s ongoing commitment to celebrating and preserving Italian-American heritage,” Manetta said. “This recognition reflects our continued efforts, including each year proclaiming October as Italian Heritage Month, hosting our annual pasta and sauce drive, organizing the Italian Food Festival, and supporting the coordination of the Long Island Columbus Day Parade within the Town of Babylon.”

Others honored included Matthew

Avellino, president of Marty Lyons Foundation; Dr. John D’Angelo, president and CEO of Northwell Health; and John Guadagno, a labor leader recognized for his advocacy and service.

The Town of Babylon congratulated Manetta and the other honorees and thanked the Grand Lodge Foundation for recognizing individuals who make a lasting impact through service and leadership.

Members of the Amityville Rotary Club and Amityville Kiwanis Club teamed up for a community service project, building a large shelving unit for the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless in Amityville.

Organizers said the durable shelving will help the coalition better organize essential supplies for people in need.

The coalition’s mission is to end homelessness on Long Island through partnerships with community organi-

zations, policy advocacy, education and direct assistance to people facing housing insecurity.

The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless and can be reached at (631) 464-4314.

For more information about the Amityville Rotary Club and its community work, visit its website.

For more information about the Amityville Kiwanis Club and its work go to kiwanisny.org, or email amityvillekiwanis@gmail.com.

Councilman Anthony Manetta with National OSIA President Thom Lupo and Golden Lion Dinner Chair Ernie Magliato.

Photos courtesy Town of Babylon

Councilman Anthony Manetta, third from right, with NYS OSIA President Arthur Spera and fellow honorees. He is shown with other honorees Matthew Avellino, Dr. John D’Angelo, and John Guaragno.

Lindenhurst man charged in child exploitation case

Suffolk County police arrested a Lindenhurst man May 8 on charges related to child sexual abuse material following an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation, police said. Digital Forensic Unit detectives served a search warrant at 54 Sunrise Ave., Lindenhurst at 7:34 a.m. and arrested resi-

dent Joseph Stangelo, 21, according to police. Detectives seized multiple cell phones during the search.

Stangelo was charged with Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child and Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child. He was scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip.

CRIME WATCH

The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police Department and other law enforcement and emergency service units:

PETIT LARCENY

rise Highway on May 4, according to police. The vehicle was valued at $45,000.

BURGLARY

Copiague: Items valued at less than $60 were stolen from the Target store at 1149 Sunrise Highway on May 7, according to police. The incident was reported at 5:30 p.m., but an employee did not provide a description of the person who took the items.

North Amityville: A woman took several items from Dollar General, at 3395 Great Neck Road, shortly after 2 p.m. on May 5 and left without paying, according to police.

GRAND LARCENY

West Islip: A homeowner on Independence Avenue reported on May 6 that a jewelry box containing rings and other items was taken from the home, police said. The homeowner said the door had been left unlocked because someone was expected to arrive.

ARRESTS

Driving while intoxicated/impaired:

Mariano Rodriguez, 67, of 2761 Union Blvd., Islip; Matteo Nerkowski, 18, of 69 Jean Road, West Islip; Johnson Joy, 46, of 72 Lipton Lane, Williston Park; Harold Castronino, 27, of 19916 Hillside Ave., Hollis; Rosevelt CarbajaJeronimo, 27, of 298 43rd St., North Lindenhurst; Michal Bienkowski, 34, of 257 N. 8th St., Lindenhurst; Jonathan Rosenberg, 39, of 91 Deer Park Ave., Babylon; Maria Garciasoto, 28, of 865 Broadway, Holbrook; and Anyely Espinal Gonzalez, 23, of 70 Pelham Drive, Brentwood.

Burglary: James Young, 55, of 234 River Ave., Patchogue.

North Babylon: A woman parked her car in the Aldi parking lot at 1261 Deer Park Ave. at noon on May 4 when a man approached her and said one of her tires was flat, according to police. While distracting her, he or an accomplice allegedly took a credit card from her purse inside the vehicle. The woman later discovered the card was missing and learned purchases had already been made with it, police said. Police noted this was the second similar incident reported in the First Precinct within a week.

Copiague: Someone stole a 2021 Ram truck from a car dealership at 200 Sun-

Grand larceny: Antonio Cordero, 35, of 108 Junard Drive, Bay Shore, who was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

Sweet Sixteen: Amityville strikes another high note in music education

The Amityville School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for the 16th year for its outstanding commitment to music education. The designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

Amityville is among 1,000 districts nationwide to earn this distinction. Now in its 27th year, the 2026 Best Communities for Music Education program has recognized hundreds of school districts and schools across the country for the outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders for their support of music education as part of a well-rounded education for all children.

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.

Courtesy Amityville school

County panel kicks off anti-fraud campaign

Experts detail deceitful practices that cost unsuspecting consumers hundreds of billions of dollars

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Throughout the country, an easily overlooked category of crime has become a multi-billion-dollar industry: Insurance fraud costs consumers $806 billion every year, taking financial bites out of construction, transportation, real estate and other industries. Long Island’s local business leaders are sharing their strategies to avoid contributing to that statistic.

Some 160 business owners and employees welcomed advice from elected officials, security firms and fellow business people at a panel at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage on May 13.

This was the first panel connecting government agencies and local businesses to share information about fighting insurance fraud, according to John Capece, Nassau County’s consumer affairs commissioner.

“This is the first time in Long Island history that we have a meeting with all the building departments and the Department of Consumer Affairs to host a seminar for training and for communication,” Capece said.

The panel, sponsored by the Long Island Builders Institute, is intended to be the first of many. Capece conceived of the idea to kick off a larger effort to improve consumer safety by helping community members and local businesses identify and avoid malicious actors.

“We want to stop them because they prey on the elderly and the vulnerable people that don’t understand contracts … they get sucked into something where they think they’re going to save so much money and they don’t,” Capece said. “We want to educate the public.”

Panelists discussed the optimal ways of handling everything from home improvement contractor licensing, permitting, solar installations and contracting oversight to responding to fraudulent insurance and

training certificates and staged construction accidents, as well as other topics impacting homeowners and the building industry.

Panelist Gina Farese is a solar energy entrepreneur and a member of Nassau County’s Home Improvement Advisory Committee and many other groups in the industry. She has seen many cases of improper business dealings, ranging from roofing coverage to workers who aren’t on a contractor’s official payroll.

“There’s a lot of things that are broken and so far gone, and I’m seeing so many homeowners get, unfortunately, taken,” Farese said. “So many people just care about their bottom line … at the end of the day, it’s just making sure that the homeowners are protected properly, and educating people.”

Mary Harkins serves as counsel to the county’s Department of Consumer Affairs. She advises Capece and the department on the interpretation of local laws, with a focus on contract violations.

“Now we’re able to address it more proactively, rather than just reacting,” Harkins said. “Our licensing division is about, like, six people, some part-time, and we’re dealing with 10,000 licenses plus about 800 new applications per year. It’s a lot of responsibility, but in reality, we’re moving on it.

“We’re trying to uncover the really great contractors out there,” Harkins added. For bad actors in the industry, the department, she said, is “trying to identify them and take corrective action.”

The number one way to protect yourself against risk, Capece said, is to verify that any contractor in your home is legitimately licensed.

For more information, call Nassau County Consumer Affairs at (516) 571-2465.

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

Panelist Gina Farese and Nassau Consumer Affairs Commissioner John Capece advised more than 160 community members about the risks of insurance fraud.

USMC Handlers and their War Dogs in the Pacific during WWII

“It’s amazing what a bond you can get with a dog when you spend so much time with it. It’s just like being brothers.” —

Bruce Wellington, a U.S. Marine Corps dog handler during World War II

Pets, Pets, Pets...

Pearl Harbor ushered in an unfamiliar battleground. U.S. Pacific commanders were not prepared for jungle warfare. In Guam alone, roughly 20,000 Japanese troops — often hidden by dense jungle camouflage and terrain — waited to ambush American soldiers. Casualties were high.

JOANNE ANDERSON

The Marine Corps tried an initially ridiculed experiment by employing new weapons — dog platoons borrowed from patriotic citizens and trained by novice Marines.

Memorial Day honors all who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Oral histories remain crucial lest we forget. Each year, fewer veterans from the “greatest generation” remain to tell their stories.

“They saved hundreds of lives — including mine,” said Capt. William W. Putney, a veterinarian and commanding officer of the U.S. Marine Corps 3rd War Dog Platoon.

The late Putney, author of “Always Faithful,” was also responsible for bringing surviving dogs home after the war and creating a monument in Guam honoring the dogs who perished.

In typical fashion, the Marines rose to

the challenge. No one was a K-9 expert. Recruits were assigned because of remote connections — perhaps they owned a Cocker Spaniel or grew up on a farm. “Devil Dog” school at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, supplied many trainees. The Doberman Club of America helped provide roughly 75 percent of the dogs. Most of the others were German Shepherd types.

Some had been rejected by the Army as incorrigible, which proved far from true. Marine and dog became inseparable teammates. Bonds formed quickly. Besides learning basic obedience and hand signals, the dogs learned to suppress barking so they would remain undetected in combat.

The dogs later mastered specialized skills as scouts, messengers and explosive detectors. They performed sentry duty, explored caves and captured prisoners. A Marine’s life depended on knowing how to read his dog.

The dog-handler teams often took the most dangerous point missions. In 1944, war dogs first fought alongside Marines in Guam, often guarding foxholes so exhausted handlers could sleep. The dogs became confidants for young men fighting far from home in brutal conditions.

“My Shepherd was my psychiatrist,” handler Richard Reinauer later recalled. Reinauer later became a spokesperson for Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom.”

One night, Skipper, a black Labrador retriever, alerted a company to approaching enemy troops and was shot in the crossfire.

“How do you tell a 13-year-old girl that her dog was killed in battle?” lamented Pfc. Dale Fetzer, who had corresponded with Skipper’s owner in Montana.

Skipper was one of 25 Marine dogs killed liberating Guam. In all, 29 dogs died in action during the U.S. Marine Corps Pacific campaign.

Tippy, a Malamute mix, was one of the Army’s “unruly” rejects. He became Pfc. Al Tesch’s guardian angel — and protector of the entire company. When Tesch was wounded, Tippy would not allow a corpsman near him.

Later, after they reunited stateside, Tippy and Tesch visited prisons and church youth rallies together.

Marines have always been expected to do more with less. At times, servicemen used helmets as dog dishes while giving most of their C-rations to the dogs.

American troops even captured a Japanese war dog. Within two weeks, Marines had taught the dog English, and the German Shepherd began working alongside U.S. troops.

Guam established the Devil Dogs’ reputation. Their success continued in Saipan, Okinawa and Iwo Jima.

After Japan surrendered, the Marines — unlike the Army — brought their dogs home. Putney made sure the promise was kept. Of the 549 dogs deprogrammed for civilian life, most returned to owners, some lived with handlers and only four were eu-

1944.

thanized because of aggression.

Later, many U.S. Marine Corps dog handlers who trained for Iraq and Afghanistan were women. Belgian Malinois replaced Dobermans as the preferred breed.

The 2017 film “Meagan Leavey” tells the true story of a Marine corporal and her combat German Shepherd, Rex, who served two deployments together in Iraq. Both were wounded by an improvised explosive device in 2006. After returning home to New York, Leavey adopted Rex with help from Sen. Chuck Schumer. Glance again at the quote at the top of this column. Prince, one of the Marines’ best messenger dogs, became like a brother to Pfc. Bruce Wellington, who turned down corporal’s stripes because accepting the promotion would have meant giving up his dog.

Wellington adopted Prince after the war. The dog needed no retraining. He fit right in with Wellington’s wife and children.

Offshore wind, solar and storage power New York’s next chapter

New York’s energy debate is often framed as a question of transition. But for many experts, environmental advocates and utility officials, the more immediate issue is one of necessity. Electric demand is rising, infrastructure is aging and customers are grappling with utility costs, all while the state works to reduce pollution and prepare for future growth.

The fastest way to add more power to the grid is through renewable energy paired with battery storage. Offshore wind, solar power and battery energy storage have become central to the conversation because they can diversify the grid, provide stable sources of energy and reduce environmental impact.

The New York Independent System Operator has predicted energy demand will increase by 65% by 2040, putting pressure on an already strained electric system that still relies heavily on aging

fossil-fuel infrastructure.

“Our electricity needs are increasing,” said Doug Schmid, environmental science professor at Nassau Community College and executive committee member of the Sierra Club Long Island Group. “The New York State plan for our energy future is counting on 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy. We need it.”

Renewable energy advocates also point to the environmental and public health benefits tied to reducing combustion emissions.

“The wind blows, the turbines turn, and energy is produced,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “The air quality is not impacted.”

Esposito said communities are

already experiencing the effects of climate change through rising seas, heavier rainfall and coastal damage, concerns that directly affect Long Island’s economy, tourism industry and shoreline infrastructure. Insurance costs in flood-prone areas are also becoming a growing issue.

Though renewable energy projects have faced opposition and misinformation campaigns funded by fossil-fuel interests, advocates say offshore wind, solar and battery storage together offer a practical path toward meeting future energy demand, improving affordability, creating jobs and reducing emissions.

Skipper's grave in Guam photo, most likely taken in

Photo taken by a fisherman of a whale at an offshore wind farm near Long Island.

Photo credit: Captain Paul Eidman

THURSDAY, MAY 21

•Amityville Rotary Club Meeting: 8 a.m., Brownstones Coffee, 55 Merrick Road, Amityville. For more information, please call President Carolyn Dodd at (631) 374-8712.

•Church Attic Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville. For information, call (631) 264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, MAY 22

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631) 789-2569.

•St. Mary’s Thrift Shop: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 175 Broadway, Amityville, enter from rear parking lot. Lots of collectibles, glassware, clothing and other gently used items. For information, call (631) 464-4899.

SATURDAY, MAY 23

•Church Attic Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville. For information, call (631) 264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail.com

•St. Mary’s Thrift Shop: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 175 Broadway, Amityville, enter from rear parking lot. Lots of collectibles, glassware, clothing and other gently used items. For information, call (631) 464-4899.

SUNDAY, MAY 24

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631) 789-2569.

TUESDAY, MAY 26

•Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown. Free weekly, in-person meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552

or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.

•Church Attic Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville. For information, call (631) 264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27

•Town of Babylon Town Board Meeting: 3 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-3000.

•Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free weekly, virtual meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 3320552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.

•Church Attic Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville. For information, call (631) 264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail.com

Calendar items are printed for non-profit organizations, as space permits, or when an event, service or information is being sponsored by a profit-making organization without charge to readers. Submit items to us at Richner Communications, attn: Record Editor, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530; or email: dconsola@liherald.com at least two - three weeks prior to the publication date in which the item must appear. Sorry, but open-ended requests without the specific dates of the events are not acceptable. While we make every attempt to accommodate each request, we cannot guarantee publication of any items. For more information, call 516-569-4000.

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

147 Park Ave., Amityville

Ofﬁce Tel. 631-264-0763

The Rev. Thomas W. Cusanelli, Pastor

WORSHIP SERVICES: Sunday Worship & Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Worship 7:30 p.m.

Accessible to the Physcially Challenged “The

Fr. Dale W. VanWormer, Rector

Woo Young Choi, Pastor

Balboni returns to Adelphi as its president

By ALLYSON FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com

Adelphi University has named Michael Balboni, a former state lawmaker and a longtime public servant, as its 11th president.

Balboni, who will take office June 1, is the first Adelphi graduate, the first Adelphi parent and the first Long Island native to lead the Garden City university. He succeeds Interim President Christopher K. Storm Jr., who will move into the newly created role of senior executive vice president of academic affairs and provost. Christine M. Riordan was Adelphi’s 10th president.

“This transition is a homecoming for me, a true full-circle moment,” Balboni said. “Because I know Adelphi from almost every possible angle, I have an intimate understanding of the DNA of this university and the transformative power of the education it provides.”

Balboni graduated cum laude from Adelphi in 1981 with a degree in biology, and has remained closely connected to the university, including as an adjunct faculty member and, most recently, as chair of the board of trustees. He built a career in law, government and public safety, serving in the Assembly and State Senate and later as New York’s deputy secretary for public safety.

Balboni said he plans to serve as Adelphi’s “chief external advocate,” using his experience in government, law and public policy to raise the university’s profile, expand partnerships and pursue new funding.

“I plan to leverage my professional network and my knowledge of the legislative landscapes in Albany and Washington, D.C., to elevate our institutional visibility,” he said.

He added that he will pursue state and federal grants, build corporate partnerships and work to raise Adelphi’s regional and national profile.

William Fuessler, acting chair of the university’s

board of trustees and chair of the presidential search committee, said Balboni’s background makes him well suited to lead the university at a challenging time for higher education.

“To thrive, Adelphi requires an innovative leader and a proven executive capable of navigating complex financial and operational headwinds,” Fuessler said. “Michael Balboni brings precisely this expertise.”

Fuessler added that Balboni’s public- and privatesector experience will help the university secure resources and support institutional growth.

Balboni takes over as colleges and universities nationwide face pressure from shifting enrollment patterns, rising costs and growing scrutiny over the value of a college degree. Adelphi, he said, is entering that period in a position of strength.

Adelphi received a record 17,000 first-year applications for the upcoming fall semester, and has posted record first-year enrollment in two of the past three years, Balboni said. The university also has a balanced budget, a stable financial outlook and a $282 million endowment, up 69 percent since 2016.

“For workforce readiness, proving the return on investment of a degree is critical,” he said.

Affordability, efficiency and new partnerships will be central to his presidency, Balboni explained, as Adelphi works to demonstrate the value of a college degree. The university will focus on aligning programs with market demand in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and health care, while expanding internships, externships, job shadowing and study abroad opportunities.

“I want to make sure our students all have the experiential opportunities through internships, externships, job shadowing and study abroad,” Balboni said, “so they have real-world experiences employers want.”

Courtesy Adelphi University

Michael Balboni will take office June 1 as Adelphi University’s 11th president. He will be the university’s first graduate, the first Adelphi parent and the first Long Island native to hold the position.

Three times the fun:

Three sets of twins born at GSH 48 hours apart ‘sweet’ sixteen

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherld.com

In April 2010, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip experienced what hospital officials called an “incredibly rare” event: three sets of twins, all from families living in the Town of Babylon, were born within a 48-hour span.

Now, 16 years later, the Babylon Herald Beacon caught up with the teens and their families to reflect on the unusual coincidence, their close sibling bonds and where life has taken them since their memorable arrivals.

The six teenagers — Emma and Kylie Heins, Abigail and Aaron Grant, and Leilah and Cahmari Williams — are now high school students pursuing athletics, academics, the arts and future career goals, while still sharing the unique connection of being twins.

EMMA ROSE AND KYLIE LYNN HEINS

Born April 20, 2010, just one minute apart, Emma and Kylie Heins were originally from Babylon and now live in Mount Sinai, where they attend Mount Sinai High School.

Parents Tara Lehnert-Heins and Richard Heins said they are proudest of their daughters’ ambition and maturity.

“They’re just incredible children,” Tara Heins said. “They’re in track and field and they’re breaking records all over the place and doing great in school.”

Richard Heins joked that the girls are “the opposite” of their parents.

“It’s like they had a private conversation and decided to do the opposite of mom and dad,” he said.

Q: What do you think about two other sets of twins being born within 48 hours of you?

Emma: “I think it’s so cool because it’s already rare, and then for it to happen so close together at the same hospital is funny. I’m glad we got to be part of it.”

Kylie: “My parents didn’t even tell us about it until about a month ago. I think it’s cool and rare.”

Q: What are your hobbies and interests?

Emma: “I’m into a lot of different things. I love art, ceramics and reading science fiction books. I also do hair braiding for my track team. In track, I compete in race walking, and I’m currently ranked first in the county.”

Kylie: “A lot of my time is dedicated to track and my friends. I run the 400 and 800, and this winter our 4x8 relay team set a new school record at states.”

Q: What is your favorite thing about being a twin?

Emma: “I always have someone to lean on. We’re built-in best friends and understand each other well.”

Kylie: “We just understand each other. I can tell her anything, and we always support each other.”

Q: What can be funny or difficult about being twins?

Emma: “We share a lot of the same friends, and birthdays can be hard because we have to decide everything together.”

Kylie: “Thinking about the future is difficult because we’ve always grown up together, and college is coming soon.”

Q: What are your future goals?

Emma: “I’m interested in astrobiology and astronomy. I also love art, so maybe I’ll double major in pottery and astrobiology.”

Kylie: “I’m interested in biology and physical therapy, but I’m still exploring different STEM careers.”

ABIGAIL AND AARON GRANT

Born April 21, 2010, about six minutes apart, Abigail and Aaron Grant were originally from Amityville and now live in Deer Park, where they attend Deer Park High School.

Their mother, Heletha Grant, said she is proud of their character and work ethic.

“They’re really good children and they have manners,” she said. “They’re making a difference.”

Q: What do you think about the unusual timing of the three sets of twins?

Aaron: “I think it’s cool. It’s very rare.”

Abigail: “You don’t hear about something like that a lot.”

Q: What are your hobbies and activities?

Aaron: “I participated in the Student Theatre Showcase as a backup dancer, and I wrestle during the winter.”

Abigail: “I’m involved in theater and serve as artistic director for stage crew. I also play soccer, wrestle, run track, participate in color guard and sing in Women’s Choir.”

Q: What is the best part about being a twin?

Aaron: “We have the same sense of humor, so talking to her is like talking to another version of myself.”

Abigail: “We definitely have the same humor.”

Q: What can be difficult about being twins?

Aaron: “Trying to agree on things because I’m older and she doesn’t like when I remind her.”

Abigail: “People always ask the same questions, like whether we think the same thoughts, and they mix up identical and fraternal twins.”

Q: What careers are you considering?

Aaron: “I want to go into IT technology and work on finding solutions to malware scams and computer viruses.”

Abigail: “I’d like to become a teacher. I already help teach a kindergarten class through a school program, and I really enjoy it.”

LEILAH AND CAHMARI WILLIAMS

Leilah and Cahmari Williams were born April 21, 2010, one minute apart. Originally from North Babylon, they now live in Port Jefferson and attend Comsewogue High School.

Their parents, Sharyle and Yusuf Williams, said the twins’ close relationship stands out most.

“They have the grades and they are both great athletes, but how close their bond is — that’s the most loving thing about them to me,” Yusuf Williams said.

Q: What do you think about three sets of

In photo taken at Good Samaritan Hospital in 2010, the mothers and their babies seated left to right are Sharyle Williams with Leilah and Cahmari; Tara Lehnert-Heins with Emma Rose and Kyle Lynn and Heletha Grant with Abigail and Aaron. Back row are Jean Lambert, RN; Michelle Nottingham, NA: Lisa Giarraputo, RN; Julie Rivera, NA; Marilyn Gonzalez, NA and Joanne Schroeder, RN.

twins being born so close together?

Leilah: “I think it’s really cool.”

Cahmari: “It’s cool that multiple people had twins around the same time.”

Q: What are your hobbies?

Leilah: “Basketball and flag football. Basketball is one of my favorite things, and I also play AAU basketball.”

Cahmari: “I played soccer for the first time this year, and I also play AAU basketball and lacrosse.”

Q: What is your favorite thing about being a twin?

Leilah: “I always have someone to talk to. We’re close.”

Cahmari: “It’s like having a built-in best friend. Family is everything, and I know I can always go to her.”

Q: What is something funny about being twins?

Cahmari: “People say we sound the same.”

Leilah: “Yeah, we hear that a lot.”

Q: What are your future plans?

Cahmari: “I hope to play basketball in college and study business.”

Leilah: “I also want to continue basketball and study social work.”

Grant.

Dr. Karen Fasano of Good Samaritan University Hospital said moments like the births remain memorable for staff. “The team’s skill and spirit shine in unforgettable moments — like the incredibly rare day when three sets of twins were born within hours of each other,” Fasano said. “It created a truly one-of-a-kind celebration.”

Aaron and Abigail Grant. Courtesy Heletha

Heins twins Kylie on the left and Emma on the right. Courtesy Heins Family.

Williams twins Leilah and Cahmari. Courtesy Williams Family.

Commuters back on track

CONTINUED FROM COVER

“Due to the nature of the negotiations, we cannot discuss the specifics,” he said. “What I can say is we are looking forward to our members getting back to work and doing what they do best, which is serving the region.”

He added that any premature disclosure of details could complicate ratification.

“We don’t want to fail ratification,” Sexton said. “If they get part of this story through the media, it may impact their decision.”

The agreement is subject to a 30-day period in which union members will review and vote on the tentative deal before it becomes official.

The contract dispute centered largely on wage increases and the structure of compensation. A Presidential Emergency Board recommended a 4.5 percent wage increase for a one-year contract extension, while the MTA proposed a 3 percent across-the-board raise supplemented by lump-sum payments. Union leaders argued the lump sums would not permanently increase workers’ base salaries and continued pushing for higher recurring wage increases.

The shutdown began after five railroad unions went on strike at 12:01 a.m. Saturday following the expiration of a federally mandated cooling-off period. The work stoppage led to widespread delays across Long Island, with shuttle buses operating on limited routes and commuters urged to work remotely where possible.

Sexton also said that tensions escalated late in the negotiations on Friday night, when the MTA introduced proposed health care contributions for newly hired employees, an issue he said had not previously been part of bargaining discussions.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said the agreement was reached after continued bargaining focused on balancing worker pay with affordability for commuters and taxpayers.

“I’m truly pleased to share that the five Long Island Rail Road unions and the MTA were able to come together and reach a fair deal this evening,” Hochul said. “The contract achieved two principles: protecting affordability for Long Islanders and commuters while giving fair wages to the employees.”

“After a three day strike, I am pleased it has come to an end for LIRR

commuters and its workers. From the beginning, Long Islanders were hopeful the MTA and union leaders would come to an agreement that was fair without increasing fares,” said NYS Sen. Monica Martinez (4th District). I thank all parties involved who negotiated around the clock for the good of the region as this was an avoidable disruption to service.”

“The resolution of the LIRR strike is a positive step but the disruption came at a real cost to the Long Island economy,” said New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso (9th AD). “Lost wages missed workdays and strained local businesses underscored just how critical public transit is—and the hard-working men and women who keep it running every day.”

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli estimated that a LIRR strike could cause as much as $61 million in lost economic activity each day, based on previous analysis.

“A LIRR strike will be felt far beyond the tracks, triggering the loss of millions of dollars per day in lost economic activity, disrupting thousands of riders and throwing the region’s transit service into chaos and gridlock,” DiNapoli said, as the strike loomed.

Officials said that the LIRR would begin restoring service in phases starting Tuesday at noon, with limited hourly service on four main branches, before expanding systemwide service later in the day. The MTA said that the contingency bus service that operated during the shutdown would continue Tuesday morning before being phased out as train service ramped up.

Hochul said that roughly 3,500 LIRR employees would receive raises under the agreement, while fare and tax increases would not be part of the deal.

“I also did not accept a deal for compromise affordability for Long Islanders,” she said. “At a time when everything is going up, I’m not going to allow taxes or fares to go up. Period. Full stop. Got it done.”

Officials said that additional details on full system restoration were expected as crews completed inspections, reposition equipment and return employees to scheduled assignments.

It was the first Long Island Rail Road strike since June 17, 1994. That strike lasted two days before a contract settlement was reached.

Spiritual leader to host programs in Amityville, May 23

Internationally recognized spiritual leader Sant Rajinder Singh Ji will visit Amityville in May to lead a series of public programs focused on meditation and inner peace.

Events will be held at the Science of Spirituality Meditation Center, 79 County Line Road. A Hindi satsang, or public discourse, with English and Spanish translation, is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.

Additional programs will take place Monday, May 25, beginning at 3 p.m.

with a talk titled “From Stress to Calm through Meditation,” followed by indepth meditation instruction at 5 p.m. Spanish translation will be available.

Organizers said the programs are free and open to the public.

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji, head of Science of Spirituality, has been recognized for his work promoting peace and unity across cultures, including honors from the United Nations’ NGO community. For more information, visit sos.org/ tours/newyork-2026.

Cross-curricular project engages third graders at Deauville Gardens East

Students in Ashley Capuana’s third grade class at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School in Copiague are bringing science to life through an engaging, cross-curricular unit that integrates reading, math, writing and technology.

As part of their study, students are learning how animals such as meerkats, penguins, wolves and dolphins live and work together in groups to survive. Through this exploration, learners are gaining a deeper understanding of cooperation, communication and the importance

of social structures in the animal kingdom. To extend their learning, third graders were challenged to design their own “zoo” using Chromebooks. Each zoo blueprint included designated habitats for the animals they studied. Students then applied their math skills by calculating the area and perimeter of each section within their zoo designs. To solidify the lesson, they completed informational writing pieces to explain how each animal group functions and why living in groups is essential for species’ survival.

STEPPING OUT

By Karen Bloom

The holiday weekend may feel a little different this year with the beloved FourLeaf Air Show shifting to over to Fourth of July as part of the celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Still, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the unofficial start of summer, including a patriotic drone show to fill in for the annual flying spectacle that will illuminate the night sky over Jones Beach on May 24.

No matter how the weekend unfolds, one tradition remains ﬁrmly in place: gathering around the grill for a barbecue with family and friends.

Of course, no Memorial Day barbecue would be complete without the familiar favorites — juicy burgers sizzling over an open ﬂame, hot dogs nestled in toasted buns and steaks grilled to smoky perfection. But today’s cookout offers far more than the traditional staples. By adding dishes with bold marinades, fresh seasonal ingredients and unexpected sweet-and-savory ﬂavors, hosts can bring new energy to the holiday barbecue while still honoring the classics everyone loves.

The beauty of grilling is its versatility. From colorful kebabs and charred vegetables to caramelized fruit and herb-infused sides, even the simplest ingredients take on extra ﬂavor over the ﬁre. The tried-and-true will always remain a go-to, but the holiday is also the perfect opportunity to refresh the menu with creative twists and crowdpleasing additions that may just become new favorites.

Spicy Mustard Chicken Kebabs

Kabobs add sizzle to the season. With their easy preparation and quick cooking time, kabobs are a simple way to enjoy many of your favorite fresh ﬂavors.

Sizzle into summer

Fire up Memorial Day

• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

• 1 pound raw boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

• 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper

• 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks

To make sauce, place 3 tablespoons mustard in medium bowl. Add oil and garlic powder, and whisk until uniform. Cover and refrigerate. To make marinade, in small bowl, combine vinegar with remaining 2 tablespoons mustard. Stir until uniform.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken and marinade in large sealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal.

Gently knead marinade into chicken through bag. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, if using wooden skewers, soak 4 in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. Alternately thread marinated chicken and onion chunks onto 4 skewers. Bring grill to mediumhigh heat.

Brush both sides of kebabs with sauce. Grill kebabs for 5 minutes with grill cover down.

Flip kebabs and grill for 6 to 8 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy.

Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip

Enhance the ﬂavor of fruits and veggies at your barbecue. Try another way to eat pineapple by grilling it and pairing with a lime dip for a tasty treat.

• 1 pineapple

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 3 tablespoons honey

Lime Dip:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt

• 3 tablespoons honey

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 2 teaspoons lime zest

Peel pineapple; cut into wedges.

In resealable plastic bag, combine brown sugar, lime juice and honey. Add pineapple wedges, seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate 1 hour.

To make dip: In small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in yogurt, honey, brown sugar, lime juice and lime zest. Cover and refrigerate.

Heat grill to medium heat.

Remove pineapple wedges from plastic bag; discard marinade. Grill pineapple wedges, covered, 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

Serve with dip.

Grilled

Lemon Chive Corn

Grilling adds an extra special ﬂavor to corn on the cob. Try it with a lemon chive butter topping.

• 4 ears fresh sweet corn, in husks

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon chopped chives

• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Pull back husks from each ear of corn, leaving husks attached to base. Remove corn silk. Fold husks back around corn; tie at end of each ear with string or strip of outside corn leaves. Soak in cold water 30 minutes. Drain.

Place corn on grill, uncovered, 20 to 30 minutes or until tender, turning often. Meanwhile combine butter, chives and lemon juice.

Serve corn with lemon-chive butter.

‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’

Spring blooms with a taste of summer as Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band bring their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to the Paramount stage, celebrating the music of Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, and Zac Brown Band. Long Island–based and led by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, the group also features Linn DeMilta (Lovely Linn) on lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios on guitar, Frank Stainkamp on keyboards, Dan Prine on bass, and Mike Vecchione on drums. Together, they’ve spent more than a decade channeling the laid-back spirit of beach-country favorites. With a setlist built for singing along, the band blends crowd-pleasing hits with an easygoing, sun-soaked energy that evokes margaritas, ocean breezes and carefree nights where, as they like to say, it’s always “5 o’clock somewhere.”

Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Decoration Day

Step back into time to when Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Throughout weekend, the living-history site comes alive with the sights, sounds and traditions of the 19th century, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into how Long Islanders once marked the occasion.Stroll the village while enjoying period craft demonstrations, storytelling and stirring brass band concerts that echo through the historic streets. The weekend culminates with the signature Decoration Day observance, re-creating the holiday as it was ﬁrst commemorated in the early 1870s. Costumed Civil War “veterans” lead a patriotic parade and heartfelt ceremony honoring departed soldiers, capturing the spirit, pageantry and reverence of an earlier era. The parade and ceremonial program begin at 2:15 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, May 2324, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage. Visit oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org or call (516) 572-8409.

Spicy Mustard Chicken Kebabs Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip Grilled Lemon Chive Corn

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAY

Wendy Klemperer: Wrought Taxonomies

Vanderbilt Museum welcomes everyone to enjoy the exhibition of outdoor sculpture at the historic summer estate of William Kissam Vanderbilt II. Klemperer’s sculptures. a haunting assemblage of animal forms that span imaginary, endangered, familiar, and exotic species, celebrate natural history and the nonhuman world through evocative interactions with the surrounding environment. Using materials salvaged from scrapyards, she composes ecological narratives that respond to the history and collections of Suffolk County’s first public park and museum. Her brilliant use of gestural lines captures the spectator’s attention and invites museum-goers to reflect on the relationship between an interest in animal life and the incessant push of human industry. Visitors are encouraged to picnic on the grounds.

• Where: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport

• Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Contact: vanderbiltmuseum.org or call (631) 854-5579

‘Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years’

Visit the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame for an immersive exhibit (designed by LIMEHOF Creative Director, renowned designer Kevin O’Callaghan). It features the 70-foot-wide set from the show’s recent 30th anniversary TV special on CBS, never before on display. Visitors can walk into the world of the Barone family and explore their home through original studio sets, which include the living room, the kitchen and other areas of the house. Also see a variety of iconic items, including original clothing, the famous fork and spoon, and the Christmas toaster, among other classic items from the series. Multimedia clips, including behind the scenes and rare out-takes and a range of related videos play in LIMEHOF’s surround sound theater.

• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook

• Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

Thrift Shop

MAY

Stop by Simpson United Methodist Church’s Thrift Shop for some unique finds.

• Where: 30 Locust Ave., Amityville

• Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 789-2569

Gary Clark Jr.

Blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter has built a reputation as one of the most exciting live performers of his generation. Blending electric blues, rock, soul, R&B, and hints of hip-hop, his sound is both rooted in tradition and boldly modern. His guitar tone often recalls legends like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but his songwriting, socially aware lyrics, and willingness to experiment make him stand out as a contemporary artist. On stage, he is known for extended solos, dynamic arrangements, and emotionally charged vocals that move from soft falsetto to gritty growls, making every Gary Clark Jr concert feel unforgettable. Anyone who has listened to a Gary Clark Jr. album or watched the four-time Grammy Award winner perform live knows that he’s a gifted multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and performer. And never more so than on his last album, 2019’s illuminating This Land. But while This Land signaled a breakthrough in displaying his musical versatility beyond the blues, his latest album, JPEG RAW, represents a quantum leap. jun 16

St. Mary’s Thrift Shop

Stop by St. Mary’s Thrift Shop to check out some found treasures. Choose from collectibles, glassware, clothing and other gently used items.

• Where: St. Mary’s, 175 Broadway, Amityville (enter from rear parking lot)

• Time: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 464-4899

Church Attic

MAY 23

Thrift Shop

Stop by the First United Methodist Church for their weekly thrift shop.

• Where: First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville.

• Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail.com.

‘Hamlet’ Vanderbilt Museum’s Shakespeare in the Courtyard series returns with the Bard’s most enduring tragedy. It’s performed by the Carriage House Players in the he Mansion’s beautiful Spanish Revival courtyard. $20, $15 seniors and students.

• Where: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport

• Time: 8 p.m.; also May 24 and May 27

• Contact: vanderbiltmuseum. org or call (631) 854-5579

MAY

In concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame welcomes Buddy Merriam & Back Roads. Celebrating 43 years, this is one of the North East’s longest performing bluegrass bands. Over the years the band has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, festivals and toured internationally.

• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

MAY 25

Nourish Babylon SitDown Dinner

Every Monday Nourish Babylon holds a sit-down dinner at Christ Episcopal Church. All are welcome to attend.

• Where: 12 Prospect St., Babylon

• Time: 5-6:30 p.m.

• Contact: 5-6:30 p.m.

as well as crafts and games.

• Where: 79 E. Main St., Babylon

• Time: 5:30-7 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 587-5838

Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group

This group meets weekly, at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, in person with Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. All calls are confidential.

• Where: 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown

• Time: 7:30 -9 p.m.

• Contact: Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808

Grooves with Acute Inflections

• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Movie matinee

MAY

Stop by Copiague Memorial Public Library for a showing of the 2023 drama “Hard Miles.” A prison social worker assembles a cycling team of teenage convicts and takes them on a transformative 1,000-mile ride. The film is inspired by the life of Greg Townsend and the Ridgeview Academy cycling team. Feel free to bring a beverage and snack. Registration is required.

• Where: 50 Deauville Blvd., Copiague.

• Time: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Contact: copiaguelibrary.org or (631) 691-1111

Babylon Town Board Meeting

The Town of Babylon holds their board meeting. All are welcome to attend.

• Where: Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst.

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 957-3000

Kid Zone

Children in grades Pre-K-5 are invited to First Presbyterian Church’s Kid Zone, weekly. Included is dinner, a Bible story,

Studio Theatre of Long Island welcomes Acute Inflections, the NYC-based jazzy R&B duo that has been featured on HBO and Amazon. Enjoy a special concert that feature their dynamic duets, clever comedy and captivating freestyles.

• Where: 141 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: acuteinflections.com/ product/05-27-2026/

MAY

Serving our Savior Feeding Ministry

The First Presbyterian Church of Babylon holds their weekly “Grab and Go.” No questions are asked. All are welcome.

• Where: 79 E. Main St., Babylon

• Time: 4-6 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 587-5838

Having an event?

Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF SUFFOLK

NEW REZ LLC

F/K/A NEW PENN FINANCIAL LLC

D/B/A SHELLPOINT

MORTGAGE SERVICING, -againstBEVERLY V. DOWD, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on March 10, 2023, wherein NEW REZ LLC F/K/A NEW PENN FINANCIAL

LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING is the Plaintiff and BEVERLY V. DOWD, ET AL. are the Defendant(s).

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BABYLON TOWN HALL, 200 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, NORTH LINDENHURST, NY 11757, on June 2, 2026 at 10:00AM, premises known as 81 PURDY LN, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701; and the following tax map identification: 0101012.00-05.00-030.001. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATED IN THE VILLAGE OF AMITYVILLE, TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 606513/2016. Arthur E. Shulman, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be con-

ducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

26-106. 4/29, 5/6, 13, 20

Notice of formation of Langer Advisory Group LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on April 15, 2026. Office location, County of Suffolk. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a process served to: Langer Advisory Group LLC, 15 Dubois Ave, Amityville, NY 11701. Purpose: any lawful act.

26-96. 4/22, 29, 5/6, 13, 20, 27

Notice of formation of Neon Noir LLC. Articles of Organization files with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 12/25/25. Office located in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against LLC 49 Bethpage Road Copiague NY 11726. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

26-93. 4/22, 29, 5/6, 13, 20, 27

NOTICE is hereby given that the PLANNING BOARD of the Village of Amityville will hold a Public Hearing in the Court Room of Village Hall, 21 Ireland Place, Amityville, NY at 6:00 P.M.

Public Notices — Your right to know

on THURSDAY, June 4, 2026, to consider the following applications:

Application of Arlene Meli of Ultimate Signs & Designs Corp. Applicant seeks review and approval for the proposed installation of new CVS Branding Signage pursuant to Section 24-6 A (1) (j) of the Village of Amityville Code. Premises located on the Northeast corner of County Line Road and Merrick Road in a “B-2 General Business” District known as 20 Merrick Road a/k/a SCTM #101-71-30.2

Application of Thomas Scavo. Applicant seeks architectural review and approval for the proposed construction of a detached 23’ x 16’ garage and 6.5’ x 32.3’ Covered Trellis Walkway pursuant to Section 24-6 A. (1) (g) of the Village of Amityville Code. Premises located on the East side of Broadway approximately 635 feet South of Avon Place in a “Historical District” known as 113 Broadway a/k/a SCTM# 101-5-9-13.

Application of Elsie Domagala of Rockwell Realty II. Applicant seeks architectural review and approval for a proposed front façade renovation pursuant to Section 24-6 A. (1) (g) of the Village of Amityville Code. Premises located on the West Side of Broadway approximately 316 feet South of Ireland Place in a “Historical District” known as 142 Broadway a/k/a SCTM #101-5-7-6.

Application of 44 Merrick Holding LLC. Applicants seek site plan and architectural review and approval to erect a new commercial building pursuant to Sections 24-6 A. (1) (b) and (g), as well as 24-16 A. (1), (4), (5),

and (11) of the Village of Amityville Code. Premises located on the Northwest corner of Merrick Road and Ketcham Avenue in a “B-2 General Business” district known as 44 Merrick Road a/k/a SCTM #101-7-1-27.

By Order of the Planning Board, Village of Amityville Catherine Murdock, Clerk/Treasurer 26-113. 5/20, 27

Notice of formation of SWEET TREATS & GOOD EATS Articles of Organization filed with the (SSNY) on 07/01/2024

Office location, County of Suffolk. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a process served to: The LLC, 775 Bayview Avenue Amityville, NY 11701

Purpose: any lawful act.

26-112. 5/13, 20, 27, 6/3, 10, 17

Board of Trustees

LEGAL NOTICE OF MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Amityville will hold a Special Meeting for the purpose of awarding a bid for RFP 26-02 Park Avenue Streetscape Improvements: Make-Ready Phase in the Court Room of Village Hall, 3rd Fl., 21 Ireland Place, Amityville, NY 11701 at 9:00 AM on Thursday, May 28th, 2026.

By Order of the Board of Trustees Catherine Murdock Clerk/Treasurer

21 Ireland Place Amityville, NY 11701 5/20/26 1X 26-117. 5/20

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

VILLAGE OF AMITYVILLE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Amityville will hold a Public Hearing on the 22nd day of June, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Amityville Village Hall, 3rd floor court room, 21 Ireland Place Amityville, NY 11701 regarding the granting of a cable television franchise agreement by and between the VILLAGE OF AMITYVILLE and CABLEVISION

SYSTEMS SUFFOLK CORPORATION. A copy of the cable television franchise agreement is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Clerk’s Office, Amityville Village Hall, 21 Ireland Pl., Amityville, NY 11701. At such public hearing all persons will be given an opportunity to be heard. Written and oral statements will be taken at that time. Time limitations may be imposed for each oral statement as necessary.

Dated: May 20, 2026 2X Catherine C. Murdock Clerk/Treasurer Village of Amityville 26-114. 5/20, 27

NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING

For the approval of a Cable Television Agreement between Verizon New York, Inc and the Village of Amityville

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Village of Amityville will hold a Public Hearing on June 8, 2026 at 7 PM, at 21 Ireland Place, 3rd floor court room, Amityville, New York, regarding the granting of a cable television franchise agreement by and between the Village of Amityville andVerizonNewYorkInc.

A copy of the cable television franchise agreement is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Village Clerk’s Office, 2nd floor, 21 Ireland Pl., Amityville, NY. At such public hearing all persons will be given an opportunity to be heard. Written and oral statements will be taken at that time. Time limitations may be imposed for each oral statement as necessary.

Dated: May 20, 2026 2X By Order of the Village Board

Catherine C. Murdock Clerk/Treasurer Village of Amityville, New York 26-115. 5/20, 27

LEGAL NOTICE TO BIDDERS

RFP No. 26-02 Park Avenue Streetscape Improvements: MakeReady Phase

The Village of Amityville is seeking proposals from qualified, licensed, and bonded entities with demonstrated competence and experience to provide demolition and site preparations, earthwork, drainage and utilities, streetscape improvements, and landscape. Instructions to bidders are provided at Amityville.gov and may be seen or procured at Village Hall, 21 Ireland Place, Amityville NY 11701.

Sealed proposals will be received by the Village Clerk, Village of Amityville, at Village Hall, 21 Ireland Place, Amityville, New York, 11701 or may be emailed to Mayor@ amityville.com in PDF format, by Wed., May 27th, 2026 at 11 a.m. (prevailing time).

By Order of the Board of Trustees Village of Amityville Catherine C. Murdock Village Clerk/Treasurer

5/20/26 1 x 26-116. 5/20

LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk, State of New York, on the 13th day of May, 2026, subject to a permissive referendum as provided for by Section 6(g) of the General Municipal Law.

Dated: May 13, 2026

BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS

COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF BABYLON ATTEST: DONNA MARANO District Secretary 26-120. 5/20

An extract of the resolution is as follows: The COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT maintains a Firefighting and Rescue Equipment Reserve Fund under Section 6(g) of the General Municipal Law in which account there is sufficient funds to accomplish the purposes hereinafter set forth; namely the purchase and installation of a fire training facility and it is proposed to contract for such facility, in order to maintain the high standards of the COPIAGUE FIRE DEPARTMENT in the discharge of its duties in preserving the lives and property of the residents of the community and said purchase and installation is deemed in the best interests of the residents of the COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT. The resolution further provides that there be transferred from the present Firefighting and Rescue Equipment Reserve Fund of the COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT a sum not to exceed Three Hundred Thousand ($300,000.00) Dollars for said purchase and installation, and the District Treasurer is authorized to effect such transfer from time to time to effect such purchase and installation. This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days unless in the meanwhile a mandatory referendum as provided for in Section 6(g) of the General Municipal Law is required to be held.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TOWN OF BABYLON - ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to Chapter 213, Article II of the Building Zone Ordinance of the Town of Babylon, notice is hereby given that the Town of Babylon on Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a Public Hearing at TOWN BOARD ROOM

(Located in the East Wing) at Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, New York on THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026

BEGINNING AT 6:00

P.M.

6:00 p.m.

1. Application #2681 Shehram Jamal, 22 Herman Avenue, North Babylon, NY.

Permission to diminish north side yard setback from 12’ to 7.6’; diminish total side yards from 30’ to 19.6’; increase total building area from 20% to 45.7% (over by 1,927.5 sq. ft.). All in connection with legally maintaining a finished basement, rear outside basement entrance, sunroom, rear vestibule, and construct a new egress window well. Property located on the west side of Herman Avenue, 545’ south of Gracie Drive, North Babylon, NY.

SCTM#0100-1201-107

Zoning District: Residence B

6:05 p.m.

2. Application #2684 Eric and Erin Kozodoy, 81 16th Street, West Babylon, NY.

Permission to increase total building area from 30% to 41.5% (over by 1,154 sq. ft.); diminish distance to west side lot line from 6’ to 2.3’ (for shed); diminish total side yards

from 25’ to 22.63’ (for attached roof over patio). All in connection with the proposed installation of an inground pool and patio and to legally maintain a roof over patio and shed. Property located on the south side of 16th Street, 140’ west of 15th Avenue, West Babylon, NY.

SCTM#0100-1363-78

Zoning District: Residence C

6:10 p.m.

3. Application #2686 Avinash and Lata Agnihotri, 1544 4th Street, West Babylon, NY. Permission to diminish front yard setback from 30’ to 21’ -3’’; diminish rear yard setback from 30’ to 23’ – 2’’. All in connection with legally maintaining a 2nd story rear deck and a front porch. Property located on the north side of Fourth Street, 500’ east of Fifteenth Avenue, West Babylon, NY.

SCTM#0100-1383-6.002

Zoning District: Residence B

6:15 p.m.

4. Application #2687 Alex and Miriam Alves, 11 Frank Street, Lindenhurst, NY. Permission to increase total building area from 20% to 32% (over by 811 sq. ft.); diminish front yard setback from 30’ to 22.9’; diminish south side yard setback from 10’ to 5’; diminish total side yards from 25’ to 14.9’. All in connection with a proposed second floor addition. Property located on the west side of Frank Street, 254.85’ south of Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY.

SCTM#0100-1562-17

Zoning District: Residence B 6:20 p.m.

5. Application #26-85

David Singer and West Babylon Manor, Inc.,

Public Notices — Your right to know

631 Elmwood Road, West Babylon, NY. Permission to diminish width at front street line from 100’ to 50’; diminish lot area from 12,500 sq. ft. to 6,975 sq. ft.; diminish front yard setback from 40’ to 23’; diminish west side yard setback from 15’ to 5.1’; diminish east side yard setback from 15’ to 5.1’; diminish total side yards from 35’ to 10.2’; to subdivide a parcel of land from 50’ x 286.66’ x 49.48’ x 278.64’ into 50’ x 139.32’ x 49.04’ x 142.73’. All in connection with the proposed subdivision of a residential parcel into two, in order to maintain the singlefamily dwelling and accessory building on Lot #1 and to merge Lot #2 with the adjacent SCMR complex in order to construct a garage. Property located on the north side of Elmwood Road, 275.91’ west of Route 109 (Farmingdale Road), West Babylon, NY.

SCTM#0100-2131-5 and 213-1-4.003

Zoning District: Residence A and Senior Citizen Multiple Residence

Subject Premises: 631 Elmwood Road and 1-200 Cassata Ct, West Babylon 6:25 p.m.

6. Application #26-82 NEO Wellness, LLC

d/b/a The Flower Shak (tenant)/135 Allen LLC (prop. owner), 123 Syosset Circle, Syosset, NY. Requesting a special exception permit to operate a retail recreational marijuana dispensary; allow two (2) parking spaces in the front yard, a non-permitted location. All in connection with an existing one-story building (previously approved for one (1) year). Property located on the south side of Allen Boulevard, 619.70’ east

of Grand Avenue, East Farmingdale, NY.

SCTM#0100-96-28

Zoning District: Industry G

Subject Premises: 135 Allen Boulevard, East Farmingdale, NY

6:30 p.m.

7. Application #26-88 Kumo Sushi 76 INC (tenant)/The YNL LLC (prop. owner), 888 East Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station, NY. Permission to diminish off-street parking from five hundred and forty-two (542) parking stalls required to four hundred seventy-nine (479) parking stalls provided. All in connection with a interior alterations to expand an existing bar restaurant to increase the number of seats in a portion of an existing building. Property located on the northwest corner of Edel Avenue and Route 109 (Farmingdale Road), West Babylon, NY.

SCTM#0100-2132-32.004

Zoning District: Business E

Subject Premises: 80 Farmingdale Road, West Babylon, NY ALL PERSONS OR THEIR DULY APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE MUSTAPPEAR IN PERSON AT THE ABOVE HEARING. ALL CASES WILL BE HEARD IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE ADVERTISED, TO BE FOLLOWED BY ADJOURNED CASES.

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

MICHAEL KANE, CHAIRMAN

Dated: Babylon Town Hall Lindenhurst, New York

May 11, 2026 26-118 5/20

LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk, State of New York, on the 13th day of May, 2026, subject to a permissive referendum as provided for by Section 6(g) of the General Municipal Law.

An extract of the resolution is as follows:

The COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT maintains a Buildings, Furnishings and Equipment Reserve Fund under Section 6(g) of the General Municipal Law in which account there is sufficient funds to accomplish the purpose hereinafter set forth; namely, the purchase and installation of a new phone system at fire district facilities and it is proposed to contract for such work, in order to maintain the high standards of the COPIAGUE FIRE DEPARTMENT in the discharge of its duties in preserving the lives and property of the residents of the community and said work is deemed in the best interests of the residents of the COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT. The resolution further provides that there be transferred from the present Building, Furnishing and Equipment Reserve Fund of the COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT a sum not to exceed Seventy Thousand ($70,000.00) Dollars for said work, and the District Treasurer is authorized to effect such transfer from time to time to effect such work.

This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days unless in the meanwhile a mandatory referendum as provided for by the General Municipal Law is required to be held.

Dated: May 13, 2026 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS

COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT

TOWN OF BABYLON ATTEST: Donna Marano District Secretary 26-119. 5/20

LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT:

An extract of the resolution is as follows: The COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT maintains a Buildings, Furnishings and Equipment Reserve Fund under Section 6(g) of the General Municipal Law in which account there is sufficient funds to accomplish the purpose hereinafter set forth; namely, the purchase and installation of a fuel management system at fire headquarters and it is proposed to contract for such work, in order to maintain the high standards of the COPIAGUE FIRE DEPARTMENT in the discharge of its duties in preserving the lives and property of the residents of

the community and said work is deemed in the best interests of the residents of the COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT. The resolution further provides that there be transferred from the present Building, Furnishing and Equipment Reserve Fund of the COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT a sum not to exceed Fifteen Thousand ($15,000.00) Dollars for said work, and the District Treasurer is authorized to effect such transfer from time to time to effect such work.

This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days unless in the meanwhile a mandatory referendum as provided for by the General Municipal Law is required to be held.

Dated: May 13, 2026 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF BABYLON ATTEST: Donna Marano District Secretary 26-121. 5/20

An extract of the resolution is as follows:

The COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT maintains a Buildings, Furnishings and Equipment Reserve

Fund under Section 6(g) of the General Municipal Law in which account there is sufficient funds to accomplish the purpose hereinafter set forth; namely, the purchase of two copy machines and it is proposed to contract for such purchase, in order to maintain the high standards of the COPIAGUE FIRE DEPARTMENT in the discharge of its duties in preserving the lives and property of the residents of the community and said purchase is deemed in the best interests of the residents of the COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT. The resolution further provides that there be transferred from the present Building, Furnishing and Equipment Reserve Fund of the COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT a sum not to exceed Fifteen Thousand ($15,000.00) Dollars for said purchase, and the District Treasurer is authorized to effect such transfer from time to time to effect such purchase. This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days unless in the meanwhile a mandatory referendum as provided for by the General Municipal Law is required to be held.

Dated: May 13, 2026

BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS

COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF BABYLON ATTEST: Donna Marano District Secretary 26-122 5/20

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

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For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

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•

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OpiniOns

Keeping neighborhood traditions and values alive

Recently I attended an early-cut screening of a documentary on Farrell’s Bar in Brooklyn. The film is about much more than just a bar.

Though the world is always turning, these days it seems as if it’s turning more rapidly than ever. Traditions, values and principles are changing dramatically, and some are gone forever. None of us, of course, should want to live in the past or resist progress, which can bring so much good and improve our lives. But in the rush toward progress, we can’t afford to abandon institutions that encourage friendship and lasting bonds, especially in these fast-paced times.

Farrell’s is a legendary institution that has survived the rush of time. Now in its 93rd year — it opened just after the end of Prohibition — it remains a central neighborhood place for the Windsor Terrace community. It’s an oasis of calm in a desert of turmoil. Farrell’s has never betrayed its blue-

collar culture, embodied in its support for cops, firefighters and veterans. (Though newer, the Good Life, in Massapequa Park, and the Embassy Diner, in Bethpage, are cut from that mold.) Farrell’s isn’t far from Brooklyn Prep, where I went to high school, and a short distance from where my father grew up and my grandparents lived until the late 1970s.

Though I’d heard about Farrell’s and read about it in Pete Hamill’s stories, I stopped in for the first time during my very unsuccessful campaign for New York state attorney general in 1986. One of my closest friends and biggest supporters was Jimmy Boyle, who had been president of the FDNY’s Firefighters Union and a fixture in union politics for years. Boyle thought Farrell’s would be an ideal location for a campaign stop.

small part of it true, I climbed up on a chair in the middle of the room and began my speech by admitting that “even though my father was a cop, I have to say, you guys aren’t half bad yourselves.”

i had a small role in cementing the legacy of a legendary hometown bar.

After much friendly booing and catcalls, I thanked those guys for their support and assured them that I’d always be there for them. (A sad footnote: Boyle’s son, Michael, was one of the 343 firefighters killed on Sept. 11, 2001.) Though I went on to lose the election by 1.2 million votes, I had been a winner in Farrell’s, and for the next few years I’d stop by periodically to relive the one bright moment of the campaign.

independent filmmakers Jay Cusato and Rob Martin to produce a documentary on the bar, as a living metaphor for neighborhoods and good people who refuse to allow their values and lasting memories to be plowed over.

Sure enough, when I arrived just before noon that September day, Boyle had packed the place with loud, supportive firefighters, and a few cops had found their way in. It was as enthusiastic and as friendly a reception as I’ve ever gotten in politics. After Boyle gave me a phenomenal introduction, only a

Later, when I was in Congress, I would join Brooklyn friends from high school and make pilgrimages to Farrell’s. Though they couldn’t drink on the job, two detectives on my security detail, Jimmy Skopek and Melissa Zimmerman, took a particular liking to Farrell’s, especially its old-neighborhood flair.

Then, about 10 years ago, a friend of mine from Massapequa, Pat Fenton, wrote a well-received Off-Broadway play centered on Farrell’s. That inspired

On March 8, 2020, Cusato and Martin interviewed me at my home, one of many people they talked to. At the time, their project was close to completion — or so they thought. The coronavirus hit New York before the week was out, and the documentary was put on ice. I actually thought they’d abandoned it until just last month, when Cusato contacted me to let me know that, in the spirit of Farrell’s, they had stayed on the project, titled “Why Farrell’s?” and invited me to a private screening at the St. Francis College campus on Livingston Street in downtown Brooklyn. It was a great experience. Though several interviews remain to be done, and sound and lighting issues need to be worked out, “Why Farrell’s?” is outstanding, so accurately depicting the values that the bar is doing so much to preserve. My role was minor, but I’m proud to be part of what is truly a meaningful work of art.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

It’s way too early to name things after Trump

Over the past few months, I’ve attended many social events, at which I shared a few drinks and conversation with friends from both political parties. Those gatherings have given me an open window into the rapidly emerging fracture among lifelong Republicans as well as the sharp divisions among Democrats. Democrats are always arguing, so it’s been the Republican fissures that have surprised me the most.

Regardless of what the pollsters tell you, President Trump is tearing these lifelong partisans apart. There is division about the president’s arguments with the pope and deep concern about the impact of the war in Iran on the party’s chances in November. But the one issue that seems to evoke even more angst is Trump’s encouraging his name to be plastered on anything and everything that is brandable.

George Washington’s name appears

in all kinds of places across the country, including the national capital. The city was named after him while he was still in office, but he strongly opposed it and tried to block the effort when it was brought before Congress. Washington surrendered his military role when the Revolution ended, rejected efforts to have himself declared king and stepped down after two terms as president. His greatness was not only that he led the country, but that he declined a number of honors.

Let presidents serve. Let citizens judge. Let history name the buildings.

Have other presidents drawn the line? During Gerald Ford’s presidency, Congress passed a bill to name a federal building in Grand Rapids, Mich., after him. Ford refused to sign it, saying he knew of no federal building named for a president still in office and did not want to establish a precedent. President Harry Truman also resisted such honors, and once wrote emphatically that he had no desire to have roads, bridges or buildings named after him. His supporters wanted the Marshall Plan to bear his name, but Truman said the plan deserved the name of its author.

Clearly, the temptation to name things after politicians isn’t limited to one party. Members of Congress have long attached their names to federal buildings, courthouses, highways and bridges. Sen. Mitch McConnell has five buildings named after him in Kentucky.

And every president has been surrounded by supporters who want to flatter him, celebrate him and turn policy into legacy. The danger is especially high in our age of branding, social media and permanent campaigning. That is exactly why every president, irrespective of party, should draw the line when there is an effort to rename everything in sight after him. There is something unhealthy in a republic when a president uses public property to enlarge his own image. This isn’t a Republican or Democratic concern — it’s an American concern. The presidency belongs temporarily to one person, but the government belongs permanently to the people. Public buildings, passports, coins, agencies and national institutions should not become personal billboards for whoever hap-

pens to occupy the Oval Office.

There is also a moral difference between a grateful nation honoring a leader after history has had time to judge him, and a president accepting — or encouraging — public honors while he is in office. This isn’t a question of whether a president is admired. The pollsters have attested to the fact that Trump is supported by 85 percent of registered Republicans. But there will be ample time for our country to render honors unto this president and those who follow him.

We need to have a law that applies equally to all parties. That law should prohibit the naming of entities, structures and objects after a sitting president. It must apply equally to Trump and all those who follow him.

Our founders worried about this issue. They knew that republics can decay not only through force, but also through flattery. Let presidents serve. Let citizens judge. Let history name the buildings.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.

Memorial Day means more than barbecues

Memorial Day weekend arrives each year with familiar signs that summer is finally at hand. Beaches begin to fill. Backyard grills fire up. Families and friends gather after months of work, school and routines that too often keep them apart. Across Long Island, from Jones Beach to Montauk, the holiday has long marked the unofficial beginning of a season people eagerly await.

There is nothing wrong with celebration. In many ways, that freedom to enjoy ordinary moments with the people we love is part of what generations of Americans fought to preserve.

But Memorial Day asks something more of us as well.

Especially as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Americans should remember that Memorial Day is not simply another three-day weekend on the calendar. It is one of the country’s most solemn observances — a day set aside to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.

That distinction matters.

Veterans Day honors all who served. Armed Forces Day recognizes those currently in uniform. Memorial Day is specifically for those who never came home.

Their sacrifice stretches across every generation of American history. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War,

from the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan, over 1 million service members gave their lives believing the country they defended was worth that sacrifice.

Many came from communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Their names appear on memorial plaques, downtown monuments and flags lining local streets. Long Island itself carries deep connections to America’s military history.

Roughly 1,180 Long Islanders died in World War II: 855 from Nassau and 325 from Suffolk. At least 552 service members lost their lives in the Vietnam War. After the Sept. 11 attacks, 56 Long Islanders died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

From Revolutionary War sites to Gold Star families who sacrificed during the wars of the past two decades, our region has long contributed to the nation’s service and sacrifice. Memorial Day offers communities an opportunity not only to recognize that history but also to share it with those of younger generations.

As America prepares to commemorate 250 years of independence in July, this Memorial Day carries even greater weight. Anniversaries often invite celebration, reflection and pride. But they should also invite humility. The freedoms Americans treasure did not sustain themselves across two and a half centuries. They endured because generation after generation answered a call to serve, often at extraordinary personal cost.

It can be easy for the deeper meaning of Memorial Day to become overshadowed by travel plans, social gatherings and retail sales. Modern life moves quickly, and holidays increasingly blur together into commercial events disconnected from their origins. But Memoria Day deserves more intentional remembrance — and that does not always require grand gestures.

Attending a local parade or remembrance ceremony before heading to a barbecue is one way to honor the fallen. Visiting a veterans’ memorial or cemetery and taking a few quiet moments to read the names engraved there is another. Americans can also observe the tradition of flying the flag at half-staff until noon, and share stories with children and grandchildren about relatives who served, ensuring that those stories are not lost.

Honoring sacrifice does not diminish the joy of the weekend. In fact, it deepens it. Gratitude gives meaning to celebration. A nation that remembers its fallen understands more clearly the value of the freedoms it enjoys. This year, amid the sound of waves, fireworks and laughter that will soon define the summer season, Americans should make room for remembrance, too. Memorial Day is not ultimately about the start of summer; it is about the cost of freedom, the weight of service and the obligation of a grateful nation never to forget those who gave everything in its defense.

opinions

Some in Washington say

all’s well. Families know better.

The sticker shock Americans are feeling at the gas pump, in the grocery store, opening their utility bills and paying for health care aren’t some abstract political talking points. The high cost of living is a daily reality for many families trying to make it through the week.

Gas prices surged 15.6 percent this month, with regular gas sitting above $4.50 per gallon. Grocery prices made the biggest onemonth jump in nearly four years in April. Inflation is up to 3.8 percent, the highest in three years. For the first time since 2023, it’s outpacing wage growth. For millions of Americans, every trip to work, school, the grocery store or a doctor’s appointment now comes with a painful reminder that the cost of living keeps climbing.

Just last week, President Trump was quoted as saying, “I don’t think about

Americans’ financial situation — I don’t think about anybody.” Previously, he has called affordability, or a lack thereof, a “hoax.” Despite what he refuses to see, the cost of living is the defining issue facing this country right now.

F or many people, the affordability debate is about survival, not ideology.

The numbers tell the real story very clearly. A new Marist poll found that most Americans think their cost of living is not very affordable (44 percent) or not affordable at all (12 percent). More than six in 10 Americans do not believe the economy is working for them. Those aren’t partisan numbers. Those are kitchen-table realities.

Gas prices are a major reason why. The same poll confirmed that a whopping 81 percent of Americans say that current gas prices are putting at least some strain on their household budget. One-third say the strain is major. Only 19 percent say they feel no strain at all.

It’s not just gas prices, either; a reckless tariff policy has caused prices on everyday goods to skyrocket. Gutting green-energy projects has raised utility

Framework by Ellen Jaret

prices by cutting supply so it can’t meet demand. Our historic debt, created by the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” has massively driven up interest rates, making everything more expensive. Sky-high inflation has hit families from every direction.

All of these cost drivers, when put together, can feel insurmountable. Families are facing hard choices, and being forced to think twice about expenses they never considered before. For some that means cutting back on summer travel. For others it means buying less food at the grocery store. And for workers with long commutes, it means watching more and more of each paycheck disappear before they even get home.

Administration officials who continue to deny affordability as a major issue for Americans only grow more and more disconnected from what ordinary people are experiencing. Telling Americans to hit the road when gas is hovering above $4.50 per gallon, as our transportation secretary did two weeks ago,

is a little like telling struggling families not to worry about grocery bills while food prices continue to rise.

For many people, this debate is no longer about ideology. It’s no longer about Democrat vs. Republican, liberal vs. conservative, left vs. right. It’s about survival. Can they afford groceries this month? Can they afford their commute? Can they afford a family vacation, or even a weekend getaway?

That’s why affordability remains the central issue in the country today. Not political slogans. Not cable television arguments. Real life.

Washington can debate statistics and messaging strategies all day long. But families don’t experience the economy through press releases. They experience it every time they swipe a credit card, fill up their tank or open a utility bill.

And right now, too many Americans feel like they’re falling further behind. Now we must come together and work across the aisle to bring costs down for the American people. There is no mission more urgent.

Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.