Amityville Tide boys track and field team which captured the Suffolk County Championship: Osa Aighewi, Aaron Jenkins, Gto Cassagnot, Aiden Johnson, Jayden Adebola, Emerson Hernandez, Jake Schilling, Eghosa Ojo, Christian Brown, Joshua Haigler, Maiziah Stewart, Noah Robinson, Matthew Kyle-Grant, Jubril Abdulsalami, Caleb Prince, Trevor Angus, Richard Washington, Thaddeus Volcimus, Michael Torres, Jquan Thompson, Zyan Solomon, Seth Smith, Romero Rodriguez, Amir Philip, Wyatt Percival, and Assirgui Pusey. Shown standing in front of team is coach Reynolds Hawkins.
Amityville Track and Field finds itself back on top
By NIKO SCARLATOS sports@liherald.com
The Amityville boys track and field team added another championship to its successful season by winning the Suffolk County title at Kings Park two weeks after capturing the league championship.
The Tide finished with 110 points, narrowly defeating Eastport-South Manor, which scored 101.5, in a meet that was decided in the final events.
Amityville’s depth proved critical to the victory. Twelve of the team’s 14 competitors earned All-County honors by placing among the top six in their events, and four athletes won county championships.
“Been doing this for so long and the continuity has been so great,” head coach Reynolds Hawkins said. “Everyone came in un-
derstanding the goal. I went to Amityville so being able to come back home and coach for 30 years has been awesome.”
Eghosa Ojo led the Tide by winning the 100-meter dash. Maziah Stewart captured the pentathlon title, Jayden Adebola won the triple jump and Noah Robinson claimed first place in the long jump.
Amityville also received strong performances in the throwing events. Christian Brown finished second in the discus, while Matthew Kyle Grant placed fourth. Brown and Grant added fourth- and fifth-place finishes, respectively, in the shot put.
Adebola also earned All-County honors with a third-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles. Trevor Angus placed second in the 110-meter hurdles and fourth in the 400-meter hurdles. Robinson added a fifth-place finish
PIKE TREE SERVICE
RECORD
Amityville extends multifamily housing moratorium
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Amityville Village officials have voted to extend a moratorium on new multifamily housing developments for another six months, saying they need additional time to analyze data and gather public input before determining the community’s long-term development strategy.
The moratorium was first enacted in December as village officials began reviewing the effects of rapid growth in multifamily housing, particularly following the construction of AvalonBay and Village by the Bay.
Mayor Michael O’Neill said the village has been collecting information on the number of housing units in Amityville and their impact on municipal services, including police and fire departments, as well as residents, businesses and community organizations.
“Then our goal is to make the survey public to many segments of the community including residents and business owners beginning July with a goal evaluating of responses in September,” O’Neill said. “We will also be looking at codes in other communities to see what they have done, comparing ourselves to like communities.”
According to village officials, there were approximately 500
multifamily housing units in Amityville before 2020. Since then, that number has more than doubled to 1,032 units, largely due to the AvalonBay and Village by the Bay developments.
“That is a significant change,” O’Neill said. “So, we wanted to pause, take a breath and look at what impacts that has, and will have, on the Village.”
Village officials said the review is intended to help them better understand the long-term effects of the developments and provide opportunities for public input before any future decisions are made about future growth.
“What we experienced immediately following the opening of AvalonBay and Village by the Bay, could be described as growing pains such as the problem with the building’s alarms going off,” O’Neill said. “Those issues can and were addressed, but what we want to do now is look at the long-term impacts.”
O’Neill noted that after AvalonBay was completed, its developers sought permission to build additional housing on the south side of the property, including the former Brunswick Hospital parking lot and a vacant parcel at Louden Avenue and Broadway totaling roughly 5.5 acres.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Richard Kessel appointed chair of NHCC
By JORDAN VALLONE jvalloneliherald.com
Richard Kessel, chairman of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, has been tapped by Gov. Kathy Hochul to be the next chairman of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, the public benefit corporation that oversees Nassau University Medical Center, in East Meadow, and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility, in Uniondale.
RNHCC continues its mission of providing high-quality care to the communities we serve.”
ichard Kessel brings decades of leadership experience in government, public policy and complex organizations.
A regional leader for decades, Kessel, of Merrick, is known for his expertise on energy and consumer issues and has an extensive background in public service. He previously served as chairman of the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency and as chief executive officer of the New York Power Authority. Kessel, 76, has a bachelor’s degree from New York University and a master’s from Columbia University.
KATHY HOCHUL Governor of NY
“Richard Kessel brings decades of leadership experience in government, public policy and complex organizations,” Hochul said of Monday’s appointment in a statement emailed to the Herald. “His proven record of public service, commitment to Long Island and ability to navigate challenging issues make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the board as
Kessel’s appointment to the NHCC board means he will step down from NIFA. His position there will be filled by Moshin Meghji, a current NIFA board member.
The finance authority, another public benefit corporation, monitors and oversees Nassau County’s finances. It assumed direct financial oversight of NUMC in 2020, a move that was met with heavy opposition from previous hospital leadership.
As part of the state’s takeover last year, it mandated that NHCC conduct a comprehensive study outlining the long-term viability of NUMC. The study is to be submitted to NIFA by Dec. 1.
The NHCC chair’s position has been vacant since March, when former Chairman Stuart Rabinowitz stepped down. Rabinowitz had served in the role since June 2025, after being appointed by Hochul when state officials assumed leadership of the public hospital and its governing body.
Rabinowitz’s departure came during a turbulent period for NUMC. Following a public battle between the hospital’s former leadership and the state, New York assumed oversight of the hospital under provisions included in the 2025-26 state
Richard Kessel
budget. The board was restructured to include 11 members, most of whom were appointed by Hochul.
When Rabinowitz stepped down, Hochul thanked him for his service, saying he “stepped up when Nassau University Medical Center desperately needed steady, serious leadership.” She added that “his focus on accountability and fiscal management has helped put this critical safety-net hospital on the road to recovery.”
• New chairman: Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Richard Kessel, chairman of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, to lead the Nassau Health Care Corporation.
• Leadership change: Kessel succeeds Stuart Rabinowitz, who stepped down in March after leading NHCC since June 2025.
Students take part in Avon Lake and Peterkin Park clean up.
Village cleans up Avon Lake—with a little help from its friends
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherld.com
Residents joined community organizations, village officials and Amityville employees on May 9 for a cleanup effort at Avon Lake and Peterkin Park aimed at removing trash, debris and invasive plant species that threaten the lake’s ecosystem.
Volunteers worked from 8 a.m. to noon clearing litter and removing invasive vegetation that can overwhelm native plant life and disrupt water quality and wildlife habitats.
“I would like to thank the trustees and the many volunteers who came out to help clean up Avon Lake and Peterkin Park,” Mayor Michael O’Neill said in a statement. “I want to also thank our very supportive Department of Public Works staff who provided the heavy equipment, manpower and heavy lifting needed to get the job done.”
O’Neill described the effort as a success and said the cleanup made a noticeable difference in both locations. He also thanked Parks Commissioner Corinne Budde for her guidance and expertise during the project.
Among the volunteers were students and advisers from the Amityville Memorial High School Key Club and honors program, members of the Amityville Fire Department Junior Volunteers, and representatives from the Junior League, Kiwanis Club and Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
“They gave of their time for the betterment of the village,” O’Neill said.
Following the cleanup, volunteers at
Amityville Highway crew does its part to clean up Avon Lake
Avon Lake were treated to lunch provided by Adam Eury and the staff of Applebee’s in Lindenhurst.
Amityville resident and volunteer Juan Leon worked at the clean up with his daughter Natalie. “We were happy to come down for an hour and help out,” he said. “It was great seeing so many familiar faces and our high school students who stepped up to volunteer as well,” he said.
Environmental experts say efforts like
Amityville resident Juan Leon and his daughter Natalie at clean up.
the Avon Lake cleanup are important to maintaining healthy freshwater ecosystems. Invasive aquatic plants can spread rapidly, crowding out native vegetation that local fish, birds and wildlife depend on for food and shelter.
Dense invasive growth can also reduce oxygen levels in the water as plants die and decompose, harming fish and other aquatic organisms. In streams and lakes, overgrowth may clog waterways, slow water circulation and contribute to algae blooms, stagnant water and increased mosquito activity.
Invasive vegetation can also increase flooding risks by obstructing drainage channels and limiting the flow of stormwater during heavy rain events.
Common invasive freshwater plants found throughout the United States include hydrilla, water hyacinth, Eurasian watermilfoil and phragmites.
Environmental specialists note that native aquatic vegetation remains essential to healthy lakes and streams, and that the goal of cleanup efforts is not to eliminate all plant life, but to restore ecological balance so native species can thrive.
Courtesy Village of Amityville
Robert Moses State Park to host ‘Jr. Marine Biologist’ program
Families can explore the shoreline and marine life at Robert Moses State Park during a children’s nature program this summer.
The park will host “Jr. Marine Biologist” on June 27 from 1 to 3 p.m., giving participants the chance to study aquatic wildlife along Fire Island Inlet and the South Shore beaches.
The program is geared toward children and families, and participants should be prepared to hike on sand and get wet. Shoes are required, and organizers recommend water shoes.
Admission is $4 for adults and children. Children younger than 3 are admitted free. A parking fee of $8 or $10 is charged during the fee-collection season. Reservations are required and may be made beginning two weeks before the event by visiting Eventbrite.com and searching “NatureEdventure.”
The New York state parks department oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, trails, golf courses and boat launches statewide. More information is available at parks.ny.gov.
CRIME WATCH
The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police Department and other law enforcement and emergency service units.
HOUSE FIRE
Amityville: The Amityville Village Fire and Police departments responded to a house fire at 153 Oak Street, shortly before 2 p.m. June 3. Upon arrival they found a fire in the rear of the house. Firefighters confirmed that all the occupants were out of the home safely. On the scene were AFD Chief Langford, the Amityville Fire Marshall and Building Inspector. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
MVA/PEDESTRIAN
North Amityville: Someone stole. A mountain bike from in front of a home. On 41st Street June 2. The theft was reported at 10:21 p.m.
Copiague: An unidentified male went into Target department store at 1149 Sunrise Highway and left with an undetermined amount of health and beauty supplies without paying for the items. The theft was reported shortly after 2 p.m., June 5.
GRAND LARCENY
Amityville: Police received a call from a driver that as he was heading north on County Line Road and West Oak Street, he struck an e-bike rider heading east on West Oak Street. Police and fire department personnel responded and the victim, later identified as Matthew Acmacher, 40, of Massapequa, was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for treated of serious injuries. The driver, James Lee Kelly, as given a field sobriety which showed he had no alcohol in in system. Kelly’s vehicle, a Honda Civic, and Acmacher’s e-bike were impounded for safety. Inspections. Det. Russo of the First Squad is handling the case.
Lindenhurst: A resident of 32nd Street called police to report that an unknown person somehow gained access to his/ her IRA account and removed more than $30,000 without their knowledge or consent. Police are investigating.
CRIMINAL TRESPASS
Suffolk Police arrested Melvin Russell, of 110 Nathalie Ave., North Amityville and charged him with entering and remaining with a condemned residential home. The arrest was made at 11:44 a.m., June 3.
ARRESTS
Driving While Intoxicated - Eduardo N. Cardenas, 48 Aero Rd., Bohemia; Matthew R. Dybus, 33 Fulton St., Farmingdale; Moreno Santa, 48, of67 Grand Blvd., Wyandanch; Moreno Santa, 48, of 67 Grand Blvd., Wyandanch;
PETIT LARCENY
FRIDAY JULY 17, 2026
If interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact communitysr@woundedwarriorproject.org.
or at soldierride.org/babylon Join us for this unique 25-mile cycling event. Ride alongside the brave men and women who served our country in support of their journey to recovery.
Ralph T. Nocerino, civic leader and owner of local insurance agency
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Ralph T. Nocerino, who served his community, neighbors and friends for decades, died April 26, 2026. He was 79 years old. He was a longtime Republican Committeeman for the Babylon Town Republican party, president of the Amity Harbor Civic Association for more than two decades and
owned and operated his own insurance firm, Harbor Insurance Agency LLC.
“He was always there to lend a helping hand to those in need, especially after Super Storm Sandy’s devastation,” said Amity Harbor Civic Association President Steve Beck. “Mr. Nocerino worked tirelessly to lead the rehabilitation of the Amity Harbor Civic Association building and property subsequent to the Superstorm
Sandy destruction, while facing the same detail for his own flooded home— all while serving many victims who were affected by the storm as their insurer, through his highly successful insurance firm.”
As part of his work with the civic association, he started the AHCA Annual Tree Lighting ceremony in 2000, which became an annual event.
His work in politics was driven by his desire to fight for community interests, said those who knew him.
“He worked tirelessly for his community,” said Joe Barone, the Republican town leader. “He was a great zone leader for Copiague and for the Babylon GOP.”
A lover of nature, he enjoyed hunting, boating and fishing. He was an avid and internationally renowned duck decoy wood carver, giving a special presentation at the Babylon Village Museum Duck Decoy Exhibition in 2023. He served as chair for the US. National Decoy Show and won many awards, was published and held worldwide recognition for his work.
But his greatest joy was found in family and family traditions, according to his daughter Dawn Marie Dalto.
Mr. Nocerino is survived by daughter Dawn Marie Dalto and her husband James, his grandchildren Adrianna, Victoria, and Anthony Dalto and Alexandra, Dominick, and Antonia Sora; his son-in-law Michael Sora; his sister-in-law Gerry Nocerino, as
well as by nieces and nephews, Kristen, Diane, Michael, and Deborah, and many cousins.
Mr. Nocerino was predeceased by his wife Carol Ann, and daughter Lori Ann Sora, his parents Dominick and Mary Nocerino, and brothers Thomas and Frank.
Mr. Nocerino reposed at the Powell Funeral Home in Amityville. Father Gerard Gordon, Pastor St. Martin of Tours R.C. Church officiated at a Mass of Christian Burial assisted by the Consolation Ministry. Private Cremation followed.
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
147 Park Ave., Amityville Office Tel. 631-264-0763 The Rev. Thomas W. Cusanelli, Pastor
Ralph T. Nocerino
Woo Young Choi, Pastor
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
•Amityville Rotary Club Meeting: 8 a.m., Brownstones Coffee, 55 Merrick Road, Amityville. For more information, please call President Carolyn Dodd at (631) 3748712.
•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
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
•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, JUNE 20
•Amityville Village Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville. The market will be every Saturday until October 24. For more information, call (631) 264-0152.
•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,
Graduate
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
glassware, clothing and other gently used items. For information, call (631) 464-4899.
SUNDAY, JUNE 21
•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631) 789-2569.
MONDAY, JUNE 22
•Copiague School District Board of Education Meeting: 7 p.m., Everett E. Newmann III Administrative Offices at Copiague Middle School, 2650 Great Neck Road, Copiague. For more information, please call (631)-842-4015.
•Town of Babylon Planning Board Meeting: 7 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-4434.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
•Town of Babylon Accessory Apartment Review Board Meeting: 6 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-7468.
•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 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 2207808. 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, JUNE 24
•Town of Babylon Rental Review Board Meeting: 6 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-4434.
•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. 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. Sorry, but openended requests without the specific dates are not acceptable. While we make every attempt to accommodate each request, we cannot guarantee publication. For information, call 516-569-4000.
CRIME WATCH
Sarah Abraham, 29, of 420 6th St., West Babylon; Innocent Nathael, 34, 185 N. 27th St., Wyandanch.
Petit Larceny - Douglas Dovale, 54 of 295 W. 9th St., Deer Park; Emily Sienkiewicz, 32, of 71 Arlington Rd., West Babylon; Gina Barrera, 52, of 134 Boyle Rd., Senden; Desiree Hunte, 45, of 57 Nevada Rd., West Babylon; Arun Sadana, 56, of 411 Baldwin Path, Deer Park. Grand Larceny - Wayne Toney, 310 Trouville Rd., Copiague. Assault - Juan P. Mendez, 36 Etna Ct., Amityville; Jose Torres, 43, of 49 Brooklyn Ave., Wyandanch.
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.
World Cup fervor spreads to Long Island
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
Kids ran around as only children can — free and without care — as adults milled around the artificial-turf field and the seats of Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on the Stony Brook University campus.
This was the first of a few World Cup watch parties staged by Empire State Development, which promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity across New York. Several thousand people came for the soccer last Friday. The first game shown on the stadium screens was Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, being played in Toronto, as the event began at 3 p.m. Guests had a choice of watching the first game, the second game or both.
I really love the USA, and I really want to support the team. LogaN HERNaNdE z Terryville
At 7 p.m., after those teams played to a 1-1 draw, the second session got underway, and many had come to root for the Unites States Men’s National Team, playing their first game of the quadrennial global tournament, which this year is being hosting across North America, with many of the games in the U.S.
Joe Nola, a Holbrook resident, brought his son Everett, 9, a soccer fan who started playing a few years ago and took to the sport.
“[I’m here] basically for him,” Nola said of his son. “He started getting into soccer and the World Cup, and I started following it a lot more the last couple of years. He’s really excited and so am I, so we’ve been waiting to check out more soccer, and saw this and thought it would be a full opportunity to watch the USA game.”
A travel soccer team player, Everett was a bit shy, but his father said he has an affinity for the “beautiful game.”
“As a family, we’re trying to watch more and learn more about it, so this is, like, a really cool experience,” Nola said, adding of Everett. “He plays goalie. He loves the pressure, for some reason. He drives his mother crazy with the stress. He’s a big fan of [Matt] Freese [the American goalie] and a lot of the goalies that we see internationally.”
Antonella Cortez, 11, from Setauket, who also plays on a travel team, was there to cheer on Team USA.
“I’m here to watch the game,” she said matter-of-factly, adding that playing soccer is fun. Her favorite position? “Anything besides middle and goalie,” she said.
Before the featured match of Paraguay vs. USA, in Los Angeles, the band Third Eye Blind performed a roughly 30-minute set in a driving rainstorm that seemed to end just after they struck
Terryville, Liam Sobritch, of East Northport, and Connor Klinger, from Selden, all wearing USA jerseys, roleplayed interviewer and interviewee, so of course the natural thing was to interview them.
“I really love the USA,” Hernandez said, “and I really want to support the team. I hope they win the World Cup.” His analysis of the first half? “They played great. We need to space out a little more, but we could have this win.
“It was good,” Sobritch said. “We scored three, so maybe [we] space out a little more.”
“We need more spacing,” Klinger agreed, “but [we’re] amazing on the attacking.”
From an own goal by Paraguay in the opening minutes to a score by Gio Reyna in the match’s waning seconds, the U.S. team dominated in a 4-1 win. The next game for the Americans is Friday versus Australia.
Organizing events such as a World Cup Watch Party is not an easy feat.
“This is almost two years in the making,” Dan Gross, Empire State Development’s executive director for New York Special Events, said. “I drew up a plan. It really started with the governor. FIFA controls the tickets,” he added, referring to the World Cup’s governing body. “They control the ticket pricing. The need to make sure people have access.”
Gross and colleagues drew up the plan to hold watch parties across the state. They developed a grant program so that all 10 state regions across New York could have watch parties as well.
“I am very proud to say we are the only state in the nation, from a states perspective, that is truly bringing the World Cup experience to all four corners of the state,” Gross said.
For information on future news related to the World Cup Watch Experience, go to ILOVENY.com/fifa-world-cup/ community-viewing-events.
their final chords.
At halftime, the kids resumed their playful running around, and adults
made their way back and forth to the LaValle Stadium concession stands. Young teens Logan Hernandez, from
Rock group Third Eye Blind performed a roughly 30-minute set before the U.S.-Paraguay game in Los Angeles.
Tim Baker/Herald photos
As the U.S. team scored three first-half goals against Paragua, fans got to cheer often at the Stony Brook World Cup Watch Party.
Elmont resident Al Amin was a particularly colorful supporter of the U.S. team.
ERASE Racism hosts forum on inequality
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
The Long Island-based advocacy group ERASE Racism held its 25th Anniversary Benefit event earlier this month, giving out awards for anti-racism and anti-discrimination work and awarding scholarships to students who embody the organization’s values.
Hundreds of guests crowded the Garden City Hotel on June 3 for a cocktail hour and to take part in ERASE Racism’s silent auction, where items ranging from artwork to lottery tickets were bid on for up to thousands of dollars. The funds will go to ERASE Racism advocacy initiatives for public education and housing equality.
Students Ria Bhatia, of Jericho High School; Edwin Montes Dubon, of Uniondale High; Zamari Paul, of Malverne High; and Janeiry Savinon, of New Hyde Park High, were each awarded $500 scholarships for winning a student essay contest. Malverne High student Matthew DaCosta was awarded the $1,500 John Wenzel Scholarship for his work with ERASE Racism.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and activist Monique Fitzgerald were honored with special awards for their advocacy against structural racism. HannahJones’s work on the 1619 Project, a New York Times Magazine and audio series
Courtesy ERASE Racism
Elaine Gross, founding president of ERASE Racism, left, hosted a “fireside chat” with Nikole Hannah-Jones on the continuing impact of racism on Long Island.
examining the beginnings of American slavery and its generational effects, was highlighted during the program.
Hannah-Jones and Elaine Gross, ERASE Racism’s founding president, had a “fireside chat,” discussing how racism continues to impact life for minorities, particularly Black communities, on Long Island and across the country.
“This is a hard time for civil rights organizations, because there is a very organized and powerful effort from the highest reaches of the government that basically is saying there is nothing
called structural racism,” Gross told the Herald before the event.
She identified an April settlement between the U.S. Justice Department and the Town of Oyster Bay over alleged housing discrimination as an example of structural racism on Long Island. In the case, which was settled in U.S. District Court, the town was found liable for “intentionally discriminating against Black individuals” by giving the children of current residents priority in purchasing housing units under its Next Generation housing program. This allegedly hindered the ability of Blacks and
other racial minorities to buy homes in predominantly white Oyster Bay.
Hannah-Jones pointed out that racism on Long Island often is not a conscious effort by residents, but rather the result of the region’s historically discriminatory structure.
“You as an individual white person don’t have to be racist at all to have your housing choices and the benefits of your housing choices shaped by a structure that you have nothing to do with creating,” she said.
Talking more about the 1619 Project and contemporary racism, Hannah-Jones contended that the sanitized way in which many schools and institutions deal with America’s racist history is counterproductive to the goal of erasing racism.
“The truth about America is deeply heartbreaking,” she said, “but I find the truth to be a liberating thing, because one can confront the truth that everything that is within the law is constructed. If you know that it’s constructed, then you know it can be deconstructed.”
Hannah-Jones acknowledged that she was not very optimistic about race relations and how discrimination is handled in the U.S., citing the current administration as a reason for such pessimism. But, she and Gross said they believe that as today’s young people advocate for social justice, they have the potential to unlock a better future for Long Island and beyond.
HERALD NEIGHBORS
Community pride on display as North Amityville holds the 52nd Annual Parade & Festival
By CAROLYN JAMES
North Amityville residents gathered for a day of community pride, celebration and neighborhood spirit at the 52nd annual North Amityville Community Parade & Festival Day at Bolden Mack Park..
The day started off with a parade which included members of local fire departments, school bands and local organizations, as well as town and school officials. Residents, community organizations, local businesses and volunteers filled the streets and festival grounds to celebrate the history, culture and strength of the North Amityville community on Saturday, June 6.
“It was a wonderful day, everything went well, and the weather was beautiful,” Madeline Quintyne-McConney said. Quintyne-McConney has helped organize North Amityville Day with a committee of volunteers for many years. “It is very important that we celebrate folks in the community who do extraordinary things, giving everyone a sense of pride.”
This year, the community honored four individuals for their commitment to children, families, the community and the arts. Named grand marshals were Nakia Wolfe, president of the Amityville Teachers Association; Reynolds Hawkins, a coach and former social
cjames@liherald.com
worker in the Amityville school district; Tia Knight Forbes, founder of Marks of Excellence Child Care in Amityville; and DJ Mike Stewart from the North Amityville Senior Citizen Center.
Also recognized was the 2026 Senior of the Year honoree from the North Amityville senior Center Mary Addison.
From the parade to the familyfriendly festivities, the event showcased the connections and community spirit that make North Amityville a special place.
In addition to the grand marshals, the high school valedictorians and salutatorians from Amityville (Christian Chicas and Elidi Laquidara) and Copiague (Dejah Taylor and Michael Morrissey) were recognized.
“We believe it is very important to recognize our young people who bring a sense of pride to our community,” Quintyne-McConney said.
Babylon Town officials thanked the North Amityville Community Parade & Festival Day Committee, volunteers, sponsors and everyone who helped make this year’s event a success.
“We are proud to support community traditions that bring people together and strengthen our neighborhoods,” Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer said.
Courtesy North Amityville Parade Committee
Grand Marshals are recognized at the event: Reynolds Hawkins, DJ Mike, Nakia Wolf, Senior of the Year Mary Addison and Tia Knight Forbes.
Local veterans came out to celebrate the event.
Color Guard presents colors as the National Anthem is sung
Carolyn James/Herald
AvalonBay on Broadway in Amityville, one of two major housing projects that increased the number of apartments in multi-dwelling units from 500 to 1,032 within five years.
Village takes time to explore impact of multifamily housing
He said he and several other board members at the time, who served under former Mayor Dennis Siry, opposed moving forward with the proposal because they believed the village needed to evaluate existing development before approving additional projects.
“It wasn’t that I and some other trustees at the time were against it as much as we just believed the Village needed to take time to evaluate where we were before we went ahead and approved development of additional multi-dwelling housing units,” O’Neill said.
The proposal ultimately did not move forward but O’Neill made it a part of his administration to answer those questions.
To help guide the review process, O’Neill established the village’s Multiple Dwelling Committee, which is studying housing trends and potential policy options.
The committee includes Tom Howard, Jessica Bernius, Mary Dunphy, Police Chief Frank Caramanica, Village Trustee Owen Brooks, Planning Board member Justin Kennedy, Matt Cronin,
Jeff Erath and Lynn Garabrandt.
Bernius said she has heard concerns from residents about the pace of development in the village and its potential effect on community’s character.
“They are concerned about how quickly things are changing and that as a result we may be losing the character of the Village,” she said. “While I am maintaining an open mind, I believe it is smart to take a step back, look at everything.”
Howard, who has long advocated for the village to develop a master plan, said he is encouraged by the work being done by both village officials and the committee.
“The question is, what direction should the Village be heading and what should Amityville look like in the future,” Howard said. “More significant, I think that the Village will be able to give its planning board and zoning board a clear-cut message about what the public wants.”
Howard cautioned that the effort’s success will depend largely on participation in the planned public survey, which he said he hopes residents will complete.
Amityville track and field finds itself back on top
CONTINUED FROM COVER in the 100-meter dash, while Ojo was runner-up in both the triple jump and 200-meter dash.
The Tide’s relay teams also contributed valuable points. The 4x100-meter relay team of Robinson, Joshua Haigler, Aaron Jenkins and Ojo placed second. The 4x800-meter relay team of Emerson Hernandez, Aidan Johnson, Osa Aighewi and Caleb Prince also finished second.
For Hawkins, the championship is another milestone in a coaching career that spans three decades at his alma ma-
ter. Hawkins has compiled a 163-17 career record while building one of Suffolk County’s most successful boys track and field programs.
Despite the team’s accomplishments, Hawkins said he takes the most pride in the development of his athletes.
“I want them to be proud of how far they’ve come,” Hawkins said.
The Tide overcame challenging weather conditions and a demanding schedule throughout the spring season.
The team’s efforts resulted in league and county championships and another successful chapter for the Amityville track and field program.
Babylon Heroes Fountain fundraiser June 28
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
The Village of Babylon Historical and Preservation Society is preparing for its Heroes Fountain Cocktail Party and Tribute Brick Fundraiser on June 28 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The event will allow the public to purchase commemorative bricks honoring essential workers while learning about the progress and challenges surrounding the Heroes Fountain project at Hawley’s Pond, located at the east end of Babylon Village on the north side of Merrick Road..
“This is something everybody can be a part of,” said Judy Skillen, president of the Village of Babylon Historical and Preservation Society.
The fountain, which has been in development for nearly three years, will honor the essential workers who served during the Covid-19 pandemic and those who continue serving the community today.
Designed by California artist José Ismael Fernandez, whose previous work includes the Robert Moses sculpture and Baymen monument in Babylon Village, the project was originally conceived by local artist and teacher Shawn Uttendorfer and his wife Allyson.
Organizers said two major obstacles have delayed the project: designing the fountain’s base and determining property boundaries near Route 231.
“We have the (cost of the) nurse’s
statue—we know how much that’s going to be, but we’re trying to figure out the base,” Skillen said.
The committee also learned that part of the proposed site is owned by the New York State Department of Transportation.
“So, we reached out to talk to them about this property and when we told them about what we wanted to do, they were so enthused, but only if the fountain stays on village property,” Skillen said.
Despite the setbacks, the committee has raised roughly $650,000 through grants and fundraising efforts.
“On the positive side, we have gotten grants from the governor’s office, Senator Monica Martinez, the county and the town, and we have raised financially through events a little under $100,000,” Wayne Horsley said.
Skillen said proceeds from the brick campaign will help cover rising costs.
“The base and the property have become our biggest delays,” she said.
Horsley said the monument is intended as a lasting expression of gratitude.
“We’re celebrating what’s right in America and it ties right into the 250th Anniversary of our country,” Horsley said.
The commemorative bricks are being donated by Roberto Nicolia, whom Horsley credited for supporting the project.
“He has been the wind under our wings,” Horsley said.
“There’s an army of people outside of us and this couldn’t happen without all of
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
Model of the Heroes Fountain.
STEPPING OUT
Dion
‘Celebrity Autobiography’ is back in the spotlight
By Iris Wiener
For more than three decades, Angelo Fraboni has built a career that spans Broadway stages, national tours, arts administration, and theatrical producing. Today, while serving as Artistic Director of the Madison Theatre, on the Molloy University campus, Fraboni continues to leave his mark on the professional theater world as a producer of Broadway’s “Celebrity Autobiography,” the comedic sensation currently delighting audiences once again after its original Drama Deskwinning run in 2008.
The show, created by Eugene Pack, takes passages from celebrity memoirs and transforms them into a live comedy event performed by well-known actors. For Fraboni, the appeal of the production has remained remarkably consistent since he first became involved. “Laughter,” he says when asked why the show continues to resonate.
“Everyone needs something to laugh at and just enjoy where you don’t have to think very hard. It’s easy laughter. We’re not making fun of people; we’re just reading this banal dialogue that people write in their autobiographies.”
That spirit of spontaneity has helped make “Celebrity Autobiography” a unique theatrical experience. Unlike most productions, the cast has little rehearsal time together before stepping onstage.
“The actors are cracking each other up as much as they’re cracking up the audience,” Fraboni says. “The greatest thing about the show is the rawness of it and these celebrities being human on stage with each other. It’s glorious.”
Fraboni has been involved with the production since its early years, serving as both producer and general manager before focusing exclusively on producing. He has helped bring the show to audiences across the United States and around the world, while continuing to oversee one of its most challenging components: casting. While the rotating cast has already featured the likes of Katie Couric, Rita Wilson, Keenan Thompson, and Tony Shalhoub, it also has an especially strong Long Island connection, featuring local entertainment icons such as Alan Zweibel, Susan Lucci, Ralph Macchio, and Ray Romano. Pack and co-producer
Douglas Denoff are also from the area.
While Fraboni’s current work places him at the center of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, his path to producing began far from New York. Raised in a mining town in northern Minnesota, he started ballet lessons at age six alongside his twin brother.
“I was really into sports,” he recalls. “My mom and dad said, ‘Why don’t you take ballet? It will help with your athleticism.’”
What began as an extracurricular activity soon became a career. After high school, Fraboni joined a ballet company and performed professionally for five years. A chance audition for “West Side Story” during an off-season changed everything. The opportunity introduced him to acclaimed choreographer and director Jerry Mitchell, who cast Fraboni in six of his first seven productions. The experience ultimately led to his Broadway debut in “Cats” and opened doors throughout the industry.
As a performer, Fraboni developed a habit that would later serve him well as a producer and artistic leader.
“I would listen and watch,” he says. “I wanted to hear what the directors and choreographers were saying. I was very tuned in to what was going on.”
Eventually, curiosity about the creative process led him offstage and into producing. The transition revealed a side of theater audiences rarely see.
“As a performer, you show up to the theater do your job, and get your paycheck,” he says. “As a producer, you’re working constantly for months and months, sometimes years. Your job is never done.”
That commitment to building opportunities for others became the foundation of his work at Molloy University. Fraboni’s connection to the institution dates back more than two decades, when he helped bring Broadway legend Carol Channing to campus for a gala performance. There, he met then-president Drew Bogner, who shared plans to build a theater. One decade later, Fraboni received a call encouraging him to apply for the artistic director position at the newly constructed Madison Theatre.
“It was still a shell,” he remembers. “I was instrumental in how they built the infrastructure.”
Over the next 15 years, Fraboni transformed the Rockville Centre venue into a regional performing arts center featuring Broadway-caliber productions, symphony performances, international artists, jazz concerts, and educational opportunities. He also played a key role in bringing the renowned CAP21 musical theater program to Molloy, creating new pathways for aspiring performers.
“The idea was to make it an arts center with a variety of art,” he says. “I wanted it to be a regional theatre and performing arts center, but also give the students the opportunity to grow and perform with professionals.”
Despite balancing productions at Molloy with responsibilities on “Celebrity Autobiography,” Fraboni says the rewards make the long hours worthwhile.
“The joys are the audiences laughing and enjoying what we do,” he says. “We create what we think will be the best thing possible for our audiences to see, and the payoff is when they enjoy it.”
Whether producing a Broadway comedy, mentoring students at Molloy, or developing new artistic opportunities on Long Island, Fraboni remains committed to the idea that theater is ultimately about people coming together.
“There’s nothing like going to the theater, laughing with people, and experiencing a journey,” he says. “Everybody is emotionally affected differently by a show. That’s inspiring to me.”
Visit celebrityautobiography.com for more information or to purchase tickets.
A familiar favorite returns to a legendary stage as Dion takes the spotlight for a concert honoring Westbury Music Fair’s 70th anniversary. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, whose history with the iconic venue spans decades, is returning to live performance after stepping back from regular touring in recent years. While he has been largely absent from the concert circuit, Dion has remained remarkably productive, releasing new music and books while continuing to earn acclaim for his blues recordings. In the past two years alone, he released The Rock and Roll Philosopher along with a companion book, further showcasing the creativity that has defined a career spanning more than six decades. His recent blues albums have topped the Billboard Blues chart, introducing his work to new audiences while reaffirming his place among America’s enduring musical voices. Best known for classic hits such as “Runaround Sue,” “The Wanderer,” and “Ruby Baby,” Dion continues to evolve as an artist well into his 80s.
Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com.
Get ready for an evening of sharp observations and quick-fire punchlines that are Daniel Tosh’s signature irreverent style when he brings My First Farewell Tour to he Paramount stage. Acclaimed for his quick wit and deadpan delivery, he’s built a devoted following through both stand-up and television. After graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in marketing, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue comedy full-time. His career gained national attention following a standout appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2001, leading to appearances Comedy Central Presents, Premium Blend and The Tonight Show. Tosh became a household name as the creator and host of Tosh.0, the longrunning Comedy Central hit that paired viral internet videos with his trademark commentary and satirical take on pop culture.
Tuesday, June 23, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
Daniel Tosh
Courtesy Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade Scott Adsit and Rita Wilson are among the show’s rotating cast.
Courtesy Michaelah Reynolds
Angelo Fraboni is all smiles on opening night with his wife, Michelle Fraboni and his Molloy students Grace McNally, left, and Skylar Faith Ludwig.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
Jun 18
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
Stavros Halkias
Stavros Halkias’s The Dreamboat Tour hits the Paramount stage. He delivers the sharp observations, self-deprecating humor and quick wit that have made him one of comedy’s fastest-rising stars. Originally from Baltimore and now based in New York City, Halkias recently wrote, produced and starred in the independent comedy Let’s Start a Cult. His latest standup special, Fat Rascal, is streaming on Netflix, following the success of his debut special, Live at the Lodge Room, which attracted millions of viewers online. Beyond the stage, Halkias hosts the hit podcast Stavvy’s World, which quickly climbed the comedy charts and built a devoted following. He also stars in the Netflix comedy series Tires and is set to appear in A24’s Tony, inspired by the life of Anthony Bourdain. Known for his candid storytelling and relatable humor, Halkias has built a loyal fan base through stand-up, podcasting and acting. He has also been featured in Steven Soderbergh’s sci-fi series Command Z. Outside of comedy, he made his runway debut at KidSuper’s Paris Fashion Week show in 2023, earning Vogue’s nod as “the plus-est of plus-size models.” His ultimate dream? Get just famous enough to buy his mother a nice home — then retire from show business to open a surf-and-turf restaurant in East Baltimore.
• Where: 30 Locust Ave., Amityville
• Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 789-2569
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
Film screening
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame presents an encore performance of the film “Harry Chapin Cat’s In The Cradle,” a documentary revolving around the famous song by Long Island’s own Harry Chapin. On hand to discuss the film will be Harry’s son Jason Chapin, and the film’s producer S.A. Baron. Food donations are requested for Long Island Cares, the Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank.
Jun
Stop by Simpson United Methodist Church’s Thrift Shop for some unique finds.
• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: limusichalloffame. org or (631) 689-5888
Jun
20
Farmers
Market
Stop by for fresh produce and products from various vendors.
Open every Saturday until Oct 24.
• Where: First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville
• Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 264-0152
Church Attic 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.
Silence Speaks
As the world celebrates International Yoga Day, join Science of Spirituality in Amityville to explore the inner yoga of a peaceful mind. Distinguished guest speakers instruct how to tap into that wellspring of peace at this special day-long retreat. Registration required.
Inner And Outer Peace Through Meditation
Take a journey utilizing the powerful tools of meditation and inner reflection for a more peaceful existence at Science of Spirituality Meditation Center. Free of charge; registration required. All are welcome to attend.
• Where: 79 County Line Road, Amityville
• Time: 7-9 p.m.
• Contact: sos.org/event/ innerouterpeaceNYjun9/?prev=Amityville or (631) 822-7979
Kid Zone
Jun
24
Children in grades Pre-K-5 are invited to First Presbyterian Church’s Kid Zone, weekly. Included is dinner, a Bible story, as well as crafts and games.
• Where: 79 E. Main St., Babylon
• Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 587-5838
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Where: Science of Spirituality Mediation Center, 79 County Line Road, Amityville.
• Time: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Contact: sos.org/event/ innerouterpeaceNYjun9/?prev=Amityville or (631) 822-7979
Jun
22
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: (631) 661-5757
Jun
23
Tunes with Men of Soul
The Town of Babylon’s Summer Concert Series continues. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for music under the stars.
• Where: Hermann Griem Park, 54 Brown Blvd., Wheatley Heights
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 893-2100
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) 3320552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808
Jun
25
Serving our Savior Feeding Ministry
The First Presbyterian Church of Babylon offers 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.
When pets cheer for their family’s favorite team everyone wins
Last week during the exciting NBA championship games, plenty of New York dogs and cats on social media were wearing Knicks jerseys, bandanas, or hats. On that note, have you noticed that if a person is a Mets or Jets fan, his dog is a Mets or Jets fan too?
Granted, the pet goes with the fan flow and doesn’t get to choose his favorite team, but there are benefits to this “sports copycat clothing” for both the family and the pet.
Pets, Pets, Pets...
JOANNE ANDERSON
HOW DRESSING YOUR PET AS A FAN HELPS THE OWNERS:
Seinfeld fans will remember that when Elaine asked her boyfriend Puddy why he painted his face beyond recognition before a football game, he said: “You gotta support the team.” Adding Fido or Whiskers to the cheering squad in your living room extends your support of the team without scaring the wits out of anyone who sees you while driving to the stadium.
The owners are projecting their identity and passions onto their animals. Dressing your dog or cat (if your cat allows clothing) is a fun, visible way to express your loyalty and feel more connected to the game. For many families, dressing pets in team colors is a lighthearted tradition that adds to the festive atmosphere. These owners find it adorable and humorous if their pet is comfortable wearing team colors. And this makes for great photo opportunities and lasting memories.
HOW DRESSING YOUR PET AS A FAN HELPS THE PET:
Every adoption agency looks for homes where the new pet will be considered a member of the family. Putting a favorite jersey onto a dog invites that dog to be part of the “pack” and share in the joy and pathos of watching the game. This strengthens the animal/human bond, especially if the pup is on the sofa with his peeps and partaking of snacks. The time dog spends sharing the game with his special people boosts the dog’s sense of belonging.
In January 2023, PetSmart commissioned OnePoll to conduct a survey of 2,000 American pet parents that revealed four in five claimed their pets to be bigger sports fans than them, out of the 68 percent who identified as sports fans themselves.
We welcome our pets to the TV for the viewing party. 79 percent said they watch sports with their pets and 83 percent even said their furry friends have a favorite sport to watch. Pets appear to be drawn to sports with fast action and running including football (40 percent), soccer (19 percent) and basketball (14 percent). Does this mean the World Cup will be more popular with pets than the Knicks versus the Spurs?
The study also revealed that 78 percent of pet parents think their pet has a favorite athlete, which may be why a majority of them (87 percent) have either named a pet after an athlete or would consider naming
a pet after an athlete in the future. Some respondents even shared their sports-inspired names: Messi, Bolt, Fenway, Jackson, Shea and Jeter.
Pet sport-mania even goes into themed items. Two in three pet parents (65 percent) said they’ve bought their pet a sports teamthemed item including pet bandanas (19 percent), collars (19 percent), jerseys (18 percent) and stuffed toys (17 percent), all sporting their favorite teams. Of those who have bought sports team-themed clothing for their pets, 90 percent will dress their pet in the item when their team is playing.
METS – BARK IN THE PARK:
The Mets hosted their first “Bark in the Park” event in 2023. Owners are invited to bring their dogs with them to specific games at Citi Field. When the owners buy a special ticket, there is a pre-game parade and other celebrations before the dogs and families sit in the Coca Cola section of the stadium to watch the game. The next Bark in the Park is Thursday, June 25th. Go to the Theme Games and Heritage Nights on the Mets website for more information.
Why Long Island stands to gain from clean energy
For many Long Islanders looking ahead, a major cause for concern is the lack of economic investments that bolsters financial opportunity for the next generation. This looks like great paying jobs with benefits while keeping everyday necessary expenses affordable so that they can afford to buy homes and raise their families where they grew up.
Long Island sits at a crossroads, having the opportunity to build an industry that can provide that economic investment, train an entire generation of skilled workers, and give our kids the chance to obtain great paying jobs, all at the same time as stabilizing energy costs. Offshore wind, solar power and battery storage are solutions to those challenges.
Starting With Affordability
Energy costs matter everywhere, but especially on Long Island, where household budgets are already stretched. John Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, said battery storage can help by leveling demand and reducing
Block Island Wind Farm, located off the shore of Rhode Island, marked the first commercial offshore wind farm in the U.S. Now, for areas like Long Island, offshore wind is a driving force to clean, affordable energy and a healthy economy.
expensive peak pricing.
“When there is a heavy pull, it evens out the energy so you don’t have highs and lows,” Durso said. “You don’t have to pay the higher rate because of the great demand.”
Jobs, Careers and Local Investment
Clean energy is already reshaping the labor market. Construction of offshore wind transmission, solar installations, battery facilities and supporting infrastructure requires everything from electricians, engineers and ironworkers to
experts in law, math and science.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity here for our environment, for jobs, for the future,” Durso said. “We want to create careers.”
Long Island has long watched younger residents leave for more affordable regions or larger job markets. Clean energy advocates say emerging industries can help reverse that pattern.
Safety and Reliability Matter
Battery storage projects have drawn public scrutiny in some
communities, but industry officials say safety standards have significantly evolved to include strict codes, testing and emergency planning.
“These systems are being developed with safety in mind from the start,” said Paul Rogers, a retired FDNY lieutenant and founding principal of Energy Safety Response Group.
Building the Next Long Island Economy
Supporters believe clean energy could become another major chapter — one that combines infrastructure investment with local employment and community stability.
For many residents, that future would be measured not in megawatts, but in whether Long Island remains home.
Click here for more.
Hobbs, a Last Hope alumnus Beagle at a Mets Bark in the Park day.
Bowser from Babylon Shelter to Last Hope, dressed in Knicks attire, because he was a winner hours before the last NBA game started.
Public Notices
SUPREME
COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
Maria Josefina Rodriguez Plaintiff, - againstOscar Alfonso Almendares Alberto Defendant.
Index No. 604268/2026
Date Summons
Filed: 13th day of February, 2026 SUMMONS
This action is brought in the County of Suffolk pursuant to CPLR § 509.
ACTION FOR A DIVORCE
To the Defendant: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to serve upon Plaintiff's Attorney an answer to the complaint in this action within twenty days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty days after service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York. In case of your failure to answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.
The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Suffolk, dated May 28, 2026, and filed in the Office of the Clerk of Suffolk County.
The nature of this action is to dissolve the marriage between the parties.
The object of the action is to obtain a judgment of absolute divorce in favor of the
Plaintiff dissolving the marriage between the parties on the grounds of: DRL 170[7] (irretrievable breakdown) and DRL 170[2] (Abandonment).
Dated: February 13, 2026
Yours, etc., Bernard J. Zimnoch, Esq. Law Offices of Bernard J. Zimnoch 1909GreatNeckRd,Ste Copiague, NY 11726 631.789.1200
26-133 6/10, 17, 24
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
Notice of formation of NAILSXSAH
LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 06/01/2026. Office location in SUFFOLK COUNTY. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 128 Broadway, Amityville, NY 11701. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 26-135. 6/10. 17, 24, 7/1, 8, 15
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 9th day of June, 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 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 of a roof prop and it is proposed to contract for such equipment, 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 Firefighting and Rescue Equipment Reserve Fund of the COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT a sum not to exceed Twenty Five Thousand ($25,000.00) 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 in Section 6(g) of the
General Municipal Law is required to be held.
Dated: June 9, 2026 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
COPIAGUE FIRE DISTRICT
TOWN OF BABYLON ATTEST: DONNA MARANO
District Secretary 226-137. 6/17
In the pictures: Students and teachers at Northeast
Amityville stepped into the spotlight on April 30 for the school’s inaugural
A celebration to remember, Northeast introduces Pre-K Prom
Dressed to the nines in exquisite dresses and sharp tuxedos, Northeast Elementary School’s youngest learners and their teachers in Amityville stepped into the spotlight on April 30 for the school’s inaugural Pre-K Prom celebration.
An event filled with joy, laughter and unforgettable first memories, the celebration transformed familiar school spaces into magical experiences. The school cafeteria was reimagined as a vibrant photoshoot studio, where students smiled for class photos onstage and posed with their families in front of a colorful backdrop thoughtfully created by pre-K class parents. Nearby, the gymnasium came alive as a lively dance floor, glowing with music, lights
and a festive party atmosphere.
Students delighted in a glow-in-thedark prom experience featuring a professional DJ, while enjoying snacks and drinks provided by the PTA. District administrators joined in the celebration, stepping onto the dance floor alongside students and teachers while sharing in the glow-in-the-dark fun. Special giveaways added to the excitement, and the event concluded with a lunch and ice cream treat for all pre-K students.
The celebration brought together preK students, families, staff, PTA members, pre-K class parents and district administrators in a heartfelt display of community and connection, marking a meaningful milestone in the students’ early educational journey.
Courtesy Copiague school district
Elementary School in
Pre-K Prom celebration.
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour
Night Availability is a Must.
Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
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Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is
HomesHERALD
place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000
Beautiful Cape
Cemetery Plots
Pinelawn Memorial Park
2 Cemetery Plots For Sale Plot M Grave 222 Range 26, Block 6, Section 40 $2,500.00 Each Total Real Value $8,000 615-444-3175 or 615-609-0332 Harrywatkins@yahoo.com
Welcome to this beautifully maintained expanded Cape in the Salisbury section of Westbury in the East Meadow school district. Offering 4-5 bedrooms and a versatile floor plan, this home is perfectly suited for today's lifestyle. The updated kitchen flows seamlessly into the comfortable living spaces, including a spacious living room and formal dining room. A striking double-sided wood-burning fireplace adds warmth and character, creating an inviting atmosphere throughout the main living areas. The first floor offers exceptional flexibility, featuring a bedroom, a den that can easily serve as a fifth bedroom, home office,
A new pool, and the fence around it
Q. I’m putting in a pool, and have to raise the property on the side closest to my property line by about 18 inches. I see that my permit shows I can’t go over 6 feet for the fence. What I want to do is build a wall along the property line using the concrete interlocking blocks that are made for this, and I remember from a previous column you wrote that the wall also needs a permit. Am I going to have problems getting the fence and wall approved, because the company that makes the blocks shows that they go right onto compacted gravel and not the concrete foundation you wrote about? Also, the fence will be 6 feet tall on my side, but at least 7 feet 6 inches on my neighbor’s side. Is that going to be a problem? I want to do this right away, so I can enjoy the pool this summer. Should I just do it and see what an inspector says, if anything?
Ideally located in the highly sought-after Salisbury section of Westbury, this home offers convenient access to Bowling Green Elementary School, W.T. Clarke High School, Eisenhower Park, shopping destinations, restaurants, and all major highways. A wonderful opportunity to own a spacious, well-appointed home in one of Westbury's most desirable neighborhoods. Don't miss the chance to make this exceptional property your own.
Scott Wallace, Realtor Real Estate Salesperson Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty 102 Seventh Street Garden City, NY 11530
516.521.4065 mobile 516.248.6655 office Scottwallace@danielgale.com
A. You have given this a lot of thought. I will answer each question as well as possible. The reason for my doubt is that communities have differing opinions, and even inspectors have differing views. The real problem is that until, and sometimes even after, you get a final sign-off, anything that wasn’t documented on the plans is fair game for nullifying the approval, requiring refiling for a new permit.
The block wall can only go on a compacted gravel bed if the ground is stable — not in a flood plain or previously reclaimed land, such as in a neighborhood that was once marshland — and if the gravel bed reaches a 90 percent compaction level, according to manufacturers. This compaction is achieved only by using heavy equipment and extreme force, so if you plan to shovel it in and tamp it down, think twice. Fortunately, the wall movement will be hardly noticeable unless sections sag from the weight of the block and the horizontal shifting of the earth, which mainly occur with the help of water buildup and extremes like the weeks of below-freezing weather a few months ago that most people have already forgotten.
The fence height is another mixed bag of opinions. I’ve had to appear for clients at zoning hearings because of just such circumstances, where there was a problem achieving the 6-foot height and the uneven land dilemma. In other, similar circumstances, another inspector in the same jurisdiction said not to bother and passed the approval without the need to go through the hearing process. I believe that good fences make good neighbors, as Robert Frost wrote. The height issue should only come into play when a neighbor is harmed or potentially harmed by the height, such as if the fence blocks sunlight.
I can never recommend building something without approvals, as a licensed professional, but I am seeing more often that people hate the word “permit.” Good luck!
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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So we set off to meet the new Notre Dame coach . . .
i’ve told this story before, but friends say it always bears retelling. Four years ago this month, a group of us experienced in just a few hours some truly high moments followed by some comedic screwups that still make us shake our heads.
Nassau County Republican Party Chairman Joe Cairo, my law school roommate Tom Curtin and I are Notre Dame graduates, and fanatical followers of Fighting Irish football. When we heard that then new football coach Marcus Freeman would be speaking at a Notre Dame event at the Union League Club in Manhattan, we decided to attend and then go to dinner afterward.
Melissa Zimmerman, a retired Nassau County Police Department detective who was on my security detail when I was in Congress and was still doing security work for me, coordinated the logistics for the evening. We took my car, picked up Cairo at his North Valley Stream home and made it to the city in
plenty of time. Zimmerman parked the car in a garage a few blocks from the Union League, and once there we met up with Curtin, who, as usual, knew someone who knew someone and got us into a pre-event gathering with just a small group of alumni and Freeman, who was friendly and generous with his time. Couldn’t have been a better moment for Notre Dame guys.
AFollowing the larger reception downstairs, we went to Sam’s Place, a terrific Italian restaurant on East 39th Street, where we were joined by my son, Sean, another Notre Dame graduate. The conversation was filled with reminiscing, and expressions of hope that Freeman would restore Notre Dame football’s golden luster.
Despite a sign that said it would be open for a few more hours, the garage were locked tight. We rang the bell. No answer. It started raining harder. We were the only people on the street.
nd what followed forced us to find our way home in the rain in a very sketchy Uber.
The always prepared Curtin produced an umbrella and decided to walk to the NYAC. Zimmerman, seeing her brilliant planning coming undone, was on her phone trying to find an Uber to drive us to North Valley Stream. Minutes went by; no taxicab, no Uber. Cairo, one of the nation’s most powerful political leaders, was standing in the rain, looking down 39th Street.
windshield. Eventually we made it to Cairo’s home, where he obligingly paid the driver and, adding insult to injury, at Zimmerman’s suggestion, gave the man a generous tip. He shook his head as he got out.
Next, Zimmerman tracked down a friend to drive us to my home in Seaford, and then, because her car keys were in my car in the Manhattan parking garage, to drive her to her Bellmore home.
Afterward, as we were outside on the street posing for a group photo, Zimmerman couldn’t help congratulating herself on her logistical success. Sean said he would walk to his nearby apartment and said good night. There was a drizzle of rain, but the garage was a block away; nothing to worry about. Curtin, who lives in Jersey, was staying at the New York Athletic Club, so we offered to drop him off.
TAfter several long minutes, a broken-down, filthy-looking, barely operable car pulled up. The driver held a cardboard sign with “Uber” scrawled in magic marker. Speaking with a thick foreign accent, he asked where we were going. North Valley Stream, Zimmerman told him.
“No problem,” he said. We warily got in the car — Zimmerman, the seasoned detective, in the front, and Cairo and I in the back. The driver seemed to have a hard time finding his way out of Manhattan as Zimmerman tried to guide him, and rain splashed against the
Because my wife, Rosemary, knew I’d be coming home late, she had decided to sleep in the back bedroom. When she got up in the morning and didn’t saw my car, she didn’t know whether to call the cops or the emergency room. Moments later, as I recounted the events of the previous evening, she shook her head with the look of a woman thinking, why did I ever marry this guy? Good question.
Later that morning, Zimmerman took an LIRR train to Manhattan to retrieve my car and her keys and complain to the parking garage manager about his misleading closing-time sign. The saga of the Notre Dame football coach and the locked garage was over, but none of us has ever forgotten it.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
A crisis at a journalistic institution
here are a number of ways to frighten a politician. I could recite a few, but there’s nothing more frightening then telling an elected official that “‘60 Minutes’ wants to talk to you.” For almost 60 years, the show has been more than a television program. It is one of the few that has held powerful corporations, governments and individuals to account for their conduct. Like it or not, “60 Minutes” has been the conscience of the nation.
During its time on our television screens, the show has exposed the tobacco industry’s lies, the failures of the Veterans Administration and the abuses of Wall Street, to name just a few of its in-depth investigations. It has done so week after week, in prime time, watched by millions of Americans who might never have read an investigative newspaper series but would sit down on a Sunday night and absorb a piece of journalism that changed what they knew, and sometimes what the country knew.
That institution, in any meaningful sense, is now gone. What has taken place over the past year is a cautionary tale about what happens when corporate fear meets political intimidation and what is lost when the two converge. The chain of events that got us here started in April 2025, when Bill Owens resigned at executive producer of “60 Minutes.” He was only the third person to hold that job in 57 years. That was followed by the resignation of CBS President Wendy McMahon.
Why all the drama at ‘60 Minutes’ matters beyond the television industry.
The reason for both departures was that Paramount, the parent company of CBS, was seeking federal approval for its merger with Skydance Media. The Trump administration had leverage over the deal, and it was clear that it was prepared to use it. Then CBS settled a lawsuit with the president with a payment of $16 million. The optics should have been a tipoff of what was yet to come.
What happened next confirmed everyone’s worst fears. Bari Weiss became editor in chief of CBS News, installed by the new owners. While Weiss is a competent writer, she knew nothing about television news. Last
month she fired veteran “60 Minutes” correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, the first Latina correspondent in the show’s history. That was followed by numerous other layoffs of longtime staffers. It’s worth noting that, months earlier, Weiss pulled a segment off the air that dealt with Trump administration deportees held in a Salvadoran prison. It eventually ran, but that sent another signal.
The final touch in the dismantling of a journalistic institution was the firing of Scott Pelley, who helped make “60 Minutes” what it was. Pelly is the modern-day version of what Walter Cronkite was in his time, and the loss of his voice is a loss for all of us who believe in investigative journalism.
So why does this matter beyond the television industry? Investigative journalism is a mechanism by which citizens of a democracy learn what their government and their corporations are actually doing, as opposed to what they are told they’re doing.
What do weekly newspapers have to do with this type of reporting? Willamette Week, the Village Voice and the Riverdale Press are just a few of the
weeklies that have won Pulitzer Prizes. Consider what happens when a weekly newspaper is sold. If a new owner has different priorities, different allegiances or a fear of generating controversy, it’s the beginning of the end of fair coverage for their readership. When a new owner takes over, the staff remains for a time. The nameplate stays the same, but the readers may sense the change before they can articulate it.
Identity and credibility aren’t assets that appear on a balance sheet, but they are one of the most fragile assets a paper possesses. You might have noticed that the Herald has both Republican Peter King and Democrat Jerry Kremer as columnists. That’s because the owner values all opinions.
The dismantling of “60 Minutes” because of political pressure and corporate self-interest is a message to newsrooms all over America. It is a reminder that the public can’t afford to ignore what takes place before their eyes. We need good and honest journalism, and should be supportive of those who practice it.
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.
very election cycle brings a familiar refrain: “This is the most important election of our lifetime.” The phrase is often overused, but the underlying message remains true. Democracy only works when citizens participate, and that participation begins long before Election Day in November.
For New Yorkers, that opportunity starts with next Tuesday’s primary election, which determines which candidates represent each political party on the ballot in November’s general election. Too often, primary elections are overlooked. Turnout is routinely far lower than in general elections, even though primaries frequently determine who will ultimately hold office.
In many districts, particularly those dominated by one political party, the primary is effectively the most competitive election voters will see. Yet thousands of eligible voters stay home, leaving crucial decisions in the hands of a small fraction of the electorate.
Voting is more than a civic duty; it is one of the few opportunities citizens have to directly influence the direction of their communities, states and nation. The issues debated during campaigns — taxes, public safety, education, transportation, housing affordability, health care, environmental policy and economic development — impact residents every day. Whether voters are satisfied with current leadership or eager for change, the ballot box remains the most powerful tool available to make their voices heard.
The 2026 election cycle will determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, institutions that shape federal policy on everything from spending and taxation to national security and judicial appointments. Midterm elections have historically served as a
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How to register to vote and find your polling place
Nassau County: Go to the Nassau County Board of Elections website: nassaucountyny.gov/Departments/BOE.
Suffolk County: Go to the Suffolk County Board of Elections website: suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/BOE.
referendum on the direction of the country, and they often produce significant shifts in political power.
Yet those outcomes are frequently decided by a relatively small number of voters. Nationally, turnout in midterm elections, like 2026, is typically lower than during presidential years. That means individual votes carry even greater weight.
New York voters face an unusual circumstance. Due to a court ruling involving the state’s congressional district maps, several elected officials who only recently won office must once again make their cases to voters. As a result, some communities will see campaigns and races return to the ballot much sooner than expected.
Rather than viewing this as election fatigue, we hope that voters see it as an opportunity. Democracy is strengthened when elected officials remain accountable to the people they represent. Frequent elections require candidates to engage with constituents, explain their records and articulate their plans for the future. Those elections also give voters a chance to evaluate whether promises made during previous campaigns have
Ben Franklin’s wise words? If only.
To the Editor:
Re Jerry Kremer’s column, “Much of what Ben Franklin said is being ignored,” in the June 4-10 issue: To use Franklin to compare the personal qualities of top officials then and now is very appropriate, for it points a way forward.
When Franklin connected the maintenance of the republic to the character of its members, he knew whereof he spoke. He was well studied in history, the qualities of his compatriots were well known to him, and he was fully experienced in the effort that went into the maintenance of “virtue.” His statements that “only a virtuous people are capable of freedom” and about the tendency of corruption to bring on “masters” were deadly serious advice about the kind of citizens necessary to “keep” the republic.
been fulfilled.
Congressional races often receive the most attention, but local and state elections — for Assembly members, village mayors, town council members, and more — can have an equally profound impact on daily life. Decisions made by state lawmakers influence school funding, transportation projects, environmental protections, public health initiatives and countless other issues that directly affect neighborhoods. The officials chosen this year will help shape policies and budgets that residents will live with for years to come.
Unfortunately, many Americans have become increasingly cynical about politics. Some believe their vote doesn’t matter. Others feel frustrated by partisan divisions or disappointed by the pace of change. Those feelings are understandable, but disengagement isn’t the answer. History repeatedly demonstrates that elections can be decided by razor-thin margins. A handful of votes can determine a local race. Every voter who participates increases the legitimacy of the democratic process and helps ensure that election results reflect the will of the broader community.
Next week’s primary should therefore be viewed as more than a procedural step on the path to November. It is the opening chapter of an election season that will help determine who represents us and what priorities those leaders pursue.
Voters should take the time now to learn about the candidates, understand the issues and confirm their registration status. They should familiarize themselves with polling locations, early voting opportunities and absentee ballot options if needed.
The road to November begins next Tuesday. The most important thing voters can do is show up and vote.
The lessons our leaders should take from the LIRR strike
the three-day long Island rail road strike last month did more than disrupt commutes. It highlighted just how interconnected new york City and long Island truly are.
For 72 hours, the effects rippled across the entire metropolitan region. Workers struggled to get to their jobs. Businesses lost customers and productivity. restaurants saw cancellations. Meetings were missed. Supply chains slowed.
State Comptroller Tom Dinapoli estimated that the work stoppage cost as much as $61 million per day in lost economic activity. The losses weren’t confined to any one county or borough. They were shared by all of us, because our regional economy functions as one interconnected system. as president and CeO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, representing thousands of businesses across Queens, I heard from employers immediately concerned about staffing shortages, delayed deliveries and declining foot traffic. The reason was simple: The workforce connection between long Island and new york City is enormous. according to Census data, around
Letters
Franklin made for himself a chart of seven columns, one for each day of the week, and 13 rows listing the 13 virtues he considered important enough to track. He focused on one per week, and marked his shortfalls. “Tho’ I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of attaining,” he wrote, “but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavor, a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it.”
Most citizens — and very few politicians — would be hard-pressed to even name 13 virtues, confused today with ideology. We know that George Washington had his own written selfguide, and self-improvement was a popular theme at the time, in line with efforts at improving society by improving the people. Citizens today should make their own list of virtues, make an honest attempt to abide by them, and insist on representatives who share the effort. Franklin’s words should be remembered, as should his efforts to attain virtue and thus be a good citizen of our republic.
BrIan Kelly Rockville Centre
240,000 long Island residents commute into new york City for work, while roughly 310,000 new york City residents work in nassau and Suffolk counties. Queens alone sends around 95,000 workers into nassau County and another 28,000 into Suffolk County every day. Queens residents are among the largest workforce pipelines for long Island employers, particularly in health care, construction, retail, transportation and professional services.
When that flow stops, even briefly, the economic consequences are immediate.
Lexactly why that mindset misses the bigger picture.
ong Island’s economy is deeply dependent on New York City’s, and vice versa.
That reality should also serve as a reminder in a broader political conversation that has become increasingly misguided recently. Too often, some elected officials and commentators have tried to frame long Island and new york City as competitors, as though economic success on one side of the city line somehow comes at the expense of the other side.
It doesn’t.
We saw this dynamic emerge during the pandemic, when some suburban leaders openly encouraged businesses to leave new york City and relocate to long Island. More recently, some politicians have continued to take rhetorical swipes at the city’s struggles as a way to score political points.
But the lIrr strike demonstrated
long Island’s economy is deeply dependent on new york City’s economic strength, just as the city depends on long Island. roughly 150,000 Suffolk County residents work in new york City’s five boroughs, with many commuting into Manhattan and Queens every day. nassau County’s economic ties are even deeper. Meanwhile, businesses throughout the city rely heavily on long Island residents as customers, employees and business partners.
Queens and suburban long Island, in particular, share extraordinarily close economic ties. Queens is home to Kennedy and laGuardia airports, major health care institutions, construction projects and entertainment destinations that employ thousands of long Islanders. long Islanders help staff schools, hospitals, financial firms and transportation systems throughout the city. at the same time, Queens residents support long Island’s retail centers, restaurants, beaches and small businesses. The relationship is reciprocal by necessity.
That’s why the true competition facing our region isn’t between Queens and nassau or between Manhattan and Suffolk. The real competition is coming from states aggressively attracting resi-
Framework by Tim Baker
dents and employers away from new york altogether. Florida. Texas. The Carolinas.
When families leave the metropolitan area because housing costs become unsustainable, long Island and new york City both lose. When businesses relocate operations out of state, the economic pain is shared throughout the downstate region.
Instead of trying to outcompete one another for headlines or short-term political advantage, regional leaders should be working together to address the challenges we all face: affordability, transportation reliability, housing shortages, public safety and economic competitiveness.
The lIrr strike also reinforced another important truth: Infrastructure matters. reliable transportation is the backbone of the downstate economy. Millions of people depend on the seamless movement of workers and consumers throughout the region every day. When that system breaks down, even temporarily, it reminds us how fragile — and how interconnected — our economy really is.
In the future long, Island and new york City will succeed or fail, rise or fall, together. That isn’t political rhetoric. It is an economic reality.
Tom Grech is president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce and acting chair of the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency and Local Development Corporation.
Diana Frohman with one of her dancing golden retrievers, 5-year-old George — Oceanside
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