Babylon Herald 05_15_2025

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At the grand opening of the Babylon Town Hall of Fame are Councilman Tony Martinez; Warren Fuller; Kia Wright; Danny Greene; Tom Gargiulo; Christopher Vaccaro, President of the S.C. Sports Hall of Fame; Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer; Councilman DuWayne Gregory and S.C. Exec. Ed Romaine.

New exhibit celebrates legacy of legendary local sports heroes

The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled a new satellite exhibit at the Town of Babylon Annex, spotlighting hometown heroes whose athletic accomplishments have left an enduring mark on the Greater Babylon area.

The exhibit, installed just outside the newly dedicated Tom Gargiulo Gymnasium on Phelps Lane, features more than 40 inductees connected to local communities — from sandlots to stadiums — each etched into the fabric of Suffolk County’s rich sports legacy.

“This wall isn’t just a celebration of the

past—it’s a spark for the future,” said Chris R. Vaccaro, president of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. “We want every kid who walks through the annex to see those names and faces and to believe that greatness is within reach—and that they, too, can leave their mark on this community.”

Among those featured are NBA champion Danny Green (North Babylon), MLB All-Star Billy Koch (West Babylon), NFL player Darryl Young, MLS veteran Chris Wingert (Babylon), and WNBA guard Bria Hartley (North Babylon). Hall of Famers Kia Wright of Copiague and Warren Fuller of Wyandanch, both basketball standouts, attended the unveiling.

“This exhibit is a proud reminder that

Street festival season has feisty start in BV

The street festival season in Babylon Village was officially launched on May 3 with the annual Spring Fling, held under sunny skies. Deer Park Avenue quickly filled with excited children and families, eager to enjoy a day of fun, dining, live music, and shopping.

Sponsored by the Babylon Village Arts Council, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and hosted by the Babylon Village Chamber of Commerce, the event showcased a variety of local vendors. Chamber President Tom Vitale highlighted this year’s focus on supporting community businesses. A new feature this year was the “Kid Zone,” which dedicated one end of the street to familyfriendly activities like bounce houses, face-painting, and the Long Island Aquarium’s Touch Tanks.

“It’s our opening street fair for the season, and we’re proud to highlight more of our own local vendors,” Vitale said. “This event has fewer food trucks and outside vendors.”

For 7-year-old Stevie Kroski, the pitching game was the highlight of the day, while his sister, 9-year-old Elizabeth, enjoyed browsing the shops and anticipating the arrival of her friends.

“I love Babylon Village, and I hope everyone brings their dogs

out,” said Alexis Morello of M. Mae All Things Dog Boutique.

Pam Serla of Behr’s Boutique, which also sold dog accessories, echoed similar sentiments. “Babylon is such a great town to be in, and it’s wonderful that it’s so dog-friendly,” she said.

Local restaurants and eateries were open for outdoor dining or had set up vendor stands outside their shops. Favorites like The Villager, Argyle Grill & Tavern, Babylon Village Meat Market, and Torta Fina Bakeshoppe offered such treats as pretzels, popcorn, apple cider donuts, and lemonade.

“The weather is perfect, and it’s great for the kids,” said Ken Donahue, who attended with his wife, Erica, and daughters, Amelia and Lola.

Arianna Kenney, 4 ½, was thrilled to pick out a rubber ducky toy from one of the vendor stands.

Live music was provided by Page Six, a 90s grunge and classic rock band made up of Babylon Junior-Senior High School seniors, as well as Orchyd, a classic rock group.

“We’re excited to jam out and have fun,” said Brian Huggins, lead singer and guitarist for Orchyd. “I’m looking forward to interacting with the crowd,” added Caera Larkin, vocalist for Page Six.

Maddie Dipietrantonio of

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
Courtesy/Town of Babylon

The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County and Amityville police departments and other fire and emergency services agencies:

GRAND LARCENY

North Babylon: Police report that a 2015 Hyundai was stolen from August Road, North Babylon May 1, and reported missing at 9:31 p.m.

Farmingdale: Representatives of Robert Whitcomb Landscaping at 62 Marine St., reported to police that someone cut locks and entered the property and stole property. Police did not indicate what was stolen but it was more than $1,000. That incident was reported at approximately 4:45 a.m., May 1.

Deer Park: Someone stole a 2020 Dodge Charger from Kossuth Street at 8 p.m., April 26.

DRIVERS FLEE SCENE

Babylon: A vehicle being operated westbound on Main Street and Beachwood Drive was struck by another vehicle at 8:48 p.m., May 1. There were no injuries but the operator of the second vehicle fled the scene. There was minor damage to the victim’s car.

West Islip: A vehicle parked in front of 1227 Minerva Avenue was rear ended by another vehicle, which fled the scene. That incident occurred at 10:20 p.m., April 25.

BURGLARY

Wyandanch: At approximately 5 p.m., May 1, the owners of a home on Irving Avenue called to police to report that

CRIME WATCH

an individual had climbed through the home’s kitchen window and stolen clothing, an iPad and cash. Following a police investigation, Phillip Allen, 44, of 83 Irving Ave., Wyandanch, was arrested and charged with the crime.

Copiague: James Makel, 61, of 89 Williams Ave., Amityville, was charged with burglary April 28, shortly after 2 p.m. Williams allegedly was attempting to steal $890 from the Target department store on Sunrise Highway when he was confronted. Earlier, he had been caught shoplifting, said police, and issued a trespass notice by store security.

PETIT LARCENY

West Babylon: An unknown individual entered a vehicle parked in West Babylon in an apparent attempt to steal it but was unsuccessful. They fled with the vehicle’s rearview mirror and radar detector. Police said they were able to determine that the individual was attempting to steal the vehicle through a camera in the car that took video of the incident.

•A 2018 Freightliner Roll Rite trailer, parked on the Sunrise Highway service road in West Babylon, was broken into April 30. The vehicle was locked but somehow someone got in and stole a battery jump pack and gasoline can.

MONEY SCAM

North Babylon: An unknown individual rang the doorbell at a home on Seley Drive and told the resident that he was there to advise him that his bank account had been compromised. The resident

gave the individual his bank card and pin numbers only to find out later that money was missing from his account.

Lindenhurst: Someone broke into a vehicle parked on 6th Street and removed a wallet from within it. That incident was reported May 1 at approximately 2:25 p.m.

•In a similar incident four hours earlier, a person reports that their vehicle, which was parked on 5th Street, was entered by an unknown person and a gold bracelet was stolen. That vehicle was unlocked at the time of the incident.

ARRESTS

Driving While Intoxicated/Impaired: Kevin Reyes Hernandez, 24, of 21 Wilson St., Brentwood; Humberto Anhuaman, 43, of 6 Birch Grove Dr., Central Islip; Kevin Reyes Hernandez, 24, of 21 Wilson St., Brentwood; Timothy Archer, 25 of 4079 Sound Ave., Riverhead; Faredin Sela, 45,

of 93 Grant Ave., Brentwood (drugs); Petit Larceny: Richard Meade, 70, of 61 28 St., Islip Yvette Hodges, 58, of 105 Howells Rd., Bay Shore; Jacqueline Chavez, 53 of 44 Doolittle St., Brentwood; Estefanyu Penaamaya, 29, of 108 Half Mile Rd., Central Islip; Stephanie Sarmiento, 35, of 14 St. Johns Rd., Ridgewood; Yorgelis Hernandez Palacio, 28, of 225 Messina St., Central Islip; Grafton Okayla, 24, of 100 Terrace Ave., Hempstead; William Huff, 62, homeless; Claude Truax, 59, of 24 Fifth Ave., Bay Shore; Camron Montemarano, 27, of 41 Swallow La., Brentwood; Ordy Bonna Flores, 23, of 80 Timberline Dr., Brentwood; Cody Block 35, of 37 Arizona Ave., South, West Babylon.

Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance: Jose Chicas, 42 of 95 Madison Ave., Brentwood.

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.

Attention Readers

Results from school budget votes and trustee elections will be posted on our website, babylonbeacon.com, shortly after the polls close on Tues., May 20. Detailed stories will be posted online the next day and will appear in print in the Babylon Herald May 28 edition. For more information call the editor us at 631-383-7165.

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Meet the candidates in your local school board races

On Tues., May 20 voters will head to the polls to vote on their local school budgets and other propositions. In addition, they will be asked to elect school board members.

In districts in which there are challenges, here are the responses from the candidates to five questions we asked them.

For more information on your local school elections, go to babylonbeacon. com.

BABYLON

There are three candidates running at large for two seats on the school board.

ARI MCKENZIE

How long have you lived in the district?

I have proudly lived in the Babylon School District for 16 years.

Why are you running for reelection?

It has been a true honor to serve the students, families, educators, and the entire Babylon community over the past three years. I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made together. I remain deeply committed to transparency, responsible financial planning, and the strategic use of technology to strengthen, secure and enrich the academic experience for all students and educators. What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

As a proud parent of three children in the district, I have a deep personal investment in the success of our schools. With over 26 years of experience in executive IT leadership, I currently serve as the director of IT infrastructure at Hunter College. My professional background

provides me with a unique perspective on implementing thoughtful, effective technology solutions that enhance instruction, IT infrastructure, IT resiliency, cyber security and school operations. If elected, what will be your priority and why?

My top priority is supporting the students and teachers of our district.

As the chair of the district’s technology committee, I’m committed to fostering a data-driven, sustainable decision-making process that keeps their needs at the center. As AI continues to evolve, I will remain actively engaged in thoughtful, collaborative conversations with the district’s IT director and team to explore its responsible use, always with the goal of enhancing teaching and learning.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes.

I’m committed to fostering greater community engagement, inclusivity, and shared ownership in district decision-making. I also strongly support the return of both day and overnight field trips, which offer students meaningful, real-world learning experiences that enrich their education beyond the classroom.

How long have you lived in the district?

I first moved to Babylon in 1998, and in 2001 my husband and I were fortunate enough to be able to buy a house in the district. I love the village and love the idea of my children going to school in such a small district. I have two children--a son who graduated in 2022 and a

daughter who will graduate in June and I’m very happy with the education they have received here.

Why are you running for reelection?

I am a true believer in the promise of public schools. We have made so much positive progress in Babylon over the last three years. I am running for reelection because I want to help keep that momentum going.

Additionally, we have had tremendous change in the district in recent years and I think it’s important to have someone on the board who knows the history, and who also has a vision for the future.

What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

I am the chair of the board curriculum committee and currently board vice president. Additionally, this year I began working with a fellow trustee to establish a board legislative committee to help open a line of communication between the school board and our local politicians. The goal is to assist our elected officials in advocating for what is best for our district at the state and federal level.

If elected, what will be your priority and why?

My priority is to work with our legislative committee and develop a dialogue between the district, our residents, and our local politicians to help advocate for laws and policies that support public schools and public-school students in general, and Babylon schools and students specifically. I would also like to continue all the good work currently being done by our board and administra-

tive team.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes.

One thing that our administrative team has started working on that I would like to see continue is the articulation / alignment of curriculum from kindergarten through 12th grade. I think it’s important that we look at the district as a whole and not as three separate schools when making decisions about curriculum, programs, staffing, etc. Our current administrative team has begun this work and I would like to make sure it continues to be prioritized.

DEBORAH PAYTON-JONES

How long have you lived in the district? I have happily been a homeowner in the district for 27 years. Our niece Amber Payton graduated from Babylon in 2006 and our daughter, Dominique, graduated in 2015. Our daughter grew and contributed to our community via Girl Scouts and achieved her bronze gold awards. She represented her unit as a delegate to Girl Scouts 100-year anniversary. She was a lifeguard for eight years in the village.

Why are you running for election?

The most important issue facing our district is the community’s comprehension of all pertinent information/ communication shared with them. Understanding that two-way communication

BARBARA OJEDA - DEER PARK
ARI MCKENZIE - BABYLON
DEBORAH PAYTON JONES BABYLON
CHRIS PAOLILLO WEST BABYLON
KATIE BELPANNO - LINDENHURST
DONNA NOESI - BABYLON
GRACE HEYNE - DEER PARK
PHILLIP RENNA - LINDENHURST KATIE ARMATO - WEST BABYLON
FRANK MEDINA WEST BABYLON
CHRISTOPHER J. O’CONNOR WEST BABYLON

What’s in a name: it can be a dogged task

The dog is the most varied mammal on Earth, with over 400 breeds recognized worldwide. While the origin of each breed’s name may not rival the evolutionary importance of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, their etymologies remain fascinating.

Pets, Pets, Pets...

Etymology, the study of word origins, reveals that many dog breeds are named after geographic locations. Some are well known, like the Irish Setter, developed in Ireland, while others are more obscure, such as the Saluki, named for an ancient town in Arabia. Certain breeds are named after people, including the Doberman, named for German tax collector Louis Dobermann, and the Gordon Setter, named for the Duke of Gordon.

Other breed names describe their original jobs or characteristics. Pointers and Shepherds reflect working roles. “Borzoi” is Russian for “swift,” while “Shih Tzu” is Mandarin for “lion.” The Schnauzer takes its name from the German word “schnauz,” meaning “snout.” The French “barbichon frisé,” or “curly lap dog,” was shortened to Bichon Frise.

Starting with basics, both “dog” and “hound” come from Old English. “Dog” is derived from “docga,” meaning a powerful canine breed, while “hound” stems from “hund,” which by the 12th century referred specifically to a hunting dog. The Basset Hound’s name comes from the Old French word for “low,” while “Dachshund” combines the German words for “badger” (dasch) and “dog” (hund).

The word “Terrier” originates from the Latin “terra,” meaning “earth,” as these dogs hunt prey underground. “Spaniel” dates to the 13th century and denotes a dog from Spain. Despite their French flair, Poodles are German in origin, from “pudel,” meaning “to splash,”

referencing their work as water retrievers. Their elaborate haircuts once served a functional purpose for swimming.

The Vizsla has dual meanings: “to seek” in Turkish and “to point” in Hungarian. “Schipperke,” a Dutch word, translates to “little boatman” or “skipper,” as these compact watchdogs patrolled barges.

Arctic sled dogs such as Huskies, Malamutes and Samoyeds are named for the Inuit or Siberian groups that bred them. Other breeds resemble geography lessons: Dalmatians are from a region in Croatia, Lhasa Apsos from Tibet’s capital, and Rottweilers trace back to the German town of Rottweil, where Roman legions once marched with Mastiffs. Airedales were developed near the River Aire in England.

French Poodles are not the only geographical misnomers. Great Danes originated in either Germany or Britain, but a French naturalist traveling in Denmark coined the mistaken name in the 1700s. Labrador Retrievers are from Newfoundland, though Labrador is nearby.

Other breeds have multiple theories behind their names. The word “Collie” may stem from the Anglo-Saxon for “black like coal” or the Gaelic “cuilean,” meaning “puppy.” The Pug may have been named for its resemblance to marmoset monkeys—also called “pugs”— popular in the 1700s, or from the Latin “pugnus,” meaning “fist,” because of the dog’s head shape. Another theory links “Pug” to “Puck,” the fairy from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The Chow Chow also has more than one possible origin. One version suggests “chow” was Chinese slang for “edible,” while another connects it to the phrase “chow chow,” used in the 1800s to describe miscellaneous cargo from the

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Far East.

Beagles have varied theories about the root of their name. Snoopy’s ancestors may be described by the French term “be’geule” which means “gape throat” because of their baying voice, or possibly by the Celtic word “beag” meaning “small”. Fittingly, Darwin’s famed ship, the HMS Beagle, carried a namesake of Snoopy’s ancestors as he recorded his revolutionary observations of the natural world. Sons of Snoopy everywhere bay with pride about their famous namesake ship.

Available for Adoption

At Last Hope Animal Rescue, 3300 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh: Monica is an 8-yearold Beagle surrendered to a local shelter when her family moved to Europe. Tristan is a playful young Goldendoodle. For more information, call 631-946-9528.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SUNDAY, May 18

• The Drafting of a Radical Idea – The Declaration of Independence: 2 p.m. at the Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society, located at 117 W. Main St., Babylon Village. When the “shot heard round the world” occurred in April of 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical. However, over the course of the next year the cry for independence would grow. By the time the Declaration of Independence was signed in the summer of 1776, the Continental Congress would declare that independence was “necessary.” Together, we will explore how this 18th century document would become a significant landmark in the history of democracy, exerting influence not only over the United States, but globally. The program is presented by Tara Rider. For more info., call the museum at 631-669-1756.

TUESDAY, May 20

• Village of Babylon Board of Trustees work session: 6 p.m.; Village Hall, upstairs conference room, 153 W. Main St., Babylon. For additional information, call 631-669-1500; or email: info@villageofbabylonny.gov; or

visit the web site @https://www.villageofbabylonny.gov.

• Lindenhurst Village Board of Trustees public meeting: 7:30 p.m. For updated meeting information, call 631-957-7500; or visit their web site @ https://villageoflindenhurstny. gov.

•Lindenhurst School Board of Education meeting: 8 p.m., at the McKenna Administration Bldg., 350 Daniel St., Lindenhurst. For info., call 631- 867-3001.

• Babylon Library Board of Trustees meeting: 6:30 p.m. at the Babylon Library, 24 S. Carll Ave., Babylon Village. For info., call 631669-1624; or visit the web site babylonlibrary. org.

WEDNESDAY, May 21

• Village of Babylon Zoning Board of Appeals: 7:30 p.m. @ Village Hall, 153 W. Main St., Babylon. For additional meeting information, call 631-669-1500; or email info@villageofbabylonny.gov, or visit the web site @ https://www.villageofbabylonny.gov.

• Town of Babylon Town Board meeting: 3 p.m., Town Board Room, 200 E. Sunrise Hwy., Lindenhurst. For additional information, call 631-957-3100.

“Borzoi” ( aka Russian Wolfhound) comes from the Russian word for “swift”.
MONICA- 8-yr-old Beagle
TRISTAN- young, male Golden Doodle

Amityville flag football posts five victories

The Amityville girls flag football team is wrapping up a season marked by progress, passion, and promise for the future.

While coach Bill Maisel admits they may fall just short of its ultimate goals this season, there’s no denying the strides that have been made. “It’s gone okay,” said Maisel. “We’re not going to finish where we hoped, but we’ve had more wins this year than in the history of the program.”.

That improvement is no accident. This Warriors’ squad has benefitted from a strong group of seniors who have been with the program since its inception. Quarterback/safety Alana Henry and wide receiver/linebacker Erin Creuder have not only grown into leaders but have helped shape the culture of the program. “We’ve gotten more consistency,” said Maisel. “We have a bunch of seniors, so the leadership, chemistry, and understanding of the game have improved so much.”

One of the biggest challenges in girls flag football is most players don’t come in with a background in the sport. “They didn’t play pee wee football like the guys,” Maisel said.

That’s where the leadership from players really makes a difference. Seniors like Henry, Crowder, Nevaeh Hankins, play key roles in mentoring newcomers, bridging the gap between raw athleticism and football IQ. “Sometimes we as coaches will use football terms that some of our players don’t understand,” said Maisel. “That’s where the leadership of our captains comes into play as a huge help.”

Amityville’s final record was 5-10-1. The five wins were against Center Moriches (12-6), Wyandanch (20-2), East Hampton (21-6), Smithtown Christian (21-6), and Riverhead Charter (26-0).

The blend of experience and new talent has created a dynamic roster. Juniors Jaelle Aikan and Anayah Hampton have emerged as first-year contributors, while junior newcomers Beverley Polelomon and Pauvy Morales are proving their potential. Sophomore Anna Marie Gomez, who is a second-year player, along with

HERALD SPORTS Babylon playing at a high level

seniors Sydney Carter and Imani Brown, continue to add depth and heart.

Maisel and assistant coach Jason Epps have been instrumental in turning that depth into results. Epps, who handles the defense, has helped lead Amityville through several tight, low-scoring games thanks to disciplined and aggressive defensive play. “His defense has been on point,” Maisel said. “It’s the reason we’ve won as many games as we have.”

But for Maisel, success isn’t just about this season. It’s all about building something that lasts. “Our goal is to build a program, not just a team,” he said. As a teacher in the district, he’s already scouting future talent, jotting down names of promising girls in elementary school. That long-term vision, paired with the foundation laid by this year’s group, sets Amityville up for a bright future in the growing sport.

In just a few short years, Amityville has gone from learning the basics to building a competitive program with real momentum. Thanks to strong leadership on and off the field, this program is no longer just getting started. It’s on the rise.

In her third year at the helm, head coach Nicole O’Donnell has once again positioned the Babylon High School softball team as a top contender in League VII.

Known as a pitcher-heavy league with an influx of young talent, League VII is never easy, but O’Donnell and her squad have embraced the challenge with confidence and grit.

Coming off a league title last year, the Panthers knew the road to another championship wouldn’t be easy, especially after graduating six seniors. “This year was about reconnecting,” O’Donnell said. “We have a wide age range on the team, from 7th graders to seniors, and we’ve worked hard to build chemistry. It’s not just about winning, it’s about having fun and aligning our goals.”

Despite finishing second to BayportBlue Point in the regular season, Babylon has secured a playoff spot thanks to its 12-4 record and is eyeing the Class B championship with high hopes. In all 12 wins, the Panthers put up double digit run totals, including a season high against Center Moriches on April 10 in a 23-4 victory.

Leadership has played a crucial role in the team’s success. Senior corner infielder Kerin Tanner has been a key contributor since 8th grade, and her versatility is unmatched. Primarily a first baseman, Taylor has also played third base, outfield, and even pitched when needed. “She’ll do whatever it takes for the team,” O’Donnell said. Batting .531 with two home runs and 27 RBIs, Taylor is a constant threat at the plate, even when opponents try to pitch around her. “She knows that teams are hesitant to attack her but she’s still always ready.”

Behind the plate, sophomore catcher Eliana Romero brings poise and leadership well beyond her 10th-grade status. “She’s a silent leader,” said O’Donnell. “She steadies the team with her calm presence and strong relationship with the pitching staff.” Romero is hitting .442 with a home run.

In the circle, 8th grader Sofia HagertyCori has carried the pitching load entirely on her own. Logging 88 innings with 88

strikeouts, Cori has proven she belongs at this level and then some. “She’s always ready to go,” said O’Donnell. “Her future is incredibly bright.”

The youth movement doesn’t stop there. Seventh grader Addy Janawsky and her .383 batting average have made an immediate impact at second base. “She plays with a maturity beyond her years,” said O’Donnell. “She’s earned her spot through consistency and a strong work ethic.”

In the outfield, junior Carissa Arena has shown elite athleticism, capable of patrolling all three positions. “Her diving catches and relentless effort have saved countless runs and energized the team,” said O’Donnell.

Then there’s senior and five-year varsity player Hazel Bivona. A righty thrower but lefty batter, Bivona can slap, bunt, or hit for power. With a .455 average and a staggering .657 on-base percentage, teams still struggle to find a way to keep her off the bases.

What stands out most about Babylon softball isn’t just the talent, it’s the unity. “They mesh so well together,” O’Donnell said. “I see them in the classroom and on the field, and it’s amazing to watch them grow and support each other. They love the game, and they want to succeed.”

Erik Lee/Herald Junior Beverley Polelomon was one of a handful of newcomers who helped the Warriors post a program-record five wins.
Erik Lee/Herald
Junior Carissa Arena is the most versatile outfielder for the Panthers, who have 12 wins and seek the Suffolk Class B title.

Chalk S. State crashes up to bad judgment

Second story in a series on the Southern State Parkway.

Ana Marte, 67, said that a fatal car accident on the Southern State Parkway in January changed her life.

Her grandson Anthonie Marte, 23, was severely injured in a one-car crash shortly after 11 p.m. on Jan. 12, in the eastbound lanes not far from Exit 30, near Farmingdale and Massapequa, according to the New York State Police.

Investigators said that the car in which Marte was a passenger, a black 2016 Dodge Dart, was traveling at a high rate of speed and weaving between lanes before the driver lost control and crashed into a tree.

Two rear-seat passengers, ages 23 and 21, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Jaden Dsouza, 19, of College Point, Queens, and Marte, of East Elmhurst, Queens, who was in the front passenger seat, were both extricated from the vehicle and transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition.

Marte’s grandmother said he suffered major head injuries, and she still takes care of him daily, feeding him and giving him pain medicine. He is slowly recovering, with doctors’ appointments and physical therapy. “He’s like a baby again,” she said. “He doesn’t want to go outside because he’s scared, and all he does is sleep.”

Marte does not remember the accident, his grandmother said.

Dsouza was later charged with one count of driving while ability impaired by drugs, second-degree manslaughter, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault and aggravated vehicular homicide, police said.

Crash data from the New York State Police shows a fluctuating, but persistent, pattern of accidents on the Southern State Parkway over the past six years, with the number of fatal crashes in a year reaching as high as six.

Crashes resulting in serious personal injury in Nassau have remained relatively low throughout the period, with no more than two reported in any given year.

While most incidents are non-fatal, serious crashes often involve an added risk: intoxication. Speed and distraction remain consistent contributing factors, but impairment by drugs or alcohol increases the potential for deadly outcomes.

“It’s on the driver for the most part,” State Police Capt. Mike Rhodes said. “If they’re inattentive, if they’re speeding, if they’re not following the vehicle and traffic law, they do not understand the severity of what could happen.”

Rhodes oversees 56 state troopers and eight sergeants, many of whom patrol the 25.3-mile long Southern State. Most accidents, he said, occur during peak congestion, at around 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Crash data from the state police show a fluctuating but persistent pattern of accidents on the parkway over the past six years, with fatal crashes increasing in 2024.

In 2019, there were 3,127 crashes on the Nassau County stretch of the parkway, including six fatalities. That number dropped to 2,331 in 2020, but rose again in subsequent years, reaching 2,716 in 2022 and 2,725 in 2023. In 2024, state police recorded 2,549 crashes and five fatalities. Thus far this year, there have been 328 crashes and one fatality.

“A lot of these things, they hit every single age category,” Rhodes said.

To combat the persistent problem, state police focus on enforcement and outreach. Not every traffic stop results in a citation; many serve as opportunities for education.

Personal injury attorney Stephen Cohen said that in his more than five decades of handling lawsuits, most of those that involve accidents on the Southern State involve intoxicated drivers.

Cohen, a partner at the law firm Cohen and Jaffe, in New Hyde Park, said that speed, intoxication and reckless driving continue to be the common factors in the region’s most serious accidents.

“I don’t believe road design is an issue at all,” Cohen said. “Posting more signs to slow down isn’t an answer, because when somebody is either speeding or just intoxicated, they don’t really care what the sign says.”

Many collisions during rush hour, he explained, stem from traffic congestion and insufficient braking distance. “People are gliding along, and they hit a certain spot, and all of a sudden they weren’t prepared, because they’re going 70 miles an hour,” Cohen said. “So you

see a lot of rear-end collisions, not necessarily death-related.”

Fatal crashes, he noted, often involve younger drivers, high speeds and intoxication or impairment.

“You don’t see fatalities at 11 o’clock in the morning,” Cohen said. “You just don’t. You may see them at 4 in the morning. When your ability to observe is not sharp because of either impairment or intoxication, the car is going to go airborne. And if there happens to be a tree there, that’s the next thing you’re going to hit.”

In his practice, Cohen said, the firm represents victims or passengers, but not intoxicated drivers.

Under state law, he noted, lawsuits require plaintiffs to meet the “serious injury” threshold defined in insurance law. In cases involving fatalities, death, families must petition a Surrogate’s Court to appoint a representative for the estate before filing a lawsuit. That process can take over a year, he said.

Insurance coverage limits often dictate how quickly a case can be resolved. “If somebody has — let’s say, the responsible party — has a $100,000 policy, that case is going to be over in two seconds,” Cohen said.

Efforts to reform wrongful death laws in New York have repeatedly stalled, despite advocacy from legal organizations.

Despite changes in laws and vehicle technology over the years, Cohen said, the root problems remain unchanged.

“It only seems to get worse because cars are faster than they were 20, 30 years ago,” he said. “There’s more people drinking or doing some sort of drugs. And that’s what you see in all horrific accidents.”

Additional reporting by Mohammad Rafiq.

Accident data from the New York State Police

2019 – Total: 3,987

(3,127 Nassau, 860 Suffolk)

Serious personal injury: 2 (Nassau)

Fatal: 8 (6 Nassau, 2 Suffolk)

2020 – Total: 2,977

(2,331 Nassau, 646 Suffolk)

Serious personal injury: 3 (2 Nassau, 1 Suffolk)

Fatal: 9 (6 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)

2021 – Total: 3,566

(2,782 Nassau, 784 Suffolk)

Serious personal injury: 1 (Nassau)

Fatal: 9 (6 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)

2022 – Total: 3,552

(2,716 Nassau, 836 Suffolk)

Serious personal injury:

5 (1 Nassau, 4 Suffolk)

Fatal: 13 (5 Nassau, 8 Suffolk)

2023 – Total: 3,500

(2,725-Nassau, 775-Suffolk)

Serious personal injury: 1 (Nassau)

Fatal: 6 (3 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)

2024 – Total: 3,405

(2,549 Nassau, 856 Suffolk)

Serious personal injury:

2 (1 Nassau, 1 Suffolk)

Fatal: 15 (5 Nassau, 10 Suffolk)

2025* – Total: 426 (328 Nassau, 98 Suffolk)

Serious personal injury: 0

Fatal: 3 (1 Nassau, 2 Suffolk)

* To date

Tim Baker/Herald

Dr. Edward J. Mohr, an ophthalmologist, dies at 78

Dr. Edward J. Mohr, a compassionate ophthalmologist whose skilled hands helped preserve the vision of thousands and whose heart helped preserve the legacy of his late daughter, died peacefully on March 27, 2025. He was 78 and had practices in West Islip and Amityville.

A beloved husband, father, grandfather and community figure, Dr. Mohr practiced medicine on Long Island for nearly 50 years, earning the deep respect of his patients and colleagues alike for his dedication, kindness and unwavering resolve.

Born Oct. 21, 1946, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, he was the son of Mary and Allen Mohr. His family later moved to Massapequa, where he was raised alongside his siblings, Colleen, Denise and Allen. He graduated from Seton Hall High School in 1964, where he met his future wife and loving partner, Cabrini Cirillo. The two were married June 7, 1970 and would spend the next 54 years building a rich life together.

Dr. Mohr earned his undergraduate degree from St. Bonaventure Uni-

versity in 1968 and his medical degree from Creighton University in Omaha in 1972. He completed his internship and residency at Nassau County Medical Center, specializing in ophthalmology.

In 1976, he opened his first private practice in West Islip, later expanding to Amityville. Over the next four decades, he performed thousands of eye surgeries, restoring sight and offering hope to patients across the region. Even after semi-retiring in 2017, he continued seeing patients in West Islip until just weeks before his passing.

He is remembered not only as a talented surgeon but as a generous community member who coached youth sports, supported church and school events, and cheered loudly for his beloved New York Mets.

His family was the heart of his world. He and Cabrini welcomed three children: Jacqueline Mary, Michael Allen and Natalie Lillian. His devotion to his late daughter Jackie lives on through Jac’s Pack, a charitable effort supporting cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Mohr proudly wore the group’s signature, rainbow T-shirts, at fun-

TOB Career Fair a success

Babylon Town Councilmen Anthony Manetta and Terence McSweeney hosted a successful Town of Babylon Career Fair on April 30, connecting high school students and young adults with trade unions, healthcare providers, first responders, and local employers. The event offered valuable career pathways for those not pursuing college and was well-attended by students, families, and educators.

For more information on the event or career options call Manetta’s office at 631-9574482 or Councilman McSweeney’s office at 631-9573081.

draising races and events, helping to turn grief into purpose.

“He’s the greatest father, role model, mentor and best friend that I could have ever asked for, and I am forever honored, privileged, thankful, lucky, and proud to be his son,” said his son, Michael.

His grandson Brady Lessing will remember his grandfather as a strong, yet kind man. “He guided me toward a life of integrity and compassion,” he said.

“Most of us knew Dad as ‘The Big E’—not just for Ed, but because he was truly extraordinary” said his daughter Natalie Lessing. “ His remarkable spirit, filled with wisdom, love, laughter, and compassion, lives on as a powerful legacy in me, my children, and all those he touched.”

Dr. Mohr is survived by his wife, Cabrini; his children, Michael and Natalie; his son-in-law, Christopher Lessing; and three grandsons, Christopher Brady Jr., Edward Mohr and Nicholas Michael, all of East Islip. He was predeceased by his daughter Jackie.

He reposed at Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home, 200 E. Main

RELIGIOUS

DIRECTORY

St., East Islip April 1, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated the following day at St Mary’s R.C. Church, 20 Harrison Ave., East Islip In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jac’s Pack at www.jacspack. org or mailed to Jac’s Pack, Natalie Lessing, 26 Percy Williams Drive, East Islip, NY 11730.

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF BABYLON Corner of Deer Park Avenue and James Street in the Village of Babylon, 631-661-5151 Website: babylonumc.org

Pastor: The Rev. Melissa Boyer SUNDAY SERVICES

9:30am - Worship in the Church Online at Website - 9:30am

Home of the James Street Players and the UMC Nursery School Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

For Information on Advertising here, please call Ellen Reynolds at 516-569-4000 x286.

Dr. Edward J. Mohr

A celebration at Conklin House marks Arbor Day in Babylon Village

Reaffirming a community commitment to environmental stewardship and beautification through tree planting, Babylon Village held its annual Arbor Day celebration April 25 at the historic Nathaniel Conklin House.

“We donated a big part of our budget to trees and tree replacements,” said Frank Petruzzo, president of the Babylon Beautification Society, which sponsored the event.

Wayne Horsley, historian for the Village of Babylon Historical and Preservation Society, said trees have long been central to the village’s charm. “We have always celebrated the environment in our community, and trees make it more beautiful,” he said.

The event featured giveaways, including Arbor Day T-shirts, “tree cookies” provided by Torta Fina Bakeshoppe, and Earth Day-themed activity bags for children. A bubble machine entertained younger attendees as they played on the Conklin House lawn.

“It’s great to have it here and see the lawn being used,” Petruzzo said. “The grounds are so beautiful.” He added that the village continues to support projects that enhance public spaces.

Chris Genzmann, a member of the Beautification Society who helps submit Babylon’s annual Tree City USA application, said the event highlights the village’s ongoing effort to maintain the designation. Babylon has earned Tree City USA recognition each year since 2019.

Village Trustee Sean Goodwin praised the society’s work. “I’m honored to support Arbor Day at the Conklin House,” he said.

Kevin Rutkowsky, a Beautification Society member who attended with his son, Parker, emphasized the importance of community involvement.

“We’re happy to be a part of another community event where we celebrate the environment and the role trees play in our village,” he said.

Residents also voiced their appreciation for the setting and the efforts behind the event.

“The Conklin House is a beautiful landmark in Babylon Village,” said resident Roseann Sanabria. “Now that I’m retired, I get to enjoy these events.”

Liz McCormack noted the importance of preserving local history.

“How fortunate we are to have BBS hold events like this,” she said. Her daughter, Michelle, added, “It’s a nice Arbor Day celebration.”

Emily Laricchiuta attended with her daughters, Harper and Violet.

“It’s really nice that the village did this,” she said.

“It’s important to plant trees, and I’m having friends come today to support BBS too,” said Ellie Costigan, 9, a student at Babylon Memorial Grade School.

All items at the event were free, though donations to support the Beautification Society were accepted.

For more information, visit babylonbeautification.org

Shown are: Judy Skillen, president of the Village of Babylon Historical and Preservation Society; Wayne Horsley, Village of Babylon Historical and Preservation Society Historian; Sean Goodwin, trustee for the Village of Babylon; Frank Petruzzo, president of the Babylon Beautification Society (BBS); and members of BBS, Kenny Anderson, Beth Carey, Kristin Costigan and Chris Genzmann.
Ellie Costigan, Meaghan Melanphy, Parker Snider and Avery Roig.
Liz McCormack with her daughter, Michelle.
Right: A mom and her children take in the beauty of the garden at the Conklin House.

North Babylon announces top two in Class of 2025

North Babylon High School has announced Joseph Licata as valedictorian and Jayden Tran as salutatorian for the Class of 2025.

Licata excels in academics, music and athletics. He boasts a GPA of more than 105 and is graduating with the prestigious New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation and Honors, Mastery in Math and Science and the Seal of Biliteracy. He is involved in a plethora of clubs and activities on campus, including multiple honor societies the high school Academic Team, Students for a Better World, jazz band and pit orchestra. He is cross-country captain, earning All-Division, All-League, All-County and All-County Academic recognitions. Licata is an AP Scholar with Distinction and works as a lifeguard. He will be attending West Point in the fall.

Tran has consistently excelled in the classroom, achieving outstanding academic results while maintaining a commitment to personal and intellectual growth. He approaches every subject with curiosity, always eager to explore new ideas and concepts. Beyond academics, Tran demonstrates maturity and leadership in all aspects of his life. He is an active participant in extracurricular activities, balancing a busy schedule with ease. He has taken on leadership roles in the orchestra and Mathletes, where he has shown excellent communication, organizational and collaborative skills. His ability to manage multiple responsibilities with grace and maturity is a testament to his work ethic and character.

A QuestBridge Scholar, Tran will attend the University of Chicago in the fall.

West Babylon’s Christina Massoni earns SUNYAC tennis honors

Cortland sophomore Christina Massoni of West Babylon earned All-Conference honors from the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) for the 2024–25 women’s tennis season.

Massoni was named to the second team at first singles and received second-team honors in first doubles. She finished the season with a 5–4 record at first singles, including a 3–2 mark in SUNYAC regularseason play. Madigan posted a 9–2 singles record overall, including 8–2 at third singles and 1–0 at first singles, going 4–1 in conference matches.

Together, Massoni and Madigan compiled a 7–3 record at first doubles, includ-

ing 4–1 in SUNYAC play. Madigan’s overall doubles record for the season was 7–4.

Teammate Fuerbacher also had a strong season, finishing 6–5 overall, including a 3–2 conference record. She went 5–3 at fifth singles and competed in matches at the No. 3 and No. 4 spots as well.

A 2023 graduate of West Babylon High School, Massoni ranked in the top 10 percent of her class. She was named to the AllDivision team in 2019 and 2020 and earned All-County honors in 2021 and 2022.

Massoni is on the Dean’s List at Cortland. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.

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Joseph Licata - Valedictorian
Jayden Tran - Salutatorian

Babylon Village kicks off street festival season

Beachside Beads expressed excitement about meeting fellow small business owners, while Margarita Acevedo of Pink Avocado Accessories was eager to expand her customer base.

MaryKate Accame, attending with her husband, Fernando, and daughters Isabel and Camille, said the children were especially excited about the bounce houses.

Other vendors included The Rock Underground Music School, Long Island Design Co., Pandemonium, Catholic Health, Grapevine Glamour, Babylon Social, Classy Rebel, Vamped Up Vanco, Babylon UMC, and the First Presbyterian Church of Babylon.

The next event hosted by the Babylon Village Chamber of Commerce is the Summer Block Party Series, beginning June 12. For more information, visit babylonchamber.com

Suffolk Sports HOF unveils new exhibit honoring local legends

Honoree Kia Wright and Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame president Chris Vaccaro examine banner for Babylon’s new Sports Hall of Fame in Phelps Lane Annex

greatness can start right here in our hometowns,” said Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer. “From little league fields to professional arenas, the athletes honored here show what’s possible when talent meets determination—and we’re thrilled to celebrate their legacy.”

The Babylon display is the latest in a series of satellite exhibits the Hall has installed across Suffolk County, including locations at Fairfield Properties Ballpark (home of the Long Island Ducks), Huntington Town Hall, and Long Island MacArthur Airport. The

initiative is part of a broader campaign to celebrate the Hall of Fame’s 35th anniversary, marked by events and partnerships throughout the year.

Next on the calendar: the unveiling of a historical marker on May 31 in Babylon Village, commemorating the 140th anniversary of the New York Cuban Giants, the nation’s first all-Black professional baseball team.

The Town of Babylon Annex exhibit is free and open to the public during regular building hours. The annex is at 281 Phelps Ln., North Babylon. It can be reached at 631-422-7600.

Ken and Erica Donahue with their daughters, Amelia and Lola.
Mary Kate Accame with her husband, Fernando, and daughters, Camille and Isabel.
Beth Bodenmiller with her son, Calvin Adam, and his friend, Logan Zimmerly. Calvin and Adam both work at Babylon Village’s Torta Fina Bakeshoppe.
Stephan Kroski with his children, Stevie and Elizabeth.
Shawn Kenney with his wife, Danna, and daughter, Arianna.
Photo by Richard Termine

Meet the candidates in your local school board races

How long have you lived in the district?

ority and why?

is necessary, I am running to endeavor to communicate the current policies and protocols for safety, inclusiveness, AP courses, bullying, community service, and our global immersive programs and events.

What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

Membership chair for the Florida A&M National Alumni Association, Board member of Perfecting Faith Church, a hair in the NAACP. Worked as coordinator for the Board of Elections for over 40 years, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Suffolk County alumnae chapter. The Fashion Institute of Technology in my 32-year tenure: faculty search committees, created (SVCS) Student Volunteer Community Service Program; placing over 2500 students in volunteer positions each academic year including Fashion Week, New York Cares, International Dance and Music Festival as chairperson. Chaired the Veterans Day University recognition ceremonies. Served as voter registration chair reporting results to the SUNY Chancellor. I founded the Holocaust Commemoration program, the Diversity Council, elected FIT (State University of New York) UCEof FIT as ass’t treasurer, for two terms.

If elected, what will be your priority and why?

My priority upon election will be to read through the last year’s minutes to be well briefed on pending issues enabling me to be part of the conversation, leading to resolutions. This will free me up to tackle budget discussions and look at how we can continue to be fiscally responsible while understanding the needs of the district to supply our students with the very best tools to be productive citizens.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes.

Making sure that the tax-paying citizens of the BUFSD understand why we make the decisions that will affect our community for years to come. Student, parent and educator surveys, pre and post, will assist in improving student expectations as it relates to the outcomes desired. Continuing to have my hand on the pulse of educational advances, can assist in future decision-making.

COPIAGUE

There are two seats open on the Copiague School Board. Anthony S. Pepe is running unopposed, and Paul Daubel is challenged by Tia Knight-Forbes. The candidates did not respond to requests for more information.

DEER PARK

There are three seats open. Incumbents Jerry Jean-Pierre and Kristine Rosales are running with no opposition. Running for the seat held by Anthony Henkel, who is not seeking reelection, are Grace Heyne and Barbara Ojeda.

GRACE HEYNE

I am a lifelong resident of Deer Park. I have lived here over 50 years.

Why are you running for election?

Deer Park is the best-kept secret in Suffolk County. We have a tight studentsupporting community with mutual respect between the school district and the residents. I am running for election to the school board because I want to continue giving back to my community and I strongly believe I can make a positive impact for our students.

What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

I bring 20 years of leadership as a professional manager and an accounting background that supports thoughtful, fiscally responsible decision-making.

If elected, what will be your priority and why?

My priority is to listen and learn—to get a broader understanding of current issues so I can make informed, thoughtful decisions that best serve our Deer Park students and community.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes.

I’m not entering with a set agenda—I believe lasting change starts with listening. I look forward to hearing from Deer Park students, parents, teachers, and residents about how we can continue to grow and improve together.

BARBARA OJEDA

How long have you lived in the district?

I have been a Deer Park resident for 29 years. I am originally from Queens and after visiting Deer Park, I fell in love with the town, its wonderful diverse community and all the features the town has to offer. I decided that Deer Park was where I wanted to purchase a home and establish my family roots. I am proud to call Deer Park home and to live in such a friendly and inclusive community.

Why are you running for election?

I am running for the Deer Park School Board to represent all the parents and students in the community and ensure that their voices are heard when making educational and administrative decisions. I firmly feel that the current board lacks diversity in terms of parental representation and can benefit greatly by having more members who currently have children enrolled in the school district. After all, parents have more of a vested interest and their opinions on matters of importance can vary drastically from those on the board with no children.

What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

I am a retired NYPD lieutenant who served 25 years with the City of New York. Through my training and experiences, I have acquired excellent leadership, communication and problemsolving skills. For the past five years ,I have been a volunteer with the CYO youth league and with the Deer Park Little League program. It is through these interpersonal interactions with families, coupled with my professional experiences, that I am prepared and qualified to serve on the school board. If elected, what will be your pri-

My priority as an elected board member would be to create a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment with the best possible educational opportunity for each student in our district. My priorities will be focused on quality of education, fiscal responsibility and encouragement of parent participation in their child’s education. I will work in collaboration with parents, taxpayers and administration.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes.

One area of the Deer Park school district that is in dire need of improvement is the grounds and outdoor facilities at the intermediate school, JFK and the middle school, Robert Frost. The grounds have apparently been neglected for years and therefore offer no real recreational opportunity. Parents are frustrated and highly disappointed that their children’s schools are so poorly equipped. I am fully committed and determined to improve this problem for the sake of our children.

FARMINGDALE

There are two seats open on the Farmingdale School Board. George Andriopoulos and Suzanne D’Amico are running unopposed.

LINDENHURST

There are three seats open on the Lindenhurst School Board. Pat Natale is running for the seat formerly held by Edward Langone and is unopposed. Linda Aniello is running for the seat formerly held by Anthony C. Tota and faces no opposition. Incumbent Philip Renna faces opposition Katie Belpanno.

KATIE BELPANNO

How long have you lived in the district?

I have lived in the district for 20 years. Why are you running for election?

I am running for election because I care deeply about every student and their success. My goal is to make our schools welcoming and supportive, and to continue to strive for excellence in education. I want every child to feel safe and have the chance to thrive in their learning environment. I believe that when families, educators, and the board work together, we can make a real difference in our community.

What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

As a special education teacher and dedicated community volunteer, I have a wealth of experience working with students, parents, and school staff. I understand the various needs of all learners, and I understand the value of being engaged with students and parents. My background gives me an understanding of how policies impact students, schools, and families. I am committed to doing what is best for students, staff, and the community, while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.

If elected, what will be your priority and why?

My priority would be to actively listen to our community to understand their concerns and ideas. Building relationships and understanding all perspec-

tives is essential to success in this role. My background as an educator gives me a unique perspective; however, I understand that this new role will require me to gather input from the community to best serve all members of our community.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes.

I would work to increase collaboration between families, educators, and the district. It is important that all voices are heard in decision-making. Transparency and open communication build trust between the community and the district. When we engage our community and listen to all stakeholders, we can implement strategies that are impactful and improve student outcomes.

How long have you lived in the district?

Lifelong resident

Why are you running for reelection?

As a trustee, I’ve focused on results-fiscal responsibility, transparency, and putting students first. I’ve had tough conversations, advocated for parental rights, and worked to ensure every tax dollar benefits our children. I’m running for reelection to continue that work-strengthening academics, protecting local control, and building a better future for our district.

What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

I’ve held diverse roles- from an operations manager and driver at FEDEX to union carpenter with the NYC District Council of Carpenters. I’ve also served as a past Grand Knight and former district deputy with the Knights of Columbus. These professional and leadership experiences have shaped my ability to serve as a well-round trustee, bringing real-world perspective, accountability, and a strong commitment to our community.

If elected, what will be your priority and why?

Currently, the board is reviewing our facilities to determine what work needs to be done and is developing a capital improvement bond to fund those priorities. It’s essential that the bond is fiscally responsible and manageable for our community. As projects are evaluated, priority must be given to those that address the most critical needs.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes.

Continuous improvement is part of who we are in Lindenhurst. From upgrading technology and enhancing classrooms to expanding CTE access and student engagement, we’re always evolving. We do this while staying fiscally responsible and keeping our community engaged. It’s hard to pinpoint just one area for improvement because we’re always looking to strengthen every part of our district. That commitment is what makes our schools truly exceptional.

NORTH BABYLON

Meet the candidates in your local school board races

There are two seats open on the board, currently held by Heather Rowland and Kat Tedesco. Both are running for reelection and face no challenges.

WEST BABYLON

There are four seats open on the board and five candidates are running. Three seats are for three-year terms and one is an unexpired seat through June 2006. The three candidates who receive the highest number of votes will get the three-year seats and the fourth highest candidate will get the seat ending June 2026. Running are Katie Armato, Franklin Medina Jr., Christopher O’Connor, Christopher Paolillo and Chirsten Johnson Tyman.

KATIE ARMATO

How long have you lived in the district? 11 years.

Why are you running for election?

I’m running for the Board of Education because I am passionate about our community and the future of our children, including my own four boys, ages 6, 4, 2, and 9 months. I believe in listening to our community and making thoughtful, inclusive decisions that strengthen our schools for all children and every family.

What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

I bring 20 years of experience supporting families and students. I have worked with school districts across Long Island to promote student success and inclusive practices. As a mother of four, I am deeply invested in our schools. I value our community and want to bring the knowledge I’ve gained, the good and the bad, to our school board to help our district grow.

If elected, what will be your priority and why?

If elected, my priority will be strengthening communication and collaboration between the board, families, and staff. When everyone feels heard and informed, better decisions are made for our students. I want to ensure all stakeholders’ voices are part of the conversation. Building that trust and transparency from the start lays the foundation for meaningful and long-term progress across the district.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes.

I would support efforts in strengthening the continuity and consistency of programs, communication, and values across the district. I would like to advocate for a unified approach in broader areas such as academic support, behavioral expectations, and community values. By ensuring our intentions match our actions, we can create a stable, supportive learning environment where all students are set up for long-term success.

How long have you lived in the district?

I have lived in the West Babylon district for nearly 17 years.

Why are you running for election?

As a dad of three boys ranging from 2

to 11, I have a vested interest in ensuring our children have the best educational experience. I want to help provide a voice for our community who wants answers to difficult questions, and I want to help them be heard.

What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

I am an information technology professional for over 25 years. I currently head the IT department for a large healthcare practice. I bring corporate executive experience including managing multi-million-dollar budgets. Personally, I’ve served on PTA executive boards and local sports club executive boards. I bring a fresh perspective, especially with technology and efficient, best practices.

If elected, what will be your priority and why?

My priority would be to take a deep look into the upcoming school year’s budget. I would want to confirm that the monies being distributed to resources relating to the consolidation of the elementary schools are being done effectively and efficiently. It’s important to help the community understand how the finances related to the consolidation are being applied.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes.

One thing I would change is to better communicate with the community. Our community doesn’t feel as if they are being heard, and I hope to change that perception so we can work more efficiently with each other. Better collaboration and communication leads to better student outcomes and renewed trust.

CHRISTOPHER J. O’CONNOR

How long have you lived in the district?

I have lived in the district for 7 years.

Why are you running for election?

I’m running for the West Babylon Board of Education because I’m a proud dad of two young children in the district, and I care deeply about their future— and the future of every child here. I want to bring greater transparency, accountability, and common-sense leadership to our schools. Our kids deserve strong academic programs, a safe learning environment, and real opportunities to succeed. I’m ready to be a voice for families and help make that future possible.

What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

With a background in construction and public transportation management, I bring valuable experience in evaluating personnel performance, maintaining safety standards, and operating within tight budgets. I’ve overseen teams, managed complex projects, and ensured accountability at every level. These skills directly translate to supporting smart budgeting, strong leadership, and efficient operations within our school district—making me a strong, practical addition to the West Babylon Board of Education focused on delivering real results for our students and community. If elected, what will be your priority and why?

If elected, my priority would be bringing greater transparency and account-

ability to the board. Parents and community members deserve to know how decisions are made and where resources are going. As a parent myself, I want to ensure every child is supported, every dollar is spent wisely, and every voice is heard. Building trust is the foundation for real progress—and it’s the first step toward improving education for all West Babylon’s students.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes.

One thing I would change is how we engage with families and the community. Strong communication between the district, parents, and staff leads to better support for students. I’d push for more accessible meetings, clearer updates on decisions, and open dialogue with families. When everyone feels informed and involved, we can work together to create a stronger, more supportive learning environment—and that directly improves student success.

CHIRSTEN JOHNSON-TYMANN

How long have you lived in the district?

Born and raised in West Babylon (43 years). Graduated from West Babylon Senior High School

Why are you running for reelection?

My children have been a strong motivator in my desire to run for reelection. I want to make sure not only my children, but all the children have an opportunity at receiving a high-quality education as well as enrichment opportunities other than required by NY State. In addition, making sure the budget reflects student needs and community priorities is especially important.

What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

Professionally I believe that owning a business becomes an asset to being a school board member. I deal daily with budgeting, leadership and results. Personally, my community connection is what I am most proud of. My family is deeply rooted in West Babylon and I am committed to continuing the tradition. I have been deeply involved in our community through service on multiple boards, active volunteering with local organizations, and leading initiatives focused on supporting students and their success.

If elected, what will be your priority and why?

I would continue the push for our district to add back programs for all learners. Success in school can look different for different learners. I believe in supporting the whole student and offer diverse options. Hands on and creative learning to me is still very important as the students grow and apply what they

learn and how they handle situations in the real world.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes. I would expand on some of our course offerings and look to continue the expansion of our enrichment program.

CHRISTOPHER PAOLILLO

How long have you lived in the district?

I have lived in the district for 37 years, and my family has lived in West Babylon since 1959. I graduated from the district in 1992.

Why are you running for reelection?

I am running for reelection to continue strengthening our school district’s fiscal stability, continuing community outreach, changing and updating school board culture, and securing district programs and supports for students that can be expected from when they enter the district until they graduate.

What professional and personal experience do you bring to the board?

I have always been an active community member, serving on many local community groups and the PTA. I have a Bachelor of Science in business/ecommerce and am trained in human resource management and DRP (dispute resolution programs). I’m currently serving as the Board of Education President. Previously, I was the New York State School Board Association’s advocate for the district.

If elected, what will be your priority and why?

The priority should be to ensure that we continue to work with families and support students to help them transition into the recent district consolidation. We should strengthen the communication and relationship with district PTA units to foster a broader perspective of what’s working and what we can improve.

One thing you would change about the school district to make it better and/or improve student outcomes

Improving student outcomes encompasses securing social and emotional supports, consistent administrative expertise for families, and a reliable program selection available for all students. We need to become fiscally stable so that our students are better insulated from inconsistent state funding and political shifts. We can no longer afford to balance budgets by cutting programs and supports that are necessary for student success.

WEST ISLIP

There are three seats open on the West Islip School Board. Grace Kelly, Christina Marks and Peter McCann are all running unopposed.

Water providers are tested in taste contest

What’s the best-tasting tap water on Long Island?

That was the question posed to students at Farmingdale State College during the Long Island Water Conference’s 37th annual drinking water tasting contest, held during National Drinking Water Week.

The conference, also known as LIWC, is made up of members of public and private water suppliers across Long Island. According to LIWC Commissioner Robert McEvoy, the event has taken place at the Farmingdale campus for the past four years, sparking student interest in water quality.

“It draws in a lot of the students,” McEvoy said. “They’re interested in where the water comes from, and if there’s any variance in taste. We also try to promote tap water as being the most regulated and tested, even more so than bottled water.”

The finals, held on May 7, featured 16 Long Island water providers competing for the title of best-tasting drinking water in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Students, faculty and staff on campus participated in a blind taste test, sam

Charles Shaw/Herald

Oyster Bay Water District Secretary Michael Rich, second from right, and Treasurer Nick Niznik offered samples to students during the Long Island Water Conference’s annual water tasting event at Farmingdale State College.

the Greenlawn Water District took the top spot in Suffolk. Both districts will advance to the New York State Regional Metro Tap Water Taste Contest in New York City in August, where they will compete for a spot in the statewide competition held later that month at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse.

LIWC representatives at the event also took the opportunity to educate attendees about the water supplied to their

Nine & Dine

Teeing Off for Change

and the chairman of the Oyster Bay Water District, said that frequent testing is conducted by the state Department of Health to ensure the water’s quality.

“It’s safe, it’s highly regulated and it’s extremely affordable,” McEvoy said. “It’s something that should be utilized by the public, and it’s a far greater value than bottled water.”

Michael Rich, a commissioner and the secretary of the Oyster Bay district, has

nity and have everyone get involved with local water,” Rich said.

He noted that most people aren’t aware of where their water comes from. On Long Island, drinking water comes from an aquifer system, a naturally formed underground storage area.

In an aquifer system, unwanted chemicals are capable of seeping into the water supply. The LIWC urges residents to dispose of hazardous household waste properly at designated town drop-off sites and never pour it down drains, into storm sewers or on the ground.

“Anything that we put on the ground will ultimately find its way into the aquifer,” Rich stated.

Lawn irrigation, he said, accounts for much of Long Island’s water use. He urged residents to follow odd/even watering schedules, watering on days that match their house numbers. He also highlighted the importance of leak detection, noting that undetected leaks can waste hundreds of thousands of gallons each month, making it vital for both residents and water providers to monitor and address them.

Rich added that it doesn’t take much water to maintain a healthy lawn.

“You don’t have to water your lawn for a half-hour a day,” Rich said. “You’ll get the same results 15 minutes a day, so we

For more information on the local

HONORING MEN & COMPANIES ADVANCING WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

STEPPING OUT

Young imaginations shine

Little Learners Art Lab at Long Island Children’s Museum is filled with year-round creativity

Long Island Children’s Museum transforms into a colorful hub of creativity for some of its smallet visitors, every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Its Little Learners Art Lab welcomes young artists — and the grownups with them — for a handson art adventure designed to spark curiosity and imagination.

Whether it’s painting, planting or playing with textures, sessions offer an inviting space where toddlers and preschoolers can explore the world through art. This is more than about creating something beautiful — it’s about growing minds and nurturing self-expression.

“We try to infuse in all of the themes different mediums, exposure to different artists and different approaches to art,” says Ashley Niver, the museum’s director of education.

Each week, children are introduced to artists, techniques, and styles through engaging projects and materials, led by museum educators. Parents and grandparents are welcome to join in the fun, making it a bonding experience that’s as enriching for adults as it is for kids. Through these immersive projects, the tots explore their creativity and even make new friends.

“Around a third of our visitors are under the age of five. It’s important for early childhood development to have activities that are process-focused to give them that expressive freedom [to create],” Niver explains.

In each class, young learners are encouraged to ask questions, try new things and take the lead in their creative journey. The program mixes play with gentle guidance, helping children explore big concepts in age-appropriate ways.

The activities act as a gateway to talk about new concepts for young learners as they discover the world around them, combining inquisitive thinking with instructional supervision. On the schedule, May 22, families can explore the lifecycle of a plant while decorating terracotta pots during Art In Bloom. Kids will plant seeds in those pots and take their tiny gardens home to watch, water and nurture as litle sprouts grow into blooming plants.

That’s followed by Crystallized Creations on May 29. The salt-based art project allows kids experiment with textures and observe how salt and paint interact — adding a rocky twist to their creativity.

“Science isn’t just happening behind the scenes. It can

‘Murr’ goes solo

Get ready to laugh — and laugh you will. Prepare for an unforgettable night filled with comedy, chaos and wild antics as Impractical Jokers’ James “Murr” Murray hits the stage on The Errors Tour. Known for his outrageous pranks, laugh-out-loud moments and unpredictable humor, Murr brings the party to you with a show packed full of hilarious stories, ridiculous mishaps and plenty of jaw-dropping moments. With his signature style of comedy and a few unexpected surprises, Murr will have you in stitches from start to finish. It’s surely a non-stop ride of comedy, antics and pure fun you won’t want to miss. For more than a decade, Murr and his lifelong Friends — Sal, Joe and Q — have been making audiences laugh across the country, and now he’s bringing the laughs to you. Murr Live is hysterical — of course, interactive — stand-up comedy, in true Impractical Jokers style. Hangout with Murr as he tells funny stories, shows off his own personal never-before-seen videos from Impractical Jokers and plays Jokers “live” on stage with the audience.

• Weekly Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-noon

• Admission: $18 adults and children over 1 year old, $16 for seniors, free to members and under one year; additional fees for theater and special programs may apply

• For more information, visit licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

happen when you’re mixing paint and looking at changes in color or how, for instance, the salt disperses the paint pigment,” Niver says.

Other sessions examine techniques like pointillism or even introduce self-portraits in a thoroughly kid-friendly approach.

“When the parents see these ‘sticky moments’ for younger kids where they’re ingrained in these memories and these experiences, they are right there for the ride,” Niver adds.“They’re going through it with their children, and seeing their children light up and experience joy and learning of these new concepts connects the parents to the activities.”

Of course, art doesn’t have to happen in a classroom or museum space, it can also be done right at home! Niver encourages families to use these classes as an accessible way to bring the creativity back to their households.

“We want to give the opportunity for parents to incorporate making art in easy forms at home that may be less daunting for them,” Niver says.

And often, the youngsters can try materials and methods they may not have access to elsewhere. The sessions offer an introduction to new media as well.

“We also try to balance with materials that maybe they wouldn’t be exposed to normally at home. We could bring in easels one day and have the kids do canvas painting,” she adds.

The fun doesn’t stop when class ends. The museum’s exhibits and upcoming events are often tied into the weekly themes. So, when the class concludes, there’s plenty more to explore!

For example, in celebration of National Zoo and Aquarium Month, in June, kids can make majestic underwater creatures using recycled materials and bubble wrap. This is a creative “sneak peek” teaser what’s to come as the museum prepares to open its newest permanent exhibit, “Saltwater Stories,” in October.

Accessibility is another important component of the museum’s approach to arts programming. Little Learners Art Lab provides families with high-quality early childhood education at a fraction of the cost of private art classes or specialized preschool programs, according to the leadership team. The program’s affordability ensures that all children in the community have access to enriching artistic experiences that contribute to cognitive, social, and emotional development.

“Our whole point is to bring people in, and celebrate and cater to the audience that is coming to us daily, and that is the early childhood audience,” Niver says.

“We hope that for years to come families will bring back other children in their family, as their family grows, and continue to value the museum.”

Kids and their adult partners play and create together at the Art Lab. Artistic inspiration involves developing young motor skills as everyone fully engages in the moment.

Friday, May 16, 7 p.m. $65, $55, $45, $35. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Artistic Directors David Finckel (piano) and Wu Han (cello) have assembled a scintillating collection of works that reveal the joy and depth of the chamber music literature. Starting as frequent collaborators, Finckel and Han have been married since 1985. As a duo, they began to tour regularly while retaining residencies in New York. In this program, volin sonatas from the Baroque and Classical eras are performed by the young virtuoso Chad Hoopes, followed by Mendelssohn’s invigorating Second Sonata for cello and piano, a gem of the Romantic era. The art of romantic music hits a high point in the concluding work, in which all combine for a trio by the founder of Czech music, Bed�ich Smetana.

Sunday, May 18, 3 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

David

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAY

Garden Days

Garden lovers, green thumbs and spring seekers: Old Westbury Gardens’ beloved Garden Days return. Four vibrant days are filled with plants, programs, and purpose, highlighted by the muchanticipated Plant Sale Preview Party on Friday evening. On May 16 (6–8 p.m.), guests are invited to sip, shop and stroll through the gardens during this exclusive first-look event, featuring live music, sweet and savory treats, and early access to a lush array of rare perennials and signature plants grown right here on Long Island. The two-day plant sale runs May 17–18, (10 a.m.-4 p.m.), where shoppers can select from a curated selection of garden favorites with expert guidance from the Gardens’ horticulture staff. Addition highlights include a panel discussion, Guided walks and garden tours and spring celebration chamber concert.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury

• Time: Ongoing, May 15-18

• Contact: Visit oldwestburygardens. org/2025-garden-days for full schedule and ticket details

Hug a happy tree

K&A Tree Service offers free tree inspections throughout Long Island. Tree professionals will visit in person to inspect tree and provide free advice to help treat your tree right and make it happy.

• Time: Ongoing

• Contact: (516) 208-3131

Vendor applications open for Argyle Park Annual Fair

The annual Argyle Fair takes place on Sept. 7 and vendor applications are now open. Participants will be notified by email when their application has been approved.

• Contact: babylonbeautification.org. or info@babylonbbs.org

Babylon Soldier Ride

Registration is now open annual Soldier Ride in Babylon on July 18. Take part in this unique 25mile cycling event as you ride alongside the brave men and women who served our country and support their journey to recovery.

• Contact: soldierride.org/ babylon

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with

Jon Lovitz

MAY

Comedy legend Jon Lovitz brings his signature wit and unforgettable characters to the Paramount stage for a night of nonstop laughs. Best known for his Emmy-nominated run on SNL and roles in hit films like “A League of Their Own” and “The Wedding Singer,” Lovitz has been a staple of comedy for over 30 years. He got his start acting in high school productions, developing his skills at the University of California, Irvine where he earned a B.A. in Drama. He also studied acting with Tony Barr at the Film Actors Workshop. At the advice of Tony Barr, Jon decided to concentrate solely on comedy. From there his trajectory took off. He began taking classes with the famed improv comedy group The Groundlings in 1982. One year later, Jon got his first acting job on the television show “The Paper Chase: the Second Year.” Two years followed and then he was accepted into The Groundlings main company. In March 1985 The Groundlings appeared on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” where Jon premiered his character “Tommy Flanagan of Pathological Liars Anonymous. SNL and numerous other offers followed and Jon was on his, working non-stop since. Along with his comedy, Jon is well known for his distinctive voice. It has served him will in his varied TV and film career. He is one of the few performers to start as an actor and then become a stand-up comedian who successfully headlines venues nationwide. Jon’s humor is unique, which is attributable to his quirky personality, and he is sure to entertain. $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50.

the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) that publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. On view through June 15.

• Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

• Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org

‘Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!’

The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved award-winning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: Also May 17 and May 20-22, times vary

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

LIMEHOF Summer Band Camp

High school vocalists and musicians can participate in the Summer Band Camp Program. Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, LIMEHOF, hosts its first All-Star Band Camp for high school students in grades 9-12. The week-long program runs from July 28 through Aug. 1, 9-11:30 a.m. each day and concludes with a final concert on Aug. 3 at 3 p.m. $350 fee. To apply, email student’s name, age, specific instrument or vocalist, and contact information to Tom Needham. Deadline is June 1.

• Contact: (631) 689-5888, info@ limusichalloffame.org

MAY

Italian Food Festival

The community is invited to the first Town of Babylon Italian Food Festival. Enjoy food vendors, live music and DJ and LaFamiglia Cadillac Club as guests learn about Town of Babylon Italian history in the Town Board Room. Bring a pasta or sauce donation to support Councilman Manetta’s 6th Annual Pasta and Sauce Food Drive. Additional parking with free shuttle bus service at Lindenhurst Train Station will be available. A rain date is scheduled for May 18.

• Time: noon-1 p.m.

• Contact: conklinhouse@yahoo.com

MAY

18

Drafting of a Radical Idea: The Declaration of Independence

Babylon Village Historical and Preservation Society hosts this fascinating session. Learn how this 18th century document would become a significant landmark in the history of democracy, exerting influence not only over the United States, but globally. No fee.

• Where: Village of Babylon Historical and Preservation Society, 117 W. Main St., Babylon Village

• Time: 2-3:30 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 669-1756 or info@ babylonvillagehistoricalsociety. org

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

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

• Where: Babylon Town Hall, 2 00 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst

• Time: noon-5 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 957-4482

Village Pool Pass and Lessons

The Babylon Village Pool is opening registrations for pool passes and swimming lessons on May 17 and 31. Late registration takes place at the pool on June 7. Please note that this will be the last day to register for swimming lessons. To register for passes and lessons, you need proof of residency and must have with you a valid driver’s license/ identification, a current utility bill and a village tax bill or lease agreement. Payments will only be accepted via cash or check.

• Where: Village Hall, 153 W. Main St., Babylon

• Time: 9 a.m.-noon

• Contact: (631) 669-4878

Nathaniel Conklin House Tour

The Conklin House is open for tours the third Saturday of every month. Admission is free.

• Where: 280 Deer Park Ave., Babylon

MAY

20

Writer’s Workshop

Babylon Library’s Writer’s Workshop meets two Tuesday evenings a month. New and experienced writers are welcome. Feel free to bring any works in progress to share and discuss. Registration is required.

• Where: 24 S. Carll Ave., Babylon

• Time: 5:30-7:45 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 669-1624 or babylonpl.librarycalendar. com/event/writers-workshopmayjune-4640

Book Discussion

North Babylon Public Library hosts a session on “The Keeper of Lost Things” by Ruth Hogan. Pick up your book at the Circulation Desk.

• Where: 815 Deer Park Ave., North Babylon

• Time: 10-11 a.m.

• Contact: (631) 669-4020

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.

Deer Park announces 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian

Deer Park High School’s Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian are Reza Zorakhsh and Adib Shaikh, respectively.

Zorakhsh, a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and AP Scholar with Distinction, will graduate with a weighted GPA of 110.53. He serves as president of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, co-captain of the Math Team and Science Olympiad, and captain of the varsity track team. As part of Deer Park’s DECA team, he earned a silver medal at New York DECA’s 65th annual State Career Conference. Zorakhsh

has not decided on a college or major.

Shaikh, an AP Scholar with Distinction, will graduate with a weighted GPA of 109.20. He serves as president of the STEM Club, executive vice president of DECA, treasurer of the Spanish Honor Society and Red Cross Club; is a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society, New York DECA Honor Society, Muslim Student Association and Social Issues Club; and earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. Shaikh will attend Stony Brook University, majoring in applied mathematics and statistics.

Wyandanch schools recognized as a NYS My Brother’s Keeper Community

Wyandanch Union Free School District has been recognized as a New York State Education Department My Brother’s Keeper Community. This recognition is a result of the district’s commitment to building an environment that supports and empowers boys and young men of color. The recognition from New York State also reaffirms the district’s efforts in advancing opportunity for all students of the Wyandanch community.

The Wyandanch Union Free School District’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative began in September 2024, partnering with the Town of Babylon and Suffolk County, to participate in the My Brother’s Keeper Challenge Grant and commit to expanding the impact of the initiative.

“When we launched the initiative last year, our goal was to serve boys and young men of color to align with the district’s mission, ‘To inspire a passion for learning and educating all students to achieve their full potential,’” said Laurence Aronstein, interim superintendent of schools, Ed.d. “Through our participation in the challenge grant and now being recognized as a New York State MBK Community Network, we are taking a vital step toward reaching our goal.”

The My Brother’s Keeper Program was created in 2014 by President Barack Obama to address persistent opportunity gaps by providing mentorship, support networks and skills essential for success in education and employment for boys and young men of color. By joining the network of over 40 MBK Communities across New York State, Wyandanch will gain access to additional technical assistance, statewide and national conven-

ings and programs such as the MBK Fellows Program.

Wyandanch Union Free School District’s MBK will support the six national MBK milestones, ensuring that every young person has the tools and resources to succeed. The district will place particular emphasis on pathways to graduation, starting as early as prekindergarten by preparing students to enter school ready and eager to learn. In addition, the district’s initiative will focus on building community trust through mentorship and collaboration with local leaders, businesses and residents.

“This recognition is the result of tireless effort, teamwork and a strong belief in the potential of our students,” said Christine Jordan, assistant superintendent for administrative and instructional accountability, Ed.d. “From drafting the action plan to coordinating with local officials and gathering community support, each step was working toward a larger goal. We are proud to join the MBK Community Network and will continue working to create meaningful opportunities for our young men.”

The New York State Education Department has expressed its full support for Wyandanch’s commitment to the MBK initiative and looks forward to continued collaboration in shaping a brighter future for all students. For more information about the Wyandanch Union Free School District’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative and ways support or participate, please visit wyandanch. k12.ny.us/MBK or call (631) 870-0415. To stay updated on the initiative follow on Instagram @wyandanchMBK.

Photos courtesy Deer Park school district
Reza Zorakhsh Adib Shaikh

MAY 15

Your Health

This Your Health edition highlights mental health—an essential yet often overlooked part of wellness—offering expert advice, local resources, and real stories to support emotional well-being and manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

MAY 15

Great Homes

Great Homes showcases current listings, local realtors, and real estate businesses in a large, fullcolor broadsheet—75% bigger than tabloids— mailed with Herald papers for targeted, communityfocused advertising success.

MAY 22

Long Beach Guide

Discover Long Beach—a vibrant seaside city with iconic beaches, thriving businesses, rich history, and diverse neighborhoods—celebrated in this guide for residents, visitors, and anyone who loves this unique community.

JUNE 5

Freeport Guide

Discover Freeport—a dynamic waterfront community known for its scenic canals, bustling Nautical Mile, vibrant businesses, rich history, and diverse neighborhoods—celebrated in this guide for residents, visitors, and all who love this unique village.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Suffolk, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND

SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR IOF III TRUST 2A, Plaintiff, vs. AMERICAN'S NUMBER ONE FASHION ICON INC, ET AL., Defendant (s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 27, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Town of Babylon, Babylon Town Hall,200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on May 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM, premises known as 204 CARNATION DRIVE, FARMINGDALE A/K/A EAST FARMINGDALE, NY 11735. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District: 0100, Section: 001.00, Block: 01.00, Lot: 005.018. Approximate amount of judgment is $716,436.72 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 600629/2024. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee's attorney, or the Referee.

KEITH O'HALLORAN, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 25-226. 4/24, 5/1, 8,15

NOTICE

OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Suffolk, Community Loan Servicing LLC, Plaintiff, vs. JDS IFG JV LLC, Et Al., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 30, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on May 29, 2025 at 9:30 a.m., premises known as 40 Bay Shore Avenue, Bayshore, NY 11706.

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Islip, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0500, Section 393.00, Block 03.00 and Lot 046.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $551,593.35 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 612119/2024.

Brian Egan, Esq., Referee Polsinelli PC, 600 Third Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, New York 10016, Attorneys for Plaintiff 25-225. 4/24, 5/1, 8, 15

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF Suffolk, US Bank Trust National Association, not in its Individual Capacity but Solely as Owner Trustee for VRMTG Asset Trust, Plaintiff, vs. Aiysha Nugent, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 21, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction

Public Notices

at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on May 27, 2025 at 3:30 p.m., premises known as 13 Ronald Drive South a/k/a 13 S. Ronald Drive, Amityville, NY 11701. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 165.00, Block 02.00 and Lot 038.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $413,568.59 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #208150/2022. Cash will not be accepted.

Alison M. Varley, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 25-223. 4/24, 5/1, 8, 15

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Suffolk, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, Not in its Individual Capacity but Solely in its Capacity as Owner Trustee for Onity Loan Acquisition Trust 2024-HB2, Plaintiff, vs. Lynn Ruben, as Heir, Devisee, Distributee of the Estate of Florence M. Bannister, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Default Judgment, Amend the Caption, and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 5, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on May 27, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 120 Manhattan Av-

enue, West Babylon, NY 11704. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 140.00, Block 04.00 and Lot 003.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $470,013.26 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #620205/2021.

Scott Siller, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 25-224. 4/24, 5/1, 8, 15

#7556148 121704

Notice of formation of Heart in Mind Integrative Psychotherapy LCSW PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on March 5th 2025. Office located in Suffolk. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the PLLC 12 Lowerre St Babylon NY 11702. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 25-232 4/24, 5/1, 8, 15, 22, 29

NOTICE OF FORMATION: CST HANDYMAN & WOODWORKING, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/03/25. Office loc.: SUFFOLK CO. SSNY designated as agent for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to CRAIG TUPOT, 128 41ST ST., LINDENHURST, NY 11757. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 25-211. 4/17, 24, 5/1, 8, 15, 22

Notice of Formation of LLC. BNB Garden City LLC (LLC) filed Arts. of Org. with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/31/2025. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process may be served and SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at c/o Bridget Dernbach, 34 Mar Kan Drive, Northport, NY 11768. Purpose: any business permitted under law.

25-199 4/10, 17, 24, 5/1, 8, 15

NOTICE

OF

SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Suffolk, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of Cabana Series V Trust, Plaintiff, vs. Jean Ronald Blanchet a/k/a Jean Blanchet, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 24, 2024 and an Order Extending Sale Deadline and Other Relief duly entered April 4, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on June 10, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., premises known as 38 Rhoda Avenue, North Babylon, NY 11703. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 120.00, Block 01.00 and Lot 069.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $488,451.16 plus interest and costs. Premises will be

sold subject to the provisions of filed Judgment Index #617198/2022. Danielle Coysh, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 221736-1 25-252. 5/8, 15, 22, 29

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF Suffolk, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, Not in its Individual Capacity, but Solely as Trustee of The Truman 2021 SC9 Title Trust, Plaintiff, vs. Scott Liebow as Executor of The Estate of Jeffrey Friedson a/k/a Jeffrey L. Friedson, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 20, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on June 5, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 15 Dix Circle, Dix Hills, NY 11746. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 016.00, Block 02.00 and Lot 078.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $498,885.91 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #203066/2022.

Robert A. Macedonio, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 231545-1 25-243. 5/1, 8, 15, 22

Back the Blue, Freedom Fest, May 23

Lily Flanagan’s Freedom Fest will be taking place at Lily’s Babylon on May 23 from 5 to 9 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit Project Thank A Cop. The event will include a food truck festival, live music by Beer Nutz, raffles and a 50/50, and LFRG Bleed Blue cocktails.

Lily Flanagan’s Babylon is located at 345 Deer Park Ave., Babylon. For more information, please call (631) 539-0816.

West Babylon Memorial Day Parade, May 26

West Babylon’s Memorial Day Parade

West Babylon will be holding their annual Memorial Day Parade on May 26. Assembly will take place at 9 a.m., Arnold Ave., at Karen St., and the parade will kick off at 10 a.m., ending at Post 1634 at 10 Bruce St.

A Memorial Service and Wreath Ceremony will take place after the parade, followed by a community picnic. Everyone is welcome.

If you are interested in participating, please register your group by emailing secretary.post1634@gmail.com. All youth and community groups are invited to march in the parade.

For more information, please call (631) 669-3931.

Babylon Village summer recreation Registration now open

Registration open for Babylon Village Summer 2025 Recreation Programs

Registration is now open for the Babylon Village Summer 2025 Recreation Programs. Registration will take place until May 31 and forms are available by emailing bvrec11702@gmail.com or by visiting villagofbabylonny.gov.

The program will run from June 30 to August 1 and will include the following programs: arts and crafts, theatre, tennis, basketball, gymnastics and chess club. Please note that the recreation programs are for village residents only. For more information, please call (631) 669-1500.

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025 —

PUBLIC NOTICE

BOARD OF APPEALS

VILLAGE OF BABYLON

PURSUANT to the provisions of Article VII of the Building Zone Ordinance of the Village of Babylon, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Appeals of the Village of Babylon will hold a public hearing at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the Municipal Building, at 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York to consider the following applications:

• Application of Hillary Bekelis, 258 East Main Street, LLC, 60 George Street, Babylon, NY, for special permission to maintain a medi-spa on the premises located at 258 East Main Street, Suite A, Babylon, NY.

Property located in Retail Business District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 14, Block 2, Lot 35. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-20 and 365-35.

• Application of John Gardini, Anthony Associates Inc., 7 Skipper Drive, West Islip, NY 11795, for permission to maintain a commercial parking lot at the rear of the premises located at 134 North Carll Avenue and Locust Avenue, Babylon, NY. Property located in Retail Business District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 9, Block 1, Lot 29.1. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-20 and 365-35.

• Application of Victor Aquanno, 26 Overlook Drive, East Islip, NY 11730, for permission to maintain a com-

mercial parking lot at the rear of the premises located at 324 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon, NY.

Property located in Retail Business District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax

Map District 0102, Section 6, Block 3, Lot 71. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-20 and 365-35.

• Application of Dr. Savitri Singh, 431 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon, NY for permission to establish a medical office and to use the apartment on the second floor for the family residence, as well has, a firstfloor apartment for residential use at the premises located at 431 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon, NY.

Property located in Residence O District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 7, Block 1, Lot 84. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-17 and 365-35.

• Application of William Parker, 20 Cedar Lane, Babylon, NY for permission to demolish existing dwelling and construct a new two story single dwelling with a two car garage on the premises located at 20 Cedar Lane, Babylon, NY requiring variances to reduce the minimum side yard setback from 15 feet required to 8.1 feet proposed to the house and 5.5 feet proposed to the outdoor fireplace and patio, both on the south side, 9 feet proposed to the garage on the north side; to reduce the total side yard setback from 30 feet required to 14.5 feet proposed and to increase the height from 30 feet maximum to 33 feet proposed. Property

located in Residence A-11 District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 16, Block 1, Lot 3.1. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-13 and 365-35.

• Application of Gennaro Cozzolino, 355 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, NY 11704, agent for owner, Bruce & Marybeth Ratz, 149 Beverly Road, Babylon, NY, for special permission to establish a mother/ daughter use and to construct a first and second floor addition on the premises located at 149 Beverly Road, Babylon, NY requiring a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 25 feet required to 13.56 feet proposed. Property located in Residence A-7 District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 2, Block 1, Lot 30. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-15 and 365-35.

• Application of Michael Arato of Captain Permit, 245 Rt. 109, Suite D, West Babylon, NY 11704, agent for owners, David & Diana Ruckdeschel, 19 Westbridge Drive, Babylon, NY, for permission to construct a first story addition and second story dormer on the premises located at 19 Westbridge Drive, Babylon, NY requiring variances to reduce the front yard setback from 30 feet required to 13.5 feet proposed, to reduce the minimum side yard setback from 6 feet to 4.25 feet proposed, to reduce the total side yard setback from 20 feet required to 17.5 feet proposed and to increase the lot coverage from 25% allowed to 37.94%

Public Notices

proposed. Property located in Residence A-9 District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 15, Block 1, Lot 64.1. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-14 and 365-35.

APPLICANTS OR THEIR DULY APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVES MUST APPEAR IN PERSON AT THE ABOVE HEARING.

BRUCE

HUMENIK, CHAIRMAN

JEFFREY C. WEBER, SECRETARY 25-257. 5/8, 15

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Plaintiff, AGAINST LUCIE MANUEL, et al. Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on July 24, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on June 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM premises known as 141 North 28th Street, Wheatley Heights, NY 11798. Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Suffolk County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Wyandanch, in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York. District 0100 Section 039.00, Block 03.00 and Lot

009.000. Approximate amount of judgment $564,733.97 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #612143/2017.

David Ian Roth, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 25-245. 5/1, 8, 15, 22

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Suffolk, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the LBCabana Series IV Trust, Plaintiff, vs. Susann H.G. Frink a/k/a Susann Frink, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 20, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on June 3, 2025 at 12:30 p.m., premises known as 1536 5th Street, Babylon a/k/a West Babylon, NY 11704. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 138.00, Block 01.00 and Lot 104.00. Approximate amount of judgment is $302,981.60 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #612381/2022.

Ian M. Sack, Esq., Referee

Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 221845-1 25-244. 5/1, 8, 15, 22

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEE FOR SAXON ASSET SECURITIES TRUST 2003-3, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003-3, -against-SCOTT M. SHORES, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on February 20, 2020, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEE FOR SAXON ASSET SECURITIES TRUST 2003-3, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003-3 is the Plaintiff and SCOTT M. SHORES, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BABYLON TOWN HALL, 200 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, NORTH LINDENHURST, NY 11757, on June 4, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 412 MARCY STREET, WEST BABYLON A/K/A NORTH BABLON, NY 11704; and the following tax map identification: 0100-143.00-01.00014.000. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will

be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 609278/2015. Joseph Hubbard, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES. 25=254 5/8, 15, 22, 29,

The Town of Babylon Rental Review Board will hold a Public Hearing at The Town of Babylon, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, New York (East Wing Board Room) on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 6:00pm NEW APPLICATION

1. ROHM Corp. 36 E. June St. Lindenhurst NY 11757

SCTM NO: 0100128-1-73

2. Ronald Hernandez 420 Verrazano Ave. Copiague NY 11726

SCTM NO: 0100176-3-19

3. Luz Beteta 65 Nims Ave. West Babylon NY 11704

SCTM NO: 0100157-3-66

4. Anastasia Holding Corp. 227 9th St. West Babylon NY 11704

SCTM NO: 0100129-1-42

RENEWALS

1. Gerard & Elaine

Kelly 5 Lido Prom W. Lindenhurst NY 11757

SCTM NO: 0100190-2-26

2. Thomas & Donna Lombardo 301 Copiague Place Copiague NY 11726

SCTM NO: 0100195-1-72

3. Suffolk Family Equites 970 Great Neck Rd. Copiague NY 11726

SCTM NO: 0100196-2-1

4. Donna Dorso 410 Hawkins Blvd. Copiague NY 11726

SCTM NO: 0100194-2-29

5. 475 Oak St. LLC

475 Oak St. Copiague NY 11726

SCTM NO: 0100178-1-46

6. Marlon Pun 105 Irving Ave. Wyandanch NY 11798

SCTM NO: 010058-2-33

7. Michael Ferrara 22 Springwood Dr. N. Babylon NY 11703

SCTM NO: 0100146.01-1-43

8. Meng Ung & Yim Tam 1404 Herzel Blvd. West Babylon NY 11704

SCTM NO: 0100135-2-68 25-262 5/15

Notice of formation of Cover U Lacrosse Company LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/06/2025 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, 273 Cedar Ave., Islip, NY, 11751 Purpose: any lawful act.

25-270. 5/15, 22, 29, 6/5, 12, 19

Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action Supreme Court Of The State Of New York County Of Suffolk Action To Foreclose A Mortgage Index #: 607885/2024 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Plaintiff, vs  Public Administrator Of Suffolk County As Administrator Of The Estate Of Shirley Anderson, Unknown Trustees Of The Clara Mitchell Living Trust, Dated May 06, 2002 If Living, And If He/She Be Dead, Any And All Persons Unknown To Plaintiff, Claiming, Or Who May Claim To Have An Interest In, Or General Or Specific Lien Upon The Real Property Described In This Action; Such Unknown Persons Being Herein Generally Described And Intended To Be Included In Wife, Widow, Husband, Widower, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assignees Of Such Deceased, Any And All Persons Deriving Interest In Or Lien Upon, Or Title To Said Real Property By, Through Or Under Them, Or Either Of Them, And Their Respecti ve Wives, Widows, Husbands, Widowers, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assigns, All Of Whom And Whose Names, Except As Stated, Are Unknown To Plaintiff  As Trustee, People Of The State Of New York, New York State Department Of Taxation And Finance, Clerk Of The Suffolk County

Traffic & Parking Violations Agency, United States Of America On Behalf Of The IRS John Doe (Those unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.) Defendant(s). Mortgaged Premises: 245 State Avenue Wyandanch, NY 11798 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearanc e, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.     The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Suffolk. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Unknown Trustees of the Clara Mitchell Living Trust, dated May 06, 2002 Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON.

C. Stephen Hackeling of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Fourth day of April, 2025 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of t he County of Suffolk, in the City of Riverhead. The object of this action is to foreclosure a mortgage upon the premises described below, dated April 23, 1996, executed by Shirley Anderson (who died on February 15, 2004, a resident of the county of Suffolk, State of New York) and Clara Mitchell (who died on November 19, 2017, a resident of the county of Suffolk, State of New York) to secure the sum of $64,417.00. The Mortgage was recorded at Book 19056, Page 632 in the Office of the Suffolk County Clerk on April 30, 1996. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed April 23, 1996 and recorded on May 9, 1996, in the Office of the Suffolk County Clerk at Book 19060, Page 191. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed August 16, 1996 and recorded on October 30, 1996, in the Office of the Suffolk County Clerk at Book 19125, Page 439. The mortgage was subsequently modified on February 18, 2003. The property in question is described as follows: 245 State Avenue, Wyandanch, NY 11798 HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS.  PLEASE READ IT CARE-

Public Notices

FULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE

The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and nonprofit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or the Foreclosure Relief Hotline 1-800269-0990 or visit the department's website at WWW.DFS. NY.GOV. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO STAY IN YOUR HOME DURING THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME UNLESS AND UNTIL

YOUR PROPERTY IS SOLD AT AUCTION PURSUANT TO A JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AND SALE. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN IN YOUR HOME, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY AND PAY PROPERTY TAXES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAW. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS

Be careful of people who approach you with offers to 都ave your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner's distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. Sta te law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. 都 1303 NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this Foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further informa-

tion on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: April 9, 202 5 Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 85337 25-229. 4/24, 5/1, 8, 15

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR CARLSBAD FUNDING MORTGAGE TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST MICHAEL ALVAREZ, NELSON ALVAREZ, JR., ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 22, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on June 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM, premises known as 34 Monroe Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and im-

provements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk, State of New York, District 0100, Section 121.00, Block 03.00, Lot 071.000. Approximate amount of judgment $665,354.08 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #612397/2017. Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Dr ive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-000311 85314 25-249. 5/1, 8, 15, 22

REFEREE'S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF SUFFOLK THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWABS INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-5, Plaintiff - against - PATTY MASON A/K/A PATTY BLACK A/K/A PATTY J. BLACK A/K/A PATTY J. MASON, et al Defendant(s).

Approximate amount of lien $1,000,862.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 622742/2019. Robert A. Macedonio, Esq., Referee.

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409

For sale information, please visit Auction. com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832

Dated: March 20, 2025

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. Auction Locations are subject to change. 25-253. 5/8, 15, 22, 29

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on September 30, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on the 5th day of June, 2025 at 1:30 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk, State of New York. Premises known as 27 Landscape Drive, Wheatley Heights, NY 11798. (District: 0100, Section: 014.00, Block: 03.00, Lot: 033.000)

May 15,

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT SUFFOLK COUNTY US BANK TRUST

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff against VINCENZO SANTANGELO, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016 and 1131 Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered March 13, 2024, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Babylon Townhall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on June 4, 2025 at 11:30 AM. Premises known as 113 Claremont Avenue, North Babylon, NY 11704. District 0100 Sec 141.00 Block 01.00 Lot 076.000. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk, and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $282,053.23 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 605058/2023. For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.

During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any

subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale.

David Ian Roth, Esq., Referee File # NY202200000537-1 25-246. 5/1, 8, 15, 22

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-EMX3, -againstFRANK GIUNTA

A/K/A FRANK P. GIUNTA, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on July 5, 2019, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-EMX3 is the Plaintiff and FRANK GIUNTA

A/K/A FRANK P. GIUNTA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BABYLON TOWN HALL,

200 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, NORTH LINDENHURST, NY 11757, on June 3, 2025 at 1:00PM, premises known as 11 WILSHIRE DR, BABYLON, NY 11703; and the following tax map identification: 0100116.00-02.00-040.000.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT NORTH BABYLON, TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 617927/2017. Brian J. Davis, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES.

25-247. 5/1, 8, 15, 22

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE, LLC, -againstGEORGES SANON A/K/A GEORGES A. SANON A/K/A GEORGES A. TAYLOR, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on June 4, 2020, wherein

Public Notices

NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE, LLC is the Plaintiff and GEORGES SANON A/K/A GEORGES A. SANON A/K/A

GEORGES A. TAYLOR, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BABYLON TOWN HALL, 200 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, NORTH LINDENHURST, NY 11757, on June 3, 2025 at 1:00PM, premises known as 259 WEST 24TH STREET, DEER PARK, NY 11729; and the following tax map identification: 0100084.00-02.00-014.000. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 613388/2015. Francesco P. Tini, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 25-248. 5/1, 8, 15, 22

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK INDEX NO. 608820/2023

COUNTY OF SUF-

MORGAN STANLEY MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-1AR, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF FRED PINARD, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; CENEZE COURTOIS; TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORPORATION; CLERK OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY TRAFFIC

& PARKING VIOLATIONS AGENCY; "JOHN DOE" (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #1; "JOHN DOE" (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #2; "JOHN DOE" (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #3; MARIE ALBERT PINARD, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FRED PINARD NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, "JOHN DOE #4" through "JOHN DOE #12," the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Plaintiff designates SUFFOLK as the place of trial situs of the real property

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMON

Mortgaged Premises: 3 PERRY LANE WHEATLEY HEIGHTS, NY 11798

District: 0100, Section: 015.00, Block: 05.00, Lot: 015.000 Defendants.

To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of

America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $356,250.00 and interest, recorded on December 29, 2005, in Liber M00021202 at Page 991, of the Public Records of SUFFOLK County, New York., covering premises known as 3 PERRY LANE, WHEATLEY HEIGHTS, NY 11798. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

SUFFOLK County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and pro-

tect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: April 29th, 2025

ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff Matthew Rothstein, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675 25-259. 5/8. 15. 22. 29

Notice of Formation of LLC. RWCS Cortlandt, LLC (LLC) filed Arts. of Org. with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/5/2025. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process may be served and SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at c/o RWCS Cortlandt, LLC, 1 Farmingdale Road, West Babylon, NY 11704. Purpose: any business permitted under law. 25-268. 5/15, 22, 29, 6/5,12, 19

Notice of Formation of LLC. RWCS Cortlandt MM, LLC (LLC) filed Arts. of Org. with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/5/2025. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process may be served and SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at c/o RWCS Cortlandt MM, LLC, 1 Farmingdale Road, West Babylon, NY 11704. Purpose: any business permitted under law. 25-269. 5/15, 22, 29, 6/5,12, 19

FOLK

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court County of Suffolk Wilmington Trust, National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee for MFRA Trust 2014-2, Plaintiff AGAINST Duke Biomed, LLC, Jerrold Phifer, et al, Defendant(s Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated March 11, 2024 and entered on March 15, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Hwy., North Lindenhurst, NY on June 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM premises known as 918 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon a/k/a North Babylon, NY 11704. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Suffolk, State of New York, SECTION: 161.00, BLOCK: 1.00, LOT: 006.000. District 0100. Approximate amount of judgment is $573,865.68 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 604892/2023.

Billie Jean Miller, Referee

FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 25-263 5/15, 22, 29, 6/5

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court County of Suffolk Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee for Lehman ABS Mortgage Loan Trust 2007-1, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-1, Plaintiff AGAINST

Martin B Lane, Maureen Theresa Lane, et

al, Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated May 30, 2019 and entered on June 17, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Hwy., North Lindenhurst, NY on June 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM premises known as 891 South Bay Street, Lindenhurst, NY 11757. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Suffolk, State of New York, SECTION: 025.00, BLOCK: 02.00, LOT: 016.000, District 0103. Approximate amount of judgment is $835,988.26 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 610915/2018. For sale information, please visit XOME at www.xome.com or call (844) 400-9633.

Kevin Johnston, Referee

FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 25-264. 5/15, 22, 29, 6/5

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK MIDFIRST BANK, A FEDERALLY CHARTERED SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, -againstDEBORAH ARCHIPOLO, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF BERNARD J. DELL'AQUILA, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclo-

sure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on February 20, 2025, wherein MIDFIRST BANK, A FEDERALLY CHARTERED SAVINGS ASSOCIATION is the Plaintiff and DEBORAH ARCHIPOLO, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF BERNARD J. DELL'AQUILA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BABYLON TOWN HALL, 200 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, NORTH LINDENHURST, NY 11757, on June 11, 2025 at 9:30AM, premises known as 234 TRAVIS STREET, LINDENHURST, NY 11757; and the following tax map identification: 0103-014.0003.00-020.000. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE VILLAGE OF LINDENHURST, TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 603710/2022. Richard Lavorata, Jr., Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 25-265. 5/15, 22, 29, 6/5,

Public Notices

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF SUFFOLK PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, -againstVINCENT BAIO, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on April 17, 2023, wherein PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and VINCENT BAIO, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BABYLON TOWN HALL, 200 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, NORTH LINDENHURST, NY 11757, on June 18, 2025 at 3:00PM, premises known as 5 JACQUELINE WAY, #105C, NORTH BABYLON, NY 11703; and the following tax map identification: 0100089.01-01.00-005.000. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE, OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS ERECTED THEREON, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN NORTH BABYLON, IN THE TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 603686/2016. Scott Lockwood, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not lim-

ited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES.

25-266 5/15, 22, 29, 6/5

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR J.P. MORGAN MORTGAGE TRUST 2007-S3, Plaintiff AGAINST ERICA WESTBROOK, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 8, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on June 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM, premises known as 4 South 21 Street, Wyandanch, NY 11798. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 055.00, Block 02.00, Lot 067.000. Approximate amount of judgment $367,939.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610363/2019. Scott Lockwood, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 19-002268 85376 25-267. 5/15, 22, 29, 6/5

PUBLIC NOTICE

TICE the Final Tax Roll and Warrant for the Village of Babylon has been completed for the 2025-2026 tax year. Taxes become due on June 1, 2025, and are payable without penalty until June 30, 2025 Payments can be made via mail or through the online payment link located on our website www.villageofbabylonny.gov. Online check payments incur a fee of $1.50. Credit card payments incur a vendor fee: charges up to $113.00 incur a $3.00 fee; charges above $113.00 incur a fee of 2.65% (subject to change soon). Mailed payments must be postmarked with an official U.S. Postal Service postmark by June 30, 2025 to avoid penalty. Metered mail must be received by June 30, 2025 to avoid penalty. Payments may also be made Monday through Friday, between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, except holidays, at the Office of the Village Clerk/Tax Receiver, located at 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York. Pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 1432: Payments received after July 1, 2024 immediately accrue a 5% penalty. Taxes received after July 31, 2025 accrue an additional 1% monthly thereafter until paid. A State fee will be added as of September 3, 2025. Further, in accordance with the law, the Village of Babylon cannot accept less than full payment of taxes and must collect accrued interest due.

Jean Marie Parker Receiver of Taxes, Village of Babylon

Dated: May 1, 2025 Babylon, New York 11702 25-272. 5/15, 22

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA0340-25-112371 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 45 W Main Street, Bay Shore, NY 11706, County of Suffolk, for on premises consumption at Lightcastle Coffee LLC. 25-271. 5/15, 22

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Suffolk, FLAGSTAR BANK, N.A. F/K/A FLAGSTAR BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, vs. ALEXANDER CHARLES STONE A/K/A ALEXANDER STONE, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 18, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Town of Babylon, Babylon Town Hall,200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on May 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM, premises known as 218 VENETIAN BOULEVARD,

LINDENHURST,

NY 11757. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Lindenhurst, Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District: 100, Section: 227.00, Block: 04.00, Lot: 001.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $363,037.60 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 612712/2023. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee's attorney, or the Referee.

For Sale information, please visit Auction. com at www.Auction. com or call (800) 2802832.

JOSEPH M. PUZO, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 25-227 4/24, 5/1. 8, 15

PLEASE TAKE NO-

VILLAGE OF BABYLON BABYLON, NEW YORK

COPIAGUE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

CIUDAD DE BABYLON, CONDADO DE SUFFOLK, NEW YORK AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTO DE PRESUPUESTO Y ELECCIÓN

A CONTINUACIÓN, SE DA AVISO que la Elección Anual de Distrito de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar de Copiague Ciudad de Babylon, Condado de Suffolk, Nueva York, se llevará a cabo en el gimnasio de la Escuela Primaria de Deauville Gardens East, 100 Deauville Blvd., Copiague, Nueva York, el martes 20 de mayo de 2025 entre las 10:00 am y las 9:00 pm para votar por la elección de los miembros de la Junta de Educación y votar sobre la siguiente proposición:

PROPOSICIÓN No. 1

¿Debemos proponer el presupuesto de la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de Sindicato de Copiague, Ciudad de Babylon, Condado de Suffolk, Estado de Nueva York, ¿para el año escolar 2025-2026 exigiendo la apropiación de los fondos necesarios para cubrir los gastos estimados y exigir la recaudación de impuestos sobre la propiedad sujeta a impuestos de dicho distrito?

PROPOSICIÓN No. 2

¿Se autorizará a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de la Unión de Copiague a gastar una suma que no exceda los $15,883,000 del Fondo de Reserva de Capital para Edificios y Mejoras, según lo establecido el 17 de mayo de 2022, con el fin de realizar las siguientes mejoras de capital: (i) alteraciones y renovaciones interiores de la Escuela Primaria Deauville

Gardens (conocida como Escuelas Primarias Deauville Gardens

Este y Deauville Gardens Oeste), incluida la reconfiguración y reconstrucción del espacio para crear oficinas de enfermería, expansión y mejoras de la biblioteca, reemplazo de pisos, renovación de baños estudiantiles y oficinas de apoyo: (ii) adiciones, renovaciones y reconstrucción de campos deportivos en Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School/ Copiague Middle School Complejo Atlético que incluye el reemplazo de la tribuna y la adición de la estructura del puesto de comida con almacenamiento, sala para entrenadores deportivos y baños: (iii) Adiciones y mejoras de HVAC, incluido el aire acondicionado de la cafetería de la Escuela Primaria Susan E. Wiley, la cafetería y la biblioteca de la Escuela Primaria Great Neck Road, las cafeterías de las escuelas primarias Deauville Gardens Este y Deauville Gardens Oeste y las cafeterías de la Escuela Copiague Middle School: y (iv) renovaciones de campos deportivos, trabajos en el sitio y adición, renovación o reconstrucción de espacios deportivos exteriores con iluminación de campo en la Escuela Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School, incluida toda la mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos y costos incidentales relacionados con ellos?

Dado que los fondos que se gastarán en virtud del presente son de los Fondos de Reserva de Capital, la aprobación de esta Proposición no requerirá un gravamen fiscal sobre la propiedad inmobiliaria del Distrito Escolar. SE DA AVISO

ADICIONAL que cualquier residente del distrito podrá obtener una copia del estado de cuenta de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año fiscal 2025-2026 para fines escolares, entre las 9:00 am y las 4:00 pm durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anteriores a la Elección Anual del Distrito Escolar, excepto los sábados, domingos o feriados, en la oficina del distrito, a cada casa escolar del distrito, en el sitio web de Internet del distrito escolar (www. copiague.k12.ny) y en la Biblioteca Memorial de Copiague durante sus horas de atención al público.

Un informe de Exención del Impuesto a la Propiedad Real preparado de acuerdo con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto a la Propiedad Real se adjuntará a cualquier presupuesto provisional / preliminar, así como al presupuesto final adoptado del cual formará parte; y se publicarán en el tablón de anuncios del Distrito que se mantendrán para avisos públicos, así como en la página web del Distrito.

SE DA AVISO

ADICIONAL que las solicitudes de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación deben presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito Escolar abajo firmante a más tardar el 21 de abril de 2025 a las 5:00 p.m. Cada vacante que deba llenarse se considerará una oficina separada. Se requerirá una petición por separado para nominar a un candidato a cada oficina por separado. Cada petición debe dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito Escolar y debe estar firmada por al menos veinticinco (59) votantes calificados del distrito. Cada petición debe

Public Notices

indicar la residencia de cada persona que firma, debe indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato, y debe describir la vacante específica para la cual se postula el candidato, cuya descripción debe incluir al menos la duración del mandato, y el nombre del último titular, si lo hubiere. Las siguientes vacantes disponibles de La Junta de Educación de Copiague: PERÍODO EN EL CARGO

ÚLTIMA PERSONA EN EL CARGO

1 de Julio 2025 a 30 de Junio 2028

Paul Daubel

1 de Julio 2025 a 30 de Junio 2028

Anthony S. Pepe

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, de que se enviará una petición para presentar una propuesta en la boleta electoral ante el Secretario del Distrito antes del 21 de abril de 2025 a más tardar a las 5:00 pm, a excepto de las solicitudes relacionadas con una propuesta que deberán incluirse en el aviso de la reunión anual. Tales peticiones deben presentarse 60 días antes de la reunión anual para facilitar la preparación e impresión de las boletas. Esta regla no se aplicará a aquellas proposiciones o preguntas que la Junta tiene autoridad por ley para presentar en cualquier reunión anual o especial y elección del distrito. Excepto por lo dispuesto por la ley, dicha petición deberá indicar dicha pregunta o proposición de manera clara y concisa, y deberá estar firmada por al menos treinta (30) votantes calificados de este distrito y deberá mostrar la dirección de cada firmante y la fecha de la firma.

La Junta de Educación se reserva el derecho de determinar la redacción exacta de la pre-

gunta o proposición tal como aparece en la boleta electoral; y además reserva todos los poderes otorgados a la Junta de Educación por la Ley de Educación para determinar si alguna pregunta o proposición se presentará en una reunión o elección del Distrito y para determinar el orden en que cada pregunta o proposición debe aparecer en la boleta electoral.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que, de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación, se requiere el registro personal de los votantes.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que los votantes en la Elección de Presupuesto / Elección de los Miembros de la Junta de la Escuela Copiague del 19 de mayo de 1998 aprobaron el registro continuo de votantes. Los votantes calificados pueden registrarse de manera continua de la siguiente manera: La inscripción se llevará a cabo de lunes a viernes de 9:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. durante el año escolar, y de 9:00 a.m. a 1:00 p.m. durante los recreos escolares en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, Oficina de Administración Central, 2650 Great Neck Road, Copiague, excepto que no se permitirá el registro después de siete (7) días antes de la elección. El registro de votantes también se llevará a cabo el sábado 10 de mayo de 2025 de 8:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. en la Escuela Primaria Deauville Gardens, 100 Deauville Blvd, Copiague, NY 11726

Cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dicho registro o que se haya registrado anteriormente en el presente documento o que haya votado en cualquier reunión o elección anual o especial del distrito celebrada

o llevada a cabo en cualquier momento dentro de los cuatro (4) años anteriores a la preparación del registro para esta Elección Anual del Distrito no tendrá que registrarse personalmente para esta Elección Anual del Distrito. Además, cualquier persona que califique para votar y que esté registrada en la Junta de Elecciones del Condado de Suffolk bajo las disposiciones de la Ley de Elecciones tendrá derecho a votar en dicha Elección Anual sin más registro. SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que la Junta de Educación ha adoptado debidamente una resolución que estipula las papeletas de voto en ausencia para la elección de los miembros de la Junta de Educación, la adopción del Presupuesto del Distrito Escolar y cualquier otra propuesta de acuerdo con las disposiciones de la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York. El solicitante de una boleta de votación en ausencia o anticipada por correo debe presentar una solicitud, por lo tanto, debe establecer la información requerida por la subdivisión 2 de la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación y articulo 2018-e de la ley de Educación respectivamente. Las solicitudes de boletas en ausencia o anticipada por correo deben ser recibidas por el Secretario Del Distrito no antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección. Además, dicha solicitud debe ser recibida por el Secretario del Distrito por lo menos siete días antes de la elección si la boleta se envía por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección si la boleta se entrega personalmente al votante o su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud

oportuna para una boleta de votación en ausencia enviada por correo o boleta anticipada por correo, el Secretario del Distrito enviara la boleta por correo a la dirección establecida en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. No se votará ninguna boleta de votante ausente o boleta anticipada a menos que se haya recibido en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. (hora predominante) en el día de la elección. SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que los votantes militares que no están actualmente registrados pueden registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que son votantes calificados del distrito escolar pueden presentar una solicitud para una boleta militar. Los votantes militares pueden designar una preferencia para recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de boleta militar o una boleta militar por correo, transmisión de fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de boleta o boleta. Los formularios de inscripción de votantes militar y los formularios de solicitud de boletas militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito del distrito escolar a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el 24 de abril de 2025. NO se realizará una votación militares militar a menos que se (1) reciba en la oficina del Secretaria del Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el día de las elecciones y muestre una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o que muestre un endoso de recepción fechado por otra agencia del

gobierno delos Estados Unidos; o (2) recibido por la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el día de las elecciones y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha que se asocia a no más tardar del día anterior a la elección.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que las calificaciones de los votantes en las reuniones o elecciones del Distrito Escolar son las siguientes: Una persona tendrá derecho a votar en cualquier elección escolar para la elección de las Oficinas del Distrito Escolar y sobre todo los demás asuntos que puedan plantearse antes de tal elección quien es: (1) Ciudadano de los Estados Unidos (2)18 años de edad (3) Un residente dentro del distrito por un período de treinta días antes de cualquier votación que se vaya a dar (4) En virtud de las provisiones de la Sec. 5-106 de la Ley Electoral.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, de que el Registro, tal como lo preparó la Junta de Registro, se archivará en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar que está abajo firmante y estará abierto para la inspección por parte de cualquier votante calificado del Distrito y las horas durante las cuales dicho registro estará abierto para inspección en cada uno de los cinco días (sábado con cita previa) antes de la fecha establecida para la Elección Anual del Distrito, excepto el domingo o feriados, serán 9:00 am a 4:00 pm

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que se

Continued from previous page

llevará a cabo una audiencia pública sobre la propuesta del presupuesto el martes 6 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:00 p.m. en las oficinas administrativas

May 15, 2025 —

Everett E. Newman III en el salón de conferencias, 2650 Great Neck Road, Copiague, NY 11726. Por orden de la Junta de Educación Distrito Escolar de Copiague Ciudad de Babylon, Condado de, New York

Deborah Van Florcke Secretaria de Distrito 25-241 5/1, 8, 15

COPIAGUE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, NEW YORK

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the Annual District Election of qualified voters of Copiague Union Free School District, Town of Babylon, Suffolk County, New York, will be held at the Deauville Gardens East Elementary School, 100 Deauville Blvd., Copiague, New York, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to vote for the election of members of the Board of Education and to vote upon the following propositions:

PROPOSITION NO. 1

SHALL the proposed budget of the Board of Education of Copiague Union Free School District, Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk, State of New York, for the school year 2025-2026 requiring the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures and requiring the levying of

taxes on the taxable property of said district be adopted?

PROPOSITION NO.

2

SHALL the Board of Education of the Copiague Union Free School District be authorized to expend a sum not to exceed $15,883,000 from the Building and Improvement Capital Reserve Fund as established on May 17, 2022 for the purpose of performing the following capital improvements: (i) interior alterations and renovations to Deauville Gardens Elementary School (commonly referred to as Deauville Gardens East and Deauville Gardens West Elementary Schools) including reconfiguration and reconstruction of space to create nurses’ offices, library expansion and upgrades, flooring replacement, renovation of student toilets, and support offices; (ii) additions, renovations and reconstruction of athletic fields at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School/ Copiague Middle School Athletic Complex including replacement of grandstand and addition of concession stand structure with storage, athletic trainer room, and restrooms; (iii) HVAC additions and upgrades including air conditioning of the cafeteria at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School, the cafeteria and library at Great Neck Road Elementary School, the cafeterias at Deauville Gardens East and Deauville Gardens West Elementary Schools and the cafeterias in Copiague Middle School; and (iv) athletic field renovations, site work and addition, renovation, or reconstruction of exterior athletic spaces with field lighting at the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague

High School including all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental cost related thereto? Since the funds to be expended hereunder are from the Capital Reserve Fund, approval of this Proposition will not require a tax levy upon the real property of the School District.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the fiscal year 2025-2026 for school purposes, may be obtained by any resident of the District, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Annual School District Election except Saturday, Sunday or any holiday, at the district office, at each school house in the district, on the school district’s internet website (www.copiague.k12.ny.us) and at the Copiague Memorial Library during their operating hours.

A Real Property Tax Exemption Report prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any tentative/ preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on District bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education must be filed with the undersigned School District Clerk not later than April 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Each vacancy to be filled shall be considered a separate specific office. A separate petition shall be required to nominate a candidate

Public Notices

to each separate office. Each petition shall be directed to the Clerk of the School District and shall be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the district. Each petition shall state the residence of each person signing, shall state the name and residence of the candidate, and shall describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated, which description shall include at least the length of the term of office, and the name of the last incumbent, if any. The following vacancies are to be filled on the Copiague Board of Education:

TERM OF OFFICE LAST INCUMBENT

July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028

Paul Daubel July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028

Anthony S. Pepe NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a petition to place a proposition on the ballot may be filed with the District Clerk by also not later than April 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., except for petitions relating to a proposition which must be included in the notice of the annual meeting. Such petitions must be submitted 60 days in advance of the annual meeting to facilitate the preparation and printing of the ballots. This rule will not apply to those propositions or questions which the Board has authority by law to present at any annual or special meeting and election of the district. Except as provided by law, such petition shall state said question or proposition clearly and concisely, and shall be signed by at least thirty (30) qualified voters of this district and shall show the address of each signer and the date of

signature.

The Board of Education reserves the right to determine the exact wording of the question or proposition as it is to appear on the ballot; and further reserves all powers vested in the Board of Education by the Education Law to determine whether any question or proposition shall be submitted at any District meeting or election and to determine the order in which each question or proposition should appear on the ballot.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that, pursuant to Section 2014 of the Educatio n Law, personal registration of voters is required.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that voters at the May 19, 1998 Copiague School Budget/Trustee Election approved Continuous Voter Registration. Qualified voters may register on a continuous basis as follows: Registration will be conducted Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the school year, and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during school recesses at the Office of the District Clerk, Central Administration Office, 2650 Great Neck Road, Copiague, except there will be no registration allowed after seven (7) days prior to the election. Voter registration will also be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Deauville Gardens Elementary School, 100 Deauville Blvd, Copiague, NY 11726.

Any person whose name appears on such register or who shall have been previously registered hereunder or who shall have voted at any Annual or Special District Meeting or Election held or conducted at any time within four (4) years

prior to the preparation of the register for this Annual District Election will not be required to register personally for this Annual District Election. In addition, any person otherwise qualified to vote who was registered with the Board of Elections of Suffolk County under the provisions of the Election Law shall be entitled to vote at said Annual Election without further registration.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the Board of Education has duly adopted a resolution providing for absentee ballots for the election of members of the Board of Education, the adoption of the School District Budget and any other propositions in accordance with the provisions of Section 2018-a of the Education Law of the State of New York. An applicant for an absentee or early mail ballot must submit an application therefore setting forth the information required by subdivision 2 of Section 2018-a of the Education Law and Section 2018-e of the Education Law, respectively. Applications for absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election. Furthermore, such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no

later than six (6) days before the vote. No absentee or early mail voter's ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 P.M. (prevailing time) on the day of the election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the school district no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the qualifications of

voters at School District Meetings or Elections are as follows:

A person shall be entitled to vote at any School Election for the election of School District Offices and upon all other matters which may be brought before such Election who is:

(1) A citizen of the United States

(2)Eighteen years of age

(3)A resident within the district for the period of thirty days next preceding the meeting at which he offers to vote

(4) Not disqualified pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 5-106 of the Election Law.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Register as prepared by the Board of Registration, shall be filed in the office of the undersigned School District Clerk, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District, and the hours during which such register shall be open for inspection on each of the five days (Saturday by appointment) prior to the date set for the Annual District Election, except Sunday or holiday, shall be 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a Public Hearing on the proposed budget will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. in the Everett E. Newman III Administrative Offices Board of Education Room, 2650 Great Neck Road, Copiague, NY 11726.

By order of the Board of Education Copiague Union Free School District Town of Babylon, Suffolk County, New York Deborah Van Florcke District Clerk 25-240 5/1, 8, 15

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION OF THE WEST ISLIP UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

SUFFOLK COUN-

TY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters of the West Islip Union Free School District, Town of Islip, Suffolk County, New York, will be held in the Beach Street Middle School, in said district on May 6, 2025 at 6:30 p.m., prevailing time, for the transaction of business as authorized by the Education Law, including the following items:

1. To present to the voters a detailed statement of the amount of money which will be required for the 20252026 fiscal year.

2. To discuss all the items hereinafter set forth to be voted upon by voting machines at the Budget Vote and Election to be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to Education Law of the State of New York and acts amendatory thereto. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required to fund the School District’s budget for 20252026, exclusive of public moneys, may be obtained by any resident of the District beginning April 29, 2025, between the hours of 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays at the Office of the District Clerk,

100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795, at the West Islip Public Library and on the District’s internet website. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that said Budget Vote and Election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in the West Islip High School, between the hours of 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., prevailing time, at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting machines upon the following items:

1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 20252026 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

2. To elect (3) members of the Board of Education for a three-year term commencing July 1, 2025, and expiring on June 30, 2028 to fill the positions held by Grace Kelly, Christina Marks and Peter McCann, whose terms expire on June 30, 2025.

3. To authorize the West Islip Union Free School District to undertake a capital project to enhance security at the high school by installing electronic locks and card access readers for all classrooms and bathrooms, at an estimated cost not to exceed $700,000 and to appropriate and expend up to $700,000 from the General Capital Reserve Fund II for this purpose.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemp-

tion report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value of the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. In addition, said exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be filed with the Clerk of said School District at her office in 100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795, not later than April 21, 2025, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. Each petition shall be directed to the Clerk of the District; must be signed by at least thirty-one (31) qualified voters of the District (representing 2% of the number of voters who voted in the 2024 annual election), Vacancies on the Board of Education are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy upon the Board for which the candidate is nominated. AND FURTHER

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that per-

Public Notices

sonal registration of voters is required either pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law, or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law and has voted at an annual or special district meeting within the last four (4) calendar years, he or she is eligible to vote at this election. If a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article 5 of the Election Law, he or she is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, the voters may register with the Clerk of said School District at her office in the District Administration Office, 100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. when school is in session at any day on or before May 15, 2025 to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register provided that at such meeting with the Clerk of said School District he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of the Clerk of said School District to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the Register is prepared. The Register so prepared pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk, at her office in the District Administration Office, 100 Sherman Avenue,

West Islip, NY 11795, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on and after Thursday, May 15, 2025, between the hours of 7:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., prevailing time, on each day prior to the day set for the election, except Sunday, and at the polling place(s) on the day of the vote.

AND FURTHER

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law of the State of New York, the Board of Registration will meet on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, between the hours of 7:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, at the West Islip High School, to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the Budget Vote and Election to be held in 2026, and any special district meeting that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register provided that at such meeting of said Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school election for which said Register is prepared, or any special district meeting held after May 20, 2025.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. An application for registration as a military voter can be requested from Elizabeth Davis, District Clerk, West Islip

UFSD, 100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795 by mail or e-mail e.davis@ wi.k12.ny.us Monday through Friday when school is in session from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The application for registration must be received in the office of the clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025, which is the day before the last day for transmission of military ballots. In the request for an application for registration, the military voter is permitted to designate his/her preference for receiving the application for registration by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the district may submit an application for a military ballot from Elizabeth Davis, District Clerk, West Islip UFSD, 100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795 by mail or e-mail e.davis@ wi.k12.ny.us Monday through Friday when school is in session from 7:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.; in order to receive a military ballot, the military ballot application must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025, which is the day preceding the last day for transmission of military ballots. In the request for an application for a military ballot, the military voter is permitted to designate his/her preference for receiving the application for a military ballot, and the military ballot, by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail. All qualified military voters’ ballot application and military ballot must

be returned by mail or in person. Ballots for military voters shall be distributed to qualified military voters no later than April 25, 2025. Military ballots must be received by the District Clerk (1) before the close of the polls, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, and must show a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or must show a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or (2) not later than 5:00 pm on the day of the election and be signed and dated by the military voter and one witness, with a date ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.

A list of persons to whom military ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the Office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, May 15, 2025, between the hours of 7:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., prevailing time, on each day prior to the day set for the annual election, except Sunday, and on May 20, 2025, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter then present in the polling place may object to the voting of the ballot upon appropriate grounds by making his or her challenge and the reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls.

AND FURTHER

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for early mail ballots and absentee ballots will be obtainable during school business hours from the District Clerk beginning

April 21, 2025 completed applications must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than April 21, 2025 and at least seven (7) days before the election, May 13, 2025, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, May 19, 2025, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Early mail ballots and absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. A list of persons to whom early mail ballots and absentee ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the Office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, May 15, 2025, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. prevailing time, on each day prior to the day set for the annual election, except Sunday, and on May 20, 2025, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter then present in the polling place may object to the voting of the ballot upon appropriate grounds by making his or her challenge and the reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. A challenge to an absentee ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an early mail ballot. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with Section 2035 of the Education Law, any referenda or propositions to amend the

May 15, 2025 —

Continued from previous page budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the Clerk of the Board of Education at the District Office, 100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795, in sufficient time to permit notice of the proposition to be included with the Notice of the Public Hearing, Budget Vote and Election required by Section 2004 of the Education Law or on or before Friday, March 21, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., prevailing time; must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least 155 qualified voters of the District (representing 10 percent of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the School Board will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, which is unlawful, or any proposition which fails to include a specific appropriation where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition, or where other valid reason exists for excluding the proposition from the ballot.

Dated: West Islip, New York March 6, 2025

By Order of the BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE West Islip Union Free School District West Islip, New York Elizabeth Davis, District Clerk

25-178. 4/3, 24, 5/1, 15

AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTO DEL PRESUPUESTO Y ELECCIÓN DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE UNION DE WEST ISLIP CONDADO DE SUFFOLK, NEW YORK

POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de Union West Islip, Ciudad de Islip, Condado de Suffolk, Nueva York, en la Escuela Intermedia Beach Street, en dicho distrito el 6 de Mayo de 2025 a las 6:30 p.m., hora vigente, para la transacción de negocios según lo autorizado por la Ley de Educación, incluyendo los siguientes artículos:

1. Presentar a los votantes una declaración detallada (propuesta de presupuesto) de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año fiscal 2025-2026.

2. Discutir todos los puntos que a continuación se establecen para ser votados por las máquinas de voto en la Voto y Elección de Presupuesto que se llevará a cabo el Martes 20 de Mayo de 2025.

3. Tramitar otros asuntos que puedan presentarse adecuadamente ante la reunión de conformidad con la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York y las leyes que la modifican.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO

ADICIONAL de que cualquier residente del Distrito puede obtener una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para financiar el presupuesto del Distrito Escolar para 20252026, excluyendo los

fondos públicos, a partir del 29 de Abril de 2025, entre las horas de 8:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m., hora vigente, excepto Sábados, Domingos o días festivos en la Oficina la Secretaria del Distrito, 100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795, en la Biblioteca Pública de West Islip y en el pagina web de Internet del Distrito.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, de que dicho Voto y Elección del Presupuesto se llevará a cabo el Martes 20 de Mayo de 2025, en la Escuela Intermedia West Islip, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., hora vigente, momento en el cual las urnas se abrirán para votar por máquinas de voto sobre los siguientes elementos:

1. Adoptar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 20252026 y autorizar que la porción requerida del mismo se aumente mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito.

2. Elegir (3) miembros de la Junta de Directiva por un período de tres años que comienza el 1 de Julio de 2025 y caduca el 30 de Junio de 2028 para ocupar los puestos ocupados por Grace Kelly, Christina Marks y Peter McCann, cuyos mandatos caducan el 30 de Junio de 2025.

3. Autorizar al Distrito Escolar Libre de Union West Islip a emprender un proyecto de capital para mejorar la seguridad en la escuela Intermedia mediante la instalación de cerraduras electrónicas y lectores de acceso con tarjetas para todas las aulas y baños, a un costo estimado que no exceda los

Public Notices

$700,000 y para apropiar y gastar hasta $700,000 del Fondo de Reserva de Capital General II para este propósito.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre la Propiedad Inmobiliaria, se requiere que el Distrito Escolar adjunte a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también pasará a formar parte del presupuesto final, mostrará cómo el valor total de la tasación final utilizada en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, enumerará cada tipo de exención otorgada por la autoridad estatutaria y mostrará el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, el monto acumulado que se espera recibir como pagos en lugar de impuestos (PILOT) y el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones otorgadas. Además, dicho informe de exención se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para avisos públicos y en cualquier pagina web mantenido por el Distrito.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que las peticiones de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación se presentarán ante la Secretaria de dicho Distrito Escolar en su oficina en 100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795, a más tardar el 21 de Abril de 2025, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 5:00 p.m., hora vigente. Cada petición se dirigirá a la Secretaria del

Distrito; debe estar firmada por al menos treinta y un (31) votantes calificados del Distrito (que representan el 2% del número de votantes que votaron en las elecciones anuales de 2024), Las vacantes en la Junta de Educación no se consideran cargos separados y específicos; Los candidatos se postulan en general. Las peticiones de nominación no describirán ninguna vacante específica en la Junta para la cual el candidato está nominado.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que se requiere el registro personal de los votantes ya sea de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación o de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral. Si un votante se ha registrado hasta ahora de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación y ha votado en una reunión anual o especial del distrito dentro de los últimos cuatro (4) años calendario, él o ella es elegible para votar en esta elección. Si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar bajo el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral, él o ella también es elegible para votar en esta elección. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, los votantes pueden registrarse con la Secretaria de dicho Distrito Escolar en su oficina en la Oficina de Administración del Distrito, 100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795, entre las 7:00 a.m.3:00 p.m. cuando la escuela está en sesión

en cualquier día en o antes del 15 de Mayo de 2025 para agregar cualquier nombre adicional al Registro que se utilizará en la elección antes mencionada, en cuyo momento, cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión con la Secretaria de dicho Distrito Escolar se sepa o se demuestre, a satisfacción la Secretaria de dicho Distrito Escolar, que tiene derecho a votar en dicha elección para la cual se prepara el Registro. El Registro así preparado de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación se archivará en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito, en su oficina en la Oficina de Administración del Distrito, 100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795, y estará abierto para la inspección de cualquier votante calificado del Distrito a partir del Jueves 15 de Mayo. 2025, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m., hora vigente, en cada día anterior al día establecido para la elección, excepto el Domingo, y en el (los) lugar (s) de voto el día del voto.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el Martes 20 de Mayo de 2025, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., hora vigente, en la Escuela Intermedia West Islip, para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la y Elección del Presupuesto que se llevará a cabo en 2026, y cualquier reunión especial de

distrito que pueda celebrarse después de la preparación de dicho Registro, en la cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de dicha Junta de Registro se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en ese momento o en lo sucesivo en la elección escolar para la cual se establece dicho Registro. o cualquier reunión especial de distrito que se celebre después del 20 de Mayo de 2025. Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, de que los votantes militares que no están registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Una solicitud para registrarse como votante militar se puede solicitar a Elizabeth Davis, Secretaria del Distrito, West Islip UFSD, 100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795 por correo postal o correo electrónico e.davis@ wi.k12.ny.us Lunes a Viernes cuando la escuela está en sesión de 7:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. La solicitud de registro debe recibirse en la oficina la Secretaria a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 24 de Abril de 2025, que es el día antes del último día para la transmisión de boletas militares. En la solicitud de registro, el votante militar puede designar su preferencia para recibir la solicitud de registro por correo, fax o correo electrónico.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que los votantes militares que son votantes calificados del distrito pueden presentar una solicitud para una boleta militar a Elizabeth Davis, Secretaria del Distrito, West Islip UFSD, 100 Sherman Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795 por correo o correo electrónico e.daviswi. k12.ny.us Lunes a Viernes cuando la escuela está en sesión de 7:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m.; para recibir una boleta militar, la solicitud de boleta militar debe recibirse a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 24 de Abril de 2025, que es el día anterior al último día para la transmisión de boletas militares. En la solicitud para una boleta militar, se permite que el votante militar designe su preferencia para recibir la solicitud de una boleta militar, y la boleta militar, por correo, transmisión de fax o correo electrónico. Todas las solicitudes de boleta de votantes militares calificados y las boletas militares deben devolverse por correo o en persona. Las boletas para votantes militares se distribuirán a los votantes militares calificados a más tardar el 25 de Abril de 2025. Las boletas militares deben ser recibidas por la Secretaria del Distrito (1) antes del cierre de las urnas, el Martes 20 de Mayo de 2025, y deben mostrar una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o deben mostrar un endoso fechado de recepción por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del día de la elección y estar

Continued on next page

Public Notices

Continued from previous page firmada y fechada por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha determinada que no será posterior al día anterior a la elección.

Una lista de las personas a las que se emiten boletas militares estará disponible para inspección para los votantes calificados del Distrito en la Oficina la Secretaria del Distrito a partir del Jueves 15 de Mayo de 2025, entre las horas de 7:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m., hora vigente, cada día antes del día establecido para la elección anual, excepto el Domingo, y el 20 de Mayo de 2025, día fijado para las elecciones. Cualquier votante calificado que esté presente en el lugar de voto puede objetar el voto de la boleta por motivos apropiados haciendo saber su impugnación y las razones correspondientes al Inspector de Elecciones antes del cierre de las urnas.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO

ADICIONAL, que las solicitudes de boletas anticipadas por correo y boletas de voto en ausencia se podrán obtener durante el horario escolar la Secretaria del Distrito a partir del 21 de Abril de 2025 las solicitudes completadas deben ser recibidas por la Secretaria del Distrito no antes del 21 de Abril de 2025 y al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección, el 13 de Mayo, 2025, si la boleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, el 19 de Mayo de 2025, si la boleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante. Las boletas anticipadas por correo y las

boletas de voto en ausencia deben ser recibidas por la Secretaria del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m., hora vigente, el Martes 20 de Mayo de 2025.  Una lista de personas a quienes se emiten boletas anticipadas por correo y boletas de voto en ausencia estará disponible para inspección para los votantes calificados del Distrito en la Oficina la Secretaria del Distrito a partir del Jueves 15 de Mayo de 2025, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m., hora vigente, cada día anterior al día establecido para la elección anual. excepto el Domingo, y el 20 de Mayo de 2025, día fijado para las elecciones. Cualquier votante calificado que esté presente en el lugar de voto puede objetar la voto de la boleta por motivos apropiados haciendo saber su impugnación y las razones correspondientes al Inspector de Elecciones antes del cierre de las urnas. No se puede hacer una impugnación a una boleta de voto en ausencia sobre la base de que el votante debería haber solicitado una boleta anticipada por correo.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que de conformidad con una regla adoptada por la Junta de Educación de acuerdo con la Sección 2035 de la Ley de Educación, cualquier referéndum o proposición para enmendar el presupuesto, o de otra manera para ser presentada para voto en dicha elección, debe presentarse ante la Secretaria de la Junta de Educación en la Oficina del Distrito, 100 Sherman Avenue,

West Islip, NY 11795, con tiempo suficiente para permitir que la notificación de la proposición se incluya con la Notificación de la Audiencia Pública, la Voto del Presupuesto y la Elección requerida por la Sección 2004 de la Ley de Educación o en o antes del Viernes 21 de Marzo de 2025, a las 4:00 p.m., hora vigente; debe estar mecanografiado o impreso en el idioma inglés; debe dirigirse a la Secretaria del Distrito Escolar; debe estar firmada por al menos 155 votantes calificados del Distrito (que representan el 10 por ciento del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); y debe indicar de manera legible el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta Escolar no considerará ninguna petición para presentar a los votantes cualquier proposición cuyo propósito no esté dentro de los poderes de los votantes para determinar, lo cual es ilegal, o cualquier proposición que no incluya una asignación específica donde el gasto de dinero sea requerido por la proposición, o donde exista otra razón válida para excluir la proposición de la boleta electoral.

Fecha:  12 de Marzo de 2025

Por orden de La Junta De Educación de Distrito Escolar de West Islip Union Free School District West Islip, NY 11795

Elizabeth Davis, Secretaria de Distrito 25-179 4/3, 24, 5/1, 15

How to prepare outdoor spaces for Memorial Day entertaining

Memorial Day weekend is a popular time to entertain. For many, the weekend marks the first outdoor entertaining opportunity of the year, which is certainly something to look forward to.

As outdoor entertaining season begins, homeowners can take these steps to prepare their outdoor living spaces for the first big backyard get-together of the year.

• Break out the power washer. Pressure washing is an important component of spring home cleanup. The warmer temperatures of spring allow water from power washing to dry more quickly, which can decrease the chances that mold and mildew will grow on surfaces like siding. A freshly power washed home also makes for a welcoming entertaining space. A power washer also can be used on outdoor entertaining spaces to remove dirt and debris that built up over the winter. Just make sure to read manufacturer instructions before using a power washer to clean paving stones, decks and outdoor furniture.

• Inspect outdoor furniture. Now is a good time to inspect outdoor furniture if the task was not performed in late fall or early winter before items were moved into the garage or placed in storage. Check to make sure furnishings are still safe to use, addressing any issues before guests come over for a Memorial Day weekend gathering. Wash cushions for outdoor furniture and replace any that might be showing their age.

• Clean the grill. A thorough cleaning of the grill also is in order prior to summer entertaining season. Many homeowners do little or no grilling during winter, so now is the time to give grilling surfaces and the interior of the grill a

deep cleaning. Check for leaks if using a gas grill, and scrub the interior of any grease that accumulated last season. Many grilling experts advise lighting a grill and letting it burn for roughly 20 minutes prior to putting any foods on the grates for the first time. Such a strategy allows residual fluids like soap, vinegar and de-greasing products used when cleaning the grill to burn off before food is placed on the grates.

• Inspect the landscaping, too. It’s not just seating areas like patios and decks that need some investigation prior to outdoor entertaining season. Take a walk around the landscape and make sure there’s no potentially dangerous spots where people could be injured when playing backyard games. Fill in any holes with soil and fresh grass seed, and inspect trees to see if any branches need to be pruned.

Summer entertaining season begins each Memorial Day weekend. Homeowners can take various steps to ensure their outdoor entertaining spaces are comfortable and safe.

2025 National Safe Boating Week offers tips for all boaters

In recognition of National Safe Boating Week, America’s Boating Club of Great South Bay on May 17 will be at West Islip Public Library, 3 Higbie Lane, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., to provide information about safe boating to the boating and future boating public. There will also be a boat simulator on premises so that participants can take

the wheel of a boat and follow a boating route brimming with obstacles.

“This is an excellent opportunity for boaters, as well as those interested in boating, to experience boating and to sharpen up on the boating safety skills, prior to this upcoming boating season on Long Island, said Jeanne Braun, Executive Officer of America’s Boating Club of Great South Bay. For more information, please call America’s Boating Club of Great South Bay at (631) 533-2628.

Photo Credit / Metro Creative Connection

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Redoing a basement, Part 3

Q. We bought our home three years ago, and are finally ready to finish our basement to make a family room, guest bedroom and a bathroom while enclosing our laundry. Right now it’s just a big open space with a lot of columns. The ceiling is low, and we’ve had estimates to cut down the basement floor. It seems like a lot of money to do all these things at once, but we understand that we need to do it before the prices for materials, as we’ve been warned, go a lot higher. We want to know what needs to be done if we want to lower the floor, take out two columns so our recreation room is bigger, and put in a bathroom. Is there any way to save money?

A. This third column ties together the previous two to state that, basically, you get what you pay for, and sometimes less. I explained that basement bathrooms may not be allowed to have a bathing fixture, tub or shower, depending on the municipal requirements, and that many communities also won’t allow a bedroom in a basement, for safety reasons. I also outlined the process for figuring out beams so that columns can be removed, and that while “guessers” may save you some money up front, repairs can erase the savings.

Now we’re up to lowering the basement floor. “Saving money” and “lowering a basement floor” should rarely be in the same sentence, except for when writing an answer as to why. In general, you want more living space, structurally sound and waterproof. Both of those needs are hard to achieve if any part of the process is left out.

It’s always best to gain the most amount of interior space, and I can often tell when either saving money was the focus or amateur work was done when I see a foundation wall projecting into the basement like a concrete bench. To avoid this look and to get the most use out of the space, you have to start with knowing where the underground water table is. Unless you dig a hole or order a soil-boring test from a professional company, you may soon find out why the floor wasn’t lower to begin with. This test could save you great expense.

The process of correctly supporting the exterior concrete foundation walls is called “underpinning.” The excavation can be done from the interior side of the foundation wall if the exterior isn’t accessible. Either way, the underpinning process must be done in sections, not all at once. There would be complete collapses of walls and floors above if entire foundations were removed at one time. When this is done, it usually causes tremendous damage, possible death and news coverage.

Engineered sections, with waterproofing to the exterior, have to be planned. The old sections are carefully cut out, and then replaced several feet apart before the next sections are removed. Good luck!

© 2025 Monte Leeper

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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We must restore Musk’s cuts of the 9/11 health fund

it is essential that Congress do all it can to fully restore the World Trade Center Health Program. I commend Long Island Congressmen Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota for leading a bipartisan effort to undo the damage, intentional or not, to this program by Elon Musk’s chainsaw cuts of government health programs.

During my years in Congress, no issue was more vital or intensely personal to me than ensuring that all of the surviving victims of the attacks of Sept. 11 — police officers, firefighters, emergency responders, construction workers and civilians — receive the care they require and deserve for the illnesses caused by the toxins they breathed in at ground zero in the days, weeks and months afterward.

It wasn’t until several years after 9/11 that evidence emerged of a growing number of blood cancers and lung and breathing disorders suffered by 9/11 first responders and nearby residents and students. The concern was bipartisan. Democratic Representatives Jerry Nadler and Carolyn Maloney and

ARepublicans Vito Fossella and I were the original prime advocates. We introduced legislation in 2005 and again in 2007 to establish and fund a 9/11 illness detection and treatment program.

ed a rare and fatal blood cancer after working together at ground zero. The chances of this being a coincidence were infinitesimal. And there were countless similar situations.

session, our efforts paid off: Zadroga passed both the House and Senate.

TToday we know that more people have died from 9/11 illnesses than from the attacks, but in those early years, the numbers of victims weren’t yet especially high, and there was no proof of direct linkage to 9/11, which made it difficult to generate strong interest or support outside the New York and New Jersey congressional delegations.

hey’re causing many of the 9/11 doctors and experts to be terminated.

Soon enough, however, there was too much evidence to ignore. Anecdotally, I would see FDNY and NYPD neighbors who had worked at ground zero wearing oxygen masks as they watched their kids’ Little League games or stopped by 7-Eleven for coffee.

Those scenes were repeated across Long Island and the entire downstate region, and there would eventually be victims among rescue workers who had come to New York from almost all 50 states. To make our case, we asked 9/11 heroes to visit Congress to make direct appeals to individual members. I particularly recall NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly sitting in my Washington office telling me about two cops who contract-

The enormity of what was becoming a 9/11 health crisis could no longer be denied. In 2008, we thought our legislation — named the Zadroga Bill, after James Zadroga, who was believed to be the first NYPD officer to die from a 9/11 illness — would be included in a large year-end package of legislation agreed on by Congress and the White House. Unfortunately the combined tumult of a Presidential election and a stock market collapse prevented it from coming to a vote, and there was no opportunity to salvage it.

After close but disappointing nearmisses over the next two years, primarily because of opposition from Republicans in Southern and Western states, I and others fought furiously to get Zadroga passed. I had no tolerance for opposition from the crowd who primarily represented states and districts that received disproportionate levels of federal assistance at the expense of donor states like New York, which effectively subsidized them. Finally, on Dec. 22, 2010, the last day of the congressional

Unfortunately the bill had a five-year limit, so we had to wage the fight again in 2015. This time the struggle wasn’t as difficult, and Zadroga was extended. But then, in 2019, we learned there were many more victims than expected, and the fund was running short. With the bipartisan support of Democrats like then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and House Republicans like then Whip Steve Scalise and Representatives Doug Collins and Mike Johnson, Zadroga was extended to the end of the century. I was proud to be with President Trump when he signed this legislation at a ceremony on the White House lawn.

Now the fund is seriously threatened by Musk’s misplaced cuts, which, probably made unknowingly, are causing many of the 9/11 doctors and experts to be terminated, including program Director Dr. John Howard.

Though the White House has promised to fully reinstate the program, so far it has not been done. Victims are being denied necessary testing. This insanity must end. Our nation’s commitment to the victims of 9/11 must be honored!

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

The new state budget is a victory for Hochul

merica is fixated on picking winners and losers. We use that term every day, applying it to sports, the stock market and every other field of endeavor. I heard it during the trial of O.J. Simpson, and I remember hearing it as far back as the 1960s, when, following a massive snowstorm, some parts of Queens were the last neighborhoods in New York City to see snowplows. Winners and losers are proclaimed extensively in politics, because politicians are tested on an almost daily basis.

Which leads to a discussion of the long-delayed New York state budget. Over the years, when there was an agreement between the three leaders — the governor, the leader of the State Senate and the Assembly speaker — they would all show up at a much-heralded news conference, at which each would take credit for some portion of the budget bill. For the past few years, that practice has changed, because the only person who has been taking the

Lmedia spotlight is Gov. Kathy Hochul. Before talking about winners and losers, it’s worth looking at this year’s budget process. The new spending plan budget is the latest to be finalized since 2010. Since the April 1 deadline, there have been 11 legislative extensions, which assures state employees that they can collect their paychecks. Could the governor have refused to delay the passage of an agreed-on budget and submitted her own spending plan on a take-itor-leave-it basis? The answer is yes. During the administration of Gov. David Paterson, the courts decided that if the Legislature can’t agree on a budget by March 31, the governor can force a vote on his or her own plan with no further delays. But in the spirit of harmony, succeeding governors have chosen to go through the arduous process of countless meetings and formal extensions until all of the parties sign on to a final accord. This year, Hochul made it clear that she had a long list of priorities, and had no plans to give in on them. She presented the Assembly and Senate with a long list of programs covering criminal law, edu-

cation, housing, mental hygiene and tax reform. When the dust settled, the two leaders got their asks, but the governor got the lion’s share of what she proposed back in January.

ooking to next year’s election, she set aside money for every region of the state.

With an eye on next year’s election, Hochul set aside money for every region of the state. She addressed subway crime, and sided with the state’s district attorneys on their demand for reforms that will allow them to prevent the dismissal of pending cases. Taxpayers can anticipate expansion of childcare tax credits and many other goodies, including $400 checks for families on limited incomes. School districts will get a hefty increase in education aid, and students won’t be unable use their cellphones from the first school bell to the last.

During a typical give-and-take that is part of the negotiating process, each of the parties shows some willingness to bend on their key issues. But this time, the governor stuck to her guns and yielded on very few issues. Facing what could be a very tough re-election campaign next year, Hochul dug in on almost every proposal she made and

gave little ground, which added to the delays. Albany insiders were surprised at her insistence on winning on so many issues, but she has powers, and used them.

An outsider might wonder why budgets take so long these days, compared with the process 20 and 30 years ago, when spending plans were adopted days and weeks before the deadline. Once upon a time, the state budget was strictly a numbers game. The leaders would promote their pet programs, and possibly sneak in a new program or two. But in the late 1980s, the leaders began to introduce items that were controversial and had little to do with the budget. Wrapped up in one big bill, these nonfiscal items would pass, because the members would have no choice but to swallow the whole document.

Is there a chance that state budgets will once again become just a numbers package? That’s highly unlikely, because all of the leaders have developed an appetite for inserting proposals in the budget that would have no chance of passing as stand-alone bills.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.

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aWelcoming home your freshman

s college dorm rooms empty across the nation, millions of parents are preparing for a significant homecoming. Your freshman is returning — perhaps changed, certainly tired, and undoubtedly with more laundry than you thought humanly possible. This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter in your family story, one that requires delicate navigation, open communication, and occasional deep breaths as you adjust to your evolving relationship.

The transformation that occurs during college’s freshman year is nothing short of remarkable. The timid student who needed reminders about deadlines may return with strong opinions about political systems you’ve never discussed. The picky eater might come home raving about kimchi or curry. The once-shy teenager might stride through your door with newfound confidence and independence. Your child has spent months making independent decisions, forming new social circles, and discovering aspects of themselves that may surprise you — and them.

What parents sometimes fail to acknowledge is that we’ve changed, too. We’ve adjusted to quieter evenings, reclaimed bathroom counter space, and perhaps discovered new routines or even aspects of our identities that had been subsumed by active parenting. Your student’s return disrupts not just their new normal, but yours as well.

The first summer home represents uncharted territory for both generations. Your student has grown accustomed to complete autonomy — deciding when to eat, sleep, study and socialize without consultation or explanation. Meanwhile, you’ve maintained a household with certain rhythms and expectations. Within the first few days of your college student’s homecoming, have a detailed conversation with them about expectations to prevent misunderstandings.

letters

We have to be cautious while supporting sustainability

To the Editor:

What routines did they develop at college? What do they need to feel comfortable at home? How will household responsibilities be shared? This opens the door to compromise rather than confrontation.

For many freshmen, college is their first opportunity to define themselves beyond their family context or high school reputation. They’ve experimented with new identities, beliefs and social circles. Coming home can feel like stepping backward, especially if you still see them as the person they were before they left.

This identity navigation works both ways. Your student may struggle to integrate their college self with their home self. They might seem different with college friends than with family. They might challenge family traditions or political views that once went unquestioned. These explorations, while sometimes uncomfortable, represent healthy development and should be met with curiosity rather than defensiveness.

Don’t be surprised if your student spends the first week home sleeping extraordinary hours, eating everything in sight, or displaying emotional volatility. Freshman year is physically and emotionally exhausting — particularly its conclusion, with final exams, packing and goodbyes to new friends. The transition home often reveals the school year’s toll. Students maintain a frantic pace during the semester, running on adrenaline and caffeine. When they finally reach the safety of home, their bodies and minds demand recovery time. Parents should view excessive sleeping or emotional sensitivity as necessary healing, not regression or laziness.

The social landscape for your adult child has likely shifted dramatically as well. High school friendships that once seemed permanent may have drifted. New romantic relationships may have formed. Your student might spend little

As communities across New York and the nation explore ways to transition to cleaner energy, there is growing momentum behind battery energy storage systems, particularly those using lithium-ion technology. However, we must not let the promise of sustainability blind us to the inconvenient truths of our present reality.

The concept of a circular battery economy — in which batteries are reused, repurposed, and ultimately recycled to recover key materials — is a commendable goal. Yet we are far from achieving it. Our current

time at home as they reconnect with local friends or process the changes in these relationships. Alternatively, they might seem isolated if their primary social connections now exist at school. Both scenarios require your patience and understanding.

And while your instinct might be to recreate family traditions exactly as they were before, this summer presents an opportunity to develop new ways of connecting that honor your student’s developing adulthood. Ask them to teach you about their newfound passions. Take them to places that were once offlimits — a sophisticated restaurant, an art exhibit — that signal your recognition of their maturation. When they share stories about college experiences, practice active listening without immediately offering advice. Questions like, “How did you handle that?” communicate respect for their problem-solving abilities and invite deeper conversation. There’s a poignant truth most parents discover during this first post-college summer: Each homecoming from now on will be temporary. Your child’s primary residence increasingly exists elsewhere — in dorms, apartments and, eventually, their own home. The full nest you’ll experience this summer will empty again, with each cycle of departure becoming more permanent.

This realization, while sometimes painful, also brings opportunity. The time-limited nature of these summers encourages making the most of the moments you share. Rather than focusing on the inevitable goodbye at summer’s end, embrace the gift of time together, even if it seems fleeting.

What awaits in these summer months is a delicate dance of holding close and letting go — a choreography that, when performed with grace, becomes the foundation for a relationship that will sustain you both long after the last box is packed for sophomore year.

Wnal, someone and deserves is far more during have a sonal experience of the behind My arrived hope and

HerNesto GaldaMeZ

opinions

Not all immigrants are criminals

when we hear the term “illegal immigrant,” it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that the individual is a criminal, someone who has broken the law, and deserves punishment. But the truth is far more nuanced. For many immigrants, coming to the United States without legal documentation isn’t an act of criminality, but an act of survival — an effort to escape violence, political persecution or a situation so dire that the only option is to flee.

As the child of immigrants who fled El Salvador during its civil war in the late 1980s, I have a perspective that is shaped by personal experience and an understanding of the deeper human motivations behind these decisions.

My parents, both from El Salvador, arrived in the U.S. with nothing but hope and fear for their lives. They

understood the risks they were taking by entering this country without legal documentation, but the alternative was staying in a country where the government was killing its own people.

El Salvador’s civil war, which began in 1979, was marked by brutal violence, corruption and ruthless repression. The Salvadoran government, heavily supported by U.S. military aid, waged war against leftist insurgents and civilians it accused of being sympathetic to them. Throughout the conflict, military and paramilitary forces committed countless atrocities — massacres, forced disappearances and the destruction of entire villages. Thousands of innocent civilians were murdered or disappeared simply for being suspected of opposing the government.

wasn’t just about seeking a better life; it was about survival. It was about fleeing a government that viewed its citizens as expendable.

F or my parents, staying in El Salvador meant living in constant fear.

This is not to say that I support illegal immigration or that breaking the law should be excused. But I believe it’s essential to understand the perspective of those who make the difficult decision to flee their homeland. My parents did not come here to exploit the system or cause harm. They came to escape unimaginable violence, and to find a place where they could live without the constant threat of death.

the mechanic, my father was the only one in his family to leave, and he never got the chance to see his parents again. A few years ago, he and I stood at their graves for the first time — a painful reminder that the cost of leaving isn’t just physical, but deeply emotional and enduring. His journey wasn’t about breaking the law; it was about survival. It’s easy to forget that behind every “illegal immigrant” label is someone with a story, and usually with pain, sacrifice and hope for a better future. These people don’t come here to break the law. They come to escape the laws and systems that were oppressing them. And for every immigrant like my father or that mechanic, there are countless others who face the same impossible decision every day.

For my parents, like many others, staying in El Salvador meant living in constant fear — fear of being killed, of losing loved ones, or of being caught in the crossfire of a war they had no part in starting. Their decision to leave

Letters

infrastructure for battery recycling is still in its infancy, and the environmental and economic costs of lithium extraction remain extraordinarily high.

Lithium mining is not benign — it consumes vast amounts of water, devastates ecosystems, and often occurs in regions with poor labor and environmental protections. Meanwhile, the lack of cost-effective and widely available recycling facilities means that today’s lithium-based storage systems could become tomorrow’s toxic waste problem.

Until we have robust recycling infrastructure, updated fire and safety codes, and enforceable end-oflife regulations for BESS, policymakers must exercise caution. Approving large-scale lithiumbased projects now, without these safeguards, risks trading one environmental crisis for another.

Sustainability must be more than a buzzword. It requires fullcycle accountability — from cradle to grave and, ideally, cradle to cradle. Let’s not build the clean-energy future on the unstable foundation of unresolved waste and extraction.

These are my beliefs as a private citizen, and do not reflect the official stance or opinion of the Village of Sea Cliff.

We must urge Israel to cease its military campaign

To the Editor:

I am not a Jew, but I am a Zionist, in that I support Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign state.

I regard Hamas as a terrorist organization guilty of a barbaric attack on Israeli civilians in October 2023 as well as vicious repression of the people it purports to represent. Hamas must free all hostages immediately and unconditionally.

But the time has come for American Jews and gentiles alike who share these views to publicly urge the Israeli government to cease its military campaign in Gaza. Our voices can be powerful — if we exercise our moral duty to speak out.

Even if Hamas has inflated the death count, it is incontestable that many thousands of non-combatant Palestinians, including children and aid workers, have been killed in Israeli strikes. It is likewise certain that civilian suffering, already acute, is intensifying as a result of Israel’s two-month-long blockade of food and medicine deliveries to Gaza. And any escalation of the war is sure to further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages, according to the Israeli forum of families of the hostages.

There’s nothing antisemitic

My father eventually found work managing an apartment complex in roslyn, contributing to society, paying taxes, and respecting the country that took him in, belying the false narrative that immigrants don’t pay taxes or contribute to the economy.

My parents’ story is far from unique. not long ago, I met a mechanic who had fled Venezuela to escape violence — just as my father had decades earlier. Like

Framework by Tim Baker

So, I ask: If you were living in a country where your government was killing its own people, where staying meant a likely death, would you remain and accept your fate, or would you flee in search of safety? Would you risk breaking the law for a chance at survival?

Hernesto Galdamez is editor of the Baldwin Herald.

about opposing Israel’s disproportionate response to Hamas’s atrocities. Indeed, this stance should rest firmly upon the core Jewish values of rachamim (mercy and

Alex Candon and her momentarily airborne daughter, Lilli, at the L.I. Marathon — East Meadow
KEVIn J. KELLEy Atlantic Beach
Hernesto GaLDameZ

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