Irish Pub holds annual cookoff Page 10 Baldwin schools send Valentine’s Page 20
Andrew Francis/Herald
During the “ICE Out” caravan demonstration, a program at Christ Lutheran Church in nearby Freeport offered information on how to handle potential ICE interactions.
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
Residents took to the streets of Baldwin and Freeport last Sunday for a mobile demonstration calling for the removal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from their neighborhoods. The protesters stated that the goals of the demonstration were to raise awareness of what they deem to be injustices in local communities, and to stand in support of immigrant neighbors across the county.
Demonstrators gathered outside Christ Lutheran Church in Freeport. Organizers from the Long Island Immigrant Justice Alliance gave them the details of the protest’s route and instructions for placing
protest signage on their vehicles.
The signs had demands such as “ICE Out,” “No Human is Illegal” and “Love thy Neighbor.” The protesters drove along Merrick Road, which organizer Rebecca Maines explained was intentional because of reported ICE activity and arrests along the major street.
Richard Koubek, a representative of the Immigrant Justice Alliance, explained that there was a great need for these demonstrations, focused not only on ICE’s actions, but also on the Nassau County Police Department’s collaboration with the agency.
“One of the goals is to call attention to the unjustifiable collaboration between the
By AllYSoN FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
The Meadow Elementary School PTA honored the founding leaders of the New York State PTA while celebrating members of its own community at its annual Founders Day Dinner and awards ceremony last week.
PTA Founders Day, celebrated annually on Feb. 17, marks the founding of the National Parent Teacher Association in 1897. Established by Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Selena Sloan Butler, the PTA was created to improve the education, health, safety and well-being of children nationwide.
Precognize volunteers and educators who support students throughout the year.
is more than an organization — it is a movement built on advocacy, service and community.
SoPhEA
“It reminds us that PTA is built on advocacy, service and family-school partnership,” Meadow PTA Co-president Sophea Sainsurin said in an email to the Herald. “At Meadow, it is a time to celebrate the impact of volunteers, educators and families who work together to create enriching experiences and supportive opportunities for students. It allows us to honor the individuals whose dedication strengthens our community and helps every child succeed.”
S AINSURIN
Founders Day serves as a time to reflect on the organization’s lasting impact and the important role family engagement and advocacy play in student success.
For Meadow Elementary, the event gives the PTA and school community an opportunity to
The event took place on Feb. 10, and the highlight was the announcement of the 2025-26 Honorary Lifetime Membership Award recipients. The award is one of the highest honors the PTA presents, recognizing those who demonstrate exceptional dedication and service to children and the school commu-
COntInuED On pagE 6
By CHRIS COLUCCI
ccolucci@liherald.com
Each year, the US celebrates dozens of month-long observations including women’s history month in March, Jewish American Heritage Month in May and National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Every February, Black History Month turns a spotlight toward countless Black figures who have influenced society, as well as the issues they faced which continue to impact the population of 51 million Black Americans today.
February’s designation as Black History Month has been formally recognized across the United States for 50 years. In 1976, during the United States Bicentennial, President Gerald Ford was the first president to declare the month was a way to honor what he called, “the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
However, its foundation of awareness and attention traces back to 1926 when historian and journalist Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched and popularized Negro History Week. Woodson chose the second week in February in order to capture the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln, Feb. 12, and Frederick Douglass, Feb. 14 — both men being crucially influential to Black history. The week was acknowledged for decades somewhat informally from city to city, with Ford ultimately issuing the first presidential message to recognize the entire month.
Schools use February as a chance to dive into age-appropriate lessons regarding Black history, culture, contributions, and key personalities. Whether it’s elementary schools teaching about George Washington Carver’s peanut-based innovations or high schoolers learning about the hard-fought Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, educators take the opportunity to explore topics more in-depth than general lesson plans otherwise accommodate.
The month-long acknowledgment isn’t limited to school settings. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History — the organization founded by Woodson in 1915 — suggests reading books written by Black authors, watching films and documentaries created by Black filmmakers, supporting local Black-owned businesses, learning about important Black leaders, and attending or organizing educational events. The ASALH also points out that the recognition and research doesn’t need to be limited to the 28-day month — it can be a timeless process.
While Black History Month is often used to reflect on notable people and their work in general, every year is technically given a specific theme determined by the ASALH. Dating back to the initial conception in 1926, Woodson believed that focusing on specific concepts could be potentially more beneficial than working in broad strokes. As listed on their main website, ASALH.org, the theme for 2026 is, appropriately, “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”
In a statement posted on their site, the ASALH explained, “We have never had more need to examine the role of Black History Month than we do when forces weary of democracy seek to use legislative means and book bans to excise Black history from America’s schools and public culture.” They continued succinctly, “Black history’s value is not its contribution to mainstream historical narratives, but its resonance in the lives of Black people.”
Schools across the Baldwin Union Free School District marked P.S. I Love You Day with a week of activities promoting kindness, mental health awareness and anti-bullying efforts, culminating with students and staff wearing purple in solidarity on Feb. 13.
Observed annually on the second Friday in February, the initiative is organized by the Long Island-based nonprofit P.S. I Love You Day Inc., which encourages communities to support those facing mental health challenges and remind students they are not alone. This year’s theme, “Be the Light,” emphasized the importance of supporting those who may feel isolated.
At Baldwin Middle School, students participated in a spirit week featuring themed attire and created purple hearts with affirmations during Community Circles.
“At Baldwin Middle School, P.S. I Love You Day is more than wearing purple,” Principal Erica Taylor said. “It is a reminder that every word we speak, and every action we take has the power to lift someone up. When we choose kindness, write messages of encouragement, and lead with love, we create a school where every child and adult feels seen, valued and supported.”
Meadow Elementary School hosted assemblies focused on kindness and the mind-body connection, organized intergrade activities and created Kindness Grams to support a children’s home. Steele and Plaza elementary schools also held assemblies and activities emphasizing compassion and inclusion, reinforcing district wide messages of kindness and connection ahead of winter recess.
worked together in their classroom to assemble snack bags as part of activities focused on kindness and community during P.S. I Love You
By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
Here we go again.
Joseph Scianablo, a Marine combat veteran, retired New York City Police officer, and former Queens prosecutor, announced his candidacy for Hempstead Town Supervisor last week, launching a rematch against incumbent Republican Supervisor John Ferretti.
Scianablo, a Democrat who ran for the same office last year, said his previous campaign helped bring attention to what he described as backroom deals, inflated fees and political favoritism in Town Hall. Now, he says he’s returning “to finish the job.”
Ferretti defeated Scianablo last November. Terms for town supervisors are two years, however following a change in state law next year that shifted county, town and village municipal elections to even years, meaning that Ferretti will return to the ballot this year.
“I am running because the people of the Town of Hempstead deserve a government that works for them, not for a handful of insiders,” Scianablo wrote in his announcement on Feb. 4. “What we uncovered was only the beginning, and it makes it clear there is still more that needs to be brought into the open.”
Tinfluence or affluence.
“Whether you live in one of the Town’s most affluent neighborhoods or one that’s been ignored for years,” Scianablo said, “you deserve the same level of service, the same respect, and the same value for your tax dollars.”
If elected, prioritizing exposing mismanagement, initiating an independent audit of town finances, and reducing fees and water costs, are among Scianablo’s top priorities. “We are going to put your money back to work for you,” he added.
His campaign has received the endorsement of New York State and Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs, who praised Scianablo’s background in military service, law enforcement and the legal system.
he people of the Town of Hempstead deserve a government that works for them, not for a handful of insiders.
JosEph sciaNaBLo Candidate for Hempstead Town Supervisor
Following the appointment of Ferretti last August as town supervisor, Scianablo filed a lawsuit alleging that Ferretti and the board violated the state’s Open Meetings Law, which requires 24 hours’ public notice for resolutions scheduled at meetings. State Supreme Court Justice Gary Carlton ruled last October that the appointment had violated the law, but the decision did not nullify Ferretti’s appointment.
His campaign is centered on the slogan “No Community Left Behind,” a promise, he said, to provide equal service to every neighborhood, regardless of political
“Joe Scianablo represents the very best of public service,” Jacobs wrote in a statement. “He has the courage to tell the truth, the experience to lead, and the determination to deliver real results for the people of Hempstead.”
Scianablo acknowledged that he expects a difficult campaign, but he is prepared. “I’ve taken on tough fights my entire life,” he said. “This is no different. We know there is a lot more to fix and that needs to be brought into the open, and we are ready.”
In response to Scianablo’s announcement, Brian Devine, director of communications for the Town of Hempstead, wrote in a statement to the Herald, “Supervisor John Ferretti has made life more affordable for residents by cutting Town taxes by millions of dollars and he will continue to work tirelessly to keep our community the safest in the nation.”
Joseph Cairo, the Nassau County GOP chairman, expressed his confidence in Ferretti’s reelection chances. “John Ferretti has delivered meaningful tax relief, making life more affordable for all residents,” Cairo wrote in an emailed statement to the Herald.
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nity. It honors a lasting commitment to advocacy, leadership and supporting family engagement, and the impact recipients have made on students and families.
In addition to this distinction, PTA units may also present Distinguished Service Awards to recognize longstanding and extraordinary contributions to the school community. Meadow also highlighted partnerships with SEPTA, which supports students with special needs and their families, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and ensuring that all school families feel supported and represented.
Recipients are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to children, families and the school community, including leadership, service, advocacy and meaningful contributions that strengthen partnerships in the school.
According to Sainsurin, the selection process begins with nominations from members of the Meadow community, followed by committee review and final selection.
“Each year, the process is incredibly meaningful and challenging because there are so many deserving candidates,” she wrote. “Honorees are not notified in advance and typically learn
of their recognition during the Founders Day celebration.”
This year the Meadow PTA recognized Sainsurin, Pria Das, Helen Singson, Andrew Wright, Nikki Dupo and Catherine Mercedes, representing SEPTA, as Honorary Lifetime Members. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Vincenza Simal, for her continued dedication to the Meadow school community.
Das, a second-grade teacher and Community Problem Solvers coach, said the recognition reflects the collaborative spirit in the school. “It truly feels incredibly meaningful to be recognized by the Meadow community,” she said.
“This recognition feels less like an individual achievement and more like a celebration of the collective effort we put into supporting our students and strengthening our community.”
Das said her motivation comes from watching students realize the power of small acts of service and kindness.
“Supporting Meadow allows me to help create meaningful opportunities for students to recognize needs in their community and take action,” she said. “It’s inspiring to watch them realize that their voices matter and that they have the power to make a difference. When I was younger, the teachers that always
Second-grade teacher and Community problem Solvers coach pria das, right, celebrated her Honorary Lifetime membership recognition with family members at the meadow elementary School pta founders day dinner and awards ceremony, where she was honored for promoting inclusion, student leadership and community engagement.
made a lasting impact for me were the ones who invested just a little more in who I was as a student.”
Mercedes, Meadow PTA co-president and a SEPTA advocate, said the recognition was emotional and unexpected. “I began this journey with the simple goal of giving back and supporting our community for the well-being and growth of our children and school,” she said. “To be recognized for doing meaningful and valuable work is incredibly rewarding.”
Mercedes added that her children inspired her involvement and commitment to ensuring that families, especially those in the special-education community, feel supported and informed.
“It truly takes a village to raise a healthy and well-educated child,” she said. “When we show up for families who may need additional support, we help create a more inclusive and empowered community for all students.”
Wright, Meadow’s assistant head custodian, said the award felt personal because of his lifelong connection to the community.
“It was truly an honor and surprising,” he said. “This community has supported me throughout my whole life, from childhood to now. I always wanted to give back to the community that
helped make me into the person I am today.”
Simal, who received an Honorary Lifetime Award in 2012, said her passion for teaching keeps her committed to Meadow. “Being recognized by the Meadow community feels truly special,” she said. “It is an honor to be acknowledged for doing what I love. Seeing the excitement in a child’s eyes when they learn something new and being part of their journey is incredibly rewarding.”
The evening also featured live entertainment after the ceremony, with mentalist David Lawrence, of Magic of the Mind, impressing attendees before families gathered for a buffet dinner.
PTA leaders said the celebration ultimately reflects the purpose behind Founders Day itself — recognizing that schools thrive when families, educators and volunteers work together in service of children.
“PTA is more than an organization — it is a movement built on advocacy, service and community,” Sainsurin said.
“As we celebrate our past and look toward the future, we remain committed to supporting every child, strengthening partnerships, and continuing to be strong advocates for students and families.”
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN & JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO of the Herald Community Newspapers
Second installment in a series about water.
It’s impossible to discuss Long Island’s groundwater without addressing Northrop Grumman.
The Long Island aeronautics industry was a key asset to the United States armed forces in the last century, testing and manufacturing nearly 30,000 airplanes for the U.S. Navy starting in the 1930s, and later producing the lunar module for Apollo 11’s landing on the moon. For over 50 years, the Northrop Grumman Bethpage Facility and Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant Site was at the center of American defense and innovation — and one of the largest chemical contamination sites in New York.
According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the degreasing agent trichloroethene leaked from NWIRP’s plumbing and dumping sites into the Magothy Aquifer — which provides water to much of Nassau County — creating the Navy Grumman groundwater plume.
tions or captured in granulated carbon, preventing any future leaks.
The DEC’s 2019 Record of Decision was the first formal plan for cleaning up the site. Before then, there were around 10 extraction wells in the affected area. Since the ROD, the number of wells has risen to 26, supported by five watertreatment plants. The aggressive plan to stop the plume’s southward migration was motivated by the DEC’s zero-tolerance attitude toward chemical contamination, Pelton said.
“Groundwater exists in these voids between grains of sand and soils in what we call pore spaces,” Granzen explained. “Water moves in between those pore spaces. When the contaminants get mixed with the groundwater, that causes movement.”
“The water districts should not have to address this,” Pelton said. “That’s the primary driver here: removing the TCE from the aquifer system so that we’ve got a better drinking water source.”
The plume is a twomile-by-four-mile body of TCE with the potential to leach into Long Island’s South Shore waters and the Great South Bay, according to Jason Pelton, director of Remedial Bureau D in the DEC’s Division of Environmental Remediation.
“As plumes go, it’s probably the largest in New York state,” Pelton said. “It may be one of the largest in the country.”
Bethpage’s tarnished legacy
Shortly after the plume was identified in 1983, the DEC formed a partnership with both the responsible parties, the Navy and Northrop Grumman, to begin restoration efforts. The two groups operate extraction wells, large structures that siphon water out of the aquifer, filter out TCE, and send the water back underground by way of recharge basins.
“I’ve been very impressed with the Navy and Northrop Grumman’s ability to locate these wells precisely where they need to be, and to see the contaminant numbers that are coming out in these locations,” Kristin Granzen, DEC project manager for the U.S. Navy Bethpage site, said.
The joint cleanup effort processes about 10 million gallons of contaminated water per day, according to DEC documents provided to the Herald. The agency estimates that about 80 percent of the contamination — 276,000 pounds — has been removed from the Magothy Aquifer and destroyed in chemical reac-
The DEC’s goal is to reduce the aquifer’s TCE levels to 5 parts per billion, the groundwater safety standard, though much of the plume’s area is still over 50 ppb, according to DEC map data from May 2025.
“The fact that it’s predominantly TCE makes it a little bit easier,” Pelton added. “The challenge is the magnitude of the contamination … I would say maybe we’re pumping in the interior of the plume for 30 or 40 more years.”
Chemicals linger, at what cost?
While the cleanup continues, the plume’s public health effects have been a topic of endless discussion. Its cleanup is made possible by collaboration with local municipalities, home to the county’s hundreds of monitoring wells collecting data on groundwater. They are a strict quality-control measure assessing whether the water is safe to consume or to use in irrigation.
Kevin Reilly, who oversees the monitoring of the Massapequa Water District as its superintendent, told the Herald that if the chemicals posed no real health risks to the community, there would be no need for the decades-long cleanup effort. The district serves parts of Massapequa, Massapequa Park and North Massapaqua, all areas just south of Bethpage, where the plume originated.
After filtration, there are no risks to residents’ health, the DEC maintains. “I would say the overall health of the aquifer is healthy,” Pelton said. “It’s important that people know that their drinking water is really high quality, and it’s absolutely safe to drink that water.”
According to a chemical profile from the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Courtesy Department of Environmental Conservation this map shows the estimated extent of the navy grumman groundwater plume, which was first identifed in 1983, based on the most recent data from 2025.
Disease Registry, a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TCE can be a carcinogen with high exposure, and the state Department of Health conducted an environmental health investigation in Bethpage, finalized in 2013, on whether long-term exposure to contamination from the sites had affected local cancer rates.
According to the department’s report, there was no correlation between the presence of TCE in the aquifer with cancer rates on Long Island. The most commonly diagnosed cancers in the areas affected by the plume were those typically seen most often in adults, and no single rare cancer type appeared more than once. Most diagnoses occurred at ages when cancer is generally most common. There was no indication that the cancers were linked to environmental findings.
The health department continues routine monitoring of drinking water and remediation efforts to protect public health as the cleanup progresses.
At the request of the Bethpage community, the department is revisiting the
2013 study, and its work is expected to be completed by the end of this year. In a written statement, the department told the Herald that the update cannot provide a direct link between cancer cases and environmental exposure, including the plume. Evaluations of environmental exposure can draw some health associations, but they cannot determine causality.
“There is no new threat to public health, and prior exposures have been addressed for more than a decade due to the efforts of New York State,” the statement read. “The Department is currently working on the study and upon completion of the report will announce findings and host a public meeting.”
The race against the spread
The state continues its effort to clean up the plume while keeping the affected communities informed. The DEC facilitates regular community meetings through its Community Participation Working Group, comprising elected officials, agencies, businesses and experts
Continued from PreViouS PAGe
that meet on a quarterly basis. The group was established to foster dialogue, improve public understanding, and encourage discussion of the cleanup.
The DEC staff also provides regular project updates at Bethpage Community Council meetings, which are held at the Bethpage Public Library and open to the public.
According to the DEC’s January Groundwater Plume Cleanup Update, public water suppliers treat groundwater using established methods to contain regulated contaminants before they reach homes and businesses. Water is drawn from designated sources, treated to meet all federal and state drinking water standards, and distributed through a network of mains and storage tanks. Throughout the process, water quality is continuously monitored to ensure that it remains safe to drink.
The challenge is the magnitude of the contamination.
Jason PelTon Remedial bureau director, Department of Environmental Conservation
“We work really closely with the water districts in Nassau County,” Pelton said. “Every single day they provide high-quality drinking water that meets all of the New York State Department of Health drinking water requirements.”
The system relies on multiple safeguards to maintain high water quality and protect public health. This approach ensures that if standards are not met, suppliers notify customers and take corrective action, which can include temporarily taking wells out of service.
Negotiations among public water suppliers, the DEC, Northrop Grumman and the Navy have focused on funding the treatment systems used to maintain safe drinking water. The Bethpage Water District, for example, operates treatment systems that are considered among the most advanced in the nation, according to the DEC.
Though it is currently not affected, the Massapequa Water District is just outside the current spread of the plume. “We are not an active part of the cleanup yet,” Reilly said. “We monitor — there’s monitoring wells that we get the data from the Navy and their consultants and the DEC. But we don’t have any contamination in our wells from the Grumman Navy plume at this time.”
Common misconception has led many Long Island residents to believe the entirety of the South Shore has been impacted, which is not the case. Nonetheless, Reilly said, “The plume is migrating and flowing towards our district.”
He explained that while large-scale, permanent systems for treating the underground water are currently under construction, temporary systems have been installed along the leading edge of the plume. They operate on a smaller scale, but they are designed to be mobile, and can be relocated as needed to respond to changing conditions while the permanent treatment infrastructure is being completed.
“The water districts to the north of us are already treating their wells for the contaminants, and they’ve spent millions upon millions of dollars to get these treatment systems in place,” Reilly said. “We haven’t had to do that yet — we’re watching. We don’t want to have to do that, and we’re constantly involved in pushing to get these Navy treatment systems up and running, to treat the groundwater.”
Northrop Grumman did not respond to requests for comment.
the northrop Grumman rW-21 Area Groundwater extraction and treatment system processes water when it is pumped out of the aquifer, before sending it back underground.
Courtesy Northrop Grumman northrop Grumman was a major manufacturer in the aeronautics industry for the u.S. armed forces. Above, airplane parts in of one its factories.
study that shows local governments and corporations working together to protect communities. The plume’s development and spread also show that the consequences of a mistake can be challenging to deal with, and that decades of damage require as much or more time to repair. The DEC’s expertise, Northrop Grumman and the Navy’s willingness to take responsibility, and the help of local water districts, were essential in making the restoration effort possible.
The public can receive updates about the plume cleanup effort at the DEC’s Bethpage Community Council meetings at the Bethpage Public Library, the Navy’s semi-annual Resident Advisory Board meetings online at NAVFAC.Navy.Mil/Divisions/Environmental, and Northrop Grumman’s website, NorthropGrumman.com/Sustainability.
deCeX6 is an early exploration well designed to support the cleanup of the plume. the well, installed in the town of oyster Bay by the State department of environmental Conservation, awaits potential future use if needed.
By ALLYSON FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
The Irish Pub in Baldwin was packed on Sunday as residents gathered for the annual chili cook-off, a community tradition blending friendly competition, local pride and plenty of warm comfort food.
Dozens of guests filled the pub to sample a wide variety of chili recipes prepared by local participants, each hoping to earn bragging rights and impress judges and neighbors alike. The event also served as a social gathering point, bringing together longtime patrons, newcomers and community leaders in support of local businesses and organizations.
Guests paid a $20 door fee, which included unlimited chili tastings and one complimentary drink, allowing attendees to try each entry and cast votes for their favorites throughout the afternoon. The event also included a Daytona 500 car pool.
Shawn Sabel, owner of The Irish Pub, helped organize the event and prepared the tasting stations before guests lined up to sample the competing dishes. Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Vice President Sean Gleason officially kicked off the tasting, signaling the start of an afternoon of sampling and voting.
Among this year’s returning competitors was Jessenia Melendez, last year’s cook-off winner, who returned to defend her title with her popular chorizo chili recipe.
The gathering finally took place this year on Feb. 15, after being postponed due to snow a few weeks prior.
The winning chef received a $200 cash prize sponsored by The Cools Team of Compass Real Estate, adding extra excitement to the friendly culinary competition.
Throughout the event, residents chatted at the bar, watched sports broadcasts and caught up with friends while tasting entries, reinforcing the cook-off’s role as both a culinary contest and a community celebration.
For Baldwin residents, the cook-off remains less about competition and more about connection — and an excuse to enjoy a good bowl of chili among friends.
Compiled by Herald Staff
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Tim Baker/Herald photos
County executive, now the GOP nominee for governor, has plenty to say about Hochul at convention
By Chris ColuCCi, ABigAil grieCo & AngelinA ZingAriello of the Herald
After three days of official business, rallying the party faithful and nominating the state Republican slate, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman was front and center at the party’s convention in Garden City last week, and accepted the GOP’s nomination to be its gubernatorial candidate.
If elected, Blakeman would be only the second Long Islander to become governor, 127 years after Teddy Roosevelt did so, and the first Nassau County executive to hold the state’s top office.
Blakeman criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul and pledged to cut income taxes for middle-class families, reduce electricity bills by rolling back stateimposed fees and mandates, and redirect spending he said is being wasted to instead fund schools, infrastructure, hospitals and services for veterans.
“Taxes are soaring, electric bills and insurance premiums keep climbing out of control,” Blakeman said on Feb. 11, the third and final day of the convention. “Crime is rising. Businesses are leaving the state in record numbers. Families and seniors are being priced out of their homes. New York ranks dead last for economic development, and number 45 out of 50 states in the nation for affordability, and it’s all a direct result of Kathy Hochul’s failed policies.”
He vowed to oppose congestion pricing, protect Second Amendment rights and support law enforcement, including keeping violent offenders in prison and revisiting criminal justice policies such as cashless bail and parole standards.
“I will bring the experience, leadership and focus on public safety,” Blakeman said. “We will make you safer in your homes and your communities, and we will continue to fight for your families. I will be governor for all the people, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, abilities and lifestyles.”
Upstate Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood was introduced as Blakeman’s running mate, the candidate for lieutenant governor. Hood pledged to support Blakeman and help lead what he described as an effort to fix the state’s pressing problems. A third-term elected sheriff with more than 30 years of law enforcement service, Hood framed his candidacy around public safety and government accountability. He argued that the state has become less safe and more expensive under oneparty rule, criticizing bail laws, antipolice rhetoric and high taxes that he said have hurt communities and driven families and small businesses out of the state. Hood said that he and Blakeman would stand with law enforcement and crime victims, cut taxes, rein in state spending and work to make New York more affordable.
“That’s the kind of leadership that I’ll bring to the lieutenant governor’s office,” Hood said. “Bruce Blakeman and
the party’s nominee for governor, noted Gov. Kathy Hochul’s “failed policies” on Feb. 11.
I are running to restore common sense.”
Former Gov. George Pataki, New York’s last Republican governor, who served three terms, from 1995 to 2006, offered his support as well, making clear the party’s push to win back the governor’s office.
“I’ve known Bruce for decades,” Pataki said of Blakeman. “He is someone who loves this country and loves this state. He is someone who has dedicated his life to public service to make the lives of others better. And he hasn’t just tried. He has succeeded.”
Delegates also nominated Saritha Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor, for attorney general, with 86.3 percent of the vote. She defeated Brooklyn attorney Khurram Dara. Komatireddy emphasized her experience prosecuting terrorism and public corruption, and pledged to focus on public safety.
“I’ve spent my life in public service and public safety,” she said. “New Yorkers are tired of seeing criminals released over and over again while families feel
the office.
unsafe in their own communities.”
The party’s nominee for comptroller, Joseph Hernandez, shared his family’s story of emigrating from Cuba after his father was a political prisoner. He criticized current Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and outlined plans to invest $1 billion in Israeli bonds and launch a proposed $10 billion “Empire Opportunity Fund.”
“I know a communist when I see a communist,” Hernandez said of DiNapoli. “My friends, he is a communist.”
Long Beach Republican Chairman Jim Moriarty pointed to Nassau County as a microcosm of the state.
“In Nassau County, the demographics and all other statistics mirrors the state of New York,” Moriarty said on the second day of the convention. “He’s got tremendous executive experience,” he added of Blakeman. “He’s shown he can win and attract bipartisan support. He’s going to be a tremendous candidate and a great governor.”
Along with Hochul, the Democratic
slate includes incumbents Attorney General Letitia James and DiNapoli, a native Long Islander. The lieutenant governor candidate is Adrienne Adams, the former speaker of the New York City Council.
Hochul received a boost in her campaign when current Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado suspended his campaign for governor, deciding not to challenge her in the Democratic primary.
Blakeman is expected to face a challenge in the Republican primary from Libertarian candidate Larry Sharpe. That election is June 23. The general election is on Nov. 3.
Despite Republican support inside the building, Democrats outside made their presence known on Feb. 11.
“We’re here to send a message to our Republicans over in the hotel across the street that we’re not going to stand for electing a man as governor of this state who’s going to kowtow to Donald Trump,” state Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs said.
Nominate a student under 18 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.
Submit a nomination of approximately 100 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?
Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.
Long Island Immigrant Justice Alliance demonstrators called for more humane and compassionate treatment of immigrants, documented or not.
Nassau County Police and ICE through the 287(g) agreements, which allow them to collaborate with ICE,” Koubek said. “We’re also calling attention to the immorality of the roundups of immigrants, three-quarters of whom have no criminal record.”
ICE’s 287(g) program authorizes it to request that state and local law enforcement officers undertake “specified immigration officer functions
under ICE’s direction and oversight,” according to ICE’s website. The program is intended to promote more seamless immigration law-enforcement efforts.
The agency has at least one active agreement with state or local officials in 40 U.S. states, including, in New York state, Nassau County.
The Nassau County Police Department said it would respond to questions whether it would consider reviewing or repeal its 287(g) agreement with ICE, but had not done so by the time of publication.
MARCH 13 • 10AM-12:30PM
EAST MEADOW BETH-EL JEWISH CENTER 1400 Prospect Ave, East Meadow
FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle
Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers
Take advantage of on-site health screenings
Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences
Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A
Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways
Snack station for all
All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.
AGENDA: VISIT EXHIBITORS 10:00AM - 12:30PM
EXPERT PANEL + Q&A 11:30AM - 12:30PM RAFFLE DRAWINGS*
*must be present to win
Register for this FREE event: RichnerLIVE.com/march.expo
TOne protester, Cheryl Keshner, a member of the Immigrant Justice Alliance, said that a public demonstration of compassion and support for migrant families living in fear is an important way to show more humanity than she believes ICE and many government officials are displaying.
hese are not people who are a danger to us. These are our friends, our neighbors, our family.
“They’re separating families — they’re violently tearing people out of the communities,” Keshner said.
“These are not people who are a danger to us. These are our friends, our neighbors, our family. So we’re here to say enough is enough. We need this to stop, and we want our immigrant community to know that they’re not alone and that we support them.”
Keshner added that she believed immigration law enforcement ought to be handled by local police, particularly when dealing with criminal offenders.
At Christ Lutheran, Immigrant Justice Alliance volunteers offered people information on dealing with ICE agents and other immigration concerns. A representative of the church said it was not part of the protest, and had agreed only to allow the program to use the building and to let the caravan begin in its parking lot.
The event did not have a religious theme, but participants were from a variety of denominations and faiths, including Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Buddhists. Maines said that despite the rhetoric of some Christians justifying the actions of the federal government and ICE, she felt called to follow the principal of loving your neighbors.
“It’s very important to me to look at the words that Jesus actually said, telling us to welcome our neighbor, and that is what we do to the least of us,” Maines said.
“I think it’s very important to me as a Christian to stand with people who are suffering, the people in need.”
By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com
Wearing red and armed with blood pressure cuffs, health professionals at Mount Sinai South Nassau marked Feb. 6z with a Go Red Day celebration aimed at raising awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death for women in the United States.
The event brought doctors, nurses and community educators together to spotlight prevention, early detection and the often-overlooked ways in which heart disease affects women differently than men.
Free blood pressure screenings and educational demonstrations were offered throughout the morning.
“Heart disease is still not on most women’s radar,” said Dr. Pilar StevensHaynes, the hospital’s director of noninvasive cardiology and board president of the American Heart Association on Long Island. “Women tend to fear breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, but cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer of women.”
According to the American Heart Association, one of every three women who die each year succumbs to heart dis-
ease, compared with one of every 31 who dies from breast cancer. Since 1984, more women than men have died annually from heart disease, and 90 percent of women have at least one risk factor.
Stevens-Haynes emphasized the importance of knowing personal health numbers — particularly blood pressure — and understanding that women’s symptoms can be subtler than the classic chest pain often portrayed on television.
“Women are much less likely to have that crushing chest pain,” StevensHaynes explained. “Symptoms can be fatigue, shortness of breath, exercise
intolerance or even indigestion. Too often women dismiss these signs as stress, weight gain or just being out of shape.”
Nurse Abigail Fromm, the hospital’s director of community education, echoed that message, noting that many people either do not have a primary care physician or don’t understand their readings when they are checked.
“We hear it all the time: someone thinks 140 over 80 is normal,” Fromm said. “But there are evidence-based guidelines that define what’s healthy. Knowing your numbers gives you a baseline, and that’s where prevention starts.”
Members of the MSSN staff demonstrated how to interpret blood pressure readings and explained the risks associated with uncontrolled hypertension. Fromm encouraged staffers as well as visitors to stop by the screening tables.
“We do this every year because it’s a reminder — not just for staff, but for the entire community,” Fromm said. “We don’t just wait for people to come to us. We go out into the community — senior centers, schools, universities, recreation centers and fire departments — to remove barriers to care.”
Go Red Day is held annually, she said, though this year’s event was scaled back due to staffing challenges. Still, hospital leaders said it was important not to skip the awareness campaign.
“This time of year is a reset for a lot of people,” Fromm said. “They’re coming off the holidays and thinking about lifestyle changes. It’s the perfect time to remind them to check their blood pressure, watch their diet and understand their risk.”
Stevens-Haynes also discussed how life stages unique to women — including pregnancy, menopause and hormonal changes — can increase cardiovascular risk. She noted that while estrogen may offer some protection before menopause, risk rises significantly later in life, often catching women off guard.
“By the time women reach 65, their risk equals or exceeds that of men,” Stevens-Haynes explained. “And because women haven’t always been told they’re at risk, they may delay seeking help.”
She pointed to advances in screening and imaging that now allow physicians to detect early signs of heart disease before symptoms appear. Tests such as a coronary calcium scoring can help determine whether patients need medication or lifestyle changes.
“Primary prevention is always better than treating disease after the fact,” Stevens-Haynes said. “We’re now able to give patients a clearer picture of their risk and intervene earlier.”
National Wear Red Day, observed annually on the first Friday in February, is part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign. The initiative aims to change the perception of heart disease, improve research and encourage women to take charge of their heart health.
“The more we talk about it, the more normal these conversations become,” Stevens-Haynes said. “Heart disease is preventable in many cases, but only if women know the risks and take action.”
By Andrew Coen
Acentury after the team’s founding, Harlem Globetrotters storied history comes alive when the latest iteration of the quickfingered hoops stars return here.
The Globetrotters bring their 100 Year Tour to Nassau Coliseum, on Feb. 21, giving fans a chance to see the team’s well-known acrobatic dunks, trick shots and long-range shots up close. This special appearance marks the first time the iconic team — debuting their new 100 Year jerseys — has performed in the arena against longtime rivals, the Washington Generals, since 2017. From gravity-defying dunks to game-changing tricks, everyone will certainly feel the history, the joy, and those “wow” moments in true Globetrotters style.
What started with Curly, Meadowlark, Wilt, and Geese continues on today with Hammer, Torch, Bulldog, Cheese, Jet, Wham, Thunder, TNT — and so many more. Taking inspiration from the fun-loving and awe-inspiring players of the past, today’s Globetrotters stars are ready to wow you on the court and in the crowd
The team is full of a number of talented men and women basketball players who were for various
courtesy Harlem Globetrotters Andrew “Big Dog” Whitsett, right, a 7’1” forward/finisher, commands attention with his size and presence on the court.
Wild days in the Bronx
reasons counted out throughout their lives, according to Lucius “Too Tall” Winston, who has spent the last nine years with the Globetrotters. Winston, despite his nickname, only measures 5’11’’ and was told by a former coach at age 15 he was too short to play college or professional basketball.
“You have a ton of guys through our team that had to face adversity and that builds character,” he says. “I got a chance to see that coach a couple years ago after he saw me play and he said he wanted to apologize for what he said to me and I told him if he didn’t tell me those words at that age I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.”
The centennial season’s “5th Quarter” postgame session gives fans some special moments with players. and pursue their dreams — anything is possible with good
Chazz Palminteri is back on the Paramount stage with his electrifying solo performance of “A Bronx Tale,” the autobiographical one-man show that launched his remarkable career. Riveting and deeply personal, it draws on Palminteri’s bruising Bronx childhood, including the moment — at nine-years-old — when he witnessed a gangland killing that forever shaped his view of the world. Palminteri inhabits 18 vivid haracters, seamlessly shifting between friends, foes and family members to conjure an entire neighborhood with nothing but his voice, physicality and storytelling prowess. First written and performed in 1989, “A Bronx Tale” became a sensation, hailed as one of the most sought-after properties since “Rocky.” The original production paved the way for the acclaimed film adaptation — directed by Robert De Niro — and later a hit Broadway musical.
Sunday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
• Feb. 21, 2 p.m.
Winston is as fanatical about basketball today as he was as a young player in his hometown of Russellville, Ala. His love of the sport has crossed from player to coach to motivational speaker. Winston dedicates his personal time to organizations that shine a light on the sport with emphasis on leadership, team work and focus. True joy for him comes with motivating kids to get out of their comfort zone and pursue their dreams — anything is possible with good character, good grades and hard work.
• Tickets range from $50-$200; available at ticketmaster.com and harlemglobetrotters.com
The Globetrotters have revolutionized the sport of basketball throughout its 100-year history, including popularizing the slam dunk The team’s roster includes Zeus McClurkin, who set a record for the most dunks in a minute with 16 in 2016.
• Nassau Coliseum, Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale
Guard Lucius “Too Tall” Winston’s favorite trick is the 2 Ball Spin. He holds eight Guinness World Records, including Most Figure Eight Dribbles in One Minute (2020 and Most Three Point Shots Made By a Pair in One Minute (2020).
In addition to the Globetrotters’ famed high-flying dunks, the number of longdistance shots are always a thrill.The Globetrotters famously introduced a 4-point shot in 201, 30 feet from the basket, which is seven feet longer than the NBA’s three-point line.
Winston, who played college basketball at Tuskegee University, relates that interaction with the fans is what makes attending a Globetrotter game particularly unique. Among the signature moments, the team holds a free postgame autograph session. And during the game those in the crowd are frequently called down to the court to participate in stunts. Everyone can also take part in premium options that enable pregame access to meet players along with joining the team for warmups on the court.
“You get to see guys that can play the game at a high level who can jump out of the gym and shoot the ball extremely well and you’ll also see plenty of entertainment as well,” Winston says. “It’s a high quality game from start to finish and then at the end fans are allowed to come down courtside and get autographs and take pictures with us.”
McClurkin, who set a record for the most dunks in a minute courtside and get autographs and take pictures with us.”
future Hall of Famers like Wilt Chamberlain and Connie Hawkins; or Curly Neal and Meadowlark
International icons, the Globetrotters are considered “ambassadors” of the game, beloved the world over for their special brand athleticism that combines the skills and foundations of basketball with a uniquely theatrical flare. From breaking the NBA color barrier with alums like Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton signing a pro contract as a member of the New York Knicks or courting future Hall of Famers like Wilt Chamberlain and Connie Hawkins; or Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon dazzling sellout crowds; to ushering women into professional basketball; to the current group, the Globetrotters’ reach and impact attract attention.
Tilles Center Atrium becomes an intimate lounge to showcase exciting up-and-coming jazz talent Sarah Hanahan, presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. The dynamic, soulful alto saxophonist is swiftly emerging as one of the most compelling new voices in jazz. A graduate of both the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and The Juilliard School, she blends deeprooted swing and bebop traditions with a bold, modern intensitySince stepping onto the scene, Hanahan has performed with an extraordinary range of jazz luminaries. =Her commanding tone, technical mastery, and melodic imagination have taken her to major stages across the U.S. and abroad, with regular appearances at premier New York City venues. Whether fronting her own quartet or collaborating with some of the music’s most revered artists, Hanahan plays with passion, precision and an unwavering commitment to the ever-evolving art of jazz.
The current team of elite men and women, holders of an unprecedented 60+ Guinness World Records, including 18 set just last year — the most of any team in any sport — bring a fresh look of gravity-defying dunks and game-changing tricks against their renowned rivals in this special centennial season.
Thursday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Black History Month: Make some noise
Kids in grades 1-5 are invited to set sail on a musical adventure at Baldwin Public Library, presented by The Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor, in celebration of Black History Month. Discover how African-American whalers shaped the songs of the sea and inspired rhythms that became jazz and hip-hop. Then use shells to make your own African-inspired sistrum (traditional shaker) to take the beat home!
• Where: 2385 Grand Ave.
• Time: Noon-1 p.m.
• Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
Join Baldwin resident and Haitian immigrant Alain Martin at the NYC premiere of his feature documentary, “The Forgotten Occupation,” at Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Framed as a letter to his late grandfather, the film explores the U.S. occupation of Haiti and reframes the narrative of his home country. Tickets are free, but registration on Eventbrite.com is required.
• Where: 145 Brooklyn Ave., Brooklyn
• Time: 6-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: (718) 735-4400
‘The Wedding Singer’
Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students stages the musical comedy based on the iconic film. The show will have you partying like it’s 1985! Travel back to the outrageous 1980s, when hair was huge, neon ruled fashion and everything MTV was “like, totally tubular.” Based on the mega-hit Adam Sandler movie, this Broadway romance about a heartbroken rock star wannabe finding love again is jam-packed with big laughs, dazzling dance numbers, and a score as bold and electric as the decade itself. From popped collars to power ballads, “The Wedding Singer” is a nostalgic, feel-good celebration of love, friendship, and all things ‘80s.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 8 p.m.; also Feb. 21, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Feb 22, 3 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Family theater
Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an
‘Brown Bag’ Art Chat
Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” at the museum. Explore “The Real, Surreal, and Photoreal,” through a lively and informative presentation. No reservations. First come,first seated.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 1 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Learners Art Lab
Voyage rocks on with another dynamic tribute to Journey. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike, the band performs the music with chilling accuracy. Voyage is celebrated for their uncanny ability to recreate the legendary sound, energy and passion of one of rock’s greatest bands. With their blistering guitar solos, lush keyboard arrangements, electrifying stage presence, and stunning harmonies, the band has earned a reputation as the ultimate homage to Journey’s timeless music. Fronted by vocalist Pedro Espada, whose range and tone is acclaimed as rivaling the iconic Steve Perry, he’s backed by a lineup of world-class musicians — Robby Hoffman, Greg Smith, Lance Millard, and Dana Spellman — who bring every note to life with precision and heart. Voyage doesn’t just perform Journey’s greatest hits, they transport audiences back to the height of arena rock glory. From the soaring ballads of “Faithfully” and “Open Arms” to the anthemic energy of “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Separate Ways,” every performance is a journey through the soundtrack of a generation. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering the magic of Journey for the first time, Voyage promises a night of unforgettable rock ‘n’ roll.
adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: also Feb. 25-26
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Learn the basics of crochet in a welcoming, intergenerational environment at Baldwin Public Library. Participants need to bring an H, I, or J crochet hook, light-colored worsted weight yarn, and a crochet stitch marker. Open to ages 13 and older. Registration required.
• Where: 2385 Grand Ave.
• Time: 10-11 a.m.
• Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
Key to My Art invites kids in grades K-6 to celebrate the Year of the Horse with a festive Lunar New Year painting sessions at Baldwin Public Library. Children create and take home their canvas, with all materials provided by the library. Registration required.
• Where: 2385 Grand Ave.
• Time: 2 p.m. for grades K-2; 3:15 p.m. for grades 3-6
• Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
Art talk
FEB 22
Nassau County Museum of Art hosts Dee Shapiro, a New York–based artist, is known for her richly detailed paintings exploring geometry, architecture, and place. She discusses works from her City and Landscapes series featured in The Real, Surreal, and Photoreal exhibit, which capture the rhythm and structure of urban and natural environments.. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Limited seating, register in advance.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Sunday music
Join Baldwin’s favorite jazz-R&B fusion band, Musically Inclined, for a celebration of Black History Month at Baldwin Public Library. Members of this local band come from different walks of life and careers who share one thing in common: the love of gospel, funkand jazz music they enjoy performing together. Join in on the fun! Tickets are required.
• Where: 2385 Grand Ave.
• Time: 2-3 p.m.
• Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
Join in this community business networking dinner. Share advice, grow your business network, and enjoy a casual evening. Free and fun. Separate checks. RSVP needed.
• Where: Oceanside IHOP, 2971 Long Beach Road
• Time: 6-8 p.m.
• Contact: Register at lmnoli.com
Each week in this engaging workshop at Long Island Children’s Museum, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week, use paper towels to watch colors burst and designs reveal themselves. $4 with museum admission.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
28
Long Island Children’s Museum invites families to a celebration of Caribbean and Latin American culture. Feel the rhythm and embrace the color at the Carnival Festival! Inspired by Caribbean and Latin American traditions, this high-energy celebration welcomes the changing of the seasons with music, dance, and joyful cultural activities for all. Decorate a parade float fit for the Carnival King and Queen; sample the sweet and savory flavors of the
• Where: 11 Davis. Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
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.
19, 2026 —
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
WILMINGTON
SAVINGS FUND
SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST, -againstANDREA RICHARDS
JEAN, 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 Nassau on May 27, 2025, wherein WILMINGTON
SAVINGS FUND
SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST is the Plaintiff and ANDREA RICHARDS
JEAN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 11, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2984 VERITY LANE, BALDWIN, NY 11510; and the following tax map identification: 54-542-15. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT BALDWIN, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 612807/2022. Adrienne Flipse Hausch, 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. 158217
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU CITIMORTGAGE, INC.,
Plaintiff -against- JOHN A. MCKENZIE, SACHA SINGH, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated November 10, 2016, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 11, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Baldwin Harbor, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, particularly bounded and described according to said map as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of Van Buren Street, distant 140 feet westerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the southerly side of Van Buren Street with the westerly side of Eastern Parkway; being a plot 100 feet by 40 feet by 100 feet by 40 feet. Section 54 Block 379 Lot 1620 & 1621. Said premises known as 1072 VAN BUREN STREET, BALDWIN, NY 11510
Approximate amount of lien $470,267.07 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. 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 or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 011169/2013.
CAROLYN CLYNE, ESQ., Referee
David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030
File# 4722.1877 {* BALDWIN HE*} 158114
NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court, County Of Nassau, JR Lares Group Inc., Plaintiff against Milburn 882 Corp., et al., Defendants. Index No: 602970/2022. Pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered May 28, 2024
as NYSCEF Doc. No. 53 in the office of the clerk of the within named court, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, on March 13, 2026 at 2:00PM, the mortgaged premises known as 882 Milburn Street, Baldwin, NY, being all that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nasau, State of New York, Section 54, Block B, Lot(s) 712 and 811. Approximate amount of judgment is $444,596.45 computed as of January 1, 2024 plus interest and costs. The mortgaged premises will be sold subject to the provisions of said Judgment and Terms of Sale. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the CourtAppointed Referee will cancel the sale.
Successful third-party bidder to pay 10% of the sum bid by certified or bank check(s) made payable to the Referee only. Referee will not accept cash or doubleendorsed checks. Gerard Allrich Geisweller, Esq., Referee Bronster LLP, 156 W. 56th Street, Suite 703, New York, , NY 10019, Attorneys for Plaintiff 158327
LEGAL NOTICE
The annual report of the Edelman Family Foundation for the year ended December 31, 2025, is available at the office of William Lee, CPA,LLC, located at 3925 61st Street, Woodside, NY 11377 for inspection during regular business hours by any citizen who requires it within 80 days, hereof, principle manager of foundation is Alex Edelman 158440
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State
of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 24th day of February 2026, at 7:00 o’clock in the evening of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at the following locations:
BALDWIN GRAND AVENUE (TH 568(B)/25) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting at a point 73 feet north of the north curbline of Brooklyn Avenue, north for a distance of 75 feet.
INWOOD BAYVIEW AVENUE (TH 18/26) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Henry Street, west for a distance of 30 feet.
UNIONDALE
DECATUR STREET (TH 6/26) West SideNO PARKING ANYTIME - starting at a point 107 feet point of the north curbline of Windsor Road, north then west for a distance of 43 feet. (NR) VALLEY STREAM HUNGRY HARBOR ROAD (TH 15/26) South Side - NO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting at a point 15 feet west of the west curbline of Bunker Road, west for a distance of 70 feet. ALSO, to REPEAL from Section 202-1 “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” from the following location:
BALDWIN GRAND AVENUE (TH 169/78) West SideNO PARKING ANYTIME - starting at a point 70 feet north of the north curbline of Brooklyn Avenue, north for a distance of 84 feet. (Adopted 11/14/78) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: February 10, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI
Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 158436
Across the district, more than 1,400 handmade Valentine’s Day cards were made for veterans across the country.
Students across Baldwin Union Free School District’s elementary schools created more than 1,400 handmade Valentine’s Day cards for veterans in hospitals and nursing homes nationwide through this year’s Valentines for Vets initiative.
Students from Brookside, Lenox, Meadow, Plaza and Steele elementary schools participated in programs organized by the offices of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and Councilwoman
Laura Ryder, crafting messages of appreciation and gratitude for men and women who served in the armed forces. The cards are being distributed throughout February to veterans across the country in recognition of Valentine’s Day. District officials said Baldwin schools have participated in the program annually, contributing more than 10,000 valentines over the past several years to honor veterans’ service.
Baldwin Union Free School District students celebrated the 100th day of school on Feb. 12 with activities highlighting how much they have learned and grown since September.
Across the district, students dressed as 100-year-olds, wore collections of 100 items and completed math and classroom challenges centered on the mile -
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County of Nassau U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST Kennia Lucien, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of
Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 20, 2017, and Order Amending Caption and Substituting Bank entered on March 04, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 23,
stone. In Toniann Cintorino’s kindergarten class at Meadow Elementary School, students and their families also enjoyed a surprise activity imagining what they might look like at age 100, adding to the day’s excitement and celebration.
2026 at 4:00 PM premises known as 740 Washington Street, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 54, BLOCK: 573, LOT: 49. Approximate amount of judgment is
$574,379.54 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 012875/2012. Sherli Shadi-Saed, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-044827-F00 88942 158425
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Q. I just took a $2,500 contract to have gutter screens added to my rain gutters. Would you recommend this instead of the biannual flush cleaning I do, which costs $450 per service?
A. It is great that you monitor routine maintenance around your house, including rain gutters. The cost, if you pay $450 twice a year for your biannual gutter cleaning, is $900 per year. An expense of $2,500 for the rain gutter covers would pay for itself in a timeframe determined by dividing 2500 by 900, which would be 2.7 years. So in two years and nine months, your outlay of $2,500 would be paid off — but only if the gutter screens do not also need maintenance.
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I went through a learning phase with my own rain gutters, except that I would flush the gutters by myself. At first I had gutters that were open and, with all the trees surrounding my home, the gutters filled every fall with leaves and the debris that had to be removed. I then bought gutter screens that snap in, although there were places where they couldn’t snap in because of the long nail shafts used to attach the gutters to the face board, referred to as fascia. In those places, the metal screens had to be trimmed with a hacksaw and tin snips. It was tedious but rewarding, because the leaves did not clog the gutters. Unfortunately, twigs and smaller debris managed to find their way through the screens, and the metal rusted.
Those screens lasted six years, before another product, called Leafguard Gutters, was brought to my attention. It is a gutter with a top that wraps around and is bent in a curve so water flows over the top of the rain gutter and then, by a phenomenon called adhesion, the water clings to the gutter top and flows into a thin opening that runs the length of the gutter. It works very well, and hardly anything gets into the thin horizontal continuous opening except the rain.
I did not touch the gutters for 15 years. Then one day a contractor noticed that my roof edge trim boards had discolored in places, and said he would gladly take care of it for me. I awoke one morning to loud banging, and when I looked out the window, several very energetic men had ripped all the trim from my home along with those rain gutters. It lay in a heap in the back of a pickup truck, and within two hours my fascia boards were covered in spanking new white aluminum and I had brand new, open-top gutters.
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© 2026 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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For decades, New Yorkers have faced high taxes, rising prices and infrastructure in need of repair. At the same time, we’ve been subsidizing other states with our federal tax dollars. New York is a big “donor” state, while most red states are “taker” states. I’m always trying to bring money back to my district, and in the past couple of weeks I’ve had some new success doing just that. I announced more than $17 million in funding for community projects in my district.
Everyone knows that we’re facing a cost-of-living crisis. From health care to housing, energy to groceries, prices are sky-high. To make matters worse, New Yorkers bear one of the heaviest tax burdens in the country, which only adds to our cost of living. People are leaving our state at a record pace.
When I was born, New York had more than 40 representatives in the U.S. House. Now we only have 26. That number will be smaller after the next census,
tOas low-tax states continue to grow rapidly while New York’s population stays essentially the same. That’s not just a loss of political power, but a referendum on how expensive it is to live here. Between our skyhigh property taxes and the loss of our full SALT deduction (which I continue to fight to reinstate), it’s no wonder people are moving out.
They’re fleeing to red states in the South with much lower state taxes.
The irony is that states like New York have long sent more money to the federal government than we get back, and Washington spends it propping up “poor” states like Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee. For every dollar we pay in federal taxes, we get 91 cents back. Kentucky gets $2.50. It’s just unfair.
in Congress is simple and direct: bring our money back home.
I’m working to make sure my constituents get a fairer return on the dollars we contribute to the federal government. That means fighting for federal funding that eases the burden on local governments, strengthens our infrastructure and protects public health and safety.
hat means fighting for federal funding to ease the burden on local governments.
Recently that work paid off. I secured millions of dollars worth of projects for my district, making sure federal money was included in a funding package that Democrats and Republicans worked together to craft. Those funds will support a wide range of critical projects that directly affect my constituents’ lives.
the Glen Cove Police Department. In Bethpage, the money will help build infrastructure to remove chemicals from the water supply linked to the Navy-Grumman plume. It will help create a vibrant downtown in Huntington by supporting affordable housing and business spaces. And in Lattingtown, these funds will go toward repairing emergency evacuation routes along East Beach Drive, improving our roads and safety during severe weather.
Securing funds for sewer repairs and water wells isn’t glamorous work, but it’s crucial. It’s not only about improving public health, environmental protection and local infrastructure; it’s also about fairness. New Yorkers contribute massively to the federal government, subsidizing growth in other states, and it’s time we got our fair share back.
Meanwhile, our town and village governments are under water. Our infrastructure is older and more expensive to maintain, and local budgets scramble to keep up. While New Yorkers fund new projects in the South, our own infrastructure risks lagging behind and our taxes continue to rise. We have been subsidizing our own demise.
That’s why one of my core missions
They’ll help replace old sewer pipes in Roslyn and Manorhaven, and replace old cesspools with new sewer lines in Sea Cliff. They will help prevent harmful runoff into Hempstead Harbor and Manhasset Bay, helping preserve our Long Island Sound ecosystem. Other projects will protect drinking water supplies from so-called “forever chemicals” and other contaminants.
The funding will also provide muchneeded technology and equipment for
I’ll never stop fighting to make sure we get back as much of the money we send to the federal government as possible, and use it to lessen the pressure on local budgets, improve our public health and safety, and reduce costs. In the months ahead I’ll propose a dramatic change to the federal tax code to try and bring more of New Yorkers’ money back to New York, to reduce our tax burden. Stay tuned.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
ften as a Nassau County legislator, I find myself questioning why certain issues unfold the way they do. On many occasions and with increased frequency in this hyper-partisan age, the operations of government are closely tied to politics.
delIa
The “why,” however, isn’t always readily apparent — and it’s our job as legislators to dig deeper and identify the cases in which that connection is found beneath the surface. Take contracts for outside legal counsel, for instance. While the county continues to benefit from an attorney’s office staffed by many qualified lawyers, it is occasionally necessary to outsource highly complex cases to firms with special expertise. The emphasis, however, should be on “occasionally.”
During the administration of former County Executive Laura Curran, the county spent approximately $5 million for this service. Fast-forward to 2025 and the administration of Bruce Blakeman, and a recent audit by the Nassau Inter-
im Finance Agency identified more than $23 million in spending on outside legal counsel last year alone.
Many of these outside-counsel contracts are for cases that are ill-advised legally or should be handled in-house. Some recent examples include spending $3.2 million to defend county fee practices that courts have already ruled illegal or unconstitutional; millions to defend a case brought by Newsday, alleging financial retaliation over critical coverage; and millions more right after Election Day 2025.
It’s time for the Legislature to reassert its role as a coequal branch.
The last included a contract for a Republican legislative candidate. While Blakeman’s administration initiated it last spring, they failed to disclose it until after Election Day, when it arrived at the Legislature for our consideration.
While the “why” was abundantly clear in that example, the answer for many of the other contracts can be found only in the fine print. Every proposal the Legislature receives comes with a list of the firm’s political contributions, as required by county law. Most, if not all, of those donations go to the county executive or his Republican colleagues in the Legislature.
The same holds true for Blakeman’s
disastrous handling of the Department of Assessment. According to one assessment expert, the tax rolls are more inaccurate now than they have been at any point in the past 25 years — so why has Blakeman chosen to keep them frozen, do nothing, and then dishonestly claim that he “fixed” the system? Campaign donations.
The firms that challenge homeowners’ assessments each year make huge sums of money by taking advantage of dysfunctional, indefensible tax rolls that are riddled with inaccuracies and discrepancies. And, right on cue, those firms donate generously to Blakeman and the Republicans, who keep the system broken for their benefit — and county property owners are the ones who end up paying the price.
Finally, the “why” I find hardest to accept is related to the county’s nearly $100 million in opioid fund reserves. For nearly five years, most of these funds have sat in bank accounts, and as of December, a review of Nassau’s financial system shows that less than 7 percent of the money has made it out of those bank accounts and into actual treatment initiatives.
The technical nature of the “why” in
this case makes it no less an outrage. The county’s financial condition is monitored by Moody’s and other rating agencies, and municipal reserves are a major factor in their determinations. Instead of delivering resources to agencies that offer lifesaving prevention, treatment and recovery resources to people struggling with addiction, Nassau has released the funds at a snail’s pace. Having these funds on the books artificially increases the county’s total reserves. While that may have helped our bond ratings, that’s little comfort for families that are desperate for help and hope.
Now that we understand the “why” behind these glaring examples of dysfunction, it’s incumbent on us all to answer the next-most-important question — “how?” How do we correct these errors? How do we install guardrails to prevent their return? And most important, how do we ensure that we are always serving the people of Nassau County to the best of our ability?
That must be our mission throughout 2026. It’s time for the Legislature to reassert its crucial role as a coequal branch of government, and challenge the county executive when his administration’s actions conflict with the best interests of county residents.
Delia DeRiggi-Whitton represents Nassau County’s 11th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s minority leader.
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Feb. 2 report, “Violent and Disruptive Incidents and Bullying in New York Schools,” from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli should serve as a wake-up call for anyone tempted to declare victory on school safety.
While official data shows that rates of “serious” violent and disruptive incidents are near zero, bullying, cyberbullying and drug-related incidents are rising statewide — in many cases exceeding pre-pandemic levels. That disconnect matters, because it reveals a system that risks measuring safety by definitions rather than by students’ lived experiences.
According to DiNapoli’s analysis of seven years of School Safety and Educational Climate data from the State Education Department, bullying is now the most frequently reported school safety incident.
In the 2023-24 school year, bullying, not including cyberbullying, accounted for nearly two-thirds of all reported incidents statewide. Almost 30,000 bullying incidents were reported, translating to 12.4 incidents per 1,000 pupils. In schools that reported at least one incident, the rate was far higher.
Cyberbullying, meanwhile, remains officially “low” in the data, but that is precisely the problem. Anonymity, offcampus activity and the digital lives students have after dismissal make cyberbullying notoriously difficult to detect and report. The report itself acknowledges that many incidents likely go unreported. When nearly 35 percent of public schools report no bullying or
To the Editor:
Re Peter King’s column “There are better ways to resolve the immigration crisis” in last week’s issue: The videos we all saw of Renee Good and Alex Pretti being shot to death by ICE agents contradict Mr. King’s description. He referred to these horrific acts as “heat-of-the moment reactions to unexpected incidents.”
Additionally, Mr. King opposes “any requirement that ICE agents remove their masks” because “wearing masks has become absolutely essential for them.”
If only Mr. King found it in his heart to have similar consideration and respect for the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
JOSIE MARINO Lynbrook
cyberbullying incidents, the question is not whether bullying exists, but whether schools are capturing it honestly.
Drug-related incidents tell a similar story. After dropping during the period of remote learning, the number of drug incidents in secondary schools has risen above pre-Covid levels. Statewide rates climbed from 4.2 incidents per 1,000 students in 2017-18 to 6.5 in 2023-24, with especially high rates in upstate districts. These are not abstract numbers. They reflect daily realities that students, teachers and families confront in hallways, bathrooms and social spaces.
Yet at the same time these troubling trends are rising, reports of serious violent and disruptive incidents — such as assault, sexual offenses and weapons possession — have plummeted. That decline coincides not with a dramatic transformation of school culture, but with changes to reporting definitions implemented in 2021-22. Under the revised rules, incidents are only reportable if the offender is at least 10 years old, the incident meets felony criteria, and it has been referred to law enforcement.
The result is a dataset that may be technically accurate under state rules, but deeply misleading if taken at face value. Schools may still experience serious incidents that never meet the threshold for state reporting, creating a false sense of security for parents and policymakers who rely on these numbers to assess safety.
This is not the intent of New York’s school safety laws. The Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act,
enacted in 2000, and the Dignity for All Students Act, adopted a decade later, were designed to protect young people and ensure transparency in reporting harassment, bullying and violence. After the Sandy Hook tragedy in Connecticut, New York state rightly sought to refine and streamline reporting to focus on prevention. But refinement must not become minimization.
Limiting cellphone use during the school day is a modest step in the right direction. It will reduce in-school distractions. But bullying and cyberbullying don’t stop at the dismissal bell. Students carry their social worlds and their conflicts home in their pockets. Without sustained education, intervention and accountability, phones will simply resume their role as weapons after school hours.
Schools need to be honest with themselves about what these incidents are and properly report them to the State Education Department. That honesty isn’t about protecting reputations or presenting a picture of perfect calm. It’s about identifying real problems so they can be addressed.
Pretending a school or district is blissful may look good on paper, but it does nothing to protect students. Reliable, transparent data is the foundation of meaningful solutions.
If we want safer schools in reality and not just safer statistics, we must confront bullying, cyberbullying and substance use head-on, report them accurately, and commit to prevention that extends beyond the school day. Our children deserve nothing less.
Dr. William osler, one of the founders of Johns Hopkins Hospital and a pioneer in medical education and history said, “The trained nurse has become one of the great blessings of humanity, taking a place beside the physician and the priest.” Now, though, we have nurses on strike for safer working conditions and greater compensation, and educators decrying federal action to withdraw graduate nursing education from the category of “professional.”
The members of a profession are highly educated, with specialized knowledge, may be required to pass stateapproved licensure exams, and pledge to certain ideals. In the case of nursing, the pledge is to patient welfare, compassion and trust, building knowledge in the field, lifelong learning, teamwork, professional integrity, an ethical code, skillful care, and humanity. Like other professions, nursing requires prolonged learning and licensure. So imagine the surprise to nurses, nurse educators, nurse researchers, nurse executives, hospital administrators and others when the U.S. Depart-
ment of Education declared that an advanced degree in nursing did not qualify for federal student aid. yet advanced education is one of the pathways for advancement in nursing, and many employers require a master’s degree.
In response to critical reactions to its decree, the department said it did not mean that nursing is not a profession, just that advanced nursing education at the master’s and doctoral levels did not qualify for federal student loans. In addition to reducing the amount students can borrow under the Graduate PLUS program, which previously allowed up to the full cost of a program, the government has cut in half the amount that students in nursing and social work, among others disciplines, can borrow for advanced education.
a
es universities to raise tuition even in fields that have limited employment opportunities and low compensation. That is certainly not the case in nursing. others support the department, arguing that there is a strong correlation between extended graduate study for women and our low rate of childbearing.
n advanced degree in nursing doesn’t qualify for federal student aid.
No such limits have been proposed for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, chiropractic, theology, law or clinical psychology. Architects, physical therapists, social workers, computer scientists and accountants, however, join nursing in losing their professional status.
The Education Department is trying to limit access to government-backed loans for graduate degrees because, it says, the availability of loans encourag-
To the Editor:
As a former reporter, I cherish a free press — and with our democracy hanging by a thread, I refuse to sit by while truth tellers are silenced.
I was bothered that Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos caved to President Trump’s demand that the Post stay out of presidential endorsements. But what bothered me more was watching people cancel their subscriptions over it. That’s cutting off your nose to spite your face. Why punish a newspaper already struggling to survive? Did we forget that reporters are stationed around the world, risking their lives to bring us the truth — and that in times of conflict, they’re always the first targets, precisely so the truth never reaches us?
The Post loses $100 million a year, yet it remains an essential truth teller. This is the paper that exposed Watergate. Not surprisingly, Trump admired President Richard Nixon. Both detested the press because its job is to investigate corruption and
report the truth. And let’s not forget: a Washington Post journalist was murdered at the direction of a Saudi prince while Trump looked the other way.
While Trump manufactured a crisis in Greenland and ICE gunned down American citizens, the final board meeting of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting barely registered. Jimmy Kimmel’s being pulled off the air and the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” already feel like ancient history. Even as wars rage in Ukraine and the Middle East, coverage keeps shrinking — and that is no accident. And now Bezos is laying off a third of the Post’s staff, including a war correspondent in Ukraine. With Secretary of War Pete Hegseth blocking Pentagon reporting, Trump forming a “Board of Peace” with Putin and other authoritarian leaders, and independent news sources collapsing, who is left to deliver the truth?
CLAUDIA
BoRECKy President, Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club Merrick
According to public reports, there are approximately 57,000 registered nurses on Long Island, with an average age of 46. In New york City and the Downstate region, there is a critical shortage of certain categories of nursing, with “disaster emergencies” declared in Manhattan, the Bronx and Nassau County. In upstate New york, over 93 percent of hospitals report extreme difficulty in recruiting RNs, and 97 percent struggle with retention. Hospitals and nursing homes have the most difficulty recruiting and retaining RNs.
Long Island is fortunate to have universities that offer baccalaureate and higher nursing programs, including Adelphi, Farmingdale, Hofstra, LIU, Molloy, NyIT, St. Joseph’s and Stony Brook. yet even with these resources, shortages remain. With the new federal guidelines, those shortages will likely persist, while retention rates drop.
I have seen the profession of nursing
from four distinct vantage points. As assistant commissioner of Higher Education in Indiana in the 1970s, I was involved in a national study of nursing supply and demand commissioned by the National Governor’s Association. In the 1980s I initiated a nursing program at Ramapo College of New Jersey, in partnership with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, which did not offer nursing.
In the 2000s I led the rebuilding of Adelphi’s historic nursing program, which had been neglected by a previous administration. We built new, state-ofthe-art nursing labs and teaching spaces, with the help of leaders at Winthrop and Northwell hospitals.
From these experiences, I learned a great deal about nursing education and practice. They are professionals at every level of education.
More than 150 Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have authored a bill, the Professional Student Degree Act, that would include graduate nursing education in the category of professional degree, and give graduate nursing students access to the federal student-aid programs for which they were eligible just last year. Let’s hope that wisdom prevails in Congress, with hearty encouragement from grateful patients.
Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and the author of “How University Boards Work.”
