Baldwin Herald 05-01-2025

Baker/Herald

Nassau County police celebrate 100 years

Mounted police officers rode down the street during the Nassau County Police Department’s 100th anniversary parade in Wantagh. Story, additional photos, Page 10.

Cecere Funeral Home is moving Grand Avenue site to be redeveloped for housing

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

After more than 35 years as a fixture in the Baldwin community, the Cecere Family Funeral Home will leave its longtime location on Grand Avenue to make way for a new residential development.

The funeral home announced the move in a recent Facebook post, citing its participation in the Baldwin Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which includes a planned 54-unit apartment complex on the site.

“We will be sharing space with the Donza Family and will continue to serve our communi-

ty with the same personal service, dignity and grace we have been known for three generations,” the post said, referring to the Donza Funeral Home in East Rockaway “Although there is sadness, the downtown revitalization and beautification of Beautiful Baldwin is underway and we are proud to be a small part of that.”

The building at 2283 Grand Ave. was built by the Weigand brothers in 1940. Owner Michael Cecere told the Herald that the facility has become “unmanageable” due to increasing maintenance and operational costs.

The relocation comes as part of Baldwin’s ongoing revitalization, a vision set in motion in

Meadow Elementary School problem solvers get busy at Baldwin’s Dog Park

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

A group of students from Meadow Elementary School is working diligently to improve the dog run at Baldwin Harbor Park as part of a community project that blends creativity with problem solving.

The students, members of the school’s Future Problem Solvers program, are raising funds to plant flowers and greenery in the dog park’s open spaces. Their goal is to make the park, on Grand Avenue, more vibrant and welcoming for local residents and their pets.

are dog owners. Although most said they don’t currently visit the park, they expressed interest in improving it for the community.

I really believe this is a problem-solving competition.

The initiative is part of the broader Future Problem Solvers program, which encourages students to address real-world challenges using creative thinking and innovative solutions. Founded in 1974 by Dr. E. Paul Torrance, the program promotes critical thinking and helps students develop a vision for the future.

EMIlY Cl ARk

Meadow Elementary School

“Every year, the students who are chosen to be in the club decide on a passion project they really care about,” Emily Clark, a teacher at Meadow, said. “We try to give them some ideas to brainstorm and spark thoughts, because we really want it to be studentdriven.”

The students identified Baldwin’s dog park as a project site after learning many of them

Over the years, Meadow students have tackled a variety of local issues. Last year, they focused on raising awareness about the endangered piping plover and supporting conservation efforts across Long Island. That project earned the fourth and fifth grade students first place in the Junior Division.

To fund the beautification of the dog park, students launched a GoFundMe campaign to collect donations for

Continued on page 5

Tim

Las Vegas Sands pulls out of casino bid

By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com

Las Vegas Sands is no longer pursuing its $6 billion proposal to build a casino resort on the Nassau Coliseum site.

The company will not apply in June for one of three available downstate gaming licenses in New York. Executives cited a range of market forces, including the rise of online gambling, economic uncertainty in the U.S. and a strategic shift to preserve shareholder value.

The proposed project included a 400,000-square-foot casino, hotels, restaurants, retail space and a convention center. It was projected to create more than 8,500 construction jobs and over 5,000 permanent positions across the 72-acre site.

Last August, the County Legislature approved a 42-year operational lease agreement with Las Vegas Sands for the Coliseum and surrounding land in an 18-1 vote, meaning that Sands was responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of the property but could not build or develop. The next steps for the project would have been for the company to apply for a lease that allowed it to develop the property, and to bid for one of the gaming licenses.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a forceful advocate for the project, issued a statement through Chris Boyle, his director of communications.

“County Executive Bruce Blakeman

Kelsie Radziski/Herald

Las Vegas Sands has withdrawn its plan to build a $6 billion casino on the Nassau Coliseum site. The project sparked debate from the start, with groups like the Say No to the Casino Civic Association, above, protesting outside legislative meetings.

has been aware of certain pressures that have factored into Las Vegas Sands’ rethinking of land-based brick and mortar casinos in the United States,” the statement read.

“The County Executive is grateful that Las Vegas Sands is committed to the development of the Coliseum site with or without a casino,” Boyle added. “However, there is strong interest from gaming organizations which have been in confidential discussions with Nassau County in taking the place of Las Vegas Sands in

the licensing application process.”

“Nassau County will crystallize within the next 30 days whether or not to entertain a casino component or develop the site without,” Boyle stated. “In either event there will be an exciting new development that will create jobs and positive economic activity.”

The Say No to the Casino Civic Association, whose members have been vocal opponents of the project since the beginning, is “thrilled” after a long fight against the “wholly destructive casino,”

according to a statement issued by members Monica Kiely and Allison O’Brien Silva.

“While we are concerned the door remains open for the county to find a new casino partner, it was always a bad idea, and it will continue to be a bad idea, whether the county works with Las Vegas Sands or another predatory gambling company looking to extract wealth from our community,” the statement read.

On April 24, County Legislator Seth Koslow sent a cease-and-desist letter to Blakeman demanding that all expenditures surrounding the Sands casino be terminated. Koslow said at a news conference that morning that there was no clear path forward for the project, and he was concerned about “wasting time, energy and money” on something that is “not what people wanted.”

Koslow, who is the Democratic candidate for county executive, supports development on the site that both brings in the money that the casino promised and aligns with what he maintains community members want.

“We need to invest in a real project that’s going to get done, that people want, that has community buy-in,” he said at the conference. “We can certainly do a hotel, an entertainment facility, with a convention center, something that’s going to bring more people here, something that’s going to bring tourism here.”

UNIONDALE SCHOOLS

Meadow Elementary celebrates cultural diversity

More than 300 students, families, teachers, and community members attended Meadow Elementary School’s second annual Multicultural Festival, held recently at the school.

The event, organized by the Meadow PTA and Site Team, highlighted the cultur-

al diversity within the school community, with representation from 18 countries.

The festival featured performances from artists and students, including Haitian dance routines and salsa numbers that invited audience participation. K-5 student artwork was also on dis-

play, showcasing projects that reflected students’ cultural backgrounds.

Attendees sampled food from more than 18 countries, provided by local restaurants and Meadow families.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Celebrating Autism Awareness Month

Hangout One Happy Place hosted its fifth annual Autism Awareness Walk on April 27 at Baldwin Harbor Park, concluding a month of events recognizing Autism Awareness Month.

The event featured musical performances by individuals on the autism spectrum, dancing, arts and crafts, and a raffle drawing. Organizers said the event aims to both raise awareness about autism and highlight the talents and contributions of those in the community.

Angela Lucas, who founded the nonprofit in 2019, led the event. She was named the Baldwin Herald’s Person of the Year in 2020.

Hangout One Happy Place is based in Baldwin and provides a safe space for children, teens, and young adults with autism to socialize and participate in structured activities.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Photos courtesy Baldwin school district

Meadow Elementary School parents celebrated the second annual Multicultural Festival at the school.

Attendees were treated with live performances that included Haitian dance routines and salsa.

Members of the Hangout One Happy Place performing to the Baldwin Harbor Park audience. Angela Lucas leads the walk with members of the nonprofit and community.

Photos courtesy Maureen Lennon April celebrates Autism Awareness Month.

Petros Krommidas, missing, belongings found News briefs

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Petros Krommidas, a 29-year-old Democratic candidate for the Nassau County Legislature from Baldwin, has been reported missing, prompting concern among local officials and community members.

Legacy Planning

Some thirty-five years ago your writer was taught that estate planning is about getting your assets to whom you want, when you want, and the way you want, with the least amount of taxes and legal fees possible.

In the intervening time, we have learned that estate planning is more — it is legacy planning. Legacy has two meanings (1) the assets you leave, and (2) the impression you leave. Your assets will dissipate, but your impression will endure.

Were you kind and generous? Were you forgiving and grateful? Were you compassionate and did you bring light into the world, despite your setbacks.

Our readers have surely noticed over the years that these sponsored columns are not only about law, but just as often about how to become a better human being. Much of it has been learned from our interactions with clients. A client once asked if I had a degree in psychology. I answered yes, I have a Masters. When she asked where I got it, I said sitting behind this desk eight hours a day for the last thirty-five years!

Observing people, you learn that perspective is everything. We consider it part of our calling to provide clients with different perspectives with which to view personal and family matters. It is not difficult to see how looking at a situation from a different perspective can completely change the way we see the world. A client came in relating how furious she was that her daughter’s abusive husband used her daughter to obtain his degree and then asked for a divorce and move out. Yes, I said, but if it was my daughter and she had an abusive husband I would be thrilled that he had move out. Oh, the client said, “I never thought of that!” Her view of the matter had shifted considerably. Thoreau put it, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

Working on oneself to become a better person is a classic win/win situation. Our lives become better as do those of everyone we come into contact with. The Dalai Lama says we are all selfish but we can engage in “enlightened selfishness”, doing better by others for our own sake.

As of press time, police confirmed Monday that Krommidas’ car was found parked outside the Allegria Hotel on National Boulevard in Long Beach with his clothing found on the beach.

His family filed a missing person

report on April 24, and local authorities have since launched an investigation into his whereabouts. As of Monday, no new updates had been released.

Krommidas is a graduate of Chaminade High School and Columbia University, where he studied American history and business management. He previously worked in finance before turning to political organizing. In 2024, he began working as a field organizer for the Democratic Party.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 911 or 516-573-7347.

Black educators committee celebrates legacy

The Black Educators Committee, Inc. hosted its annual Legends Ball on April 5, drawing more than 140 attendees to Verdi’s of Westbury for the 2025 “Sapphire Gala,” subtitled “May the Work I Have Done Speak for Me.”

“The attributes of the gem sapphire was representative of the special attributes from our honorees for 2025,” said BEC President Vashti Burke.

“These individuals have been so steadfast: for people’s lives, for the kids they reach - that is why they’re being recognized.”

The honorees— Jacci Harris, Christine Layne-Waters, Mary Jean Tucker, Johane Ligondè of Baldwin, and Robert Johnson—were each chosen for their significant impact on education and community service.

Ligondè, former principal of John W. Dodd Middle School and now Assistant Superintendent in Elmont, is known for her commitment to social-emotional learning and leadership development.

“She was just a spearhead of Sky Breathing, really making sure that

social emotional learning was so apparent in our schools,” Burke noted, referring to a breathing technique taught to students to help them regulate stress and improve well-being.

Admission to the gala was $140 per person, with all proceeds going toward BEC’s scholarship fund. The committee has selected eight scholarship recipients, who will be honored at a special ceremony at Freeport Memorial Library on May 15.

As the BEC continues its mission of advocacy and empowerment, the Sapphire Gala offered a reminder of the lasting impact community leaders can have.

“The name of the game for the organization is volunteerism as service.” Burke said. “Because, what if everybody turned cold… Where would we all be?”

PETROS KROMMiDAS

Students to attend international competition

plants, flowers and other materials. As of press time, they have raised more than $1,000 with a set goal of $15,000

The funds will also help cover costs for Meadow students planning to attend this year’s Future Problem Solvers International Competition at Indiana University, where students from around the world will showcase their problemsolving abilities.

Sweety Singh, a Meadow parent, experienced the competition when her daughter, Maya, was in the club. Now, her son, Niam, is following in his sister’s footsteps.

“We have a dog, and he would love to take him to the dog park, so this is definitely a special project for him,” Singh said. “It hits home for him.”

Participants will present their projects, attend workshops and take part in special events, such as the opening and awards ceremonies.

“I really believe this is a problem-solving competition, and that’s truly what the students are doing,” Clark said. “They’re identifying a problem in their local community, working on different solutions, and troubleshooting when things don’t go their way. They find a way to keep moving forward.

“These are transferable life skills,” she added, “and now they’re bringing them to the international stage to represent their community.”

To donate, visit Gofundme.com/f/meadowfuture-problem-solvers-2025.

Courtesy Sweety Singh

members of the problem Solvers program at meadow elementary School who will head to indiana university.

BALDWIN HERALD

MADISON WADE

Plainedge Senior Lacrosse

IT HAS BEEN A red-hot April for Wade and the Plainedge girls’ lacrosse team. The Red Devils have won eight of their last night games, with Wade serving as one of the integral parts of the success. The third-year varsity player is also a third-year captain and helping Plainedge’s offense fire. Entering this week’s action, Wade ranked near the top of Nassau County in goals with 42. She netted at least three goals in eight of the first 11 games.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, May 1

Boys Lacrosse: Baldwin at Freeport 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Calhoun at Carey 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: East Meadow at Clarke

Girls Lacrosse: Sewanhaka at Freeport

Girls Lacrosse: Mepham at Bethpage

Boys Lacrosse: Elmont at Uniondale 5

Friday, May 2

Flag Football: Lynbrook at East Rockaway 5 p.m.

Flag Football: Bethpage at Long Beach 5

Boys Lacrosse: Farmingdale at Massapequa 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: South Side at Wantagh 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: South Side at North Shore 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Lynbrook at MacArthur 7

Girls Lacrosse: Long Beach at Massapequa 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 3

Softball: Uniondale at Elmont 10 a.m.

Softball: North Shore at Baldwin 10 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Lynbrook at Mepham

Girls Lacrosse: Calhoun at Oceanside

Flag Football: Freeport at Oceanside

Girls Lacrosse: Clarke at Division

Boys Lacrosse: Island Trees at Hewlett 3 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

Sizzling bats spark Baldwin softball

By MARC BERMAN sports@liherald.com

Baldwin’s bats are booming.

The Bruins’ softball team has started off 7-5 but its run production has been dizzying.

Baldwin is jolting the ball all over Nassau County to the tune of a .431 team batting average, scoring 10.1 runs per game. It’s the second-most average runs for a Tom Llewellyn-coached team. He’s been running the Baldwin softball show since 2008. “We’re scoring a lot of runs,’’ he said. “Our hitting has kept us in every game this year.’’

The senior co-captains are leading the charge in every way – catcher Erin Timmes and shortstop Jayden Culbreath. Both are hitting over .600 and each has knocked in 21 runs. Timmes and Culbreath are four-year starters.

“It’s really good to have those fouryear players for leadership,’’ Llewellyn said. “Not only are they helping with their play but their leadership, teaching the girls the culture of the program.’’

A commit to Division III Grove City College in Pennsylvania, Timmes leads the club with a .705 batting clip, rocking eight doubles.

As a returning All-County player, Timmes also takes the mound on occasion and is a rock for a younger pitching staff behind the plate. “(Timmes) is a gap hitter and spreads the field with her hitting,’’ Llewellyn said..

Culbreath is batting .638 with 9 doubles. But this is hardly a senior-laden squad.

“It’s a really good mix of girls,’’ Llewellyn said. “We have two freshman, two sophomores and three juniors who start.’’

One of those flowering freshman is starting pitcher Liv Pascual, who is 7-4.

“She’s got a long career ahead of her,’’ Llewelyn said. “Having (Timmes) behind the plate, it’s nice to have that security blanket.’’

The other freshman starter is Lilly Duet, who has hit .375 with 14 RBIs and belted the season’s biggest hit in the

Michelle Ebel/Herald

Returning All-County senior catcher Erin Timmes is batting over .700 through a dozen games with 21 RBIs.

biggest win.

On April 14, in an non-league affair against powerful Hicksville, Baldwin trailed 4-2 when Duet smoked a threerun double in the fifth inning.

The hit gave the Bruins a 5-4 upset victory but not before ace centerfielder, junior Amanda Aguiluz made a gamesaving, leaping, over-the-shoulder catch for the final out. Aguiluz has been a whiz defensively.

Last spring, Baldwin lost in the first round to Port Washington but this

squad could be built for a longer postseason with all the bats.

Junior rightfielder Akwia Bonsu, at leadoff, is hitting .400 with 16 runs scored and is 12-for-12 in stolen bases. “She’s superfast,’’ Llewellyn said.

Sophomore third baseman Chloe Collado (.575 average) and junior Kennedy Thompson (.480) are clutch bats and senior Sam Prongay has been solid defensively at first base.

The Bruins’ Conference 6 record is 5-4 but don’t sleep on the Baldwin bats.

Baldwin Park to host AIDS & Cancer Run/Walk

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Baldwin Park will once again come alive with cheers, community spirit and pounding footsteps as the 18th Annual 5K AIDS & Cancer Run/Walk returns on June 1.

Organized by the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation, the event begins at 9 a.m. and aims to raise awareness and funds for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and cancer. The long-running tradition invites runners and walkers of all ages to support a meaningful cause while fostering connection and philanthropy.

The day kicks off with a free Toddlers Run for children under 4 at 8:30 a.m. The main 5K race follows at 9 a.m., with professional timing by Elitefeats and live results available via text and email.

Registration begins at $26. The first 100 participants living with HIV, cancer, or who are veterans can register for free. All registrants will receive a dry-fit event T-shirt.

“I love the diversity of the community,” Richard Brodsky, founder of the foundation said. “People are very nice, and we have a lot of local sponsors that support what we are doing.”

Brodsky, a former architect, was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1997 at age 45. In 2002, he was diagnosed with brain cancer, unrelated to his HIV. After completing treatment, he ran the New York City Marathon in 2003, an experience that inspired

him to dedicate his life to helping others without access to medical care.

He founded the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation in 2004 to raise money for a cure or vaccine for AIDS. Over the years, the organization has also provided food, shelter, medical care and shoes for orphans in Kenya.

Sean Gleason, vice president of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, met Brodsky at a chamber meeting in 2022 and has supported the event ever since.

“I’m an on-and-off kind of runner,” Gleason said. “I ran in high school and for exercise, but wasn’t a racer. I saw this as a great opportunity to get involved in the community.”

Whether running, jogging or walking, Gleason said the event is about more than just the race.

“It’s really about supporting the cause and responding to the outcry and outpouring of help,” he said. “That’s why we’re there.”

Gleason added that Brodsky’s passion is evident.

“It’s his passion,” he said. “I can see it in how he operates and carries himself.”

Brodsky agreed.

“Having people support us is like my spinach if I were Popeye,” he said. “It makes me feel good being able to support these causes.”

To register or donate, visit 5kaidscancer.org.

PSEG Long Island Hosts First “Business First” Workshop for Entrepreneurs

By Maureen Fitzgerald

On April 15, nearly 50 Long Island business owners attended PSEG Long Island’s first “Business First” workshop at its Bethpage headquarters, hosted in collaboration with the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. The morning session featured a networking breakfast and expert-led presentations on reducing energy costs, managing utility bills, and securing funding for energy-efficient upgrades.

“Small businesses power our communities and fuel economic growth,” said Veronica Isaac, Manager of Customer and Community Partnerships at PSEG Long Island, reflecting on the vital role small businesses play here — a theme that resonated throughout the day’s program. “By helping them thrive, we unlock local jobs, boost reinvestment and create a cycle of shared success. A strong small business is a win for all of us.”

Christine Bryson and Shamisha Sims kicked off the event with an overview of financial and technical resources available through PSEG Long Island and partner agencies. Bryson explained how federal, state, and local programs—including grants, loans, and tax credits—can support energy-saving improvements. She also provided tips on working with economic development agencies. Sims introduced PSEG’s Business First program, which offers free or low-cost energy assessments, and shared sample audit reports highlighting quickreturn upgrades like LED lighting and HVAC controls.

The technical portion of the workshop focused on implementation. Matt Connors shared case studies of local companies that cut energy use by up to 25% and explained how to apply for rebates tied to improvements like programmable thermostats and motor retrofits. Nicole Jones-Cumberbatch followed with a presentation on PSEG’s renovation support services, which help businesses navigate permits, hire contractors, and stay on schedule. Paul DiBenedetto wrapped up the segment with a discussion on EV charging stations and available

incentives, sparking interest from several attendees planning future installations.

Thenaris Godbolt walked through PSEG Long Island’s commercial billing system, helping attendees better understand rate schedules, online tools, and cost-saving features like budget billing and prompt-payment discounts. The session closed with Jimmy Alty offering procurement tips to help businesses evaluate vendor bids, negotiate terms, and leverage PSEG Long Island’s contractor network — their Prime Efficiency

Partners — for quality assurance and cost control. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet one-onone with Business First Advocates to discuss next steps, from rebate applications to project planning, receiving personalized advice and customized next steps and key contacts for follow-up support. Future workshops are planned throughout the year. Businesses can email PSEGLI-BusinessFirst@pseg. com to schedule a free energy assessment or learn more.

Herald file photo

Baldwin Park will host the 18th Annual Richard M. Brodsky Foundation’s 5K AIDS & Cancer Run/Walk next month to help raise awareness for research.

7 BALDWIN HERALD — May 1, 2025

photo courtesy PSEG Long Island

Long Island business owners attend PSEG Long Island “Business First” workshop on April 15.

The Southern State at 100: a divided legacy

History, and real or imagined inequity, collide on 25 miles of one of Long Island’s busiest roadways

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

First in a series on the Southern State Parkway.

One bright Saturday afternoon in June 2020, a group of protesters stood near the Robert Moses statue in Babylon, calling for its removal. Their rallying cry: The “Master Builder” was not worthy of such recognition. He was, instead, a racist who, among other things, designed the Southern State Parkway to keep buses carrying low-income families from traveling from New York City to Long Island — and its beaches.

The group had collected more than 13,000 signatures in support of its cause.

major roadway expansion undertaken by New York state that also included the Northern State and Sagtikos parkways. Today, it is a 25.3-mile long roadway that stretches from the Queens-Nassau border to Heckscher State Park in East Islip.

Wayne Horsley, a former regional director of Long Island’s state parks and a local historian, countered at the time that the often aired claims against Moses, “a son of the village,” have never been proven.

What has been proven, however, is the impact of the visionary work of Moses, who was the architect behind the construction of the Southern State when he served as the chairman of the Long Island State Park Commission and president of the New York State Parks Council.

The 100th anniversary of the construction of the parkway this year offers an opportunity to reflect on both its history and its future.

Often referred to simply as “the parkway,” the Southern State was part of a

Construction on the Southern State began in 1925, under Moses’s leadership. It was designed to improve access to Jones Beach. The land was originally a water conduit owned by the borough of Brooklyn. It comprises the western portion of unsigned New York State Route 908M, with the Heckscher State Parkway occupying the eastern section. Its first section opened to the public in 1927; there were additions in 1949, and its current roadway was completed in 1962, when it reached Heckscher Parkway.

Following the post-war housing boom on Long Island, the parkway was widened and straightened in a number of places to serve commuters traveling at speeds unanticipated when the road was first constructed.

Initially, the Southern State had a toll between exits 13 and 14, at the Cross Island Parkway, until 1978 when the state eliminated it and removed the toll plaza.

Prior to World War II, the State Department of Transportation estimated that fewer than 15,000 cars traveled on the parkway each day. During the postwar population boom on Long Island, the volume expanded to 190,000 cars per day, with most using it to commute between home and work.

Mary Cascone, historian of the Town of Babylon, notes that the Long Island parkway system was initially designed to bring automobiles to state parks.

“By limiting access to passenger cars, the parkways were supposedly intended for recreational driving,” Cascone wrote in her research on Moses and the Southern State. “Drivers and passengers could enjoy the beauty of the tree-lined roadway, free of billboards and trucks, as they made the journey to the countryside.”

That intention is visually confirmed in photos taken of the road when it opened, showing one or two cars on a lushly landscaped parkway, portraying what was then known as the “leisurely Sunday drive.” With its verdant country-

side free of commercial traffic, the parkway appealed to the more affluent city residents who owned cars, whether an intentional outcome of the design or not.

An aspect of the roadway’s design that is often cited as evidence to support the claim that it was designed to deny access to the masses is its bridges, which have unusually low clearances.

“It appears to be accurate that the state parks and beaches reached by the Nassau and Suffolk County parkways were deliberately designed to accommodate motorists rather than people who used public transportation,” Cascone said. “The inference that many people make, however, is that Black people used public transportation — which they

Photos courtesy Babylon Town Historical Society

The Southern State Parkway under construction at Belmont Avenue in Babylon.

A colorized photo of the Southern State Parkway when it opened in 1927.

Southern State’s century of vehicular history

surely did — along with all the other people who could not afford to, or simply chose not to, own a car. This ignores the fact, however, that Black people did own automobiles, and drove them on the parkways and to the beaches.”

For some, however, the low parkway bridges are an unfortunate, lingering reminder of classism and inequity in the guise of public works, Cascone concluded.

Thomas J. Campanella, a professor at Cornell University, a historian and a writer on city planning and the urban environment, sees the potential evidence of discrimination in the lower height of the Southern State bridges compared with those on other parkways Moses designed.

“The low-bridge story is a microbiography of Moses, a tragic hero who built for the ages, but for a narrowly construed public,” Campanella wrote. “It also shows how something as inert as a stone-faced bridge can be alive with politics and meaning.”

He also noted that Moses’s attitude appeared contradictory, as he approved the construction of a swimming pool and play center in Harlem — now the Jackie Robinson Park — which is considered one of the best public works projects of the New Deal era anywhere in the United States, and established other recreational sites in communities of color across New York state.

In a press release dated July 23, 1934, Moses argued for the construction of more recreational facilities for all New Yorkers, noting, “It is no exaggeration to say that the health, happiness, efficiency and orderliness of many of the city’s

residents, especially in the summer months, are tremendously affected by the presence or absence of adequate swimming and bathing facilities.”

Next installment: Accident statistics and causes.

■ Originally designed with quaint wooden lampposts, which became affectionately known as “woody” lights.

■ When the parkway was first built, then Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted to have a western extension that reached into Brooklyn. That stretch of highway is known today as the Belt Parkway.

■ Following the suburban expansion of Long Island after World War II, the parkway was widened and straightened in places to allow for higher speeds and more traffic.

■ A state police substation and barracks were built on either side of the parkway in North Valley Stream.

■ A median service station was built in the 1930s east of Exit 32 (Route 110). It closed in 1985, but its abandoned ramps can still be seen in the median.

Jeffrey Bessen/Herald

Heading east on the south side of today’s Southern State Parkway.

Thousands celebrate Nassau police centennial

By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com

Thousands of residents lined the streets of Wantagh on Sunday, April 27, to celebrate the Nassau County Police Department’s 100th anniversary with a street parade and block party.

The parade stepped off from the corner of Wantagh and Beltagh avenues and featured antique police cars, motorcycles, pipe bands and horses. A helicopter flyover and performances by live musicians added to the festivities as the parade made its way toward Beech Street and Park Avenue.

According to a news release from the office of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, around 70,000 residents attended the celebration. The police department, the release stated, is part of why U.S. News & World Report named the county as the safest in America in their 2024 report. Blakeman, the release added, plans to continue investing in local law enforcement to help keep residents safe.

“We appreciate the men and women who keep us safe each and every day and remember those who died in the line of duty protecting our beautiful and great County,” Blakeman said in a statement. “Residents of Nassau County love their Police Department. May God bless them all and God bless America.”

Following the parade, a block party took place on Railroad Avenue in front of Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall, where attendees enjoyed food, music, and activities throughout the evening.

The police department was founded in April 1925 with 55 officers and has since grown into one of the largest police departments in the country, now serving more than 1.3 million residents with approximately 2,600 officers.

Blakeman and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder helped lead the centennial festivities, which aimed to honor the department’s legacy. Officials previously described the celebration as an opportunity to thank past and present members of the force and recognize the

department’s impact on Nassau County over the past century.

At the event, Ryder thanked police officers and officials who attended the event.

“We are here for one reason, and one reason only: to recognize and thank the men and women who serve,” Ryder said at the parade. “The County Executive said he wanted the biggest police parade in the country. No one has ever in the country’s history done just a police parade. Well, it happened here today.”

The parade included appearances from village police departments and featured past and present police vehicles as well as pipe bands from throughout the region.

Additional reporting by Luke Feeney

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Thousands gathered in Wantagh on April 27 to celebrate the Nassau County Police Department’s 100th anniversary with a street parade and block party. The Wantagh Chamber of Commerce participated in the parade, congratulating the police department on 100 years of service.

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder tosses a Frisbee to children watching the parade.

Nassau Country Police kicked off the parade in style, riding motorcycles down the street.

Max Zimmer, 7, left, Sean Nicholes, 7, and Mia Zimmer, 9, enjoyed the parade.

STEPPING OUT

“Choc”-full of delights

The Chocolate Expo is all sorts of delicious

By Danielle Schwab

Prepare for a day coated in all things chocolate.

Over 90 vendors soon set up shop at Hostra University’s David Mack Sports & Exhibition Center. The unique foodie experience returns, May 4, with sweet and savory tastes all in one place.

“We call ourselves the official home of chocolate, food, and fun,” Marvin Baum, the Chocolate Expo’s founder, says. “We’re using chocolate as a platform, not only to support small local businesses, but also to do good for the community.”

It all began in 2006, after Baum realized there was a strong desire to bring food vendors and communities together. Since 2012, the chocoholic’s delight has been sweetening Long Island and has grown to be the confectionery hot spot it is today.

“Long Island has always been a special spot for me. It helped us go to the next level in terms of what we could offer the public in terms of an experience,” Baum says.

From chocolate classics like bonbons, fudge and chocolate-dipped treats to interesting twists such as chocolate-covered bacon, there are no shortage of desserts to indulge in. For more savory pairings, baked goods, specialty foods, wine, and cheeses are also tempting; there’s surely something to satisfy everyone’s palate.

Visitors can check out the Long Island confectioners represented, including Bellmore’s Chocolate Works, a chocolaterie selling chocolate-covered pretzels, platters, and more.

“Last year was our first year at the Expo. We had a great experience,” Nimisha Patel, who owns the store with her husband, Raj, reports.“People always buy chocolate, and we get to be creative and decorate with different designs.”

Other local favorites include Chez Hedwidge, an artisan gluten-free bakery, based in Valley Stream; Massapequa’s Swizzled Desserts, a purveyor of small batch alchohol-infused ice creams and sorbets; and Sunflower Bakeshop, a Kosher bakery in West Hempstead that caters to customers with

• Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Tickets are $20, $10 ages 5-12 when purchased online, children under 5 free, $30, $15 child at door; available from thechocolateexpo.com

• Hofstra University, David S. Mack Sports & Exhibition Complex, Hempstead

food and dietary restrictions, offering a wide range of glutenfree and vegan options.

This year, the choice of treats is more enticing than ever.

“There are a limited number of chocolate shops on Long Island. We’re bringing vendors from other states and countries, so we can bring unique things that people from Long Island have not seen elsewhere before,” Baum says.

Be sure to sample the diverse offerings that include the trendy Dubai chocolate (Omniya), rich artisanal chocolates from Paris (Chocolaknin), and luxury Swiss assortments (Canonica).

The binge-worthy experiences don’t stop with chocolate. Guests can meet up with this years’ special guests — everyone’s favorite 1970s TV family, “The Brady Bunch.”

“There’s a strong nostalgic quality to connecting with the original show. This is a chance to get together, to connect without a television screen, in a much more informal kind of way,” says Barry Williams, who fans will know as the eldest Brady child, Greg Brady.

Williams is readu to answer all your eager-to-know questions about the show — along with his castmates Christopher Knight (Peter Brady), Mike Lookinland (Bobby Brady), and Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady) — during the morning panel discussion. He’s also bringing some “Tikis” that fans may recognize from the iconic Hawaii episode.

“I see happen quite often is a fan will approach us, they might be middle-aged, and in front of my eyes they will turn into the giggling teenager that they were when they were watching the show,” he notes.

Balloon artist Robbie Furman adds to the magic, creating a life-sized ‘Brady Bunch’ — made entirely out of balloons!

For more family-sized fun, young visitors can drop by the Kidz Zone for face painting, balloon twisting and chocolate smashing. You may even catch a glimpse of a Stormtrooper — don’t forget to respond “May the Fourth be with you!”

At the end of the day, kids can enjoy a balloon popping party.

“We let the kids pop them with safe little picks at the end of the event, which we’ve never done on Long Island before,” Baum says.

Whether you’re familiar with the Expo or a curious newcomer, it’s always a delectable outing.

“We have a relationship with people on Long Island, and they look forward to it every year. I recently saw a Facebook post [about the Expo] saying ‘My friend and I had a magical day that we will never forget,’” Baum says.

“This is why we do what we do with the Chocolate Expo, for our guests have a magical time.”

Pink Talking Fish

Three mammoth bands. Three musical phenomenons. One idea inspired by love of the music. That’s Pink Talking Fish. The hybrid tribute fusion act takes the music from three iconic bands creating a remarkable musical jam. PTF brings their unique sound to the Landmark on Main Street stage, on their latest tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the incredible Pink Floyd album “Wish You Were Here.” This show consists of two sets. The first set will be a full rendition of this epic album from start to finish, with “Classic PTF” combinations for the second set. “Wish You Were Here” is extremely meaningful to the band members and so many music lovers around the world and PTF is thrilled to bring this album to life in 2025. Although the music from each act is different, PTF has discovered that fusing the material together creates an amazing story. The epic emotion of Pink Floyd; the funky, danceable layerings of The Talking Heads; the styles, unique compositional structures and pure fun of Phish — to merge these three into one gives music lovers a special experience.

Friday, May 2, 8 p.m. $49 and $46. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or call (516) 767-6444.

Regency Romance is afoot

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes everyone to Regency Romance Weekend, a most splendid affair in honor of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. Families can wander the gardens for storybook strolls and hands-on crafts, while those with a playful spirit can enjoy lawn games fit for the finest estates. Also find inspiration in creative activities, while music lovers are serenaded with classical takes on familiar tunes. Of course, what would a Regency gathering be without fashion and society gossip? Take in a discussion on Regency fashion —fact versus fiction. And for those with a keen mind and a love of Austen’s world, Austen trivia will put your knowledge to the ultimate test. Plus indulge in a proper afternoon tea, or treat yourself to confections at the café.

Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury. For more information and program/events schedule, go to oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048.

Photos courtesy Chuck Fishman Every bite is a sweet discovery at The Chocolate Expo.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAY 1

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

• Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.

• Time: Ongoing

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

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

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

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City.

• Time: Also May 2-3, and May 7-8, times vary

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

MAY

Food Truck Fest

Baldwin Civic Association hosts a Food Truck Fest at Baldwin Community Garden. Stop by for some tasty bites.

2

• Where: 1980 Grand Ave.

• Time: 5-8:30 p.m.

MAY

3

MAY 11

Brian Regan

Critics, fans and fellow comedians agree: Brian Regan is one of the most respected comedians in the country with Vanity Fair calling Brian, “The funniest stand-up alive,” and Entertainment Weekly citing him as “Your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian.” Having built his 30-plus year career on the strength of his material alone, Brian’s non-stop theater tour continuously fills prestigious venues across North America, visiting close to 100 cities each year. His comedic talent extends beyond the stage. He’s released two acclaimed Netflix specials, “Brian Regan: Nunchucks And Flamethrowers” and “Brian Regan: On The Rocks,” showcasing his knack for finding humor in everyday situations. He also starred in his own Netflix series,”Stand Up And Away! With Brian Regan,” and even made history with “Brian Regan: Live From Radio City Music Hall,” the first live broadcast of a stand-up special in Comedy Central’s history. Regan also co-stars in three seasons of Peter Farrelly’s series, “Loudermilk,” which moved to Netflix in January 2024, ranking in the Top 10 TV shows on Netflix for over a month. He’s also a familiar presence on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” He’s the standup guest who the show invites on for two segments: a performance segment and also on the couch to chat with Jimmy. $99.50, $79.50, $69.50, $49.50.

the actual Regency/Jane Austen era. Ages 16+ welcome.

• Where: The Barn at Orchard Hill, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: Noon-1 p.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org

Mother’s Day Flower Pot workshop

Kids in grades 4-7 can paint a flower pot for the mother figure in their life at Baldwin Public Library. Registration required.

• Where: 2385 Grand Ave.

• Time: 2-3 p.m.

• Contact: baldwinpl.org

‘Bridgerton’inspired dance workshop

Learn to dance like Simon and Daphne! Enjoy an hour of grace and merriment at Old Westbury Gardesn and learn some of the dances from the “Bridgerton” and “Queen Charlotte” series. No experience is necessary and no partner is needed. Instructor Susan de Guardiola guides participants through easy choreographies inspired from the TV series and talks about how the Bridgerton dances differ from the dances of

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure. Stroll the gardens and listen to “Jane Austen: Little People Big Dreams” by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage. Registration required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or (516) 333-0048

MAY

Splish Splash… Animal Baths

4

Hang out with some Long Island Children’s Museum’s “residents,” Join an animal educator in the Hive Studio in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of LICM’s animals. Observe animal bath time.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 1:30-2 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

MAY

7

Baldwin Board of Education Meeting

Parents are encouraged to attend and voice their concerns at the Baldwin Board of Education’s next meeting at Baldwin High School.

• Where: 841 Ethel T Kloberg Dr.

• Time: 7 p.m.

MAY

Breastfeeding Support Group

8

Mercy Hospital offers a peer-to-peer breastfeeding support group facilitated by a certified counselor. Open to new

ages 2-5. Registration required. $15 per child.

• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 1-2 p.m.

• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210

MAY 10

Art

Explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Nassau County Museum of Art. Kids and their adult partners can talk about and make art together. Enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required.

• Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor

• Time: noon-3 p.m.

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

Bug Safari

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

moms with babies from newborn to 1 year. Registration required.

• Where: St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre.

• Time: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

• Contact: Call Gabriella Gennaro at (516) 705-2434 or chsliorg

BCA General Membership Meeting

Baldwin Civic Association holds its next membership meeting at Baldwin High School. Find out about community news and happenings.

• Where: 841 Ethel T. Kloberg Drive

MAY

9

Little Learners’ Busy Bees

Planting

Fields

Little Learners series continues with a buzzing adventure for the little ones. Families discover how these tiny but mighty creatures help our environment flourish. Through fun activities, explore how bees spread pollen and help plants grow, making them essential to nature’s magic. Each child also gets to craft their very own beehive thumbprint masterpiece and enjoy a lively, buzzing game that brings the wonders of pollination to life. For

Families are sure to enjoy a walk on the wild side at Old Westbury Gardens Hunt elusive grasshoppers, butterflies, predatory insects and other creepy, crawly creatures alongside entomologist Jeffry Petracca, of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center. Learn about the local insects that call Long Island home! Bring a butterfly net and a collecting jar if you have one. Included in your tour is a bug themed craft, and scavenger hunt. Meet at the Beech Tree. For all ages. Registration required. $23 child and adult, $20 child and senior adult (62+).

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org

Bike Parade

Soak up the warm weather by riding bikes at Baldwin Harbor Park.

• Where: 3232 Grand Ave.

• Time: 9 a.m.-noon

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.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON

SAVINGS FUND

SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF STARWOOD MORTGAGE

RESIDENTIAL TRUST

2019-INV1, Plaintiff, vs. SILVIA PANTON, Defendant.

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 19, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 746 Allwyn Street, Baldwin, NY 11510. 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, Section 54, Block 575 and Lot 14. Approximate amount of judgment is $570,725.71 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 604010/2022.

Mary Ellen Divone, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No.: 234326-1 152822

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

DEUTSCHE BANK

NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAA HOME EQUITY TRUST 2006-8, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-8, -against-

GLORIA C. FORTE

A/K/A GLORIA DEROCHE FORTE, 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 February 18, 2025, wherein

DEUTSCHE BANK

NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAA

HOME EQUITY TRUST

2006-8, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-8 is the Plaintiff and GLORIA C. FORTE

A/K/A GLORIA DEROCHE FORTE, 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 May 13, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2316 HARRISON AVENUE, BALDWIN, NY 11510; and the following tax map identification: 54-101-48. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN BALDWIN, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 606489/2023. Brian J. Carmody, 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. 152812

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for Residential Asset Securities Corporation, Home Equity Mortgage Asset-Backed PassThrough Certificates, Series 2006-EMX1, Plaintiff AGAINST Patrick Christopher; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 30, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 28, 2025, at

2:00PM, premises known as 3368 Bertha Drive, Baldwin, NY 11510. 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, State of New York, Section 54. Block 551 Lot 51.

Approximate amount of judgment $1,390,389.93 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 603298/2023.

Foreclosure auction will be held “Rain or Shine”

Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: April 10, 2025 153078

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ANNUAL DISTRICT ELECTION, BUDGET HEARING AND VOTE OF BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU STATE OF NEW YORK, TO BE HELD ON May 20, 2025

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the budget hearing of the qualified voters of the Baldwin Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Cafeteria A of Baldwin High School, Ethel T. Kloberg Drive, Baldwin, New York in said School District for the transaction of such business as is authorized by law including the following purposes:

1. Presentation and discussion of the budget for the operation of the district schools for the school year beginning July 1, 2025.

2. Presentation and discussion of the budget for operation of the Baldwin Public Library for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.

3. Transactions of such other business as is authorized by law.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the vote upon the appropriation of necessary funds to meet the necessary expenditures for the school year 20252026, the library appropriation, and on all propositions duly filed with the Board

of Education, to fill two vacancies for Trustees on the Board of Education for a term commencing July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2028, and to fill one vacancy on the Board of Trustees of the Baldwin Public Library for a term commencing July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2030, shall be held in the gymnasium of Baldwin High School Ethel T. Kloberg Drive, East of Grand Avenue, Baldwin, New York, in said School District on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, between the hours of 7:00AM and 9:00PM.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the following propositions will be presented to the voters at the May 20, 2025, vote:

PROPOSITION NO.

1: SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET

RESOLVED, that the proposed Budget of the Baldwin Union Free School District of the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, for the fiscal year 2025-2026 in the amount of $172, 880, 888 be adopted, and the amount be raised by tax upon the taxable property of the School District after first deducting the monies available from State Aid and other sources.

PROPOSITION NO.

2: PUBLIC LIBRARY BUDGET

RESOLVED, that the proposed Budget of the Baldwin Public Library for the fiscal year 20252026 in the amount of $6,393,961 be adopted, and the amount be raised by tax upon the taxable property of the School District after first deducting the monies available from State Aid and other sources.

PROPOSITION NO.

3: USAGE OF FUNDS FROM TECHNOLOGY RESERVE 2022

RESOLVED that the Board of Education shall present to the qualified voters of the Baldwin Union Free School District at the annual meeting to be held on May 20, 2025 the following proposition in substantially the following form: SHALL the Board of Education of the Baldwin Union Free School District be authorized to expend an amount not to exceed $450,000 from the Technology Reserve fund established on May 17, 2022 for the purpose of performing the following projects:

(a) New Chromebooks

for 3rd grade students; (b) Stylus pens for 3rd grade students; and (c) MedVision (medical mannequins), all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto.

PROPOSITION NO. 4: USAGE OF FUNDS FROM CAPITAL RESERVE #4, ESTABLISHED MAY 21, 2019, AND FROM CAPITAL RESERVE #5, KNOWN AS “CAPITAL-2023”, ESTABLISHED ON MAY 16, 2023

RESOLVED that the Board of Education shall present to the qualified voters of the Baldwin Union Free School District at the annual meeting to be held on May 20, 2025 the following proposition in substantially the following form: SHALL the Board of Education of the Baldwin Union Free School District be authorized to expend a total of $18,100,000.00 from the following: (1) $10,647,867.94 from Capital Reserve Fund #4, established on May 21, 2019, together with all accrued interest thereon, representing all remaining monies from Capital Reserve Fund #4 and (2) an amount not to exceed $7,452,132.06 from Capital Reserve Fund #5, known as “Capital-2023”, established on May 16, 2023, for the purpose of performing the following projects: (a) Baldwin High School Career Tech Ed Center Addition (CTE); (b) Baldwin High School existing auditorium renovations; (c) Baldwin Middle School new turf soccer field (west of track); (d) Lenox Elementary School, A/C electrical upgrades; (e) Meadow Elementary School, A/C electrical upgrades, all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto.

PROPOSITION #5 TO AUTHORIZE A PROPOSITION TO ESTABLISH CAPITAL RESERVE FUND #6, KNOWN AS THE “CAPITAL-2025” RESERVE FUND RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Baldwin Union Free School District hereby authorizes the following proposition to be placed on the ballot of the May 20, 2025 annual vote: SHALL the Board of Education, pursuant to Education Law section 3651, be authorized

to establish a Capital Reserve Fund #6, known as the “Capital - 2025” Reserve Fund for the purpose of performing the District-Wide capital improvements: instructional and noninstructional space improvements/ renovations/upgrades, (including but not limited to classroom improvements/ renovations/upgrades and/or additions to existing facilities), auditorium renovations, gymnasium renovations, cafeteria renovations, library/multi media center renovations, exterior renovations/ reconstruction, computer/ technology upgrades, security system upgrades, plumbing improvements/ renovations/upgrades, electrical improvements/ renovations/ upgrades, HVAC improvements/ renovations/upgrades, energy efficiency improvements/ renovation/upgrades, including the installation of solar power, improvements/ renovations/upgrades, renovations required for compliance with ADA requirements, vocational and career preparation renovations, portable classroom replacement and/or purchase, roof/gutter/ leader replacement, window replacement, masonry/concrete replacement, interior and exterior door/entry ways replacement, toilet room renovations, lighting upgrades, floor replacement, wall replacement, boiler replacements, elevators, carpentry renovations, purchase of buildings/ land, site renovations/ reconstruction, press box/dugout/ field house improvements/ renovations/ upgrades, bleacher improvements/ renovations/ upgrades, upgrades of signs, athletic field renovations/ reconstruction, playground renovations, lockers/locker room renovations, public address/clock system replacement, security system upgrades, sound system upgrades, telephone system upgrades, hazardous material remediation, storage space renovations, furnishings and equipment, including the purchase of vehicles, all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental cost related thereto. The maximum amount of

the aforesaid Capital Reserve Fund shall be $25,000,000.00 plus investment income. The probable term is to be 5 years; the funds are to be transferred from surplus monies, if any, remaining in the general fund including a sum not to exceed $10,000,000.00 from the 2024-2025 budget and thereafter in an annual amount of not more than $10,000,000.00 for each remaining year of the probable term.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the voting shall be on voting machines as provided by the Education Law and the polls will remain open from 7:00AM until 9:00PM and as much longer as may be necessary to enable the voters then present to cast their ballots. The District Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to have the necessary ballot labels printed for said voting machines in the form corresponding as nearly as may be with the requirements of the Education Law. The condensed form of the budget proposition and the text of all other propositions to appear on the voting machine and a detailed statement in writing of the amount of money which will be required for the school year 2025-2026 for school purposes, specifying the purposes and the amount for each will be prepared and copies thereof will be made available, upon request, to any taxpayer in the district at each school building in the district in which school is maintained between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:00PM during the period of fourteen days immediately preceding said election of May 20, 2025, excluding Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, and at such annual election.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the election shall be held in accordance with the Rules for the Conduct of Meetings and Elections adopted by the Board of Education.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the nominations for the office of members of the Board of Education unless otherwise provided by law, shall be made by petition subscribed by at least 37 qualified voters of the District, and nominations for office of member of the Library Board, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be made by petition

subscribed by at least 37 qualified voters of the District, filed in the office of the Clerk of the District between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, and by no later than 5:00 PM on April 21, 2025. Such petition shall state the name and residence of the candidates. Candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall be considered elected to their respective offices. Where terms are of different length, the candidate receiving the highest vote shall be elected to the longest term. A nomination may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares his unwillingness to serve.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any proposition or question to be placed upon the voting machines shall be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least 93 qualified voters of the District and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:00PM and by no later than 5:00 PM on April 21, 2025 , except that this rule shall not apply to those questions or propositions which are required to be stated in the published or posted notice of the meeting or to those propositions or questions which the Board of Education has authority by law to present at any annual or special meeting of the District.

Registration shall also be permitted in the office of the District Clerk at Baldwin’s Administration building during the hours of enrollment of children for a school term and also from 8:00AM to 3:00PM on any school day at any of the District schools not later than five days preceding the school meeting and election.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the district who shall personally present themselves for registration; and (2) all previously qualified voters of the District who shall have been previously registered for any Annual or Special District Meeting or election held or conducted at any time within four (4) years (2021-2024) prior to preparation of the said register; and (3) voters permanently registered with the Board of

BALDWIN

Public Notices

Election of the County of Nassau.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Board of Registration will further meet during the hours of voting at the Annual District Election on May 20, 2025, for the purpose of preparing a register for District meetings or elections to be held subsequent to May 20, 2025. Said register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the District who shall present themselves personally for registration, and (2) all qualified voters of the District who shall have been previously registered for any annual or special District meeting or election held or conducted at any time within four calendar years (2021-2024) prior to the preparation of said register.

The Register shall be filed in the Office of the District Clerk of the school district at the Administration Building, Hastings Street, Baldwin, New York where it shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter between the hours of 9:00AM and 2:00PM on each of the five days prior to the day set for the election, except Sunday, and on Saturday by appointment only.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an application for absentee and early mail ballots for the school district election may be applied for at the office of the Clerk. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available in the office of the Clerk on each of the five days prior to the day of the election, except Sunday, and on Saturday by appointment only. Applications for absentee ballots and early mail must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election. Furthermore, such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before

the vote. No absentee or early mail ballot shall be canvassed unless it is received in the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 PM, prevailing time, on the date of the election.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district.

Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot.

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

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot, to meet at the Baldwin Senior High School for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law 2019-a, subdivision 2b at said special meeting of the Board.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a Real Property Tax Exemption Report prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the

Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on District bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website. Dated: April 9th, 2025 Baldwin, NY BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK

Jacqueline Torres, District Clerk 152621

LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE LA ELECCIÓN ANUAL DEL DISTRITO, AUDIENCIA PRESUPUESTARIA Y VOTACIÓN DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE BALDWIN UNION CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, ESTADO DE NUEVA YORK, QUE SE CELEBRARÁ EL 20 de mayo de 2025 POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que la audiencia presupuestaria de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de Baldwin Union, Ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, se llevará a cabo el miércoles 7 de mayo de 2025 en la Cafetería A de la Escuela Secundaria Baldwin, Ethel T. Kloberg Drive, Baldwin, Nueva York en dicho Distrito Escolar para la transacción de dichos negocios autorizados por la ley, incluidos los siguientes propósitos:

1. Presentación y discusión del presupuesto para el funcionamiento de las escuelas del distrito para el año escolar que comienza el 1 de julio de 2025.

2. Presentación y discusión del presupuesto para la operación de la Biblioteca Pública Baldwin para el año fiscal que comienza el 1 de julio de 2025. 3.Transacciones de cualquier otro negocio que esté autorizado por la ley. TENGA EN CUENTA que la votación sobre la asignación de los fondos necesarios para cumplir con los gastos necesarios para el año escolar 20252026, la asignación de la biblioteca y todas las proposiciones debidamente presentadas ante la Junta de Educación,

para llenar dos vacantes para Fideicomisarios en la Junta de Educación por un período que comienza el 1 de julio de 2025 y expira el 30 de junio, 2028, y para llenar una vacante en la Junta de Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca Pública de Baldwin por un período que comienza el 1 de julio de 2025 y expira el 30 de junio de 2030, se llevará a cabo en el gimnasio de la Escuela Secundaria Baldwin Ethel T. Kloberg Drive, East of Grand Avenue, Baldwin, Nueva York, en dicho Distrito Escolar el martes 20 de mayo, 2025, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. TENGA EN CUENTA que las siguientes proposiciones se presentarán a los votantes en la votación del 20 de mayo de 2025:

PROPOSICIÓN NO. 1: PRESUPUESTO DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR

SE RESUELVE, que el presupuesto propuesto del Distrito Escolar Libre de Baldwin Union de la ciudad de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, estado de Nueva York, para el año fiscal 20252026 por la cantidad de $172, 880, 888 se adoptarán, y la cantidad se incrementará mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito Escolar después de deducir primero el dinero disponible de la Ayuda Estatal y otras fuentes.

PROPOSICIÓN NO. 2: PRESUPUESTO DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA

SE RESUELVE, que se adopte el presupuesto propuesto de la Biblioteca Pública de Baldwin para el año fiscal 2025-2026 por un monto de $ 6,393,961, y que el monto se aumente mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito Escolar después de deducir primero el dinero disponible de la Ayuda Estatal y otras fuentes.

PROPOSICIÓN Nº 3: USO DE FONDOS DE RESERVA TECNOLÓGICA 2022

SE RESUELVE que la Junta de Educación presentará a los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de Baldwin Union en la reunión anual que se llevará a cabo el 20 de mayo de 2025 la siguiente proposición sustancialmente de la siguiente forma: ¿Se autorizará a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de Baldwin Union a gastar una cantidad que no exceda los $450,000

del fondo de Reserva Tecnológica establecido el 17 de mayo? 2022 con el propósito de realizar los siguientes proyectos: (a) Nuevos Chromebooks para estudiantes de 3er grado; (b) Lápices ópticos para estudiantes de 3er grado; y (c) MedVision (maniquíes médicos), todo lo anterior incluye toda la mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos y costos incidentales relacionados con los mismos.

PROPOSICIÓN NO. 4: USO DE FONDOS DE LA RESERVA DE CAPITAL #4, ESTABLECIDA EL 21 DE MAYO DE 2019, Y DE LA RESERVA DE CAPITAL #5, CONOCIDA COMO “CAPITAL-2023”, ESTABLECIDA EL 16 DE MAYO DE 2023 SE RESUELVE que la Junta de Educación presentará a los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de Baldwin Union en la reunión anual que se llevará a cabo el 20 de mayo de 2025 la siguiente proposición sustancialmente de la siguiente forma:

¿Se autorizará a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de Baldwin Union a gastar un total de $18,100,000.00 de lo siguiente: (1) $10,647,867.94 del Fondo de Reserva de Capital # 4, establecido el 21 de mayo de 2019, junto con todos los intereses acumulados sobre el mismo, que representan todo el dinero restante del Fondo de Reserva de Capital # 4 y (2) una cantidad que no exceda los $ 7,452,132.06 del Fondo de Reserva de Capital # 5, conocido como “Capital-2023”, establecido el 16 de mayo de 2023, con el propósito de realizar los siguientes proyectos: (a) Baldwin High School Career Tech Ed Center (CTE); (b) Renovaciones del auditorio existente de la Escuela Secundaria Baldwin; (c) Nuevo campo de fútbol de césped de la Escuela Intermedia Baldwin (al oeste de la pista); (d) Escuela Primaria Lenox, mejoras eléctricas de aire acondicionado; (e) Escuela Primaria Meadow, actualizaciones eléctricas de aire acondicionado, todo lo anterior incluye toda la mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos y costos incidentales relacionados con los

mismos. PROPOSICIÓN #5 PARA AUTORIZAR UNA PROPUESTA PARA ESTABLECER EL FONDO DE RESERVA DE CAPITAL #6, CONOCIDO COMO EL FONDO DE RESERVA “CAPITAL-2025” SE RESUELVE, que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de Baldwin Union autoriza por la presente que la siguiente proposición se coloque en la boleta electoral anual del 20 de mayo de 2025: ¿DEBERÍA la Junta de Educación, de conformidad con la sección 3651 de la Ley de Educación, estar autorizada a establecer un Fondo de Reserva de Capital # 6, conocido como el Fondo de Reserva “Capital - 2025” con el propósito de realizar las mejoras de capital en todo el Distrito: mejoras/renovaciones/ actualizaciones de espacios educativos y no educativos (incluidas, entre otras, mejoras/renovaciones/ actualizaciones de aulas y/o adiciones a las instalaciones existentes), renovaciones de auditorios, renovaciones de gimnasios, renovaciones de cafeterías, renovaciones de bibliotecas/ centros multimedia, renovaciones/ reconstrucciones exteriores, actualizaciones de computadoras/ tecnología, actualizaciones de sistemas de seguridad, mejoras/renovaciones/ actualizaciones de plomería, mejoras/ renovaciones/ actualizaciones eléctricas, mejoras/ renovaciones/ actualizaciones de HVAC, mejoras de eficiencia energética / renovación/ actualizaciones, incluida la instalación de energía solar, mejoras/renovaciones/ actualizaciones, renovaciones requeridas para cumplir con los requisitos de la ADA, renovaciones vocacionales y de preparación profesional, reemplazo y/o compra de aulas portátiles, reemplazo de techo/ canalón/líder, reemplazo de ventanas, reemplazo de mampostería/ concreto, reemplazo de puertas/entradas interiores y exteriores, renovaciones de baños, mejoras de iluminación, reemplazo de pisos, reemplazo de paredes, reemplazos de calderas, ascensores, renovaciones de carpintería, compra de edificios/terrenos, renovaciones/ reconstrucción de sitios, caja de prensa/ dugout/casa de campo mejoras/renovaciones/ mejoras, mejoras/ renovaciones/mejoras de gradas, mejoras de letreros, renovaciones/ reconstrucción de campos deportivos, renovaciones de parques infantiles, renovaciones de casilleros/vestuarios, reemplazo del sistema de megafonía/reloj, actualizaciones del sistema de seguridad, actualizaciones del sistema de sonido, actualizaciones del sistema telefónico, remediación de materiales peligrosos, renovaciones de espacios de almacenamiento, mobiliario y equipo, incluida la compra de vehículos, todo lo anterior incluye toda la mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos y costos incidentales relacionados con los mismos. El monto máximo del mencionado Fondo de Reserva de Capital será de $25,000,000.00 más ingresos de inversión. El plazo probable será de 5 años; el Los fondos se transferirán del dinero excedente, si lo hubiere, que permanezca en el fondo general, incluida una suma que no exceda los $ 10,000,000.00 del presupuesto 2024-2025 y, posteriormente, en un monto anual de no más de $ 10,000,000.00 por cada año restante del plazo probable. TENGA EN CUENTA que la votación se realizará en máquinas de votación según lo dispuesto por la Ley de Educación y las urnas permanecerán abiertas desde las 7:00 a.m. hasta las 9:00 p.m. y tanto tiempo como sea necesario para permitir que los votantes presentes en ese momento emitan sus votos. Por la presente, se autoriza y ordena al Secretario del Distrito que imprima las etiquetas de boleta necesarias para dichas máquinas de votación en la forma que corresponda lo más cerca posible de los requisitos de la Ley de Educación. Se preparará la forma condensada de la propuesta presupuestaria y el texto de todas las demás proposiciones que aparecerán en la máquina de votación y una declaración detallada por escrito de

la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año escolar 2025-2026 para fines escolares, especificando los propósitos y la cantidad para cada uno, y se pondrán a disposición copias de las mismas. previa solicitud, a cualquier contribuyente del distrito en cada edificio escolar del distrito en el que se mantenga la escuela entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. durante el período de catorce días inmediatamente anterior a dicha elección del 20 de mayo de 2025, excluyendo sábados, domingos y días festivos, y en dicha elección anual.

TENGA EN CUENTA que la elección se llevará a cabo de acuerdo con las Reglas para la Realización de Reuniones y Elecciones adoptadas por la Junta de Educación.

TENGA EN CUENTA que las nominaciones para el cargo de miembros de la Junta de Educación, a menos que la ley disponga lo contrario, se harán mediante petición suscrita por al menos 37 votantes calificados del Distrito, y las nominaciones para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de la Biblioteca, a menos que la ley disponga lo contrario, se harán mediante petición suscrita por al menos 37 votantes calificados del Distrito, presentada en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m . o, a más tardar, las 5:00 p. m. del 21 de abril de 2025. En dicha petición se indicará el nombre y residencia de los candidatos. Los candidatos que obtengan el mayor número de votos se considerarán elegidos para sus respectivos cargos. Cuando los mandatos sean de diferente duración, el candidato que obtenga la votación más alta será elegido para el mandato más largo. Una nominación puede ser rechazada por la Junta de Educación si el candidato no es elegible para el cargo o declara su falta de voluntad para servir.

TENGA EN CUENTA que cualquier proposición o pregunta que se coloque en las máquinas de votación deberá presentarse por escrito mediante una petición suscrita por al menos 93 votantes calificados del Distrito y presentada en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. o, a más tardar, las

Public Notices

5:00 p. m. del 21 de abril de 2025, excepto que esta regla no se aplicará a aquellas preguntas o proposiciones que se requieran indicar en el aviso publicado o publicado de la reunión o a aquellas proposiciones o preguntas que el Consejo de Educación tenga autoridad por ley para presentar en cualquier reunión anual o especial del Distrito. También se permitirá la inscripción en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito en el edificio de Administración de Baldwin durante las horas de inscripción de los niños para un período escolar y también de 8:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. en cualquier día escolar en cualquiera de las escuelas del Distrito a más tardar cinco días antes de la reunión escolar y la elección.

TENGA EN CUENTA que el registro deberá incluir (1) todos los los electores del distrito que se presentarán personalmente para el registro; y (2) todos los votantes previamente calificados del Distrito que se hayan registrado previamente para cualquier Reunión Anual o Especial del Distrito o elección celebrada o realizada en cualquier momento dentro de los cuatro (4) años (2021-2024) anteriores a la preparación de dicho registro; y (3) votantes registrados permanentemente en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau.

TENGA EN CUENTA que la Junta de Registro se reunirá nuevamente durante las horas de votación en la Elección Anual del Distrito el 20 de mayo de 2025, con el fin de preparar un registro para las reuniones o elecciones del Distrito que se llevarán a cabo después del 20 de mayo de 2025. Dicho registro incluirá (1) a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito que se presentarán personalmente para el registro, y (2) a todos los votantes calificados del

Distrito que deberán haber sido previamente registrados para cualquier evento anual o especial Reunión o elección distrital celebrada o realizada en cualquier momento dentro de los cuatro años calendario (2021-2024) antes de la preparación de dicho registro.

El Registro se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito escolar en el Edificio de Administración, Hastings Street, Baldwin, Nueva York, donde estará abierto para la inspección de cualquier votante calificado entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 2:00 p.m. en cada uno de los cinco días anteriores al día establecido para la elección. excepto los domingos, y los sábados solo con cita previa.

TENGA EN CUENTA que una solicitud de boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado para las elecciones del distrito escolar se puede solicitar en la oficina del Secretario. Una lista de todas las personas a las que se les habrán emitido boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado estará disponible en la oficina del Secretario en cada uno de los cinco días anteriores al día de la elección, excepto el domingo, y el sábado solo con cita previa. Las solicitudes de boletas de voto ausente y correo anticipado deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito no antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección. Además, dicha solicitud debe ser recibida por el Secretario del Distrito al menos siete días antes de la elección si la boleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección si la boleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante o a su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna de una boleta de voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado, el Secretario del Distrito

enviará la boleta a la dirección establecida en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. No se escrutará ninguna boleta electoral por ausencia ni por correo anticipado a menos que se reciba en la oficina de la secretaria del distrito antes de las 5:00 p. m. a más tardar, hora en vigor, en la fecha de la elección.

TENGA EN CUENTA que los votantes militares que no están registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que son votantes calificados del distrito escolar pueden presentar una solicitud para una boleta militar. Los votantes militares pueden designar su preferencia para recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de boleta militar o una boleta militar por correo, transmisión de fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de boleta o boleta. Los formularios de registro de votantes militares y los formularios de solicitud de boletas militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 24 de abril de 2025. No se realizará el escrutinio de ninguna boleta militar a menos que (1) se reciba en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el día de las elecciones y muestre una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o muestre un endoso fechado de recepción por otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) recibido por la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el día de las elecciones y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha

asociada a no más tarde del día antes de la elección.

POR FAVOR, TENGA EN CUENTA que esta Junta convocará una reunión especial de la misma dentro de las veinticuatro horas posteriores a la presentación ante el Secretario del Distrito de un informe escrito de los resultados de la votación, para reunirse en la Escuela Secundaria Superior Baldwin con el propósito de examinar y tabular dichos informes del resultado de la votación y declarar el resultado de la votación; que la Junta por la presente se designa a sí misma como un conjunto de secretarios electorales para emitir y escrutar votos de conformidad con la Ley de Educación 2019-a, subdivisión 2b en dicha reunión especial de la Junta.

TENGA EN CUENTA que un Informe de Exención del Impuesto sobre la Propiedad Inmobiliaria preparado de acuerdo con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre la Propiedad Inmobiliaria se adjuntará a cualquier presupuesto tentativo / preliminar, así como al presupuesto final adoptado del que formará parte; y se publicará en el Distrito tablón de anuncios para avisos públicos, así como en el sitio web del Distrito.

Fecha: 9 de abril de 2025 Baldwin, Nueva York POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN

DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE LA UNIÓN BALDWIN CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

Jacqueline Torres, Secretaria del Distrito 152623

place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

Apartment complex is part of Baldwin revitalization

2019 with a $10 million state grant. The initiative aims to transform the area into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly and economically resilient downtown.

According to the Town of Hempstead website, the Town Board approved the site plan for the new development at its April 8 meeting. The project, submitted by attorney Gregory Alvarez on behalf of Jaep Properties LLC, includes a fourstory multifamily apartment building with a ground-floor parking garage, office space and other amenities.

The plan, prepared by engineer Zachary Chaplin, offer detailed specifications for the proposed structures. In its resolution, the board determined that the project would be in the public interest.

Despite understanding the project’s goals, some community members expressed sadness on Facebook about the closure.

“We’re really grateful for the support we have received from the community,” Michael Cecere said. “We are still serving the Baldwin community, and as sad as it is to lose a building like that, we

are optimistic for what is to come for the community.”

The planned apartment building is one of several in the broader redevelopment plan. Another, The Grand at Baldwin — a $106 million project by Breslin Realty — will replace a former car storage facility at the southeast corner of Sunrise Highway and Grand Avenue with a five-story building. Baldwin Commons, a $16 million project by Park Grove Realty and the Community Development Corporation of Long Island, will transform an auto storage yard at 785 Merrick Road into a four-story complex with 33 workforce-housing units. The application process for Baldwin Commons opened earlier this year.

Community leaders have voiced optimism about the changes. “We had the opportunity to learn about and comment on the original design, and actually brokered a conversation between the developers and members of the immediate community,” Kimberly Malone, president of the Baldwin Civic Association, said. “We think it can help to bring new life to the area, which we believe can help support local business growth.”

READ THEM

Continued from page 1

Courtesy Cecere Family Funeral Home

Cecere family funeral Home will leave its location in Baldwin to make room for a new residential development on the site.

michael Cecere told the Herald that they will continue to serve the Baldwin community with the donza funeral Home in east rockaway.

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The biggest problem I see is that the ceiling is just a little too low, that someone dropped the entire ceiling level just because of one pipe. The minimum ceiling height in the current code is 6 feet 8 inches clearance, with 6 feet 4 inches under the center beams, air ducts or soffits anywhere in the basement. Always leave access for shutoff valves, wiring connections, cleanouts and other controls.

If you need to move pipes that were installed without any care for your future use of the basement, move them. Piping should go around the perimeter of the basement, no matter what excuse you hear. Because of poor planning and even worse execution, pipes are the No. 1 problem, because someone thoughtlessly put them in a place that was good for them and not for you.

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The ceiling finish can be sheetrock in the larger areas with perimeter “hung” track ceilings outfitted with removable ceiling tiles. Again, even those lowered perimeter and under-beam soffits need to be no less than 6 feet 4 inches above the floor. Tall firefighters need to avoid hitting their heads when they’re running though your smoke-filled basement to rescue you or your loved ones.

Although you know you need an escape well window or exterior door entry, placement of the well in some side or front yards can cause a code violation if it’s closer than allowed to a property line. Verify your setback requirements for your zone, and even confirm that with an official at your local building department.

Many jurisdictions require a permit with plans and inspections, so don’t forget these important requirements. There are so many people who are frustrated that their contractor didn’t tell them that they needed a permit, and even worse, that they now have a violation that requires reconstruction to pass inspections. Don’t be one of those people.

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opinions Battery storage is key to economic competitiveness

As a lifelong Long Islander, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when our energy system fails. I lived through Superstorm Sandy and helped lead recovery efforts in its aftermath — and I don’t need to remind those who went weeks without power and spent hours on gas lines that grid resilience isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a necessity — one we must urgently prioritize.

Unfortunately, more than a decade later, the challenge not only persists, but it’s more complex than ever. The surge in electric vehicles, the rise of data centers and the electrification of homes and businesses are pushing Long Island’s energy demand to unprecedented levels. This isn’t just about the next superstorm — it’s about how we power everyday life for families and small businesses right now. Our existing grid wasn’t designed for this kind of load, and without proactive investment, we risk higher costs, decreased reliability and a system stretched to its breaking point. And the pressure is mounting. The Long Island Power Authority anticipates a steep rise in electricity demand in the

As I fight tooth and nail for every dollar, every program, every piece of support that I can secure for my constituents, a clear pattern has emerged in the performance of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman — one that it is marred by self-promotional pageantry, misplaced priorities and big promises that ultimately collapse.

The most recent example is the failure of the NYU Langone hospital project that was supposed to rise on the campus of Nassau Community College. When Blakeman introduced it, he billed it as a multibillion-dollar economic engine that would create thousands of jobs, deliver cutting-edge medical care and provide opportunities for our students.

When it was withdrawn in March, it became just another abandoned plan — another missed opportunity that could have changed lives and transformed our economy. Questions from the public and lawmakers have been met with a lack of

coming years. Storage will be key. Planned battery storage projects in Shoreham and Hauppauge are expected to deliver 129 megawatts of capacity, enough to power 25,000 homes once they’re operational in 2028. These aren’t theoretical solutions; they’re essential to keeping Long Islanders’ lights on. And they demonstrate that the public and private sectors can work together to address infrastructure challenges with innovative solutions.

important in ensuring that clean power doesn’t go to waste.

Without it, rising demand can trigger price volatility, hurting small businesses.

Battery energy storage systems are a smart response to this challenge. By storing excess energy during off-peak times and discharging it when demand peaks, these systems stabilize the grid without requiring massive infrastructure overhauls. They help prevent blackouts, curb price spikes, and improve efficiency. In short, they let us do more with what we already have, and that’s a win for everyone.

One of BESS’s most powerful features is its flexibility. It can store energy from any source — solar, wind, natural gas — and dispatch it where and when it’s needed most. This ability to smooth out fluctuations in supply and demand is crucial not just for stability, but also for affordability. And as more renewable sources come online, storage becomes even more

And we don’t have to look far to see BESS in action. On Long Island, Brookhaven recently approved two major battery storage projects that will add more than 300 megawatts of capacity to the grid. These facilities will store renewable energy when production is high and release it during peak usage — cutting costs, improving reliability and reducing emissions. As New York state accelerates its clean energy goals, battery storage projects like these will prove to be a critical tool for making our power system cleaner, smarter and more resilient. They also mean job creation and local investment, as the clean energy economy continues to grow.

Beyond environmental benefits, BESS has an economic upside. Without storage, rising demand can trigger price volatility, hurting working families and small business owners most. Battery storage helps keep costs predictable by reducing reliance on expensive “peaker” plants. And for high-tech industries like AI, data processing and advanced manufacturing, energy stability isn’t just a bonus — it’s a requirement for doing business. The long-term economic competitiveness of our region depends on

getting this right. Of course, safety must be top of mind. Modern battery storage systems are equipped with cutting-edge fire-prevention measures, modular designs and rigorous safety protocols. Proposed updates to fire codes will go even further, requiring comprehensive emergency planning and more frequent inspections. These systems aren’t just high-performing — they’re engineered to be safe and dependable, with oversight from both developers and local authorities.

If we want Long Island to stay competitive, battery storage must become a core part of our energy strategy. That means updating regulations to enable faster deployment, incentivizing private investment and supporting community engagement. Doing nothing is not an option. The longer we wait, the more vulnerable we become — not just to storms, but also to soaring costs and system failures. The future of energy here doesn’t hinge on simply generating more power — it depends on using the power we already have more wisely. Battery storage is the bridge between today’s strained grid and tomorrow’s resilient, affordable and sustainable energy future. Let’s not wait for the next storm or the next blackout to act. The time is now.

Sammy Chu is chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council-Long Island Chapter and chief executive officer of Edgewise Energy.

Nassau has little to show for Blakeman’s big promises

transparency, and no explanation.

Just up the road from NCC, you’ll find the Uniondale Hub, where Blakeman unsuccessfully chased a casino license. Whether you supported or opposed it, you couldn’t help but notice that the pursuit was fraught. The first time it went through the Legislature, the process was so flawed that a court made him start over. The project, with his promises of jobs and tax revenues, finally fell through, and billions of dollars in promised economic development and opportunities for union workers disappeared with yet another failed attempt to develop the Hub.

accounting for how the money was used.

The same can be said of the handling of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup. After major portions of Eisenhower Park were closed for months, and there was the promise of an economic windfall, all Nassau got in return (from what we can tell so far) is major disruptions to the park’s operations, questions about whether taxpayers made a dime and, once again, no accountability.

H e favors political theater over policies that will address our serious issues.

Worse yet, the Blakeman administration blocked the use of project labor agreements to build the temporary stadium, squandering an opportunity to boost the livelihoods of local workers.

world-class burn center and lifesaving drug detox facilities, fails, it won’t just be a health care catastrophe — it will also be an economic earthquake. Working families will lose access to care, and thousands of jobs in the medical field could vanish overnight. Finger-pointing does not suffice as a strategy.

And let’s not forget the fundamentals: Blakeman passed a county budget that was so out of balance that it violated generally accepted accounting principles, and Nassau’s fiscal monitor forced him to fix it. The county’s most recent capital infrastructure plan was stalled for months because of Blakeman’s inexplicable refusal to fund more than $1 million in grants for first responders in Democratic districts, adding political rancor where there should be none.

These are not the only things that have vanished under this administration. Remember Blakeman’s plan to use $10 million in federal coronavirus recovery funds to promote himself under the guise of the county’s 125th-anniversary celebration? While families struggled to get back on their feet after the pandemic, his administration concluded that the best use for a significant portion of those funds was gala banquets, golf outings, fireworks and parades. Yet many of these events never happened, and there is little

The disrespect for labor is further exemplified in the treatment of CSEA employees and retirees, the backbone of our county workforce. They were promised affordable health care in exchange for their service. Instead, Blakeman gutted their benefits.

Then there’s the future of Nassau University Medical Center. Instead of delivering on promises to save the hospital, the administration has installed political cronies and further deepened the crisis. If NUMC, a Level 1 trauma center with a

As someone who is fighting to make things better for our communities, it is profoundly frustrating to pick up the pieces after an administration that prioritizes political theater over implementing policies that will address the most serious issues facing our communities. Nassau County deserves better than disappearing headlines. We deserve leadership that delivers.

Seth Koslow, who represents Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District, is the Democratic candidate for county executive.

sAMMY CHU

sETH i. KosLoW

There should be nothing but support for law enforcement

in recent weeks I have been at a number of events sponsored by police organizations, including a gala honoring 100 years of the Nassau County Police Department. I also spoke at a meeting of the Long Island Shields, which comprises retired police and law enforcement officers from New York City’s five boroughs as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties. And I attended a news conference with County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Police Commissioner Pat Ryder, at which they announced the creation of a house of worship desk, and demonstrated how drones can be deployed within minutes of mass shootings at houses of worship to determine the precise location of the shooter.

I regularly attend NCPD briefings on possible terror threats on Long Island. This isn’t new for me, since for my final almost two decades in Congress after 9/11, both as chairman and as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I worked very closely with the New York

The lessons of the Holocaust are for everyone opinions

Last week, millions of people of the Hebrew faith observed an event known as the Shoah. It is the Hebrew word for catastrophe or disaster, and it is frequently used to refer to the Holocaust, the deliberate killing of six million Jews by the Nazi regime. While not all of us pause to formally recognize this event, it is a painful reminder of man’s inhumanity to man, and deserves to be observed every year.

I am very much aware of the need to pause to remember the Holocaust, because many members of my immediate family were either innocent victims of the Nazi killing machine or managed to escape the horror. Despite the fact that many of my aunts and uncles were Holocaust survivors, there was rarely any discussion about their experiences, because they were too painful to recount.

City and Nassau and Suffolk police departments on counterterrorism strategies and resources. Unfortunately, I was also in Congress during the summer of 2020, when we saw massive demonstrations against the police, a number of which turned violent, and the coordinated effort to “defund the police.” Tragically, I have also attended too many funerals of cops who have been shot and killed in the line of duty.

Too many people take the police for granted, or in some cases are even anti-police.

I say all this because too many people too often take the police for granted, or in some cases even join or support the anti-police movement, focusing on inappropriate actions taken by the smallest minority of police while ignoring that no one does more than the men and women in blue to safeguard all of us while respecting the rights of everyone regardless of race, creed or national origin — all while putting themselves at great risk.

While I understand why everyday people, who are busy trying to make a living and provide for their families, can overlook the outstanding work cops are doing to protect us 24/7, I have little tolerance for elected officials who enact laws or implement policies to tie the

hands of the police or, even worse, turn against them when it suits their political purposes. Support for police shouldn’t be subject to the shifting political winds. It is hypocritical to see politicians who, just a few years ago, were riding the “defund the police” bandwagon, or saying nothing in defense of the police, now shamelessly demanding more funding for more police. Similarly hypocritical are those legislators who hailed themselves for passing “bail reform” now claiming they never intended it to put more criminals back on the streets.

Recent elections have shown that everyday Americans are rallying for the police and supporting policies best described as pro-law and order. For instance, most observers, Democrats and Republicans alike, would agree that Anne Donnelly was elected Nassau County district attorney over her much more well known opponent, State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, four years ago not just because of her decades-long career as a prosecutor, but because of Kaminsky’s previous outspoken support of cashless bail, which he unsuccessfully attempted to run away from during the campaign.

Similarly, the most obvious example of this growing pro-cop sentiment was Donald Trump’s election last fall. Trump ran on a clear pro-police, toughon-crime platform, moving many traditional Democrats to cross party lines to vote for him over the party they believed abandoned them.

I must admit that my support for the police is due in part to personal dealings I’ve had with members of law enforcement over the years, beginning with my father, who was in the NYPD for more than 30 years, and friends of mine who joined the NYPD and NCPD. There were also my close dealings with all levels of law enforcement — federal, state and local — in the years after 9/11, including the officers assigned to my security detail because of foreign and domestic threats against me.

But support for law enforcement must be based on more than personal or family friendships and relationships. Very basically, it is in all of our best interests to support the men and women who — often against the odds — put themselves at risk to protect our streets and communities. It’s also simply the right thing to do.

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

Those members of my family who were survivors were blessed to live long lives even though they suffered greatly during the war. A few lived into their 90s, and my grandma Sarah lived to be 100. Some might say that for them, long life was a blessing, but I believe it was a testament to their willingness to be living examples of what they had seen so that we didn’t forget their ordeal, or the millions who didn’t survive.

M y Grandma

Sarah never spoke of her confinement until her late 90s.

At this point, I choose to write about my grandmother and my aunt Irene. On a few rare occasions, they put aside their reticence to tell us something about the horrible past. In the case of Irene, she spoke of how she had been sent to a concentration camp, along with her mother and sister. When they got there, a German soldier directed her mother and sister to go to one area, and Irene to another. After that moment, she said, she never saw them again, because their fate was sealed. Grandma Sarah had another story, but she never spoke of her confinement

until her late 90s. We had been forced to put her in the Komanoff Pavilion, in Long Beach, due to her many physical needs. On the few occasions that we visited her, she told us that “they beat me last night.” She told us many other things that we knew she would never willingly reveal if she had control of her faculties. I share these stories out of my fear for where the world is going.

Recently there was an election in Germany. Before it, Vice President J.D. Vance decided to meet with the leaders of all of the nation’s political parties. He gave special support to the far right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, party, which has strong pro-Nazi leanings. Its platform has frightened the country, and Europe in general. Vance made a plea for the party to be recognized as a partner in future governments. His visit was totally unnecessary, and sent a message to bigots around the world that their antisemitism has the approval of a White House occupant. We are currently hearing a great deal

of talk about antisemitism on college campuses as well as in the rest of America. Leaders of the Anti-Defamation League recently reported that there have been over 10,000 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. since the horrific tragedy of Hamas’s attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023. It is believed to be the highest number of incidents ever recorded in a similar period since the ADL started tracking them in 1979.

History tells us that hate crimes don’t just single out one particular group. People of Italian, Irish, Chinese, Muslim and other backgrounds have suffered at the hands of wicked political leaders who strategically pick some group as their scapegoats. The observance of the Shoah is a stark reminder that, once again, these horror stories can be repeated, unless we are vigilant and willing to fight against hate in all forms. The forces of evil are always there waiting to strike, especially when we fail to ignore them.

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

JERRY

KREMER

HERALD

Your Board of Education needs your attention

oWn Long Island and across New York state, incumbent trustees and new candidates for school district boards of education have submitted their petitions and are now on the ballot on May 20, when residents go to the polls to vote on their school budgets and capital improvement referendums, and elect their trustees.

For the next two and a half weeks, the candidates will hold forums with residents and plant lawn signs across their communities in an effort to keep their names in voters’ minds, as well as their stances on the districts’ spending plans.

While elected positions from village trustee to state legislator might appear more important and larger in scope, the decisions that shape our daily lives are frequently made on those school boards. And, from voters’ perspective, lifeimpacting decisions about where they choose to live are more often than not made based on where their children will go to school.

Quality public education not only prepares our children for bright futures, but also increases communities’ property values, attracts new residents, reduces crime and promotes social mobility.

For the 125 school districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties, boards of education, typically consisting of five to nine people, play a critical role in overseeing and shaping the educational system. Their responsibilities include creating a vision for the district, setting goals and

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establishing policies, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, and collaborating with administrators to help ensure the schools’ smooth operations. They must be accountable to the community, and offer regular, constructive public engagement.

Though trustees are volunteers, they are entrusted to guide the district and have a duty to represent their constituencies during their three-year terms. That includes being aware of, and understanding, the influence they wield.

All of the above are great reasons why you should care about your local school board: because its members represent the beating heart of civic responsibility, and because our schools deserve leadership that is not only competent and informed, but also reflective of and responsive to the communities they serve. Board trustees may have none of the glamour of state or national office holders, but the impact they have is often more immediate, and more personal. Their decisions don’t just affect students — they affect entire neighborhoods, in so many ways.

Residents have a responsibility to know who represents them and what those representatives stand for. That means researching school board candidates, attending their town halls, asking tough questions — making sure community concerns are heard — and judging the results with your vote. You can learn

Gillen’s ‘town hall’ wasn’t much of one

To the Editor:

U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen advertised a “Town Hall Meeting” on April 16. Sadly, it was nothing more than a performative press release with an audience. What a disappointment. and waste of her constituents’ time! A 30-minute presentation with no comments, feedback or questions from the audience.

While technically meeting the definition of a Q&A by reading pre-submitted — and perhaps prescreened — questions, Gillen answered them with superficial, pre-fabricated responses that, in some cases, matched exactly the column she wrote for the Heralds last month. We could have just stayed home and read our copy of the Herald!

Gillen told us why she chose which committees she wanted to serve on, her hope and plan to work in a bipartisan fashion, and her desire to reduce roadway deaths and dangers. She shared her reason for supporting the Laken Riley Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain illegal immigrants who commit certain crimes, but when there was criticism from the audience, the person was removed by security.

more about candidates before elections, and then their effectiveness as trustees, each week in the Herald.

nal, someone and deserves is far more

And anyone can run for their local school board. You don’t need a background in teaching, or a master’s in education policy, or to be working in a profession that has anything to do with either one. What you do need is a commitment to fairness, a willingness to listen and a passion for serving your community by providing its children with the highest-quality education possible.

Public education needs leaders who understand the complexities of modern classrooms and the myriad challenges faced by working families who have kids in school, and public servants who put the needs of students above special interests. That leadership doesn’t have to come from somewhere else. It can come from you. We need more residents to step forward — not for the prestige of being a trustee, but for the purpose.

At a time when trust in institutions is fragile and divisions run deep, school boards offer a rare opportunity to focus on unity and progress, where politics can — and certainly should — take a backseat to the shared goal of improving children’s lives.

So let this be a call not only to vote, but also to get involved. Attend meetings. Volunteer to help with a school activity. Speak up — ask questions. And if you’re ready to lead, step up. Our children are depending on us.

What was never touched on was the elephant in the room, the reason so many people wanted to attend the meeting: We are in crisis in this country, our rights are being overridden, the Consti-

tution trampled. The current administration is committing illegal acts in our name, “disappearing” people and shipping them to foreign countries where our tax dollars are used to keep them

during have a sonal experience of the behind My arrived hope and Her Galda

Not all immigrants are criminals

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

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

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

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

El Salvador’s civil war, which began in 1979, was marked by brutal violence, corruption and ruthless repression. The Salvadoran government, heavily supported by U.S. military aid, waged war against leftist insurgents and civilians it accused of being sympathetic to them.

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

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

Throughout the conflict, military and paramilitary forces committed countless atrocities — massacres, forced disappearances and the destruction of entire villages. Thousands of innocent civilians were murdered or disappeared simply for being suspected of opposing the government.

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

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detained without due process. Our confidential personal data is being taken by rogue invaders without any security clearance. Our Social Security, health care system and Medicaid are in grave danger. This was not addressed in Gillen’s “town hall.” The fear, concern and dissent were not acknowledged in any way.

While I guess we should be happy that at least there was a performance of a town hall, since so many legislators are totally ignoring their constituents, and in fact hiding from them, this event was barely better. She can and should do better!

LINdA

ROBERTSON West Hempstead

New chief program officer at United Cerebral Palsy-LI

To the Editor:

United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island would like to introduce Robin Lane as the organization’s first-ever chief program officer.

A dedicated member of the UCP-LI family since 1993, Lane has over 35 years of experience providing services to people with disabilities.

“Robin’s career with UCP is a testament to her unwavering dedication, passion and leadership,” Colleen Crispino, president and CEO of UCP-LI, said. “Her promotion is not only well-deserved, but also a natural progression for someone who has made such a lasting impact on our organization and the people we serve.”

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

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

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

Lane began her journey with UCP-LI as a residential manager, and has held various leadership roles in the program, including associate director. Her most recent position was director of quality management and corporate compliance. In that role she had the responsibility for incident management, quality assurance and compliance, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.

As chief program officer, Lane will oversee the planning, development, and management of all program areas, including adult day services, the Children’s Center, residential services, and a wide range of family support programs.

She will also serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, where she plays an integral role in strategic planning, systems development and program innovation.

“I am honored and excited to step into the role of chief program officer,” Lane said. “UCP has been my professional home for over three decades, and I am deeply committed to advancing our mission, supporting our dedicated staff, and continuing to provide the highest quality services to the individuals and families we serve.”

Lane earned a bachelor’s degree in health policy and administration from Pennsylvania State University and a graduate degree from Stony Brook University.

For more information about UCP of Long Island and its programs, visit UCP-li. org.

JILLIAN CAVALIERI

Community relations specialist, UCP of Long Island

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

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

Hernesto Galdamez is editor of the Baldwin Herald.

Framework by Tim Baker

Hernesto GaLDameZ