of the North Bellmore School District Newbridge Road Elementary School third grade Hayley Dunne won a PTA raffle and was principal for a day on Jan. 23.
Newbridge Road’s principal for a day
3rd grader wins PTA raffle, giving her leadership role
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Hayley Dunne, a third grader at Newbridge Road Elementary School in North Bellmore, recently won a PTA raffle, earning her the honor of serving as the school’s principal for a day on Jan. 23.
Hayley began her day alongside Amanda Licci, the school’s actual principal, helping supervise morning arrival as students were dropped off. After students settled into their classrooms, she joined third-grade student council members in delivering the morning announcements, closing with a message about good character and a reminder to demonstrate the school’s “Newbridge HEART.”
Throughout the day, Hayley accompanied
Licci on classroom visits across multiple grade levels. They visited sixth-grade classrooms for a read-aloud of “Why Not?” and walked the hallways while Licci answered Hayley’s questions about the principal’s role. Hayley also participated in school-wide incentive activities that reward positive behavior. At Newbridge Road, classes earn hearts for good conduct during lunch and recess, with prizes awarded after collecting 20 hearts. Hayley joined a fourth-grade class for Pause and Play and a third-grade class for Cub Comedy Corner, where students shared jokes. She also assisted second graders in writing their names on cafeteria windows as part of the Tiger Ink reward.
The student principal ate lunch with
JFK students lead cancer education
By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
Two John F. Kennedy’s High School students are making strides to keep an eye out for the health of their friends and family.
Juniors Madeline Weiner and Hannah Yoselowitz pioneered a new initiative in their high school: a breast cancer education seminar that took place over two days on Jan. 12 and 13 in each of the school’s physical education classes, reaching over 600 students.
Tclass, they are assigned a civic action project in which they have to choose an issue or topic important to them,” explained Brad Seidman, the duo’s instructor for the program.
Weiner’s family history with breast cancer motivated her to speak out.
his is really meaningful to me.
These seminars are an extension of the student’s Civics and Leadership II class project, which began with their advocacy for the Find it Early Act, which was introduced to Congress last November.
“We wrote a letter to the senator and our representatives about the Find it Early Act, which has insurance to cover the cost of a mammogram, so that way it’s free to all women, so everyone can have a chance to catch it early,” Yoselowitz said.
“As part of the Leadership II
“This is really meaningful to me because of my grandmas — they did have it,” Weiner said. “I hope that what everyone gets out of it is that they get themselves checked so that breast cancer never gets to the point where it is life threatening and that they can still go on and not have everything important taken away from them because of it.”
The students partnered with the nonprofit Mauer Foundation to tackle the problem directly. The Mauer Foundation provides various forms of breast health education, focusing on prevention, early detection and risk reduction.
Eileen Pillitteri, program director of the Maurer Foundation, expressed excitement in CoNTiNuED
Courtesy
MADEliNE WEiNER
Junior, John F. Kennedy High School
Hablamos Español
Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group, LLC
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, a Republican who represents Wantagh,
North Wantagh and other nearby communities, argued that the
miss the mark.
Rhoads pushes back on Hochul’s plans
By LUKE FEENEY
lfeeney@liherald.com
Gov. Kathy Hochul promised a broad slate of new policies aimed at affordability, child care, housing and public safety in her State of the State address last month. But State Sen. Steve Rhoads is pushing back, saying that many of those plans either don’t go far enough or fail to reflect the needs of Long Island communities.
“The state of the state of New York is strong, and we’re just getting started,” Hochul declared in her Jan. 13 address, highlighting priorities like universal pre-K by 2028, crackdowns on gun violence and insurance fraud, and more than $350 million in new investments in affordable and manufactured housing.
But Rhoads, a Republican who represents Wantagh, Seaford, North Wantagh and other nearby communities, argued that the governor’s proposals often miss the mark — especially when it comes to public safety, affordability and housing.
“She is now conditioning funding on municipalities being pro-housing communities,” Rhoads told the Herald, adding that this creates unfair burdens for local governments. “Unless the entire township agrees to loosen its zoning restrictions, it won’t qualify for state assistance in helping to promote that.”
He pointed to the Town of Hempstead — which includes both Wantagh and Seaford — as an example. If Seaford were to identify land for affordable housing, Rhoads said, the town as a whole would have to ease zoning restrictions to qualify for state support. That, he argued, is a “disincentive” that could stop good projects from moving forward.
On the subject of affordability,
Hochul supported eliminating taxes on tips and cracking down on staged car accidents that inflate insurance premiums. She also proposed expanded child care access — including pilot programs for 2- and 3-year-olds and a push for universal pre-K statewide.
“There’s one thing that every family in New York can agree on, the cost of childcare is simply too high,” Hochul wrote in a release announcing the proposal, arguing that it has been a cornerstone of her agenda. She also wrote of her pride in working with leaders statewide “to make this a reality, turning that foundation into a concrete roadmap that will transform the lives of working parents and kids across our state.”
Rhoads agreed that there is a real need for more affordable child care, but criticized Hochul’s rollout of the program. Last month, alongside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, she announced plans to help the city fill the holes in the existing 3-K program and launch a program to provide free child care for 2-year-olds, known as 2Care.
Rhoads acknowledged that he woud be open to exploring a similar program on Long Island, but added that any child care plan would need to clearly outline who is providing the care and how quality and safety would be maintained. He argued that under the current proposal, his constituents get the short end of the stick.
“My Nassau County residents, who are struggling to provide child care for their own kids,” Rhoads said, “are now providing free child care for New York City residents.”
M y Nassau County residents are now providing free child care for New York City.
StE vE RhoadS State Sen.
The state would provide $73 million for the first year of the program, which would begin with 2,000 2Care seats this fall in “high-need” areas of the city, according to Hochul. The second year would come with a $425 million commitment from the state for the city to add 10,000 more seats. The rollout would continue for two more years, until the program was fully phased in to serve the estimated 55,000 2-year-olds expected to participate.
On public safety, Rhoads offered one of his strongest critiques of the governor, contrasting her focus on policing and gun regulation with his party’s Save New York agenda, which prioritizes reversing criminal justice reforms enacted in recent years.
“It comes back to prioritizing public safety over the rights of criminal defendants,” Rhoads said. He called for restoring judicial discretion in setting bail, rolling back elements of the state’s Raise the Age legislation and amending discovery rules that he claims are overwhelming district attorneys and leading to more cases being dismissed on technicalities.
While Rhoads credited Hochul for certain aspects of her plan —including more funding for school aid and mental health services, and reversing pandemic-era unemployment insurance policies that hurt small businesses — he argued that, overall, her economic vision puts too much burden on taxpayers.
“The state budget has increased by
$89 billion since 2019,” he said. “That is a 53 percent increase in the last eight years.” He blamed that spending — along with rising mandates and taxes — for what he called an affordability crisis driving people and businesses out of the state.
Rhoads said that the Save New York proposal would phase in what he described as “the largest personal income tax cut in the history of New York state,” exempting the first $50,000 in income for individuals and the first $100,000 for families. The plan, he added, could be funded without cuts, just by limiting annual state budget growth to 2 percent.
“We’re not talking about a $200 or $300 rebate check,” Rhoads said. “We’re talking about putting $6,000 in the pockets of the average New York state homeowner, every year.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican and Hochul’s presumptive opponent in this year’s gubernatorial race, also sharply criticized her address. Blakeman accused Hochul of failing to act during her time in office, particularly on child care.
“Kathy Hochul, you’ve been governor for four years,” he said at a news conference after her speech. “You haven’t done anything about child care. Now you’re talking about child care.”
Blakeman also blamed Hochul for population and business losses, saying, “There’s a reason why hundreds of thousands of people have left the state under your tenure.” He argued that New York needs “leadership in solving people’s problems.”
Additional reporting by Roksana Amid.
Tim Baker/Herald
Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered her State of the State address early last month, discussing policies that will have impacts on Long Island.
Courtesy Office of Sen. Steve Rhoads
Seaford,
governor’s proposals often
Alzheimer’s Association to aid older Black Americans
In recognition of Black History Month, and in partnership with the Divine Nine Consortium, the Alzheimer’s Association is offering a free live webinar, “Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What You Need to Know” on Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. The Divine Nine serves as a coordinating body for the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities, offering opportunities to advance leadership, education excellence, service, cultural heritage and social impact.
The one-hour webinar will feature a dynamic panel of clinicians, researchers, caregivers and advocates representing the Divine Nine, exploring the intersection of dementia science, health equity, and lived experience. It will examine how Alzheimer’s and related dementias impact diverse communities, discuss participation in research and clinical trials, and share culturally responsive practices to improve awareness, engagement and outcomes.
Currently, more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Black Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as older white Americans. Chronic health conditions associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, disproportionately affect Black Americans.
According to the 2021 Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report, nearly two-thirds of Black Americans, or 62 percent, believe that medical research is biased against people of color. A history of exclusion from clinical trials and a lasting history of discrimination from the medical establishment contribute to high levels of mistrust of clinical trials among Black Americans.
“We know that Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately affects Black older Americans,” Dr. Carl V. Hill, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at the Alzheimer’s Association said. “We are committed to continue engaging underrepresented communities.”
Visit Alz-org.Zoom.us to register or call (800) 272-3900.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a
The Alzheimer’s Association is hosting a free webinar this month, n partnership with the Divine Nine Consortium, examining how Alzheimer’s and related dementias impact diverse communities.
worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
The association has a Long Island chapter based in Melville. It runs education programs on Long Island, support groups, and offers other forms of virtual education. Annual efforts culminate in a fundraising walk, typically held in October in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. Visit ALZ.org/LongIsland for more.
Courtesy Metro
Behind-the-scenes look at the helm of the school
Licci in the principal’s office, with food provided courtesy of the PTA. Hayley selected macaroni and cheese, a Sprite and strawberry ice cream for dessert.
During the afternoon, she made another school announcement, continued visiting classrooms and helped with dismissal. She even briefly returned to her regular schedule to participate in recess and gym class.
“I never knew what it is like to run a school,” Hayley said. “It is a hard-working day but a lot of fun.”
Licci said the principal-for-a-day raffle was introduced this year to offer students insight into school leadership and daily operations.
“Being a principal, you’re constantly moving,” Licci said. “Hayley got to see a lot of different things a principal might do.”
Talia Granshaw, co-president of the Newbridge Road PTA, said the fundraiser was designed to give a student an indepth look at how the school operates while also supporting programs that benefit students.
“The goal of this fundraiser was to give a student an opportunity to see what it was like to run the school behind the scenes and to learn what administrators and a principal do,” Granshaw said. “We had many eager students participate.”
Granshaw added that the PTA is always seeking creative ways to raise
funds while enhancing the student learning experience. She said the winning student shadowed the principal throughout the day and received a sponsored lunch from International Delight, a local restaurant.
“This was such a fun fundraiser,” Granshaw said. “It was a successful event, and we plan on doing this again next year.”
Licci expressed hope that the experience leaves Hayley with a lasting memory and a better understanding of how the school operates behind the scenes.
Courtesy of the North Bellmore School District
Hayley, joined by principal amanda Licci, made an announcement to students in the cafeteria during lunch.
the fundraiser gave Hayley an opportunity to showcase what a principal does.
spotlight athlete
MIA DISALVO
SOUTH SIDE Senior Gymnastics
A MEMBER OF SOUTH SIDE’S varsity for five seasons, DiSalvo is considered one of the most talented gymnasts in Nassau County. She earned All-County honors on vault in the 202122 campaign and has been All-County in three events (vault, balance beam and floor exercise) in each of the past four seasons. Her career highs are 8.45 on vault, 8.95 on beam and 9.3 on floor. She’s also one of the Cyclones’ captains.
games to watch
Thursday, Feb. 5
Girls Basketball: Sewanhaka at Carey 4:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Manhasset at Elmont 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Roosevelt at Mepham 6:45 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Calhoun at Long Beach 6:45 p.m.
Girls Basketball: South Side at Clarke 6:45 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Lawrence at Seaford 6:45 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Long Beach at Calhoun 6:45 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Clarke at South Side 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: G.N. South at MacArthur 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6
Boys Basketball: Carey at Sewanhaka 4:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball: V.S. North at V.S. South 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Carle Place at West Hemp 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Island Trees at Malverne 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Baldwin at Oceanside 6:45 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Lo. Valley at North Shore 6:45 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Seaford at Lawrence 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: V.S. North at V.S. South 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Boys Basketball: Hempstead at Freeport 11:45 a.m.
Boys Basketball: Massapequa at Uniondale 12 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Massapequa at South Side 3 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Oceanside at Baldwin 4 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter 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.
HERALD SPORTS
Kennedy wrestles to 22 victories
By PATRICK MOQUIN sports@liherald.com
When Kennedy wrestling coach Brian DeGaetano addressed his boys before the season, he told them to prepare for defeat. His intention was to use a tough schedule to season a young lineup for future successes, which left him all the more flat-footed when the Cougars approached the Nassau County Division 1 dual meet championships with a 16-0 record.
“I thought next year, we would be having the success we’re having this year,” DeGaetano said. “But it turned out that the kids have worked and gone above and beyond in the offseason, so this year was the breakout year for us. It’s exciting, and on the whole team, we’re only losing two seniors from the starting lineup next year. We’re going to be very strong again.”
After a slightly unexpected run of brilliance, DeGaetano’s words finally rang true when Kennedy fell to Manhasset 46-22 in the D-1 quarterfinals Jan. 22. It had the sharpening effect the coach always expected it would, and the Cougars are now 22-2 and rolling into this Saturday’s county qualifier tournament. Last Saturday, they capped off a three-meet run to win the South Side Duals.
“The loss was good. It just came at the wrong time,” DeGaetano said. “I thought we would have lost earlier, but we didn’t. It stung, and the kids were really upset about it, but they came back to practice Monday.”
Though he might have a gap or two from meet to meet, DeGaetano said the key to success has been a tight lineup. The coach has a top option at nearly every weight, which often allows him to craft a lineup in line with the Cougars’ preparation. He also noted their competitive tenacity.
“These guys really love to compete and they love to wrestle the best kids,” DeGaetano said.
Kennedy’s three All-County wrestlers all returned with strong 2025-26 campaigns. Sophomore Jason Brodack
boasts a 23-12 record at 118 pounds, while junior Harlan Chugerman, a state qualifier last year, stands at 28-6 at 150.
Peter Mikedis, another sophomore standout for the Cougars at 165, is currently 33-2 and steamrolling his way through Section VIII.
Between Chugerman and Mikedis, Wyatt Saldarelli is 18-8 at 157 pounds. Brodack and Mikedis are not the only up-and-coming forces in the Kennedy lineup, as youth was largely responsible for DeGaetano’s tempered expectations at the start. So many wrestlers have far exceeded those early projections, including freshman Tak Rodger, who’s currently 24-11 at 126 pounds. Sophomores
Sivin (103) and Christian Bribitzer (110) are currently 26-10 and 22-10, respectively.
Junior Hendrick Capo, the reigning league champion at 144 pounds, is handling business against with a 30-6 record, while fellow junior Jared Eisenberg commands even more presence at 138 with a 36-3 record. The Bachisin brothers, Miles and Ryder, keep the Cougars strong at higher weights, earning 39 combined victories at 175 and 165. For such a young core of talent to succeed so early, it becomes tempting to consider the possibilities far down the road. For those involved, however, the next meet is all.
Alex
Paul Grassini/Herald
Peter Mikedis, one of Kennedy’s sophomore standouts, takes a record of 33-2 into the county qualifier where he’ll compete at 165 pounds.
AFA Health Screening Day
THURSDAY
February 12 10 AM - 2 PM
AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center
149 Schleigel Blvd., Amityville
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF:
Memory screenings to help identify early signs of cognitive changes
Blood pressure screenings to support cardiovascular health
Balance screenings to assess fall risk and mobility
Information on other health screenings and resources for older adults
All screenings are free and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointments are required.
Contact the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center at 631-223-4000 for more information.
SPONSORS
Long Island’s fragile drinking water system
Experts explain what lies beneath the surface, and detail the threats to our crucial aquifers
By JORDAN VALLONE, WILL SHEELINE & ABIGAIL GRIECO of the Herald Community Newspapers
First installment in a series about water.
On Long Island, we’re not talking enough about water.
From the drops coming out of our taps to the waves breaking along both shores, myriad water-related issues have the potential to impact Long Islanders’ day-to-day lives.
The water system is not a single pipeline or policy, but a web of underground aquifers, aging infrastructure, coastal ecosystems — and policymakers — that together determine who has access to clean, affordable water — and who faces the greatest risk when that system begins to fail.
This series will break down how Long Island’s water system works, from aquifers to coastal bays, and clarify how policy, infrastructure and governance shape access to clean, affordable water. It will also examine the environmental pressures facing that system, from contamination and climate change to the health of bays, fisheries and drinking water supplies.
Through global reports that demonstrate the rapid growth of freshwater use over the past century, and interviews with environmental experts and regional advocates who connect these issues locally, this first installment examines what lies beneath the surface: the water we drink, and how contamination and access may disproportionately affect certain communities.
The sole source beneath Long Island
In order to understand Long Island’s relationship with drinking water, it’s essential to understand where the water comes from. The island relies on aquifers, underground layers of sand, gravel and clay that store billions of gallons of water accumulated over tens of millions of years. More specifically, Long Island relies on three: the Upper Glacial, the Magothy and the Lloyd (as well as a fourth, significantly smaller one, the Jameco).
These aquifers together are designated a single-source aquifer system by the Environmental Protection Agency, which means that “your groundwater supply is provided by an aquifer that serves at least 50 percent of your water needs,” according to Sarah Meyland, a former professor at New York Institute of Technology.
Meyland explained that both Nassau and Suffolk counties rely on this single aquifer system for 100 percent of our freshwater, whether it comes from a tap, shower or sprinkler. While this has meant that Long Islanders have had access to clean, easily accessed drinking water for decades, the aquifers, particularly in Nassau County, have one major downside.
“This aquifer needs to be particularly well protected, because if you damage it,
or if you ruin it, you don’t have any other source of water,” Meyland said. “And that’s exactly the situation Long Island is in. We don’t have a secondary backup source of water.”
Since the federal government began measuring water usage in Long Island’s aquifers in 1900, roughly 5 percent of drinkable water has been consumed or lost due to salinization, the process by which freshwater is turned into saltwater. It occurs in aquifers due to overpumping, as water is taken out faster than it is replaced, causing saltwater from the Long Island Sound and the ocean to fill in the missing volume.
tion of the aquifer system is already nonfunctional, Queens is barely better, and both now get their water from the New York City water system, which pumps freshwater in from upstate. Nassau is well on its way to following them; the difference is there is no municipal entity to bail Nassau out.
as of 2021, the United States withdraws the third-highest amount of freshwater from underground globally, roughly 444.4 billion cubic meters per year.
A key conclusion from the university’s report put the crisis in simple terms: “The world is already in the state of ‘water bankruptcy.’” In many basins and aquifers, long-term overuse and degradation, the report says, means that “hydrological and ecological baselines cannot realistically be restored.”
What areas are more affected?
If Long Island continues on the same path of aquifer depletion without any intervention from state authorities, such as the Department of Environmental Conservation, Meyland said, Nassau County will suffer more than Suffolk within the next 50 years.
“It’s about a third of the size of Suffolk with roughly the same number of people,” she said. “The Town of Brookhaven is the same size as the county of Nassau. So Nassau County will continue to experience saltwater intrusions. That’s going to put pressure on virtually all of the water suppliers along the north and south shore.”
Meyland singled out Long Beach as an area that would likely lose its entire local water supply because of saltwater intrusion to the Lloyd Aquifer, the only aquifer the city draws from.
The vast majority of the used water is consumed by private sprinklers and irrigation systems, many of which are automated to water yards and home gardens. According to Meyland, Long Island has the highest per-capita water use of any community from New York to North Carolina, and the vast majority of that use occurs from spring through fall, when sprinklers turn on and swimming pools fill up.
There is no known way to create new water, or to speed up the natural replenishment process. Desalination plants, which remove salt from water, are becoming more common globally, but they are expensive projects, according to Meyland.
“It’s like a bank account,” Meyland said. “The water, the money coming in, needs to be at least equal to the money going out.”
Water bankruptcy
While a 5 percent loss may seem inconsequential, the real problem is there’s no way to efficiently and cheaply replenish that loss. And the damage is not evenly distributed: The vast majority of the loss takes place in Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau, which have not effectively stewarded their portions of the aquifers.
Suffolk, which has the lowest population density of the four counties, has proactively monitored and managed its water intake and outflow for years, leaving its portion of the aquifers “a system in balance,” as Meyland described it.
She pointed out that Brooklyn’s por-
The issues impacting drinking water supply are not unique to Long Island. According to a report released by the United Nations University last month, the world is entering an “era of global water bankruptcy” — a new, formal definition of a reality for billions of people. The report called for a “fundamental reset” of the global water agenda, as irreversible damage pushes sources of fresh drinking water beyond recovery.
“This report tells an uncomfortable truth: Many regions are living beyond their hydrological means, and many critical water systems are already bankrupt,” said the report’s lead author, Kaveh Madani, the director of the UN University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health.
Numbers published by Our World In Data, a nonprofit publication that uses data to explain global issues like poverty, disease and climate change, showed that
“They will have already been forced to look for other sources of water, whether they make arrangements from New York City, or they make arrangements and buy water from some of their neighboring water suppliers,” Meyland explained. “I’m sure there will be a lot of pressure to desalinate water, but that will be very expensive.”
On the North Shore of Nassau County, she said, areas of the Great Neck and Manhasset peninsula, including Sands Point, are at risk of losing their supplies of water, also due to salinity. And their options are limited, she added, because some of these communities are already piping water from other parts of Long Island.
Water suppliers are aware of the risk the future holds, Meyland said, but it is unfair to put the burden on them to fix the situation. “They are not at fault for what is happening to the water supply for coastal communities,” she said. And water supplies are not only depleting on Long Island, but they are also contaminated.
The Environmental Working Group affiliated with Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for stronger environmental policies in New York and Connecticut, released a report in 2025 showing that a least 189 New York water systems — primarily serving residents of Long Island — detected high levels of toxic so-called “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, in tap water.
The report showed that 702,000 residents in Nassau County and 122,200 resi-
Herald file
Long Island’s drinking water supply is solely dependent on aquifers. Sarah Meyland, a retired professor at the New York Institute of Technology, spoke about the impacts of chronic water depletion on the region’s water supply.
Detailing the threats to L.I.’s drinking water
dents of Suffolk have elevated levels of PFAS in their water supplies. Some particularly vulnerable communities include those serviced by the Lynbrookbased Liberty Utilities, the Water Authority of Western Nassau and the Hempstead Town Water District.
What can be done?
According to Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, geography and land use play a major role in why some Long Island communities experience more severe water quality issues than others.
“The biggest driver for water quality in the marine environment is land activity,” Esposito said, noting that polluted stormwater runoff, fertilizer use and marine debris all flow from developed areas into surrounding bays and waterways.
Highly populated and heavily developed regions — particularly along the South Shore — generate greater amounts of runoff, which carries excess nitrogen from lawn fertilizers, bacteria and debris into nearby bays. That nitrogen fuels algae growth, which depletes oxygen levels and can lead to fish kills and damage to shellfish populations.
Aging infrastructure in some coastal communities continues to pose challenges. Esposito pointed to the Long Beach’s sewage treatment plant, which discharg-
es roughly 5 million gallons of wastewater per day into Nassau County’s Western Bays. While the wastewater is treated, Esposito said the facility is old and in need of major repairs.
The Western Bays have been among the most degraded areas, in part due to decades of treated sewage discharges and runoff from surrounding communities. Marine debris, including plastic bottles, cigarette butts and food packaging, often originates farther inland, and makes its way through tributaries before washing into coastal waters, Esposito said.
On the North Shore, in areas that still rely on septic systems, groundwater contamination presents another challenge, as pollutants can leach directly into aquifers and nearby waterways.
Iresult of years of advocacy and scientific review.
In addition to regulating water systems themselves, Esposito highlighted a first-of-its-kind state law, passed in 2019, that limited the amount of 1,4-dioxane allowed in common household and personal care products. The law was phased in over several years and was fully implemented in 2023, reducing the amount of chemicals entering wastewater systems in the first place.
f you want to protect our waters and public health, sometimes you have to speak out
AdrIenne d’esposIto Executive director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Esposito pointed to several major policy changes that have reshaped how New York addresses water contamination, particularly by emerging chemicals like PFAS and 1,4-dioxane.
She noted that the state now has some of the nation’s strongest drinking water standards for these chemicals — standards that are fully implemented across Long Island’s public water systems, the
Esposito also emphasized the importance of preventing pollution at its source, rather than relying on expensive treatment systems after contamination occurs. Citizens Campaign has spent several years advocating for legislation aimed at reducing packaging waste, a significant contributor to marine debris found in Long Island’s bays and waterways.
One of the most significant steps underway is the long-awaited redirection of treated sewage from the South Shore Water Reclamation Facility, in Bay Park, away from the Western Bays and into the Cedar Creek ocean outfall pipe — a nearly $600 million project more than a decade in the making. The change is expected to dramatically improve
water quality in the Western Bays once the Bay Park Conveyance Project is completed.
At the local and state level, municipalities are also tapping into grant programs designed to reduce stormwater pollution. These initiatives fund upgrades to stormwater systems, filtration devices that remove nitrogen and bacteria before runoff reaches waterways. Environmental organizations, including Citizens Campaign, Operation SPLASH and the Nature Conservancy have played a key role in advocating for these measures through long-term collaboration and public pressure.
Looking ahead, Citizens Campaign plans to launch a new marine debris prevention campaign this spring, focused on public education and outreach, emphasizing that litter discarded anywhere on Long Island can ultimately end up in coastal waters. The organization is also continuing its push in Albany for legislation aimed at reducing packaging waste and monitoring contaminants entering waterways through wastewater systems.
Residents can make a difference, Esposito said, by limiting fertilizer use, properly disposing of trash and supporting redevelopment over construction on green spaces.
“We encourage people to get up, show up and speak up,” she said. “If you want to protect our waters and public health, sometimes you have to speak out.”
Powering Long Island: A History of Resilience and Reinvention
The story of Long Island’s energy infrastructure is one of growth, ambition, missteps and resilience.
From the development of the Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO) and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to handle a growing need, to key historical events like
the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant saga and Hurricane Sandy, Long Island’s power grid has a storied history.
The Formation of LILCO
Around 1910, LILCO was created by combining four small Suffolk County utility companies to make improvements on the existing system to deliver electric power. For much of its history, LILCO focused on
large, centralized fossil-fuel power plants supported by an expanding grid.
Long before the adverse effects of climate change would be felt, the dangerous choice to rely on fossil fuels was evident in the Bay Shore gas explosion in 1919, knocking out power for three days.
Through the 1950s and 60s, negative effects were felt to a greater impact. Most famously the New York smog event of 1966, where air pollution from coal power plants and other sources led to poisonous air quality, severe health impacts and deaths.
While plagued by these negative public health circumstances, this system did meet the energy demand of the day. But, in the 1960s and ‘70s, the development of air conditioning made demand for electric power skyrocket. LILCO’s answer? The Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant.
The Shoreham Nuclear Plant: A Defining Turning Point
The Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant was constructed, but was met with public opposition and significant safety concern studies. The 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania amplified these concerns.
Though completed, and still reflected on Long Island ratepayers utility bills, Shoreham never operated commercially, and it became a national symbol of failed centralized energy planning. Ultimately, the plant was decommissioned, leaving Long Islanders with debt—and a lasting skepticism toward large, single-point energy solutions.
Storms, Blackouts and a Grid Under Stress
From 1985’s Hurricane Gloria that knocked out electricity to two-thirds of LILCO’s customers, to the Northeast blackout of 2003 that halted the Long Island Rail Road, to Hurricane Sandy in 2012 where 90 percent of Long Island lost power, to every tropical storm and weather event in between, these natural disasters continued to expose deep flaws in the aging infrastructure. Each event compounded existing wear on the system, accelerating the need for reinforcement, storm hardening, smarter grid design and diversity of energy sources— while costing a premium to do so. These moments also reshaped public expectations: reliability is no longer just about everyday demand, but about resilience under extreme conditions.
From LILCO to Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)
As a result of the Long Island Power Act of 1985, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) was created to assume responsibility for LILCO’s debt, which totaled around $7.3 billion, and the infrastructure. LIPA inherited a vast, but inadequate grid that must be upgraded.
Now, as the AI and data-center revolution demand more and more of our power grid, and new technologies have become available, namely renewables like wind, solar and battery storage, Long Island has the opportunity to transform to a modern, affordable and resilient power grid.
A press conference held at Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant.
Future entrepreneurs make their pitch
Fifth-grade students from North Merrick schools took center stage Jan. 29 to pitch original business ideas during a “Shark Tank”-style entrepreneurship event.
Students from Camp Avenue, Harold D. Fayette and Old Mill Road schools worked individually and in pairs to develop products designed to solve real-world problems. Over several weeks, they researched their concepts, created logos and built props to bring their ideas to life.
Fifth graders in the North Merrick School District pitched their conceptual products during a “Shark Tank” event on Jan. 29.
Dressed in business attire, the young entrepreneurs presented their pitches to an audience of parents, who were given $100,000 in mock currency known as “Shark Bucks” to invest in the most persuasive proposals after asking questions about each product.
Among the inventions was “Glam Bot,” created by Konstantina Tzaras, a device designed to assist with makeup application and daily preparation, and “Throw Pro,” developed by Jackson
Beitler, which can launch balls used in a variety of sports.
The event gave students an opportunity to practice public speaking, problemsolving and basic business skills while showcasing their creativity and innovation.
— Hernesto Galdamez
Students bring ‘The Big One-Oh’ to the stage
Students in Chatterton School’s upper grades have been working for months to bring this year’s after-school theater production, “The Big One-Oh”, to life.
Fifth- and sixth-grade cast members prepared for their roles through September auditions and have been rehearsing twice a week since. Chatterton On Stage, the school’s self-sustaining annual theater program, presented three performances of the show.
The production, adapted from the book by Dean Pitchford, Oscar-winning songwriter of hits including “Footloose”, “Fame”, “Holding Out for a Hero” and “After All”, is a heartfelt and comedic story celebrating friendship, growing up and milestone moments.
Before performing, the cast had the opportunity to speak with Pitchford via Zoom. The conversation offered students insight into the writing process and inspiration behind the story and characters.
The production was supported by parent volunteers, student helpers from Sanford H. Calhoun High School’s On
Tour Co., and Shira Voulgarakis, Chatterton’s reading teacher and director of Chatterton On Stage.
— Hernesto
Photos Courtesy North Merrick Public Schools
Kacie Kim showed off her product, “Flex Curl.”
Galdamez
Photos courtesy of the Merrick Union Free School District.
Anya, Ethan and Lea.
Zoe, Noa and Noah.
Breast cancer lessons help reduce the risk
establishing contact with the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District.
“Our mission is delivering breast health programs in a high school setting, and we connect with about 90% of school districts on Long Island,” Pillitteri said. “It just happened to be that one of the districts that we’re not strongly affiliated with yet has been the Bellmore Merrick School District.”
During the session, presenters provided information from the foundation’s advisory board, made up of educators who make these presentations accessible and engaging for young people. Throughout the two days, students joined in on the conversations about lifestyle factors and healthy foods, which address avoidable breast cancer risks.
“They started to learn about what some of the causes of breast cancer are and what folks can do to start to reduce their risk for breast cancer,” Pillitteri said. “We actually teach people how to do a proper self-exam and how to advocate for themselves when they have concerns about their health… It was a great day.”
Lauren Fisch-Henry is the social media and marketing specialist for the Mauer Foundation.
“Our mission here at the Maurer Foundation is to provide breast health education programs to save lives,” she said. “We focus on risk factors, risk
reduction and teaching people how to detect breast cancer at its earliest stage, and our focus on young people has been a focus from our very beginning.”
The effects of these programs go beyond the initial audience, says FischHenry. Students are expected to share
this information at home and with future peers, helping keep all community members in good health.
“All three of us are hoping that this continues next year,” Seidman said. “I know Maddie and Hannah want to bring it back next year as seniors and sort of pass on the program to younger
leadership students in the hope that they’ll continue to have the foundation here and that it can be beneficial to students beyond their years here.”
Learn more about breast cancer prevention and programs or be directed to local resources at MaurerFoundation. com.
Courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
Kennedy students madeline Weiner, left, Joselin Sagastume, Jaime Lamarca of the mount Sinai Cancer Center, and eileen pillitteri of the maurer foundation for Breast Cancer Health and Hannah Yoselowitz.
News brief
Applications for pre-K lottery are live
The North Bellmore School District is accepting applications for its universal prekindergarten program for the 2026-27 school year.
While the district has received expanded grant funding and anticipates having enough seats for all applicants, a lottery will still be held to assign placements. The program is contingent on state funding.
Children who will be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2026, and eligible to enter kindergarten in September 2027 may apply. The program is administered by the North Bellmore School District and offered through community-based preschools. It is funded by the New York State Education Department through a UPK grant and is provided at no cost to families.
The district expects to offer primarily full-day programs, with limited halfday placements. Half-day programs run 2 1/2 hours per day, five days a week, while full-day programs run five hours per day, five days a week. Daily attendance is expected. Families cannot choose school locations, and transportation is not provided.
The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 13. Applications are available online at northbellmoreschools.org and at each elementary school from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on school days. For more information, contact the Curriculum Office at (516) 992-3000, ext. 3009.
— Hernesto Galdamez
Young clarinetist headed to Carnegie Hall
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Annalisa Milia, a 12-year-old seventh grader at Merrick Avenue Middle School, has been selected to perform in the Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall this summer, placing her among the highest-rated young musicians from around the world.
Annalisa, a clarinetist with seven years of formal music training, will perform with the Honors Band in July following a competitive nomination and audition process reviewed by the Honors
Selection Board.
“She was over the moon excited,” said her mother, Elizabeth Dogbe. “When I told her she got in, she thought I was lying. She kept saying, ‘Oh my God, oh my God.’”
Participation in the Honors Ensembles is limited to top student performers who demonstrate exceptional talent, dedication and academic achievement. Nearly 10,000 nominations are processed each year.
“Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each finalist should be extremely proud of accom -
plishing,” said Marion Gomez, music director for the Honors Performance Series. “We have selected the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at these renowned music halls is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Annalisa began studying piano in early elementary school before choosing the clarinet in fourth grade when students were asked to select band instruments.
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“She didn’t really know anything about the clarinet — she just decided that was what she wanted to try,” Dogbe said. “But she took to it right away. Her teacher noticed how good she was and encouraged her to try for higher levels.”
She has since earned consistent “Outstanding” ratings in New York State School Music Association evaluations for both piano and clarinet and has participated in the Nassau Music Educators Association All-County Band ensemble.
For the past two years, Annalisa has also been a member of Nassau-Suffolk Performing Arts, where she currently performs in its Honor Band.
While attending Old Mill Road Elementary School, she played in concert band, jazz band and a woodwind ensemble. Her dedication earned her the Dr. Irene H. Lenhart Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music for Band, presented to one graduating student across the North Merrick Union Free School District.
In addition to music, Annalisa maintains a 98.4 academic average and plays on the Merrick Avenue Middle School girls volleyball team.
“I don’t even know how she balances everything,” Dogbe said. “She actually gets bored when she doesn’t have activities. She thrives on being busy.”
Annalisa was also recognized last year with the New York State Attorney General’s Triple “C” Award, which honors students for commitment, character and courage. She participates annually in community service efforts supporting veterans.
In response to her Carnegie Hall selection, Annalisa said, “This is so amazing. I can’t wait to play at Carnegie Hall. I’m so excited.”
The Honors Performance Series brings together student musicians from across the United States and abroad for a week of rehearsals, workshops with world-renowned conductors and a culminating public performance at the historic Manhattan venue.
For Dogbe, the opportunity carries special meaning.
“That’s the pinnacle of performance,” she said. “To see my daughter on that stage is going to be incredible.”
The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished young performers on an international level and is presented by WorldStrides, an educational travel organization.
The public performance is scheduled for late July, with tickets available through the Carnegie Hall box office approximately 60 days in advance.
Courtesy Elizabeth Dogbe
Annalisa Milia was selected to perform at Carnegie Hall this summer.
STEPPING OUT
West Bank Wings Blazin’ Buffalo Potato Skins
Chili Meatballs
Big game, big flavor
Score from kickoff to crunch time
By Karen Bloom
It’s the biggest sports day of the year — and a perfect excuse to throw a bash that’s almost as exciting as the game itself. The Super Bowl on Sunday isn’t just about touchdowns, commercials and the halftime show: it’s about friends, fun and food that’s worth a victory dance.
Sure, the game on the big screen is the main event, but let’s be honest — some of the best plays happen around the snack table. Wings, dips, even desserts are all part of the strategy to keep your fans happy (and maybe even sneak a second helping before halftime). When it comes to dessert, fuss-free is the way to go. An array of cookies, brownies and dessert bars will satisfy the sweet tooth. You can take your dessert table to the next level by icing your treats in team colors. Here’s your playbook for scoring big with game-day treats that’ll make your party a championship-worthy hit.
West Bank Wings
No football party is complete without a generous serving of wings. Try these Asianinspired chicken wings, with a spicy Creole twist.
• 3 pounds chicken wing pieces
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 teaspoons Creole Seasoning
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup cane syrup or molasses
• 1/4 cup ZATARAIN’S® Creole Mustard
• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Sesame seeds
Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss chicken wings with oil and Creole Seasoning in large bowl. Arrange wings in single layer on foil-lined large shallow baking pan.
Bake 35 minutes or until wings are cooked through and skin is crisp.
Mix remaining ingredients, except cilantro and sesame seeds, in large skillet. Bring to boil on high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer about 15 minutes or until sauce is reduced by a third and is a “syrup” consistency. Add wings; toss to coat with sauce. Transfer wings to serving
platter. Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Cajun Buffalo Wings
Here’s another zesty take on the footballwatching favorite.
• 2 1/2 pounds chicken wing pieces
• 1/2 cup any flavor Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 2 tsp. Cajun seasoned spice blend
Bake wings in foil-lined pan at 500 °F on lowest oven rack for 20 to 25 minutes until crispy, turning once.
Mix Buffalo Wings Sauce, ketchup and spice blend.
Toss wings in sauce to coat.
Tip: You may substitute 1/2 cup Red Hot Sauce mixed with 1/3 cup melted butter for the Wings Sauce.
Alternate cooking directions: Deep-fry at 375°F for 10 minutes or broil 6-inches from heat 15 to 20 minutes turning once.
Blazin’ Buffalo Potato Skins
This the ideal game day snack! Seriously, it’s a crowd pleaser.
• 3 pounds small russet potatoes
• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1 cup shredded reduced-fat or regular Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped Blue Diamond Smokehouse
• Almonds
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 1/4 cup sliced green onion tops
Preheat oven to 450 F and line baking sheet with foil.
Rinse potatoes and pat dry; pierce with fork or sharp knife. Place in large microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave high for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft when gently squeezed. Remove and let cool slightly.
Cut in half and scoop out potato leaving 1/4inch rim of potato inside skin. Place on prepared baking sheet and spray both sides of potato skins liberally with cooking spray; bake for 15 minutes to crisp.
Avocado Dip
Billy Stritch and Friends celebrate Judy Garland
Sprinkle equal amounts of cheese into each skin. Stir together chicken and wing sauce and spoon over cheese. Top with almonds and bake for 5 minutes more. Add dollop of sour cream to each and sprinkle with green onions. Serve with and additional wing sauce, if desired. Makes 6-8 servings.
Sweet Chili Meatballs
Round out your lineup with this tasty addition to your game day spread.
• 1 pound lean ground turkey or ground beef
• 1/3 cup Japanese panko crumbs or bread crumbs
• ¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely minced
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces Frank’s RedHot Sweet Chili Sauce, divided
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Mix ground meat, panko crumbs, cilantro, green onion, ginger, egg, salt and 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce. Form into one-inch meatballs. Place meatballs on lightly greased baking sheets.
Bake 20 minutes, turning once halfway through. Put meatballs in slow cooker or Dutch oven to keep warm, pour remaining sweet chili sauce over meatballs. Gently stir to coat meatballs and serve.
Bacon Avocado Dip
Game day requires guacamole. Try a new twist on the must-have dip.
• 1 large avocado, peeled and mashed
• 1/2 tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1/3 cup Blue Diamond Jalapeno Smokehouse
• Almonds, chopped
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 3 strips cooked bacon, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• Salt and pepper, to taste
In small bowl, mix all ingredients. Serve with tortilla chips or other favorite dippers, such as carrots, bell peppers and broccoli.
Judy on TV! This concert shines a long-overdue spotlight on a unique chapter of Garland’s legendary career: her 1963–64 CBS television series. It’s a look at Garland’s iconic talent through the lens of her landmark 1963-64 weekly television broadcasts. Renowned entertainer and music director Billy Stritch leads this dazzling tribute that brings together a stellar lineup of jazz and Broadway favorites including acclaimed vocalists Gabrielle Stravelli and Nicolas King. The Judy Garland Show lasted only nine months and the star saw its cancellation as a devastating failure. Stritch sees it much differently, noting that the show’s 26 hours of concert material capture a crucial era of her life and legacy as one of the greatest entertainers of all time. These terrific performers revive the unforgettable music, intimate moments and sheer star power that defined the show.
Saturday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m. $58, $48, $38. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Feel the beat with Step Afrika!
The acclaimed dance company visits Hofstra University with a high-octane performance, Step Afrika! 101. Since its 1994 founding, Step Afrika! has been recognized as a cultural ambassador for this percussive dance tradition rooted in African American communities and historically linked to Black Greek-letter organizations. Their signature style fuses precise footwork and rhythmic movement with contemporary African dance, AfroBeats and popular music, in a powerful celebration of culture and community. Everyone is encouraged to clap, stomp, and join in calland-response moments that make the show feel as communal as it is electric. In keeping with Step Afrika!’s emphasis on service and community, it’s requested to bring non-perishable food items or basic toiletries to benefit the Hofstra Pantry and the Mary Brennan INN.
Sunday, Feb. 8, 3:30-5 p.m. Free admission. John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus, Hempstead. For more information, visit hofstra.edu/academics/culturalcenter or call (516) 463-5669 or email hofculctr@hofstra.edu.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
North Bellmore BOE meets The Board of Education holds its next meeting. Stay up to date on district issues.
• Where: 2616 Martin Ave.
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
FEB
7
Winter Forest Walk
Join naturalist Virginal Dankel for an interactive winter stroll across the Nassau County Museum of Art grounds. During this seasonal walk, participants can expand their knowledge of the natural world and strengthen their powers of observation. Adults only. $20, $20 members. Registration required.
• Where: Manes Education Center, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
FEB
10
Pasta Amore with Chef Dell’Amore Stop by North Bellmore Public Library for a tasty workshop. Learn how to make an all-time great pasta dish with Chef Dell’Amore
• Where: 1551 Newbridge Road
• Time: 2-3:30 p.m.
• Contact: northbellmorelibrary.org
Book talk
FEB
12
Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House press secretary and senior advisor to President Joseph R. Biden Jr., visits Hofstra University to discuss her two books published last year, “Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America” and “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House Outside the Party Lines.” Copies of both books will be available for purchase, and her talk will be followed by a book signing. Advance registration is required.
• Where: John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hofstra University South Campus, Hempstead
• Time: 11:15 a.m.- 2:45 p.m.
• Contact: events.hofstra.edu to RSVP
Little Learners Art Lab
Each week in this engaging workshop, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids,
‘So don’t stop me now’
‘The Wedding Singer’ Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students stage the musical comedy based on the iconic film. The show will have you partying like it’s 1985! Travel back to the outrageous 1980s, when hair was huge, neon ruled fashion and everything MTV was “like, totally tubular.” Based on the mega-hit Adam Sandler movie, this Broadway romance about a heartbroken rock star wannabe finding love again is jam-packed with big laughs, dazzling dance numbers, and a score as bold and electric as the decade itself. From popped collars to power ballads, “The Wedding Singer” is a nostalgic, feel-good celebration of love, friendship and all things ‘80s.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 8 p.m.; also Feb. 21, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Feb 22, 3 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Art talk
FEB
22
• Time: 8 p.m.
Queen-mania rolls on. Almost Queen returns to the Paramount stage with their homage to the beloved band. They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports you back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. The band — featuring Joseph Russo as Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon, and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor — is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision captivates fans of all ages with an unforgettable concert experience. Almost Queen’s concerts are a true testament to the band’s love for Queen’s music. The carefully curated setlist featuring Queen’s best-loved songs, like “Somebody to Love,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” and “Radio Ga Ga,” along with lesser known tracks. And of course, no Queen tribute concert would be complete without classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions!” It’s no wonder fans keep coming back for more.
ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week This week, we will be transforming clothespins into charming love-bug pals for Valentine’s fun. $4 with museum admission.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
14
Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores installation
The Chamber of Commerce welcomes members to the annual installation and awards dinner. $125 per person. Registration required.
• Where: Crest Hollow Country Club, 8325 Jericho Turnpike
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Contact: bellmorechamber.com FEB
Lunar New Year program
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes Chinese Theatre Works to the museum stage. Join in a celebration of the Lunar New Year with an original “budaixi” glove puppet production that features
the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year’s show stars the Horse, who presides over a jolly selection of wild puppet skits, dances, popular songs, and well known Chinese sayings that celebrate the wit and wisdom of the zodiac animals. Hao Bang Ah! Horse! A hands-on post show demonstration will make the Chinese bilingual cultural experience accessible to even the youngest audience members. $5, $4 members, $10 theater only.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Valentine’s Day Story/ Craft
Families can visit Bellmore Public Library for storytime and craft to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Registration required.
• Where: 2288 Bedford Ave.
• Time: 11-11:30 a.m.
• Contact: bellmorelibrary.org
16
Pete’s Blue Carpet Catwalk Walk the blue carpet as a VIP to celebrate Long Island Children’s Museum’s premiere performance of FEB
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Pete the Cat! Dress your best, smile for the paparazzi, and take a picture with Pete! Our special youth emcee will be interviewing VIP’s on camera. Gain exclusive access to Pete’s Groovy Lounge for refreshments, enjoy the opening day performance of the show and take home a fun swag bag! You’ll even get to meet the cast after the show! For Pete the Cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. Join Jimmy and Pete on an adventure of friendship, all the way to Paris and back in a VW bus! $16 ($14 members), $20 theater and catwalk experience only.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: Starting at 11:30 a.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Bath bomb workshop
Create custom bath bomb using kitchen and pantry ingredients at Merrick Library.
• Where: 2279 Merrick Ave.
• Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Contact: merricklibrary.org
Nassau County Museum of Art hosts Dee Shapiro, a New York–based artist, is known for her richly detailed paintings exploring geometry, architecture, and place. She discusses works from her City and Landscapes series featured in The Real, Surreal, and Photoreal exhibit, which capture the rhythm and structure of urban and natural environments.. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Limited seating, register in advance.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Pokémon club
FEB 25
Bellmore Library welcomes kids ages 5-12 for some Pokemon fun. Meet other trainers while playing at the library.Bring your cards to trade or play. Children under age 10 must be accompanied by parent, caregiver or responsible person over 14. Space is limited and registration required.
• Where: 2288 Bedford Ave.
• Time: 7-8 p.m.
• Contact: bellmorelibrary.org
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.
Local priorities frame the governor’s race
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
Celebrating its centennial year, the Long Island Association hosted its annual State of the Region breakfast with Sen. Chuck Schumer speaking, a panel discussion moderated by LIA President Matt Cohen that included State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Nassau County Executive Bruce and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. Gov. Kathy Hochul was the final speaker.
Through the panel discussion at the Jan. 9 event highlighted several issues that most likely will the focal points of the gubernatorial race between Blakeman, the presumptive GOP candidate and Hochul, a Democrat.
“We have been very successful in Nassau County, we have the safest county in America, Niche magazine said we’re the most desirable place to live,” Blakeman said during the panel discussion.
Hochul spoke for roughly 30 minutes and used her time as part campaign stop and part preview of her State of the State address that will be delivered on Jan. 13. Unveiling a proposed five-year, $3.75 billion for water infrastructure.
“The environment of Long Island, it is everything, it means more here than most places because its, an island,” Hochul said, noting the $3 million she approved for upgrading septic systems.
She called the nearly $4 billion com-
mitment to build water infrastructure, including building sewers, “historic.”
Even before Hochul spoke, housing, Romaine said, must also be addressed — but through smarter planning and help from the state for vital infrastructure projects.
“Affordable housing is not an issue by itself,” he said. “You have to have the infrastructure — the sewers, the roads — to support it.”
Cohen noted the substantial growth the two-county region has undergone in
the 100 years since the LIA was found.
“Since 1926, the population on Long Island has increased 900 percent, and we’ve really gone from a bedroom community of New York City to our own bustling, diverse, economic powerhouse,” he said in his opening remarks. “We’re home to world renowned tourist destinations, the highest ranked education and health care institutions, and we’re still the embodiment of the American dream and have an unparalleled quality of life.
DiNapoli noted that while the state
has a relatively strong economy, uncertainty remains as federal decisions begin to impact funding for such items as healthcare, education, energy and nutrition programs The states large reserve funds will continue to support the economic region through these challenges.
“My role as comptroller is to remind everybody, at the end of the day, whatever the policy decisions are,” he said, “we have to look at the implications of our spending choice. Not just in the short run, for the coming years budget, but what will it mean a year, two, or three down the road.”
And while Cohen touched on Long Island’s expansion, DiNapoli noted that the state has seen a decrease in its young adult population, however there has been a jump residents’ ages 18 to 34.
A December report from DiNapoli’s office on Gen Z and millennial New Yorkers struggling with economic and affordability challenges noted the overall decline is a result of rising housing costs and a job market that lacks entry-level positions.
Schumer noted he just completed his 27th year visiting all of New York’s 62 counties.
“The mantra that guides my work and all of my staff is this: when Long Island does well all of New York does well.”
Madison Gusler, Carolyn James and Jordan Vallone contributed to this story.
Tim Baker/Herald
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, left, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, LIA President Matt Cohen and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli during the State of the Region panel discussion on Jan. 9.
Public Notices
leGal noTIce pUBlIc noTIce of coUnTY TreasUrer’s sale of TaX lIens on real esTaTe
Notice is hereby given that I shall, commencing on February 17, 2026, sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on real estate herein-after described, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party-ininterest in such real estate shall pay to the County Treasurer by February 12, 2026 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges, against the property. Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per cent per six month’s period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code. Effective with the February 17, 2026 lien sale, Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/526/ County-Treasurer
Should the Treasurer determine that an in-person auction shall be held, same will commence on the 17th day of February, 2026 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.
The liens are for arrears of School District taxes for the year 2024 - 2025 and/or County, Town, and Special District taxes for the year 2025. The following is a partial listing of the real estate located in school district number(s) 7, 4 in the Town of Hempstead only, upon which tax liens are to be sold, with a brief description of the same by reference to the County Land and Tax Map, the name of the owner or occupant as the same appears on the 2024/2025 tentative assessment roll, and the total amount of such unpaid taxes.
ImporTanT
THE NAMES OF OWNERS SHOWN ON THIS LIST MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE NAMES OF THE PERSONS OWNING THE PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT. SUCH NAMES HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE 2024/2025 TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND MAY DIFFER FROM THE NAMES OF THE OWNERS AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. IT MAY ALSO BE THAT SUCH OWNERS ARE NOMINAL ONLY AND ANOTHER PERSON IS ACTUALLY THE BENEFICIAL OWNER.
Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have
and Sailors’ Civil
However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.
The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/ or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil
Public Notices
Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA), 12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et. seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) receivership.
The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed.
The rate of interest and penalty which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten percent of the amount from which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety percent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety percent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten percent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase be of no further effect.
Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale.
Furthermore, as to the bidding,
1.The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.
2.The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.
3.The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.
4.If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made, in connection with, said bid shall be forfeited.
This list includes only tax liens on real estate located in Town of Hempstead. Such other tax liens on real estate are advertised as follows:
Town of HempsTead Dist 1001
HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK TREND
NEW YORK POST
UNIONDALE BEACON
Dist 1005
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS
NEW YORK POST THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 1006
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
SEAFORD HERALD CITIZEN
WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN Dist 1007
BELLMORE HERALD
MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST Dist 1008
BALDWIN HERALD
HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST Dist 1009
FREEPORT HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST Dist 1010
BALDWIN HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
Dist 1011
Dist 1012
Dist 1013
Dist 1014
Dist 1015
Dist 1016
Dist 1017
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
OCEANSIDE TRIBUNE
OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD
MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
VALLEY STREAM HERALD
VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE
FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES
FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU HERALD (FIVE TOWNS)
NEW YORK POST
FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES
FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE
JEWISH STAR
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER
Dist 1018
Dist 1019
Dist 1020
Dist 1021
NEW YORK POST
GARDEN CITY NEWS
GARDEN CITY TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW YORK POST
EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE
LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
ROCKAWAY JOURNAL
EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE
LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD
ROCKVILLE CENTRE TRIBUNE
Dist 1026
Dist 1027
Dist 1028
Dist 1029
Dist 1030
MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST THE NASSAU OBSERVER
MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
LONG BEACH HERALD
LONG BEACH TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
MERRICK HERALD
MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
VALLEY STREAM HERALD
VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE
Dist 1031
Dist 1201
Dist 1205
ISLAND PARK TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD
EAST MEADOW HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW YORK POST
MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER
NEW YORK POST
Town of norTH HempsTead
Dist 2001
Dist 2002
Dist 2003
Dist 2004
Dist 2005
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW YORK POST
MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW YORK POST
BNH
MANHASSET PRESS
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
ROSLYN NEWS TIMES
MANHASSET PRESS
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
PORT WASHINGTON NEWS
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER
NEW YORK POST
Dist 2006
Dist 2007
Dist 2009
Dist 2010
MANHASSET PRESS
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
PORT WASHINGTON NEWS
GREAT NECK NEWS RECORD
JEWISH STAR
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW YORK POST
MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
Dist 1002
Dist 1003
Dist 1004
HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
UNIONDALE BEACON
EAST MEADOW HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS
NEW YORK POST
BELLMORE HERALD
MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS
NEW YORK POST
Dist 1022
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER
NEW YORK POST
Dist 1023
Dist 1024
Dist 1025
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
SEAFORD HERALD CITIZEN
WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
VALLEY STREAM HERALD
VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE
MERRICK HERALD
Dist 2011
Dist 2122
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW YORK POST
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW YORK POST
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER
NEW YORK POST
Dist 2301
GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT
Public Notices
Continued from previous page
MASSAPEQUA POST
MID-ISLAND TIMES
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
SOUTH BAYS NEIGHBOR - N. MASSAPEQUA
GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST SEA CLIFF - GLEN HEAD HERALD Dist 3203
LONG ISLAND PRESS
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
ROSLYN NEWS TIMES Dist 3306
MASSAPEQUA POST
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST THE NASSAU OBSERVER
City of Glen Cove Dist 4005
GLEN COVE HERALD GAZETTE
GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE NEW YORK POST
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ROBERT ATELA A/K/A ROBERT T. ATELA, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 2, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 114 Beach Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 63, Block 223 and Lot 15. Approximate amount of judgment is $566,265.24 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 612746/2022. Cash will not be accepted.
Beth Chamow, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 157810
THE NORTH SHORE LEADER
City of lonG BeaCh Dist 5028
LONG BEACH HERALD
LONG BEACH TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK POST
Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities.
Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in braille, large print, audio tape other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 13715.
Dated: February 05, 2026
THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER MINEOLA, NEW YORK 1334630
U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF THE TRUMAN 2021 SC9 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ADAM TIBBETTS, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 23, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 24, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 2657 Wilson Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 56, Block 275 and Lots 288, 289 and 290. Approximate amount of judgment is $444,485.65 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #602379/2023. William J. Garry, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 223162-1 157930
AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff AGAINST SHAWN WHALEN, JANET WHALEN, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 7, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 26, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 402 Marle Place, Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 56, Block 351, Lot 87-89. Approximate amount of judgment $417,139.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #600417/2020. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Dri ve Williamsville, NY 14221 19-007424 88499 158010
LEGAL NOTICE
BELLMORE-MERRICK
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BELLMORE U.F.S.D.
MERRICK U.F.S.D.
NORTH BELLMORE
U.F.S.D.
NORTH MERRICK
U.F.S.D.
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU
NOTICE TO BIDDERS:
In accordance with provision of Section 103 of the General Municipal Law, the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Transportation
Consortium hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for:
Bellmore-Merrick Cooperative 2025-2026 School Year Bid
Bids will be publicly opened and read at the Bellmore-Merrick
Central High School District Business Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, on Tuesday, January 24, 2026, at 10:00 am. Specifications and Bid Forms may be obtained from the office of Tom Volpe, Director of Transportation, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject in whole or in part all bids or to accept any bid which in its judgment is in the best interest of the school district.
By order: Board of Education
BELLMORE-MERRICK
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BELLMORE U.F.S.D.
MERRICK U.F.S.D.
NORTH BELLMORE
U.F.S.D.
NORTH MERRICK
U.F.S.D. 158233
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO PARENTS OF NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS
Bellmore-Merrick
Central High School District parents are reminded that New York State Law requires a written transportation request annually by April 1st from parents or guardians of students (Grades 7-12) who plan to attend private or parochial schools. Requests must be submitted prior to April 1, 2026 for the school year beginning September 2026.
News brief
Saw Mill Road Elementary School sixth graders were visited by students in Mepham High School’s Athletes Compassionately Educating Students program to talk about civility and sportsmanship.
Saw Mill sixth graders learn sportsmanship
Sixth graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School got a head start on middle school thanks to guidance from high school students.
About two dozen Mepham High School students visited Saw Mill Road on Jan. 27 as part of the ACES program — Athletes Compassionately Educating Students. The visit was the second of three planned this school year. ACES student leaders also visit other North Bellmore elementary schools.
The focus of the visit was civility and sportsmanship. High school students met with each sixth-grade classroom to discuss how to handle different situations with kindness and respect. Students considered examples from the
classroom, lunch and recess periods, and sports activities.
The hour-long program also included team-building games. In one activity, sixth graders formed a circle, grabbed hands with classmates who weren’t standing next to them, and worked together to rearrange the circle without letting go.
ACES students will return in the spring to focus on staying drug- and alcohol-free. The program aims to prepare students for middle school by connecting them with older peers who serve as positive role models.
— Hernesto Galdamez
Public Notices
Transportation application forms for the 2026-2027 school year are available at the Brookside School Security Desk, located at 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York 11566 or at the District website under District/Transportation: www.bellmoremerrick.k12.ny.us
All students requesting non-public school transportation who did not previously attend one of our component elementary districts: Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore or North Merrick Union Free School Districts or one of the Bellmore Merrick Central High School District’s (BMCHSD) schools, must register with the BMCHSD. Please call 516-992-1003 to schedule an appointment with the Central Registrar, at the Brookside School, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York. Registration is By Appointment Only. 158234
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
LOCAL LAW NO. 17-2026
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 27th day of January 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 17-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Local Law No. 17-2026, to amend Section 190-4 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead by the insertion of a location into subdivision “A”, in relation to twenty miles per hour school speed limits, 7 AM to 6 PM, school days as follows: INSERT: “A” - 20 mph school speed limits
BELLMORE, STUART AVENUE - between Camp Avenue and Leonard Street. (TH-613/25)
Dated: January 27, 2026
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 158198
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 10th day of February 2026, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend
Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at the following locations: BELLMORE HEWLETT LANE (TH 653/25) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the north curbline of Horace Court, north for a distance of 25 feet. ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: January 27, 2026
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 158201
Courtesy of the North Bellmore School District
OUTSIDE SALES
EDITOR/REPORTER
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.
Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
CLEANER PART-TIME
For The Baldwin Public Library. Up to 17 hours / week; Sundays optional at 2X. For more info. contact rduccilli@baldwinpl.org. Send resume to employment@baldwinpl.org or visit Library to complete an application by 2/12/26.
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS
FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in
HomesHERALD
A House You'll Call Home
Welcome to this beautifully updated and spacious 5-bedroom, 3 full bath expanded Ranch in Hewlett Harbor! The most desirable section of the Five Towns! Low taxes, no Sandy damage and no flood insurance required! Step into an atmosphere enhanced by brand-new wall-to-wall windows that fill every room with natural light and custom-built blinds. The primary bedroom offers a private ensuite bath with a triple door closet. The eat-in kitchen is newly renovated with gorgeous countertops, modern new appliances, a wine cooler, and a butler’s pantry with additional counter space for effortless entertaining. A mudroom with ample storage provides the perfect spot to keep seasonal and holiday items neatly organized and out of the way. There are two additional updated bathrooms, new air conditioning and gleaming hardwood floors flow throughout the home. The second floor is a private oasis, complete with two bedrooms and a full bath, and a stand-up attic for extra storage. The outside is beautifully landscaped with oversized fenced-in backyard. There is plenty of room for a pool, hot tub, outdoor fireplace, swing set, and even a basketball hoop. The ultimate space for entertainment and relaxation. Enjoy new siding, a newer roof under 10 years old, freshly installed pavers, and a beautiful patio that’s perfect for gatherings or outdoor relaxation under the stars. Well water for sprinklers. Don't miss the opportunity to make it your Home sweet Home! Schedule your private tour to view this beauty.
How do we keep our home livable during renovations?
Q. Do you have any suggestions on how we can guarantee our house won’t be damaged while we have a renovation done? We’re doing a lot of work to add a back family room and a second floor. Our house is a cape that already has a second floor, but we want a full second floor. Everyone we spoke to called it a dormer, but we read your column in which you clarified that a dormer is pushed out through the current roof and a second floor is the whole thing, so we know. We want to stay on the first floor, and even though we’ll get a POD for the driveway, we’re concerned about staying on the first floor. The contractor showed us the plastic curtains he uses, but is there anything else? Our daughter has asthma, and we’re very concerned.
WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670
WYOMING LEGACY ESTATE: 14.5 horse-zoned acres bordering Bridger-Teton National Forest. South of Jackson Hole. Custom lodge, 360° mountain views, hot tub, access to four-season outdoor recreation. https://2antelopetrailpinedalewy.com
A. It’s tough to guarantee that dust won’t get in, since there are many ways dust travels and the average home, without any air filtration, usually get dusty, anyway. I have seen countless projects with zippered air curtain separations, sealed at the walls, floors and ceilings — even double curtains separated by 4 feet to create a vestibule, with a fan drawing air to the outside just before people open the first zipper. This is called a negative air method, and the fan should only be turned on when someone is about to enter the vestibule from the clean side, because if the fan is left on, it’s drawing air from the dusty side to the clean side.
Several clients purchased boxes of disposable booties to slip over shoes to keep from tracking in dust and dirt. If you have carpeting or just want to protect your finished floors, it’s best to have the walking paths covered in plywood and heavy plastic. Lift the plastic and fold inward to discard periodically, or vacuum with a brush attachment so as not to suck up the plastic. Also, if the path is highly trafficked, it will tear and may be slippery from the booties and dust, so monitor the surface and how affected it will be.
Sometimes just a smooth fiberboard, without splinters, is best. One client even used a spray bottle to spray the air and then the booties before discarding them in a plastic bag. Unfortunately, some people did not completely understand the air flow issues, and left their exterior windows open in the clean areas, adjacent to where the work was being done, allowing the dust to float in through the windows from outside.
Depending on how much you want to spend, there are elaborate portable units with high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters that will rid the air of a large amount of dust as well as less-visible matter such as pollen. You may want to consult your child’s doctor for advice about filtered respirators, or whether it’s a good idea for her to be there during the construction at all. Good luck!
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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Extremist green policies have made electric rates soar
Anew report issued by our Center for Cost Effective Government confirms that progressive policies implemented by New York’s Legislature designed to tackle climate change have caused energy rates in the state to skyrocket, with few environmental benefits.
In fact, these policies increased electric bills by roughly 50 percent in the six years since their implementation.
In 2019, Albany enacted a sweeping law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, imposing mandates seeking a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It also calls for 100 percent renewable electricity use by 2040.
But recently, New York’s government has been quietly telling the utilities to slow-walk the decommissioning of gasfired power plants. And after the November election, Gov. Kathy Hochul officially retreated from the unrealistic mandate requiring electric heat in new buildings until a lawsuit on the issue concludes.
The state’s progressive policies
included numerous initiatives many now regret, including shutting down nuclear plants; refusing to frack in New York; refusing to approve natural-gas pipelines; requiring all new buildings be heated with electricity; imposing carbon penalties on utilities, passing costs to consumers; and mandating that all cars be electric by 2035.
OIronically, New York’s carbon footprint wound up being worse after passage of this bill, while electric rates soared. Curtailing natural gas had devastating consequences, both economically and environmentally. It was the transition from dirtier coal and oil to cleaner natural gas that dropped U.S. greenhouse emissions by 14 percent from 2005 to 2019, while emissions were increasing worldwide. Rates are slated to increase further, with the New York State Electric & Gas company saying it will charge 23.7 percent more in 2026, while National Grid is seeking increases that could raise bills upstate by $600 a year. And Con Edison is seeking increases that would increase average gas and energy bills more than $150 higher than in 2020. This reduced supply is exacerbated by the enormous energy required for the A.I. revolution. Large companies at the forefront of A.I. innovation put
immense strain on the grid. A.I. data centers are becoming large energy users, outpacing even electric vehicles in their power demand growth.
verly ambitious initiatives have had negative consequences worldwide.
Overly ambitious policy initiatives to shut down traditional power generation and replace it with less-reliable wind and solar energy have resulted in significant negative consequences worldwide. In Germany, an optimistic energy transition plan involved shutting down nuclear plants. In 2011, Germany’s 17 nuclear reactors generated over 33 percent of the country’s electricity. Their shutdown led to a return to fossil fuels. Consequently, greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on foreign energy sources actually increased.
These extreme policies have been mirrored in California, resulting in electric costs that are roughly 50 percent higher than the national average and gasoline costs that are 47 percent above the average.
The typical residential customer in New Jersey, which also promulgated extreme green policies, saw an increase of 17 to 20 percent last year. One resident of Clark, N.J., claimed that her bill rose from $174 in June to over $300 in July — this despite New Jersey’s Public Service Electric & Gas having told her
to expect an increase of 17 percent. Even once-touted wind projects are losing their luster when they come under greater scrutiny. According to NY Energy Ratings, “Developers are looking for a way to pay for the mounting costs of new wind energy projects. They have even asked the [Public Service Commission] to increase New York electric rates.” This is estimated to result in an increase of 4 percent, or $4.67 per month for ratepayers. Some projects are costing double what they were expected to.
Billionaire Bill Gates, who previously sided with the climate doomsday faction, has tempered his position, noting that the trillions of dollars being funneled to climate initiatives could be better spent relieving worldwide poverty.
Are you a better person if you pay an arm and a leg for extreme green policies that will have little impact on reducing the carbon footprint decades down the road? Or is it more cost-effective to concentrate those funds on saving lives today, via better health care and economic opportunity, while simultaneously investing in innovations that can provide cheaper, cleaner energy over a rational, gradual period of time?
Steve Levy is president of Common Sense Strategies, a political consulting firm, and has served as Suffolk County executive and as an assemblyman. He can be reached at steve@commonsensestrategies.com.
We can make our school cafeterias safer
in recent years, we’ve seen stories on the news of everyday heroes who have saved the lives of choking children. There have been incidents all over Long Island, from Elmont to East Setauket, yet New York does not currently require cafeteria monitors to be certified in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the Heimlich maneuver.
My new bill, SS6127A, known as Stella’s Law, would correct this oversight. The legislation is named in honor of Stella Tsimis, a teacher’s aide in the Connetquot school district who, in February 2023, saved the life of a 7-year-old boy in the school cafeteria by performing the Heimlich maneuver on him while he
was choking.
Tsimis received the New York State Liberty Medal for saving the boy’s life.
The Liberty Medal is the highest civilian honor awarded by New York state, and is presented only for extraordinary, heroic and life-saving acts.
Tsimis’s actions that day highlighted the need for all adult cafeteria monitors in school cafeterias to be trained in and hold current certifications for first aid, CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, to help ensure the safety of the children who eat there. Requiring the First Aid for Choking poster to be displayed in all school eating areas further supports this goal by providing clear, life-saving instructions that can be followed in an emergency.
such posters, but it’s important for teachers, monitors and staff to be able to successfully intervene in an emergency.
s taffs need to be trained in first aid for choking and the Heimlich maneuver.
Many rescuers have learned the Heimlich maneuver in school health classes, workplace training or even from
Stella’s Law would ensure that personnel are trained, and that informative posters showing the Heimlich maneuver are displayed where students are at the greatest risk of choking. The instructional posters help make sure students are not fearful or afraid if a choking emergency occurs, because they understand this life-saving technique.
There are many resources available in your community. Organizations like the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association hold classes to help people be prepared for such emergencies. We hosted our first CPR-Heimlich maneuver training in cooperation with the West Babylon Fire Department on Jan. 24.
In 2024, a Patchogue-Medford math
teacher, Chris Schiefer, came to the rescue of one of his students. Schiefer noticed the student choking on a gumball and quickly went into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver and helping to dislodge the obstruction. After making sure the student saw the nurse to confirm he was all right, Schiefer turned the incident into a learning opportunity by teaching his students about the Heimlich maneuver and pointing out a chart on the wall demonstrating how to handle a choking incident.
This was a great effort made by a responsible educator, but we should have standard training in place, as well as step-by-step signage for school staff, so they can be frontline administrators of these life-saving techniques.
Please contact your local school district, state senator or Assembly member and encourage them to support Stella’s Law, and to make our schools safer.
Alexis Weik represents the 8th State Senate District.
sTEVE LEVY
ALEXis WEiK
Hernesto Galdamez
CumminGs Multi
lHERALD
Out of practice, but not out of resolve
ast week, for the first time in three years, Long Island was forcefully reminded that winter isn’t just a suggestion. The Jan. 25 snowstorm dumped more than a foot of snow, whipped it around with high winds and then sealed it in place with a deep freeze, making it the most significant storm in these parts since Jan. 29, 2022. For a region that had grown used to mild winters and more rain than snow, it was a rude, icy wake-up call.
Within hours, schools and businesses were closed, and familiar streets transformed from wet pavement to skating rinks masquerading as thoroughfares.
Snow shovels were unearthed from garages, boots were rediscovered in the backs of closets and many residents wondered, “Wait, how do we do this again?”
The storm highlighted the dedication of emergency workers and the importance of preparation, but it also revealed something else: After a few relatively snow-free winters, Long Island was a little out of practice.
Emergency crews, plow drivers, sanitation workers, police officers, EMS personnel and other essential workers put in long hours in harsh and dangerous conditions. Their efforts kept major roadways passable and ensured that critical services remained available. These people don’t get snow days, and Long Island is better off because of it.
Elected officials also moved quickly. Roads were treated with pre-storm brine to prevent ice from bonding to
letters
pavement. Hundreds of plows were deployed across towns and villages. Gov. Kathy Hochul sent more than 100 members of the National Guard to assist with snow removal, including on major parkways that thousands of drivers rely on every day.
County Executives Bruce Blakeman and Ed Romaine, in Nassau and Suffolk, respectively, declared states of emergency, helping streamline coordination and resources.
Many residents noticed and appreciated responders’ efforts. Social media was filled with thank-yous to plow drivers and sanitation crews, often described as “the backbone of the operation.” Credit where it’s due: Without their efforts, the storm’s aftermath would have been far worse.
Still, once the snow stopped falling, patience began to melt, unlike the ice. Complaints poured in about side streets that weren’t plowed quickly enough, leaving cars stuck and neighbors frustrated as snow hardened and became virtually unmovable. In some areas, plows managed little more than a single narrow lane, pushing snow into piles that quickly froze into what might as well have been concrete barriers.
The storm’s heavy mix of snow and sleet didn’t help. Parked cars made matters worse. Town officials, including in Oyster Bay, pointed to vehicles left on streets despite parking restrictions as a major obstacle to proper plowing. And then there was the Long Island tradition of shoveling snow into the street
Our foreign policy ‘is heading in the wrong direction’
To the Editor:
I read Peter King’s opinion piece last week, “What did Trump gain by badmouthing Denmark?” about the administration’s various foreign policy accomplishments and failures during the first year of President Trump’s second term. I agree that the approach that’s being taken in regard to Greenland is not wise. Our current treaty with Denmark gives the United States great leeway for the use of Greenland’s territory for U.S. bases in the defense of the U.S. and our NATO allies.
I feel that our foreign policy in general is heading in the wrong direction. The “America First” policy that’s being promoted by the administration is doing great damage to our peaceful relationships around the world. We may have the greatest military in modern history, but we live in a complex world. We need to preserve NATO and make sure that treaties established at the end of World War II remain strong. We need cooperation, not condemnation of friends.
I agree that we need secure and safe borders, and
— illegal, counterproductive and, in Nassau County, potentially a $200 mistake.
All of this slowed cleanup, especially when you consider the scale of the task. The Town of Hempstead alone is responsible for clearing roughly 1,200 miles of roadway. That’s not a quick lap around the block — it’s a marathon in snow boots.
Snow removal is a team sport. Municipalities can plan routes, deploy equipment and send alerts, but residents have to do their part, moving vehicles, following restrictions, staying informed and resisting the urge to dump snow where plows just cleared it.
After three quiet winters, Long Island’s collective snow-day muscle memory had weakened. The key takeaway from Jan. 25 is that the storm exposed gaps while providing a muchneeded refresher. Main roads were cleared. Most neighborhoods were eventually serviced. Emergency operations held up under pressure. With better coordination, clearer communication and stronger public cooperation, the next response can be even smoother. Snowstorms on Long Island are inevitable, and we should be ready for them. If everyone — from county and state governments to towns, villages, businesses and residents — gets back in practice, the next big storm can be met not with surprise and frustration, but with confidence, coordination and maybe even a little less slip-sliding around.
The political distraction industry — and its cost
something’s wrong. It’s hard to put a finger on it. We live in a political world, and something about the way that world slides between the foreground and the background of daily life just seems off — not dramatic, not mysterious, just persistently wrong.
That unease has a source.
Contemporary politics now functions within what can fairly be called a political distraction industry. Large, highprofile controversies generate a media fog that draws our attention toward whatever is loudest or most immediate, while steadily pulling our focus away from decisions that more directly shape our lives.
In any given week, we may be urged to fixate on the latest scandal, to listen to conflicting stories about exploding motorboats off the coast of South America, to dissect executive orders that change little in practice, to scroll through a flood of presidential social media posts, or to follow lawsuits filed theatrically against judges and officials with no realistic chance of success.
Each story is framed as urgent. Each demands our attention. It’s hard to keep up, and it’s harder to see through the fog of information to discern things that may be far more important.
This isn’t an accident. Distraction has become a strategy.
The incentives aren’t difficult to see. Media outlets compete in an overcrowded attention economy. Social media platforms reward speed, outrage and repetition. Political fundraising thrives on alarm. Issues and decisions are boiled down to simplistic either/or choices. Complexity doesn’t travel well. The most consequential changes tend to arrive quietly, already dressed as routine.
w here every problem is a ‘crisis,’ and every disagreement ‘unprecedented.’
scrutiny. Constant conflict fragments potential coalitions. Attention jumps from flare to flare, rarely lingering long enough for consideration of the most basic questions: What has actually changed? Who benefits? What precedent has just been set? Distraction works in part because it enlists us. We share the clips, repost the provocations, argue over headlines designed to provoke argument. It feels like engagement, but reaction isn’t the same as agency, and outrage — however understandable — doesn’t substitute for influence.
chasing.
The result is a loss of perspective. Minor controversies swell into national emergencies, while decisions affecting housing costs, public education, health care access, environmental protections and local governance are made quietly. We debate the tone of a speech while overlooking the budget it obscures. We argue about personalities while the machinery of government is adjusted — often in ways that prove difficult to reverse.
It’s no secret: a distracted public is easier to manage than an attentive one. Constant motion prevents sustained
LeTTers
those who illegally entered our country should be dealt with through our justice system. But I hope that the constant rhetoric we see daily in our news media starts to abate, and that cooler heads prevail. We need the direction of our politics, and our policies, to return to a sense of normalcy.
JErOME I. rOSEn Hewlett
Where have all the plows gone?
Editors’ note: The following letter was sent to the Herald on Jan. 29, after last week’s issues went to press.
To the Editor:
It’s frustrating that nearly five days after the significant snow we had on Jan. 25, our neighborhoods, thoroughfares and side streets are still not cleared. Did the plows come? Yes, they did. Main roads have been cleared. But who’s responsible for the mess left behind along Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Avenue and other highly traveled streets that could certainly benefit from another pass of the plow?
Why are cars forced to park next to huge mounds of snow that haven’t been removed? The plows should still be out there, helping to widen the streets. Instead I’ve seen multiple town highway trucks with plows removed.
An example is Goldenrod Avenue in Franklin Square, which leads to both Washington Street School and H. Frank Carey High School. During school hours, Goldenrod is almost impassable, whether you’re driving north or south, because it
Even our political vocabulary has been thinned by overuse. Everything is a “crisis.” Every disagreement is “unprecedented.” When every day is framed as an emergency, real emergencies become harder to recognize. Fatigue follows. People disengage — not because they don’t care, but because constant alarm is mentally exhausting. There is no need to tune out — but there is a need to slow down. When a story breaks, a few stubborn questions help restore a sense of scale: Does this materially change how power is exercised? Does it affect people’s rights, safety, or economic security? Will it still matter a year from now? If not, it may be worth keeping an eye on — but not
has at least 4 feet of snow sticking out into the street on both sides.
Why are all the corners leading to crosswalks not cleared? This is a safety issue. Are people expected to climb a snow mound to get to businesses on Hempstead Turnpike?
If the curb outside a store is still piled with snow and the crosswalk at the corner of that street isn’t cleared, how are people expected to get to the store? Businesses are clearing their own sidewalks, but it seems that curbs, corners, crosswalks and some bus stops are orphans of the storm.
When talking to the Town of Hempstead Highway Department, I was told they are only responsible for “residential areas.” They did offer to put in a “ticket” to replow Goldenrod Avenue. I was told that the state Department of Transportation is responsible for large thoroughfares like Hempstead Turnpike and Sunrise Highway. I called the DOT, and an employee repeated “from curb to curb” when I asked what snow clearing they were responsible for.
It seems to me that during these storms, the town, as the “first responder” agency, funded by our tax dollars, should do more to make traveling in our community easier — especially since the town isn’t responsible for plowing main thoroughfares. Why can’t they send crews out to dig out street corners and crosswalks when a storm is over? If we’re expected to take our kids to school, go to work and go about our daily lives, we should get better assistance from the town in order to return to our normal routine.
ELIzABETH MUrPHY Franklin Square
The normalization of continuous distraction carries a cost most of us have experienced without quite naming it. The news and social media flood the airwaves with stories and endless commentary about the latest nasty thing the president has said about a celebrity — who insulted whom, who clapped back. Meanwhile, we hear only a sidebar about a court decision that permits the administration to empower ICE agents to arrest U.S. citizens as though they were undocumented immigrants, the decision mentioned only briefly before disappearing from coverage. One story dominates our attention for days; the other slips past almost unnoticed. Again, the imbalance is not accidental.
Distraction isn’t merely noise, but leverage. The point is not to stop us from seeing anything at all, but to keep us looking in the wrong direction long enough for other, potentially more consequential, decisions to settle into place. By the time our attention shifts back, the argument is over, the paperwork is filed and the change is treated as a fact rather than a choice. What is lost is not awareness, but the chance to intervene at the moment when our scrutiny might have made a difference.
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Framework by Mallory Wilson
And then she kissed the stone — Blarney Castle, Ireland
