Event at Kennedy raises awareness about ghost guns and gun violence
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Emily Weiner, a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, recently brought a powerful message to her peers from Robert Gaafar, a survivor of the Route 91 Harvest music festival mass shooting in Las Vegas. by hosting a speaker in the school’s auditorium to raise awareness about gun violence.
The event, to raise awareness about gun violence, featured Gaafar, a survivor of the October 2017 tragedy that left more than 60 people dead and over 400 injured. It remains the deadliest mass shooting by a gunman in U.S. history.
Weiner, 16, started a Students Demand Action chapter at Kennedy last school year. Students Demand Action, or SDA, is a network of high school and college students who organize to end gun violence in their communities, started in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018. Weiner connected her work with Kennedy’s SDA chapter to the school’s leadership program, a multi-year course she’s enrolled in that shapes students into young leaders in their communities.
Juniors enrolled in the course must orchestrate a civics project, taking initiative to educate fellow students directly about subjects they’re passionate about while ContinuEd on paGE 4
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If you’re already a subscriber, thank you for your support. We hope you’re enjoying the paper each week. If you’re new to the Bellmore Herald, welcome — our mission is to cover all the news of your neighborhood: from schools to sports, houses of worship to acts of kindness, and everything in between. Enjoy the paper — and thanks for reading!
Jordan Vallone, Senior Editor
Courtesy John F. Kennedy High School Kennedy High School junior Emily Weiner, right, with Robert Gaafar, a survivor of the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that left over 60 people dead and 400 injured. Gaafar spoke with Kennedy students about gun violence.
Hearing delayed for Bedford Avenue proposal
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO & JORDAN VALLONE of the Bellmore Herald
Economic Development Strategies, the real estate firm proposing an apartment building at 2160 Bedford Avenue in Bellmore, postponed a zoning board hearing scheduled for April 23 at Old Town Hall in Hempstead. The delay followed a community meeting held earlier in April to gather resident feedback on the project.
The team chose to delay the hearing “to get more time for community feedback,” said Bill Bonesso, an attorney with Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP, who represented the developers at the meeting. A date for the rescheduled hearing was not specified.
The new apartment building is proposed to take the spot of the closed Chase Bank on Bedford Avenue. According to Adam Mann of AJM real estate, this plot is an attractive location to build an apartment for developers because it is near a train station and nestled in a commercial area with many sidewalks, which would drive economic activity for Bellmore’s small businesses. Mann is one of the developers on the project.
At the meeting in early April, the plans offer 16 onebedroom apartments at around $2,000 to $3,000 per month and seven two-bedroom apartments at around $4,000 to $5,000 per month.
The project has undergone three rounds of community feedback so far, the most recent at Bluebird Kitchen on April 2, where many residents expressed concerns about a new apartment building.
Marge Congello, president of the Central Bellmore Homeowners Association, said the “Save Our Suburbs” mantra is “well advocated” by the Hempstead Town in relation to housing density and overdevelopment. She added that “transit oriented development” has “had its
An apartment building has been proposed on Bedford Avenue in Bellmore, at the site of the old Chase Bank. Community members have expressed concern over its size and traffic increases in the area.
day and is no longer a viable construct for consideration.”
“Working from home, which gives people flextime and more time to be with their families, has become a dominant attribute for jobseekers and those people that are already employed in the workforce,” she said. “Transit oriented development is seen as having a negative impact on local communities by many people.”
She called the proposed development in Bellmore
Grand Avenue
Middle School
Isabella Chiodi
Luigerardo Dorsainvil
Brynn Gaskowitz
Mikayla Gschweng
Carlyn Masiulis
Peyton Paul
Daniel Pilott
Gabriela Salmeron
Philopater Tawdrous
Merrick Avenue
Middle School
Darla Contreras
Rolando Deras
Kyla Figueroa
Rina Goldmark
Aram Herrera
Brian Payne
Nicholas Porcaro
Andrew Pucella
Remy Tyler Vilkas
“too robust.”
“The village and surrounding residential area is all 2-stories in height and the residential area is made up of single-family homes,” Congello added. “The proposal is too high, too dense, and deviates significantly from the nature and character of the area.”
Other community concerns included the parking situation in the Bellmore town area as well as the potential increase for residential and commercial traffic.
Sanford H. Calhoun High School
Gianni Castiglia
Samantha Kalinoglu
Matthew Kearney
Siddhangi Wickramasinghe
John F. Kennedy High School
Aaditya Maystry
Mia Shteyman
Nazeeha Vargas
Abigail Zaikowski
Meadowbrook
Alternative Program
Wylie Phillips
Prep Academy
Lucas Librizzi
Wellington C. Mepham High School
Melanie Arcos
Jared Broxmeyer
Hunter Gerace
Emma Herlihy
Courtesy Dave Sutton
Max effort for lax unit at Newbridge Road
A sport with origins dating back more than 900 years is generating excitement in the gymnasium at Newbridge Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. Students in grades 3 to 6 have been learning the intricacies of lacrosse.
Guided by physical education teachers James Breslin, the young athletes have been practicing catching, throwing and stickhandling. The first few classes focused on skills, which students then put into action through partner practice and game play.
Breslin said that lacrosse has been an annual spring unit in physical education for more than 20 years. The goal is to introduce students to a sport that they can play when they get to middle school. By equipping them with the fundamentals of lacrosse and some basic skills, the goal is to give them confidence to try out if it’s a sport they enjoy.
— Jordan Vallone Newbridge Road Elementary School physical education teacher James Breslin talked to students about stick-handling during a lacrosse unit.
Fifth grader Steven Seidenstein made a nifty catch during warm-ups.
Photos courtesy North Bellmore School District
Class competitions helped students work on their throwing and catching skills.
Asad Azeem and Sofia Barriga had a blast learning how to play lacrosse.
Emily Weiner leads powerful civics project
pushing for systemic change. Weiner’s civic project specifically educated her peers about ghost guns, firearms assembled from parts that lack serial numbers, making them untraceable by law enforcement.
Brad Seidman, Weiner’s leadership program teacher at Kennedy, said Weiner has been actively working to address gun violence in the U.S. through advocacy efforts.
“Mr. Gaafar shared his powerful firsthand account of surviving what remains the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history,” he said of the presentation she hosted in late-March. “His moving testimony helped bring awareness to the issue of gun violence and its impact on communities across the nation.”
Around 150 students from nine different classes attended the presentation.
Weiner said she thinks it is really important to educate her fellow peers on gun violence.
“There’s been so many school shootings, and it’s super important for kids to know everything about gun violence,” she said. “In my speech (before the presentation), I brought in a personal story. When I was younger, during the Parkland shooting, my camp counselor was one of the people who was injured. Luckily, she survived — but many others didn’t. I wanted to project that and show that it’s a serious issue.”
Weiner explained that Gaafar’s presentation included a first-hand testimony of the incident along with photos and videos that captured her peers’ attention. Providing important statistics — such as the fact that over 45,000 people are killed each year from suicides and shootings in the U.S. — really helped students understand the issue. Black children and teens are 18 times more likely to be victims of gun violence than white children, Weiner added.
“He shared myths and facts,” she said. “One myth is more guns make the U.S. safer — but the fact is, if more guns make us safer, America would be the safest country in the world — which shows that it’s an inaccurate statement.”
Because Weiner’s civics project is
Protecting Your Future
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In the intervening time, we have learned that estate planning is more — it is legacy planning. Legacy has two meanings (1) the assets you leave, and (2) the impression you leave. Your assets will dissipate, but your impression will endure.
Were you kind and generous? Were you forgiving and grateful? Were you compassionate and did you bring light into the world, despite your setbacks.
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ETTINGER LAW FIRM
emily Weiner, on stage, addressed her peers before gaafar’s presentation. She is the leader of Kennedy’s Students demand action chapter and encouraged students to sign a petition against ghost guns as part of a civics project she led for her leadership class.
directly centered around ghost guns, Gaafar also used the presentation to encourage attending students to sign a petition that will be sent to Congress, advocating for the banning of selling ghost gun parts.
“This student-led initiative demonstrates our leadership students’ commitment to civic engagement,” Seidman said, “and addressing important social issues through peaceful advocacy and education.”
Lastly, Weiner said Gaafar shared solutions to gun violence — and how students can get involved. “Background checks, speaking up and safe storage of guns at home — and a call to action,” she said. “To just encourage people to talk to family and friends, report threats, contact representatives and get involved with organizations like Students Demand Action and March For Our Lives.”
Gaafar opened up the floor to questions, and Weiner said a lot of her peers asked him how being a survivor of a mass shooting has affected him in his every day life — which she said demonstrated that they acknowledged the extent of what he’d been through.
The SDA chapter at Kennedy will likely meet throughout the remainder of the school year, Weiner said. Looking ahead to next year, she hopes to continue her efforts with letter writing campaigns and potentially another guest speaker. Students can learn more about the SDA chapter’s efforts and upcoming meetings by visiting @SDA.JFK on Instagram.
How to take action
Gun Violence in the U.S.
■ Over 45,000 people die annually from gun-related injuries in the U.S., including suicides and homicides.
■ Black children and teens are 18 times more likely to be victims of gun violence than their white peers.
■ The Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas in 2017 remains the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history — with 60+ people killed and over 400 injured.
What are ghost guns?
■ Ghost guns are firearms assembled from kits or parts that lack serial numbers, making them untraceable by law enforcement.
■ These weapons can be purchased online without background checks and are a growing concern among gun safety advocates.
How students are taking action
■ Students signed a petition urging Congress to ban the sale of ghost gun parts.
■ Emily Weiner’s Students Demand Action chapter at Kennedy High School continues to organize and educate about gun violence prevention.
■ Students were encouraged to:
■ Talk to family and friends about gun safety.
■ Report threats and suspicious behavior.
■ Contact elected officials about gun legislation.
■ Follow Kennedy’s SDA chapter on Instagram: @SDA.JFK
Courtesy John F. Kennedy High School
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MADISON WADE
Plainedge Senior Lacrosse
IT HAS BEEN A red-hot April for Wade and the Plainedge girls’ lacrosse team. The Red Devils have won eight of their last night games, with Wade serving as one of the integral parts of the success. The third-year varsity player is also a third-year captain and helping Plainedge’s offense fire. Entering this week’s action, Wade ranked near the top of Nassau County in goals with 42. She netted at least three goals in eight of the first 11 games.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, May 1
Boys Lacrosse: Baldwin at Freeport 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Calhoun at Carey 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: East Meadow at Clarke 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Sewanhaka at Freeport 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Mepham at Bethpage 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Elmont at Uniondale 5 p.m.
Friday, May 2
Flag Football: Lynbrook at East Rockaway 5 p.m.
Flag Football: Bethpage at Long Beach 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Farmingdale at Massapequa 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: South Side at Wantagh 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: South Side at North Shore 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Lynbrook at MacArthur 7 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Long Beach at Massapequa 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 3
Softball: Uniondale at Elmont 10 a.m.
Softball: North Shore at Baldwin 10 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Lynbrook at Mepham 10 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Calhoun at Oceanside 10 a.m.
Flag Football: Freeport at Oceanside 11 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Clarke at Division 12 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Island Trees at Hewlett 3 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
Calhoun primed for title chase
By BRIAN KACHARABA sports@liherald.com
Calhoun is in a four-team race for the Conference II girls’ lacrosse championship entering the final two weeks of the regular season.
Last year’s county semifinalists are 7-1 against conference foes this spring and 9-2 overall. Unfortunately, their lone divisional loss came against first-place Plainedge (9-1 Conference II) on April 15, but the girls rebounded to win their next three games by a combined score of 45-13 to remain in the hunt.
Locust Valley (6-2 in II), whom Calhoun visited on Monday, and Lynbrook (6-1) are also vying for the title. The Colts hold the tiebreaker against the latter after posting an 11-9 victory over the Owls on April 9 behind five goals and two assists by star senior Alexandra Aievoli.
Calhoun visits Oceanside on Friday before finishing the season at home against Mepham on May 7.
“I think depending on who shows up on what days, any one of these games in Conference II can be tough,” said Calhoun coach James Raucci, who returned to the helm following an eightyear hiatus. “We have to win one game at a time and try to secure the highest seed, which would be the No. 4 spot in the B’s, and go from there.”
Aievoli leads the team with 37 goals and 54 points. She has nine goals and six assists during the current winning streak, including four tallies in each of the last two contests against Roslyn and Bethpage.
“Alex is such a strong athlete, but she also watches a lot of film on her own and is a student of the game behind the scenes,” Raucci said. “I didn’t even realize how much she’ll sit and watch tape and self-analyze, so she’s a complete package.”
Senior Samantha Kalinoglu had a season-high six goals and an assist in last Friday’s 14-6 win over Bethpage and has posted 27 goals and 34 points this season. She also found the net four times in Calhoun’s 17-3 romp of Bald -
Sophomore Tessa Gerrard, right, has been part of the Colts’ tremendous offensive depth and has 13 goals and 6 assists through 11 games.
win on April 17.
“She’s just really smart with the ball on her stick,” Raucci said. “She has the ability to dodge from the left side, has the ability to feed and cut off the ball, and the thing I get so impressed with Samantha is her work in-between the restraining lines. It’s a coach’s dream when you have a kid do all the off-theball stuff that doesn’t make the paper.”
The Colts have also gotten plenty of scoring depth from several underclassmen such as freshman Tess McGuire (21-11-32), sophomores Tessa Gerrard (13-6-19) and Angelica Kasimatis (10-616), junior Eila Cavalieri (6-9-15), and
senior Cara Buglione (8-3-11). The offense is averaging just over 12 goals a contest and has scored 135 times overall. Calhoun also boasts a stingy defense that has allowed just over six goals a game. Seniors Samantha Guida and Kailey Faughnan and juniors Claire Carragher, DeLaney Ann McGrath, and Ryan Karis highlight the corps, and sophomore Alexa Schenfeld has made 70 saves in her first year as a varsity starter.
The eighth-grade midfield trio of Samantha Curcio, Camille Megias, and Sophia Palmeri has also impressed Raucci.
Donovan Berthoud/Herald
Thousands celebrate police centennial parade
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Thousands of residents lined the streets of Wantagh on Sunday, April 27, to celebrate the Nassau County Police Department’s 100th anniversary with a street parade and block party.
The parade stepped off from the corner of Wantagh and Beltagh avenues and featured antique police cars, motorcycles, pipe bands and horses. A helicopter flyover and performances by live musicians added to the festivities as the parade made its way toward Beech Street and Park Avenue.
According to a news release from the office of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, around 70,000 residents attended the celebration. The police department, the release stated, is part of why U.S. News & World Report named the county as the safest in America in their 2024 report. Blakeman, the release added, plans to continue investing in local law enforcement to help keep residents safe.
“We appreciate the men and women who keep us safe each and every day and remember those who died in the line of duty protecting our beautiful and great County,” Blakeman said in a statement. “Residents of Nassau County love their Police Department. May God bless them all and God bless America.”
Following the parade, a block party took place on Railroad Avenue in front of Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall, where attendees enjoyed food, music, and activities throughout the evening.
The police department was founded in April 1925 with 55 officers and has since grown into one of the largest police departments in the country, now serving more than 1.3 million residents with approximately 2,600 officers.
Blakeman and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder helped lead the centennial festivities, which aimed to honor the department’s legacy. Officials previously described the celebration as an opportunity to thank past and present members of the force and recognize the
department’s impact on Nassau County over the past century.
At the event, Ryder thanked police officers and officials who attended the event.
“We are here for one reason, and one reason only: to recognize and thank the men and women who serve,” Ryder said at the parade. “The County Executive said he wanted the biggest police parade in the country. No one has ever in the country’s history done just a police parade. Well, it happened here today.”
The parade included appearances from village police departments and featured past and present police vehicles as well as pipe bands from throughout the region.
Additional reporting by Luke Feeney
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Mounted police officers rode down the street during the Nassau County Police Department’s 100th anniversary parade.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder tosses a Frisbee to children watching the parade.
The Southern State at 100: a divided legacy
History, and real or imagined inequity, collide on 25 miles of one of Long Island’s busiest roadways
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
First in a series on the Southern State Parkway.
One bright Saturday afternoon in June 2020, a group of protesters stood near the Robert Moses statue in Babylon, calling for its removal. Their rallying cry: The “Master Builder” was not worthy of such recognition. He was, instead, a racist who, among other things, designed the Southern State Parkway to keep buses carrying low-income families from traveling from New York City to Long Island — and its beaches.
The group had collected more than 13,000 signatures in support of its cause.
major roadway expansion undertaken by New York state that also included the Northern State and Sagtikos parkways. Today, it is a 25.3-mile long roadway that stretches from the Queens-Nassau border to Heckscher State Park in East Islip.
Wayne Horsley, a former regional director of Long Island’s state parks and a local historian, countered at the time that the often aired claims against Moses, “a son of the village,” have never been proven.
What has been proven, however, is the impact of the visionary work of Moses, who was the architect behind the construction of the Southern State when he served as the chairman of the Long Island State Park Commission and president of the New York State Parks Council.
The 100th anniversary of the construction of the parkway this year offers an opportunity to reflect on both its history and its future.
Often referred to simply as “the parkway,” the Southern State was part of a
Construction on the Southern State began in 1925, under Moses’s leadership. It was designed to improve access to Jones Beach. The land was originally a water conduit owned by the borough of Brooklyn. It comprises the western portion of unsigned New York State Route 908M, with the Heckscher State Parkway occupying the eastern section. Its first section opened to the public in 1927; there were additions in 1949, and its current roadway was completed in 1962, when it reached Heckscher Parkway.
Following the post-war housing boom on Long Island, the parkway was widened and straightened in a number of places to serve commuters traveling at speeds unanticipated when the road was first constructed.
Initially, the Southern State had a toll between exits 13 and 14, at the Cross Island Parkway, until 1978 when the state eliminated it and removed the toll plaza.
Prior to World War II, the State Department of Transportation estimated that fewer than 15,000 cars traveled on the parkway each day. During the postwar population boom on Long Island, the volume expanded to 190,000 cars per day, with most using it to commute between home and work.
Mary Cascone, historian of the Town of Babylon, notes that the Long Island parkway system was initially designed to bring automobiles to state parks.
“By limiting access to passenger cars, the parkways were supposedly intended for recreational driving,” Cascone wrote in her research on Moses and the Southern State. “Drivers and passengers could enjoy the beauty of the tree-lined roadway, free of billboards and trucks, as they made the journey to the countryside.”
That intention is visually confirmed in photos taken of the road when it opened, showing one or two cars on a lushly landscaped parkway, portraying what was then known as the “leisurely Sunday drive.” With its verdant country-
side free of commercial traffic, the parkway appealed to the more affluent city residents who owned cars, whether an intentional outcome of the design or not.
An aspect of the roadway’s design that is often cited as evidence to support the claim that it was designed to deny access to the masses is its bridges, which have unusually low clearances.
“It appears to be accurate that the state parks and beaches reached by the Nassau and Suffolk County parkways were deliberately designed to accommodate motorists rather than people who used public transportation,” Cascone said. “The inference that many people make, however, is that Black people used public transportation — which they
Photos courtesy Babylon Town Historical Society
The Southern State Parkway under construction at Belmont Avenue in Babylon.
A colorized photo of the Southern State Parkway when it opened in 1927.
Southern State’s century of vehicular history
Continued from PreViouS Page
surely did — along with all the other people who could not afford to, or simply chose not to, own a car. This ignores the fact, however, that Black people did own automobiles, and drove them on the parkways and to the beaches.”
For some, however, the low parkway bridges are an unfortunate, lingering reminder of classism and inequity in the guise of public works, Cascone concluded.
Thomas J. Campanella, a professor at Cornell University, a historian and a writer on city planning and the urban environment, sees the potential evidence of discrimination in the lower height of the Southern State bridges compared with those on other parkways Moses designed.
“The low-bridge story is a microbiography of Moses, a tragic hero who built for the ages, but for a narrowly construed public,” Campanella wrote. “It also shows how something as inert as a stone-faced bridge can be alive with politics and meaning.”
He also noted that Moses’s attitude appeared contradictory, as he approved the construction of a swimming pool and play center in Harlem — now the Jackie Robinson Park — which is considered one of the best public works projects of the New Deal era anywhere in the United States, and established other recreational sites in communities of color across New York state.
In a press release dated July 23, 1934, Moses argued for the construction of more recreational facilities for all New Yorkers, noting, “It is no exaggeration to say that the health, happiness, efficiency and orderliness of many of the city’s residents, especially in the summer months, are tremendously affected by the presence or absence of adequate swimming and bathing facilities.”
Next installment: Accident statistics and causes.
■ Originally designed with quaint wooden lampposts, which became affectionately known as “woody” lights.
■ When the parkway was first built, then Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted to have a western extension that reached into Brooklyn. That stretch of highway is known today as the Belt Parkway.
■ Following the suburban expansion of Long Island after World War II, the parkway was widened and straightened in places to allow for higher speeds and more traffic.
■ A state police substation and barracks were built on either side of the parkway in North Valley Stream.
■ A median service station was built in the 1930s east of Exit 32 (Route 110). It closed in 1985, but its abandoned ramps can still be seen in the median.
Jeffrey Bessen/Herald
Heading east on the south side of today’s Southern State Parkway.
5K showcases community love for veterans
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
The rain and cold stop supporters from showing up to Eisenhower Park on April 12 for the Building Homes for Heroes: Honoring Our Heroes 5K Run/ Walk, as over a hundred runners braved the weather to back a cause close to home.
Building Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to providing mortgagefree homes for injured veterans, first responders, and their families, returned to Long Island for its first local race in about a decade. While the weather was far from ideal, the spirit of the event shined through as runners and walkers hit the course to raise funds and awareness.
The Long Island-based organization, which now has a significant national presence, has its roots in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. Founder Andy Pujol, a businessman and philanthropist, volunteered in search and rescue efforts at Ground Zero. Inspired to support wounded veterans returning from service, Pujol launched Building Homes for Heroes with a goal of gifting just one home.
Since then, the group has expanded dramatically. “In the last few years, we’ve actually reached 40 homes a year, and we have a lofty goal to reach as many as 50 this year, in 2025,” said David Weingrad, director of communications for the nonprofit. “We build homes, we modify homes, all free for the veteran. It’s our way of saying thank you to the servicemen and women.”
Over a decade of steady growth culminated in a major milestone earlier this year, when the organization gifted its 400th home. Its work doesn’t end there.
“The struggles don’t end when they complete their deployment — they still have their whole life to figure out,” Weingrad added. “We support them with financial advisors to get their finances in order, we provide emergency funding if they have emergencies or illnesses in their family and we do team building events to bring all of our veterans together.”
The idea to bring a race back to Long Island started with Daniel Hernandez, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who has worked with Building Homes for Heroes
Runner braved the rain and cold to take part in the Building
Park on April 12. Over 150 runners departed the start line.
since 2019. Hernandez took up running during the pandemic, using races as an opportunity to raise money for the nonprofit.
“Two years ago, I ran my first halfmarathon for in Virginia for Building Homes for Heroes,” Hernandez said, “and since then, I pretty much was hooked on running. One day, I was with David, and we were just talking like, ‘Why not set up a race for the company?’ I found that we did one like 10 years ago, and it never became an annual thing. So, I’m really trying my best to make it an annual thing — I want the community to know that we exist, and I know that Long Island likes to support their veterans. This is a great way to have the community come together.”
While the turnout may have been hampered by the weather, the event still made an impact — especially in terms of visibility.
“We are a national organization, but one thing we’ve noticed is that a lot of people on Long Island don’t realize that we’re a homegrown charity,” Weingrad said. “All of the people that work in our Long Island office are from Long Island. So that was part of the inspiration for Danny to do this. We think we’re doing pretty good work, and we just want peo-
ple to know we’re here, we’re local, we’re part of the community. That’s a big part of helping raise awareness.”
Participants at the 5K received free T-shirts, and the top 150 finishers were awarded medals. A Kids Fun Run kicked off the morning, with the main race following shortly after.
For more about Building Homes for Heroes and how to get involved, visit BuildingHomesForHeroes.org or stop by their office at 4584 Austin Blvd. in Island Park.
Aiton Flores, Franklin Almendarez and Kevin Weldon were the top finishers.
Mike Monahan/Herald photos
Homes for Heroes: Honoring Our Heroes 5K Run/Walk at Eisenhower
Christopher, 9, from Rockville Centre, was the Kids Fun Run winner.
Genesis School celebrates 30th anniversary
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
To mark Autism Acceptance Month, Nassau County officials gathered in Mineola on April 23 to raise awareness and celebrate local efforts supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman held a news conference at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building to announce the building would be lit blue in recognition of Autism Awareness Day. He also noted the county’s efforts to support individuals with autism and assist families with navigating challenges, including providing housing for those transitioning to adulthood.
“Autism isn’t just about an individual family,” Blakeman said. “It’s about all of us in the community pitching in to make sure that we have the happiest and healthiest and kindness community in the United States.”
Joining Blakeman were county officials and legislators, including Legislator Michael Giangregorio, who has personal experience with autism: His son is on the spectrum and requires round-the-clock care. Some individuals with autism can speak for themselves, he said, but others, like his son, cannot — and the community must speak for them.
“We have to advocate for the entire community, for those that are a little more higher functioning, to those like my son
Charles Shaw/Herald
Mary McDonald, associate executive director of Eden II Programs, speaks at the Autism Awareness Month event in Mineola on April 23, highlighting the Genesis School’s 30 years of supporting children with autism.
that will need 24/7 care,” Giangregorio said, “because if we’re not welcoming to everyone, then we’re not doing a good job.”
Giangregorio also congratulated the Genesis School in East Meadow, which has spent 30 years educating and supporting children with autism. Founded in 1995 by Eden II Programs, a non-profit organization that supports people with autism through science and services, the school serves students ages 5 to 21 and uses applied behavior analysis to guide its
teaching. Each classroom is staffed with a certified teacher, specialists, and aides, with additional support available for families at home.
“I had the good fortune of sending my son there many years ago,” he said. “The loving care he’s received in that program has been a lifesaver for us.”
Mary McDonald, associate executive director of Long Island programs for Eden II, spoke at the event, where she thanked county officials for promoting autism awareness. McDonald, who has
been with the Genesis School since its founding, said the program has grown over the years to meet the needs of the community, expanding from a school into outreach, family support, and adult services.
“It really sort of naturally evolved,” McDonald said. “We always try to meet the needs of the people we serve.”
McDonald highlighted the school’s onsite behavior clinic, which serves students with severe challenges who can’t be supported in typical settings. The clinic helps improve behavior and language skills while also training the schools or programs students return to. Each program is tailored to the individual needs of the student, she said.
Looking ahead, McDonald said the Genesis School hopes to move into a larger space, having recently grown from five to seven classrooms. The school also plans to expand adult services and is in the early stages of developing a residential group home within the next year or two.
According to McDonald, the Genesis School is the only program in Nassau County that specializes in autism and applied behavior analysis. The school currently serves 44 students, with 50 individuals in its adult program and about 25 in the onsite behavior clinic.
“If we have a new building we’ll be able to serve some more students with autism,” she said, “which would be nice for this specialized type of program.”
STEPPING OUT
“Choc”-full of delights
The Chocolate Expo is all sorts of delicious
By Danielle Schwab
Prepare for a day coated in all things chocolate.
Over 90 vendors soon set up shop at Hostra University’s David Mack Sports & Exhibition Center. The unique foodie experience returns, May 4, with sweet and savory tastes all in one place.
“We call ourselves the official home of chocolate, food, and fun,” Marvin Baum, the Chocolate Expo’s founder, says. “We’re using chocolate as a platform, not only to support small local businesses, but also to do good for the community.”
It all began in 2006, after Baum realized there was a strong desire to bring food vendors and communities together. Since 2012, the chocoholic’s delight has been sweetening Long Island and has grown to be the confectionery hot spot it is today.
“Long Island has always been a special spot for me. It helped us go to the next level in terms of what we could offer the public in terms of an experience,” Baum says.
From chocolate classics like bonbons, fudge and chocolate-dipped treats to interesting twists such as chocolate-covered bacon, there are no shortage of desserts to indulge in. For more savory pairings, baked goods, specialty foods, wine, and cheeses are also tempting; there’s surely something to satisfy everyone’s palate.
Visitors can check out the Long Island confectioners represented, including Bellmore’s Chocolate Works, a chocolaterie selling chocolate-covered pretzels, platters, and more.
“Last year was our first year at the Expo. We had a great experience,” Nimisha Patel, who owns the store with her husband, Raj, reports.“People always buy chocolate, and we get to be creative and decorate with different designs.”
Other local favorites include Chez Hedwidge, an artisan gluten-free bakery, based in Valley Stream; Massapequa’s Swizzled Desserts, a purveyor of small batch alchohol-infused ice creams and sorbets; and Sunflower Bakeshop, a Kosher bakery in West Hempstead that caters to customers with
• Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Tickets are $20, $10 ages 5-12 when purchased online, children under 5 free, $30, $15 child at door; available from thechocolateexpo.com
• Hofstra University, David S. Mack Sports & Exhibition Complex, Hempstead
food and dietary restrictions, offering a wide range of glutenfree and vegan options.
This year, the choice of treats is more enticing than ever.
“There are a limited number of chocolate shops on Long Island. We’re bringing vendors from other states and countries, so we can bring unique things that people from Long Island have not seen elsewhere before,” Baum says.
Be sure to sample the diverse offerings that include the trendy Dubai chocolate (Omniya), rich artisanal chocolates from Paris (Chocolaknin), and luxury Swiss assortments (Canonica).
The binge-worthy experiences don’t stop with chocolate. Guests can meet up with this years’ special guests — everyone’s favorite 1970s TV family, “The Brady Bunch.”
“There’s a strong nostalgic quality to connecting with the original show. This is a chance to get together, to connect without a television screen, in a much more informal kind of way,” says Barry Williams, who fans will know as the eldest Brady child, Greg Brady.
Williams is readu to answer all your eager-to-know questions about the show — along with his castmates Christopher Knight (Peter Brady), Mike Lookinland (Bobby Brady), and Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady) — during the morning panel discussion. He’s also bringing some “Tikis” that fans may recognize from the iconic Hawaii episode.
“I see happen quite often is a fan will approach us, they might be middle-aged, and in front of my eyes they will turn into the giggling teenager that they were when they were watching the show,” he notes.
Balloon artist Robbie Furman adds to the magic, creating a life-sized ‘Brady Bunch’ — made entirely out of balloons!
For more family-sized fun, young visitors can drop by the Kidz Zone for face painting, balloon twisting and chocolate smashing. You may even catch a glimpse of a Stormtrooper — don’t forget to respond “May the Fourth be with you!”
At the end of the day, kids can enjoy a balloon popping party.
“We let the kids pop them with safe little picks at the end of the event, which we’ve never done on Long Island before,” Baum says.
Whether you’re familiar with the Expo or a curious newcomer, it’s always a delectable outing.
“We have a relationship with people on Long Island, and they look forward to it every year. I recently saw a Facebook post [about the Expo] saying ‘My friend and I had a magical day that we will never forget,’” Baum says.
“This is why we do what we do with the Chocolate Expo, for our guests have a magical time.”
Pink Talking Fish
Three mammoth bands. Three musical phenomenons. One idea inspired by love of the music. That’s Pink Talking Fish. The hybrid tribute fusion act takes the music from three iconic bands creating a remarkable musical jam. PTF brings their unique sound to the Landmark on Main Street stage, on their latest tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the incredible Pink Floyd album “Wish You Were Here.” This show consists of two sets. The first set will be a full rendition of this epic album from start to finish, with “Classic PTF” combinations for the second set. “Wish You Were Here” is extremely meaningful to the band members and so many music lovers around the world and PTF is thrilled to bring this album to life in 2025. Although the music from each act is different, PTF has discovered that fusing the material together creates an amazing story. The epic emotion of Pink Floyd; the funky, danceable layerings of The Talking Heads; the styles, unique compositional structures and pure fun of Phish — to merge these three into one gives music lovers a special experience.
Friday, May 2, 8 p.m. $49 and $46. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or call (516) 767-6444.
Regency Romance is afoot
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes everyone to Regency Romance Weekend, a most splendid affair in honor of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. Families can wander the gardens for storybook strolls and hands-on crafts, while those with a playful spirit can enjoy lawn games fit for the finest estates. Also find inspiration in creative activities, while music lovers are serenaded with classical takes on familiar tunes. Of course, what would a Regency gathering be without fashion and society gossip? Take in a discussion on Regency fashion —fact versus fiction. And for those with a keen mind and a love of Austen’s world, Austen trivia will put your knowledge to the ultimate test. Plus indulge in a proper afternoon tea, or treat yourself to confections at the café.
Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury. For more information and program/events schedule, go to oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048.
Photos courtesy Chuck Fishman Every bite is a sweet discovery at The Chocolate Expo.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
MAY
Join Women’s Connection LI
1
Interested in joining Women’s Connection LI? Visit The Merrick Golf Course Clubhouse to learn more about the organization. Free admission, advanced registration required.
• Where: 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick
• Time: 12:45 p.m.
• Contact: Email Debbie@ Vixen1.com for more
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) that publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. On view through June 15.
• Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
‘Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!’
The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved award-winning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City.
• Time: Also May 2-3, and May 7-8, times vary
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
MAY
2
MAY 11
Brian Regan
Critics, fans and fellow comedians agree: Brian Regan is one of the most respected comedians in the country with Vanity Fair calling Brian, “The funniest stand-up alive,” and Entertainment Weekly citing him as “Your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian.” Having built his 30-plus year career on the strength of his material alone, Brian’s non-stop theater tour continuously fills prestigious venues across North America, visiting close to 100 cities each year. His comedic talent extends beyond the stage. He’s released two acclaimed Netflix specials, “Brian Regan: Nunchucks And Flamethrowers” and “Brian Regan: On The Rocks,” showcasing his knack for finding humor in everyday situations. He also starred in his own Netflix series,”Stand Up And Away! With Brian Regan,” and even made history with “Brian Regan: Live From Radio City Music Hall,” the first live broadcast of a stand-up special in Comedy Central’s history. Regan also co-stars in three seasons of Peter Farrelly’s series, “Loudermilk,” which moved to Netflix in January 2024, ranking in the Top 10 TV shows on Netflix for over a month. He’s also a familiar presence on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” He’s the standup guest who the show invites on for two segments: a performance segment and also on the couch to chat with Jimmy. $99.50, $79.50, $69.50, $49.50.
MAY
3
‘Bridgerton’inspired dance workshop
Learn to dance like Simon and Daphne! Enjoy an hour of grace and merriment at Old Westbury Gardens and learn some of the dances from the “Bridgerton” and “Queen Charlotte” series. No experience is necessary and no partner is needed. Instructor Susan de Guardiola guides participants through easy choreographies inspired from the TV series and talks about how the Bridgerton dances differ from the dances of the actual Regency/Jane Austen era. Ages 16+ welcome.
Long Island Marathon Weekend
The Long Island Marathon and additional races return to Eisenhower Park with three days packed with races for runners of all ages and abilities, through May 4.
• Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
• Time: Varying times on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
• Contact: RunSignUp.com/ Race/NY/EastMeadow/ LongIslandMarathon
• Where: The Barn at Orchard Hill, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: Noon-1 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org
Storybook Stroll
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure. Stroll the gardens and listen to “Jane Austen: Little People Big Dreams” by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage. Registration required.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or (516) 333-0048
MAY
Splish Splash… Animal Baths
4
Hang out with some Long Island Children’s Museum’s “residents,” Join an animal educator in the Hive Studio in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of LICM’s animals. Observe animal bath time.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City.
• Time: 1:30-2 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
MAY
Bar/Bat Mitzvah parent meeting
For children enrolled in Chabad Hebrew School at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life, parents with kids ages 11 and 12 are invited to participate in an informative meeting about Bar/ Bat Mitzvah prep.
MAY
Little Learners’ Busy Bees
9
Planting Fields Little Learners series continues with a buzzing adventure for the little ones. Families discover how these tiny but mighty creatures help our environment flourish. Through fun activities, explore how bees spread pollen and help plants grow, making them essential to nature’s magic. Each child also gets to craft their very own beehive thumbprint masterpiece and enjoy a lively, buzzing game that brings the wonders of pollination to life. For ages 2-5. Registration required. $15 per child.
• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
• Time: 1-2 p.m.
• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210
MAY
Art Explorations
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Where: 2174 Hewlett Ave., Suite 101, Merrick
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Contact: ChabadJewishLife. org/BMMeeting
MAY
8
Girl Scouts information session
Parents interested in registering their Pre-K, Kindergarten or Grade 1 students for Girl Scouts can attend an info session in North Merrick.
• Where: 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Contact: gsnc.com or (516) 741-2550
Breastfeeding Support Group
Mercy Hospital offers a peerto-peer breastfeeding support group facilitated by a certified counselor. Open to new moms with babies from newborn to 1 year. Registration required.
• Where: St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre.
• Time: Ongoing Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Contact: Gabriella Gennaro at (516) 705-2434 or chsli.org
10
Converse, collaborate and create at Nassau County Museum of Art. Kids and their adult partners can talk about and make art together. Enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required.
• Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor
• Time: noon-3 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
Vendors Fair
Stretch your legs and shop this spring at the Eisenhower Park Mother’s Day Weekend Vendors Fair. 75 to 100 vendors expected.
• Where: Eisenhower Park Field 8
• Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyfairs.com
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.
Las Vegas Sands pulls out of casino bid
By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
Las Vegas Sands is no longer pursuing its $6 billion proposal to build a casino resort on the Nassau Coliseum site.
The company will not apply in June for one of three available downstate gaming licenses in New York. Executives cited a range of market forces, including the rise of online gambling, economic uncertainty in the U.S. and a strategic shift to preserve shareholder value.
The proposed project included a 400,000-square-foot casino, hotels, restaurants, retail space and a convention center. It was projected to create more than 8,500 construction jobs and over 5,000 permanent positions across the 72-acre site.
Last August, the County Legislature approved a 42-year operational lease agreement with Las Vegas Sands for the Coliseum and surrounding land in an 18-1 vote, meaning that Sands was responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of the property but could not build or develop. The next steps for the project would have been for the company to apply for a lease that allowed it to develop the property, and to bid for one of the gaming licenses.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a forceful advocate for the project, issued a statement through Chris Boyle, his director of communications.
Kelsie Radziski/Herald
Las Vegas Sands has withdrawn its plan to build a $6 billion casino on the Nassau Coliseum site. The project sparked debate from the start, with groups like the Say No to the Casino Civic Association, above, protesting outside legislative meetings.
according to a statement issued by members Monica Kiely and Allison O’Brien Silva.
“While we are concerned the door remains open for the county to find a new casino partner, it was always a bad idea, and it will continue to be a bad idea, whether the county works with Las Vegas Sands or another predatory gambling company looking to extract wealth from our community,” the statement read.
On April 24, County Legislator Seth Koslow sent a cease-and-desist letter to Blakeman demanding that all expenditures surrounding the Sands casino be terminated. Koslow said at a news conference that morning that there was no clear path forward for the project, and he was concerned about “wasting time, energy and money” on something that is “not what people wanted.”
“County Executive Bruce Blakeman has been aware of certain pressures that have factored into Las Vegas Sands’ rethinking of land-based brick and mortar casinos in the United States,” the statement read.
the licensing application process.”
“The County Executive is grateful that Las Vegas Sands is committed to the development of the Coliseum site with or without a casino,” Boyle added. “However, there is strong interest from gaming organizations which have been in confidential discussions with Nassau County in taking the place of Las Vegas Sands in
“Nassau County will crystallize within the next 30 days whether or not to entertain a casino component or develop the site without,” Boyle stated. “In either event there will be an exciting new development that will create jobs and positive economic activity.”
The Say No to the Casino Civic Association, whose members have been vocal opponents of the project since the beginning, is “thrilled” after a long fight against the “wholly destructive casino,”
Koslow, who is the Democratic candidate for county executive, supports development on the site that both brings in the money that the casino promised and aligns with what he maintains community members want.
“We need to invest in a real project that’s going to get done, that people want, that has community buy-in,” he said at the conference. “We can certainly do a hotel, an entertainment facility, with a convention center, something that’s going to bring more people here, something that’s going to bring tourism here.”
PSEG Long Island Hosts First “Business First” Workshop for Entrepreneurs
By Maureen Fitzgerald
On April 15, nearly 50 Long Island business owners attended PSEG Long Island’s first “Business First” workshop at its Bethpage headquarters, hosted in collaboration with the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. The morning session featured a networking breakfast and expert-led presentations on reducing energy costs, managing utility bills, and securing funding for energy-efficient upgrades.
“Small businesses power our communities and fuel economic growth,” said Veronica Isaac, Manager of Customer and Community Partnerships at PSEG Long Island, reflecting on the vital role small businesses play here — a theme that resonated throughout the day’s program. “By helping them thrive, we unlock local jobs, boost reinvestment and create a cycle of shared success. A strong small business is a win for all of us.”
Christine Bryson and Shamisha Sims kicked off the event with an overview of financial and technical resources available through PSEG Long Island and partner agencies. Bryson explained how federal, state, and local programs—including grants, loans, and tax credits—can support energy-saving improvements. She also provided tips on working with economic development agencies. Sims introduced PSEG’s Business First program, which offers free or low-cost energy assessments, and shared sample audit reports highlighting quickreturn upgrades like LED lighting and HVAC controls.
The technical portion of the workshop focused on implementation. Matt Connors shared case studies of local companies that cut energy use by up to 25% and explained how to apply for rebates tied to improvements like programmable thermostats and motor retrofits. Nicole Jones-Cumberbatch followed with a presentation on PSEG’s renovation support services, which help businesses navigate permits, hire contractors, and stay on schedule. Paul DiBenedetto wrapped up the segment with a discussion on EV charging stations and available
incentives, sparking interest from several attendees planning future installations.
Thenaris Godbolt walked through PSEG Long Island’s commercial billing system, helping attendees better understand rate schedules, online tools, and cost-saving features like budget billing and prompt-payment discounts. The session closed with Jimmy Alty offering procurement tips to help businesses evaluate vendor bids, negotiate terms, and leverage PSEG Long Island’s contractor network — their Prime Efficiency
Partners — for quality assurance and cost control. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet one-onone with Business First Advocates to discuss next steps, from rebate applications to project planning, receiving personalized advice and customized next steps and key contacts for follow-up support. Future workshops are planned throughout the year. Businesses can email PSEGLI-BusinessFirst@pseg. com to schedule a free energy assessment or learn more.
photo courtesy PSEG Long Island Long Island business owners attend PSEG Long Island “Business First” workshop on April 15.
May 1, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notices
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY. NAME: Feeling Full Nutrition, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 02/08/2025. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: Mailing Address: Katherine Konop (Founder) 2524 Orange Street Bellmore NY 11710
Email: FeelingFullNutrition@g mail.com
Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity 152557
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS-SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAULONGBRIDGE FINANCIAL, LLC, Plaintiff, -againstMARK JOSEPH MANGANIELLO, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA MANGANIELLO; ANY AND ALL KNOWN OR UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA MANGANIELLO; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ACTING ON BEHALF OF DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; PETRO, INC.; “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #10,” said names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, intended to be possible tenants or occupants of the premises, or corporations, persons, or other entities having or claiming a lien upon the mortgaged premises, DefendantsIndex No.: 603412/2019 Plaintiff Designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the
subject action is situated in Nassau County. To the above named DefendantsYOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated December 16, 2024.
NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME - If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (LONGBRIDGE FINANCIAL, LLC) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Erica L. Prager, J.S.C. Dated: December 16, 2024 Filed: January 7, 2025. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 1055 Melissa Lane, North Bellmore, NY 11710. Dated: October 31, 2024 Filed: April 3, 2025 Greenspoon Marder LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Monica G. Christie, Esq., 1345
Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105 P: (212) 524-5000 F: (212) 524-5050 No Service by fax) Service purposes only: Trade Centre South 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 P: (888) 491-1120 F: (954) 343-6982 152974
email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527
RESOLUTION NO. 298-2025
Adopted: April 8, 2025
Councilmember Muscarella offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 257-2025, adopted March 25, 2025, a public hearing was duly held on the 8th, day of April 2025, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use
of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:
(NR)ISLAND PARK
BROADWAY - east side, starting at a point 261 feet north of the north curbline of Saratoga Boulevard, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-64/25)
NORTH BELLMORE
DAVENPORT PLACEnorth side, starting at a point 249 feet east of the east curbline of Newbridge Road, east for a distance of 31 feet.
(TH-115/25)
ROOSEVELT
PENNYSLVANIA
AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 120 feet north of the north curbline of Hudson Avenue, north for a distance of 19 feet.
(TH-544/24)
VALLEY STREAM
CHARLES STREETwest side, starting at a point 94 feet south of the south curbline of Oliver Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-119/25)
LAW STREET - west side, starting at a point 420 feet south of the south curbline of Stuart Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-116/25) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:
FRANKLIN SQUARE
CRAFT AVENUE - north side, starting at a point 195 feet west of the west curbline of Hall Street, west for a distance of 22 feet.
(TH-426/23 - 10/3/23)
(TH-121/25)
OCEANSIDE
LAWRENCE AVENUEeast side, starting at a point 30 feet north of the north curbline of Montgomery Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-33/22 - 3/22/22)
(TH-120/25) ; and, BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting. The foregoing
resolution was seconded by Councilmember Goosby and adopted upon roll call as follows:
AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) 153233
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU.
BUPM NJ ASSETS LLC, Plaintiff -against- KENT HONG, JOSIE HONG, CHESTER HONG, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated April 7, 2025 and entered on April 9, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction “Rain or Shine” on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Westerly side of Newbridge Road, distant 250 feet Northerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Westerly side of Newbridge Road to the Northerly side of Orange Street; being a plot 131.87 feet by 45.47 feet by 132.47 feet by 54.46 feet. Section: 56 Block: 203 Lot: 102
Said premises known as 2312 NEWBRIDGE ROAD, BELLMORE, NY 11710
Approximate amount of lien $721,140.91 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 613262/2023.
MARIA SIDERIS, ESQ., Referee KRISS & FEUERSTEIN LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 360 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10017
{* BELLMORE L*} 153178
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING, PUBLIC HEARING, ELECTION, AND REGISTRATION OF VOTERS
NORTH BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
NORTH BELLMORE, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD,
NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
Pursuant to Section 1716 of Education Law a Public Hearing for discussion of the proposed 2025/26 School District Budget, and such other business as may come before the meeting, will be held on May 06, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Administration Building on Martin Avenue, Bellmore, New York. A copy of the state of the amount of monies which will be required for the 2025/26 school year for school purposes may be obtained, upon request, by any school district resident commencing May 1, 2025 during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. except for Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Vote of the qualified voters of the North Bellmore Union Free School District will be held at the Newbridge Road School, North Bellmore, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 for the following purpose:
A. To vote upon the Annual School Budget for the school year 2025-2026 and to authorize levying of a tax upon the taxable property of the North Bellmore School District for such purposes.
B. The election of two (2) members of the Board of Education.
C. To vote upon such other propositions as may properly come before the meeting.
Voting will be by ballot on voting machines and the polls will remain open for voting from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and as much longer as may be necessary for all voters then present to cast their votes. Voting will be in the gymnasium of the Newbridge Road School.
Copies of the proposed 2025/26 budget will be available at each of the offices of the school houses in the district, J. G. Dinkelmeyer School, Newbridge Road School, Park Avenue School, Saw Mill Road School and Martin Avenue School between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or holiday during the fourteen (14) days preceding the Annual Vote, and on the school’s website. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, an
exemption report detailing exemptions from real property taxation shall be available and appended to any tentative, preliminary or final budget.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the election of members of the Board of Education will be as follows: Two (2) members of the Board of Education; for full terms of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that nominating petitions for candidates for the Board of Education must be filed with the District Clerk between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. not later than April 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Each petition shall state the name and residence of each signor, shall state the name and residence of the candidate, and must be signed by not less than thirty-nine (39) qualified voters of the school district for election of members of the Board of Education. Vacancies on the Board of Education are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy upon the Board for which the candidate is nominated.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that at the Annual Vote, qualified voters of the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District shall vote for the following purposes:
A. To vote upon the annual budget of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District for the year 2025-2026 and to authorize the levying of a tax upon the taxable property of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District for such purposes.
B. To vote upon such other propositions as may properly come before the voters.
NOTICE IS FURTHER
GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2014 personal registration of voters is required, and no person shall be entitled to vote at the District Meeting whose name does not appear on the register of the District. Voter registration for the District will be ongoing through and including Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 9:00 o’clock A.M. until 3:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time), on all
school days of the school year, at the office of the District Clerk, for the purpose of preparing a register of the qualified voters of the District for said District Meeting, at which time any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such register, provided that he/she is known or proven to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at said District Meeting for which such register is prepared. Immediately upon its completion, the register will be filed in the office of the District Clerk, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 9:00 o’clock A.M. and 3:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on each of the five (5) days prior to the District Meeting for which it was prepared, except Sunday, and on Saturday, May 17, 2025 by appointment only. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2018a and Education Law §2018-e applications for absentee and early mail ballots may be applied for at the office of the District Clerk. The District Clerk must receive applications for absentee and early mail ballots no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election. Furthermore, the District Clerk must receive such application at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application, by no later than six (6) days before the vote. No absentee or early mail voter’s ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 P.M. (prevailing time) on the day of the election. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available in the office of the District Clerk, 2616 Martin Avenue, North Bellmore, New York, commencing with the issuance of the first absentee or early mail ballot and during regular business
Public Notices
hours on each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the election between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00
P.M. (Prevailing Time), except Sunday and on Saturday, May 17, 2025 by appointment only. Such list will also be available at the polling place on the date of the vote. No absentee or early mail voter’s ballot shall be canvassed unless it shall have been received in the office of the District Clerk of the North Bellmore Union Free School District not later than 5:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on the day of Annual District Meeting.
NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a person shall be entitled to vote at the annual meeting and election who is a citizen of the United States, eighteen years of age, a resident of the District for a period of thirty days next preceding the election he offers to vote and registered to vote for said election. A person shall be registered to vote if he or she shall have permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections or with the Board of Registration of the school district. Only persons who shall be registered shall be entitled to vote.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Registration will meet during the hours of voting on May 20, 2025 at the polling place of the school district for the purpose of preparing a register for District meetings or elections to be held subsequent to May 20, 2025. Said register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the school district who shall present themselves personally for registration; and (2) all qualified voters permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration,
ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the school district no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election.
BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Laurice Gunnels District Clerk
This information is provided in Spanish in compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
152663
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE REUNIÓN ANUAL, AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, ELECCIÓN, Y REGISTRO DE VOTANTES DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE NORTH BELLMORE UNION NORTH BELLMORE, CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK
De conformidad con la Sección 1716 de la Ley de Educación, el 06 de mayo de 2025, a las 7:30 p.m., se llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública para la discusión del Presupuesto del Distrito Escolar 2025/26 propuesto para la discusión, y otros asuntos que puedan presentarse antes de la reunión, en el Edificio de Administración en Martin Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York. Cualquier residente del distrito escolar a partir del 1 de mayo de 2025 puede obtener, previa solicitud, una copia del estado de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año escolar para fines escolares a partir del 1 de mayo de 2025 durante las horas de 9:00 a.m. y 3:00 p.m., excepto sábados, domingos o días festivos.
POR LA PRESENTE SE
DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que la Votación
Anual de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de North Bellmore Union se llevará a cabo en la Escuela Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, el martes 20 de mayo de 2025 con el siguiente propósito:
A. Votar sobre el Presupuesto Escolar
Anual para el año escolar 2025-2026 y autorizar la imposición de un impuesto sobre la propiedad imponible del Norte Distrito Escolar de Bellmore para tales fines.
B. La elección de dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación.
C. Votar sobre las demás proposiciones que se presenten a la reunión. La votación será por cédula en las máquinas de votación y las urnas permanecerán abiertas para votar desde las 6:00 a.m. hasta las 9:00 p.m., y tanto tiempo como sea necesario para que todos los votantes presentes en ese momento emitan su voto. La votación será en el gimnasio de la escuela Newbridge Road.
Copias del presupuesto propuesto para 2025/26 estarán disponibles en cada una de las oficinas de las casas escolares del distrito, la Escuela J. G. Dinkelmeyer, la Escuela Newbridge Road, la Escuela Park Avenue, la Escuela Saw Mill Road y la Escuela Martin Avenue entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. todos los días que no sean sábados. Domingo o feriado durante los catorce (14) días anteriores a la Votación Anual, y en el sitio web de la escuela.
TENGA EN CUENTA que de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la Ley de Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles, un informe de exenciones que detalla las exenciones de impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles estará disponible y se adjuntará a cualquier presupuesto tentativo, preliminar o final.
TENGA EN CUENTA que la elección de los miembros de la Junta de Educación será la siguiente: Dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación; por períodos completos de tres (3) años, comenzando el 1 de julio de 2025 y finalizando el 30 de junio de 2028. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las peticiones de nominación para candidatos a la Junta de Educación deben
presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. a más tardar el 21 de abril de 2025 a las 5:00 p.m. Cada petición deberá indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada signador, deberá indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato, y debe estar firmada por no menos de treinta y nueve (39) votantes calificados del distrito escolar para la elección de miembros de la Junta de Educación. Las vacantes en la Junta de Educación no se consideran oficinas separadas y específicas; los candidatos se postulan en general. Las peticiones de nominación no describirán ninguna vacante específica en la Junta para la cual el candidato está nominado.
TENGA EN CUENTA que en la Votación Anual, los votantes calificados del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias de Bellmore-Merrick votarán por los siguientes propósitos: A. Votar sobre el presupuesto anual de la Preparatoria Central Bellmore-Merrick Distrito Escolar para el año 2025-2026 y autorizar la percepción de un impuesto sobre la propiedad imponible de la Escuela Secundaria Central Bellmore-Merrick Distrito para tales fines. B. Votar sobre las demás proposiciones que se presenten apropiadamente ante la Votantes.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014, se requiere el registro personal de los votantes, y ninguna persona tendrá derecho a votar en la Reunión del Distrito cuyo nombre no aparezca en el registro del Distrito. El registro de votantes para el Distrito estará en curso hasta el jueves 15 de mayo de 2025, inclusive, desde las 9:00 a.m. hasta las 3:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente), en todos los días escolares del año escolar, en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, con el propósito de preparar un registro de los votantes calificados del Distrito para dicha Reunión del Distrito, en cuyo momento cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre sea incluido en dicho registro, siempre que se sepa o se demuestre que tiene derecho a votar en dicha Reunión de
Distrito para la cual se prepara dicho registro. Inmediatamente después de su finalización, el registro se archivará en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York, y estará abierto para la inspección de cualquier votante calificado del Distrito entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) en cada uno de los cinco (5) días anteriores a la Reunión de Distrito para la cual se preparó. Excepto el domingo, y el sábado 17 de mayo de 2025, solo con cita previa.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2018-a y la Ley de Educación §2018-e, las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado, pueden solicitarse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito. El Secretario del Distrito debe recibir las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado, no antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección. Además, el Secretario del Distrito debe recibir dicha solicitud al menos siete días antes de la elección, si la boleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si la boleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante o a su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna de una boleta de voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado, el Secretario del Distrito enviará la boleta a la dirección establecida en la solicitud, a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. No se realizará el escrutinio de ninguna boleta de voto en ausencia o de votante anticipado por correo, a menos que se haya recibido en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) el día de la elección. Una lista de todas las personas a las que se les habrán emitido boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado estará disponible en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 2616 Martin Avenue, North Bellmore, Nueva York, comenzando con la emisión de la primera boleta de voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado y durante el horario comercial regular en cada uno de los cinco (5) días anteriores al día de la
expenditures of the Central High School District for the school year 2025-2026 and on propositions involving the expenditure of funds or the levy of tax, at which time and which place all persons interested in the subject matter thereof concerning the same will have an opportunity to be heard.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes (school budget) and copies of propositions involving expenditure of moneys and the operation of the school system for the ensuing year, will be available to any taxpayer in the District seven days immediately preceding the public hearing except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at each schoolhouse in which school is maintained during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN Laurice Gunnels Secretario de Distrito Esta información se proporciona en español de conformidad con la Ley de Derechos Electorales de 1965. 152665
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE BELLMOREMERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District will hold a Public Hearing on May 7, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Central Administration Building located at the Brookside Educational Center, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, Merrick, New York, for the purpose of transacting all business as is authorized by the Education Law, including, but not limited to, discussion of the expenditure of funds and budgeting therefore relative to the appropriation of necessary funds to meet the necessary
elección entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente), excepto el domingo y el sábado 17 de mayo de 2025 solo con cita previa. Dicha lista también estará disponible en el lugar de votación en la fecha de la votación. Ninguna boleta de voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado será escrutada a menos que se haya recibido en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar Libre de North Bellmore Union a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) el día de la Reunión Anual del Distrito. TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO de que una persona tendrá derecho a votar en la reunión y elección anual que sea ciudadano de los Estados Unidos, dieciocho años de edad, residente del Distrito durante un período de treinta días inmediatamente anteriores a la elección que ofrece votar y se registró para votar para dicha elección. Una persona estará registrada para votar si se ha registrado permanentemente en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau o en la Junta de Registro del distrito escolar. Solo tendrán derecho a votar las personas que estén inscritas. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que la Junta de Registro se reunirá durante las horas de votación el 20 de mayo de 2025 en el lugar de votación del distrito escolar, con el propósito de preparar un registro para las reuniones o elecciones del Distrito que se llevarán a cabo después del 20 de mayo de 2025. Dicho registro incluirá (1) a todos los votantes calificados del distrito escolar que se presentarán personalmente para el registro; y (2) todos los votantes calificados registrados permanentemente en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los votantes militares que no están registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que son votantes calificados del distrito escolar pueden presentar una solicitud para una boleta militar. Los votantes militares pueden designar una preferencia para recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de boleta militar o una boleta militar por correo, transmisión de fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de boleta o boleta. Los formularios de registro de votantes militares y los formularios de solicitud de boletas militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito escolar a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 2 al 4 de abril de 2025. No se realizará el escrutinio de ninguna boleta militar a menos que (1) se reciba en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el día de las elecciones y muestre una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o muestre un endoso fechado de recepción por otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) recibido por la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el día de las elecciones y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha asociada a no más tarde del día antes de la elección.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a Real Property Tax Exemption Report, prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on District Bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT PATTIANNE GUCCIONE DISTRICT CLERK The above notice will be published in the Bellmore and Merrick Herald Life newspapers on Thursday, April 3, 2025, April 17, 2025 and May 1, 2025. 152667
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA
BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK
EL AVISO SE HA DADO AQUÍ que la Junta de Educación del BellmoreMerrick Central High School District celebrará una audiencia pública el 7 de mayo de 2025, a las 7:30 p.m. en la Sala de la Junta del Edificio de Administración Central ubicado en la Centro Educative Brookside, 1260 Meadowbrook
Public Notices
Road, Merrick, Nueva York, con el propósito de tramitar todos los negocios según lo autorizado por la Ley de Educación, que incluye, entre otros, la discusión de los gastos de fondos y presupuestos, por lo tanto, en relación con la apropriación de fondos necesarios para cubrir los gastos necesarios del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias para el año escolar 2025-2026 y sobre las propuestas que involucran el gasto de fondos o la recaudación de impuestos, en qué momento y en qué lugar todas las personas interesadas en el tema del mismo en relación con el mismo tendrán la oportunidad de ser escuchadas.
Y TAMBIÉN SE DE AVISO que una copia del estado de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año siguiente con fines escolares (presupuesto escolar) y copias de las propuestas relacionadas con el gasto de dinero y el funcionamiento del sistema escolar para el año siguiente , estará disponible para cualquier contribuyente en el Distrito siete días inmediatamente antes de la audiencia pública, excepto los sábados, domingos o días festivos, en cada escuela en la que se mantenga la escuela durante las horas de 8:00 a.m. y 4:00 p.m.
Y TAMBIÉN SE DE AVISO que un Informe de Exención del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, preparado de acuerdo con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, se adjuntará a cualquier presupuesto provisional / preliminar, así como al presupuesto adoptado final del cual formará parte; y se publicarán en el (los) tablón (s) de boletines del Distrito que se mantendrá para avisos públicos, así como en el sitio web del Distrito
POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN
BELLMORE-MERRICK
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
PATTIANNE GUCCIONE
SECRETARIO DE DISTRITO
El aviso anterior se publicará en los periódicos Herald de Bellmore y Herald de Merrick el Jueves, el 3 de abril de 2025, el 17 de abril de 2025 y el 1 de mayo de 2025. 152669
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT VOTE OF THE BELLMOREMERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual vote of the qualified voters of the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District, Nassau County, New York, will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the several polling places designated by the Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore, and North Merrick Union Free School Districts, as follows:
BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the Shore Road School, 2801 Shore Road, Bellmore, New York between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the Merrick District Office-Katherine E. Reif Administration Center, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, New York, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
NORTH BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the Newbridge Road School, 1601 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, New York, between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
NORTH MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the North Merrick Public Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. For the following purposes:
PROPOSITION NO. 1CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, is authorized to expend the sums in the General Fund Appropriate of two hundred four million, fifteen thousand, thirty-nine dollars ($204,015,039) to be raised through taxation in the several districts included with the Central High School District after first deducting the monies available from state aid and other sources.
PROPOSITION NO. 2 - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Bellmore Merrick Central High School District is hereby
authorized to expend $3,000,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund established in May, 2024 for the purpose of performing the following projects; (1) roof and masonry repairs over the library, (2) replace auditorium curtains and rigging, (3) replace wood gym door partitions with curtains, (4) repair west wall B-wing masonry, (5) repair gym ceiling and masonry, (6) replace vacuum boiler feed remote stations, and (7) remove and replace floor and ceiling tiles from several second/ third floor classrooms at the Sanford H. Calhoun High School, all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto. Since the funds to be expended hereunder come from the Capital Reserve Fund, approval of this proposition will not require a tax levy upon the real property of the district. This Proposition shall be independent of Proposition No. 1. AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that registration shall be conducted at the several polling places stated above by the Boards of Registration of the several component districts as follows: the Bellmore Union Free School District at the District Office, Winthrop Avenue School, 580 Winthrop Avenue, Bellmore, New York, on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; the Merrick Union Free School District at the Administrative Office, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, New York on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; the North Bellmore Union Free School District at the Office of the District Clerk, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, New York, on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; and the North Merrick Union Free School District at the Harold D. Fayette School, 1057 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, New York, on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for the
purpose of preparing a register of the qualified voters entitled to vote at the school meeting and election for which such register is prepared, in the manner provided by law. The register, as so prepared, will be filed in the office of the clerk at each of the respective Union Free School Districts as set forth in this notice of meeting and such register is to be open for inspection at reasonable times for at least five (5) days prior to the date set for voting on the budget and election, except Sunday, and by appointment on the Saturday prior to the election at each elementary district.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a person shall be entitled to vote at the annual meeting and election who is a citizen of the United States, eighteen years of age, a resident of the Union Free School District in which he intends to vote for a period of thirty days next preceding the election he offers to vote and registered to vote for said election.
A person shall be registered to vote if he or she shall have permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections or with the Board of Registration of the component Union Free School District in which he resides. Only persons who shall be registered shall be entitled to vote. AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Boards of Registration of the several component Union Free School Districts will meet during the hours of voting on May 20, 2025 at the polling places in each of the Union Free School Districts for the purpose of preparing a register for district meetings or elections to be held subsequent to May 20, 2025; said register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the Union Free School Districts, who shall present themselves personally for registration; and (2) all qualified voters permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes (school budget) and copies of propositions involving expenditure of moneys and the operation of the school system for the ensuing year, may
be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen days immediately preceding the annual vote except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at school district offices and any schoolhouse within the district and on the district’s website.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that applications for early mail voting and absentee ballots for the school district election may be applied for at the Office of the Clerk of the District. Applications for early mail voting and absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election. Furthermore, such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/ her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the vote. No early mail voting or absentee voter’s ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 P.M. (prevailing time) on the day of the election. A list of all persons to whom early mail voting and absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection at the Office of the Clerk until the day of the vote.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the school district no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025. No
military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT PATTIANNE GUCCIONE DISTRICT CLERK The above notice will be published in the Bellmore Herald and Merrick Herald newspapers on Thursday, April 3, 2025, April 17, 2025, May 1, 2025 and May 15, 2025. 152984
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE VOTO ANUAL DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK EL AVISO SE HA DADO AQUI que el voto anual de los votantes calificados del BellmoreMerrick Central High School District, el Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, se llevará a cabo el Martes, el 20 de mayo de 2025, en los varios lugares de votación designados por el Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore y North Merrick Union Free School Districts, de la siguiente manera: BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, en el Shore Road School, 2801 Shore Road, Bellmore, New York, entre las 6:30 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, en la Merrick District Office-Katherine E. Reif Administration Center, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, Nueva York, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. NORTH BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT en la escuela Newbridge Road, 1601 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, Nueva York, entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m.
NORTH MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, en la Biblioteca Pública de North Merrick, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, Nueva York, entre las 6:30 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. Para los siguientes propósitos: PROPUESTA NUMERO 1- PRESUPUESTO DEL DISTRITO CENTRAL DE LA ESCUELA SECUNDARIA SE RESUELVE, que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias (CHSD) de BellmoreMerrick, ciudad de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, está autorizada a gastar las sumas apropiadas del fondo general de doscientos cuatro millones quince mil treinta y nueve dólares ($204,015,039) que se recaudarán mediante impuestos en los distintos distritos incluidos dentro del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias después de deducir, primero, los fondos disponibles correspondientes a la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes. PROPUESTA NUMERO 2 - PROYECTOS DE MEJORAS DE CAPITAL SE RESUELVE que, se autoriza a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias de Bellmore Merrick a gastar $3,000,000 del fondo de reserva de capitales establecido en mayo de 2024 para ejecutar los siguientes proyectos: (1) reparación del techo y la mampostería de la biblioteca; (2) reemplazo de las cortinas y el aparejo del auditorio; (3) reemplazo de las mamparas de madera de las puertas del gimnasio con cortinas; (4) reparación de la mampostería del muro oeste del ala B; (5) reparación del techo y la mampostería del gimnasio; (6) reemplazo de las estaciones remotas de alimentación de la caldera de vacío; y (7) remoción y reemplazo de las placas del piso y el techo de varias aulas del segundo/ tercer piso de la Escuela Secundaria Sanford H. Calhoun. Todo lo anterior incluye mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos y costos incidentales relacionados. Dado que los fondos que se invertirán provienen del Fondo de Reserva de Capital, la aprobación de esta propuesta no requerirá un gravamen fiscal sobre los bienes
inmuebles del distrito. Esta Propuesta será independiente de la Propuesta No. 1. Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que el registro se llevará a cabo en los lugares de votación indicados anteriormente por Las Juntas de Registro de los varios distritos componentes de la siguiente manera: la Bellmore Union Free School District en la Oficina del Distrito, Winthrop Avenue School, 580 Winthrop Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York, en todos los días de clases del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días anteriores a la votación entre el horario de 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m.; la Merrick Union Free School District en la Oficina Administrativa, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, Nueva York, en todos los días de clases del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días anteriores a la votación entre las horas de 9:30 a.m. y 3:30 p.m.; la North Bellmore Union Free School District en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York, y en todos los días de clases del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días anteriores a la votación entre el horario de 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m.; y la North Merrick Union Free School District en la escuela Harold D. Fayette, 1057 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, Nueva York, en todos los días escolares del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días antes de la votación entre las 9:00 a.m. y 4:00 p.m. con el fin de preparar un registro de los votantes calificados con derecho a votar en la reunión de la escuela y la elección para la que dicho registro es preparado, en la forma prevista por la ley. El registro, como así preparado, será archivado en la Oficina del Secretario (District Clerk) en cada uno de los respectivos Distritos Unión Libre como se establece en este aviso y dicho registro sera abierto por inspección en horas razonables hasta cinco (5) días antes de la fecha establecida para votar sobre el presupuesto y la elección del distrito, excepto el domingo, y por cita el sábado anterior de la elección en cada distrito elemental.
Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que una persona quien es cuidadano de Los Estados Unidos, tenga diez y ocho años de edad y es residente Place
‘Mary Poppins’ takes the stage at Temple B’nai Torah
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The Mainstage Players of Temple B’nai Torah are ready to hit the stage this month for four performances of the whimsical musical adventure, “Mary Poppins.” The temple serves the Bellmore, Merrick, East Meadow, Wantagh and Seaford communities.
The show, based on the iconic story of a magical nanny who brings adventure, music and life lessons to the Banks family, will be performed in the temple’s auditorium.
According to temple member Lisa Shubin, who is producing the play, more than 40 performers — a mix of adults and children ages 8 and up — have been rehearsing three to four days a week since January.
“It’s a fun show, and people who come will have a great time,” said Shubin, whose husband, Tom Reilly, is directing the show.
Shubin said the decision to stage
“Mary Poppins” was based on the cast that they anticipated, considering factors like age range, vocal abilities and acting experience.
Playing the lead role of Mary Poppins is Marni Tessler, 30, who said she’s passionate about singing and enjoys the rehearsal process. She added that her parents were members of Temple Ema-
Public Notices
del Distrito Escolar de la Unión en el que se tiene la intención de votar a favor un período de treinta días antes de la elección y esta registrado para votar para la elección dicha tendrá derecho a votar. Una persona debera ser registrada para votar si el o ella han registrado permanente con La Junta de Elecciones del Condado de Nassau (Nassau County Board of Elections) o con La Junta de Registro (Board of Registration) del distrito donde el o ella reside. Solamente las personas que estan registradas tienen el derecho para votar.
Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA que Las Juntas de Registro (Boards of Registration) de las varias escuelas componentes tendran una reunion el 20 de mayo 2025 durante las horas de votación en los lugares de votación en cada escuela para el propósito de preparer el registro para que las elecciones tendran lugar despues del 20 de mayo 2025; El Registro incluirá (1) todos los votantes calificados de las escuelas, quines se presentáran personalemente para registro; y (2) todos votantes calificados permanente registrados con la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau (Nassau County Board of Elections).
Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que una copia de la declaración de
la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año siguiente para fines escolares (presupuesto escolar) y copias de las propuestas que involucran gastos de dinero y el funcionamiento del sistema escolar para el año siguiente , puede ser obtenido por cualquier residente del Distrito durante los catorce días inmediatamente anteriores a la votación anual, excepto sábados, domingos o días festivos, en las oficinas del distrito escolar y en cualquier escuela dentro del distrito y en el sitio web del distrito.
Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que las solicitudes de votación anticipada por correo y boletas en ausencia para las elecciones del distrito escolar se pueden solicitar en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito. Las solicitudes de votación anticipada por correo y de voto en ausencia deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito no antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección. Además, dicha solicitud debe ser recibida por el Secretario de Distrito al menos siete días antes de la elección si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección si la boleta se entregará personalmente al votante o a su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna de una boleta por correo, el Secretario del Distrito
enviará la boleta por correo a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. No se escrutará ninguna boleta de votación anticipada por correo ni de votante ausente a menos que se haya recibido en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. (horario predominante) del día de la elección. Una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les habrá emitido la votación anticipada por correo y el voto en ausencia estará disponible para su inspección en la Oficina del Secretario hasta el día de la votación.
Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO de que los votantes militares que no están registrados actualmente pueden registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del distrito escolar pueden presentar una solicitud para una boleta militar. Los votantes militares pueden designar una preferencia para recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de boleta militar o una boleta militar por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de boleta o boleta. Las formas de registro de votantes militares y las formas de solicitud de boletas militares
deben ser recibidas en la oficina del secretario de distrito del distrito escolar no más tarde que a las 5:00 p.m. el 24 de abril de 2025. No se escrutará ninguna boleta militar a menos que (1) se reciba en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el día de las elecciones y que muestre una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o de un servicio postal de un país extranjero, o mostrando un endoso fechado de recibo de otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) recibido por la oficina del secretario de distrito no más tarde que las 5:00 p.m. el día de la elección y firmada y fechada por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha que se asocia a no ser mas tarde del día anterior de la elección.
POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
PATTIANNE GUCCIONE
SECRETARIO DE DISTRITO
El aviso anterior se publicará en los periódicos Herald de Bellmore y Herald de Merrick el Jueves, el 3 de abril de 2025, el 17 de abril de 2025 y el 1 de mayo de 2025 y el 15 de mayo de 2025. 152986
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
nu-El, and she began performing in temple productions at age 7. Altogether, she has spent about 15 years involved in the shows, returning in 2022 after a break.
For Tessler, rehearsing alongside younger performers has been a great way to watch them progress in their acting abilities.
“I have grown very close with them, so it’s a really fun experience to watch them grow and to see what roles they take on,” she said.
Temple member Jeff Minkowsky will take on the role of Bert, the cheerful chimney sweep who serves as Mary Poppins’ friend and guide through the children’s magical adventures. He has been performing in temple shows since 2019, initially joining as a way to connect his family to the community.
“I just thought it was a wonderful opportunity for my daughter and I to join a theater show and be a part of it together, and it was the best decision we ever made,” he said.
Minkowsky’s oldest daughter, Lila, 14, is playing Jane Banks, one of the two children under Mary Poppins’ care. His younger daughter, Arielle, 12, is performing in ensemble roles, and his wife, Rachel, is playing Mrs. Brill, the Banks family’s cook.
When it comes to theater, the biggest lesson learned is that it’s a marathon, not a sprint, Minkowsky said.
“It takes hard work,” he said. “It takes teamwork, and we put on great shows every single year — and this should be no different.”
According to Shubin, the show is more than just a performance — it’s a way for people to feel more connected to the temple.
“The draw for most people is the family feel,” she noted, “the intergenerational relationships and the connectedness.”
Members of the adult group have been performing in stage shows for more than 30 years at Temple Emanu-El in East Meadow, before it merged with Temple B’nai Torah in 2018. Some cast members in this production are in their 70s.
Shubin, who has been producing shows at the temple for 15 years, last staged “Mary Poppins” in 2018. Over the years, she has seen friendships form among the children, along with valuable life lessons passed down from older cast members.
“It really helps the children feel a
connection to the synagogue,” she said, “because they have friends that are their age and friends of older generations.”
Arielle said she’s excited to see all the little details come to life on stage — from the flying kites to the scene where Mary Poppins magically brings toys to life, a moment in which she plays one of the toys.
“It’s cast really well,” she said. “I think everyone here really fit into their roles.”
Ensemble member Emma Rubinstein, 8, said she’s looking forward to taking the stage and continuing to grow as a performer.
“I learned how to sing more and to project,” Emma said. “We practiced other times, so it’s not as scary as the first time. It’s pretty exciting.”
Tessler said she helps motivate the younger performers while encouraging them to enjoy the experience. When it comes to stage fright, she offers a useful tip: stare straight ahead at a fixed point.
“When I catch eyes of people in the audience, it messes me up,” Tessler said. “So I teach kids to stare at a focal point. If you’re nervous, just do that and you won’t even see the people.”
The four performances of “Mary Poppins” will take place at the temple, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., on May 3 and 10 at 8 p.m., and May 4 and 11 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and over, and $10 for children 17 and under. For tickets, visit tbtwantagh.seatyourself.biz, email tbttix@temple-bnai-torah.org, or call (516) 221-2370.
Come and see the show!
Four performances of “Mary Poppins” will take place at Temple B’nai Torah, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., on May 3 and 10 at 8 p.m., and May 4 and 11 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and over, and $10 for children 17 and under. For tickets, visit tbtwantagh.seatyourself.biz, email tbttix@temple-bnai-torah. org, or call (516) 221-2370.
Charles Shaw/Herald
Temple B’nai Torah’s Mainstage Players will stage “Mary Poppins” this month, featuring a talented cast of all ages and offering a heartwarming experience for the whole family.
Luxury and Modern Amenities
Fixing things up downstairs
Q. Our basement is unfinished, and we plan to put in walls and a finished ceiling. We know we need an escape window, but what are your suggestions on other things, like the kind of ceiling? I’m thinking about just sheetrock, but what kind of access do you recommend for the pipes and wires I’ll need to get to?
A. There are many items to include in your thought process for finishing your basement. Mistakes are made, first, by ever assuming that the people doing the work know the laws.
The biggest problem I see is that the ceiling is just a little too low, that someone dropped the entire ceiling level just because of one pipe. The minimum ceiling height in the current code is 6 feet 8 inches clearance, with 6 feet 4 inches under the center beams, air ducts or soffits anywhere in the basement. Always leave access for shutoff valves, wiring connections, cleanouts and other controls.
If you need to move pipes that were installed without any care for your future use of the basement, move them. Piping should go around the perimeter of the basement, no matter what excuse you hear. Because of poor planning and even worse execution, pipes are the No. 1 problem, because someone thoughtlessly put them in a place that was good for them and not for you.
The ceiling finish can be sheetrock in the larger areas with perimeter “hung” track ceilings outfitted with removable ceiling tiles. Again, even those lowered perimeter and under-beam soffits need to be no less than 6 feet 4 inches above the floor. Tall firefighters need to avoid hitting their heads when they’re running though your smoke-filled basement to rescue you or your loved ones.
Although you know you need an escape well window or exterior door entry, placement of the well in some side or front yards can cause a code violation if it’s closer than allowed to a property line. Verify your setback requirements for your zone, and even confirm that with an official at your local building department.
Many jurisdictions require a permit with plans and inspections, so don’t forget these important requirements. There are so many people who are frustrated that their contractor didn’t tell them that they needed a permit, and even worse, that they now have a violation that requires reconstruction to pass inspections. Don’t be one of those people.
Other important issues include what to do with enclosing your heating equipment, putting laundry sinks and washing machines too close to the main electrical service panel, using the wrong kind of wall studs for perimeter walls, not insulating correctly and forgetting to put handrails on the access stairs, inside and out. Heating equipment, to the code, must follow the manufacturer’s specifications. Installers rarely leave a manual. Sometimes the internet helps. There must be 5/8-inch type X gypsum board on the ceiling extending at least 1 foot in each direction around the boiler. Best of luck!
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opinions Battery storage is key to economic competitiveness
As a lifelong Long Islander, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when our energy system fails. I lived through Superstorm Sandy and helped lead recovery efforts in its aftermath — and I don’t need to remind those who went weeks without power and spent hours on gas lines that grid resilience isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a necessity — one we must urgently prioritize.
Unfortunately, more than a decade later, the challenge not only persists, but it’s more complex than ever. The surge in electric vehicles, the rise of data centers and the electrification of homes and businesses are pushing Long Island’s energy demand to unprecedented levels. This isn’t just about the next superstorm — it’s about how we power everyday life for families and small businesses right now. Our existing grid wasn’t designed for this kind of load, and without proactive investment, we risk higher costs, decreased reliability and a system stretched to its breaking point. And the pressure is mounting. The Long Island Power Authority anticipates a steep rise in electricity demand in the
As I fight tooth and nail for every dollar, every program, every piece of support that I can secure for my constituents, a clear pattern has emerged in the performance of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman — one that it is marred by self-promotional pageantry, misplaced priorities and big promises that ultimately collapse.
The most recent example is the failure of the NYU Langone hospital project that was supposed to rise on the campus of Nassau Community College. When Blakeman introduced it, he billed it as a multibillion-dollar economic engine that would create thousands of jobs, deliver cutting-edge medical care and provide opportunities for our students.
When it was withdrawn in March, it became just another abandoned plan — another missed opportunity that could have changed lives and transformed our economy. Questions from the public and lawmakers have been met with a lack of
coming years. Storage will be key. Planned battery storage projects in Shoreham and Hauppauge are expected to deliver 129 megawatts of capacity, enough to power 25,000 homes once they’re operational in 2028. These aren’t theoretical solutions; they’re essential to keeping Long Islanders’ lights on. And they demonstrate that the public and private sectors can work together to address infrastructure challenges with innovative solutions.
important in ensuring that clean power doesn’t go to waste.
Without it, rising demand can trigger price volatility, hurting small businesses.
Battery energy storage systems are a smart response to this challenge. By storing excess energy during off-peak times and discharging it when demand peaks, these systems stabilize the grid without requiring massive infrastructure overhauls. They help prevent blackouts, curb price spikes, and improve efficiency. In short, they let us do more with what we already have, and that’s a win for everyone.
One of BESS’s most powerful features is its flexibility. It can store energy from any source — solar, wind, natural gas — and dispatch it where and when it’s needed most. This ability to smooth out fluctuations in supply and demand is crucial not just for stability, but also for affordability. And as more renewable sources come online, storage becomes even more
And we don’t have to look far to see BESS in action. On Long Island, Brookhaven recently approved two major battery storage projects that will add more than 300 megawatts of capacity to the grid. These facilities will store renewable energy when production is high and release it during peak usage — cutting costs, improving reliability and reducing emissions. As New York state accelerates its clean energy goals, battery storage projects like these will prove to be a critical tool for making our power system cleaner, smarter and more resilient. They also mean job creation and local investment, as the clean energy economy continues to grow.
Beyond environmental benefits, BESS has an economic upside. Without storage, rising demand can trigger price volatility, hurting working families and small business owners most. Battery storage helps keep costs predictable by reducing reliance on expensive “peaker” plants. And for high-tech industries like AI, data processing and advanced manufacturing, energy stability isn’t just a bonus — it’s a requirement for doing business. The long-term economic competitiveness of our region depends on
getting this right. Of course, safety must be top of mind. Modern battery storage systems are equipped with cutting-edge fire-prevention measures, modular designs and rigorous safety protocols. Proposed updates to fire codes will go even further, requiring comprehensive emergency planning and more frequent inspections. These systems aren’t just high-performing — they’re engineered to be safe and dependable, with oversight from both developers and local authorities.
If we want Long Island to stay competitive, battery storage must become a core part of our energy strategy. That means updating regulations to enable faster deployment, incentivizing private investment and supporting community engagement. Doing nothing is not an option. The longer we wait, the more vulnerable we become — not just to storms, but also to soaring costs and system failures. The future of energy here doesn’t hinge on simply generating more power — it depends on using the power we already have more wisely. Battery storage is the bridge between today’s strained grid and tomorrow’s resilient, affordable and sustainable energy future. Let’s not wait for the next storm or the next blackout to act. The time is now.
Sammy Chu is chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council-Long Island Chapter and chief executive officer of Edgewise Energy.
Nassau has little to show for Blakeman’s big promises
transparency, and no explanation.
Just up the road from NCC, you’ll find the Uniondale Hub, where Blakeman unsuccessfully chased a casino license. Whether you supported or opposed it, you couldn’t help but notice that the pursuit was fraught. The first time it went through the Legislature, the process was so flawed that a court made him start over. The project, with his promises of jobs and tax revenues, finally fell through, and billions of dollars in promised economic development and opportunities for union workers disappeared with yet another failed attempt to develop the Hub.
accounting for how the money was used.
The same can be said of the handling of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup. After major portions of Eisenhower Park were closed for months, and there was the promise of an economic windfall, all Nassau got in return (from what we can tell so far) is major disruptions to the park’s operations, questions about whether taxpayers made a dime and, once again, no accountability.
H e favors political theater over policies that will address our serious issues.
Worse yet, the Blakeman administration blocked the use of project labor agreements to build the temporary stadium, squandering an opportunity to boost the livelihoods of local workers.
world-class burn center and lifesaving drug detox facilities, fails, it won’t just be a health care catastrophe — it will also be an economic earthquake. Working families will lose access to care, and thousands of jobs in the medical field could vanish overnight. Finger-pointing does not suffice as a strategy.
And let’s not forget the fundamentals: Blakeman passed a county budget that was so out of balance that it violated generally accepted accounting principles, and Nassau’s fiscal monitor forced him to fix it. The county’s most recent capital infrastructure plan was stalled for months because of Blakeman’s inexplicable refusal to fund more than $1 million in grants for first responders in Democratic districts, adding political rancor where there should be none.
These are not the only things that have vanished under this administration. Remember Blakeman’s plan to use $10 million in federal coronavirus recovery funds to promote himself under the guise of the county’s 125th-anniversary celebration? While families struggled to get back on their feet after the pandemic, his administration concluded that the best use for a significant portion of those funds was gala banquets, golf outings, fireworks and parades. Yet many of these events never happened, and there is little
The disrespect for labor is further exemplified in the treatment of CSEA employees and retirees, the backbone of our county workforce. They were promised affordable health care in exchange for their service. Instead, Blakeman gutted their benefits.
Then there’s the future of Nassau University Medical Center. Instead of delivering on promises to save the hospital, the administration has installed political cronies and further deepened the crisis. If NUMC, a Level 1 trauma center with a
As someone who is fighting to make things better for our communities, it is profoundly frustrating to pick up the pieces after an administration that prioritizes political theater over implementing policies that will address the most serious issues facing our communities. Nassau County deserves better than disappearing headlines. We deserve leadership that delivers.
Seth Koslow, who represents Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District, is the Democratic candidate for county executive.
sAMMY CHU
sETH i. KosLoW
There should be nothing but support for law enforcement
in recent weeks I have been at a number of events sponsored by police organizations, including a gala honoring 100 years of the Nassau County Police Department. I also spoke at a meeting of the Long Island Shields, which comprises retired police and law enforcement officers from New York City’s five boroughs as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties. And I attended a news conference with County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Police Commissioner Pat Ryder, at which they announced the creation of a house of worship desk, and demonstrated how drones can be deployed within minutes of mass shootings at houses of worship to determine the precise location of the shooter.
I regularly attend NCPD briefings on possible terror threats on Long Island. This isn’t new for me, since for my final almost two decades in Congress after 9/11, both as chairman and as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I worked very closely with the New York
The lessons of the Holocaust are for everyone opinions
Last week, millions of people of the Hebrew faith observed an event known as the Shoah. It is the Hebrew word for catastrophe or disaster, and it is frequently used to refer to the Holocaust, the deliberate killing of six million Jews by the Nazi regime. While not all of us pause to formally recognize this event, it is a painful reminder of man’s inhumanity to man, and deserves to be observed every year.
I am very much aware of the need to pause to remember the Holocaust, because many members of my immediate family were either innocent victims of the Nazi killing machine or managed to escape the horror. Despite the fact that many of my aunts and uncles were Holocaust survivors, there was rarely any discussion about their experiences, because they were too painful to recount.
City and Nassau and Suffolk police departments on counterterrorism strategies and resources. Unfortunately, I was also in Congress during the summer of 2020, when we saw massive demonstrations against the police, a number of which turned violent, and the coordinated effort to “defund the police.” Tragically, I have also attended too many funerals of cops who have been shot and killed in the line of duty.
Too many people take the police for granted, or in some cases are even anti-police.
I say all this because too many people too often take the police for granted, or in some cases even join or support the anti-police movement, focusing on inappropriate actions taken by the smallest minority of police while ignoring that no one does more than the men and women in blue to safeguard all of us while respecting the rights of everyone regardless of race, creed or national origin — all while putting themselves at great risk.
While I understand why everyday people, who are busy trying to make a living and provide for their families, can overlook the outstanding work cops are doing to protect us 24/7, I have little tolerance for elected officials who enact laws or implement policies to tie the
hands of the police or, even worse, turn against them when it suits their political purposes. Support for police shouldn’t be subject to the shifting political winds. It is hypocritical to see politicians who, just a few years ago, were riding the “defund the police” bandwagon, or saying nothing in defense of the police, now shamelessly demanding more funding for more police. Similarly hypocritical are those legislators who hailed themselves for passing “bail reform” now claiming they never intended it to put more criminals back on the streets.
Recent elections have shown that everyday Americans are rallying for the police and supporting policies best described as pro-law and order. For instance, most observers, Democrats and Republicans alike, would agree that Anne Donnelly was elected Nassau County district attorney over her much more well known opponent, State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, four years ago not just because of her decades-long career as a prosecutor, but because of Kaminsky’s previous outspoken support of cashless bail, which he unsuccessfully attempted to run away from during the campaign.
Similarly, the most obvious example of this growing pro-cop sentiment was Donald Trump’s election last fall. Trump ran on a clear pro-police, toughon-crime platform, moving many traditional Democrats to cross party lines to vote for him over the party they believed abandoned them.
I must admit that my support for the police is due in part to personal dealings I’ve had with members of law enforcement over the years, beginning with my father, who was in the NYPD for more than 30 years, and friends of mine who joined the NYPD and NCPD. There were also my close dealings with all levels of law enforcement — federal, state and local — in the years after 9/11, including the officers assigned to my security detail because of foreign and domestic threats against me.
But support for law enforcement must be based on more than personal or family friendships and relationships. Very basically, it is in all of our best interests to support the men and women who — often against the odds — put themselves at risk to protect our streets and communities. It’s also simply the right thing to do.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Those members of my family who were survivors were blessed to live long lives even though they suffered greatly during the war. A few lived into their 90s, and my grandma Sarah lived to be 100. Some might say that for them, long life was a blessing, but I believe it was a testament to their willingness to be living examples of what they had seen so that we didn’t forget their ordeal, or the millions who didn’t survive.
M y Grandma
Sarah never spoke of her confinement until her late 90s.
At this point, I choose to write about my grandmother and my aunt Irene. On a few rare occasions, they put aside their reticence to tell us something about the horrible past. In the case of Irene, she spoke of how she had been sent to a concentration camp, along with her mother and sister. When they got there, a German soldier directed her mother and sister to go to one area, and Irene to another. After that moment, she said, she never saw them again, because their fate was sealed. Grandma Sarah had another story, but she never spoke of her confinement
until her late 90s. We had been forced to put her in the Komanoff Pavilion, in Long Beach, due to her many physical needs. On the few occasions that we visited her, she told us that “they beat me last night.” She told us many other things that we knew she would never willingly reveal if she had control of her faculties. I share these stories out of my fear for where the world is going.
Recently there was an election in Germany. Before it, Vice President J.D. Vance decided to meet with the leaders of all of the nation’s political parties. He gave special support to the far right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, party, which has strong pro-Nazi leanings. Its platform has frightened the country, and Europe in general. Vance made a plea for the party to be recognized as a partner in future governments. His visit was totally unnecessary, and sent a message to bigots around the world that their antisemitism has the approval of a White House occupant. We are currently hearing a great deal
of talk about antisemitism on college campuses as well as in the rest of America. Leaders of the Anti-Defamation League recently reported that there have been over 10,000 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. since the horrific tragedy of Hamas’s attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023. It is believed to be the highest number of incidents ever recorded in a similar period since the ADL started tracking them in 1979.
History tells us that hate crimes don’t just single out one particular group. People of Italian, Irish, Chinese, Muslim and other backgrounds have suffered at the hands of wicked political leaders who strategically pick some group as their scapegoats. The observance of the Shoah is a stark reminder that, once again, these horror stories can be repeated, unless we are vigilant and willing to fight against hate in all forms. The forces of evil are always there waiting to strike, especially when we fail to ignore them.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
JERRY
KREMER
Your Board of Education needs your attention
oWn Long Island and across New York state, incumbent trustees and new candidates for school district boards of education have submitted their petitions and are now on the ballot on May 20, when residents go to the polls to vote on their school budgets and capital improvement referendums, and elect their trustees.
For the next two and a half weeks, the candidates will hold forums with residents and plant lawn signs across their communities in an effort to keep their names in voters’ minds, as well as their stances on the districts’ spending plans.
While elected positions from village trustee to state legislator might appear more important and larger in scope, the decisions that shape our daily lives are frequently made on those school boards. And, from voters’ perspective, lifeimpacting decisions about where they choose to live are more often than not made based on where their children will go to school.
Quality public education not only prepares our children for bright futures, but also increases communities’ property values, attracts new residents, reduces crime and promotes social mobility.
For the 125 school districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties, boards of education, typically consisting of five to nine people, play a critical role in overseeing and shaping the educational system. Their responsibilities include creating a vision for the district, setting goals and
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establishing policies, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, and collaborating with administrators to help ensure the schools’ smooth operations. They must be accountable to the community, and offer regular, constructive public engagement.
Though trustees are volunteers, they are entrusted to guide the district and have a duty to represent their constituencies during their three-year terms. That includes being aware of, and understanding, the influence they wield.
All of the above are great reasons why you should care about your local school board: because its members represent the beating heart of civic responsibility, and because our schools deserve leadership that is not only competent and informed, but also reflective of and responsive to the communities they serve. Board trustees may have none of the glamour of state or national office holders, but the impact they have is often more immediate, and more personal. Their decisions don’t just affect students — they affect entire neighborhoods, in so many ways.
Residents have a responsibility to know who represents them and what those representatives stand for. That means researching school board candidates, attending their town halls, asking tough questions — making sure community concerns are heard — and judging the results with your vote. You can learn
‘town hall’ wasn’t much of one
To the Editor:
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen advertised a “Town Hall Meeting” on April 16. Sadly, it was nothing more than a performative press release with an audience. What a disappointment. and waste of her constituents’ time! A 30-minute presentation with no comments, feedback or questions from the audience.
While technically meeting the definition of a Q&A by reading pre-submitted — and perhaps prescreened — questions, Gillen answered them with superficial, pre-fabricated responses that, in some cases, matched exactly the column she wrote for the Heralds last month. We could have just stayed home and read our copy of the Herald!
Gillen told us why she chose which committees she wanted to serve on, her hope and plan to work in a bipartisan fashion, and her desire to reduce roadway deaths and dangers. She shared her reason for supporting the Laken Riley Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain illegal immigrants who commit certain crimes, but when there was criticism from the audience, the person was removed by security.
more about candidates before elections, and then their effectiveness as trustees, each week in the Herald.
And anyone can run for their local school board. You don’t need a background in teaching, or a master’s in education policy, or to be working in a profession that has anything to do with either one. What you do need is a commitment to fairness, a willingness to listen and a passion for serving your community by providing its children with the highest-quality education possible.
Public education needs leaders who understand the complexities of modern classrooms and the myriad challenges faced by working families who have kids in school, and public servants who put the needs of students above special interests. That leadership doesn’t have to come from somewhere else. It can come from you. We need more residents to step forward — not for the prestige of being a trustee, but for the purpose.
At a time when trust in institutions is fragile and divisions run deep, school boards offer a rare opportunity to focus on unity and progress, where politics can — and certainly should — take a backseat to the shared goal of improving children’s lives.
So let this be a call not only to vote, but also to get involved. Attend meetings. Volunteer to help with a school activity. Speak up — ask questions. And if you’re ready to lead, step up. Our children are depending on us.
What was never touched on was the elephant in the room, the reason so many people wanted to attend the meeting: We are in crisis in this country, our rights are being overridden, the Consti-
tution trampled. The current administration is committing illegal acts in our name, “disappearing” people and shipping them to foreign countries where our tax dollars are used to keep them
L.I. should build on Pro-Housing Communities Program
with the State Legislature in budget season, there is a ripe opportunity to improve one state program that works to combat New York’s limited housing supply by helping fund local infrastructure: the Pro-Housing Communities Program. On Long Island, that limited supply of housing has caused prices to soar to record heights.
The average home price stands at nearly $780,000 in Nassau County and over $662,000 in Suffolk County.
Gov. Kathy Hochul created the $650 million ProHousing program in 2023, enabling cities, towns and villages to apply for ProHousing designation and pursue related state funding. That funding is broadly focused on downtown revitalization and economic development, but it includes housing-related infrastructure such as
water and sewage.
So far, 26 localities on Long Island have applied for the designation. Fifteen have been certified. The others are still pursuing it.
Those 15 localities include the cities of Glen Cove and Long Beach, as well as the Towns of Babylon, Brookhaven, East Hampton and Riverhead. They also include the villages of Farmingdale, Freeport, Hempstead, Mineola, Port Jefferson, Port Washington North, Sag Harbor, Valley Stream and Westbury.
it’s an important step in making affordable housing more available.
Those 15 localities have also now applied for related state funding. The funding decisions will be announced in June.
This is a start, but the $650 million covers the entire state. With high construction costs, these funds will not be enough to make the improvements necessary to satisfy Long Island’s housingrelated infrastructure needs. More is required.
In the governor’s proposed fiscal year
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detained without due process. Our confidential personal data is being taken by rogue invaders without any security clearance. Our Social Security, health care system and Medicaid are in grave danger. This was not addressed in Gillen’s “town hall.” The fear, concern and dissent were not acknowledged in any way.
While I guess we should be happy that at least there was a performance of a town hall, since so many legislators are totally ignoring their constituents, and in fact hiding from them, this event was barely better. She can and should do better!
LINdA ROBERTSON West Hempstead
New chief program officer at United Cerebral Palsy-LI
To the Editor:
United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island would like to introduce Robin Lane as the organization’s first-ever chief program officer.
A dedicated member of the UCP-LI family since 1993, Lane has over 35 years of experience providing services to people with disabilities.
“Robin’s career with UCP is a testament to her unwavering dedication, passion and leadership,” Colleen Crispino, president and CEO of UCP-LI, said. “Her promotion is not only well-deserved, but also a natural progression for someone who has made such a lasting impact on our organization and the people we serve.”
2026 budget, a $100 million infrastructure fund would be set aside for certified Pro-Housing Communities. Yet this fund represents a drop in the bucket of what is needed to cover the infrastructure needs across the state and Long Island. Just one project, the recently completed Central Islip sewer expansion, had a price tag of $13.7 million.
An additional $10 million in the governor’s proposed budget would fund a new housing ombudsman’s office, which would work to assist municipalities with their housing needs and provide technical support for the Pro-Housing Communities Program. These are vital steps, but they still don’t go far enough.
Recurring funding is needed, and it is crucial. This should not be just a piecemeal allocation.
The program should also provide data on the amount of housing created by it. Promoting housing is the overall goal, so its specific impact should be
Lane began her journey with UCP-LI as a residential manager, and has held various leadership roles in the program, including associate director. Her most recent position was director of quality management and corporate compliance. In that role she had the responsibility for incident management, quality assurance and compliance, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
As chief program officer, Lane will oversee the planning, development, and management of all program areas, including adult day services, the Children’s Center, residential services, and a wide range of family support programs.
She will also serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, where she plays an integral role in strategic planning, systems development and program innovation.
“I am honored and excited to step into the role of chief program officer,” Lane said. “UCP has been my professional home for over three decades, and I am deeply committed to advancing our mission, supporting our dedicated staff, and continuing to provide the highest quality services to the individuals and families we serve.”
Lane earned a bachelor’s degree in health policy and administration from Pennsylvania State University and a graduate degree from Stony Brook University.
For more information about UCP of Long Island and its programs, visit UCP-li. org.
JILLIAN CAVALIERI
Community relations specialist, UCP of Long Island
reported.
One improvement has been made. In response to feedback from communities on Long Island like Patchogue, applicants across the state can now be judged on a wider range of activities over a longer time frame.
The demand is clear. In July 2024, the Village of Mineola stood alone as the only Pro-Housing Community on the island. Now, 15 Long Island localities have been certified, and 11 more are pursuing it.
The momentum is growing. The need for more housing has never been greater.
The Long Island communities that are pursuing this program are taking important steps to improve the availability of more affordable housing. More localities should move in this direction, thereby creating more equitable opportunities.
The state should continue to reinforce and improve this program. Everyone will benefit.
April Francis Taylor is acting president of ERASE Racism, the regional civil rights organization based in Syosset.
Framework by Tim Baker
apriL FranCis taYLor
