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HERALD Supply drive is a success
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Vol. 29 No. 38
SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026
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Mepham alumni plan a Florida October reunion Glenn, who moved from Long Island to Florida in 1979, initially planned the event for What began as a plan to cele- her own graduating class after brate the 60th reunion of the realizing no one in New York Wellington C. Mepham High had stepped forward to organizSchool Class of 1966 has grown ing the milestone reunion. She first reached out to into something much bigger. Class of 1966 alumni Bobbi members of the Class of 1966 Glenn and her husband, Bill before expanding the invitation Adams, have orgato include the nized a combined Classes of 1964, high school reunion 1965 and 1967. in Spring Hill, FlorShe decided to ida, this October open the reunion to that is now open to all Mepham alumni graduates from and the response every Me pham continued to grow. class. T he RSVP Glenn said alumni deadline is Oct. 1. from at least 12 difThe reunion will ferent graduating take place from Oct. expressed BARBAR MARklIN classes 14 to 16, beginning interest since she with a meet-and- Mepham High School, a n n o u n c e d t h e g reet on Oct. 14. Class of 1966 combined reunion The following day, on Facebook. attendees will gathFor Glenn and er at Silverthorn Country Club Adams, however, the reunion is for a formal event featuring a about more than planning an four-course meal, entertain- event. ment and a photo booth. The Much of their time has been cost to attend this main event is spent calling for mer class$110. The reunion will conclude mates, some of whom they had with a farewell breakfast at a not spoken with in decades. nearby Cracker Barrel on Oct. Those conversations have given 16. Hotel rooms have been them a chance to hear about blocked at the Holiday Inn the lives their former classExpress in Spring Hill.
By JUlIA GIllEGo
jgillego@liherald.com
I
Tim Baker/Herald photos
A solemn anniversary in Nassau County Nassau County residents marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks last week at hometown ceremonies and larger memorial gatherings. Above, the memorial at Eisenhower Park rose against the dusk sky as mourners gathered to remember the 349 victims from Nassau County. Right, roses were placed at the base of the memorial. Story, photos from Bellmore’s ceremony, Page 3.
t’s a close-knit community. People have your back.
Continued on page 15
Brain injury awareness walk returns to Eisenhower Park By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
For Dr. Paulinder Rai, helping people recover from traumatic brain injuries is more than a medical specialty. It is a mission shaped by his own family’s experience. Rai, a board-certified physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation and founder of The Rai Clinic — Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of Long Island, has been named the statewide medical honoree for the Brain Injury Association of New York State’s 2026 March On for Brain Injury Walk. He will be recognized at the Long Island walk Sept. 26 at The Scarlet Oak in Eisenhower Park, where he is expected to speak about his work with people recovering from traumatic brain injuries. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the walk begins at noon. Rai chose rehabilitation medicine because of its emphasis on helping people regain function and independence after serious injuries and illnesses. But his understanding of brain injury also comes from personal experience. Several years ago, Rai’s father and younger sister were involved in a serious motor vehicle accident. Both survived, but each sustained a traumatic brain injury that continues to affect daily life. Their experiences gave Rai a firsthand understanding of the long-term challenges that brain injury survivors and their
Courtesy Brain Injury Association of New York State
Brain Injury Association of New York State’s 2026 March On for Brain Injury Walk will return on Sept. 26 in Eisenhower Park. This year, it’ll honor Dr. Paulinder Rai, a board-certified physician in physical medicine. families can face. Unlike injuries for which recovery may be measured in weeks or months, the effects of a brain injury can require ongoing treatment, adaptation and family support. “It is a tremendous honor to be named the Medical Honoree and one that I accept with both gratitude and humility,” Rai said. “While I’ve spent my career caring for individuals with brain injuries, this recognition carries special meaning because brain injury has also affected my own family.”
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Rai founded The Rai Clinic — Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of Long Island to treat people with neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. His work includes caring for traumatic brain injury survivors who may experience cognitive, behavioral, physical and functional challenges. His approach emphasizes patients’ medical needs as well as the role played by their families and caregivers throughout recovery. “Their journey gave me a deeply per-
sonal appreciation for the challenges that survivors and families face every day,” Rai said of his father and sister. “This honor represents not only my work as a physician, but also my admiration for every survivor, caregiver, therapist, and advocate who helps make recovery possible.” Eileen Reardon, executive director of the Brain Injury Association of New York State, said Rai’s work reflects the organization’s broader goal of helping survivors regain independence and quality of life. “At the core of Dr. Rai’s work is a belief that recovery after brain injury is not defined solely by physical healing, but by restoring dignity, independence, and purpose,” Reardon said. “His dedication to comprehensive, compassionate care continues to make a meaningful impact on patients, families, and the broader brain injury community across New York State.” The annual March On for Brain Injury brings together survivors, caregivers, medical professionals and advocates. Walks are held in three locations across the state — Long Island, the Hudson Valley and Rochester. The Brain Injury Association of New York State, founded in 1982, advocates for people with brain injuries and their families while providing education and community support services and promoting injury prevention. For more information about the Sept. 26 walk or to register, visit BIANYS.org.
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BELLMORE HERALD — September 17, 2026
A large crowd gathered to remember and mourn.
Bellmore marks 25 years since Sept. 11 attacks Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Bellmore firefighters, residents and families gathered to honor four local volunteers whose lives were lost as a result of the tragedy. The Bellmore Fire Department hosted its annual memorial ceremony Sept. 11 outside its headquarters on Pettit Avenue, where fire trucks lined the roadway and scores of firefighters stood in salute. Members of the North Bellmore Fire Department joined their Bellmore counterparts for the observance, along with residents, relatives of department members and neighbors. This year’s gathering carried particular significance as the community marked a quarter-century since the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 killed nearly 3,000 people. The Bellmore department laid wreaths in memory of volunteers Kevin Prior and Adam Rand, both New York City firefighters who died during rescue operations at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The ceremony also honored volunteer Sean McCarthy, who responded to ground zero and died in 2008 from a 9/11-related cancer, and Robert Ptacek, a member of the department for more than 50 years who died in 2018. Family representatives carried wreaths across Pettit Avenue to the department’s Sept. 11 memorial, preserving an annual tradition that connects Bellmore’s current firefighters with those whose service and sacrifices continue to shape the department. Bell tolls and moments of silence punctuated the ceremony as those gathered reflected on the passage of 25 years and the lasting toll of the attacks. The anniversary served as a reminder that the losses of Sept. 11 did not end that morning. First responders who worked at ground zero continued to develop illnesses linked to their exposure to toxic debris, adding to the number of families and fire departments affected in the years that followed. For volunteer fire departments such as Bellmore’s, those losses were deeply personal. Prior, Rand, McCarthy and Ptacek were remembered not only for their service, but also as fellow volunteers, friends and members of the community. After the ceremony at fire headquarters, attendees processed to St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church on Bedford Avenue for a memorial Mass. The evening concluded with embraces among relatives, firefighters and neighbors — a reflection of the grief that remains and the unity that has carried the community through the past quarter-century.
Lauren Chin/Herald photo
Bellmore Fire Department Chief Eric Ozechowski shared words with the community, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Firefighters walked the wreathes out to Bellmore’s memorial in the parking lot of the Long Island Rail Road station.
Firefighters stood in solemn remembrance of the attacks, which claimed the lives of volunteers Kevin Prior and Adam Rand. For Bellmore, the 25th anniversary was not only a remembrance of one of the darkest days in the nation’s history. It was also a reaffirmation of the community’s commitment to preserve the stories of its
fallen firefighters and ensure that their service is never forgotten. —Jordan Vallone
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Courtesy Office of State Sen. Steve Rhoads
Jacob Franzetti, an intern for State Sen. Steve Rhoads’ office, helped spearhead a hygiene supply drive, which collected over 1,3000 items in the span of a week.
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A weeklong hygiene supply drive hosted by State Sen. Steve Rhoads office collected more than 1,300 items for Hope For Youth, an organization that supports children, young people and families across Long Island. The drive, held from Aug. 23 through Aug. 29, brought together residents, libraries and community organizations throughout the 5th Senate District. Donations included adult and children’s toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, alcohol-free mouthwash, bar soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, hand sanitizer, hand soap, body wipes and menstrual products. Residents could leave donations at the North Bellmore Public Library, Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, Merrick Library, St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church in Bellmore and Hicksville Public Library. The five collection sites helped make the drive accessible to residents in several communities across the district. “The generosity shown by our community was remarkable,” Rhoads said. “More than 1,300 essential hygiene items will now go directly to Hope For Youth to
help children and families who need them. I am grateful to every resident who donated and to each of our collection locations for helping make this drive such a success.” Hope For Youth has served children, young people and families across Long Island for more than 50 years. The organization provides residential, foster care, preventive and community-based services intended to help children and families overcome challenges and build more stable futures. The supplies collected during the drive will provide everyday necessities to those served by the organization, helping promote their comfort, dignity and wellbeing. Rhoads thanked the libraries and St. Barnabas for hosting collection bins, as well as the residents who contributed supplies throughout the week. He also recognized his intern, Jacob Franzetti, for spearheading the drive. Franzetti organized and coordinated the initiative, working with local libraries, community organizations and residents to establish the collection sites and encourage participation. Rhoads said Franzetti’s initiative and commitment to community service played an important role in the drive’s success.
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7/27/26 15:45
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spotlight athlete
HERALD SPORTS
Mepham jells amid early adversity By NICK MONGIOVI sports@liherald.com
CHACE MORRIS OCEANSIDE Senior FOOTBALL A YEAR AFTER LEADING Nassau County in touchdowns with 28 and rushing for 1,294 yards, Morris picked up where he left off in Oceanside’s season-opening 37-29 victory at Farmingdale Sept. 4. He carried 34 times for 200 yards and two touchdowns as the Sailors kicked off the new season on a winning note. Both of Morris’ scores came in the fourth quater from 10 and 11 yards as the visitors upped their 24-21 halftime lead.
games to watch Thursday, Sept. 17 Boys Soccer: Seaford at V.S. South......................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Lawrence at Plainedge ...................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: South Side at Calhoun ...................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: North Shore at Wantagh..................5 p.m. Field Hockey: North Shore at Baldwin ..................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: Lynbrook at Plainedge ....................7 p.m. Girls Soccer: Lawrence at V.S. North ....................7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 18 Football: Mepham at Calhoun ........................3:30 p.m. Football: Seaford at EastRock/WestHemp ...........6 p.m. Football: Division at Plainedge .......................6:30 p.m. Football: Sewanhaka at Wantagh ........................7 p.m. Football: C.S. Harbor at Malverne .......................7 p.m. Football: Oyster Bay at Lawrence .........................5 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 Football: V.S. Central at New Hyde Park ...............1 p.m. Football: East Meadow at Uniondale ..............1:30 p.m. Football: Locust Valley at Lynbrook .................1:30 p.m. Football: Kennedy at Long Beach ...................1:30 p.m. Football: Bethpage at Elmont .........................1:30 p.m. Football: Baldwin at Carey ..............................1:30 p.m. Football: Clarke at South Side .............................2 p.m. Football: MacArthur at Garden City ......................3 p.m.
Give knee pain a red card.
Turnover can cause growing pains early. Tur nover with only a small amount of senior leadership could be worse. Mepham’s girls’ soccer team has both, but with young energy, the Pirates are still competing day in and day out. Mepham graduated 10 seniors, eight of which were starters. Last season’s roster was larger, but younger, as those freshmen who contributed are now sophomores. This fall’s roster features two eighth-graders, just 12 and 13 years old, five seniors, no freshmen, and the rest are sophomores and juniors. “They’re a great group,” coach Janine Bizelia said. “We’re playing the best of the best in conference one. I told them ahead of time, ‘Hey, it’s going to be a rough season. It’s going to be a hard start. We may go 0-8 to start the season, but know that ahead of time, and if you can get past it and achieve better than that, I think that we positively did something.” Being in Conference 1 automatically enters the Pirates into the playoffs and with home field advantage in round one. “I think playing those tough teams will set us up in a good spot for playoffs because we should be playing a team a little bit lower level than us,” Bizelia said. “But it is a struggle. We’re a smaller team, but they’re encouraging each other in practice. There’s a ton of energy at practice; it’s really competitive and they’ re really trying to stay focused. They’re handling the adversity really well.” Mepham is 0-4 and has been outscored 14-1 in those games. “Even though they’ve faced all of this adversity, they’re really coming together and I think that’s important,” Bizelia added. “That’ll get them maybe that extra win in the playoffs or in the season.” Sophomore midfielder Jamie Bataan found the back of the net for the team’s first goal against Plainedge Sept. 10 in the 4-1 loss. “She’s extremely fast,” Bizelia said.
Jeff Wilson/Herald
Sophomore Taylor Almona is part of a major youth movement for the Pirates, who are playing in Nassau’s top conference. “She has some track records at the school, and she just never gave up. It was in the second half and our other player, Victoria Olsen (junior), won the ball down the left side, gave a cross and Jamie just beat the defender and the keeper to put it in.” Both eighth-graders have made an impact and have played meaningful minutes in the starting lineup: Midfielder Alexa Sacco and midfielder Vittoria DeMarco. “They’re as skilled as or more skilled than some of these players that are on these great teams that we play against, but they’re really tiny and they sometimes battle with the size issue,” Bizelia said. Other girls making an impact are
sophomore center back Molly Trinka, sophomore center midfielder Taylor Almona, junior forward Lillian Kaufaman, sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Serio, senior goalkeeper Jenna Appicellalone and senior starter Addison Iemma. Mepham opened up the journey with a 2-0 loss to defending Nassau Class AAA champion Oceanside, followed by a 5-0 loss at defending Class AA champion South Side, then a 3-0 loss against Garden City. “We’re trying to stay healthy and focused throughout this adversity to keep us strong for the playoffs,” Bizelia said. This Saturday, the Pirates head to MacArthur for a 10 a.m. start.
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BELLMORE HERALD — September 17, 2026
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September 17, 2026 — BELLMORE HERALD
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Rhoads seeks to build on second-term success By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
State Sen. Steve Rhoads spent his first two years in Albany learning the ropes of the Senate — and adjusting to a role in a minority caucus. After winning the 5th Senate District seat in 2022, Rhoads transitioned from the Nassau County Legislature, where Republicans held the majority, to a chamber controlled by Democrats. “Being in the minority of the State Senate is a different dynamic,” Rhoads told Herald reporters at a recent roundtable interview. Now, as he ends his second full term and his fourth year of advocating on behalf of his constituents, Rhoads said, “It was nice to be able to capitalize on what I learned. “There are issues that we can’t compromise on,” he added of working across the aisle, “but my job is to try and find areas of common ground and to work together.” Among those bipartisan successes, Rhoads said he was especially proud of the state’s efforts to protect children online. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation for Kids Act, which had its final rules unveiled in July, aims to regulate social media algorithms and prevent minors from being served addictive feeds. Rhoads is also working with Sen. Jeremy Cooney, a Democrat from Monroe County, on legislation that would offer volunteer first responders three free credits per semester at SUNY and CUNY colleges. The measure expands on an initiative Rhoads helped create in the County Legislature. Of course, there are areas of disagreement. Rhoads has been critical of what he feels is overspending in the state budget, which he said has grown by 65 percent over the past eight years. Medicaid benefits
5 th STATE SENATE DISTRICT
Jeffrey Bessen/Herald
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, the incumbent in the 5th District, highlighted his successes during his second term in Albany in a roundtable with Herald reporters. account for a large chunk of state spending plan — a system that has not been audited to determine whether all who receive benefits still belong in the program. “How do you not look at that?” Rhoads said. “It seems as though the solution is always: We’re just going to increase the budget. We need to be doing something to control costs.” One of his proposals to rein in state spending, he
said, is a bill thath would restore a 2 percent cap on the growth of state spending. Rhoads argued that the measure, supported by the Republican gubernatorial candidate, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakmean, would not mandate cuts to existing programs, but would instead slow the rate at which state spending increases each year. By keeping budget growth in check, Rhoads said, economic growth could help generate enough revenue over time to support what he described as a major personal income tax cut. Among concerns he hears about from residents, affordability and crime remain at the top of the list. Rhoads has long opposed cashless bail policies, which can make it harder for judges to keep people accused of certain crimes in jail before trial. “It’s lower-level crimes, and allowing those to happen sort of sets the stage for larger crimes to take place,” he said. “That’s the major complaint I get.” Ultimately, Rhoads said, “You’re not going to be able to change what comes out of Albany until you change who’s in charge,” but he is hopeful, he added, about progress in his next term if he wins re-election in November. “For me, it’s not about Republicans and Democrats at this point,” he said. “It’s sort of a difference between common sense and chaos.”
Piddoubny outlines priorities in first campaign By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Wantagh resident Andrew Piddoubny is embracing his first campaign for public office with open arms, focusing on affordability and securing a greater share of state funding for Long Island. The Democratic candidate in the 5th State Senate District is originally from Queens, and has lived on Long Island with his wife since 2019. A father of 2-year-old twins, Piddoubny said he understands the struggles Long Islanders face. “I have ideas for how to directly address those,” he told Herald reporters at a recent roundtable interview. “It’s going to benefit everybody — my neighbors, friends, family.” Affordability is a concern Piddoubny is hearing about from residents of the district. The cost of child care, for many, can often be higher than a mortgage. Piddoubny said that New York state will have universal pre-K beginning in the 2028-29 school year, which he said will be a great first step. He also pointed to New York City’s programs, which include a robust 3-K program and a pilot 2-K program. “What about us?” he said. “I think that we’re not getting our fair share of state-allocated funds. I want to make sure that we’re on par with other counties. I think there needs to be more fairness and equity here on Long Island,” he added. “We pay much more into the state than we get back.” Piddoubny also pointed to rising homeowner’s insurance premiums as another affordability issue. His own family’s bill, he said, has gone up by several hundred dollars in each of the past two years, and
Jeffrey Bessen/Herald
Andrew Piddoubny, an attorney and a State Supreme Court law clerk who is the Democratic challenger, discussed his campaign priorities. research has shown that the average annual cost in New York has increased by about $1,000 since 2020 —
more than the national average. He argued that insurers are making disproportionately high profits in New York, saying that companies keep about 24 cents of every premium dollar here, compared with about 8 cents nationally. He suggested that New York consider capping excessive profits or preventing insurers from raising rates after especially profitable years, with excess money returned to ratepayers instead of going to large companies. On the subject of the state budget’s increases over the past decade, Piddoubny said it would be worth looking into where funds are being allocated. “I think we do have to look at areas of where we are overspending, and at the same time, making sure that we’re putting them in the proper place,” he said. Piddoubny is an attorney who works as a law clerk for a State Supreme Court judge, and is active in the Ukrainian-American community, serving on the board of the Ukrainian-American Bar Association. He has been involved in sometimes complex legal negotiations, he said, which he feels has prepared him for working with others in government he may not necessarily caucus or agree with. “It’s [about] diffusing tense situations, trying to keep the focus on practicality and the resolution, what’s best overall,” he said. “Find that middle ground … that’s been essentially my entire career.” If elected, Piddoubny said, serving in the state’s majority caucus would put him in a strong position to advance legislation and deliver results for the district. “We need somebody who’s in the room where it happens, who’s there for negotiations,” he said, “to make sure we can secure our fair share of funds, and get laws and bills passed.”
Molloy is among Time’s top 100 colleges bkacharaba@liherald.com
Molloy University has been named to Time magazine’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges list for 2026-27, placing No. 85 among the top 100 colleges and universities in the nation. Molloy was one of 14 New York institutions on the list, and the only Long Island college or university to receive the distinction. It was recognized alongside Columbia University, Barnard College and New York University. Time evaluated colleges based on student outcomes, learning environment and attractiveness to students. Student outcomes accounted for 75 percent of an institution’s overall score, including graduation rates, graduate earnings and economic value for students. The remaining 25 percent of the score factored in educational costs, student resources and demand. Molloy earned an overall score of 79.93. For President James Lentini, the recognition came as a surprise, because the university was not asked to submit information. “It was totally a surprise to me,” Lentini said. “They did their own research by pulling up return-on-investment info and all kinds of metrics that are out there that people can find, and so, yeah, it was a surprise.” Lentini said that
Courtesy Molloy University
Molloy University is ranked No. 85 among the nation’s top 100 colleges and universities in Time magazine’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges list for 2026-27. Time used information including the cost of tuition, graduation rates and graduate salaries. “A lot of this data is available publicly through something called IPEDS” — the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System — “which is a system we all have to report to,” he said. “It was a pleasant surprise.”
The recognition follows another national ranking based on student outcomes. Lentini noted that Molloy was ranked No. 75 by the Wall Street Journal last year. “It was great that these two publications, and this one being Time, are the same kind of results based on student outcomes,” he said.
The distinction, Lentini added, reflects Molloy’s focus on students. “It says a lot about what we’re doing here and the high quality of the work, and what we’re doing for our students here,” he said. “We have the kind of institution that offers degrees where they’re highly regarded in health care and the arts and business and education, and it just speaks highly of the work that’s happening at Molloy.” Lentini attributed the success of the university’s students in part to its mission and student support. “I think we’re a different kind of place,” he said. “Our mission, being a Catholic school, I think the kind of care our students get, the kind of way we treat each other, the attention we pay to each student, I think it’s a lot missionbased, and I think it speaks to retention rates and graduation rates. “Those kinds of things speak to the fact that our students feel a sense of belonging here,” he added. “They stay, and they get nurtured in a way where they succeed when they graduate.” Time’s recognition, Lentini said, could bring attention from prospective students and families. “I think it should give [us] a boost,” he said. “We’re right in the backyard of a lot of these great students, so we’re worth a look from all these students, and we hope that more recognition will even take us further.”
GREAT OPPORTUNITIES BELLMORE UFSD NOW HIRING
LETTER/RESUME/CERTIFICATION: Dr. Joseph S. Famularo, Supt. of Schools 580 Winthrop Ave., Bellmore, NY 11710 | Fax: 516-679-3027 bellmore@bellmoreschools.org or apply directly on OLAS
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BELLMORE HERALD — September 17, 2026
By BRIAN KACHARABA
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Students step into history during 250th celebration Students at Wellington C. Mepham High School rotated through four fun and engaging stations as part of a schoolwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Participants stepped back in time for a lesson on oldtime baseball, led by Athletic Director William Murphy and Jerry Kijkow, a custodian who plays 1864 baseball in a local league. They also rocked out to Americanthemed music performed by Mepham’s Rock Band, with Joe Inacco, the district’s director of technology joining the band on guitar. Students additionally worked together on a collaborative American flagthemed craft and capped off the celebration with red, white and blue ice pops. The celebration was organized through the efforts of Social Studies Chairperson Robyn Einbinder and Building Assistant Principal Theresa Dell’Olio, along with staff members who helped bring the day to life. “America’s semiquincentennial gives us the opportunity to celebrate our nation’s history,” noted Einbinder. “We created this event so that our school community could come together to engage in fun and interactive experiences to honor this milestone.” — Julia Gillego
Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District photos
Assistant Superintendent Scott Bersin, Director of Athletics Eric Caballero, library media specialist Shari Stack, social studies teacher Kerry Dennis, Assistant Principal Theresa Dell’Olio and Social Studies Chairperson Robyn Einbinder.
Athletic Director William Murphy and Jerry Kijkow, a custodian who plays 1864 baseball in a local league.
Students at Wellington C. Mepham High School rotated through four fun and engaging stations as part of a schoolwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Eleni Arutyunyants, Analia Bonill-Peñu and Leah Weerth enjoy red, white and blue ice pops.
Social studies teacher Matthew Moody assists students with a collaborative American flag-themed craft.
BELLMORE HERALD — September 17, 2026
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Suozzi pushes protection for worshippers By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
More than two dozen religious leaders representing a number of faiths stood together at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center last week as U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi called for passage of federal legislation intended to protect people from intimidation and harassment at religious services. Suozzi highlighted the bipartisan, bicameral Right to Worship Act at a Sept. 9 news conference at the center in Glen Cove. Alan Mindel, chairman of HMTC’s board of directors, said that protecting religious freedom is central to the organization’s mission. “This bill grants necessary protections to houses of worship so as to protect the constitutional rights of freedom of religion granted to all Americans,” Mindel said. “In the current climate, where people have been obstructed from entering their house of worship, this new law will allow each American, regardless of faith, to freely enter their church, synagogue or mosque for their constitutionally protected right to pray, without obstruction or harassment.” Suozzi said that people should not have to put themselves at risk simply to practice their faith. “Exercising your right to worship should not require you to exhibit partic-
Roksana Amid/Herald
U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, top center, joined religious and advocacy leaders on Sept. 9 to call for passage of the bipartisan Right to Worship Act. ular courage as you enter your synagogue, church, mosque, temple, mandir or gurdwara,” he said. The legislation would establish a 100foot zone around pedestrian and vehicular entrances to houses of worship, beginning one hour before a scheduled service and ending an hour afterward. Within that area, conduct intended to hinder, deter, threaten or intimidate people attending services would be prohibited. Peaceful expression protected by the First Amendment would remain protected. Violations would carry civil penalties, with fines ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 for repeat offenses. The measure would also allow affected worshippers
to pursue civil action, and permit the U.S. attorney general and state attorneys general to bring cases against violators. The Right to Worship Act grew out of Suozzi’s SACRED Act — Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption — which he introduced in April, and which included criminal penalties. Negotiations over the legislation, he said, centered on balancing two constitutional rights, freedom of speech and freedom of worship. “Finding a balance between the two is a real challenge,” he said. “It’s why it hasn’t been done — it’s why it’s been controversial.”
Suozzi eventually joined Republican Rep. Brad Knott, of North Carolina, to develop a single proposal that could attract broader support. The House legislation is accompanied by a Senate measure backed by Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, of Texas, and Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin, of Michigan. “You shouldn’t have to show courage to go attend your religious services,” Suozzi said. Brandi Katz Rubin, the Anti-Defamation League’s New York/New Jersey deputy regional director, said that harassment at houses of worship has made such protections increasingly important. “No one should have to push through a hostile crowd, shout over a bullhorn or endure targeted threats while simply trying to enter a house of worship and pray,” Katz Rubin said. The ADL, she added, recorded nearly 530 incidents of antisemitic harassment at synagogues nationwide in 2025, along with dozens of protest-related incidents. According to Suozzi, there was discussion of moving the legislation through the Senate as early as this month. If that doesn’t happen, he said supporters could pursue passage during the lame-duck session in November or December. “We really want to get it done this year,” he said, citing momentum from religious organizations and lawmakers in both parties.
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MEET THE 2026 AWARD WINNERS *
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Trucking program at NCC offers fresh start Former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams’s course prepares trainees for new careers behind the wheel By JULIA GILLEGO jgillego@liherald.com
Rebound on the Road celebrated the graduation of its sixth cohort at Nassau Community College earlier this month, recognizing students who completed an intensive program designed to prepare them for careers in commercial trucking while providing support focused on mental health, recovery and personal growth. The graduation, on Sept. 3, marked more than the completion of an eightweek training program. It represented a new beginning for many participants. The program, founded by former NBA star Jayson Williams, is a partnership between Rebound on the Road, Nassau County and NCC. The program offers vocational training to people seeking a second chance, helping participants earn commercial driver’s licenses. For Jerry Kornbluth, NCC’s vice president of community and government relations, the most meaningful part of the ceremony was seeing how much the students had changed over the course of eight weeks. “And when you see them, eight weeks later, at a graduation, and what they’re saying to the other people, and the camaraderie that they built, and the family that they built, they’re going to
Julia Gillego/Herald
Emil Arthur-Ricketts celebrating his completion of the Rebound on the Road program at Nassau Community college with his father, Martin Ricketts. stay forever,” Kornbluth said. “They’re never going to go back to their old ways.” The program, Williams said, emphasizes professionalism, safety and discipline. Participants train in driving, pretrip inspections and other skills needed to become commercial drivers. But the program also places a strong emphasis on mental health. Students began their mornings with time devoted
to reflection and discussion with mental health professionals before moving into their driving lessons. “I don’t want to put them behind 80,000 pounds if they’re not feeling it,” Williams said. “The psychiatrist and the psychotherapist are very important in what we do.” The combination of training and support, he added, helps turn the participants not only into better drivers, but
professionals prepared for long-term careers. “The thing I’m most proud of is that we become family here,” Williams said. That sense of community was echoed by graduate Emil Arthur-Ricketts, who said the program gave students an environment in which they could support one another while working toward a common goal. “I really enjoyed it,” Arthur-Ricketts said. “I love the fact that it’s family-oriented. It’s more than just trucking itself. It’s really about people coming together — brotherhood, fatherhood — and we all have a common goal in life.” The impact of the program extends beyond graduation day. Kornbluth said that more than 100 students who have graduated from the program have gone on to work driving trucks throughout the United States. Williams said that graduates also remain connected, returning to support one another and helping open doors for future cohorts. For the students celebrating at NCC, the ceremony marked both an ending and a beginning: the end of eight weeks of demanding training, and the start of careers built on responsibility, stability and the promise of a second chance. For more information, visit ReboundontheRoad.org.
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Friends, classmates to reunite far from home often beginning at least a year in advance, Marklin said. Still, she said the opportunity to reconnect is worth the effort. “It’s a close-knit community,” she said of Mepham alumni. “People have your back.” For Marklin, who remembers participating in sports, cheerleading, kick line and choir during her time at Mepham, the most lasting part of high school was the camaraderie. “I am going to enjoy every minute of it,” Marklin said of the reunion. For Glenn, Mepham holds a special personal place in her life. She met Adams when they were in second grade, although they did not begin their relationship until after reconnecting at the 35th reunion. “We connected and eventually moved down here, and we got married a few years later,” Glenn said. “We met in second grade, so it’s a little romance story.” Now, decades after graduating, Glenn and Adams are hoping to give their former classmates another opportunity to reconnect while welcoming generations of Mepham graduates who never would have been part of the original celebration. Adams said he is particularly interested in hearing from alumni who attended Mepham during different eras and learning how their experiences compared. “It was just interesting to hear how the school has changed and the culture has changed and things like that,” he said. “It’s just kind of neat.” That may be exactly what this combined reunion is about: not just remembering who the alumni were but discovering who they became. For more information about the reunion and to RSVP, contact Bobbi Glenn at (352) 346-3635.
Courtesy Bobbi Glenn
Several graduating classes from Wellington C. Mepham High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District will reunite at a special multi-day event next month in Florida.
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mates built after leaving Mepham. “When we call people, we get to hear their stories,” Glenn said. She said the calls have introduced them to former classmates who became leaders in their respective fields. “You just don’t know how people are going to end up,” Glenn said. “It’s been so rewarding hearing people’s stories.” The calls have not all been easy. Adams said they have also learned that some former classmates have died or are unable to attend because of physical limitations. Still, he said the conversations themselves have been meaningful. “We spend hours in the afternoons and the evenings talking to the people we haven’t talked to in 30 to 40 years,” Adams said. For Glenn, one of the most rewarding parts of organizing the reunion has been reconnecting with people who may otherwise have remained isolated. She recalled calling a former classmate who had lost her husband. The woman told Glenn that the phone call was the reason she decided to attend the reunion. Glenn said stories like that have made the planning worthwhile. “We love making people happy,” she said. Barbara Marklin, a member of the Class of 1966 and the class representative for its Facebook group, had organized previous reunions but was unable to take on this year’s event. Marklin said she had been waiting for someone to step forward to organize the 60th reunion when Glenn and Adams decided to run it. Previous reunions required extensive planning,
BELLMORE HERALD — September 17, 2026
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Aiming to ease emissions on Car Free Day By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
Long Island residents are being encouraged to rethink how they get around when the region marks its 14th annual Car Free Day, an initiative in which participants are asked to replace at least one trip made alone by car with a sustainable option. Car Free Day, on Sept. 22, is observed in cities around the world. Long Island joined the movement 13 years ago with a campaign focused on raising awareness of transportation choices and measuring emissions saved when people leave their cars behind. Mindy Germain, co-chair of Car Free Day LI and program manager for Transit Solutions, said the goal is not for participants to eliminate driving for an entire day. “All we ask you to do is swap out one drive-alone car trip,” Germain said. That could mean walking to a store, taking the train or bus, bicycling, or sharing a ride with someone who would otherwise drive separately. Organizers measure the emissions saved through pledges received leading up to the event, and calculate the total for Long Island. Germain said the campaign had already reached about 75 tons of saved emissions based on those pledges. Transportation, she said, accounts for about a third of the emissions con-
Brian Kacharaba/Herald
The Long Island Rail Road is among the transportation alternatives that Car Free Day LI organizers hope more residents will consider on Sept. 22. tributing to Long Island’s environmental impact, making alternatives to driving important for air quality and efforts to slow global warming. Participation this year is on pace to reach 5,000 pledges, which Germain said would be the most since the pandemic. She also pointed to changing patterns in transit use. In June, the Long Island
Rail Road recorded 5 million rides, a record, with many trips for purposes other than commuting. People are increasingly using the railroad for leisure, she said, while students use it to travel to the city for internships and programs. Family ridership has also increased thanks to an LIRR program that allows
children 17 or younger to ride for $1 when accompanied by a parent. For Germain, the most meaningful measure of success is seeing people actually using alternatives to driving. “What really is exciting to me is seeing that 20-something-year-old take the NICE bus to get to Farmingdale State College,” she said, referring to the Nassau Inter-County Express bus service, “or to see the employees at Northwell Health walk to lunch that day, the actions themselves, and the excitement it generates.” While Car Free Day is held once a year, Germain said the coalition promoting it works throughout the year with municipalities, transit partners, academic institutions and health care organizations. Improving transportation choices, she said, can also expand mobility for people who don’t drive, including older adults who have stopped driving and younger people who can’t afford cars. “I think that mobility offers so much freedom,” Germain said. People who live or work in Nassau or Suffolk counties can take participate by making a pledge on the Car Free Day LI website. Participants can also enter a raffle for prizes, including two hybrid bicycles, a Lululemon bundle and an LIRR weekly ticket. More information, and the pledge form, are available at CarFreeDayLI.com.
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Michael Carbonaro returns with
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he music — that’s what keeps him coming back MARY TRAVIS Wife, Randy Travis
Randy Travis’s music lives on, forever and ever
‘More Life’ tour features country star and guest vocalist, James Dupré By JORDAN VALLONE
C
ountry Music Hall of Fame legend Randy Travis is bringing one of the final dates of his acclaimed “More Life” tour to Long Island, wrapping up an emotional two-year run that has taken the show to 54 cities across 24 states. The dynamic performance arrives at Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair on Sept. 25. The show begins at 8 p.m. Travis’s four-decade long career generated iconic No. 1 hits, including “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “On The Other Hand,” and “Three Wooden Crosses,” among others. While Travis no longer performs due to the side effects of a stroke he survived in 2013, he joins his wife, Mary Travis, on stage throughout the show, interacting with fans and celebrating his music alongside longtime members of his band and guest vocalist James Dupré.
Randy Travis carries his country music legacy forward
Travis, 67, is a North Carolina native whose music helped usher in a new traditionalist movement of modern country music when he released. Recognized for his baritone voice and an earnest approach to music, he won backto-back Country Music Association Song of the Year awards in 1986 and 1987. The seven-time Grammy award winner has sold sold over 25 million albums, generating 23 No. 1 hits and 31 Top 10s. He was named a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1986 and inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. Though a near-fatal stroke has left him unable to perform, Travis’s recovery and commitment to his fans and music has inspired many. “The music — that’s what keeps him coming back,” Mary Travis told the Herald on a call with the country music legend. “That was Randy’s heart, his soul. That’s all he ever wanted to do was make music.” In 2024, Travis released “Where That Came From” through Warner Records Nashville, his
first new recording in over a decade, developed through the use of artificial intelligence software which helped recreate his vocals. It was overlaid on an existing recording of the song from his longtime collaborator, Dupré. Dupré, 42, of Louisiana, became a YouTube sensation in 2007 which led to a performance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Since then, he’s released multiple albums, appeared on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2015, and was eventually handpicked by Travis and his wife in 2019 to be the guest vocalist for the “More Life” tour. Dupré and Travis first worked together for a 2015 film, “The Price,” which tells the story of an aging country music singer aspiring to reconnect with his son. Years later, when Travis’s team discussed the possibly of him touring again, Dupré emerged as the best choice for long-term collaboration. “When Tony Conway, Randy’s manager said, several years after the stroke, ‘If we wanted to go back on the road, who would you have sing the music?’ — we immediately said James Dupré,” Mary recounts. “We remembered the connection that the two of them had, and it has proved correct. When you see the two on stage, you can see the relationship and the magnetism. It just works perfectly.” • Friday, Sept. 25, 8 p.m. Dupré’s collaboration with Travis, and the release of “Where That • Tickets begin at $35 per person Came From,” helped launch a new chapter of advocacy for Travis and • Flagstar at Westbury Music his wife, who used the song as a platform to champion creators’ rights Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, and responsible AI protections for artists. Westbury “It was a good way to introduce AI to be used in a good way,” • Visit RandyTravis.com for Mary says.“Randy’s heart and soul was still in it. He’s still involved with more details the production of it. It’s not taking his voice and using it and abusing it in some other realm.”
About the ‘More Life’ tour
Travis’s tour debuted as “The Music of Randy Travis,” but last year, his team changed the name to the “More Life” tour. “More Life” was one of the last songs Travis recorded before his stroke. “When we were in the hospital, it kept me going because it’s such a beautiful song,” Mary says. “We decided to name the tour ‘More Life’ because that’s what we felt like we got — more life — as a gift.” She describes the show as more than a “regular concert.” Travis’s songs are performed by Dupré, alongside members of his original band, but there’s also videos of Travis shown to the crowd spanning the entire length of his career. Mary also joins Travis and Dupré on stage to tell stories about her husband and his music. “It’s very interactive,” Mary says “It’s almost like a biopic of Randy Travis. It’s not just a concert — it’s a story, and it’s sad, it’s sweet, it’s happy. It’s just Randy Travis, and it’s a beautiful thing.” Travis’s team looks forward to bringing the show to Long Island and sharing his music and life with many longtime fans. “We get to play at some of the neatest (theaters), which I think is kind of cool, because of Randy Travis and the nostalgia of Randy Travis, and the years he’s been here to raise a lot of us on his music,” Mary says, “and Westbury’s a perfect place for us to land over there in Long Island with you all.”
“Wonderboy,” his all-new live tour. Packed with audience participation, sly improv, and his signature realitytwisting illusions, Carbonaro, from the star of truTV’s “The Carbonaro Effect,” delivers a high-energy, laugh-filled experience for all ages. Part magician, part comedian, all mischief-maker — “Wonderboy” is where magic is the superpower, laughter is the sidekick and reality doesn’t stand a chance. The multitalented actor-magician-comedian has built a career turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. He’s made millions laugh in astonishment by blending quick-witted comedy with jaw-dropping illusions in everyday settings. This tour is where audiences discover him as the Hero of Mischief, in a world where magic is the superpower and laughter is the sidekick.
Friday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
Eddie Griffin Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt! Over his decades-long career, Eddie Griffin has become known for his sharp social commentary and animated storytelling. The popular comedian-turned-actor blends personal experiences with cultural observations and shifts seamlessly from biting satire to playful crowd work, making him a consistent draw for live audiences nationwide. Acclaimed for his appearances in “Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo,” “Chappelle’s Show,” 2018’s “A Star Is Born,”and star of “Undercover Brother,” he’s praised for razor-sharp wit, spot-on impersonations and unmatched stage presence.
Saturday, Sept. 19, 8 p.m. Tickets available at LiveNation.com. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury.
BELLMORE HERALD — September 17, 2026
Michael Carbonaro
September 17, 2026 — BELLMORE HERALD
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Your Neighborhood SEP
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CALENDAR • Where: 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Laughs with Peter Revello
Enjoy stand-up comedy with Peter Revello at The Brokerage.
• Where: 2797 Merrick Road. • Time: 7 p.m., also Sept. 19 • Contact: Brokerage.Govs.com
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• Where: 111 N. Oceanside Road, Rockville Centre • Time: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • Contact: Register at Eventbrite or call (516) 569-4000
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Melodies by Melissa
Merrick Library welcomes vocalistsongwriter Melissa Mandel. She brings a nostalgic sound inspired by the musical greats of the 1970s and 1980s, including The Carpenters, Stevie Wonder, and Carole King. A Long Island Music Hall of Fame scholarship recipient, Melissa captivates audiences with her emotive vocals, original music, and heartfelt performances. • Where: 2279 Merrick Ave. • Time: 2-3 p.m. • Contact: merricklibrary.org
Battle of the Decades
Take a musical journey through three unforgettable eras at Battle of the Decades at the Madison Theatre at Molloy University. The high-energy tribute concert features Radio Gold performing hits from the 1970s, Rock of 80’s celebrating the biggest anthems of the 1980s and Reality Bites bringing the sound of the 1990s to life. The evening will also include the presentation of the Ted Fass Music Scholarship to an incoming Molloy University music student. • Where: 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 7:30 p.m.
Bellmore Lions Club Flea Market
Bellmore Lions’ Club and their partner Congregation Beth Ohr come together to host a flea market. • Where: Bellmore LIRR Station, Bellmore • Time: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Senior Health and Beyond Expo
Adults ages 50 and older are invited to attend the free Long Island Herald Senior Health and Beyond Expo at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center. With exhibitors and resources focused on health, wellness and financial planning, along with refreshments, giveaways and opportunities to connect with local organizations and service providers. The Expo is designed to help seniors and their families learn about programs and services that support healthy, active living.
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Double Vision
The 1970s and ‘80s come alive when Double Vision brings their “Foreigner Experience” to the Paramount stage. Whether you’re a lifelong Foreigner enthusiast or a newcomer eager to experience the magic of their music, Double Vision promises a night of electrifying entertainment that will leave you singing along and craving more. Composed of some New York City’s top professional rock musicians, the band delivers the highest level of integrity and technical prowess in bring audiences all the hits from the band that you’ve come to love, while honoring Foreigner and its audience, with a show second to none. The spirit of rock ‘n’ roll lives on, one unforgettable performance at a time, with this group of talented musicians and die-hard Foreigner fans. Double Vision has perfected the art of bringing to life the unforgettable hits that have defined generations. From “I Want to Know What Love Is” to “Cold as Ice,” their renditions are a harmonious blend of passion, precision, and nostalgic energy. Drawing inspiration from Foreigner’s unmistakable sound and stage presence, Double Vision delivers a performance that pays homage to the band’s legacy while infusing their own charisma and enthusiasm. They are joined by special guest Frontier for an authentic • Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington Foreigner and Journey tribute. Sing along to some of the greatest hit tunes, including • Time: 8 p.m. “Juke Box Hero,” “Hot Blooded,” “Cold As Ice,” “I Want To Know What Love Is,” “Urgent,” • Contact: ticketmaster.com “Double Vision,” “Head Games,” “Feels Like the First Time,” and more. or paramountny.com
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Pumpkin Painting
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families for some seasonal fun! Head to the Barn at Orchard Hill to decorate your own mini pumpkin. All supplies provided, just bring your creativity! All children require an adult participant. Registration required. $27, $25 ages 62+, $20 children. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 4-6 p.m.; also Oct. 2 • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Pokémon Club • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Larson Legacy Concert
Adelphi University’s Larson Legacy Concert Series continues with Jonathan Larson Grant recipient abs wilson. This showcase will be a concert reading of the new musical by Kelly Nowak (story/book/ lyrics by abs wilson, story/music by Adam LaPorte). One summer day in 2005, a teenager goes missing from her small Michigan town and is never found. Years later, her family sits for interviews about what they think happened to her. Did Kelly drown in the nearby lake? Is she alive, trapped within a massive conspiracy? Or is she somewhere a little more in between? Framed as a true crime documentary, Kelly Nowak explores the need to hold any kind of tangible truth — no matter the rationality or cost. This 90-minute musical offers a gripping and poignant psychological narrative. This is a fascinating theatrical experience worth checking out. • Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City • Time: 3-4:30 p.m. • Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or call (516) 877-4000
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Live After Five
Don’t miss out on Merrick’s Live After Five, ongoing. Merrick Community Civic Association hosts an evening dedicated to supporting local businesses. Participating restaurants and shops offer special promotions for the evening for all customers. Enjoy music at the Gazebo near the LIRR (weather permitting). • Where: Along Merrick Avenue, from LIRR to Loines Ave, and into the Merrick Mall • Time: Beginning at 5 p.m.
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‘’We the People’
Celebrate 250 years of American independence with an evening of music inspired by the American experience when Old Westbury Gardens emsemble-in-residence Poetica Musica presents We the People: USA at 250. Featuring Poetica Musica artists Barry Crawford (flute), Oren Fader (guitar), William Anderson (guitar), Molly Morkoski (piano), and Eleanor Valkenburg (mezzo-soprano), the program showcases works
by some of America’s most celebrated composers, including Aaron Copland, Cole Porter, Scott Joplin, William Bolcom, Katherine Hoover, and Robert Beaser. Among the highlights are Beaser’s Mountain Songs for flute and guitar, selections from Copland’s vocal repertoire, piano rags by Joplin and Bolcom, and Hoover’s evocative solo flute work Kokopelli. A pre-concert talk begins at 7:30 p.m., Meet-the-Artists reception in the West Porch follows performance. $30, $25 seniors and students. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Contact: 8-9:30 p.m. • When: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
Jazzin’ with Richard Elliot
Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz saxophonist Richard Elliot brings his soulful, bluesy sound to the Madison Theatre for an evening of smooth jazz. Elliot, who has scored more than 20 Top 10 smooth jazz singles and has worked with artists including Tower of Power, Natalie Cole and the Pointer Sisters, will perform music from his latest album, “Straight Up Down.”
Kids ages 5-12 can participate in a Pokémon session. Meet other trainers while playing Pokémon at Bellmore Library. Registration required. Where: 2288 Bedford Ave. • • Time: 7-8 p.m. • Contact: bellmorelibrary.org
Oct
2
Halloween Costume Shop
Browse pre-loved costumes at North Bellmore Public Library, no donation is required. Everyone is welcome to shop. • Where: 1551 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore • Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., also Oct. 3 • Contact: northbellmorelibrary. org
Having an event? Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@liherald.com.
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Public Notices
September 17, 2026 — BELLMORE HERALD
LBEL1 0917
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR FREMONT HOME LOAN TRUST 2005-D, MORTGAGE-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-D, Plaintiff, Against MICHAEL BROWN, et al, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 10/09/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 10/13/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1855 Madison Avenue, Bellmore, New York 11710, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 56 Block L Lot 21 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $992,729.74 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 5261/09 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 8/27/2026 File Number: 17-300073 CA 162191 LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527 RESOLUTION NO. 798-2026 Adopted: September 9, 2026 Senior Councilmember Goosby 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. 790-2026, adopted August 4, 2026, a public hearing was duly held on the 9th day of September 2026, 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: BALDWIN WALES AVENUE - west side, starting at a point 93 feet south of the south curbline of Demott Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-289B/26) BELLMORE NATTA BOULEVARD south side, starting at a point 83 feet west of the west curbline of Bergen Street, west curbline west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-300/26)
EAST MEADOW TAYLOR AVENUE - east side, starting opposite the northwest curbline of Andrew Avenue, north for a distance Of 20 feet. (TH-334/26) ELMONT CLINTON STREET west side, starting at a point 260 feet north of the north curbline of Bedford Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-323/26) OAKLEY AVENUE west side, starting at a point 116 feet south of the south curbline of E Street, south for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-313/26) (NR)FLORAL PARK 240th STREET - west side, starting at a point 317 feet south of the south curbline of Jericho Turnpike, south for a distance of 16 feet. (TH-331/26) UNIONDALE LACLEDE AVENUE east side, starting at a point 160 feet north of the north curbline of Front Street, north for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-325/26) (NR)VALLEY STREAM EVERETT STREET - east side, starting at a point 170 feet north of the north curbline of Sobro Avenue, north for a distance of 23 feet. (TH-324/26) WEST HEMPSTEAD EUSTON ROAD SOUTH - east side, starting at a point 25 feet north of the north curbline of 9th Street, north for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-326/26) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons: EAST MEADOW SHERMAN AVENUE west side, starting at a point 185 feet north of the north curbline of North Jerusalem Road, east for a distance of 18 feet. (TH-631/19 - 2/20/20) (TH-333/26) ELMONT EVANS AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 344 feet north of the north curbline of Langdon Street, north for a distance of 18
feet. (TH-426/18 - 11/27/18) - (TH-329/26) OCEANSIDE FRANK STREET - north side, starting at a point 55 feet west of the west curbline of Weidner Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-26/13 - 4/09/13) (TH-350/26) WANTAGH McDONALD AVENUE west side, starting at a point of 150 feet north of the north curbline of Campbell Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-33/25 - 3/11/25) (TH-332/26) ; 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 Schneider and adopted upon roll call as follows: AYES: SIX (6) NOES: NONE (0) 162315
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 72-2026 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 9th day of September 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 72-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 72-2026, to amend Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include
News brief PSEG Long Island shares fall safety tips With autumn approaching, many L o n g I s l a n d e r s a re p re p a r i n g t o remove leaves, decorate for the holidays and complete other outdoor projects. PSEG Long Island is reminding customers to take precautions when using electrical equipment around their homes. “Many of us will be utilizing electricity to clear fallen leaves, put up our holiday decorations and otherwise pre pare our homes for the colder months,” said Michael Sullivan, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of electric operations. “Whether you are using electric lawn equipment, wiring up electric holiday displays or installing weatherproofing, it’s important to follow best practices to ensure everyone stays safe.” Before using an extension cord, residents should make sure it is rated to carry the amount of electricity needed and has received UL approval. All electrical cords should also be inspected for visible damage because cracked or frayed cords can pose a safety risk. PSEG Long Island advises residents not to use electric equipment on wet grass, hedges or shrubs or in other damp areas. Outdoor electrical outlets s h o u l d h ave w a t e r p r o o f c o ve r s because moisture inside an outlet may create a shock hazard. Power and garden tools should have three-pronged grounding plugs unless they are double-insulated, according to the utility. Residents using ladders should keep them away from overhead electrical
lines. PSEG Long Island recommends contacting its Building and Renovat i o n S e r v i c e s D e p a r t m e n t b e fo re beginning any project in which power lines are within 10 feet of the planned work area. Customers should contact the department at (844) 341-6378 or PSEGLI-BRS@psegliny.com at least 10 business days before starting the project. Additional information about avoidi n g e l e c t r i c a l l i n e s i s av a i l a b l e through the utility’s “Stay Aware, Stay Alive: Always Look Up” safety campaign at psegliny.com/safetyandreliability/safetytips/proximity. PSEG Long Island is also encouraging residents to develop an emergency plan for their families in case a major storm affects the region. September has historically been the busiest portion of the Atlantic hurricane season, making fall storm preparation particularly important. Emergency plans should account for family members’ needs, communication methods and necessary supplies in case a storm causes power outages or makes travel difficult. Additional storm-preparation guidance is available at psegliny.com/SafetyAndReliability/stormsafety/beforeastorm. PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s electrical transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract. It is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. —Jordan Vallone
Public Notices
and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations. Dated: September 9, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 162312
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 71-2026 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly
called and held on the 9th day of September 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 71-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 71-2026, to amend Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations. Dated: September 9, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 162311
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU The Bank Of New York Mellon as Trustee for Home Equity Loan Trust 2007-FRE1, Plaintiff AGAINST Eduardo Escobedo; Dawn Escobedo a/k/a Dawn M. Escobedo; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 13, 2018, amended June 17, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 20, 2026, at 2:00PM, premises known as 2553 Washington Boulevard, North Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of
land, situate, lying and being in Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 56 Block 478 Lots 63, 64, 65, 66 & 198. Approximate amount of judgment $968,521.76 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 009598/2014. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Brian J. Carmody, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: August 27, 2026 162354 Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232
21
E1 09/17
Employment
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Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.
Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify an ad.
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BELLMORE HERALD — September 17, 2026
HERALD
$5000 SIGN ON BONUS FOR ALREADY LICENSED CDLBPS & CPS DRIVERS!
SEPTEMBER PAYRATES
IMMEDIATE OPENINGS
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE PROGRAMS
SCOPE IS HIRING
For The Before & After School Child Care Programs That Will Be Opening For The 2026 - 2027 School Year In Nassau and Suffolk County Elementary Schools Hiring Directors, Assistants, Group Leaders and Substitutes. Up to a $500 Signing Bonuses, Scholarships and Employee Referrals Questions call: 631-360-0800 ext. 149 or send a resume to: cc@scopeonline.us SCOPE Education is an equal opportunity Employer 1361569 1356440
Help Wanted
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
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Malverne UFSD Long Island, New York
School Monitors Part Time
$17.85/Hour. 17 ½ to 25 Hours/Week.
Starting Immediately! Applications may be picked up at:
Malverne UFSD Office of Human Resources 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 or Call 516-887-6419 dlawlor@malverneschools.org
Eldercare Offered
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Part Time & Full Time. The award-winDirectory for all your ning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North HOUSEKEEPING/ SENIOR CARErepair, decorating, party and South Shores with hard-hitting news GIVER Available. Private/ Professional. stories and gracefully written features, planning, cleaning or moving CNA* HHA* CCA Certified. Experienced/ seeks a motivated, energetic and creaExcellent References. Emma tive editor/reporter to join our dynamic needs, and much more! 516-519-0456 Malverne Union Free School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting posiMULTI MEDIA tion offers a unique experience to learn ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT from some of the best in the business. Richner Communications, Inside Sales H i s t o r i c a l l y, r e p o r t e r s w h o h ave One of the Fastest Growing Long Island, New York Looking for an aggressive self starter launched their careers with us have Media, Event and who is great at making and maintaining gone on to The New York Times, NewsCommunications Companies relationships and loves to help businessweek, Newsday, the New York Daily on Long Island is Seeking a es grow by marketing them on many difNews, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC Sales/Marketing Candidate ferent advertising platforms. You will News and The Daily Mail, among many to Sell our Print Media Products and source new sales opportunities through others. We look for excellent writers who our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. inbound lead follow-up and outbound are eager to learn, enhance their skills, Earning potential ranges from cold calls. Must have the ability to underand become well-established and re$35,360 plus commission and stand customer needs and requirements spected journalists in our industry. Salabonuses to over $100,000 including and turn them in to positive advertising ry range is from $20K to $45K commissions and bonuses. solutions. We are looking for a talented To apply: Send a brief summary in the Compensation is based on and competitive Inside Sales Represenform of a cover letter describing your caFull Time hours tative that thrives in a quick sales cycle reer goals and what strengths you can Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and environment. Compensation ranges from bring to our newsroom, along with a rePaid TimeRichner Off. $35,360 + commissions bonuses to • 49270 Malverne sume and three writing samples to • Clients 5th_floor • m-Clients • and Malverne Communications Please Send Cover Letter and over $100,000 including commission and Communications jbessen@liherald.com 3.125x 3" Richner Resume with Salary Requirements to bonuses. We also offer health benefits, rglickman@liherald.com 401K and paid time off. Please send or Call 516-569-4000 X250 cover letter and resume with salary reHOUSE CLEANER FT quirements to Established Cleaning Company Looking ereynolds@liherald.com To Fill Various Positions. $17- $18/ Hr. PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS Call 516-569-4000 X286 Will Train. Call 631-229-9769 Or Apply FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIOn Website www.imperialcleaning.com ATE openings for Printing Press Operators press 5 in Garden City. We are a busy print shop Looking to Malverne Union Free School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. looking for motivated and reliable individuMAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP als to assist in various duties in the shop. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openHours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary ings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailRanges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. room/warehouse helper in Garden City. Email resumes or contact info to or We are a busy print shop looking for moticareers@liherald.com Check out our vated and reliable individuals to assist in Classifieds Section — various duties in the shop. Forklift experiOne phone call, one order, Your go-to local one heck of a good price ence is a plus and heavy lifting is required. to run your ad in any state, marketplace. or across the country. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Call the Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. USA Classified Network Email resumes or contact info to today! careers@liherald.com 1-800-231-6152
OUTSIDE SALES
Buy, SeLL Hire?
1362890
EMPLOYMENT
NEW
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SCOPE EDUCATION SERVICES
Big Bus
JOBS, MERCHANDISE, Malverne UFSD REAL ESTATE & MORE...
JOBS, MERCHANDISE, School REAL Monitors ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, Part Time & MORE... REAL ESTATE $17.85/Hour. 17 ½ to 25 Hours/Week. JOBS, MERCHANDISE, Starting Immediately! REAL ESTATE & MORE... Applications may be picked up at: JOBS, MERCHANDISE, in the MalverneIt’s UFSD REAL ESTATE & MORE... Herald Classifieds ... Office of Human Resources JOBS, MERCHANDISE, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 To Advertise or CallCall 516-887-6419 516-569-4000 REAL ESTATE & MORE... dlawlor@malverneschools.org JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE,
September 17, 2026 — BELLMORE HERALD
22
E2 09/17
Homes
HERALD
To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
HOME Of tHE WEEK
• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
Long Beach
Immaculate New Construction
Open House: Saturday, September 19 11:00-1:00pm. 27 Kerrigan Street
Y
ou'll appreciate the amazing design of this newly built 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home with an elevator. Using only the highest quality building materials, it's designed for the best in beach living, with sunfilled rooms featuring cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors, modern appliances, and stunning views, making this one of the most valuable new listings in the Long Beach area. Come live the good life in the quiet community of the canals, which offers a small city ambience with a neighborhood feel. You’re close to restaurants and markets, with proximity to the beach, parks, parkways and the Long Island Railroad.
A second floor was easier than a small addition
Q. Why is everything so complicated and expensive, just to build a small addition? It has been so frustrating interviewing builders, then needing an architect, then hearing that, even for our little addition, we might face a big delay to get a zoning variance. We just heard that we need something called a drywell, which makes this almost impossible because there really isn’t any place to put one. Do we really need one? Again, why is everything so complicated? When we added to our second floor in 1989, it was nothing like this. A. If you know the expressions “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” and “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction,” you’ll understand that as time goes by, governing bodies respond to how someone seemed to find a way to twist the meaning of a requirement and manage to get away with something, so they react by making more and onte eeper more strict requirements. Some of those requirements result from the reaction to a catastrophe, such as Superstorm Sandy, that gets twisted back and forth from a tropical storm to a hurricane, depending on who wants to take advantage of the way regulations and insurances define the storm. One mile per hour in wind speed either way meant a difference in eligibility for more coverage, for example, so authorities and insurance companies wanted to close the loopholes. People all over Florida were suddenly hit with fees to cover building assessments after the collapse of the Champlain Towers condominium building in the Miami suburb of Surfside in 2021 — a response to one building. Members of the Surfside building board knew just enough to cause part of the problem but not enough to prevent it, which resulted in an avalanche of new, more restrictive requirements. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and in the case of overreacting regulators, increased regulations make planned projects more expensive and problematic. Your small project gets lumped together in the reaction to larger projects. People have been known to be sent to a zoning hearing because the proposed stone they want to add to the face of their home will mean that their front setback distance will fall below the required distance by 3 or 4 inches. Some municipalities have tried to relieve these zoning board bottlenecks by giving building officials discretion to bypass review boards when the proposal is simple, while others treat each case the same, so that your stone-facing proposal gets scrutinized alongside a proposed shopping center. Some zoning hearings are scheduled without consideration of your simple proposal, so when you get to the hearing, you may find yourself sitting for hours while a shopping center presentation goes ahead of your request. Drywells are deep, concrete-formed basins that collect rainwater on your property, and different communities have their own requirements. Some don’t require them. Others mandate that if you add 50 percent more roof or modify 50 percent of a building, you have to add a drywell. More next week.
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opinions
s the effects of PFAS, the socalled “forever chemicals,” become the focus of discussions across the United States — on Long Island because of their impacts on the underground water table, our sole source of potable water — New York state’s attorney general is suing corporations involved with PFAS for allegedly violating a number of state laws. In a suit brought in July in State Supreme Court, Letitia James presented corporate documents as evidence that DuPont and other companies knew about PFAS’ threats to human health and the environment, but pushed products made with them anyway. And last month, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Lee Zeldin, a Suffolk County resident who now heads the Environmental Protection Agency, to, as Newsday reported, take “steps to protect Long Island drinking water from forever chemicals as the agency proposes rollbacks on [their] regulations.” In addition to DuPont, which first developed PFAS in 1938 and patented
them as Teflon, James’s lawsuit charges 3M, Chemours, Corteva and its subsidiary EIDP with violations of state laws, including: “Protection of the State’s Natural Resources Under New York State Constitution and Statutory Law; Public Nuisance Under New York Common Law; Strict Products Liability: Failure to Warn Under New York Common Law.” It also cites the “Green Amendment” to the State Constitution, which “provides that ‘each person shall have a right to clean air and water and a healthful environment.’” The lawsuit states: “As a consequence of the defendants’ manufacture, production, marketing and sale of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — PFAS — for use in consumer products, the State of New York faces threats to human health, widespread contamination, and damage to natural resources on an unprecedented scale.” It continues: “Long after they knew their PFAS were toxic, defendants manufactured and sold these compounds for use in consumer products — including personal, family, and household products like Stainmaster carpets, Scotchgard stain-repellent sprays, grease-resistant coatings for food packaging, cosmetics, and personal care items — that defendants knew would be sold, used,
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and disposed of in New York, thereby exposing people to PFAS and releasing PFAS into New York’s environment.” It goes on: “As the results of defendants’ conduct, PFAS … are in the water we drink, the soil that sustains our crops, the fish we catch, and the air we breathe. … PFAS are highly resistant to degradation in the environment, travel easily through water and air, and bioaccumulate in humans, plants and animals. And: “People exposed to defendants’ PFAS suffer various negative health effects, including higher risks of certain cancers, adverse pregnancy outcomes, liver disease, endocrine disruption, and other increased risks.” As evidence of “knowledge” — that the companies knew about the “severe health and environmental risks” of PFAS — the lawsuit points to numerous corporate documents. DuPont, it says, “knew for decades that PFAS pose substantial dangers to public health and the environment. By 1961 … Dupont’s researchers had concluded that PFOA [a type of PFAS] was toxic … Dupont’s chief toxicologist warned in a memo that products containing PFOA should be ‘handled with extreme care.’ As early as 1966 … DuPont was aware that PFOA could leach into groundwater. … DuPont
.G. Letitia James alleges that companies knew the chemicals’ dangers.
also learned in the 1970s … of the research showing that PFAS had been detected in blood bank samples from the general public. “In 1988,” the suit continues, “DuPont began internally treating PFOA as a possible carcinogen. … In 2000, John R. Bowman … DuPont inhouse counsel wrote … to several colleagues relating to PFOA …‘My gut tells me the biopersistence issue will kill us … We are going to spend millions to defend these lawsuits and have the additional threat of punitive damage.’” A New York Times article on the lawsuit quotes Judith Enck, former director of the EPA region that includes New York state and now president of the organization Beyond Plastics, saying, “This is a blockbuster legal action that should hold these companies accountable for the immense harm caused by their products.” Schumer wrote to Zeldin, “At your confirmation hearing … you told the Senate that you had been a member of the PFAS task force [in Congress], that you voted for the PFAS Action Act, and that addressing PFAS would be a top priority of yours. The proposals now before the agency move in the other direction.” Karl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.
Celebrate Constitution Week by supporting the ERA
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s a college professor who has long been involved in civic engagement programs and voter education at Nassau Community College, where I’ve taught for 23 years, I look forward to Constitution Week. From Sept. 17 to 23, educators around the country will teach students about the Constitution, their civic rights and responsibilities, and how their voices, and votes, count because they contribute to a stronger democracy for us all. This week, I’ll be focused not only on this bipartisan responsibility, but also on the November midterm elections — and on one of the most frustrating and misunderstood chapters of constitutional history, the saga of the Equal Rights Amendment. If you’re under the impression that equal rights for all citizens, regardless of sex, are the law of the land in the United States, you have plenty of company, but that’s not the case. Even though this landmark leg-
islation has been approved by both houses of Congress and by 38 states — the requisite three-quarters of the states necessary to ratify an amendment — it is still not part of the Constitution. How can this be, when Article V of the Constitution clearly explains the rules by which it can be amended, and Congress and state legislatures have satisfied those rules? The problem is the legislation’s time-limit loophole. In 1972, when both the House of Representatives and the Senate had passed the ERA, it faced a deadline imposed by Congress for the required ratification by the states — first seven years, then extended to 10 years. By the end of that decade, 35 states had approved the amendment, just three states short of what was needed. Its time was up — even if the deadline was nothing more than a provision added by Congress that could, and still can, be removed by a future Congress to move the legislation forward. When three more states ratified the amendment — Nevada (2017), Illinois (2018) and Virginia (2020) — that milestone
i
should have been enough to certify the Constitution’s 28th Amendment. But since then, the legislation has stalled in Congress: Opponents have relied on filibusters, pointing to the expired timeline, while advocates have called out the arbitrary nature of the deadline and argued for its revocation. The current national campaign for the ERA, backed by more than 300 organizations across the country and many thousands of people who have signed petitions supporting it, is making a persuasive case to the public — and candidates running for Congress this fall — that amendment requirements have been fulfilled and constitutional equality is long overdue. The nation observed Women’s Equality Day on Aug. 26, commemorating the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920. But even the fearless suffragist Alice Paul knew that voting rights were just the beginning of codifying gender equality in the nation’s laws; she knew that grave inequalities remained for women in politics, education, employment and health care.
f you think equal rights for all are enshrined in the Constitution, think again.
That’s why Paul introduced the ERA in 1923, and why gender-equality advocates have introduced it in every congressional session since. Over a century later, it’s time for the ERA to not only be reintroduced in Congress, but also enshrined in the Constitution — ideally by the 120th Congress, which will convene in January. I know that in November, I’ll be voting for candidates who support the work that Paul started — and that the late, great journalist Gloria Steinem continued with her bold exposés on sexual harassment, pay inequality and pregnancy discrimination in Ms. magazine. I’m grateful that my congressional representative, Laura Gillen, is one of 219 U.S. representatives, 53 senators, and all those citizen activists who have affirmed their support for the ERA. Please join this historic campaign, making it clear to our lawmakers that the equal rights movement won’t rest until a future Congress acts. Go to Sign4ERA. org and add your signature. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Constitution Week — and to make history — than that. Susan Cushman, Ph.D., is a professor of English and women’s studies at Nassau Community College and a member of the League of Women Voters of East Nassau.
BELLMORE HERALD — September 17, 2026
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New York state takes on the ‘forever chemicals’
26
Herald editorial
Bellmore
September 17, 2026 — BELLMORE HERALD
HERALD and Bellmore Herald News Established 1994 Incorporating the Bellmore Life in 2013
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It’s time to update New York’s mansion tax
N
ew York lawmakers need to stop pretending that a $1 million home is a mansion. In 1989, when the state created a 1 percent tax on residential properties selling for $1 million or more, the threshold was intended to target luxury homeowners. At the time, it made sense. Thirty-seven years later, it doesn’t. A property on Long Island valued at $1 million back then now costs roughly $4.5 million. On Long Island, $1 million can buy a perfectly ordinary home. In Nassau County, the median home price is now around $880,000, and in Suffolk County, it’s roughly $750,000, both near historic highs. In communities where demand remains strong and inventory remains tight, a $1 million price tag is no longer an indication that someone is purchasing a sprawling estate. It may simply mean they’re buying a house. That’s why the State Legislature should make reforming the so-called mansion tax a priority in 2027. Five major Long Island business organizations — the Association for a Better Long Island, HIA-LI, the Long Island Builders Institute, the Long Island Association and the Long Island Contractors Association — have called for changes to the law. Their proposal deserves serious consideration.
The problem isn’t simply that the threshold is outdated. The structure of the tax is flawed. Once a home reaches $1 million, the additional 1 percent tax applies to the entire purchase price. A house selling for $999,999 doesn’t incur the tax. A house selling for $1 million does — an additional $10,000 charge. That is an illogical cliff. A buyer doesn’t suddenly become wealthy because a home’s sale price crosses an arbitrary line. And on Long Island, where housing costs have risen so dramatically, the tax increasingly falls on middle-class families rather than the ultra-wealthy buyers the law was designed to target. New York already collects a transfer tax on real estate transactions. The additional $10,000 on a $1 million purchase isn’t insignificant, particularly when buyers are already dealing with high mortgage costs, property taxes, insurance, maintenance and closing expenses. There is a legitimate argument for taxing luxury real estate. New York needs revenue, and those who can afford exceptionally expensive homes can reasonably be asked to contribute more. But that argument falls apart when the definition of luxury becomes disconnected from reality. The Legislature shouldn’t eliminate the mansion tax. It should modernize it.
First, lawmakers should substantially increase the threshold to reflect today’s housing market. Second, they should index that threshold to inflation or an appropriate measure of housing prices, so the law doesn’t become obsolete again. And third, they should seriously consider regional thresholds, because $1 million means something very different in Manhattan, Nassau County and upstate New York. The goal should be a tax that targets genuine luxury purchases — not families buying modest homes in one of the nation’s most expensive housing markets. The state cannot simultaneously complain about its high cost of living and defend a tax structure that adds thousands of dollars to the cost of buying a home simply because the housing market has appreciated. If New York wants more people to live, work and raise families here, it should be looking for ways to make homeownership more attainable, not preserving arbitrary barriers created nearly four decades ago. The Legislature has had plenty of time to reconsider the mansion tax. Now it should do so. In 1989, $1 million could make you the owner of a Long Island mansion. Today, it may simply make you a homeowner. New York’s tax policy should reflect that reality.
tury. And we should not forget that 9/11 ended the brief era of bipartisan fiscal responsibility between 1997 and 2000 in which we balanced the national budget. With the national debt now over $40 trillion, it seems there are errors to be corrected, and that we are not economically ready for any future
hostilities. The 9/11 Commission’s investigation found multiple points of failure, producing a homeland security conglomerate supposedly having greater unity and foresight. That agency, by many reports, has been distracted, diminished and diverted. If so, the nation has forgotten the most basic Boy
letters Ways to meaningfully remember Sept. 11 To the Editor: How, the Herald asked in its editorial last week (“Twenty-five years later, we remember”), do we remember Sept. 11 in a meaningful way? One way, I suggest, is to learn from the mistakes made then to avoid repetition. It was novel attack, and the next will be as well, probably by drone, infection or massive infrastructure hack. The list of lessons is long. I’ll mention a few. Next time, the legislative branch should not surrender so much authority to the executive; the former still has not recovered. The distinction between criminal acts and acts of war was lost, and must be clarified lest it be abused again. It must be resolved that no war be declared against abstractions like “terror,” “radical Islam,” “antifa” or for “prevention,” for such amorphisms are easily dressed in new clothes. We have learned, I hope, that no future authorization of the use of military force should be granted without terms of use, including dates of expiration or renewal, and progress reports. The last AUMF has been made a standing license for a series of costly and fruitless abuses over the past quarter-cen-
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t sounds reasonable. Almost selfevident. And it has become a familiar response to concerns about increasingly aggressive government enforcement. Why worry about ICE? If you’re a citizen, if you’re here legally, what’s the problem? Why object to greater scrutiny of voter rolls? If you’re legally eligible to vote, you have nothing to fear. Except that isn’t how government power works. The statement assumes that only people who have done something wrong will ever be questioned, investigated, detained or frightened. Innocent people, apparently, will somehow be recognized as innocent before anyone bothers them. But being innocent doesn’t prevent the government from suspecting you of wrongdoing, or even arresting you. The government may target people not because they have committed a crime, but to make examples of them, intimidate others, or silence those they regard as troublesome or subversive. Sometimes suspicion begins with little more than how someone looks or speaks. And once you become a suspect, your innocence doesn’t protect you from
being stopped, questioned, searched, detained or required to prove who you are. Being innocent may determine how an encounter with government ends. It doesn’t guarantee that the encounter never begins. That matters as we approach the midterm elections. The Trump administration has undertaken an extraordinary effort to identify noncitizens who may have voted illegally. The justification is election integrity. According to the administration, illegal voting is at epidemic proportions. But the numbers tell another story. ProPublica recently examined the administration’s effort. Federal searches generated tens of thousands of potential leads involving suspected illegal voting. Homeland Security Investigations agents were sent out to pursue them. Between January 2025 and May 2026, just 41 people were charged with voting illegally or other election-related crimes. More than 150 million Americans voted in the last presidential election. Tens of thousands of leads. Forty-one charges. So perhaps the more important question isn’t what should happen to illegal voters. It is what’s going to happen to legal voters. What happens when an American citizen has a name that sounds “foreign”?
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magine you’re a naturalized citizen who’s heard all about ICE. On Election Day, do you vote?
Letters Scout precept, “Be prepared.” We have heroes to honor, victims to mourn, survivors to grieve with because the criminals were more clever than we imagined. To meaningfully remember Sept. 11, we should remember that connection, and make their memory a motive to make no more such heroes. BrIAN KEllY Rockville Centre
Borecky is right: Our elections need safeguards To the Editor: re “Our laws assume, incorrectly, that our leaders have integrity,” the letter from Claudia Borecky, president of the Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club, in the Sept. 3-9 issue: The letter has some important points, and I agree that more must be done to improve our election system. But Ms. Borecky has not fully examined the issues that some of our nation’s cities and states have had with voting irregularities. While there is no question that the demonstrations on Jan. 6, 2021, will forever be a blight on our political system,
What happens when an eligible voter speaks accented English, has brown skin, wears clothing associated with another culture, or simply worries that a government database may contain incorrect information? Those voters may have done absolutely nothing wrong, but they still have plenty to worry about. The concern becomes more serious when immigration enforcement moves from voter records to polling places. President Trump was asked whether he would send National Guard troops or ICE officers to polling locations during the midterms. His answer was that he would “do anything necessary to make sure we have honest elections.” But federal law sharply restricts such activity. The Brennan Center for Justice notes that federal law prohibits armed federal agents from being deployed to election sites, and prohibits government officials from intimidating voters. The reality, however, is that ICE agents need never appear inside a single polling place to make voters fear for their freedom and safety. Imagine that you’re a naturalized citizen. Or that your parents are immigrants. Or that someone in your household has unresolved immigration issues. You hear repeatedly that ICE may be involved in election enforcement, and that federal agents are exam-
and I do not in any way share the belief that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election, there have been credible news stories in major publications reporting that some cities experienced voting irregularities in that and prior elections that may or may not have benefited either political party. We know from these news reports that in some cities, there were mail-in votes from deceased people. We also have heard about duplicate ballots being cast. And there have been examples of non-citizens casting ballots. I do not think that any of these irregularities have resulted in the wrong candidate winning any presidential election. But that may not be the case in congressional elections or local government races, which can also have a major impact. Again, I agree with Ms. Borecky that we are far behind other countries in creating proper safeguards for our elections. I will go one step further and suggest that our system, which enables each state to decide how elections should take place, has resulted in an imbalanced field, and that all elections should be conducted in the same manner, with the same equipment, all across our country. That way, no state or politi-
ining voter files. You see news reports about investigations of suspected noncitizen voters. On Election Day, do you vote? Or do you decide that one vote isn’t worth the possibility of attracting attention, or being wrongfully arrested even if you’re 100 percent eligible to vote? That’s what makes the nothing-toworry-about argument so dangerous. It reverses the relationship between citizens and their government. It means that government may scrutinize, investigate and intimidate whomever it wishes, and innocent people should simply trust that everything will eventually work out. That isn’t freedom. A right doesn’t disappear only when the government formally takes it away. It can also be weakened, or effectively eliminated, when exercising it feels dangerous. A government doesn’t have to prevent someone from voting if it can make that person afraid to vote. “If you’ve done nothing wrong, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” Maybe so. But in a free country, citizens shouldn’t have to prove their innocence before they can exercise their rights without fear. Government should exercise its power without making innocent people afraid to exercise theirs. Michael Blitz is professor emeritus and former chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Framework by Tim Baker
At the Town of Hempstead’s Sept. 11 memorial service — Point Lookout
cian could cast doubt on any other state or party. And I agree completely with Ms. Borecky about the slander and defamation laws that are missing from our political campaigns. It disgusts me to have to listen to both sides spewing
false information about their opposing candidates. It leaves the voters with tough decisions as we try to uncover the truth. rICHArD S. KAHN Glen Cove
BELLMORE HERALD — September 17, 2026
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