East Meadow Herald 04-02-2026

HERALD east meadow

Clarke students fight hunger, one lunch at a time

By JoRDAN VAlloNE

jvallone@liherald.com

In the cafeteria at W.T. Clarke Middle School, students rolled up their sleeves on Friday, donned hair nets and gloves and got to work, preparing 750 lunches for those in need.

The school’s National Junior Honor Society spearheaded the effort, thanks to a grant it received after an extensive application process.

Janine Loewy, the student group’s co-adviser, along with Maria Giannotti, explained that its student board, which consists of four students, chose to apply for a grant through the National Association of Secondary School Principals to complete a community service project.

The student board decided to use funds to put together lunches for Long Islanders experiencing food insecurity. Originally, the students were aiming to pack 150 lunches, but after receiving an $800 grant, the operation expanded dramatically enough for the students to prepare 750 CoNTINued oN page 7

Billy Joel symposium to feature panelist from East Meadow

By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com

Long Island’s place in American culture is inseparable from Billy Joel’s music. The Hicksville-born artist has taken listeners through stories of love, loss and life in the modern world, earning 5 Grammy awards and a spot in The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

LIMEHOF has planned a special event to celebrate and analyze Joel’s career, bringing together industry experts and people who helped shape the Piano Man’s story and success.

The Billy Joel Symposium

will be held on June 6 and 7 at the LIMEHOF location at 97 Main Street in Stony Brook.

The two-day conference will explore Joel’s performance, lyrics and cultural impact, featuring presentations of 23 analytical papers, panels and audience Q&A opportunities.

Among the featured keynote speakers are Jon Small, an acclaimed musician, director and producer who has worked on various projects with Joel; Jason Hanley, vice president of education and visitor engagement at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum; and music journalist Wayne Robins, best known for his

work in Rolling Stone, Newsday and novels. Robins has worked extensively with Joel for decades, reviewing and thoughtfully critiquing the artist’s work and building a personal friendship.

“My notion of being a music critic was to judge each performance on its own, within the context of the person’s entire body of work,” Robins said.

Robins remembers a formative conversation with Joel regarding his performance in Carnegie Hall in 1976.

“It was Billy Joel on a roller coaster. There were ups and downs and see, like a roller coaster, the highs were really

high, and the lows were very steep,” he explained. “Six months later, I was doing a phone interview with him… he remembered the words of from my unflattering review of his band that summer. I said, oh, okay, so we need to have a talk.

“What we talked about was that I would be covering him for a long time, and we had to

work together that I was neither for nor against anything he did, but that I promised to be fair,” he continued. “We had no more problems after that.” Rockville Centre resident Clive Young, an adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s University and co-editor of Mix Magazine, is the writer of “Billy Joel and

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Members of the National Junior Honor Society at W.T. Clarke Middle School packed 750 lunches, which were donated to food banks and organizations around Long Island.

things to know EAst MEADow LiBRARY

Spring into fun at the library with books, art and gaming

By JORDAN VALLONE

jvallone@liherald.com

Ring in spring with fun activities at the East Meadow Public Library, where books, art and gaming come together for all ages. From thought-provoking discussions to hands-on creative opportunities and high-energy tournaments, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this season. Whether you’re looking to connect with fellow readers, showcase your artwork or test your skills in friendly competition, the library is turning into a vibrant community hub. Here are three events you won’t want to miss.

Dive into drama with ‘The Doorman’ discussion

The East Meadow Public Library invites readers to take part in its 2026 READ discussion, featuring The Doorman by Chris Pavone. The novel centers on Chicky Diaz, a beloved doorman at one of New York City’s most prestigious apartment buildings, whose routine night takes a tense turn as unrest unfolds across the city. As protests erupt following a police-involved killing, the story weaves together themes of loyalty, power and moral conflict. Readers will explore how the characters’ personal struggles intersect with larger societal tensions. The in-person discussion offers a chance to engage with fellow book lovers, share perspectives and unpack the novel’s layered narrative in a welcoming, thoughtful environment.

Showcase creativity at the Juried Art Show

Local artists have an opportunity to shine in the library’s 2026 Juried Art Show, culminating in a reception on April 19 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The exhibit welcomes a wide range of traditional media, including painting, sculpture and collage, offering a platform for creative expression across Nassau County. Artists ages 18 and older can submit their work, with priority given to East Meadow School District residents if space is limited. The show will remain on display through May, giving the community time to view the pieces. Winners will be announced at the reception, where one artist will earn the chance to present a solo show, highlighting the library’s commitment to supporting local talent.

Level up at EMCon AnimeFest gaming weekend

Gamers and anime fans can head to the library for EMCon AnimeFest Fest on April 25 and 26, a weekend packed with video game tournaments and free-play experiences. Competitive players can test their skills in titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Guilty Gear Strive, Dragon Ball FighterZ and Pokkén Tournament DX, while casual gamers can enjoy fan favorites including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Tekken 8. The event also features a free-play gaming area and opportunities to connect with fellow enthusiasts. With a lively atmosphere and something for every skill level, EMCon brings an exciting, conventionstyle experience right to the heart of East Meadow.

Coding, creativity at STEAM Night in E.M.

Innovation was on full display in the East Meadow School District as W.T. Clarke Middle School and W.T. Clarke High School were transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity and discovery for its annual STEAM Night on March 18.

Students and families from across the district came together to celebrate hands-on, 21st-century learning through an evening filled with exploration and imagination. Under the coordination of Debra Harley, the district’s director of math and science, elementary students in grades K-5 engaged in more than 40 interactive activities designed to spark curiosity across the fields of science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

From coding Ozobot robots and engineering towering cup structures to designing paper chains and crafting musical instruments from everyday objects, students were immersed in experiences that blended creativity with critical thinking. Budding engineers built 2D and 3D models using toothpicks and marshmallows, while young artists experimented with magnet painting to create unique works of art.

The success of the evening was made possible by the collective efforts of more than 65 dedicated teachers and over 50 high school student volunteers, whose enthusiasm and guidance helped bring each activity to life.

STEAM Night serves as a cornerstone event for the district, highlighting its commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration and a lifelong love of learning.

Students were

experiences that blended creativity with critical thinking.

Elementary students in grades K-5 engaged in more than 40 interactive activities designed to spark curiosity across the fields of science, technology, engineering and the arts.

–Jordan Vallone

Photos courtesy East Meadow School District

Students and families of the East Meadow School District celebrated 21st-century learning during the district’s annual STEAM Night.

immersed in

Over 50 high school volunteers helped make the evening’s activities possible.

Students from across the district came together to celebrate hands-on learning through an evening filled with exploration.

Budding engineers built 2D and 3D models using toothpicks and marshmallows.

Questions we’ve been asked...

Is there a fee charged for making funeral pre-arrangements?

There is absolutely no fee or other charge in New York State when you make “pre-arrangements”. Moreover when you pre-fund those arrangements through the Pre-Plan Trust there is no additional expense in establishing the trust account. A trust account that remains under your control and your funds are FDIC insured.

No commission, no set-up fees, no extra expenses. Just accurate, helpful information, and a plan that conforms to all New York State Regulations and SSI-Medicaid regulations as well. An enhanced rate of interest on the Pre-Plan Trust enables us to guarantee the funeral home costs when a complete funeral is arranged and paid for.

If you would like to discuss these issues, call us and we’ll arrange to have one of our licensed funeral director professionals meet with you and answer your questions.

You’ll receive clear answers, an itemized list of the costs, and some peace of mind.

Leo F. KEARNS, Inc. Funeral Directors

Thomas L. Kearns, Patrick J. Kearns, Paul C. Kearns-Stanley (516) 794-0500 or 1-800-640-9500 (NYS)

445 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow (across from the East Meadow Post Office) www.LEOFKEARNS.com

Inheritance Protection Trusts Keep Assets in the Family

A reflection for our shared responsibility passover message

Communities rarely fall apart because of one big failure. They weaken quietly, in the space between people who stop showing up. And often, the moments that matter most are the ones no one sees. A call made. A door knocked on. A person who chose to care. Passover is one of those moments in the year that invites reflection. Not because everything stops, but because it asks us to pay closer attention to what we owe one another. At its core, it tells a story about people who refused to remain where they were. A story about moving from limitation to possibility. From isolation to responsibility. It is an ancient story, but its message remains close to home. Because the same way communities drift apart quietly, they are rebuilt in the same way. One person reaching out. One act of responsibility. One decision to be present when it would be easier to step back.

sation that restores dignity. An hour that eases someone’s burden. A choice to act with care, even when no one is watching.

There is an old teaching that a community is measured not by what it claims to value, but by how it treats the people who depend on it most. In a time when public conversation often emphasizes division, this season offers a different direction. It reminds us that we are not only individuals sharing space, but neighbors with a shared responsibility. We share streets. We share institutions. We share a future shaped not only by decisions made at the top, but by the choices made between us. Passover is a Jewish holiday, but its message speaks to anyone who believes that responsibility matters, to anyone who understands that dignity must be protected, that community must be sustained, and that no one moves forward alone.

On Long Island, as in communities everywhere, the strength of a place is not defined only by its resources. It is shaped by the choices people make for one another. A neighbor who notices. A volunteer who gives time. A simple act that affirms that another person matters. These moments may seem small. They are not. They are the difference between a community that functions and a community that lives up to its responsibility. Passover has long carried a simple but demanding idea: that freedom is not only something we receive, but something we are responsible to extend. Not in grand, dramatic ways, but in quiet, consistent ones. A conver-

As this season arrives, there is an opportunity not only to remember a story, but to live its meaning. To notice more. To step forward more. To carry one another in ways that turn distance into connection. Because in the end, communities are not sustained by what we say we value. They are sustained by what we are willing to do for one another. If we take responsibility for one another, communities endure. If we do not, nothing else will be enough. Happy Passover!

Rabbi Moshe P. Weisblum, PhD is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Tikvah in Wantagh.

Rabbi Moshe P. WeisbluM

Thomas L. Kearns

Industry veterans talk L.I. superstars

the Death of Analogue Recording.”

“I have been doing a Billy Joel program around Long Island for the past three, four years about all the different places that were important to his music and where he grew up,” he said. “The opportunity to approach music you’re almost too familiar with and hear it with new ears because they’re exploring it from an intellectual point of view… is a fascinating opportunity.”

Nora Cronin of East Meadow, an adjunct professor at CUNY’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, offers a historical perspective of Joel’s work in her essay “The Outsiders: The Long Island Youth of ‘Captain Jack,’” which explores the historical context that inspired one of Joel’s biggest hits through her investigative research.

“If you grew up in Long Island, you’re born with the entire Billy Joel catalog imprinted onto your brain, and I’m certainly no exception,” she said. “I set up my lectures exactly like the way I would be talking to a friend at a bar about music or about crime reporting during the time period of the late ’60s and early ’70s … It was a time of a change of social movements and cultural shifts.”

LIMEHOF, founded in 2004, is a nonprofit dedicated to Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage. In 2022, the organization opened their first Hall of Fame building location in Stony Brook and inducted more than 130 musicians and music industry executives. They also offer education programs,

David Das, Grammy-nominated composer/producer

Kenneth Brown, composer, pianist, music scholar and director of music at the historic Park Avenue United Methodist Church in New York City

Tom Rizzuto, adjunct assistant professor of music and education at Molloy University in Rockville Centre and SUNY Old Westbury

scholarships, and awards to Long Island students and educators.

Tom Needham, the vice chairman of LIMEHOF, played a major role in making the symposium a reality.

“(For) people who have a real affinity for a certain type of music, they want to be around other people who do,” he said.

“That’s one of the great things about LIMEHOF. It’s a place to recognize all of the incredible talents who have either

gotten their start here on Long Island or who moved to Long Island at some point and made music.”

The spotlight will be shared on the first day of the symposium; Dennis Arfa, Billy Joel’s agent for over 50 years, will be inducted into LIMEHOF at 7 p.m. on June 6. Arfa has guided Joel’s tour-

the Long island music and entertainment Hall of fame is a group dedicated to preserving the history of local artists and providing a space for them to be seen and heard. Photos courtesy Barry Fisch the Long island music and entertainment Hall of fame will be hosting its first Billy Joel Symposium on June 6 and 7.

ing career through is position as the Chairman of the Music Division for Independent Artist Group, also working with Metallica, Rod Stewart, Rush, Limp Bizkit and many other famous musicians.

The ‘Billy Joel Symposium’ is open to the public with special ticket purchase. Tickets are available on the LIMEHOF website: LongIslandMusicAndEntertainmentHallOfFame1.thundertix.com/ events/261552

Hofstra baseball impacted by weather

By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

The Hofstra baseball team is looking to take flight in the heart of spring after it was largely grounded to open the season in the dead of winter.

After opening the 2026 season with a three-game series at then fourth-ranked Mississippi State from Feb. 13-15, the Pride were only able to play three games over the next three weeks as mother nature unleashed historic snow totals across the Long Island region.

“You count on those early games to be able to evaluate the team and see where we’re going into conference play,” said fifth-year Hofstra head coach Frank Catalanotto. “It’s tough to replicate that when you’re inside in the gym or in the bubble.”

Playing just six games in the first three weeks of the season didn’t give Hofstra much preparation before starting the critical Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) portion of its schedule on March 6 at College of Charleston. The Pride took one of three games in series at Charleston and Monmouth to open conference play before taking two of three against Northeastern last weekend to move to 4-5 entering April.

Hofstra is looking to reach the sixteam CAA tournament with 21 returners from last year’s disappointing 18-36 team that went 8-19 in the league to miss out on the postseason. The Pride can assure a CAA playoff spot by placing among the top two in the league’s north division featuring Monmouth, Northeastern, Stony Brook and Towson or by having one of the two highest NCAA RPI ratings at the end of the regular season for the remaining teams.

Leading Hofstra’s charge for some late May baseball is red-shirt senior center fielder Tyler Cox, who hit .276 last season after transferring from West Virginia. The local lefty product from Clarke High School is second on the team in hitting as of March 30 with a .304 average and four home runs.

“He’s probably my best hitter in the

lineup and his approach has gotten better as lately he’s been more aggressive in hitting counts,” said Catalanotto of Cox. “He’s a leader on the team.”

Junior shortstop Michael Brown who leads the Pride in hitting with a .361 average and two home runs. Brown drove in the winning run in Hofstra’s 5-4 11 inning win against Northeastern on March 27.

Sophomore catcher CJ Griggs entered the final week of March hitting .304 and recording the winning RBI in a dramatic 11-10 win against Northeastern Sunday in which the Pride rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth.

JJ DeVito, a graduate student transfer from St. Johns, who was a former standout at Wantagh High School, has added some offensive punch to the lineup with a .268 average including four hits in a 5-4 loss at Charleston on March 8.

The pitching staff got a boost to start the season with the return of 2024 First-

Team All-CAA honoree Carlos Martinez, who missed last season due to Tommy John surgery. Martinez missed some early non-league action as he worked his way back from injury and Catalano is hoping he can peak during the crucial CAA portion of the schedule in April and May.

“He was struggling a little bit early with some pain in his arm, but now he’s feeling close to 100 percent,” said Catalanotto of Matinez.

The starting rotation for weekend CAA games also features sophomore Chris Bedford and senior Sean Hamilton. Key hurlers out of the bullpen include Nick Reese, Deuce Musial, Maddon McArthur, Tanner Sanderoff and Brayden Gregg.

Sophomore Michael Heyman, a Hewlett High School graduate, is another relief pitching option who could be called upon in non-league midweek games this season.

The Pride will look to get the April part of their CAA schedule off on the right foot with a series at Towson this weekend before hosting Long Island rival Stony Brook for three games from April 10-12. Hofstra will host series against Towson from May 1-3 and Monmouth from May 8 -10 before closing the regular season at Stony Brook.

Hofstra dug itself an early hole to gain a playoff spot by dropping four of six CAA games to start the season, but taking two of three from Northeastern gives the Pride a winning foundation to build off with plenty more conference games left to finish strong.

“There are a lot of games left and we’ve got to go take care of business,” said Catalanotto, a former 14-year Major League Baseball player who led Hofstra to a CAA title in his season as head coach in 2022. “We’ve got the talent to do it.”

Carlos Martinez is back on the mound after missing 2025.

Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications Clarke High School product Tyler Cox is a key piece for the Pride in the lineup and center field.

Students orchestrate massive food collection

lunches.

Over the last several weeks, 55 student-members in the honor society, who are all in the eighth grade, solicited donations from local stores in the greater East Meadow community. Some stores donated gift cards, some gave non-perishables and others contributed fresh grocery items, such as deli meats, fruits and vegetables.

For the first three school periods on Friday, honor society members were excused from their regular classes to package the lunches. Many members, Loewy said, arrived and began working before the start of the school day.

“Some of them got here early,” Loewy said. “It’s a big undertaking, especially the week of, because some of the fresh food you can’t get ahead of time. This is the first time we’ve done it here, and I thought it would be a great learning experience for them.”

In the cafeteria, all of the students in the honor society packaged the lunches with the precision of an assembly line. Walking around the room in a large circle, they started by grabbing a bottle of water, fruit and carrots, followed by chips, cookies and a fresh sandwich.

The honor society partnered with Rock Can Roll, a Long Island-based nonprofit, which helped the students collaborate with local food banks and organizations to distribute the food. The food was packaged and sent the distributors after the event.

Aimée Holtzman founded Rock Can Roll, according to volunteer Leslie Hartman, who was at Clarke on Friday. Holtzman blended her love of music with helping others, launching the organization in 1998 by collecting food donations at rock concerts. The nonprofit has continued to partner not only with musicians but also with schools, corporations and private individuals to sustain its mission.

Hartman assists on the youth-side of the operation, teaching students how to shop smart when they receive donations and how to organize food pantries and drives.

“It’s all about helping people and hunger relief,” Hartman said.

Kyle Krauz, president of Clarke Middle School’s junior honor society, said

he and his fellow board members worked diligently on the grant’s application, which contained 52 questions and required long-form, paragraph responses. He was surprised — and grateful — that the honor society received $800.

“I will say the scale of this exceeded the expectation,” Krauz said. “We just made it so upscale, kept raising the bar. I never expected this to happen.”

Krauz added that he felt the honor society members learned a lot about giving back and not being afraid to speak to business owners about donating.

“I feel like, as a community, it really brought everything together to help people in need,” he said. “I think we’re all really grateful for that. I hope we’re able to distribute it all, and I am glad to see this original plan come to action.”

Clarke’s principal, Elizabeth Dowling, expressed her appreciation for the students’ efforts.

“I’m so proud of Kyle for applying and being selected to receive this NASSP Student Service Grant, as well as the additional members of the National Junior Honor Society, who (assisted) him in completing this important and impactful goal,” Dowling said.

The donated lunches were distributed to several community organizations, including MOMMAS House in Glen Cove; SCO Family Services in Dix Hills;

Community Solidarity in Hempstead; Hempstead Community Hearts; Centro Cristiano Familia in Jamaica, Queens; and Feed the Family Foundation in Brooklyn.

The businesses that donated to the students’ cause included Batter Up Bakery in Levittown; the Levittown and Garden City BJ’s locations; Caper’s Deli in Westbury; Cardinali Bakery in Carle Place; Costco in Westbury; Fine Fare Supermarket in Westbury; Food Bazaar in Westbury; Francesco’s Bakery in Hicksville; North Shore Farms in Mineola; Salpinos Italian Market in Wantagh; ShopRite in Plainview; Stew Leonard’s in East Meadow; Stop & Shop in Hicksville, Carle Place and Levittown; Trader Joe’s in Garden City; and Whole Foods in Garden City.

Holtzman, of Rock Can Roll, also contributed, as well as the Olivares and the Sukhu families, who live in the East Meadow community.

Jordan Vallone/Herald

the national Junior Honor Society collaborated with rock Can roll, an organization that collaborates with schools.

Dr. Moshe P. Weisblum, Rabbi • Gail Jeby Levy, Jerald Wohlstetter, Co-Presidents

Water economics: balancing need with cost

The politics of profits, taxes and surcharges have roiled the debate over public and private service

By Allyson Ferr Ari & Chris ColuCCi of the Herald

Fifth installment in a series about water.

Water is a business.

Advocates argue that water is a basic human right. It’s also a product, provided for a cost and purchased by consumers. Whether filling a 40-ounce water bottle, taking a long, relaxing shower or running the tap for two minutes of teeth-brushing, water consumption is an often overlooked part of our everyday lives.

Like other expenses considered essential for life such as food, electricity and a Wi-Fi signal, the water bill is a recurring payment. And just like other utilities, residents sometimes have limited options for their service provider.

Long Island residents are served by either public water districts or private water suppliers and, depending on location, some pay significantly more for the same basic necessity — often with little or no ability to choose their provider. While a majority receive water from public providers, a smaller portion of the population is served by private companies, often at higher cost.

The dollars and cents

When their water bill comes in, many ratepayers feel a sharp pain in the wallet. Costs can fluctuate based not only on how much they use, but what they use it for.

Several water districts estimate that the average use for a family of four is nearly 400 gallons per day. In some cases, especially in private service areas, water bills can range from $500 to $800 per month during peak summer periods, according to longtime advocate Agatha Nadel, a resident of Glen Head.

Pricing differs sharply between public and private water systems. According to Pamela Bellings, a communications specialist at Liberty Water, “Residential water rates are set through a regulatory process overseen by the New York Public Service Commission.”

“Rates are designed to recover the cost of operating, maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure while ensuring service remains safe and reliable,” Bellings said of how Liberty determines its residential rates.

“Rates do not fluctuate month to month, but they may change over time following regulatory review and approval,” she added. These proposed changes require detailed justification and include opportunities for public input before a decision is made, which helps balance customer affordability with the need to maintain and modernize critical water infrastructure, according to Liberty.

Critics argue that despite regulatory oversight, the structure of private water systems can lead to significantly higher costs due to general service charges, meter charges, regulatory charges and other fees.

Public water suppliers typically pro-

vide a standard water usage rate, a conservation rate — a type of sliding scale applying higher fees to higher use, intended to encourage judicious water use — and an irrigation fee for dedicated sprinkler systems, which are presumed to be relatively lower priority than consumption.

“We feel water is a basic need. You need it for drinking, cooking and bathing,” said Robert McEvoy, chairman of the Oyster Bay Water District.

“Once you get past that, whether you’re putting 15,000 gallons on your lawn in the course of a quarter or you’re drinking every last drop, it has to meet the same standards, health-wise. We have to treat all our water the same way.”

“Water districts are determined or created as part of town law,” McEvoy explained. “A lot of the boundaries preexist the Nassau Subdivisions Act and the Nassau County charter — when they were established. Some of them run sort of coterminous with school district lines.”

of about 9.75 percent per project by the New York Public Service Commission, and that can rise to as much as 12 to 15 percent.

While treatment standards remain consistent for public safety, pricing can vary significantly depending on the provider. In some towns, prices may even vary between houses on the same block due to water zoning boundaries or the homeowners’ use of private or public water supplies.

Nadel’s residence, for example, is in the Liberty Water service area, while homes just 100 feet away are served by the public Jericho Water District.

“My neighbor pays a fifth of what I pay in an entire year,” Nadel said. “No taxes, no surcharges, nothing.”

Pricing differences, advocates say, are driven largely by the structure of private systems, which include profit margins and surcharges and have limited access to the government funding that public providers rely on to offset costs.

Residents in a private system can pay three to five times more than those served by public water providers, according to Nadel. Private water companies are guaranteed a baseline profit

According to Nadel, a four-year rate cycle in the mid-2010s brought an increase of about 120 percent, significantly driving up household water costs. A major issue voiced by private water customers is the amount they pay in fees added to their water bills, which typically include base usage rates and additional charges such as taxes and surcharges. In some cases, nearly half of the bill is not for water usage. Surcharges can include the cost of infrastructure projects such as filtration systems, water towers and other capital improvements.

“It’s an absolute sin,” Nadel said of the surcharges. “Forty-one percent of a typical water bill goes to charges and taxes that have nothing to do with the actual water usage. It really is an absolute sin.”

Public vs. private water suppliers

While most Long Island homeowners rely on public water services from their local municipality, private water suppliers may be an option for certain service areas. Liberty Water is one of the area’s

Herald file photo

Water towers are one highly visible part of every water district’s infrastructure — and there’s no hiding their physical condition.

LONG ISLAND’S WATER BLUEPRINT

Public, private water rates differ drastically

Continued from PreViouS PAGe

largest private alternatives, currently supplying water to nearly 120,000 Nassau residents, primarily in the Town of Hempstead. A homeowner who wants an alternative to either public or private water suppliers would need to install and maintain a private well, subject to local and state requirements.

“For most customers, remaining connected to a regulated public water system provides reliability, water quality oversight and long-term infrastructure support,” Bellings said.

As a result, most Long Islanders continue to receive water service from the provider assigned to their area, even if they are dissatisfied with it. Because water is tied to geographic districts, homeowners typically cannot choose their provider.

As a matter of public safety, water suppliers — public and private — must adhere to state and federal guidelines to monitor and remove waterborne contaminants. “Private suppliers have the same health department and [Department of Environmental Conservation] requirements — federal, state and local requirements for pure water,” McEvoy said. “They have the same maximum contaminant levels for the same contaminants. Their testing requirements are the same as us, whether it’s a public or a private water supplier.”

McEvoy has decades of experience in the water industry, having previously served as chairman of the Long Island Water Conference and president of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association — both organizations dedicated to ensuring water quality, safety and affordability across the Island.

Nadel explained that the Water Authority of North Shore has two main options to deliver public water: build and operate its own system or contract with an existing public provider. In her own research with North Shore Concerned Citizens, she has concluded that contracting with nearby systems — such as Jericho, Glen Cove, or Roslyn — would be the fastest and most practical approach because those providers already have infrastructure in place.

Long Island’s water systems are interconnected, allowing supplies to be rerouted during emergencies such as contamination events or periods of high demand, demonstrating that a transition from private to public supply may be feasible. Nadel said the shift would not be overly complex, but rather a matter of political will.

Homeowners having scant options is an issue on both shores, but potential alternatives have been considered for several years. The South Nassau Water Authority was created in 2021 to potentially offer Town of Hempstead residents an alternative to Liberty Water. A plan to establish a new water authority and create a sustainable, efficient and effective alternative to Liberty has been in the works for years. Residents and legislators are eager to move forward, but negotiations to transition away from the current water supply are complex and have moved slowly.

“Right now, the options are very limited,” explained Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, who represents District 21, which encompasses Baldwin, East Rockaway, Lynbrook, Malverne, Rockville Centre, South Hempstead and parts of Freeport and Valley Stream. “Residents that live in the Village of Rockville Centre and the Village of Freeport have municipal water; however, those who live anywhere else in AD-21 are served by Liberty Water with no ability to opt out, unless the municipalization of South Nassau Water Authority becomes a reality. The primary goal being to transition these private customers to public control to lower costs.” Public funding for some, but not for others

“Strong communities start with a strong infrastructure,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a 2024 news release. “Clean water is a basic human right.”

Last month, Hochul announced a plan to direct $28 million in state and federal grants to Long Island to help facilitate water infrastructure upgrades. The

Customers who received water from Liberty utilities opposed a 2023 rate hike that potentially saw bills in

County increase by a cumulative 34.2 percent. the increase ultimately went into effect in August 2024.

Drip, drip, drip: Where are your dollars going?

If your water bill seems excessive, there are some relatively simple steps to pare it down.

20-minute shower with standard showerhead

Up to 50 gallons of water

15-minute shower with low-flow showerhead

Up to 30 gallons of water

5 loads of laundry, standard machine

Up to 200 gallons of water per week

4 loads of laundry, Energy Star-certified machine

Up to 115 gallons of water per week

Standard toilet with minor running leak

Up to 1.6 gallons per flush plus up to 180 gallons per week

EPA-verified WaterSense-label toilet

Up to 1.28 gallons per flush

funds are part of a $250 million statewide project to improve water infrastructure.

The plan follows similar financial support in January of this year, when Hochul sent $18 million to Long Island — one part of a $288 million project — with the similar aim of making water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

In a statement supporting the most recent funding, Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. wrote, “We know that access to clean water is not a luxury, but it is a necessity.” Hobbs continued, “Upgrading our aging water system, replacing outdated pipes and improving the overall system is critical to protecting public health.”

The influx of funds can play a significant role in maintaining and upgrading anything from deteriorating equipment at water treatment plants to damaged

underground supply lines. As government agencies, water districts can benefit from funding directly from the state, while private businesses cannot. The trickledown effect, so to speak, of extra governmental funding is that cost savings can be passed to residents. More important, water quality and safety can be more easily maintained. Private suppliers address potential safety issues at their own expense, without state or federal aid.

“Currently they’re not available for private water companies,” McEvoy said. “But the Long Island Water Conference has put it on their agenda to seek legislation that would give them access [to public funds] only for treatment of the contaminants. Not for any other purpose.”

Due to the unequal funding for environmental upgrades, public water providers are in a stronger financial position to improve infrastructure and remove contaminants using state and federal funds, while private systems are excluded from receiving them — meaning costs are passed on to residents.

The Environmental Protection Agency requires community water systems — public and private — to publish “community confidence reports,” most commonly in the form of yearly water-quality reports that reveal test results for contaminants, as well as facts and figures detailing overall water consumption.

The Jericho Water District Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2024, for example, highlighted nearly 4.9 billion gallons of water provided to 58,000 customers, averaging 13.4 million gallons per day. Jericho Water charges a minimum of $13 per calendar quarter, at a rate of $1.30 per 1,000 gallons up to 10,000 gallons. Fees increase on a sliding scale with usage — similar to the conservation rate used in other municipalities — reaching $3.90 per 1,000 gallons for usage above 200,000 gallons per quarter.

According to the 2025 Liberty Annual Water Quality Report for the Sea Cliff Operations District, the average customer used just under 95,800 gallons of water, at a cost of about $1,340, or $3.67 a day. Liberty also revealed that it served roughly 4,388 customers, at a total cost of $5.9 million.

The reports highlight how costs and scale can vary widely between systems, even as both draw from the same regional water supply.

For many residents, the issue is not just how much water they use, but who controls the system that delivers it.

Jordan Vallone/Herald file

nassau

SCOPE recognizes Long Island educators

More than 900 guests filled Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook for SCOPE Education Service’s 25th annual School District Awards Dinner on March 23.

To begin the night, George Duffy, executive director and CEO of SCOPE, welcomed all in attendance and offered his gratitude and thanks to all whose time and dedication were instrumental in planning the event.

This year’s program was dedicated to the memory of Jennifer Milillo, former SCOPE Awards Dinner coordinator. Her daughter, Danielle Marcello, accepted flowers from Duffy and was received with a wave of applause from the ballroom.

Duffy thanked the platinum, gold, silver and bronze-level sponsors of the evening and invited representatives from each organization to receive a plaque as a token of appreciation.

Robert Vecchio, executive director of the Nassau-Suffolk School Board Association, was given the National School Development Council’s Cooperative Leadership Award. Vecchio was joined by his wife and daughter, and he subsequently offered his praises to SCOPE and to all districts in attendance for the work they do for all students after he accepted his award.

The highlight of the evening was the service awards presentation. A total of 192 individuals were recognized across five categories: School Board Service, Community Service, Teacher Service, Support Staff Service and Administrator Service.

–Jordan Vallone

Educators from

Photos courtesy East Meadow School District

SCOPE Education Service’s 25th annual School District Awards Dinner on March 23 included Administrator Service awards.

Several board of education trustees were recognized for their volunteer service to districts.

school district across Long Island were recognized with Teacher Service awards.

The Support Staff service award honored school-related professionals who are vital to Long Island education.

Climate activists rally against Hochul plan

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Dozens of advocates and concerned residents gathered at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola last month to protest Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to revise New York state’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

The CLCPA is an environmental policy that requires greenhouse gas emissions in the state to be reduced by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 by replacing much of the state’s fossil fuel electricity with renewable energy. Hochul wrote about the policy in an opinion essay published by the Empire Report on March 20, titled “Climate Action and Affordability Must Go HandIn-Hand.”

Following the loss of federal support for solar, wind and other energy initiatives and the rapid increase of oil prices, Hochul suggested that the climate act could lead to severe utility cost increases if it is not revised.

“So much has radically changed since the climate act was enacted, necessitating common-sense adjustments that keep us on our path to a greener future in a way that is affordable for New Yorkers,” Hochul wrote. “We need more time, and so I am proposing we amend the law to require regulations to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to

be issued at the end of 2030.”

Eric Weltman, senior organizer of the national nonprofit Food and Water Watch, led a group of protesters urging state legislators to defend the climate law later that day.

“We are here because Governor Hochul, unfortunately, is threatening to weaken New York’s landmark climate law,” Weltman said, “and we’re here to urge our legislators to stand up and

defend and protect the climate law. Hochul is embracing policies that would promote fracking and more costly fossil fuel pipelines and power plants.”

The CLCPA, Weltman said, reduces costs related to fossil fuels, decreases air pollution and supports a shift toward renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.

Joe Sackman, executive director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition,

said the 2019 legislation “fully expressed New York’s willingness to take on climate change and move us toward a just and working-class-centered economy.”

“Governor Hochul, by demanding rollbacks to the CLCPA, you are playing politics with our future,” Sackman added. “It’s time to do what is right. No rollbacks on New York’s climate law.”

T.J. Shivers, representing New York Communities for Change, focused on the climate crisis’s direct effects on Long Islanders’ budgets.

“Energy burdens are crushing families from many low- and moderateincome communities,” Shivers said. “People are paying 6 to 10 percent or more of their income just on energy bills, far above what is considered affordable … When my bill goes up, it’s not just the number on paper, that’s food off the table.”

A number of community organizations joined the protest and spoke against revisions to the CLCPA, including the New York Public Interest Research Group, Transition Town Port Washington, the South Shore Audubon Society, the Green Party of Nassau County, All Our Energy, Grassroots Environmental Education, Renewable Heat Now and Bend the Arc Jewish Action: Long Island, calling for Nassau County residents to contact their local elected officials to advocate for preserving the climate act.

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

Eric Weltman, a senior organizer for Food and Water Action, led the crowd in urging legislators to defend the state’s climate law on March 20.

FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle

Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers

Take advantage of on-site health screenings

Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences

Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways

Snack station for all

*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees

All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.

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STEPPING OUT

From sketchbooks to the spotlight

Young artists stand out in ‘Long Island’s Best’

By Abbey Salvemini

Fresh talent is in full bloom this spring at Heckscher Museum of Art. For three decades, the Heckscher Museum of Art has served as a prestigious launchpad for the next generation of visual storytellers. “Long Island’s Best” is back, marking its 30th anniversary as it spotlights emerging high school artists throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, now through May 3.

As the only juried exhibition of its kind on Long Island, this program offers high schoolers the rare distinction of seeing their work hanging in a professional museum and memorialized in a full-color commemorative catalog. The selection process is famously rigorous: For the 2026 season, 84 finalists were curated from over 400 submissions representing 63 schools across Nassau and Suffolk. Tasked with this challenge were jurors Meredith Brown, Ph.D., the museum’s consulting curator of contemporary art, and guest juror Aaron Feltman — an accomplished artist and a proud Long Island’s Best alumnus.

“It is never an easy process,” says Brown, who explained that the strongest pieces combine technical skill with originality and meaningful themes.

This year’s exhibition included an unusually high number of sculptures — more than in any previous “Long Island’s Best” exhibitions — that reflect both the students’ ambition and influenced by the recent exhibition “Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History.”

“I was surprised by the number of sculptural submissions,” Brown adds. “Sculpture is tricky, and many schools don’t have the resources, but these students took the challenge on and produced really compelling work.”

Among standout pieces is Luminous Harvest, a ceramic sculpture by Lyla Pinto, a senior at Long Beach High School, which earned fourth place and the Stan Brodsky Award. Inspired by painter Darragh Park’s “To Here/From Here,” Pinto created a tree-like form composed of branches holding symbolic fruit and candles.

“I was drawn to Park’s artwork because it seemed alive, as though the forms are changing and expanding rather than remaining still,” she explains. “The handcrafted fruits represent abundance, sustenance and the various attributes each branch offers. I made seven branches because the number seven represents completeness and balance, suggesting a full cycle of growth rather than a single moment. Like Park, I wanted to convey a sense of natural rhythm through organic shapes as demonstrated in the abundance and repetitious organic greenery.”

For Director of Education Joy Weiner — whose program leadership is being honored at a “30th Birthday Bash” on April 18 — the most rewarding aspect of her involvement is observing students experience the thrill of having their work displayed in a museum.

“Just watching their faces as they show their parents how special this opportunity is, that’s one of the happiest memories every year,” she relates.

“Long Island’s Best” has evolved considerably since its early years.

“Years ago, there were landscapes, still lifes and portraits. That was pretty much what you got,” Weiner

Lyla Pinto: Lyla Pinto’s ceramic sculpture “Luminous Harvest, was awarded Fourth Place and honored with the Stan Brodsky Scholarship Award.

• Now through May 3

• Open Thursday through Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

• Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington

• Visit Heckscher.org or call (631) 380-3230 for information on related programming

adds. “Over the years, the different kinds of materials became something that students were interested in exploring. And they’re also much more aware of the world around them, tackling social issues, personal experiences and big-picture ideas through their art.”

While the program certainly sharpens their technical craft, its true value lies in instilling the professional rigor required of a working artist. It also underscores the lasting influence of arts education, with many alumni pursuing careers in art, design, filmmaking, and teaching.

“The whole process from beginning to end involves meeting deadlines, working with teachers, creating the work and writing about it,” Weiner says. “That’s very important as they continue in their careers, to not only create a work of art but to be able to speak about it and share it with others.”

Looking ahead, both Brown and Weiner encourage students to embrace the process, even if their work isn’t selected.

“Sharing your work is a powerful experience. It helps students grow as artists and lets others engage with their vision.” Weiner adds.“Even if your piece isn’t chosen, you learn something about yourself and your art. And when people connect with your work, it’s a truly rewarding experience.”

Teachers, Long Island’s Best alumni and the community are all invited to the stylish “Birthday Bash” celebrating this momentous milestone. Alumni and local artists will contribute works for a fundraiser, underscoring the lasting influence of “Long Island’s Best” throughout the region. The gathering includes an opportunity to meet students and hear firsthand how the program shaped their creative journeys.

“I’ve been privileged to watch the growth of Long Island’s Best,” Weiner says. “I have seen elementary school students eventually become LI Best finalists, have watched students’ progress to becoming Long Island Biennial artists as professionals; and have been lucky to work with students who now teach art in our community, inspiring the next generation.”

This milestone exhibit not only celebrates the talent of today’s students but also emphasizes the enduring value of arts education in shaping Long Island’s creative future. It’s an opportunity to explore a wide variety of media and themes while experiencing the fresh perspectives and voices of the next generation of artists, gaining insight into how young people interpret the world around them through art.

Dan Soder

Come chill with stand-up comedian Dan Soder! Get ready for a night of sharp, laugh-out-loud comedy when he takes the stage on The Golden Retriever of Comedy tour. Known for his quick wit and effortlessly relatable storytelling, Soder has built a devoted following. His credits include ”Not Special” on Comedy Central, a standout turn on Netflix’s The Standups” and his acclaimed HBO special “Son of a Gary.”Fans have also embraced his hit YouTube special, “Dan Soder: On The Road,” a laugh-packed set filled with smart, surprising takes on relationships, growing up and everything in between. Offstage, Soder hosts the popular podcast Soder and was a longtime co-host of SiriusXM’s The Bonfire from 2015 to 2023. Many will also recognize him from his role as Dudley “Mafee” on Billions. With his easygoing charm and razor-sharp observations, Soder delivers comedy that feels both down-to-earth and unexpectedly insightful.

Saturday, April 4, 7 and 9 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

‘…how I wish you were here’

Wish You Were Here celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here,” acclaimed as one of the greatest albums of all time and cited by Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright and guitarist David Gilmour as their favorite album. The band continues its 30-year tradition of combining sight and sound to capture the mood, emotions, and intensity of the Floydian theatrical concert experience — in a spectacular tribute of music, performers, lighting, video, lasers and inflatables — all performed without backing or click tracks. The veteran 10-piece musical ensemble features seven vocalists and a Floydian stage production — sound effects and vintage videos, flying inflatables, theatrical vignettes with props, and a sensational light show with moving lasers, rolling fog and state-of-the-art intelligent lighting — all produced with a fan’s obsession for detail.

Thursday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Photos courtey Heckscher Museum

Tiffany Yam, of John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, contributed “Encased,” using colored pencil on illustration board.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

APR

3

Family theater

Long Island Children’s Museum stages

“Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also April 6-9

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

Seasonal Sprouts: Artful Explorers

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens, now open for the 2026 season, to xplore creativity in nature during this one-hour guided program through the gardens and at the barn at Orchard Hill. Children will observe colors, textures, and patterns in the landscape, play artinspired games, and create a simple hands-on art project using natural inspiration. Meet at the Beech Tree. Registration required. $22 adult, $20 seniors 62+ (member discounts available).

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury

• Time: 11 a.m.-noon

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

APR 4

Great Big Easter Egg Hunt

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families for some Easter fun. Take part in a reading of the classic Peter Rabbit tale, “The Great Big Easter Egg Hunt.” Afterward join in an exciting egg hunt in the Cottage Garden! Perfect for children ages 3-6. Up to 12 eggs per child may be redeemed for prizes; eggs are empty. Registration required. $22 adult, $20 seniors 62+ (member discounts available).

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury

• Time: 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m.

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

Mike DelGuidice

Local favorite Mike DelGuidice returns to the Paramount stage with his popular residency, delivering the high-energy, feel-good performances that have made him a hometown standout. Backed by his powerhouse band, DelGuidice brings the music of his idol, Billy Joel, to life with passion and precision, celebrating decades of iconic hits in a rousing, crowd-pleasing show. A multi-instrumentalist who grew up immersed in music, DelGuidice’s deep knowledge of Joel’s catalog ultimately led to sharing the stage with the Piano Man himself, touring around the world. Alongside beloved classics, he weaves in his own original songs, showcasing the songwriting that has earned him a devoted following. His releases include My Street, Miller Place and Mask Production, and his track “Ordinary Guy” was featured as the theme for Kevin Can Wait starring Kevin James. Whether performing on stage or connecting with fans through his “Live on the Porch” series, which brought audiences together during the pandemic, DelGuidice continues to share his love of music in ways that resonate far beyond the Long Island community.

East Meadow Chamber Easter Egg Hunt

East Meadow Chamber welcomes all to the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Multiple sessions.

• Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 1700 Prospect Ave.

• Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Contact: EastMeadowChamber.com

Building Homes for Heroes 5K

Building Homes for Heroes holds its second annual 5K in Eisenhower Park.

• Where: Eisenhower Park, Field 2

• Time: 8 a.m.

• Contact: Register at Events. EliteFeats.com/26honoringheroes

APR

8

Local Producer Education Series

Stew Leonard’s of East Meadow invites children ages 8 and younger to join the store’s annual Easter Egg hunt. Tickets are free.

• Where: 1897 Front St. East Meadow

• Time: 4-5:30 p.m.

• Contact: StewLeonards.com

Light-Art Collaboration

Families are invited to Long Island Children’s Museum to illuminate their imagination and inspire creativity In this educator-led, hands-on workshop, participants are introduced to the history and process of lantern making while creating their own unique drawing. In collaboration with LuminoCity, participants’ 2-D artwork will be submitted for a chance to have it brought to life as a 3-D light sculpture featured on display at the 2026 LuminoCity Festival. Free limited ticket with museum admission, available at the Box Office on the day of the workshop.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11-noon and 3-4 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

‘An Evening of Magic’ fundraiser The Sarah Grace Foundation for Children With Cancer hosts its annual “An Evening of Magic” gala dinner. Awardwinning magician Will Fern brings high-energy entertainment, APR 10

toward an ending that’s both haunting and hopeful. $15 general admission, $10 for seniors and Hofstra alumni.

• Where: Hofstra’s Joan and Donald Schaeffer Black Box Theater, Joseph G. Shapiro Family Hall, Hempstead

• Time: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; also April 12, 2 p.m.; April 16-April 19

• Contact: hofstra.universitytickets.com

“A Dream Is A Wish”

The enchanting A Dream Is A Wish princess concert returns to the Madison Theatre with new adventures and Disney Classics. Families are invited to sing along to all their favorite Disney songs including “Let It Go,” “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” “Part of That World,” “ A Whole New World,” and many more. Enjoy a magical journey and maybe even meet your favorite princess! Breakfast and tea ticket options also available.

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

• Time: 8 p.m., also Apr 11

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

including strolling magic and mind reading, to benefit children with cancer. The dinner fundraiser takes place in the Philodendrum Room at The Milleridge Inn. Tickets are $125 and include dinner, drinks and the show; advance purchase is required. Raffles and a 50/50 drawing will also be held.

• Where: 585 N. Broadway, Jericho

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: thesarahgracefoundation.org

‘Dog Sees God’

Hofstra University’s Department of Drama and Dance presents Bert V. Royal’s edgy comedy. The unauthorized continuation of the Peanuts comic strip, reimagines its characters as teenagers dealing with various contemporary issues including, identity, substance abuse, and relationships. When CB’s dog dies from rabies, CB begins to question the existence of an afterlife. His best friend is too burnt out to provide any coherent speculation; his sister has gone goth; his ex-girlfriend has recently been institutionalized; and his other friends are too inebriated to give him any sort of solace. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and sexual identity collide and careen

• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: Varied times, also April 12.

• Contact: madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444

Performance Poets Association

The Performance Poets Association meets the first Saturday of every month at the East Meadow Library. Each meeting features powers, followed by open mic.

• Where: 1886 Front St., East Meadow

• Time: 1 p.m.

• Contact: EastMeadow.info

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.

NCC trustees file legal claim against SUNY

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

The Board of Trustees at Nassau Community College has filed a formal legal claim against the State University of New York, escalating an ongoing dispute over the leadership of the college.

The Notice of Claim, a required step before initiating a lawsuit, challenges SUNY’s rejection of Maria P. Conzatti as the college’s permanent president. Trustees allege the decision was “arbitrary and capricious,” legally flawed and made outside the system’s authority.

According to the filing, the board appointed Conzatti as president on May 3, 2023, following what it described as a lawful process. Under New York State Education Law, local community college boards are responsible for selecting presidents, while SUNY’s role is limited to supervisory review.

Trustees contend that SUNY failed to complete that review in a timely manner, alleging the system did not conduct required interviews or take formal action for nearly three years. During that time, SUNY approved Conzatti to serve in multiple leadership capacities, including interim president, acting president and chief administrative officer, the claim states.

The college’s administration has remained firmly behind Conzatti, who was offered a five-year contract by the board in 2023, though that agreement has not received SUNY’s approval.

“The outcome we are looking for is for SUNY and the chancellor to make Maria Conzatti the permanent president,” Jerry Kornbluth, the college’s vice president for community and governmental relations told the Herald. “She’s been sitting in the seat for a little over three years now and performing at the highest level.”

SUNY officials, however, said the presidential search process began in 2022 and included a committee made up of trustees, faculty, staff, students and community representatives. According to the system, that process produced five finalists who were interviewed on campus, though Conzatti was not among them.

SUNY has said the board ultimately selected Conzatti instead of the committee’s recommended finalists, raising concerns about the integrity of the process.

Kornbluth disputed that account, saying Conzatti was part of the broader candidate pool and ultimately selected through the established process.

He said Conzatti was ranked sixth among candidates and was not among the initial five finalists, but

that no finalist received enough votes to advance. As a result, he said, the process moved forward to additional candidates, including Conzatti, who was ultimately chosen.

“The five candidates were all interviewed by the board, and no candidate received enough votes to move forward,” Kornbluth said. “The college and SUNY legal team agreed not to terminate the search and move forward with the next candidates, of which Maria was number six.”

Kornbluth also said Conzatti was unanimously selected by the board and that her name was forwarded to the SUNY chancellor in accordance with the process. He said delays in SUNY’s review followed.

A SUNY spokesperson defended the system’s position, calling the legal action without merit.

“SUNY is committed to excellent leadership for all of our campuses and we will vigorously defend ourselves against this frivolous lawsuit that seeks to harm efforts to provide the world-class education and job preparation that New York community college students deserve,” the spokesperson said.

Despite the dispute, Kornbluth said the college’s operations have continued without disruption.

“We’re not taking our foot off the pedal,” he said. “We’re moving everything forward that we’re supposed to be doing. This is just a little bump in the road.”

The board is seeking judicial relief to overturn SUNY’s decision, arguing that the rejection undermines local governance and destabilizes leadership at the college.

The filing marks the latest development in a broader conflict over leadership at Nassau Community College, where tensions between the administration, faculty and SUNY officials have intensified in recent months.

Herald file photo

The Nassau Community College Board of Trustees has filed a legal

APRIL 16 • 10AM-12:30PM

FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle

Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers

Take advantage of on-site health screenings

Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences

Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A

Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways

Snack station for all

*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees

All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.

MAE CAIME FOUNDER, AMAEZING MIDLIFE & BEYOND

AGENDA:

EXPERT PANEL + Q&A

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Register for this FREE event: Deerpark.eventbrite.com or email lcreem@LIHerald.com or call 516.569.4000 x243

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

ANNUAL MEETING

NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL AND LIBRARY MEETING AND ELECTION

EAST MEADOW UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the annual meeting, budget vote and election of the East Meadow Union Free School District will be held on May 19, 2026, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. in each of the school election districts heretofore established on the following separate matters:

1. Proposition 1 - The estimated expenditures for school purposes (school budget) for the ensuing school year 2026-2027 and authorizing the levy and collection of the necessary taxes thereof.

2. Proposition 2 - The estimated expenditures for library purposes (library budget) for the ensuing school year 2026-2027 and authorizing the levy and collection of the necessary taxes thereof.

3. Any other questions or propositions as to matters or expenditures or authority to levy taxes that may be presented for a vote under the Education Law.

NOTICE IS HEREBY

FURTHER GIVEN that voting upon the estimated expenses for school and library purposes for the school year and the election of members of the Board of Education and Library Board will be held on May 19, 2026, in each of the school election districts heretofore established.

VOTING will be by ballot on voting machines in the schoolhouses designated in each of the separate school election districts heretofore established and the polls will remain open for voting from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and as much longer as may be necessary for all voters then present to cast their votes.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that at said vote and election to be conducted on May 19, 2026, two (2) members are to be elected to the Board of Education and one (1) member is to be elected to the Library Board as follows:

(a) two members of the Board of Education for a full term of three (3)

years, commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2029.

(b) one member of the Library Board for a full term of five (5) years, commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2031, to succeed Monica Marotta, incumbent, whose term of office expires on June 30, 2026.

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

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that candidates for the offices of member of the Board of Education and member of the Library Board shall be nominated by petition. Candidates for member of the Board of Education run at large. Each candidate petition for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be directed to the Clerk of the School District, care of the Superintendent, shall be signed by at least forty-eight (48) qualified voters of the District, said number constituting 2% of the total number of voters who voted at the Annual Meeting of May 20, 2025, shall state the residence of each signer, and shall state the name and residence of the candidate.

Each vacancy to be filled for trustee of the Library Board shall be considered a separate specific office. A separate petition shall be required to nominate a candidate to each separate office. Each petition for candidate for the office of member of the Library Board shall be directed to the Clerk of the School District, care of the Superintendent, shall be signed by at least forty-eight (48) qualified voters of the District, shall state the residence of each signer, shall state the name and residence of the candidate, and shall describe the specific vacancy on the Library Board for which the candidate is nominated, which description shall include at least the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent.

Each petition shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and not later than 5:00

p.m. on April 20, 2026.

SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICTS

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the boundaries of the following School Election Districts shall be as heretofore determined and published by the Board of Education and the place in each election district for registration and voting shall be as follows:

SCHOOL ELECTION

DISTRICT NO. 1

The boundaries of School Election District No. 1 are as follows:

Bounded on the North by Hempstead-Bethpage Turnpike; on the East by Wantagh State Parkway; on the South by North Jerusalem Road; on the West by East Meadow Avenue from the intersection of North Jerusalem Road to Lenox Avenue then northeast to Eighth Avenue east to Newbridge Road, then north to Hempstead Turnpike.

The qualified voters of School Election District No. 1 will vote at the Parkway Elementary School located at 465 Bellmore Road in said District.

SCHOOL ELECTION

DISTRICT NO. 2

The boundaries of School Election District No. 2 are as follows: Bounded on the North by the south side of Hempstead Turnpike from the intersection of Merrick Avenue running easterly to the intersection of Newbridge Road. Bounded on the East by the west side of Newbridge Road from the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike running south to the intersection of Eighth Avenue. Bounded on the South by the north side of Eighth Avenue; running southwest to the intersection of Lenox Avenue and East Meadow Avenue; running northwest on East Meadow Avenue to number 604; running westerly to Maitland Street; running south to the north side of Lenox Avenue continuing southwest to the southerly ends of Benito, Patterson, Adelphi, Coakley and Albert Streets and the westerly ends of Sidney Place, Powers Avenue and Kevin Place going west to the east side of Prospect Avenue at number 1530 and running northeast to the intersection of Chestnut Avenue, proceeding northwest

on the northwest side of Chestnut Avenue to the intersection of Front Street, then running southwest on the north side of Front Street to the intersection of Merrick Avenue. Bounded on the West by the east side of Merrick Avenue from the intersection of Front Street, running north to the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike.

The qualified voters of School Election District No. 2 will vote at the McVey Elementary School located at 2201 Devon Street in said District.

SCHOOL ELECTION

DISTRICT NO. 3

The boundaries of School Election District No. 3 are as follows:

Bounded on the North by Hempstead Turnpike from Meadowbrook Parkway to Merrick Avenue, southerly to the point of intersection of the south side of Front Street easterly to Chestnut Avenue. Bounded on the East by the west side of Merrick Avenue running south from Hempstead Turnpike to Front Street to the south side of Front Street running northeast from Merrick Avenue to the west side of Chestnut Avenue from Front Street to Prospect Avenue to number 1489; then south including Marian Court, Dieman Lane, Flower Lane, Sherwood Drive, Andrea Road, the north ends of Cynthia, Wenwood and Bruce Drives, the west end of Cynron and Meadow Lanes and Midland Drive and the south side of Lenox Avenue proceeding east to East Meadow Avenue; continuing east on the west side of East Meadow Avenue from Lenox Avenue to Irving Place, south from number 604 East Meadow Avenue running south to North Jerusalem Road. Bounded on the South by North Jerusalem Road to the point of intersection of Ennabrock Road, including Ennabrock Road to North Jerusalem Road; west to Meadowbrook Parkway. Bounded on the West by Meadowbrook Parkway from North Jerusalem Road running north to Hempstead Turnpike.

The qualified voters of School Election District No. 3 will vote at Barnum Woods Elementary School located at 500 May Lane in said District.

SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 4

The boundaries of

School Election District No. 4 are as follows: Bounded on the North by Old Country Road to the point of intersection of the Wantagh State Parkway. Bounded on the East by the Wantagh State Parkway running south to the Oyster Bay Town Line and then east to Newbridge Road, running south on Newbridge Road to Twig Lane. Bounded on the South by Twig Lane, running west to the Wantagh State Parkway, then running south to the north side of Hearth Lane at Friends Lane proceeding west to the intersection of the west side of Carman Avenue, proceeding south to the north side of Salisbury Park Drive and continuing on the north side of Salisbury Park Drive in a northerly direction from Stewart Avenue to Old Country Road.

The qualified voters of School Election District No. 4 will vote at the Bowling Green Elementary School located at 2340 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, NY, in said District.

SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 5

The boundaries of School Election District No. 5 are as follows: Bounded on the North from the south side of Hearth Lane at Carman Avenue easterly to Wantagh Parkway; north to the Oyster Bay Town Line; easterly to the south side of Levittown Parkway to the intersection of Newbridge Road. Bounded on the East by the west side of Newbridge Road running south to Wantagh Parkway; continuing south on Wantagh Parkway to the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike. Bounded on the South by Hempstead Turnpike from the intersection of Wantagh Parkway running west to the intersection of Bly Road. Bounded on the West by Bly Road running north and east to Ava Drive; running north and east to Erma Drive; running south to Nottingham Road; running east (including Florence and Jane Courts) to the east side of Carman Avenue running north to the intersection of Hearth Lane.

The qualified voters of School Election District No. 5 will vote at the Meadowbrook Elementary School located at 241 Old Westbury Road in said District.

PERSONAL REGISTRATION OF VOTERS

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all qualified voters of the School District must be registered in the School District Registration Books and/ or in the Official List of Registered and Enrolled Voters for the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, issued by the Nassau County Board of Elections, in order to vote at the meeting and election on May 19, 2026. The following persons shall be eligible to vote: All persons who shall have presented themselves personally for registration in accordance with section two thousand fourteen of the Education Law and all persons who shall have been previously registered hereunder for any annual or special meeting or election and who shall have voted at any annual or special meeting or election held or conducted during the four calendar years prior to 2026 (i.e., 2022-2025). In addition, all persons who are registered to vote pursuant to the provisions of section three hundred fifty-two of the Election Law of the State of New York shall be eligible to vote.

Registration of voters not previously registered and eligible to vote shall take place through May 14, 2026 inclusive, on the days when school is in session, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the office of the District Clerk at the Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, New York. Evening registration will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in the main corridor of the Salisbury School between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Registration of voters not previously registered and eligible to vote shall also take place on May 4, 2026, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., at each of the 5 election districts, locations as listed previously. The Board of Registration shall meet to prepare the Register of the School District on the dates and times above specified and any person shall be entitled to have their name placed upon such Register provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration, they are then or thereafter entitled

to vote at the school meeting or election for which such register is prepared.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Board of Registration shall also meet during the annual district election at each schoolhouse where voting shall take place for the purpose of preparing a register for district elections held subsequent thereto.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Register of Voters so prepared as aforesaid shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District upon its completion where it shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., on each of the five days prior and including the day set for the election except Sunday, and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., by appointment only. Please contact Judy Kandel at 516-478-5735 if you wish to make an appointment.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Official Budget Presentation on the adopted school budget will take place on May 6, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at The Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, NY. There will be a Public Hearing on the proposed Library Budget on May 6, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the proposed 2026/2027 school budget is available upon request to district residents commencing May 5, 2026, at the office of the District Clerk at the Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, N.Y. The proposed 2026/2027 library budget is available upon request by any resident commencing May 5, 2026, on the library website.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that copies of the proposed 2026/2027 school budget and of the proposed 2026/2027 library budget may be obtained by any resident of the district, upon request, at each of the offices of the schoolhouses in the District, at the school district offices, listed below, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., on each day other than Saturday, Sunday or holidays during the 14day period preceding the annual meeting and election. The proposed 2026/2027 school

budget will also be available on the school district website.

Barnum Woods Elementary School

500 May Lane East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Bowling Green Elementary School

2340 Stewart Avenue Westbury, N.Y. 11590

McVey Elementary School

2201 Devon Street East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Meadowbrook Elementary School

241 Old Westbury Road East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Parkway Elementary School

465 Bellmore Road East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Woodland Middle School

690 Wenwood Drive East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

W. Tresper Clarke Middle School

740 Edgewood Drive Westbury, N.Y. 11590

W. Tresper Clarke High School

740 Edgewood Drive Westbury, N.Y. 11590

East Meadow High School

101 Carman Avenue East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Salisbury School 718 The Plain Road Westbury, N.Y. 11590

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, pursuant to Real Property Tax Section 495, an exemption report detailing exemptions from real property taxation shall be available and appended to any tentative, preliminary or final budget.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that copies of the proposed 2026/2027 school budget and of the proposed 2026/2027 library budget may be obtained by any resident at the East Meadow Public Library located at 1886 Front Street, East Meadow, N.Y., on each day other than Sunday or holidays between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the 14-day period preceding the annual meeting and election. The proposed 2026/2027 library budget will also be available on the East Meadow Public Library website.

Public Notices

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an application for an absentee or early mail ballot may be made at the Office of the District Clerk, Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, NY 11590 no earlier than thirty (30) days before the vote. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter and one (1) day before the election if the ballot is to be personally delivered to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for an absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the vote. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available in said Office of the Clerk on each of the five days prior to the day of the election between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., on each of the five days prior and including the day set for the election except Sunday, and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., by appointment only. Please contact Judy Kandel at 516-478-5735 if you wish to make an appointment.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration and military ballot application forms must be received in the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is returned by mail or in person and received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any proposition or questions to be placed upon the voting machines shall be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least five hundred (500) qualified voters of the District and filed in the office of the District Clerk at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting, except for petitions relating to a proposition which must be included in the notice of the annual meeting. Petitions relating to a proposition which must be included in the notice of the annual meeting must be submitted sixty (60) days in advance of the annual meeting.

Any proposition may be rejected by the Trustees or Board of Education if the purpose of the proposition is not within the power of the voters, or where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition, if the proposition fails to include the necessary specific appropriation.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING:

1. A person shall be a citizen of the United States.

2. Eighteen or more years of age.

3. A resident of the District for a period of thirty days or more next preceding the election at which he or she offers to vote.

4. Must be registered to vote.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the results of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot.

The Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law Section 2019-a, subdivision 2b at said special meeting of the Board.

Dated: MARCH 20, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION EAST MEADOW UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK

Judy E. Kandel District Clerk 159375

LEGAL NOTICE REUNIÓN ANUAL AVISO DE ELECCIÓN Y REUNIÓN ANUAL DE LA ESCUELA Y LA BIBLIOTECA DISTRITO ESCOLAR EAST MEADOW UNION FREE CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

POR EL PRESENTE, SE NOTIFICA que la reunión anual, la votación del presupuesto y la elección del Distrito Escolar East Meadow Union Free se realizarán el 19 de mayo de 2026 entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. en cada uno de los distritos electorales escolares hasta ahora establecidos sobre los siguientes asuntos independientes:

1. Proposición

1 - Los gastos estimados para propósitos escolares (presupuesto escolar) para el siguiente año escolar, 20262027, y la autorización del gravamen y la recaudación de los impuestos necesarios de este gravamen.

2. Proposición

2 - Los gastos estimados para los propósitos de la biblioteca (presupuesto de la biblioteca) para el siguiente año escolar, 2026-2027, y la autorización del gravamen y la recaudación de los impuestos necesarios de este gravamen.

3. Cualquier otra cuestión o propuesta relacionada con los asuntos, los gastos o la autoridad para recaudar impuestos que se pueda presentar para una votación según la Ley de Educación.

POR EL PRESENTE, SE NOTIFICA que la votación sobre los gastos estimados para los propósitos de la escuela y la biblioteca para el año escolar, y la elección de los miembros de la Junta de Educación y la Junta de la Biblioteca se llevarán a cabo el 19 de mayo de 2026 en cada uno de los distritos electorales escolares hasta ahora establecidos.

La VOTACIÓN será mediante boleta electoral en máquinas de votación en las sedes escolares designadas en cada uno de los distritos electorales escolares independientes hasta ahora establecidos, y las urnas estarán habilitadas para votar de 7:00 a.m. a 9:00 p.m. y durante el tiempo que sea necesario para que los votantes presentes puedan emitir su voto.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA

que, en esta votación y elección a realizarse el 19 de mayo de 2026, se elegirán dos (2) miembros para la Junta de Educación y un (1) miembro para la Junta de la Biblioteca como se indica a continuación: (a) Dos miembros de la Junta de Educación para un período completo de tres (3) años, desde el 1 de julio de 2026 hasta el 30 de junio de 2029. (b) Un miembro de la Junta de la Biblioteca para un período completo de cinco (5) años, desde el 1 de julio de 2026 hasta el 30 de junio de 2031, para reemplazar a Monica Marotta, titular del último mandato.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA también que la elección se llevará a cabo de acuerdo con las Normas para la Organización de Reuniones y Elecciones adoptadas por la Junta de Educación y la ley vigente.

NOMINACIONES DE CANDIDATOS

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que los candidatos para los cargos de miembros de la Junta de Educación y de la Junta de la Biblioteca se nominarán mediante solicitud. Los candidatos a miembro en la Junta de Educación se presentan en general. Cada solicitud de candidato para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación se enviará a la secretaría del Distrito Escolar, a la atención del superintendente, y deberá estar firmada por al menos cuarenta y ocho (48) votantes calificados del Distrito. Este número representa el 2% del número total de personas que votaron en la reunión anual del 20 de mayo de 2025. Incluirá la residencia de cada firmante, y también el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Cada vacante para ser fideicomisario de la Junta de la Biblioteca se debe considerar una vacante específica e independiente. Se necesita una solicitud por separado para nominar a un candidato para cada cargo en particular. Cada solicitud de candidato para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de la Biblioteca se enviará a la secretaría del Distrito Escolar, a la atención del superintendente, y deberá estar firmada por al menos cuarenta y ocho (48) votantes calificados del Distrito. Incluirá la residencia de cada firmante, el nombre y la residencia

del candidato, e indicará la vacante específica en la Junta de la Biblioteca para la que el candidato está nominado. Esta descripción incluirá, por lo menos, la duración del mandato en el cargo y el nombre del último titular.

Cada solicitud se presentará en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:30 p. m., y antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 20 de abril de 2026.

DISTRITOS

ELECTORALES

ESCOLARES

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que la Junta de Educación determinará y publicará, como hasta aquí se establece, los límites de los siguientes distritos electorales escolares, y el lugar de cada distrito electoral para el registro y la votación será el siguiente:

DISTRITO ELECTORAL

ESCOLAR N.º 1

Los límites del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 1 son los siguientes:

Limita al norte con Hempstead-Bethpage Turnpike, al este con Wantagh State Parkway, al sur con North Jerusalem Road, al oeste con East Meadow Avenue desde la intersección de North Jerusalem Road hasta Lenox Avenue, al noreste hasta Eighth Avenue, al este hasta Newbridge Road, al norte hasta Hempstead Turnpike.

Los votantes calificados del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 1 votarán en Parkway Elementary School ubicada en 465 Bellmore Road, en este Distrito.

DISTRITO ELECTORAL

ESCOLAR N.º 2

Los límites del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 2 son los siguientes: Limita al norte con el lado sur de Hempstead Turnpike desde la intersección de Merrick Avenue hacia el este hasta la intersección de Newbridge Road. Limita al este con el lado oeste de Newbridge Road desde la intersección de Hempstead Turnpike, y continúa hacia el sur hasta la intersección de Eighth Avenue. Limita al sur con el lado norte de Eighth Avenue; continúa hacia el sudoeste hasta la intersección de Lenox Avenue y East Meadow Avenue; sigue hacia el noroeste en East Meadow Avenue hasta la numeración 604; prosigue hacia el oeste hasta Maitland Street; continúa hacia el sur hasta el lado norte de Lenox Avenue y hacia

el sudoeste hasta el final sur de Benito, Patterson, Adelphi, Coakley y Albert Streets, y hasta el final oeste de Sidney Place, Powers Avenue y Kevin Place. Sigue al oeste hasta el lado este de Prospect Avenue, numeración 1530, y continúa hacia el noreste hasta la intersección de Chestnut Avenue; prosigue hacia el noroeste en el lado noroeste de Chestnut Avenue hasta la intersección de Front Street. Luego, sigue hacia el suroeste en el lado norte de Front Street hasta la intersección de Merrick Avenue. Limita al oeste con el lado este de Merrick Avenue desde la intersección de Front Street, y continúa hacia el norte hasta la intersección de Hempstead Turnpike. Los votantes calificados del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 2 votarán en McVey Elementary School ubicada en 2201 Devon Street, en este Distrito. DISTRITO ELECTORAL ESCOLAR N.º 3 Los límites del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 3 son los siguientes:

Limita al norte con Hempstead Turnpike desde Meadowbrook Parkway hasta Merrick Avenue, al sur hasta el punto de intersección del lado sur de Front Street y hacia el este hasta Chestnut Avenue. Limita al este con el lado oeste de Merrick Avenue. Sigue hacia el sur desde Hempstead Turnpike a Front Street hasta el lado sur de Front Street. Continúa hacia el noreste desde Merrick Avenue hasta el lado oeste de Chestnut Avenue, desde Front Street hasta Prospect Avenue, numeración 1489. Luego, en el sur incluye Marian Court, Dieman Lane, Flower Lane, Sherwood Drive, Andrea Road, el final norte de Cynthia, Wenwood y Bruce Drives, el final oeste de Cynron y Meadow Lanes y Midland Drive, y el lado sur de Lenox Avenue. Sigue por el este hasta East Meadow Avenue; continúa por el este en el lado oeste de East Meadow Avenue desde Lenox Avenue hasta Irving Place, al sur desde East Meadow Avenue, numeración 604, sigue hacia el sur hasta North Jerusalem Road. Limita al sur con North Jerusalem Road hasta el punto de intersección de Ennabrock Road, incluida Ennabrock Road hasta North

Jerusalem Road; al oeste hasta Meadowbrook Parkway. Limita al oeste con Meadowbrook Parkway desde North Jerusalem Road hacia el norte hasta Hempstead Turnpike. Los votantes calificados del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 3 votarán en Barnum Woods Elementary School ubicada en 500 May Lane, en este Distrito. DISTRITO ELECTORAL ESCOLAR N.º 4 Los límites del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 4 son los siguientes: Limita al norte con Old Country Road hasta el punto de intersección de Wantagh State Parkway. Limita al este con Wantagh State Parkway y continúa hacia el sur hasta Oyster Bay Town Line, y luego al este hasta Newbridge Road. Continúa hacia el sur por Newbridge Road hasta Twig Lane. Limita al sur con Twig Lane; continúa al oeste hasta Wantagh State Parkway; luego, sigue hacia el sur hasta el lado norte de Hearth Lane en Friends Lane. Continúa hacia el oeste hasta la intersección del lado oeste de Carman Avenue; sigue hacia el sur hasta el lado norte de Salisbury Park Drive, y prosigue por el lado norte de Salisbury Park Drive en dirección norte desde Stewart Avenue hasta Old Country Road. Los votantes calificados del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 4 votarán en Bowling Green Elementary School ubicada en 2340 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, Nueva York, en este Distrito.

DISTRITO ELECTORAL ESCOLAR N.º 5

Los límites del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 5 son los siguientes: Limita al norte desde el lado sur de Hearth Lane hasta Carman Avenue, al este hasta Wantagh Parkway, al norte hasta Oyster Bay Town Line, al este hasta el lado sur de Levittown Parkway hasta la intersección de Newbridge Road. Limita al este con el lado oeste de Newbridge Road, y sigue hacia el sur hasta Wantagh Parkway; continúa hacia el sur por Wantagh Parkway hasta la intersección de Hempstead Turnpike. Limita al sur con Hempstead Turnpike desde la intersección de Wantagh Parkway hacia el oeste hasta la intersección de Bly Road. Limita al oeste con Bly Road, y continúa hacia el norte y el este hasta Ava Drive; sigue hacia el norte y el este hasta

Erma Drive, hacia el sur hasta Nottingham Road, hacia el este (incluso los tribunales en Florence y Jane) hasta el lado este de Carman Avenue; continúa hacia el norte hasta la intersección de Hearth Lane. Los votantes calificados del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 5 votarán en Meadowbrook Elementary School ubicada en 241 Old Westbury Road, en este Distrito.

REGISTRO PERSONAL DE VOTANTES ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que, para votar en la reunión y la elección del 19 de mayo de 2026, todos los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar deben estar registrados en los libros de registro del Distrito Escolar o en la lista oficial de votantes registrados e inscritos para la ciudad de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, emitido por la Junta Electoral del condado de Nassau. Las siguientes personas serán elegibles para votar: todas las personas que se hayan presentado personalmente para registrarse según la sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación, y todas las personas que se hayan registrado previamente en virtud del presente para cualquier reunión o elección anual o extraordinaria y que hayan votado en cualquier reunión o elección anual o extraordinaria organizada o realizada durante los cuatro años calendario previos al 2026 (es decir, 20222025). Además, todas las personas que estén registradas para votar de conformidad con las disposiciones de la sección 352 de la Ley de Elecciones del estado de Nueva York serán elegibles para votar.

El registro de votantes que no se hayan registrado previamente y que sean elegibles para votar la votación se llevará a cabo hasta el 14 de mayo de 2026 inclusive, los días en los que la escuela esté abierta, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito en el Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, Nueva York. El registro vespertino se realizará el miércoles 6 de mayo de 2026, en el vestíbulo principal del Salisbury School entre las 7:00 p. m. y las 8:00 p. m. El registro de votantes que no se hayan registrado

hacia el sur Nottingham Road, (incluso los Florence el lado Avenue; el norte intersección de calificados Electoral votarán Meadowbrook School 241 Old en este

PERSONAL

NOTIFICA votar en la elección mayo de votantes Distrito estar en los registro del o en la votantes inscritos ciudad de condado emitido por Electoral del Nassau. personas elegibles para todas las que se presentado para según la de la Ley todas las se hayan previamente presente reunión anual o y que votado en reunión anual extraordinaria realizada cuatro años previos al decir, 2022Además, todas que estén para votar conformidad con disposiciones de la la Ley del estado York serán votar. votantes hayan previamente elegibles votación cabo hasta de 2026 días en escuela entre las 4:00 p. oficina de la Distrito School, Road, Nueva York. vespertino miércoles 2026, en principal School p. m. y registro que no se registrado

Public Notices

previamente y que sean elegibles para votar también se hará el 4 de mayo de 2026, entre las 8:30 a. m. y las 12:30 p. m. en cada uno de los cinco distritos electorales, en los lugares indicados anteriormente.

La Junta de Registro se reunirá para preparar el registro del Distrito Escolar durante los horarios y las fechas que se especifican arriba, y cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en este registro, siempre y cuando, en esa reunión de la Junta de Registro, tenga derecho a votar, en ese momento o en lo sucesivo, en la reunión o elección escolar para la cual se prepara ese registro.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que la Junta de Registro también se reunirá durante la elección anual distrital en cada sede escolar donde se realizará la votación con el fin de preparar un registro para las elecciones distritales que se hagan con posterioridad.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que el registro de votantes preparado según lo mencionado anteriormente se presentará en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito una vez finalizado. Allí, estará disponible para la inspección de cualquier votante calificado del Distrito, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., durante los cinco días anteriores a la fecha establecida para la elección, e incluso durante este día, a excepción del domingo, y también estará disponible para su inspección el sábado solo de 9:00 a. m. a 11:00 a. m., solo por cita. Llame al 516-4785735 para programar una cita.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que la presentación oficial del presupuesto sobre el presupuesto escolar adoptado se realizará el 6 de mayo de 2026 a las 7:00 p. m. en el Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, Nueva York. Se celebrará una audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto propuesto para la biblioteca el 6 de mayo de 2026, a las 6:30 pm.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que el presupuesto escolar propuesto para 2026/2027 se encuentra disponible para los residentes del

Distrito, si lo solicitan, a partir del 5 de may de 2026 en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito en el Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, Nueva York. El presupuesto para la biblioteca propuesto para 2026/2027 se encuentra disponible para cualquier residente, si lo solicita, a partir del 5 de mayo de 2026 en el sitio web de la biblioteca.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que cualquier residente del distrito puede conseguir las copias del presupuesto escolar propuesto para 2026/2027 y el presupuesto para la biblioteca propuesto para 2026/2027, si los solicita, en cada una de las oficinas de las sedes escolares del Distrito, en las oficinas del distrito escolar, mencionadas a continuación, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., todos los días salvo los sábados, domingos o feriados, durante los 14 días previos a la elección y reunión anual. El presupuesto escolar propuesto para 2026/2027 también estará disponible en el sitio web del Distrito Escolar.

Barnum Woods Elementary School

500 May Lane East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Bowling Green Elementary School

2340 Stewart Avenue Westbury, N.Y. 11590

McVey Elementary School

2201 Devon Street East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Meadowbrook Elementary School

241 Old Westbury Road East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Parkway Elementary School

465 Bellmore Road East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Woodland Middle School

690 Wenwood Drive East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

W. Tresper Clarke Middle School

740 Edgewood Drive Westbury, N.Y. 11590

W. Tresper Clarke High School

740 Edgewood Drive Westbury, N.Y. 11590

East Meadow High School

101 Carman Avenue

East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Salisbury School 718 The Plain Road Westbury, N.Y. 11590

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que, de acuerdo con la Sección 495 de la Ley de Impuestos sobre los Bienes Inmuebles, un informe de exención en el que se detallen las exenciones del impuesto sobre los bienes inmuebles estará disponible y se adjuntará a cualquier presupuesto provisional, preliminar o definitivo.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que, previa solicitud, cualquier residente puede conseguir las copias del presupuesto escolar propuesto para 2026/2027 y el presupuesto para la biblioteca propuesto para 2026/2027 en una oficina de la biblioteca pública de East Meadow ubicada a 1886 Front St, East Meadow, NY, todos los días, salvo los domingos o feriados entre las 10:30 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., durante los 14 días previos a la elección y reunión anual. El presupuesto para la biblioteca propuesto para 2026/2027 también estará disponible en el sitio web de la biblioteca pública de East Meadow.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que la solicitud para una boleta electoral por ausencia o por el correo temprano se puede realizar en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito, Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, Nueva York 11590, a partir de los treinta (30) días previos a la votación. La secretaría del Distrito debe recibir las solicitudes completas por lo menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta electoral debe enviarse al votante por correo y un (1) día antes de la elección si la boleta electoral debe entregarse en persona al votante o a la persona designada por este. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna para una boleta electoral por ausencia o por el correo temprano, la secretaría del Distrito enviará por correo esta boleta a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. La secretaría del Distrito debe recibir las boletas electorales por ausencia o por el correo temprano antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 19 de mayo de 2026. Habrá una lista disponible de las personas para

las que se emitieron las boletas electorales por ausencia o por el correo temprano en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito durante los cinco días previos al día de la elección, excepto el domingo, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., y los sábados entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 11:00 a. m. solo por cita. Llame al 516-478-5735 para hacer una cita. ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que no estén registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar podrán solicitar una boleta electoral militar. Los votantes militares pueden indicar su preferencia de recibir una solicitud de registro de votantes militares, una solicitud de boleta electoral militar o una boleta electoral militar por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico en dicho pedido de solicitud de registro, solicitud de boleta o boleta. Los formularios de registro de votantes militares y los formularios de solicitud de boleta electoral militar deben recibirse en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 23 de abril de 2026. No se escrutarán las boletas electorales militares a menos que se entreguen nuevamente por correo postal o en persona en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. el día de la elección.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que cualquier propuesta o consulta a colocarse en las máquinas de votación se presentará por escrito mediante solicitud firmada por al menos quinientos (500) votantes calificados del Distrito en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito a más tardar treinta (30) días antes de la reunión anual, con excepción de las solicitudes relacionadas con una propuesta que se deba incluir en el aviso de la reunión anual. Las solicitudes relacionadas con una propuesta que se debe incluir en el aviso de la reunión anual se deben entregar sesenta (60) días antes de esta reunión. Los fideicomisarios o la Junta de Educación pueden rechazar cualquier propuesta si su propósito no se encuentra dentro de

las competencias de los votantes, o si se requieren gastos para la propuesta, en caso de que esta no incluya la asignación específica necesaria.

REQUISITOS PARA VOTAR:

1. Ser ciudadano de los Estados Unidos.

2. Tener 18 años o más.

3. Ser residente del Distrito durante un período de 30 días o más inmediatamente antes de la elección en la que desea votar.

4. Estar registrado para votar.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que esta Junta convocará a una reunión especial en un plazo de 24 horas después de la presentación ante la secretaría del Distrito de un informe por escrito de los resultados de la votación con el fin de analizar y tabular estos informes de los resultados de la votación y declarar dicho resultado. Por el presente, y de acuerdo con la sección 2019a, subdivisión 2b de la Ley de Educación, la Junta se designa a sí misma como un grupo de secretarios de mesa para emitir y escrutar los votos durante esta reunión especial de la Junta.

Fechado: 20 DE MARZO DE 2026

POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR EAST MEADOW UNION FREE

CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

Judy E. Kandel Secretaria del Distrito 159377

PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES

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

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CARRINGTON MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006OPT1, ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-OPT1 Plaintiff, Against YVONNE APUGAN, DIANA O’CONNOR, et al Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 01/22/2026, 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 4/15/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 8 3rd Street, Westbury, NY 11590, 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 Westbury, Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Section 0011 Block 00166-00 Lot 00118 a/k/a 11-166-118. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $950,621.86 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 001020/2014 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. Karl C. Seman, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 219/2026 File Number: 17-301338 CA 158840

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court County of Nassau Flagstar Bank, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Kelvin Puello a/k/a Kelvin R. Puello, Wendy Puello, et al, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 14, 2026 at 2:30 PM premises known as 518 Benine Road, Westbury, NY 11590. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being

in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 10, BLOCK: 325, LOT: 6. Approximate amount of judgment is $715,871.39 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 602386/2020. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate Reporting Rule. In such event, all purchasers are requ ired to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Wayne Wink, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-093408-F00 89014 158790

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-1, ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-1, -againstTITO MOLINA, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on September 18, 2025, wherein WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-1, ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-1 is the Plaintiff and TITO MOLINA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 16, 2026 at 3:30PM, premises known as 213 BELMONT AVENUE, WESTBURY, NY 11590; and the following tax map identification: 10-183-133. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED,

SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF WESTBURY, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 611237/2017. Paul L. Meli, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 159004

LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff - againstWILLIAM MONGE AKA WILLIAM R. MONGE, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on April 8, 2025. 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 the 16th day of April, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Levittown, near Hicksville, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Premises known as 47 Squirrel Lane, Levittown, (Town of Hempstead) NY 11756. (SBL#: 45-228-14) Approximate amount of lien $379,179.73 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 612397/2022. Jane P. Shrenkel, Esq., Referee. Davidson Fink LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 400 Meridian Centre Blvd, Ste 200 Rochester, NY 14618 Tel. 585/760-8218 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or

Public Notices

call (800) 280-2832

Dated: January 30, 2026

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 158906

Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 231516-1 159098

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF THE TRUMAN 2021 SC9 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. DEBRA GELORUM, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 18, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 28, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1845 Grant Avenue, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 190 and Lots 27-30. Approximate amount of judgment is $473,454.30 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 615219/2022.

Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., Referee

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 14th day of April, 2026, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 197-15 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PROHIBITION OF LEFT TURNS” at the following locations: (NR) WESTBURY OLD COUNTRY ROAD (TH 67/26) NO LEFT TURN - All traffic traveling eastbound out of commercial building #907 shall be prohibited from executing left turns onto Old Country Road between Grand Boulevard and Merlion Avenue.

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: March 24, 2026

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

JOHN FERRETTI

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY

Town Clerk 159261

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 29-2026

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 24th day of March 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 29-2026, and following the close

of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 29-2026, to amend Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations.

Dated: March 24, 2026

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

JOHN FERRETTI

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY

Town Clerk 159251

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 04/15/2026 at 9:30

A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30

A.M.

181/26. - 182/26.

LEVITTOWN - Carlos I. Cordova & Betty J. Arias, Mother/Daughter Res. (2nd Kitchen); Special exception to maintain 2nd accessory structure (shed)., N/s Sheep La., 439’ E/o Windmill La., a/k/a 45 Sheep La. 183/26. EAST MEADOW - Kyle Simensky, Variances, side yard, rear yard, construct addition attached to dwelling., N/s 1st Ave., 238’ E/o Newbridge Rd., a/k/a 2499 1st Ave.

194/26. NR WESTBURY - Ileana Rivera & Julio Rodriguez, Special exception to install accessory structure (gazebo with bar & storage room) higher & larger than permitted & exceeds horizontal maximum on all sides with lot area occupied variance., S/s Birchwood Dr., 113.70’ W/o Birchwood Ct., a/k/a 722 Birchwood Dr.

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00

P.M.

198/26. EAST MEADOW - UA East Meadow LLC, Special exception for proposed day care center; Special exception with no provisions for on-site maneuvering aisle for pick-up & drop-off of children & attendees., N/s Hempstead Tpke., 438.86’ E/o Newbridge Rd., a/k/a 2549 Hempstead Tpke. 199/26. EAST MEADOW - UNS Management Associates Ltd., Special exception to construct 7 Brew Coffee building with drive-thru; Special exception to construct cooler/storage structure., N/s Hempstead Tpke., 696’ E/o Newbridge Rd., a/k/a 2545 Hempstead Tpke.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.

This notice is only for new cases in Levittown, East Meadow & Westbury within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo

Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.

159242

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ROBERTO TRISTAINO, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 18, 2026, I, the undersigned

The risen Lord renews our path forward easter message

Dear Brothers and Sisters: Happy Easter to you and your families!

This Easter Sunday, Easter Octave, Divine Mercy Sunday and Easter Season we continue to pray and contemplate our Lord’s Resurrection appearances, and we give thanks for Pope Leo XIV and his worldwide spirit of Catholic mission.

In his Cycle of Catechesis on the Resurrection of Christ, Pope Leo writes: “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is an event that one never finishes contemplating and meditating on, and the more one explores it, the more one is filled with wonder, drawn in as if by an overwhelming yet fascinating light. It was an explosion of life and joy that changed the meaning of reality itself, from negative to positive; yet it did not happen in a striking way, much less a violent one, but gently, hidden, one might say humbly.”

The Holy Father then reflects on the despair of the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. Their hearts burn and their joy is restored as the Risen Lord explains the Scriptures to them and they recognize Him in the breaking of the bread. In this way, the Paschal Mystery gives us hope and strength in every trial and circumstance.

ReveRend

John o. BaRRes

Pope Leo concludes: “May the unexpected joy of the disciples of Emmaus be a gentle reminder to us when the going gets tough. It is the Risen One who radically changes our perspective, instilling the hope that fills the void of sadness. On the paths of the heart, the Risen One walks with us and for us. He bears witness to the defeat of death and affirms the victory of life, despite the darkness of Calvary... He alone makes the impossible possible!”

Pope Leo recognizes that there is much sadness in the world - “a feeling of precariousness, at times profound desperation.” We think especially of the daily crosses and trials of those from war-torn and violence-ridden areas of the world.

May the Light of the Risen Christ illumine with God in Heaven our path to holiness on earth and our path to eternal life and happiness

Sincerely yours in the Risen Lord, Most Reverend John O. Barres Bishop of Rockville Centre

The Most Reverend John O. Barres is the Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

Public Notices

Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 5, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 539 Adelphi Street, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 154 and Lot 660. Approximate amount of judgment is $348,193.33 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 608499/2023.

Frank M. Scalera, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite

501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 231032-1 159307

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR MFRA TRUST 2016-1, -againstVLADIMIR C. PUNTO A/K/A VLADIMIR PUNTO, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on April 28, 2025, wherein WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN

ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR MFRA TRUST 2016-1 is the Plaintiff and VLADIMIR C. PUNTO A/K/A VLADIMIR PUNTO, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 4, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 839 WINTHROP DRIVE, EAST MEADOW, NY 11554; and the following tax map identification: 50-437-24. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND

BEING AT EAST MEADOW, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 611656/2021. Leslie Feifer, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 159289

HomesHERALD

Old Woodmere Beauty

MCan we use a local architect for work on a home in Boston?

Q. We own a home in Boston that needs a lot of work, and were wondering what to do about hiring an architect. We want to hire one who is familiar with the area, the codes and the building department, because we understand they are very strict there. We have a local friend who’s an architect, and he has gotten his “reciprocal” license in Massachusetts. How do you think we should handle this? Should we work with our friend, Zoom with a local architect or have them try to work together?

A. This is not an uncommon problem, but it’s all based on communication, as is most of what we deal with in our daily lives. It’s best to weigh the issues of how the communication will work, including the making of the plans, which are also the basis for your project and the most important communication tool.

Ronnie.Gerber@elliman.com Douglas Elliman

Over the years I’ve seen where clients didn’t take the planning process seriously, thinking, and even saying, that they just want to get the permit to start the work. That approach generally leads to failure, with either the owner not getting what they want or causing problems along the way. For example, many people assume that the plans are a suggestion, a kind of open guide to the approximate outcome, and that they will just handle changes for what they really wanted during construction.

One recent client, who didn’t last very long, was in another city and, being in the medical field, said we could do Zoom meetings like they do in tele-health. Conversations fell apart immediately, because the building has major structural deterioration, and on my first walk-through, I had to order column supports to be installed immediately where collapse was imminent. The owner was told this, and that, at the very least, building plans would be absolutely necessary, detailing the exact remedy. But in order to prepare the structural plans, measuring of the building areas contributing loads and further investigation were necessary. The owner got very upset, because his contractor was ready to go and just needed to know what to do.

Having made medical appointments over the years to get one test in a particular hospital, and then shuttling to another site for another test, I realized this client just didn’t get it. His profession required all kinds of very specific testing, and his perception was that mine did not. Buildings are custom. They’re not kits. There are many ways that buildings, even homes, can fail, and we always want to prevent leaking, movement and subsequent damage, in addition to wanting to make the spaces function and be attractive. I would recommend working with your friend, and having him develop an agreement and relationship with the local professional who knows the area best, if possible. Otherwise I would work with the local professional, but arrange for in-person meetings. With issues and questions that happen during construction, you want a good team of people you can trust. Good luck!

or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

Building Maintenance

Assistant and Porter needed for Management Co. in Long Beach Experience Preferred Email: humanresoures5771 @gmail.com or Call: (212) 873-7575

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour.

For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

DENTAL ASSISTANT

CHAIR SIDE F/T Lynbrook Office, Immediate Opening. Looking for Experienced Individual Email Resume nylaserendo@gmail.com Call 516-599-7111

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

WANTED $20 - $25 Per Hour Must Be Available On Weekends April - June 516-902-6258 Randy@LISNYC.com

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE

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Nassau County’s success story continues

With my second term as county executive underway, I’m proud to say that Nassau County’s future is bright. Like my first term, these coming years will be defined by a strong commitment to public safety, excellent economic growth that increases affordability for our residents, and expanded opportunities for business owners that will benefit everyone.

Growing our economy remains a top focus for my administration. After canceling a $150 million tax hike in my first year in office, I have not raised taxes for four consecutive years — a promise that I will keep in this year’s budget. Through smart financial management, we have earned an unprecedented seven bond upgrades and have been cited by Democratic State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli as a county with no fiscal stress. Our local businesses are thriving, with minority- and women-owned business certifications increasing by 40 percent last year alone — a number I hope to

nraise even higher in 2026 and beyond.

Positive economic activity lets us invest in initiatives that matter to residents. We’ve restored local historical sites like the Roslyn Grist Mill, invested in cultural centers like the Joysetta and Julius Pearse African American Museum, in Hempstead, and upgraded local community hubs like Centennial Park, in Roosevelt. These are testaments to how a well-run government can provide for all of its residents.

since taking office, with more to come. We opened the state-of-the-art Harry Singh Bolla Police Training Village to give all of our officers, new and old, cutting-edge training to ensure that Nassau County remains a leader in public safety.

We’re focused on public safety, economic growth and business opportunities.

I’m proud to report that Nassau County remains the safest county in the United States, a distinction we owe to the courageous men and women of the Nassau County Police Department, the Corrections Department, the Probation Department, the Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office. These dedicated professionals — along with emergency services personnel like our firefighters, EMS workers and fire marshals — work tirelessly for our security, and we cannot thank them enough.

My administration recognizes the importance of investing in public safety efforts. I’ve authorized the hiring of 600 new police and corrections officers

During my time in office, our emergency services staff has also grown, with more than 1,000 residents signing up to become volunteer firefighters. This year’s budget will expand the number of fire marshals and dispatchers, ensuring that we are prepared for anything that comes our way.

The good news is that our initiatives are already paying off. Major crimes have fallen by more than 10 percent in the past year, with huge declines in serious crimes like murder, rape, assault and robbery. In 2025 our police executed the largest drug bust and gang takedown in county history. Major investments in our battle to alleviate the opioid crisis led to a drop of more than 16 percent in overdose deaths last year. These results speak for themselves, and show that our policies are working.

My administration has also taken steps to protect our religious freedoms.

I recently signed a new law that prevents protesters from targeting churches, synagogues and mosques. Nassau County will always stand for the safety and rights of everyone who practices their religion here.

Our stance on immigration enforcement remains firm: Nassau County is not a sanctuary county. Collaborating with our federal partners has helped us remove dangerous and illegal criminals from our streets — many of whom come from known gangs like MS-13, the 18th Street Gang and the Trinitarios. I want to reiterate that all of our enforcement actions are targeted at criminals, not honest and hardworking people who enrich our communities. My administration is continuing to work on a guest-worker program to support law-abiding immigrants, many of whom are pillars of our business community.

Even as we continue to build on our successes, I know that there’s a lot of work ahead to keep us moving in the right direction, but my commitment to making Nassau County the safest, most affordable and healthiest place to live, work and raise a family remains strong. Thank you for helping to make us the best place to live in all of New York.

Bruce Blakeman is the Nassau County executive.

Here’s why no one is coming back from Florida

o one is coming back from Florida.

Just a few years after telling New Yorkers to “get out” if they disagreed with her agenda, Gov. Kathy Hochul is now hoping they will come back, after relocating their businesses and tax dollars to states like Florida, where raising a family and starting a business come with far fewer obstacles. New York has become unaffordable, overtaxed and hostile to economic growth. And nothing in Albany suggests that it’s about to change.

have the same share of high earners we once did. More are choosing more affordable states like Florida and Texas, and given the punishing fiscal climate here, why wouldn’t they?

Hochul’s statements, in an interview with Politico, have nothing to do with reconciliation and everything to do with revenue. Unfortunately, her $263 billion spending proposal isn’t going to pay for itself.

New York’s fiscal model has become dangerously dependent on a shrinking share of high-income earners. Democrats point to the number of millionaires as proof that increasing taxes on high earners won’t impact the tax base. The reality, however, is that we don’t

According to IRS data, New York’s share of the nation’s millionaires dropped from 12.7 percent in 2010 to just 8.7 percent in 2022, a more pronounced decline than any other state. New York used to have the second-highest share of U.S. millionaires, but we’re now fourth, behind California, Florida and Texas. When those high earners leave, or when fewer choose to come here in the first place, the consequences ripple across our entire economy.

er 3.9 percent on top of that. The combined 14.8 percent is the nation’s highest tax burden.

Albany has a clear, detrimental cycle of spending recklessly, abusing taxpayer dollars and, as a result, driving people away. Every year, Hochul proposes another unprecedented state budget, and this year is no exception. Since she took office, state spending is up 40 percent, the budget deficit has grown to $28 billion, and New York is facing historic unaffordability.

M ore high earners are choosing more affordable states. Why wouldn’t they?

According to the state Department of Tax and Finance, millionaires pay 41 percent of all state income taxes, while the bottom half of taxpayers contribute 0.2 percent. Clearly, the foundation of New York’s financial house is built on the revenues high earners provide.

The irony of progressives’ tax-therich pleas is that New York has already been doing it for years, and at higher levels than anywhere else in the country. People in the state’s highest income bracket are taxed at 10.9 percent, with New York City adding anoth -

Following the governor’s proposal, Assembly Democrats fulfilled their tradition of piling on and proposed billions more in spending on top of the governor’s budget. Tax-andspending repeatedly increases to account for the implementation of unsustainable new programs and policies. This year, Democrats proposed $9.2 billion more in spending and $3.6 billion in new taxes, including higher income taxes on top earners and increased business taxes statewide, with additional increases specifically impacting New York City financial firms. Between 2020 and 2023, 158 financial sector companies, with $1 trillion in assets, left the state.

With these tactics, New York isn’t going to win the tug of war against

more business-friendly, lower-tax states. In fact, it feels like we’ve let go of the rope. What Hochul and the Legislature are failing to acknowledge is the solution: spend less. It isn’t complicated. Albany has two choices, cut spending or raise taxes, and again it’s choosing Door No. 2.

The final phase of this annual cycle, the one the administration stills fail to grasp, is outmigration. When costs rise and opportunities shrink, people inevitably leave. Who would blame them? Our state ranks 45th in affordability, and overall costs have risen 20 percent since Hochul took office. Since 2020, New York has lost 1.1 million residents to states with lower taxes, a trend we cannot afford, literally.

If we want to reverse course, we need to break this cycle. One-party rule in Albany can’t continue unchecked spending and raising taxes while expecting different results. Under the current conditions, more New Yorkers will continue to leave, and fewer will come back. Hochul’s shifting rhetoric is driven by a budget mess she created, not residents’ needs. We Assembly Republicans want you here because we value you, and we’ll do everything we can to make New York more affordable and livable for you and your family.

Ed Ra represents the 19th Assembly District and is the Assembly minority leader.

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Smart housing reform needs local trust

New York’s housing crisis is undeniable. Rents are high, supply is tight and too many families are struggling to find a place to call home.

In response, Albany is advancing proposals like the REVIVE Act alongside Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Let Them Build agenda — efforts designed to cut red tape and accelerate development.

The goal is right. The challenge is getting the approach right, too. At the heart of the debate is a familiar tension: how to build faster without sacrificing thoughtful planning and public trust.

It’s not just about process; it’s about trust. Residents are more likely to support new housing when they believe their voices are heard. Developers are more likely to invest when rules are consistent. And elected officials are more effective when they can balance urgency with accountability.

Supporters of reform make a compelling case. New York’s development process is notoriously slow and expensive. Reviews under the State Environmental Quality Review Act can stretch timelines by years, even for projects that ultimately pose little or no environmental risk.

According to state data, projects can take up to 56 percent longer to start compared with other states, and cost up to $45,000 per unit on Long Island. Those costs are usually passed on to renters and buyers. In a state where affordability is already a crisis, those inefficiencies matter.

The REVIVE Act seeks to address this by targeting underused commercial properties — shopping centers, office

letters

Keeping things in numerical perspective in the Middle East

To the Editor:

parks and large parking lots — and encouraging their conversion into housing. In concept, this is smart policy. Repurposing dormant or declining properties into vibrant residential communities can ease the housing shortage while revitalizing local economies.

But the concerns raised by local officials and residents are just as valid. Critics argue that the legislation could sideline local zoning authority, limit public hearings and reduce meaningful community input.

The inclusion of a “deemed approved” provision — allowing projects to move forward automatically if municipalities fail to act within an expedited timeline — is a flashpoint.

One side says projects would move forward without public hearings or meaningful community input. That might overstate the case, but it isn’t entirely off base. The proposal appears to compress timelines and shift leverage away from local governments. If those timelines are too tight, or if municipalities lack the resources to review complex proposals quickly, the result could be approvals by default rather than by design.

And what about the timeline itself? That remains a critical detail. Without clear and reasonable deadlines, “expedited” can quickly become “unworkable.” Municipal boards might need additional support to operate on stateimposed clocks. If they are rushed, oversight suffers. If they miss deadlines, community members may feel that decisions are being made for them, not with them.

Yet it would be a mistake to dismiss

With all the rhetoric being bandied about over the war in the Middle East, I would like to add something that rarely seems to enter into the discussion. That is the size of the various sides. My source is the 2025 World Almanac.

Israel has an area of approximately 8,470 square miles, which is about the size of the state of New Jersey. The West Bank and Gaza have a combined area of about 2,402 square miles, which is about the size of the city of Detroit and the state of Delaware.

The area of Israel’s near neighbors — Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon — is just over 1.3 million square miles, or about one-third the size of the United States.

The population of Israel is just over 9.4 million. The population of the West Bank and Gaza is just

the need for reform altogether. Doing nothing is not an option. The current system is too slow, too costly and too unpredictable. Developers face uncertainty and communities can miss opportunities.

The answer lies not in choosing sides, but in combining the best ideas from both. New York should streamline environmental review for projects that consistently demonstrate minimal impact, particularly those on previously developed sites. It should set clear, enforceable timelines for decisions.

Those timelines, however, must be realistic, and paired with resources, training and technical assistance for local governments. The state’s proposal to modernize permitting and create a “permitting academy” is a step in the right direction.

At the same time, local decision-making must be preserved. Communities deserve a voice in shaping their neighborhoods, especially when it comes to density, infrastructure and quality of life. Public hearings should not be eliminated, but they can be made more efficient and focused.

If “deemed approved” provisions are included, they must come with safeguards: flexibility for municipalities acting in good faith, transparency in the review process and mechanisms to ensure that projects meet clear standards before moving forward.

New York doesn’t need a rushed solution. It needs a smart one. Albany has an opportunity to get this right. By blending efficiency with oversight, and speed with community input, lawmakers can craft a housing policy that works for all.

Why I sued the state over youth mental health

For years, my son cody and I were known in court papers only by our initials. Today I am using my full name — as a Long Island mother, a family peer advocate and one of the formerly anonymous plaintiffs in c.K. v. McDonald. I joined this class action lawsuit to challenge new york state’s widespread failure to provide mental health services to children on Medicaid.

In January, a federal judge approved a settlement, and the state agreed to dramatically improve access to these services. It’s a measure of justice, but it is incomplete without investments in the struggling nonprofit providers who deliver this vital care to kids like cody.

cody needed help almost from the moment he entered this world. I worked as an early childhood educator, and I recognized the signs. By age 3, he was diagnosed with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder and severe social anxiety; at 4 he was psychiatrically hospitalized. He struggled to function in school. From ages 10 to 12 he was in a residential treatment center, where he finally

Letters

under 5.4 million. The population of Israel’s near neighbors is 188.2 million. As a reference, the population of the United States is nearly 342 million.

There are rights and wrongs on both sides, but the constant drive to destroy Israel is not the correct solution to these issues.

LAwrence

Levy

Rockville Centre

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began to thrive. In 2019 cody was discharged and came home. He was supposed to receive home- and community-based mental health services to give him the tools to re-integrate. He was entitled to at-home therapy to manage his emotions, as well as crisis respite services — an alternative to hospitalization to provide stability during crises.

He received care through Medicaid, its access guaranteed by federal law. But the reality was different: Providers changed constantly, programs had waitlists and services disappeared without explanation.

wcate, I saw the chronic understaffing, the underfunding, and the burnout.

e can’t afford to continue neglecting the services our children need.

without consistent, medically necessary services, cody couldn’t handle the transition to home, and while lingering on waitlists, he had his first suicide attempt.

All the while, I was working inside the system. I took a job with wellLife network, a nonprofit mental health provider, as a supervisor of communitybased services and a family peer advocate. These advocates are an indispensable component of our behavioral health system. we provide care as parents of children with mental health issues. As such, we are trusted messengers when offering services like skill development. But working as an advo-

I knew that the system was failing, even as my family lived it personally. And we aren’t alone. Across the state, three in four Medicaid-eligible children who need outpatient behavioral health services are not receiving them. The disparities are similar on Long Island, and grow worse the closer you look. eighty-five percent of Medicaid-eligible children in our area are not receiving the outpatient clinical services they need, and nearly 500 more practitioners are needed to fill the gap.

without an investment for providers to expand services, children will lose out on programs that stabilize them before a crisis lands them in the hospital, or in handcuffs. we cannot afford to continue neglecting these services. Medicaid reimbursement rates for them have stagnated, even as costs have risen. nonprofit providers can’t pay competitive wages. Staff leave, caseloads grow, and some programs stop offering Medicaid services altogether.

I joined that lawsuit because I was fed up with a broken system. Alongside three other families, we charged that new york was violating Medicaid law by failing to provide required communi-

Framework by Tim Baker

ty-based services. As part of the settlement, new york must review long-inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates to improve services. But the settlement gives the state a yearslong runway, and families can’t wait for reform.

If new york is serious about meeting both its legal and moral responsibilities, lawmakers must act this budget season. Providers across the state are calling for a $200 million investment to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for children’s behavioral health services.

Unfortunately, the governor’s and the State Senate’s proposed budgets do not include new resources. The Assembly did include $20 million to improve reimbursement rates, but that is far short of the support that is needed.

without investment, the promises in the settlement risk becoming hollow. It may be too late to give my son back the years he lost, but it doesn’t have to be too late for others.

every child on Long Island and across the state deserves timely mental health care in their home and community. The settlement made clear that new york falls short. now our lawmakers must make the investment necessary to turn that legal victory into real change for families like mine.

Christina Hauptman is a family peer advocate and a New York state peer specialist on the Intensive and Sustained Engagement Team at Hands Across Long Island.

Cutting loose at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in front of St. Agnes Cathedral — Rockville Centre

From Despair to Hope:

Conquering Peripheral Neuropathy with Westbury Acupuncture