The Kiwanis Club of East Meadow held its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser on May 4 at East Meadow High School, drawing hundreds from the community for a fun-filled morning of food and festivities. Proceeds support scholarships for local seniors and send underprivileged children to Kamp Kiwanis. Guests also enjoyed a surprise visit from characters from the show ‘Bluey.’ Above, Maya Provitera and Kate Barnett stopped by for a good cause and a good time. Right, Ross Schiller, a longtime Kiwanian, snapped a selfie with ‘Bluey.’ Story, more photos, Page 3.
Changes are on the horizon at NUMC
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
executive.
Appointments to the board could be made as early as June.
WNew York lawmakers have approved a $254 billion state budget package for fiscal year 2026, carrying several provisions affecting Nassau University Medical Center, including a state “takeover” of the hospital system.
The newly approved Nassau Health Care Corporation board structure, passed on May 7 by the legislature, shifts control away from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman to Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Democrats. The restructured board — overseeing NUMC in East Meadow and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale — will include 11 members, with a majority appointed by the governor, who will also designate the chair. The county executive will lose approval authority over the corporation’s chief
hat we are seeing now is a long-overdue intervention to protect patients and save the institution from those who failed it.
GoRDoN TEppER
Long Island spokesman for Gov. Kathy Hochul $1.00
The corporation has long faced scrutiny and accusations of financial mismanagement, despite the hospital system serving all patients, including the uninsured and undocumented, regardless of their ability to pay for medical care.
But significant financial improvements were reported in 2024, with the hospital system ending the fiscal year with nearly $80 million in its cash reserves, up from $28 million in December 2023. Additional financial reports showed that revenue increased by $6.2 million in November 2024, while operating expenses were down by $1.7 million, compared with 2023.
In late-April, the hospital’s current medical board strongly opposed the state’s plan before
Continued on page 23
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
What to know: East Meadow budget vote
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Residents of the East Meadow School District are set to vote on the proposed 2025-26 school year budget on Tuesday, May 20. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all district elementary schools, and voters are encouraged to cast their ballots at their respective local school. The proposed budget totals $271,288,003 and includes a tax levy increase of 3.26 percent, which is within the district’s allowable cap for the upcoming school year.
The proposed budget is designed to maintain all current instructional and co-curricular programs and services, ensuring that students continue to have access to a broad range of academic and extracurricular opportunities. This includes continued support for the district’s athletic programs, fine arts offerings, and other co-curricular activities that contribute to the well-rounded development of students. By preserving these essential programs, the district remains dedicated to fostering an engaging and enriching learning environment for all students.
A notable highlight of the proposed budget is the continuation of the district’s Foundations of Education course for high school students. Launched last year in collaboration with Adelphi University, Foundations of Education 1
Taxpayers in the East Meadow School District will vote on the 2025-26 school year’s proposed budget on May 20. Polls are open starting at 7 a.m. at district elementary schools. Above, Barnum Woods, one of the polling locations.
offers students the opportunity to earn three college credits while exploring the field of education. The course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of teaching and learning, and it includes an internship component where students work with younger peers at the district’s five elementary schools to gain valuable field experience.
For the 2025-26 school year, the district will expand the Foundations of
Education program with the introduction of Foundations of Education 2. This expansion includes two separate semester courses: Philosophy of Education and Childhood/Adolescent Development. Together, these courses will provide students with an additional six college credits, further supporting their future educational goals. For students who choose to continue their studies at Adelphi University, these nine credits can be applied to their education pro-
gram, giving them a head start as they pursue careers in education.
The budget also emphasizes the district’s ongoing commitment to student safety and security. It includes additional security measures aimed at enhancing the safety of students and staff across all schools. In addition to security improvements, the proposed budget provides funding for districtwide capital upgrades, ensuring that the district’s facilities are well-maintained and able to support modern educational needs.
The district is also committed to keeping class sizes within established guidelines to ensure that each student receives the attention and support they need to succeed. By maintaining manageable class sizes, the district aims to foster a more personalized learning experience, where students can thrive academically and socially.
There are three spots open on the East Meadow board of education. Nancy Wildman, an incumbent, is seeking reelection. Siobhan Licastro and Dana Fernandez, both newcomers, are also running for seats. All seats are uncontested.
Matthew Melnick and Jodi Luce will step down from the board after the 202425 school year.
For more information about the proposed budget and the upcoming vote, residents can visit the district’s website at EMUFSD.us.
Attend Hofstra’s Virtual
GRADUATE
OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, June 7, 2025 10 a.m.
At Hofstra University, graduate students grow the seeds to advance in their career. Hear from representatives across 200 programs that include business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and psychology, and learn all the ways your success can sprout at Hofstra University. Your future awaits.
For event details and to RSVP, visit hofstra.edu/visit
Serving up a good time at Kiwanis breakfast
The Kiwanis Club of East Meadow celebrated its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser on May 4, must to the enjoyment of the East Meadow community, who stopped by for a good time — and a good meal.
Hundreds of community members spent their Sunday morning eating pancakes, eggs, and sausage in the East Meadow High School cafeteria.
The breakfast has been raising money for more than 30 years, and is among the club’s largest fundraisers, behind only the Steven J. Eisman Memorial Golf Outing. Money from the breakfast is used for Kiwanis scholarships for high school seniors and to send underprivileged children to Kamp Kiwanis, a sleepaway summer camp in Taberg, New York.
In addition to the breakfast, there was lots of other fun to go around. Some fan-favorite characters from the children’s show, “Bluey” stopped by, much to the excitement of everyone.
The Kiwanis supports and takes part in various initiatives throughout the year. Visit EastMeadowKiwanis.org for more.
–Jordan Vallone
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
The Kiwanis Club of East Meadow held it annual pancake breakfast on May 4, bringing together the community for a good time and a good cause. The East Meadow Fire Department, above, with Kiwanis leadership.
State Sen. Rhoads helped serve breakfast alongside Kiwanians.
The cafeteria at East Meadow High School was packed with guests from the community.
Town Clerk Kate Murray chatted with volunteer Matthew Feldman-Bates. Samantha Platkin delivered coffee to Sheila Greenberg and Clare Keilbach.
Face it to fix it elevate the Conversation
Sometimes it is broke and you do have to fix it. That’s the philosophy behind student course evaluations and the opportunity to anonymously hear what is going on in the classroom that you would never be aware of. So in the spirit of imminent graduations and another school year to be finished soon, this is a story about it never being too late to learn.
I volunteer to have evaluations taken every semester, even when I am not required to do so, because depending upon the replies and viewpoint I can be squarely characterized as either an egotist or masochist. But either way, it’s now my time to learn.
off as a disgruntled student carrying a failing average, but I didn’t.
As they may have hoped, once the sting began to fade, I began to respect and dissect the evaluation in the same way it had dissected my course. What could be addressed both in the short term and long term? What could not be adjusted due to department and university requirements? What would fixing/ tweaking/updating to spring forth a new version of the course look like? And how could others, coming after this student benefit? This is not a “yay me!” kind of exercise or report, rather it was all about perception, perspective and the need to take action. And oh yes, I learned a lot too.
A Forgotten American Treasure
Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac appeared from 1732 to 1758. Amongst other information, it provided pithy sayings and proverbs, many of which have withstood the test of time.
“An empty bag cannot stand upright.”
“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom a good one.”
“Anoint a villain and he’ll stab you: stab him and he’ll anoint you.”
“An old young man will be a young old man.”
“Don’t think to hunt two hares with one dog.”
“Eat few suppers and you’ll need few medicines.”
“Great almsgiving, lessens no man’s living.”
“Happy’s the wooing that’s not long a doing.”
“He that lies down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”
“If your riches are yours, why don’t you take them with you to the other world.”
“Lost time is never found again.”
“The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?”
“They who have nothing to trouble them, will be troubled at nothing.”
“The sleeping fox catches no poultry.”
“The tongue is ever turning to the aching tooth.”
• Medicaid FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 or email info@trustlaw.com 100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success Other offices in Huntington
Melville
Islandia
One student, candidly, caustically and in painstaking detail reviewed last year’s class and not only brought up its faults, but defined my failure to meet their expectations. It spanned many areas, reviewing the learning objectives in both online and in person instruction, revealing the conversations in the room about the course when I stepped out to chaperone an industry speaker to the classroom, ways the students found the grading tough and the no opportunity to make up assignments deeply unfair. It leaked into an assessment of how I constructed my course compared with others in the learning management system and it ended with an inability to meet the student’s requirements. It was the only comprehensive evaluation of its kind in that semester, or for that matter, in years past. And I could have shrugged it
The industry and topics I teach are very challenging and in constant flux. Combined that with today’s student population struggling with heightened mental health issues, carrying an overload of courses (as well part- or full-time work) and you have a recipe for potential burnout or meltdown. Every day I remind myself that I must do whatever is possible not to contribute to that but rather simply to teach, explain, bring relevance to their business studies and provide a safe space as they look to their futures.
A contributing writer to the Herald since 2012, Lauren Lev is a direct marketing/ advertising executive who teaches marketing fundamentals as well as advertising and marketing communications courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology and SUNY Old Westbury.
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/eastmeadow ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: emeditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: (516) 569-4000 Ext.
L auren L ev
VALENTINA KESABIAN
Clarke Senior Lacrosse
IT’S BEEN AN IMPRESSIVE rise for Clarke’s girls’ lacrosse program since it endured a winless 2022 campaign, and Kesabian has been a major part of the turnaround. Last spring she helped lead the Rams to 10 wins, scoring 26 goals and earning All-Conference honors in the process. This season, both the third-year attack and the team continued to flourish. Kesabian finished with 39 goals and 13 assists, and Clarke won 12 of 15 games.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, May 15
Softball playoffs: First round at higher seed ...................TBA
Boys Lacrosse: Freeport at Kennedy .........................5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Elmont at Lawrence ..........................5
Baseball: Elmont at West Hempstead
Baseball: Roosevelt at Uniondale
Baseball: G.N. South at V.S. Central ..........................5
Friday, May 16
Boys Lacrosse: Garden City at Carey....................4:30 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Oceanside at Farmingdale................5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Plainedge at South Side ...................5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Massapequa at Syosset ...................5 p.m.
Saturday, May 17
Softball: Nassau quarterfinals at higher seed ................TBA
Monday, May 19
Softball: Nassau semifinals GM1 at higher seed ...........TBA
Tuesday, May 20
Softball: Nassau semifinals GM2 at lower seed.............TBA
Baseball: Nassau Class A quarterfinals GM 3................TBA
Baseball: Nassau Class B semifinals GM 2 ...................TBA
Baseball: Nassau Class AAA play-in games ...................TBA
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
HERALD SPORTS
Clarke enjoying quite the rise
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Not only has Clarke girls’ lacrosse program picked up where it left off last season when it earned 10 victories, the Rams have stepped it up a notch with a roster keyed by seniors and featuring a wealth of talented juniors and sophomores.
Clarke closed the regular season May 8 with a runaway 14-0 victory at Hempstead, giving it a dozen wins overall and nine in its last 10 games following backto-back one-goal defeats to Wheatley and Island Trees.
“I thought the girls responded to those losses extremely well,” longtime coach Rick Aragona said. “The level of improvement in each kid has been noticeable over the course of the season. It’s great to see. We’ve become a more aggressive team and deep, rotating just about everyone in.”
One of eight seniors, attacker Valentina Kesabian earned All-Conference honors last spring after she helped lead the program’s rise with 26 goals. This year she’s netted 42 and dished out 16 assists, serving as a catalyst for an offense that’s getting lots of scoring from the midfield. “She’s grown tremendously,” Aragona said.
“We have great teamwork and a lot of the girls are playing travel lacrosse,” said Kesabian, who’s had eight games with at least five points including a season-high seven (5 goals, 2 assists) in a 13-9 win over Malverne/East Rockaway April 2. “It’s exciting. We’ve been building confidence with every game.”
Another playmaker up top is senior Demi Mah Lee, one of the bigger surprises who’s scored 11 goals and handed out 8 assists. Keeping with the veteran theme on attack, seniors Sophia Sfozra and Karli Rubenstein have also contributed.
An area where the Rams have outlasted opponents is midfield. Junior Gianna Riccobono, a captain, has been a consistent weapon with 34 goals, four of which came May 2 in a setback to Division. She also has nine other multi-goal games. “She’s shown a progression of improve-
ment over the years and has really come into her own,” Aragona said.
Junior middie Mia Lucas has been a force at both ends of the field, Aragona said, and particularly in the opposing zone and she’s found the back of the net 23 times. Sophomore middie/attacker Ayla Abate, who had 15 goals last spring, has 18 and leads the team in assists with 19, and juniors Erin Frank and Madison DeLeon netted 18 and 11 goals, respectively. “Ayla is taking draws and coming up with them more often than not,” said Aragona, who is assisted by Nicole Rizzo. “Her success has been huge for us.”
Frank, who has taken her stick stills to another level, scored in overtime to beat West Hempstead, 11-10, March 31.
Frank, Riccobono and sophomore Katerina Rivera are the fastest kids the program has had in quite some time, the
coach said.
Senior Lauren Foley tops the depth chart at goaltender and has been solid in totaling 85 saves. “Lauren knows the game and is playing very well,” Aragona said. Junior Rebekah McGrady is the primary backup and has 23 stops, and junior Sofia Zito has also chipped in. The defenders are thriving not only on the back end but also in transition, said Aragona, citing the efforts of senior Chaeeun Kim, juniors Rebecca Palumbo and Ava Ruperto, sophomore Julia Cardozo, and freshman Victoria Ruperto.
The Rams (12-3) scored double digits in goals in all but two games and got additional contributions from seniors Sophia Faude and Rosana DeStefano, juniors Eva Reyes, Giovanna Palmeri, Diana Velez, Isabella Hirsh, Kayla Gismondi, Melina Pagiatis and Arianna Rincon, and sophomore Cat Hopkins.
Paul Grassini/Herald
One of eight seniors on the roster, Valentina Kesabian, reached the 40-goal plateau in Clarke’s win at Hempstead in the May 8 finale.
Youthful Clarke makes plenty of strides
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
The Clarke boys’ lacrosse team made big strides this spring nearly tripling its win total from last year and sealing a winning conference record to close the season.
The Rams finished 7-7 in Conference C and 7-9 overall. Seventh-year Clarke coach Joe Hasbrouck said a restructuring of the Rams’ league was beneficial for his young team to gain some confidence after a threewin 2023 season.
“The way they aligned the league certainly helped to keep a competitive schedule and we responded in a bunch of games that could have gone either way to earn a couple of extra wins for us,” Hasbrouck said “I couldn’t be happier with how it’s played out for us and the way that kids have responded to everything.”
Clarke ended the season with a
goalie Elijah Richard recorded 16 saves in his final high school game.
Liam Morgan stepped up big this as a junior this season switching to a full-time midfield role after shining at attack as a sophomore. He led the Rams’ offense with 36 goals including four in a 12-5 win at Glen Cove on April 12.
“He got a little bit stronger and a little bit faster, which has really changed his game,” said Hasbrouck of Morgan. “He really stepped up this year.”
Freshman Everett Barsuaskas also emerged as a key part of offense this season and led the team in assists with —---. He tallied six assists in an 8-2 win against Valley Stream District on April 28 and registered four assists to go along with two goals in a commanding 16-1 victory versus Clarke on April 12.
The defense was anchored by senior Rocco Carino, a four-year
ship role and became the defender we thought he could be this season against some of the other teams’ top scorers,” said Hasbrouck of Carino, who will play on the collegiate level next year at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island.
Senior goalie Elijah Richard also took his game to another level this season posting an over 60 percent save percentage. He posted sewerage double-digit save performances including 14 in a 10-4 win against Elmont on April 24.
Hasbrouck hopes the progress made this year can extend into the 2026 season where the Rams will return much of their offense,
“Hopefully with the step we took this year we can take another step into next year and then rely on some of the freshmen step up into some stronger bodies as sophomores and see juniors who have really produced in the season have
Nine & Dine
Teeing Off for Change
HONORING MEN & COMPANIES ADVANCING WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Derrick Dingle/Herald
Chalk S. State crashes up to bad judgment
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Second story in a series on the Southern State Parkway.
Ana Marte, 67, said that a fatal car accident on the Southern State Parkway in January changed her life.
Her grandson Anthonie Marte, 23, was severely injured in a one-car crash shortly after 11 p.m. on Jan. 12, in the eastbound lanes not far from Exit 30, near Farmingdale and Massapequa, according to the New York State Police.
Investigators said that the car in which Marte was a passenger, a black 2016 Dodge Dart, was traveling at a high rate of speed and weaving between lanes before the driver lost control and crashed into a tree.
Two rear-seat passengers, ages 23 and 21, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Jaden Dsouza, 19, of College Point, Queens, and Marte, of East Elmhurst, Queens, who was in the front passenger seat, were both extricated from the vehicle and transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition.
Marte’s grandmother said he suffered major head injuries, and she still takes care of him daily, feeding him and giving him pain medicine. He is slowly recovering, with doctors’ appointments and physical therapy. “He’s like a baby again,” she said. “He doesn’t want to go outside because he’s scared, and all he does is sleep.”
Marte does not remember the accident, his grandmother said.
Dsouza was later charged with one count of driving while ability impaired by drugs, second-degree manslaughter, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault and aggravated vehicular homicide, police said.
Crash data from the New York State Police shows a fluctuating, but persistent, pattern of accidents on the Southern State Parkway over the past six years, with the number of fatal crashes in a year reaching as high as six.
Crashes resulting in serious personal injury in Nassau have remained relatively low throughout the period, with no more than two reported in any given year.
While most incidents are non-fatal, serious crashes often involve an added risk: intoxication. Speed and distraction remain consistent contributing factors, but impairment by drugs or alcohol increases the potential for deadly outcomes.
“It’s on the driver for the most part,” State Police Capt. Mike Rhodes said. “If they’re inattentive, if they’re speeding, if they’re not following the vehicle and traffic law, they do not understand the severity of what could happen.”
Rhodes oversees 56 state troopers and eight sergeants, many of whom patrol the 25.3-mile long Southern State. Most accidents, he said, occur during peak congestion, at around 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Crash data from the state police show a fluctuating but persistent pattern of accidents on the parkway over the past six years, with fatal crashes increasing in 2024.
In 2019, there were 3,127 crashes on the Nassau County stretch of the parkway, including six fatalities. That number dropped to 2,331 in 2020, but rose again in subsequent years, reaching 2,716 in 2022 and 2,725 in 2023. In 2024, state police recorded 2,549 crashes and five fatalities. Thus far this year, there have been 328 crashes and one fatality.
“A lot of these things, they hit every single age category,” Rhodes said.
To combat the persistent problem, state police focus on enforcement and outreach. Not every traffic stop results in a citation; many serve as opportunities for education.
Personal injury attorney Stephen Cohen said that in his more than five decades of handling lawsuits, most of those that involve accidents on the Southern State involve intoxicated drivers.
Cohen, a partner at the law firm Cohen and Jaffe, in New Hyde Park, said that speed, intoxication and reckless driving continue to be the common factors in the region’s most serious accidents.
“I don’t believe road design is an issue at all,” Cohen said. “Posting more signs to slow down isn’t an answer, because when somebody is either speeding or just intoxicated, they don’t really care what the sign says.”
Many collisions during rush hour, he explained, stem from traffic congestion and insufficient braking distance. “People are gliding along, and they hit a certain spot, and all of a sudden they weren’t prepared, because they’re going 70 miles an hour,” Cohen said. “So you
see a lot of rear-end collisions, not necessarily death-related.”
Fatal crashes, he noted, often involve younger drivers, high speeds and intoxication or impairment.
“You don’t see fatalities at 11 o’clock in the morning,” Cohen said. “You just don’t. You may see them at 4 in the morning. When your ability to observe is not sharp because of either impairment or intoxication, the car is going to go airborne. And if there happens to be a tree there, that’s the next thing you’re going to hit.”
In his practice, Cohen said, the firm represents victims or passengers, but not intoxicated drivers.
Under state law, he noted, lawsuits require plaintiffs to meet the “serious injury” threshold defined in insurance law. In cases involving fatalities, death, families must petition a Surrogate’s Court to appoint a representative for the estate before filing a lawsuit. That process can take over a year, he said.
Insurance coverage limits often dictate how quickly a case can be resolved. “If somebody has — let’s say, the responsible party — has a $100,000 policy, that case is going to be over in two seconds,” Cohen said.
Efforts to reform wrongful death laws in New York have repeatedly stalled, despite advocacy from legal organizations.
Despite changes in laws and vehicle technology over the years, Cohen said, the root problems remain unchanged.
“It only seems to get worse because cars are faster than they were 20, 30 years ago,” he said. “There’s more people drinking or doing some sort of drugs. And that’s what you see in all horrific accidents.”
Additional reporting by Mohammad Rafiq.
Accident data from the New York State Police
2019 – Total: 3,987
(3,127 Nassau, 860 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 2 (Nassau)
Fatal: 8 (6 Nassau, 2 Suffolk)
2020 – Total: 2,977
(2,331 Nassau, 646 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 3 (2 Nassau, 1 Suffolk)
Fatal: 9 (6 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)
2021 – Total: 3,566
(2,782 Nassau, 784 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 1 (Nassau)
Fatal: 9 (6 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)
2022 – Total: 3,552
(2,716 Nassau, 836 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury:
5 (1 Nassau, 4 Suffolk)
Fatal: 13 (5 Nassau, 8 Suffolk)
2023 – Total: 3,500 (2,725-Nassau, 775-Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 1 (Nassau)
Fatal: 6 (3 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)
2024 – Total: 3,405
(2,549 Nassau, 856 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury:
2 (1 Nassau, 1 Suffolk)
Fatal: 15 (5 Nassau, 10 Suffolk)
2025* – Total: 426 (328 Nassau, 98 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 0
Fatal: 3 (1 Nassau, 2 Suffolk)
* To date
Tim Baker/Herald
Water providers are tested in taste contest
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
What’s the best-tasting tap water on Long Island?
That was the question posed to students at Farmingdale State College during the Long Island Water Conference’s 37th annual drinking water tasting contest, held during National Drinking Water Week.
The conference, also known as LIWC, is made up of members of public and private water suppliers across Long Island. According to LIWC Commissioner Robert McEvoy, the event has taken place at the Farmingdale campus for the past four years, sparking student interest in water quality.
“It draws in a lot of the students,” McEvoy said. “They’re interested in where the water comes from, and if there’s any variance in taste. We also try to promote tap water as being the most regulated and tested, even more so than bottled water.”
The finals, held on May 7, featured 16 Long Island water providers competing for the title of best-tasting drinking water in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Students, faculty and staff on campus participated in a blind taste test, sampling water from each provider and casting their votes.
The Oyster Bay Water District won the Nassau County competition, while
Water District Secretary
the Greenlawn Water District took the top spot in Suffolk. Both districts will advance to the New York State Regional Metro Tap Water Taste Contest in New York City in August, where they will compete for a spot in the statewide competition held later that month at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse.
LIWC representatives at the event also took the opportunity to educate attendees about the water supplied to their homes, and assured them that Long Island’s drinking water remains of high quality.
McEvoy, who is also a commissioner
and the chairman of the Oyster Bay Water District, said that frequent testing is conducted by the state Department of Health to ensure the water’s quality.
“It’s safe, it’s highly regulated and it’s extremely affordable,” McEvoy said. “It’s something that should be utilized by the public, and it’s a far greater value than bottled water.”
Michael Rich, a commissioner and the secretary of the Oyster Bay district, has taken part in the competition for the past 10 years, educating the community about local water supplies.
“It’s great to come out to the commu-
nity and have everyone get involved with local water,” Rich said.
He noted that most people aren’t aware of where their water comes from. On Long Island, drinking water comes from an aquifer system, a naturally formed underground storage area.
In an aquifer system, unwanted chemicals are capable of seeping into the water supply. The LIWC urges residents to dispose of hazardous household waste properly at designated town drop-off sites and never pour it down drains, into storm sewers or on the ground.
“Anything that we put on the ground will ultimately find its way into the aquifer,” Rich stated.
Lawn irrigation, he said, accounts for much of Long Island’s water use. He urged residents to follow odd/even watering schedules, watering on days that match their house numbers. He also highlighted the importance of leak detection, noting that undetected leaks can waste hundreds of thousands of gallons each month, making it vital for both residents and water providers to monitor and address them.
Rich added that it doesn’t take much water to maintain a healthy lawn.
“You don’t have to water your lawn for a half-hour a day,” Rich said. “You’ll get the same results 15 minutes a day, so we try to stress that.”
For more information on the local water supply, visit liwc.org.
My mother may soon be applying for Medicaid. How does this affect funeral arrangements?
The latest Medicaid regulations now permit individuals to set aside a portion of their assets in an irrevocable trust account in order to have funds for future funeral expenses. When an individual approaches the time when Medicaid coverage seems likely, social workers generally advise families to look into this funeral pre-funding option.
Here’s how we can help:
• The Family will make an appointment with us to discuss just what we are to do when the death occurs.
• We discuss options and record their wishes not just about preferred funeral home services but cemetery, church, monument inscription, newspaper notices, etc. We inform the family of exactly what the funeral home and third party costs are at the present time.
• Funds to cover those expenses can then deposited in our FDIC insured PRE-PLAN Trust. The Trust pays sufficient interest to allow us to guaranty those future funeral home costs into the future.
• While the funds remain in the name of the individual going on Medicaid, eligibility to receive Medicaid coverage is not affected.
If we can help you with this important matter, call us and our knowledgeable staff will answer your questions. Moreover, there is no cost involved in establishing a PRE-PLAN Trust.
L. Kearns, Patrick J. Kearns, Paul C. Kearns-Stanley (516) 794-0500 or 1-800-640-9500 (NYS)
Charles Shaw/Herald
Oyster Bay
Michael Rich, second from right, and Treasurer Nick Niznik offered samples to students during the Long Island Water Conference’s annual water tasting event at Farmingdale State College.
Thomas L. Kearns
E.M. Kiwanis plants tree for Arbor Day
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
For the Kiwanis Club of East Meadow, it’s always about the kids — and that commitment was on full display during the club’s second annual Arbor Day tree planting at Veterans Memorial Park.
Gathering under sunny skies on April 25, club members, local leaders, and student volunteers came together near the park’s gazebo at East Meadow Avenue and Prospect Avenue — a community hub for seasonal celebrations and civic events — to mark Arbor Day with the planting of a flowering cherry tree.
The annual event is quickly becoming a springtime tradition in East Meadow, where the Kiwanis Club works yearround to promote service, leadership, and civic responsibility — especially among young people. Last year, the club planted a different variety of tree in the same area, and the hope is that with each passing year, the park will grow greener and more vibrant thanks to these efforts.
This year’s tree planting was again a collaboration between the Kiwanis Club and local government officials, who joined club members for a ceremony recognizing the environmental and educational significance of Arbor Day. Observed nationally on the last Friday in April — which this year fell on the day of the dedication — Arbor Day encourages communities to plant trees and raise awareness about their vital role in the ecosystem. Trees provide shade, improve air quality, offer habitats for wildlife, and beautify public spaces — and, as the Kiwanis Club emphasizes, they also offer an opportunity to teach young people about environmental stewardship.
That lesson was at the heart of the ceremony, as student members of East Meadow’s K-Kids — the elementaryschool level of Kiwanis International — took the lead in presenting the meaning and history of Arbor Day. They shared fun facts and historical insights, including that the first Arbor Day in the United States was held in 1872 in Nebraska,
where more than a million trees were planted. Since then, the holiday has been adopted around the world, with planting dates varying by region depending on local climates.
Former Kiwanis president Joe Parisi said that the event was designed not only to honor Arbor Day, but also to create a memorable, hands-on learning opportunity for the club’s youngest members.
“The point is to have the kids learn about the importance of trees and the environment,” Parisi said.
The Kiwanis Club continues to support children and families in East Meadow and beyond through service projects, fundraisers, and youth leadership programs. To learn more about their ongoing efforts, visit EastMeadowKiwanis.org.
Kiwanis president Melody Schiller with past president Joe Parisi.
The work the Kiwanis accomplishes, including the tree planting, is made possible by the club’s partnership with local government. State Sen. Steve Rhoads, above, addressed the crowd of attendees.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Town Councilman Dennis Dunne attended the unveiling of the newly planted flowering cherry tree.
Melody Schiller, president of the Kiwanis Club, with Sky Bruzgis and Riley Yohay with the past president of the Kiwanis Joe Parisi at the tree dedication ceremony in Veterans Memorial Park on Arbor Day.
Focusing on
By Maureen Salamon
Several evenings a week, as Tyler VanderWeele gathers around the dinner table with his wife and two young kids, the family deliberately pauses during the meal to do something simple but profound. Each shares several things for which they’re grateful — an act that VanderWeele, codirector of the Initiative on Health, Spirituality, and Religion at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, feels changes his family dynamic for the better.
“I do think it makes a difference and can be a very powerful practice,” he says. “
Gratitude, health and longevity
How can the power of gratitude affect our lives? Recent research has pointed to gratitude’s myriad positive health effects, including greater emotional and social wellbeing, better sleep quality, lower depression risks, and favorable markers of cardiovascular health. Now, new data from the longterm Nurses’ Health Study shows that it may extend lives.
“Gratitude has been one of the most widely studied activities contributing to well-being, but we couldn’t find a single prior study that looked at its effects on mortality and longevity, much to our surprise,”
says VanderWeele, research co-author.
Published July 2024 in JAMA Psychiatry, the new study drew on data from 49,275 women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study. Their average age was 79. In 2016, participants completed a six-item gratitude questionnaire in which they ranked their agreement with statements such as, “I have so much in life to be thankful for,” and “If I had to list everything I felt grateful for, it would
be a very long list.”
What did the researchers find?
Participants with gratitude scores in the highest third at the study’s start had a 9 percent lower risk of dying over the following four years than participants who scored in the bottom third. This did not change after controlling for physical health, economic circumstances, and other aspects of
mental health and well-being. Gratitude seemed to help protect participants from every cause of death studied — including cardiovascular disease.
But what does this actually mean?
“A 9 percent reduction in mortality risk is meaningful, but not huge,” VanderWeele says. “But what’s remarkable about gratitude is that just about anyone can practice it. Anyone can recognize what’s around them and express thanks to others for what’s good in their life.”
While the study couldn’t pinpoint why gratitude is associated with longer life, several factors may contribute.
“We know that gratitude makes people feel happier. That in itself has a small effect on mortality risk,” he says. “Practicing gratitude may also make someone a bit more motivated to take care of their health. Maybe they’re more likely to show up for medical appointments or exercise. It may also help with relationships and social support, which we know contribute to health.”
Courtesy Premium Health News Service
Stress management — Zen and the art of heart-brain harmony HEALTH MEMO
What’s one of the most significant contributors to heart troubles and brain fog? You guessed it, stress. It is a pesky little thing that seems to sneak into our lives when we least expect it. But fear not; Dr. Keith Darrow, Ph.D., CCC-A, has a treasure trove of stress-busting strategies to share with you
Trusted
We are your go-to partners for hearing health, using the latest in hearing technology and care.
Ongoing Support: Hearing needs can change, and we are with you every step of the way on your hearing journey.
Let’s start with a classic: Deep Breathing. It might sound simple but taking a few moments to focus on your breath can work wonders for your stress levels. Close your eyes, inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a few beats, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat as needed and feel that tension melt away.
Next up: The Power of Movement. While we already know that exercise is where it’s at, there are stress-reducing exercises that can be gamechangers. Whether you’re hitting the yoga mat, going for a jog, or dancing around your living room like nobody’s watching, getting your body moving is a surefire way to lift your spirits and soothe your soul.
And a favorite of mine: Self-Care. Whether it’s treating yourself to a bubble bath, curling up with a good book, or spending time with loved ones, finding activities that bring you joy and relaxation is key
Here’s one you might not have thought of: The Power of Perspective. Sometimes, all it takes to conquer stress is a shift in mindset. Try reframing negative thoughts into positive affirmations, practicing gratitude, or simply reminding yourself that you’re doing the best you can with what you’ve got Trust me, a little bit of positivity can go a long way
Last but certainly not least: The Importance of Boundaries. Learning to say no, setting realistic
expectations for yourself, and carving out time for rest and relaxation are all essential components of stress management. Remember, it’s okay to put yourself first sometimes you can’t pour from an empty cup!
So, there you have it an easy toolkit to get you started on stress-busting strategies to help you keep your heart happy and your brain sharp. Pick and choose what works best for you, and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find your perfect stress-relief formula. After all, when it comes to living our best lives, nobody has time for stress to get in the way!
Photo: Gratitude can be a health game changer. It can be a powerful practice to cultivate, especially for those who struggle with anxiety or depression.
Alcohol and cancer — what will you do?
In a recent Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” public health poll, 51 percent of metro area residents said they would consider drinking less as a result of the advisory by former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, linking alcohol use to certain types of cancer.
According to the Surgeon General’s advisory, alcohol consumption contributes to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and about 20,000 cancer deaths each year in the United States. Studies show alcohol use increases the risk for breast, colorectal, liver, and esophageal cancer, as well as cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box.
The poll, sponsored by Four Leaf Federal Credit Union, has sparked a debate over the benefits of reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, highlighting the tough road ahead for public health experts trying to shift behaviors. Although 58 percent of respondents agree that alcohol can lead to overeating and smoking, fewer than half—46 percent—said they believe it increases the risks of cancer. Meanwhile, 58 percent believe there is a safe level of alcohol that can be consumed without raising one’s risk of cancer.
“Alcohol is a carcinogen, so the more alcohol a person drinks — particularly over time — the greater their risk of developing an alcohol-associated cancer,” said Adhi Sharma, MD, President of Mount Sinai South Nassau. “It would be prudent to add the cancer risk to the warning label, which could have a dual effect of reducing alcohol-related accidents as well as a range of serious health complications, such as liver and heart disease, stroke, depression, and brain damage.”
Studies show that alcohol may increase cancer risk by disrupting cell cycles, triggering chronic inflammation, damaging DNA (which controls cell growth and function), and elevating hormone levels, including estrogen, which plays a role in breast cancer development.
“As a hepatologist and gastroenterologist, I remind my patients
that while complete abstinence is the safest path, reducing consumption (no more than 1 standard drink for women and no more than 2 for a man), staying hydrated, avoiding binge drinking, and supporting liver health with a balanced diet might help mitigate some of alcohol’s toxic effects,” said Pruthvi Patel, MD, Associate Program Director of Outpatient Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai South Nassau, and Associate Professor of Medicine (Liver Diseases), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “But there’s no completely safe level when it comes to cancer risk.”
According to the American Association of Cancer Research’s 2024 Cancer Progress Report, 40 percent of all cancer cases in the United States are associated with modifiable risk factors like alcohol consumption. The Surgeon General affirmed in the advisory that, “The largest burden of alcohol-related cancer in the United States is for breast cancer in women, with an estimated 44,180 cases in 2019, representing 16.4 percent of the approximately 270,000 total breast cancer cases for women.”
Adding the cancer risk warning to alcohol labels may be the inspiration some need to quit drinking alcoholic beverages, as 54 percent of poll respondents say they generally trust warning labels on food and beverages. Seeing the warning in print could provide the motivation for the 20 percent (of those who said they drink alcoholic beverages) to act on their desire to cut back on alcohol.
“I strongly encourage everyone to make it a priority to consider whether they should reduce the amount of alcohol they drink,” said Aaron Glatt, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau. “Additional benefits of drinking less include lowered blood pressure, weight loss, a healthier complexion, sharper mental clarity, balanced mood, reduced anxiety, and better liver function.”
Mount Sinai South Nassau has provided behavioral health and substance use disorder services to Nassau County residents for more than 50 years. The hospital is committed to providing the highest-quality treatment and support to children, adults, and
A recent Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” public health poll revealed that 51 percent of metro area residents said they would consider drinking less as a result of the advisory by former U.S. Surgeon General, linking alcohol use to certain types of cancer.
families with a wide variety of symptoms and diagnoses, from substance abuse to anxiety and depression to attention deficithyperactivity disorder and more.
The hospital counseling centers offer outpatient, in-person, and telehealth services in Baldwin and Hempstead; they accept a variety of payment options and use a sliding scale for uninsured patients. Treatment is provided in English and Spanish, as well as in more than 100 other languages via interpreter services. Call (516) 3775400 to schedule an appointment.
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff. One Healthy Way Oceanside, NY 11572 • 877-SOUTH-NASSAU (877-768-8462) • www.mountsinai.org/southnassau
T:10.25"
Mount Sinai South Nassau is Improving Health Care on the South Shore
The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.
The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.
To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion
A bipartisan effort to protect IVF access
Gillen leads push for bill safeguarding fertility treatments, hoping for congressional momentum
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat representing New York’s 4th Congressional District, and Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, of the 17th District, have reintroduced a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting access to in vitro fertilization across the country.
The Access to Family Building Act, which Gillen is shepherding with support from Lawler and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, seeks to federally codify the right to access IVF services. The legislation is in response to growing concerns that reproductive technologies like IVF are being threatened by recent state-level legal developments and court rulings.
During a virtual press conference on May 7, Gillen emphasized the importance of ensuring legal certainty for families relying on reproductive technology. Infertility, she said, is a widespread issue affecting Americans of all backgrounds, and she called for Congress to act swiftly to protect the procedure.
“We believe, like most Americans do, that the right to start and grow family through IVF should be protected,” Gil-
len said. “The Access to Family Building Act will simply ensure that IVF remains accessible to families in every state.”
Lawler echoed Gillen’s sentiments, sharing his own family’s experience with fertility challenges. He reaffirmed his support for protecting IVF access, calling it a nonpartisan issue with widespread public backing. Lawler also referenced other related legislative efforts he supports, including tax credits and insurance mandates to reduce the financial burden of IVF treatments.
“Access to IVF should not be a partisan issue,” he said. “We want to help people through this journey and certainly make sure that their right to IVF is protected.”
The press event also featured Barbara Collura, president and CEO of Resolve: The National Infertility Association, who stressed the emotional and financial toll of infertility and the need for guaranteed nationwide access to IVF.
“There are so many challenges that our communities face in building their families,” Collura said. “Our goal is to reduce and eliminate those barriers. We know firsthand that our communities want to know that IVF is protected in all 50 states.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IVF accounted for nearly 3 percent for U.S. births in 2022, with over 91,000 babies born through assisted reproductive technology.
Democrats that year introduced the Right to Build Families Act, to protect access to IVF and other fertility treatments amid concerns after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The bill was blocked by Senate Republicans.
The lawmakers emphasized the bipartisan nature of the new legislation, with Gillen noting that Republican support like Lawler’s is vital to passing it in the current Congress.
When the Herald asked about the path forward, both lawmakers said they planned to advocate within their parties and with the congressional leadership to advance the bill through committee and onto the House floor.
The legislation comes amid renewed national attention to IVF following recent court rulings in states like Alabama, where embryos created through IVF were legally recognized as children, prompting clinics to suspend services due to the legal risks.
“I think it’s really important to dem-
vitro fertilization at a virtual press conference on May 7.
onstrate that this is not a partisan issue,” Gillen said. “This is an easy one for us to agree on. We want to support couples and individuals who want to bring a child into the world. IVF may be the only way that they can do that.”
Herald file photo
U.S. Representatives Laura Gillen and Mike Lawler announced bipartisan legislation to protect nationwide access to in
Stay Connected this Year:
After a conclave that lasted just over a day, Robert Francis Prevost, 69, from Chicago, was selected as the next pope. He selected the papal name Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV is the first pope from the United States
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Cardinals in the Vatican have selected Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Prevost, 69, who has adopted the papal name Pope Leo XIV, is the first pope from the United States.
The conclave, comprising of 133 cardinal electors, reached the required twothirds majority in just over a day, signaling their decision with the traditional white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney on May 8.
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago, and received a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University. A member of the Order of St. Augustine, he took his first vows in 1978 and his solemn vows in 1981. He earned a master’s degree in divinity in 1982 from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
He has spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru, eventually becoming a naturalized Peruvian citizen and serving as Archbishop of Chiclayo. In 2023, he was appointed by Pope Francis to lead the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops, an important role in overseeing the selection of bishops around the globe.
Upon his first appearance as pope on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV greeted the thousands assembled with the words, “Peace be with you” in Italian and Spanish.
AP News reported that Pope Leo XIV was formerly the leader of the Order of St. Augustine, formed in the 13th century as a community dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue efforts toward modernization and inclusivity within the Catholic Church.
As well-wishes poured in from global and local leaders, The Most Reverend John Barres, Bishop of Rockville Cen-
tre, said: “With my brother bishops, the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, I give thanks to the Almighty God for the gift of our new Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
“As the 267th Successor of Saint Peter, we pray Pope Leo XIV will receive every grace to strengthen the Church in unity and peace, preach Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and confirm the Faith.
“With years of global missionary experience in Peru and leadership in his Augustinian community here in the United States, we pray, too, that his evangelizing pastoral charity and wisdom will guide the mission of the Church he now serves as Supreme Pontiff.”
County Executive Bruce Blakeman said: “Congratulations Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and proud son of Chicago. His election marks a new chapter of hope, unity and spiritual leadership for Catholics around the world.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we pray for Pope Leo XIV as he begins his sacred mission to guide the Church with wisdom, compassion and strength.”
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, who leads a youth group at St. Pius X RC Church in Plainview, said “Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his election as the first American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. As he begins this sacred journey, we pray his leadership brings renewed hope, unity and faith to Catholics around the world.”
St. Raphael Parish in East Meadow wrote on Facebook, “We have a Pope! All glory and gratitude to God as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American missionary from Chicago, is elected to successor to St. Peter, now as Pope Leo XIV. May God bless and guide our first American pope!”
Courtesy Press Office of the Holy See
STEPPING OUT
Young imaginations shine
Little Learners Art Lab at Long Island Children’s Museum is filled with year-round creativity
By Danielle Schwab
Long Island Children’s Museum transforms into a colorful hub of creativity for some of its smallet visitors, every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Its Little Learners Art Lab welcomes young artists — and the grownups with them — for a handson art adventure designed to spark curiosity and imagination.
Whether it’s painting, planting or playing with textures, sessions offer an inviting space where toddlers and preschoolers can explore the world through art. This is more than about creating something beautiful — it’s about growing minds and nurturing self-expression.
“We try to infuse in all of the themes different mediums, exposure to different artists and different approaches to art,” says Ashley Niver, the museum’s director of education.
Each week, children are introduced to artists, techniques, and styles through engaging projects and materials, led by museum educators. Parents and grandparents are welcome to join in the fun, making it a bonding experience that’s as enriching for adults as it is for kids. Through these immersive projects, the tots explore their creativity and even make new friends.
“Around a third of our visitors are under the age of five. It’s important for early childhood development to have activities that are process-focused to give them that expressive freedom [to create],” Niver explains.
In each class, young learners are encouraged to ask questions, try new things and take the lead in their creative journey. The program mixes play with gentle guidance, helping children explore big concepts in age-appropriate ways.
The activities act as a gateway to talk about new concepts for young learners as they discover the world around them, combining inquisitive thinking with instructional supervision. On the schedule, May 22, families can explore the lifecycle of a plant while decorating terracotta pots during Art In Bloom. Kids will plant seeds in those pots and take their tiny gardens home to watch, water and nurture as litle sprouts grow into blooming plants.
That’s followed by Crystallized Creations on May 29. The salt-based art project allows kids experiment with textures and observe how salt and paint interact — adding a rocky twist to their creativity.
“Science isn’t just happening behind the scenes. It can
‘Murr’ goes solo
Get ready to laugh — and laugh you will. Prepare for an unforgettable night filled with comedy, chaos and wild antics as Impractical Jokers’ James “Murr” Murray hits the stage on The Errors Tour. Known for his outrageous pranks, laugh-out-loud moments and unpredictable humor, Murr brings the party to you with a show packed full of hilarious stories, ridiculous mishaps and plenty of jaw-dropping moments. With his signature style of comedy and a few unexpected surprises, Murr will have you in stitches from start to finish. It’s surely a non-stop ride of comedy, antics and pure fun you won’t want to miss. For more than a decade, Murr and his lifelong Friends — Sal, Joe and Q — have been making audiences laugh across the country, and now he’s bringing the laughs to you. Murr Live is hysterical — of course, interactive — stand-up comedy, in true Impractical Jokers style. Hangout with Murr as he tells funny stories, shows off his own personal never-before-seen videos from Impractical Jokers and plays Jokers “live” on stage with the audience.
• Weekly Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Admission: $18 adults and children over 1 year old, $16 for seniors, free to members and under one year; additional fees for theater and special programs may apply
• For more information, visit licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
happen when you’re mixing paint and looking at changes in color or how, for instance, the salt disperses the paint pigment,” Niver says.
Other sessions examine techniques like pointillism or even introduce self-portraits in a thoroughly kid-friendly approach.
“When the parents see these ‘sticky moments’ for younger kids where they’re ingrained in these memories and these experiences, they are right there for the ride,” Niver adds.“They’re going through it with their children, and seeing their children light up and experience joy and learning of these new concepts connects the parents to the activities.”
Of course, art doesn’t have to happen in a classroom or museum space, it can also be done right at home! Niver encourages families to use these classes as an accessible way to bring the creativity back to their households.
“We want to give the opportunity for parents to incorporate making art in easy forms at home that may be less daunting for them,” Niver says.
And often, the youngsters can try materials and methods they may not have access to elsewhere. The sessions offer an introduction to new media as well.
“We also try to balance with materials that maybe they wouldn’t be exposed to normally at home. We could bring in easels one day and have the kids do canvas painting,” she adds.
The fun doesn’t stop when class ends. The museum’s exhibits and upcoming events are often tied into the weekly themes. So, when the class concludes, there’s plenty more to explore!
For example, in celebration of National Zoo and Aquarium Month, in June, kids can make majestic underwater creatures using recycled materials and bubble wrap. This is a creative “sneak peek” teaser what’s to come as the museum prepares to open its newest permanent exhibit, “Saltwater Stories,” in October.
Accessibility is another important component of the museum’s approach to arts programming. Little Learners Art Lab provides families with high-quality early childhood education at a fraction of the cost of private art classes or specialized preschool programs, according to the leadership team. The program’s affordability ensures that all children in the community have access to enriching artistic experiences that contribute to cognitive, social, and emotional development.
“Our whole point is to bring people in, and celebrate and cater to the audience that is coming to us daily, and that is the early childhood audience,” Niver says.
“We hope that for years to come families will bring back other children in their family, as their family grows, and continue to value the museum.”
Photos courtesy LICM
Kids and their adult partners play and create together at the Art Lab. Artistic inspiration involves developing young motor skills as everyone fully engages in the moment.
Friday, May 16, 7 p.m. $65, $55, $45, $35. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
and Chad Hoopes
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Artistic Directors David Finckel (piano) and Wu Han (cello) have assembled a scintillating collection of works that reveal the joy and depth of the chamber music literature. Starting as frequent collaborators, Finckel and Han have been married since 1985. As a duo, they began to tour regularly while retaining residencies in New York. In this program, volin sonatas from the Baroque and Classical eras are performed by the young virtuoso Chad Hoopes, followed by Mendelssohn’s invigorating Second Sonata for cello and piano, a gem of the Romantic era. The art of romantic music hits a high point in the concluding work, in which all combine for a trio by the founder of Czech music, Bed�ich Smetana.
Sunday, May 18, 3 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
David Finckel, Wu Han
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
MAY
Garden Days Garden lovers, green thumbs and spring seekers: Old Westbury Gardens’ beloved Garden Days return. Four vibrant days are filled with plants, programs, and purpose, highlighted by the much-anticipated Plant Sale Preview Party on Friday evening. On May 16 (6–8 p.m.), guests are invited to sip, shop and stroll through the gardens during this exclusive first-look event, featuring live music, sweet and savory treats, and early access to a lush array of rare perennials and signature plants grown right here on Long Island. The two-day plant sale runs May 17–18, (10 a.m.-4 p.m.), where shoppers can select from a curated selection of garden favorites with expert guidance from the Gardens’ horticulture staff. Addition highlights include a panel discussion, Guided walks and garden tours and spring celebration chamber concert.
•Where: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury
•Time: Ongoing, May 15-18
•Contact: Visit oldwestburygardens.org/2025garden-days for full schedule and ticket details
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) that publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. On view through June 15.
•Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor
•Time: Ongoing
•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
‘Elephant & Piggie’s
We Are in a Play!’
The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved award-winning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City
•Time: Also May 17 and May 20-22, times vary
•Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Jon Lovitz
Comedy legend Jon Lovitz brings his signature wit and unforgettable characters to the Paramount stage for a night of nonstop laughs. Best known for his Emmy-nominated run on SNL and roles in hit films like “A League of Their Own” and “The Wedding Singer,” Lovitz has been a staple of comedy for over 30 years. He got his start acting in high school productions, developing his skills at the University of California, Irvine where he earned a B.A. in Drama. He also studied acting with Tony Barr at the Film Actors Workshop. At the advice of Tony Barr, Jon decided to concentrate solely on comedy. From there his trajectory took off. He began taking classes with the famed improv comedy group The Groundlings in 1982. One year later, Jon got his first acting job on the television show “The Paper Chase: the Second Year.” Two years followed and then he was accepted into The Groundlings main company. In March 1985 The Groundlings appeared on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” where Jon premiered his character “Tommy Flanagan of Pathological Liars Anonymous. SNL and numerous other offers followed and Jon was on his, working non-stop since. Along with his comedy, Jon is well known for his distinctive voice. It has served him will in his varied TV and film career. He is one of the few performers to start as an actor and then become a stand-up comedian who successfully headlines venues nationwide. Jon’s humor is unique, which is attributable to his quirky personality, and he is sure to entertain. $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50.
•Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
• Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
MAY
Long Island Walk ‘N Roll
The Spina Bifida Association of New York State hosts its annual Long Island Walk and Roll event.
•Where: Eisenhower Park
• Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
•Contact: sbanys.org
Spring
Fling Dog Walk
EPIC Family’s South Shore Guidance Center encourages everyone and their four-legged companions to participate in the annual walk for mental wellness. With face painting, games, raffles, and more. Free t-shirts while supplies last. Registration preferred.
•Where: Cow Meadow Park, Freeport
•Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
•Contact: p2p.onecause.com/ springfling2025
Concert of Contrasts
Join the Long Island Choral Society and Music Director Michael C. Haigler for their final concert of the season. “From the Sublime to the Ridiculous”, offers the beautiful melodies of Johannes Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes as well as the ridiculous
antics of P.D.Q. Bach’s Liebeslieder Polkas. Liebeslieder translates as Love Song and this concert will give two very different visions of musical expressions of love. Act I features Brahms lush waltzes, scored for 4-hand piano and sure to elicit emotions and romantic memories through its lush melodies and sublime poetry. Act II presents P.D.Q. Bach’s interpretation of love songs through energy driven polkas scored for 5-hand piano in such a manner as to create chaos, musical mayhem, visual hijinks and some seriously bad puns. $20, $10 youth. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at door.
•Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City
•Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: lics.org or call (516) 652-6878
Art Explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Nassau County Museum of Art. Kids and their adult partners can talk about and make art together. Enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required.
•Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor
Boating safety
Take a boating safety course at Allstate in East Meadow. Fee to register.
•Where: 1576 Front St., East Meadow
• Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
•Contact: Call Alan, (516) 325-1251
MAY
Long Island Psychic Night
Get a 1-on-1 psychic reading and a delicious dinner. $75 plus tip and gratuity
•Where: La Novella, 364 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow
•Time: 6:30 p.m.
•Contact: TheLongIslandPsyhics. com or (516) 444-1973 (call or text)
Tech Help
East Meadow Public Library offers a technology assistance program, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
•Where: 1886 Front Street, East Meadow
•Time: 2-4 p.m.
•Contact:e astmeadow.info
MAY
Little Learners
Art Lab
•Time: noon-3 p.m.
•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
MAY
18
In concert
Sands Point Preserve’s reserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for the latest edition of its unique chamber music series, “Amami in primavera” (Love me in Spring).”
A trip to Italy is a good idea any time of the year, but spring is the best. There is love in the air and new life everywhere. With a little Puccini, Donizetti, Verdi and more, it will be a “bel pomeriggio di Musica (a beautiful afternoon of music).” duoJalal ensemble-in-residence featuring Kathryn Lockwood, viola and Yousif Sheronick, percussion, with violinists Karla Donehew Perez and Rebecca Fischer, and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan, are joined by vocalist Abby Brodnick. With wine reception following. $56, $45 members.
•Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point
•Time: 3 p.m.
•Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901
22
Each week in this engaging workshop, participants are introduced to handson materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week, families This week, students will paint a terracotta pot, plant a seed, and watch their creations bloom over the next few weeks!. $4 with museum admission.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City
•Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon
•Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
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.
May 15, 2025 — EAST
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
Public Notices
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. JOHN W. MILLER, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 18, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 29, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 863 Prospect Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 11, Block 3 and Lot 45. Approximate amount of judgment is $537,817.86 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604506/2023. Cash will not be accepted.
Joy S. Bunch, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 153089
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK N.A. AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE J.P. MORGAN MORTGAGE ACQUISITION CORP.
2006-WMC1 ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES
2006-WMC1, -againstPUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY, 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 March 20, 2025, wherein U.S. BANK N.A. AS TRUSTEE
ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE J.P. MORGAN MORTGAGE ACQUISITION CORP. 2006-WMC1 ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-WMC1 is the Plaintiff and PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY, 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 June 11, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 162 STATE ST, WESTBURY, NY 11590; and the following tax map identification: 11-033-0051. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 005626/2013. Stanley P. Amelkin, 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. 153380
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. JEAN CLAUDE MASSON A/K/A JEAN CLAUD MASSON A/K/A JEANCLAUDE MASSON, et al, Defts. Index #608029/2021. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered April 18, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 10, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. premises k/a
Section 11, Block 97, Lot 36-37. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law. The foreclosure sale will be held, “rain or shine.” BETH CHAMOW, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY 11021. #102281 153360
LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT, Town of WANTAGH, County of NASSAU, State of New York, on the 28th day of April, 2025, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the Town Law. An extract of the resolution is as follows: THE WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT SHALL SELL A 2010 CHEVY BRAUN AMBULANCE NO LONGER NECESSARY FOR THE DISTRICT’S USES AND PURPOSES VALUED AT MORE THAN TWENTY THOUSAND ($20,000.00) DOLLARS, BUT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($100,000.00) DOLLARS, SUBJECT TO MARKET FORCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS UNDER SECTION 176 SUBDIVISION 23 OF THE TOWN LAW. Sale of said vehicle is subject to a permissive referendum as required under Section 176 subdivision 23 of the Town Law and in accordance with procedures for permissive referendums as described in the General Municipal Law. Dated: April 28th 2025 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF WANTAGH ATTEST: Brendan J. Narell Superintendent 153513
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU CITIBANK, N.A. AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN
TRUST 2019-RPL3, Plaintiff AGAINST CARINE BONHOMME, ELIZABETH JEANPIERRE, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 24, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 2114 Prospect Avenue, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 50 Block: 402 Lot: 17. Approximate amount of judgment $586,634.42 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #601703/2024. Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14 221 22-001564 85443 153487
LEGAL NOTICE
REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU WALL STREET MORTGAGE BANKERS LTD DBA POWER EXPRESS, Plaintiffagainst - ROODY CASSEUS, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on January 23, 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 17th day of June, 2025 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Premises known as 642 Richmond Road, East Meadow, NY 11554. (Section: 50, Block: 570, Lot: 33, Lot Group: 33,73) Approximate amount of lien $608,805.35 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 616570/2018. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee. Stein, Wiener & Roth LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 315 Westbury, NY 11590 Tel. 516-742-1212
CASSEUS-75399
Dated: April 21, 2025
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. Auction Locations are subject to change. 153477
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT, Town of WANTAGH, County of NASSAU, State of New York, on the 28th day of April, 2025, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the Town Law. An extract of the resolution is as follows: THE WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT SHALL SELL A 2009 CHEVY BRAUN AMBULANCE NO LONGER NECESSARY FOR THE DISTRICT’S USES AND PURPOSES VALUED AT MORE THAN TWENTY THOUSAND
($20,000.00) DOLLARS, BUT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($100,000.00) DOLLARS, SUBJECT TO MARKET FORCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS UNDER SECTION 176 SUBDIVISION 23 OF THE TOWN LAW.
Sale of said vehicle is subject to a permissive referendum as required under Section 176 subdivision 23 of the Town Law and in accordance with procedures for permissive referendums as described in the General Municipal Law. Dated: April 28th 2025 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF WANTAGH ATTEST: Brendan J. Narell Superintendent 153514
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 20, 2025, 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 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 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 20, 2025, 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 20, 2025, three (3) 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) three members of the Board of Education for a full term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2025, and expiring on June 30, 2028.
(b) one member of the Library Board for a full term of five (5) years, commencing July 1, 2025 to succeed Ellen Matishek, incumbent, whose term of office expires on June 30, 2025.
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 seventy-four (74) qualified voters of the District, said number constituting 2% of the total number of voters who voted at the Annual Meeting of May 21, 2024, 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 seventy-four (74) 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 21, 2025.
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
LEME2-4 0515
Public Notices
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 20, 2025.
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 2025 (i.e., 2021-2024). 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 from April 24 through May 12, 2025 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 7, 2025, 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 5, 2025, 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 7, 2025 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 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the proposed 2025/2026 school budget is available upon request to district residents commencing May 6, 2025, at the office of the District Clerk at the Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, N.Y. The proposed 2025/2026 library budget is available upon request by any resident commencing May 6, 2025, on the library website.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that copies of the proposed 2025/2026 school budget and of the proposed 2025/2026 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 2025/2026 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 2025/2026 school budget and of the proposed 2025/2026 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 2025/2026 library budget will also be
available on the East Meadow Public Library website.
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 20, 2025. 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 24, 2025. 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 19, 2025 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 152652
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
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 20 de mayo de 2025 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, 20252026, 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, 2025-2026, 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 20 de mayo de 2025 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
Public Notices
elección a realizarse el 20 de mayo de 2025, se elegirán tres (3) miembros para la Junta de Educación y un (1) miembro para la Junta de la Biblioteca como se indica a continuación:
(a) Tres miembros de la Junta de Educación para un período completo de tres (3) años, desde el 1 de julio de 2025 hasta el 30 de junio de 2028.
(b) Un miembro de la Junta de la Biblioteca para un período completo de cinco (5) años, desde el 1 de julio de 2025 hasta el 30 de junio de 2030, para reemplazar a Ellen Matishek, 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 setenta y cuatro (74) 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 2024. 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 setenta y cuatro (74) 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 21 de abril de 2025.
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 20 de mayo de 2025, 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 2025 (es decir, 20212024). 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 se hará desde el 24 de abril hasta el 12 de mayo de 2025 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 7 de mayo de 2025, 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 previamente y que sean elegibles para votar también se hará el 5 de mayo de 2025, 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 7 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:00 p. m. en el Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, Nueva York. El 14 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:00 p. m., se realizará una audiencia pública de forma remota sobre el presupuesto propuesto para la biblioteca.
ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que el presupuesto escolar propuesto para 2025/2026 se encuentra disponible para los residentes del Distrito, si lo solicitan, a partir del 6 de may de 2025 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 2025/2026 se encuentra disponible para cualquier residente, si lo solicita, a partir del 6 de mayo de 2025 en el sitio web de la biblioteca.
ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que cualquier residente del distrito puede conseguir las copias del presupuesto escolar propuesto para 2025/2026 y el presupuesto para la biblioteca propuesto para 2025/2026, 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 2025/2026 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 2025/2026 y el presupuesto para la biblioteca propuesto para 2025/2026 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 2025/2026 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 20 de mayo de 2025. 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
Hochul gains control of NUMC governance
its approval last week, stating in a letter to Hochul and the state legislature, that the changes “strip the hospital of its autonomy and replace its leadership with political appointees,” according to a news release.
Dr. Irina Gelman, the current chair of the NHCC board, also rejected the state’s decision in a statement shared with the Herald on May 7.
“The state’s hostile takeover of Nassau County’s only public safety-net hospital is unprecedented, immoral and dangerous,” she said. “This disparate targeting of only NHCC and none of the other public benefit corporations in New York state, is indicative of the moral turpitude of Albany using the employees, patients and most vulnerable of Nassau County’s residents as political cannon fodder. By continuing to put politics, any politics left, right or center, before the needs of the people that work and seek care at Nassau Health Care Corporation is deplorable.”
Gelman also brought up a December 2020 study by Alvarez & Marsal, a management-consulting firm, outlining various models the hospital system could implement “to address NHCC’s precarious financial condition.” One of those models proposed “a continuing but minimal inpatient medical/surgical footprint with the full suite of current inpatient behavioral health services.”
The assessment added that “a second collocated behavioral health hospital (Article 31) license would be needed to provide inpatient psychiatric beds at current levels.”
“Both the state’s overreach of power, as well as the proposed 19 story behav-
the approved provisions, including a restructuring of the board, may be made as early as June 1. numC, seen above, is the largest public safety-net hospital in the county.
ioral/ health facility in the middle of Nassau County must be of critical concern to all Nassau County residents,” Gelman said, in reference to the proposed changes outlined in the 2020 study. “The notion that a state appointed board would have a higher rate of success in managing this critical care facility from Albany is a logical fallacy, given the abysmal record New York State has with their own SUNY hospital facilities.”
The legislation passed on May 7 also included provisions that allow the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a public benefit corporation that assumed finan-
Public Notices
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 24 de abril de 2025. 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: 19 DE MARZO DE 2025 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 152654
cial oversight of the hospital system in 2020, to impose additional control over NHCC. The hospital system filed litigation in December, accusing NIFA of gross negligence and abuses of power.
Additionally, the bill, which can be read on the state Senate’s website, calls for a study to look into “the modernization and revitalization of the Nassau Health Care Corporation.” It directs the NHCC to explore ways to strengthen NUMC and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility.
The study would examine health care delivery trends, the hospital’s financial history and projections, infrastructure and capital needs, community health disparities, available inpatient and outpatient services, regional service capacity, operational efficiency and care quality, and student training and job placement outcomes. The study should be completed and provided to NIFA no later than Dec. 1, 2026.
“If NUMC’s outgoing leadership had put half as much effort into fiscal management and patient care as they’ve put into politics and propaganda, the hospital wouldn’t be in crisis,” Gordon Tepper, the Long Island spokesman for
Key changes to the NHCC Board
Effective June 1, 2025:
The board will include 11 members. Appointments:
■ 6 by the governor, including: n 1 upon recommendation of the Assembly speaker n 1 upon recommendation of the Senate temporary president
■ 2 by the Nassau County executive
■ 2 by the majority of the Nassau County Legislature
■ 1 by the minority of the Nassau County Legislature
■ The governor will designate the board chair
■ The county executive will no longer have approval authority over the chief executive of the Nassau Health Care Corporation
Hochul said in an email to the Herald. “Their focus has never been on fixing NUMC; it’s been on protecting their own interests. What we are seeing now is a long-overdue intervention to protect patients and save the institution from those who failed it.”
Assemblyman John Mikulin, a Republican who represents parts of East Meadow, said in an emailed statement he voted “no” on the state budget.
“Unfortunately, this year’s state budget of $254 billion did not deliver for New Yorkers,” he said. “There were several policy decisions included in the FY2025-26 Enacted Budget I could not support, chief among them was the state takeover of the Nassau University Medical Center. NUMC plays a vital role in the Nassau County community and should remain under local control, not Hochul control.”
the state legislature has approved changes to the nassau Health Care Corporation, which will shift control away from County executive Bruce Blakeman and provide oversight to gov. Kathy Hochul and other democratic lawmakers.
Herald file photo
Courtesy Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul
·
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS
FT &
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
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 fromo $16.50 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 $34,320 + 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 $34,320 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
To place an ad call 516-569-4000
Beautiful Briarcliff Area
This stunning 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath Colonial is the kind of home that turns heads and captures hearts. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by soaring 9-foot ceilings, rich
Redoing a basement, Part 3
Q. We bought our home three years ago, and are finally ready to finish our basement to make a family room, guest bedroom and a bathroom while enclosing our laundry. Right now it’s just a big open space with a lot of columns. The ceiling is low, and we’ve had estimates to cut down the basement floor. It seems like a lot of money to do all these things at once, but we understand that we need to do it before the prices for materials, as we’ve been warned, go a lot higher. We want to know what needs to be done if we want to lower the floor, take out two columns so our recreation room is bigger, and put in a bathroom. Is there any way to save money?
A. This third column ties together the previous two to state that, basically, you get what you pay for, and sometimes less. I explained that basement bathrooms may not be allowed to have a bathing fixture, tub or shower, depending on the municipal requirements, and that many communities also won’t allow a bedroom in a basement, for safety reasons. I also outlined the process for figuring out beams so that columns can be removed, and that while “guessers” may save you some money up front, repairs can erase the savings.
Now we’re up to lowering the basement floor. “Saving money” and “lowering a basement floor” should rarely be in the same sentence, except for when writing an answer as to why. In general, you want more living space, structurally sound and waterproof. Both of those needs are hard to achieve if any part of the process is left out.
It’s always best to gain the most amount of interior space, and I can often tell when either saving money was the focus or amateur work was done when I see a foundation wall projecting into the basement like a concrete bench. To avoid this look and to get the most use out of the space, you have to start with knowing where the underground water table is. Unless you dig a hole or order a soil-boring test from a professional company, you may soon find out why the floor wasn’t lower to begin with. This test could save you great expense.
The process of correctly supporting the exterior concrete foundation walls is called “underpinning.” The excavation can be done from the interior side of the foundation wall if the exterior isn’t accessible. Either way, the underpinning process must be done in sections, not all at once. There would be complete collapses of walls and floors above if entire foundations were removed at one time. When this is done, it usually causes tremendous damage, possible death and news coverage.
Engineered sections, with waterproofing to the exterior, have to be planned. The old sections are carefully cut out, and then replaced several feet apart before the next sections are removed. Good luck!
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
EAST MEADOW: LARGE Sale. Saturday 5/17, 9am-4pm And Sunday 5/18, 10am-3pm. 843 Preston Road. Something For Everyone!
& CONSTRUCTION*** EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS!
GIUSEPPE MUCCIACCIARO
We Do Pavers, Cultured Stone, Concrete, Bluestone, Blacktop, Fireplace, Patio, Waterproofing, Walkways, Pool Work. Lic#H2204320000 Family Operation Over 40Years. 516-238-6287
Cable/TV/Wiring
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069
Electricians
E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.
Handyman
PAINTING & HANDYMAN SERVICE
Tired of calling a contractor & they don't call back? I will call you back the same day! 917-822-0225 Ricky Specializing in carpentry, bathrooms, kitchens, sheetrock, flooring, electric, plumbing. Over 25 yrs exp.Lic/Ins H3805150000
Home Improvement
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-833-807-0159
COMPLETE HOME IMPROVEMENT
New Roofs, Rip-Outs, Siding, Gutters, Windows, Kitchens, Baths, Carpentry/Repairs! Free Estimates. All Work Guaranteed. No Job Too Small. Lisc./Insured H17728300 Call 516-783-4154
DO YOU KNOW what's in your water?
Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728
POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641
Services
AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER?
STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-880-7679
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-549-0598 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Sprinkler Syst./Irrig.Wells
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-833-661-4172
ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-833-641-6397
HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060
LI'S ACUPUNCTURE: 30+ Years Of Expert Care For A Wide Range Of Conditions. Major Insurances Accepted. Senior Discounts Available. CALL NOW 516-806-5538 Visit Us: acupliang.com
Legal Services
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider
WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199. Call LUKE
Telephone Services
CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682
Local voices matter, and the RAPID Act listens
Last month, a handful of Nassau County town supervisors stood in front of a firehouse on Barnum Island and took the low road, whipping up fear, distorting facts and conflating fallacy and fantasy with reality to try to block progress. Their target was the Renewable Action through Project Interconnection and Deployment, or RAPID, Act, a new state law designed to streamline the approval process for large-scale renewable energy and electric transmission projects.
The RAPID Act creates a more efficient and transparent process for reviewing the major infrastructure projects we desperately need. If we’re serious about clean energy, grid reliability and energy security, this is our path toward resiliency and sustainability. It’s good for consumers and developers because the streamlined process reduces costs, making investments in the grid more affordable. Unfortunately these days, facts don’t seem to matter much to some. But here are the facts.
Before the RAPID Act became law in April 2024, New York state had a patchwork of laws that made siting energy
projects difficult, confusing and expensive. Today there is a clear, easy-to-follow, streamlined system under the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission. The new system saves time and money, increases consistency, and gives communities a meaningful voice from the very beginning.
Here’s how it works. Before even submitting an application, developers are required to consult with local officials. Throughout the process, the public is invited to comment. Each project must have meaningful community outreach in which residents are invited to participate, along with ORES.
Tfor clean, reliable energy.
The reality is that most projects comply with local laws almost entirely, and the few disputes thus far have largely been resolved through mutual agreement. Waivers aren’t done casually. They must be fully justified. And towns can challenge them. As of last month, only five towns in the entire state had appealed such rulings, and all five rulings were upheld.
here have been over 50 energy project siting hearings across the state.
To date, there have been over 50 hearings across the state. That’s not secrecy. That’s real public engagement. Your comments have been heard, as have developers — who often modify projects in response to public feedback.
Another fallacy is how the RAPID Act treats local laws. It did not create new authority for the state to waive local laws — that ability has been part of the siting process in New York for decades. The act was designed to make those waivers less likely by addressing points of conflict early. And the law allows ORES to waive those laws only when they are unreasonably burdensome and conflict with the state’s goals
If that sounds like a heavy-handed state bulldozing towns, you might want to check the script the town supervisors are reading from, because it’s fiction. What we saw last month was not thoughtful concern for our future infrastructure needs. It was a political strategy that assumes that every environmental policy from Albany is a threat, every clean-energy initiative a conspiracy and every step forward something to block. Lumping everything together and crying foul to whip up outrage doesn’t benefit the New Yorkers that we public servants are here to serve. Meanwhile, our infrastructure is aging, and doing nothing is no longer an option. The RAPID Act moves us forward. It helps make sure our homes have power during extreme storms. It helps reduce pollution. It helps create good-paying jobs in clean energy. That
should be something we can all get behind.
If the supervisors want to sit down and talk seriously about how to improve the process, our door is always open. But yelling about non-existent dangers doesn’t help anyone. It misleads the public. It slows progress. And it makes it harder to build the kind of energy future Long Island deserves and desperately needs.
We believe in transparency, community input and in building a future in which Long Island is stronger, safer and cleaner. The RAPID Act is a big step in that direction.
It’s time to stop the political games. Time to stop pretending that doing nothing is somehow safer. I know firsthand that Long Islanders care about their communities, and the environment. They’re smart enough to see through rhetoric designed to instill fear, and they deserve better: They deserve leadership that tells the truth about the very real needs and demands of our infrastructure and its impacts on growing our economy. As I’ve said in countless hearings and committee meetings, the RAPID Act isn’t about taking power away from towns. It’s about keeping the lights on, making sure everyone has a seat at the table, and making sure we’re ready for the future.
Let’s move forward together.
Rory Christian is chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission.
Companies that produce packing waste must recycle it
Consumers have changed our shopping habits across New York state. The transition to online shopping has significantly increased plastic, paper and cardboard packaging waste. Those materials go to Reworld, which takes our trash, and are turned into ash. The ash needs to go somewhere, but where?
On Long Island, most of the ash goes to Brookhaven Landfill, but that clock is ticking. The Brookhaven facility will soon reach its capacity for ash, and that means it will close in the next few years, leaving towns such as Hempstead and North Hempstead with no ash-disposal options on Long Island. As packaging waste increases, recycling rates remain lackluster, which adds to our solid-waste burden. The good news is that we can reduce packaging waste and increase recycling rates to help address this challenge. Citizens Campaign for the Environment
chairs a statewide coalition of environmental leaders, local governments, stakeholders and elected officials who have joined to back state legislation called the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. This important bill is urgently needed.
New York is experiencing a solid-waste crisis, with skyrocketing costs to municipalities, abysmal recycling rates, and plastic pollution littering our communities and waterways. Our state generates more than 17 million tons of municipal solid waste annually. Long Island is responsible for 1.6 million tons per year, 205,000 tons of which go to landfills off Long Island, and 1.4 million tons are sent to waste-toenergy facilities, resulting in 400,000 tons of ash that must be landfilled. There is currently no plan to manage this ash once the Brookhaven landfill is closed. The one wise choice everyone agrees on is to reduce our waste stream, and this legislation would do just that. The financial burden of managing recyclable waste falls on local taxpayers. Municipalities are struggling with
p ass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act!
recycling costs and outdated infrastructure that significantly limits the volume of materials that are recycled. It is estimated that local governments statewide spend more than $200 million each year to keep local recycling programs going. That is not sustainable.
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act would revolutionize New York’s approach to solid waste by shifting the responsibility of managing plastic, paper and packaging waste to corporations, not taxpayers and local governments. Those that put packaging into the waste stream are best positioned to reduce the amount of packaging that’s created in the first place.
The measure would require large corporations to reduce consumer packaging by 30 percent in 12 years, increase post-consumer recycled content in packaging and invest in new reuse/ refill infrastructure. The bill includes strong oversight and enforcement provisions to ensure that corporations comply.
Other states, including California,
Colorado, Maine and Oregon, have passed such laws, and similar policies have been in effect in parts of Europe and Canada for over 30 years. Where fully implemented, recycling rates exceed 70 percent, and the cost of consumer goods has not increased one penny.
It is time for corporations take out their own trash! Each year, companies ship billions of products with excess packaging, exacerbating the solid-waste crisis, yet they bear no responsibility for managing the waste they create. This sensible legislation promises to save money for municipalities and taxpayers, remove toxic substances from packaging, increase recycling and require producers to reduce waste.
We need to modernize New York’s recycling system and make producers take responsibility for managing their packaging waste. We need the governor, the State Senate and the Assembly to support this critical bill and get it signed into law this year. Every year we do nothing is another year we waste money, and allow our solid-waste management problem to grow.
We can do this!
Adrienne Esposito is executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
We must restore Musk’s cuts of the 9/11 health fund
it is essential that Congress do all it can to fully restore the World Trade Center Health Program. I commend Long Island Congressmen Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota for leading a bipartisan effort to undo the damage, intentional or not, to this program by Elon Musk’s chainsaw cuts of government health programs.
During my years in Congress, no issue was more vital or intensely personal to me than ensuring that all of the surviving victims of the attacks of Sept. 11 — police officers, firefighters, emergency responders, construction workers and civilians — receive the care they require and deserve for the illnesses caused by the toxins they breathed in at ground zero in the days, weeks and months afterward.
It wasn’t until several years after 9/11 that evidence emerged of a growing number of blood cancers and lung and breathing disorders suffered by 9/11 first responders and nearby residents and students. The concern was bipartisan. Democratic Representatives Jerry Nadler and Carolyn Maloney and
ARepublicans Vito Fossella and I were the original prime advocates. We introduced legislation in 2005 and again in 2007 to establish and fund a 9/11 illness detection and treatment program.
ed a rare and fatal blood cancer after working together at ground zero. The chances of this being a coincidence were infinitesimal. And there were countless similar situations.
session, our efforts paid off: Zadroga passed both the House and Senate.
TToday we know that more people have died from 9/11 illnesses than from the attacks, but in those early years, the numbers of victims weren’t yet especially high, and there was no proof of direct linkage to 9/11, which made it difficult to generate strong interest or support outside the New York and New Jersey congressional delegations.
hey’re causing many of the 9/11 doctors and experts to be terminated.
Soon enough, however, there was too much evidence to ignore. Anecdotally, I would see FDNY and NYPD neighbors who had worked at ground zero wearing oxygen masks as they watched their kids’ Little League games or stopped by 7-Eleven for coffee. Those scenes were repeated across Long Island and the entire downstate region, and there would eventually be victims among rescue workers who had come to New York from almost all 50 states. To make our case, we asked 9/11 heroes to visit Congress to make direct appeals to individual members. I particularly recall NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly sitting in my Washington office telling me about two cops who contract-
The enormity of what was becoming a 9/11 health crisis could no longer be denied. In 2008, we thought our legislation — named the Zadroga Bill, after James Zadroga, who was believed to be the first NYPD officer to die from a 9/11 illness — would be included in a large year-end package of legislation agreed on by Congress and the White House. Unfortunately the combined tumult of a Presidential election and a stock market collapse prevented it from coming to a vote, and there was no opportunity to salvage it.
After close but disappointing nearmisses over the next two years, primarily because of opposition from Republicans in Southern and Western states, I and others fought furiously to get Zadroga passed. I had no tolerance for opposition from the crowd who primarily represented states and districts that received disproportionate levels of federal assistance at the expense of donor states like New York, which effectively subsidized them. Finally, on Dec. 22, 2010, the last day of the congressional
Unfortunately the bill had a five-year limit, so we had to wage the fight again in 2015. This time the struggle wasn’t as difficult, and Zadroga was extended. But then, in 2019, we learned there were many more victims than expected, and the fund was running short. With the bipartisan support of Democrats like then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and House Republicans like then Whip Steve Scalise and Representatives Doug Collins and Mike Johnson, Zadroga was extended to the end of the century. I was proud to be with President Trump when he signed this legislation at a ceremony on the White House lawn.
Now the fund is seriously threatened by Musk’s misplaced cuts, which, probably made unknowingly, are causing many of the 9/11 doctors and experts to be terminated, including program Director Dr. John Howard.
Though the White House has promised to fully reinstate the program, so far it has not been done. Victims are being denied necessary testing. This insanity must end. Our nation’s commitment to the victims of 9/11 must be honored!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
The new state budget is a victory for Hochul
merica is fixated on picking winners and losers. We use that term every day, applying it to sports, the stock market and every other field of endeavor. I heard it during the trial of O.J. Simpson, and I remember hearing it as far back as the 1960s, when, following a massive snowstorm, some parts of Queens were the last neighborhoods in New York City to see snowplows. Winners and losers are proclaimed extensively in politics, because politicians are tested on an almost daily basis.
Which leads to a discussion of the long-delayed New York state budget. Over the years, when there was an agreement between the three leaders — the governor, the leader of the State Senate and the Assembly speaker — they would all show up at a much-heralded news conference, at which each would take credit for some portion of the budget bill. For the past few years, that practice has changed, because the only person who has been taking the
media spotlight is Gov. Kathy Hochul. Before talking about winners and losers, it’s worth looking at this year’s budget process. The new spending plan budget is the latest to be finalized since 2010. Since the April 1 deadline, there have been 11 legislative extensions, which assures state employees that they can collect their paychecks.
LCould the governor have refused to delay the passage of an agreed-on budget and submitted her own spending plan on a take-itor-leave-it basis? The answer is yes. During the administration of Gov. David Paterson, the courts decided that if the Legislature can’t agree on a budget by March 31, the governor can force a vote on his or her own plan with no further delays.
cation, housing, mental hygiene and tax reform. When the dust settled, the two leaders got their asks, but the governor got the lion’s share of what she proposed back in January.
ooking to next year’s election, she set aside money for every region of the state.
But in the spirit of harmony, succeeding governors have chosen to go through the arduous process of countless meetings and formal extensions until all of the parties sign on to a final accord. This year, Hochul made it clear that she had a long list of priorities, and had no plans to give in on them. She presented the Assembly and Senate with a long list of programs covering criminal law, edu-
With an eye on next year’s election, Hochul set aside money for every region of the state. She addressed subway crime, and sided with the state’s district attorneys on their demand for reforms that will allow them to prevent the dismissal of pending cases. Taxpayers can anticipate expansion of childcare tax credits and many other goodies, including $400 checks for families on limited incomes. School districts will get a hefty increase in education aid, and students won’t be unable use their cellphones from the first school bell to the last.
During a typical give-and-take that is part of the negotiating process, each of the parties shows some willingness to bend on their key issues. But this time, the governor stuck to her guns and yielded on very few issues. Facing what could be a very tough re-election campaign next year, Hochul dug in on almost every proposal she made and
gave little ground, which added to the delays. Albany insiders were surprised at her insistence on winning on so many issues, but she has powers, and used them.
An outsider might wonder why budgets take so long these days, compared with the process 20 and 30 years ago, when spending plans were adopted days and weeks before the deadline. Once upon a time, the state budget was strictly a numbers game. The leaders would promote their pet programs, and possibly sneak in a new program or two. But in the late 1980s, the leaders began to introduce items that were controversial and had little to do with the budget. Wrapped up in one big bill, these nonfiscal items would pass, because the members would have no choice but to swallow the whole document.
Is there a chance that state budgets will once again become just a numbers package? That’s highly unlikely, because all of the leaders have developed an appetite for inserting proposals in the budget that would have no chance of passing as stand-alone bills.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
Welcoming home your freshman
as college dorm rooms empty across the nation, millions of parents are preparing for a significant homecoming. Your freshman is returning — perhaps changed, certainly tired, and undoubtedly with more laundry than you thought humanly possible. This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter in your family story, one that requires delicate navigation, open communication, and occasional deep breaths as you adjust to your evolving relationship.
The transformation that occurs during college’s freshman year is nothing short of remarkable. The timid student who needed reminders about deadlines may return with strong opinions about political systems you’ve never discussed. The picky eater might come home raving about kimchi or curry. The once-shy teenager might stride through your door with newfound confidence and independence. Your child has spent months making independent decisions, forming new social circles, and discovering aspects of themselves that may surprise you — and them.
What parents sometimes fail to acknowledge is that we’ve changed, too. We’ve adjusted to quieter evenings, reclaimed bathroom counter space, and perhaps discovered new routines or even aspects of our identities that had been subsumed by active parenting. Your student’s return disrupts not just their new normal, but yours as well.
The first summer home represents uncharted territory for both generations. Your student has grown accustomed to complete autonomy — deciding when to eat, sleep, study and socialize without consultation or explanation. Meanwhile, you’ve maintained a household with certain rhythms and expectations. Within the first few days of your college student’s homecoming, have a detailed conversation with them about expectations to prevent misunderstandings.
What routines did they develop at college? What do they need to feel comfortable at home? How will household responsibilities be shared? This opens the door to compromise rather than confrontation.
For many freshmen, college is their first opportunity to define themselves beyond their family context or high school reputation. They’ve experimented with new identities, beliefs and social circles. Coming home can feel like stepping backward, especially if you still see them as the person they were before they left.
This identity navigation works both ways. Your student may struggle to integrate their college self with their home self. They might seem different with college friends than with family. They might challenge family traditions or political views that once went unquestioned. These explorations, while sometimes uncomfortable, represent healthy development and should be met with curiosity rather than defensiveness.
Don’t be surprised if your student spends the first week home sleeping extraordinary hours, eating everything in sight, or displaying emotional volatility. Freshman year is physically and emotionally exhausting — particularly its conclusion, with final exams, packing and goodbyes to new friends. The transition home often reveals the school year’s toll. Students maintain a frantic pace during the semester, running on adrenaline and caffeine. When they finally reach the safety of home, their bodies and minds demand recovery time. Parents should view excessive sleeping or emotional sensitivity as necessary healing, not regression or laziness.
The social landscape for your adult child has likely shifted dramatically as well. High school friendships that once seemed permanent may have drifted. New romantic relationships may have formed. Your student might spend little
time at home as they reconnect with local friends or process the changes in these relationships. Alternatively, they might seem isolated if their primary social connections now exist at school. Both scenarios require your patience and understanding.
And while your instinct might be to recreate family traditions exactly as they were before, this summer presents an opportunity to develop new ways of connecting that honor your student’s developing adulthood. Ask them to teach you about their newfound passions. Take them to places that were once offlimits — a sophisticated restaurant, an art exhibit — that signal your recognition of their maturation. When they share stories about college experiences, practice active listening without immediately offering advice. Questions like, “How did you handle that?” communicate respect for their problem-solving abilities and invite deeper conversation. There’s a poignant truth most parents discover during this first post-college summer: Each homecoming from now on will be temporary. Your child’s primary residence increasingly exists elsewhere — in dorms, apartments and, eventually, their own home. The full nest you’ll experience this summer will empty again, with each cycle of departure becoming more permanent.
This realization, while sometimes painful, also brings opportunity. The time-limited nature of these summers encourages making the most of the moments you share. Rather than focusing on the inevitable goodbye at summer’s end, embrace the gift of time together, even if it seems fleeting.
What awaits in these summer months is a delicate dance of holding close and letting go — a choreography that, when performed with grace, becomes the foundation for a relationship that will sustain you both long after the last box is packed for sophomore year.
WWe have to be cautious while supporting sustainability
To the Editor:
As communities across New York and the nation explore ways to transition to cleaner energy, there is growing momentum behind battery energy storage systems, particularly those using lithium-ion technology. However, we must not let the promise of sustainability blind us to the inconvenient truths of our present reality. The concept of a circular battery economy — in which batteries are reused, repurposed, and ultimately recycled to recover key materials — is a commendable goal. Yet we are far from achieving it. Our current
during have a sonal experience of the behind My arrived hope and
nal, someone and deserves is far more
HerNesto GaldaMeZ
opinions
Not all immigrants are criminals
when we hear the term “illegal immigrant,” it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that the individual is a criminal, someone who has broken the law, and deserves punishment. But the truth is far more nuanced. For many immigrants, coming to the United States without legal documentation isn’t an act of criminality, but an act of survival — an effort to escape violence, political persecution or a situation so dire that the only option is to flee.
As the child of immigrants who fled El Salvador during its civil war in the late 1980s, I have a perspective that is shaped by personal experience and an understanding of the deeper human motivations behind these decisions.
My parents, both from El Salvador, arrived in the U.S. with nothing but hope and fear for their lives. They
understood the risks they were taking by entering this country without legal documentation, but the alternative was staying in a country where the government was killing its own people.
El Salvador’s civil war, which began in 1979, was marked by brutal violence, corruption and ruthless repression. The Salvadoran government, heavily supported by U.S. military aid, waged war against leftist insurgents and civilians it accused of being sympathetic to them. Throughout the conflict, military and paramilitary forces committed countless atrocities — massacres, forced disappearances and the destruction of entire villages. Thousands of innocent civilians were murdered or disappeared simply for being suspected of opposing the government.
wasn’t just about seeking a better life; it was about survival. It was about fleeing a government that viewed its citizens as expendable.
F or my parents, staying in El Salvador meant living in constant fear.
This is not to say that I support illegal immigration or that breaking the law should be excused. But I believe it’s essential to understand the perspective of those who make the difficult decision to flee their homeland. My parents did not come here to exploit the system or cause harm. They came to escape unimaginable violence, and to find a place where they could live without the constant threat of death.
the mechanic, my father was the only one in his family to leave, and he never got the chance to see his parents again. A few years ago, he and I stood at their graves for the first time — a painful reminder that the cost of leaving isn’t just physical, but deeply emotional and enduring. His journey wasn’t about breaking the law; it was about survival.
It’s easy to forget that behind every “illegal immigrant” label is someone with a story, and usually with pain, sacrifice and hope for a better future. These people don’t come here to break the law. They come to escape the laws and systems that were oppressing them. And for every immigrant like my father or that mechanic, there are countless others who face the same impossible decision every day.
For my parents, like many others, staying in El Salvador meant living in constant fear — fear of being killed, of losing loved ones, or of being caught in the crossfire of a war they had no part in starting. Their decision to leave
Letters
infrastructure for battery recycling is still in its infancy, and the environmental and economic costs of lithium extraction remain extraordinarily high.
Lithium mining is not benign — it consumes vast amounts of water, devastates ecosystems, and often occurs in regions with poor labor and environmental protections. Meanwhile, the lack of cost-effective and widely available recycling facilities means that today’s lithium-based storage systems could become tomorrow’s toxic waste problem.
Until we have robust recycling infrastructure, updated fire and safety codes, and enforceable end-oflife regulations for BESS, policymakers must exercise caution. Approving large-scale lithiumbased projects now, without these safeguards, risks trading one environmental crisis for another.
Sustainability must be more than a buzzword. It requires fullcycle accountability — from cradle to grave and, ideally, cradle to cradle. Let’s not build the clean-energy future on the unstable foundation of unresolved waste and extraction.
These are my beliefs as a private citizen, and do not reflect the official stance or opinion of the Village of Sea Cliff.
BrUCE KEnnEdy Glen Cove Sea Cliff village administrator
We must urge Israel to cease its military campaign
To the Editor:
I am not a Jew, but I am a Zionist, in that I support Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign state.
I regard Hamas as a terrorist organization guilty of a barbaric attack on Israeli civilians in October 2023 as well as vicious repression of the people it purports to represent. Hamas must free all hostages immediately and unconditionally.
But the time has come for American Jews and gentiles alike who share these views to publicly urge the Israeli government to cease its military campaign in Gaza. Our voices can be powerful — if we exercise our moral duty to speak out.
Even if Hamas has inflated the death count, it is incontestable that many thousands of non-combatant Palestinians, including children and aid workers, have been killed in Israeli strikes. It is likewise certain that civilian suffering, already acute, is intensifying as a result of Israel’s two-month-long blockade of food and medicine deliveries to Gaza. And any escalation of the war is sure to further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages, according to the Israeli forum of families of the hostages.
There’s nothing antisemitic
My father eventually found work managing an apartment complex in roslyn, contributing to society, paying taxes, and respecting the country that took him in, belying the false narrative that immigrants don’t pay taxes or contribute to the economy.
My parents’ story is far from unique. not long ago, I met a mechanic who had fled Venezuela to escape violence — just as my father had decades earlier. Like
Framework by Tim Baker
So, I ask: If you were living in a country where your government was killing its own people, where staying meant a likely death, would you remain and accept your fate, or would you flee in search of safety? Would you risk breaking the law for a chance at survival?
Hernesto Galdamez is editor of the Baldwin Herald.
about opposing Israel’s disproportionate response to Hamas’s atrocities. Indeed, this stance should rest firmly upon the core Jewish values of rachamim (mercy and
Alex Candon and her momentarily airborne daughter, Lilli, at the L.I. Marathon — East Meadow
