Angel Ramos, right, and his son, Vinlencio Ramos, 8, served up vinasta pasta and empanadas at the second annual Elmont Dads Club Cook Off, which helped raise funds for breast cancer treatment and research, on Oct. 4 at Elmont Memorial High School. Story, more photos, page 3.
By RENEE DeloRENZo rdelorenzo@liherald.com
The Plattduetsche Home Society in Franklin Square is extending its community reach with a new Adult Day Life Enrichment Program that gives older adults an opportunity to spend their days in a lively, social setting while continuing to live at home.
The initiative, more than a year in the making, was created to meet the needs of those who aren’t ready to move into assisted living but could benefit from structured activities and social engagement during the day.
Plattduetsche staff members, who soft-
launched the program this fall, are scheduling tours of the home, at 1150 Hempstead Tpke., for those interested in trying it out.
“We wanted to do more for the community we’re in,” Jennifer Bushati, director of recreation, said. “There are a lot of seniors who are very resistant to leave their home but need a place and a purpose throughout the day. This gives them the same benefits everybody gets here and peace of mind for their families.”
Participants, who must be at least 65 years old, can choose to attend for a half or full day, anywhere from one to five days a week. Each visit includes a meal, snack and access to a full
By RENEE DeloRENZo rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Maria Conzatti has never been one to follow tradition. The daughter of Italian parents, she recalled that her father, Sandro Conzatti, an immigrant from Genoa, had strict expectations for her traditional role as a woman.
But instead of conforming, Conzatti followed her own path. She devoted much of her life to education and her career — choices that ultimately led her to become the first female president of Nassau Community College in its 65-year history.
Yyounger brother, Alessandro. Watching her father work tirelessly, Conzatti realized early that education was the key to a better life.
“When I said I wanted to go to college, he asked, ‘Why would you do that? Women get married and have babies,’” she recalled. “And I thought, yeah … Not this one.”
ou’re here for a reason. And if you’re lucky in life, I think you’ll understand why you’re here and what you’re
here to do in this world.
MaRia CoNZaTTi Chief administrative officer, Nassau Community College
Conzatti, 58, was born in the Bronx, and her family moved to West Hempstead in 1972, when she was 5. She described her family as lower-middle class, and remembered her father working two jobs while her mother, Marie, stayed home, raising Maria and her
After graduating from H. Frank Carey High School in 1984, Conzatti, then 18, enrolled at NCC in Garden City. She majored in information processing — a mathbased, male-dominated field that she said was a precursor to computer science.
Because her father had rejected the idea her attending college, Conzatti worked two or three jobs at a time to pay her own tuition. She worked as a lifeguard in the summers, and even did telemarketing to make ends meet.
“I wasn’t worried about a Continued on page 5
By RENEE DeLORENZO
rdelorenzo@liherald.com
The Sewanhaka Board of Education met on Sept. 30 at Sewanhaka High School in Elmont, where board members and attendees highlighted key achievements and districtwide initiatives. The meeting celebrated academic excellence, student leadership and innovative learning practices that continue to define the district’s mission.
From national recognition for family engagement to programs that build unity and creativity among students, the discussion reflected Sewanhaka’s ongoing commitment to providing meaningful educational experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
Here are three things to know about the meeting:
H. Frank Carey High School was recognized as a National PTA School of Excellence for its continued efforts to strengthen family-school partnerships. Superintendent Regina Agrusa said the distinction was awarded to Carey because 75 percent or more if its varsity athletic programs qualified for and received scholar athlete team awards during the 2024-25 school year. The award celebrated the Carey PTA’s collaboration with administrators and teachers to enhance communication and student success. The distinction underscores the school’s commitment to fostering parent involvement and maintaining a positive, connected learning community.
Twenty student-athletes from the district took part in Unity Day, a student-led leadership conference centered on civility, teamwork and inclusion, on Sept. 19. The full-day workshop brought together four young leaders from each public school building across Long Island to focus on respect, resilience and collaboration — qualities that extend beyond athletics. The annual event aims to provide a meaningful opportunity for students to connect, learn from peers and strengthen their roles as positive influences within their communities. Agrusa emphasized that respect and inclusivity, particularly in athletics, remains a priority of the district.
“Tech-Free
Sewanhaka’s “Tech-Free Tuesdays” initiative returned Oct. 7 after its successful introduction last year. Agrusa said while technology has enhanced education, the district would be dedicating one day per week away from screens to encourage teachers and students to focus on hands-on learning, communication and problem solving. By balancing digital instruction with face-to-face interaction, the initiative is aimed at promoting creativity and critical thinking in the classroom. Continuing the program reflects the district’s commitment to innovative teaching that helps students stay engaged and mindful in an increasingly digital world.
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The Elmont Dads Club kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a cook-off fundraiser to support breast cancer screenings, treatment and research at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute.
The event, hosted at Elmont Memorial High School on Oct. 4, featured dozens of Dads Club members who brought homemade dishes to the school’s cafeteria for attendees to sample from noon to 2 p.m.
Tickets cost $10 each and included vouchers that allowed attendees to try a variety of foods, including hot dogs, barbecue chicken, meatballs, bread, rice, curry, fried chicken tenders, mac and cheese, chili and more.
The Oct. 4 cook-off marked the second year the event was hosted at the school and is one of several initiatives led by the Dads Club to support the Elmont community and other charitable causes.
The Dads Club plans to march in Elmont’s homecoming parade on Oct. 25 to raise visibility and promote its mission of creating a safe, collaborative space for men while giving back to the community.
Membership is open to any male resident of Elmont, regardless of whether they are fathers. For more information, visit ElmontSchools.org.
–Renee DeLorenzo
When the unfortunate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia is made, the whole world shifts for the patient and their family. Uncertainty abounds. For this reason, Ettinger Law Firm has published a guide for families facing these dilemmas, available as a free download at our website, trustlaw.com.
Sections of interest are:
Communication Strategies: Adapting communication techniques to improve connection and reduce frustration.
Establishing Daily Routes: Predictability reduces anxiety, helps with orientation and promotes independence.
Creating a Safe Home Environment: Modifying the home to reduce the risk of falls and other accidents.
Medical Care and Support: The importance and benefits of early diagnosis in slowing the progress of the disease and improving quality of life, as well as a list of questions to ask the doctor. Non-Medical Interventions: Different types of therapy, both physical and
mental to support physical and mental wellbeing. Building a Care Team: Who is on the team and avoiding caregiver burnout.
Coping with Behavioral Changes: Tips on managing new and challenging behaviors, such as agitation, depression, waking and sleep disturbances.
One of the biggest mistakes we see families make is the failure to connect with an elder law attorney upon learning of the illness. We understand that it is easy to overlook the legal where there are so many other social, emotional, psychological and medical issues in play. Early legal intervention, however, allows the family to obtain all the legal documents they will need later on, such as the “prescription strength” elder law power of attorney. The earlier the family moves to protect assets from being depleted for the cost of care, the more assets will be saved. Perhaps most important of all, the elder law attorney will be able to assure the family that caregiver services will be available when needed and the home and life savings will not all be lost for care.
The Sewanhaka Central High School District celebrated the opening of its new Career and Technical Education cosmetology building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 6.
According to a news release from the district, the state-of-the-art facility includes a client parking lot, reception area, new salon equipment and more than 40 workstations. Funded through a 2021 Capital Reserve Project, the news release noted, the building supports the district’s ongoing effort to expand and enhance its CTE programs.
As of now, ninety-six students districtwide are enrolled in the two-year cosmetology program.
Tdents.”
Superintendent Regina Agrusa called the new facility a milestone for the district and its students. “Providing all students with multiple pathways and opportunities for successful learning and skill building is at the critical core of our district’s vision,” she said.
his new building is more than a set of walls and workstations.
PaTrick DunPhy
Director, CTE
“This new building is more than a set of walls and workstations,” said Director of CTE Patrick Dunphy. “It represents an investment in career and technical education and a belief in what these programs make possible for stu -
New Hyde Park Memorial High School senior Samantha Pergola shared that the program has given her confidence and a clear career path.
Guests toured the new building and watched student hairstyling demonstrations before the ribbon was officially cut, the news release continued. The cosmetology center will open to customers on Nov. 9, offering hair cutting, styling, color services, manicures, facials, makeup and other treatments.
–Renee DeLorenzo
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social life, or going out, or boyfriends,” she said. “I just wanted good grades.”
After earning her associate’s degree in 1986, she continued her education at Adelphi University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s in corporate finance and investment.
“In the mid- to late ’80s, Wall Street was where the action was,” she said. “That’s where the money was.”
While pursuing her graduate degree, Conzatti briefly worked at a company in New Jersey, and eventually she was encouraged to apply for a technical assistant position in NCC’s engineering department. She got the job in 1989. By 1990, she had three degrees under her belt, and was fully committed to growing her career at the college.
Over the years, she taught classes, mentored students and helped them navigate their own academic journeys. In 2016, then Interim President Thomas Dolan encouraged Conzatti to consider leading the college one day. But to do that, she would need a doctorate.
In 2018, at age 50, Conzatti enrolled in a doctoral program for instructional leadership at St. John’s University. For four years she took night and summer classes while continuing to teach at NCC.
“I was in front of a classroom because I had a master’s and could teach, but then at night I was also sitting as a student,” she recounted. “It was definitely an interesting experience.”
She completed the program in three years, and then spent another year writing, editing and defending her dissertation. In 2022 she earned her doctorate, and was named interim president of NCC. She became acting president in 2023, and later that year was appointed chief administrative officer.
She remains committed, she said, to ensuring that students have the same opportunities she did.
One of the biggest misconceptions about college presidents, Conzatti said, is that they don’t interact with students, and only focus on fundraising — which couldn’t be further from the truth. She is deeply involved in the college’s day-today operations, and frequently meets with students in an effort to understand their needs.
Under her leadership, she said, NCC’s enrollment has continued to rise, with this fall’s admissions up 7 percent.
In her 37 years at the college, Conzatti has led more than a dozen projects designed to help students acclimate to campus life, secure academic resources and access grant-funded programs. She has served on numerous committees, given national presentations and received several awards from State University of New York and Long Island organizations recognizing her leadership and service.
Genette Ortiz, NCC’s vice president of academic affairs, said that Conzatti’s focus has always been on students.
maria Conzatti, the first female president of nassau Community College, has dedicated 37 years to the institution where she once studied.
“Every decision she makes is made with the students in mind,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz, who has known Conzatti for 31 years, said she immediately recognized her as someone genuine and dedicated.
“When I first met her, I knew she was a genuine individual who loved being here at the college,” Ortiz recalled. “Everything was about serving our students, and that’s who I am as a person, too. It felt like we were two like-minded individuals.”
The two have worked closely for more than a decade to promote student-centered programs and initiatives — both educational and financial. Ortiz described Conzatti as a strong, collaborative leader who values every voice.
“She’s always fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect,” Ortiz said. “She’s a leader who’s fair and has integrity, and she’s created a culture of trust.”
These days, Conzatti lives in West Hempstead with her parents, caring for them as they once cared for her. She said her mother understands that she’s making a difference, even if she doesn’t quite grasp the scope of her work.
Her mother regularly encourages her to “fix the injustices” she sees on the news, Conzatti said, laughing. Her father, meanwhile, remains understated about her achievements, simply telling people, “She works at a college.”
While she acknowledges that it took some time to accept that, Conzatti said she takes pride in having proved him wrong — and in continuing the work she loves.
Even now, her favorite part of the day is teaching NCC 101: The College Experience, where she connects directly with students.
“I love it,” she said. “What you come to understand as you get older is that in life, you’re put on a mission. You’re here for a reason. And if you’re lucky, you’ll understand why. For me, it’s to make sure students have the same opportunities I did.”
A KEY MEMBER OF Valley Stream Central High School District’s girls’ swim program since its inception in 2023, Flynn earned the coaches award as a sophomore and has served as a two-year captain. She has earned an appearance in the Nassau County championships in each season and reached the finals of the 100-yard butterfly as a junior. Her career-best time in the event is 1:07.02, and she also thrives in the 100 and 200 freestyle.
Friday, Oct. 17
Girls Volleyball: V.S. North at Clarke 5 p.m.
Football: Freeport at Westbury 5 p.m.
Football: Plainview at Oceanside 6 p.m.
Football: Floral Park at South Side 6 p.m.
Football: Elmont at Hewlett 6 p.m.
Football: Bethpage at Wantagh 6 p.m.
Football: Locust Valley at Plainedge 6:30 p.m.
Girls Volleyball: Mepham at Calhoun 6:45 p.m.
Football: Sewanhaka at V.S. North 7 p.m.
Football: V.S. South at Division 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 18
Football: Carey at Clarke 11 a.m.
Girls Volleyball: E.Meadow at V.S. Central 11:45 a.m.
Girls Volleyball: Plainedge at Elmont 11:45 a.m.
Football: Baldwin at Roosevelt 12 p.m.
Football: Massapequa at Farmingdale 1 p.m.
Football: New Hyde Park at Mepham 2 p.m.
Football: MacArthur at Calhoun 2 p.m.
Football: Long Beach at East Meadow 2 p.m.
Football: Jericho at V.S. Central 2 p.m.
Football: Kennedy at Roslyn 2 p.m.
Football: Lynbrook at Seaford 2 p.m.
Football: East Rockaway at North Shore 2 p.m.
Football: Malverne at Lawrence 2 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall 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.
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Despite some key injuries, Carey’s football team has been a model of consistency in all three phases and put that on display again last Friday afternoon against Nassau Conference III and district rival Elmont.
The Seahawks got passing and rushing touchdowns from senior quarterback Tristan Hickis, scores on the ground from their thunderand-lightning backfield combination and played smothering defense against a dangerous dual-threat, sacking Elmont senior signal-caller Aiden Barnes three times in the opening quarter to set the tone for a 29-6 home victory.
“I was really happy with us defensively,” Carey head coach Mike Stanley said. “We played physical and we pressured the quarterback pretty well. He’s a great athlete and buys time well with his legs. The pressure definitely helped our cover guys.”
Senior lineman Kelvin Persaud had a pair of sacks in Elmont’s first two drives and junior running back/ linebacker Justin DePietro, who bulldozed for 78 yards rushing and a touchdown and helped pave openings for senior tailback Joncarlo Carbone (107 yards, one touchdown), also picked up a sack as the Seahawks (5-0) remained unbeaten and won their 17th consecutive game dating back to the start of 2024.
“We have a long way to go, but I think we made some important strides today,” Stanley said.
The Spartans, who avoided
Innes said. “Carey’s a great team with a great coaching staff and players. They executed a great game plan.”
DePietro and Carbone were instrumental in the game’s first scoring drive, accounting for all of the 58 yards behind an O-line of Thomas Andrikopoulos, Zachary Montante, Rob Mantone, Michael Carollo and Stephen Klein. DePietro broke a 33-yard run to move the ball inside the red zone and Carbone followed with a shifty 18-yard touchdown burst. After Elmont jumped offside on the extra-point try, Stanley sent the offense back out and called DePietro’s number for the two-point conversion that resulted in an 8-0 lead.
Hickis, thrust into the starting quarterback role early in the campaign, continued to shine for an offense averaging 30 points through five games. He rushed for 66 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown a minute into the second quarter to increase the lead to 15-0, and connected with junior Jayden Radow for a 20-yard score on the opening drive of the second half to create a 29-0 cushion. DePietro had a 2-yard touchdown run in between.
“Really proud of Tristan,” Stanley said of Hickis. “He grew up as a quarterback. He’s showed he has the ability to read the run game and makes plays with his athleticism.”
“We’ve dug ourselves a hole and now we have to treat every game like it’s our last,” Elmont head coach Tom
the shutout late in the fourth quarter when Barnes raced 27 yards for a touchdown, slipped to 1-4 and sits on the playoff bubble with three games remaining beginning with a trip to Hewlett Friday evening.
Carey has an 11 a.m. kickoff at Clarke this Saturday. The surprising Rams have won four in a row, including a huge upset over Wantagh two weeks ago.
“Clarke presents plenty of challenges,” Stanley said.
calendar of activities.
Bushati, a certified recreational therapist and Floral Park resident, said the idea came from conversations with friends and neighbors who, like her, are part of the “sandwich generation,” balancing responsibilities for both their children and aging parents, all while working.
“A lot of us share the same issue what are mom and dad doing all day?” Bushati said.
The day program is limited to seven participants at a time, allowing for what staff members describe as a “seamless integration” with the home’s roughly 75 residents and minimal disruptions to their current programs. Up to 14 individuals can enroll overall and attend on different days.
Steven Kordisch, an administrator at the home, said the goal is to make participants feel like part of the Plattduetsche community.
“We find integration to be a key aspect of things,” Kordisch said. “Anyone here, that’s here as a participant, is getting the full experience of the daytime Plattduetsche senior living.”
The team makes it a point, he said, not to treat residents as patients dependant on staff, but rather as independent adults who are capable of participating in activities on their own. One of the ways the home achieves this is through a community-driven environment. Socialization, he continued, is precisely what the day program is aiming to provide.
Each day’s schedule offers social activities designed to support cognitive, physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. The list includes art and paint classes, piano lessons, trivia, sing-alongs, church services and other group programs. Participants also take part in frequent outings to local stores, libraries and events, as
the new adult day Life enrichment program at the plattduetsche Home Society offers older adults opportunities for recreation and wellness during the day.
well as summer concerts and beach trips.
If there’s a program or class participants want that the home is not offering, Bushati added, the team would work to accommodate them.
Before joining, Kordisch said, prospective participants must complete an assessment to make sure the program is a good fit. “We want to ensure that we can meet their needs and that they’ll benefit from what we offer,” Kordisch explained.
The Plattduetsche Home Society includes both assisted and independent living spaces. The adult home houses about 75 residents in studio apartments designed for one occupant, while 51 independent living apartments allow couples to live together, supporting as many as 102 residents. The day program adds another layer for those who want connection and structure
but not full-time care.
Richie Oliver, director of operations, said the assessment process also helps maintain the community’s atmosphere.
“We’re a family-type community,” Oliver said. “Anyone that comes into our community has to be able to get along so that they have the quality of life that the folks who are already living here maintain.”
For some, joining a social environment after spending time alone can be a big transition. However, Oliver emphasized, staff members help new participants adjust gradually.
“At first, some people just want to observe and get used to their surroundings,” Oliver said. “But before long, almost everyone says, ‘I’m not leaving — this is exactly where I want to be.’”
Meals are an important part of the experience, and a point of pride, Kordisch added. Participants enjoy the same European-style food served to residents.
Plattduetsche staff members said that what sets their day program apart from others is the combination of professional oversight and genuine community connection.
“There are many senior programs run by the town and county,” Oliver said. “But none of them come close to offering what this program offers — not the calendar of activities or the professional staff.”
Kordisch said the initiative represents one of the home’s most exciting new ventures, and he believes the program will benefit current residents as much as it benefits new participants. “More is better,” he emphasized.
Community members can learn more or schedule a tour of the home by contacting the Plattduetsche Home Society through its website, PlattSeniorLiving. com, or by calling (516) 352-4252.
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Maureen O’Connell, the Nassau County clerk since 2006, is seeking re-election, with a focus on continuing the modernization of county records and expanding services for senior citizens and non-English speakers.
A registered nurse and an attorney, O’Connell, 74, has served in public office for more than three decades, including a term in the Assembly and as deputy mayor of East Williston. In the clerk’s office, she says, she is committed to improving access and service for residents.
“When I walked into that office … there were about 2 million unprocessed documents,” she said. “We were not really modernized.”
Since then, O’Connell said, the office has undergone a significant transformation. Court and land records are now digitized and available online, allowing attorneys and members of the public to file and access documents without visiting the clerk’s office in a building on Old Country Road in Mineola that is notorious for its limited parking.
“We created an electronic database so that a lawyer who wants to start a lawsuit doesn’t have to drive over,” O’Connell said. “They can electronically file a lawsuit from their home office.”
In addition to overseeing deed and mortgage filings, the clerk also serves as the clerk of county Supreme Court. O’Connell said she implemented one of the state’s first Supreme Court filing databases, and added digital interfaces with local and state agencies to streamline access to records.
She has also led efforts to digitize historical documents, a process she refers to as “backfilling.” “The more we backfill, the better the public is served,” O’Connell said. She noted frequent visits from senior
citizens needing access to decades-old property records they have misplaced. “Sometimes that safe place is so safe they can never find it again,” she said.
To further assist homeowners, O’Connell created a Property Fraud Alert Program. Property owners can sign up to receive email alerts if any documents — such as deeds or mortgages — are filed relating to their property. The goal is to prevent fraud involving falsified documents.
“Fortunately, we have not seen a lot of it in Nassau — a very minimal amount,” O’Connell said. “But the county clerks statewide do see it in some counties.”
If she is re-elected, O’Connell said, she plans to focus on expanding parking at the Mineola complex and to continue efforts to digitize older records. She also hopes to expand the effort to adapting services to the growing population of residents for whom English is not their primary language. A language line, which translates conversations between clerk’s office employees and visitors in real time, has been implemented to aid communication.
O’Connell said that her dual background in nursing and law has shaped her approach to public service. “As a nurse, you like to help people,” she said. “Get the problem solved, and help them resolve whatever issues they’re in need of resolving.”
A lifelong Nassau County resident, O’Connell grew up in Mineola and now lives in East Williston. She trained at Flushing Hospital School of Nursing, and has a bachelor’s degree in health care management from St. Joseph’s College and a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law. She is an assistant professor of nursing at SUNY Farmingdale, and serves on several local boards, including the Farmingdale School of Nursing advisory board and Harbor Child Care in Mineola.
She remains passionate about her work for the county. “It’s just a wonderful job,” she said. “I love working, serving in public.”
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ
amartinez@liherald.com
Joylette E. Williams, a professor of English at Nassau Community College, is running for Nassau County clerk. A resident of the Village of Hempstead since 1993, she has built her career in education and local service, and in her campaign is emphasizing administrative experience, accessibility and modernization.
Williams has a Ph.D. in English, is completing a second doctorate in higher education administration at the University of Connecticut and is in her second term on the Hempstead Board of Education. She was first elected in 2022, and re-elected in May after community members urged her to continue her service. Her current term runs through 2028.
“It helps me to understand not only the concerns that residents have throughout the county, but it’s very, very rewarding to actually participate in those advocacy roles,” Williams said.
Her academic background, she added, which includes several master’s degrees and over two decades of teaching, has prepared her for the administrative demands of the clerk’s office, which manages the county’s legal documents, property records and business filings. She noted her experience with recordkeeping, document management and organizational leadership in higher education.
Williams served as a Hempstead village trustee from 2021 to 2022, and sits on the Town of Hempstead’s Industrial Development Agency board. She is also the assistant secretary of the Hempstead chapter of the NAACP, is active in the Hempstead Community Land Trust, the Hempstead chapter of the AARP and the Long Island chapter of the National Coalition of 100
Tim Baker/Herald
Joylette Williams has a Ph.D. in English and is completing a second doctorate in higher education administration at the University of Connecticut.
Black Women. She is a member of the Nassau Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
A central goal of her campaign is to digitize county records and to modernize the operating systems of the clerk’s office. “Right now it’s running like it’s 1974,” she said.
Williams has spoken with title insurance companies and attorneys who frequent the clerk’s office, she said, and has identified inefficiencies, including a lack
of online access to court records that makes it necessary for paralegals to visit the office in person.
The clerk’s mobile outreach van is underutilized, she added, and she has proposed increasing its presence across the county, including at libraries and senior centers. She has also proposed extending the office’s hours to 7 p.m. one day a week to accommodate working residents.
“The clerk’s office needs to be more accessible to all residents of Nassau County, and not just a few areas,” Williams said.
If elected, she plans to propose to the Legislature that fees for deed transfers and property transactions be reduced, and has identified seniors, first responders, first-time homebuyers and veterans as populations that could benefit from fee reductions or waivers.
Williams also cited the need for translators in the clerk’s office, noting a range of languages, from Spanish to Urdu, that are spoken by residents who visit the office regularly. Increased language accessibility, she said, would ensure equitable service across the county’s diverse population.
Her work in civic organizations, Williams said, has helped her better understand residents’ needs and leadership strategies. She added that she plans to request a leave of absence from Nassau Community College if she is elected, because both positions are county-funded and cannot be held simultaneously.
Williams was invited to join the ticket by the Democratic Party leadership, and underwent a vetting process that included interviews, reference checks and social media review. Her commitment to public service and community advocacy, she said, motivated her to accept the nomination.
The annual Franklin Square Street Fair ushered in autumn on Oct. 4, bringing together local businesses, community organizations and residents for a day of family fun on Franklin Avenue.
The free event, hosted by Nassau County, featured vendors, food trucks, bouncy houses, pony rides and a petting zoo, attracting patrons of all different ages to shop, play and taste their way around the community.
Local vendors, including Bookworm George Creations, Bark and Bougie, Lost 4 Toys and The AM Shop, offered handmade crafts, pet goods and other unique items, while community organizations and high school groups, such as H. Frank Carey Key Club, volunteered to run booths and activities throughout the day.
Supported by sponsors such as Kombative Edge Martial Arts of New Hyde Park; T-Mobile; Power Home Remodeling; Dogtopia of Garden City Park; Champions Martial Arts of Franklin Square; and New York Life, the street fair provided a warm welcome to the new season.
To learn more about upcoming events in Franklin Square and nearby neighborhoods, visit NassauCountyFairs.com
–Renee DeLorenzo
Dutch Broadway School students are building their soccer skills while staying active and having fun during physical education sessions with teachers
Debra Bennett, Tim Smith and James Mauro, a new PE team member.
According to a news release from the district, younger students are learning teamwork, coordination and basic movements, while upper-grade students
are advancing to more complex techniques such as ball control, dribbling drills and understanding game zones.
Sessions often conclude with mindfulness-based cooldowns, the news release said, that align with the school’s daily mindfulness breathing and yoga exercises, helping students relax and reset before returning to class.
–Renee DeLorenzo
Join Us!
For more than 100 years the American Red Cross on Long Island has helped the community prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.
COMMUNITY IMPACT HERO
Luv Michael
FIRST RESPONDER HEROES
Officers Timothy Deegan and Matthew Walling
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP HERO
Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025
8:00 A.M. TO 10:00 A.M.
The Heritage Club at Bethpage
DISASTER HERO
Jennifer Keane
MILITARY HERO
Mel Cohen
YOUTH HEROES
Charlie Dubofsky and Sydney Hassenbein
The American Red Cross Heroes Celebration is the signature fundraising event for the American Red Cross on Long Island, serving Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Event Co-chairs: James Quent, Greg Lavine, and Jennifer Solomon
For tickets, sponsorships, journal ads and to learn more, please visit redcross.org/LIheroes
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips traces her drive for public service to a childhood defined by independence, perseverance and the generosity of mentors who opened doors. Born in western Pennsylvania, the youngest of four daughters, she was the first in her family to attend college — a milestone achieved without guidance or financial help after her father’s death when she was 12.
“I was kind of left on my own a lot,” Phillips recalled. “There was no guidance for college.” That changed when she became a Rotary exchange student in Brazil for 13 months — an experience she described as life-changing. “It allowed me to mature and figure out who I wanted to be in life,” she said, adding that she still speaks fluent Portuguese nearly five decades later.
Phillips went on to earn both a bachelor’s degree in political science and an MBA in finance from Penn State, working as a bartender to pay tuition. Her career began in finance — first at Metropolitan Life, later at J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs, where she helped build mortgage-backed securities departments. After taking time off to raise her three daughters, she negotiated a rare job-sharing arrangement at Goldman that allowed her to balance motherhood with highstakes finance work for nearly a decade.
Public service came later. After serving as mayor of Flower Hill during Superstorm Sandy, she was elected to the State Senate in 2016, where she championed legislation closing a loophole that had allowed those convicted of domestic violence to keep certain firearms. In 2021 she was elected Nassau County’s comptroller — a role she calls both humbling and demanding.
Her signature initiative, she said, has been modernizing the county’s outdated financial system, which dates back to 1999. “We do our accounting basically
using Excel files,” Phillips said. “Departments like DPW, purchasing and accounting all had different data — none of it lined up.”
Her office led a two-year process to select CGI to implement a cloud-based enterprise resource planning system, dubbed Nassau Forward, that will unify county financial operations and automatically update accounting standards. “It’s transformative,” Phillips said. “Our goal is to go live between 2027 and 2028.”
During her tenure, the comptroller’s office also digitized vendor claims, cutting payment times from four months to less than 10 days. “There used to be paper almost to the ceiling,” she said. “Now it’s all online
through e-claims.” Phillips also overhauled the audit process, emphasizing collaboration and corrective action rather than punitive reports that “collected dust.”
She credited her staff for the county’s recognition by the Government Finance Officers Association with its Triple Crown award for excellence in financial reporting — the only county in New York state to earn it. Nassau has also received seven bond-rating upgrades during her term.
Looking ahead, Phillips said her top priorities, if re-elected, would be completing the Nassau Forward project, hiring additional accountants and expanding electronic systems for retirees’ benefits. “We’re still sending out paper checks to some retirees,” she said. “We want to move to direct deposit — it’s safer and more efficient.”
She acknowledged ongoing challenges balancing employee wages and benefits with affordability for residents. “You want to pay your employees a fair wage and provide good health care,” Phillips said. “But you also want to make sure people can still afford to live here.”
Reflecting on her career, she credited her success to teamwork. “I’m as good as the people around me,” she said. “You always want to do more — to make government more efficient, save taxpayers money, and keep Nassau in strong fiscal shape.”
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Wayne Wink says Nassau County is once again standing on shaky financial ground — and he believes the comptroller’s office should be the first line of defense. The longtime public servant, attorney and former legislator is challenging incumbent Comptroller Elaine Phillips, arguing that the county needs more transparency, oversight and independence from the administration.
“I’ve always spoken truth to power,” said Wink, 58, who currently serves as minority counsel to the County Legislature. “What we need is a fiscal watchdog. What we have is a fiscal lapdog.”
A Hofstra University and St. John’s University School of Law graduate, Wink grew up in Uniondale, in what he describes as a “barely middle-class” household, and was the first in his family to go to college. He was elected to public office for the first time in the early 2000s and went on to serve 20 years in local government — including as a North Hempstead town councilman, county legislator and town clerk.
Among his legislative accomplishments, Wink cites the creation of Nassau’s Silver Alert law, modeled after the Amber Alert system but designed to locate missing seniors with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. “We’ve had a number of people saved because of that program,” he said. He also helped establish North Hempstead’s domestic partner registry before same-sex marriage was legalized in New York. and pushed for “right-sizing” government by transferring underused county assets to towns that could better manage them.
Jeff Bessen/Herald
Among his legislative accomplishments, Wink cites the creation of Nassau’s Silver Alert law, modeled after the Amber Alerts system.
Now, as he seeks to return to countywide office, Wink says that Nassau’s biggest problems aren’t new — they’re just unresolved. “When I left the Legislature in 2013, I came back 10 years later and found the same issues: the college, the medical center, the jail, assessments,” he said. “They’re all repackaged, but the same issues.”
One of his top concerns is the county’s ongoing fiscal oversight by the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, which was created more than 20 years ago amid
budget turmoil. “No county our size with our affluence and abilities should still be under a control board,” he said, adding that sustainable budgeting and stronger auditing practices could allow the county to regain autonomy.
Wink has been especially critical of the county’s use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to plug operating deficits. “The only way they’re balancing the 2025 budget is to take $120 million of Covid money,” he said. “We’re spending down reserves that were built up under Laura Curran,” he added, referring to the former county executive. “It’s unsustainable.” He said that Nassau faces a structural deficit of $200 million to $250 million per year in its four-year plan.
Wink argues that genuine transparency begins with full disclosure of how public money is spent — including vendor identities. “The county’s ‘open checkbook’ lists every transaction except who got the money,” he said. “That’s not transparency.”
If elected, he said, his first priority would be to restore field audits, which he claims have disappeared under the current administration. “The comptroller is there to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely,” Wink said. “We need to get back to real audits, in the weeds, to find waste, fraud and abuse.”
He also called for greater oversight of county contracts, jail operations and agencies such as the Nassau University Medical Center, which he says have faced mounting financial and management issues.
“The county is slowly fading into the fiscal abyss again,” Wink said. “We’ve been here before — and if we keep the status quo, we’ll be back there again. Nassau needs new eyes, real accountability, and leadership willing to tell the truth.”
ATTENTION STUDENTS:
THE HERALD IS HOLDING A CONTEST TO DESIGN HOLIDAY WRAPPING PAPER
THE WINNING DESIGNS WILL BE PRINTED AS HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP IN 12/4/25 & 12/11/25 ISSUES OF YOUR HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Who can enter: There will be 2 categories:
Students in grades k-5. Students in 6-12
One entry per student
Deadline: Entries must be received by 5 p.m.
Friday, October 31, 2025
Grand prize: Winners will have their design printed as wrapping paper in the Herald and will be featured in an article in their local Herald newspaper.
Entry format: Please use an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of unlined paper. All entries should have the student’s name, age, address, telephone number, email, grade and school printed on the back. Design can be reflective of all religious holidays. Entries will not be returned.
Mail or hand-deliver to:
Wrapping Paper Contest
Herald Community Newspapers 2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530 OR Scan and email to: ekimbrell@liherald.com
(No Photos of Artwork Will Be Accepted).
Winners will be notified by email or phone by November 14
• Must use 8 1/2 x 11” unlined paper, copy paper or construction paper.
• Be creative & original.
• Use bright colors.
• Fill the entire page.
• Choose paint, crayon, chalk, markers, pens, or other creative materials.
• Remember your design will be used to make a real sheet of wrapping paper.
At the mock store modeled after Freeport’s Two Cousins Fish Market, kids role play as fishmongers and customers.
Visitors are introduced to the exhibit’s many components.
By Abbey Salvemini
Long Island Children’s Museum sets sail on a bold new chapter with “Saltwater Stories: We Need the Sea and the Sea Needs Me,” its first new permanent exhibition in over a decade. The 1,900-square-foot immersive installation, which officially opened last week, invites families to explore Long Island’s rich nautical heritage, celebrating the people, traditions and cultures that have long relied on the sea.
Our coastal identity comes to life through storytelling, interactive play and local traditions. Kids (and grown-ups!) can climb into a full-size bay house, sort the day’s catch in a bustling fish market, explore the wonders under the sea and even hop inside a 500-pound hand-carved canoe. That canoe — a mishoon (Indigenous dugout canoe) commissioned by the museum — was created through the collaboration of Shinnecock Cultural Steward Chenae Bullock, her mentor Darius Coombs of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and apprentice Shane Weeks of the Shinnecock Nation. Welcomed by the museum in June, it now takes up residence within “Saltwater Stories.”
A culmination of more than 15 years of museum programming and partnerships with local fishermen, Indigenous communities and historians, it anchors Long Island’s past to its future with creativity and care. The concept first took shape several years ago, sparked by the museum’s long-running partnerships with tradition bearers and a desire to give families a more personal connection to the natural world around them.
Museum President Erika Floreska describes the exhibit as “authentic, playful and beautiful.”
Director of Exhibits Margo Malter traces its roots back to weekend programs begun in 2009, when local baymen and fishermen shared firsthand stories about life on the water. Over the years, those early conversations grew into a deeper exploration of Long Island’s maritime culture. The turning point came in 2019, when the museum received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. That funding allowed the team to assemble a cohort of community advisors — fisherfolk, Indigenous leaders, historians, and educators — whose voices helped shape Saltwater’s foundation.
“We like to say the exhibit is informed by community, for the community,” Floreska adds.
From the stories of generations of baymen to the bustling fish markets of the Nautical Mile, the exhibit’s components are rooted in the everyday lives of Long
Anthony Rodia is back with his “Laugh Till It Hurts” tour. Building on the success of his previous outing, this is his biggest and most ambitious yet. Born and raised in Westchester, Rodia came out of the womb making people laugh. In his 20s he tried a few open mics, but ultimately took a different career path. In 2019, Rodia returned to comedy and left his day job to become a full-time stand-up comic. With a background steeped in family traditions, Italian-American culture and the ups and downs of modern life, Anthony’s comedy feels like a conversation with your funniest friend. His blend of observational humor, self-deprecation and witty impressions has led him on his path as one of the most exciting rising stars on the comedy scene.
Saturday, Oct. 18, 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Islanders past and present. It also highlights the connections between the traditions of immigrant communities who share seaside cultures, offering opportunities for shared experiences and dialogue.
Visitors are welcomed by a nine-foot high immersive, stylized wave tunnel. Visible from the three entries to the museum’s second floor, this wow-moment hooks you into the gallery and recreates that first introduction to the sea for many of us — a day at the beach. Lighting and sound effects give a transportive transition into “Saltwater Stories.”
• Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Among the exhibit’s many features, young visitors can role-play life on the bay in a walkin replica of a bay house, where a “magic window” lets them observe real-time changes in weather, tides and marsh life. Nearby, in a classic Long Island fish market, you can sort, weigh and sell the day’s catch — mimicking the work of generations who lived off the sea. Also everyone will enjoy “Lifting the Ocean’s Lid,” an early learner area where kids can get a close-up look at what lives under the sea.
• View the events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800
• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City
For Floreska, Saltwater’s heart lies in its ability to tell a local story while providing a playful, hands-on space that’s deeply connected to the real world — something she describes as both unique and meaningful.
“It gives visitors of all ages a chance to connect with a cultural richness that defines Long Island,” she says.
Integrating new technology felt like a natural next step in the evolution of the museum’s approach to storytelling, according to Malter. She highlights the bay house installation as a standout example, where digital features are used to make the environment feel dynamic and real.
To create the immersive “magic window,” the team hired a videographer to capture time-lapse footage of a local marsh over the course of several days, including scenes at night and during a storm. With the push of a button, kids can change the view outside the window — transforming from day to night or calm to stormy — making the experience both magical and grounded in the real world.
“Observing the natural world was a big educational goal for me,” Malter explains.
By blending real footage with playful interaction, young visitors notice environmental details they might otherwise overlook — fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity rooted in the rhythms of local life.
The phrase “we need the sea and the sea needs me” serves as the exhibit’s guiding inspiration.
Even the quintessential Long Island Islander — Billy Joel — has a place here. Everyone can watch a video of his “The Downeaster ‘Alexa’,” commercial fishing’s unofficial anthem.
To help families turn inspiration into action, a resource guide on the museum website provides ideas for local, family-friendly activities that extend the learning into the home. Floreska points to community programs like Freeport-based “Operation Splash,” where families can participate in cleaning up local shorelines.
As a permanent fixture now, “Saltwater Stories” continues the museum’s commitment to ignite curiosity, encourage stewardship and strengthen our bond with the environment — reminding us all that the sea’s story is deeply intertwined with our own.
$144.75, $108.75, $98.25, $86.50, $76.25, $64.75. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Maestro Louis Panacciulli and the Nassau Pops Orchestra return to the Tilles Center for their annual gala supporting the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, joined again by Tony Danza and his band. Danza’s latest cabaret show, “Sinatra and Stories,” blends personal anecdotes, humor and some classic tunes. He pays tribute to the music of ‘Ol Blue Eyes, whose music formed the soundtrack of his childhood. He brings his trademark charisma and storytelling — along with touch of soft shoe and ukulele-strumming — to his selection of Sinatra’s timeless classics. Swing into an afternoon of great tunes and fascinating stories — all to benefit this vital organization.
Sunday, Oct. 19, 3 p.m. Tickets start at $30. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post Campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at npso.org/tickets or tillescenter.org.
‘Great Gatsby’ soirée
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel “The Great Gatsby,” at Franklin Square Public Library. This after-hours event transports guests back to the Roaring Twenties. All are encouraged to don their flapper best and enjoy the special speakeasy, featuring mocktails and canapes. The night will be filled with the sounds of live jazz, and, of course, a chance to dance the Charleston! Registration required.
• Where: 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square
• Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Contact: FranklinSquarePL.org
Reggae fest
Groove to the sounds of reggae in the Plattdeutsche Park Biergarten with IRIEspect. $8 cover charge.
• Where: 1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square
• Time: 6:30-10:30 p.m.
• Contact: ParkRestaurant.com or call (516) 354-3131
Rescuing Families is back for its 4th annual Halloween bingo and costume party! . Guests are encouraged to wear their scariest Halloween costume for a costume contest. Tickets are $48 and include five bingo games, a door prize ticket, a raffle ticket for various baskets, food, dessert, beer, wine, soda, coffee and tea. For ages18 and older. Registration required.
• Where: Irish American Society, 297 Willis Ave., Mineola
• Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., bingo starts at 7 p.m.
• Contact: Visit RescuingFamilies. org for a registration link
Ghostly Gala
Bring the kids to Long Island Children’s Museum’s annual Halloween celebration. Enjoy the holiday in a fun, safe and spooky (not scary) way! Show off your costumes and dance moves in a Monster Mash Dance Party. Visit the Spooky Studio and meet mysterious underwater creatures. Also make some cool and creepy crafts. Start off your spooky night by decorating a bewitching trick-or-treat bag, then collect ghostly goodies from the museum’s roaming staff. Also a special showing of “Uncle Vlad’s Pumpkin Patch” in the LICM theater. $16, $14 members; show $5.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 6-9 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
One of America’s most distinctive and longest-running rock bands, Little Feat is back in a big way with a revitalized lineup, a stellar new record — its first album of original material in over a decade The venerable six-piece is touring in support of ‘Strike Up the Band,” their first new studio album reliant on new material since 2012’s Rooster Rag. It’s Little Feat’s triumphant return to rock ‘n roll with plenty of swampy Southern soul. The band builds on a deep, over 50-year history. Little Feat used a combination of elite musicianship and brilliant, idiosyncratic songwriting to create a repertoire that transcends all boundaries. California rock, funk, folk, jazz, country and rockabilly mixed with New Orleans swamp boogie led to a powerful sound that has kept the audience dancing for decades. Their groove — in songs like “Dixie Chicken,” “Spanish Moon,” “Fat Man in the Bathtub,” and “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now” — was so infectious it allowed them to endure and press on even when losing their founder, Lowell George, and founding drummer, Richie Hayward. They’re in top form now with Scott Sharrard on lead/vox and Tony Leone on drums/vox, and with founder Bill Payne on keys/vox, Fred Tackett on guitars/vox, Kenny Gradney on bass, and Sam Clayton on percussion/vox. Fifty years on, they’ve been up and they’ve been down and they know where they belong — standing or sitting behind their instruments, playing for you. And anything’s possible, because the end is not in sight. Tickets are $141.25, $120.25, $99.75, $77.75, $66.25
OCT 19
Irish Festival 2025
Celebrate Irish culture in the Plattdeutsche Park Biergarten during the annual festival.
• Where: 1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square
• Time: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Contact: ParkRestaurant.com or call (516) 354-3131
America Lodge 2245
Anniversary Gala Celebrate America Lodge 2245’s 54th Anniversary at Leonard’s Palazzo. $125 per person.
• Where: 555 Northern Blvd., Great Neck
• Time: Noon-5 p.m.
• Contact: Karen Mollish at (516) 852-2823 or Andrew Monteleone at (516) 784-9142
‘Gloria’s Miami Nights’
Plaza Theatrical invites to all to its stage at Elmont Memorial Library for dazzling tribute to Gloria Estefan, Kikki Torres and a pulsating troupe of musicians, singers, and dancers to celebrate the music and career of Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. $40, $35 seniors.
• Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: 2:30 p.m.
• Contact: PlazaTheatrical.com or call (516) 599-6870
Blood drive
OCT
Franklin Square Public Library hosts a community blood drive with New York Blood Center. Those ages 16 to 75 are eligible to donate. Teens ages 16-17 must have written consent. Donors must weigh at least 110lbs. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome if space permits.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
and learn how to help educate residents about the town’s rich history!
• Where: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road
• Time: 6-8:45 p.m.
• Contact: FranklinSquarePL.org
• Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: 12:30-2 p.m.
• Contact: ElmontLibrary.org or call (516) 354-5280
‘Uncle Vlad’s Pumpkin Patch: Under New Management’ Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes all to its latest theater production. Horrible news! The Mountain Boo Soda Company has their eyes on a piece of property for their new factory — Uncle Vlad’s pumpkin patch! Join Uncle Vlad, his nephew Chad, and their freakish friends as they team up to protect their Halloween home from the bony fingers of big business. The company is run by a skeleton, after all! With puppeteers and actors from LICM’s Theater, this musical adventure will tickle your funny bone as a Halloween treat for the whole family. $5 with museum admission ($4 members). $10 theater only.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., also Oct. 26
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
27
The public is invited to attend the library’s Board of Trustees meeting.
• Where: 19 Lincoln Rd., Franklin Square
• Time: 6-8:30 p.m.
• Contact: FranklinSquarePL.org or call (516) 488-3444
OCT
23
Elmont library board meeting
• Where: 19 Lincoln Road
• Time: 3:30-7:30 p.m.
• Contact: FranklinSquarePL.org
Building committee meets
Attend the Franklin Square Library’s building committee meeting.
• Where: 19 Lincoln Rd., Franklin Square
• Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
• Contact: FranklinSquarePL.org
20 Historical society meeting
OCT 21
Attend the Franklin Square Historical Society meeting
All are invited to attend the Elmont Public Library Board of Trustees’ regular meeting. The board may go into executive session from 7-7:30 p.m. if necessary.
• Where: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: 7-9 p.m.
• Contact: ElmontLibrary.org or call (516) 354-5280
Best of
OCT
24
Broadway and more
Join Rhonda Kay and the Backstage Trio for a mix of the best of Broadway songs, iconic jazz standards and melodies from the American Songbook at Elmont Memorial Library. No registration required. First come, first seated.
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.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF Nassau, Bank of America, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICEMANHATTAN DISTRICT AND” JOHN DOE” AND “JANE DOE” THE LAST TWO NAMES BEING FICTITIOUS, SAID PARTIES INTENDED BEING TENANTS OR OCCUPANTS, IF ANY, HAVING OR CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN, OR LIEN UPON THE PREMISES DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT, , Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Consent Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 13, 2022, 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 November 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1601 Johnson Avenue, Apt 1 a/k/a 1601-01 Johnson Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 32, Block 470 and Lot 31. Approximate amount of judgment is $531,815.96 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #006112/2014.
Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 253456-1 156150
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for: Well No. 6 Rehabilitation
H2M Project No.: WHWD2502 will be received by the Board of Commissioners of the WEST HEMPSTEAD WATER DISTRICT (Owner) at the office of the Water District, 575 Birch Street, West Hempstead, New York 11552, until 10:00 a.m., Prevailing Time on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 and will be publicly opened and read aloud at 5:00 p.m. Hard Copy Bidding Documents may be
obtained from REVplans, 28 Church Street, Unit #7, Warwick,New York 10990, upon deposit of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each combined set of documents. Checks or money orders shall be made payable to H2M architects + engineers. Mail the deposit to the office of the District’s Engineer, H2M architects + engineers, 538 Broad Hollow Road, New York 11747, attn: Ashley Gambardella. Please simultaneously email a scanned copy of the deposit check to the following: agambardella@h2m.co m and spal@h2m.com. Upon electronic receipt of the scanned check, H2M will contact REVplans to initiate the addition of the bidder to the bidder’s list, and release the printing of hard copy Bidding Documents. Any bidder requiring documents to be shipped shall make arrangements with REVplans and pay for all packaging and shipping costs. If a hardcopy of the deposit check is not received by H2M, the Owner reserves the right to reject the bid submission. Deposits for the plans and specifications will be completely refunded to bidders and nonbidders who make a request to H2M to get the deposit check back and return the hard copy plans and specifications to H2M architects + engineers within thirty (30) days following the award of contracts or rejection of bids. No deposit will be refunded after this time.
As a convenience to the Contractor, Digital Bidding Documents may be obtained from the following website: h2mplanroom.com as an online download for a non-refundable fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), paid by credit card. Please note REV and h2mplanroom.com are the designated locations and means for distributing and obtaining all bid package information. All bidders are urged to register to ensure receipt of all necessary information, including bid addenda. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered plan holders via email and will be available at h2mplanroom.com.
Plan holders who have
paid for hard copies of the bid documents will need to make the determination if hard copies of the addenda are required for their use, and coordinate directly with REV for hard copies of addenda to be issued. There will be no charge for registered plan holders to obtain hard copies of the bid addenda. Each proposal submitted must be accompanied by a certified check or bid bond, made payable to the WEST HEMPSTEAD WATER DISTRICT, in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a commitment by the bidder that, if its bid is accepted, it will enter into a contract to perform the work and will execute such further security as may be required for the faithful performance of the contract.
The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive any informalities and to accept such bid which, in the opinion of the Owner, is in the best interests of the Owner.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WEST HEMPSTEAD
WATER DISTRICT C. John Sparacio, Chairman Kenneth P. Wenthen, Jr., Treasurer Carl Kolansky, Secretary DATED: OCTOBER 16, 2025 156313
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff against MARIETTA DONOFRIO, et al Defendant(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016 and 1131 Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered September 8, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 2318 Hoffman Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003-2841. Sec 32 Block 409 Lot 5. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land situate lying and being at Elmont, Town of
Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $115,826.80 plus interest, fees, and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 616304/2023. For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the 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. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. 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. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Keith LaVallee, Esq., Referee File # NY202300000397-1 156306
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC, Plaintiff against SHAWN MONROE, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 28 Corporate Drive, Suite 104, Halfmoon, NY 12065. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered September 8, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 233 Jefferson Street, Franklin Square,
NY 11010.Sec 35 Block 128 Lot 122. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Franklin Square, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Approximate Amount of Judgment is $350,678.26 plus interest, fees, and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 616967/2022. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Gerard Geisweller, Esq., Referee File # 22-001786-01 156304
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-ININTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ASSETBACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2006-NC2 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-NC2, -againstFANELA JEAN, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on September 8, 2025, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-ININTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2006-NC2 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-NC2 is the Plaintiff and FANELA
JEAN, ET AL., are the Defendants. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, NORTH SIDE STEPS, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on November 17, 2025 at 2:00PM, the premises known as 727 LAWRENCE STREET, ELMONT, NY 11003; tax map identification 32-701-47; and description: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT ELMONT, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 600388/2024. Joshua Brookstein, 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. 156310
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1, -againstVADELL WALKER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF TONI WILLIAMS, 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 January 16, 2025, wherein WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT
SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1 is the Plaintiff and VADELL WALKER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF TONI WILLIAMS, ET AL., are the Defendants. 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 November 18, 2025 at 2:00AM, the premises known as 34 LOUIS AVENUE, ELMONT, NY 11003; tax map identification 32-363-74, 75, 76 & 77; and description: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 610675/2021. Christine M. Grillo, Esq., as 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. 156308
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR VELOCITY COMMERCIAL CAPITAL LOAN TRUST 2021-2, Plaintiff against MILLER COMMERCIAL CONSULTANTS CORP., et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 28 Corporate Drive, Suite 104, Halfmoon, NY 12065. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered December 24, 2024, I will sell
at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM. Premises known as 1717 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY 11003. Sec 32 Block 453 Lot 9 and 10. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Elmont (not an incorporated Village), Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $795,715.93 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 609476/2023. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., Referee File # 23-001035-01 156180
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE REUNIÓN ESPECIAL DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE FRANKLIN SQUARE UNION, EN EL CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK POR LA PRESENTE, SE NOTIFICA que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de Franklin Square Union, en el condado de Nassau, Nueva York, ha adoptado una resolución el 6 de agosto de 2025, autorizando una Reunión Especial del Distrito de los votantes calificados de dicho distrito escolar, que se hará el Martes, 21 de octubre de 2025 a las 8:00 a. m. (hora oficial local) en la escuela designada en cada distrito electoral delimitado y se describe aquí, con el propósito de votar sobre la siguiente Propuesta de bonos:
16, 2025
PROPUESTA DE BONOS
SE RESUELVE: (a) Que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de Franklin Square Union, en el condado de Nassau, Nueva York (el “Distrito”), por la presente está autorizada a construir alteraciones y mejoras a todos los edificios escolares del Distrito y sus sitios (el “Proyecto”) sustancialmente, como se describe en un plan preparado por H2M Architects + Engineers, que está archivado con la Secretaria del Distrito y disponible para inspección pública, (el “Plan”), incluyendo (según y donde sea necesario) la reconstrucción de techos y ventanas o su reemplazo actualizaciones de alarma contra incendios, comunicación, iluminación de emergencia y del sistema HVAC; reemplazo de techos; instalación de controles de acceso a puertas; mejora de la mampostería exterior, la envolvente del edificio y de la pared interior; reemplazo de césped artificial; mejoras en la iluminación de los campos de césped y estacionamientos, y mejoras en caminos y estacionamientos, todo lo anterior para incluir el mobiliario original, equipo, maquinaria, aparatos y sitios auxiliares o relacionados, demolición y otros trabajos requeridos en relación con estos; y para gastar para ello, incluyendo los gastos preliminares y los gastos conexos y su financiación, una cantidad que no exceda del costo total calculado de $37,951,946; siempre que los costos de los componentes del Proyecto puedan reasignarse entre dichos componentes si la Junta de Educación determina que tal reasignación es en el mejor interés del Distrito; (b) que, por la presente, se vota un impuesto por una cantidad que no exceda el costo total calculado de $37,951,946 para financiar tal costo, dicho impuesto se recaudará en cuotas en los años y en las cantidades que determine dicha Junta de Educación; y (c) que, en
previsión de dicho impuesto, por la presente se autoriza la emisión de bonos del Distrito en una cantidad principal total que no exceda los $37,951,946 y, por la presente, se vota un impuesto para pagar los intereses de dichos bonos a medida que los mismos venzan y sean pagaderos.
Dicha Propuesta de bonos aparecerá en las boletas que se usarán para votar en la Reunión especial del Distrito sustancialmente de la siguiente forma condensada:
PROPUESTA DE BONOS SI NO SE RESUELVE:
(a) Que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de Franklin Square Union, por la presente, está autorizada a construir alteraciones y mejoras a todos los edificios del Distrito y sus sitios, sustancialmente como se describe en un plan preparado por H2M Architects + Engineers, y a gastar sin exceder $37,951,946 para ello; (b) que, por la presente se vota un impuesto por una cantidad que no exceda el costo total calculado de $37,951,946 para financiar tal costo, dicho impuesto se recaudará en cuotas en los años y en las cantidades que determine dicha Junta de Educación; y (c) que, en previsión de dicho impuesto, por la presente se autoriza la emisión de bonos del Distrito en una cantidad principal total que no exceda los $37,951,946 y, por la presente, se vota un impuesto para pagar los intereses de dichos bonos a medida que los mismos venzan y sean pagaderos.
TENGA EN CUENTA que la votación se hará a cabo en máquinas de votación, y las urnas permanecerán abiertas de 8:00 a. m. a 9:00 p. m. (hora oficial local) y tanto más tiempo como sea necesario para permitir a los votantes presentes emitir sus votos. Un votante calificado votará en el lugar designado en la presente en el distrito electoral del distrito escolar en el que reside dicho votante calificado.
Y, POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que el registro personal de votantes se requiere según el Artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación,
o según el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral. Si un votante se ha registrado hasta ahora según el Artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación y ha votado en una reunión anual o especial del distrito en un plazo de los últimos cuatro (4) años calendario, él o ella es elegible para votar en esta Reunión Especial del Distrito. Si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar bajo el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral, él o ella también es elegible para votar en esta Reunión Especial del Distrito. Todas las otras personas que quieran votar deben registrarse.
Y, POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que los votantes pueden registrarse con la Secretaria de dicho Distrito Escolar en su oficina en District Administration Office, 760 Washington Street, Franklin Square, New York, entre las 8:00 a. m.y 3:30 p. m. (hora oficial local), cuando la escuela está en sesión en cualquier día antes del 16 de octubre de 2025, para agregar cualquier nombre adicional al Registro que se usará en la mencionada Reunión Especial del Distrito, en cuyo momento cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que se coloque su nombre en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión con la Secretaria de Distrito de dicho Distrito Escolar, se demuestre o compruebe, a criterio de la Secretaria de Distrito de dicho Distrito Escolar, que en ese momento o después él o ella tiene derecho a votar en la Reunión Especial de Distrito para la que se prepara el Registro. El Registro así preparado según el Artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación se archivará en la Oficina de la Secretaria de Distrito, en su oficina, en District Administration Office, 760 Washington Street, Franklin Square, New York, y quedará disponible para inspección por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito a partir del jueves 16 de octubre de 2025, entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 3:30 p. m. (hora oficial local), en cada día anterior al día fijado para la Reunión Especial del Distrito, excepto los domingos, el sábado 18 de octubre de 2025 solo con cita previa y en
cada lugar de votación el día de la votación. Y, POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que los votantes militares que no estén registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Puede pedir una solicitud de registro como votante militar en la oficina de la Secretaria de Distrito, en su oficina, en District Administration Office, 760 Washington Street, Franklin Square, New York, entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 3:30 p. m. (hora oficial local), cuando la escuela está en sesión. La solicitud también está disponible en el sitio web del Distrito Escolar Libre de Franklin Square Unionhttps://www.franklinsq uare.k12.ny.us/ en “Voter Information” (Información del votante). La solicitud para el registro debe recibirse en la oficina de la Secretaria de Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. (hora oficial local) del 26 de septiembre de 2025. En la solicitud de registro, el votante militar puede designar su preferencia para recibir la solicitud de registro por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico. Y, POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que los votantes militares que son votantes calificados del Distrito pueden presentar una solicitud para una boleta militar durante el horario de atención escolar de la Secretaria de Distrito, en su oficina, en District Administration Office, 760 Washington Street, Franklin Square, New York. La solicitud también está disponible en el sitio web del Distrito Escolar Libre de Franklin Square Unionhttps://www.franklinsq uare.k12.ny.us/ bajo “Voter Information” (Información del votante). Las solicitudes completadas debe recibirlas la Secretaria del Distrito antes de las 5:00 p. m. (hora oficial local) el 25 de septiembre de 2025. En la solicitud de una boleta militar, el votante militar puede designar su preferencia para recibir la solicitud para una boleta militar por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico. Todas las solicitudes de boleta de
votantes militares calificados y la boleta militar deben devolverse por correo o en persona. Las boletas para los votantes militares se distribuirán a los votantes militares calificados a más tardar veinticinco días antes de las elecciones, el 26 de septiembre de 2025. Las boletas militares debe recibirlas la Secretaria de Distrito un (1) día antes del cierre de las urnas, el martes 21 de octubre de 2025, y debe mostrar una marca de cancelación del correo postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o debe mostrar un endoso de recibo fechado por otra agencia del Gobierno de los EE. UU.; o (2) a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. (hora oficial local) el día de la Reunión Especial del Distrito y estar firmada y fechada por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha determinada que no sea posterior al día antes de la Reunión Especial del Distrito. Una lista de personas a las que se les entregan boletas militares estará disponible para su inspección a los votantes calificados del Distrito en la Oficina de la Secretaria de Distrito a partir del jueves 16 de octubre de 2025, entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 3:30 p. m. (hora oficial local), en cada día anterior al día fijado para la Reunión Especial del Distrito, excepto los domingos, el sábado 18 de octubre de 2025 solo con cita previa, y el 21 de octubre de 2025, el día fijado para la Reunión Especial del Distrito. Cualquier votante calificado presente en un lugar de votación puede objetar la votación de la boleta por motivos apropiados, declarando su impugnación y las razones al inspector de elecciones antes del cierre de las urnas. Y, POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que las solicitudes de boletas por correo enviadas con antelación y las boletas de voto en ausencia se podrán obtener durante el horario de atención de la escuela con la Secretaria de Distrito a partir del 23 de septiembre de 2025. La solicitud también está disponible en el sitio web del Distrito Escolar Libre de Franklin Square Unionhttps://www.franklinsq uare.k12.ny.us/ bajo
“Voter Information” (Información del votante). Las solicitudes completadas debe recibirlas la Secretaria de Distrito a más tardar el 23 de septiembre de 2025 y al menos siete (7) días antes de la Reunión Especial del Distrito, el 14 de octubre de 2025, si la boleta debe enviarse por correo al votante, o el día antes de la Reunión Especial del Distrito, el 20 de octubre de 2025, si la boleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante. Las boletas por correo enviadas con antelación y las boletas de voto en ausencia debe recibirlas la Secretaria de Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. (hora oficial local) del martes 21 de octubre de 2025. Una lista de personas a las que se emiten boletas por correo enviadas con antelación y boletas de voto en ausencia estará disponible para la inspección de los votantes calificados del Distrito en la Oficina de la Secretaria de Distrito a partir del jueves 16 de octubre de 2025, entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 3:30 p. m. (hora oficial local), en cada día anterior al día fijado para la Reunión Especial del Distrito, excepto los domingos, el sábado 18 de octubre de 2025 con cita previa solamente, y el 21 de octubre de 2025, el día fijado para la Reunión Especial del Distrito. Cualquier votante calificado presente en un lugar de votación puede objetar la votación de la boleta por motivos apropiados, declarando su impugnación y las razones al inspector de elecciones antes del cierre de las urnas. Una impugnación de una boleta de voto en ausencia no se puede hacer sobre la base de que el votante debería haber solicitado una boleta por correo enviada con antelación. Y, POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, de que una descripción de los límites de los distritos electorales designados por la Junta de Educación se presenta con los registros del Distrito y están disponibles para su inspección por cualquier votante calificado en la Oficina de la Secretaria de Distrito, en 760 Washington Street, Franklin Square, New York, durante horario
de atención habitual, y que dichos distritos electorales y las respectivas escuelas en cada uno de ellos, donde se harán la votación y el registro previstos en este documento, se describen en términos generales de la siguiente manera: EL PRIMER DISTRITO ELECTORAL
Lugar de registro y votación: John Street School
John Street
Franklin Square, New York
Comenzando en el punto de intersección de la línea trasera de los terrenos que dan al lado oeste de Claflin Boulevard, proyectada hacia el norte hasta la línea central de Hempstead Turnpike; desde allí hacia el este a lo largo de dicha línea central hasta la línea límite este del distrito escolar; desde allí hacia el sur y el oeste a lo largo de dicha línea límite hasta la línea trasera de las propiedades que dan al lado oeste de Dogwood Avenue; desde allí hacia el norte a lo largo de dicha línea trasera hasta su intersección con la línea trasera de las propiedades que dan al lado norte de Plato Street y su proyección hacia el este; desde allí hacia el oeste y a lo largo de dicha proyección y la línea trasera de las propiedades que dan al lado este de Jefferson Street; desde allí hacia el norte a lo largo de dicha línea trasera del lote y a lo largo de la línea central del arroyo y su proyección hacia el norte hasta la línea central de Naplo Avenue; desde allí hacia el este a lo largo de dicha línea central hasta la proyección hacia el sur y la línea trasera del lote de las propiedades que dan al lado oeste de Claflin Boulevard; desde allí hacia el norte a lo largo de dicha proyección y dicha línea trasera del lote hasta el punto o lugar de inicio. (Excluyendo Jackson Street).
EL SEGUNDO DISTRITO ELECTORAL Lugar de registro y votación: Polk Street School Polk Street Franklin Square, New York
EL TERCER DISTRITO ELECTORAL Lugar de registro y votación: Washington Street School 760 Washington Street Franklin Square, New York
Comenzando en la esquina noroeste del distrito escolar (en Fernwood Terrace); de allí hacia el este a lo largo de dicha línea límite hasta la esquina noreste del distrito escolar; de allí hacia el sur a lo largo de la línea límite este del distrito escolar hasta la línea central de Hempstead Turnpike; de allí hacia el oeste a lo largo de dicha línea central hasta la intersección con la línea límite oeste del distrito; de allí hacia el norte a lo largo de dicha línea hasta el punto de origen. Solo los votantes calificados que estén debidamente registrados podrán votar.
POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN Fecha: 6 de agosto de 2025
Laura Langstrand Secretaria de Distrito 155515
Comenzando en la intersección de la línea límite oeste del distrito escolar y la intersección de la línea central de Hempstead Turnpike; desde allí hacia el este a lo largo de dicha línea central de Hempstead Turnpike hasta la intersección con la línea trasera del terreno de Claflin Boulevard; desde allí hacia el sur a lo largo de la línea trasera del terreno de las propiedades que dan al lado oeste de Claflin Boulevard hasta la línea central de Naple Avenue; desde allí hacia el oeste a lo largo de dicha línea central hasta la línea central del arroyo; desde allí hacia el sur a lo largo de dicha línea central y la línea trasera de las propiedades que dan al lado este de Jefferson Street, incluyendo las propiedades que dan a Jackson Street, hasta la línea trasera de las propiedades que dan al lado norte de Plato Street; desde allí hacia el este a lo largo de dicha línea trasera del lote y su proyección hacia el este hasta la línea trasera del lote de las propiedades que dan al lado oeste de Dogwood Avenue; desde allí hacia el sur a lo largo de dicha línea trasera del lote hasta la línea límite sur del distrito escolar; desde allí hacia el oeste y el norte a lo largo de dicha línea límite hasta el punto o lugar de inicio.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING OF THE FRANKLIN SQUARE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IN THE COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Franklin Square Union Free School District, in the County of Nassau, New York, has adopted a resolution on August 6, 2025, authorizing a Special District Meeting of the qualified voters of said School District to be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 8:00 o’clock A.M. (Prevailing Time) in the school designated in each election district bounded and described hereinafter, for the purpose of voting on the following Bond Proposition: BOND PROPOSITION
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Board of Education of the Franklin Square Union Free School District, in the County of Nassau, New York (the “District”), is hereby authorized to construct alterations and improvements to all District school buildings and sites thereof (the “Project”), substantially as described in a plan prepared by H2M Architects + Engineers, which is on file with the District Clerk and available for public inspection, (the “Plan”), including (as and where needed) roof and window reconstruction and/or replacement; fire alarm, communication, emergency lighting and HVAC system upgrades; ceiling replacement; installation of door access controls; exterior masonry, building envelope and interior wall improvement; replacement of artificial turf; turf field and parking lot lighting upgrades, and roadway and parking lot improvements, all of the foregoing to include the original furnishings, equipment, machinery, apparatus and ancillary or related site, demolition and other work required in connection therewith; and to expend therefor, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and to the financing thereof, an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of $37,951,946; provided that the costs of the
components of the Project may be reallocated among such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District;
(b) that a tax is hereby voted in an amount of not to exceed the estimated total cost of $37,951,946 to finance such cost, such tax to be levied and collected in installments in such years and in such amounts as shall be determined by said Board of Education; and
(c) that in anticipation of said tax, bonds of the District are hereby authorized to be issued in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $37,951,946 and a tax is hereby voted to pay the interest on said bonds as the same shall become due and payable.
Such Bond Proposition shall appear on the ballots to be used for voting at said Special District Meeting in substantially the following condensed form:
BOND PROPOSITION YES NO RESOLVED:
(a) That the Board of Education of the Franklin Square Union Free School District is hereby authorized to construct alterations and improvements to all District buildings and sites thereof, substantially as described in a plan prepared by H2M Architects + Engineers, and to expend not to exceed $37,951,946 therefor; (b) that a tax is hereby voted in an amount of not to exceed the estimated total cost of $37,951,946 to finance such cost, such tax to be levied and collected in installments in such years and in such amounts as shall be determined by said Board of Education; and (c) that in anticipation of said tax, bonds of the District are hereby authorized to be issued in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $37,951,946, and a tax is hereby voted to pay the interest on said bonds as the same shall become due and payable.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that the voting will be conducted on
voting machines and the polls will remain open from 8:00 o’clock A.M. to 9:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) and as much longer as may be necessary to enable the voters then present to cast their ballots. A qualified voter shall vote at the place hereinafter designated within the school district election district within which such qualified voter resides.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law, or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law and has voted at an annual or special district meeting within the last four (4) calendar years, he or she is eligible to vote at this Special District Meeting. If a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article 5 of the Election Law, he or she is also eligible to vote at this Special District Meeting. All other persons who wish to vote must register.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, the voters may register with the Clerk of said School District at her office in the District Administration Office, 760 Washington Street, Franklin Square, New York, between the hours of 8:00 o’clock A.M. and 3:30 P.M. (Prevailing Time), when school is in session at any day prior to October 16, 2025 to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid Special District Meeting, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register provided that at such meeting with the District Clerk of said School District he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of the District Clerk of said School District to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Special District Meeting for which the Register is prepared. The Register so prepared pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk, at her office in the District Administration Office, 760 Washington Street, Franklin Square, New
York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Thursday, October 16, 2025, between the hours of 8:00 o’clock A.M. and 3:30 P.M. (Prevailing Time), on each day prior to the day set for the Special District Meeting, except Sunday, on Saturday October 18, 2025 by advance appointment only and at each polling place on the day of the vote.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. An application for registration as a military voter can be requested from the office of the District Clerk at her office in the District Administration Office, 760 Washington Street, Franklin Square, New York, between the hours of 8:00 o’clock A.M. and 3:30 P.M. (Prevailing Time), when school is in session. The application is also available on the website of the Franklin Square Union Free School Districthttps://www.franklinsq uare.k12.ny.us/ under “Voter Information.”
The application for registration must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on September 26, 2025. In the request for an application for registration, the military voter is permitted to designate his/her preference for receiving the application for registration by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the District may submit an application for a military ballot during school business hours from the District Clerk at her office in the District Administration Office, 760 Washington Street, Franklin Square, New York. The application is also available on the website of the Franklin Square Union Free School Districthttps://www.franklinsq uare.k12.ny.us/ under “Voter Information.”
Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk by 5:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on September 25, 2025. In the
request for an application for a military ballot, the military voter is permitted to designate his/her preference for receiving the application for a military ballot, and the military ballot, by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail. All qualified military voters’ ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person. Ballots for military voters shall be distributed to qualified military voters no later than twenty-five days before the election, September 26, 2025. Military ballots must be received by the District Clerk one (1) day before the close of the polls, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, and must show a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or must show a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or (2) not later than 5:00 P.M. (Prevailing Time) on the day of the Special District Meeting and be signed and dated by the military voter and one witness, with a date ascertained to be not later than the day before the Special District Meeting.
A list of persons to whom military ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the Office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, October 16, 2025, between the hours of 8:00 o’clock A.M. and 3:30 P.M. (Prevailing Time), on each day prior to the day set for the Special District Meeting, except Sunday, on Saturday October 18, 2025 by advance appointment only, and on October 21, 2025, the day set for the Special District Meeting. Any qualified voter then present in a polling place may object to the voting of the ballot upon appropriate grounds by making his or her challenge and the reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for early mail ballots and absentee ballots will be obtainable during school business hours from the District Clerk beginning September
23, 2025. The application is also available on the website of the Franklin Square Union Free School Districthttps://www.franklinsq uare.k12.ny.us/ under “Voter Information.” Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than September 23, 2025 and at least seven (7) days before the Special District Meeting, October 14, 2025, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the Special District Meeting, October 20, 2025, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Early mail ballots and absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 P.M. (Prevailing Time), on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. A list of persons to whom early mail ballots and absentee ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the Office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, October 16, 2025, between the hours of 8:00 o’clock A.M. and 3:30 P.M (Prevailing Time), on each day prior to the day set for the Special District Meeting, except Sunday, on Saturday, October 18, 2025 by advance appointment only, and on October 21, 2025, the day set for the Special District Meeting. Any qualified voter then present in a polling place may object to the voting of the ballot upon appropriate grounds by making his or her challenge and the reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. A challenge to an absentee ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an early mail ballot. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a description of the boundaries of the election districts as designated by the Board of Education is filed with the records of the District and available for inspection by any qualified voter in the Office of the District Clerk, at 760 Washington Street, Franklin Square, New York, during regular business hours and that said election districts and the respective schools in each where the voting and
registration herein provided shall take place generally described as follows: THE FIRST ELECTION DISTRICT Place of Registration John Street School and Voting: John Street Franklin Square, New York
Beginning at the point of intersection of the rear lot line of the properties fronting on the west side of Claflin Boulevard projected northerly to the center line of Hempstead Turnpike; thence easterly along said center line to the easterly boundary line of the school district; thence southerly and westerly along the said boundary line to the rear lot line of the properties fronting on the westside of Dogwood Avenue; thence northerly along said rear line to its intersection with the rear lot line of the properties fronting on the north side of Plato Street and the projection thereof easterly; thence westerly and along the said projection and the rear lot line of the properties fronting on the east side of Jefferson Street; thence northerly along said rear lot line and along the center line of the brook and projection thereof northerly to the center line of Naplo Avenue; thence easterly along said center line to the projection southerly and the rear lot line of the properties fronting on the westerly side of Claflin Boulevard; thence northerly along said projection and the said rear lot line to the point or place of the beginning. (Excluding Jackson Street).
THE SECOND ELECTION DISTRICT
Place of Registration Polk Street School and Voting: Polk Street Franklin Square, New York
Beginning at the intersection of the westerly boundary line of the school district and the intersection of the center line of Hempstead Turnpike; thence easterly along said center line of Hempstead Turnpike to the intersection of the back lot line of Claflin Boulevard; thence southerly along the rear lot line of the properties fronting on the westerly side of Claflin Boulevard to the center line of Naple
Avenue; thence westerly along the said center line to the center line of the brook; thence southerly along said center line and the rear lot line of the properties fronting on the easterly side of Jefferson Street including properties fronting on Jackson Street to the rear lot line of the properties fronting on the northerly side of Plato Street; thence easterly along said rear lot line and the projection thereof easterly to the rear lot line of the properties fronting on the west side of Dogwood Avenue; thence southerly along said rear lot line to the southern boundary line of the school district; thence westerly and northerly along the said boundary line to the point or place of beginning.
THE THIRD ELECTION DISTRICT Place of Registration Washington Street School and Voting: 760 Washington Street Franklin Square, New York
Beginning at the northwesterly corner of the school district (at Fernwood Terrace); thence easterly along said boundary line to the northeasterly corner of the school district; thence southerly along the easterly boundary line of the school district to the center line of Hempstead Turnpike; thence westerly along the said center line to the intersection of the westerly boundary line of the district; thence northerly along said line to the point of origin.
Only qualified voters who are duly registered will be permitted to vote.
BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dated: August 6, 2025 Laura Langstrand District Clerk 155513
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU. MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, Plaintiff -againstYVONNE M. BOLLINGKENNEDY a/k/a YVONNE KENNEDY, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated July 2, 2024 and entered on July 17, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the
The Franklin Square Board of Education meeting on Oct. 8 featured moments of gratitude and appreciation as district leaders, teachers and students recognized the commitment and hard work of board members, according to a news release from the district.
The acknowledgments were part of School Board Recognition Week, observed this year from Oct. 13–17.
“Tonight, we take a few minutes to formally recognize and express our deepest gratitude to members of our board of education, who generously volunteer their time and expertise to serve the Franklin Square community,” Superintendent Jared Bloom said in the news release. “Our board of education members dedicate countless hours to this critical work, without compensation, and their commitment is a true act of service to our students, their families and our entire community.”
In lieu of individual gifts, the news release said, Bloom made a donation to the Make a Wish Foundation on behalf of the board.
Representatives from the Franklin Square Teachers’ Association continued the presentations, the news release continued, thanking the board for its time, energy and heart in supporting the district’s staff, students and families. Teachers presented each board member with a sweet treat, while Washington Street School Assistant Principal Dominic Gobbo spoke on behalf of the building administrative team and presented mums.
“Just as these flowers bloom with care, our students thrive because of the care and dedication you give each and
every day,” Gobbo said.
Students also took part in the celebration. Third graders from John Street School gifted special flowerpots to the board, with each paper flower displaying a handwritten message of thanks.
Polk Street School and Washington Street School shared video presentations of students expressing their gratitude and highlighting what they love about their schools.
Following the recognitions, Bloom introduced new staff members present
at the meeting and formally welcomed them to the district. He also recognized John Street School art teacher Christine Randazzo, who was recently honored by Assemblyman Ed Ra with a Women of Distinction Award. For more than 20 years, the news release said, Randazzo has been a steadfast advocate for the arts and has successfully led the district’s annual Pinwheels for Peace event each September.
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TWhy can’t the architect and the contractor be friends?
Q. We’re trying to figure out how a mess started right at the beginning of our renovation. The plans were permitted, so we believe they were properly reviewed, but the mason and the contractor built something different than what was in the plans. The contractor is a friend who we trust. They have told us that the architect made mistakes, and they couldn’t build it the way the plans show, so they did something different.
We don’t want to stop the job, but the architect came by and said that there are many problems now, because the structure isn’t going to work the way the contractor made changes, and because the structure had to be a certain way. The contractor keeps sending us texts showing different ways to do the job, complete with sketches. The architect is saying that the work will be unsafe the way the contractor is proposing the changes. What should we do?
A. When plans aren’t followed, which happens all too frequently, the job has to stop while the design is reassessed by the architect. If you take that authority away from the architect, you set yourself up for a prolonged set of problems that can go on and on, delaying the work and possibly not even getting the outcome you were looking for.
The contractor is not given the authority to change the design or construction. Most construction plans have clauses stating that the contractor is not to deviate from them, and also instruct the contractor to contact the architect with questions, or to get clarification on any issues or discrepancies before any work starts. Once the work starts, the contractor will often begin to point fingers at the architect for anything not clear and misunderstood. I refer to this as “divide and conquer,” a common practice in which the contractor, empowered to run the construction job, alienates the architect from the owner, creating an often permanent rift.
Contractors and building inspectors have told me it is rare to see an architect on a construction site, but I recommend that the architect look at the work — especially foundation forms — before a concrete pour and also framing. During demolition is an important time to see previously hidden structure, especially because older homes were often built with bare-minimum beams — hence the explanation for sagging floors that people often point out before the architect starts redesigning. You need to listen to the architect before this problem becomes harder, and more expensive, to undo.
If you have doubts about the architect, especially about structure, bring in a structural engineer to meet with the architect. One of the biggest reasons these problems occur is because of a lack of communication. You, the owner, should have brought everyone, including the architect, contractor, subcontractors — especially the mason — together and had a team meeting. Letting everyone do their own thing with the assumption that everything would run smoothly was the first problem. But it’s not too late. Good luck!
© 2025 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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American foreign policy is at a watershed moment, comparable to the critical years after World War II, when the United States and our allies were forced to accept that the euphoria of victory over Nazi Germany and imperial Japan had been supplanted by the reality of the Iron Curtain and the threat of Soviet expansion. The Cold War had begun.
The NATO alliance was formed to prevent Joseph Stalin from emulating Adolf Hitler’s march through Europe after the Munich Conference capitulation in 1938, which had given Hitler virtually free rein to invade and seize Czechoslovakia. A decadeslong struggle would continue through various iterations and crises until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 — a struggle that today’s isolationists would have labeled an “endless war.” Fortunately, neither American political party elected isolationists during those defining 45 years. Pre-World War II isolationism had long since been consigned to the ash heap of history.
The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 created a sense of euphoria similar to
Ithat of 1945 and ’46. Eastern Europe was liberated from the yoke of Soviet communist rule, and the Soviet republics declared their independence from Moscow. One of them was Ukraine, which, tragically, had been brutalized for centuries by Russia. Ukraine was also left with thousands of Soviet nuclear weapons. In 1994, in keeping with the spirit of the Soviet demise, Ukraine gave up those weapons in return for guarantees of security from the United States, Britain and Russia, in what was known as the Budapest Agreement. All indicators seemed to foresee a reformed Russia, and no aggression of the type that drew the U.S. into the two world wars of the 20th century.
Trump’s turnabout with Zelensky and Putin sends a clear message to China.
There would be fits and starts with Russia during the later Bush years, including an incursion into Georgia, and then a promise by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2009 that the Obama administration would “reset” the relationship with Russia. That reset never worked, and Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. There was no Russian aggression during the first Trump administration, but then, in February 2022, Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine — the first invasion of a sovereign European nation since the end of World War II.
defeating Russian aggression, having supplied more funding to Ukraine than the U.S. Unfortunately, President Trump has shown reluctance to stand with Ukraine, ascribing equal blame for the war to Zelensky — even berating him in the White House, telling him he had no cards to play.
I accompanied President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to Moscow in September 1998 for meetings with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and other Russian officials to strengthen economic and cultural ties between our two nations. The dialogue between the leaders was extremely positive. Then, after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, the newly elected Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was among the first foreign leaders to pledge President George W. Bush his full support.
Ukraine, under its newly elected reform president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was expected to succumb in days or weeks. President Joseph Biden even offered to have American jets provide Zelensky safe passage out of Ukraine. But with the U.S. and NATO countries supplying weapons and logistical support, Zelensky and Ukraine have fought Russia to a stalemate for over three and a half years — longer than America’s war against Nazi Germany.
Russia has suffered more than a million casualties, and has had to resort to using North Korean troops. Its economy is in shambles. NATO has admitted two previously neutral nations, Sweden and Finland, and remains committed to
Trump met with Putin in Alaska, and implored him to meet with Zelensky to reach a compromise. Putin implied that he would, but reneged. Realizing he was being played, Trump denounced Putin in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly last month, and just hours later, met one on one with Zelensky. Then, going full circle, Trump released a statement hailing Zelensky’s leadership, saying that Ukraine was in a position to “fight and win,” and pledging to continue to supply weapons to NATO for Ukraine’s use against Russia.
Trump’s turnabout will prevent a catastrophic replay of Munich and halt Putin’s attempt to rebuild the Russian empire. This defeat of Russian aggression in Europe will simultaneously send a clear message to China not to move against Taiwan or other Pacific nations such as the Philippines and Japan. The United States will remain the leader of the free world.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
’m tired. In fact, I’m exhausted. I’m overwhelmed. It’s not from going to the gym. It’s not from being glued to my TV, watching my favorite baseball team trying to survive the playoffs.
It’s the torrent of information that has been drowning me 24 hours a day, with no promise of abating. Is there any hope that the flood will end and that I’ll have a respite from information overload? Is there any hope that the barrage will shut down over the weekend, when we try to pay less attention to our laptops and cellphones? Or are we doomed to being perpetually overwhelmed by the greatest avalanche of facts, figures, news, emails, text messages and robocalls since the dawn of the high-tech era?
There is no one culprit that we can identify whose elimination would give us a reprieve from the onslaught. One of the biggest offenders of them all is,
Aof course, the White House, which engages in a strategy known as Flood the Zone. Every day, it releases so many “hot” news items that it would take you or me two or three days just to get through them. In addition to the media flood, President Trump holds freewheeling news conferences that can last well over an hour. Generally, those events generate other news stories on top of the daily pressroom output. Then there’s the smartphone app challenge. I checked my phone and found that I am attached to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X and have subscriptions to the Daily News, the New York Post, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Newsday, Newsday TV, the Huffington Post, Apple News, The Hill, CNN, The Weather Channel and some others that I’ve forgotten. I know that over the course of the day, I tap into every one of those outlets for some type of information.
imagine waiting at a bus stop for six hours. It’s a long time.
ll ‘breaking’ news all the time — and for goodness’ sake, don’t forget podcasts.
Beyond all these challenges is the introduction of artificial intelligence into our lives. No matter how hard you try, there’s no way to escape the onslaught of articles, studies, memos and office talk about AI. Just a few years ago, if someone had uttered the words artificial intelligence, they would have been largely ignored. These days, those words hover over us like a threatening storm cloud, with most of us having no idea whether it will help or harm us.
program. How many times in a halfhour can there be so much “breaking” news? And the repetition of the same stories can be head-splitting.
Last, but by far not least, is the introduction into our space of the podcast. Today, almost every media, political, religious, sports or entertainment personality has a podcast of some kind. They have rotating guests, and offer a mountain of opinions on the subjects of the moment. Many of them are interesting and informative, but how many hours in a day do we have to partake in this newest information vehicle?
Once a week, I get a text telling me that, on average, I’m on my phone for a minimum of six hours a week. That doesn’t sound like a lot of hours, but
Once upon a time, watching television was a respite from the pressures of the day. Today, watching TV can leave you dazed and confused by hour after hour of commercials for countless drugs, all of which, apparently, will save humanity. On top of the drug tsunami, there are countless other ads that dominate the time you would like to just sit back and watch your favorite show, uninterrupted.
To add to the desperation for some chill time, there’s today’s typical news
So that is my ongoing nightmare. It is mine, but it’s the nightmare that we all face. We’re just human beings; we’re not robots. At least for now, they can’t implant a chip in our brain to help us fend off the cascade of facts, figures, opinions, ideas, theories and concepts that flood our every waking hour. So we’ll have to find new ways to help ourselves live a normal life, and still be adequately informed people.
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.
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Established 1998
Incorporating the Franklin Square/Elmont Record in 2001
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Deputy Managing Editor
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Vice President - Sales office
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Garden City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 569-4000
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n an age of uncertainty and skepticism toward the media, one mission has remained unwavering: to inform, empower and connect our community with journalism rooted in truth and integrity.
That mission defines Herald Community Media, publisher of 27 community weekly newspapers serving Nassau and Suffolk counties and a touch of New York City. It is the foundation of everything we do — every story we report, every question we ask and every issue we print.
The Herald’s purpose has never been clearer or more vital, especially now, during election season. Across the nation, trust in media has declined as misinformation spreads faster than facts and as social media platforms blur the line between opinion and truth. Yet despite this turbulence, the need for reliable local journalism has never been greater. We know you depend on us not only to tell you what’s happening, but also to help you understand why it matters — to your neighborhood, your family and your future.
This summer, the Pew Research Center published “How Americans View Journalists in the Digital Age,” an indepth look at how the public perceives our profession. Pew surveyed nearly 9,400 U.S. adults and convened a number of focus groups, and found both optimism and concern. Most Americans still believe journalists are vital to our soci-
There’s often been bias in journalism
To the Editor:
Re Nick Buglione’s column in the Oct. 2-8 issue, “I was proud to be a reporter — but things have changed”: I, too, would like to put to rest the argument that Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok and other social media have any role in serious journalism. It’s indeed unfortunate that so many people rely on these geysers of rumor, gossip, misinformation and lies for their news.
But the journalism profession has never been as idealistic and innocent as Mr. Buglione seems to suggest it once was. In fact, long before social media invaded our world, the press’s coverage of important events was at times nakedly partisan, ignorant and dishonest.
In the 19th century, for example, some newspapers accepted hefty sums of money from politicians for favorable coverage of their campaigns. At least one paper from that era, William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal, ran sensationalized stories about Spanish atrocities in Cuba, which, many believe, helped
ety’s well-being — but many also express frustration, feeling that the media’s credibility and influence have declined amid political division and technological upheaval.
Yet within those findings lies a message of hope and direction. Americans say what they value most in their news providers is honesty, intelligence and authenticity — qualities that have guided the Herald’s reporting since its founding in 1964. Our journalists live by those values every day. We verify information carefully, we listen with compassion and we report with clarity and context. We are not distant observers; we are your neighbors, your fellow community members and your partners in truth.
At a time when the term “media” often evokes distrust, the Herald reaffirms its promise: to deliver accurate, objective and trustworthy local journalism. That means being transparent about how we report, being accountable when we err, and being authentic in how we connect with you.
Authenticity, as editors across the country have noted, may be the most powerful defense against today’s flood of misinformation and artificial intelligence-generated content. Real, local journalism can’t be practiced from behind a desk or from a distant city. It requires trained professionals who show up in the community, ask hard questions and share the stories of other real-life
people.
Every week, Herald journalists attend school board meetings, interview local business owners, chronicle civic debates, and celebrate the achievements of neighbors doing extraordinary things. We are not reporting on the community from afar — we are reporting within it, with care, empathy and purpose.
Readers deserve to know how stories come together — how sources are verified, why certain facts are included and how conclusions are drawn. We are committed to correcting mistakes quickly and publicly, because credibility is not earned by claiming perfection but by demonstrating honesty.
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In a world increasingly driven by algorithms and artificial noise, the Herald’s voice remains steady: local reporting by real journalists, telling real stories that matter. That is how we serve. That is how we strengthen our community. And that is how we continue.
in my 15 years of representing you, I’ve seen a full spectrum of concerns, but none spark as much frustration and conversation as our roads. That’s no surprise to anyone who has navigated the Southern State Parkway, Hillside Avenue, Hempstead Turnpike or Glen Cove Road.
Nearly everyone on Long Island relies on our roads every single day. It’s one of the few things that actually unites Americans across the country: our dependence on infrastructure that has been left to deteriorate in more places than not. The condition of our local roads is a public safety hazard, making the frustration I hear regularly from residents both understandable and warranted. Every year, my colleagues and I hold news conferences in Albany and around the state to call for greater investment in our roads. But it remains an uphill battle.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and her administration continue to throw money at misguided priorities, while inflation in the
highway construction industry, outdated and flawed state funding formulas and the unequal distribution of aid stack the deck against suburban neighborhoods like ours. Time and again, other Long Island representatives and I have made clear that our region is not getting its fair share.
iIt’s outrageous that Long Islanders, who are taxed more than most New Yorkers, also endure some of the worst roads. It’s not merely anecdotal; the numbers back it up. Long Island’s local roads rank among the worst in New York, with 42 percent rated in “poor” or “fair” condition, compared to 35 percent statewide. Despite the fact that we spend more money on roads than any other region except New York City, our heavy traffic volume and dense population mean those dollars don’t stretch nearly far enough.
and dead last in aid per lane-mile, even though we have the second-highest taxable property value per lane-mile in the state.
t’s outrageous that we highly taxed Long Islanders put up with such bad roads.
We can all see that Long Island’s roads are aging. What deserves equal attention, but is far less visible, are the outdated funding formulas meant to repair them. Each year in Albany, lawmakers divide money into five “formula programs” that make up the bulk of local road aid. Four of them rely on factors like lane mileage, vehicle registrations and government type, while the fifth — added in 2021 — applies only to a select few municipalities with specially designated “state touring routes.”
secure Long Island’s fair share of road funding. One option is to restore the Long Island Suburban Highway Improvement Program, which once targeted funding specifically to suburban communities. It was discontinued after 1997, but the need for dedicated suburban highway funding has only grown since then. I’m drafting a bill to direct the DOT to study current funding streams to gauge regional fairness. Only with a dedicated review can the system finally be improved. The goal is to determine whether reinstating SHIPS, or a similar program, is necessary to ensure that our roads are properly funded.
This year, Long Island received only about 8 percent of Department of Transportation Capital Plan funding, far below our share of local lane-miles (12 percent) and population (15 percent). Western New York, by comparison, received about 40 percent. Long Island ranks near the bottom in aid per capita
drum up support for American involvement in the Spanish-American War.
Closer to our time, the press remained curiously silent about the 1940s Levittown covenant restricting home ownership in that community to white people. And in 2002, when President George W. Bush justified our invasion of Iraq by insisting that the country’s weapons of mass destruction posed a threat to America, few newspapers questioned his claim.
I’m sure Mr. Buglione enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with his Herald colleagues 20 years ago. And while I’ve no reason to doubt his statement that Herald reporters were genuinely committed to presenting the news accurately, we’d be hard-pressed to find a time when the press — in general — has been entirely squeaky clean.
RICHARD J. CONWAY Massapequa
To the Editor:
It can be an easy win for a candidate with name recognition who has enough money and government power
to bombard us with fliers, signs and TV ads each day. Bruce Blakeman, our current Nassau County executive, has this power. We need to look beyond the hype. It’s time for a more centrist candidate. Blakeman and his team are entrenched in national politics, pleasing President Trump by doing such things as training a group of our county police officers to work in tandem with the president’s controversial ICE force, setting aside cells in our county jail for nonviolent ICE detainees, and creating a volunteer, private militia that Blakeman can use when and how he decides.
On the other hand, Seth Koslow is a centrist candidate for county executive with years of experience as a Queens district attorney, a privatepractice lawyer and a current member of the Nassau County Legislature. He has lived in Nassau County his entire life, and is raising his family here. He is very concerned about our taxes in Nassau, and has said that he would order a full, independent audit of county spending to see where our money is being spent.
Koslow has stated that he would share ideas with his Republican counterpart in Suffolk County, because he believes in the idea of people on both sides working together for the benefit of the county. He has said he would
The problem is that many of these formulas are decades old, built on precedents from as far back as 46 years ago, when demographics and driving patterns looked nothing like they do today. These stuck-in-the-past formulas don’t reflect today’s realities. They also fail to account for New York’s diverse weather conditions, like the heavy rainfall and flooding that regularly hit Long Island. Updating these formulas is essential if Long Island is going to get the funding it’s owed.
There are additional ways to help
The cost of inaction and deferred maintenance is too large to ignore. In 2023, Nassau County reported 39,104 crashes resulting in 650 serious injuries and 61 fatalities. Pedestrian accidents alone increased by 2.2 percent from 2022, with 875 incidents in 2023, including 24 fatalities — an increase of 9.1 percent. The frustration we feel over potholes, faded lane markings and inadequate drainage systems is nothing compared with the accidents they actively contribute to. Proactive investment is critical, and it depends entirely on proper funding.
Ed Ra represents the 19th Assembly District and is the ranking Republican on the Ways and Means Committee.
disband Blakeman’s private militia because he believes that our excellent county police force is more than capable of handling our citizens’ safety.
The bottom line is that Seth Koslow is a highly qualified local resident who
would concentrate solely on the needs of our county. This makes him and his team best suited to run our county.
