Also serving Roosevelt
Shakirah Miller, right, accepted her appointment as interim superintendent of Freeport Public Schools on April 2.
School board selects new interim superintendent from Newark, N.J.
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
Shakirah Miller was appointed interim superintendent of the Freeport school district last week, the district’s third educational leader in the past year.
Miller who has more than 25 years of experience in teaching, leadership coaching and school administration, replaces Alice Kane, who served as interim superintendent for nearly a year before returning to retirement on April 1. Miller, too, is coming out of retirement to provide at least temporary stability to a district whose residents have been vocal in questioning its direction and what many describe as administrative failure to provide adequate leadership and transparen-
cy over the past year.
Fia Davis was the superintendent from August 2024 until she was placed on administrative leave by the Board of Education last April. Kane was appointed to the interim role soon afterward, but announced last month her decision to retire once more, citing personal reasons.
The district did not publicly disclose why it placed Davis on administrative leave until a town hall meeting on Feb. 9, during which administrators revealed that the district was suing Davis for allegedly misusing district funds, failing to disclose relationships she had with vendors with which she approved contracts on behalf of the district, and misrepresenting her qualifications during her
Former ICE detainee finally handed diploma
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
Almost a year after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained him, former Roosevelt High School student Alvaro Castro Velasquez, 20, finally was handed his diploma on March 18 by Superintendent Shawn Wightman, who traveled to Guatemala at his own expense to personally deliver it to him.
Twith a Hispanic population of about 40 percent, many questioned how this could happen to a young man who was well liked by peers and had no criminal record.
o me, it just seems like an injustice is being done to individuals who are taken out of schools and then placed in detention centers for months on end.
Velasquez’s detainment, in late spring of 2025, a few weeks before he was set to participate in Roosevelt High School’s commencement ceremony on June 27, shook much of the Roosevelt community and added another anecdote to ICE’s complicated and controversial notoriety as the agency has expanded its activity across the United States in the past year.
ShAWN WIghTmAN Superintendent, Roosevelt School District
“It should never happen to anyone,” Jessica Harrison, Velasquez’s former history teacher, said. “He’s just such a good person and just such an asset to any society, and we all felt so lucky to know him.” Harrison shared that her students were “terrified” when word first got out of his detainment, and that his and others’ arrests have affected the behaviors of much of the Hispanic community in Roosevelt, which feels targeted by ICE’s actions.
“It affects every aspect of their life,” Harrison said. “They’ve told me that they’re
In Roosevelt, a community
Continued on PAge 7
Courtesy Freeport Public Schools
Shakirah Miller is interim leader for schools
interview and hiring process.
The Freeport Board of Education is seeking over $400,000 in reimbursements and damages from Davis.
Miller, 52, who earned advanced degrees from Rutgers University-Newark, Teachers College at Columbia University and St. Peter’s University, most recently served as assistant superintendent of the school district in Newark, N.J., her hometown, for 10 years.
Freeport school board trustees expressed confidence in Miller’s leadership, noting that her appointment represents both stability and opportunity.
“Dr. Miller’s experience and leadership style make her exceptionally well-suited to support the district during this interim period,” board President Sunday Coward said in a statement to the Herald. “We are eager to work alongside her as we continue to move the district forward until we can conduct a thoughtful search for the next superintendent.”
Former colleagues of Miller’s have praised her approach to education and community lead-
ership.
“She didn’t just tell me what to fix — she showed me how to think differently,” Marcela Palma, an academic interventionist in the Newark school district whom Miller supervised, wrote to the school board. “That stuck with me more than anything.”
Valerie Kilpatrick, a retired teacher, emphasized the professional culture Miller fostered, telling the Freeport school board that she “appreciated that she (Miller) treated us like professionals. No micromanaging, just clear expectations and support. We didn’t always agree, but she never made me feel my concerns seemed less valued.”
Valerie Wilson, a school business administrator in the Newark district, said she was similarly impressed by Miller on an administrative level. “You always knew she was advocating for what was right,” Wilson said, “even when it wasn’t the easiest position to take.”
Even some parents in the Newark district have praised Miller’s impact, including Zaida Ucetrra, whose children attended the city’s Miller Street
School. “My children felt safe and supported, and that means everything to a parent.”
In addition to her work in public education, Miller is the founder and CEO of JJMP Coaching and Consulting, based in New Jersey, where she serves as a strategic adviser and executive coach.
“This is an exciting moment for Freeport,” school board Vice President Scott Richardson stated. “Dr. Miller’s leadership gives us confidence that the district will remain focused, supported and positioned for continued success.”
Miller will work closely with the board and district leadership to ensure “continuity, stability and progress,” the district wrote in a statement to the Herald, until the search for a permanent superintendent can begin.
Coward and other trustees have said that the search cannot move forward until the lawsuit the district filed against Davis is resolved and her employment is officially terminated. No timeline for ending the year-long controversy has been made public.
Courtesy Freeport Public Schools according to former colleagues, miller’s leadership style was appreciated by both peers and subordinates.
Carmine Carpinone Funeral Director/ Manager
Michael Carpinone Funeral Director
Students get audiences “On Your Feet!”
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
Students in the Freeport High School Theatre Collective, which is a part of the district’s arts department, performed three productions of “On Your Feet!,” a Broadway jukebox musical, on March 26 to 28. An ensemble of over 100 students sang, danced and portrayed the loud and vibrant lives of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, the 26-time Grammy Award winning couple who become Latin music icons as a part of the music group Miami Sound Machine.
Under director Vashti Burke, who is also the music facilitator of Freeport Public Schools, and producer Renson Delos Santos, the students sang and spoke in English and Spanish throughout. “On Your Feet!” highlights the strong influence that Cuban culture had on the Estefan’s music and lives, which was portrayed well by a very diverse cast of students, many of which are Hispanic or Latino and speak fluent Spanish.
“This season, it was time to explore a contemporary musical – one that demanded stylistic range and embraced inclusive storytelling,” Burke said. “On the surface, ‘On Your Feet!’ is a vibrant, high-energy celebration… but as we dug deeper, its themes of community, perseverance and resilience became unmistakably clear. It quickly became evident that this production would not only resonate with the Freeport community but also leave a lasting impact on our cast and crew for years to come.”
Samuel Figueroa Hernandez, who portrayed Emilio Estefan, performed in his first production with Freeport High School, and said he was convinced to join by some of his friends, including Teena Zarcone, his costar who plays Emilio’s wife, Gloria, as an adult.
“The depiction of Hispanic characters and culture led me to want to pursue being in the musical as I felt it most accurately represented me and my people,” Hernandez added.
Zarcone, who had been in two prior Freeport High School musicals, also said that the Estefan story was “captivating” and inspiring, and the music was a big draw for her.
“The ‘80s music and setting were so fun and something I hadn’t done before,” Zarcone explained. “A jukebox musical has always been a favorite genre of mine, and for the music and character to be of one of the greatest artists was a challenge I wanted to take on.”
Preparation and production of Freeport High School’s “On Your Feet!” started with an Actor’s Workshop program in November 2025, ahead of student auditions in early January 2026. Rehearsals officially began on Monday, Jan. 26, and the production’s last show on Saturday, March 28, totaled 12 weeks of consistent studying and practice to a close.
One of the unique aspects of the shows was its tall on-stage musicians pit on the back part of the stage, which Burke said was affectionately nicknamed “Mamacita Grande.” Not only did musicians perform behind the acting that happened in the front part of the stage, but several scenes also included actors singing, dancing and walking up and down Mamacita Grande’s staircase to give the Freeport High School Performing Arts Center stage an additional “arenastyle” effect.
Both Zarcone and Hernandez expressed that the production process was an exciting experience to learn, practice and grow with their castmates. Being the leads of “On Your Feet!” has encouraged them to continue acting.
“Continuing to act would be a dream come true, and I truly do have a certain drive when it comes to musical theatre,” Hernandez told the Herald. “I believe it would be hard to top the connection I had with our production of ‘On Your Feet!,’ as it hit close to home and I want to have the same level of passion with anything I do in life.”
Zarcone, who is entering her senior year next
High School’s production of “On
Feet”
“On Your Feet!” is the 15th musical production that the Freeport Public Arts Department has done since 2010.
school year, said, “I would hold myself back as many grades as I could if it meant I could continue being a part of these productions. When I leave Freeport High School, I am going to study musical theatre and pursue it professionally. I would have never gained the confidence to do so if I hadn’t joined Freeport Theatre Collective.”
A special yet tragic part of the final production of “On Your Feet!” was honoring Wilmer Antonio Sosa, a student who had auditioned and won the part of Jose Fajardo, Gloria’s father, before tragically dying from a brain aneurysm on Jan. 21 at the age of 15. Burke said that Sosa’s family was recognized and honored at one of the shows and a page of the program’s bulletin holds a special tribute for him.
Including “On Your Feet!,” the Freeport High School Theatre Collective has performed 15 total musicals since 2010, such as “The Wiz,” “Beauty and The Beast,” “Hairspray” and “The Addams Family.” Burke said that “it’s an honor to work alongside such talented colleagues,” and that she looks forward to continuing serving as the artistic director and assembling another production for spring 2027.
“On Your Feet!” goes through the growth, conflicts and successes that Gloria and Emilio Estefan went through as they redefined the Latin music genre.
Photos courtesy Freeport Public Schools
Freeport
Your
featured live musicians on stage and dynamic set pieces.
Ameila Lopez, above, and Teena Zarcone portrayed the young and adult versions of Gloria Estefan as she dealt with familial, cultural and romantic issues.
Crime watCh assault
On March 17, Freeport Police officers arrested a subject after they were involved in a dispute at a local business. The subject allegedly assaulted a victim, causing multiple injuries. The defendant was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.
larCeny
while intoxicated. The subject was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.
On March 27, Freeport Police officers arrested a subject who was involved in a traffic accident and was found to have been operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. The subject was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.
lost ProPerty
1
8
(3.8 oz.)
4 Caramel Apple Tartlets (4 oz.)
On March 23, Freeport Police officers secured a report for an individual who was improperly removing items from a local Laundromat that belonged to other patrons. Officers arrived at the scene and escorted the individual out of the store. A trespass notice was issued to the subject, which informed them not to return to the location. No arrest was requested.
On March 28, Freeport Police officers secured a report for an individual who lost their wallet and multiple identification documents.
On March 30, Freeport Police officers secured a report for an individual who found a key fob for a Nissan vehicle while walking near North Brookside Avenue.
On March 23, Freeport Police officers secured a report for an unknown individual who entered an unlocked vehicle and removed change from a bag inside of it without permission or authority to do so. No arrest has been made or requested.
On March 26, the Nassau County Police Department took a victims report who said an unknown male subject removed a 12 pack of Modelo beer from the Sunoco Bolla Market at 465 Nassau Road in Roosevelt at around 11:30 p.m.
Driving intoxiCateD
On March 20, Freeport Police officers arrested a subject after stopping them for a traffic infraction and finding that the subject had allegedly been operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. The defendant was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.
On March 26, Freeport Police officers arrested a subject who was involved in a traffic accident and was found to have been operating a motor vehicle
iDentity theft
On March 25, Freeport Police officers secured a report for an unknown individual who posed as another person so they could withdraw a large sum of money from a checking account without permission or authority to do so. No arrest was requested or has been made yet.
DisPutes anD misChief
On March 21, Freeport Police officers arrested a subject who was involved in a dispute and intentionally damaged the front window of a local business without permission or authority to do so. The defendant was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.
On March 23, Freeport Police officers secured a report for an individual who refused to remove items from a bag to be scanned at the cash register. No arrest was made or requested.
Rabbi offers Passover reflection Passover
We gather on this Passover, a time that celebrates freedom, renewal, and the birth of a people. And yet, woven into this season of joy, we also encounter something quieter, more tender—memory, loss and the act of holding on to those we love through Yizkor.
At first glance, it seems contradictory. Passover is about life, movement and redemption. Yizkor brings us face to face with absence, with the people who are no longer sitting at our tables, no longer telling their stories, no longer asking the Four Questions.
How do these two emotional worlds live side by side? The answer lies in the Torah reading for this very past Shabbat. We read from the Book of Exodus, chapters filled with rupture and repair. The sin of the Golden Calf has just occurred. A people, newly freed, stumble almost immediately. Something sacred is broken. And in the wake of that loss, Moses does something extraordinary—he refuses to give up. He pleads, he mourns, he insists on the possibility
of connection even after devastation.
And God responds with the revelation of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy—a declaration that even when something precious is shattered, the relationship is not over. There can be healing. There can be continuity. There can be presence even after absence. That is the language of Yizkor.
When we lose someone we love, it feels like a kind of breaking. The world we knew is no longer whole. There is an empty chair, a silence where a voice used to be. Like the Israelites after the Golden Calf, we stand in the aftermath of something that cannot be undone. And yet, our tradition gently but firmly teaches: the story does not end there.
lost are no longer physically present, but they remain woven into who we are: in our choices, in our values, in the stories we tell, in the traditions we continue. Just as the covenant was renewed after the breaking, so too our bonds with those we love are transformed, not erased.
Yizkor does not ask us to forget. It asks us to remember—actively, intentionally. Not as a passive looking back, but as a way of keeping a relationship alive. The people we have
Passover itself is an act of memory. The Torah tells us, repeatedly, to remember that we were slaves in Egypt. Not just as history, but as identity. Memory shapes who we are meant to become. In the same way, the memory of those we have lost shapes how we live now. We honor them not only by recalling their names, but by carrying forward what they gave us. Their kindness becomes our kindness. Their strength becomes our strength. Their faith becomes our faith.
In this way, memory becomes a form of redemption. There is a beautiful, quiet truth hidden in this con-
vergence of Shabbat, Passover, and Yizkor: freedom is not just about leaving the past behind. It is about carrying the past forward in a way that gives it life. The Israelites left Egypt, but they did not leave their story behind. They were commanded to retell it, relive it, pass it on.
And we, too, are called to carry forward the stories of those we love. To speak their names. To live their values. To let their presence echo in our lives. On this Shabbat, as we stand between redemption and remembrance, we can begin to see that they are not opposites. They are intertwined. Because to remember someone deeply is, in a sense, to refuse to let them be lost. And perhaps that is the deepest act of faith we can offer: that love does not end, even when life does.
May the memories of those we hold in our hearts be a blessing. And may they continue to guide us, shape us, and live within us—today and always. May God bring us Peace around the world, and may everyone have a wonderful holiday!
Rabbi Stacy Sokol
ELIZABETH POIROT
WEST HEMPSTEAD Senior Lacrosse
ONE OF NASSAU COUNTY’S most prolific scorers, Poirot shares the Herald’s 2026 High School Lacrosse preview cover with Seaford’s Brian Falk. Poirot earned Honorable Mention All-County honors last spring after dominating the scoresheet for a second straight season and helping the Rams to 11 wins. As a junior, she racked up 77 goals to go along with 38 assists. This after in 2024 the dynamic attack scored 74 goals and had 25 assists.
games to watch
Friday, April 10
Softball: Plainedge at Mineola 10 a.m.
Softball: Plainview at Carey 10 a.m.
Softball:
Softball: East Meadow at Farmingdale
Baseball: Kennedy at Calhoun
Baseball: Long Beach at South Side 10
Baseball: Glen Cove at Hewlett 10 a.m.
Baseball: Garden City at MacArthur 10 a.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Wantagh at North Shore
Girls Lacrosse: Oceanside at Wantagh
Girls Lacrosse: Plainedge at Lynbrook
Girls Lacrosse: West Hempstead at Elmont 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 11
Girls Lacrosse: East Meadow at Plainedge 9 a.m.
Softball: V.S. Central at V.S. South
Softball: North Shore at Hewlett
Softball: Freeport at East Rockaway 10 a.m.
Softball: Massapequa at Oceanside 10 a.m.
Softball: Elmont at West Hempstead 10 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Locust Valley at Seaford 2 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last year. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
Freeport seniors set winning culture
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
A veteran-laden Freeport softball team entered this season motivated to establish a winning culture after tackling a grueling schedule in Conference IV last spring.
Freeport returned to Conference V following a winless 2025 campaign against top competition and with 11 seniors on the roster fueled to be among the league’s top contenders.
“I’ve definitely seen a lot of resiliency out of the girls,” said ninth-year coach Rich Genzone of his large senior class. “They all have great leadership qualities.”
Senior Gabriella Nurse is once again the ace of the pitching staff in her fourth season on varsity and has developed a mix of pitches to keep batters off balance. Nurse recorded 13 strikeouts and allowed no hits in five innings of work in Freeport’s 12-0 win against Elmon on March 27 while also registering four RBIs at the plate.
Sophomore Kasandra Cazaares is also a capable starting pitcher when needed after throwing plenty of innings on varsity as a freshman. Freshman Desiree Rodriguez helps lead the pitching staff after starting behind the plate last season as an eighth grader.
Senior first baseman Sarah Martinez has emerged as one of Freeport’s offensive leaders after making strides as a junior in her first varsity season. Melanie Mendez anchors the outfield as a veteran senior center fielder while also producing at the plate to go along with speed on the base paths.
“She has a really good bat and is very fast,” Genzone said of Mendez, who recorded two hits in Freeport’s seasonopening 13-1 victory at Valley Stream South on March 25. “We send her stealing very often when she’s on base.”
Versatile senior Wenelyis Reyes helps patrol the middle infield as starting shortstop and can also serve as a catcher when needed. The starting lineup also includes senior right fielder Alani Nunez and senior second baseman
past Elmont.
Deanna Reyes.
Genzone said the 11 seniors have forged tremendous team chemistry while forging lifetime bonds.
“They all have made a great impact on me as a coach and person,” Genzone said. “These kids will be friends for longer than whenever softball ends and I think they’ll be friends for potentially even a lifetime.”
The Red Devils, who entered the week at 2-1 in Conference V, next host Oyster Bay Thursday at 10 a.m. before visiting Lawrence for a Saturday morning tilt two days later. Freeport will then play at home against West Hempstead
on Monday for a 4:45 p.m. first pitch and then travel to Valley Stream South on April 15 at 4:30 p.m.
After moving up to Conference IV in 2022 following a 2021 playoff appearance, Genzone said a move back to its old league is a positive one for this year’s team.
“Last year, it was a very difficult conference and this year the conference is still challenging, but there’s more of a variety of teams,” Genzone said. “We have some really top teams there and some middle ground teams and some developing teams so there’s a little bit of everything.”
Donovan Berthoud/Herald
Senior pitching ace Gabriella Nurse tossed a no-hitter March 27 as the Red Devils rolled
Wightman makes good on diploma promise
scared to take out the garbage. They’re scared to go to and from school. A lot of them take taxis. A lot of them don’t want their parents driving them because God forbid.”
Attendance at Roosevelt High School has been impacted over the last year, Harrison explained, with students often missing extended days of classes. Wightman added that Roosevelt schools have allowed several students to take classes online due to uncertainty around the documentation of themselves or relatives.
According to Wightman, Velasquez had initially been allowed to enter the U.S. legally in 2022 from Guatemala through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Exchange Visitor Program when he was 16 and lived with his old brother in Roosevelt. However, Velasquez fell out of legal favor after failing to maintain proper documentation for his status since he was still not a U.S. citizen.
A statement while Velasquez was in a ICE detention facility in Texas, from Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin justifies the arrest. She detailed that Velasquez was initially detained by U.S. Border Patrol at the southern border on May 6, 2022, but was later released. Velasquez was again detained on June 1, 2025.
Roosevelt School District after having to wait nearly a year after he was supposed to graduate, alvaro Castro Velasquez finally received his roosevelt High School diploma.
Wightman promised during the 2025 Roosevelt High School graduation that he would hand-deliver his diploma to him, since he had already been cleared to graduate prior to his arrest. Wightman attempted to get the diploma, Velasquez’s transcript and other documents to him after paying for a trip to Texas at his own expense but was told by ICE officials at the facility that detainees could not be handed anything.
Wightman refused to be deterred, however. Velasquez was given the opportunity to self-deport and return to San Marcos, Guatemala, which he did, giving Wightman the chance to finally reunite with the student and bring him his diploma, graduation regalia and more on behalf of the Roosevelt School District.
“I wanted to ensure that he got the diploma, it being so important and something that he’s earned,” Wightman said. “The other part is (I wanted to) give him the experience of wearing his gown and partake in the commencement ceremony. He didn’t get that opportunity.”
While he acknowledged the legal mandates that ICE has regarding undocumented immigrants, Wightman expressed dissatisfaction and disappointment in how the system has treated Velasquez and other students in similar circumstances. Wightman said he would want to see students at least get a chance to finish the academic year and have the opportunity to correct their status.
Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election when Donald Trump, known for his aggressive rhetoric regarding illegal immigration, was elected for a second non-consecutive term, many students were fearful of his administration targeting migrant families. But Velasquez had a more nuanced perspective at the time.
“Alvaro’s response was, ‘Well let’s give him a chance. Maybe he’ll do better than we think he’s going to do for us,’” Harrison said. “And that kills me too, but that’s the kind of person he is.”
True to his optimistic character, Velasquez has not been turned off from pursuing the American Dream and hopes to eventually return to the U.S. to attend college.
“He even mentioned the possibility of even becoming or joining the military, which I thought was kind of surprising considering what it is that he’s gone through,” Wightman said. “But he loves the United States... There’s a lot of opportunities that he doesn’t have in Guatemala that he has here and a lot of freedom.”
Courtesy
Premier Business Women of Long Island Awards honor top female leaders and innovators
By Abbey Salvemini
The room at The Heritage Club at Bethpage was filled with energy, ambition and a shared sense of purpose on March 25 as business leaders gathered for the 2026 Premier Business Women of Long Island Awards. This annual event honored outstanding women who are not only achieving success within their respective industries but also driving innovation and meaningful change across them.
At the heart of the evening was a clear and resonant message: women are no longer waiting for opportunities to be granted; they are creating their own paths and redefining leadership on their own terms.
Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations and events at Richner Communications, set the tone early in the night, encouraging attendees to “take a look around this room” as a reflection of progress. She also emphasized the significance of the occasion. “Tonight is about celebrating the incredible women who are leading, building and shaping our community,” she said.
She added that the event is part of a broader mission to create spaces “where women don’t just sit at the table, they own the room,” reinforcing the evening’s theme of empowerment and visibility.
She praised the honorees not only for their professional achievements but also for their role in transforming their industries. “You are not just leaders in your field, you are redefining them,’ she said.
Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications, echoed that statement, reflecting on the company’s history and his mother, Edith Richner, a co-founder who once stood alone as the only woman at the table nearly six decades ago. “If she were here tonight, she would be incredibly proud to see a room filled with such accomplished, driven and inspiring women,” he said.
The evening also highlighted the importance of giving back, with proceeds supporting Baby Essentials of Long Island, an organization dedicated to helping families in need provide safe and healthy starts for their children. Richner emphasized the organization’s mission to assist parents facing financial hardship and other challenges, adding a deeper sense of purpose to the celebration.
The honorees themselves brought the evening to life, sharing personal
stories of resilience, leadership and determination that resonated throughout the room.
Among them, Carol Gomes was recognized in the Healthcare and Wellness category, highlighting her leadership as CEO and COO of Stony Brook University Hospital. Reflecting on what it means to be a woman in business today, she described it as a sense of empowerment and the confidence to lead with strong conviction.
“We are nowhere near where we need to be; we’re making progress, but there are still many opportunities to advance women into higher leadership positions,” she said.
Ana Ludemann, MBA, was honored in the Financial Services category, celebrating her success in a competitive, male-dominated industry. Now a vice president and wealth management financial advisor, she built her career after arriving in the United States in 2014 with just $100. Her journey underscored the importance of perseverance and mindset.
“If you work hard and do right by people, there is no way you will not succeed,” she said, adding that resilience is defined not by obstacles, but by how one responds to them.
Honorees in the Insurance and
Rising Stars Under 40, Evelyn Gellar and Jillian Kashuba of Forest Hills Financial Group, echoed the evening’s central themes. Together, they emphasized that while women are increasingly supporting one another and rising into leadership, challenges remain — particularly around work-life balance and equitable opportunities. Their message was clear: building networks and lifting each other up is essential to sustaining momentum in a competitive industry.
Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of the Power Team award, which honored a group of women from St. Joseph’s University. Among them, Jessica McAleer Decatur, Vice President of marketing and communications, reflected on the significance of the recognition and the responsibility that comes with it.
“To follow in the footsteps of these pioneering women is deeply meaningful. As part of the next generation of women leaders, I hope not only to carry forward their legacy, but also to inspire the next generation,” she said.
Throughout the evening, the room buzzed with energy and camaraderie as powerful women mingled,
exchanged stories and shared insights across industries. The atmosphere reinforced the idea that success is not achieved in isolation, but through collaboration, mentorship and a shared commitment to lifting others along the way. Conversations extended beyond individual accomplishments, focusing instead on creating lasting impact and opening doors for the next generation of women leaders.
The event also celebrated the sponsors and partners whose support made the evening possible, including Forest Hills Financial Group, Long Island Contractors Association, and our centerpiece sponsor, St. Joseph’s University. Their involvement underscored the Long Island business community’s ongoing commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion and opportunity.
As the evening ended, the message remained clear: progress is underway, and the future of women in business is being shaped through the shared determination and collaboration of everyone present.
To learn more, see additional photos and view the complete list of honorees and sponsors, visit richnerlive.com.
Tim Baker/Herald
Premier Business Women honorees enjoy the gala dinner with their guests.
President & CEO Carol Allen from People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union with her award in Banking Leadership.
Donna M. DiSclafani from Prager Metis CPAs with her award in Accounting.
Lisa Burch from EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies receives her award in Community Impact.
President of SCO Family of Services
Suzette Gordon walks to stage to accept her award.
Co-founders Jill Kofler and Janis Hoffman from Mindful Therapy accept their award in Healthcare & Wellness.
St. Joseph’s University honorees with their Power Team award.
Dr. Maria Conzatti from Nassau Community College with her award in Education.
Vanessa M. Gordon from Grassi receives her award in Accounting.
CEO Charlene Jackson from Thompson Economic Development Services, accepts her award in Entrepreneurship.
CEO-COO Carol Gomes from Stony Brook University Hospital, accepts her award in Healthcare & Wellness.
Evelyn Gellar from Forest Hills Financial Group with her award in Insurance.
Rising Star Jillian Kashuba of Forest Hills Financial Group wins the Hotel Collections raffle.
Honorees Ana Ludemann and Nicole Stefanakos read the Herald commemorative edition with their guests. Honorees received a Herald crystal award.
Works of Fernando Carpaneda in art exhibit
Starting on March 14 and concluding on April 24, Freeport resident and artist Fernando Carpaneda will have a solo exhibition at the Arkell Museum Regional Art Galleries in Canajoharie, New York. Carpaneda’s artwork largely focuses on punk themes, spiritual reflection, or LGBTQ themes.
Carpaneda’s art features portraits of ordinary people in New York, portraits of his own friends and pieces depicting scenes from Nassau County’s Jones Beach. Using acrylics, the artwork reflects Carpaneda’s expressive and deeply personal approach to portraiture.
Carpaneda received the Best of Exhibition award at the Arkell Museum’s 2025 Art of New York Annual Art Exhibition with Jury for his painting “The Son of Man.” As part of his honor, the museum invited the artist to present a solo exhibition at the museum.
Since the 1980s, Carpaneda has developed a reputation for contributing to punk and homoerotic art through sculpting and painting. He seeks to make up for what he perceives as a lack of art exploring LGBTQ narratives and punk identities in mainstream art.
Carpaneda’s work has been exhibited domestically and internationally, including at Sotheby’s New York in Manhattan, the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington, the Long Island Museum, the Kenosha Public Museum in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Tom of Finland Foundation, the CBGB Art Gallery and the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art.
Carpaneda seeks to continue growing his market presence and institutional recognition in the art industry and has achieved significant success. He described his sale of artwork at Sotheby’s New York and the acquisition of his painting “Pride” for the permanent collection of the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil as the highlights of his career.
Admission to Carpaneda’s exhibit at the Arkell Museum Regional Art Galleries is free and open to the public.
For more information, please contact the Arkell Museum by phone at (518) 673-2314, extension 106, or by email at info@arkellmuseum.org.
–Andrew Francis
Photos courtesy Fernando Carpaneda
“Mosh Pit” is one of Freeport artist Fernando Carpaneda’s artwork pieces, who is showcasing his realistic paintings at the Arkell museum.
Fernando Carpaneda uses many aspects from his life as inspiration for his art, like landscapes of Jones Beach.
“Camden” highlights punk lifestyle and attire.
Much of Fernando Carpaneda’s artwork features bright colors and focuses on male physique.
Much of Carpaneda’s artwork also highlights nudity and gay pride themes in addition to portraits of his friends.
Association hosts state transport chief
By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
The Long Island Association hosted state Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez as a guest speaker last week. Dominguez spoke about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s fiscal year 2027 executive budget and policy proposals for the DOT.
Appearing at LIA headquarters in Melville on March 31, Dominguez explained that Hochul’s administration matched the federal funding for New York state’s transportation needs from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021 with a five-year, $35 billion plan. Hochul added $800 million to the plan last year to offset the cost of tariffs and inflation.
“Our federal dollars are expiring on Sept. 30, which presents a unique challenge,” Dominguez said. “We need to make sure that we are positioning New York for the next level of transportation funding.”
She detailed Hochul’s proposed spending plan, which totals $260 billion. Federal funding is down 11.4 percent, or $10.3 billion, and state operating funds have increased by $157 billion. The state is expecting $17 billion more in state revenue over the next two years than earlier estimates.
“The governor is committed to economic growth and making sure there is a social safety net, and funding that social safety net across the board without increasing taxes,” Dominguez said. “In sum, the 2027 Executive Budget successfully balances two simultaneous realities that we have real momentum here in New York, and addressing the volatility that we know is ahead.”
The budget plan includes automated work-zone speed enforcement with new
speed cameras. Dominguez noted that some drivers have been speeding at over 100 miles per hour through work zones, according to the cameras.
The budget proposes deployment of the cameras on non-controlled-access highways, like Sunrise Highway. It also proposes protections for highway maintenance workers against violent assault.
Dominguez also touched on Hochul’s plan to lower the cost of car insurance.
The plan proposes changes to the state’s auto insurance laws that will punish perpetrators of staged car crashes.
The spending plan also includes funding for filling potholes on main roadways. “We are on a blitz statewide addressing potholes,” Dominguez said. It proposes investments of $107 million for paving on Long Island, including 50 miles of the Northern State Parkway and 35 miles of Sunrise Highway.
Action Long Island representative Michael Rodin suggested more improvements he wanted to see. “We want to make sure public transit is a part of the DOT’s agenda in the future,” he said. “We want roads to be able to accommodate buses as well as more cars — a lot of people take public transit to work.”
When the presentation was open for questions, Dominguez addressed a concern about independent contractors’ coverage under the anti-assault provisions in the budget. “The worker assault provision covers state employees as well as independent contractors,” she said.
“We need to make sure elected officials understand that transit and the lives of transit workers are important, so they fund initiatives to help these efforts and these people,” Marc Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Contractors Association, said. “If we don’t ask, they don’t respond.”
Noah Peretz/Herald
DOT representatives, including Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez, center right, made a presentation to the Long Island Association.
Reduce
Bessent, Blakeman tout Trump’s tax cuts
By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com
To promote President Trump’s economic agenda, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Long Island and took part in a panel discussion with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and business executives from across the county.
The March 30 discussion, at the county legislative building, focused on three aspects of the Working Families Tax Cut Act: the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime pay, the creation of so-called Trump Accounts and the higher cap on the income tax deduction for state and local taxes. Under the law, parents can open and contribute funds to accounts for their children under age 18. As part of the pilot program for the accounts, children born during Trump’s term will receive $1,000 from the Treasury Department.
“It’s something that’s going to help every family in America,” Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor, said of the program.
The law includes an increase in the state and local tax deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000. It also allocates roughly $170 billion to carry out the administration’s immigration and border objectives, and raises the federal debt ceiling to $5 trillion.
“That’s the American way,” Bessent said of the tax cuts. “Work harder, keep more of your money.”
The SALT deduction avoids double taxation and allows certain taxpayers to reduce their federally taxable income. To offset the cost created by this and the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, the law cuts nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and reduces food assistance and clean-energy incentives.
Panelists shared their perspectives on the law, mostly as it relates to their businesses. Michael Serao, exec-
utive vice president and chief administrative officer of First Central Savings Bank, claimed that Trump Accounts could help students build financial literacy.
But much of the discussion focused on the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, and the SALT deduction. “I am surrounded by hardworking people, who come into the diner and tell me how happy they are about their tax returns and about how much more money they are getting back,” Gus Tsiorvas, owner of the Embassy Diner, in Bethpage, said.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, the average tax refund this year is roughly 10 percent higher than it was in March 2025. “This means more discretionary spending here in Nassau County,” County Comptroller Elaine Phillips said, “which allows
Bruce not to raise taxes.”
Blakeman reiterated his assertion that Nassau is “the safest county in America where we haven’t raised taxes one penny in four years.”
In a statement about Blakeman’s use of taxpayer resources to campaign as everyday costs escalate, Democratic County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said the Bessent visit was “as shameless as it gets.”
“Nassau residents aren’t stupid — they feel the squeeze every time they fill up, check out at the grocery store, or pay a bill,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “The cost-of-living crisis is real, and it’s being driven directly by the disastrous tariffs and global instability coming from the same out-of-touch allies in Washington [Blakeman] continues to stand with.”
Come learn about local disability rights pioneer Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. and explore over 125 artifacts highlighting the fight for equal opportunity for people with
The museum provides an inclusive, fully accessible experience for all visitors and is the perfect place to spend a fun and educational day with your family. School field trips and group tours welcome.
Courtesy Nassau County
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and several business executives discussed President Trump’s economic agenda on March 30.
STEPPING OUT
‘Rent’ star Adam Pascal returns to reimagine the jukebox musical
By Iris Wiener
When Adam Pascal pulls into Long Island these days, it’s not just a commute; it’s a homecoming layered with memory, coincidence, and creative possibility. This spring, the Tony-nominated performer-turned-director from Syosset is channeling all of that into “Feels Like the First Time: The Foreigner Musical.”
The new production premieres April 17 at the Little Theatre on Long Island University’s Brookville campus.
The project, created in collaboration with the legendary rock band Foreigner, marks the launch of LIU’s New Works Initiative and Pascal’s tenure as the university’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence. But for Pascal, the journey to this moment is anything but typical.
The path to directing the show began not in a rehearsal room, but at a backyard barbecue.
“Tom Dunn [Tilles Center’s creative producer, executive/artistic Director and Dean of LIU’s College of Arts and Design] lives across the street from my sister. I first met Tom and his wife at a barbecue,” Pascal relates. “Tom said, ‘We’re doing this thing. Do you want to direct it?’”
From there, the pieces quickly began to align. A previous version of the musical had been developed, but Pascal and the team — including book writer Stephen Garvey and arranger David Abbinanti — set out to reshape it into something fresh: a high-energy, heart-driven story set in the 1980s, centered on three families whose lives collide when a rock star arrives for a backyard concert after an MTV contest win.
“We wanted to create something that was fun and that had heart, that understood its purpose using Foreigner’s music,” Pascal says.
That purpose, however, comes with a unique creative challenge. The musical weaves iconic songs into an original narrative — a process Pascal describes as both complex and deeply collaborative.
“You’re creating a story, and in many ways building a scene backwards,” he explains. “You have these lyrics that were never written to be narrative in that way, so you have to do a lot of reverse engineering.”
Still, that creative freedom is part of the appeal.
“We get to reimagine these songs,” he adds. “They’ve now become narrative storytelling songs.”
The new musical features a company of 26 performers, primarily LIU students — a fact Pascal calls fortuitous.
“The combination of this process, this particular show, and this university … it couldn’t have been a better melding of all things.”
For Pascal, working with students isn’t just about mentorship — it’s personal, as he has two sons the same age as the young cast. His directing style reflects that perspective, blending instinct, experience and a focus on emotional authenticity.
“I approach it from a much more naturalistic and real place. I’m trying to orchestrate a picture and to get them to use their emotions in a physical way.”
That lived-in approach comes from decades in the industry, which includes roles in Broadway’s “Aida,” “Memphis” and “Something Rotten,” besides the iconic“Rent.” However, Pascal quickly points out that he was never formally trained.
Works Initiative, an incubator for developing and refining new theatrical works by both emerging and established writers.
• Friday through Sunday, April 17-19 and Thursday through Sunday, April 23-26, varied times
• Tickets are $43.82, $17.82 students; available at tillescenter.org/events
• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
“My approach can only be [described as] a layman approach. I’m fortunate enough to now have 30 years of experience making musicals.”
And yet, for all his Broadway credentials, Pascal is candid about the challenges facing the industry today — particularly the financial barriers that make developing new work increasingly difficult in New York City.
“We all have to change the mindset about working in New York,” he says bluntly, pointing to rising production costs and systemic issues. Instead, he sees projects like “Feels Like the First Time” as part of a larger shift — one that prioritizes creativity, collaboration and accessibility over tradition and expense.
“I want to take the power out of Broadway’s hands and put it back into the hands of people who make theater,” he states.
That philosophy is evident in the show’s development process, which Pascal praises for its efficiency and clarity of vision.
For LIU students like Anna Frost, being part of that process is nothing short of transformative. A senior serving as dramaturg for the show, Frost is deeply embedded in the rehearsal rooms, helping to shape the evolving script.
“It is so exciting for me to work on a show which is in development,” she says. “I get to work with a living, breathing text.”
For her, the experience underscores the importance of new work in today’s theatrical landscape.
“There has to be new art that is relevant to what is happening now,” she adds. “Getting to be a part of something that will be history is really cool.”
Pascal agrees and hopes the students recognize the significance of their involvement.
“They’ll forever be connected to this show as the first people that played these characters,” he says. “If the show becomes a hit, they’ll always have that on their resume.”
That sense of legacy resonates deeply with Pascal himself, particularly given his return to Long Island. He remains deeply connected to his roots, and optimistic about its potential as a hub for theatrical innovation.
“There’s no better place for it,” he says of LIU. “They have the facilities, the desire and the proximity to the city.”
As for what’s next, Pascal continues to develop new musicals through his production company, including an adaptation of “Ruthless People.” He’s also set to direct “Our Little Secret: A True New Musical” in Toronto. For now, “Feels Like the First Time” offers something that feels incredibly meaningful — -a chance to build, collaborate, and rediscover the spark that started it all.
Or, as Pascal might put it, to make it feel like the first time all over again.
Local favorite Mike DelGuidice returns to the Paramount stage with his popular residency, delivering the high-energy, feel-good performances that have made him a hometown standout. Backed by his powerhouse band, DelGuidice brings the music of his idol, Billy Joel, to life with passion and precision, celebrating decades of iconic hits in a rousing, crowd-pleasing show. A multi-instrumentalist who grew up immersed in music, DelGuidice’s deep knowledge of Joel’s catalog ultimately led to sharing the stage with the Piano Man himself, touring around the world. Alongside Joel’s beloved classics, he weaves in his own original songs, showcasing the songwriting that has earned him a devoted following. Whether performing on stage or connecting with fans through his “Live on the Porch” series, which brought audiences together during the pandemic, DelGuidice continues to share his love of music in ways that resonate far and wide.
Friday and Saturday, April 10-11, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Fleetwood Macked
Eighteen years ago
Fleetwood Macked set out to provide audiences with the truest live Fleetwood Mac experience as possible and haven’t stopped since. Much of the realism comes from the New York-based band’s history. Husband and wife musical team Hillary and Michael Epstein (Stevie and Lindsey) and friends Tracy Wells, Jay Novas, Phil Weiss and Andrew Nadien (Christine, John and Mick) have made great music together in various incarnations that finally all came together with their mutual love of Fleetwood Mac. They are and have always been professional touring rock musicians, which also adds to the authenticity of the sound of the band. Fleetwood Macked live brings audiences the passion, depth, heart, and the musicianship Fleetwood Mac’s music requires. Out of love and respect musical liberties are not taken, songs are recreated just as Fleetwood Mac intended them.
Friday, April 10, 8 p.m. $48. My Father’s Place 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. Tickets available at mfpproductions.com.
Mike DelGuidice
Photo courtesy Jack Roman
Adam Pascal, left, with Tilles Center’s Executive and Artistic Director Tom Dunn, is launching LIU Post’s New
the Porch” series, which brought
“Feels is
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
K-POP Demon Hunters Pajama Jam
Kids ages 5-11 are invited to sing, snack and dance with the music from the K-POP HUNTR/X girls from the hit film “K-Pop Demon Hunters.,” hosted by Sparkle on Stage.
• Where: 195 Woodcleft Ave
• Time: 6-8 p.m.
• Contact: sparkleonstage.org or (516) 240-1188
‘Dog Sees God’
Hofstra University’s Department of Drama and Dance presents Bert V. Royal’s edgy comedy. The unauthorized continuation of the Peanuts comic strip, reimagines its characters as teenagers dealing with various contemporary issues including, identity, substance abuse, and relationships. When CB’s dog dies from rabies, CB begins to question the existence of an afterlife. His best friend is too burnt out to provide any coherent speculation; his sister has gone goth; his ex-girlfriend has recently been institutionalized; and his other friends are too inebriated to give him any sort of solace. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and sexual identity collide and careen toward an ending that’s both haunting and hopeful. $15 general admission, $10 for seniors and Hofstra alumni.
• Where: Hofstra’s Joan and Donald Schaeffer Black Box Theater, Joseph G. Shapiro Family Hall, Hempstead
• Time: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; also April 12, 2 p.m.; April 16-April 19
• Contact: hofstra.universitytickets.com
Family theater
Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
Micky Dolenz
Micky Dolenz celebrates the 60th anniversary of The Monkees with a special tour honoring the band’s enduring legacy and timeless sound. In this nostalgic and high-spirited performance, Dolenz takes audiences on a musical journey through The Monkees’ rise to fame, performing their biggest hits in chronological order while sharing personal stories from his decades in entertainment. As the last surviving member of the beloved group, Dolenz brings both heart and history to the stage, paying tribute to bandmates Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith, while celebrating the fans who helped transform a fictional TV band into a global sensation. A true entertainment veteran, Dolenz’s career spans decades and disciplines — from his early days as a child star on “Circus Boy” to his work as a singer, actor, director and radio host. In recent years, he has continued to keep The Monkees’ music alive for new generations, including a solo tour performing the group’s 1967 album “Headquarters” in its entirety. This is sure to be a heartfelt, hit-filled evening that blends music, memories and a lasting connection to one of pop culture’s most iconic acts. APR
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also April 14-15
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Seasonal Sprouts: Flowers and Trees
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens to discover the wonders of nature with a one-hour guided tour through the gardens and woodlands, featuring naturethemed games and hands-on activities. This week, children explore plants big and small, learning how they grow and change with the seasons. Each session includes a simple planting or craft project for children to take home and continue their learning. Registration required. $22 adult, $20 seniors 62+ (member discounts available).
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 11 a.m.-noon
• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
Is A Wish” princess concert returns to the Madison Theatre with new adventures and Disney Classics. Families are invited APR 11
“A
to sing along to all their favorite Disney songs including “Let It Go,” “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” “Part of That World,” “ A Whole New World,” and many more. Enjoy a magical journey and maybe even meet your favorite princess! Breakfast and tea ticket options also available.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: Varied times, also April 12
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Board Game Day
Visit Freeport Library to play a variety of board games, including Scrabble, chess, Boggle, Rummikub, Scattergories, and more. Bring your favorite board game and a friend, or join on your own — all levels are welcome. Registration required.
• Where: 144 West Merrick Road
• Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 379-3274 or freeportlibrary.info
Town E-Cycle Program
Town of Hempstead encourages residents to dispose of older computers and electronics during the E-Cycle opportunity at Town Park Point Lookout. Residents may also bring personal paper
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
and confidential documents to be shredded, free of charge (limit file boxes or five paper bags).
• Where: Town Park Point Lookout, 1300 Lido Blvd.
• Time: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: hempsteadny.gov/225/e-cycling or call (516) 378-4210
Celebrate Holi
APR
12
Families are invited to Long Island Children’s Museum to elebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors. Originating in India, this Hindu festival marks the end of winter and the arrival of the colorful spring season. During this joyous holiday, families eat sweets, dance to traditional folk music and throw colorful powder made from flowers called gulal. Wear white clothes you don’t mind getting messy!
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
APR
15
Writers & Readers Festival
Hofstra University alumna and novelist Alice Hoffman hosts
the third annual Writers & Readers Festival, brings together students, teachers, librarians, emerging writers and the local community for an immersive celebration of storytelling-both the craft of writing and the realities of publishing. Attendees connect with fellow book lovers and hear from prominent authors, including Hoffman, who will share stories from her new anthology, “The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love.” Hoffman’s forthcoming novel, “Witches of Cambridge,” will be published this August (and is now in development for a television series), followed by the muchanticipated film Practical Magic 2, with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman returning as the Owens sisters in September. Notable participants include “All My Children” star Susan Lucci, in keynote conversation with bestselling author and podcaster Adriana Trigiani about her new memoir, “La Lucci;” Jodi Picoult in keynote conversation with Alice Hoffman about storytelling in a time of book banning, musical director Tim Weil, who talks about his new book, “Making Rent: The Story Behind the Music That Changed Broadway. “ Registration is limited and is now open.
• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City
• Time: Ongoing through April 17
• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or (516) 877-4000
Freeport BOE meets
The Board of Education holds their next meeting
• Where: 58 West Seaman Ave.
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 867-5265
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.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
FREEPORT UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Nassau County, N. Y.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Freeport Union Free School District, Nassau County, New York, shall conduct its Annual Budget Vote and Trustees Election on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The vote will be by voting machines at the designated polling places set forth below, between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. (local time).
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a budget hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 7:30 P.M. in the Caroline G. Atkinson School for the purpose of discussing the expenditures of funds and budgeting thereof. Copies of the budget document will be made available to District residents commencing Thursday, April 29, 2026, upon request between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. at the school district offices and the Freeport Public Library and the school district’s Internet website.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the following matters will be submitted to the registered voters of the Freeport School District:
(1) To vote on the annual school budget as set forth in Proposition No. 1 below:
Proposition No. 1 SCHOOL BUDGET
RESOLVED that the Annual School Budget be adopted and the necessary amount be raised by a tax upon the taxable property located in Freeport Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, Freeport, New York, for the School Year 2026-2027.
(2) To vote on the annual library budget as set forth in Proposition No. 2 below:
Proposition No. 2
FREEPORT MEMORIAL LIBRARY BUDGET
RESOLVED, that the Freeport Memorial Library Budget be adopted and the necessary amount be raised by a tax upon the taxable property located in Freeport Union Free School District,
Town of Hempstead, Freeport, New York, for the Freeport Memorial Library for the year 2026- 2027.
(3) To vote on the expenditure of funds from the Capital Reserve Fund established on May 16, 2017, as set forth in Proposition No. 3 below:
PROPOSITION #3
Capital Reserve Fund Proposition
SHALL the Board of Education of the Freeport Union Free School District be authorized to expend:
$2,500,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund established on May 16th, 2017, for the purpose of performing the following projects:
Classroom Ceiling Tiles, Flooring & Lighting Replacements - Districtwide; Bathroom Renovations - Districtwide. All the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto.
(4) Two (2) members of the Board of Education will be elected to fill two three-year (3) terms commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2029, and one (1) member of the Board of Education will be elected to fill an unexpired term commencing May 19, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2028.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Board of Registration shall be open, in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York, every school day in the Administration Building, 235 North Ocean Avenue, between the hours of 9:00 o’clock a.m. and 5:00 o’clock p.m. (local time) until Thursday, May 14, 2026, for the Annual Budget Vote and Election to be held on May 19, 2026. In addition, the Board of Registration will open Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 4:00 o’clock p.m. until 8:00 o’clock p.m. for residents to register to vote for the Annual Budget and Trustee election to be held on May 19, 2026.
Any person who is not registered with the School District or who is not registered in the General Election or who has not voted at any annual or special district meeting or election held within the last four calendar years (2022-
2025) must register to vote on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
The Board of Registration will meet during the election held in the District on May 19, 2026, at each of the polling places to prepare a register for meetings and elections held subsequent to this Annual Meeting or Election.
The voting registers will be open for inspection by any qualified voter on weekdays between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. from May 14, 2026, to May 18, 2026, excluding Sunday, May 17, 2026, and between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. noon on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Office of the District Clerk; and at each polling place on election day.
Absentee and early mail ballots will be available for the election of School Board Members and the Budget Vote. Applications for absentee and early mail ballots are available in the Office of the District Clerk at the Freeport Public School Administration Building, 235 North Ocean Avenue, in Freeport, NY 11520. Applications for absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election. Furthermore, such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application no later than six (6) days before the vote. Absentee and early mail ballots will be accepted in the Office of the Clerk of the school district no later than 5:00 P.M. on the day of the vote; any ballot received after that time will not be counted.
A listing of all people to whom absentee and early mail ballots were issued will be available in the District Clerk’s Office during regular office hours until the day before the vote. Candidates for the Office of School Board Trustee must be nominated
by a petition signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District. The petition shall state name and residence of the candidate and shall state the name and residence of each signer. Candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall be considered elected to their respective offices. Where terms are of different lengths, the candidate receiving the highest vote shall be elected to the longest term. However, a nomination may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares his/her unwillingness to serve. Petitions shall be filed between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. no later than Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Office of the District Clerk.
A statement of the amount of money which will be required for the School Year 2026-2027 will be available to the taxpayers at any of the School District buildings between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. during the fourteen (14) days immediately before the vote, except Saturdays and Sundays or holidays, and at such annual election.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a Real Property Tax Exemption Report prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part, and shall be posted on District bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a proposition in writing by petition of least thirty-nine {39) signatures of qualified voters of the district is required to place a proposition on the ballot. The petition must be filed in the Office of the District Clerk on or before 5:00 P.M. (local time) Monday, April 20, 2026. Petitions for propositions which are required by law to be included in the notice of the annual meeting must be submitted no later than 5:00 P.M. on or before Friday, March 20, 2026. The Board of Education reserves the right to edit or amend any proposition without changing the intent thereof.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the school district no later than 5:00 P.M. on April 23, 2026. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 P.M. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the election shall be held in accordance with the Rules for the Election of School Board Members adopted by the Board of Education.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING 1. Person shall be a citizen of the United States. 2. Eighteen or more years of age. 3. A resident of the District for a period of thirty days or more preceding the election at which he or she offers to vote. 4. Must be registered to vote.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the school election districts within the school district are as follows:
DISTRICT N-1
The Atkinson School Voting District is in the area, which is west of North Main Street, south of the northerly School District Boundary Line, east of Milburn Creek, and north of the
Long Island Railroad.
DISTRICT N-2
The Columbus Avenue School Voting District is in the area, which is north of the Long Island Railroad, east of North Main Street, south of the northerly District boundary line, and west of the Meadowbrook Parkway.
DISTRICT S-3
The Bayview Avenue School Voting District is contained in the area which is south of the Long Island Railroad right of way and west of the Eastern boundary line which runs south down South Long Beach Avenue to the southern property lines of the properties on the south side of Smith Street, then west along said property lines to the easterly property lines of the properties fronting on Bayview Avenue, thence proceeding south along said property lines to the easterly property lines on Branch Avenue and then southerly along the eastern boundary lines of said properties fronting on the east side of Branch Avenue to the northern property lines of properties fronting on the north side of Lewis Street, thence easterly along said boundary to Randall Bay. The southern boundary is the Village Line, and the western boundary is the Village Line.
DISTRICT S-4
The Archer Street School Voting District is in the area which begins at the southerly side of the Long Island Railroad right of way where same intersects with the westerly boundary lines of properties fronting on the west side of Long Beach Avenue; thence running easterly along said right of way to the westerly boundary lines or properties fronting on the west side of Henry Street; thence southeasterly along said boundary lines to the intersection with South Main Street; thence southerly along the west side of South Main Street to the intersection with Mill Road; thence easterly along the south side of Mill Road to the intersection of Mill Road and Freeport Creek; thence southerly along Freeport Creek to the northerly boundary lines of properties fronting on the north side of East Bedell Street; thence easterly
along said property lines to the Village Line also known as Freeport Creek; thence southerly along said line to the most southerly Village Line; thence westerly along said Village Line to Hudson Bay; thence north and northwesterly along Woodcleft Basin to Sportsman’s Channel; thence north along said Channel and its extension to the center line of Atlantic Avenue; thence westerly along said center line of Atlantic Avenue to the easterly boundary lines of properties fronting on the east side of Bayview Avenue; thence northerly along said boundary lines to the intersection of the southerly boundary lines of properties fronting on the south side of Smith Street; thence easterly along said boundary lines of properties fronting on the west side of Long Beach Avenue; thence northerly along said boundary lines to the point or place of beginning.
DISTRICT S-5
The Giblyn School Voting District is contained in the area which begins at a point where the easterly boundary lines of properties fronting on Bayview Avenue intersects the center line of Atlantic Avenue running thence easterly along said center line to the western boundary line of properties fronting on the west side of Sportsman’s Avenue; thence southerly along said lines to the Sportsman’s Channel; thence southerly along said Channel to the Woodcleft Basin; thence southeasterly along said basin to easterly boundary of Village Line running along Hudson Bay; thence southerly along said boundary line to the southerly boundary of the Village Line also known as Little Swift Creek; thence westerly along said Village Line to a point where same intersects Randall Bay; thence northerly along said Bay to the intersection of the northerly boundary lines of properties fronting on the north side of Lewis Street; thence westerly along said boundary line to the easterly boundary lines of properties fronting on the east side of Branch Avenue; thence northerly along said boundary lines to the intersection of the east boundary lines of properties fronting on the east side of Bayview Avenue;
thence northerly along said boundary lines to the point or place of beginning.
DISTRICT S6
The Cleveland Avenue School Voting District (now based at the Albany Avenue Field House, 55 Albany Avenue) is contained in the area which is south of the Long Island Railroad right of way, east of the eastern boundary of District 5-4, with the eastern and southern boundary being the village boundaries.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION Sunday F. Coward
President
Sheena Verna-Agard District Clerk 159402
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff AGAINST LARRY D. GREENE, SHERRY GREENE, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 16, 2024 and amended August 26, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 21, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 230 Archer Street, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 62, Block 117, Lot 9. Approximate amount of judgment $962,283.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #004351/2013. Howard Col ton, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-000325 89200 158952
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. MTGLQ INVESTORS, LP
Pltf. vs. SHANAI L. JACKSON A/K/A SHANAI JACKSON, et al, Defts. Index #012297/14. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered January 23, 2019, I will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on April 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 150 Pennsylvania Avenue, Roosevelt, NY 11575 a/k/a Section 55, Block 423, Lot 4. Said property beginning at a point on the Easterly side of Pennsylvania Avenue, distant 246.00 ft. Northerly from a point formed by the intersection of the Easterly side of Pennsylvania Avenue and the Northerly side of Debevoise Avenue when measured along the Easterly side of Pennsylvania Avenue, being a plot 44 ft. x 89.56 ft. x 44.04 ft. x 87.78 ft. Approximate amount of judgment is $318,860.51 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. MARIA SIDERIS, Referee. HILL WALLACK, LLP, Attys. for Ptlf., 261 Madison Avenue, 9th Fl. - Ste. 940-941, New York, NY 10016. File No. 20021-1397 - #102845 159117
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2005, GSAMP TRUST 2005-WMC1, Plaintiff, Against
DOMINIC VILLONI, ESQ., AS GUARDIAN AD LITEM AND MILITARY ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN A. FIORITO A/K/A JOHN FIORITO, et al Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 08/02/2023, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located
at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 4/27/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 148 Meister Boulevard, Freeport, New York 11520, and described as follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Section 0054 Block 00330-00 Lot 00015 and 00016.
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $464,006.92 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 005733/2015 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.
Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Dated: 3/5/2026 File Number: 560-4138 CA 159136
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff -against- ALAN RICHARTZ JR A/K/A ALAN RICHARTZ, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated December 11, 2025 and entered on December 15, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on April 27, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as and by Lots Numbered 109 and 110 and the westerly 1/2 of lot 108 on a certain map entitled, “Freeport Bay Estates, Section 3, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, N.Y., April 26, 1930, Cyril G. Marshall, Civil Engineer” and filed in
the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on May 19th, 1930 as Map No. 1038, Case No. 2859.
Section: 62 Block: 69 Lot: 201
Said premises known as 94E BEDELL ST., FREEPORT, NY 11520
Approximate amount of lien $538,320.81 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 611794/2023.
PAUL L. MELI, ESQ., Referee
David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 7777.273 {* FREEPORT LEADER*} 159022
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
Supreme Court County of Nassau Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, D/B/A Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust I, Plaintiff AGAINST Paul O. Lyseight, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 19, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 9 Brooks Avenue, Roosevelt, NY 11575. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 55, BLOCK: 315, LOT: 151. Approximate amount of judgment is $153,248.05 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 608839/2021. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate Reporting Rule.&nb sp; In such event, all
purchasers are required to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. Brian J. Davis, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-098734-F00 89099 159043
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, ONEWEST BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, vs. LILLIE EDWARDS A/K/A LILLIE R. EDWARDS, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 15, 2015, a Short Form Order Substitute Referee duly entered on June 28, 2023 and an Order for Extension of Time to Conduct Foreclosure Sale duly entered on December 31, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 123 Shonnard Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 223 and Lot 194. Approximate amount of judgment is $474,792.08 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #014486/2012. Heather D. Crosley, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 159311
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR MLM 13648 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. PANTHER ENTERPRISES INC., ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee and Judgment of
Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 18, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 6, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., premises known as 305 Roosevelt Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 62, Block 152 and Lot 5 & 6. Approximate amount of judgment is $859,190.66 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 614107/2023.
Peter L. Kramer, Esq., Referee 516-510-4020
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.:234193-1 159313
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, -againstHALEY M. CURRY, IF LIVING, AND IF SHE/HE BE DEAD, 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 February 11, 2025, wherein BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST is the Plaintiff and HALEY M. CURRY, IF LIVING, AND IF SHE/HE BE DEAD, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 5, 2026 at
2:00PM, premises known as 28 CONLON ROAD, ROOSEVELT, NY 11575; and the following tax map identification: 55-527-20. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT ROOSEVELT (UNINCORPORATED) AREA IN THE TOWN HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 604167/2021. Matin Emouna, 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. 159295
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU BANK OF NEW YORK
MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, -againstFELICIA BENN AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF MARGARET M. BENN, 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 July 10, 2025, wherein BANK OF NEW YORK
MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST is the Plaintiff and FELICIA BENN AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF MARGARET M. BENN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME
COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 4, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 189 EVANS AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 55-23-183. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 617968/2019. Steven Losquadro, 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. 159297
LEGAL NOTICE
ASSESSOR’S NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL THE ASSESSOR OF THE COUNTY OF NASSAU HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that he has completed the 2026/2027 final assessment roll, which will be used for the 2027 levy of Town and County Taxes in the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay, and the City of Glen Cove and the City of Long Beach, and for the 2026/2027 levy of school taxes in such Towns and in the City of Long Beach. A certified electronic copy of the roll was filed with the Department of Assessment on April 1, 2026. The electronic roll may be examined on public terminals located in the offices of:
DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENT NASSAU COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING 240 OLD COUNTRY ROAD, FOURTH FLOOR MINEOLA, NY 11501 where the same will remain open for public inspection for fifteen days.
Dated this 1st day of April 2026. JOSEHA A. ADAMO Assessor, Nassau County 159474
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff, vs. CARLOS MEMBRENO, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 26, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 12, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 166 Porterfield Place, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Freeport, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 88 and Lot 17. Approximate amount of judgment is $649,164.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 002455/2016.
Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 254205-1 159550
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, -againstANGEL RECINOS, 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 14, 2025, wherein PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and ANGEL RECINOS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE
New waterfront restaurant welcomed to Nautical Mile
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
Freeport residents and local leaders welcomed new restaurant, Di Edge Waterfront Bar and Kitchen, to the Nautical Mile on April 1 with a special ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony.
Kwesy Plunkett, 37, is the primary owner of Di Edge and has already started building ties to the Freeport community while living in nearby Baldwin Harbor. Plunkett said that he felt the time and restaurant location felt right for him to try his hand at managing a restaurant and small business.
Public Notices
at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 7, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 556 SOUTH BAYVIEW AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 54-325-36, 37, 38 and 39.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 608685/2019.
Scott H. Siller, 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. 159552
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
To place a notice here
call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. JACOB POST INC., et al, Defts. Index #609725/2024. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Feb. 27, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on May 14, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. premises k/a Section 62, Block 92, Lot(s) 328-330, 461. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. The foreclosure sale will be held “rain or shine.” GEORGIA PAPAZIS, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY 11021. #102902 159548
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE TRUST 2006-3, ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGEBACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-3, Plaintiffagainst - SANDRO COLLADO, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on August 22, 2025. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located
at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 12th day of May, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Premises known as 213 North Long Beach Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520.
(Section: 54, Block: 55, Lot: 3)
Approximate amount of lien $603,189.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 618335/2023. Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: March 20, 2026
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health
Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 159450
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
JPMORGAN CHASE
BANK, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST DIANA J. BARNES A/K/A DIANE CARTER A/K/A DIANA CARTER; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 7, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 11, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 39 Lessing Place, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 55 Block: 377 Lots: 1267, 1268, and 1269. Approximate amount of judgment $331,470.41 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #011584/2007. Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee Fein, Such & Crane, LLP 28 East Main Street Rochester, NY 14614 NSRNC625 89495 159462
“I was an electrician in the union, and I was just doing a lot of hours,” Plunkett explained. “I decided I wanted to invest in my own (time), putting that energy back in myself.”
Di Edge’s interior provides a blend of both a cozy interior and ample space for outdoor dining by the Nautical Mile water behind the restaurant. Plunkett expressed that he hopes to bring a unique experience to patrons through the restaurant’s atmosphere and American cuisine.
“Nobody has this view,” Plunkett said of Di Edge’s location on South Main Street. “I tried to bridge South Beach (Florida) or make you feel like you’re on a vacation. So that type of energy is casual, laid-back kind of atmosphere. Most places don’t have
that… so I’m just thinking outside of the box.”
Plunkett said not all the experience with starting a business has been breezy, with permits, inspections and other legal responsibilities having to be addressed. Financial matters like the fluctuating U.S. economy and affordability concerns also impact potential price points and sustainability for a new small business.
However, Di Edge has already received a lot of support from Freeport and Nassau County leaders that can help get the business started off right. Village of Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy, Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Feretti, Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé, Chamber of Commerce President Ben Jackson and Town of Hempstead Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby were amongst those in attendance for Di Edge’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Each leader provided Plunkett and his staff with special citations and words of encouragement.
“We want to welcome you to our chamber, and I want to wish you guys the best of luck,” said Jackson. “It looks like God is looking over you with the weather we’re having today, and I hope we have more of it.”
With the weather continuing to slowly warm up and a current staff of 15 workers, many of them from Freeport, Plunkett also hopes that Di Edge’s food, location and atmosphere become a staple for Long Island customers.
News brief
Four displaced by two-story house fire
At approximately 7:06 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, the Freeport Fire Department responded to a fire at a two-story private property on Suffolk Street near Miller Avenue in Freeport.
The fire was brought under control in approximately 30 minutes with about 50 firefighters on the scene. Assisting the Freeport Fire Department were firefighters from the Baldwin, Roosevelt, Hempstead and Merrick fire departments.
Freeport firefighters responded to a Suffolk Street fire that left one dealing with smoke inhalation complications.
One civilian suffered smoke inhalation and was transported by ambulance to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital. Four residents have been displaced due to the fire.
All firefighting operations were under the command of Chief Michael Gordon of the Freeport Fire Department.
The Village of Freeport Building Department was on the scene to assess
damage to the structure. Nassau County Fire Marshal Investigators and the Nassau County Police Department Arson/Bomb Squad Detectives were also on the scene working to determine the cause of the fire, according to Nicholas Corrado, deputy county fire coordinator from the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office.
— Andrew Francis Herald file
Andrew Francis/Herald photos
Owners and workers of the Di Edge Waterfront Bar and Kitchen were supported by family, legislators and local community leaders for their official ribbon-cutting and grand opening.
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Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!
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• To place an ad call 516-569-4000
Waiting For The Right Family
This is a standout listing in Woodmere’s Five Towns. Fully renovated legal mother-daughter (2-family classification 220.01), this originally 6-bedroom, 3-bath home is ideal for rental income or extended family living. This oversized 3,500 sq. ft. Hi-Ranch is in the award-winning Hewlett-Woodmere District 14. A stunning chef’s kitchen anchors the home, perfect for entertaining. Features include large bedrooms, walk-in closets, cast-iron baseboard heat, 8 ductless AC units, gas
How much extra money does a home cost these days?
Q. I saw a billboard and several TV commercials for something called “Let Them Build, NY,” and was wondering what you could tell me about it. The commercial said that there is an extra $82,000 spent on housing, per home, just due to government red tape. Is this true, and is anything being done about it?
A. There is plenty of finger-pointing in the construction industry, on top of the current cost increases due to tariffs, war and subsequent delivery costs due to higher fuel prices. But long before there were these current issues, government officials began, at every level, to either increase enforcement of existing regulations or to add regulations on top of what was already fairly complicated and burdensome.
Apartment
Many years ago I was very active in the American Institute of Architects, to the point of being vice president of the Long Island chapter. I left them when I realized that they did not want to have the backbone to challenge, as a professional group, the regulations that cause construction and building design to become out of reach for a large segment of our population. In the years following, I daily encountered the thousands of building owners who never even attempted to comply with building regulations, basically skirting the entire permit process altogether because of the added expense.
The first and foremost expense is caused by the delays in getting through the approval process. There are so many reasons for the slowdown that it will take several columns, at 500 words apiece, to get through the long list of problems. If you ask a government official, they will point to the design professionals who “just can’t seem to get the regulations right” in their drawing submissions. I have often listened as officials complained to me about inadequate drawings being submitted. In all fairness, it is a two-way street, because the communications from officials back to the architects and engineers is often incoherent or incomplete.
When a plans examiner uses phrases like “demonstrate compliance” or “incomplete submission,” they are contributing to the problem, not solving it. Instead of pointing to specific sections of code and explaining the very specific problem, they communicate in generalities that are useless and cause a lot of extra work and discussion among the people trying to move a project forward. The phrase “If you aren’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem” applies here.
I remember when a plans examiner would mark up and discuss specific drawings, and some even went the extra mile and pulled out their code books. In the era of computers, the internet and the “portal,” building officials often abbreviate and confuse both the professional and the customer by not pointing out that “the wording on Sheet 3 in the upper right-hand corner should state…” The lack of specifics creates lots of back-and-forth, delays and cost to the owner for the delays. Rent and taxes still need to be paid during the delays.
More to follow.
© 2026 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.
Ask The Architect Monte Leeper
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Did I ever tell you about my grad school?
Rosemary and I and our son Sean recently visited the University of Notre Dame. In many ways it was a homecoming.
Rosemary, her mother and her sister graduated from St. Mary’s College, adjacent to Notre Dame, in the days before it accepted female students. Her father and two brothers are Notre Dame grads. Our daughter Erin and I graduated from Notre Dame Law School, and Sean earned his MBA from Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business. Sean is now an affiliated scholar at the university’s Liu Institute for Asian Affairs, and regularly lectures on Asian geopolitics and economic policy at the institute and the Mendoza School. When I was growing up as an IrishCatholic kid in blue-collar Queens, Notre Dame embodied Irish-Catholic immigrant success in becoming a part of the American fabric and achieving the American dream. That success was exemplified by Notre Dame’s fabled football teams, which dominated college
football during that era. Of course, there was and is more to the university than football. Notre Dame was founded at a time of severe anti-Catholic bias in the country, led by hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Know Nothing movement. There also was anti-Catholic bias in academia well into the 20th century, which Arthur Schlesinger Sr. described as “the anti-Semitism of intellectuals.”
My wife and I visited a university you may have heard of to watch our son in action.
Notre Dame, though, went beyond being a defensive religious fortress to making Catholic thought a part of American life, along with full acceptance of other religions, with open debate and finding common ground encouraged. Striking that balance can be difficult, but it is still working. Religious freedom was on display on the campus last year, when pro-Hamas demonstrations did not devolve into the antisemitic violence that occurred at other universities, such as Columbia. Students were given prescribed locations and time periods for demonstrations, and those who ignored them were arrested. The result was intelligent debate without violence.
Rosemary and I visited this year to meet with some of Sean’s academic colleagues and watch him in action. We
ialso walked around the campus, taking in iconic sights like the Golden Dome and rekindling old memories. On our first morning, we met with Frank Pomarico and his wife, Eileen. A Queens native and a graduate of St. Francis Prep, Frank was the captain of Notre Dame’s 1973 national champion football team, coached by the legendary Ara Parseghian. Frank and Eileen live in South Bend, and are amazingly friendly and interesting. It was a great way to start the day.
Then we walked over to the law school to meet with Diane Desierto, a professor of international law and human rights, a native of the Philippines, a friend of Sean’s and a true scholar. Desierto updated me on the state of the law school (all good), her strong belief that law students should be exposed to all sides of issues and that legal education must include a moral component.
We had lunch with Josh Gobel, a good friend and a longtime member of the South Bend Police Department who now works in the Notre Dame P.D. in various key capacities, including protecting visiting dignitaries, such as Supreme Court Justice Amy Cony Barrett — who
attended the law school at the same time as Erin. Great conversation with Josh, as always.
After a visit to the campus bookstore, Rosemary and I joined Sean at the Morris Inn on campus for dinner with Michel Hockx, a Chinese scholar and a professor at the Liu Institute, where Sean had just finished teaching a class. Hockx, who is originally from the Netherlands, has been teaching at Notre Dame for 10 years, and has worked with Sean on various projects. After dinner, we all walked to the Mendoza School to watch Sean give a lecture to a group of students preparing to visit Japan.
He discussed the intricacies of Japanese political, cultural and economic development since the end of World War II, the country’s relationship with the United States and the threats it faces from China. My biased opinion? A thoughtful, virtuoso performance. (He must have gotten it from Rosemary, who was a teacher.)
The next day we flew back to New York. Rosemary and I went home to Seaford, and Sean to his apartment in Manhattan — all three of us with new Notre Dame memories to share. And yes, Notre Dame football is still great. Go, Irish!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Will there be a blue wave this fall?
Is this the year of the blue wave? Will it be a modified one or a total rout? Is there any chance of a red wave? Not likely. But, once again, we are facing a year in which the U.S. House of Representatives, and perhaps the Senate, are up for grabs, and the early odds favor the party that’s out of power.
We often refer to political prognosticating it as “reading the tea leaves.” But tea leaves are no longer the best way to pick winners and losers. There are now so many more sophisticated ways to handicap the races, some of which we have been used for years and others that are brand new. The media is dominated by daily polling announcements, and if you give the polls any credence, they spell bad news for President Trump and the candidates of his party.
Poll after poll, whether from the left or the right, seem to indicate that this may be a very bad year for Republicans.
You know that things look bad for them when Fox News consistently announces polls showing that everyday Republicans and independents are slowly moving away from long-favored party candidates. In addition, wellknown commentators such as Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson are predicting only bad things for the party come November.
i’ve seen many waves, red and blue, which are part of the ups and downs of politics.
The newest form of political projections is occurring on such outlets as Kalshi and Polymarket. On Kalshi, people trade contracts on the outcome of real-world events. They are deep into gambling on sports events, but lately have also been involved in betting on political events. Polymarket is built on a crypto platform. People bet on “yes” and “no” shares that reflect the feelings of the bettors and their inkling to pick winners. Both platforms have become highly controversial. Demands are being made for them to be regulated by Congress, but that won’t happen soon.
If you want to find more reliable trends, pay attention to what’s going on in Washington and around the country. This year, more than 30 Republican
members of the House have announced that they won’t seek re-election. Some are campaigning for Senate seats and others are running for governor, but the vast majority of the retirees have announced that they’re eager to spend more time with their families, the age-old excuse to get out of Washington.
At last count, there were 35 House seats up for reelection that were tilting toward the Democrats. If the blue wave is really going to happen, most of those seats will go to the Democrats. In 2025 the party won major races in Virginia, New Jersey and New York. This year, a number of Democrats have had upset wins in races for state House seats in districts that Trump won in 2024 by wide margins. If these victories are any indication of the national trend, it’s all bad news for the Republicans.
Up to a few months ago, there was little or no talk about Democrats having any chance to take over the U.S. Senate, but the latest polls seem to show a tightening of the races in Maine, North Carolina, Texas and Ohio. If Democrats can
pull off any upsets in these key states, Jon Ossoff can hold on to his seat in Georgia and a newcomer can win in Michigan, the party’s chances of capturing the Senate will improve remarkably. One of the more disturbing factors for Republicans is the fact that Trump hasn’t made any strong statements about his desire to see his party stay in power. He is promoting various ideas about how they can win at the ballot box, but any federal effort to take the power to oversee voting away from the states will likely be struck down as unconstitutional.
Having reached an advanced age, I’ve seen many waves, both red and blue. They sometimes last two years, and occasionally continue for four years. The swings back and forth between parties are part of the ups and downs of politics. So if it turns out that the Democrats have a great year, they’d better handle their newfound power very carefully, because two years can pass very quickly.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
opinions Washington must start solving problems
The American people are fed up. The chaos at our airports was awful, the Department of Homeland Security has not been fully funded during these very dangerous times, and the people are demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement live up to the standards of all other federal law enforcement agencies. They are sick and tired of the endless blame game. All across America, people are demanding that politicians put partisanship aside and work together to fix the very real problems we face. The anger and annoyance are real. And frankly, I agree.
That’s why I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to immediately reopen DHS while advancing common-sense reforms to ICE. Alongside my Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair, Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who served as an FBI agent for more than 15 years, I am trying to cut through the dysfunction, isolate the problem areas where negotiations have stalled and work together to actually get something done.
Our solution is common sense: fund the parts of the DHS where there are no disagreements, like disaster response and cybersecurity, and institute real reforms to ICE that most Americans have been hungering for. It only makes sense to hold ICE, a federal law-enforcement agency, to the same safety and accountability standards of every other bureau in the nation.
Calling us ‘Country Destroying, Radical Left Democrats’ doesn’t help.
That means body-camera and officer-identification requirements, higher training standards, a crackdown on roving patrols and limitations on agents wearing masks. The legislation would also lay out stronger warrant requirements and rules governing activity in sensitive locations to ensure that enforcement resources are focused on the “worst of the worst.”
It seems simple, but Congress has been in a political standoff that perfectly exemplifies what’s wrong with Washington. Let me explain.
The budget for the DHS is $97 billion. $87 billion of that funds everything from the TSA agents at our airports to Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster responses, cybersecurity units and the Coast Guard. The remaining $10 billion funds ICE.
Singing the low-down,
iam astonished to tell you that I just marked my 79th birthday.
No greetings and salutations, please. It’s a big number, and it weighs a ton. I’m standing on the threshold of lights-out and wondering how I got from then to now.
In 1949 I could walk under my parents’ dining room table. It was my special parlor trick. Then playground, school, dating, college, marriage, kids, grandkids and closing curtains.
I’m still short, but I can’t clear the tabletop. And that’s not all that has changed. Culture, politics, fashion, food and entertainment are often unrecognizable to me. Sometimes I feel estranged from “modern” life. As I write this out of my own brain, sharing my unadulterated, unimproved or revised thoughts, I’m being assaulted by prompts asking if I want “Copilot” to rework my sentences. I don’t know where Copilot came from and have no
Democrats have been saying for weeks that they will fund the $87 billion that doesn’t go to ICE right now. That would have ended the airport disaster, paid our TSA agents far earlier and kept the core functions of DHS operating. We would not vote to fund the other $10 billion for ICE, however, until there were real reforms.
While Republicans resisted at first, there was eventually enough consensus among both Democratic and Republican members of Congress to at least reopen the non-ICE agencies of DHS. But just as bipartisan negotiations in the Senate were making progress, President Trump intervened with a directive to his party: “No deals with the Democrats.”
To be precise, he outlawed deals with the “Crazy, Country Destroying, Radical Left Democrats.”
That’s outrageous. Once again, that’s politics getting in the way of progress. Finger-pointing has been all too prevalent.
I have built my career on finding common ground for the common good. It has always been my philosophy that I’ll work with anyone, regardless of political party, to get things done for my constituents. As co-chair of the biparti-
san Problem Solvers Caucus, I’ve worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to tackle the nation’s toughest issues. Just a few months ago we passed legislation out of the House that extended health care tax credits to prevent skyrocketing premiums for millions. Unfortunately, then as now, the president got in the way, changing the debate from bipartisan health care wins to Venezuela and Greenland before the Senate could close the deal.
I represent a district that voted for Trump and for me. My constituents aren’t interested in partisan talking points — they want results. They want safe airports, secure borders, a functioning government and a lower cost of living. And they want their elected officials to work together to deliver.
People are concerned that the Department of Homeland Security has not been in the game. They’re outraged about the illegal and immoral behavior of ICE. And they’re frustrated that politicians are too busy pointing fingers to solve our problems.
We don’t have to choose between security and accountability. We can do both. We don’t have to accept dysfunction in Washington. And we certainly don’t have to tolerate political games when real people are being affected.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
how-did-I-get-so-old
idea how to get rid of it. This isn’t a one-off experience. It’s daily combat with technology that threatens to drive me screaming from the house.
I’m barely exaggerating. Many friends are more adept with technology, but many more are less skilled. This is a constant challenge, whether I try to pay a bill or reach a doctor or, heaven forbid, get a copy of a document from the DMV.
Life is hard enough, what with approaching death and such. But add heaven knows how many streaming services when all you want to do is turn on the freaking TV for a half hour; it’s too much. With all the tools that are supposed to make life easier, it has undoubtedly become more complicated. And this isn’t just an oldster’s kvetch.
M y daily combat with technology threatens to drive me screaming from the house.
“Next time you can do better.” I want to be alone, and all day long I’m assailed by pings and rings and notifications ad nauseum. I talk to friends in real time and real space, and as I share my private thoughts with them, they’re talking to the watch on their wrist. This can’t be good for anyone. I know this sounds like every older generation’s observations of the young, but in this case, really, you know I’m right. No one just sits and talks to one another anymore without a prop, like a phone.
blues
We were inexperienced and naïve enough to feel wonder and delight in love and travel and having children. Now “parenting” seems like a burden to many young people, and indeed it is, with apps that track ovulation and breast milk availability. The technology hijacks the entire experience. You can’t do better as a parent by finding the exact time Baby will burp after feeding. What you can do is lose the joy of the moment.
Time was, I could go for a walk in peace and quiet, enjoying my own thoughts. Now I’m fully sucked into the need to do three things at once: walk, listen to a book while I read and answer messages, and have some app count my steps. I never signed on to this app, yet it has the nerve to tell me after a walk:
I think about my first encounters with boys when we were in grade school. We started and stumbled and learned to talk to one another, and then danced and then dated and made out in cars. Today I read story after story about how 20-somethings say that romance and dating are dead. Who killed it? Did we boomers somehow get the best of it? You know, right place, right time? The pace of life, the devices, the culture of increasing isolation are not working to make a better life for the grandkids.
From my vantage point, stepping into my 80th year, it’s been a pretty good life so far. These last years have brought some painful challenges, but the decades before provided a buffer of good memories and gratitude. We can’t travel right now, but it is said that real discovery isn’t looking for something new but seeing the same life with different eyes.
I believe with all my heart that for many of us boomers, the pandemic and its isolation, the separation from kids, grandkids and friends, robbed us of the years we might have eased into older age. And now we’re here. The best I can do is look at this moment, and it will be just a moment, with new eyes.
Copyright 2026 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
Local News Day now means more than ever
Somewhere on Long Island tonight, a village board will vote on a zoning variance, a school district will finalize a budget or a contractor will win a bid. None of it will lead the network news or trend on social media. But it will matter — to the family whose street gets rezoned, to the teachers whose contract is on the line, to the taxpayers footing the bill.
In most cases, a Herald reporter will be in that room. But in too many communities across the country — and increasingly in our own backyard — that reporter’s chair sits empty. And when no one is watching, things have a way of going sideways.
April 9 is Local News Day, a national moment to recognize what local news does, why it matters, and what we lose when it disappears.
Local news isn’t the shouting matches on cable or the partisan warfare that passes for national political coverage. Local news is the Rockville Centre St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Hewlett High School science fair. It’s the Nassau County budget hearing that will affect your property taxes for the next decade, the obituary that captures a neighbor’s life, and the investigation that stops a bad idea before it becomes law. At Richner Communications — publisher of the Long Island Herald — we’ve been doing this work since 1964. Sixty-two years, three generations, over 100 local employees, nearly 30 weekly newspapers.
The Founding Fathers understood the stakes. The free press is the only indus-
Your opinion Matters
try they considered important enough to protect by name in the Constitution. But we are failing that promise. Since 2004, one-third of all American newsrooms have closed. There are 43,000 fewer local reporters and editors working today than there were then. New York alone has lost nearly half its newspapers, and a quarter of the state’s counties now have one or no local news sources. Digital-only outlets have not filled the void.
Today, more than 2½ newspapers shutter in America each week. The consequences are documented and dire: Communities without local news see lower voter turnout, higher taxes and measurable increases in corruption, political polarization, and even toxic environmental emissions.
Wealth is no inoculation from this trend. The Scarsdale Inquirer was founded in 1901 and served one of the wealthiest communities in America for 123 years. It closed without warning in January 2024. The Westchester village — mirroring the demographics of many Long Island communities — still doesn’t have a newspaper over two years later.
Compounding this problem is the rise of artificial intelligence, which can now manufacture articles, quotes, and entire “news sites” that look authoritative and cost almost nothing to create. That means the news environment has only grown harder to navigate. Trusted news brands, with reporters who actually live and work in the communities they cover, are more important than ever. It’s the reason that we at the Herald use A.I. as a tool to support, not replace, the report-
ers you know and respect.
And yet the climate for news in America has rarely been more hostile than today. The United States now ranks 57th in the world in press freedom — labeled “problematic” by Reporters Without Borders, placing us alongside countries we’re accustomed to lecturing about democratic norms. Arrests of reporters and editors in America nearly tripled between 2023 and 2024. A national shield law for reporters has failed to pass Congress twice. Right now, the Pentagon is aggressively curtailing press access, a policy that flies in the face of a functioning democracy. The temperature in Washington sets a tone, and that tone travels — all the way to the reporters covering Long Island’s myriad municipal entities.
The Herald has always believed that local news is worth fighting for. It’s why we helped found the Empire State Local News Coalition, which won a first-of-itskind state tax credit for local newspapers. That legislation is already helping newspapers survive that might otherwise have gone dark, meaning that thousands of New Yorkers who might otherwise have lost their only trusted local news source still have one.
Every community gets the local news it deserves — which is to say, the local news it supports. If you want a paper that shows up, you have to show up for it. On Local News Day, make that decision. Subscribe. Advertise. Tell your neighbors. The Herald has been here for over a century. Whether we’re here for the next one is, in no small part, up to you.
opinions Navigating the state budget process
when I was elected, I accepted the responsibility of acting as a liaison between the constituency of Assembly District 21 and Albany, especially when it comes to how the state spends your money.
To be an effective legislator, it’s important to remain transparent about how these processes affect our communities, and to communicate the priorities of our district and Nassau County.
My goal has always been to address constituents’ needs through legislation, advocacy and the highly complex annual state budget process. It begins in January, when the governor releases the Executive Budget, a baseline spending plan that identifies all funding sources for the following year, starting a vigorous negotiation period.
Legislators discuss issues with a variety of state agency leaders, advocates and stakeholders in budget hearings that are necessary in order to gather information on how we can enhance the governor’s proposals. Afterward, the State Senate and Assembly respond by outlining resolutions, so-called “onehouse budgets.” Though not legislatively binding, they guide the governor, the Assembly speaker and the Senate
majority leader in their negotiations.
This year, some substantive issues continue to delay a final agreement, due to the considerable volume of policy involved. I welcome and share the correspondence I receive from constituents and the members of countless district and statewide organizations like local municipalities, law enforcement agencies, school districts, students, libraries, health care workers, labor unions and district attorneys.
rAbove all else, it’s clear that rising costs, often attributable to current events beyond the state’s jurisdiction that affect the entire country, are making it impossible for average middle-class families, young adults and senior citizens to thrive. Nevertheless, I work continuously with my colleagues to lighten people’s financial burden and deliver relief. Increased school funding, enhanced municipal aid and expanded funding for road maintenance help minimize local property taxes, while supporting our suburban quality of life.
dens on residents, while allowing time to phase in pragmatic and attainable environmental improvements.
Rising utility rates. Current events have resulted in rising gasoline prices and utility costs. I support proposals that will provide immediate relief and ensure that ratepayers see actual reductions in their utility expenses, instead of convoluted promises that don’t deliver.
ising costs are making it impossible for average middleclass families to thrive.
Addressing health care discrepancies and supporting aging populations. Access to quality, affordable health care is becoming less attainable for many in our communities, which results in increased costs for health insurance, hospital services, prescription medication and nursing facilities. I support increased aid to these health care providers.
impact state, municipal and school district budgets. Our public workforce is crucial, and our communities value our police, firefighters, teachers and other public servants.
Potential climate law revisions. When the ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act was enacted in 2019,we weren’t experiencing an affordability crisis coupled with supply-chain issues. The business sector maintains that these regulatory deadlines need to be re-examined to prioritize regional economic stability, while environmental advocates claim that any revision will increase energy costs and negatively impact the environment. Any changes to our climate laws must be both environmentally sound and fiscally responsible.
Here are the major issues in our budget negotiations:
School funding. I’m committed to ensuring that our schools receive equitable increases in foundation aid. Fully funding this aid enables schools to give students a robust education. It’s also necessary to halt the mandated transition to electric school buses on an unrealistic timeline to avoid additional tax bur-
Framework by Tim Baker
Reducing the escalating cost of auto insurance. Supporters of the governor’s auto insurance reforms have identified litigation abuse and fraudulent claims as key factors in skyrocketing rates. While I support measures that prosecute fraud, it is essential that seriously injured people are compensated.
Fixing Tier 6. There are many union households in A.D. 21 calling for equitable changes in public-employee pension programs. I agree with many proposals, but the cost for taxpayers must be considered, since these measures will
Modernizing the State Environmental Quality Review Act. It’s key to strike a balance between the need to increase the housing supply and provide jobs, resulting in economic vitality, and protecting the environment, promoting sustainable growth and ensuring that buildings don’t overload existing water infrastructure.
As we enter the final stage of this process, I’m fighting for a responsible budget that reflects the priorities of A.D. 21. Thank you to those who have shared your opinions with me, so that I can make sure your voice is heard in Albany.
Judy Griffin represents the 21st Assembly District.
