HERALD FREEPORT
Justin Haberman/Herald
Adopt-a-Cop initiative receives local support
By JUSTIN HABERMAN Herald Intern
As police departments around the country continue to search for ways to develop trust and connect with the younger generation, the Village of Freeport has found a solution with the Adopt-a-Cop program.
Throughout the year, the program allows police officers to directly engage with fourth grade students in their classrooms, allowing children to develop connections with officers, hopefully long before they ever need to dial 911. Each fourth grade classroom in the village is assigned one or more police officers through the initiative.
More than 400 students from all six elementary schools in the village gathered at the Freeport Recreation Center on June 10 to hear about the program as the Freeport Police Department showcased their different resources.
The exhibit featured the mounted unit with police CoNtiNued oN pAge 2
Gun safety event at Eisenhower Park post-shooting
By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
On Gun Violence Awareness Day earlier this month, a field of small orange heart signs surrounded a temporary statue in Eisenhower Park of a young girl hiding beneath a school desk, each heart representing one of the 130 lives lost to gun violence in the U.S. every day. Orange is the color of gun safety. More than 100 activists who gathered in the park on June 5 wore the color as they shared information with gun violence survivors and spoke about their personal experiences.
Janet Klein Goldstein, an advocate for gun violence victims, is a leading member of the New York chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. She invited local elected officials to the event to remind them of the life-ordeath stakes of legislation intended to enhance gun safety.
“We want them to hear the voices of survivors,” Goldstein said. “We want to honor the victims of gun violence, and that’s why we invite them here.”
Goldstein and her Moms Demand Action colleagues regularly take their advocacy on the road, heading to Albany to push for “common sense” legis-
lation, she said.
“We were in Albany three or four times these past seven months, and we advocated for two bills that the governor signed into law just recently,” Goldstein said. “A third one she signed into law [days] ago, and she’s signing the fourth into law as we speak.”
The bills include prohibitions against manufacturing firearms in New York state that are easily modified into rapidfire weapons, holding software companies that may operate in the state accountable for 3D printed weapons, and Francesco’s Law, which requires New Yorkers who own firearms to
lock up all weapons if a person under age 18 is in their home.
“I think it’s sad that we still have to do this,” Amanda Geist, of Merrick, said of the gathering. “The consequences of gun violence are very real and very evident. It really shouldn’t be a debate anymore … it is absolutely heartbreaking for families and for survivors, and I
admire the courage it takes to continue and to channel that into activism.”
Event organizer Stephanie Draine and George Graydon are the founders of Life After Loss Ability-Navigate-Depression-Recovery-Empowerment, or ANDRE, a nonprofit that focuses on helping gun violence
Village leaders, including Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy, Nassau County politicians and local first responders came together to support Freeport’s Adopt-a-Cop initiative.
stAY ConneCteD suBsCriBe toDAY
Freeport P.D. foster connections with kids
officers on horseback, the Emergency Services Unit, an ambulance, a tow truck, crane and different police vehicles, all of which the students were able to interact with.
The experience for the students goes beyond just exploring the different exhibits, officials said. The goal is to build trust, create understanding and show children that police officers are mentors, protectors and positive role models within the community.
Sgt. Corey Cooke of the Freeport Police Department emphasized the growth of the program over the years.
“It’s been going on for well over 25 years, and it’s grown significantly,” Cooke explained. “It originally started out with one school, and now it’s (at) every elementary school in the village.”
Cooke added that the program “forces a good relationship with the students and the police department. When these individuals grow up, they have a familiar face within the village, and they are not a stranger.”
Many local leaders in Freeport attended the June 10 event, including Mayor Robert Kennedy, who explained why Adopt-a-Cop remains a priority for the community.
“They get to meet the police officers at a young age,” he said. “It develops a great relationship between the younger generation and our police officers. You
have less problems. The students are very happy to be hanging out with the police, and the police are having a good time with our children.”
During the event, students were able to see and interact with many police resources, such as the patrol cars that the students were allowed to sit inside, and the mounted unit with the horses
While many teachers and students in the village experienced the different amenities and resources that the police department has to offer, Jenna Tucciarone, a Bayview Elementary School teacher, explained more about the impact that the program has on the students and community.
“I think it forms trust between the students and the police, and they get a better understanding of what the Freeport police do,” Tucciarone said. “They (the students) asked us before we came here, wondering what they were going to see. We explained to them that they don’t just patrol in a car. You would see a marine section, a horse, or a dog. It helps the students learn more about what they do and establish more trust.”
Another Bayview teacher, Marissa Keenan, also spoke about the importance of the event and program as a whole.
that the students were able to pet. The students also heard different officers speak about the purpose of each resource.
However, this year, some new additions were featured. “The drone is new technology we have, and this year the tow truck company wanted to showcase their abilities with the crane,” Assistant Chief of the Freeport Police Department Donnie Ethier said.
“The Adopt-a-Cop program has a positive impact on our students,” she said. “It gets them really a better understanding of what our police officers do in our community.”
Mayor Kennedy said he wanted the students to learn something even deeper than just what each police resource does. He expressed hope that the students would “develop that relationship with the police department, who are here to help these residents and the kids. We want to make that relationship better, so in the future they trust the police and want to be with the police.”
Village of freeport officials and police officers taught young students about the many ways first responders help keep order and protect their community. one such example was demonstrating how the police and fire departments utilize powerful cranes to assist with various rescues.
Courtesy Village of Freeport
Students from freeport were excited to learn about and see various police vehicles and equipment, including this nassau County police department helicopter.
Justin Haberman/Herald
Art Council hosts ‘Here and Now’ exhibit
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
The Freeport Memorial Library played host to a special art gallery showcase, where residents age 55 years and over of varying skill levels had their art on display for the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport’s Sixth Annual Here and Now Art Show.
We take talented artists of all levels, and we encourage you to dip your toe in the water and get into it.
L ARRy DRESNER
Executive director, Long Island Arts Council at Freeport
A special reception was held in the lobby of the Freeport Memorial Library on June 5, where interested library patrons and other locals came to see the art that was on display. A total of 28 pieces were featured in the art show. All paintings are available for purchase by contacting the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport.
The selected artists for the Here and Now Art Show were Nancy Aranda, David Berk, James, Boes, Patricia Boes, Mara Cohen, Lisa Drzewucki, Patrice Gianacca, Sheila Kaplan, Elaine Karton, Ann Libbey, Lynn Logan, Ralph Ottaiano, Nancy Schultz and Marie Vigliarolo. Participants were allowed to submit up to three paintings without a theme or size requirement. The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport board, led by Executive Director Larry Dresner, made a blind selection of pieces to be featured for this year’s exhibit.
Participants and other interested residents got to see the collection of art in the Freeport Memorial Library lobby.
Dresner said that this exhibit has a lot of local value, stating that the exhibit gives “the opportunity for people and artists who might not have an easy
way to display their work, to have their work shown.”
“We take talented artists of all levels, and we encourage you to dip your toe in the water and get into it,” Dresner added.
Courtyard concert brings summer comfort
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport and the Village of Freeport collaborated to organize a unique outdoor summer concert in the Village Hall courtyard. The event served as an opportunity to strengthen community bonds and appreciate a diverse selection of music and performers.
Concert attendees, some who planned on coming and others who decided to stop while walking or driving by the courtyard on North Grove Street on Sunday, June 14, were treated to three sets of New York and Long Island-based performers; indie rock artist Reevjar, jazz and funk band Musically Inclined and world folk ensemble Folkestra.
Lois Howes, a member of the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport, who helped organize the event, mentioned that the concert was intended to be both a tribute to the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. and an appreciation of the modern and talented local community.
“The (purpose of the) concert… is to bring together different types of music, representing the different kinds of people that live in this country, and should be working and doing things together,” Howes said.
The concert was entirely free, with attendees only asked to bring their own
chairs due to the courtyard having limited pre-existing seating. The live music was a welcomed accompaniment
to the warm weekend weather in Freeport, leading to dozens gradually filling up the inviting courtyard space.
L.I. Arts Council Concert Performers
Musically Inclined – Jazz and funk band using saxophones, a trombone, keyboard, drum set and steel drums.
Folkestra – World folk music group using various guitars and vocals.
Andrew Francis/Herald
Musically Inclined’s jazz performances were a highlight for guests at the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport’s summer concert.
Deliah Roberts/Herald photos Guitarist Reevjar performed solo during the summer concert.
Reevjar – Solo artist performing indie rock on electric guitar.
4 Butcher’s Cut Top Sirloins (5 oz.)
4 Air-Chilled Chicken Breasts (4 oz.)
Crime watCh
Shoplifting
On June 5, the Freeport Police Department received a report of an unknown individual entering a local business and removing its property without authority to do so.
On June 8, the Freeport Police Department arrested a subject who, after investigating a larceny from a local business, was found to have removed property from the location without authority to do so. The subject was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.
was allegedly operating the vehicle while intoxicated. The subject was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.
On June 7, another subject was stopped by members of the Freeport Police Department for a traffic violation. The subject was subsequently arrested after officers discovered that the subject was allegedly operating the vehicle while intoxicated. The subject was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.
property Damage
4 Boneless Pork Chops (6 oz.)
4 Kielbasa Sausages (3 oz.)
4 Individual Scalloped Potatoes (3.8 oz.)
4 Caramel Apple Tartlets (4 oz.)
1 Omaha Steaks Seasoning (3 oz.)
8 FREE Omaha Steaks Burgers (4 oz.) 81957ZSR separately $242.93 SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE $9999
On June 8, Sofia Argueta-Saenz, 58, of Roosevelt, was arrested for shoplifting at a Macy’s department store in East Garden City by Nassau County police officers. The incident and arrest occurred approximately at 10:40 a.m.
Driving intoxiCateD
On June 6, a report was taken by the Freeport Police Department for a tree that fell on a vehicle and caused damage.
founD property
On June 6, a subject was stopped by members of the Freeport Police Department for a traffic violation. The subject was subsequently arrested after officers discovered that the subject
On June 6, Freeport police officers secured a report for a wallet that was found containing a Florida driver’s license and debit cards. The wallet was secured by the Freeport Police Department for safekeeping.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
newS brief
Freeport F.D. subdue blaze at
The Freeport Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at a detached garage in Freeport at approximately 3:01 p.m. today on South Long Beach Avenue.
Under Fire Chief Christopher Burkart, and with assistance from the Merrick Fire Department, the fire was brought under control in about 15 minutes. No injuries were reported.
local garage
About 50 firefighters combined between both fire departments were at the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Nassau County Fire Marshal Fire Investigators and the Nassau County Police Department Arson and Bomb
A garage fire on South Long Beach Road prompted a response from 50 firefighters.
Squad according to the County’s Fire Marshal’s office.
(516) 622-7460
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–Andrew Francis
Andrew Francis/Herald
Activists discuss gun violence awareness
survivors through the recovery process. The couple lost their 26-year-old son, Andre, in 2014.
“We started this in 2020, trying to deal with the trauma of losing a child through gun violence,” Draine, a resident of Hempstead, said. “Not having that type of support back in 2014 motivated us to start an organization to support and advocate families who are impacted as we are and advocate, speak out against gun violence.”
WJanet Klein Goldstein Chapter leader,
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Draine and Graydon have spent the past six years supporting families through medical, legal and psychological challenges.
“We just didn’t want nobody to go through what we went through, as far as the court system goes, and not knowing where to turn,” Graydon said.
Long Beach activist James Hodge also spoke at the event. Lodge’s nephew was killed and other relatives have been injured in acts of violence, and he is committed to preventing further harm.
“I continue to advocate on behalf of policies that will help eradicate gun violence,” he said. “There’s plenty of preventative measures that we see go on in different places that work, and so I’ll continue speaking up and speaking out.”
Richard Paul, of Freeport, is the executive director of So Rich In Community, a local organization that partners with schools and offers support services and volunteer opportunities for at-risk youth. He also
100 people wore orange for gun
awareness day at an event on June 5 at
works with the Northwell Center for Gun Violence Prevention.
“Like many of us here, we are always looking forward to the day in which we can look for new jobs — the day in which our center can close down because
these hearts won’t be here anymore, and the violence in our communities will cease,” Paul said. “Sometimes it’s rough, and we feel like we’re not making an impact, but I want all of you to know that you are, and I’m honored to be here with you today.”
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
eisenhower park.
World Cup fervor spreads to Long Island
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
Kids ran around as only children can — free and without care — as adults milled around the artificial-turf field and the seats of Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on the Stony Brook University campus.
I really love the USA, and I really want to support the team
This was the first of a few World Cup watch parties staged by Empire State Development, which promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity across New York. Several thousand people came for the soccer last Friday. The first game shown on the stadium screens was Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, being played in Toronto, as the event began at 3 p.m. Guests had a choice of watching the first game, the second game or both.
z Terryville
At 7 p.m., after those teams played to a 1-1 draw, the second session got underway, and many had come to root for the Unites States Men’s National Team, playing their first game of the quadrennial global tournament, which this year is being hosting across North America, with many of the games in the U.S.
Joe Nola, a Holbrook resident, brought his son Everett, 9, a soccer fan who started playing a few years ago and took to the sport.
“[I’m here] basically for him,” Nola said of his son. “He started getting into soccer and the World Cup, and I started following it a lot more the last couple of years. He’s really excited and so am I, so we’ve been waiting to check out more soccer, and saw this and thought it would be a full opportunity to watch the USA game.”
A travel soccer team player, Everett was a bit shy, but his father said he has an affinity for the “beautiful game.”
“As a family, we’re trying to watch more and learn more about it, so this is, like, a really cool experience,” Nola said, adding of Everett. “He plays goalie. He loves the pressure, for some reason. He drives his mother crazy with the stress. He’s a big fan of [Matt] Freese [the American goalie] and a lot of the goalies that we see internationally.”
Antonella Cortez, 11, from Setauket, who also plays on a travel team, was there to cheer on Team USA.
“I’m here to watch the game,” she said matter-of-factly, adding that playing soccer is fun. Her favorite position? “Anything besides middle and goalie,” she said.
Before the featured match of Paraguay vs. USA, in Los Angeles, the band Third Eye Blind performed a roughly 30-minute set in a driving rainstorm that seemed to end just after they struck
Terryville, Liam Sobritch, of East Northport, and Connor Klinger, from Selden, all wearing USA jerseys, roleplayed interviewer and interviewee, so of course the natural thing was to interview them.
“I really love the USA,” Hernandez said, “and I really want to support the team. I hope they win the World Cup.” His analysis of the first half? “They played great. We need to space out a little more, but we could have this win.
“It was good,” Sobritch said. “We scored three, so maybe [we] space out a little more.”
“We need more spacing,” Klinger agreed, “but [we’re] amazing on the attacking.”
From an own goal by Paraguay in the opening minutes to a score by Gio Reyna in the match’s waning seconds, the U.S. team dominated in a 4-1 win. The next game for the Americans is Friday versus Australia.
Organizing events such as a World Cup Watch Party is not an easy feat.
“This is almost two years in the making,” Dan Gross, Empire State Development’s executive director for New York Special Events, said. “I drew up a plan. It really started with the governor. FIFA controls the tickets,” he added, referring to the World Cup’s governing body. “They control the ticket pricing. The need to make sure people have access.” Gross and colleagues drew up the plan to hold watch parties across the state. They developed a grant program so that all 10 state regions across New York could have watch parties as well.
“I am very proud to say we are the only state in the nation, from a states perspective, that is truly bringing the World Cup experience to all four corners of the state,” Gross said.
For information on future news related to the World Cup Watch Experience, go to ILOVENY.com/fifa-world-cup/ community-viewing-events.
their final chords.
At halftime, the kids resumed their playful running around, and adults
made their way back and forth to the LaValle Stadium concession stands. Young teens Logan Hernandez, from
Rock group Third Eye Blind performed a roughly 30-minute set before the U.S.-Paraguay game in Los Angeles.
Tim Baker/Herald photos
As the U.S. team scored three first-half goals against Paragua, fans got to cheer often at the Stony Brook World Cup Watch Party.
Elmont resident Al Amin was a particularly colorful supporter of the U.S. team.
things to know about pride month
Pride Month shines a spotlight on community and inclusion
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN and ANDREW FRANCIS
Every June, Pride Month brings communities together to celebrate LGBTQ+ identity, history and advocacy through parades, educational events, performances and community gatherings. In Freeport and across Long Island, the month also serves as an opportunity to promote visibility, inclusion and support for LGBTQ+ residents.
Looking back on Pride Month’s roots to Stonewall
The origins of Pride Month date back to the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City. In the early morning hours of June 28, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. At the time, raids targeting LGBTQ+ gathering places were common, but this encounter sparked resistance from patrons and neighborhood residents, leading to several days of protests in the surrounding streets. The demonstrations became a defining moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. In the months that followed, advocacy groups formed across the country, and on the first anniversary of Stonewall, activists organized the Christopher Street Liberation Day March in New York City, considered the nation’s first Pride march.
Pride Month highlights celebration, awareness and support
Although Pride Month is often associated with parades and celebrations, it also highlights the history of LGBTQ+ advocacy and the ongoing push for equality, visibility and acceptance. Advocacy efforts over the years have contributed to expanded legal protections, increased representation in media and public life, workplace protections and the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States in 2015. Pride Month also serves as a time to recognize the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals have faced and the continued efforts toward inclusion and equal treatment. For event participants, Pride Month is both a celebration of progress and an opportunity to strengthen understanding, connection and community support.
Freeport Pride continues expanding local events and outreach
Freeport Pride was founded by Joseph A. Smith and Jose Cuevas, with the support and collaboration of community leaders such as Sarah Davison-Duffy, Jasmine Pena, and Jules DelCarmen, whose commitment, energy, and belief in the mission have helped lay the foundation for what is becoming a meaningful new tradition for our community. They describe their shared aim to be creating “a welcoming harbor-front gathering that reflects Freeport’s distinctive character while contributing meaningfully to the broader network of Pride celebrations that bring communities together across the region.” The organization held its first Pride event of the summer on May 30 with its Harbor Social, and plans to announce more events in the coming weeks.
of the Freeport Herald
Driscoll seeks Gillen’s congressional seat
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
Jeanine C. Driscoll, the Town of Hempstead’s receiver of taxes, says her experience managing one of Nassau County’s most visible local offices has prepared her for a run for Congress, and she is seeking the Republican nomination in New York’s 4th District.
Driscoll, 59, a Republican and a longtime resident of Bellerose, will face Marvin Williams in next Tuesday’s primary. The winner will take on incumbent Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen in November.
Driscoll said she decided to enter the race after former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito lost to Gillen in 2024.
“I was called and I found out that they were interviewing candidates,” Driscoll said. “I’ve been in office for seven years. I’ve lived in Nassau County for about 25 years. I’ve been a volunteer, I was a village judge, and I’m a lawyer. I have the life experience to do this.”
She said the timing also aligned with her family life, noting that she and her husband are now at a stage where their youngest child is heading off to college.
A central focus of Driscoll’s campaign is tax policy, an issue she said has defined her public-service career. “I have always been focused on trying to alleviate the burden of taxpayers,” she said. “That’s been my number one priority since I’ve been in office.”
As receiver of taxes, Driscoll said, she has worked to expand access to property tax exemptions and educate homeowners about available relief programs. Her office has also implemented services such as drivethrough payment windows, satellite offices, online payment options and email reminder systems.
She said she also regularly hosts seminars on tax grievances and exemptions. “I don’t leave until every question is answered,” she said. “I’ve been in libraries
at 10 o’clock at night helping people understand their taxes.”
Driscoll said that direct contact with residents has shaped her understanding of public service more than any other experience. “No one deals with constituents
every day like I do,” she said of area tax officials. “People are in my office every single day, and I hear firsthand what they’re going through.”
In Congress, she added, lawmakers often lack dayto-day exposure to constituent concerns.
Driscoll also noted her background as an attorney for more than three decades and her prior service as an associate village justice. She has also been active in community organizations, including the Floral Park Memorial PTSA and the Junior Women’s Club of Bellerose.
Her policy priorities, she said, would center on reducing costs for families through tax relief measures, changes to federal deductions and reducing regulatory burdens on small businesses. Rising insurance costs, housing prices and taxes are all contributing to what Driscoll described as an affordability crisis on Long Island.
“You have people who grew up here, raised their families here and now they can’t afford to stay,” she said. “She supports efforts to increase take-home pay by eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and expanding the deduction for state and local taxes.
Asked why voters should choose her over Williams in the primary, Driscoll said that experience and familiarity with local taxpayers set her apart. “I know the residents, I know the taxpayers and I know how Nassau County works,” she said. “I’ve worked directly with people who are struggling, and I understand what they need.” She also emphasized her endorsement by the Nassau County Republican Committee.
As for what differentiates her from Gillen, Driscoll said the contrast comes down to tax policy and fiscal priorities, and that she looked forward to making her case directly to 4th District voters. “I’m all in,” she said. “I want to win this seat, and I believe I can.”
Williams is campaigning for GOP primary
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Marvin Suber Williams will face off against Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Jeanine C. Driscoll in the Republican primary in the 4th Congressional District next Tuesday. The winner will challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Laura Gillen in the November general election. Williams, 64, is a lifelong New Yorker and current Garden City resident who has spent 30 years in public service as an active-duty Air Force chaplain, senior pastor and senior executive at the federal level. He is focusing his campaign to represent Nassau County’s South Shore communities on lowering costs for Long Island families, restoring public safety, securing the country’s southern border, creating congressional term limits, supporting veterans and, he said, bringing accountability to Washington D.C.
“The core lesson is exactly the same in ministry as it is in the federal government: When a mission is failing, you do not keep sending the same people back with the same plan,” Williams said. “That is not just political partisanship — that is the voters of Long Island loudly telling Washington that they have not been heard.”
Williams said that hearing those loud cries, and his love for country and community, motivated him to run for the congressional seat and create “lasting change” for Long Islanders in the 4th District, economically and socially.
“I am not running because I need a new career,” he told the Herald. “I am running because I have the time, the executive experience and the absolute political
“In
independence to do this job for the right reasons.”
Williams listed affordability, public safety and immigration, honoring veterans, and term limits as
his “four critical priorities.” Additionally, he wants to reduce energy and transportation costs, especially for Long Island.
Despite having less political experience than Driscoll and Gillen, Williams maintains that experience is far from the most important quality of a political leader.
“In this race, political tenure is not the most important asset,” he said. “Proof of capability is. Traditional political experience simply means time spent occupying a seat in a government building. Proof means tangible, measurable results you can put a clear dollar amount on – and I have those numbers.”
Williams also points out that he already has experience serving at the federal level, leading the charge for Air Force Inspection System reform and spearheading operational adjustments that, he said, saved $30 million in overseas operations at the Naval Supply Systems Command.
He believes that his military experience also makes him a more qualified candidate for Congress. He credits the lessons he has learned about service and the time spent as a senior federal executive as more than adequate background to know how to represent Long Island residents.
“Long Islanders are carrying an immense amount of economic and social worry right now,” Williams said. “They need a representative who genuinely hears them, not a career politician who reads about them in a polling memo. … My service makes me uniquely qualified, because three decades of mission-driven, results-accountable executive work is the precise preparation required for a job that demands those qualities today.”
Courtesy Driscoll for Congress Jeanine Driscoll, the Town of Hempstead’s receiver of taxes, is the Republican and Conservative choice for Congress in the 4th District.
Courtesy Marvin Williams for Congress
this race, political tenure is not the most important issue,” Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Marvin Suber Williams said of the Republicans’ effort to unseat Gillen.
News briefs
Roosevelt gives Spirit Award to students
During one of the last Board of Education meeting in the Roosevelt Union Free School District, several students received the district’s renowned Rough Rider Spirit Award. The hardworking students were honored for their leadership and positive contributions to the Roosevelt school district and community.
These students displayed strong character, perseverance, and a commitment to making a difference in their schools. Members of the Board of Education, district administrators, faculty
and family members gathered together to celebrate the students for their accomplishments and dedication.
“Their leadership, determination and positive spirit truly reflect the values of the Roosevelt School District and what it means to be a Rough Rider,” Superintendent of Schools Shawn Wightman said. “We are incredibly proud of these students and the example they set for their peers each day.”
The district applauds the recipients’ contributions to the school community.
–Justin Haberman
H.S. students take part in first elections
Students from Roosevelt High School were recognized for participating in their first election by casting ballots in the school district Budget and Board of Education vote on May 19.
The school district organized a voter registration and awareness campaign in the weeks leading up to the vote. The campaign was designed to encourage newly eligible voters to take part in the democratic process. This initiative aimed to help students better understand how local school elections influence their education, school programs and overall learning experience, while also educating them on the voter registration process. By taking part in the election, students embraced an important opportunity for civic engagement and played a direct role in shaping decisions that impact the future of their school community.
Several Roosevelt High School students participated in their first election by casting ballots in the Budget and Board of Education vote on May 19.
community and the value of having their voices heard.”
“We are proud to see our students embracing the importance of civic engagement and taking part in shaping their future,” Superintendent of Schools Shawn Wightman said. “Their participation reflects a growing awareness of the role they can play in their
The district expressed its gratitude to all student voters and looks forward to continuing efforts that promote civic engagement, responsible participation and informed engagement among students in the years to come.
–Justin Haberman
Courtesy Roosevelt Union Free School District
Families and school faculty came to celebrate the students and their exemplary character.
Courtesy Roosevelt Union Free School District
What’s NEWs IN aND OUt OF thE CLassROOM
HERALD SCHOOLS
Roosevelt students perform Shrek the Musical
By showcasing the amazing talents, creativity and dedication of its students and staff, the Roosevelt Union Free School District recently impressed audiences with the outstanding production of Shrek the Musical.
From the hardworking crew behind the scenes who helped make the magic happen to the talented cast members who brought the respected characters to life on stage, the production was certainly a team effort. The students displayed incredible commitment throughout rehearsals and performances, while staff members provided useful support and guidance throughout the process.
“We are incredibly proud of everyone involved for delivering such a memorable performance and for representing the very best of our community,” said Superintendent of Schools Shawn Wightman. “The success of Shrek the Musical is a reflection of the passion, creativity, and teamwork that our students and staff bring to everything they do.”
The school district continues to celebrate and appreciate every student, staff member and community supporter who took part in making the production a huge success.
–Justin Haberman
Science and Engineering Fair students shine
Freeport High School students wowed the audience by displaying their research and scientific discoveries at Freeport Public School’s 21st annual Science and Engineering Fair.
The students, on April 23, presented innovative projects that explored topics ranging from soil remediation to forensic drug testing. Held at the high school gymnasium, students, educators and community members gathered for an eventful day of discoveries and collaboration.
The fair consisted of projects from a wide range of discoveries. All under the guidance and support of Dr. Katarzyna Sawicka, these disciplines included behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, medicine and health, microbiology, zoology and space science.
Freeport High School’s Director of Science for K-12 Keven Lowrie spoke about how this event enabled the students to show off their hard work.
“This event provides our students with opportunities to shine as innovators, critical thinkers, and problemsolvers, showcasing their creativity, perseverance and passion for discovery,” he said.
In total, 22 community organizations and businesses supported the event.
Along with that, more than 40 high school students participated, presenting their findings, methodologies and research to a panel of judges from Freeport Public Schools administrators and science educators, professors from Hofstra and Adelphi University and from local organizations and businesses.
”Their hard work and dedication are at the heart of this event, and we are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished,” Lowrie said. “We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors and judges, whose support and guidance help elevate and celebrate our students’ success.”
From Dodd Middle School, 24 students were also welcomed to the event.
The students were able to ask questions, engage with presenters, and explore projects firsthand, helping to establish early interest in scientific research.
The combined showcase of research and robotics displayed the district’s commitment to hands-on, inquiry-based learning, challenging students to think critically, analyze data, and solve complex problems.
–Justin Haberman
Photos courtesy Roosevelt Union Free School District
Dressed for the part, Roosevelt students passionately depicted the story of Shrek, an ogre who is the focus of a book and film series.
Courtesy Freeport Public Schools
Members of Freeport High School’s Robotics Club participated in the fair, demonstrating teamwork, problem-solving and engineering skills.
Audiences were wowed by the acting chops of Roosevelt students during Shrek the Musical.
ERASE Racism hosts forum on inequality
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
The Long Island-based advocacy group ERASE Racism held its 25th Anniversary Benefit event earlier this month, giving out awards for anti-racism and anti-discrimination work and awarding scholarships to students who embody the organization’s values.
Hundreds of guests crowded the Garden City Hotel on June 3 for a cocktail hour and to take part in ERASE Racism’s silent auction, where items ranging from artwork to lottery tickets were bid on for up to thousands of dollars. The funds will go to ERASE Racism advocacy initiatives for public education and housing equality.
Students Ria Bhatia, of Jericho High School; Edwin Montes Dubon, of Uniondale High; Zamari Paul, of Malverne High; and Janeiry Savinon, of New Hyde Park High, were each awarded $500 scholarships for winning a student essay contest. Malverne High student Matthew DaCosta was awarded the $1,500 John Wenzel Scholarship for his work with ERASE Racism.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and activist Monique Fitzgerald were honored with special awards for their advocacy against structural racism. HannahJones’s work on the 1619 Project, a New York Times Magazine and audio series
examining the beginnings of American slavery and its generational effects, was highlighted during the program.
Hannah-Jones and Elaine Gross, ERASE Racism’s founding president, had a “fireside chat,” discussing how racism continues to impact life for minorities, particularly Black communities, on Long Island and across the country.
“This is a hard time for civil rights organizations, because there is a very organized and powerful effort from the highest reaches of the government that basically is saying there is nothing
called structural racism,” Gross told the Herald before the event.
She identified an April settlement between the U.S. Justice Department and the Town of Oyster Bay over alleged housing discrimination as an example of structural racism on Long Island. In the case, which was settled in U.S. District Court, the town was found liable for “intentionally discriminating against Black individuals” by giving the children of current residents priority in purchasing housing units under its Next Generation housing program. This allegedly hindered the ability of Blacks and
other racial minorities to buy homes in predominantly white Oyster Bay.
Hannah-Jones pointed out that racism on Long Island often is not a conscious effort by residents, but rather the result of the region’s historically discriminatory structure.
“You as an individual white person don’t have to be racist at all to have your housing choices and the benefits of your housing choices shaped by a structure that you have nothing to do with creating,” she said.
Talking more about the 1619 Project and contemporary racism, Hannah-Jones contended that the sanitized way in which many schools and institutions deal with America’s racist history is counterproductive to the goal of erasing racism.
“The truth about America is deeply heartbreaking,” she said, “but I find the truth to be a liberating thing, because one can confront the truth that everything that is within the law is constructed. If you know that it’s constructed, then you know it can be deconstructed.”
Hannah-Jones acknowledged that she was not very optimistic about race relations and how discrimination is handled in the U.S., citing the current administration as a reason for such pessimism. But, she and Gross said they believe that as today’s young people advocate for social justice, they have the potential to unlock a better future for Long Island and beyond.
Courtesy ERASE Racism
Elaine Gross, founding president of ERASE Racism, left, hosted a “fireside chat” with Nikole Hannah-Jones on the continuing impact of racism on Long Island.
Giblyn continues ALS awareness tradition
On May 11, Leo F. Gilbyn Elementary School students and staff welcomed participants of ALS Ride for Life during the organization’s annual visit to the school. Giblyn has held this partnership for 14 years, which helps raise awareness, foster compassion and support individuals and families affected by ALS.
This annual visit from Ride for Life is one of the most meaningful traditions at Leo F. Giblyn.
Each fall, Ride for Life volunteers visit the school to speak with fourth-grade students about the organization and ALS. In the spring, students eagerly welcome the team during its annual ride, bringing the experience full circle while reinforcing the core values of perseverance and optimism that guide ALS Ride for Life’s mission.
Amy Lederer Principal, Leo F. Giblyn Elementary School
“This annual visit from Ride for Life is one of the most meaningful traditions at Leo F. Giblyn,” said Giblyn Principal Amy Lederer. “Our students not only learn about ALS and the importance of compassion and service, but they also build genuine connections with the Ride for Life participants. We are incredibly proud of the empathy, generosity and support our school community continues to show year after year.”
As part of the visit, students proudly presented Ride for Life participants with a donation raised through the school’s annual Coin and Dollar Drive. Thanks to the generosity of students, staff and families, more than $2,000 is raised each year, contributing to an impressive total of more than $20,000 over the
Christine Pendergast, far right, wife of ALS Ride for Life founder Chris Pendergastt, presents students with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of their support of Ride for Life and the ALS community.
course of the entire partnership.
Students participated in a schoolwide musical presentation led by music teacher Shannon Abramovitz, while the Giblyn Step Team delivered a special perfor-
mance. Fourth-grade students also showcased handmade banners in support of Ride for Life and those living with ALS.
–Andrew Francis
Courtesy Freeport Public Schools
STEPPING OUT
‘Celebrity Autobiography’ is back in the spotlight
By Iris Wiener
For more than three decades, Angelo Fraboni has built a career that spans Broadway stages, national tours, arts administration, and theatrical producing. Today, while serving as Artistic Director of the Madison Theatre, on the Molloy University campus, Fraboni continues to leave his mark on the professional theater world as a producer of Broadway’s “Celebrity Autobiography,” the comedic sensation currently delighting audiences once again after its original Drama Deskwinning run in 2008.
The show, created by Eugene Pack, takes passages from celebrity memoirs and transforms them into a live comedy event performed by well-known actors. For Fraboni, the appeal of the production has remained remarkably consistent since he first became involved. “Laughter,” he says when asked why the show continues to resonate.
“Everyone needs something to laugh at and just enjoy where you don’t have to think very hard. It’s easy laughter. We’re not making fun of people; we’re just reading this banal dialogue that people write in their autobiographies.”
That spirit of spontaneity has helped make “Celebrity Autobiography” a unique theatrical experience. Unlike most productions, the cast has little rehearsal time together before stepping onstage.
“The actors are cracking each other up as much as they’re cracking up the audience,” Fraboni says. “The greatest thing about the show is the rawness of it and these celebrities being human on stage with each other. It’s glorious.”
Fraboni has been involved with the production since its early years, serving as both producer and general manager before focusing exclusively on producing. He has helped bring the show to audiences across the United States and around the world, while continuing to oversee one of its most challenging components: casting. While the rotating cast has already featured the likes of Katie Couric, Rita Wilson, Keenan Thompson, and Tony Shalhoub, it also has an especially strong Long Island connection, featuring local entertainment icons such as Alan Zweibel, Susan Lucci, Ralph Macchio, and Ray Romano. Pack and co-producer
Douglas Denoff are also from the area.
While Fraboni’s current work places him at the center of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, his path to producing began far from New York. Raised in a mining town in northern Minnesota, he started ballet lessons at age six alongside his twin brother.
“I was really into sports,” he recalls. “My mom and dad said, ‘Why don’t you take ballet? It will help with your athleticism.’”
What began as an extracurricular activity soon became a career. After high school, Fraboni joined a ballet company and performed professionally for five years. A chance audition for “West Side Story” during an off-season changed everything. The opportunity introduced him to acclaimed choreographer and director Jerry Mitchell, who cast Fraboni in six of his first seven productions. The experience ultimately led to his Broadway debut in “Cats” and opened doors throughout the industry.
As a performer, Fraboni developed a habit that would later serve him well as a producer and artistic leader.
“I would listen and watch,” he says. “I wanted to hear what the directors and choreographers were saying. I was very tuned in to what was going on.”
Eventually, curiosity about the creative process led him offstage and into producing. The transition revealed a side of theater audiences rarely see.
“As a performer, you show up to the theater do your job, and get your paycheck,” he says. “As a producer, you’re working constantly for months and months, sometimes years. Your job is never done.”
That commitment to building opportunities for others became the foundation of his work at Molloy University. Fraboni’s connection to the institution dates back more than two decades, when he helped bring Broadway legend Carol Channing to campus for a gala performance. There, he met then-president Drew Bogner, who shared plans to build a theater. One decade later, Fraboni received a call encouraging him to apply for the artistic director position at the newly constructed Madison Theatre.
“It was still a shell,” he remembers. “I was instrumental in how they built the infrastructure.”
Over the next 15 years, Fraboni transformed the Rockville Centre venue into a regional performing arts center featuring Broadway-caliber productions, symphony performances, international artists, jazz concerts, and educational opportunities. He also played a key role in bringing the renowned CAP21 musical theater program to Molloy, creating new pathways for aspiring performers.
“The idea was to make it an arts center with a variety of art,” he says. “I wanted it to be a regional theatre and performing arts center, but also give the students the opportunity to grow and perform with professionals.”
Despite balancing productions at Molloy with responsibilities on “Celebrity Autobiography,” Fraboni says the rewards make the long hours worthwhile.
“The joys are the audiences laughing and enjoying what we do,” he says. “We create what we think will be the best thing possible for our audiences to see, and the payoff is when they enjoy it.”
Whether producing a Broadway comedy, mentoring students at Molloy, or developing new artistic opportunities on Long Island, Fraboni remains committed to the idea that theater is ultimately about people coming together.
“There’s nothing like going to the theater, laughing with people, and experiencing a journey,” he says. “Everybody is emotionally affected differently by a show. That’s inspiring to me.”
Visit celebrityautobiography.com for more information or to purchase tickets.
A familiar favorite returns to a legendary stage as Dion takes the spotlight for a concert honoring Westbury Music Fair’s 70th anniversary. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, whose history with the iconic venue spans decades, is returning to live performance after stepping back from regular touring in recent years. While he has been largely absent from the concert circuit, Dion has remained remarkably productive, releasing new music and books while continuing to earn acclaim for his blues recordings. In the past two years alone, he released The Rock and Roll Philosopher along with a companion book, further showcasing the creativity that has defined a career spanning more than six decades. His recent blues albums have topped the Billboard Blues chart, introducing his work to new audiences while reaffirming his place among America’s enduring musical voices. Best known for classic hits such as “Runaround Sue,” “The Wanderer,” and “Ruby Baby,” Dion continues to evolve as an artist well into his 80s.
Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com.
Tosh
Get ready for an evening of sharp observations and quick-fire punchlines that are Daniel Tosh’s signature irreverent style when he brings My First Farewell Tour to he Paramount stage. Acclaimed for his quick wit and deadpan delivery, he’s built a devoted following through both stand-up and television. After graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in marketing, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue comedy full-time. His career gained national attention following a standout appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2001, leading to appearances Comedy Central Presents, Premium Blend and The Tonight Show. Tosh became a household name as the creator and host of Tosh.0, the longrunning Comedy Central hit that paired viral internet videos with his trademark commentary and satirical take on pop culture.
Tuesday, June 23, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
Daniel
Courtesy Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade Scott Adsit and Rita Wilson are among the show’s rotating cast.
Courtesy Michaelah Reynolds
Angelo Fraboni is all smiles on opening night with his wife, Michelle Fraboni and his Molloy students Grace McNally, left, and Skylar Faith Ludwig.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
Jun
19
‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center hosts the “Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadow Cast,” during Pride weekend. Tickets are available online for $25; $30 at the door.
• Where: 195 Woodcleft Ave.
• Time: 8 p.m., also June 20
• Contact: sparkleonstage.org or (516) 240-1188
FIFA World Cup Watch
Party
Soccer fans are invited to Eisenhower Park for Soccer In The Park, a free public watch party for the FIFA World Cup match between the United States and Australia. The viewing will feature a live match broadcast, giveaways, family-friendly activities, concessions and more. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for outdoor viewing. Free parking is available, with Lots 6 and 6A closest to the venue. Free parking is available.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200 TheIslandFC.com
Westbury House Tour
For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now go beyond the door and discover “Secrets of the Service Wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Go along the corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: Noon-1 p.m., also, June 21-22, June 24-25
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Jun
22
Tunes with The Chiclettes Eisenhower Summer Concert Series welcomes The Chiclettes and Vinnie Medugno. Celebrate the remarkable women who reigned supreme on the charts! Gracie, Mikayla, and Jennie deliver an
Stavros Halkias
Stavros Halkias’s The Dreamboat Tour hits the Paramount stage. He delivers the sharp observations, self-deprecating humor and quick wit that have made him one of comedy’s fastest-rising stars. Originally from Baltimore and now based in New York City, Halkias recently wrote, produced and starred in the independent comedy Let’s Start a Cult. His latest standup special, Fat Rascal, is streaming on Netflix, following the success of his debut special, Live at the Lodge Room, which attracted millions of viewers online. Beyond the stage, Halkias hosts the hit podcast Stavvy’s World, which quickly climbed the comedy charts and built a devoted following. He also stars in the Netflix comedy series Tires and is set to appear in A24’s Tony, inspired by the life of Anthony Bourdain. Known for his candid storytelling and relatable humor, Halkias has built a loyal fan base through stand-up, podcasting and acting. He has also been featured in Steven Soderbergh’s sci-fi series Command Z. Outside of comedy, he made his runway debut at KidSuper’s Paris Fashion Week show in 2023, earning Vogue’s nod as “the plus-est of plus-size models.” His ultimate dream? Get just famous enough to buy his mother a nice home — then retire from show business to open a surf-and-turf restaurant in East Baltimore. Jul
exceptional blend of female vocal groups and artists, spanning from the early rock ‘n roll and Motown eras to disco, R&B, ‘80s/90s pop and more. The Chiclettes are set to energize you as they celebrate the female artists who have graced the music scene from past to present.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
Jun
23
Harmonize with Long Island Harmonizers
Love to sing? So do the Long Island Harmonizers. The chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is a chorus of more than 20 singers, now welcoming new members. The ensemble performs fourpart a cappella harmony in the barbershop style, entertaining audiences at libraries, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and local events. All are welcome to visit one of their weekly rehearsals. Come listen, meet the chorus, and — if you’d like — join in and sing. No musical experience is necessary, just a love of singing and a desire to
have fun making music together.
• Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 231 Jackson Ave, Syosset
• Time: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 521-4779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers.org
Jun
24
Jun
Freestyle meets Salsa Get in the groove at Eisenhower Park with Brenda K. Starr, Tito Puente JR., TKA/ K7, Joey Cruz, La Sonora 495 and Forever Freestyle Band.
27 Walking Wednesdays
Freeport Memorial Library welcomes all to participate in 45-minute walk with the pace set by the group. All fitness levels are welcome. The goal is to meet people and keep moving. The library will arrange off-site meet-ups to encourage visiting other parts of the beautiful village. If it rains, walk at the Freeport Recreation Center.
• Where: 144 W. Merrick Road
• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Contact: (516) 379-3274 or freeportlibrary.info
Jun
25
Brick Builders: Build Something Wild Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to spend an afternoon exploring, building and creating
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
together! Brick Builders invites children and their grownups to enjoy building a LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Tropical Toucan. The program begins at the beech tree and includes a guided walk through some of the featured exhibit Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects made with LEGO bricks. After the tour, head to the Barn at Orchard Hill to build a LEGO kit to take home For ages 5+. | $24 per child (includes admission, guided tour, and LEGO kit). $22 per adult (includes admission and guided tour), with member discount. Registration required.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Jun
26
Rockin’ with The Almost Brothers Band Rock on during the Eisenhower Summer Concert Series. Enjoy an Allman Brothers tribute with ABB and Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute with Sons of Skynyrd.v
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
Freedom Church
Freedomfest
Freedom Church hosts its Freedomfest under the stars on Freeport’s Nautical Mile. With entertainment by recording artist Anthony John, magic performances by Vinny the Crusader, powerful testimonies, and spiritual worship messages. Attendees are encouraged to invite their families and friends.
• Where: 211 Woodcleft Ave.
• Time: 7-9 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 360-7404
Point Lookout
Independence Day Fireworks/Concert
Hempstead Town celebrates our nation’s 250th Birthday with its annual Concert and Fireworks spectacular. Residents should anticipate travel delays — Loop Parkway and Lido Boulevard are typically closed in all directions by 9 p.m. and will remain closed until the conclusion of the Fireworks, around 10:30 p.m. There will be no vehicular access to enter or exit Point Lookout during this time. In the event of inclement weather, rain date is June 28.
• Where: Point Lookout Town Park, Point Lookout
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 292-5000 ext. 4304
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.
FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle
Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers
Take advantage of on-site health screenings
Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences
Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A
Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways
Snack station for all
*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees
All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK TRUST
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, Against BRUDGETTE FAULKNER, et al
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 03/27/2026, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 6/26/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 20 Craig Avenue, Freeport, NY 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, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 55 Block 390 Lot 145 and 146. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $477,413.45 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 001165/2016 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. Linda Agnew, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Dated: 4/15/2026 File Number: 14-309976 CA 160439
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
Supreme Court County of Nassau CMG Mortgage, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST Alma Bartolomei, Terrence Leon, if living and if any be dead, any and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienor, heirs, devisees,
distributees, or successors in interest of such of the above as may be dead, and their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residences are unknown to Plaintiff, et al, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 9, 2023, 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 June 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 163 Saint Marks Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. 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: 62, BLOCK: 031, LOT: 4. Approximate amount of judgment is $417,783.23 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 613913/2017. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate Reporting Rule. In such event, all purchasers are required to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Brian J. Davis, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-086374-F00 89788 160401
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 09/18/2019, 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 7/7/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 164 Colonial Avenue, Freeport, NY 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 55 Block 360 Lot 827 and 828. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $638,717.26 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 607238/2018
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.
Scott H Siller, Esq., Referee.
SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Dated: 4/22/2026 File Number: 34658 CA 160590
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
known as 80 Park 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, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 54 Block 87 Lot 111. Approximate amount of judgment $615,396.10 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 619828/2023. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: May 13, 2026 90150 160623
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, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee. For Sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.
MERIK AARON, Esq., Referee
Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160694
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF10 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST PUBLIC
visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Mark S. Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-004797 89905 160621
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee for Maroon Plains Trust Plaintiff, Against Wayne Pusey, Marcia Watt, Adelphi University, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Commissioner of Social Services of NYC, John Doe Defendant(s)
Deutsche Bank National Trust, Company, as Trustee for the holders of HSI Asset Securitization Corporation Trust 2007-HE1, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-HE1, Plaintiff AGAINST Burton Arthur a/k/a Burton S. Arthur; Suzette A. Arthur; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 24, 2026 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 15, 2026 at 2:30PM, premises
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, CITIBANK, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF THE NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2019-6, Plaintiff, vs. LENORA BONNER, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 15, 2026 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 July 13, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 32 MARYLAND 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: 54, Block: 460, Lot: 128. Approximate amount of judgment is $833,752.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 617825/2024.
ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY, MONISHA MAPP AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF CECELYA V. MORSBY A/K/A CECELYA MORSBY, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 7, 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 July 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 134 West End Avenue A/K/A 134 Westend Avenue, 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 54, Block 318, Lot 209. Approximate amount of judgment $660,826.36 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #009443/2014. For sale information, please
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE Avatar Nassau Retail Center LLC, Plaintiff vs. 175 Nassau Road Holding, Inc., et. al., Defendants (612130/2023) Pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered April 23, 2026, the undersigned referee will sell at auction on July 14, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York 11501, rain or shine, the premises at 175 Nassau Road, Roosevelt, New York 11575 (Section 55, Block 413, Lot 192), 163 Nassau Road, Roosevelt, New York 11575 (Section 55, Block 413, Lot 191) and the vacant land on Centennial Avenue, Roosevelt, New York 11575 (Section 55, Block 413, Lot 8). The approx. amt. of Plaintiff’s lien is $3,959,706.55 plus interest and costs. The premises will be sold in one parcel and subject to judgment and terms of sale.
Charles Casolaro, Esq. Law Offices of Tae H. Whang, LLC, Attys for Plaintiff, 185 Bridge Plaza N., Fort Lee, NJ 07024, (201) 461-0300 160279
LEGAL NOTICE
REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU LPP MORTGAGE, INC. F/K/A LPP MORTGAGE LTD., Plaintiff - against - GERARD Y. OLIVIER A/K/A GERARD OLIVIER, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on January 3, 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 22nd day of July, 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 134 North Long Beach Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520.
(Section: 55., Block: 384., Lot: 39) Approximate amount of lien $633,213.36 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 613787/2022. John Boklak, Esq., Referee. Stein, Wiener & Roth LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 315 Westbury, NY 11590 Tel. 516/742-1212
Dated: May 15, 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. 160741
Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 160822
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. NASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE ESTATE OF HARRISON JAMES THOMAS A/K/A JAMES H. THOMAS A/K/A DEAN H. THOMAS, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 20, 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 July 7, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 78 West Side Avenue a/k/a 78 Westside 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 0062, Block 00138-00 and Lots 00038 and 00042. Approximate amount of judgment is $419,138.60 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #611094/2018. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.:211166-1 160528
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: LAWSTOLIFE LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 03/29/2026. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 160 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, FREEPORT, NY 11520
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DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com
OUTSIDE
HomesHERALD
A new pool, and the fence around it
elcome to this beautifully maintained expanded Cape in the Salisbury section of Westbury in the East Meadow school district. Offering 4-5 bedrooms and a versatile floor plan, this home is perfectly suited for today's lifestyle. The updated kitchen flows seamlessly into the comfortable living spaces, including a spacious living room and formal dining room. A striking double-sided wood-burning fireplace adds warmth and character, creating an inviting atmosphere throughout the main living areas. The first floor offers exceptional flexibility, featuring a bedroom,
Q. I’m putting in a pool, and have to raise the property on the side closest to my property line by about 18 inches. I see that my permit shows I can’t go over 6 feet for the fence. What I want to do is build a wall along the property line using the concrete interlocking blocks that are made for this, and I remember from a previous column you wrote that the wall also needs a permit. Am I going to have problems getting the fence and wall approved, because the company that makes the blocks shows that they go right onto compacted gravel and not the concrete foundation you wrote about? Also, the fence will be 6 feet tall on my side, but at least 7 feet 6 inches on my neighbor’s side. Is that going to be a problem? I want to do this right away, so I can enjoy the pool this summer. Should I just do it and see what an inspector says, if anything?
A. You have given this a lot of thought. I will answer each question as well as possible. The reason for my doubt is that communities have differing opinions, and even inspectors have differing views. The real problem is that until, and sometimes even after, you get a final sign-off, anything that wasn’t documented on the plans is fair game for nullifying the approval, requiring refiling for a new permit.
The block wall can only go on a compacted gravel bed if the ground is stable — not in a flood plain or previously reclaimed land, such as in a neighborhood that was once marshland — and if the gravel bed reaches a 90 percent compaction level, according to manufacturers. This compaction is achieved only by using heavy equipment and extreme force, so if you plan to shovel it in and tamp it down, think twice. Fortunately, the wall movement will be hardly noticeable unless sections sag from the weight of the block and the horizontal shifting of the earth, which mainly occur with the help of water buildup and extremes like the weeks of below-freezing weather a few months ago that most people have already forgotten.
The fence height is another mixed bag of opinions. I’ve had to appear for clients at zoning hearings because of just such circumstances, where there was a problem achieving the 6-foot height and the uneven land dilemma. In other, similar circumstances, another inspector in the same jurisdiction said not to bother and passed the approval without the need to go through the hearing process. I believe that good fences make good neighbors, as Robert Frost wrote. The height issue should only come into play when a neighbor is harmed or potentially harmed by the height, such as if the fence blocks sunlight.
I can never recommend building something without approvals, as a licensed professional, but I am seeing more often that people hate the word “permit.” Good luck!
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the
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TERRORISM IN NONPROFIT facilities
oPinionS
Nassau must stop nickel-and-diming small businesses
Small businesses are the heartbeat of Nassau County. They are the dry-cleaner that remembers your name, the locksmith who answers when a family is locked out, the dog groomer trusted with a beloved pet, the fitness studio where neighbors become friends, and the home-service providers who keep our communities running.
So why is the county treating them like a revenue stream to be squeezed?
For too many entrepreneurs, opening or operating a small business here means dealing with local licensing fees that are far higher than what similar businesses pay in nearby counties. A legislative investigation revealed that Nassau County small businesses pay three to five times more for an annual license than comparable businesses in neighboring jurisdictions.
That’s not pro-business, or progrowth. It is a competitive disadvantage built into county law.
That’s why Democrats have introduced legislation to slash annual licens-
ing fees for many categories of small businesses. Those fees currently reach as high as $1,300 per business. That can mean the difference between buying new equipment, hiring another employee, paying a utility bill and simply making it through another month.
The goal of this proposal is simple: to bring Nassau County’s fees more in line with nearby counties and stop punishing local entrepreneurs for choosing to operate here.
TThe proposal comes at a time when Nassau’s small businesses need help the most. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Nassau is home to more than 200,000 small businesses. They make up more than 99 percent of all businesses in the county, and employ the majority of Nassau’s workforce.
card fees, utility bills, supply costs, labor challenges, and the everyday uncertainty that comes with trying to keep a storefront open. Every dollar matters. Every fee matters. Every avoidable cost matters.
hese businesses need relief from the county’s sky-high licensing fees.
In other words, this isn’t a side issue. This is Nassau County’s economy. When small businesses are healthy, our downtowns are stronger. More residents are employed. More families are supported. More dollars stay local. But when government keeps piling costs on already strained businesses, it weakens the very foundation of our communities.
Small businesses already face rising rents, higher insurance costs, credit
Cutting these fees wouldn’t solve every challenge facing small businesses, but it would provide meaningful relief. It would send a message that Nassau County wants to be a partner, not an obstacle. It would tell entrepreneurs: We want you here, we value you, and we aren’t going to punish you for investing in our communities.
This is especially important for firsttime business owners, women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses and familyrun startups.
When the New York Post asked about the bill last year, County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he would be “happy to cut the fees.” If that was true then, it should be even more true now, after another year of inflation due in large part to President Trump’s crippling tariffs and his war in Iran, which are leading directly to rising costs that have made it harder for small businesses to survive.
Small businesses should not have to wait another year while a good proposal collects dust. They should not be used as bargaining chips in a political back-andforth. And they should not be told that relief is welcome in theory while nothing is actually done to deliver it.
If the county executive supports cutting these fees, he should support allowing the legislation to come to a vote. If his administration has concerns about the budget impact, let us have that discussion in public, with real numbers, real alternatives and real accountability.
But doing nothing is not leadership. Silence is not a small-business policy. Support can’t just be something we say at ribbon cuttings. It has to show up in the laws we pass, the fees we charge and the choices we make when nobody is holding oversized scissors for a photo op.
Small-business owners don’t need more slogans. They need relief. Nassau should be competing to attract entrepreneurs, not pricing them out. We should be making it easier to launch a dream here, not harder.
The legislation is there. The need is clear. Even the county executive has said he likes the idea. Now it’s time to stop talking, stop stalling and bring this bill to a vote. Small businesses have waited long enough.
Debra Mulé represents Nassau County’s 6th Legislative District.
Surviving the end-of-year overwhelm as an L.I. parent
Sometime around May, something shifts for Long Island parents. One morning you glance at your phone and realize that between now and the last day of school, you’re expected to attend a spring fling, coordinate field day gear, buy a prom corsage, RSVP to three birthday parties, survive finals week alongside a teenager who sleeps until 2 p.m. — or a toddler who wakes up at 2 a.m. — label 14 pairs of camp socks with permanent marker, and, somewhere in there, actually exhale. As a mom of two and as someone who works alongside Long Island families every day, I want to say plainly: This is a lot. Joy stacked on top of more joy, on top of logistics, on top of a full-time job and dinner and everything else — that’s not a celebration. That’s a stress response in a party hat.
Parental stress doesn’t stay tucked inside. It moves through families. The short-tempered answer at dinner, the
argument over a permission slip, the exhaustion that makes it hard to be present for the moments you’ve been looking forward to — these are the quiet consequences of end-ofyear overwhelm. And yet we’ve normalized it to the point where parents feel guilty for being overwhelmed.
PThat’s why the EAC Network’s Long Island Parenting Institute exists. LIPI has been offering free and low-cost workshops and classes to parents across Nassau and Suffolk counties for years — practical, judgment-free spaces to build skills, find community, and be reminded that the village is still out there. You just sometimes need an invitation. Last year, LIPI served nearly 750 parents across the region.
arental stress doesn’t stay tucked
themselves with the same compassion they offer their loved ones — recognizing burnout is a signal to slow down and ask for support. Reaching out for support is a strength, and it also helps build the kind of connected village and supportive community that so many parents are longing for.”
inside.
It moves through families.
Its programming director, Kathryn Cannino, helps oversee programs on positive parenting, child development and strengthening family relationships. Asked about parents feeling stress this time of year, Cannino’s response was, “End-of-year stress is real, but parents don’t have to push through it alone, or perfectly. The families we work with often find that turning point is treating
So if you’re not the one managing the balancing act right now, look around. Someone near you probably is. Here are three simple ways to support parents in your community this season.
1. Be specific when you offer to help. “Let me know if you need anything” is easy to say, and almost impossible to act on. Instead, try, “I’m picking up dinner Friday — I’ll grab extra for you,” or “I can take the kids to Field Day.” Specific offers get accepted. Vague ones get politely declined by people who are too tired to ask.
2. Check in on the parent who seems like they’ve got it together. They don’t. At least not entirely. The parent who shows up at every event with snacks and a smile is often running on fumes by 9 p.m. Texting, “How are you actually doing?” can mean more than you know.
3. Say the quiet part out loud. We love our kids, and will do anything for them — but that doesn’t mean we have to do everything all the time, or that we have to do it silently and alone. When one parent names the overwhelm, others feel less alone in it. You don’t need to fix anything. Just being willing to say, “This time of year is genuinely hard” is a gift.
The LIPI team and community may be one of the best-kept secrets on Long Island, but the programs they offer are open to all. If you’re looking for your village, consider joining us for the sixweek Common Sense Parenting workshop series in July. Learn more and register at eac-network.org/li-parentinginstitute.
The end of the school year is supposed to feel celebratory — and it can, once we stop pretending the sprint to get there is effortless. So hang in there. Check on your people. Go to the concert. Cry a little at graduation. And when you’re ready to come up for air, we’ll be here.
Neela Mukherjee Lockel is president and chief executive officer of EAC Network and a Long Island mother of two.
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Incorporating the Freeport Leader in 2013
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eHerald editorial
Start exercising your electoral muscles
very election cycle brings a familiar refrain: “This is the most important election of our lifetime.” The phrase is often overused, but the underlying message remains true. Democracy only works when citizens participate, and that participation begins long before Election Day in November.
For New Yorkers, that opportunity starts with next Tuesday’s primary election, which determines which candidates represent each political party on the ballot in November’s general election.
Too often, primary elections are overlooked. Turnout is routinely far lower than in general elections, even though primaries frequently determine who will ultimately hold office.
In many districts, particularly those dominated by one political party, the primary is effectively the most competitive election voters will see. Yet thousands of eligible voters stay home, leaving crucial decisions in the hands of a small fraction of the electorate.
Voting is more than a civic duty; it is one of the few opportunities citizens have to directly influence the direction of their communities, states and nation. The issues debated during campaigns — taxes, public safety, education, transportation, housing affordability, health care, environmental policy and economic development — impact residents every day. Whether voters are satisfied with current leadership or eager for change, the ballot box remains the most powerful tool available to make their voices heard.
The 2026 election cycle will determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, institutions that shape federal policy on everything from spending and taxation to national security and judicial appointments. Midterm elections have historically served as a
letters
How to register to vote and find your polling place
Nassau County: Go to the Nassau County Board of Elections website: nassaucountyny.gov/Departments/BOE.
Suffolk County: Go to the Suffolk County Board of Elections website: suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/BOE.
referendum on the direction of the country, and they often produce significant shifts in political power.
Yet those outcomes are frequently decided by a relatively small number of voters. Nationally, turnout in midterm elections, like 2026, is typically lower than during presidential years. That means individual votes carry even greater weight.
New York voters face an unusual circumstance. Due to a court ruling involving the state’s congressional district maps, several elected officials who only recently won office must once again make their cases to voters. As a result, some communities will see campaigns and races return to the ballot much sooner than expected.
Rather than viewing this as election fatigue, we hope that voters see it as an opportunity. Democracy is strengthened when elected officials remain accountable to the people they represent. Frequent elections require candidates to engage with constituents, explain their records and articulate their plans for the future. Those elections also give voters a chance to evaluate whether promises made during previous campaigns have
Ben Franklin’s wise words? If only.
To the Editor:
Re Jerry Kremer’s column, “Much of what Ben Franklin said is being ignored,” in the June 4-10 issue: To use Franklin to compare the personal qualities of top officials then and now is very appropriate, for it points a way forward.
When Franklin connected the maintenance of the republic to the character of its members, he knew whereof he spoke. He was well studied in history, the qualities of his compatriots were well known to him, and he was fully experienced in the effort that went into the maintenance of “virtue.” His statements that “only a virtuous people are capable of freedom” and about the tendency of corruption to bring on “masters” were deadly serious advice about the kind of citizens necessary to “keep” the republic.
been fulfilled.
Congressional races often receive the most attention, but local and state elections — for Assembly members, village mayors, town council members, and more — can have an equally profound impact on daily life. Decisions made by state lawmakers influence school funding, transportation projects, environmental protections, public health initiatives and countless other issues that directly affect neighborhoods. The officials chosen this year will help shape policies and budgets that residents will live with for years to come.
Unfortunately, many Americans have become increasingly cynical about politics. Some believe their vote doesn’t matter. Others feel frustrated by partisan divisions or disappointed by the pace of change. Those feelings are understandable, but disengagement isn’t the answer. History repeatedly demonstrates that elections can be decided by razor-thin margins. A handful of votes can determine a local race. Every voter who participates increases the legitimacy of the democratic process and helps ensure that election results reflect the will of the broader community.
Next week’s primary should therefore be viewed as more than a procedural step on the path to November. It is the opening chapter of an election season that will help determine who represents us and what priorities those leaders pursue.
Voters should take the time now to learn about the candidates, understand the issues and confirm their registration status. They should familiarize themselves with polling locations, early voting opportunities and absentee ballot options if needed.
The road to November begins next Tuesday. The most important thing voters can do is show up and vote.
Go to liherld.com/subscribe
opinions
So we set off to meet the new Notre Dame coach . . .
i’ve told this story before, but friends say it always bears retelling. Four years ago this month, a group of us experienced in just a few hours some truly high moments followed by some comedic screwups that still make us shake our heads.
nassau County republican Party Chairman Joe Cairo, my law school roommate Tom Curtin and I are notre Dame graduates, and fanatical followers of Fighting Irish football. When we heard that then new football coach Marcus Freeman would be speaking at a notre Dame event at the Union league Club in Manhattan, we decided to attend and then go to dinner afterward.
Melissa Zimmerman, a retired nassau County Police Department detective who was on my security detail when I was in Congress and was still doing security work for me, coordinated the logistics for the evening. We took my car, picked up Cairo at his north Valley Stream home and made it to the city in
Letters
Franklin made for himself a chart of seven columns, one for each day of the week, and 13 rows listing the 13 virtues he considered important enough to track. He focused on one per week, and marked his shortfalls. “Tho’ I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of attaining,” he wrote, “but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavor, a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it.”
Most citizens — and very few politicians — would be hard-pressed to even name 13 virtues, confused today with ideology. We know that George Washington had his own written self-guide, and self-improvement was a popular theme at the time, in line with efforts at improving society by improving the people. Citizens today should make their own list of virtues, make an honest attempt to abide by them, and insist on representatives who share the effort. Franklin’s words should be remembered, as should his efforts to attain virtue and thus be a good citizen of our republic.
BrIan Kelly Rockville Centre
plenty of time. Zimmerman parked the car in a garage a few blocks from the Union league, and once there we met up with Curtin, who, as usual, knew someone who knew someone and got us into a pre-event gathering with just a small group of alumni and Freeman, who was friendly and generous with his time. Couldn’t have been a better moment for notre Dame guys.
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Following the larger reception downstairs, we went to Sam’s Place, a terrific Italian restaurant on east 39th Street, where we were joined by my son, Sean, another notre Dame graduate. The conversation was filled with reminiscing, and expressions of hope that Freeman would restore notre Dame football’s golden luster. afterward, as we were outside on the street posing for a group photo, Zimmerman couldn’t help congratulating herself on her logistical success. Sean said he would walk to his nearby apartment and said good night. There was a drizzle of rain, but the garage was a block away; nothing to worry about. Curtin, who lives in Jersey, was staying at the new york athletic Club, so we offered to drop him off.
nd what followed forced us to find our way home in the rain in a very sketchy Uber.
Despite a sign that said it would be open for a few more hours, the garage were locked tight. We rang the bell. no answer. It started raining harder. We were the only people on the street. The always prepared Curtin produced an umbrella and decided to walk to the nyaC. Zimmerman, seeing her brilliant planning coming undone, was on her phone trying to find an Uber to drive us to north Valley Stream. Minutes went by; no taxicab, no Uber. Cairo, one of the nation’s most powerful political leaders, was standing in the rain, looking down 39th Street. after several long minutes, a broken-down, filthy-looking, barely operable car pulled up. The driver held a cardboard sign with “Uber” scrawled in magic marker. Speaking with a thick foreign accent, he asked where we were going. north Valley Stream, Zimmerman told him.
“no problem,” he said. We warily got in the car — Zimmerman, the seasoned detective, in the front, and Cairo and I in the back. The driver seemed to have a hard time finding his way out of Manhattan as Zimmerman tried to guide him, and rain splashed against the
Framework by Tim Baker
windshield. eventually we made it to Cairo’s home, where he obligingly paid the driver and, adding insult to injury, at Zimmerman’s suggestion, gave the man a generous tip. He shook his head as he got out.
next, Zimmerman tracked down a friend to drive us to my home in Seaford, and then, because her car keys were in my car in the Manhattan parking garage, to drive her to her Bellmore home. Because my wife, rosemary, knew I’d be coming home late, she had decided to sleep in the back bedroom. When she got up in the morning and didn’t saw my car, she didn’t know whether to call the cops or the emergency room. Moments later, as I recounted the events of the previous evening, she shook her head with the look of a woman thinking, why did I ever marry this guy? Good question.
later that morning, Zimmerman took an lIrr train to Manhattan to retrieve my car and her keys and complain to the parking garage manager about his misleading closing-time sign. The saga of the notre Dame football coach and the locked garage was over, but none of us has ever forgotten it.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Diana Frohman with one of her dancing golden retrievers, 5-year-old George — Oceanside
