Freeport Herald 12-11-2025 by Richner Communications, Inc

Teachers, students, parents rally after staff transfers

By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com

Teachers, students and parents rallied outside the Freeport School District administration building last Friday over concerns that a sudden wave of staff transfers is punishing those who speak up about problems in the schools and leaving students without key support. More than 50 people took part.

The flash point was the reassignment of Patricia Langan, a social studies teacher at Freeport High School and the president of the Freeport Teachers Association. Langan told the Herald that she was pulled into an

office at the high school the afternoon before Thanksgiving “without any representation, with the superintendent and the assistant superintendent,” and handed a letter saying “that effective Dec. 1 I would be transferred to Dodd Middle School.

“So that violates our contract,” Langan added. “It’s union animus. It’s obviously anti-union-president, and it’s also just unethical. I was given absolutely not a day’s notice, nor were my students.”

The teachers union contract, she said, requires notice and specific conditions for involuntary transfers. “The contract says Continued on page 9

Holiday boat parade lights up the Mile

By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com

Dozens of decorated boats, a towering Christmas tree and hundreds of spectators brought holiday spirit to Freeport’s Nautical Mile during the village’s annual holiday boat parade and tree lighting on Saturday.

The evening began along Woodcleft Avenue at 6:30p.m. with the lighting of a 40-foot Christmas tree at the esplanade, followed by the illuminated boat parade along the Nautical Mile.

Twith coffee and chocolate and cookies and pretzels. We made sure Santa arrived with the fire truck. The fire department was involved.”

Comerford added that the planning effort included “all the different departments in the village,” singling out the Department of Public Works, electric department, and the police and fire departments.

hat’s what it really is all about, sharing this time with the children and the families.

Seasonal music, an ice-sculpting demonstration, free rides, and hot chocolate and warm pretzels added to the festive atmosphere.

RoBERT

KENNEDy Freeport mayor

Elizabeth Comerford, the village’s recreation supervisor, said the tree lighting drew a strong community turnout and relied on coordination across several different village departments.

“It was a great crowd,” Comerford said. “We got a couple of people to donate their time

She also credited village leadership for making the annual event a huge success, saying Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy “was very helpful.” In addition, the holiday festivities were extremely gratifying to organize, she said.

“It’s rewarding to see so many happy families,” Comerford said. “Just to get the community together in a positive event, show three, four, in such a positive light, with the beautiful Nautical Mile, the beautiful parade.”

Mayor Kennedy said the boat parade has continued to grow in size and popularity over the

Continued on page 10

Mohammad Rafiq/Herald

demonstrators showed solidarity with teachers union president patricia Langan and affirmed their commitment to their students.

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Holiday toy parade brings joy to children

By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com

More than 3,000 holiday gifts moved through Roosevelt, Freeport and Uniondale this past Saturday in just three hours as Nassau County police officers, volunteers and community partners fanned out across school campuses during the 9th Annual NCPD Foundation & Give Squared Holiday Toy Parade.

At stops across the Roosevelt School District, the annual parade marked a continuation of what Superintendent Shawn Wightman described as a longstanding and meaningful partnership.

“In a time when many in our community are burdened by the rising costs of groceries, utilities, and other essentials, this event represents far more than the distribution of toys,” Wightman stated in a email after the event. “It serves as a reminder that compassion, service, and community partnerships uplift us, especially during the holiday season.

“We are deeply grateful to the Nassau County Police Department, the NCPD Foundation, and all of the partners who make this possible,” he continued. “Their commitment ensures that thousands of children across Uniondale, Roosevelt, and Freeport experience joy, hope, and a sense of belonging.”

After Roosevelt, the parade continued on to Freeport High School as part of what Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder described as a fastmoving, carefully coordinated operation involving Toys for Hope, local school districts, police, fire departments, volunteers and residents.

“We meet up in Walnut Elementary School – we go to Roosevelt (middle school and high school), and then we go to Freeport (high school),” Ryder said. “So it’s bing, bing, bing.”

The schools were selected to reflect communities with the greatest need, focusing on underserved areas where support could make the strongest impact. Permission slips were distributed during the school day, though no child was turned away.

“We are sincerely grateful to the Nassau County Police Department and the Nassau County Police Department Foundation for their extraordinary generosity and partnership,” said Freeport’s Interim Superintendent of Schools Alice Kane. “The Ninth Annual Toy Parade, which provided more than 1,000 toys for our children in Freeport, brought immense joy to our families and created a truly uplifting moment. We were honored to participate in this event again at Freeport High School, where we witnessed the very best of what can be accomplished when we engage in meaningful collaboration to support of our children.”

The parade’s first stop earlier in the day was Walnut Street Elementary School in Uniondale, where families arrived in waves. Children weaved through clusters of police officers, volunteers, the Grinch — and Santa himself. There were no formal lines or checkpoints, just crowds forming natu-

Members of the NCPD, Walnut Street Elementary School staff and the Kiwanis Club of Uniondale United gathered together at the Toy of Hope parade which brought gifts and holiday cheer to hundreds of children in the community.

rally as toys were unloaded to the sound of music and laughter.

One of those children was 7-year-old Ehsaan Mohan, a Walnut student who said he was thrilled to receive a Fortnite water gun and planned to use it despite the cold weather. His Christmas wish list? “Three more regular Nerf guns,” he said confidently. His visit with Santa was brief — the “real” one would still come on Dec. 24, he explained.

Ehsaan’s mother, Shabana Alam, the Walnut Street Elementary School PTA president, called the parade a valuable tradition.

“It gets better every year,” she said. “And bigger — which makes it challenging, because we need more manpower. But my kids love it. I went to Walnut Elementary 38 years ago, and it’s a lot easier to enjoy school now.”

Uniondale School Superintendent

Monique Darrisaw-Akil said the event showed students a different side of law enforcement.

“Sometimes people have different ideas about the police,” she said. “To see them out here spreading cheer and building relationships with our community — it’s so important.”

Throughout the afternoon, officers danced, mimicked the Rockettes’ kick line, and posed for photos with children. Mounted police drew particular excitement.

Each child received a toy courtesy of Toys for Hope, an American Giving Project based in Huntington, which provides books, toys, clothing and other items to needy and homeless children, according to its website. Approximately 1,000 toys were distributed at each school.

Alexandra Nigolian, chief executive of the County Police Department Foun-

dation, said school districts are asked to identify families in need. As she watched the toys being handed out, she was already thinking about next year.

“Next year,” she said laughing, “will have to be bigger,” acknowledging how difficult it will be to top this year’s event.

For Ryder, the day was a reminder of why the parade matters.

“This is all about giving back. Look at these kids,” Ryder said, gesturing toward children proudly showing off their toys. “People are so messed up today in this world – this is what brings us humble and brings us back to reality.”

Behind the scenes, Uniondale Kiwanis partnered with the school to prepare for the event, with volunteers arriving as early as 8 a.m. to set up and serve hot chocolate and cookies.

Though the parade itself lasted only a few hours, Ryder said toy collection efforts begin almost immediately after Christmas.

“They collect the day after Christmas,” he said. “People come and drop off their toys for Toys for Tots, we usually work with the Martine Corps. (and hope) – plus tomorrow (Sunday) we’ll be packed with toys at the Coliseum, as people will just keep coming and dropping off boxes, and we’ll load them up and then give them back out. It’s about giving.”

Despite financial challenges, he said, Long Island families continue to find ways to help.

“It’s harder on people every day in life to give stuff up,” Ryder said. “But they always find time to go buy an extra gift.”

As police officers and firefighters waved goodbye from their trucks, sirens sounded gently and children shouted their thanks. By the end of the day, 3,000 toys had found new homes — in Roosevelt, Freeport and Uniondale — each one a small but meaningful connection.

Jenny Hernandez, Franciscro Latacela with Julian Latecela,4, dressed head to toe in Grinch gear — walk off with big smiles and a new toy, as the Grinch lurks behind, staying delightfully Grinchy.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

William Warren Wolfe

With heartfelt love and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of William Warren Wolfe, who left us on November 27, 2025, at the age of 81.

Born on August 9, 1944, William lived a life deﬁned by hard work, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to provide for his family. He was known for his tireless work ethic over the years, never shying away from hard work to support those he loved. His drive and determination were constants—pillars his family could rely on.

Together for 63 years, he shared his life with Joan Wolfe. Their marriage was real, imperfect, and uniquely theirs. Though not always easy, William loved in the only way he knew how— quietly, through small gestures, steady presence, and the life they built together.

William was the proud father of four daughters: Janine (James), Tracy (Matt), Jill (Travis), Beth (Jason). He was also the beloved Grandpa/Pop-pop to Jenna, Alina, Katherine, Emily, Kaitlyn, Kian, and Aidan, each of whom held a special place in his heart. William is predeceased by his mother (Evelyn), Father (Bernie) and two brothers (Howard and Hal).

William wore his toughness on the outside—but those who truly knew him understood the truth. Beneath the gruff exterior was a man with a big heart and a deep, quiet affection for his family. His humor, his consistency, and even his grumbles will be remembered with warmth.

William leaves behind a family who will forever carry his stories, his lessons, and his love.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. May he rest in peace, his legacy living on in all who knew and loved him.

Early on, we learned the estate planning phrase “There’s nothing so unequal as the equal treatment of unequals.” Who has children that are all the same?

Some children have received signiﬁcant help from parents during their lifetimes while others haven’t. Many parents choose the “forgiveness provision” to address this situation at death, to either “equalize” any gifts made to some children during lifetime with those who did not or, in the alternative, to “forgive” any loans made to children and then make a gift in like amount to each of the other children by inheritance, before the estate is divvied up in equal shares. Conversely, lifetime gifts may also be ignored.

Next up is the problem of children who are partially or wholly estranged. Many clients wish to leave them a token amount but there are pitfalls to consider. One who is left considerably less than their siblings will often be angry and upset. They may demand that their siblings disclose what they received and even to pony up an equal share. Not only that, but the burden of telling that estranged

child they are getting less and delivering the paltry amount is left to the children who you wish to favor!

In our view, it is sometimes better to leave an estranged child out altogether than to stir up all the issues surrounding an inheritance much smaller than equal.

There are many valid reasons, however, to treat children differently. Some may have alcohol or substance abuse issues, learning disabilities or special needs, they may be immature and irresponsible, poor at handling money or a “soft touch” and, ﬁnally, they may have a spouse that dominates them and you do not want to see that controlling spouse get your money.

Sometimes parents leave more to the “needy” child, the old adage being that “the tongue always turns to the aching tooth”. If so, other children’s feelings may need to addressed. A letter to be opened after your death, explaining what you did and why, may go a long way towards soothing hurt feelings and avoiding misunderstandings, what we term the “emotional legacy”.

Local children surrounded Santa at Sparkle’s winter party for elementary school students, also featuring a magician and appearances by Anna and Elsa from

Sparkle On Stage hosts winter party for local kids

Sparkle On Stage Cultural Arts Center hosted a winter party for elementary school students in grades 1–4 on Dec. 6, offering an afternoon of holiday-themed activities and entertainment for children in the community.

The event featured a magic show by Zach Alexander, a visit from Santa Claus, and special appearances by Anna and Elsa from A Novel Princess Party, who sang songs, played games, and led arts and crafts with the children.

Guests also enjoyed pizza and ice cream, wrote letters to Santa, and played holiday bingo as part of a full schedule of back-to-back activities.

Parents dropped off their children for the afternoon, giving families an opportunity to take part in the festivities while enjoying some time away.

“We hosted this event to give the children of the community a fun day and to give the parents the afternoon off,” said Robyn Workman, owner of Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center in a statement. “We picked the 6th so that it led into the Village Tree Lighting and Boat Parade which also was a wonderful community event! We are hoping that this will become an annual event.”

–Mohammad Rafiq

(516) 569-4643

■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com

Courtesy Robyn Workman

‘Frozen.’

Christmas Eve Package

$32999+ tax serves up to 10 people

CHOICE OF SEAFOOD STARTER

• seafood salad (2 lbs) -OR- • fried jumbo shrimp (2 lbs.)

CHOICE OF HOT STARTER SEAFOOD (1 HALF TRAY)

• baked clams • mussels with garlic wine sauce (can be made spicy) • mussels fra diavolo (can be made not spicy)

CHOICE OF SEAFOOD PASTA (1 HALF TRAY)

• penne with vodka sauce and shrimp • fusilli with mixed seafood sauce (shrimp, calamari, lobster, clams)

• bowie pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, spinach and shrimp

CHOICE OF SEAFOOD ENTREE (1 HALF TRAY)

• shrimp oreganata • stuffed flounder with mixed seafood • flounder francese

CHOICE OF VEGETABLE (1 HALF TRAY)

• haricot vert almondine (string beans) • broccoli cauliflower oreganata • roasted red potatoes

COOKIE TRAY AND 2 BREADS INCLUDED WITH PACKAGE

Christmas

Day

Dinner Package

$30999+ tax serves up to 10 people STARTER

• signature antipasto platter

CHOICE OF PASTA (1 HALF TRAY)

New Years Eve Packages

3 FOOT HERO $17999+ tax serves 10-12 people

CHOICE OF HERO

• Italian • American -OR-

• classic chicken (breaded or grilled) mozzarella and roasted peppers

CHOICE OF TWO HALF TRAYS

• hot wings • sweet wings • sausage and peppers

• baked ziti • stuffed shells • meatballs

• hot appetizer sampler • eggplant rollatini

6 FOOT HERO $34999+ tax serves 20-25 people

CHOICE OF HERO

• Italian • American -OR-

• classic chicken (breaded or grilled) mozzarella and roasted peppers

CHOICE OF FOUR HALF TRAYS OR TWO FULL TRAYS

• hot wings • sweet wings • sausage and peppers

• baked ziti • stuffed shells • meatballs

• hot appetizer sampler • eggplant rollatini

• meat or cheese lasagna • baked ziti with meat or cheese • rigatoni siciliana with eggplant and mozzarella

CHOICE OF ENTREE (1 HALF TRAY)

• herb crusted prime eye round roast sliced with potatoes and onions in au jus

• spiral glazed ham

• boneless pork loin stuffed with prosciutto, provolone, basil sliced with potatoes and onions

• chicken francese –OR- chicken marsala

CHOICE OF VEGETABLE (1 HALF TRAY)

• eggplant rollatini with fresh mozzarella and ricotta • roasted red potatoes

• haricot vert almondine (string beans) • broccoli and cauliflower oreganata

COOKIE TRAY AND 2 BREADS INCLUDED WITH PACKAGE

Hofstra showing championship potential

By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

The Hofstra men’s basketball team is showing early signs of a rebound season.

Coming off a disappointing 15-18 2024-25 campaign, Hofstra displayed its championship potential by winning three games in three days at the Cathedral Classic at the Palestra in Philadelphia Thanksgiving weekend against La Salle, Merrimack and Penn.

The Pride will need to accomplish a similar feat in early March at the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament to reach the NCAA Tournament and the Philly sweep showed fifth-year head coach Speedy Claxton his team may have the grit to cut down the nets.

“We know if we want to go to the NCAA Tournament we are going to have to win three games in three days,” said Claxton, who guided Hofstra to the NCAAs as a standout point guard in 2000. “This was good preparation work and now they know they are more than capable of doing that.”

The Pride made another statement a week later with an 80-73 win at ACC opponent Pittsburgh

Hofstra returned six players from last season in which the Pride dropped several close conference games to finish 6-12 in the CAA. It was picked to finish eighth in the 13-team CAA and are looking to prove the doubters wrong with a determined core led by junior guard Cruz Davis, a St. Johns transfer who averaged 14,4 points per game for the Pride last season.

“He is way more comfortable in the offense and what we expect on both ends of the floor,” said Claxton of Davis, who tallied a career high 36 points in the Pitt win.

Graduate student guard German Plotnikov adds a veteran presence in the lineup after averaging 6.1 points and 2.7 rebounds last season. The 6-foot-5 Belarus native is a threat from three-point range who connected on 40.2 percent of his shots from beyond the arc last year.

Silas Sunday, a returning 7-foot power forward, is making strides in the paint during his third season on the Hofstra roster and posted a career high 15 points to go along with seven rebounds in a 78-58 win against Merrimack in the second game of the Cathedral Classic in Philadelphia.

Freshman Preston Edmead has quickly emerged as an offensive threat and is second on the team in scoring through 10 games which included a 23-point performance in Hofstra’s 83-77 win at Bucknell on Nov. 14. The 6-1 local product

from Deer Park averaged 24 points during his senior season at The Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts.

“He is killing it and it is because he works so hard,” said Claxton of Edmead. “Typically, if you love basketball you are going to do well here at Hofstra and he is someone who loves it and is in the gym throughout the day working on his craft.”

Hofstra also added some inside strength with 6-10 forward/center Victory Onuetu, a standout in Spain who competed in the FIBA U20 European

Championship. Onuetu nearly tallied a double-double in an 81-73 loss at Iona on Nov. 7 with 13 points and nine rebounds.

Biggie Patterson, a 6-7 Iona transfer, adds another weapon in the paint who registered eight rebounds and tied a career high with three blocks in the Merrimack win.

Claxton pieced together a challenging non-conference schedule to prepare Hofstra for the rigors of conference play which includes a road tilt at Syracuse this Saturday at 4 p.m. airing on ACC Network. The Pride also tipped off the season with a closely contested 82-78 loss at Big 12 foe Central Florida.

“We always want to schedule tough,” Claxton said. “Playing hard games in non-conference prepares you well for conference play.”

Hofstra opens up the CAA schedule with a Dec. 29 home game against Campbell at 7 p.m. The Pride closes the regular season hosting Long Island rival Stony Brook on Feb. 28. and longtime conference rival Drexel on March 3.

Cruz Davis, right, averaged 14.4 points per game last season.

Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications Preston Edmead is off to an impressive freshman campaign.

Blakeman will run for N.Y. governor’s seat

By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com

In a video ad unveiled on his campaign website, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman officially announced his intention to run for governor of New York on Dec. 9.

Blakeman, 70, who was toying with the idea of a gubernatorial run since last year, solidified his ambition for the state’s top elected spot with a 12-point victory over County Legislator Seth Koslow last month.

However, the longtime elected official faces an uphill battle in his own party as upstate Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik’s poll numbers outshine Blakeman’s and the state GOP has said it didn’t want an intra-party battle and strongly backs Stefanik, 41.

Originally from Valley Stream, Blakeman has spent a good deal of his life in politics. His father, Robert, served in the Assembly and Blakeman’s brother Brad, served on the staff of President George W. Bush.

First elected to the Hempstead town board in 1993, two years later Blakeman was elected to serve in the County Legislature’s first class as that lawmaking body replace the Board of Supervisors. He also served as the Legislature’s first presiding officer.

Blakeman, who now lives in Atlantic Beach, was the commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 2001 to 2009, and was appointed to the Hempstead Town Board in 2015. He challenged then County Executive Laura Curran in 2021, and won, and captured another four-year term in November.

In 2014, Blakeman lost to Kathleen Rice to represent

the 4th Congressional District that covers a large swath of Nassau’s South Shore. Four years earlier, he ran unsuccessfully for mayor of New York City and U.S. Senate.

The past few years, Blakeman has strongly supported President Donald Trump and has allowed the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold detainees in a portion of the county’s Correctional Center in East Meadow — a first of its kind partnership in the U.S.

“The people of Nassau County want us to cooperate with ICE,” he said during his November victory speech at the Coral House in Baldwin. “They want to get the criminals out of our country.”

Blakeman advocated for the Las Vegas Sands proposed casino project at the Nassau Hub, which fell apart when the Sands dropped out in April. Previously, he told the Herald that alternative development plans are now progressing under a “Plan B” strategy.

His campaign ad highlighted his county executive win in a “Democratic county,” keeping his promises not to raise taxes and maintaining Nassau as “the safest county in America,” and as stated in the ad by the narrator, “locking up thugs.”

“Bruce’s failed statewide electoral record speaks for itself — he has lost every statewide primary and general election over the last three decades in smashing fashion,” Stefanik campaign spokeswoman Bernadette Breslin wrote in a statement. “And after a career of colluding with elected Democrats, Blakeman’s swan song is choosing to prop up Kathy Hochul.”

Tim Baker/Herald Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced his intention to run for governor of New York on Dec. 9.

A Festival of Light, Connection, and Hope HANUKKAH MESSAGE

As winter settles in and the nights grow longer, Jewish communities around the world prepare to celebrate Chanukah, the beloved Festival of Lights. Rooted in ancient history and illuminated by timeless meaning, Chanukah commemorates a miracle that has inspired generations.

More than 2,000 years ago, the small band of Jewish fighters known as the Maccabees rose up against a far stronger army to preserve their faith and heritage. According to tradition, when the Temple in Jerusalem was reclaimed, only a tiny amount of pure oil remained—enough for just one night. Yet the flame burned for eight days, a sign that God’s presence remained with the Jewish people, sustaining them through darkness and uncertainty.

son, many people celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa, both of which also honor themes of illumination, hope, and spiritual renewal. Across cultures, light serves as a universal reminder of resilience—of the human ability to kindle warmth even in the coldest, darkest months.

Chanukah is celebrated with joy, song, and the warm fragrance of traditional foods. Families gather to spin dreidels, exchange small gifts, and savor festive treats such as latkes, crisp potato pancakes served with applesauce or sour cream, and sufganiyot, jelly-filled doughnuts fried golden to recall the miracle of the oil.

Rabbi Stacy Sokol

This miracle of light continues to shape Jewish life today. Light itself is a powerful symbol in Judaism, representing longing for connection with the Divine. We usher in Shabbat each Friday night with glowing candles, and we mark its departure with the braided flame of Havdalah. On holidays and in moments of remembrance, such as lighting a yahrzeit candle for a loved one, light becomes a vessel of memory, comfort, and holiness.

The significance of light extends beyond Judaism. During the same sea-

Yet beyond the celebrations, Chanukah invites a more profound reflection: that even a small flame can dispel great darkness. Each candle we light adds more brightness to the world, reminding us that a single act of goodness, courage, or faith can spark something lasting.

During this season of festivals, lights, and community, Chanukah encourages us all to look toward hope, to cherish the fire of tradition, and to believe in the power of miracles—both ancient and yet to come.

Wishing everyone happy Holidays, peace, happiness and joy!

Rabbi Cantor Stacy Sokol has been the spiritual leader at Congregation B’nai Israel for over a decade.

NEwS briEf

Legislator, Rotary partner on coat drive

Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow is teaming up with the FreeportMerrick Rotary Club and local libraries across District 5 to host his office’s second annual winter coat drive.

Now through Sunday, Dec. 14, residents are encouraged to donate new or gently used winter coats and accessories, including gloves, hats, scarves, socks and throws. Donations can be dropped off during normal business hours at the Freeport Memorial Library, North Merrick Public Library, North Bellmore Public Library and the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club’s headquarters.

The annual drive aims to support residents in need during the colder months by collecting essential winter clothing at easily accessible community locations.

“Donating a new winter coat provides so much more than protection from the winter cold – it shows that you care about your neighbors and sends a message of hope for a brighter future,” Legislator Koslow said. “I’m proud to once again be working with the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club and the Freeport, North Merrick and North Bellmore Libraries to make a difference in our community, and I encourage everyone to give what they can in support of this effort.”

Residents seeking additional information about the coat drive can contact Legislator Koslow’s office at 516-571-6205 or by email at skoslow@nassaucountyny.gov

Protesters march despite retaliation fears

voluntary transfer has to be given 60 days’ notice, and there are stipulations for what can necessitate an involuntary transfer,” she said. “None of those things are true. In fact, they’re leaving my five classes with substitute teachers.”

After 32 years of teaching high school social studies, Langan reported to Dodd this week, where she shadowed seventh grade social studies teacher.

A district spokesman, Ron Edelson, said in a written statement that Langan’s reassignment was the result of a complaint and an independent investigation. “To ensure objectivity and remove bias,” Edelson said, “an external 3rd party investigator (with no background knowledge about the matter) was hired to conduct the investigation.” He added that the district had not publicly discussed details of the matter because “Ms. Langan has been asked on more than one occasion to sign a waiver granting the district permission to share that information with the public, and on each occasion she has declined.”

Administrators, Langan said, told her the move was tied to a harassment claim she described as unfounded, made by a member of the custodial staff, who alleged that Langan had asked school maintenance staff to submit too many work orders, and had entered unauthorized construction areas.

“They accused me of going into unauthorized construction sites, and I asked them for picture, for any video of that, because I certainly did not do that,” she said. “And they showed me a picture of my own classroom, and I had to inform them that was my classroom, not an unauthorized work site.”

Edelson, on behalf of the district, declined to discuss the details of the complaint, issuing a statement that read, “The district will not discuss the specific reasons or circumstances surrounding the reassignment of Ms. Langan to the middle school without Ms. Langan’s permission. If she does so, we would be happy to provide additional details.”

“I will not give the district permission to discuss,” Langan told the Herald, “as they have not been truthful about events in the district.”

Langan contends that the real reason

Mohammad Rafiq/Herald teachers, parents and community members march along the sidewalk outside the freeport School district administration building during a rally last friday afternoon calling for transparency and an end to what they view as retaliatory reassignments.

for the move is her outspokenness about district leadership, including at Board of Education meetings and during the board’s town hall on Nov. 17, at which she and others questioned administrative restructuring and a planned biometric sign-in system for staff.

“It’s happening because I’ve been vocal about the problems in the district,” she said. “I’ve been particularly vocal about the problems in the high school under the building principal, who has a personal vendetta against me, and I think this was … them appeasing her.”

The district rejected claims that the reassignment was retaliatory. “Those allegations are patently false,” Edelson said. “Her reassignment was a result of the independent investigation into the circumstances.”

Langan said the transfer is being read by staff as a warning. “Teachers feel like this has justified all of their fears,” she said. “They are very afraid of speaking up. Now they feel like there will always be a target on their back,

and yet they’re speaking up now — they feel like it’s gotten too far.”

Addressing claims that Langan’s students were left without instruction, the district stated, “Ms. Langan’s five classes are being taught by a single qualified teacher who will continue to teach those classes until such time as a full time permanent replacement is found.”

Edelson added, “Yes, the impact on students is always a consideration,” but the district determined “that it was prudent to take the steps taken (and) bring in a replacement teacher.”

Langan described a school where discipline and services are fraying. To her, the message behind her reassignment is clear. “It was to silence me, and I refused to be silenced.”

Parents at the rally echoed those concerns.

“Well, the reason for this rally is that we have to return the schools to our children,” said longtime Freeport resident and parent Howard Colton. “What we’re finding is that a handful — five

people — are utilizing this district for their own personal goals and needs and for whatever else they wish to do.”

Colton said he believed educators — and residents — face retaliation when they speak up. “Any time someone wants to talk, any time someone wants to speak up, if you’re a teacher, you’re reassigned — yeah, suspended,” he said. “If you are a resident like myself, they threaten you with lawsuits. They threaten me that they’re going to sue me for defamation, for speaking out.”

Colton, a founder of the district’s special education PTA, said he was especially alarmed about services for students with disabilities. “They have absolutely neglected the special-needs students in this district,” he said. “The district abandoned them. Completely abandoned them.”

Asked about special-education staffing, Edelson said, “Occasionally we have staffing issues, and when that occurs, we fill them as quickly as we can.”

At the high school, students organized their own form of protest on Friday, hanging papers decrying the situation.

“You can definitely tell there’s a bit of tension in the building,” junior Adriana Campbell said. “We printed out papers, stuck them up in the hallways. Nothing vulgar, nothing inappropriate, just statements saying that, like, we support our teachers, we want answers, and, like, to give our teachers the respect they deserve. And, you know, admin’s going around, they’re taking down the fliers.”

“We want to know why they’re moving teachers with such little notice,” Campbell added. “They move (Langan) out, and now they don’t have somebody to teach her Regents level class, and these students take a Regents in January. Yeah, so they’re not prepared for it.”

“Personally, the class of 2027 needs her the most,” Junior Jenna Newton said. “Junior year is one of our most important years in high school.”

Teachers from across the district joined the rally. Special education teacher Chris Dressler said, “We’re living in an era where people are afraid of speaking out because of fear of retaliation against us. The fear of retaliation is absolutely real.”

Santa Claus distributes toys to children

years.

“I’d estimate we had more than 50 boats in the parade,” Kennedy said. “It just gets bigger and bigger every year.”

He estimated attendance at around 500 spectators near the esplanade alone.

“That was just in the area near the esplanade,” Kennedy said in a statement. “There were people lined up along the canal.”

Kennedy said several additional features this year helped elevate the experience.

“This year, we added free rides and hot chocolate and warm pretzels, which I saw a lot of people enjoying,” he said. “The weather was nice. Everything just fell into place to make this another beautiful event on the Nautical Mile.”

The event also featured Santa Claus distributing toys to children, with assistance from Toys for Tots and the Freeport Police Department.

“As the boating capital of the Northeast, it just makes sense that we’d have one of the largest boat parades on Long Island,” Kennedy said. “You could see on all the children’s faces how happy they were. That’s what it really is all about, sharing this time with the children and the families.”

Ken Dookram, president of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the tree lighting and community partnerships that helped make the night a success.

“It was a great night, and the Christmas tree lighting was really special,” Dookram said. “That was a massive 40-foot tree.”

Dookram thanked Comerford for organizing the event, while noting a new holiday tradition.

“This was the first year that Santa

a holiday-decorated boat featuring inflatable figures passes through the canal during the boat parade.

gave out toys, and it was a nice way to go into the holiday season with children with smiling faces,” he said.

He also thanked community partners who supported the chamber’s hot chocolate booth.

“I also would like to give a special thanks to the Woodward School, Sparkle on Stage and Long Island Water Taxi for their help with the chamber’s hot chocolate booth, which I think everyone appreciated by the end of the evening,” Dookram said.

As boats adorned with lights paraded down the waterway and families gathered along the Nautical Mile, the annual celebration once again brought Freeport together to kick off the holiday season.

family and friends gather aboard alexa Laudman’s decorated boat from Bellmore during the boat parade on the nautical mile.

Santa Claus poses with david arevalo, 6, of Baldwin, during the boat parade festivities in freeport.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

a sailboat outlined in colorful lights makes its way along the nautical mile.

Man is sentenced for 2023 Mile shooting

By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com

A Hempstead man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for a 2023 shooting outside a bar on Freeport’s Nautical Mile that left two people seriously injured, including a 23-year-old security guard who was paralyzed from the neck down.

Tiray Clemmons, 34, is meant to follow his 30 year sentence with five years of post-release supervision.

A Nassau County jury convicted him on Sept. 16 of this year of two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault, criminal use of a firearm, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

“Tiray Clemmons was angry that he was kicked out of a bar, and he turned to wanton violence,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “He could have gone home to lick his wounds but instead he picked up a gun and started shooting.

“Firing into the crowded bar,” the district attorney added, “this defendant targeted the security guard who kept him out, striking the young man in the spine and paralyzing him from the neck down.”

“Clemmons was denied re-entry into a bar,” she said. “And because of his malice and brutality, an innocent man is now cruelly denied the chance to ever hold his three-year-old daughter again.”

According to prosecutors, on July 15, 2023, Clemmons argued with a manager at Agua on the Mile and was not allowed back inside.

A short time later, around 10:12 p.m., he returned in a black sedan, stepped out, and opened fire.

He fired six shots from a .357 handgun, striking the security guard in the back and hitting another customer with two bullets.

The security guard suffered a severe spinal cord

injury and underwent emergency surgery at South Nassau Hospital.

He was left permanently paralyzed and will “never walk or regain full use of his arms again,” according to the DA’s office.

The second victim was shot in the neck and scrotum and also required surgery.

Prosecutors said Clemmons left the scene after the shooting and threw the handgun into the canal behind the bar. The weapon was recovered four days later by a Nassau County dive team.

Clemmons was taken into custody the same night by investigators from the Nassau County District Attorney’s office and local law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by Unit Chief Paula Cajdler of the Firearm Suppression and Intelligence Unit in the Narcotics, Firearms and Gangs Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Nicholas Mauro and Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Investigations Division Rick Whelan.

Clemmons was represented by attorney Randy Zelin.

Herald file photo

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announces the 30-year prison sentence for Tiray Clemmons in the 2023 Nautical Mile shooting case.

Long Island’s Top Chiefs honored for leadership

By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

Across Long Island, the business community often runs on the daily work of executives who set direction, solve problems and keep their organizations moving forward.

That work took center stage at the Heritage Club at Bethpage, where the 2025 Top Chief Officers of Long Island were celebrated for shaping the island’s economic and civic landscape on Nov. 19, which included President & CEO of Lessing’s Hospitality Group, Michael Lessing, who also owns the Heritage Club.

Hosted by the Herald and produced by RichnerLive, the event honored chief officers whose leadership, innovation and dedication have marked them as standouts in their industry. This year’s keynote speaker, Isao “Sammy” Kobayashi, president and CEO of Canon U.S.A., was presented with the Innovator of the Year award.

“These CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CMOs, CROs, regional presidents and more are creating the opportunities that strengthen our communities,” said Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications & Publisher of the Herald Community Media. “They are what help make Long Island one of the most important engines of our nation.”

A portion of the evening’s proceeds supported Dream68, a foundation created by former NFL player Gary Brown, which provides assistance to underserved youth and their families across Long Island.

Kristin Thorne, a five-time Emmy Award-winning investigative host and reporter, emceed the program.

Kirthi Mani, chief people officer at CLA was recognized for leadership in accounting. She serves on the firm’s board of directors, overseeing learning initiatives.

“I know there’s a lot of fear around AI, but I want to emphasize hope in the next year for the future,” Mani said.

Sheila Kurman, chief human resources officer at Prager Metis CPAs, was also honored in the accounting category. With more than 20 years in human resources, she leads the firm’s HR strategy.

“It has been wonderful, truly wonderful, to celebrate with all the other award winners who are proud to join me tonight,” Kurman said.

For leadership in engineering, Mohammed H. Malik, chief operating officer of M&J Engineering, D.P.C., was honored. Malik leads strategic direction and client engagement at the firm.

“To even reach this moment in my personal life, there’s a lot of people behind me, especially my family,” he said.

In the finance category, SBA director at BankUnited, Michael Marrero, was honored. He oversees SBA lending and plans to expand the bank’s SBA presence next year.

“We’re really piggybacking off that

successful commercial presence we have here,” Marrero said, “and bringing more of the retail banking and SBA lending to the community.”

LifeVac LLC, president Laura Bonelli received the award for innovation in health care. The company, founded in 2014, produces a noninvasive airway-cleaning device credited with saving 5,000 lives worldwide in 31 countries.

“I’m so honored and grateful to be here tonight and to be able to bring attention to what we do,” Bonelli said.

Frank Palma, General Manager & Chief Engagement Officer of Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, LLC, was recognized for excellence in manufacturing and distribution. With 27 years at Coca-Cola, Palma oversees operations across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“When I look around the room and see so many people who are successful at giving back to the community, it’s all worth it,” he said.

Katherine Fritz, newly appointed president and CEO of Long Island Cares, was honored for her work in nonprofit.

“Advocacy regarding food insecurity is going to be something really big for Long Island Cares in 2026,” Fritz said.

Tammy Severino, president and CEO of Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, was also honored. A former troop leader, Severino brings decades of leadership in nonprofit strategy and development.

“With a lot of the environmental uncertainty that is around, we are put -

ting programs together to help girls feel confident,” she said.

In the realm of technology, CEO of Naka Technologies, Anil Jagtiani, was recognized. Naka launched in 2017, growing from a local operation into a North American IT solutions provider.

“It’s the greatest thing just seeing a whole community come together,” Jagtiani said.

Ronald Fatoullah, Esq., CELA,

chair of the Elder Law Practice Group and partner in the Trusts and Estates Practice Group at Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP, was honored for legal leadership.

“I want to make sure that seniors can protect all of their assets and lead a really good life in the future,” Fatoullah said.

To view all Honorees and pictures, please visit www.richnerlive.com.

Photo credit: Tim Baker and Holden Leeds/Herald photos Hundreds gathered to celebrate the Herald Top Chief Officer honorees.

Amy Newman, senior vice president, Administration from Canon U.S.A introducing a video presentation of Isao “Sammy” Kobayashi, President of Canon who was the event’s keynote speaker.

President, Sean Acosta, Property Tax Reduction Consultants.

Chief Executive Officer, Billy Haugland II, Haugland Group.

President & CEO, Katherine Fritz, Long Island Cares.

Special volunteer from Guide Dogs Foundation and American VetDogs.

Robert M. Gitto from The Gitto Group with Stuart Richner.

Chief People Officer, Kirthi Mani, CLA with her team.

Dennis Daniels entertaining the crowd while accepting the award for President, Benjamin Coggiano from Walter F. Cameron Advertising.

Chief Operations Officer, Mohammad H. Malik, M&J Engineering, D.P.C. with Herald Publisher, Stuart Richner.

President & CEO, Anne Brigis from YMCA Long Island.

CELA, Chair Elder Law Practice Group and Partner Trusts & Estates Practice Group, Ronald Fatoullah from Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP.

Cradle of Aviation welcomes Katie Ledecky

Olympic swimming legend, a multi-gold medalist, is now a Catholic Health wellness ambassador

By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com

Catholic Health teamed up last week with the legendary swimmer Katie Ledecky, a world record holder and a 14-time Olympic medalist, for a presentation at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.

Ledecky, a New York Times bestselling author and the most decorated female swimmer in history, spoke to nearly 250 area Catholic middle and high school students, many of them swimmers, on Dec. 1.

Welcomed by Andy Parton, president of the Cradle of Aviation, they crowded into the museum’s Catholic Health Sky Theater Planetarium to listen to Ledecky’s discussion with Dr. Patrick O’Shaughnessy, president and CEO of Catholic Health, the nonprofit health care system.

Ledecky was just 15, and the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic team, when she won her first gold medal at the 2012 Games in London.

“I can think of no better human being than Katie Ledecky to personally inspire us with her journey,” O’Shaughnessy said. She shared some of the highlights of that journey, and discussed her role, since July, as a health and wellness ambassador for Catholic

Health. She graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic school in Bethesda, Maryland, in 2015.

“And I think I just really love all the messaging and the support that Catholic Health gives to this community, and the resources that you provide, and the opportunities — and, of course, the health care as well,” Ledecky told O’Shaughnessy. “So just to help spread that message and be a voice for healthy living, it’s such a great match, and I’m happy that this relationship has brought

me here today, and we have a lot more on the horizon.”

She also spoke of her plans for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, and offered the young swimmers in the audience some advice. She swims 20 to 25 hours a week, she said, and spends another five to six hours in the gym. “All those hours are very important, and that sounds like a lot of time,” Ledecky said, “but really, it’s the hours away from the pool and away from the gym that are just as important. I consider those hours

part of my training as well, because if I’m not doing the things I need to do outside of the pool or outside of the gym, then I’m not going to be able to be at my best when I’m physically doing the work.”

After meeting Ledecky at a conference, O’Shaughnessy said, he knew they would be a great fit to partner together. “We’d like to bring more educational symposiums where we can talk more about what it takes to really maintain health and wellness and commitment to achieving your goals in life,” he told the Herald. “And I think you’ll see more of these types of forums that we’re going to do with Katie, where we can have interactive sessions with members of the community and talk about how we make our community a thriving, healthy environment.”

“Health, wellness and goal setting have been important parts of my life since childhood, which is why it was so meaningful to speak with Long Island students about prioritizing their wellbeing—athletes and non-athletes alike,” Ledecky told the Herald. “We’re all at our best when we’re working toward our goals, and I’m grateful that my partnership with Catholic Health has helped to share that message across Long Island.”

For more information on Catholic Health, visit CatholicHealthLI.org

Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald

Katie Ledecky and Dr. Patrick O’Shaughnessy discussed her partnership with Catholic Health as a health and wellness ambassador.

STEPPING OUT

Baking up holiday cheer

‘Tis the season munch on a cookie

By Karen Bloom

There’s nothing quite like the smell of cookies baking to say “home for the holidays.”

Share the joy straight from your oven by gathering friends and family for a festive baking day. Mix, roll, bake, laugh — and, of course, taste — as everyone contributes to a tray (or two) of homemade treats.

For many households, holiday baking is a cherished tradition, and it only gets sweeter when shared. Turn the kitchen into a holiday workshop: assign roles for measuring, mixing and decorating, turn up the seasonal music, and let creativity and sprinkles ﬂy.

Even refresh those holiday favorites. Chocolate chip and gingerbread cookies are classics, but ﬁnd inspiration in trying something new, such as Peppermint Mocha Chip Cookies might become a fast new favorite.

Peppermint Mocha Chip Cookies

Notes of crisp peppermint perfectly complement the ﬂavors of coffee and semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Add a crushed peppermint to each cookie to create a beautiful and seasonal presentation.

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3 cups Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

• 3 teaspoons instant coffee

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

• 3 large eggs

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose ﬂour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 12 soft peppermint candies, crushed

Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease or line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Melt butter and 1 cup chocolate morsels in medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth.

Transfer chocolate mixture into a large mixer bowl; add sugar and beat until combined. Add coffee granules, vanilla extract and peppermint

Elon Gold

Close out 2025 with some laughs with comedian Elon Gold, best known for his relatable takes on being Jewish and getting through the weirdness of life. Considered by many to be this generation’s Borscht Belt King, he’s no stranger to those who watch Netﬂix. His act brings laughs to both Jews and non-Jews alike all over the world. He’s made dozens of memorable appearances on late-night talk shows and TV series, especially his hilarious recurring role as Head of Hulu on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” opposite Larry David. His one hour Netﬂix stand-up special, “Elon Gold: Chosen & Taken” received wide acclaim from audiences and peers alike and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. His routines have gone viral and are shared by millions around the globe. Most recently, Elon can be seen in a recurring role on Season 11 of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and will be in the upcoming Kal Penn feature, “Trust Me, I’m A Doctor,” among other projects.

extract; beat just until combined. Beat in eggs. Add ﬂour and baking powder, mixing until all is incorporated. Fold in remaining 2 cups chocolate morsels.

Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart, using a medium size cookie scoop. Sprinkle each cookie with a little of the crushed peppermint candies.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are set. Allow to cool for about 2 minutes on baking sheet and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 36 cookies.

Hanukkah Sugar Cookies

Hanukkah is more than latkes. Celebrate the Festival of Lights in style with these tasty bites.

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1/4 tsp. vanilla

• 2 cups ﬂour

• Colored sugar or decorating icings

Beat ﬁrst 4 ingredients in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add ﬂour; mix well. Cover. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 350° F. Roll out dough to 1/8-inch-thickness on lightly ﬂoured surface. Cut into shapes with 2-inch cookie cutters; sprinkle with colored sugar. Or, leave plain to frost later with decorating icing (after cookies are baked and cooled). Place on baking sheets.

Bake 12 to 15 min. or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost and decorate as desired.

Melted Snowman

These cookies are cute tasty holiday treat.

• 3/4 cup butter, softened

• 3/4 cup white sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 egg

• 1 tablespoon milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose ﬂour

Decorations:

• 12 large marshmallows

• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar

• 1/4 cup water

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

• 1 drop red food coloring, or as desired

• 1 drop yellow food coloring, or as desired

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Beat butter in a bowl using an electric mixer until ﬂuffy, about 2 minutes. Beat white sugar, baking powder, and salt into butter until just combined. Beat egg, milk, and vanilla extract into butter-sugar mixture; add ﬂour and mix until dough is just combined. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until dough is slightly chilled, about 10 minutes.

Scoop dough into balls slightly larger than golf balls; ﬂatten into cookies. Arrange cookies on a baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden brown, 10 to 20 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.

Butter a microwave-safe plate. Place marshmallows on the prepared plate.

Microwave marshmallows until slightly puffed, 10 to 15 seconds. Gently press marshmallows until bottoms slightly ooze.

Whisk confectioners’ sugar and water together in a bowl until icing is slightly thicker than drizzleconsistency. Pour icing over cookies so it runs over the edges, reserving about 1 tablespoon.

Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl, about 30 seconds. Pour melted chocolate into a piping bag with a small tip or a plastic bag with a corner snipped.

Press 1 marshmallow close to an edge of each cookie to be the snowman’s head. Draw “stick arms” onto the icing using the melted chocolate.

Divide the reserved 1 tablespoon icing into 2 small bowls. Mix red food coloring into 1 of the bowls and orange food coloring into the other bowl. Decorate the snowmen with scarves or ties using the red icing and yellow icing.

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. $76.25 and $54.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

‘A Celtic Christmas’

An annual sold-out tradition everywhere they perform, Cherish The Ladies returns to celebrate the holiday season. Led by the charismatic ﬂute and whistle virtuoso Joanie Madden —a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Award Winner — they’ve brought their signature blend of virtuosic instrumental talents, vocals and step dancing to the White House, the Olympics and to PBS, in addition to concert halls. Their beloved Celtic Christmas program is a festive, family-friendly concert featuring their signature sound on classic carols. Each song is beautifully arranged to showcase their Celtic instrumentation, rich harmonies and remarkable step dancing. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this annual Christmas tour has been complemented by four acclaimed holiday albums. Etraordinary step dancers elevate the concert, featuring ﬁve-time World Champion David Geaney and All Britain Champion and Riverdance alumnus Noel Spillane, among others.

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. $48, $43, $38. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

Peppermint Mocha Chip Cookies Hanukkah Sugar Cookies

Melted Snowman

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

DEC 11

LuminoCity

Festival

LuminoCity is back at Eisenhower Park. Walk through a winter wonderland. Timed admission fee.

• Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow

• Time: 4:30-5:15 p.m., 6-6:45 p.m., 7:30-8:15 p.m., through Jan. 1

• Contact: luminocityfestival.com

Winter Coat Drive

Donate coats at the Freeport Memorial Library. Hosted by Legislator Seth Koslow and FreeportMerrick Rotary, coat drive concludes Dec. 14.

• Where: 144 W. Merrick Rd.

• Time: All day

• Contact: Facebook.com/freeportlibrary

Village of Freeport Blood Drive

Support the New York Blood Center blood drive hosted by the Village of Freeport. Village employees may receive time off to donate.

• Where: Freeport Recreation Center, 130 E. Merrick Road

• Time: 2:15-6:45 p.m.

• Contact: nybc.org

‘Home for the Holidays’ Pet Adoption

There’s no better time to adopt a new pet than during “Home for the Holidays’ at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. All adoption fees are waived and include free spaying/ neutering, vaccinations and microchipping. Preview the cats and dogs online at Hempsteadny.gov/179/ animal-shelter.

• Where: 3320 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh

• Time: Ongoing, through Jan. 4

• Contact: (516) 785-5220

Artie Grover Art Alcove Reception.

Join in a reception for featured artist Rosemarie “Artie” Grover, presented by the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport.

• Where: Art Alcove, Freeport Recreation Center, 130 E. Merrick Road

• Time: 6-8 p.m.

• Contact: liartsalliance.org

Comedy Night.

Get in some laughs at with Kenny Williams at Bobby Q’s. $20.

• Where: Bobby Q’s Jus Like Mama’s, 365 W. Sunrise Hwy.

• Time: 8 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.

• Contact: Eventbrite/Facebook

‘Rockin’ the Holidays’ with The Rascals

and up with museum admission.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

DEC

Village Board of Trustees meet

All are welcome to a public session at Freeport Village Hall.

Location: 46 N. Ocean Ave.

• Where: 46 N. Ocean Ave.

• Time: 5:30 p.m.

• Contact: freeportny.gov

DEC

Library Teen Craft Club

Teens can tap into their creativity during this monthly craft program at Freeport Memorial Library. This month’s project features a hands-on beading activity. Registration required.

• Where: 144 W. Merrick road

• Time: 3–4 p.m.

• Where: Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury

If you’re already humming holiday tunes and craving a little rock ‘n’ roll spirit, here’s your chance to celebrate in timeless style. Rockin’ the Holidays brings The Rascals back to the stage — joined by special guests John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band — for a concert packed with energy, nostalgia and chart-topping hits. Two of The Rascals’ founding members, Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish, reunite for this festive performance, fueled by a deep love for their fans and the enduring power of their music. With accolades that include induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, The Rascals remain icons of American rock and the defining sound of 1960s blue-eyed soul. Their legacy shines through 17 Top 20 hits, seven Top 10 singles and three No. 1 classics — among them “Groovin’,” “People Got to Be Free” and “Good Lovin’.” Audiences can expect all the favorites, plus holiday flair and the warm, soulful harmonies that made The Rascals unforgettable. “We’re so grateful for the fans — this is for them,” Cavaliere shares. Cornish echoes the sentiment: “This gives us another chance to play together and do it for the fans.” A night of feel-good music, memories and holiday cheer awaits — the perfect way to rock your way into the season.

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: livenation.com

DEC

12

‘Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive

The Bus! The Musical’

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes back this delightful production, based on Mo Willems’ awardwinning “Pigeon” picture books. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party. It’s not easy being the Pigeon — you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, this show is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also Dec. 13, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Dec. 17-18

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

Holiday fun at

Step

Westbury House! Bring the kids a festive night filled with holiday fun! Explore, through a self-guided tour, the beautifully decorated mansion with a special Christmas scavenger hunt. Get creative at Christmas craft stations, making holiday keepsakes to take home. Meet Santa Claus himself, share your wish list and snap a photo to capture the moment. Enjoy delicious cookies and cider in our West Porch. The party features Lucky Duck Puppets’ holiday show, at 7 p.m. The Winter Holiday Puppet Show is an original story about Greg, a North Pole penguin trying to find his place in the world and how he can help spread holiday cheer! $25, $22 ages 3-12 (20% member discount. Advance registration required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 6-8 p.m.

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

Plain Jane in concert

Catch Freeport rock band Plain Jane at Sparkle on Stage. Expect a high-energy night of crowdpleasing rock, pop and party favorites. $10.

• Where: 195 Woodcleft Ave.

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.

• Contact: sparkleonstage.org

‘Holiday Harmony Spectacular!’

Join L.I. Cabaret Theatre for their latest performance at Elmont Memorial Library. In this special holiday show, “A Musical Wonderland,” cast of 30, plus special guests, keeps the action moving along, with a live band. The singers and dancers perform the best holiday songs of all time and more. Free admission.

• Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: licabaret@aol.com or (516) 946-7207

Hockey clinic

DEC

Long Island Children’s Museum hosts the Long Island Warriors, a nonprofit recreational hockey program and team for military veterans, active military and reserves, for a special hockey clinic for kids in conjunction with the museum’s popular Snowflake Skating exhibit programming. Kids who want to up their sock skating game are encouraged to participate. Warriors players will teach kids about stick handling and passing as they master wrist and slap shots on the LICM’s popular sock skating “ice.” Free for ages three

• Contact: freeportlibrary.info or (516) 379-3274

Zoning Board of Appeals meets

All are welcome to the scheduled public meeting.

• Where: Freeport Village Hall, 46 N. Ocean Ave.

• Time: 6-9 p.m.

• Contact: freeportny.gov

Nassau County Greens Meeting

Join in the monthly meeting of the Green Party of Nassau County at Freeport Memorial Library. Hybrid options may be available.

• Where: 144 W. Merrick Road

• Time: 7:30–9 p.m.

• Contact: gpny.org

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.

The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes for 2025–2026 runs through January 4, 2026 at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan.

On many days there are multiple shows per

1

The Rockettes have been a cherished New York City holiday tradition since 1933. Their first appearance in the inaugural Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall firmly established them as an essential part of the city’s seasonal celebrations. Over the decades, the show has expanded into one of New York’s most beloved annual events, drawing both locals and tourists. Though the production continually evolves—incorporating advanced stage technology, refreshed choreography, and updated narrative elements—it preserves classic numbers like the iconic “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” For many families, attending the Christmas Spectacular has become a multigenerational ritual, cementing the Rockettes as enduring symbols of the holiday spirit in New York.

2

day, including a matinee, afternoon, evening, late show.

The official website to buy tickets is rockettes.com/christmas. You can also get tickets via major ticket platforms such as Ticketmaster

The Rockettes are internationally renowned for their extraordinary precision dance techniques. Their reputation centers on impeccable timing, unity, and their signature “eye-high” kicks performed in a flawlessly straight line. Achieving this level of synchronicity requires significant strength, flexibility, and stamina, especially during the demanding holiday performance schedule. Dancers train yearround to maintain the conditioning necessary for repeated shows. Height uniformity—traditionally between 5’6” and 5’10½”—helps create the seamless, uniform line that has become a visual hallmark of the troupe. Their choreography fuses tap, jazz, ballet, and modern dance into a distinctive hybrid style recognized worldwide.

City Music Hall

and in person at the Radio City Music Hall box office. The show runs about 90 minutes with no intermission.

Five things to know:

3

Their auditions are famously rigorous and attract dancers from across the country. Each year, thousands of hopefuls come to New York to compete for a coveted spot in the lineup. The audition process involves multiple rounds in which dancers must quickly learn and perform complex combinations with absolute precision. Beyond technical excellence, candidates are judged on how well they blend with the group in both appearance and style—a defining aspect of the Rockettes. Even after being selected, dancers undergo weeks of intensive rehearsals, often lasting six hours a day, to build the synchronization and endurance needed.

4

The troupe’s origins trace back to the American Midwest. Before becoming synonymous with Radio

City Music Hall, the Rockettes began in St. Louis in 1925 under choreographer Russell Markert as the “Missouri Rockets.” Inspired by European precision dance ensembles, the group gained popularity and eventually caught the attention of Radio City’s management. After several transformations and expansions, they relocated to New York, where they became a defining feature of the venue.

During the holiday season, the Rockettes may perform up to four shows daily. These 90-minute performances require exceptional discipline, from executing rapid costume changes to sustaining high energy and flawless precision. This demanding schedule highlights the remarkable athleticism and professionalism that enable the dancers to deliver polished performances for every audience.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE TO ELECTRIC USERS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Incorporated Village of Freeport, New York, Freeport Electric that on November 21, 2025, it issued and filed with the Public Service Commission of the State of New York revised leaves to its Schedule for Electric Services, P.S.C. No. 9 - Electricity, to become effective on and as of March 1, 2026, encompassing the following changes:

Service Classification No. 1: Residential

Service Rate - Per Meter, Per Month

Customer Charge

Winter Summer

$9.44 $9.44

First 250 kWh 12.022 cents/kWh 12.022 cents/kWh

Next 750 kWh 12.022 cents/kWh 13.604 cents/kWh

Over 1000 kWh 12.022 cents/kWh 14.429 cents/kWh

Minimum Charge

$9.44 Per Meter, Per Month

Electric Water Heating Charge: 10.678 cents per kWh during the Winter period 11.877 cents per kWh during the Summer period

Electric Space Heating Charge In Excess of 1,000 kWh Per Meter Per Month During Billing Periods Between November 1 and May 31, inclusive, will be 10.678 cents per kWh. All Electric Residential (where the above two charges apply), the rate for consumption in excess of 500 kWh per meter per month will be 10.678 cents per kWh for every month of the year and the rate for consumption between 500 kWh and 1,000 kWh per meter per month during the billing periods between November 1 and May 31, inclusive, will be 11.072 cents per kWh.

Service Classification No. 2: General Service

Customer Charge - Per Meter, Per Month:

Monthly Charge

$12.24 Non-Demand Customers

$47.12 Demand Rate Customers

Demand Rate - Per Meter, Per Month: Winter Summer

First 5.0 kW of Demand $10.84/kW $10.84/kW

Over 5.0 kW of Demand $10.84/kW $11.40/kW Energy Rate - Per Meter, Per Month: Winter Summer

Non-Demand Customers, all kWh 13.097cents/kWh 13.868 cents/kWh Demand Customers, all kWh 7.694 cents/kWh 8.149

Minimum Charge:

Non-Demand Customers $12.24 Per Meter, Per Month

Demand Rate Customers $47.12 Per Meter, Per Month

Service Classification No. 3: Outdoor Area Lighting

The charge for service for each calendar month shall be the sum of the following: Charges per Lamp per Month - Metal Halide

20,000 Lumens, 250 Watts $27.62

36,000 Lumens, 400 Watts $34.44

Charges per Lamp per Month - High Pressure Sodium

25,000 Lumens, 250 Watts $27.72

40,000 Lumens, 400 Watts $34.77

The changes are designed to produce an overall revenue increase from all Service Classifications of $7,130,736 (representing an increase of 17.40% over fiscal year 2025 total revenue and a 25.31% increase in base delivery revenue). Under the proposed revisions, the rate increase would be spread equally across all rate classes.

Freeport has requested this rate change due to mandatory increases in contractual wages, increased insurance and pension costs, inflation and general increases to the upkeep of the utility.

Freeport has also proposed to establish a Pole Attachment Rental Rate of $16.75 per pole for the use of space on poles wholly-owned or jointly owned by Freeport. Details of these changes may be found in the revised Schedule P.S.C. No. 9, a copy of which may be consulted at Village Hall, 46 N. Ocean Ave., Freeport, New York 11520. INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT

FREEPORT ELECTRIC

157270

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee for the RMAC Trust, Series 2018 G-CTT, Plaintiff -againstTiffany Cousar

Individually, as Heir and as Administrator for the estate of Dawn Renee Nelson, Perry Nelson as Heir to the estate of Dawn Renee Nelson and Dawn Renee Nelson’s unknown heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase,

inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right, title or interest in the real property described in the complaint herein, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, United States of AmericaInternal Revenue Service, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Defendants.

Index No.: 614128/2019 Filed: 11/19/2025 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated.

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this

summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: Bay Shore, New York

November 15, 2024 Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP

By: Keith Abramson

Attorneys for Plaintiff 53 Gibson Street, Bay Shore, New York 11706 (631) 969-3100

Our File No.: 01-060092-F01 156980

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the attorneys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service; or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York; or within sixty (60) days if it is the United States of America. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $123,117.00 and interest, recorded in the office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on April 02,

2010 in Liber 34727, Page 28 covering premises known as 28 Leonard Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR LEHMAN XS TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-20, -againstHEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF RUBY WEBB, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on August 18, 2022, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR LEHMAN XS TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-20 is the Plaintiff and HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE

ESTATE OF RUBY WEBB, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 6, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 123 SMITH STREET, ROOSEVELT, NY 11575; and the following tax map identification: 50-311-27, 28, 126 and 229. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT ROOSEVELT GARDEN, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 601395/2018. Mark Ricciardi, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 157104

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED NOTEHOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2007-2, -againstJULIUS O. PEARSE, AS ADMINISTRATOR AND AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOYSETTA PEARSE A/K/A JOYSETTA JOSEPHINE PEARSE, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on June 25, 2025, wherein HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS

INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED NOTEHOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2007-2 is the Plaintiff and JULIUS O. PEARSE, AS ADMINISTRATOR AND AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOYSETTA PEARSE A/K/A JOYSETTA JOSEPHINE PEARSE, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 5, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 60 MEISTER BOULEVARD, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 54-327-14, 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 601276/2024. Steven M. Feinberg, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 157106

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) 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 1/6/2026 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: 11/3/2025 File Number: 34658 CA 157100

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for Nomura Asset-Backed Certificate Series, 2006-AF1, Plaintiff AGAINST Sandra Bustamante, as Limited Administrator of the Estate of Hasan Ozcan; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 26, 2019. 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

20 January 6, 2026 at 2:00

Public Notices

11, 2025

PM, premises known as 16 Smith Street, Inwood, NY 11096. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Inwood, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section: 40 Block: 70 Lot: 6.

Approximate amount of judgment $864,388.39 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 007131/2012. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies

Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Lisa Poczik Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP

f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: November 19, 2025 157102

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to §128-5 of the Freeport Village Code, a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Freeport will be held to conduct public hearings on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 5:30 P.M., in the Municipal Building, Board of Trustees Conference Room, 46 North Ocean Avenue, 2nd Floor, Freeport, NY adjacent to the Mayor’s Office.

Pamela Walsh Boening Village Clerk Issue Date: December 11, 2025 157271

LEGAL NOTICE

SITE PLAN REVIEW

BOARD MEETINGDECEMBER 23, 2025

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that a Public Hearing will be held before the Site Plan Review Board on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 6:45 P.M., in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Main Conference Room, 46 N. Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York, on Site Plan applications as they appear on the calendar;

public comment invited. The Board will meet at 6:30 P.M. in the Trustees Conference Room to discuss cases not requiring a public hearing; open to the public, no public comment.

INTERESTED PROPERTY OWNERS and other persons should appear at the above time and place to have questions answered and to voice opinions.

SP - 3860 - 206 Church Street, Section 55/Block 366/Lot 70. Residence A. Janna Rodriguez Construct 1-story front addition 118 SF, 2Ω story rear addition 5,536 SF, new 45 SF front steps & platform with roof, new 20’ x 25’garage, 20’ x 10’ shed, 2 new cellar entrances and replace existing driveway with 3,143 SF circular driveway and pave 2,393 SF area on the side of the house. BY ORDER OF THE PLANNING BOARD

Pamela Walsh Boening, Village Clerk 157269

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. CARDINAL CREDIT X LLC, Plaintiff -against897 SPRING AVE LLC, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 5, 2025 and entered on May 8, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on January 12, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.

PARCEL I: Section: 50 Block: 427 and Lot: 6 situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Southerly side of Spring Avenue, distant 210.23 feet Easterly from the extreme Easterly end of the arc of a curve connecting the Southerly side of Spring Avenue with the Easterly side of Summer Avenue; being a plot 100 feet by 60 feet by 100 feet by 60 feet.

Said premises known as 897 SPRING AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NY 11553

PARCEL II: Section: 36 Block: 518 and Lot: 20 situate, lying and being

in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Westerly side of California Avenue, distant 456.37 feet Westerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Westerly side of Delaware Avenue and the Northerly side of California Avenue when measured along the Northerly side of California Avenue; being a plot 109 feet by 55 feet by 109 feet by 55 feet.

Said premises known as 154 CALIFORNIA AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520

Approximate amount of lien $302,369.32 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 602607/2024.

ELIZABETH GILL, ESQ., Referee The Camporeale Law Group PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 585 Stewart Avenue, 770, Garden City, NY 11530 {* FREEPORT LEADER*} 157137

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, -againstANGEL RECINOS, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 14, 2025, wherein PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and ANGEL RECINOS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 13, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 556 SOUTH BAYVIEW AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 54-325-36, 37, 38 and 39. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS

AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 608685/2019. Scott H. Siller, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 157199

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR CSMC 2018-RPL6 TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ALAN RICHARTZ, JR., ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 24, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 443 Atlantic Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 312 and Lot 71. Approximate amount of judgment is $430,074.10 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #620789/2023. Lawrence M. Schaffer, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP,

Lisa Cairo honored by Hempstead Town

Hon. Lisa Cairo was recognized during the Court Officers Benevolent Association of Nassau County Dinner on Nov. 20, 2025, at Jericho Terrace. Joining her for the celebration were Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti, Councilman Tom Muscarella, and Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll. Also in attendance were Joseph Cairo, chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee, and members of the Court Officers Benevolent Association of Nassau County.

Public Notices

85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 222478-1 157161

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST CHRISTOPHER RUNOLFSSON, JENNIFER WINTERS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 30, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 194 Westside 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, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 62 Block 31 Lot 13. Approximate amount of judgment $598,918.99 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #620308/2023. Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-004227 87805 157145

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006FM1, ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff, Against PAMELA FLEARY Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 05/12/2023, I, the

undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 1/14/2026 at 3:30PM, premises known as 127 Wilson Place, Freeport, New York 11520, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Freeport, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 54 Block 493 Lot 43

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $934,892.40 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 004842/2015 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then

Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine. Paul L. Meli, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 11/12/2025 File Number: 17-300038 CA 157189

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: JZYN & CO LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 9/17/25. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as an agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 964 Pacific Street, Baldwin, NY 11510 Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 157209

Courtesy Town of Hemsptead

CLASSIFIED

PART TIME

BOOKKEEPER/ OFFICE MANAGER

•

accounts and maintain ﬁnancial records.

• Perform administrative tasks such as ﬁling and correspondence.

Qualiﬁcations:

• 3+ years of bookkeeping experience.

• Proﬁciency with QuickBooks (Desktop or Online).

• Experience with payroll processing.

•

EDITOR/REPORTER

OUTSIDE SALES

Help Wanted

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

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

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

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off.

Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS

FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

TAX PREPARER WANTED

FREEPORT TAX SERVICE INC.

Located Sunrise Hwy, Bellmore Hours Are Flexible And Position Requires 20-40 Hours Per Week During Tax Season Possible Future Opportunities Contact Matt At 516-868-9696

Eldercare

require mature individuals to provide quality childcare to elementary school aged children between the hours of 2:30pm to 6:00pm weekdays. Minimum 3 afternoons per week Experience helpful

HomesHERALD

Buyer’s Dream Home

Don’t miss the chance to own your own private oasis right in the heart of Oceanside. This beautifully maintained home is ideally located close to everything you need houses of worship, schools, parks, pools, restaurants, and endless activities for all ages. Bright, inviting, and airy, this spacious split-level home features 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. The primary suite enjoys its own private level

Can we add a garage now, and get the

permits later?

Q. We’ve met with two architects and two contractors to figure out how we can add a garage to our house or make it free-standing. The contractors were confident the garage could be attached to the house — our first preference — but the architects told us about regulations that make the whole thing doubtful and more expensive. Each one told us about building codes and other problems with our house that might come up. One asked if our shed was legal, and whether we had proof that the second floor and the finished basement of our Cape Cod home had been permitted. We’re now wondering whether we should even do the job. Both contractors keep calling, and even saying that we should build it first and then get it permitted after. Can we do that? Should we do that?

A. You mean ask for forgiveness instead of permission, right? Can the contractors give a guarantee of your success? The way things are going these days, I’m ready to tell you to listen to the contractors and have them direct the whole mess you’ll encounter. Just see if they stick around when the expenses start for all the extra work to undo the mess.

Two things are happening right now that make things more “challenging.” One is that as building codes become stricter and building officials become less able to communicate what it means to “demonstrate compliance” — and many architects are ready to just quit working in certain communities because of this — you, the owner, become more responsible and less protected from this mess. For example, one community examiner asks to “demonstrate” compliance with mechanical requirements in order to finish a basement. Nobody told me in architecture school that I would someday be doing plans to finish a basement, but what the heck, people need an architect, and in between much larger projects here in the suburbs, it seemed like a simpler task.

But not really. That word “demonstrate” could mean that the owner will have to actually make a choice to air-condition and heat their basement, and specific equipment to do that task may have to be shown on the drawings. In reality … remember reality? In reality, I rarely see a heating or cooling system in a basement.

But your architect is being required to “demonstrate.” This leads back to the contractor, because the architect has almost no chance of selecting any mechanical system to heat or cool in a way that an independent plumber or mechanical company would agree to, much less install. Therefore, the architect is alienated from the simple project “filler” in between projects that involve professional teams of architects, engineers, contractors and construction management. Working in small communities is becoming complicated, and therefore expensive for the homeowner. Listen to the architects, unless you want the mess, and make sure the basement, finished second floor and shed are legal, or expect to spend a lot of money when the problems come up. Good luck!

Monte Leeper, architect.

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opinions

Desperately seeking bipartisanship and compromise

Recently I took part in several WABC radio talk shows moderated by the station’s owner, New York business mogul John Catsimatidis. The topics we covered initially focused on Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s election, County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s overwhelming victory in last month’s election and the upcoming statewide race for New York governor. Among the participants were veteran political leader Craig Eaton, a former chairman of the Republican Party in Brooklyn, and David Paterson, whose decadeslong career of service included being governor, state senator and state Democratic Party chairman.

The conversations soon veered from specific races to the issue of the almost total disappearance of bipartisanship in today’s politics and government. Despite our varying political views and beliefs, we were in full agreement that needless partisanship and mindless rancor are weakening the nation’s fabric and threaten our future.

The two major American political parties were built by people whose names most of us have never heard of. They weren’t Democratic or Republican officeholders. They were philosophers whose writings moved politicians who embraced their words and used them to try to make the Democratic and Republican parties attractive to voters.

Milton Friedman was a 20thcentury American economist whose ideas were a strong influence on Republicans. Russell Kirk was a highly regarded conservative and a godfather of the conservative movement. William F. Buckley Jr. is a name my generation knows because, for a long period of time, he was the voice of staunch conservative Republicans. A handful of people have shaped the Democratic Party philosophy as well — John Dewey, John Stuart Mill, John Rawls and numerous other names that are foreign to most of us. Dewey believed in a party that enables labor rights, community organizing and local empowerment.

Let me be clear. I say this not as a blind idealist, nor as someone who believes that the old days were all love and harmony. Not after more than a halfcentury of fighting to survive the minefields of Nassau County, New York state and Washington politics! No, those days weren’t heaven on earth. But there were lines that weren’t to be crossed and responsibilities that had to be met.

Instead Dewey let it be known through channels that he would not use the devastating info: America was still at war, and Japan wasn’t aware we had broken its code. Dewey would not undermine the commander in chief in time of war, even if it meant not winning the presidency.

We can have bipartisan relationships without giving up core principles.

And this sense of basic civility certainly precedes my time in politics. A clear example was the 1944 presidential election, between President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat who was running for his fourth term, and New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey. After 12 years in office and almost total domination of the political scene, FDR was the Republicans’ number one political enemy. They wanted him stopped at all costs.

During the campaign, Dewey was secretly informed that United States intelligence had broken Japanese code months before the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. That meant that Dewey could hold FDR responsible for failing to act on that vital intel, or, more conspiratorially, charge that FDR intentionally allowed the attack to go forward to drag the United States into World War II.

In later years, Ronald Reagan, our most conservative president, and then House Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, a diehard liberal, found ways to compromise — often over an evening drink — even on third-rail issues like Social Security. More important, they never let their political differences become personal.

Even during the much more partisan years of President Bill Clinton’s administration and Newt Gingrich’s House speakership, there were historic bipartisan achievements, including welfare reform and the only balanced budget and surplus in the past half-century.

During my time in Congress, I worked closely with Clinton on foreign policy issues such as the Good Friday Agreement, which ended the centuries-old struggle in Northern Ireland, and stopping Serbian aggression in the Balkans. And domestically, I successfully urged Clinton to revive the East Side Access

project, connecting the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Station despite the opposition of his budget office and the lack of support from some New York Democrats.

In Congress I worked closely across the aisle on vital issues for New York, such as Sept. 11 health care and victims compensation, homeland security funding for police and first responders after 9/11, and disaster aid following Superstorm Sandy.

I was able to establish solid bipartisan relationships in Washington, with leading Democrats Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Charlie Rangel and Ed Towns, and in New York, with Paterson, Andrew Cuomo and former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, who was a source of advice and counsel for me.

All that I did with these Democrats was achieved without any of us sacrificing our core principles. These were combined efforts on issues that transcended party lines and benefited our constituents. We saved the partisan arguments for ideological issues on which we couldn’t find compromise. That’s what democracy should be all about. It worked for the betterment of the voters of my district, state and nation. We need more of it.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

Those who ignore James Carville face oblivion

Those old philosophers shaped the two major parties, but there is currently almost no one you could name whom President Trump or President Biden relies or relied on to help make serious decisions. In many ways, Biden was a student of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who promised dozens of programs that were helpful to countless people. Trump apparently relies on nothing other than his instincts, with occasional input from his adviser Stephen Miller. Miller has strong opinions on many subjects, and Trump often has to restrain him.

For so many voters, it’s still about the economy, as the ‘Ragin’ Cajun’ so eloquently put it.

There is one voice out there today whose message can be good for Democrats and Republicans, depending on who’s listening. I refer to James Carville. Sometimes known as the “Ragin’ Cajun,” Carville created the strategy that elected and re-elected President Bill Clinton. His plain talk has been out there for whoever wants to embrace it. His simple advice since 1992 has been, “It’s the economy, stupid.” It worked when Clinton defeated President George H.W. Bush, and in many ways it helped Donald Trump get to the White House. We are now 11 months away from another consequential election, and the

dominant political voice out there pounding the Democratic Party is Carville. He had a message for Democrats last year, when he told them to stop lecturing people and talk to them about their issues. He tried to get that message across to then Vice President Kamala Harris, but she relied on paid advisers who gave her the worst possible advice.

This year, a large group of Democrats paid attention to Carville’s counsel, and it helped them sweep numerous contests in last month’s elections. Democratic Congresswomen Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger were elected the governors of New Jersey and Virginia, respectively. California Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed through a resolution to redraw his state’s congressional map, which was approved by a landslide. Democrats won other significant contests in Georgia and Pennsylvania. The winning campaigns focused on the issue of affordability, and Trump’s unpopularity helped all of them.

Next year’s elections will be a huge challenge for both political parties. History shows that the minority party generally wins a majority of the contested seats in Congress. Current polls shows the Democrats winning a large numbers

of seats and likely taking over the House, and projections show them within three seats of taking over the Senate as well. With all this bad news, are the Republicans paying attention? Trump has reacted to the 2025 elections by insisting that the economy is great. He has claimed that prices are down, and that all of the Democratic claims to the contrary are false. Even in the face of the worst consumer confidence figures, he is living in some type of bubble and ignoring what’s really happening. He made some concessions on tariffs, but it will take time for them to have any impact.

The problem for the Republicans is that all of them are on one big ship, and Trump is the captain. The longer he continues to believe, or at least insist in public, that the economy is terrific, the more danger his passengers are in.

At the same time, pundits like Carville are pushing Democrats to stick to variations on his message. Absent a 360-degree turnaround by the GOP in the next several months, Carville’s admonition about the economy could be the winning message for Democrats, and leave Republicans looking stupid.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.

Act now to restore order, safety to e-mobility

New York state is undergoing a transportation transformation. Electric bikes, scooters and skateboards are no longer niche devices. They are everywhere, threading through intersections, racing down sidewalks and rapidly redefining how we move across our communities. Their convenience is undeniable. Their popularity is unmistakable. But the risks — now becoming painfully clear — demand immediate attention. The rise of unregulated electric personal mobility devices has outpaced our laws, our infrastructure and our safety systems. The result is a growing sense of disorder on our streets and a mounting toll of injuries and fatalities that can no longer be brushed aside.

This is why the introduction of S8573/ A157 by State Sen. Patricia CanzoneriFitzpatrick, of Malverne, and fellow Republican Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, of Staten Island, matters so profoundly. Their legislation would provide what New York currently lacks: a responsible, modern framework to ensure that these increasingly powerful devices are used safely and sanely. It would create a clear registration system through the Department of Motor Vehicles. It would require operators to be at least 16 years old, and to wear helmets. It would establish penalties for dangerous behavior. Most important, it acknowledges that the era of ignoring e-mobility regulation is over. Across the state, residents have voiced

growing concern about the chaos unfolding on sidewalks and streets. Many have witnessed reckless riders speeding through crosswalks, weaving unpredictably through traffic, or operating devices that exceed the speeds of some small motorcycles, all without training, accountability or basic protective gear. These concerns are not mere irritations. They are warnings. And for too long, state law has offered no tools to respond. The consequences are tragically real. The death of 14-year-old Mepham High School student Jayden Flores is a heartbreaking reminder of how high the stakes are. Jayden’s life was cut short on Nov. 6 when he was simply trying to cross an intersection that is familiar to families, commuters and children who navigate it every day.

Jayden’s death shattered a community, devastated his loved ones and reignited fears that New York is allowing a preventable danger to grow unchecked. It was not an isolated incident. New York City accounts for nearly half of all e-bike fatalities nationwide, and injuries involving motorized two-wheelers have skyrocketed in recent years. These are the numbers not of a state that is in control, but rather of one that has fallen behind.

Opponents may argue that regulation will limit the freedom and utility these devices offer. But this legislation would not restrict responsible riders — it aims to protect them. It differentiates between

those who use these devices to commute, work or travel safely and those who endanger themselves and others by treating public roads like racetracks. By establishing clear rules, the bill would strengthen, but not stifle, the e-mobility revolution. It would tell riders: You belong here, but with the same responsibilities that govern every other vehicle user.

Community members deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing their children can cross the street safely, that seniors can walk on the sidewalks without fear, and that drivers can navigate intersections without unpredictable hazards.

Families should not have to mourn preventable deaths. Schools should not have to activate crisis-counseling teams because lawmakers failed to act. And no parent should have to receive the call that Jayden’s family received — a call that turns a normal morning into a lifetime of grief.

S8573/A157 is not merely a procedural update. It is a necessary, common-sense step toward restoring order, protecting public safety and preventing future tragedies. The Legislature must recognize the urgency of this moment. Every day without clear regulations is another day when lives are at risk.

New York cannot afford to hesitate. The time to act is now. Lawmakers must pass this bill, and ensure that the promise of e-mobility never again comes at the expense of human life.

Thank you for the honor of serving the 5th District

Thank you. I cannot say it enough.

Serving as a Nassau County Legislator for the past two years has been a tremendous honor, and an even greater privilege.

I joined the Legislature at a challenging time for Democrats. We were the last line of defense against a Republican supermajority and absolute one-party rule in Nassau.

For two years we fought for our constituents. We fought to get our communities the resources from the county that they not only deserve but pay for with their tax dollars. Under the leadership of Minority Leader Delia DeRiggiWhitton, we proudly stood shoulder to shoulder and delivered.

We successfully leveraged our votes for the 2025 capital plan to force County Executive Bruce Blakeman to process 14 long-awaited grants for first responders serving Democratic districts — including $100,000 for the Merrick Fire Department. We enacted a capital plan that delivered tens of millions for essential infrastructure investments in Demo-

cratic districts and funded first responders, law enforcement and critical countywide infrastructure upgrades.

As a caucus, we fought for American Rescue Plan Act funding that Nassau received after the pandemic, to be set aside for community organizations that helped us weather the storm and strengthen the fabric of our communities. In District 5 we supported our youth by securing $100,000 for Rising Stars in Freeport and $50,000 for the Cedarmore Corporation. We confronted hunger by delivering over $22,000 to the Ladles of Hope food pantry at Our Holy Redeemer Church in Freeport.

focused on the health and safety of our community members.

i have the utmost confidence in the Democratic conference I leave behind.

Our caucus fought for common-sense legislation that would protect the public and save lives. I proposed Gio’s Law to mandate epinephrine auto-injectors, or EpiPens, in all county police cars, and Robbie’s Law, to equip all county athletic fields with automated external defibrillators. My colleagues proposed the Families Against Fentanyl Act, which would require the inclusion of low-cost, highly accurate fentanyl-detecting test strips in Narcan kits distributed by county agencies.

We proposed these pieces of legislation because they made sense. All three

I proudly stood with my colleagues as we sounded the alarm on tens of millions of dollars in wasteful spending on politically connected outside legal contracts. And we shed light on the chaos at Nassau University Medical Center amid the ongoing battle to save this vital safety-net hospital that so many people rely on. We fought for policies to make Nassau more affordable by reducing permit fees for businesses and returning illegally collected red-light camera ticket fees to drivers.

Unfortunately, none of the legislation proposed by Democrats made it onto the legislative calendar for a vote, but I’m optimistic that the momentum we created will continue into 2026. Here’s one example: At a recent meeting of the Merrick Community Civic Association, I saw a powerful presentation by Kennedy High School students Ava and Ethan Robinson in support of Robbie’s Law. Their passion showed that the fight for this lifesaving idea is far from over.

There is more work to do, but I have the utmost confidence in the Democratic caucus I leave behind. I owe each member a debt of gratitude. My success

representing the 5th District is directly related to the support, advice and guidance I received from my fellow legislators. Thanks to each of you.

My term ends on Dec. 31, but my work will continue until then. I will use every moment to help our community. I’m happy to announce that we will host a winter coat drive in partnership with the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club. If you have new or gently used winter coats and accessories, please drop them off during business hours at the Freeport, North Bellmore or North Merrick libraries, or Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club headquarters, at 294 W. Merrick Road, Suite 12, in Freeport. The drive ends on Dec. 14.

I’m especially grateful for the unwavering love and support that my wife, Jill, our children and extended family gave me on this journey. Without you, none of this would have been possible. I am forever grateful to all of you.

Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve for these two years. From my family to yours, we wish you a wonderful, healthy and prosperous holiday season and an amazing 2026. I look forward to seeing you in the community as we continue making Nassau County an even better place to live, work and raise our families.

Seth I. Koslow, of Merrick, represents Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District.

seTh i. koslow

Framework by Tim Baker

At the Holiday Boat Parade on the Nautical Mile — Freeport